News on disease control, CCP, Germany, Mongolia, Kenya, U.S., India, Sri Lanka, NATO, aviation management
News (1)
研究：聆听鸟鸣可以减少压力和偏执
News (2)
China fined Kenya 10 million US dollars. Kenya never defaulted on foreign debts
Reporter : Li Zhaoxi / Editor : Lin Qing / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/10/15/a103552212.html / Image : On 16 October 2019, former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta held an inauguration ceremony for the Nairobi-Suswa Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) funded by the Chinese Communist Party. (Simon Maina/AFP via Getty Images)
遭中共罚一千万美元 肯尼亚：从未拖欠外债
Since the implementation of the CCP's "One Belt, One Road" initiative, developing countries have fallen into the quagmire of infrastructure loans. Kenya's Ministry of Finance on Thursday (October 13) denied an official Chinese statement that it had fined Kenya 1.312 billion Kenyan shillings (about 1,000) for delaying payments on loans of 10,000 U.S. Dollars for the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
In the year to June, Bank of China fined Kenya 1.312 billion Kenyan shillings for defaulting on loans, Kenya's Business Daily Africa reported.
Kenya has received more than 5 trillion shillings from Chinese lenders, led by the Export-Import Bank of China, to build the SGR from Mombasa to Naivasha.
Taxpayers were forced to take on the burden of SGR loans as revenue from passenger and freight services on track was not enough to cover operating costs, which hit Sh18.5 billion in the year to June on revenue of $15 billion shilling. SGR posted an operating loss of Sh3.4 billion and paid Sh22.7 billion in loan repayments in the year to June.
"This (Sh1.312 billion) is related to a default penalty with interest of 1% of the amount due," the disclosure document states.
Finance Minister Ukur Yatani has insisted that Kenya is not in arrears on its public debt, saying the country has not had a decades-long backlog of arrears in repayments.
"We want to make it clear that Kenya has never defaulted on its debt repayment obligations to any creditors," Yatani stressed on the 13th. "Kenya has never been marked as a country in default on foreign debts."
Analysts believe Kenya could be fined for late payments, adding that technically there is a difference between default and late payments. Legally speaking, if an account is closed by a lender after the arrears continue to mount, it enters a state of default and directly affects the creditworthiness of the borrower or the country.
The delayed payments come a year after Kenya asked bilateral lenders, including China, to extend debt repayment deferrals for another six months to December 2021, which would preserve billions of dollars in repayments to lenders in Beijing.
But lenders, notably the Export-Import Bank of China, objected to Kenya's application for a debt repayment extension, resulting in a standoff between the two sides, resulting in delayed payments on projects financed by Chinese loans.
The government of former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has taken loans mainly from China since 2014 to build roads, bridges, power plants and SGR. The first phase of SGR is Kenya's single most costly infrastructure project since independence, making China the largest bilateral lender to Kenya, surpassing Japan.
Under Kenyatta's government, Kenya's debt more than quadrupled to 8.58 trillion shillings. The surge in debt has put the country at high risk of debt distress, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The cost of servicing public debt is expected to jump by a third to a record 1.39 trillion shillings in the financial year to June 2023, more than half the projected state revenue.
Kenya spent nearly 57 percent of its tax revenue on loan repayments in the last fiscal year, according to the Ministry of Finance, underscoring the impact of rising public debt on the nation's finances.
In the debt relief deal announced in August, Beijing would forgive 23 interest-free loans due to 17 unnamed African countries, but Kenya was excluded.
As the value of the shilling against the international currency has fallen rapidly in recent months, the cost of repaying loan interest has also risen sharply, with the shilling at 121/1 against the dollar on the 13th.
News (3)
Reducing dependence on China's rare earths, Germany targets Mongolian raw materials
Reporter : Qiao An / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/10/15/a103551806.html
Germany is trying to get rid of its heavy reliance on Chinese raw materials. On Friday (14 October 2022), German Chancellor Scholz and visiting Mongolian Prime Minister Oyun Erden reached a cooperation intention, and Germany will import a variety of key raw materials including rare earths from Mongolia.
German Chancellor Scholz: "Mongolia will be an important partner for many raw materials in our diversification strategy."
Whether it is fossil energy or key minerals, Germany is faced with the dilemma of having to get rid of its heavy dependence on Russia and China.
Under the constant threat from the Chinese Communist Party to restrict the export of rare earths, countries have to separate themselves to find alternative sources of this critical mineral. The reserves of rare earths are second only to China's Mongolia and have become the target of many countries.
German Chancellor Scholz: "There are two minerals that are of course important, copper and rare earths, important for future economic development, whether it is batteries, development, electric vehicles, semiconductors, and everything that our economy needs in the future."
In June 2022, Germany's "Federal Academy of Security Policy" (BAKS) warned in a report that compared with Russia's energy, Germany's dependence on China's supply of rare earth raw materials is more than that, and the government should correct its policies in a timely manner and take precautions.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also warned in July this year that China or any other country should not be a long-term source of supply for energy, intermediate products or raw materials, and Germany must find new partners to avoid being blackmailed by these countries.
News (4) to (12) / Reporter : Luo Tingting/ Editor: Deming / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/10/15/a103552092.html
News (4)
The day before the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, many places in Beijing were blocked by the iron plate
Image : On 15 October 2022, online videos and photos showed that the outbreak of the epidemic in several communities in Beijing was urgently closed and controlled, surrounded by iron plates. (Weibo picture synthesis)
The epidemic situation in Beijing is difficult to "clear", and an outbreak broke out in 11 districts. Online videos and photos show that on 15 October 2022, several communities in Beijing were urgently sealed off and surrounded by iron plates.
According to official reports, as of 14 October, a total of 112 local cases have been reported in the current round of the epidemic in Beijing. There are currently 15 transmission chains affecting 11 districts. Since the CCP has been concealing the truth of the epidemic, the actual number of infected may be even more.
As of 14 October 2022, Beijing has 7 high-risk areas and 8 medium-risk areas. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei express bus has been suspended on the 12th.
The Beijing Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau issued a notice on the 12th that the office building where the Beijing Human Resources and Social Security 12333 service hotline is located is subject to closure and control management due to the outbreak.
According to Beijing's latest epidemic prevention regulations, people entering Beijing must undergo 2 inspections within 3 days after arrival. They can only stay at home and not go out until the negative result is obtained, and they are not allowed to have meals, gatherings, or go to crowded places within 7 days. Citizens of Beijing must also check the negative nucleic acid certificate within 72 hours when they go out.
The day before the opening of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (October 15), Beijing netizens disclosed on Weibo that Xiaotangshan Longmai Garden was blocked, Xiaotanghutong was also blocked, Building 15 in the West Second District of Tiantongyuan was closed, and Chaoyang Stone Buddha Camp was closed. Park 1872 International Apartment Building 9 was also blocked.
The staff of the Neighborhood Committee of Fuguoli Community in Xicheng District informed that the community is classified as a high-risk area and no one can go out.
An online video shows that "Dabai" came to No. 2 Cuiwei Road, Xicheng District, Beijing. The specific situation is not clear.
In addition, the Beijing Arts and Crafts Museum, the Capital Grain Museum, and the China Geological Museum have all announced that they will be temporarily closed.
Theatres such as the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing People's Art Theater, and Tianqiao Art Center also issued a notice: People who have entered Beijing for less than 7 days cannot enter the theatres.
As the 20th National Congress of the CCP has progressed, Beijing has increased its epidemic control. In addition to the lockdown and epidemic prevention, the capital city has also tightened control over express delivery and drone flying.
Some Beijing residents told VOA that recently, the number of security guards on Chang'an Avenue in Beijing has increased significantly. Some people also said that due to the impact of the epidemic, express delivery to Beijing may be delayed. It was also revealed that people who traveled to other places for vacation during the 11th period were blocked from returning to Beijing.
Online video shows that in order to strengthen the prevention and control of the epidemic in Beijing, Beijing Airport strictly controls the travel of passengers. A video taken by netizens on October 7 shows that the Beijing airport is empty and turned into a ghost town, and there is no one person in the picture.
News (5)
Covid epidemic before the 20th National Congress of the CCP heats up in other provinces and cities in China
In addition to Beijing, the epidemic is also heating up in other provinces and cities in China. The National Health Commission of the Communist Party of China reported: On 14 October, there were 291 new confirmed local cases and 900 local asymptomatic infections across the country.
20 provinces and cities including Guangdong, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Shanxi, Heilongjiang, Sichuan, Beijing, Henan, Chongqing, Liaoning, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shaanxi, Shanghai, Fujian, Hunan, Yunnan, Tibet, Hubei, and Guizhou have all experienced epidemics.
News (6)
Shanghai suspends service industry
20 areas in Shanghai are designated as medium-risk areas for the epidemic. Shanghai Putuo District reported on 14 October 2022 that due to the impact of the epidemic, the service industry has continued to be suspended since the 15th.
News (7)
More villages in Chongqing until epidemic control measures
Since the 15th, temporary prevention and control measures have been adopted in the area north of the Yangtze River in Jiangjin District, Chongqing, including three villages (communities) north of the Yangtze River in Youxi, Shimen, Wutan, Zhuyang and Baisha, carrying out nucleic acid tests three times a day.
News (8)
Shenzhen suspends operations of some subway stations
From the 15th, some subway stations in Shenzhen have suspended operations, including Shenzhen Metro Line 5 Lingzhi Station, Honglang North Station, Line 9 Lilin Station, and Nanyou West Station.
News (9)
Foshan implements temporary control and nucleic acid testing
On the 14th, Nanhai District, Foshan, Guangdong issued a notice on the implementation of temporary control and nucleic acid testing of all staff.
News (10)
High-risk areas in Heilongjiang have increased
Heihe Aihui District in Heilongjiang has been silent for 3 days since the 15th, and 59 high-risk areas were added in Urumqi, Xinjiang on the 14th.
News (11)
Inner Mongolia adds more risky areas
On 15 October 2022, Jiuyuan District, Baotou, Inner Mongolia added 2 new high-risk areas. Hohhot currently has 445 high-risk areas and 192 medium-risk areas.
News (12)
CCP media continues to glamorize dynamic clearing, ignoring the adverse events
At the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the party media continued to publish articles reiterating its insistence on "dynamic clearing", claiming that "the epidemic can be prevented, the economy can be stabilized, people's lives can be peaceful, and economic and social development can be stable and healthy."
In this regard, Twitter netizen Li Jun said: "How can I see the opposite: the epidemic cannot be prevented, life is not safe, and the economy is not developing, but it is going backwards. The CCP always asks you to sacrifice the present for the future and sacrifice yourself for the country. It's the biggest lie."
News (13)
Slap the CCP in the face? Zelenskyy sends simplified Chinese tweet thanks to UN for condemning Russia
Image : Video Screenshot / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/10/15/a103551970.html
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on 13 October 2022, tweeted in multiple languages, including simplified Chinese, thanking 143 countries for voting in the United Nations General Assembly for the history of "supporting Ukraine" Sexual Resolution.
The world has taken a stand: "Russia's attempted annexation of territory is void and will never be recognized by free nations," he tweeted. He tweeted in English, French, Arabic and other languages officially used by the United Nations, and added: Especially using simplified Chinese to post, netizens believe that this is like a direct slap in the face of the CCP authorities who "abstained from voting". This tweet has aroused enthusiastic response. In less than an hour, it has received tens of thousands of likes, thousands of retweets and a large number of comments, which is 4 or 5 times that of comments in other languages.
News (14)
Indian nuclear submarine successfully test-fired missile to demonstrate nuclear deterrence capability to CCP and Pakistan
The Indian Ministry of Defense announced on 15 October 2022 that India has successfully tested a ballistic missile from the first domestically-made nuclear-powered submarine "Annihilus", joining other countries, the United States, Britain, China, France and Russia.
News (15)
Sri Lanka downgraded to low-income country after CCP China bankrupt the country
Sri Lanka has been devastated by the CCP’s Belt and Road Initiative, and its economy has fallen into a severe recession. In the third quarter, its GDP shrank by 8.4%. In order to obtain international financial assistance, the country has taken the initiative to downgrade its economic status from a low-middle-income country to a low-income country.
News (16)
The U.S. midterm elections are approaching, and the CCP's information warfare has
already begun
Reporter : Shi Jin / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/10/15/a103551808.html
On 13 October 2022, a new report released by the cybersecurity firm Recorded Future revealed that the CCP, Russia, and Iran have launched actions against the U.S. midterm elections in an attempt to influence the U.S. voter. The report confirmed previous warnings by Biden-Harris administration officials.
In the run-up to the midterm elections, the Chinese Communist Party began ramping up disparaging narratives against the United States on social media, cybersecurity firm Record the Future revealed in its latest report.
According to the report, these disparaging narratives mainly come from Wolf Warrior diplomats, CCP state media reporters, and political commentators, and are then amplified on social media through fake accounts. The report specifically mentions a Douyin account called Pacific Dialogue, which stores more than 600 anti-US videos.
The report pointed out that this series of actions shows a shift in the CCP's strategy for the U.S. election, that is, it pays more attention to using Chinese influential figures to try to influence U.S. voters.
At the same time, the CCP may also conduct harassment, surveillance, and physical threats against congressional candidates and lawmakers who are openly anti-communist or support a hard-line policy toward CCP China.
In addition to the CCP, the report also shows that Russia and Iran are also active in their malicious influence operations on the U.S. midterm elections.
News (17)
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