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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/china/40023237

Funeral homes and crematoriums busy amid Covid-hit Beijing

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2022

Mourners were seen at a funeral home in Beijing on Monday as the city battles a continuing wave of Covid-19 infections amid the easing of curbs.

Hearses were also seen queueing at a crematorium in the Chinese capital on Sunday. Reuters could not immediately establish if the deaths and increased demand for cremation were due to Covid-19.

“After you’re infected, it depends on the individual’s health to decide if you are well or not. We try as far as it’s possible to not spread it to the elderly and children,” one Beijing resident told Reuters.

China reported two new Covid-19 deaths for Sunday, compared with none the previous day, increasing the nation’s fatalities to 5,237, the National Health Commission said on Monday.

China carries out door-to-door Covid vaccinations for elderly

Chinese authorities scaled up door-to-door vaccinations for the elderly, as the country struggles to reopen amidst a surge of Covid-19 cases, state media reported on Sunday.

Vaccinating the vulnerable has long been seen as a crucial requirement in China’s plans to open up after disruptive and economically damaging zero-Covid restrictions.

Officially, China’s vaccination rate is above 90%, but the rate for bolstered adults drops to 57.9%, and to 42.3% for people aged 80 and above, according to government data, prompting warnings that the country could see over 1.5 million deaths after lifting curbs such as lockdowns and mass testing that held most virus spread at bay.

State broadcaster CCTV showed footage of health workers administering vaccine doses to the elderly at their homes in parts of southwest Sichuan and Guizhou provinces.

Chinese cities close schools and set up makeshift clinics

Major Chinese cities remained quiet on Monday as people stayed home to protect themselves from a surge in Covid-19 cases that have resulted in two deaths.

In Shanghai, traffic was sparse and schools were closed after authorities said most classes should be online. Beijing’s Guang’an Gymnasium had also been converted into a makeshift fever clinic, housing blue tents where people sought treatment for their symptoms.

China reported its first Covid-related deaths in weeks amid rising doubts over whether the official count was capturing the full toll of a disease that is ripping through cities after the government relaxed strict anti-virus controls.

Monday’s two deaths were the first to be reported by the National Health Commission (NHC) since Dec. 3, days before Beijing announced that it was lifting curbs which had largely kept the virus in check for three years but triggered widespread protests last month.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/asia-pacific/40023232

S Korea’s export growth to drop to 0% range in 2023: poll

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2022

South Korea’s export growth is expected to fall to the zero-per cent range in 2023 amid high raw material prices and slowing major economies, a poll showed Monday.

The survey of 150 companies in the country’s 12 key export industries showed overseas shipments are forecast to expand by 0.5 % in the coming year from 2022.

By sector, exports of electric and electronics products are predicted to sink 1.9 % on-year, with those of petrochemicals likely to fall 0.5 %.

Outbound shipments of biopharmaceutical and health products are projected to grow by 3.5 %. Comparable growth rates are 0.2 % for steel, 0.9 % for cars, and 1.7 % for general machinery and ships.

Of the total firms, nearly 40 % projected outbound shipments of Asia’s fourth-largest economy to shrink in 2023 from this year due to weakening export competitiveness stemming from high costs and slowing demand from major export destinations.

Local pollster Mono Research conducted the survey, which was commissioned by the Federation of Korean Industries, the lobby for South Korea’s family-controlled conglomerates known as chaebol.

Exports, the mainstay of South Korea’s economic growth for the past two years, has been losing steam in recent months due to such external negatives as the US Fed’s rate hikes and the war in Ukraine.

The country’s overseas shipments shrank 14 % on-year in November, marking the second consecutive month of on-year decline.

It marks the first time since early 2020 that exports have dipped for two months in a row. South Korea last reported declining exports for more than two months from March through August 2020.

Major economic think tanks in South Korea, including the Korea International Trade Association, predict the country’s exports to increase by around 7 % in 2022 from a year earlier.

The survey also showed 53.3 % of the respondents predicting their 2023 export profitability to be similar to that of this year, with 28 % expecting a worsening condition. Some 19 % forecast an improvement.

As to the ways of strengthening the country’s export competitiveness, 38 % replied the government should put top policy priority on providing tax breaks regarding raw material purchases. 

The Korea Herald

Asia News Network

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/asia-pacific/40023224

Winter storm blasts Sea of Japan coast, with heavy snow expected to continue

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2022

A winter storm barraged across the nation along the Sea of Japan coast, hitting those areas hard on Sunday with heavy snowfall.

Heavy snow is expected through Monday on the Sea of Japan side of western and northern Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency warns of severe snowstorms and icy road surfaces.

The snowfall as of Sunday evening in the village of Okura, Yamagata Prefecture, was 1.89 meters. In Aomori, it was 1.83 meters, and in Horokanai, Hokkaido, it was 1.47 meters.

Kanazawa Castle Park is covered with snow on Monday morning in Kanazawa. Courtesy of Shinji Kamoya

The heavy snowfall caused suspensions and delays on sections of the Yamagata Shinkansen line, which runs between Tokyo and Shinjo, Yamagata, according to the East Japan Railway Co.

In Kyushu, snow was also observed, accumulating 4 centimetres in Saga and 1 centimetre in Nagasaki, causing some expressways to temporarily close.

The Japan Times

Asia News Network

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/asia-pacific/40023220

China makes first overseas delivery of homemade ARJ21 jetliner

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2022

China on Sunday completed the first overseas delivery of its homemade regional ARJ21 jet, making a stride in fulfilling its ambitious goal to make inroads into the overseas aviation market.

At a handover ceremony held in Shanghai, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) issued the export airworthiness certificate to the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), the manufacturer of the jetliner. Later, Comac handed over the commemorative keys to Indonesia’s TransNusa, marking the official delivery of the aircraft.

The ARJ21 aircraft has successfully handled more than 5.6 million passenger trips so far across an operation network that includes 300 routes between 100 cities.

The ARJ21, the country’s first turbofan regional jet, started development in 2002, made its maiden flight in Shanghai in 2009 and went into commercial service with Chengdu Airlines in June 2016.

By July 2022, a total of 68 ARJ21 aircraft had been delivered to nine operators including Air China, China Southern and Chengdu Airlines.

“This is the first time for a Chinese regional jet to enter the overseas market, which is of great historical significance for constructing the country’s new development paradigm based on the Belt and Road Initiative, and also important to the new economic development pattern of ‘dual-circulation’ that takes the domestic market as the mainstay while domestic and foreign markets complement each other. Comac will strive to integrate into the global civil aviation market, and adapt to the global operation philosophy, management philosophy and operating environment, so as to accelerate our construction of a world-class aviation enterprise,” said Zhang Xiaoguang, director of Comac Marketing Committee.

The ARJ21 is a self-developed short- and medium-range regional airliner with a range of 2,225-3,700 kilometres, featuring outstanding high-temperature resistance, cross-wind resistance and night flight operation performance. These characteristics will make it competitive in island-dotted Indonesia, where the broad market potential for regional aviation is still to be explored. ARJ21 can well meet the demand of branch routes from central cities to surrounding small and medium-sized cities, according to Comac.

“To our company, the management team, including all specialists, it’s full of enthusiasm, anticipation and confidence in ARJ21-700. Everyone is ready to meet her on the scene in Jakarta,” said Shazam, captain of TransNusa.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/asean/40023212

Buddha statue on Bokor will be world’s tallest, promises Cambodian hotelier

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2022

Cambodian businessman Sok Kong, who owns the Sokha Hotel Group, has said that his company plans to build a 108-metre-tall Buddha statue on Bokor mountain.

The statue covering 500 rice fields will be one of the tallest in the world.

“It will serve as a shrine for all Cambodian people and we will pray for happiness, prosperity and lasting peace for the region and across the kingdom,” Sok Kong said.

He added that apart from being a religious icon, it will also contribute to cultural tourism, attracting millions of local and international tourists.

“The company is seeking permission from the Environment Ministry to build this statue. We are also working with the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts on architectural design to ensure the huge Buddha statue is properly constructed according to our Cambodian style,” he said.

He said the project is expected to cost up to US$40 million (1.4 billion baht) and construction will begin as soon as the permits are received and the design finalised.

“We will continue working with the inter-ministerial committee to ensure the size and style of the statue represents Cambodian culture. Construction has not yet started, as we need to revise and redesign the statue and ask the committee for approval. We will accelerate this work as quickly as possible, and hope to begin construction soon,” Sok Kong said.

The Phnom Penh Post

Asia News Network

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/europe/40023192

Four leaders sign agreement to bring green Azeri energy to Europe

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2022

The leaders of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary signed an agreement on Saturday on the construction of an electric cable running under the Black Sea to carry green Azeri energy from planned Caspian Sea wind farms to Europe.

The agreement involves a 1,100 km (685 mile), 1,000 MW cable running from Azerbaijan to Romania as part of wider European Union efforts to diversify energy resources away from Russia amid the Ukraine war.

“Given the current security context marked by the military aggression against Ukraine, we need to cooperate better and show more solidarity to mitigate common challenges,” Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said during the round table meeting, also attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Von der Leyen said the EU’s strategy to turn its back on Russian fossil fuels and diversify towards what she called “reliable energy partners” was working. She said the EU was ready to provide financial support to the project pending the results of the feasibility study.

“To integrate a growing share of renewables, we need indeed stronger electricity interconnections. This is why the Black Sea energy cable between Romania, Georgia and Azerbaijan is so important,” von der Leyen said.

Von der Leyen said the Black Sea cable could transform Georgia into an electricity hub and integrate it into the EU internal power market, while it could also help start rebuilding Ukraine’s energy system and aid the country’s reconstruction.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/world/asean/40023167

Cambodian minister wants compulsory drug testing of all job and student applicants

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022

A Cambodian minister has urged all ministries to do drug tests on candidates who wish to work for the state or in the private sector, as well as on students, and to reject their applications to work or study if they test positive.

Minister of Interior Sar Kheng made the remarks on December 14 at a ceremony to celebrate the achievements of Bavel High School, Lvea High School, and Svay Prey Primary School in Bavel district of Battambang province.

“Every citizen who wishes to serve as a police officer, run for village chief of a commune council, civil servant, become a member of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and the National Military Police, or people seeking employment in the private sector should be tested for drugs. If they test positive, they should not be allowed to work. Teachers and students are no exception,” he said.

He added that drivers of all kinds of vehicles must be tested for drug use as well. If they test positive, they should not be allowed to drive, and they must have a certificate to prove their test is negative, and that documentation could be used as a factor in applying for jobs.

Sar Kheng urged all sectors to make it mandatory for jobseekers to have a negative test certificate.

He warned that any businesses, factories or manufacturing enterprises that employ staff without the certificate would be held accountable.

He admitted that the main impediment to implementing this policy is that the state cannot open enough centres or institutes to test everyone in society for drugs, and the task requires participation of the private sector. He also made clear that the state would not bear the cost of testing, and each individual applicant for any job or school would have to pay for it on their own.

Speaking on a separate issue, he made a strong case for community sentencing for mild offences as prisons nationwide are overcrowded. He believes such as step would help reduce public expenditure.

Prisons in Cambodia house more than 30,000 prisoners and suffer from overcrowding.

He added that to facilitate the work, he is discussing it with Sak Setha and Bun Hun, permanent secretaries of state at the ministry, to expand the use of community sentences.

“We already have the law. The Criminal Code covers community sentences. We already have legal principles but we just haven’t implemented this type of sentence yet. I ask for the support of the people and local administrations because they set obligations for perpetrators,” he continued.

This community sentence is a non-custodial sentence for mild crimes and the punishment is some type of community work.

He added that the mild crimes eligible for community sentences are minor theft.

“We allow them to sleep at home, but they have to fulfil some obligations …because we’ve made arrests and put them in prison now and we don’t know where to put them as our prisons have to offer rice and water,” Sar Kheng stated.

Am Sam Ath, deputy director for monitoring at rights group LICADHO, said civil society organisations working in this area have made recommendations for years to implement community sentences because it is also stipulated in the Criminal Code.

“So, the court should raise this point and implement community sentences for any minor offences because community sentences are good. First, we don’t spend state funds on feeding them in prison and second, they can live with their family members, and third, they can help with community work,” he added.

“But so far, we have seen that the ministries of interior and justice have held meetings and set procedures to implement community sentences, but so far they have not been implemented,” he said.

Sam Ath acknowledged that community sentence implementation is hard, but that if the government and authorities tried hard enough to implement them and educated the local people, it would be possible.

In a meeting with Japanese deputy Minister of Justice Hiroyuki Kada back in July, Sar Kheng had said that Cambodia has not been able to implement community sentences smoothly because it lacks the support of the people. He, however, pledged to pursue the idea in order to reduce state spending.

The Phnom Penh Post

Asia News Network

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https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/world/asia-pacific/40023160

Friday, December 16, 2022

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022

Check out what’s hot in the region as The Nation puts together headlines from members of Asia News Network (ANN). Click to read more:

ANN news highlights: Fri, Dec 16, 2022
Bringing Asia Closer

EU-Asean Summit 
FTA
Bongbong Marcos pushes free trade deal with EU | Inquirer

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. wants the proposed free trade agreement between the Philippines and the European Union (EU) to materialize soon to bolster mutual economic development.

Diplomacy 
Editorial: End of EU’s dictation – Jakarta Post

The joint statement issued after the first summit between Asean and European Union leaders in Brussels on Wednesday shows a much more level playing field in the relationship between the countries in the two regions. In their declaration, the issue of human rights, one of the EU’s favourite subjects, was barely touched, not because Asean members have improved their record on that front, but more because the EU knows it is dealing with a partner with much-stronger bargaining power.

Myanmar 
EU backing ASEAN’s Myanmar 5PC plans | Phnom Penh Post

The EU has pledged to continue its support for ASEAN efforts to find peace in Myanmar, as the leaders of the two regional blocs met to celebrate 45 years of dialogue partnership.

Military India 
India successfully carries out night trials of over 5,000 Km range Agni-5 ballistic missile  – The Statesman

India successfully carried out the night trials of the nuclear-capable Agni-5 ballistic missile, which can hit targets beyond 5,000 km on Thursday.

Defence Japan
4％-4.5％ corporate surtax approved at LDP commission meeting – The Japan News

A proposal to raise taxes to fund significant improvements in Japan’s defense capabilities was approved Thursday at an executive meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party’s Research Commission on the Tax Systems, including a surtax of 4% to 4.5% for corporate tax.

Inter’l Mountain Day
Opinion: Moving mountains together | The Daily Star

On December 11, we marked International Mountain Day, a day to reflect on mountains, their ecosystems, and the environment. We have the Chittagong Hills, which are the only significant hill system in the country, containing at least 75 mountain peaks, which range in altitude approximately from 600-1,000 m (2,000-3,300 ft) above sea level. Thus, the day has deep relevance to the country.

Inter’l Mountain Day
Editorial: Protecting our mountains | Kuensel 

Monday, December 11, was an important day. It was the International Mountain Day (IMD). However, besides some dignitaries joining a group of students to observe the day at the convention centre in Thimphu, the day passed by as silently as the mountain issues that are untold, under-reported or hijacked by other important issues like the economy, reform or moving to Australia.

Climate Vietnam
Analysis: Why G7 aims to crack Vietnam’s coal fix with RM68bil deal – Reuters for The Star

THE Group of Seven (G7) industrialised nations have pledged US$15.5bil (RM68.2bil) to help Vietnam transition away from coal, as part of a Just Transition Energy Partnership (Jtep) effort aimed at luring influential economies onto greener energy road maps.

Jobs 
Labour market mismatch post-Covid could weaken economic growth: Moody’s – The Statesman

The mismatches in labour supply after the reverse migration during the Covid-19 pandemic in India and other countries in the Asia Pacific (Apac) region could weaken economic growth, said Moody’s Investors Service.

Energy Myanmar
Myanmar plans to generate over 8,100 megawatts of electricity from six sites of Myanmar and Russia’s joint wind power project | Eleven Media 

Six sites of the wind power project that will be jointly conducted by Myanmar and Russia, will be able to produce more than 8,100 megawatts of electricity, sources said.

Crypto HK
Amid crypto turmoil, HK debuts first crypto futures ETFs | China Daily

Two exchange-traded funds that track US-listed cryptocurrency futures have raised a combined $73.6 million ahead of their debut on the Hong Kong stock exchange on Friday in defiance of the sector’s meltdown.

Space Japan
MUFG Bank to invest in space business – The Japan News

MUFG Bank Ltd. plans to invest in Space One Co., which is engaged in launching small rockets, it has been learned. An announcement will be made as early as this week.

Rail China
New high-speed railway in Yunnan set to open to tourists – China Daily

China’s first high-speed railway in ethnic group autonomous prefecture, the Mile-Mengzi high-speed railway, will open to tourists soon, China Railway Kunming Group shared.

Crisis Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s economy shrinks in second-worst quarterly performance | Reuters for China Daily

Sri Lanka’s economy shrank 11.8 percent in the July-September quarter from a year ago, government data showed on Thursday, the second-worst quarterly contraction ever for the country going through a severe financial crisis.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/asia-pacific/40023148

Japan eyes support for marine industry ahead of releasing treated nuclear waste

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022

Japan plans to launch an initiative this month that will boost the consumption of marine products from five coastal prefectures, ahead of the planned release of treated water into the sea from the Fukushima nuclear plant accident.

Events will be held nationwide to promote the safety of marine products and processed seafood from the prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki and Chiba.

About 100 organisations, including financial institutions, trading companies and local governments, are expected to participate in the public-private programme.

If misleading information about the treated water spreads following the planned discharge in spring, participating companies will purchase marine products from the five prefectures.

The central government decided last year that contaminated water from the nuclear power plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc would be treated to remove most of the radioactive material and diluted with seawater before it is released into the ocean.

However, the planned release has raised concerns about the possibility of harmful rumours spreading.

The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry will work with the private sector to strengthen support for fishery operators and promote the consumption of their marine products.

The Japan News
Asia News Network

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/asean/40023145

Landslide hits campsite off Genting: Child among 16 killed

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022

At least 16 people were killed with around 17 others feared trapped in a landslide in Malaysia on Friday, Malaysian authorities said.

The Ministry of Local Government Development said on Twitter that 61 victims have been rescued from the campsite at Father’s Organic Farm in the Batang Kali area, on the outskirts of capital Kuala Lumpur.

Among those confirmed dead were believed to be one 5-year old boy, six women and one man, police said.

A total 94 victims in total were affected, most of them local residents including workers at the campsite, Hulu Selangor district police chief Suffian Abdullah said.

Among those rescued were teachers and their families from Chinese primary school Mun Choong in Kuala Lumpur.

Those rescued have been sent to a police station in Selangor, with three Singaporeans among those saved, according to Malaysian daily China Press.

The campsite is located on Jalan Batang Kali-Jalan Genting Highlands, less than 15km away from the peak of Genting Highlands.

The camp, located about 4.5km or a 10-minute drive from Gohtong Jaya – a town below the Genting Highlands peak – is en route to the popular travel destination that houses a casino and theme park, offers eco-tourism packages including educational guides on organic vegetable farming.

Roads to the site have been shut to allow easier access for trucks ferrying tractors and personnel for rescue operations.

“All the victims are believed to have entered last Wednesday to carry out camping activities,” Chief Superintendent Suffian told reporters on Friday.

noted that the Fire and Rescue Department has brought in K-9 dogs units in the search for the remaining victims.

Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he was shocked by news of the landslide and had instructed the government departments to conduct the search and rescue mission in an orderly and systematic manner. He added he plans to make a visit to the location of the accident at night.

Other ministers in Mr Anwar’s Cabinet have also said they will visit the site.

Selangor’s Fire and Rescue Department director Norazam Khamis said the distress call was received at 2.24am before rescue teams began operations.

According to initial reports of the operation commander, the height of the ruins is estimated at 30m, he said.

“The landslide is about one acre wide and fell onto the campsite,” Mr Norazam said when contacted on Friday.

He added that personnel from multiple fire stations, as well as the Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team (STORM) have also been deployed to the site for ongoing search and rescue operations.

On Tuesday, the Fire Department’s director-general Mohammad Hamdan Wahid advised Malaysians and local municipal authorities to temporarily stop recreational activities, especially in high-risk areas such as mountains, hills, rivers and beaches, during monsoon season.

“We understand this year-end holiday period, many families are definitely planning leisure activities in certain areas, but we hope that these can be stopped for a while for now.”

The Straits Times

Asia News Network

Malaysian Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi on Thursday said the ministry is closely monitoring federal roads prone to high-risk flooding that can lead to slope failures in the current wet season.

He said the ministry is working with agencies including the Mineral and Geoscience Department Malaysia, Nadma and other relevant bodies as landslides are natural disasters under their purview.

Around 1,045 slopes have been identified as “very high risk”, said Malaysia’s Public Works Department (JKR) on Thursday, adding that “Pahang, Perak, Kelantan and Selangor have been identified as the states with the most number of hotspots for slope failures”.

JKR said it is available to mobilise anytime to ensure appropriate precautions, such as warning signage and traffic management, are taken.