CHINA MIRROR WEEKLY NEWS 20 ISSUE 03.01.2022

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Association for Sri Lanka China Social and Cultural Co-operation

2022 New Year address by President Xi Jinping BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) On New Year's eve, President Xi Jinping delivered his 2022 New Year Address through China Media Group and the Internet. The following is the full text of the address: 2

China State Councilor and FM Wang Yi to visit Sri Lanka from Jan. 8 to 9,

Xiplomacy in 2021: Lighting way forward in a world darkened 4

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President Xi Jinping sends the New Year wishes to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

FM heads to Africa for 1st visit of year.

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China's yuan gains wider global5 acceptance on country's booming 4 trade, wider opening-up 5 CSLATE President invites Sri 5 Lankan entrepreneurs to join most remunerative market 4 10 8 in the world

Police use social media to combat online fraud 11 4

28 Dec 2021--3 Jan 2022

2022 New Year address by President Xi Jinping My greetings to you all. The year 2022 is approaching. From Beijing, I extend New Year wishes to all of you!

The past year has been a year of exceptional significance. We have lived through landmark events in the history of our Party and our country. At the historical convergence of the Two Centenary Goals, we have set out on a new journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects and are making confident strides on the path toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

From the beginning to the end of the year, the Chinese people have been hard at work in the fields, enterprises, communities, schools, hospitals, barracks and research institutes, among other places. Throughout the year, we have put in our efforts, contributed our part, and received much in return. In the passage of time, we have seen and experienced a resilient and dynamic China, a country with its amicable and respectable people, a country developing rapidly with each passing day, and a country making continual progress in all its undertakings.

On July 1, we solemnly celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Standing on the Tian'anmen Rostrum, one could only marvel at the extraordinary journey traveled by this major Party, a journey of Chinese Communists leading the Chinese people, in their hundreds of millions, in an unyielding struggle against all obstacles and challenges, and scoring spectacular, epoch-making achievements over the past century. To accomplish our great mission, we must always remain true to our original aspiration. Only through vigorous and determined endeavor can we fulfill our responsibility to history, prove worthy of our times and live up to people's expectations.

The sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee has adopted the Party's third resolution on historical issues. The CPC's 100-year achievements provide a source of motivation and its 100-year experience a wellspring of inspiration. I have referred to Chairman Mao's conversation with Mr. Huang Yanpei at his cavedwelling in Yan'an, and the importance of carrying out bold self-revolution so as to gain the historical initiative. To realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation

will be no easy task like a walk in the park; it will not happen overnight, or through sheer fanfare. We must always keep a long-term perspective, remain mindful of potential risks, maintain strategic focus and determination, and "attain to the broad and great while addressing the delicate and minute".

Our country, big as it is, also has its list of priorities. The myriad of things we attend to all boil down to matters concerning every household. Through my field trips to different places, I have seen and heard a lot of things which I find very inspiring and rewarding. Every time I visit people in their homes, I would ask if they have any more difficulties, and I would remember everything my folks have to share with me.

The concerns of the people are what I always care about, and the aspirations of the people are what I always strive for.

Having worked in the countryside myself, I know precisely what poverty feels like.

Thanks to the sustained efforts of the Chinese people from generation to generation, those who once lived in poverty no longer have to worry about food or clothing, or access to education, housing and medical insurance. Realization of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and elimination of extreme poverty is what the CPC has delivered to our people, and it is also a contribution to the world. To ensure that everyone leads a better life, we must never rest on what we have achieved, and there is still a long way to go.

A Yellow River well harnessed is a millennia-long aspiration of the Chinese people. Over the past few years, I have visited all nine provinces or autonomous regions on the upper, middle and lower streams of the Yellow River. From the Yellow River and the Yangtze River, two "mother rivers" of the Chinese nation, to the limpid Qinghai Lake and the mighty Yarlung Zangbo River; from the South-North Water Diversion, known as a project of the century, to the Saihanba forest, shown as a patch of green on the map; from the northward trek and homecoming of elephants in Yunnan Province, to the migration and return of Tibetan antelopes -- all these remind us that "If we do not fail Nature, Nature shall never fail us".

This year has also recorded many memorable Chinese voices, Chinese moments and Chinese stories: youthful vows of "pledging to the Party to make my country strong"; affectionate expression of "pure, true love saved for the motherland"; the Zhurong rover probing Mars, the Xihe satellite chasing the sun, and the Tianhe space station core module traveling among the stars; athletes outdoing them-

selves to excel on the sports field; the whole nation staying united in solid COVID-19 response; people in disasterstricken areas standing together to rebuild their homes; members of the People's Liberation Army and Armed Police devoted to building a strong military and protecting our country. The hard work and dedication of countless unsung heroes have all added to the great momentum of China's march forward in the new era.

The prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao is always close to the heart of the motherland. Only with unity and concerted efforts can we ensure sound implementation of One Country, Two Systems in the long run. The complete reunification of our motherland is an aspiration shared by people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. I sincerely hope that all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation will join forces to create a brighter future for our nation.

In my phone calls and virtual meetings with foreign leaders and heads of international organizations, I have heard many times plaudits for China's fight against COVID-19 and contribution to the global COVID response. To date, China has provided two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 120 countries and international organizations. Only through unity, solidarity and cooperation can countries around the world write a new chapter in building a community with a shared future for mankind.

In just over a month, the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will open. Greater public involvement in winter sports also contributes to the Olympic Movement. We will spare no effort to present a great Games to the world. The world is turning its eyes to China, and China is ready.

The bell is about to ring for the New Year. As we speak, three Chinese astronauts are on duty in outer space; our fellow compatriots overseas are still working very hard; our people posted to diplomatic missions and businesses abroad as well as overseas Chinese students are bravely holding on; and our numerous dream-chasers are keeping up their good work. I salute all your great efforts, and extend to you best wishes for the New Year.

Let us all work together for a shared future. May our country enjoy prosperity and our people live in peace and harmony!

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28 Dec 2021--3 Jan 2022

China State Councilor and FM Wang Yi to visit Sri Lanka from Jan. 8 to 9, 2022 State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will pay an official visit to SriLanka from January 8 to 9, 2022 and launch the celebration of the 65th Anniversary of China-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations.

Colombo will be the last stop of his first foreign visit in the new year.

IOC president Bach confident of safe, secure Beijing 2022 BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua)

International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach expressed confidence in a successful Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in his New Year message published on the IOC official website on Friday.

"We are looking forward to successful Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 and we have great confidence, built on our experience, that we will stage safe and secure Olympic Winter Games for everybody," Bach said.

The IOC chief highlighted Beijing as the first city ever to host both summer and winter editions of the Olympic Games and acknowledged China's

effort to engage 300 million people in winter sports.

"These Winter Games will open a new era for winter sports globally," read the message.

Bach also reviewed the year 2021 where the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games were staged with success, engaging three billion unique viewers worldwide.

Looking into the upcoming year, Bach underlined the IOC's targets to push forward Olympic Agenda 2020+5 reforms, strengthen the Olympic Refugee Foundation and promote digitalization.

"2022 will be a great opportunity for our Olympic community: a great opportunity to strengthen the role of sport in society and to contribute to build a better post-pandemic world.

2022 will be our chance to live our new Olympic motto: to go faster, to aim higher, to become stronger by standing together - in solidarity," concluded Bach.

28 Dec 2021--3 Jan 2022

Xiplomacy in 2021: Lighting way forward in a world darkened by pandemic BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua)

With the world still overshadowed by the protracted pandemic and scrambling for economic recovery, Chinese President Xi Jinping has offered his vision on and China's approach to overcoming global challenges.

Attending a series of bilateral or multilateral cloud events in the past year, Xi has demonstrated China's firm commitment to 1 billion doses of vaccines to Africa. It upholding international justice, helping the includes 600 million doses as a donation world defeat COVID-19, and promoting and 400 million doses to be provided balanced, coordinated, inclusive, and green through such means as joint production development.

by Chinese companies and relevant AfriHis pledges and proposals, ranging from can countries. providing more vaccines to developing In addition, China will undertake 10 countries and giving top priority to devel- medical and health projects for African opment to phasing down coal consumpcountries and send 1,500 medical persontion, have won wide recognition and are nel and public health experts to Africa, expected to play constructive roles in a Xi said. post-pandemic world.

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT INITIAWALKING THE TALK ON PANDEMIC TIVE RESPONSE As global development has reached a With new variants of the coronavirus rag- critical juncture, Xi, taking the UN stage ing globally, vaccines remain humanity's in September 2021, outlined a blueprint best chance of emerging from the pandem- for global development and cooperation. ic.

Addressing the general debate of the 76th Under Xi's leadership, China has provided session of the United Nations General more COVID-19 vaccines overseas than Assembly, Xi proposed the Global Deany other country in the world. velopment Initiative (GDI) and called on Taking the lead in proposing making vac- the international community to strengthcines "a global public good," Xi solemnly en cooperation in areas of poverty alleviproposed a Global Vaccine Cooperation ation, food security, COVID-19 response Action Initiative, including six measures, and vaccines, development financing, at the G20 summit in Rome. These climate change, green development, inmeasures include strengthening vaccine dustrialization, digital economy and conR&D cooperation, providing more vacnectivity. cines to developing countries, and advanc- The initiative calls for staying committed ing mutual recognition of vaccines. to development as a priority, to a peopleXi promised that China would supply a centered approach, to benefits for all, to total of 2 billion doses of vaccines to the innovation-driven development, to harworld this year. As of Dec. 20, China had mony between man and nature, and to provided close to 2 billion doses to over results-oriented actions.

120 countries and international organiza- The initiative, which aims to steering tions, accounting for one-third of the total global development toward a new stage number of doses administered outside Chi- of balanced, coordinated, and inclusive na. growth, is another important public good Addressing the opening ceremony of the provided by China to the international Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Focommunity in the face of mounting chalrum on China-Africa Cooperation, Xi an- lenges. nounced that China would provide another The GDI is an initiative to support the

development of developing countries, promote global economic recovery in the post-pandemic era, and strengthen international development cooperation.

It identifies eight priority areas of cooperation and charts feasible pathways to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

GREEN FUTURE After announcing, in 2020, that China would strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, Xi reiterated China's determination to achieve the goal and its commitment to green development while attending multiple cloud meetings in 2021.

China will strictly control coal-fired power generation projects and limit the increase in coal consumption over the 14th Five-Year Plan period and phase it down in the 15th Five-Year Plan period, Xi said.

China will increase support for other developing countries in developing green and low-carbon energy and will not build new coal-fired power projects abroad, Xi announced, while addressing the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

China also hosted the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) this year. Addressing the COP15 meeting, Xi announced China's initiative to establish a Kunming Biodiversity Fund and take the lead by investing 1.5 billion yuan (about 235 million U.S. dollars) to support biodiversity protection in developing countries.

"If we humanity do not fail Nature, Nature will not fail us," Xi said.

28 Dec 2021--3 Jan 2022

China's yuan gains wider global acceptance on country's booming trade, wider opening-up BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) China's currency Renminbi (RMB), or the yuan, has seen wider acceptance in international usage as the country's resilient economic growth bolstered global demands and opening-up measures facilitated foreign investment.

By the end of 2020, the RMB Internationalization Index (RII) reached 5.02, a sharp increase of 54.2 percent from a year ago, data compiled by the International Monetary Institute of Renminbi University of China showed.

The jump in RII was highly related to the augmentation of RMB as a means of denomination and settlement in international trade, and a remarkable step-up in the performance of RMB in terms of financial transactions.

The trend continues into 2021. The Standard Chartered Renminbi Globalization Index rose to a new high of 2,698 in August this year.

TRADE BOOSTS RMB SETTLEMENT The world's second-largest economy took the lead to recover from the pandemicinduced slowdowns. As China's imports and exports surged in the past year, so did the global use of RMB expand in trade settlement.

Cross-border use of the RMB, including payments and receipts, soared 44.3 percent year on year to 28.39 trillion yuan (about 4.4 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2020, an all-time high, according to a report on the internationalization of RMB published by the People's Bank of China.

In the first six months of 2021, the use of RMB in cross-border trade grew to 17.57 trillion yuan, accounting for 48.2 percent of the total during the period.

Cross-border RMB settlements closely related to China's real economy, such as current account and direct investment, saw faster growth, according to the report, with

RMB usage in raw material trading and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations seeing outstanding growth.

In November, the RMB has maintained its spot as the fifth-largest most active currency for global payments by value, taking up a share of 2.14 percent, increasing by 18.89 percent compared to October 2021, according to the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, a global provider of financial messaging services.

dures for foreign institutional investors.

RMB exchange rates also enjoy more flexibility and stayed relatively stable compared with other currencies during the pandemic, making it a safehaven asset for global investors.

A recent jump in foreign investment in Chinese equities and bonds denominated in the currency clearly showed a global preference for RMB products.

The PBOC said a survey showed that around 78.8 percent of domestic and overseas industrial and business companies said they are considering using or elevating the share of RMB in their transactions.

EASED RESTRICTIONS INVITE CAPITAL The influx of capital into the Chinese market is highly related to the country's efforts in carrying out reforms and widening opening up across the field. The country has joined regional and global trade pacts, shortened negative lists, reduced tariff levels and improved the business environment.

One noteworthy sector is the financial market.

By the end of October, bonds in China's interbank market held by overseas institutions totaled 3.85 trillion yuan, central bank data showed.

"Our customers have been investing in onshore Chinese bonds, and afterward, they found that the market was much more different from other emerging economies, as it has more liquidity, depth and width," said Becky Liu, head of China Macro Strategy of the Standard Chartered Bank.

RMB is also set to become a more significant part of the global financial system as more central banks add Chinese currency to their reserve asset.

Regulators have boosted two-way opening up by expanding offshore RMB markets, opened the interbank bond market to global financial institutions and sovereign funds, optimized RMB trading systems and institutions, and launched various schemes to facilitate foreign investment.

For example, China last year scrapped quotas on the dollar-denominated qualified foreign institutional investor scheme (QFII) and its yuan-denominated sibling, RQFII, further streamlining the proce-

Chinese yuan reserves held by global central banks expanded for 13 consecutive quarters to reach around 318.99 billion U.S. dollars in the third quarter of the year, maintaining the fifth place with a share of 2.66 percent of the total reserves, according to the International Monetary Fund.

28 Dec 2021--3 Jan 2022

Both CPC General Secretary & President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang sent their warmest New Year greetings to PM & Leader of Podujana Peramuna, Mahinda Rajapaksa. Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong conveyed the messages to Hon. PM today at the Temple Trees.

President Xi Jinping sends the New Year wishes to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the people of SriLanka. Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong conveyed the greetings this morning at the President's House.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent new year wishes to Former President & Chairman of Sri Lanka Freedom Party Maithripala Sirisena. Chinese Ambasidor Qi Zhenhong conveyed the message to H.E. Maithripala Sirisena and had a good discussion on bilateral relations and international & regional issues of common interest. (Source: twitter @ChinaEmbSL)

Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong today (22 Dec) handed over a donation of 8 lifesaving Kidney Dialysis Machines worth of Rs. 20 million to needy hospitals in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, upon a request by Hon. Sajith Premadasa Leader of the Opposition Sri Lanka Parliament

Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong handed over a batch of motorbikes to the Sri Lanka Police today (29th Dec) to enhance its capacity building in law enforcement. Purchased from local manufacturer, the donation by the Chinese Embassy is also a support to Made In Sri Lanka .

28 Dec 2021--3 Jan 2022

Chinese Ambassador H.E. Qi Zhenhong met with Southern Province Governor Dr. Willy Gamage and handed over a set of Huawei smart video conference system which was donated by Hainan Provincial Govt of China to its sister province in SriLanka for e-office

Ministry of Education gifted Sinhala books to China's University Ministry of Education of Sri Lanka gifted a batch of Sinhala books to the School of Foreign Languages, Yunnan University of China. Minister Dinesh Gunawardena handed over the donation to Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong today at the Ministry.

(Source: twitter @ChinaEmbSL)

Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong visited Kendagasmankada in Southern Province and talked to senior and female representatives. It is a Hope Village project by Hambantota Port to inspire positive change and empower villagers while protecting the environment for sustainable future.

28 Dec 2021--3 Jan 2022

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Airlines met the Chinese travel industry representatives at a town hall meeting on 30.12.2021. 60 invited guests, including tour operators, major tour agencies and media personnel, attended the event.

HE Palitha Kohona, Ambassador of Sri Lanka in China Receives the News Person of the Year award from the Home and Abroad News Service, China.

CSLATE President invites Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to join most remunerative market in the world

The president of the China Sri Lanka Association for Trade & Economic Cooperation (CSLATE) ,Mr.Chiranjaya Udumullage told CHINA MIRROR Weekly News that CSLATE would like to invite Sri Lankan businessmen and entrepreneurs to join with them and exploit the most remunerative market in the world.

He said “We are looking forward to empowering Sri Lankan businesses to expand their reach in the Chinese market by improving market access through commercial diplomacy. We would also like to thank those who have been with us and expect you to hold hands with us this year and years to come as well. CSLATE can help you by creating market entry opportunities, consult you with market trends specific to the Chinese market and in many more challenging aspects you face.”

CSLATE is the designated official association working in China to strengthen bilateral ties including economic, trade, investment, culture and tourism.

The association is established under the auspices of the Sri Lankan Embassy in China to facilitate businesses to expand their reach in both Chinese and Sri Lankan markets through business advisory and consulting services.

28 Dec 2021--3 Jan 2022

Nations say nuclear war can't be won In joint statement, 5 states call avoiding confrontation foremost responsibility Leaders of the five nuclear weapon states reaffirmed on Monday that none of their nuclear weapons are targeted at each other or at any other state, emphasizing that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.

In a joint statement issued by China, Vice-Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu speaks in an interview about the joint statement issued France, Russia, Britain and the United by China, France, Russia, Britain and the United States on Jan 3, 2022. [Photo/ States－the first of its kind－the lead- fmprc.gov.cn] ers said that they consider the avoidance of war between nuclear weapon states and the reduction of strategic risks as their undiminished security for all. al governance in the nuclear arena and foremost responsibility. stands ready to cooperate with all peace They added that they intend to continue -loving countries, he added. seeking bilateral and multilateral diplomat"As nuclear use would have far-reaching ic approaches to avoid military confrontaconsequences, we also affirm that nuclear tions, strengthen stability and predictabilweapons－for as long as they continue to ity, increase mutual understanding and exist－should serve defensive purposes, deter aggression, and prevent war," they said in the statement, adding that the further spread of such weapons must be prevented.

confidence, and prevent an arms race that would benefit none and endanger all.

Vice-Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said on Monday that the joint statement reflected the five countries' political will to prevent nuclear war as well as their joint call for They also reaffirmed the importance of addressing nuclear threats and emphasized maintaining global strategic stability and the importance of preserving and comply- reducing the risk of nuclear confrontation. ing with their bilateral and multilateral nonproliferation, disarmament and arms At a time when global strategic security control agreements and commitments. faces multiple major challenges, the joint statement will help strengthen mutual trust They added that they remain committed to and replace major power competition with coordination and cooperation, Ma said. their obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

It also bears positive significance for building a generally stable relationship between "We each intend to maintain and further major countries that develops in a balanced strengthen our national measures to premanner, he added. vent unauthorized or unintended use of nuclear weapons. We reiterate the validity of our previous statements on de-targeting, Ma also said that China has been an active reaffirming that none of our nuclear weap- initiator of the idea that "a nuclear war ons are targeted at each other or at any cannot be won and must never be fought" other state," they said. and has played a strong leading role for the five countries to take joint action and reach The leaders underlined their desire to work the statement. with all states to create a security environment more conducive to progress on disChina will continue to contribute Chinese armament, with the ultimate goal of a wisdom and proposals for promoting globworld without nuclear weapons and with

Passengers purchase railway tickets at a sales outlet in Changzhou, Jiangsu province, on Monday. The Spring Festival travel rush, also known as chunyun, will start on Jan 17 and end on Feb 25, the Ministry of Transport said.[Photo/ Xinhua]

Although the number of holiday trips declined over the New Year holiday period, mainly due to the COVID-19 containment measures, transportation providers made efforts to ensure safe and smooth travel services for passengers.Monday marked the end of the three-day holiday. A total of 86.19 million passenger trips were expected to be made across China during the three-day holiday, a year-on-year drop of 18.2 percent, according to the Ministry of Transport.

28 Dec 2021--3 Jan 2022

FM heads to Africa for 1st visit of year.

Practical cooperation between two sides manifests long-standing friendship

Defeating the pandemic, achieving economic recovery and dovetailing new measures for practical cooperation between China and Africa will be high on the agenda as State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi kicks off his first overseas visit of the new year to the continent on Tuesday, officials and experts said.

The four-day trip to the continent will take Wang to Eritrea, Kenya and Comoros. He will also visit the Maldives and Sri Lanka afterward.

Since 1991, Africa has been the first overseas destination of the year for China's foreign minister.

Noting that it is a fine tradition of China's diplomacy, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said earlier that it fully demonstrated the priority China gives to ChinaAfrica relations and the growing profound friendship between the two sides.

It also showed China's firm support for Africa as it seeks strength through unity, development and revitalization, he added.

"Neither the evolving international landscape nor the raging COVID-19 pandemic can weaken the will and determination of China and Africa to maintain friendly exchanges, enhance strategic communication and render each other firm support or diminish China's attention and support to Africa," Zhao said.

The past year was a milestone in SinoAfrican ties as it marked the 65th anniversary of the start of China-Africa diplomatic relations. Also, the year marked the 21st anniversary of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

The eighth Ministerial Meeting of FOCAC was held in November, during which President Xi Jinping proposed the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation for the first time.

Li Wentao, deputy director of the Institute of African Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said the spirit was the upgraded version of the principles of China's Africa policy－sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, and pursuing the greater good and shared interests, adding that it would provide a source of strength for furthering China-Africa ties.

Zeng Aiping, deputy director of the Department for Developing Countries Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, said China and Africa had become an important strategic force by both being committed to upholding equity and justice and supporting each other.

The two sides had upheld the rights and interests of developing countries, he added.

Li said every item of the practical programs Xi proposed at the meeting contains concrete measures in terms of cooperation, which once again shows the world the confidence and resilience of bilateral cooperation, adding that the forum has become a standard-bearer of international development and cooperation, and a fine example of South-South cooperation.

As Xi also announced at the meeting that

China would provide an additional 1 billion vaccine doses to Africa, Li said it was the largest vaccine assistance plan undertaken by a single country to help Africa since the start of the pandemic.

"China not only lends hope to Africa in bridging the immunization gap, but also enhances its public health capacity building through varied means including the joint production of vaccines and technology transfer," Li said, adding that China had taken the lead and was a model in terms of helping the continent.

According to the scholars, China not only consolidated its traditional spheres of cooperation with African countries, but also fostered new growth drivers including the digital economy and climate change cooperation.

Li said practical cooperation in the digital field is a highlight of bilateral cooperation, which would help the continent seize the opportunity presented by the information revolution, bridge the digital divide and build a digital Africa.

In August, China and African countries formulated and implemented a plan for China-Africa digital innovation partnership.

28 Dec 2021--3 Jan 2022

Police use social media to combat online fraud China Daily 3 Jan

Livestreams and video clips are among the measures employed to tackle the problem. Cao Yin reports.

"Have you downloaded the (official) antifraud app?"

That's the question Chinese internet users are often asked after a number of police officers joined social media platforms to promote the app and explain the dangers of online fraud.

Dressed in full uniform, Chen Guoping, an officer from Qinhuangdao, Hebei province, has frequently jumped unannounced into livestreams on popular short-video platforms such as Douyin and Kuaishou in recent months to ask the question and remind livestreaming hosts to be alert to online fraud.

Chen encourages people to download the app, launched by the Ministry of Public Security in March, to help improve their awareness of fraud prevention.

promoting the app and sharing antifraud tips on social media. During a recent busy retail period, he had to livestream every two or three days.

"I decided to introduce the app this way after realizing that many people, such as my mom, watched many short videos and livestreams," he said.

In addition to discussing recent cases with another police officer on his livestreams, Gao interacts with the audience, telling viewers how to save evidence if they have been deceived and what to do if they identify swindlers.

The first anti-fraud video clip he posted received more than 20 million views, while a September livestream attracted about 38 million viewers, according to reports.

Chen said online platforms are more effective than traditional methods－such as distributing anti-fraud pamphlets and visiting communities to explain related laws－as they have no audience limitations and can be seen by more people.

"More views mean more opportunities for us to reduce the possibility of people being deceived," said Chen, whose followers on Douyin, a popular video-sharing platform, had reached more than 4.9 million by the start of last month.

Gao Shan, an officer with the Beijing Public Security Bureau, is well-known for

So far, his livestreams have gained more than 7 million views. He uses different livestreaming topics to suit different time periods.

"For example, I introduced universityrelated fraud in June, as the college entrance examination happened that month. When the new school term began in September, I reminded students to be careful about fraudulent texts related to part-time job recruitment," he said.

"During the November/December discount shopping season, I showed people how to avoid online cheats."

28 Dec 2021--3 Jan 2022

The GDP of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region grew about 7% to surpass 200 billion yuan ($31.4 billion) in 2021. Percapita disposable income for the region's rural residents grew 14%, while that for urban residents rose 13%, official data showed Tuesday.

Three brick tomb chambers with murals inside dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) were discovered in the city of Changzhi, N China’s Shanxi. A ceremonial building as well as 18 relic items such as copper coins, copper mirrors and ceramics were also found at the site.

Chinese entrepreneurs reported improved business climate and higher profitability during the last quarter (Q4) of 2021, a central bank survey found

China has approved the fourth phase of its lunar exploration program, including a basic model of a research station built on the moon over the coming decade, according to the China National Space Administration.

China's leading new-energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer BYD saw surging NEV sales growth in 2021, company data showed Monday.

To mark the 105th anniversary of Zhu Danian's birth, Tsinghua University Art Museum has opened an exhibition dedicated to his accomplishments in modern Chinese art and as a tribute to his intellectual demeanor.

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03.01.2022