Aug 10. The Chinese mainland on Monday reported 108 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, including 50 in Jiangsu Province, 37 in Henan, 15 in Hubei and six in Hunan, the National Health Commission said in its daily report on Tuesday.

Also reported were 35 new imported cases, including 11 in Yunnan, nine in Shanghai, eight in Guangdong, three each in Fujian and Sichuan, and one in Shaanxi.

One suspected case arriving from outside the mainland was newly reported in Fujian on Monday. No deaths related to COVID-19 were newly reported, the commission added. Xinhua

August.3. Ending the stalemate in border talks that lasted nearly six months, India and China have agreed in principle to disengage at a key patrol point in eastern Ladakh even though other friction areas remain in the region, government sources said.

The agreement on PP17A was reached during the 12th round of Corps Commander-level talks Saturday. The meeting, which was part of a series of measures to resolve the 15-month standoff in Ladakh, was held on the Indian side of the Chushul-Moldo border. Sources said China has agreed to step back from PP17A, also known as the Gogra Post, but is “not inclined” to move back from PP15 or the Hot Springs area. “Modalities are being worked out. But on PP17A, there is an agreement to disengage. On PP15, China continues to insist that it is holding its own side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC),” an official said. The proposals are with the government, and details of how the troops will move are being discussed, sources said. The movement is expected to start within the next couple of days, they said.

The issue of Chinese ingression in the Depsang Plains and Charding-Ninglung Nallah (CNN) in the Demchok area were not discussed, sources said. But the latest breakthrough is significant, they said, considering the stalemate since February.

A joint statement issued Monday said the two sides had a “candid and in-depth exchange of views on resolution of remaining areas related to disengagement along the Line of Actual Control in the Western Sector of India-China border areas”.

It said: “The two sides noted that this…meeting was constructive, which further enhanced mutual understanding. They agreed to resolve these remaining issues in an expeditious manner in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols and maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations.” The statement said the two also agreed that in the interim, “they will continue their effective efforts in ensuring stability along the LAC in the Western Sector and jointly maintain peace and tranquility”.

According to sources, the disengagement at PP17A is likely to follow the process that was adopted for PP14 in the Galwan Valley and Pangong Tso where a time-frame was set for withdrawal, temporary structures were removed and a physical verification was donePlatoon-sized units have been present on the Indian side of the LAC, at PP15 and PP17A, since the Galwan clashes of June last year, but the forces are no longer in an “eyeball to eyeball” confrontation.

“There is a distance of about 500m between troops of both countries at these friction points. But disengagement is important because it is difficult to maintain these positions, and matters can go out of hand any time,” another official said.

In February, the two sides had disengaged from the north and south banks of Pangong Tso, where troops and tanks from both sides were barely a few hundred metres apart at some locations.

Sources said Saturday’s meeting, which began around 10.30 am, continued till 7.30 pm — a relatively shorter period compared to previous engagements that continued till 2-3 am. They said that before the meeting, officials were hoping to achieve a breakthrough on PP15 and PP17A. “Both sides were prepared on what could be achieved. Most of this had been agreed upon during diplomatic engagements,” a senior Government official said.

Apart from PP15 and PP17A, PP14 in Galwan Valley, and Finger 4 on the north bank of Pangong Tso and Rezang La and Rechin La on the south bank, were identified as friction points. Forces from both sides have since disengaged from PP14 after the violent clashes of June 15 last year, which left 20 Indian and at least four Chinese troops dead.

In Depsang Plains, Chinese troops are blocking Indian soldiers from accessing their traditional patrolling limits — PP10, PP11, PP11A, PP12 and PP13. In Demchok, sources said, “so-called civilians” have pitched tents on the Indian side of Charding Nallah, which marks the LAC.0

Agreement on Gogra Post, but not Hot Springs; movement in next few days. Ending the stalemate in border talks that lasted nearly six months, India and China have agreed in principle to disengage at a key patrol point in eastern Ladakh even though other friction areas remain in the region, government sources said.

The agreement on PP17A was reached during the 12th round of Corps Commander-level talks Saturday. The meeting, which was part of a series of measures to resolve the 15-month standoff in Ladakh, was held on the Indian side of the Chushul-Moldo border.

Sources said China has agreed to step back from PP17A, also known as the Gogra Post, but is “not inclined” to move back from PP15 or the Hot Springs area. “Modalities are being worked out. But on PP17A, there is an agreement to disengage. On PP15, China continues to insist that it is holding its own side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC),” an official said.

The proposals are with the government, and details of how the troops will move are being discussed, sources said. The movement is expected to start within the next couple of days, they said.

The issue of Chinese ingression in the Depsang Plains and Charding-Ninglung Nallah (CNN) in the Demchok area were not discussed, sources said. But the latest breakthrough is significant, they said, considering the stalemate since February.

A joint statement issued Monday said the two sides had a “candid and in-depth exchange of views on resolution of remaining areas related to disengagement along the Line of Actual Control in the Western Sector of India-China border areas”.

It said: “The two sides noted that this…meeting was constructive, which further enhanced mutual understanding. They agreed to resolve these remaining issues in an expeditious manner in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols and maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations.”

The statement said the two also agreed that in the interim, “they will continue their effective efforts in ensuring stability along the LAC in the Western Sector and jointly maintain peace and tranquility”.

According to sources, the disengagement at PP17A is likely to follow the process that was adopted for PP14 in the Galwan Valley and Pangong Tso where a time-frame was set for withdrawal, temporary structures were removed and a physical verification was done.

Platoon-sized units have been present on the Indian side of the LAC, at PP15 and PP17A, since the Galwan clashes of June last year, but the forces are no longer in an “eyeball to eyeball” confrontation.

“There is a distance of about 500m between troops of both countries at these friction points. But disengagement is important because it is difficult to maintain these positions, and matters can go out of hand any time,” another official said.

In February, the two sides had disengaged from the north and south banks of Pangong Tso, where troops and tanks from both sides were barely a few hundred metres apart at some locations.

Sources said Saturday’s meeting, which began around 10.30 am, continued till 7.30 pm — a relatively shorter period compared to previous engagements that continued till 2-3 am. They said that before the meeting, officials were hoping to achieve a breakthrough on PP15 and PP17A. “Both sides were prepared on what could be achieved. Most of this had been agreed upon during diplomatic engagements,” a senior Government official said.

Apart from PP15 and PP17A, PP14 in Galwan Valley, and Finger 4 on the north bank of Pangong Tso and Rezang La and Rechin La on the south bank, were identified as friction points. Forces from both sides have since disengaged from PP14 after the violent clashes of June 15 last year, which left 20 Indian and at least four Chinese troops dead.

In Depsang Plains, Chinese troops are blocking Indian soldiers from accessing their traditional patrolling limits — PP10, PP11, PP11A, PP12 and PP13. In Demchok, sources said, “so-called civilians” have pitched tents on the Indian side of Charding Nallah, which marks the LAC.0

“Parallel to the talks, China is also engaged in pin-prick tactics. They are building permanent structures very close to the border at many places and have quickened the pace of infrastructure development on their side. But we are hopeful of things improving at existing friction points,” a security officer said.

The last Corps Commander-level talks were held on April 9, when the two sides could not even agree on a joint statement. On Saturday, the Indian delegation was led by Lt Gen P G K Menon, Commander of XIV Corps that is responsible for the LAC with eastern Ladakh, while Maj Gen Liu Lin, Commander of South Xinjiang Military district, led the Chinese side. Indianexpress

China’s top epidemiologist Zhong Nanshan said that China needs to vaccinate about 83 percent of its population to achieve herd immunity. He also revealed that all the 13 severe cases infected with the Delta variant in Guangzhou COVID-19 outbreak in May did not get inoculated.

Zhong made the remarks during a speech in Guangzhou, South China’s Guangdong Province, on Saturday. Amid fresh COVID-19 outbreaks in multiple cities across China, Zhong said China has administered the most vaccine doses in the world, but the proportion of vaccination per 100 people is not high due to the large population, Qianjiang Evening News reported on Monday.

To achieve herd immunity through vaccination, China needs to inoculate 83.3 percent of its population, Zhong said.

Chinese COVID-19 vaccines can protect people against the Delta variant, Zhong added referencing studies of some 100 COVID-19 patients who were infected with the variant in Guangzhou in May. The preliminary studies found that Chinese vaccines are 100 percent protective against severe cases, and 76.9 percent, 67.2 percent and 63.2 percent protective against moderate cases, mild cases and asymptomatic infections, respectively, Zhong said, according to Qianjiang Evening News.

He reminded the public that all the 13 severe cases in Guangzhou in May who were affected with the Delta variant did not get inoculated.

Comparing with the Guangzhou outbreak, Zhong said that the fresh Nanjing outbreak has spread to broader areas, which deserves great attention.

But Zhong said he was confident the outbreak could be controlled in about 10 to 14 days due to the effective measures taken by the local government. Global Times

People enjoy themselves at a water amusement park in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, Aug. 5, 2020. Chongqing issued an orange alert for high temperature on Wednesday.

KATHMANDU, June 29 : Foreign Affairs Minister Pradeep Gyawali has said there is no border dispute between Nepal and China.

Taking special time in a meeting of the National Assembly (NA) today, the Minister said some media disseminated’fake news’ mentioning about China’s encroachment on Nepal’s territory. He urged media not to publish such news which would affect the bilateral relations. As he said, the government is studying about the source of such news. ”Misinformation will mislead us, so let’s not entertain such stuffs,” he said urging media to be careful while covering sensitive issues and not to give space to stuffs capable of jeopardising the cordial relations existing between the countries. Nepal and China face no border disputes, according to him.

As he said, both countries have signed a peace and friendship border treaty and both parties are agreed to inspect the bilateral border points in every ten years. During the third border inspection, it was decided to place border pillars for the clarity of border demarcation. Preparations are on to resolve the issue on tri-juncture towards the west.

Nepal Communist Party’s Ram Narayan Bidari, Prakash Pantha of Nepali Congress and Socialist Party’s Pramila Kumari suggested actions against any undue moves capable of jeopardising the friendship between two countries. They also inquired about the state of country’s diplomatic relations with India in the aftermath of publication of the country’s revised political and administrative map.
In response to suggestions, the Minister said lawmakers’ statement in the parliament should be based on facts. Misinformation may appear in media time and again, but such lawmakers presenting views just being merely based on such reports without further study on the issue and verification will not end in a positive note, according to him.

He went on to say the government was in constant touch with India to resolve the disputes emerged after Nepal published the updated map and both countries have good relations. ”We are confident that the dispute would be resolved through diplomatic efforts. No move capable of causing implication on Nepal-India multi-dimensional relations will be taken. The government is aware of any untoward tension between the two neighbors and support from all quarters are required for the same.”RSS

KATHMANDU, April 28: President of People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping has assured support and cooperation to Nepal in the fight against the global pandemic.

In a telephone conversation with President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Monday evening, the two Presidents shared views on the ongoing global fight against the pandemic of COVID-19 and its impacts felt across the world and exchanged views on the measures taken by their respective governments in the combat against coronavirus, stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal in a press release.

President Bhandari appreciated the strong initiatives pursued by the Government of China in containing and controlling the COVID-19 in China and in extending support to the countries around the world in their fight against the pandemic. In return, the President of China appreciated swift and resolute actions taken by the Government of Nepal in containing spread of the virus and assured China’s cooperation in this regard, the release further reads.

Bhandari also expressed gratitude toward China for the assistance of medical logistics provided to Nepal.

According to the release, Xi also expressed his happiness over the return of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli to normal work schedule after his kidney transplant surgery and conveyed his best wishes to the prime minister for his good health and happiness.

President Xi appreciated the telephone call by President Bhandari and thanked for the solidarity and support extended to the government and people of China during the coronavirus epidemic and also on the occasion of the Observance of National Day of Mourning in memory of those who lost their lives while fighting the novel coronavirus.

The two Presidents also expressed satisfaction on the excellent state of bilateral relations and agreed to further strengthen these relations in the coming days through the implementation of understandings and agreements reached during the high-level visits, including the projects related to expanding connectivity between the two countries within the framework of Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network. Both the Presidents agreed to the expeditious execution of these projects immediately after the situation becomes normal.

KATHMANDU, March 29: The Nepal Airlines aircraft has returned to Kathmandu on Sunday carrying emergency coronavirus prevention materials.

The widebody, which had left for China on Saturday to fetch the medical equipment, landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport early morning.

Medical goods including COVID-19 testing kits, PPE and medicines weighing around 13,000 kilograms were brought to Kathmandu in the NAC aircraft from Guangzhou of China, according to Chief of the NAC operations department, Dipu Juharchan.

Around 50,000 COVID-19 testing kit and 100,000 sets of PPE have been brought among others.

The materials also include masks donated by the Jack Ma Foundation and the Alibaba Foundation and PPEs and thermometers donated by the Sichuan Provincial Government, the Sichuan Provincial Investment Group and the Chinese Embassy, according to Ambassador of China to Nepal Hou Yanqi.

Nepal, which is under a nationwide lockdown since March 24, has confirmed five cases of the COVID-19, which has infected 663,740 people and killed 30,879 globally.

Photo: Chinese Embassy

KATHMANDU, March 27: Nepal is sending a Nepal Airlines Corporation’s wide-body aircraft to Guangzhou on Saturday to bring medical equipment necessary to test and treat the COVID-19 patients.

The aircraft will carry the equipment such as personal protective equipment, polymerase chain reaction test kits, viral transport medium, N95 masks, infra-red thermometers to Kathmandu, which will be delivered to various other parts of the country by Nepal Army helicopters.

According to Mahendra Shrestha, Director General of the Department of Health Service, the equipment will arrive in Nepal on Sunday.

The medical equipment provided by China is also arriving in Nepal today through the Tatopani transit point, according to RSS.

“All the preparations required to operate the custom point has been completed. A medical team is ready at the check post. The materials will be carried to Nepal following the health protocol set by the Ministry of Health and Population and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development,” said RSS quoting Tatopani Custom Office Chief Lal Bahadur Khatri.

The government on March 25 had decided to open Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani transit points to imports goods from China.

“As for now, only fruits and medical equipment are being imported from China,” added Khatri.

(With inputs from RSS)

KATHMANDU, March 25: The government has decided to open Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani transit points to import goods from China.

A meeting the High-level Coordination Committee to prevent and control the coronavirus led by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ishwar Pokharel decided to open the two transit points which were shut down for passenger movement for a week on March 22 to stop the possible outbreak of the COVID-19 disease. Nepal has closed border points with its India.

Goods from China will be imported following the health protocol set by the Ministry of Health and Population and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

The ministry has also urged the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Finance to carryout necessary coordination.

The meeting has also decided to resume essential banking service and allow vehicles carrying daily essentials to ply the road during the lockdown. Transportation of medicine, gas and home delivery service of grocery items will also be allowed in coordination with the Home Ministry.

The ward offices in the local levels have been authorized to facilitate sales and distribution of daily essentials including fruits, milk, cereals and vegetables in a safe and secured manner.

STRANDED FOREIGN NATIONALS TO BE AIRLIFTED TO KATHMANDU

The meeting also decided to airlift the foreign nationals stranded in various parts of the country due to the lockdown to the capital. The government will arrange their return to home.

But they might need to self-quarantine themselves at hotels nearby Tribhuvan International Airport if required.

The committee has also directed the local levels to keep records of all people entering their wards from third countries and India with their updated health details.

Likewise, local health coordinator will need to report the details of persons developing COVID-19 symptoms to Chief District Officer every day. The CDO will send the collected details at National Emergency Operation Center, which will refer it to Emergency Health Operation Center at 6:00 pm every day.

The committee has also asked provinces and local bodies to arrange quarantines facilities.

Also, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has to make arrangement of connecting four-digit toll-free telephone service at the office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Home Ministry and Health Ministry.

KATHMANDU, Feb 7: The government of Nepal Friday donated about 100,000 units of protective masks to the Government of China, as the republican country battles to contain the deadly coronavirus that has already killed 636 people—almost all of them in China except one in Hong Kong and one in Philippines—and infected over 31,400 globally.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and Minister for Health and Population Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal handed over the masks to the Ambassador of China to Nepal Hou Yanqi amid a function at the MoFA.

The Government of Nepal has decided to donate 100,000 units of protective masks to the Government of the People’s Republic of China as a gesture of friendship to the Chinese people and the Government and solidarity with China’s fight against novel coronavirus, said MoFA in a press release.

Due to the China’s coronavirus outbreak, the demands of protective mask to prevent the infection which spreads through droplets from coughs and sneezes has surged in the global market resulting in shortage, some countries have reported shortages because of panic buying as the fears of global spread of the coronavirus mounts.

According to BBC, China produces around twenty millions masks each day under normal circumstances, which is estimated to be around half of all masks made globally.

However, the production in China has been cut to around 10 million due to the New Year holiday and the impact of the virus itself—which is not sufficient to meet the current demand in China.

China bought 220 million face masks between 24 January and 2 February, with South Korea one of the countries supplying them, BBC reported.