Fangshan, China | AFP | The water might be chilly but dozens of naked men happily relax in an outdoor pool in a Beijing suburb making the most of the sunshine. “This is a paradise for Chinese nudists,” says 18-year-old Zhen, displaying a tiger tattoo on his chest. The small …
Read More »China rejects ‘irresponsible’ US remarks on South China Sea
Beijing, China | AFP | China has expressed “firm opposition” to remarks made by US Pentagon chief Jim Mattis during a regional defence summit over the weekend, after he criticised Beijing’s “militarisation” of the South China Sea. Washington has repeatedly expressed concerns that China’s development of artificial islands in the …
Read More »China vows to uphold climate pact ‘as a responsible major country’
Beijing, China | AFP | Beijing vowed Friday to uphold the Paris climate accord after the United States withdrew from the pact, saying it was a “responsibility shouldered by China as a responsible major country”. “We think the Paris accord reflects the widest agreement of the international community with regards …
Read More »China rejects Uganda ivory trafficking claims against diplomats
Beijing, China | AFP | China on Thursday rejected allegations that two of its diplomats working in Uganda were involved in the trafficking of ivory from the African country. The Chinese embassy officials are suspected of helping move ivory from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and …
Read More »China vows to adhere to Paris climate deal
Berlin, Germany | AFP | China will “steadfastly” implement the Paris climate pact, Premier Li Keqiang said Thursday, urging others to do likewise as US President Donald Trump was due to announce whether he will keep Washington in the deal. “China will continue to implement promises made in the Paris …
Read More »COMMENT: Taking politics out of development
China’s `One belt, one road’ initiative should not be treated as ploy to replace U.S. as dominant power By Keyu Jin Later this month, Chinese President Xi Jinping will host a summit for many of the leaders of the 65 countries engaged in his “one belt, one road” (OBOR) initiative, …
Read More »Uganda probes Chinese diplomats over ivory trafficking
Kampala, Uganda | AFP | Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has ordered an investigation into possible collusion between the country’s wildlife agency and two Chinese diplomats in the trafficking of ivory. Poaching has risen sharply in recent years across Africa, fuelled by rising demand in Asia for ivory and rhino horn, …
Read More »SGR: Eyeing growth boost, Kenya opens Chinese-built railway
Mombasa, Kenya | AFP | Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday inaugurated a Chinese-built railway, the country’s biggest infrastructure project since independence that is aimed at cementing its role as the gateway to East Africa. The boxy red-and-white diesel train left from a gleaming new terminal in the port city …
Read More »SGR: Kenya unveils first new railway in a century
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | More than a century after a colonial railway gave birth to modern Kenya, the country is betting on a new Chinese-built route to cement its position as the gateway to East Africa. The $3.2 billion (2.8 billion euro) railway linking Nairobi with the port city …
Read More »Former top Chinese cop executed for murder
Beijing, China | AFP | A former regional police chief in China was executed for murder, state media said Friday, after reports described his victim as a lover more than three decades his junior. Zhao Liping, 65, was found guilty of murder, bribery and possession of firearms and explosives by …
Read More »