K J M VARMA

Stories by K J M VARMA

Pakistan always first in our neighbourhood policy, says China

Pakistan always first in our neighbourhood policy, says China

Rediff.com   14 Apr 2022

China on Thursday told Pakistan's new Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that it will always put its "all-weather ally" as a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy as it praised his commitment to promote the USD 60 billion CPEC initiative.

Shanghai starts new round of mass testing amid record Covid surge

Shanghai starts new round of mass testing amid record Covid surge

Rediff.com   6 Apr 2022

Shanghai's single-day infection numbers also beat China's previous all-time high of 13,436 cases recorded in Wuhan on February 12, 2020, where the coronavirus outbreak first emerged.

'Keenly felt' India and China are no threat to each other: Wang Yi

'Keenly felt' India and China are no threat to each other: Wang Yi

Rediff.com   29 Mar 2022

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said that during his recent visit to India, he "keenly felt" that both sides had agreed to adhere to the leaders' consensus that the two countries are not a threat to each other and handle and manage their differences.

No survivors found so far in China plane crash: Official

No survivors found so far in China plane crash: Official

Rediff.com   22 Mar 2022

Aircraft debris and some personal belongings have been found at the air crash site in Tengxian County of Wuzhou City, but no survivors, state-run CGTN reported on Tuesday.

No news of survivors in China plane crash, rescue efforts continue

No news of survivors in China plane crash, rescue efforts continue

Rediff.com   22 Mar 2022

There is no official announcement yet on the fate of the 123 passengers and nine crew members as hopes receded about finding any survivors, considering that the plane crashed and exploded in a mountainous area.

China plane with 132 on board crashes; no sign of survivors

China plane with 132 on board crashes; no sign of survivors

Rediff.com   21 Mar 2022

The plane crashed in the city of Wuzhou, the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region of China, causing a forest fire, Sputnik reported citing China Central Television (CCTV).

China reports first Covid deaths in over a year

China reports first Covid deaths in over a year

Rediff.com   19 Mar 2022

The latest surge in cases in the last few weeks was a two year high in the country, denting official claims of China being one of the best performers in curbing COVID-19 pandemic.

India, Pak should launch probe into accidental missile firing: China

India, Pak should launch probe into accidental missile firing: China

Rediff.com   14 Mar 2022

'We called on relevant countries to have dialogue and communication as soon as possible and launch a thorough investigation into this incident, strengthen information sharing and establish a notification mechanism in time to ensure the recurrence of such incidents and prevent miscalculation'

China on brink of biggest Covid crisis since Wuhan as cases triple

China on brink of biggest Covid crisis since Wuhan as cases triple

Rediff.com   13 Mar 2022

Shenzhen which has been battling an Omicron surge since late February, will carry out three rounds of citywide COVID-19 tests next week.

With 2000 new infections, China's daily Covid cases hit 2-yr high

With 2000 new infections, China's daily Covid cases hit 2-yr high

Rediff.com   13 Mar 2022

The former British colony also reported COVID-related 87 deaths taking the overall toll to 3,729, the report said.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to step down in sweeping leadership change

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to step down in sweeping leadership change

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2022

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who is at the helm of managing the country's economy for a decade, said that he will be stepping down this year, setting in motion the once-in-a-decade sweeping leadership change in the Communist country.

China offers to restore peace in 'grave' Ukraine

China offers to restore peace in 'grave' Ukraine

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2022

Premier Li, replying to a question on China's refusal to criticise Russia's military action against Ukraine, said that utmost efforts should be made to support Russia and Ukraine in carrying forward ceasefire negotiations.

Ladakh standoff: China hopes for a solution in March 11 talks

Ladakh standoff: China hopes for a solution in March 11 talks

Rediff.com   10 Mar 2022

'We hope this round of meeting, on the basis of previous meetings, can move forward, further enlarge consensus, narrow differences and work for a solution that is acceptable to both parties,' the spokesperson said in updated comments posted on the ministry's website.

China hikes defence budget to $230bn, three times that of India's

China hikes defence budget to $230bn, three times that of India's

Rediff.com   5 Mar 2022

China hiked its annual defence budget by 7.1 per cent.

China lowers GDP target for 2022 to 5.5%

China lowers GDP target for 2022 to 5.5%

Rediff.com   5 Mar 2022

China on Saturday lowered its GDP target to 5.5 per cent for this year bringing it down from last year's 6.1 per cent. The new target for the second-largest economy was announced by Premier Li Keqiang in his work report presented to the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's Parliament which opened its annual session in Beijing on Saturday. In 2021, China's economy grew by 8.1 per cent 2021 to about $18 trillion stated to be the best in a decade.

China 'extremely concerned' over civilian casualties in Ukraine

China 'extremely concerned' over civilian casualties in Ukraine

Rediff.com   2 Mar 2022

Wang said that the situation in Ukraine has changed rapidly and that China laments the outbreak of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and is 'extremely concerned' with the harm to civilians, China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

US will pay 'heavy price' for backing Taiwan's independence: China

US will pay 'heavy price' for backing Taiwan's independence: China

Rediff.com   1 Mar 2022

China on Tuesday warned the United States that it will pay a 'heavy price' for its attempts to show support to Taiwan's independence as a delegation of ex-American defence officials dispatched by President Joe Biden landed in Taipei amid apprehensions that Beijing may attempt action against the self-ruled island akin to Russia's military assault in Ukraine.

China slams India's decision to ban 54 mobile apps

China slams India's decision to ban 54 mobile apps

Rediff.com   17 Feb 2022

China on Thursday criticised India's latest decision to block access to 54 more Chinese mobile apps over security and privacy concerns, saying that the move has damaged the legitimate interests of companies from China. India on Monday blocked 54 more apps with Chinese links, including Tencent Xriver, Nice Video baidu, Viva Video Editor, and gaming app Garena Free Fire Illuminate. The Chinese apps allegedly obtain various critical permissions and collect sensitive user data. The collected real-time data are being misused and transmitted to servers located in a hostile country, sources in India said, adding that the IT ministry has issued interim directions for the blocking of 54 apps.

Sino-India talks must continue to resolve issues: Beijing

Sino-India talks must continue to resolve issues: Beijing

Rediff.com   14 Feb 2022

"On the border issue, China always maintains that we should follow through on treaties and agreements we signed and we jointly uphold peace and tranquility at the border region," Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said while responding to Jaishankar's remarks.

Quad a tool to stoke confrontation: China

Quad a tool to stoke confrontation: China

Rediff.com   11 Feb 2022

China, which has territorial disputes with many countries in the strategic Indo-Pacific region, has been opposing the Quad alliance since its formation.