New York, United States | AFP | US President-elect Donald Trump broke with decades of foreign policy to speak with the president of Taiwan, prompting Beijing Saturday to accuse Taipei of a ploy but saying the move would not affect US-China ties. It was not immediately clear whether Trump’s telephone …
Read More »China puts brakes on overseas spending spree
Beijing, China | AFP | Beijing is tightening screening on Chinese companies’ overseas investments, according to the government and reports, after a record-setting shopping spree raised concerns of capital flight and reckless spending. Authorities will “combine facilitating foreign investment with guarding against investment risks” by scrutinising proposed deals, said a …
Read More »Chinese company ordered to refund sh1.8b bogus UNRA payment
A Chinese contractor Chongqing International was on Thursday ordered by Uganda’s Parliament to refund sh1.8bn that was paid out under a bogus claim. The chairperson of parliament’s Committee on Commissions, State Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) Katuntu ordered that the contractor refund the money by close of business November 29th …
Read More »South African police nab Chinese man with 18 rhino horns
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | South African police Thursday said they had arrested a Hong Kong-bound Chinese man found with 18 rhino horns hidden in his luggage. He was detained on Wednesday at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport after an anonymous tip-off. “The 28-year-old male, who was in transit …
Read More »China’s Suning to pay $650m for Premier League TV rights
Shanghai, China | AFP | A Chinese conglomerate has won the rights to broadcast the English Premier League in China for three years, it said Friday, with reports putting the deal’s value at $650 million. The contract would represent a huge uplift on the previous contract as Chinese money pours …
Read More »Shaolin kungfu seeks to strike a blow for Chinese soccer
Dengfeng, China | AFP | The young martial arts pupils cartwheeled across a pitch, before football coach Sun Dawei ordered one to deliver him a kung fu kick to the stomach. “You see I avoid the kick like this,” Sun said, dodging out of harm’s way before grabbing his young …
Read More »Chinese media praises Trump’s ‘experience and ideology’
Beijing, China | AFP | Chinese state-run media lauded Donald Trump Tuesday after a phone call between him and President Xi Jinping, saying that the president-elect’s emergence could mark a “reshaping” of Sino-American relations. The pair spoke Monday, when Xi said that the two powers needed to co-operate and Trump’s …
Read More »China official’s election as Interpol chief sparks concern
Nusa Dua, Indonesia | AFP | A Chinese security official was elected president of Interpol Thursday for the first time, sparking criticism from activists who say Beijing uses the agency to track down dissidents abroad. Vice Minister of Public Security Meng Hongwei was chosen as the new head of the …
Read More »Iran back, signs major gas deal with France’s Total
Tehran, Iran | AFP | Iran signed a deal with France’s Total on Tuesday to develop a major offshore gas field, its first big contract with a Western energy firm since sanctions were loosened in January. Total will lead a consortium also including China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and Iran’s …
Read More »China replaces finance minister Lou Jiwei
Shanghai, China | AFP | China Monday replaced finance minister Lou Jiwei, state media reported, with some analysts predicting more fiscal stimulus in the world’s second-largest economy. Lou was relieved of his duties and replaced by 59-year-old Xiao Jie, the deputy secretary-general of the State Council, or cabinet, Xinhua news …
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