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Thursday, December 10, 2020

Air-conds not so cool after all


https://youtu.be/gVLhrLTF878 

 It was partly cloudy but the mercury still registered a high 33ÂșC.

That was the temperature recorded here yesterday.

So for most urbanites, refuge from the heat comes from air-conditioned places. And barely anyone drives a car without air-condition these days.

Air-conditioners have become such a huge part in people’s lives that there is little discussion about the downside of extended usage.

But it has now been suggested that prolonged usage could cause problems – from drowsiness to affecting a person’s concentration due to high carbon dioxide (CO2) levels.

“I have measured CO2 levels in my car while driving from USJ (Subang Jaya) to Mid Valley. The CO2 levels exceeded 2,500 parts per million (ppm) for a 35-minute drive.  

“So, I would expect the CO2 levels in bedrooms to be high in the morning, if all windows are closed, ” the Malaysian chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (Ashrae) former president Leong Siew Meng (pic) said.


Under the Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality 2010 issued by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health, the ceiling limit for CO2 was at 1,000ppm for healthy indoor air quality (IAQ).

Poor IAQ levels have been linked to short-term and long-term problems ranging from allergic reactions, respiratory problems and eye irritation to sinusitis and bronchitis.

A research paper published by the Nature Sustainability journal, titled “Direct Human Health Risks of Increased Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide”, also suggested that even with a level as low as 1,000 ppm, CO2 levels have the potential to pose health problems despite exposure to it lasting only a few hours.

The journal noted that the health risks from high CO2 levels include inflammation, reduced higher-level cognitive abilities, bone demineralisation, kidney calcification and oxidative stress.

“High CO2 levels in cars also have the potential to cause drowsiness, ” Leong said.

He noted that some households would install fixed windows, which meant that they could not be opened.

With fixed windows, Leong said CO2 levels would build up in the enclosed space as many households used split-unit air-conditioners that do not bring outdoor air in.

“Those who are asthmatic and sleep with air-conditioning turned on overnight will worsen their condition, ” he said.

As a solution to sleeping in an air-conditioned room, Leong suggested that one should leave a small gap of between one to two centimetres in a window for infiltration of outdoor air.

For occupants who rely on an intake of outdoor air, he suggested installing a small exhaust fan in the room.

“As a solution for long-distance driving, latch open the vehicle louvre occasionally to bring in outdoor air to overcome the build-up of carbon dioxide concentrations (when outdoor air is not polluted by heavy vehicles in front or open burning in the surroundings)”, he said.

Ashrae president Ng Wen Bin said worsening asthma problems, allergies as well as sick building syndrome were health issues that could result from contaminated air conditioning units.

“This sick building syndrome is associated with symptoms such as nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, headache, fatigue, and skin irritation.

“There may be some microorganisms growing in the air conditioning system as the process of cooling warm air generates a lot of moisture and condensation, which must be discharged.

“So, if your air conditioner does a bad job of this, whether due to poor maintenance, damage or careless design, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, ” he said.

Ng said to better protect one’s health, the best defence is a well-maintained and routinely serviced air conditioning unit.

The Nature Sustainability journal noted that environmental exposure to CO2 should also be viewed from the perspective of vulnerable groups – infants, the elderly and weak, and high-exposure groups such as populations residing in urban CO2 domes and in tropical climates.

A September 2019 report published by Ashrae titled “Do Indoor CO2 Levels Directly Affect Perceived Air Quality, Health, or Work Performance?” found that several studies had provided “strong evidence” of reductions in cognitive performance due to increased levels of CO2.

However, the study acknowledged that the results were not consistent with other studies which found that there were “no effects” in the reduction in cognitive performance, adding that none could be found either on acute health symptoms and perceived air quality of CO2 below 5,000ppm.
 
 

Leave a small gap in the window, say experts 

Cool comfort: A mother switching on the air-conditioner in her children’s bedroom.

You’ve heard it from time immemorial. But it’s worth repeating even in 2020. “Get some fresh air!”

Experts have cautioned about health concerns linked to poor indoor air quality (IAQ).

Malaysia Green Building Council chief executive officer Tang Chee Khoay said fresh outdoor air was needed as it had the potential to impact a person’s performance whether at work or in school.

Those who slept with air-conditioning turned on throughout the night might wake up feeling “not sharp” and those who worked in a room with closed windows might feel easily tired due to increased carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, he said.

Hence, Tang said it was important to allow a small gap of fresh air to enter a room.

“Fresh air is dependent on leakages when you open the door, windows or some cracks between the doors to replace the oxygen which has been consumed.

“People often claim that putting indoor plants in the house replenishes oxygen, but you actually need a lot of it. One or two pots will not help, ” he said.

As most commercial buildings are fitted with a centralised air-conditioning system, Tang said those systems are designed to allow fresh air in from the outside.

But he lamented that most people chose to close the outdoor air-conditioning vent to save cost.

“There must be a balance in allowing outdoor air in, ” he said.

Asean-Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Association (Asean–ACRA) president Datuk Seri Dr Ricky Yaw concurred that there must be a balance in the usage of air-conditioners.

He believes that air leaks through doors, ceilings and windows were sufficient for normal households while those with fixed windows might notice “stuffiness” in their house due to the high CO2 levels from isolated air circulation.

“High CO2 levels will make you feel very sleepy and stuffy. Even in vehicles, it is better to open the (outdoor air-conditioner) vent as a person will feel better, ” said Yaw, who is also the Malaysian Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Association immediate past president.

William Rodney Yeo, the managing director for Airestec, a life and environmental sciences eco-friendly company that addresses indoor air problems, urged people to service their air-conditioners at least once a year to ensure good IAQ levels.

“Air conditioning systems deteriorate (when coils are not cleaned) which leads to greater energy consumption because airflow is reduced which then sees humidity levels go up, ” Yeo said.

Yeo noted that the conventional methods of cleaning air-conditioners with acid and alkalis should change too, adding that it was bad for the environment.

He suggested using eco-friendly methods such as bio-enzymes.

The Alliance for Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said a typical level found in spaces with good air should be from below 350 to 1,000 ppm.

Anything more than 1,000 to 2,000 ppm, was associated with drowsiness and poor air.

And levels from 2,000 to 5,000 ppm were generally associated with headaches, sleepiness, stagnant, stale, and stuffy air, he said.

Many Malaysians unfazed by air-cond concerns 

There are health hazards in the prolonged use of air-conditioning but for Malaysians who find the tropical heat simply unbearable, the risk is shrugged off.

Donald Yong, 57, is one, and in fact, he begs to differ.

“I have been using (air-conditioner) for the last three decades and I am still around. I am not dead yet, ” said the retiree.

“I believe air-conditioners are not harmful as it prevents outdoor pollution from entering the house. If there are concerns about skin dryness, then a pail of water should be placed in the room, ” he said.

He is not concerned about the health effects and spends an average 12 hours in the air-conditioned comfort of his home.

“The air-conditioner improves the air quality indoors and we get to enjoy a cosy environment, ” he said.

Freelance consultant Grace Low, 60, acknowledged the potential health problems but she was of the view that the pros outweigh the cons.

“I use the air-conditioner for at least three to four hours a day when I’m not working and an additional eight hours if I am, ” she said.

Low said that she would only use the air-conditioner to cool down the room before bedtime.

And when driving, she said she would not open the outdoor air-conditioning vent due to pollution in the air.

For Tajuddin Hussin, 30, who rents an apartment in Kuala Lumpur, he has no air-conditioner at home as it was not provided. 

 “When I moved in about 10 years ago, the place did not come fitted with an air-conditioner so I became used to it. After so many years living with just a fan in my room, I did not see a need to get an air-conditioner, ” the self-employed man said. 

Engineer S. Ruth, 31, said she was aware of the potential problems arising from the prolonged use of air-conditioners.

“I am under an air-conditioner for about nine hours when I’m at work or more when I have to work overtime. So, when I get home, I would only turn it on for an hour to cool down the room, ” she said.

Related:

Panasonic's technology 'inhibits coronavirus' | The Star




https://youtu.be/A7kEYWj9F5Y 

 

5 Tips on How To Save Electricity With Your Aircond | Air Conditioner |  Acson Malaysia
Acson Malaysia

 



https://youtu.be/vUcRGpxI80Q

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It’s not cool to waste electricity

Time to Change way we use appliances

 

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Tuesday, December 8, 2020

South Korea urges vigilance as Covid-19 clusters emerge in third wave, boosts testing as coronavirus surge threatens ‘medical collapse’

South Korea has reported 38,161 cases, with 549 deaths.
South Korea has reported 38,161 cases, with 549 deaths.PHOTO: REUTERS

SEOUL (REUTERS) - South Korean authorities urged vigilance on Saturday (Dec 5) as small coronavirus clusters emerged in a third wave, centred in the Seoul area, with infections near nine-month highs.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 583 new coronavirus infections, down from the previous day's 629, which was the highest since a first wave peaked in February and early March.

After implementing tighter restrictions on Saturday, the government is to decide on Sunday whether to further tighten curbs in a country that had seen initial success through aggressive contact tracing and other steps.

Infections of the virus that causes Covid-19 averaged 487.9 this week, up 80 cases from the week before.

This wave of infections is different from the first two, which were driven by large-scale transmission, said KDCA official Lim Sook-young.

"The recent outbreaks are small, multiple and is spread in people’s everyday lives," Ms Lim told a news briefing. "Please keep in mind that the current wave is not limited to a specific group or place but may be around our homes, family and acquaintances."

Seoul accounted for 235 of the new infections. More than half of South Korea’s 52 million people live in the capital and surrounding areas.

Among Seoul’s small but widespread clusters, confirmed cases linked to a dance class rose by nine to 249 in less than two weeks, while 21 people tested positive in a cluster related to a wine bar.

Seoul launched unprecedented curfews on Saturday, shuttering most establishments and shops at 9pm for two weeks and cutting back public transportation operations by 30 per cent in the evenings.

Tighter restrictions would be a blow to Asia's fourth-largest economy, which reported a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.2 per cent in October, the highest since July.

The number of people seriously or severely ill with Covid-19 rose by five to 121, using more of the nation's swindling sickbeds, KDCA reported.

The health authorities said on Friday there were just 59 sickbeds immediately available for serious or severe cases and that the beds might run out in less than two weeks.

South Korea has reported 36,915 coronavirus infections and 540 deaths, the KDCA said.

South Korea to boost testing as coronavirus surge threatens ‘medical collapse’


SEOUL - South Korean President Moon Jae-in has urged the country’s authorities to undertake more efforts in tracking and tracing coronavirus infections.

This comes as tightened measures have failed to reduce the rate of daily infections.

The country reported 615 new Covid-19 cases on Monday (Dec 7), raising the total to 38,161. Health officials have warned that the number of new daily cases could spike to over 900 next week if the pace of infection continues.

New restrictions to be imposed from Tuesday include a ban on gatherings of 50 or more people and closure of some 130,000 infection-prone facilities.

In meetings with aides on Monday, Mr Moon called on the government to mobilise “every available personnel”, from civil servants to those in the military and police, to provide on-site support for epidemiological investigations starting this week.

He also stressed the need to set up more drive-through test centres and expand the operating hours of testing facilities to allow office workers and young people to go for testing more conveniently, according to the presidential Blue House.

The President also instructed officials to push for the use of rapid antigen tests that can produce results in just 15 minutes, as compared to the six hours the usual polymerase chain reaction (PRC) tests require.

“We have overcome the coronavirus crisis several times, but the situation now is more serious than ever,” he said, citing the worrying trend of increased asymptomatic transmission.

Mr Moon also warned that an “uncontrollable nationwide pandemic” could ensue if the country failed to curb the spread of the virus this time.

His message came as South Korea imposed another round of measures against the virus in Seoul and greater Seoul. From Tuesday, the social distancing level will be raised one notch to 2.5 - the fourth in a five-tier system - for three weeks.

This means banning gatherings of 50 or more people, even at weddings and funeral halls, and closing karaoke rooms and indoor sports facilities, which were previously allowed to run until 9pm.

Sporting events can no longer allow spectators, and religious activities must go online.

Elementary schools can only run at one-third capacity, while middle and high schools continue to conduct lessons online.

From Tuesday, the subway in Seoul will cut capacity by 30 per cent after 9pm, in line with the city’s plan to “stop Seoul” at 9pm to curb the worst bout of infections since March.

In place since last Saturday, the curfew also applies to malls, movie theatres, beauty salons and supermarkets.

Health Minister Park Neung-hoo said Seoul and greater Seoul are already in a state of “war” against the virus, as their daily infection figure surged to a nine-month high of 470 on Sunday, before dropping to 440 on Monday.

He also voiced concern over two consecutive days of 600-plus caseloads, noting that the number usually declines over the weekend as testing centres are closed on Sundays and operate only half a day on Saturdays.

“Unless we curb the spread of the virus... we will see an explosive spread of infections and the country’s medical system will falter,” he said.

But small businesses that had to cut operating hours or close completely are more worried about their bottom line.

Mr Alexander Kim, 46, whose indoor golf simulator club will have to close for three weeks, said his earnings this month is just a fraction of his rent and management fees.

“Winter is peak season for us but now we cannot even open for business,” he told The Straits Times. “I just hope the third wave will be over soon. Meanwhile, I can spend more time with family.”

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Monday, December 7, 2020

GT investigates: Seeking for virus origin


https://youtu.be/X0dzqLuQPrU 

 Frequent outbreaks triggered by imported frozen products; reports suggesting traces of coronavirus found elsewhere earlier than Wuhan… so is COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan also result of imported cold-chain products? Check GT special investigative report… 

 


International cooperation urged


Although those virologists have pictured a clear route map to trace the origin of the virus, the real path to finding the origin is laden with difficulties.

The anonymous expert said that in terms of tracing the virus origin, the momentum for international scientists to cooperate has retrogressed compared with the pre-COVID-19 period.

“Scientists are reluctant to become involved in politics, they are eyeing international cooperation. Yet researchers from all over the world are acting with caution, avoiding troubles, and refusing casual communication. I don’t think it’s an ideal atmosphere for cooperation.”

This has drawn attention from international bodies. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries on November 30 not to politicize the hunt for the origins of the new coronavirus, saying that would only create barriers to learning the truth.

When talking to Tedros in September, director of China's National Health Commission Ma Xiaowei vowed to enhance cooperation with the WHO on virus prevention, origin tracing and vaccine development. China is pushing forward the work on the virus origin tracing, and is willing to strengthen cooperation and communication with the WHO, Ma said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on November 24 that while tracing the origin domestically, China has been earnestly implementing WHA resolutions.

"We are the first to invite WHO experts in for origin-tracing cooperation." Zhao said, adding that "We hope all relevant countries will adopt a positive attitude and cooperate with WHO like China does, making contributions to global origin-tracing and anti-epidemic cooperation."

“International communication on the virus origin should be frequent and open for all. But some countries weighed in and complicated the issue,” said Yang, who noted that the world has achieved great progress in fighting COVID-19 in the past year, including treatment of the disease and vaccine R&D.

Tracing the virus origin should not be a battle against each other; instead, an information, data sharing mechanism is helpful to bring the virus under control, Yang said.

Source link

Sunday, December 6, 2020

Conditional movement control order (CMCO) ends on December 6 in several states including Penang, Tranel bans rescinded

 

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The government has just announced in a live conference that CMCO will end in Penang as scheduled, which is 6 December 2020. This is with an exception of two Mukim, which is Mukim 12 in Barat Daya and Mukim 13 in Timur Laut. CMCO will extend in these two Mukim until 20 December 2020.

Following the reduction of COVID-19 infection cases in several states, the government today decided to end the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in most states.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the move was done after considering the current and expected impact on the economic recovery if CMCO is extended.

“The country is expected to suffer a GDP loss of RM300 million a day if CMCO is continued and this will result in a decline in the labour market and household spending, investment uncertainty, permanent job loss, business closure and other effects either directly or indirectly.

"Therefore, the government needs to consider all aspects in formulating any approach to create a balance between maintaining public health and impact on the economy," he told a press conference here today.

The CMCO in the following states would be lifted as scheduled tomorrow:

Penang except for Mukim 12 (southwest), Mukim 13 (northeast), while Flat Jalan Paya Terubong, Relau and Flat Desa Bistari, Batu Uban will be placed under enhanced MCO (EMCO) from Dec 7 to 20.

Perak except for Kinta district, Mukim Teja (Kampar district) and Mukim Changkat Jong (Hilir Perak district) where the CMCO will continue starting Dec 7 until 20, while the EMCO in Zone B and Zone C of Taman Meru 2C, Ipoh, Perak will end today. Langkap Immigration Detention Depot and its quarters in Hilir Perak will be placed under EMCO from Dec 6 to 19.

Kelantan except for Kota Bharu, Machang, Tanah Merah and Pasir Mas where the CMCO will be extended from Dec 7 to 20, while Madrasah Ad-Diniah Al Falahiah, Kg Dalam Huma, Bukit Awang, Pasir Puteh will be placed under EMCO for the same period.

Putrajaya Negeri Sembilan except for Seremban and Port Dickson where the CMCO will be extended until Dec 20.

Meanwhile, the CMCO for Kuala Lumpur and Selangor will be extended until Dec 20 following the increase in COVID-19 cases, except for Sabak Bernam, Hulu Selangor and Kuala Selangor which will return to the Recovery MCO (RMCO).

At the same time, he said the CMCO in Kulim, Kedah which is supposed to end tomorrow will be extended until Dec 20 as there are 334 positive cases for its cluster.

In Johor, the CMCO in Mersing will be lifted tomorrow as scheduled, while the CMCO in Kota Tinggi will be extended until Dec 20 and three districts namely Johor Bahru, Batu Pahat and Kulai will be placed under CMCO from Dec 7 to 20. --- BERNAMA

Travel bans rescinded


 

Ismail Sabri: Police permission no longer needed for journeys


PETALING JAYA: The interstate and inter-district travel bans have been rescinded, regardless of whether an area is still under the conditional movement control order (MCO) or not, says Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said the decision was made due to the need to balance public health and economic stability.

“Life must go on. So several restrictions have been relaxed after the National Security Council meeting where all parties, including the Health Ministry, discussed the issue.

“Among the matters agreed on is that interstate and inter-district travel across the country will now be allowed except for areas under an enhanced MCO.

“Police permission is no longer required,” he said.

He added that from tomorrow, the police would stop having roadblocks at state borders.

The focus will now be on adherence to the standard operating procedure (SOP), Ismail Sabri said.

“What’s important is that the public must follow the SOP. This is one of the ways to reduce Covid-19 infections.

“The police will be everywhere now to ensure compliance,” he said.

On tourism, Ismail Sabri said a meeting would be held with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry to identify what would be permitted to open and what should remain closed.

He also noted that travel to Sabah would now be allowed for social visits.

However, all entering Sabah must undergo the RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) or RTK Antigen (Rapid Test Kit Antigen) Covid-19 swabs three days before travelling.

“Only those without symptoms and who test negative for Covid-19 will be allowed into Sabah.

“Police permission to leave Sabah and inter-district travel is no longer required,” he added. 

Source link

Related:


Cheers all around as Penang opens its arms to visitors

 Come visit us: Penang eager to see an increase in visitors to the island this coming holiday season with the interstate and inter-district travel ban being lifted.

 

Govt to discuss working from home, tourism on Sunday...

 Govt to discuss working from home, tourism on Sunday (Dec 6), says Ismail Sabri

 
 

Related posts:

 

CMCO announced in 6 more states: Kedah, Penang, Perak, Melaka, Johor and Terengganu

 

Covid-19 CMCO: daycare centres SOP. One-off grant of RM5,000 for childcare centres

 

Registered childcare centres can stay open during the conditional movement control order (CMCO)

 

 



Saturday, December 5, 2020

Sheer joy of parenting

 What the writer and his wife love about being parents is that their children have enhanced their lives in so many ways

To the writer and his wife, parenthood is their greatest achievement although they have experienced difficult trials along the way.

FINANCIAL reasons is the normal excuse given by some who are not willing to have children. This is shocking.

Sure, having kids will affect our budget but that should not be the reason for not having children, or at least one child. To those who do not want to have children, I have reasons to change your mind.

When my wife, who was then earning as much as I did, decided to forego her job as a bank officer and concentrate on being a mother, it was our decision to prioritise our children’s upbringing rather than focus on our financial standing. We knew then that we really had to tighten our belts, but with careful planning, we survived.

Nothing else can produce the joy that parenthood offers. I can’t imagine going through life without feeling that spectrum of emotions. Feeling it all, good and bad, gives our lives as a married couple more purpose and challenges.

There is the pure joy of just watching our children be kids and reliving all those first moments when they discover how to do things on their own. Their smiles, giggles and pride in new accomplishments, even though some may be mischief in nature, were a sheer pleasure to watch.

As the sole income earner in the family, I could have had the worst day at work, but to come home and listen to our children, discuss their day with my wife, or to overhear them giggle while playing or watching television makes the worst day disappear.

I was 33 when I had my first kid. Though my first child wasn’t born normal, having children was such a life-altering experience. My wife and I were always looking for a purpose in our lives and when we had our children, we found it.

We love being parents. Seeing them do well in their studies and behaviour-wise, we know we are doing right thus far. That doesn’t mean we don’t have our share of mistakes but we are better persons for knowing our children and are very honoured to be their parents.

My wife and I love being parents because of the hugs, giggles and grins. When our kids are happy, so are we. As they grew, they amazed us every day with their new words, behaviour and discoveries. They have taught us to be more patient, more loving and much more appreciative of every moment we have together as a family.

Parenthood is a joy. Even while experiencing the hardest trials of our lives, we have learned to rise to all occasions. We’ve found ourselves lifted to new heights while stretching ourselves beyond our limits once we put it upon ourselves to guide them. With rarely a dull moment, we’ve experienced more adventures from parenting our children than we ever imagined.

Parenthood is our life, our passion and our greatest achievement. We also love watching our kids evolve into empathetic, kind human beings who can think for themselves, like spending their money thriftily and being involved in various school activities. You don’t realise the progress until far down the road but the wait is so worthwhile.

We don’t deny that parenthood is a hectic life filled with schedules, diaper changes, feedings, spendings and much more. There are so many things we love about being parents, but the one that stops us dead in our tracks is when each of our children turn to us and say, “Ayah Mi” (referring to me) and “Mak” (referring to my wife).

We love the fact that when our children were growing up to be adults, we were beside them every step of the way, teaching, helping, moulding and loving them.

Life may be great for those who do not want to have children but life will be even better once they have been blessed to become parents.

What we love about being parents is that our children have enhanced our lives in so many ways. We are a better husband, a better wife, better employees, neighbours, relatives and friends. We would rather have our worst days with our kids than to have our best days without them.

By DR ARZMI YAACOB

 

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Friday, December 4, 2020

Australian PM Western spiritual colonization doomed to end

 False appearances A perfect picture of hypocrisy

Wuheqilin's latest cartoon Photo: Wuheqilin's official Sina Weibo account

 

Afghans embrace China's humanitarian cartoon, demand Aussie justice

The victim families want the trial of these soldiers to take place inside Afghanistan where the crime happened. We are condemning this brutal act of Australian soldiers. 

Australian gov't should apologize to Afghan people:

https://youtu.be/zkQctV1h0R4

China refutes Australia's accusation of tweeting "fake image"

https://youtu.be/GOU6fy7awWc 


https://youtu.be/YtL2NpQZM6o

Killing of Afghan civilians by Australian soldiers confirmed, who should apologize?



https://youtu.be/K13x_9pazeM


https://youtu.be/zSzWN74EQeA

Australia's war of words with China over a satirical cartoon that condemned Australian troops' murder of innocent Afghans is ongoing. As more reports reveal the elite Australian soldiers' misconduct in Afghanistan, Australia is increasingly embarrassed.

Some of Australia's allies have engaged in this war of words, and arrogantly talk only about their stance and principles rather than the facts.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on November 18 phoned Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to express his "deepest sorrow." And one day later, Australian Defence Force Chief Angus Campbell said, "I sincerely and unreservedly apologize" to the people of Afghanistan. However, Morrison refused to accept China's criticism but vented his anger as if China had groundlessly smeared his country.

The logic behind Morrison's moves is quite simple: The West can do anything it wants, but non-Westerners are not allowed.

This is the consistent style of Western whites: The West must always be in a superior status and position. With such a mentality, they never accept the idea that other races can enjoy equality. Feeling superior to others, they believe the West must take control of each and every thing, be it the economy or technology.

Morrison didn't say anything when European and American media outlets reported Australian troops' misconduct with words like "war crimes" (as the criticism came from the West). But he reacted fiercely when a Chinese diplomat condemned the brutal murder.

In the eyes of some Western elites, adopting a non-Western system and ideology and refusing to be a vassal of the West is the sin of China. Brainwashed by such discourse, many ordinary people in the West would buy Western politicians' lies about China, even though the COVID-19 has killed hundreds of thousands in the West while vulnerable groups cannot "breathe."

As a result, any action and word of China is unacceptable to Westerners who have an overwhelming sense of superiority. To them, the West can stigmatize China over the so-called human rights issues with disinformation and accuse China of "genocide," but China is not even allowed to give its opinion on the viral reports circulating in the West.

After 160 years, the bronze horse head stolen by invading forces when Anglo-French Alliance Forces razed the Old Summer Palace in 1860 finally returned to its home on Tuesday. But many Westerners still believe that China is the semi-colonial and semi-feudal society that they arbitrarily bullied in the 19th century.

As they cannot hold colonies anymore, they attempt to spiritually colonize others with their so-called universal values of democracy and human rights. However, the West's narrow-minded moralistic tricks cannot last except in deceiving Westerners.

As China rises, more and more developing countries will not accept to be brainwashed by the West anymore. Nor will they stay silent and tolerate the West's double standards on human rights and other issues.

In the future, more people like Chinese cartoonist Wuheqilin and Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian will stand out to tell the truth to the world and have dialogue with the West on a completely fair and equal status.

The world construct has greatly changed. Whether or not the West will accept it, the belief the West is the center of the world will eventually come to an end.

Source link

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Chinese cartoon reflects outrage over Australian war atrocities

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Thursday, December 3, 2020

China makes steady progress towards coronavirus vaccines to market

 Inactivated COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac produced by Chinese vaccine developer Sinovac Photo: Courtesy of Sinovac


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 Chinese vice premier Sun Chunlan stressed a scientific and rigorous preparation is required for the mass production of Chinese-developed COVID-19 vaccines during an inspection tour of vaccine production lines of some leading manufacturers in Beijing on Wednesday, the same day the UK became the first Western country to approve a coronavirus vaccine for widespread use.

Sun and State Councilor Wang Yong visited the National Institute for Food and Drug Control, and two leading vaccine producers Sinovac, National Vaccine & Serum Institute under Sinopharm in Beijing, the Xinhua News Agency reported late Wednesday.

The visit was seen as a prelude for the vaccine coming to market in a rigorous and scientific manner. Russia and the UK announced on Wednesday they will start mass vaccinations against the coronavirus next week.

Sun and Wang learned about COVID-19 vaccine research, visited production plants and checked preparation work, and fully affirmed the achievements of the vaccine developers.

Fourteen vaccines using five technology methods are in clinical trials and five vaccines are undergoing phase Ⅲ clinical trials. Emergency use, production preparation and other work are proceeding in an orderly manner.

Sun called for scientific and rigorous phase Ⅲ clinical trials to carry out review and approval work in strict accordance with laws, regulations and internationally recognized technical standards to ensure the safety and effectiveness.

She required Chinese companies prepare for mass production, strictly comply with laws, regulations, procedures and requirements on quality supervision and biosafety, improve the traceability system for vaccines, punish illegal activities for creating a favorable market environment.

Sun said it's necessary to formulate a vaccination distribution plan before the vaccines are made available to the public. The emergency use of the vaccine in high-risk groups, such as port workers and front-line supervisors, will be completed by the end of 2020, she said.

The UK's approval of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine on Wednesday paved the way for widespread uses of the vaccine. The first doses are already on their way to the UK, with 800,000 due to arrive in the coming days, Pfizer said.

Analysts said the UK and Russia's quick approval for widespread use of vaccine is mainly in response to new outbreaks that may get worse during the coming winter.

China is very likely to introduce its first officially approved vaccine for mass use in December, but whether it would be approved only for limited use is still under discussion, a Beijing-based immunological professor who asks not to be named told the Global Times.

The first vaccines to get approval are likely the inactivated vaccine candidates from either Sinovac or state-owned Sinopharm, said the professor, noting that other frontrunner candidates such as recombinant adenovirus vector vaccine would be slightly behind or approved for emergency use first.

The Global Times learned from the Sinovac's Brazilian partner Butantan Institute which is carrying out the phase Ⅲ clinical trials of the inactivated vaccine CoronaVac that the data from the trials have been sent to the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency. Sinovac told the Global Times that analysis of the clinical data will take some time.

Compared to China, vaccines are more urgently needed in the West, said a Shanghai-based vaccine expert. "The epidemic battle left many Americans desperate, let's hope President-elect Joe Biden will take human rights seriously and not follow in Trump's footsteps."

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Tuesday, December 1, 2020

China has lifted 700 million out of poverty over 70 years, set to eliminate its last poor very soon

 

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Helping hand: President Xi Jinping (second from left) has a complete portfolio of poverty relief plans, despite the sudden onslaught of Covid-19. — Xinhua

 

BEIJING: China is making a final sprint to eliminate absolute poverty as it marches towards a moderately prosperous society.

Leading this anti-poverty effort is President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Central Military Commission.

The Chinese leadership has set 2020 as the deadline to eradicate poverty. Every CPC leader in the past had worked towards this target, but the work by Xi has impressed many people.

Last March, Xi convened a televised symposium on poverty alleviation. He reiterated the deadline and vowed to lift the remaining five million-plus people out of poverty by the end of the year, despite the sudden onslaught of Covid-19. In September, Xi said China has “every confidence” of achieving the goal.

The nation will meet the poverty eradication target (set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development) 10 years ahead of schedule, Xi told the 75th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly then.

In his latest instruction made public in mid-october, Xi said there should be no letting up until a complete victory has been secured.  

 Millions climb out of poverty trap

Poverty has plagued China for thousands of years. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the anti-poverty war has lifted over 700 million rural people out of poverty.

Great strides had been made under the reform programmes and opening up of China in 1978, started by Deng Xiaping.

Xi assumed the historic responsibility of leading this anti-poverty fight, after he was elected general secretary of the CPC in November 2012. At that time, About 99 million Chinese lived under the poverty line, earning a per capita income of less than 2,300 yuan (about US$1 dollar) a day.

To meet the 2020 anti-poverty deadline, over 10 million people have to be lifted out of poverty every year. This equates to about one million people every month, or 20 people every minute.

President Xi goes to the ground

About one month after taking over the helm of the CPC, Xi braved winter cold to visit poor villagers in Hebei Province. Sitting down with them, Xi asked about their income, if they had sufficient food and enough quilts and coal to stay warm.

In November 2013, Xi went to Shibadong, a Miao ethnic minority village nestled in the mountains of central China’s Hunan Province. There, he put forward the concept of targeted poverty alleviation.

Across the country, all impoverished people and the factors that have led to their poverty are identified. Each household or individual is given a customised poverty relief plan.

They might get help to start a small business, be relocated out of mountains or receive training to find jobs in cities.

Their children will be given education. And there is a system to keep track of progress to ensure the measures are having their desired effect.

Xi has put poverty relief work under the leadership of the CPC of 90 million members. Party chiefs at all levels are required to take up a role.

Over 2.9 million public sector officials are sent to villages to fight poverty “at the front line.”

The leader has convened a series of meetings on poverty alleviation. Before every meeting, he would visit impoverished regions to learn about local situations and listen to suggestions of grassroots officials and members of the public.

Xi has a complete portfolio of poverty relief plans. He sets basic targets at meetings: rural poor people must not worry about food and clothing, and have access to compulsory education, basic medical services and safe housing.

A lot of emphasis is given to the role of education to stop repeat of poverty from one generation to the next.

He has advocated relocation as an effective anti-poverty solution, and repeatedly warned against needless formalities, red tape.

Yuri Tavrovsky, a sinologist and professor at the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, noted China’s anti-poverty fight has obviously gathered pace under Xi’s leadership.

No single poor to be left behind

Xi is no stranger to poverty. As a teenager and young adult, he spent seven years with peasants on the Loess Plateau where he lived in cave-like adobe houses and slept on a flea-infested bed on clay stove.

He joined the CPC in the village of Liangjiahe, and had his first experience as a grassroots-level CPC secretary there.

Xi once said his biggest dream back then was to make it possible for the villagers to have meat on their plates, which was a luxury during those days before the rise of China.

In his 80 domestic inspection tours over the past eight years, he has seen some of the most remote and impoverished areas in the country.

Xi has stressed that “no one should be left behind”. In the first four years as CPC chief, he had visited China’s 14 “contiguous impoverished areas.” At times he had to travel by plane first, and transfer to train and car before reaching the remote villages.

“What impresses me most is that Xi always puts people’s well-being first,” said Zhao Ruqi, an official who worked with Xi in Fujian.

In 2016, when visiting a village in Ningxia, Xi was seen checking the shower facilities in a villager’s home, and was happy to learn that the family had a solar water heater.

Recalling his early trips to some poor areas, Xi once said his heart sank when he saw the bumpy and rugged roads, harsh living conditions of the locals and heard stories of children dropping out of school, and patients not getting timely medical treatment and attention.

“But when I went to poor villages in recent few years, I saw substantial changes,” Xi said at the March symposium. “Seeing the smiles of the people, I feel delighted.”

The number of Chinese living in poverty has dropped from 98.99 million to 5.51 million in the seven years since 2013.

UN Secretary-general Antonio Guterres has remarked that China made the greatest contributions to world poverty alleviation in the past decade.

In China, the per capita net income of the poor has more than doubled – rising from 4,124 yuan in 2016 to 9,057 yuan in 2019, registering an average annual growth of 30%.

Rural people are seeing a significant improvement in their lives and standard of living. The development of rural industries has changed lives, as has relocation of villages. In the past five years, more than nine million rural poor in China have been moved out of inhospitable areas.

Yang Qingzhong recalled that his family of six had to cram themselves into a tiny mudbrick house in mountainous Guizhou Province.

In 2018, the family moved into a spacious modern apartment in town, allocated by the government. And he found a job in a workshop near his new home, making rattan chairs.

All over the country, rural infrastructure, education and health-care have improved. Some rural hospitals partner with their metropolitan counterparts to offer high-quality medical services to rural residents.

“Illness-induced poverty is one of the toughest problems in rural areas,” said Hu Yi, head of the public hospital in the county of Zhenxiong in Yunnan Province. “Now they don’t have to travel far to get treated, not even for serious illness.”

Benefiting from the poverty eradication programmes, some ethnic minorities – residing in the country’s remote areas in southwestern corners – have also experienced positive changes in their life.

But China under Xi’s leadership is not going to stop at poverty eradication. “Poverty eradication is only the first step; better days are still ahead,” Xi said in a letter to the Dulong ethnic minority group, congratulating the Dulong people for collectively shaking off poverty.

Xi has reminded his people that shaking off poverty is not the finishing line, but the starting line of a new life and new endeavour.

Revisiting Hunan in September, Xi said China must establish a long-term strategy to prevent any relapse into poverty. Among the plans being implemented in China are rural revitalisation programmes and economic development to build a moderately prosperous society. — Xinhua (Compiled by HO WAH FOON

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US invites reprisals by harassing CPC crew members

It's not accidental that the current US administration has played stupid tricks to deal with the CPC. See how it withdrew from the Paris agreement and how it found fault with the WHO. When it questioned those on board whether they are CPC members, its behavior is too weird to be true.

Chinese FM calls on US to end its hatred toward CPC

US' latest move of limiting travel visas for Communist Party of China (CPC) members and their family members is an escalation of political repression against China by some extreme anti-China forces in the US out of ideological bias, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday, while calling on the US to abandon their hatred toward the CPC.

 
 

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Time to stop bullying....China has no reason to fear US suppression & threats, with the spirit of Resisting US Aggression and Aid Korea War 1950~53