The Latest Breaking News from Beijing

Virus death toll in China's capital shows further rise

The death toll in the latest COVID-19 outbreak in Beijing has risen by five as China continues to adapt to an easing of strict virus containment regulations

The Independent UK · Dec 20, 2022

Police seize on COVID-19 tech to expand global surveillance

Millions worldwide believed government officials who said they needed confidential data for new tech tools to help stop coronavirus’ spread early on in the pandemic

The Independent UK · Dec 20, 2022

China races to bolster health system as COVID surge sparks global concern

Cities across China scrambled to install hospital beds and build fever screening clinics on Tuesday as authorities reported five more deaths and international concern grew about Beijing's surprise decision to let the virus run free.

Reuters · Dec 20, 2022

Australia seeks to resolve China trade woes as foreign minister heads to Beijing

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Tuesday she will push China to lift trade sanctions and seek consular access to two detained Australians during a trip to Beijing that is aimed at mending strained diplomatic ties.

Reuters · Dec 20, 2022

Watch: Missing teenagers, Wong heads to Beijing, Pitch invasion charges

Watch: Urgent search for four teens in Victorian waters. Desperate search for pregnant mother and her three young sons missing from Sydney. Foreign

The New Daily · Dec 19, 2022

Morning Mail: hopes for China ‘off-ramp’ in trade talks, David Jones sale, Victory’s reckoning

In today’s newsletter: Penny Wong flies to Beijing amid optimism about trade settlement; department store back in Australian hands; and Twitter users say Musk must go

The Guardian - AU · Dec 19, 2022

2 COVID-19 Deaths Reported in Beijing as Virus Surges

China's health authorities on Monday announced two COVID-19 deaths — the country's first reported fatalities in weeks — amid an expected surge of illnesses after it eased its strict “zero-COVID” approach. Unofficial reports point to a widespread wave of new coronavirus cases, and relatives of victims and people who work…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Dec 19, 2022

China talks a 'positive' step forward

Foreign Minister Penny Wong is set to visit Beijing for talks with her Chinese counterpart this week, the first bilateral meetings in four years.

AAP · Dec 19, 2022

Looking Back on the Year of Sportswashing

Between the Winter Olympics in Beijing, the World Cup in Qatar and the emergence of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, 2022 was the year of reputation laundering through sports.

Sports Illustrated · Dec 19, 2022

China records first Covid death in weeks as experts question official infection figures

Officially China has reported just 5,237 Covid-related deaths

Evening Standard · Dec 19, 2022