The tariffs affecting some $3bn (£2.1bn) of imports kick in on Monday.

Beijing said the move was to “safeguard China’s interests and balance” losses caused by new US tariffs.

China had previously said it did not want a trade war but would not sit by if its economy was hurt.

Mr Trump, however, has insisted that “trade wars are good”, and that it should be “easy” for the US to win one.

The American authorities have already announced plans for further targeted tariffs for tens of billions of dollars of Chinese imports, the BBC’s Chris Buckler reports from Washington.

They say that is in response to unfair trading practices in China that affect US companies but it raises the possibility of yet more action being taken in what has become a tit-for-tat trade battle, our correspondent adds.

–

Source: BBC

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China’s space agency said the station will re-enter the atmosphere in the next 24 hours – in line with European Space Agency (ESA) predictions.

The Tiangong-1 was part of China’s ambitious space programme, and the prototype for a manned station in 2022.

It entered orbit in 2011 and five years later ended its mission, after which it was expected to fall back to Earth.

The latest projection from the Esa points to re-entry at 07:25 Beijing time (00:25 GMT) on 2 April, although the window is still “highly variable” – stretching from Sunday afternoon to Monday morning.

Most of the station is likely to burn up in the atmosphere but some debris could survive to hit the surface of the Earth.

The China Manned Space Engineering Office said on social media that falling spacecraft do “not crash into the Earth fiercely like in sci-fi movies, but turn into a splendid (meteor shower)”.

Where will it crash?
China confirmed in 2016 that it had lost contact with Tiangong-1 and could no longer control its behaviour, so we don’t really know where it will end up.

The European Space Agency (ESA) said re-entry “will take place anywhere between 43ºN and 43ºS”, which covers a vast stretch north and south of the equator.

Esa says this means the station could fall anywhere from New Zealand to the midwestern US.

The station is gradually coming close to Earth.

Its rate of descent “will continually get faster as the atmosphere that the station is ploughing through gets thicker,” Dr Elias Aboutanios, deputy director of the Australian Centre for Space Engineering Research, told the BBC.

“The station will eventually start to heat up as it gets close to 100km [from Earth],” he says.

This will lead to most of the station burning up and “it is difficult to know exactly what will survive since the makeup of the station has not been disclosed by China”.

The station could reach speeds of up to 26,000km/h (16,156mph).

Should I be worried?
No. Most of the 8.5-tonne station will disintegrate as it passes through the atmosphere.

Some very dense parts such as the fuel tanks or rocket engines might not burn up completely. However, even if parts do survive to the Earth’s surface, the chances of them hitting a person are incredibly slim.

“Our experience is that for such large objects typically between 20% and 40% of the original mass will survive re-entry and then could be found on the ground, theoretically,” the head of Esa’s space debris office, Holger Krag, told reporters at a recent briefing.

“However, to be injured by one of these fragments is extremely unlikely. My estimate is that the probability of being injured by one of these fragments is similar to the probability of being hit by lightning twice in the same year.”

Does all space debris fall to Earth?
While debris regularly comes back down, most of it “burns up or ends up in the middle of the ocean and away from people,” says Mr Aboutanios.

Usually there is still communication with the craft or satellite. That means ground control can still influence its course and steer it to a desired crash site.

The debris is steered to crash near what’s called the oceanic pole of inaccessibility – the furthest place from land. It’s a spot in the South Pacific, between Australia, New Zealand and South America.

Over an area of approximately 1,500 sq km (580 sq miles) this region is a graveyard of spacecraft and satellites, where the remains of around 260 are thought to be scattered on the ocean floor.

What is Tiangong-1?
China was a late starter when it comes to space exploration.

In 2001, China launched space vessels carrying test animals and in 2003 sent its first astronaut into orbit, making it the third country to do so, after the Soviet Union and the US.

The programme for a space station kicked off in earnest with the 2011 launch of Tiangong-1, or “Heavenly Palace”.

The small prototype station was able to host astronauts but only for short periods of several days. China’s first female astronaut Liu Yang visited in 2012.

It ended its service in March 2016, two years later than scheduled.

Currently, Tiangong-2 is in operation and by 2022, Beijing plans to have number 3 in orbit as a fully operational manned outpost in space.

–

Source: BBC

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Zhang’s personal assets will be confiscated, according to the Intermediate People’s Court of Linfen City in Shanxi.

The former official offered help in the approval of projects and the obtaining of coal resources from 1997 to 2013, when he served as the Zhongyang County chief and later the vice mayor of Luliang City. In exchange he received cash and property worth a total of 1.04 billion yuan, Xinhua reported

He couldn’t name the source of assets valuing 130 million yuan, blatantly ignored laws and was “extremely greedy.” His crimes caused “huge losses to the country and its people,” the court said, according to Xinhua.

–

Source: SHINE

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The White House said the actions come after years of talks about the issue that failed to produce change.

The actions are expected to include tariffs, as well as other measures.

The plans have stoked fears of a wider trade war.

Trump: Political heir to Abe Lincoln?

The White House is reported by US media to be considering between $30bn-$60bn in tariffs as well as measures that would restrict investment.

The US may also seek to bring complaints to the World Trade Organisation, trade officials said.

America’s top trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, told members of Congress on Wednesday the US is looking to put “maximum pressure on China and minimum pressure on US consumers”.

Mr Lighthizer said protecting intellectual property is critical to the US economy.

“It’s an enormously important issue,” Mr Lighthizer said at the House Ways and Means hearing. “We think it is perhaps the most important thing that will have been done in terms of rebalancing trade.”

What is behind the tariffs?

A US trade official, who spoke to reporters as part of a briefing, said the US has evidence that China requires firms to create local partnerships to enter the Chinese market, as a way of pressuring them into technology transfer.

The US also found evidence that China steers investments in the US to strategic industries, and conducts and supports cyber attacks.

The findings come from a review of China’s practices that Mr Trump ordered in August, called a 301 investigation.

In section 301 of the trade act, the government has given itself the power to unilaterally impose sanctions against countries which it decides are not trading fairly.

Mr Trump has repeatedly railed against the massive US trade deficit with China.

Does the move have wider support in the US?

There is growing concern in America that China is seeking technology that could be deployed for military purposes.

Congress is also weighing legislation that would boost the government’s power to review foreign business deals, citing the threat posed by state-backed acquisition of US firms.

But some politicians and industries, including retailers, have expressed concern about possible retaliation.

“I’m all for targeting Chinese intellectual property violations, holding them accountable – but let’s be targeted in what we want China to change,” Erik Paulsen, a Republican who represents Minnesota, urged Mr Lighthizer on Wednesday.

“Let’s not shoot ourselves in the foot.”

Mr Lighthizer acknowledged the possibility of retaliation, noting that US agriculture is especially vulnerable. But he said that should not stop the US from taking action.

“I don’t think it is a sufficient worry that therefore we’re not going to stand up for intellectual property but we’re trying to do everything in a measured and appropriate way,” he said at a congressional hearing on Wednesday.

“If there is retaliation, then the United States is going to have to take action to stick up for our farmers.”

What has China said?

China has said there would be no winner from any trade war.

On Tuesday, the last day of the annual sitting of the National People’s Congress, China’s Premier Le Keqiang said he hoped both sides could remain “calm”.

He also said he hoped the US would ease restrictions on exports of high-tech goods to China.

–

Source: BBC

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Xi’s reappointment by the Communist Party-controlled legislature was a foregone conclusion, but all eyes had been on whether his former anti-corruption enforcer, Wang Qishan, would become his deputy.

The National People’s Congress has widely expanded Xi’s already considerable authority during its annual session, adding his name to the constitution and lifting the two five-year term limit for the presidency and vice presidency.

Xi received a standing ovation after winning all 2,970 votes for the presidency and Central Military Commission chairman. In 2013, Xi had received 2,952 votes, with one against and three abstentions, a 99.86 percent share.

Only one delegate voted against Wang’s appointment, with 2,969 in favour.

Xi and Wang shook hands as the legislators heaped on applause.

As part of the package of constitutional amendments, Xi and Wang for the first time took the oath of office by pledging allegiance to the constitution. Xi put his left hand on a red-covered book containing the charter, and raised his right fist to take his vow.

“I pledge loyalty to the constitution of the People’s Republic of China” Xi recited, vowing to “strenuously struggle to build a rich, strong, democratic and civilised” country.

Elevating Wang allows Xi to keep a formidable ally by his side, as China’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong cements his authority and sets his sights on a possible lifelong tenure — a move that has drawn criticism online.

Wang, 69, stepped down from the Communist Party’s ruling council in October under informal retirement rules.

But he has kept a prominent profile, sitting at the same table as the seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee during the public sessions of the National People’s Congress while receiving fervent applause from the delegates as he voted.

Wang’s appointment shows that “he’s a really important political advisor,” said Kerry Brown, director of the Lau China Institute at King’s College London.

“He’s a very capable politician, so it makes sense he would still be around,” Brown told AFP, noting that “it also shows we’re in an unconventional time in Chinese politics.”

Wang was at the frontline of Xi’s anti-corruption crusade, heading the party’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, which has punished 1.5 million officials in the past five years, from low-level cadres to regional leaders and generals. He stepped down last year.

Known internationally in his previous role as China’s pointman on trade, Wang could help Xi deal with increasingly tense relations with the United States amid fears of a looming trade war, analysts say.

– ‘Dream team’ –

Xi’s real power stems from his title as general secretary of the Communist Party, but analysts say Wang could provide extra heft to his presidency, even though the vice president has largely been a ceremonial post in the past.

Xi is keeping Wang by his side because of his “talent and ability,” according to Hua Po, an independent Chinese political commentator.

“Choosing Wang as vice president is certainly to consolidate his power,” Hua told AFP.

“Xi is already a very powerful man. The problem is that he has too few people who are loyal and competent for his use, so he has to retain Wang and give himself more time to cultivate more talented people.”

Wang replaces Li Yuanchao, a relatively low-profile politician who has represented Xi on trips abroad.

In his former position as vice premier, Wang periodically travelled to the United States, where then-president Barack Obama once gave the Chinese delegation a signed basketball.

An “amazing” economist, he could now form a “dream team” with another member of the party leadership, Wang Yang, to deal with concerns that US President Donald Trump policies will trigger a trade war, Brown said.

“Maybe they’ll be able to come up with a solution for this massive brewing storm with America about imbalances and tariffs.”

China’s capital was engulfed in a rare flurry of swirling snow on Saturday, sending delegates of the congress scurrying from the Great Hall of the People after the vote.

Legislators beamed when talking about Xi — a stark contrast from the criticism that Chinese people expressed online when term limits were lifted last week, prompting censors into action.

“Our Chairman Xi is too great, truly he is too great,” said Du Meishuang, a Chinese opera singer and delegate from Chairman Mao’s home province of Hunan.

“I hope he will rule for life, truly, this is the common people’s heartfelt wish.”

She said the single vote against his deputy Wang was not a problem: “His age is quite advanced, maybe that was the reason.”

“All Chinese are looking forward” to Xi continuing on, said Zhang Fanhua, a delegate from Anhui, as he hurried into the falling snow.

“This is a great happiness for the country and the nation.”

–

Source: AFP

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The constitutional changes were passed by China’s annual sitting of the National People’s Congress on Sunday.

The vote was widely regarded as a rubber-stamping exercise. Two delegates voted against the change and three abstained, out of 2,964 votes.

China had imposed a two-term limit on its president since the 1990s.

It was designed to prevent another leader like Chairman Mao Zedong emerging, espousing collective leadership rather than one-man rule and the cult of personality.

But, says the BBC’s Stephen McDonell in Beijing, China’s president has now amassed power the likes of which has not been seen here for decades and he is even less likely to be challenged after today’s result.

Mr Xi defied the tradition of presenting a potential successor during October’s Communist Party Congress.

Instead, he consolidated his political power as the party voted to enshrine his name and political ideology in the party’s constitution – elevating his status to the level of its founder, Chairman Mao.

In late February, the party proposed removing term limits from China’s constitution. Mr Xi was due to step down in 2023.

On paper, the congress is the most powerful legislative body in China – similar to the parliament in other nations. But it was widely believed that it would approve what it was told to.

–

Source: BBC

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The Chinese Government also said it was excited about the gains made by the Ghanaian Government in the area of public procurement ever since it assumed office in January 2017.

“We were very impressed by the figures the President gave during his message on the State of the Nation”, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Madam Sun Baohong said when Madam Adwoa Safo paid a courtesy call on her at her office in Accra last Wednesday, February 21, 2018.

Among the notable gains touted by the Akufo-Addo administration, the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) received 394 sole sourcing applications but approved 223, representing 56.6% and rejected 171 applications, representing 4.6%.

In 2016, the PPA received 622 sole sourcing applications but 577 were approved, representing 98% while 25 applications were rejected.

“So, comparatively, for sole sourcing alone, the approvals that we gave in 2017 was 56.6% compared to 98% in 2016. That is a very impressive way to start”, Madam Adwoa Safo told the Chinese Ambassador.

On restrictive tendering, the PPA, she added, received 346 applications in 2017 but only 164, representing 48% were approved while a total of 179 applications, representing 52% were rejected.

In 2016, the PPA received 592 applications on restrictive tendering but 587, representing 99.15% were approved while only 5 applications were rejected.

“If you compare in our case for restrictive tendering, we approved 167 applications, representing 48% in 2017 while in 2016 99.15% were approved. The figures are so clear. If we open our eyes on restrictive tendering and make sure we set our eyes to protect the public purse, we can do it because, for a year, we’ve been able to do it”, she said.

In response to this, Madam Baohong assured that the Chinese Government was committed to helping Ghana fight corruption.

She said the Chinese Government advised its businessmen and women wanting to do business in Ghana to do so in a very legal way so that there will be peace and harmony between the two countries.

Madam Baohong also assured the Public Procurement Minister of the Chinese Government’s willingness to supporting her ministry’s capacity building programs in China to equip the personnel with the requisite knowledge and skills to perform efficiently.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The move would allow the current President Xi Jinping to remain as leader after he is due to step down.

There had been widespread speculation that Mr Xi would seek to extend his presidency beyond 2023.

Party congress last year saw him cement his status as the most powerful leader since the late Mao Zedong.

His ideology was also enshrined in the party’s constitution at the congress, and in a break with convention, no obvious successor was unveiled.

Born in 1953, Mr Xi is the son of one of the Communist Party’s founding fathers. He joined the party in 1974, climbing its ranks before becoming president in 2013.

His presidency has seen economic reform, a fierce campaign against corruption, as well as a resurgence in nationalism and a crackdown on human rights.

–

Source: BBC

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His call follows reports in the French media of China bugging and stealing data from the $200 million African Union (AU) Headquarters in Ethiopia it funded and built.

[contextly_sidebar id=”WRJQhnXkan49xg4m34BYF8RNTA75Nf58″]Speaking to Citi News on the reports, Dr. Antwi Danso called on the government to as a matter of urgency, build a robust system to avert any such attacks since they were a threat to the country’s security.

“The Chinese, the Americans and several other countries have cyber commands, proper cyber commands… whose work is always to look at the internet and see which country is trying to target or attack their country.”

“Let’s take cyber awareness very seriously. Let’s let the people know that it is now a weapon. Let us take it as that. It is no longer a computer kind of detection. It is now real warfare. If we take like that, then we can have people trained to know how to deal with cyber warfare.”

Plans for Cyber Security Centre 

President Nana Akufo-Addo, in October 2017, said his government intended to establish a National Cyber Security Centre though no concrete plan has been outlined as yet.

President Akufo-Addo said this would be key to safeguard the national identification system, the digital addressing system, e-payments, digital financial services and the various e-government initiatives.

He assured that the government will enforce existing legislation and will empower the Data Protection Commission to ensure enforcement of the provisions of the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843).

Denials from China

China has since dismissed the reports it bugged the AU headquarters as “preposterous”.

The Chinese ambassador to the AU told reporters the media in Ethiopia that claims, first reported by French news outlet, Le Monde was “very difficult to understand”.

The article said the discovery resulted in all the AU servers being switched.

Le Monde spoke to a number of anonymous sources, who claimed the alleged transfer was taking place late at night and was only spotted in January 2017 due to the spike in activity between midnight and 02:00, despite no-one being in the building.

It was suggested the alleged data transfer had been taking place since 2012 when the building was opened.

AU officials brought in security experts from Algeria to sweep the entire headquarters for potential bugs leading to the discovery of microphones in desks, according to Le Monde.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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