China exports commercial EVs to Japan - including 10,000 units from Dongfeng, with no competition

 Recently Nihon Keizai Shimbun Electronic Edition on-line reported the following:

中国が商用EV対日輸出　東風など1万台、競合なく

カーボンゼロ

2021年10月11日 19:30 (2021年10月11日 23:33更新) [有料会員限定]

 深尾三四郎さんの投稿

 中国の自動車メーカーが商用の電気自動車（EV）で日本に攻勢をかける。東風汽車集団系などが物流大手のSBSホールディングス（HD）に1万台の小型トラックの供給を始め、比亜迪（BYD）は大型EVバスで4割値下げを目指す。世界的な脱炭素の動きを受け、物流大手はEVシフトに動くが、日本車メーカーの取り組みが遅れており、価格の安い中国車を選んでいる。出遅れた日本車メーカーは早期に巻き返さないと国内市場を奪われかねない。

中国自動車大手、東風汽車集団のグループ会社である東風小康汽車は、SBSHDに1トン積載のEVトラックの供給を始めた。EVスタートアップのフォロフライ（京都市）が設計し、東風小康が生産。SBSHDは2030年までに別の中国メーカーに発注する1.5トン車と合わせて、計1万台のEVの供給を受ける計画だ。

1トン車の価格は補助金なしで380万円ほどで同じようなディーゼル車とほぼ同価格。22年1月から本格的に輸入する。国の補助金も見込めるため、「現行のトラックに比べてコストは安くなる」と判断した。今後5年で配送の協力会社に使用を促す分も含め国産ディーゼルトラックから順次切り替える。航続距離は300キロメートルで宅配などに使う。

東証1部上場のSBSHDは配送時の温暖化ガス排出を減らそうとEV導入を模索したが、現状では国産の1トン積載型が市場になく、日本車メーカーに生産依頼をした場合は1000万円ほどかかるとみている。

小型トラックは7月にトヨタ自動車やいすゞ自動車などが設立した商用EV企画会社にスズキやダイハツ工業なども参画すると発表したものの日本勢の出遅れが鮮明だ。20年の小型バンの国内市場は23万台。ネット通販の伸びに伴い、宅配需要が増え、中国EVが広がる可能性がある。商用車は決められたルートで事業者が使用し、乗用車に比べて、充電インフラの確保や保守メンテナンスが容易で参入しやすい面がある。

SGホールディングス（HD）傘下の佐川急便も中国・広西汽車集団からEV軽自動車、7200台の供給を受けることで今春合意。広西は22年から輸出を始める。SGHDは軽車両のすべてをEVにすることで二酸化炭素（CO2）を19年度比で1割削減できるとみている。

BYDは日本で販売する80人乗りの大型EVバス「K8」の価格を4000万円から26年をめどに4割値下げを目指す。ディーゼルバスと同程度となり、国の補助金も活用できる。日本法人、ビーワイディージャパン（横浜市）の花田晋作副社長は「同業との競争に伴う技術革新により、低コストでの投入が可能になる」と説明する。BYDは日本で小型を含むEVバスを50台以上販売済み。大型EVバスを30年までに累計約2000台販売するとしている。

習近平（シー・ジンピン）指導部は市場規模世界一の「自動車大国」から独自ブランドが世界に浸透する「自動車強国」への転換を目指している。エンジン車では性能、ブランド力ともに日米欧勢にかなわなかった。部品点数が少ないEVへの転換が始まり、中国第一汽車集団はノルウェーにEVの多目的スポーツ車（SUV）の輸出を始めている。

Translation

Chinese automakers made a commercial electric vehicles (EVs) offense in Japan. Dongfeng Motor Group and others would start supplying 10,000 light-duty trucks to SBS Holdings (HD), a major logistics company, and separately BYD Company would aim to reduce the price by 40% for large EV buses. In response to the global decarbonization movement, major Japanese logistics companies were shifting to EV, and they were choosing cheap Chinese cars as Japanese car makers’ efforts were slow. Japanese makers could be deprived of the domestic market if they did not come back soon.

Dongfeng SK, a group company of Dongfeng Motor Group which was a major Chinese automobile company, had begun supplying 1-ton EV trucks to SBSHD. It was designed by EV start-up Follow Fly (Kyoto City) and produced by Dongfeng SK. SBS HD planned to receive a total of 10,000 EVs by 2030, including 1.5-ton vehicles ordered from another Chinese manufacturer.

The price of a 1-ton vehicle was about 3.8 million yen without subsidies, which was almost the same price as a similar diesel vehicle. It would be imported in earnest from January 2022. Since the government subsidy could be expected, it was judged that "the cost will be cheaper than the current truck". Over the next five years, companies would gradually switch from domestic diesel trucks, including those delivery partner companies who might use them after encouragement. The truck had a cruising range of 300 kilometers and would be used for home delivery.

SBS HD, which was listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, sought to introduce EVs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during delivery, but at present there was no domestic 1-ton loading type on the market, and if a Japanese car manufacturer was requested to produce it, it was thought that it could cost about 10 million yen each.

For light trucks, Suzuki and Daihatsu announced that they would participate in commercial EV planning companies established by Toyota Motors and Isuzu Motors in July, but the delay of Japanese companies was clear. The domestic market for small vans in 2020 was 230,000 units. With the growth of online shopping, demand for home delivery increased, and there was a possibility that Chinese EVs could spread. Commercial vehicles were used by businesses on a fixed route, and compared to passenger cars, it was easier to secure charging infrastructure and provide maintenance, and thus it could easily enter the market.

Sagawa Express, a subsidiary of SG Holdings (HD), had also agreed to receive a supply 7,200 EV mini vehicles from Guangxi Automobile Group of China this spring. Guangxi Group could start exporting from 2022. SGHD estimated that by converting all light vehicles to EVs, carbon dioxide (CO2) could be reduced by 10% compared to FY2019

BYD aimed to reduce the price of the 80-seater large EV bus "K8" sold in Japan from 40 million yen by 40% by 2026. It would be about the same price as a diesel bus and could utilize national subsidies. Shinsaku Hanada, the vice president of BWD Japan (Yokohama City) and as a Japanese corporation explained, "Technological innovation together with competition among the same industry will enable low-cost investment." In Japan, BYD had already sold more than 50 EV buses including small ones. This company planned to sell a total of about 2,000 large EV buses by 2030.

Xi Jinping's leadership was aiming to transform China from the world's largest "automobile big country" to an "automobile powerhouse" where its own brand could permeate the world. In terms of engine cars, both performance and brand power were not comparable to those of Japan, the United States, and Europe. The conversion to EVs with a smaller number of parts had begun, and China FAW Group had begun exporting EV multipurpose sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to Norway.

              So, China's Dongfeng Motor Group and others will start supplying light-duty trucks to Japan. In Japan, in response to the global decarbonization movement, major logistics companies are shifting to EV, and they are choosing cheap Chinese cars. EV car making is a competition ground between China and major world car makers, especially the US and Japan.

Note: DFSK (東風小康) is Dongfeng Sokon Automobile and is known internationally as DFSK Motor. It is a joint venture between Dongfeng and Chongqing Sokon Industry Group Co Ltd.

中國因能源危機重新思考氣候目標之路

Recently Yahoo New on-line reported the following:

China Rethinks Path to Climate Goals Due to Energy Crisis

Bloomberg News

Tue., October 12, 2021, 12:20 a.m.

(Bloomberg) -- China’s widening power crisis, which has forced rationing across the country and threatens to derail economic growth, is prompting policy makers to rethink the pace of the nation’s energy transition.

China’s path to a greener economy needs to be underpinned by a stable supply of energy, Premier Li Keqiang said in a release on Monday following a meeting of the National Energy Commission last week. Before establishing a timetable for peaking carbon emissions by the end of the decade, the country needs to conduct an in-depth assessment of how it has handled the recent power crunch, he said.

The comments, just weeks before crucial climate negotiations open in Glasgow, Scotland, could be contentious given the need to accelerate efforts to mitigate global warming. Without additional commitments from China -- which the U.S. and U.K. have long been calling for -- the conference known as COP26 is unlikely to be a success.

There had been an expectation among some of those helping to draft the plan for China’s energy transition that the 2030 road map could be publicly released before the week-long National Day holidays that began Oct. 1, according to people familiar with the situation, who asked not to be identified because the information isn’t public.

In a statement that highlighted the need to continue building up the nation’s capacity in fossil fuels, from coal to oil and shale gas, Li said that China needs to prioritize its economic development, which “holds the key to solving all its problems.”

Energy Security

“Energy security should be the premise on which a modern energy system is built, and the capacity for energy self-supply should be enhanced,” he said. That means the twin goals of peak emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060 should be achieved in a “sound and well-paced” manner that will require “long and hard” effort, according to Li.

In a separate speech on Tuesday, China’s President Xi Jinping said the country still intends to set out more precise details on how it will peak carbon emissions in key areas, without giving a timetable for the release.

Xi said last month that China plans to stop building new coal-fired power plants in other nations, though the U.S. and others are continuing to urge China to move faster to reduce its own reliance on the fossil fuel.

Underscoring the urgency of the situation in China, thermal coal futures surged to a record for a second day on Tuesday as another key mining region suffered flooding, complicating efforts to boost supply and halt the escalating energy crisis.

Premier Li also called for an end to the “indiscriminate approach” taken by some Chinese regions to limiting electricity supplies and coal output, as well as “campaign-style” efforts to cut carbon emissions.

Instead, the government will work to “keep homes in the north warm and safe this winter, and ensure the stability of industrial and supply chains and sustained, steady economic development,” according to the statement.

Translation

（彭博社）——中國不斷擴大的電力危機迫使全國實行配給並有可能破壞經濟增長，這促使政策制定者重新考慮國家能源轉型的步伐。

上周國家能源委員會召開會議後，國務院總理李克強在周一發布的一份新聞稿中表示，中國走向綠色經濟能源供應道路需要穩定的供應。他說，在製定在 2010 年代末達到碳排放峰值的時間表之前，該國需要對其處理近期電力緊縮的方式進行深入評估。

鑑於有需要加快減緩全球變暖的努力，在蘇格蘭格拉斯哥開幕前幾周的關鍵的氣候談判, 中國去發表這些評論, 可能引起爭議。如果沒有來自中國的額外承諾 - 美國和英國長期以來一直呼籲舉行的 - 被稱為 COP26 的會議不太可能取得成功。

據知情人士透露，一些幫助起草中國能源轉型計劃的人曾期望，2030 年路線圖可以在 10 月 1 日開始的為期一周的國慶假期前公開發布。由於信息不公開，因此要求不透露身份。

李克強在一份聲明中強調，需要繼續建設從煤炭到石油和頁岩氣等化石燃料的國家能力，中國需要優先發展經濟，這是“解決所有問題的關鍵”。

能源安全

李克強說,“能源安全要成為現代能源體系建設的前提，要提高能源自給能力”。 李又說這意味著到 2030 年達到排放峰值和到 2060 年實現碳中和這兩個目標應該以“穩健且節奏良好”的方式實現，這需要“長期而艱苦”的努力。

在周二的另一場講話中，中國國家主席習近平表示，中國仍打算就如何在關鍵領域實現碳排放達到峰值提出更準確的細節，但沒有給出發佈時間表。

習近平上個月表示，中國計劃停止在其他國家建設新的燃煤電廠，儘管美國和其他國家繼續敦促中國加快行動，減少它對化石燃料的依賴。

這突顯出中國局勢的緊迫性是, 動力煤的期貨週二連續第二天飆升至紀錄高位。亦由於另一個主要礦區遭受洪水災害，推動供應和遏制不斷升級的能源危機的努力變得複雜。

李總理還呼籲中國一些地區停止"不分青紅皂白的做法"，以限制電力供應和煤炭產量,並停止"運動式"的減少碳排放的努力。

聲明說, 相反地，政府將努力“在這個冬天讓北方的家園保持溫暖和安全，確保產業鍊和供應鏈的穩定和經濟持續穩定發展”。

       So, to make a pledge to reduce CO2 emission is something that needs careful calculation. I am interested in knowing how China will deal with the energy issue.

U.S. Major Pharmaceutical - New Corona Swallow Type Antiviral Drug - Emergency Use Authorization Application

Recently NHK New on-line reported the following:

米製薬大手 新型コロナの飲む抗ウイルス薬 緊急使用の許可申請

2021年10月11日 23時45分

アメリカの製薬大手メルクは開発中の新型コロナウイルスの増殖を抑える薬「モルヌピラビル」について、アメリカFDA＝食品医薬品局に緊急使用の許可を申請したと発表しました。

FDAが許可すれば、新型コロナウイルスに対する飲むタイプの抗ウイルス薬としては世界で初めて実用化されるものになります。

メルクが開発中の「モルヌピラビル」は、新型コロナウイルスの増殖を抑えるための飲み薬で、発症初期の患者が重症化するのを防ぐ効果が期待されています。

メルクは11日「モルヌピラビル」について軽症から中程度の症状があり重症化のリスクがある大人の患者に対して「緊急使用」を許可するようFDAに申請したことを明らかにしました。

メルクが今月1日に発表した臨床試験の暫定的な分析結果では、薬を投与したグループではそうでないグループと比べ入院や死亡のリスクがおよそ50％低下したということです。

FDAが審査の結果、緊急使用を許可すれば、新型コロナウイルスに対する飲むタイプの抗ウイルス薬としては世界で初めて実用化されるものになります。

新型コロナウイルスの感染症の重症化を防ぐため、軽症のうちに服用できる飲み薬については、メルクのほかにもアメリカの製薬大手ファイザーやスイスの製薬大手ロシュなども開発を進めています。

開発責任者「医療機関の負担 大幅軽減を期待」

「モルヌピラビル」の開発責任者を務めるメルクのダリア・ハズダ博士は、NHKのインタビューに対し「治療薬はワクチンの代わりになるものではなく、ワクチンの重要性は今後も変わらないが、パンデミックを終わらせるうえで、簡単に使える飲むタイプの治療薬はとても重要だ」と述べ、開発の意義を強調しました。

 

そのうえで「点滴薬と比べ迅速に投与できるため、新型コロナウイルスの治療方法を変えていく可能性がある。外来で診断された患者に対し使えるようになることで、医療機関の負担を大幅に軽減できると期待している」と述べています。

 

また安全性については、臨床試験で薬を投与したグループと投与しなかったグループで健康への影響に大きな差は見られなかったということですが、ハズダ博士は「今後FDAと薬による治療の効果とリスクのバランスについて議論したうえで、許可の判断が行われる。長期的な安全性を含めて引き続き検証を進めていく」としています。

Translation

Merck & Co., a major American pharmaceutical company, announced that it had applied for an emergency use authorization from the US FDA = Food and Drug Administration for the drug "molnupiravir" under development that could suppress the growth of the new coronavirus.

If approved by the FDA, it could be the first drug in the world to be put into practical use as a swallow type antiviral drug against the new coronavirus.

"Molnupiravir", which was being developed by Merck, was a orally taken drug to suppress the growth of the new coronavirus, and was expected to be effective in preventing the aggravation of patients in the early stages of onset.

Merck announced on the 11th that it had applied to the FDA for "emergency use" of "molnupiravir" in adult patients with mild to moderate symptoms yet at risk of aggravation.

A preliminary analysis of a clinical trial released by Merck on the 1st of this month found that the drug-treated group had an approximately 50% reduction in the risk of hospitalization and death compared to the group without drug.

If the FDA approved emergency use as a result of the review, it could be the first drug in the world to be put into practical use as an orally taken antiviral drug against the new coronavirus.

In addition to Merck, Pfizer as a major American pharmaceutical company, and Roche as a major Swiss pharmaceutical company, were developing medicines that could be taken while mildly ill in order to prevent the aggravation of the coronavirus infection.

Development manager - "Expected to significantly reduce the burden on medical institutions"

In an interview with NHK, Dr. Dalia Hazda of Merck, who was responsible for the development of Molnupiravir, emphasized the significance of the development and said that "Therapeutic drugs are not a substitute for vaccines, and the importance of vaccines will not change, on the ending of pandemic, a easy-to-use type of medicine that can be taken orally is very important".

On top of that, it was said that "Because it can be administered more quickly than infusions, there is a possibility that the treatment method for the new coronavirus will be changed. By making it available to diagnosed outpatients, it is hope that this will greatly reduce the burden on medical institutions. "

Regarding safety, there was no significant difference in health effects between the group that received the drug and the group that did not receive the drug in clinical trials, but Dr. Hazda said, " in the future, after discussing with the FDA on balancing the risks, and the effect of treatment of the drug, a decision on permission will be made. We will continue to carry out verification, including long-term safety. "

              So, Merck & Co., a major American pharmaceutical company, would apply for an emergency use authorization from the US FDA for the drug "molnupiravir". If approved, it will be the first drug in the world to be put into practical use as an antiviral drug that can be taken orally against the new coronavirus. It is good news for everyone.

中國譴責美國、加拿大派軍艦通過台灣海峽

Recently Yahoo News on-line reported the following:

China condemns U.S., Canada for sending warships through Taiwan Strait

Sun., October 17, 2021, 4:46 a.m.

BEIJING/TAIPEI, Oct 17 (Reuters) - The Chinese military on Sunday condemned the United States and Canada for each sending a warship through the Taiwan Strait last week, saying they were threatening peace and stability in the region.

China claims democratically-ruled Taiwan as its own territory, and has mounted repeated air force missions into Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ) over the past year, provoking anger in Taipei.

China sent around 150 aircraft into the zone over a four-day period beginning on Oct. 1 in a further heightening of tension between Beijing and Taipei that has sparked concern internationally.

The U.S. military said the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Dewey sailed through the narrow waterway that separates Taiwan from its giant neighbour China along with the Canadian frigate HMCS Winnipeg on Thursday and Friday.

"Dewey's and Winnipeg's transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the commitment of the United States and our allies and partners to a free and open Indo-Pacific," it added.

China's People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theatre Command said its forces monitored the ships and "stood guard" throughout their passage.

"The United States and Canada colluded to provoke and stir up trouble... seriously jeopardising peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait," it said.

"Taiwan is part of Chinese territory. Theatre forces always maintain a high level of alert and resolutely counter all threats and provocations."

U.S. Navy ships have been transiting the strait roughly monthly, to the anger of Beijing, which has accused Washington of stoking regional tensions. U.S. allies occasionally also send ships through the strait, including Britain https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/british-frigate-sails-through-taiwan-strait-2021-09-27last month.

While tensions across the Taiwan Strait have risen, there has been no shooting and Chinese aircraft have not entered Taiwanese air space, concentrating their activity in the southwestern part of the ADIZ.

While including Taiwanese territorial air space, the ADIZ encompasses a broader area that Taiwan monitors and patrols that acts to give it more time to respond to any threats.

Taiwan's defence ministry said on Sunday that three Chinese aircraft - two J-16 fighters and an anti-submarine aircraft - flew into the ADIZ again. (Reporting by Ryan Woo in Beijing, Ben Blanchard in Taipei and Idrees Ali in Washington; Editing by Pravin Char and John Stonestreet)

Translation

路透北京/台北10月17日 - 中國軍方周日譴責美國和加拿大上週各自派軍艦通過台灣海峽，稱他們正在威脅該地區的和平與穩定。

中國聲稱民主統治的台灣是自己的領土，並在過去一年中多次向台灣防空識別區（ADIZ）執行空軍任務，激怒台北。

從 10 月 1 日開始的四天內，中國向該地區派遣了大約 150 架飛機，進一步加劇了北京和台北之間的緊張局勢，這引發了國際關注。

美國軍方表示，阿利伯克級導彈驅逐艦杜威號周四和周五與加拿大護衛艦HMCS溫尼伯號一起駛過把台灣與其大鄰國中國隔開的狹窄水道。

他們補充說,“杜威和溫尼伯通過台灣海峽表明了美國和我們的盟友和夥伴對自由和開放的印太地區的承諾”。

中國人民解放軍東部戰區司令部表示，其部隊在船隻通過過程中對其進行監視並“站崗”。

他們說,“美加勾結挑撥挑釁……嚴重危害台海和平穩定。”

“台灣是中國領土的一部分，戰區部隊始終保持高度戒備，堅決應對一切威脅和挑釁。”

美國海軍艦艇大約每個月都會通過海峽，這激怒了北京，北京指責華盛頓挑起了地區緊張局勢。美國盟友偶爾也會派船隻通過海峽，包括上個月英國 。

雖然台海緊張局勢升級，但沒有發生槍擊事件，中國飛機也沒有進入台灣領空，活動集中在防空識別區的西南部。

雖然包括台灣領空，防空識別區涵蓋了台灣更廣泛區域來作出監視和巡邏，以給予台灣更多時間來應對任何威脅。

台灣國防部周日表示，三架中國飛機 - 兩架殲16戰鬥機和一架反潛機 - 再次飛入防空識別區。

So, the U.S.  guided missile destroyer USS Dewey sailed through the narrow waterway that separates Taiwan China along with the Canadian frigate HMCS Winnipeg to demonstrate their commitment to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific. I am wondering whether Canada will be more openly show its true feelings towards China after its dispute with Huawei’s Meng Wenzhou  is over. Canada will soon review Huawei’s wish to get involvement in building 5G in the country. I am interested in knowing the outcome of this review.

英國重申向亞洲“傾斜”，新軍艦使用新加坡停泊

Recently Yahoo News on-line reported the following:

Britain reaffirms Asia 'tilt' as new warship makes Singapore stop

Mon., October 11, 2021, 5:25 a.m.

By Chen Lin

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Britain's new aircraft carrier the HMS Queen Elizabeth made a stop in Singapore on Monday, part of a move to reassert itself globally and boost its military presence in Asia amid rising competition among major powers.

The Queen Elizabeth led a British carrier strike group in exercises with Singapore's military at the weekend, including naval maneuvers and simulated combat training with F-35B stealth fighters and F-16 jets.

"Our recent integrated review highlighted the importance of the Indo Pacific and the UK's intent to tilt here and have an increased footprint, and much more persistent presence," strike group commander, Commodore Steve Moorhouse, told Reuters aboard the new 65,000-tonne vessel.

"What better way to just show that off in the first instance, with Queen Elizabeth deploying here for her first operational deployment."

Singapore is one of more than 40 countries the strike group will interact with through visits or exercises during its global deployment, according to a British government statement.

Britain, like China, now has two aircraft carriers, compared to the United States' 11. The $4 billion Queen Elizabeth is the largest warship built by the British military and is roughly the length of three soccer fields at 274 meters (900 feet).

In recent years, China has controversially deployed coastguard ships all over the South China Sea and built manmade islands with missile systems, to assert vast territorial claims that an international arbitral ruling has declared invalid.

(Reporting by Chen Lin; Editing by Martin Petty)

Translation

新加坡（路透社）——英國的新航空母艦伊麗莎白女王號周一在新加坡停靠，這是在主要大國之間日益激烈的競爭中, 它重新確立自己的全球地位並加強其在亞洲的軍事存在的舉措的一部分。

在週末，伊麗莎白女王號率領一個英國航母打擊群與新加坡軍方進行了演習，包括海軍演習和使用 F-35B 隱形戰鬥機和 F-16 噴氣式飛機進行模擬戰鬥訓練。

戰鬥群指揮官Steve Moorhous準將在這一艘新的 65,000 噸船隻上告訴路透社說,“我們最近的綜合評估強調了印度太平洋地區的重要性，以及英國打算在這裡傾斜並擴大足跡, 和更持久出現的意圖”。

“有什麼更好的方式來展示這一點 - 去用伊麗莎白女王號在這裡部署她的第一次作戰部署。”

根據英國政府的一份聲明，新加坡是該打擊小組在其全球部署期間, 通是過訪問或演習去互動的 40 多個國家之一。

與中國一樣，英國現在擁有兩艘航空母艦，而美國有 11 艘。價值 40 億美元的伊麗莎白女王號是英國軍方建造的最大的軍艦，大約有三個足球場的長度，即274 米（900 英尺）。

近年來，中國有爭議地在整個南海部署海警船，並建造裝備有導彈系統的人造島嶼，以維持國際仲裁已裁決無效它的大面積的領土主張。

              So, UK is increasing its presence in Asia. Singapore is at a comfortable distance from China, it can say and do things that may annoy China. I think that among the Asia countries, Vietnam feels the most pressure from mainland China.

Singapore - Although breakthrough infection spread, no lockdown

Recently NHK News on-line reported the following:

シンガポール ブレイクスルー感染拡大もロックダウンは行わず

2021年10月9日 23時23分

新型コロナウイルスワクチンの接種を終えたあと感染が確認される、いわゆる「ブレイクスルー感染」も広がっているシンガポールで、リー・シェンロン首相はワクチン接種によって重症化は抑えられているとして、経済活動などの厳しい制限は行わず、新型コロナウイルスとの共存戦略を推進すると国民に呼びかけました。

シンガポールでは新型コロナウイルスワクチンの接種を終えた人が人口の83％に上っていますが、接種を終えたあと感染が確認されるいわゆる「ブレイクスルー感染」も広がり、政府はことし8月に緩和した行動制限を先月下旬から再び強化しています。

8日にはこれまでで最も多い3590人の感染が確認されましたが、リー・シェンロン首相は9日、テレビ演説を行い「感染者の98％以上は無症状か軽症者だ。新型コロナウイルスはもはや、われわれの多くにとって危険ではない」と述べ、接種によって重症化は抑えられていると強調しました。

そのうえで経済活動などを厳しく制限する、いわゆる「ロックダウン」は行わず「新型コロナウイルスとの共存戦略を推進しなければならない」と国民に呼びかけました。

新型コロナウイルスをめぐっては、感染拡大の防止と経済活動の維持をどう両立させるか、各国政府は難しいかじ取りを迫られています。

Translation

In Singapore, where infection had been confirmed after vaccination with the new coronavirus vaccine, the so-called "breakthrough infection" was spreading, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that vaccination had suppressed the severity of the disease and called on the public to promote a strategy of coexistence with the new coronavirus without strict restrictions on economic activities etc.

In Singapore, 83% of the population had completed vaccination with the new coronavirus vaccine, but the so-called "breakthrough infection", in which infection was confirmed after vaccination, had spread, the government again tightened the restrictions on behavior starting from the end of last month that were relaxed in August.

The highest number of infections to date was confirmed on the 8th, but Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong gave a television speech on the 9th, saying that "More than 98% of infected people are asymptomatic or mild. The new coronavirus is no longer dangerous to many of us "; he stressed that vaccination had reduced the aggravation of illness.

On top of that, he called on the people that "a strategy to coexist with the new coronavirus must be promoted" without performing so-called "lockdown" that could severely restrict economic activities.

Regarding the new coronavirus, many governments were under pressure to steer the difficult leadership to balance between the spread of infection and the maintenance of economic activity.

              So, Singapore government is calling on the public to coexist with the new coronavirus so as to avoid imposing strict restrictions on economic activities etc. It seems that this is the most popular choice among most governments globally except mainland China and Hong Kong.

US research - Excessive death during a pandemic – with huge racial bias

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

パンデミック下の超過死亡、人種に大きな偏り　米研究

2021.10.05 Tue posted at 14:58 JST

（ＣＮＮ） 米国で新型コロナウイルス感染が拡大した昨年３～１２月の死者が黒人や先住民、中南米系に大きく偏っていたことが、平年と比べて死者がどのくらい多かったかを示す「超過死亡」のデータから明らかになった。米国立がん研究所（ＮＣＩ）主導の研究チームが、米内科の機関誌「ＡＩＭ」に発表した。

研究チームは米疾病対策センター（ＣＤＣ）による死亡診断書のデータと米国勢調査局の人口推計に基づき、人種や民族、性別、年齢と死因別の超過死亡者数を２０１９年の同じ時期と比較した。

発表によると、昨年３～１２月に米国内で報告された死者は推計２８８万人。超過死亡者は４７万７２００人で、このうち７４％の死因が新型コロナ感染だった。

年齢調整後の１０万人あたりの超過死亡は、黒人と先住民、中南米系の男女が白人、アジア人男女の２倍を超えていた。

新型コロナ感染以外による１０万人あたりの超過死亡は、黒人と先住民のグループで白人の３～４倍、中南米系で２倍近くに及んだ。届け出上の死因には糖尿病、心臓病、脳卒中、アルツハイマー病などが含まれる。

チームを率いたＮＣＩの研究者は、パンデミック下での受診が不安で見送ったケースと、新型コロナ感染で死亡したが届け出が間違っていたケースが大半を占めるとの見方を示した。

同研究者は、新型コロナの死者数だけに注目すればパンデミックによる真の影響を過小評価することになると指摘。新たなデータは、長年にわたる人種間の格差を浮き彫りにしていると述べた。

Translation

(CNN) It became clear from the “excess death” data on the death toll from March to December last year when the new coronavirus infection spread in the United States, compared to normal years, that there was a large biased toward blacks, indigenous peoples, and Latin Americans. A research team led by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) published this in the US internal medicine journal "AIM".

The research team compared the number of exceptionally excessive deaths by types under race, ethnicity, gender, age, and the cause of death with the same period in 2019, based on death certificate data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and population estimates from the US Census Bureau.

According to the announcement, an estimated 2.88 million deaths were reported in the United States from March to December last year. The excess death toll was 477,200, of which 74% were caused by the new coronavirus infection.

After adjusting the age, regarding the excess mortality per 100,000 people, the blacks, indigenous peoples, and Latin American men and women were more than double the whites and Asians.

For excessive deaths per 100,000 people due to non-coronavirus infections, the black and indigenous groups were three to four times higher than whites, and those of Latin American descent nearly double. Reported causes of death include diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease.

NCI researchers who led the team said that the majority of cases were not seeing a doctor under a pandemic due to worries, and the cases died of a new corona infection but were being misreported.

The researchers said that just focusing solely on the death toll of the new Corona would underestimate the true impact of the pandemic. It was said that the new data highlighted the long-standing racial disparities.

              So, regarding the excess mortality, the blacks, indigenous peoples, and Latin American men and women have been more than double the whites and Asians. This highlights the long-standing racial disparities in the US.

Note: Excess mortality, or excess death (超過死亡) is the actual number of deaths that exceeds the expected number of deaths calculated by using vital statistics, it is a situation where more people have died than expected. It is an idea of using the degree of excess death as an index to measure the magnitude of an epidemic.

馬來西亞抗議中國船隻進入其水域

Recently Yahoo News on-line reported the following:

Malaysia protests presence of Chinese vessels in its waters

Mon., October 4, 2021, 6:34 p.m.

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia summoned the Chinese ambassador to Kuala Lumpur on Monday to express its protest against the "encroachment" into its waters by Beijing's vessels, the foreign ministry said.

The protest was over the "presence and activities" of Chinese vessels, including a survey vessel, in Malaysia's Exclusive Economic Zone off the coasts of the eastern states of Sabah and Sarawak, the ministry said in a statement on Monday.

It did not say when the vessels were detected in Malaysian waters.

"Malaysia's consistent position and actions are based on international law, in defence of our sovereignty and sovereign rights in our waters," the foreign ministry said.

The Chinese embassy in Kuala Lumpur did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last week, media reported that a Chinese survey vessel was in Malaysian waters off the coast of Sabah, near a vessel commissioned by Malaysian state energy firm Petronas.

Malaysia's foreign ministry also said that all matters related to the South China Sea must be resolved peacefully and constructively.

"In determining Malaysia's position and course of action with regard to the South China Sea issue, which is complex and involves inter-State relations, Malaysia's national interests will remain of paramount importance," it said.

China claims almost all of the energy-rich South China Sea, through which about $3 trillion worth of ship-borne trade passes annually.

Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have overlapping claims.

The Philippines and Vietnam have accused China of harassing fishermen and energy activities in South China Sea waters.

(Reporting by A. Ananthalakshmi and Rozanna Latiff; Editing by Himani Sarkar)

Translation

吉隆坡（路透社）- 外交部表示，馬來西亞週一召見了中國駐吉隆坡大使，以表達對北京船隻“侵入”其水域的抗議。

該部周一在一份聲明中表示，抗議是針對包括一艘調查船在內的中國船隻在東部沙巴州和砂拉越州沿海的馬來西亞專屬經濟區的“出現和活動”。

它沒有說明何時在馬來西亞水域發現這些船隻。

外交部表示：“馬來西亞的一貫立場和行動基於國際法，以捍衛我們的主權和在我們水域的主權權利。”

中國駐吉隆坡大使館沒有立即回應置評請求。

上週，媒體報導說，一艘中國調查船在沙巴海岸附近的馬來西亞水域，靠近馬來西亞國家能源公司委託的Petronas的一艘船。

馬來西亞外交部還表示，所有與南海有關的問題都必須和平、建設性地解決。

它說, “在確定馬來西亞在復雜且涉及國家間關係的南海問題上的立場和行動方針時，馬來西亞的國家利益仍將是最重要的”。

中國對能源豐富的南海聲稱擁有幾乎所有主權，每年約有値3 萬億美元的船載貿易通過該海域。

中國主權擁有主張同馬來西亞、文萊、菲律賓、台灣和越南有重疊。

菲律賓和越南指責中國在南海海域騷擾漁民和能源活動。

               So, Malaysia protests against the "encroachment" by Chinese vessels into its waters. It seems that it was a Chinese survey vessel this time and not fishing boats.

儘管價格創歷史新高，但中國買家仍尋求增加冬季液化天然氣進口

Recently Yahoo News on-line reported the following:

Chinese buyers seek to boost LNG imports for winter despite record prices

Fri., October 1, 2021, 12:15 a.m.

By Jessica Jaganathan

SINGAPORE, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Chinese buyers are seeking more liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes despite record prices, bidding above market rates as the winter season starts with the country's gas inventory low, several trade sources told Reuters.

China, which has this year overtaken Japan as the world's top buyer of the super-chilled fuel, is grappling with its worst power outages in years in the northeast, triggered by coal shortages.

This in turn is pushing up demand for natural gas in power generation as Beijing orders energy and power companies to ensure sufficient supplies to avoid outages during winter when heating supply is crucial, the sources said.

"Chinese buyers have been asking and buying cargoes for winter and have been indicating prices at above market rates," a Singapore-based LNG trader said.

"In this market, there is no choice except to pay up to secure cargoes."

Spot Asian LNG prices surged to a record high of $34.47 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) on Thursday, up more than 500% from the same period last year.

Typically, when spot prices surge, price-sensitive Chinese buyers would shun buying from spot market. But last week, Unipec, the trading arm of China's Sinopec, sought 11 LNG cargoes for winter and likely bought more than it required, traders said.

The state energy firm said on Thursday that it planned to import 13.3 billion cubic metres (bcm) of LNG this winter - about 9% higher than imports last winter - to operate its existing terminals at full capacity, and accelerate adding gas storage by the end of October.

Other Chinese majors including China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) and PetroChina are also seeking cargoes to be delivered in winter, several trade sources said.

Gas inventory in China is at below average levels at some terminals, one trader said, citing private industry data, which is also stoking fears of further supply crunch within China.

However, the sharp spike in prices is keeping second-tier gas importers - which are mostly city-gas firms - at bay, the traders added.

With international gas prices currently about double domestic ones, these firms risk making huge losses when they sell to domestic consumers, they said.

To mitigate losses, China's finance ministry said on Thursday it will speed up approvals for value-added tax rebates on natural gas imports, to help boost winter energy supplies.

The potential financial risk could also be driving Chinese state majors to step up and procure cargoes to ensure there is enough supply during winter and ahead of the Winter Olympics to be held in February, they added.

CNOOC earlier this week signed a long-term deal with Qatar Petroleum, with supplies expected to start in January, which may also help meet demand.

Spot prices started surging during summer in the northern hemisphere amid hot weather and competition from Europe for LNG as gas inflows to the region slowed due to maintenance.

Buyers in Asia, including China, had kept purchases at a minimum hoping prices would drop in the off-peak season of September-October, but that never happened.

"China definitely does not have enough gas for winter. The question is whether this is going to cause demand destruction in the form of more power cuts," a Singapore-based trader said.

Translation

(路透新) 加坡 10 月 1 日 - 幾位貿易消息人士告訴路透，隨著冬季開始，及中國天然氣庫存較低, 所以儘管價格創紀錄, 中國買家仍出價高於市場價格, 在尋求更多液化天然氣 (LNG) 。

中國今年已超過日本成為世界上超級冷凍燃料的最大買家，但由於煤炭短缺引發了東北地區多年來最嚴重停電問題, 正在努力應對。

消息人士稱，這反過來又推高了對天然氣發電的需求，因為北京要求能源和電力公司確保充足的供應，以避免在供暖至關重要的冬季停電。

一位新加坡液化天然氣貿易商表示,“中國買家一直在詢問和購貨買給冬季使用，並一直標示出價高於市場的價格” 。

“在這個市場上，除了付款以保證貨物之外別無選擇。”

亞洲液化天然氣現貨價格週四飆升至每百萬英熱單位 (mmBtu) 34.47 美元的歷史新高，較去年同期上漲 500% 以上。

通常，當現貨價格飆升時，對價格敏感的中國買家會避免從現貨市場購買。但交易商稱，上週，中國石化的貿易部門聯合石化Unipec尋求 11 批冬季 LNG 船貨，而且採購量可能超出了必須要求。

這家國家能源公司週四表示，計劃在今年冬天進口 133 億立方米 (bcm) 的液化天然氣 - 比去年冬天的進口量高出約 9% - 以用盡行其現有港口負荷，並在十月底前加速增加天然氣儲存。

幾位貿易消息人士稱，包括中國海洋石油總公司 (CNOOC) 和中石油在內的其他中國大型石油公司也在尋求冬季交付的貨物。

一位貿易商援引私營行業數據稱，中國一些碼頭的天然氣庫存低於平均水平，這也引發了中國對進一步供應緊縮的擔憂。

然而，交易員補充說，價格的急劇飆升使二線天然氣進口商 - 主要是城市燃氣公司 - 望而卻步。

他們說，由於國際天然氣價格目前約為國內價格的兩倍，這些公司在向國內消費者出售天然氣時,可能會蒙受巨大損失。

為減輕損失，中國財政部周四表示，將加快批准天然氣進口增值稅退稅，以幫助增加冬季能源供應。

他們補充說，潛在的財務風險也可能促使中國國有大型企業加緊採購貨物，以確保在冬季和 2 月舉行的冬奧會之前有足夠的供應。

中海油本週早些時候與卡塔爾石油公司簽署了一項長期協議，預計將於 1 月開始供應，這也可能有助於滿足需求。

在炎熱的北半球的夏季天氣裡, 歐洲對液化天然氣的競爭購中, 及因為保養維修，輸入該地區的天然氣放緩, 現貨價格亦開始飆升。

包括中國在內的亞洲買家通常將採購量保持在最低水平，希望在 9 月至 10 月的淡季期間價格會下降，但這沒有發生。

一位新加坡貿易商表示 ,“中國絕對沒有足夠的冬天用氣。問題是它是否會以更多停電的形式去打退需求” 。

So, China this year has overtaken Japan as the world's top buyer of the super-chilled fuel. It is grappling with its worst power outages in years in the northeast that is triggered by coal shortages. I am interested in knowing how China will handle the situation in the long run.

美國計劃在拉丁美洲開展項目以對抗中國的“一帶一路”

Recently Yahoo New on-line reported the following:

U.S. plans projects in Latin America countering China's Belt and Road

Mon., September 27, 2021, 2:00 a.m.

By Trevor Hunnicutt

WASHINGTON, Sept 27 (Reuters) - U.S. officials are set to tour Latin America this week to scout infrastructure projects as they prepare a counter to Chinese President Xi Jinping's multi-trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative.

A delegation of diplomatic and development officials led by President Joe Biden's Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh is in Colombia, where they plan to meet President Ivan Duque, before stops later in the week to Ecuador and Panama, U.S. officials said.

The group is tasked with turning Build Back Better World (B3W), the international infrastructure investment initiative announced by the Group of Seven richest democracies in June, into reality. It's the first of several planned "listening tours."

In addition to meeting with Duque, Ecuadorean President Guillermo Lasso, and Panamanian officials, the trip will allow U.S. officials to speak with the private sector, civil society and "traditionally marginalized groups," officials said.

The program is focused on areas including climate, health, digital technology and gender equality, officials have said.

A formal U.S. B3W launch event is planned for early next year that will include details of some initial projects aimed at narrowing the $40 trillion needed by developing nations by 2035, according to a senior Biden administration official. It is not yet decided how much capital the program will ultimately allocate.

In just over a month, U.S. officials also plan to huddle with allies at the Group of 20 rich countries and COP26 climate change conferences in Europe, which China is also set to attend. Conversations will continue at Biden's planned Summit for Democracy in December.

China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which Xi launched in 2013, involves development and investment initiatives stretching worldwide. More than 100 countries have signed agreements with China to cooperate in BRI projects like railways, ports and highways.

"Very few of the projects make economic sense and they often have very poor labor and environmental standards," the Biden administration official said. (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Sam Holmes)

Translation

路透華盛頓9月27日 - 美國官員本週將前往拉丁美洲考察基礎設施項目，以應對中國國家主席習近平耗資數万億美元的“一帶一路”倡議。

美國官員說，由喬·拜登總統的副國家安全顧問Daleep Sing率領的外交和發展官員代表團正在哥倫比亞與總統Ivan Duque會面，然後在本週晚些時候前往厄瓜多爾和巴拿馬。

該小組的任務是將七國集團最富有的民主國家, 在 6 月所宣布的國際基礎設施投資倡議“重建更美好的世界”(B3W) 變為現實。這是計劃裡幾次“聆聽之旅”中的第一次。

官員們說，除了會見Duque、厄瓜多爾總統Guillermo Lass和巴拿馬官員外，這次訪問還將讓美國官員與私營部門、民間社會和“傳統邊緣化群體”交談。

官員們表示，該計劃側重於氣候、健康、數字技術和性別平等等領域。

拜登政府一位高級官員表示，美國計劃於明年初舉行正式的 B3W 啟動活動，其中將包括一些旨在到 2035 年縮小發展中國家所需的 40 萬億美元的初始項目的細節。目前尚未決定該計劃將最終需要分配多少資金。

在短短一個多月後，美國官員還計劃在 20 國集團和歐洲 COP26 氣候變化會議上與盟友擠在一起，中國也將參加。對話將繼續於拜登計劃中在 12 月舉行的民主峰會上進行。

習近平於2013年提出的“一帶一路”倡議涉及全球範圍內的發展和投資倡議，已有100多個國家與中國簽署了在鐵路、港口和公路等“一帶一路”項目上合作的協議。

拜登政府官員說：“那些項目很少具有經濟意義，而且它們的功夫和環境標准通常很差。”

       So, the Americana will send out a group that is tasked with turning Build Back Better World (B3W) into reality. It is an international infrastructure investment initiative announced by the Group of Seven. Let’s wait and see how this project will be played out.