Around 1.24 billion people in China fully vaccinated against COVID-19

Xinhua, March 20, 2022



Nearly 1.24 billion people across the Chinese mainland had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Friday, a Chinese health official said Saturday.

Mi Feng, spokesperson for the National Health Commission (NHC), released the data at a press conference, adding that close to 3.22 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses had been administered on the mainland.

Lei Zhenglong, another NHC official, said that 649.16 million people had received a booster jab as of Friday. More than 80 percent of people aged 60 and above had taken at least two doses of the vaccine.

Studies show that a booster jab is effective in preventing death or severe conditions, Lei noted, advising elderly people who have not been vaccinated and those who meet the conditions for booster immunization to get inoculated as soon as possible.

Cautioning against relaxing precautions in the face of the still raging pandemic, Mi Feng called for earlier, faster and stricter implementation of the current measures for COVID-19 prevention and control.

China's population stood at around 1.41 billion people at the end of 2021, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

China rolls out new tax cuts for small businesses
Xinhua, March 19, 202

Villagers work at a poverty-relief clothing factory in Zhouzhuang Village of Daqiao Township, Weishi County, central China's Henan Province, Sept. 1, 2020. [Xinhua/He Juan]

China will carry out tax cuts for low-profit small businesses for three years to support their growth, the Ministry of Finance said on Friday.

From Jan. 1, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2024, the part of annual taxable income of low-profit small businesses that exceed 1 million yuan (158,000 U.S. dollars) but does not exceed 3 million yuan will be counted as 25 percent of the actual amount at a tax rate of 20 percent, said a circular issued by the ministry and the State Taxation Administration.

Before the announcement, the authorities in March highlighted efforts to reduce six local taxes and two fees for small and micro businesses for three years.

Low-profit small businesses mentioned in this circular refer to legitimate enterprises with annual taxable incomes of less than 3 million yuan, no more than 300 employees, and total assets of less than 50 million yuan.

China makes progress in developing vaccines against Omicron variant
Xinhua, March 20, 2022


Positive progress has been made in the development of monovalent and multivalent vaccines against the Omicron variants, a senior Chinese health official told a press conference on Saturday.

Pre-clinical studies for some vaccines have been completed, with applications for clinical trials in progress, said Zheng Zhongwei, an official with the National Health Commission.

"Studies show that the Omicron variant has not completely escaped the existing vaccines," Zheng said, noting that complete vaccination is still effective in reducing the risk of hospitalization, severe illness and death caused by Omicron variants.

"Booster vaccination can also effectively reduce the risk of breakthrough infection caused by the Omicron variant," he said.

At present, China has 29 vaccines that have entered clinical trials, with 16 under phase-III clinical trials overseas, Zheng said. He added that seven vaccines have been approved for conditional marketing or emergency use, and two have been included in the World Health Organization emergency use list.

Chinese vice FM calls for cherishing peace, pursuing win-win future for Asia-Pacific
Xinhua, March 20, 2022


Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng on Saturday called on countries in the Asia-Pacific to cherish peace, work together in unity and pursue a win-win future for the region.

"The Ukraine crisis keeps the world on edge. It also provides a mirror for us to observe the situation in the Asia-Pacific," Le said at the Fourth International Forum on Security and Strategy.

The Asia-Pacific is an anchor for world peace and stability, an engine for global growth and a new pace-setter in international cooperation, he said. "Such a promising situation has not come easily and should be cherished by all sides."

Le called on all countries in the region to cherish peace and not undermine regional tranquility; respect each other and not wantonly interfere in others' internal affairs; promote unity and cooperation and not create division and confrontation; and pursue independence and self-strength and not let others decide our future.

"China stands ready to work with all countries in the Asia-Pacific under the banner of true multilateralism to promote enduring peace, common development and open regionalism, and jointly open up brighter prospects for the Asia-Pacific community with a shared future," Le said.