K J M Varma

Stories by K J M Varma

Xi offers to cooperate with India for COVID-19 vaccine

Xi offers to cooperate with India for COVID-19 vaccine

Rediff.com   17 Nov 2020

So far the coronavirus, which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan, has infected more than 54 million people around the world and killed over 1.3 million others.

China finally congratulates Biden, Harris

China finally congratulates Biden, Harris

Rediff.com   13 Nov 2020

China initially hesitated to congratulate Biden, a Democrat, after Republican incumbent President Donald Trump refused to concede.

How China's military plans to catch up with the US

How China's military plans to catch up with the US

Rediff.com   12 Nov 2020

The statements come from a booklet published this month by the state-run People's Publishing House, in which senior officials, including President Xi, outlined the latest five-year plan for the country's development.

China declines to congratulate Biden without 'legal endorsement'

China declines to congratulate Biden without 'legal endorsement'

Rediff.com   9 Nov 2020

China has not yet come out with an official reaction to Biden and Kamala Harris' victory in the November 3 presidential election even though official media here are carrying out commentaries on their election.

Xi orders to expedite work on rail line near Arunachal border

Xi orders to expedite work on rail line near Arunachal border

Rediff.com   8 Nov 2020

The Sichuan-Tibet Railway will be the second railway line into Tibet after the Qinghai-Tibet Railway project. It will go through the southeast of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the world's most geologically active areas, according to the Chinese official media.

China hopes for smooth ending to US Presidential poll

China hopes for smooth ending to US Presidential poll

Rediff.com   5 Nov 2020

Chinese observers forecast that whether it is Trump or Biden, they are expected to follow tough and hardline policies towards Beijing as part of US efforts to contain the rise of China.

Setback for Jack Ma; his mother of all IPOs suspended

Setback for Jack Ma; his mother of all IPOs suspended

Rediff.com   3 Nov 2020

Jack Ma, founder of China's e-commerce giant Alibaba suffered a major setback on Tuesday as Shanghai and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges suspended dual listing of the shares of his world's biggest initial public offer of $39.7 billion of the group's subsidiary - the Ant Group, 48 hours before the highly-anticipated trading was due to start. The Shanghai Stock Exchange surprised market investors with an abrupt announcement late on Tuesday that it will suspend Ant Group's IPO, as regulators and the public debate the balance between financial innovation and risk control, state run Global Times reported. According to media reports, the Hong Kong exchange followed suit several minutes later.

China hopes Malabar drill will be conducive to peace, not contrary

China hopes Malabar drill will be conducive to peace, not contrary

Rediff.com   3 Nov 2020

The first phase of the Malabar exercises is due to begin in the Bay of Bengal off Visakhapatnam coast on Tuesday and end on November 6. The second phase of the mega exercise is scheduled to be held from November 17 to 20 in the Arabian sea.

19 Indians test Covid positive on Vande Bharat flight to Wuhan

19 Indians test Covid positive on Vande Bharat flight to Wuhan

Rediff.com   2 Nov 2020

Besides the 19 Indians who tested positive, antibodies were found in the tests of 39 others, officials said.

China vows to build 'fully modern military' on par with US army by 2027

China vows to build 'fully modern military' on par with US army by 2027

Rediff.com   1 Nov 2020

By the year 2027, which marks the centennial of the founding of the People's Liberation Army, China will build a fully modern military, a goal that is in alignment with the national strength and will fulfil the future national defence need, state-run Global Times quoted Chinese analysts as saying.

Xi says China can no longer rely on global exports

Xi says China can no longer rely on global exports

Rediff.com   31 Oct 2020

The just-concluded plenary session of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), headed by Xi, adopted his proposals for the formulation of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035.

Border standoff with India bilateral issue: China

Border standoff with India bilateral issue: China

Rediff.com   28 Oct 2020

The remarks by the Chinese foreign ministry came a day after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assured India that the US stands firmly with it to confront threats to its sovereignty.

Stop sowing discord, China tells Pompeo

Stop sowing discord, China tells Pompeo

Rediff.com   27 Oct 2020

China on Tuesday urged US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to stop sowing discord between Beijing and countries in the region, undermining regional peace and stability, amidst his visit to India for a high-level dialogue aimed at further ramping up their overall defence and security ties, and boost strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

China 'takes note' of Australia joining Malabar naval drills

China 'takes note' of Australia joining Malabar naval drills

Rediff.com   20 Oct 2020

China said that military cooperation should be "conducive" to regional peace and stability.

Covid-hit Chinese economy grows 4.9% in Q3

Covid-hit Chinese economy grows 4.9% in Q3

Rediff.com   19 Oct 2020

China's economy, which suffered 6.8 per cent slump in the first quarter due to the coronavirus pandemic -- the worst in 44 years -- bounced back posting 4.9 per cent growth between July and September buoyed by the government's sweeping efforts to stimulate demand and consumption.

US appoints special coordinator for Tibet, needles China

US appoints special coordinator for Tibet, needles China

Rediff.com   15 Oct 2020

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday named Robert Destro, assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labour, as the special coordinator for Tibetan issues. Destro will focus on advancing dialogue between the Communist-run government in Beijing and the Dalai Lama, protecting the distinct religious cultural and linguistic identity of Tibetans, improving respect for their human rights and much, much more, Pompeo said.

Amid LAC row, China remembers Indian doctor Kotnis

Amid LAC row, China remembers Indian doctor Kotnis

Rediff.com   12 Oct 2020

Dr. Kotnis, who hailed from Solapur in Maharashtra, came to China in 1938 as part of a five-member team of doctors sent by the Indian National Congress to help the Chinese during the World War II.

China joins global vaccine alliance; to buy 15 million doses

China joins global vaccine alliance; to buy 15 million doses

Rediff.com   9 Oct 2020

According to the WHO, countries should join the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility (COVAX Facility) by September 18 but not later than October 9 with upfront payments.

China claims Covid broke out in world's various parts last year

China claims Covid broke out in world's various parts last year

Rediff.com   9 Oct 2020

China, besides denying the United States allegations that COVID-19 has emerged from a bio-lab in Wuhan, also rejected that it emanated from a wet market in the central Chinese city from bats or pangolins before infecting humans.

China's Xi Jinping wishes Trump, Melania speedy recovery

China's Xi Jinping wishes Trump, Melania speedy recovery

Rediff.com   3 Oct 2020

In a message to Trump, Xi, 67, said that after learning US President Trump and Melania have tested positive for COVID-19, he and his wife Peng Liyuan extend sympathy to them and wish them a speedy recovery, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.