Dec 23 After abrupt reopening, China faces COVID-19 spiral By Aniruddha Ghosal, Huizhong Wu, Dake Kang, Associated Press Nearly three years after the coronavirus was first identified in China and an unyielding "zero-COVID" approach, it is now spreading through the country after an abrupt reopening on Dec. 7 caught the nation under-vaccinated and short on hospital capacity. Experts… Continue reading
Dec 21 WHO concerned over increasing reports of severe COVID-19 cases in China By Associated Press It warned China's lagging vaccination rate could mean large numbers of vulnerable people are sickened by the omicron variant, the most infectious version yet seen of COVID-19. Continue reading
Dec 21 China narrows criteria for COVID-19 deaths included in official count By Huizhong Wu, Dake Kang, Associated Press A Chinese health official says the country only counts deaths from pneumonia or respiratory failure in its official COVID-19 death toll, a narrow definition that limits the numbers of deaths being reported as the virus surges following the easing of… Continue reading
Dec 20 Watch 9:08 U.S. military accelerates in Pacific in attempt to prevent a Chinese invasion of Taiwan By Nick Schifrin, Dan Sagalyn The Biden administration calls China the most consequential strategic competitor for the United States now and for decades to come. One major source of tension is Taiwan, which is supported by the U.S. but considered a breakaway province by China. Continue watching
Dec 20 Some Chinese authorities encourage people with mild COVID to go back to work By Dake Kang, Ken Moritsugu, Associated Press Several local governments in China have encouraged people with mild cases of COVID-19 to go to work this week. Continue reading
Dec 19 WATCH: Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso meets with Biden at the White House By Aamer Madhani, Joshua Goodman, Associated Press President Joe Biden says the U.S. is looking to expand and strengthen its relationship with Ecuador, one of its staunchest allies in South America and a country that's also getting plenty of attention from China. Continue reading
Dec 19 China reports 2 COVID deaths in Beijing as virus cases surge By Associated Press Chinese health authorities have reported the nation's first COVID-19 deaths in more than two weeks. Continue reading
Dec 17 Why Japan is boosting its arms budget and 'counterstrike capability' By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Japan this week adopted a new national security strategy to gain a more offensive footing and improve its resilience to protect itself from growing risks from China, North Korea and Russia. Continue reading
Dec 17 As cases surge, COVID-linked deaths seen in Beijing after easing of virus rules By Dake Kang, Associated Press Deaths linked to the coronavirus are appearing in Beijing after weeks of China reporting no fatalities, even as the country is seeing a surge of cases. Continue reading
Dec 16 As regional threats rise, Japan shifts away from defense-only strategy By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Japan on Friday adopted a national security strategy declaring plans to possess preemptive strike capability and cruise missiles within years to give itself more offensive footing against threats from neighboring China, Russia and North Korea. Continue reading