Daily Briefs


Photo : South China Morning Post

14 February 2022 | Monday | China Reader Evening Brief | Vol.1, No. 114

Carrie Lam admits overwhelmed capacity under fifth wave of COVID-19

The Chinese government attempts to quell the surge in COVID-19 cases

IN BRIEF
By Keerthana Nambiar and Avishka Ashok

INTERNAL
Carrie Lam admits overwhelmed capacity under fifth wave of COVID-19
On 14 February, Hong Kong Leader Carrie Lam said that the fifth wave of the pandemic has left the city overwhelmed and the capacity to deal with daily caseload decreases as new records set each day. She also said that the authorities will coordinate with the mainland officials to tackle the damaging situation at hand. Assistance is expected in testing, treating and quarantining. The daily caseload in Hong Kong is doubling every few days and the city recorded eight pandemic related deaths in the last week. (“Hong Kong leader Lam says fifth Covid-19 wave has overwhelmed city’s capacity,” The Straits Times, 14 February 2022)

President Xi signs new regulations for the PLA’s equipment
On 13 February, Global Times reported that President Xi Jinping approved a new set of regulations for the People’s Liberation Army’s test and assessment of military equipment. The new regulation puts emphasis on efficiency and combat-oriented tests. The regulations comprise 56 articles and detail the basic tasks, contents and maintenance requirements of the military equipment. Military analysts in the country believe that these tests and assessments are essential for the weapons to function efficiently at the time of its use. (“China's new military equipment experiment regulations eye combat capability boost,” Global Times, 13 February 2022)

REGIONAL
The Straits Times covers Taiwan’s response to the pandemic
On 13 February, the Straits Times published an article that suggested Taiwan may have to consider living with COVID-19. The article assessed that Taiwan’s zero COVID strategy has not yielded many results and despite sealing the border for two years, the island still receives COVID cases. The policy has helped in keeping the caseload low, however, the number has not dropped to zero. The article suggested that despite the best efforts of the authorities, the island will have to treat COVID as an endemic. (Katherine Wei, “After sealing borders for two years, Taiwan may have to consider living with Covid-19,” The Straits Times, 13 February 2022)

INTERNATIONAL
Six Chinese firms file for small IPOs in New York listings after month-long freeze
On 14 February, Reuters reported that six Chinese companies have filed documents and applications to be listed in the New York Stock Exchange as the month-long freeze imposed by Chinese regulators. The Chinese authorities had imposed unprecedented crackdowns that forbade Chinese companies to enlist in the NYSE. The six companies that are lodging their documents plan for small size IPOs ranging from USD 1 million to USD 35 million. Some analysts said that the listings are so small to hold any relevance. However, the listings are from technology and electronic component industries that always remain under strict scrutiny. (Samuel Shen and Scott Murdoch, “Some Chinese firms revive New York IPO plans after regulatory crackdown,” Reuters, 14 February 2022)

The US attempts to bridge the gap in the Indo-Pacific to counter China’s influence in the region
On 13 February, Global Times reported on the strategy paper issued by the US on its Indo-Pacific strategies. The paper announced the US plans to open an embassy in the Solomon Islands and getting closer with the Pacific Island countries in the wake of heightened Chinese presence in the region. Political analysts within China observed that the US strategy in the Indo-Pacific showcases its anxiety over China’s closer relations with the countries in the Indo-Pacific. (“US steps up moves to woo Pacific island countries after releasing Indo-Pacific strategy,” Global Times, 13 February 2022)

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