What is social distancing? Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, governments around the world are recommending it as the No. 1 tool to stop the spread of the virus. But what is it, exactly?
MOH has confirmed the detection of 30 new cases of COVID-19 infection in Singapore as of noon on Sunday (17 January).
China is expected to send more resources to troops stationed in remote border areas, including those engaged in the current stand-off with India in the Himalayas, following an overhaul of the People’s Liberation Army’s rules on how officers are treated.A commentary published on Sunday by PLA Daily, the mouthpiece of China’s military, said the new regulations were aimed at maintaining officers’ “basic living benefits” and establishing a better management system for career development.President Xi Jinping, who also chairs the all-powerful Central Military Commission, introduced the “Provisional Regulations on the Movement of Active Military Officers” on the first day of this year, along with a series of related rules covering areas such as selection, training and promotion.Get the latest insights and analysis from our Global Impact newsletter on the big stories originating in China.Military observers said the reforms might help eliminate long-standing problems that meant officers stationed in certain areas, such as the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, were given more favourable treatment and better equipment compared with those in remote parts of the country.“There are some unfair traditions and discriminatory legacies left over from political struggles in previous decades,” Macau-based military observer Antony Wong Tong said, referring to the different treatment officials and officers in the Central, Eastern and Southeast military areas had received.For example, some officers with close connections with top leaders get promoted more quickly than their peers stationed in the remote and tough areas in the Himalayas, Wong added.“Indeed, before the outbreak of the months-long border stand-off between China and India, weapon systems deployed to the 77th Army Group in the Western Theatre Command were inferior to those given to the 72nd Army Group in the Eastern Theatre Command, which is responsible for Taiwan Strait security,” Wong said.“It’s just because the Huzhou-based 72nd Army Group in Zhejiang province has close links with Xi, while many officials in the 77th Army Groups were promoted by Xi’s political enemies Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou.” China’s big military ship building spree to guard its aircraft carriersGuo and Xu, both former vice-chairmen of the Central Military Commission, became the most senior military officials brought down by Xi’s sweeping anti-corruption campaign.Guo received a life sentence in 2016, while Xu died in custody in 2015 while under investigation.Weapons in the Western Theatre Command have been upgraded as tensions with India rose following a deadly clash between the two sides in the Galwan Valley in June. Both sides have also increased the number of troops stationed along their disputed frontier after the incident, which left 20 Indian soldiers dead and caused an unknown number of PLA casualties.Besides replacing the J-7 fighters in the region with more advanced J-16s, other advanced weapons – including J-20 stealth fighters, H-20 helicopters, drones and rockets – have undergone high-altitude tests, suggesting they have been earmarked for the Western Theatre Command.Recent footage aired by the state broadcaster China Central Television also showed that troops in the Tibetan military region had been equipped with the latest camouflage uniforms known as the “Starry Sky” pattern.The PLA commentary said the new regulations were designed to build a system that guaranteed hardworking and responsible officers on the front line were treated fairly to ensure the army could attract and retain high-quality troops.“Under the new provisional regulations that directly link with officers’ promotion and treatment, assessment standards will more focus on combat-forces and troops stationed in tough and remote border areas,” the commentary wrote. Xi Jinping orders China’s military to be ready for war ‘at any second’A military source close to the PLA said the military, which now numbers around two million troops, has been fighting a brain drain for more than four decades.“The implementation of the new regulations is a good effort, because political loyalty tests, personal background and connections are still the most important elements for military officers to get promotion, not just their talents,” said the source, who requested anonymity.The source also stressed that the Communist Party’s rule that the “party commands the gun” still applied, adding: “That’s why the CMC needs to introduce more than 10 relevant rules and specific implementation details for the new regulations.”More from South China Morning Post: * China pulls 10,000 troops from India border, source says * High altitudes send soldiers off course in China-India border region: experts * China and India dig in at Himalayan border, with an eye on Washington * India returns Chinese soldier who strayed across disputed border * China-India border dispute: PLA ‘has built frontline observation post’This article Chinese border troops likely to benefit from new rules to end unfair treatment first appeared on South China Morning PostFor the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2021.
Lionel Messi was sent off for the first time playing for Barcelona as Athletic Bilbao stunned the Catalans to win the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday, a dramatic final finishing 3-2 after extra-time.
Joe Biden's goal of seeing 100 million doses of coronavirus vaccine injected within his first 100 days in office is "absolutely" achievable, top US scientist Anthony Fauci said Sunday, days before he is to become the new president's chief advisor on Covid-19.
A 67-year-old former statutory board director was on Monday (18 January) jailed for six weeks for molesting a subordinate.
This series is dedicated to inspirational men and women in Singapore leading healthy and active lifestyles. This week: Lawyer Ethel Lin.
Parler, the social network popular among conservatives, could return to Apple's App Store if it changes how it moderates posts on the platform, the tech giant's CEO Tim Cook said Sunday.
India's Covid-19 vaccination drive had a successful start with more than 224,000 people receiving their first jabs and just three people hospitalised for experiencing side effects, the health ministry said Sunday, as reports emerged about concerns over a homegrown vaccine.
Facing a potentially hostile US administration, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is trying to break his isolation by mending EU relations, torn by what the bloc views as his bellicose foreign policy.
With security bond guarantees and 100% cancellation refund, FWD Maid Insurance helps manage the costs of hiring a maid. Given the important role domestic helpers play in our homes, it’s a given that employers should provide a reasonable amount of care and welfare to their […] The post FWD Maid Insurance (Review): Basic Maid Coverage With Great Savings appeared first on SingSaver Blog - We Compare, You Save.
Singapore Savings Bonds (SSBs) can make a safe and stable investment. Here’s a guide to its features, benefits, as well as the common questions investors might have. With costs of living on the rise and the value of cash eroding due to inflation, the minimum […] The post Guide To Singapore Savings Bond (SSB): Is This The Right Investment For You? appeared first on SingSaver Blog - We Compare, You Save.
President Donald Trump will leave Washington in disgrace next week, destined for a warmer welcome in Florida, where some supporters are so gung-ho they recently wrote his name on the back of a fat, lumbering manatee.
Looking for Hong Kong stocks with good growth potential? Here are three you can consider adding to your watchlist. The post 3 Hong Kong Blue-Chip Companies I would Buy appeared first on The Smart Investor.
Gunmen shot dead two Afghan women judges working for the Supreme Court in an ambush in the country's capital Sunday, officials said, an attack the top US envoy in Kabul blamed on the Taliban.
In countries like the Czech Republic, Serbia, Bosnia, Romania and Bulgaria, vaccine skeptics have included former presidents and even some doctors. Serbian tennis champion Novak Djokovic was among those who said he did not want to be forced to get inoculated.
These three growth stocks can provide rocket fuel for your portfolio's growth. The post 3 Growth Stocks That Could Power Your Portfolio Higher appeared first on The Smart Investor.
The global Covid-19 vaccination drive gained pace Sunday as Brazil gave its first injections and India pushed on with its massive campaign, while European authorities sought to allay concerns about delays in supplies.
Retail and institutional investors have been warming up to ethical investments as returns start to match their traditional counterparts. There’s no better time to hop on – here are five options across asset classes to get your feet wet. Managing your emotions will help you […] The post 5 Best Sustainable Investments In Singapore appeared first on SingSaver Blog - We Compare, You Save.
Mapletree Investments (“Mapletree”) and Keppel Land are jointly developing the highly-anticipated luxury waterfront project, The Reef at King’s Dock, which opened for preview on Saturday, 16 January 2021. HarbourFront Three Pte Ltd, the developer of The Reef at King’s Dock, is 61% held by The Harbourfront Pte Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mapletree, and 39% held [&hellip The post The Reef at King’s Dock opens for preview over the weekend appeared first on iCompareLoan Resources.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed 14 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore on Monday (18 January), taking the country’s total case count to 59,127.
