Stronger ASEAN+3 collaboration needed in modern times: VN foreign minister
HÀ NỘI — Collaboration between ASEAN member countries and Japan, Republic of Korea and China was the focus of the ASEAN+3 Foreign Ministers Meeting, which was held virtually on Tuesday.
It was part of the 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-54), which is taking place from August 1-7 via videoconferences.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn attended the meeting with other foreign ministers of ASEAN countries, as well as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, RoK Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.
Representatives at the meeting praised the positive developments of the ASEAN+3 collaboration during 2018-20. They agreed to prioritise specialised cooperation in response to COVID-19 and reduce the pandemic’s effects on the socio-economic development of the member countries.
The Chinese, RoK and Japanese foreign ministers said they would continue supporting ASEAN initiatives on COVID-19 prevention and control, and help ASEAN member countries increase their medical capabilities in terms of disease control and vaccine production.
They also agreed to maintain close collaboration in terms of trade, investment, regional exchange, as well as in digital transformation, financial technology, e-commerce and sustainable growth.
Speaking at the meeting, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Sơn said the ASEAN+3 collaboration proved to be effective and valuable in times of difficulties, stressing that even stronger cooperation was needed given the rise of new challenges brought about by modern times.
In terms of future collaboration directions, Sơn asked that China, RoK and Japan continue to support the ASEAN member countries in terms of vaccination and vaccine production, as well as economic recovery after the pandemic. -VNS
Countries urged to safeguard peace in S. China Sea
State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on Tuesday for China and ASEAN to tackle external interference as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and step up consultation on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to safeguard peace and stability in the region.
Wang made the remark when participating via video link in the foreign ministers’ meeting between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Noting that it is the consensus between China and ASEAN members to agree on the Code of Conduct at an early date, Wang said that the second reading of the draft text of the code is taking place online and has made progress.
China insists on the peaceful settlement of disputes through consultations by the countries directly involved, refrains from unilateral actions that intensify contradictions and aggravate differences, and at the same time deepens pragmatic maritime cooperation with relevant countries, Wang said.
He also noted that China’s sovereignty, as well as its rights and interests in the South China Sea, conform with international laws including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. China has never made new claims but will stick to its consistent position, he said.
Thanks to the joint efforts of China and ASEAN, the South China Sea has enjoyed a stable situation, and freedom of navigation and overflight is protected in accordance with law, Wang said.
He called on relevant countries to stay vigilant to actions by certain countries outside the region to openly intervene in territorial and maritime disputes in the region, sow discord between China and ASEAN members, and send a large number of vessels to the region.
They have become the biggest troublemakers, he said, adding that the South China Sea should not be turned into an arena for major countries, and they are not allowed to disrupt peace and stability in the region.
During the meeting, foreign ministers from ASEAN members said that they would like to enhance mutual trust and avoid increasing tensions in the South China Sea.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN dialogue relations. The ministers said they would like to hold a conference with China to commemorate the anniversary.
ASEAN will continue to cooperate with China in fighting the pandemic and promoting development, they said.
According to Wang, China has provided over 190 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines as well as a huge amount of anti-pandemic supplies to ASEAN members.
China and ASEAN have launched a cooperation initiative on public health management, and have been improving the China-ASEAN Vaccine Friend Cooperation platform in order to share information and strengthen communication, he said.
China is willing to work with ASEAN members to oppose the politicization of the pandemic and ensure the smooth and healthy development of international anti-pandemic cooperation, he added.
Despite the pandemic, the trade volume between China and ASEAN exceeded $410 billion in the first half of this year, a year-on-year increase of 38.2 percent, and bilateral mutual investment has exceeded $310 billion, Wang noted. The bloc continues to be China’s largest trading partner.
[Myanmar] Taunggyi, the town facing its record Covid-19 mortality and infections
Taunggyi, the revived capital of Shan State, has been silent since July 26. During the third wave, Taunggyi’s outbreak started in mid-July and has gradually surpassed Lashio. From June to early July, the death toll was less than 20, but by July 30, the death toll had risen to 97. As of July 17, less than 20 patients had died. On July 22, the sound of ambulances wailed along a road leading to a cemetery in Taunggyi as up to 11 people died due to COVID-19 disease.
From that day onwards, the sound of ambulances has been heard daily. The number of deaths per day is calculated by calculating the number of fatalities per vehicle passing by.
During the first wave of COVID-19 in Taunggyi, the roads were cleared in April during the Thingyan period. The scenes were seen again on July 26.
According to lists collected on July 29, most of the cases in Taunggyi are in densely populated areas such as Sein Pan, Shwe Taung and Kyaunggyi Su wards. There are 117 cases in Sein Pan, 153 cases in Kyaunggyi Su, 100 cases in the Thittawv and 93 cases in Shwe Taung.
As I was writing this, I saw a hearse in the neighborhood carrying a dead body, followed by a small number of motorcycles, in the afternoon.
A small town that was peaceful
When the COVID-19 outbreak began in 2020 in Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State, was able to successfully overcome due to public support, but by the third wave of COVID-19, it was not able to cope with surging infections.
From 2020 to January 2021, the number of cases of COVID-19 was 100 in the state, but only three of them died. According to data from January 2, a total of 934 cases had been reported in the state. 226 people are currently being treated at the hospital. 705 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 disease and three people died, according to the Department of Treatment and Public Health for the state.The third wave hit the quiet town in June, and the death toll from COVID-19 disease rose substantially in mid-July.
Taunggyi surpasses Lashio
As of July 23, the number of infected people in Lashio had risen to 1,435 during the third wave of COVID-19, and 796 of them had been discharged. Up to 73 people died of COVID-19 and many more have died in their homes, according to social welfare associations.
As of 6 pm on July 30, 1,747 cases had been reported in Taunggyi, southern Shan State during the third wave of the COVID-19, and 97 patients had died, according to a statement from the Taunggyi Township Administration Department (GAD).
In Taunggyi Township, from June 1 to July 30 at 6 pm, there were 1,747 confirmed cases and 618 hospital discharges. A total of 97 patients died and 1,032 patients are still receiving treatment at hospitals, according to the statement.
The list is officially confirmed from centers and hospitals, but does not include a list of deaths from those being treated at home on their own initiative.
A total of 120 new cases of COVID-19: 59 PCR and 61 RDT tests, have been reported on July 28, and 11 more have died of COVID-19, it said.
On July 28, 81 people from Taunggyi, 17 from Aye Thar Yar, 18 from Shwe Nyaung, one from Kyauktalonegyi and three from a village tract are found infected with the virus.
On July 30, 101 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed, with 12 more deaths. A total of 45 cases were tested using PCR test and 56 cases were found using RDT test, it said.
“Stay at Home” order was imposed in Taunggyi from July 26 due to the high rate of transmission from the third wave of COVID-19 virus in the town.
A center, which can house 200 patients, at the Sports and Physical Education School in Aye Thayar, has been set up to accommodate the confirmed patients. Currently, the confirmed patients are kept at the medical center in Sao San Tun Hospital, Women and Children’s Hospital, Computer University and College of Education.
During the third wave, the number of infected people in Taunggyi increased and volunteers in the area sprayed disinfectants as more people became ill and lost their sense of smell and taste.
Rising mortality rate
The third wave began on June 1 in Taunggyi when a man was found infected with the virus. On June 2, four men were tested positive. On June 26, a total of 42 people: 29 males and 13 females, were found infected with the virus.
No deaths were reported early in the third wave. It started on July 6 with the death of a woman in Thittaw ward. The next day, another man from Aye Thar Yar died of the virus. The next day, on July 8, a man in Nyaung Phyu Sakhan ward also died. On July 9, two men living in Yadanar Thiri and Kan Auk wards died again. As of July 18, up to 20 patients had died.
A total of 11 patients died on July 22 alone. There were five deaths on July 23, six deaths on July 24, seven deaths on July 25, four deaths on July 26, nine deaths on July 27, 11 deaths on July 28, five deaths on July 29 and 12 deaths on July 30. Up to 70 patients have died of the virus in nine day time, it said.
Collection of oxygen cylinders
As soon as the third wave of COVID-19 disease began, Taunggyi locals had to start buying oxygen cylinders for the convenience of the oxygen plants.
Although finding contact persons, spraying disinfectants, and giving assistance to the patients was provided in the first and second waves, priority is given to collecting oxygen, spraying disinfectants and giving treatment to the patients in the third wave.
Two oxygen plants will be built in Taunggyi with donations from local people, and oxygen cylinders have been procured. In Aye Thayar, an oxygen plant is starting to be built with donations from the locals.
“Stay at Home” imposed in Taunggyi
During the development of COVID-19 pandemic in Taunggyi, the Development Affairs Committee in Taunggyi announced no shops are allowed to open except for the shops selling medicines and basic commodities in the markets in Taunggyi. The markets are allowed to open from 7:30 am to 12 pm. The committee has issued a notice to follow the instructions regarding COVID-19 issued by the Ministry of Health and Sports (MOHS).
In addition, vendors selling at the Clock Tower Night Market in Taunggyi Market Quarter and Night-38 Night Market in the Thittaw Quarter will be subject to temporary closure and it they are not followed, they will be taken action against the existing laws.
In Taunggyi, wards’ administrators notified the people to issue out-of-town shopping cards on the morning of July 27, and in some wards, the cards had been issued since July 26. One card for each household will be issued and they will be able to use them for shopping and work. People can only go out if they have a good reason to go out. Failure to comply will result in action being taken in accordance with existing laws.
During the COVID-19 pandemic control, flea and street markets will be open to the public from 6 am to 10 am and are not allowed to open shops selling clothes, cosmetics, plates and pots except for vegetables, meat, fish and medicines. The Taunggyi Township Development Affairs Committee has issued a notice to follow the instructions regarding COVID-19 issued by the MOHS when shopping at street markets.
In addition, The Taunggyi Township Development Affairs Committee has announced restaurants and teashops are allowed to be opened with takeaway system. The shops are allowed to open from 7 am to 6 pm and not after that and to follow the instructions regarding COVID-19 issued by the MOHS.
Parks, gardens, recreation centers, playgrounds and guesthouses opened in Taunggyi Township Development Zone, will be temporarily closed from July 26. Failure to comply with these instructions will result in legal action under the Disaster Management Law.
In addition, street vendors and sellers who are selling food on push carts, vehicles, motorcycles in the wards are not allowed to make business during the Stay at Home period and failure to comply with these instructions will result in legal action under the existing laws.
In addition, shops such as gold shops, electronics shops, cosmetics shops, clothes shops, hairdressings, tyres shops, car accessories shops, mosquito net and mattress shops, traditional shops, phone accessories shops and shoe stores are ordered to close except for pharmacies, grocery stores, department stores, private markets, stores, snacks shops and other shops in Taunggyi Township development area. All grocery stores, convenience stores, department stores, private markets, stores and snacks shops except pharmacies that are allowed to open from 6 am to 12 pm. Failure to comply will result in legal action.
More damages in the third wave
In the third wave of COVID-19, farmers, Business people, labourers, many people were affected economically. There are people who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 and those who have become depressed and lost.
I am praying that with the rains pouring down in July, the third wave of COVID-19 entered, and with that, the pandemic will be overcome not only in Myanmar but all over the world.
23 people were killed in the floods in Indias eastern state of West Bengal, and nearly 250,000 people were displaced from their homes following the discharge of water from dams that inundated six districts.
The floods in India’s eastern state of West Bengal have killed 23 lives, local media reports said Wednesday.
The floods were triggered after heavy rains hit several parts of the state, pushing water levels up in the rivers and dams.
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Nearly 250,000 people were displaced from their homes following the discharge of water from dams that inundated six districts.
“The flood situation in West Bengal worsened on Wednesday claiming eight more lives taking the toll to 23 as fresh areas went under water,” a local media report said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia relief of 2,695 U.S. dollars to the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to flooding in West Bengal and 673 U.S. dollars to each injured in floods.
Meanwhile, officials said relief and rescue operations were going on in the affected areas.
At present India is in the grip of southwest monsoon and most parts are experiencing heavy to very heavy rainfall, besides extremely heavy spells at isolated spots.
A captive giant panda gave birth to a pigeon pair of cubs in northwest Chinas Shaanxi Province, provincial forestry bureau said Wednesday.
The giant panda, named “Ya Ya,” gave birth to a male cub weighing 110 grams and a female cub weighing 137 grams at Qinling Giant Panda Research Center on Saturday afternoon.
Ya Ya, born in 2009, has been involved in breeding and mating since 2017 but has suffered miscarriages for three consecutive years.
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This year, in order to ensure successful reproduction, the research center staff carried out a series of obstetric checks and treatments for Ya Ya, which laid a good foundation for smooth birth of the cubs, the bureau said.
In 2021, the research center has witnessed the birth of four cubs, which raised the number of captive Qinling giant pandas to 36.
The Qinling giant panda is a subspecies of giant panda first recognized in 2005. It has a smaller and rounder skull, shorter snout and less fur than the more familiar Sichuan subspecies.
Tens of thousands of people feared trapped by fighting in southern Afghanistan: UN
Since the start of the year, nearly 360,000 people have been forcibly displaced by conflict in southern Afghanistan. About 5 million people have been displaced since 2012.
The United Nations is deeply concerned about the safety of civilians in Lashkar Gah, the capital city of Helmand province in southern Afghanistan, fearing tens of thousands were trapped by fighting, UN humanitarians said on Wednesday.
Conflict in the southern provinces of Helmand and Kandahar displaced civilians to adjacent, calmer areas within the provincial capital cities (Lashkar Gah and Kandahar) and neighboring districts, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
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“There are reports of increased civilian casualties, destruction or damage to civilian houses and to critical infrastructure, including hospitals,” the office said. “Hospitals and health workers are becoming overwhelmed by the number of wounded people.”
The United Nations and its humanitarian partners are assessing needs and responding as access allows. They said they reached over 2,000 people on Sunday with food, water, sanitation and cash assistance in Kandahar.
Since the start of the year, nearly 360,000 people have been forcibly displaced by conflict. About 5 million people have been displaced since 2012.
In the first half of the year, attacks on health facilities deprived 200,000 people in Afghanistan of access to primary care, OCHA said.
Children pose for photos at a camp for displaced people in Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 28, 2020.
The humanitarian office urged parties to the conflict to protect civilians, aid workers and civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, in compliance with international humanitarian law. It also called on parties to grant aid workers access to assistance without interference, honoring humanitarian principles.
Humanitarians are committed to stay and deliver in Afghanistan and expect to have reached almost half of the nearly 16 million people targeted for assistance, so far in 2021, despite worsening conditions, said OCHA.
The United Nations seeks urgent funding for Afghanistan’s humanitarian response plan, which requires 1.3 billion U.S. dollars but has received only 485 million dollars, or 38 percent of the request.
Germany to waive insolvency filing requirement for flood-affected firms
The repeal of the insolvency filing requirement would apply retroactively from July 10 until the end of October 2021. It still needs final approval by the federal parliament, according to the BMJV.
German companies affected by last month’s catastrophic floods would not have to file for insolvency until the end of October, the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection (BMJV) announced on Wednesday.
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In July, flash floods caused by intense rainfall swept away roads, highways and even entire houses, with at least 180 people killed in the hardest hit federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate alone.
Even companies with “viable and successful business models have found themselves in financial distress,” said Minister of Justice Christine Lambrecht. Removing the filing requirement would buy companies time to take advantage of economic aid
The repeal of the insolvency filing requirement would apply retroactively from July 10 until the end of October 2021. It still needs final approval by the federal parliament, according to the BMJV.
The waiver should apply only “as long as the requesting parties are engaged in serious financing or reorganization negotiations and there is a reasonable prospect of reorganization as a result,” the ministry noted.
On July 21, Germany decided to provide at least 400 million euros (around 473 million U.S. dollars) in emergency aid for private individuals affected by the flood. (1 euro = 1.18 U.S. dollars) .
Photo taken on July 16, 2021 shows roads and houses damaged in flood in Schuld, a town in Ahrweiler, Germany.
Photo taken on July 16, 2021 shows roads and houses damaged in flood in Schuld, a town in Ahrweiler, Germany.
Lebanon needs plan for longer-term recovery: UN deputy chief
A strong, inclusive, and comprehensive social protection system is needed to ensure the most vulnerable are able to survive the crisis. This is crucial to positioning Lebanon on a path of inclusive growth, decent employment, and social stability, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on Wednesday called for arrangements for longer-term recovery in Lebanon as the country is struggling from the aftermath of the Beirut Port blast exactly a year ago.
A 12-month emergency response plan articulates collective priority responses to the critical humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable people in Lebanon. But emergency efforts alone will not solve the crisis, she told an international conference in support of the Lebanese people, co-hosted by France and the United Nations.
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Mohammed spoke on behalf of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres via a video link at the international conference, which took place on the first anniversary of the tragic Beirut Port blast.
“We must help lay the foundations for longer-term recovery, anchored in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” she said.
A strong, inclusive, and comprehensive social protection system is needed to ensure the most vulnerable are able to survive the crisis. This is crucial to positioning Lebanon on a path of inclusive growth, decent employment, and social stability, she said.
“We need an enabling environment to move the needle. Ultimately, Lebanon needs an empowered government poised to rapidly implement the necessary reforms. This includes macroeconomic-fiscal reform, the promotion of accountability and transparency, legislation to ensure the independence of the judiciary and to root out corruption and regulate public procurement.”
She pledged that the United Nations will continue to stand with Lebanon and support the country’s recovery toward sustainable development.
Lebanon is in the throes of one of the worst crises in its recent history. The economy is in freefall, institutions are struggling, basic services are collapsing, society is fracturing, and the population is in dire need, said Mohammed.
The people of Lebanon have endured nearly a year without a government. They deserve strong institutions that can deliver relief, justice and redress, and a government of national interests that can pursue an ambitious course for reforms and restore stability, growth and the prospects for a democratic future that provides opportunities and taps into the full potential of Lebanon’s young women and men.
Over half of Lebanese people now live in poverty. One in three Lebanese suffers from food insecurity. Nearly 4 million people are at risk of not accessing safe water. Hundreds of thousands of children are at risk of dropping out of school. Unemployment is on the rise. People are struggling every day with inflation and acute shortages of fuel, electricity, medicines, and water, she noted.
Increasingly, Lebanese families and migrants, alongside Syrian and Palestine refugees, find themselves in need of direct emergency assistance just to meet basic needs. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to strain Lebanon’s health sector and heavily impact the economy, she said.
Family members of a firefighter martyr are offered his portrait at an art exhibition commemorating the martyrdom of 10 firefighters upon the first anniversary of the Beirut port blast in Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 3, 2021.
Family members of a firefighter martyr are offered his portrait at an art exhibition commemorating the martyrdom of 10 firefighters upon the first anniversary of the Beirut port blast in Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 3, 2021.
Portraits are displayed at an art exhibition commemorating the martyrdom of 10 firefighters upon the first anniversary of the Beirut port blast in Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 3, 2021.
Portraits are displayed at an art exhibition commemorating the martyrdom of 10 firefighters upon the first anniversary of the Beirut port blast in Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 3, 2021.
Delta variant accounts for over 93 pct of new COVID-19 cases in U.S.
This number is even higher in certain parts of the United States. In the Midwest including Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, Delta variant accounts for more than 98 percent of all new cases.
The Delta variant accounts for an estimated 93.4 percent of all new COVID-19 cases in the United States during the last two weeks of July, according to figures published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday.
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This number is even higher in certain parts of the country, showed the updated figures for the week ending July 31. In the Midwest including Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, Delta variant accounts for more than 98 percent of all new cases.
These figures have shown a rapid increase over the past two months. In the two weeks ending May 22, Delta’s prevalence was estimated around 3 percent.
The daily average of new cases over the past week rose to 66,606 per day, from 40,597 the previous week, an increase of more than 64 percent, CDC said.
The number of Covid-19 cases in Southeast Asia crossed 7.65 million, with 95,870 new cases reported on Wednesday, higher than Tuesday’s tally of 90,856. There were 2,877 more deaths, increasing from Tuesday’s 2,706 and taking total coronavirus deaths in Asean to 158,783 so far.
Manila mayor Isko Moreno announced a plan to provide Covid-19 jabs to people in the city 24 hours a day for a whole week to cope with the spreading Delta variant.
The Philippine city is recruiting medical volunteers to work night shifts while aiming to relax night curfew from August 6-20 for people travelling to get vaccinated.
As of July 31, 4.6 million people in Manila, or one third of the city’s population, had received at least one jab of Covid-19 vaccine.
Malaysia meanwhile reported 19,819 new cases and 257 deaths on Wednesday, bringing cumulative cases in the neighbouring country to 1,183,110 patients and a total 9,855 deaths so far.
Wednesday’s infections were a new high since the outbreak started, which has sparked public outrage and calls for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to resign.
However, he announced that Parliament would hold a no-confidence debate in September to prove that the majority of people still believe in the government.
Children pose for photos at a camp for displaced people in Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 28, 2020.
Photo taken on July 16, 2021 shows roads and houses damaged in flood in Schuld, a town in Ahrweiler, Germany.
Family members of a firefighter martyr are offered his portrait at an art exhibition commemorating the martyrdom of 10 firefighters upon the first anniversary of the Beirut port blast in Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 3, 2021.
Portraits are displayed at an art exhibition commemorating the martyrdom of 10 firefighters upon the first anniversary of the Beirut port blast in Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 3, 2021.
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