Torbjørn Færøvik's Blog, page 297

Shanghai rules out full lockdown despite sharp rise in Covid cases

Shanghai has recorded a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, but officials have ruled out a full lockdown over the damage it would do to the economy. Millions of Chinese in affected areas have been subjected to city-wide lockdowns by an Omicron-led outbreak that has sent daily case counts creeping ever-higher, though they remain insignificant compared with other countries.Shanghai, however, has aimed to

Hong Kong’s Young Independent Filmmakers Break New Ground Despite Crackdown

Less than two years after China imposed a far-reaching national security law, which saw dozens of Hong Kong activists and journalists arrested, the iron curtain is finally falling on the city’s once-vibrant film industry: A new film censorship law was passed last October to deter films that “glorify” or “incite” subversion. Not only does it enable the authority to render film licenses void,

What Does Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Mean for China in the Arctic?

Russia’s energy projects in the Arctic face an uncertain future after the imposition of sanctions on the country following its invasion of Ukraine last month. Amid economic sanctions and the departure of foreign firms en masse, the Kremlin may find that it is left with China as its only viable partner for projects up north.Last week, Britain and the United States announced a wholesale ban on

‘Open the schools’: Afghan girls protest in Kabul for right to education

Women and girls staged a protest near the Taliban’s ministry of education in Kabul on Saturday, calling on the group to reopen girls’ secondary schools in Afghanistan. The protesters chanted: “Education is our right – open the doors of girls’ schools!” as armed Taliban members looked on. They held banners that said: “Education is our fundamental right, not a political plan” as they marched for a

North Korea may be preparing for nuclear test soon – report

North Korea may be making rapid preparations to carry out a nuclear weapons test for the first time in more than four years, according to a South Korean media report. The Yonhap news agency, quoting government sources, said North Korea appeared to be digging a “shortcut” to Tunnel 3 at its previously closed nuclear test site in Punggye-ri.Analysts at the Centre for Non-Proliferation Studies (CNS)

With Fresh Urgency, China Pleads With Seniors to Get Vaccinated

Chinese vaccines have been proven safe and effective. But older citizens remain reluctant despite a surge of Omicron cases. In one city, health officials are going door-to-door to reach people with limited mobility. In another, vaccination sites are being opened closer to communities with many older adults. All over the country, public announcements call on seniors to reconsider their hesitancy.“

China Has Not Given Russia Military Aid Despite Request: U.S. Official

China has not yet honored a Russian request for military aid, the Biden administration said Friday. National security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters that no response to the request has been observed since it was made earlier in March. Russia had asked its ally China to provide it with an unspecified amount of military aid, as well as economic assistance.China is seemingly playing both sides

China doesn't have a Covid exit plan. Two years in, people are fed up and angry

For two years, people in China have largely tolerated living under some of the world's most stringent Covid-19 controls. Restricted borders, constant digital tracking, and the potential for mass testing and snap lockdowns whenever a handful of cases appeared were all trade-offs for a comparatively Covid-free life while the pandemic raged overseas.But China's inability to bring its latest outbreak

Frustration with Covid response grows in China as daily cases near 5,000

China reported almost 5,000 Covid-19 cases on Friday, as authorities continued to battle an outbreak of the highly transmissible Omicron variant across multiple provinces and as evidence of frustration among the population grew. After the death of a nurse in Shanghai who was denied hospitalisation after suffering an asthma attack, many are angry that China’s Covid responses appear to be causing

A security agreement between China and Solomon Islands could impact stability in the whole Pacific

A leaked draft security agreement being negotiated between China and Solomon Islands could have security implications for the whole Pacific. The draft document sets out a broad framework covering Chinese “police, armed police, military personnel and other law enforcement and armed forces” deployments to Solomon Islands. The agreement also allows China, with the consent of Solomon Islands, to make