China

Hong Kong, Dec 2 (AP-PTI) Hong Kong is limiting most gatherings to just two people and ordering compulsory testing of workers at retirement homes and facilities for people with disabilities, among tightening measures to contain a new wave of the coronavirus.

The semi-autonomous southern Chinese city reported 82 news cases on Wednesday, all but 10 of them listed as having been transmitted among residents.

Since Nov 17, it has reported more than 1,000 confirmed cases, only a few of which were brought from outside the city.

BEIJING (AP) — A Chinese spacecraft sent to return lunar rocks to Earth collected its first samples Wednesday after landing on the moon, the government announced, adding to a string of successes for Beijing’s increasingly ambitious space program.

The Chang’e 5 probe touched down shortly after 11 p.m. (1500 GMT) on Tuesday after descending from an orbiter, the China National Space Administration said. It released images of the barren scene at the landing site showing the lander’s shadow.

(AP) --- Asian shares advanced Wednesday after Wall Street kicked off December with more milestones, as a broad rally pushed the S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite to new highs.

Australia reported its economy expanded 3.3% in the July-September quarter as the country recovered from pandemic lockdowns. That lifted the country out of recession, although in annual terms the economy contracted 3.8% from a year earlier.

BEIJING, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday reiterated its firm opposition to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, urging the United States to handle Taiwan-related issues prudently and properly and avoid "treading further down the wrong and dangerous path."

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying made the remarks at a daily press briefing when commenting on the arms sales.

"China stands firmly opposed to the U.S. arms sales to Taiwan," Hua said, adding that this position is clear and consistent.

BEIJING, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government should formally apologize to the Afghan people for the violent crimes committed against the civilians, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

It should make a solemn promise to the international community that such atrocities will never happen again, spokesperson Hua Chunying told a regular press briefing.

BEIJING, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- China has decided to impose sanctions on four people with U.S. institutional links who have acted viciously on issues related to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), a foreign ministry spokesperson said Monday.

Spokesperson Hua Chunying made the remarks in response to the U.S. State Department and Treasury Department's announcement on Nov. 9 that sanctions were being imposed on four Chinese officials from China's central government and the HKSAR government.

BEIJING (AP) — Asian stocks rose Tuesday after Chinese manufacturing improved, with investors looking ahead to U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s appearance before legislators.

Benchmarks in Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney advanced.

Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500 index closed down 0.5% overnight but ended November up 10.8% for its biggest monthly gain since April.

BEIJING, Nov 30 (APP): Pakistan’s participation as special partner of cooperation in the 17th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) held in Nanning, Guangxi province of China showed its sincere wish to strengthen cooperation with China and ASEAN countries, a Chinese foreign ministry’s spokesperson said on Monday.

BEIJING (Reuters) - China said on Monday that it hoped the United States will not erect barriers and obstacles to cooperation, in response to reports Washington is poised to add Chinese firms SMIC and CNOOC to a defense blacklist.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying made the comments at a news briefing.

BEIJING (Reuters) - China will impose sanctions on four people over their egregious behaviour regarding the Asian financial hub of Hong Kong, it said on Monday.

They will be banned from entering China, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular news briefing.

This month, the United States said it was imposing sanctions on four more Chinese individuals related to actions over the former British colony, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997.