CHINA

China's 'ghost towns' come to life thanks to urbanization and policies


High-rise apartment blocks, lakes, parks and long, straight roads but no people: These were typical post-apocalyptic Chinese "ghost towns" described by some Western media, but they could be the start of new cities and development miracles.

PLA Army helicopters switch role from support to main force in cross-sea operations

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Army helicopters are reportedly switching from their original supporting role to a main force in cross-sea operations, as helicopters are expected to play vital roles in amphibious landing operations in regions like the Taiwan Straits and the South China Sea, analysts said on Wednesday.
Source: Global Times | 2020/12/23 21:47:31

Sichuan Airlines suspends UK flights but China yet to impose travel ban

Speculation is rising that China may cancel inbound flights from the UK amid the worsening COVID-19 situation there, after China's Sichuan Airlines suspended flights on a UK-China route with a stopover in a third country from Wednesday.
Source: Global Times | 2020/12/23 21:40:03

Central govt not discussing HK-related issues: NPC delegate

The nerve of Hong Kong pan-democratic legislators has been touched after local media said that China's top legislative body is mulling to handle “troublemakers” directly, which later proved to be false as experts said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government should and is able to handle it after recent legislation.
Source: Global Times | 2020/12/23 21:30:46

NE China's Liaoning bans large gatherings amid COVID-19 resurgence

Northeast China's Liaoning Province is cancelling all large gatherings, including banquets and training sessions, ahead of the coming New Year's Day and Spring Festival holidays, after some cities in the province entered "wartime mode" in response to a resurgence of COVID-19 infections.
Source: Global Times | 2020/12/23 21:17:49

HK Justice Department appeals HK$10m bail to Lai

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying was granted a HK$ 10 million ($1.29 million) bail on Wednesday by the Hong Kong High Court after being charged with fraud and violating the national security law for Hong Kong.
Source: Global Times | 2020/12/23 20:16:18

Foreigners in China celebrate special holiday with new recognition of life

The Global Times interviewed several foreigners from different countries and churches living in China. Some of them have been living in the country for decades and consider themselves as "locals," and some are stuck here alone due to travel restrictions. They have different plans for this special Christmas. At the end of the year, they would like to share their experiences in China and what the holiday means to them.
Source: Global Times | 2020/12/23 20:13:40

H-6K variant seen at China-Russia strategic patrol

A new variant of China's H-6K bomber, which experts said on Wednesday is more powerful than the original version, was spotted in the second joint aerial strategic patrol by the air forces of China and Russia on Tuesday. Japan's Air Self-Defense Force identified four Chinese H-6 bombers and two Russian Tu-95 bombers when they flew across the South China Sea and the Sea of Japan on Tuesday, according to a statement seen on the website of Japan's Defense Ministry the same day.
Source: Global Times | 2020/12/23 19:38:31

Japanese zoo asks public to name its new panda cub

In November, giant panda Liang Bang gave birth to her baby cub in Japan. Now, a month later, the zoo is turning to the world for a name for the female cub. Adventure World, the zoo where the cub was born, has recently launched a webpage open to worldwide baby name suggestions.
Source: Global Times | 2020/12/23 19:33:39

Chinese fans' attempts to further their idols' careers through 'bribes' will poison young people's values: opinion

Luxurious perfumes, bags and even thin bars of gold… It seems that Chinese fans are more than willing to spend their hard-earned money helping their idols stay on good terms with the hosts and staff of some variety shows that have throughout China's entire entertainment industry.
Source: Global Times | 2020/12/23 19:12:07

Unhealthy diets, lack of exercise leave over half of Chinese adults overweight: report

More than half of the adults in China are overweight, and the obesity rate continues to rise among all age groups, according to a report released by China's National Health Commission (NHC) on Wednesday.
Source: Global Times | 2020/12/23 17:44:34

HK-related issues not being discussed in Beijing: HK delegate to NPC Standing Committee

Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong's delegate to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), told the Global Times on Wednesday that no Hong Kong-related issues are on the agenda of the ongoing meeting of China's top legislative body.
Source: Global Times | 2020/12/23 17:22:42

Xi signs order to publish regulations on military logistics

Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission, has signed an order to release regulations on military logistics, which will serve as the main rules in relevant field.
Source: Xinhua | 2020/12/23 16:47:23

A total of 24,112 organs have been donated in China over the past 4 years

A total of 24,112 organs have been donated by Chinese citizens after their deaths from January 2015 to December 2019, and the per-million population of organ donations have climbed from 2.01 in 2015 to 4.16 in 2019, according to a report from the China Organ Transplantation Development Foundation.
Source: Global Times | 2020/12/23 16:03:39