With 17 new cases, Covid-19 in China's northwest city continues to surge

China had largely contained local transmission of the virus before the Urumqi outbreak and has taken swift action to bring it under control

Numbers of confirmed coronavirus cases in China’s northwestern city of Urumqi continue to rise, with another 17 reported on Monday, bringing the total in China’s latest outbreak to at least 47. Another five cases were brought from outside the country, according to the National Health Commission.

No new deaths were reported, leaving the total at 4,634 among 83,682 cases, and 249 people remain in treatment. Another 158 people were being monitored in isolation for showing signs of having the virus or for testing positive without displaying symptoms. China had largely contained local transmission of the virus before the Urumqi outbreak and has taken swift action to bring it under control. The city has cut subway, bus and taxi service, closed some communities, imposed travel restrictions and ordered widespread testing.

Social controls are already tight across the Xinjiang region of which Urumqi is the capital as part of what Beijing calls a campaign to curb terrorism and religious extremism. Rights groups and foreign government have accused China on widespread human rights abuses against the region’s Uighurs and other Muslim minority groups.

Tibetan leader Dalai Lama condoles demise of US Congressman John Lewis

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has offered condolences on the passing away of US Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has offered condolences on the passing away of US Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis.

He expressed his sadness on his passing away while noting the great legacy of the deceased civil rights pioneer whose impact on the civil rights movement and US politics remains a huge inspiration for Americans and activists across the world. “I am saddened to learn of the passing of Congressman John Lewis. He was not only a leader of the American civil rights movement; his principled commitment to non-violence and justice made him an inspiration and a moral beacon to the world at large.

“Like millions of people throughout the world, I am an admirer of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Whenever I talk about non-violence, I cite the examples of Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Dr Martin Luther King. Congressman Lewis not only knew Dr King but also gave him crucial support. Although I did not have the privilege of meeting Dr King myself, in meeting Congressman Lewis, I feel I have made a direct connection with him,” the spiritual leader said in a statement…Read More

'South Tibet': China claims stake over Arunachal Pradesh, renames 6 places

China has for the first time announced 'standardised' official names for six places in Arunachal

 

#LATEST| Upping the ante, China has for the first time announced "standardised" official names for six places in Arunachal Pradesh, days after it lodged strong protests with India over the Dalai Lama's visit to the frontier state.

The state media here said the move was aimed at reaffirming China's claim over the state . China claims the state as 'South Tibet'.

"China's ministry of civil affairs announced on April 14 that it had standardised in Chinese characters, Tibetan and Roman alphabet the names of six places in 'South Tibet', which India calls 'Arunachal Pradesh', in accordance with the regulations of the central government," state-run Global Times reported today.

The official names of the six places using the Roman alphabet are Wo'gyainling, Mila Ri, Qoidengarbo Ri, Mainquka, Bumo La and Namkapub Ri.

The India-China border dispute covers the 3,488 km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC). While China claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, India asserts that the dispute covers Aksai Chin area which was occupied by China during the 1962 war.

The two sides have so far held 19 rounds of talks with Special Representatives to resolve the boundary dispute.

China's move comes just days after the Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh , which was seventh since he fled from Tibet through Tawang and sought refuge in India.

During the 81-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader's Arunachal Pradesh visit, China had warned India that it will take "necessary measures" to defend its territorial sovereignty and interests.

ALSO READ:  US Denounces North Korea's Weapon Test, Assures Full Support To Japan

Commenting on the standardisation of the names of six places, Chinese experts said that it was a move to "reaffirm the country's territorial sovereignty to the disputed region", according to the daily.

"The standardisation came amid China's growing understanding and recognition of the geography in South Tibet. Naming the places is a step to reaffirm China's territorial sovereignty to South Tibet," Xiong Kunxin, a professor of ethnic studies at Beijing's Minzu University of China, was quoted as saying.

Xiong said that the legalisation of the regions' names is a part of the rule of law.

"These names have existed since ancient times, but had never been standardised before. Therefore, announcing the names is like a remediation," Guo Kefan, a research fellow at the Tibet Academy of Social Sciences, said.| read more...