China

The country's rubber-stamp legislature unanimously confirmed the appointment of General Li Shangfu, a veteran of the People's Liberation Army's modernisation drive, CNN reported. Experts said the appointment would be closely watched by Washington given Li's background, even though the post is viewed as largely diplomatic and ceremonial, CNN reported.

Upon nomination by Premier Li Qiang, vice premiers, state councillors, ministers, governor of the central bank, auditor-general, and secretary-general of the State Council were endorsed by lawmakers at the fifth plenary meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), Xinhua News Agency reported. Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a presidential order to appoint these officials.

The decision took effect for flights departing to the US from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, and designated airports at or after 3 p.m. on Friday, Xinhua news agency quoted CDC as saying. This means that air passengers will no longer need to get tested and show a negative Covid-19 test result, or show documentation of recovery from Covid-19, prior to boarding a flight.

Two months before his term as president expires, David Panuelo's letter alleged China is preparing for conflict over the island of Taiwan, and that its goal in interfering in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) was to render the country neutral in any potential Pacific war.

The city of Xi'an, in Shaanxi Province in central China, said it may enforce lockdowns 'when necessary' if an outbreak of the common flu virus poses a 'severe threat'. The emergency response plan for the city published on Wednesday is intended to combat the rising number of influenza cases in the country, as Covid-19 cases continue to fall, Daily Mail reported.

He was also elected as chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), reports Xinhua news agency.Nearly 3,000 members of the (NPC) voted unanimously at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing for Xi to be President in an election where there was no other candidate.Following the election, the 69-year-old President also made a public pledge of allegiance.

It's the first time the Germany-based group has been nominated for the prestigious prize, RFA reported. China has faced intensifying international criticism for treatment of the 11 million predominantly Muslim Uyghur people, whose culture, language, religion, dress and food is distinct from those of the Han Chinese majority, the reports said.

The report said that while India and China have engaged in bilateral border talks and resolved border points, relations will remain strained in the wake of the countries' lethal clash in 2020, the most serious in decades. "The expanded military postures by both India and China along the disputed border elevate the risk of armed confrontation between two nuclear powers that might involve direct threats to US persons and interests, and calls for US intervention.

"We have noticed relevant media reports but have not received any proposal from the US side on Raimondo's visit to China," the official with the Ministry of Commerce said in response to an inquiry, Xinhua news agency reported. China will remain committed to addressing each other's concerns through dialogue and will promote constructive and pragmatic cooperation, the official added.

Beijing has doubled down on the need to shift away from imports for sectors perceived as vital to national security, such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence. The United States has tightened sanctions on Chinese chipmakers, citing national security concerns and the risk of technology being used by China's military.