K J M Varma

Stories by K J M Varma

China asks US to close its consulate in Chengdu

China asks US to close its consulate in Chengdu

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2020

This was in response to "unilateral" decision by US to shut the Houston consulate. China's decision is legitimate and necessary response to the unreasonable actions of the US, China said.

China launches first Mars mission

China launches first Mars mission

Rediff.com   23 Jul 2020

The Chinese Mars probe named Tianwen 1, or Quest for Heavenly Truth 1, will fulfil three scientific objectives: orbiting the red planet for comprehensive observation, landing on Martian soil and sending a rover to roam the landing site.

Why risks, costs of China's BRI projects in Pak are soaring

Why risks, costs of China's BRI projects in Pak are soaring

Rediff.com   19 Jul 2020

Beijing's political risks are also escalating because of a renewed wave of public anger in many parts of Balochistan against human rights abuses by Pakistani troops deployed to crush the low-intensity insurgency in the province, the report said.

Chinese economy is first to recover from coronavirus crisis

Chinese economy is first to recover from coronavirus crisis

Rediff.com   16 Jul 2020

Analysts, however, predict it would be an uphill climb for export-reliant China's economy going forward as it faced intensified conflict with the US and the negative fallout on its external trade due to Beijing's increasingly aggressive policies towards countries like India resulting in bans of its products and services.

China, India make 'progress' on disengagement: Beijing

China, India make 'progress' on disengagement: Beijing

Rediff.com   15 Jul 2020

When asked for an update on Tuesday's military-level talks, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing in Beijing that both sides reached progress for promoting further disengagement of the border troops at the Western Sector.

China claims 1,000 years sovereignty over SCS, denies US charges

China claims 1,000 years sovereignty over SCS, denies US charges

Rediff.com   15 Jul 2020

In a major policy speech on Monday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the world will not allow China to treat the strategically important South China Sea (SCS) as its 'maritime empire' and vowed to support worried Southeast Asian countries against Beijing's 'campaign of bullying' to control the resource-rich region.

China warns of pneumonia worse than COVID in Kazakhstan

China warns of pneumonia worse than COVID in Kazakhstan

Rediff.com   10 Jul 2020

The "unknown pneumonia in Kazakhstan caused 1,772 deaths in the first six months of the year, including 628 people in June alone", the Chinese embassy in the central Asian country said in a statement.

Situation along LAC is stable, improving: China

Situation along LAC is stable, improving: China

Rediff.com   9 Jul 2020

China on Thursday said Chinese and Indian troops have taken "effective measures" to disengage at the Galwan Valley and other areas along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh and the situation is "stable and improving," days after the two sides agreed on an expeditious withdrawal of soldiers from all the standoff points.

Wang, Doval agreed on prompt disengagement at LAC: China

Wang, Doval agreed on prompt disengagement at LAC: China

Rediff.com   6 Jul 2020

'Both sides had candid and in-depth discussions over easing the current border situation and reached positive common understandings,' it said. 'Both sides welcomed the progress achieved in the recent military and diplomatic meetings, agreed to stay in dialogue and consultation, and stressed the importance to promptly act on the consensus reached in the commander-level talks between Chinese and Indian border troops, and complete disengagement of the front-line troops as soon as possible,' it said.

Chinese city sounds alert for bubonic plague

Chinese city sounds alert for bubonic plague

Rediff.com   5 Jul 2020

Bayannur, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, announced a level III warning of plague prevention and control, state-run People's Daily Online reported. The suspected bubonic plague case was reported on Saturday by a hospital in Bayannur.

China welcomes 'progress' in Sino-India commander-level talks

China welcomes 'progress' in Sino-India commander-level talks

Rediff.com   1 Jul 2020

'We hope the Indian side will work with the Chinese side towards the same goal, keep up close communication through military and diplomatic channels, and ease the situation and reduce the temperature along the border'

New swine flu with pandemic potential found in China

New swine flu with pandemic potential found in China

Rediff.com   30 Jun 2020

The study noted that humans are not protected from the G4 virus by the immunity offered by other human influenza vaccine strains, indicating that there is no preexisting population immunity to the virus.

Xi signs new security law restricting Hong Kong's freedom

Xi signs new security law restricting Hong Kong's freedom

Rediff.com   30 Jun 2020

The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and NATO have expressed concern on the new law and warned of retaliatory measures.

China 'strongly concerned' over India's ban on 59 apps

China 'strongly concerned' over India's ban on 59 apps

Rediff.com   30 Jun 2020

Reacting to India's ban on the Chinese apps at a foreign ministry briefing, spokesman Zhao Lijian said, "The Indian government has the responsibility to uphold the legitimate and legal rights of the international investors including the Chinese ones."

Chinese reserve forces brought under Xi's leadership

Chinese reserve forces brought under Xi's leadership

Rediff.com   30 Jun 2020

Currently, the reserve forces are under the dual leadership of military organs and local Communist Party committees and they would be brought under the control of the ruling party and the CMC from July 1, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

India warns China: Bids to alter status quo will have repercussions

India warns China: Bids to alter status quo will have repercussions

Rediff.com   26 Jun 2020

The only way to resolve the current military standoff along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh was for Beijing to realise that trying to 'change the status quo by resorting to force or coercion, is not the right way forward', India's ambassador to China Vikram Misri said in a hard-hitting interview to PTI.

Maintaining peace along border in the interest of both parties: China

Maintaining peace along border in the interest of both parties: China

Rediff.com   24 Jun 2020

In separate statements, the Chinese foreign and the defence ministries, however, repeated Beijing's stand that India was responsible for the June 15 violent face-off in eastern Ladakh. Defence Ministry Spokesman Col Wu Qian said the two defence ministers are negotiating on the phone.

Chinese FM bats for enhancing ties with India, Russia

Chinese FM bats for enhancing ties with India, Russia

Rediff.com   24 Jun 2020

In his address to RIC Foreign Ministers, Wang said the three countries should 'correctly handle and properly deal with sensitive factors in bilateral relations and safeguard the overall interests of mutual relation', without directly referring to the current round of India-China military tensions along the Line of Actual Control, (LAC).

'Fake news': China on reports of 40 troops killed in Galwan clash

'Fake news': China on reports of 40 troops killed in Galwan clash

Rediff.com   23 Jun 2020

This is the first time China has commented on the casualties. Though China has not revealed its casualty figure, there were reports that a commanding officer of the Chinese army was among those killed in the clashes. There is no official confirmation about it.

China says 'presently' it hasn't detained any Indian soldier

China says 'presently' it hasn't detained any Indian soldier

Rediff.com   19 Jun 2020

"As far as I know, China presently has not detained any Indian personnel," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman told a media briefing in Beijing while answering questions on the tense standoff between the Indian and Chinese troops at the Galwan Valley.