China News

Chinese police at lunch allegedly eat endangered giant salamander

Shenzhen - A banquet for Chinese officials turned violent last week when journalists photographed them eating a critically endangered giant salamander, media reports say. The diners included senior police officials who appeared to flout Beijing's austerity campaign.

Chinese become targets in DR Congo anti-government riots

Kinshasa - Clashes between Democratic Republic of Congo police and political protestors that left some 40 people dead last week also revealed the level of hostility towards the Chinese in the capital Kinshasa.

Hong Kong Occupy protest leaders arrested

Hong Kong - The original founders of Hong Kong's pro-democracy Occupy movement were arrested and released Saturday as the city's police chief defended the investigation into mass protests, saying it was not "a show".

Apple agrees to let Chinese government inspect iPhones

Apple has agreed to let the Chinese government inspect iPhones, Macs, and iPads over fears of backdoor government surveillance, IT World reports.

Hong Kong financiers challenge China in newspaper advert

Hong Kong - A group of pro-democracy financiers in Hong Kong took out an advert in the Wall Street Journal on Thursday challenging China to respect the city's autonomy and introduce free elections.

Auto parts maker Nemak adding jobs, increasing production

Windsor - Auto parts maker Nemak, with the assistance of an Ontario government grant, committed this week to investing $15 million into its Windsor plant.

China has mountain to climb with 2022 Winter Olympics bid

Jianchang - High on a barren mountainside, a red flag marks the spot where China hopes ski jumpers will launch themselves to glory at the 2022 Winter Olympics. But hosting the Games would require a giant leap of its own.

Hong Kong media tycoon arrested over pro-democracy protests

Hong Kong - Hong Kong pro-democracy newspaper tycoon Jimmy Lai was arrested and released by police Wednesday after turning himself in, the latest figure targeted in a broadening investigation which protest leaders describe as harassment.

China sacks four officials over Shanghai stampede

Shanghai - Four local officials in Shanghai have been sacked over a New Year's Eve crush on the waterfront Bund that killed 36 people, the city government announced Wednesday, saying the carnage could have been avoided.

Disillusioned Hong Kongers press UK for escape route

Hong Kong - With Hong Kong increasingly polarised on political reforms and fears growing over the influence of Beijing, frustrated residents are pressing former colonial power Britain to offer them an escape route.

Pope Francis leaves door open to Dalai Lama meeting

Rome - Pope Francis left the door open to a meeting with the Dalai Lama, denying that he refused to receive the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader in December over fears of upsetting China.

Tugboat sinks in China killing 22 including eight foreigners

Bejing - Twenty-two people including eight foreigners have been confirmed dead after a tugboat sank on a trial voyage on the Yangtze, China's longest river, state media reported Saturday.

Hong Kong student leaders arrested, released without charge

Hong Kong - Hong Kong student leaders including the teenage face of the pro-democracy movement, Joshua Wong, were arrested Friday on charges relating to mass protests as authorities target prominent figures who spearheaded the rallies.

Foreigners among 22 missing after boat sinks in China

Shanghai - More than 20 people, including four Singaporeans, were missing Friday after a tugboat sank on a trial voyage on the Yangtze, China's longest river, state media and authorities said.

Pollution soars in Chinese winter smog

Bejing - Pollution levels soared in Beijing on Thursday to readings more than 20 times WHO recommended limits, as an annual bout of intense smog returned to haunt the Chinese capital despite government vows to address the plague.Levels of PM2.

5-year-old girl in China got HIV through blood transfusion: report

Bejing - A five-year-old girl in China contracted HIV through a blood transfusion, state media reported, the latest case to shine a light on an issue that has long bedevilled the country.

Civilization in ancient China may be older than we thought

When we in the West talk of the "ancient" world, we immediately think of Egypt and Ancient Greece. One could now include the early civilizations of Central and South America, such as the Mayans in our "historical horizons."

China denies retaliation against Uighur journalist's family

Bejing - Beijing on Friday denied seeking to retaliate against relatives of a US-based journalist from the mostly-Muslim Uighur minority, one day after Washington voiced alarm about the case.

Jackie Chan's son gets 6 months for China drugs offence: court

Bejing - The son of kung fu star Jackie Chan admitted drugs offences on Friday and was sentenced to six months in prison, a Beijing court said.

China steps up political arrests, prosecutions: Rights group

Bejing - China arrested or prosecuted more than 2,300 people for political offences in 2013, the vast majority in secret, an advocacy group reported Thursday as the ruling Communist party continues a crackdown on dissent.

Hong Kong student leader Wong slams authorities in court

Hong Kong - The teenage face of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, 18-year-old Joshua Wong, slammed the authorities Thursday in a court appearance linked to mass protests which brought parts of the city to a standstill for months.

China confirms murderous North Korean soldier killed

Bejing - A North Korean soldier was shot dead by Chinese police after crossing the border and reportedly killing four people, Beijing acknowledged amid harsh criticism over slowness in releasing information.

Hong Kong takes next step on political reform

Hong Kong - Hong Kong Wednesday announced new proposals for how the city should choose its next leader but made clear that candidates would still be screened -- the key issue behind more than two months of mass protests.

Hong Kong leader warns against protests ahead of reform talks

Hong Kong - Hong Kong's leader Tuesday warned against fresh pro-democracy protests ahead of the next step in the city's contentious political reform process, as a new official report on the mass rallies sparked widespread anger.

Abe says to stick to Japan apology in new WWII statement

Toukyo - Japan's conservative Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday he would release a fresh statement on World War II this year, but would stand by previous apologies for wartime misdeeds.

Runaway N. Korean soldier kills four Chinese: Reports

Seoul - A North Korean believed to be a runaway soldier killed four Chinese citizens during a robbery after he crossed the border into China in search of food, media reports said Monday.

Suspected killer on trial in China wrongful execution case

Bejing - A man who confessed to murdering a woman in China 18 years ago went on trial Monday, three weeks after a court cleared a teenager who was wrongfully executed for the crime.

China assistant foreign minister sacked amid graft probe

Bejing - A Chinese assistant foreign minister has been dismissed from his post and placed under investigation, Beijing said Friday, amid a much-publicised anti-corruption campaign.

Mourning and fury over China stampede deaths

Shanghai - The bitter pain of bereavement turned to tears of anger Friday for relatives of the 36 killed in a New Year's Eve crush in Shanghai, as they accused authorities of failing to control the crowds.

New Year stampede kills 36 in China's financial capital

Shanghai - A New Year's stampede on Shanghai's historic waterfront killed at least 36 revellers and injured dozens more, mostly women, as one police officer said fewer personnel than at previous events were securing the area.