China

BEIJING, Nov 25 (Reuters) - China's embassy in Lithuania has temporarily suspended consular services until further notice for "technical reasons", said a statement on the mission's website on Thursday that was taken down shortly after publication.

The suspension came after China on Sunday downgraded its diplomatic ties with the Baltic State, expressing strong dissatisfaction at the opening of a de facto Lithuanian embassy in Taiwan. 

The Chinese embassy's statement was published at 1336 GMT, a timestamp on its website showed, but had disappeared as of 1400 GMT.

BEIJING, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- China strongly protests U.S. sanctions imposed against 12 Chinese companies and will lodge solemn representations with the United States, according to the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Thursday.

The United States has overstretched the concept of national security and imposed sanctions arbitrarily, MOC spokesperson Shu Jueting told a press conference in response to questions regarding the U.S. blacklisting of Chinese companies.

"This action seriously lacks a factual basis, and its procedures are very opaque," she said.

BEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets were mixed Thursday after Federal Reserve officials indicated they were ready to raise interest rates sooner than expected if needed to cool inflation.

Shanghai and Seoul declined while Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney advanced.

Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500 index gained 0.2% before markets closed for a U.S. holiday. They reopen Friday for a shortened trading session.

BEIJING, Nov 24 (APP): Pakistan Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque Wednesday said signing of memorandum of understanding (MoU) on export of onion from Pakistan to China was a very important step in promoting bilateral trade between the two countries.

“This is very welcome development because Pakistan and China are very important trading partners and the MoU will help promote bilateral trade,” he told APP.

BEIJING, November 24. /TASS/: The Chinese authorities have demanded that the United States halt its economic dialogue with Taiwan and point out that the Taiwan administration’s attempts at destabilization are bound to fail, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a briefing on Wednesday.

HONG KONG, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- China offers solutions to climate change, and the West would do well to emulate some of the country's environmental policies, rather than demonizing China, said a recent opinion piece published in the Asia Times.

"China leads in solutions -- in technology, policy, transition planning, and implementation. It is not only pulling its weight, it is showing the world a way forward," said the article.

BEIJING, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday said it firmly opposes the U.S. invitation to Taiwan authorities to participate in the so-called summit for democracy, according to a foreign ministry spokesperson.

Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks when asked to comment on the inclusion of Taiwan on a list of invitees to the so-called summit for democracy recently released by the U.S. State Department.

BEIJING, Nov 23 (APP): China on Tuesday welcomed Prime Minister Imran Khan positive remarks on the Chinese businesses in Pakistan and said it would continue to support Chinese companies to make investment in Pakistan so that they could make their due contribution to the bilateral cooperation.

BEIJING, Nov 23 (APP): Chinese and Russian internet media outlets should promote multilateralism, combat false information, safeguard equity and justice in cyberspace, and contribute more to the friendly ties between the two countries, a forum was told.

HONG KONG, Nov 23 (Reuters) - The former leader of Hong Kong pro-independence group Studentlocalism was sentenced on Tuesday to a total of 43 months in prison for trying to separate the city from China, and for money laundering.

Tony Chung, 20, was charged with secession, under a sweeping national security law, and money laundering in October 2020 and was denied bail. Local media reported at the time that he was detained along with two others at a coffee shop close to the U.S. consulate by unidentified men and was believed to be preparing for an asylum application.