Last month, Beijing issued a new policy that makes it easier for foreigners to apply for a visa in China if they have received a Chinese vaccine, which raises concerns among experts, who warn that there is a risk of setting a dangerous precedent that may leave the world separate in vaccine. Sitges.
There was also a practical problem: in many countries, including the United States, it is impossible to get a Chinese vaccine because regulators have not approved its use.
With about half of adults in the United States receiving at least one Covid-19 shot, many travelers eligible to enter China, whether Chinese or foreign nationals who obtain a visa, were unsure whether the vaccine would be considered they received. enough to travel to China.
The Chinese embassy in Washington finally provided some clarity in a recent statement, which explained what travelers in China who have received one of the U.S.-approved vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson) should get. & Johnson) to be approved. enter the country.
With China largely back in business and low infection rates, it is likely that many will try this process soon, especially as the number of vaccinated continues to rise in the United States.
Last month, China launched its own version of a vaccine passport, the International Travel Health Certificate (ITHC), to allow vaccinated people to travel more freely. The country is also moving toward the approval of more vaccines, including foreign-made ones, that would make it easier for Chinese living abroad and foreigners hoping to travel to China to enroll in the ITC.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Chinese officials have been examining data from clinical trials for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which could be approved for home use before July.
The Global Times, a state-owned newspaper, quoted the head of the Chinese Vaccine Industry Association as saying China’s approval “would show its attention” to expats who “wanted some vaccines manufactured in the United States.” foreigner to facilitate recognition when they return home. “
And approving the BioNTech vaccine, which has an impressive 97% effectiveness, could also help China improve immunity levels among its own population, amid some concern about the relatively low effectiveness of domestic vaccines and shortage of supply.
Although, with the launch of Pfizer-BioNTech among those attacked by China’s propaganda bodies, approving it may be more than a simple scientific closure, and it remains to be seen how much criticism it has had in terms of undermining Chinese public confidence in foreign vaccines.
China’s business: Xi targets foreign commanders
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for global cooperation this week in the face of a growing U.S.-led anti-Chinese front and warned that an “open world economy” is essential to recovering from the coronavirus pandemic.
“Attempts to erect walls or separate are going against the law of economics and market principles,” Xi said Tuesday through a video at the Boao Forum for Asia in China. “They would harm the interests of others without benefiting themselves.”
“We must not let the rules set by one or a few countries impose themselves on others, nor allow unilateralism pursued by certain countries to set the pace for the whole world,” Xi added.
Although Xi did not name any countries during his speech – top Chinese leaders usually do not even name shame – his statements seemed like a veiled critique of the United States, which has intensified pressure on China in recent months.
Last month, the U.S. and its allies condemned Beijing and imposed coordinated sanctions on Chinese officials for the alleged repression of Uighur Muslims and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang province. Most of the harsh sanctions imposed by the Trump administration on some of China’s largest technology companies remain in place and trade tensions continue under the Biden administration.
“Annoying other people or getting involved in the internal affairs of others would not get any support,” Xi said at the forum, which was attended by thousands of executives and political leaders.
Some of America’s largest entrepreneurs and investors participated in the event as they tried to navigate the tumultuous relationship between the world’s two major economies. Blackstone’s Stephen Schwarzman and Ray Dalio, the billionaire founder of the world’s largest hedge fund, participated Monday in a panel, according to organizers. Apple CEO Tim Cook and Tesla CEO Elon Musk are also expected to attend.
– Laura He, CNN Business
Cited and noted
“At the invitation of U.S. President Joe Biden, President Xi Jinping will attend the climate summit in Beijing on April 22 via video and deliver a speech.”
– After the visit of the American climate envoy John Kerry to Shanghai it resulted in a boring but promising joint statementXi’s participation in the leadership summit proposed by Biden later this month, announced by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, could be a big step forward, both in terms of global warming. icy bilateral relationship to address the developing climate disaster.
The other Superliga
With all the attention in the world of football on the slow and ugly collapse of the European Superliga (ESL), the Chinese The Super League (CSL) started its last season a little more dignified on Tuesday, with a 2-2 draw in the Guangzhou derby.
Launched in 2004, it wasn’t until the early 2010s that the CSL emerged on the verge of becoming a major force in world football, with millions of dollars and key contracts from foreign players in response to a call from Xi himself to improve China occupies world football, with its eyes set on the future glory of the World Cup.
This glory never came: China only made an appearance in international competition, in 2002, and fell into the qualifying phase for the last World Cup, staying next to the last of its group.
Nor has the domestic game dazzled exactly, despite the large amount of money poured into it and the importation of foreign talent, both on and off the pitch. And, in turn, once free-spending owners have obtained lower-than-stellar returns on their investments.
While some of the slowdowns have been due to government-imposed restrictions to curb marketing (fans, in particular, complained about the way owners changed club names at will), they were also affected by the coronavirus pandemic, which advocates of the new ESL had also given as a reason to renew European football.
Part of this plan would be a decrease in the level of importance given to stadium attendees and home fan bases, and a greater focus on broadcasting rights and international income, a model similar to which followed the CSL, where the hope was that the titular signings of stars like Oscar and Carlos Tevez would bring viewers all over the world.
But, separating the game from its base and concentrating on it solely as a money-making operation (as owners who drive ESL are accused) carries great risks. Earlier this year, Jiangsu FC, the reigning Chinese champions, were forced to stop operating due to lack of funds, a move that sparked a wave of panic over European football as the club shares an owner, retail giant Suning, with the possible ESL. founding member of Inter Milan.
Photo of the day
The dark side of the shared economy: A bicycle cemetery in Shenyang, northeast of Liaoning Province. After China, similar piles of abandoned bicycles have sprung up all over China rapid expansion and then implosion of many bicycle sharing applications.
