Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

Hong Kong urges testing, Shanghai struggles under lockdown

BEIJING (AP) — Hong Kong authorities on Saturday asked the entire population of more than 7.4 million people to voluntarily test themselves for COVID-19 at home for three days in a row starting next week.

The announcement by Chief Executive Carrie Lam came as the southern Chinese city is struggling to contain its worst outbreak with authorities sending mixed signals about testing and lockdowns.

China: Enterprises in Yiwu-Karachi to establish more cooperative relations: CG Shanghai

BEIJING, Apr 01 (APP): Consul General of Pakistan in Shanghai, Hussain Haider has emphasised the significant progress, huge potential and good momentum of China-Pakistan trade exchanges.

I believe enterprises in Karachi will establish more win-win cooperative relations with enterprises in the Chinese city of Yiwu and strengthen economic ties between the two countries, he said while speaking at a webinar on building China-Pakistan Trade Corridor.

China warns of spectre of trouble for Asia plotted by US in light of Ukraine’s crisis

BEIJING, April 1. /TASS/: In light of the Ukrainian crisis, the Chinese authorities fear Asia may face such destabilization along the same lines as a result of Washington’s policy, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

"Since the outbreak of the Ukrainian crisis China has shared its wisdom to overcome it and has made efforts in five areas," Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, according to the Foreign Ministry. "Firstly, we assist in promoting peace negotiations. Furthermore, we resolutely support the fundamental principles of the development of international relations."

'From our heart': Taiwan rejects China's criticism over Ukraine aid

TAIPEI, April 1 (Reuters) - Taiwan's foreign minister on Friday strongly rejected criticism of its relief efforts for Ukraine from China, saying the aid came "from our heart" and was not an exercise in political manipulation.

China's government last month described Taiwan's humanitarian aid for Ukraine and sanctions on Russia as "taking advantage of other's difficulties", after the island announced it was sending funds donated by the public for refugees.

China's Shenzhou-13 taikonauts preparing for return in April

BEIJING, April 1 (Xinhua) -- China's Shenzhou-13 astronauts are preparing for their return to Earth following the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft's recent separation from the country's space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

The Shenzhou-13 crew members -- Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu -- are all in good condition, said the agency, adding that they plan to return to Earth in mid-April.

China urges Britain to abandon colonial mindset, stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs

BEIJING, April 1 (Xinhua) -- China strongly condemns and firmly opposes a report on Hong Kong released by the UK government, urging the British side to stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs and other internal affairs of China, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Friday.

China-Pakistan to expand practical cooperation in various fields: Defense Spokesperson

BEIJING, March 31 (APP): The Chinese and Pakistani militaries stand ready to expand practical cooperation in various fields to a new level, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense said here on Thursday.

The military-to-military relations, serving as the mainstay of the China-Pakistan friendship, have played an important role in the development of bilateral relations for a long time, he said at a regular press conference.

Malaysia: Maybank contributes US$5 mln to establish Maybank ASEAN research Center

KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (NNN-Bernama) — Malayan Banking Bhd has endowed RM21 million (US$5 million) to the Asia School of Business to establish the Maybank ASEAN Research Center (Maybank ARC), aimed to be a centre of intellectual activity in Southeast Asia conducting research on topics surrounding emerging markets in the region.

The Asia School of Business is a collaboration between the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Sloan School of Management and Malaysia’s central bank, Bank Negara Malaysia.

Over 1,000 foreign travellers set to arrive in Malaysia April 1

KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (NNN-Bernama) — More than 1,000 international tourists are expected to arrive in Malaysia on the first day of the country’s transition to the endemic phase on Friday.

Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Nancy Shukri said the arrivals will mostly be from Singapore via various international air and land entry points, with several preparations in place to welcome them.

China decries UK judges quitting HK court, London says democracy at stake

HONG KONG/SYDNEY, March 31 (Reuters) - China on Thursday blamed the resignation of two senior British judges from Hong Kong's highest court on "British pressure" against a sweeping national security law which makes dissent in the former British colony a crime punishable by jail.

But British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, in a report to parliament, said "the political and legal situation in Hong Kong has now deteriorated beyond the point where it is acceptable for serving UK judges to take part".

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