Manmohan Singh, India’s ‘reluctant prime minister’, dies at 92
By Reuters
Described as a “reluctant king” in his first stint as prime minister, the quietly spoken Manmohan Singh was arguably one of India’s most successful leaders.
The first Sikh in office, Singh, 92, was being treated for age-related medical conditions and died after he was brought to hospital after a sudden loss of consciousness on Thursday.
He is credited with steering India to unprecedented economic growth and lifting hundreds of millions out of dire poverty. He went on to serve a rare second term.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr Manmohan Singh Ji.”
He applauded the economist-turned-politician’s body of work.
Born into a poor family in a part of British-ruled India now in Pakistan, Singh studied by candlelight to win a place at Cambridge University in England, UK before heading to Oxford, earning a doctorate with a thesis on the role of exports and free trade in India’s economy.
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By Reuters
Described as a “reluctant king” in his first stint as prime minister, the quietly spoken Manmohan Singh was arguably one of India’s most successful leaders.
The first Sikh in office, Singh, 92, was being treated for age-related medical conditions and died after he was brought to hospital after a sudden loss of consciousness on Thursday.
He is credited with steering India to unprecedented economic growth and lifting hundreds of millions out of dire poverty. He went on to serve a rare second term.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr Manmohan Singh Ji.”
He applauded the economist-turned-politician’s body of work.
Born into a poor family in a part of British-ruled India now in Pakistan, Singh studied by candlelight to win a place at Cambridge University in England, UK before heading to Oxford, earning a doctorate with a thesis on the role of exports and free trade in India’s economy.
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3 dead, 11 wounded in Israel strikes on Yemen’s Sana’a airport, ports and power stations
By Reuters
Israel’s military said it struck multiple targets linked to the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen on Thursday, including Sana’a International Airport and three ports along the western coast.
Attacks hit Yemen’s Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib power stations as well as military infrastructure in the ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras Kanatib, Israel’s military added.
There was no immediate comment from the Houthis who have repeatedly fired drones and missiles towards Israel in what they describe as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
The Israeli attacks on the airport, Hodeidah and on one power station, were reported by Al Masirah TV, the main television news outlet run by the Houthis.
More than a year of Houthi attacks have disrupted international shipping routes, forcing firms to divert to longer and more expensive journeys that have in turn stoked fears over global inflation.
Israel has instructed its diplomatic missions in Europe to try to get the Houthis designated as a terrorist organisation.
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By Reuters
Israel’s military said it struck multiple targets linked to the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen on Thursday, including Sana’a International Airport and three ports along the western coast.
Attacks hit Yemen’s Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib power stations as well as military infrastructure in the ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras Kanatib, Israel’s military added.
There was no immediate comment from the Houthis who have repeatedly fired drones and missiles towards Israel in what they describe as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
The Israeli attacks on the airport, Hodeidah and on one power station, were reported by Al Masirah TV, the main television news outlet run by the Houthis.
More than a year of Houthi attacks have disrupted international shipping routes, forcing firms to divert to longer and more expensive journeys that have in turn stoked fears over global inflation.
Israel has instructed its diplomatic missions in Europe to try to get the Houthis designated as a terrorist organisation.
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Chinese firm unveils world’s first ride-on robot dog for all-terrain adventures
By Zhang Tong
A Chinese company has unveiled the world’s first robot dog to feature the precise motor control required to carry a person safely across the most rugged terrain, making it suitable for a range of military and civilian uses, according to online commenters.
B2-W, a four-legged, wheeled robot that features precision posture control and advanced acrobatics, was showcased in a video posted by developer Unitree to its social media account on Monday.
In the video, B2-W performs mid-air flips, rotations and handstands while also demonstrating remarkable stability as it descends a nearly 60-degree gravel slope, navigates streams, climbs waterfalls and speeds across a range of terrains.
The robot is also shown temporarily retracting its hind legs, performing inverted landings, and jumping from a height of 1.9 metres (6.23ft). In standard four-legged mode, it can leap from 3 metres, absorbing the impact with its flexible legs.
In one test featured in the Hangzhou-based company’s video, the B2-W shows off its load-bearing and balancing abilities by carrying an adult rider up and down slopes with ease.
“Unitree’s B2 series robot is currently the world’s first and only robot dog designed for riding. It showcases extraordinary biomimetic performance,” said Xiaolan, a robotics reviewer, after a hands-on testing of the B2-W.
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By Zhang Tong
A Chinese company has unveiled the world’s first robot dog to feature the precise motor control required to carry a person safely across the most rugged terrain, making it suitable for a range of military and civilian uses, according to online commenters.
B2-W, a four-legged, wheeled robot that features precision posture control and advanced acrobatics, was showcased in a video posted by developer Unitree to its social media account on Monday.
In the video, B2-W performs mid-air flips, rotations and handstands while also demonstrating remarkable stability as it descends a nearly 60-degree gravel slope, navigates streams, climbs waterfalls and speeds across a range of terrains.
The robot is also shown temporarily retracting its hind legs, performing inverted landings, and jumping from a height of 1.9 metres (6.23ft). In standard four-legged mode, it can leap from 3 metres, absorbing the impact with its flexible legs.
In one test featured in the Hangzhou-based company’s video, the B2-W shows off its load-bearing and balancing abilities by carrying an adult rider up and down slopes with ease.
“Unitree’s B2 series robot is currently the world’s first and only robot dog designed for riding. It showcases extraordinary biomimetic performance,” said Xiaolan, a robotics reviewer, after a hands-on testing of the B2-W.
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China slams Philippines over US-made Typhon missiles, warns of ‘arms race’ in region
By Meredith Chen
China has ramped up pressure on the Philippines to withdraw the US Typhon missile system stationed there, warning of “arms race risks” in the region.
Beijing’s foreign ministry on Thursday also slammed Manila’s plans to acquire its own set of the mid-range missiles, two days after the Philippine defence chief asserted his country’s “sovereign prerogative” to boost its security capabilities.
“The Philippines, by cooperating with the United States to introduce the Typhon, is handing over its own security and defence, bringing geopolitical confrontation and arms race risks into the region, which poses a substantial threat to regional peace and security,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.
“Whose interests are truly being served by such actions? How can one speak of independent diplomacy in this context? This is a typical case of harming both others and oneself.”
The comments were the third on the issue this week from Beijing. They followed Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr’s statement on Tuesday justifying the deployment of the US system and the Philippine army’s confirmation on Monday of plans to acquire its own Typhon missiles, despite continued strong opposition from China.
The US Army deployed the medium-range missile system in the northern Philippines after bringing them in to take part in joint military drills over April and May.
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By Meredith Chen
China has ramped up pressure on the Philippines to withdraw the US Typhon missile system stationed there, warning of “arms race risks” in the region.
Beijing’s foreign ministry on Thursday also slammed Manila’s plans to acquire its own set of the mid-range missiles, two days after the Philippine defence chief asserted his country’s “sovereign prerogative” to boost its security capabilities.
“The Philippines, by cooperating with the United States to introduce the Typhon, is handing over its own security and defence, bringing geopolitical confrontation and arms race risks into the region, which poses a substantial threat to regional peace and security,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.
“Whose interests are truly being served by such actions? How can one speak of independent diplomacy in this context? This is a typical case of harming both others and oneself.”
The comments were the third on the issue this week from Beijing. They followed Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr’s statement on Tuesday justifying the deployment of the US system and the Philippine army’s confirmation on Monday of plans to acquire its own Typhon missiles, despite continued strong opposition from China.
The US Army deployed the medium-range missile system in the northern Philippines after bringing them in to take part in joint military drills over April and May.
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China warns ‘dangerous’ US actions are raising risk of space arms race
By Sylvie Zhuang
China called on the United States to reflect on its “dangerous actions” in space after the US Space Force stationed a unit in Japan for the first time.
Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesman for the defence ministry, accused the US of “continuing to expand its space military capabilities, strengthening space military alliances and provoking a space arms race”, saying its actions have “jeopardised global strategic stability”.
“We urge the US to seriously examine its dangerous actions in the space domain, cease provoking space confrontations and stop spreading false narratives,” he said on Thursday.
Earlier this month a Space Force unit began operating out of Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, the first such unit stationed in Japan.
It follows the deployment of another Space Force unit in South Korea in 2022 and comes as Washington and allies look to counter the increasingly advanced technology being deployed by China, Russia and North Korea.
Zhang said China opposed the militarisation of outer space and was committed to peaceful activities there.
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By Sylvie Zhuang
China called on the United States to reflect on its “dangerous actions” in space after the US Space Force stationed a unit in Japan for the first time.
Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesman for the defence ministry, accused the US of “continuing to expand its space military capabilities, strengthening space military alliances and provoking a space arms race”, saying its actions have “jeopardised global strategic stability”.
“We urge the US to seriously examine its dangerous actions in the space domain, cease provoking space confrontations and stop spreading false narratives,” he said on Thursday.
Earlier this month a Space Force unit began operating out of Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, the first such unit stationed in Japan.
It follows the deployment of another Space Force unit in South Korea in 2022 and comes as Washington and allies look to counter the increasingly advanced technology being deployed by China, Russia and North Korea.
Zhang said China opposed the militarisation of outer space and was committed to peaceful activities there.
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By Vivian Au
China Eastern Airlines will launch its first commercial C919 cross-border flight between Shanghai and Hong Kong on January 1, 2025, according to state-owned broadcaster China Central Television.
The city’s transport minister on Thursday welcomed the launch of the route while hailing the C919 as “a significant breakthrough in the country’s civil aviation technology”.
The new service will operate as a daily return flight and is part of efforts by China to expand the use of the C919 globally.
By adding Hong Kong as a new destination, China Eastern will expand its C919 network to include nine cities.
China Eastern is the first airline to operate the C919 and currently has nine of such aircraft serving various domestic routes within the mainland.Secretary for Transport Mable Chan has welcomed the new route, saying it reflected Hong Kong’s role as an international aviation hub. Photo: Xinhua
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China’s economy gains new growth and deep scars over past 5 years: NBS census
By Mandy ZuoYuanyue Dang
China’s economy has been transformed in the shadow of the trade war and the pandemic, with deep scars from a sudden property market collapse and runaway expansion in the financial industry, according to a major survey of industrial and services activity.
But the “census”, conducted once every five years by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), also found many economic bright spots, including a resilient manufacturing sector, and rapid growth in the hi-tech sector and the digital economy, which helped to offset the fall in traditional growth drivers.
“Judging from the census results, the Chinese economy has withstood multiple internal and external risk tests over the past five years and has generally maintained a stable and progressive development trend,” NBS head Kang Yi said in Beijing on Thursday.
Kang also noted many positive changes in terms of the economy’s scale, structure, innovation, security and environmental sustainability.
“The Chinese economy has shown a solid foundation, strong resilience and huge potential,” he said.
The bureau’s survey covered all businesses involved in the country’s secondary and tertiary industries, ranging from manufacturing and electricity generation, to financing and real estate.
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By Mandy ZuoYuanyue Dang
China’s economy has been transformed in the shadow of the trade war and the pandemic, with deep scars from a sudden property market collapse and runaway expansion in the financial industry, according to a major survey of industrial and services activity.
But the “census”, conducted once every five years by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), also found many economic bright spots, including a resilient manufacturing sector, and rapid growth in the hi-tech sector and the digital economy, which helped to offset the fall in traditional growth drivers.
“Judging from the census results, the Chinese economy has withstood multiple internal and external risk tests over the past five years and has generally maintained a stable and progressive development trend,” NBS head Kang Yi said in Beijing on Thursday.
Kang also noted many positive changes in terms of the economy’s scale, structure, innovation, security and environmental sustainability.
“The Chinese economy has shown a solid foundation, strong resilience and huge potential,” he said.
The bureau’s survey covered all businesses involved in the country’s secondary and tertiary industries, ranging from manufacturing and electricity generation, to financing and real estate.
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Help urged for construction workers reportedly facing axe at Hong Kong firm
By Fiona Sun
Building industry representatives have urged Hip Seng Construction, a major contractor in Hong Kong, to provide proper transitional arrangements for workers reportedly facing redundancy because of financial strains at the firm.
They also highlighted the issue of wage arrears widely plaguing the sector amid sluggish business conditions, calling on Thursday for more government support to help firms tide over difficulties.
Hip Seng Construction, established in 2012, is working on several projects, including student dormitories for the University of Hong Kong in Wong Chuk Hang, the SkyCity business and entertainment complex near the airport, and Pavilia Farm, a residential development in Tai Wai.
The company is reportedly struggling financially and will lay off employees, with some said to potentially be transferred to another contractor, Hip Hing Construction. It was also reported that some of the firm’s projects would be taken over by Hip Hing Construction.
Hip Seng Construction was reported to have recently sent a letter to employees that there would be “zero” pay rises in January or a discretionary annual bonus, citing a serious shortage of projects in the industry and difficult business environment.
While the number of affected staff was not immediately known, unionist lawmaker Lam Chun-sing told a radio programme on Thursday that the impact of the company’s financial struggles could go beyond its own workers.
“It had other subcontractors to carry out some projects. Will it have financial difficulties and be unable to pay the subcontractors, which will not be able to pay wages? It will lead to a chain reaction,” said Lam of the Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions.
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By Fiona Sun
Building industry representatives have urged Hip Seng Construction, a major contractor in Hong Kong, to provide proper transitional arrangements for workers reportedly facing redundancy because of financial strains at the firm.
They also highlighted the issue of wage arrears widely plaguing the sector amid sluggish business conditions, calling on Thursday for more government support to help firms tide over difficulties.
Hip Seng Construction, established in 2012, is working on several projects, including student dormitories for the University of Hong Kong in Wong Chuk Hang, the SkyCity business and entertainment complex near the airport, and Pavilia Farm, a residential development in Tai Wai.
The company is reportedly struggling financially and will lay off employees, with some said to potentially be transferred to another contractor, Hip Hing Construction. It was also reported that some of the firm’s projects would be taken over by Hip Hing Construction.
Hip Seng Construction was reported to have recently sent a letter to employees that there would be “zero” pay rises in January or a discretionary annual bonus, citing a serious shortage of projects in the industry and difficult business environment.
While the number of affected staff was not immediately known, unionist lawmaker Lam Chun-sing told a radio programme on Thursday that the impact of the company’s financial struggles could go beyond its own workers.
“It had other subcontractors to carry out some projects. Will it have financial difficulties and be unable to pay the subcontractors, which will not be able to pay wages? It will lead to a chain reaction,” said Lam of the Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions.
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Hong Kong logs 3 deaths from 4 severe flu cases, low Covid-19 activity uptick
By Fiona Sun
Hong Kong has recorded four severe cases of influenza resulting in three deaths over the past week, with health authorities also observing a slight increase in local Covid-19 activity.
The Centre for Health Protection on Thursday released an update of influenza and coronavirus infections for the week from December 15 to 21.
The data revealed four adult influenza cases that required intensive care unit admission or resulted in death during the period, a decrease from the six cases reported the previous week that resulted in five deaths.
The centre also recorded an outbreak of Covid-19 infections in a care home for the elderly involving four people during the period, a rise from no cases in the prior week.
Two severe Covid-19 cases including deaths were recorded, compared with just one over the previous week.
“The latest surveillance data showed that the overall local activity of Covid-19 has slightly increased but still remains at a low level,” it said, adding that the overall influenza activity also remained low.
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By Fiona Sun
Hong Kong has recorded four severe cases of influenza resulting in three deaths over the past week, with health authorities also observing a slight increase in local Covid-19 activity.
The Centre for Health Protection on Thursday released an update of influenza and coronavirus infections for the week from December 15 to 21.
The data revealed four adult influenza cases that required intensive care unit admission or resulted in death during the period, a decrease from the six cases reported the previous week that resulted in five deaths.
The centre also recorded an outbreak of Covid-19 infections in a care home for the elderly involving four people during the period, a rise from no cases in the prior week.
Two severe Covid-19 cases including deaths were recorded, compared with just one over the previous week.
“The latest surveillance data showed that the overall local activity of Covid-19 has slightly increased but still remains at a low level,” it said, adding that the overall influenza activity also remained low.
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Chinese legal experts condemn police for sending blogger to psychiatric hospital
By Yuanyue Dang
Chinese legal experts have condemned police in the eastern province of Jiangxi, saying they abused their power by once again sending a blogger – who previously accused an auxiliary officer of sexual assault – to hospital for psychiatric treatment.
Police in Jiangxi’s provincial capital Nanchang said on Sunday they had sent Li Yixue – a twenty-something blogger with more than 800,000 followers on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok – to hospital for treatment after a Beijing hospital diagnosed her with “obsessive-compulsive disorder” and “personality disorder”.
In April 2022, Li accused a Nanchang auxiliary police officer of sexually assaulting her, but local police said their investigation did not support her claims. They then sent Li to a psychiatric hospital for two months of treatment, citing the possibility that Li might take her own life.
In December 2022, Li sued the hospital after tests conducted at other institutions after her release showed she was mentally healthy, drawing widespread attention on Chinese social media. A court heard the case that month but a verdict has not yet been announced.
Earlier this month, Li posted a plea for help on Douyin, saying that police had broken into her home “with a dozen people” and damaged a camera on her front door.
Nanchang police denied the claim in Sunday’s statement, saying local law enforcement officers and experts from a Beijing hospital had examined Li at her home from late December 13 until early on December 14 and had also spoken to her father.
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By Yuanyue Dang
Chinese legal experts have condemned police in the eastern province of Jiangxi, saying they abused their power by once again sending a blogger – who previously accused an auxiliary officer of sexual assault – to hospital for psychiatric treatment.
Police in Jiangxi’s provincial capital Nanchang said on Sunday they had sent Li Yixue – a twenty-something blogger with more than 800,000 followers on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok – to hospital for treatment after a Beijing hospital diagnosed her with “obsessive-compulsive disorder” and “personality disorder”.
In April 2022, Li accused a Nanchang auxiliary police officer of sexually assaulting her, but local police said their investigation did not support her claims. They then sent Li to a psychiatric hospital for two months of treatment, citing the possibility that Li might take her own life.
In December 2022, Li sued the hospital after tests conducted at other institutions after her release showed she was mentally healthy, drawing widespread attention on Chinese social media. A court heard the case that month but a verdict has not yet been announced.
Earlier this month, Li posted a plea for help on Douyin, saying that police had broken into her home “with a dozen people” and damaged a camera on her front door.
Nanchang police denied the claim in Sunday’s statement, saying local law enforcement officers and experts from a Beijing hospital had examined Li at her home from late December 13 until early on December 14 and had also spoken to her father.
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Chinese lithium firm reaches milestone in Mali mine project despite strict new rules
By Jevans Nyabiage
Chinese company Ganfeng Lithium has completed a major lithium processing plant in Mali – defying security challenges, a strict new mining code and a lithium supply market glut.
China’s largest lithium producer, Ganfeng announced that the first phase of its Goulamina lithium mine, in the southern region of Bougouni, had gone live in mid-December. It has a planned annual capacity to produce 506,000 tonnes of lithium, which will grow to 1 million tonnes in the second phase.
Considered one of the world’s largest deposits of the critical mineral, it is estimated that the mine could be explored for more than 23 years, producing 15.6 million tonnes of spodumene concentrate over that period.
Lithium is a key component in batteries for electric vehicles and electronics.
At the launch of the plant, Mali’s transitional President Assimi Goita described his country’s cooperation with China as a “strategic and sincere” partnership. Goita said the lithium mine is extremely important for the West African nation and the launch of the processing plant “marks a significant step forward in the exploitation of the country’s natural resources”.
Chinese ambassador to Mali Chen Zhihong, who attended the inauguration ceremony, said the Goulamina mine “is a new example of win-win cooperation”.
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By Jevans Nyabiage
Chinese company Ganfeng Lithium has completed a major lithium processing plant in Mali – defying security challenges, a strict new mining code and a lithium supply market glut.
China’s largest lithium producer, Ganfeng announced that the first phase of its Goulamina lithium mine, in the southern region of Bougouni, had gone live in mid-December. It has a planned annual capacity to produce 506,000 tonnes of lithium, which will grow to 1 million tonnes in the second phase.
Considered one of the world’s largest deposits of the critical mineral, it is estimated that the mine could be explored for more than 23 years, producing 15.6 million tonnes of spodumene concentrate over that period.
Lithium is a key component in batteries for electric vehicles and electronics.
At the launch of the plant, Mali’s transitional President Assimi Goita described his country’s cooperation with China as a “strategic and sincere” partnership. Goita said the lithium mine is extremely important for the West African nation and the launch of the processing plant “marks a significant step forward in the exploitation of the country’s natural resources”.
Chinese ambassador to Mali Chen Zhihong, who attended the inauguration ceremony, said the Goulamina mine “is a new example of win-win cooperation”.
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Taiwan son scams online scammers to get back US$21,000 father loses to crooks
By Yating Yang
A son in Taiwan devised an ingenious plan and played three different roles to save his father from a cash swindling gang.
He successfully lured the racketeers into believing they would receive further investments, ultimately helping to recover NT$700,000 (US$21,400) after his father had lost the money to the gang.
The racket was first disclosed in an online post by the victim’s son and was subsequently reported by Taiwan EBC News on December 17.
The report revealed that the father, from Nantou county, in central Taiwan, had fallen victim to an online investment scam.
After adding the scammer online who posed as a woman and used constant flattery, he was persuaded to invest NT$700,000 in cash.
Not only did the scammer personally collect the money, but they also convinced the father to install an unknown app on his phone.
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By Yating Yang
A son in Taiwan devised an ingenious plan and played three different roles to save his father from a cash swindling gang.
He successfully lured the racketeers into believing they would receive further investments, ultimately helping to recover NT$700,000 (US$21,400) after his father had lost the money to the gang.
The racket was first disclosed in an online post by the victim’s son and was subsequently reported by Taiwan EBC News on December 17.
The report revealed that the father, from Nantou county, in central Taiwan, had fallen victim to an online investment scam.
After adding the scammer online who posed as a woman and used constant flattery, he was persuaded to invest NT$700,000 in cash.
Not only did the scammer personally collect the money, but they also convinced the father to install an unknown app on his phone.
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Sanctions extension will hurt US business interests, Hong Kong warns Washington
By Willa Wu
Hong Kong authorities have warned the United States that extending sanctions against local and mainland Chinese officials will “ultimately undermine” American business interests, citing the country’s long-standing trade surplus with the city.
The city government on Thursday slammed US President Joe Biden over his earlier signing of the US National Defence Authorization Act, annual legislation that finances and directs policy for the country’s military and security agencies for the coming financial year.
The bill includes provisions not directly linked to defence, such as the extension of sanctions against local and mainland former and current officials for another five years under the 2019 Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act.
The Hong Kong government said the decision would damage American business interests, citing the about US$270 billion trade surplus the country had enjoyed with the city over the past decade and the presence of about 1,390 US companies in the city.
“If the US insists on its acts, it will ultimately undermine the mutually beneficial relations between Hong Kong and the US, harming the interests of the US and its companies,” the spokesman said in a statement.
Biden signed the US$895 billion National Defence Authorization Act on Monday, which included extending sanctions against Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who served as the city’s security minister amid the 2019 protests, and then leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.
The legislation prohibits individuals, US banks and companies from dealing with those targeted by the sanctions.
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By Willa Wu
Hong Kong authorities have warned the United States that extending sanctions against local and mainland Chinese officials will “ultimately undermine” American business interests, citing the country’s long-standing trade surplus with the city.
The city government on Thursday slammed US President Joe Biden over his earlier signing of the US National Defence Authorization Act, annual legislation that finances and directs policy for the country’s military and security agencies for the coming financial year.
The bill includes provisions not directly linked to defence, such as the extension of sanctions against local and mainland former and current officials for another five years under the 2019 Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act.
The Hong Kong government said the decision would damage American business interests, citing the about US$270 billion trade surplus the country had enjoyed with the city over the past decade and the presence of about 1,390 US companies in the city.
“If the US insists on its acts, it will ultimately undermine the mutually beneficial relations between Hong Kong and the US, harming the interests of the US and its companies,” the spokesman said in a statement.
Biden signed the US$895 billion National Defence Authorization Act on Monday, which included extending sanctions against Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who served as the city’s security minister amid the 2019 protests, and then leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.
The legislation prohibits individuals, US banks and companies from dealing with those targeted by the sanctions.
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Man, 61, dies after being found unconscious along Sai Kung trail in Hong Kong
By Oscar Liu
A 61-year-old man has died after emergency responders found him unresponsive along a hiking trail in Hong Kong’s Sai Kung.
Police received a report at 10.36am on Thursday from two hikers, who found the man lying unconscious next to a tent on the Biu Tsim Kok trail, while hiking from the High Island Reservoir East Dam to Long Ke Wan.
The Government Flying Service dispatched a helicopter to airlift the man to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan for urgent medical attention.
Meanwhile, paramedics applied a chest compression machine on the man while rushing him to hospital.
The man, surname Ho, was pronounced dead after attempts to resuscitate him in hospital failed.
The force said the cause of the man’s collapse and unconsciousness was unclear, and a postmortem investigation was under way to determine the cause of death.
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By Oscar Liu
A 61-year-old man has died after emergency responders found him unresponsive along a hiking trail in Hong Kong’s Sai Kung.
Police received a report at 10.36am on Thursday from two hikers, who found the man lying unconscious next to a tent on the Biu Tsim Kok trail, while hiking from the High Island Reservoir East Dam to Long Ke Wan.
The Government Flying Service dispatched a helicopter to airlift the man to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan for urgent medical attention.
Meanwhile, paramedics applied a chest compression machine on the man while rushing him to hospital.
The man, surname Ho, was pronounced dead after attempts to resuscitate him in hospital failed.
The force said the cause of the man’s collapse and unconsciousness was unclear, and a postmortem investigation was under way to determine the cause of death.
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