Hong Kong, China | AFP | A landmark visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Hong Kong left little doubt that Beijing views the city as a destabilising hotbed of unacceptable political dissent that must prove its loyalty, analysts said Sunday. His three-day trip to celebrate 20 years since Hong …
Read More »China’s Xi draws ‘red line’ in Hong Kong
Hong Kong, China | AFP | China’s President Xi Jinping said Saturday Hong Kong was freer than ever before but laid down an uncrossable “red line” for any challenge to Beijing’s authority as the city marked 20 years since it was handed back by Britain. Xi spoke in a televised …
Read More »Room service? Xi takes over Hong Kong luxury hotels
Hong Kong, China | AFP |China’s President Xi Jinping will want for nothing during his three-day visit to Hong Kong after taking over two entire luxury hotels with more than 1,300 rooms between them. The glitzy harbourfront Grand Hyatt and Renaissance, in the business and commercial district of Wan Chai, …
Read More »China’s president Xi in landmark visit to Hong Kong
Hong Kong, China | AFP | President Xi Jinping arrives in Hong Kong on Thursday to mark 20 years since it was handed back to China by Britain, a trip that has already riled democracy activists in the politically divided city. The three-day visit is his first since becoming leader …
Read More »Xi meets FIFA boss as China eyes World Cup
Beijing, China | AFP | Chinese President Xi Jinping met with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino on Wednesday as the football world watches for signs that the Asian giant will make a bid to host a World Cup. Xi greeted Infantino in the capital’s palatial Great Hall of the People but …
Read More »Xi to meet FIFA boss as China harbours World Cup ambition
Beijing, China | AFP | China’s football-mad President Xi Jinping will meet FIFA chief Gianni Infantino in Beijing on Wednesday as the world’s most populous nation harbours ambitions of hosting the World Cup. Xi will greet the president of football’s world governing body at the palatial Great Hall of the …
Read More »China decries protectionism, but Europeans rain on Silk Road parade
Beijing, China | AFP | Chinese President Xi Jinping criticised protectionism on Monday at a summit positioning Beijing as a champion of globalisation, but several European nations spoilt attempts to win full backing for his trade agenda. Xi addressed almost 30 leaders on the second day of a forum on …
Read More »Climate: China’s Xi talks tough as US hesitation frustrates talks
US, China must ‘lead the way’ on climate: Obama Bonn, Germany | AFP | UN climate negotiators in Bonn were left frustrated Tuesday as the White House postponed a meeting to determine whether America will stay in the 196-nation Paris Agreement to curb planet-harming fossil fuel. As uncertainty mounted over …
Read More »China’s Xi Jinping urges ‘restraint’ on North Korea as US carrier nears
Beijing, China | AFP | Chinese President Xi Jinping urged “restraint” on North Korea in a phone call with Donald Trump Monday, as Japan joined drills with an American supercarrier heading to the Korean peninsula. The US leader has repeatedly called on China, the North’s sole major ally, to do …
Read More »China’s Xi praises normalisation of ties with Norway
Beijing, China | AFP | Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday praised the normalisation of relations with Norway, six years after a dispute over the Nobel Peace Prize, as Norway’s prime minister said she was glad to be back. The visit by Erna Solberg is the first high-level exchange since December, …
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