Delta Variant Was Detected in All Four Family

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CENTRAL, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CHINA ORDERS MASS LAWMAKER NG KUOK CHEONG REJECT US COMMENTS ON MACAU CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO ELECTION FOR DISQUALIFYING TESTING IN WUHAN AS POSTPONE GAMING CONCESSIONS PRO-DEMOCRACY CANDIDATES COVID CONTAGION SPREADS TENDER FOR TWO YEARS P5 P6 P4

Afghanistan The Taliban pressed ahead with their advances in southern Afghanistan yesterday, capturing nine out of 10 districts of the Helmand provincial capital, residents and officials said. Afghan government forces launched airstrikes, backed by the U.S., in a desperate effort to defend the city of Lashkar Gah. The fall of Lashkar Gah would be a major turning point in DELTA the offensive the Taliban have waged over the past months as U.S. and NATO forces complete their pullout from the war-torn country.

Iraq Over 17,000 looted ancient artefacts recovered from the United OUTBREAKDelta variant was detected in all four family members States and other countries were handed over to Iraq’s that tested positive for Covid-19, creating alarm Culture Ministry yesterday, a restitution described by in the city; the gov’t declared state of ‘immediate the government as the largest in the country’s prevention’ and locked down the neighborhood where history. The majority of P2-3 the artefacts date back the infected live; citywide tests starts today 4,000 years to ancient Mesopotamia and were recovered from the U.S. in a recent trip by Prime Minister Mustafa al- Kadhimi. AP PHOTO

Iran’s supreme leader officially endorsed his hard- line protégé as the nation’s next president yesterday, just two days ahead of the inauguration of Ebrahim Raisi at a sensitive time for Iran and the wider Middle East. The country is reeling from crushing U.S. sanctions that have devastated the economy, led to the crash of the Iranian riyal and hit ordinary Iranians hard.

Israel’s Supreme Court has floated compromises that would block the evictions of dozens of Palestinians in the east Jerusalem of Sheikh Jarrah, where attempts by Jewish settlers to expel them from their homes helped spark an 11-day war between Israel and Gaza militants in May. The cases examined Monday involve four Palestinian families, numbering a total of about 70 people.

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MACAU’S LEADING NEWSPAPER Health system strong enough to tackle current cases: Alvis Lo HONEY TSANG INÊS LEI S of 3 p.m. yesterday, Ma- cau entered “immediate prevention status” soon after the government re- portedA that a family of four locals tested positive in the afternoon. Given the cases, the government proclaimed that Macau is now facing an “extremely high” contagion risk within the local community. To prevent the spread of Co- vid-19 in Macau, a set of mandates has been enforced, including the requirement for all people leaving Macau to present proof of a negative Covid-19 test result conducted within the 24 hours since yesterday afternoon and the classification of the residential building inhabited by the family as a “red-code zone.” The officials have cordoned off the building. No residents are permitted to leave the area until they test negative for Covid-19 or until further notice. They will also have their health code changed from green to red. It is suspected that the daughter of the family was the source of the group’s infection, Leong Iek Hou, zed by Hou Kong Middle School on nal Airport, director of the Health On July 28, the son of the family pectively. All four family members coordinator at the Center for Di- July 19. Bureau (SSM) Alvis Lo said. developed a fever, and found him- have tested positive for Covid-19. sease Control and Prevention sta- It was found that the flight she The daughter developed symp- self losing his sense of taste and The SSM identified the daugh- ted in yesterday’s Covid-19 media took was associated with the two toms, such as coughing and loss of smell the next day. ter as an imported case, whilst the briefing. confirmed cases reported earlier in taste and smell, on July 22 in Xi’an, It appears that the virus had other three family members as ca- The daughter went to Xi’an from Zhuhai and Zhongshan, with both but had not sought medical treat- been transmitted to their parents, ses associated with the imported Zhuhai via flight CZ3761, together cases found to be connected with ment. She went to Zhuhai from Xi’an the 51-year-old father and 43-year- case. with 29 other members, to engage the mainland’s new Covid-19 epi- via flight CZ 3762 and returned to -old mother, who developed similar The father works as a driver for in dance-related activities organi- center at Nanjing Lukou Internatio- Macau on the same day: July 25. symptoms on August 1 and 2 res- the Health Bureau, mostly working

Demand for agriculture products increases due to Covid-19

HONEY TSANG gsu province, inked a long- from Changzhou into Ma- term cooperation agree- cau, Tai Fung’s CEO con- OCAL demand for agri- ment which will usher in a firmed that as of now, the Lculture products has direct supply chain of ‘Cui- impact is not significant increased during the pan- guan’ pears cultivated from as the pandemic situation demic, as more locals are Changzhou’s Jiaoxi Village in Changzhou is conside- less inclined to cross the to Macau. In the first phase red less severe than that in border and purchase fresh of this agreement, Tai Fung Nanjing. produce in the mainland, is set to receive a total of Besides, mainland go- the CEO of the Tai Fung six tons of the pears from vernments have long Supermarket chain stated Changzhou. adopted stringent control on the sidelines of a recent The collaboration will measures on their agricul- event. help save around 10% of tural products, he said. The supermarket group previous costs, which used The signing ceremony registered an increase of to go to intermediaries. As was also attended by an nearly 20% in sales of agri- such, locals can purchase official from Changzhou, cultural products during the fruit at a lower cost. who reaffirmed his com- the pandemic, the CEO When asked if the recent mitment to the agree- said. resurgence of Covid-19 wi- ment to better promote On August 2, Tai Fung thin Jiangsu province will Tianning’s quality fresh and Tianning District of affect the supply of agri- produce to Macau’s resi- Residents flock to supermarkets following the government’s announcement of new Covid cases in Macau Changzhou, a city in Jian- cultural goods shipped dents.

www.macaudailytimes.com.mo DIRECTOR & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF_Paulo Coutinho [email protected] A MACAU TIMES PUBLICATIONS LTD PUBLICATION ASSISTANT EDITOR_Lynzy Valles SENIOR WRITER_Honey Tsang CONTRIBUTING EDITORS_Leanda Lee, Severo Portela, Sheyla Zandonai ADMINISTRATOR & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Kowie Geldenhuys [email protected] NEWSROOM AND CONTRIBUTORS_Albano Martins, Annabel Jackson, Anthony Lam, Emilie Tran, Irene OFFICE MANAGER Juliana Cheang [email protected] REACHING OUT! Sam, Ivo Carneiro de Sousa, Jacky I.F. Cheong, Jenny Lao-Phillips, João Palla Martins, Joseph Cheung, ADDRESS Av. da Praia Grande, 599, Edif. Comercial Rodrigues, 12 Floor C, Juliet Risdon, Linda Kennedy, Paulo Cordeiro de Sousa, Renato Marques, Richard Whitfield, Viviana Seguí MACAU SAR Telephones: +853 287 160 81/2 Fax: +853 287 160 84 DESIGNERS_Eva Bucho, Miguel Bandeira | ASSOCIATE CONTRIBUTORS_JML Property, MdME Lawyers, Advertisement [email protected] +20,500 PokerStars, Ruan Du Toit Bester | NEWS AGENCIES_ Associated Press, MacauHub, MacauNews, Xinhua For subscription and general issues: [email protected] | Printed at Welfare Printing Ltd Like us on facebook.com/mdtimes SECRETARY_Yang Dongxiao [email protected] send newsworthy information and press releases to: [email protected] website: www.macaudailytimes.com.mo www.macaudailytimes.com.mo page 3 wed 04.08.2021 澳門 MACAU

MACAU’S LEADING NEWSPAPER

The daughter claimed that she only rios since last year. had mild symptoms and no fever at Even if there are positive cases the time, and recovered on July 27. found among the close contacts of Although the parents are vacci- the family, the capacity of the local Health system strong enough to tackle current cases: Alvis Lo nated, the officials did not specify health care system is still sufficient which vaccine they received, while to accommodate the new cases, he their two children are yet to be vac- said. cinated. The Public Security Police Force OTHER REGULATIONS

CHAN KA CHON has begun reaching out to 29 mem- Given the severity of the cur- bers of Hou Kong Dance Group and rent situation, the government has arranging Covid-19 and serology again designated two hotels, Me- tests for them at the Pac On Co- tropole Hotel and Sheraton Grand vid-19 test station. Macao, as quarantine facilities to- As of last night, 18 members of day and tomorrow, which will offer the troupe tested negative after the 112 and 2,000 hotel rooms, respec- nucleic acid test. They are, however, tively. under medical observation. A local water tour as part of the The authorities call on anyone MGTO’s domestic travel scheme who took the same flights as the “Stay, Dine and See Macao,” which daughter (CZ3761 and CZ3762) to was originally scheduled to set sail report themselves to the SSM. yesterday night, was also canceled. Hordes of people flocked to su- FAMILY’S WHEREABOUTS permarkets to purchase supplies Health officials have published since the announcement. The au- the itineraries of the family over the thorities urged the public not to past few days. The family were at stockpile goods as local food su- Federal Restaurant on July 25 from pplies are still adequate. 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and at Ah Ga Res- Since the government annou- taurant from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on nced that all people must present July 27. negative Covid-19 test results ob- Their son stayed at home most tained within 24 hours upon de- of the time but went to Wong Ieng parture, many commuters flooded Kuan Library in Luís de Camões to the control points, queuing at Garden on July 26 from 1 p.m. to 3 nearby Covid-19 test stations in or- p.m. The daughter claimed that af- der to cross the border. ter returning to Macau she has not Since yesterday, the Municipal at the Seac Pai Van Clinic and Co- derwent Covid-19 testing at the symptoms to seek medical atten- gone out, except to dine out on the Affairs Bureau (IAM) has deployed loane Health Clinic, while the mo- same time as the parents in Zhuhai tion and be tested for Covid-19 as two occasions with the family. great resources to carry out large- ther works in a fruit stall at Rua da as close contacts of the family. The soon as possible. -scale disinfection works in cer- Emenda. government is arranging Covid-19 When asked why the daughter CONFIDENCE IN tain high-risk areas, such as the The government identified 29 tests for these individuals. was permitted to enter Macau even HEALTH SYSTEM family’s workplace and residential other members of Hou Kong Dance Henceforth, the city’s five Co- after developing symptoms, Leong Alvis Lo stated that the SSM has buildings. Group, three other staff members vid-19 test centers will operate on said that the government is investi- made plans, which have been par- Many offline government events in the fruit stall where the mother a 24-hour basis. The government gating whether she truthfully decla- tially enacted, to increase medical have also been suspended following worked, and six others who un- calls on all residents who display red her health status upon arrival. resources for the worst-case scena- the discovery of the four new cases.

the public hospital them- COVID-19 selves to take the polyme- rase chain reaction (PCR) test. Delta variant confirmed in four new cases The authorities have previously announced ANTHONY LAM of the mother, and Avenida when the lockdown com- that the daughter was on de Horta e Costa has also menced, meaning that a school excursion with HE four new Covid-19 been identified as the Red their secretion samples 29 other individuals. Lei

Tpatients in the city have CHAN KA CHON Zone. were not taken. revealed that the authori- contracted the Delta strain Dr Lei Wai Seng, medi- He said that the autho- ties managed to trace back of the coronavirus, the No- cal director of the public rities will wait for them to 18 of them. They have all vel Coronavirus Response Conde de São Januário return home and if they been tested negative for and Coordination Center Hospital, admitted that do not, the authorities will the virus. announced last night. an unconfirmed number consider other strategies. The remaining 11 have A recent New York Ti- of residents from 11 hou- He added that some of the- left Macau prior to the on- mes news report cited an seholds were not at home se individuals have gone to set of the family. internal document of the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, saying that the strain is “as Citywide PCR test commences contagious as chickenpox.” are identified as either Red affected residents. As far as information avai- Zone or Yellow Zone. In addition to that, the ATE last night, the Novel Coronavirus tion points and 14 in Taipa and Cotai. lable, the strain is the most Mei Lin Building, in whi- five other buildings loca- LResponse and Coordination Center Arrangement details will be announ- contagious among all SAR- ch the four patients live, ted in the cordoned area, announced that citywide PCR test would ced in due course, the authorities added. S-CoV-2 variants. alongside the two buildin- namely Lin Seng Building, commence at 9 a.m. today. There will be The five existing sample collection In response to the new gs adjacent to it, has been Chun Cheong Building, Wo 41 sample collection points across the points will remain in service with 24-hour infections recorded, the au- identified as the Red Zone. Heng Building, Wa Keong city, which will operate 24 hours a day. daily operations. thorities have cordoned off Residents are not allowed Building and Kin Keong The authority expects to conclude the The authorities also remind members part of the Rua de Coelho to leave the building until Building, are identified as operation in three days. of the public that the city is now in the “sta- do Amaral as a tactic in the the Health Bureau consi- the Yellow Zone. Residents The sample collection points mainly te of immediate prevention, which crimi- Precise Epidemic Control ders appropriate. in the Yellow Zone will be fall in schools and activity centers of local nalizes the spreading of rumors. As such, Scheme. To facilitate the lock- tested for the virus at a later associations. Certain gambling conces- members of the public are discouraged Eight buildings, down, the Municipal Affairs date. sionaires will also make inputs in leading from spreading unverified information, meanwhile, located wi- Bureau has distributed two The area between Wing out part of their properties for the opera- but encouraged to rely on the centralized thin the cordoned area, days of food supplies to the Fat Building, the workplace tion. Macau Peninsula will have 27 collec- announcement by the government. AL page 4 www.macaudailytimes.com.mo MACAU 澳門 04.08.2021 wed

MACAU’S LEADING NEWSPAPER

27 bids for complex’s renovation Ng Kuok Cheong calls on gov’t project to postpone gaming concessions The Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT) has received 27 bids for tender for two years the planned renovation of the office areas at the RENATO MARQUES Ella Lei provided an example China-Portuguese-speaking from the Food and Beverage sec- Countries Commercial and AWMAKER Ng Kuok Cheong tor, where she noted, “It is very Trade Service Platform Lhas again called on the govern- important for the concessionai- Complex. The project is ment to postpone the public ten- MARQUES RENATO res but there are no opportuni- scheduled to commence in der for the new gaming licenses ties for these workers to have a the third quarter this year that are due to expire in June 2022. career promotion [in this sector]. and be completed within In a spoken inquiry delivered We know that there are a lot of 150 days. It is also expected yesterday at the Legislative As- managers and supervisors who to create 70 jobs. The sembly (AL), Ng reaffirmed the are non-resident workers and, in renovations will not affect need for the government to pos- most cases, this makes no sen- the exhibition hosted at the se.” She called on the DSAL to complex. tpone the licensing tender until the economic situation in Macau be more attentive and provide improves. The lawmaker, who has clearer information, rather than Ferry route raised several questions on this reporting generalized statistics suspended topic in the past, urged the gover- that may not reflect the human after strong nment to postpone the date for at realities of individual situations. wind signal least two more years. This request Like Ng and Au Kam San befo- announced was made on the second day of re her, Lei also called for a larger a plenary session dedicated to allocation of the profits of the ca- The Marine and Water Bureau questions answered by the gover- sinos towards “socially relevant (DSAMA) has temporarily nment on a range of topics. projects.” suspended the ferry route A response from the govern- work for the new licenses bid, na- ging the government to ensure Lawmaker Davis Fong dissen- between the Outer Harbour ment was made by the director of mely preparing amendments to that the rules that prescribe a ratio ted, presenting a viewpoint in fa- Ferry Terminal and Zhuhai the Gaming Inspection and Coor- the gaming industry legal regime. of 85% of residents are followed vor of the gaming concessionai- Jiuzhou Port yesterday dination Bureau (DICJ), Adria- Ho reaffirmed that the gover- and, calling this ceiling to be rai- res by calling for less pressure on after a strong wind warning no Ho, who did not definitively nment will consider perspectives sed up to 90%. the casinos. was issued. The bureau confirm whether the government from lawmakers and industry in For Ng, it is essential to call for “What is on the line here is urged the maritime industry, would consider such a possibility. establishing the new regime, whi- a higher percentage by default, “so size. The DSAL director mentio- operators of terminals in the The Secretary for Economy and ch he said will require the gaming we don’t see a regression in the fu- ned that there are already over inner harbor and members Finance, Lei Wai Nong, was noted concessionaires “to perform a role ture,” he said. 100,000 workers in the conces- of the public prepare for a as absent. with greater social responsibility.” According to figures quoted sionaires. What happens now is potential typhoon. Those Instead, Ho said that the gover- In response, Ng said, “It seems by the director of the Labour Af- that we can’t predict what will planning to use maritime nment was focusing on improve- that the government has not yet fairs Bureau (DSAL), until June happen. We can’t know the size transport are advised to pay ments to the legal framework that made any decision on this mat- this year, there were 105,000 local [of the gaming industry] in the close attention to weather regulates the gaming industry, ai- ter,” adding, “I hope that, at least, workers within the gaming con- future. Not having this prospec- conditions and changes to tive data, we can’t predict how ferry routes. “As it is summer ming to “strengthen supervision, these works can be well organized cessionaires, accounting for 77% vacation now, there should promote the development of ga- and planned and that the govern- of the total. many workers this sector can be more beach users, but ming and non-gaming elements, ment does not insist on opening Lawmaker Leong Sun Iok no- take,” he said. as the wind and waves have and create favorable conditions the tender in a time of economic ted that the 85% ratio is very far He also expressed that it is not gradually become stronger, for the continuous and healthy recession.” from being fulfilled across several possible to know whether the ga- Hac Sa Beach and Cheoc Van development of the gaming in- In the same inquiry, Ng also ur- positions. ming industry in Macau will ever Beach have changed their dustry.” ged the government to pay special “We need to find ways to ensure recover to historical highs. flags to yellow and red flags The DICJ director also re- attention to the ratio of resident that this proportion is achieved in The DICJ reaffirmed that the respectively,” the DSAMA marked that the government is workers who are working within all areas and not just in croupiers government will present the draft stated. currently carrying out preliminary the gaming concessionaires, ur- and directors’ posts,” he added. for public consultation this year.

Central Library discussed at AL, flyover to be considered

RENATO MARQUES The vice president of solutions would be avai- government to ensure IC, Deland Leong, added lable for other facilities that the project moves N the initiative of that the IC is now consi- that were originally in- forward without delay Olawmaker Wong Kit dering including an ac- tended to be included or exceeding the budget, Cheng, an inquiry was cess flyover (not conside- in the now-abandoned lawmaker Mak Soi Kun put to the government red in the original plans) Youth Activity Center had a very different opi- concerning the Central to improve accessibility project. This project was nion. Library project, noting to the new library. abandoned with the de- Mak said that the IC concerns regarding the “IC did not originally cision to relocate the new should “communicate price, timing for cons- consider the flyover to Central Library from the with the Land and Public truction, and accessibility improve access to the Old Court Building to the Works Bureau and consi- planning. new library. But we now former Estoril Hotel land der starting construction At the Legislative As- are considering the possi- plot at Tap Seac Square. of the new Central Library sembly (AL) session yes- bility of integrating such a According to Mok, so- at a later stage.” terday, the director of the structure in the project to lutions are being consi- The lawmaker fears Cultural Affairs Bureau ensure safety for citizens dered for such schools, that there will be too (IC), Mok Ian Ian, said while crossing the road,” saying that the construc- many ongoing public that the government is Leong said in response tion of the facilities in works projects in progress paying attention to the to several questions from “other land spaces” is the at the same time, poten- project’s development as lawmakers. most likely solution. tially resulting in a shor- well as public opinion ga- Lawmaker Sulu Sou While the majority of tage of manpower within thered thus far. wanted to know what the lawmakers urged the the construction sector. www.macaudailytimes.com.mo page 5 wed 04.08.2021 澳門 MACAU

MACAU’S LEADING NEWSPAPER

ELECTIONS 2021 CAEAL draws National, SAR gov’ts reject US for ballot positions, comments on Macau election discourages OTH mainland Chi- nese and local autho- ‘white ballots’ rities have denoun- HE Legislative Assembly Electoral Affairs ced the remarks by TCommission (CAEAL) conducted a draw BUS State Department Spokes- yesterday to determine the order of candidate person Edward Price on the lists in the upcoming parliamentary election, disqualification of 21 indivi- while at the same time expressing disapproval duals from the upcoming par- of the practice of casting “white ballots.” liamentary election. Now that the order of the 14 lists has been The Legislative Assembly determined, the election has entered the cam- Election is set to take place on paign-free period, meaning that no campaign September 12. rallies may be conducted. The campaign-free The Legislative Assembly period will end on August 28. Electoral Affairs Commission The CAEAL previously disqualified 21 in- (CAEAL) has disqualified 21 dividuals across six different lists from the individuals from the original election. Certain members of the public were 20 candidate lists. On Mon- unhappy with the decision and pledged to cast day, CAEAL announced it has blank votes to express their dissatisfaction. accepted 14 lists, of which 128 President of the CAEAL, Tong Hio Fong, candidates will run for 14 sea- “The decision of the son reiterated, “We deplore pledging allegiance to the SAR said that the commission disapproves of any ts in the direct election consti- [CAEAL] to exclude some in- and reject it that relevant si- are the legal requirements for “actions that intentionally or unintentionally tuency. dividuals from the upcoming des, in grave violation of inter- members of the Legislative disturb the electoral procedures.” He, howe- “The Macau Special Ad- election has its basis in a national law and basic norms Assembly.” ver, added that voters are free to make their ministrative Region (MSAR) power vested with the Com- governing international re- Last week, the EU issued a own choice. Government resolutely rejects mission under the Legislative lations, have time and again brief statement to comment Despite a smaller number of lists being ac- remarks made recently by a Assembly Election Law. This made wanton comments on on the CAEAL’s decision. Pri- cepted, the budget and arrangements for the spokesperson for the United decision has been confirmed the affairs of China’s Hong ce tweeted his remarks, citing election will remain largely unchanged, the States Department of State, in a ruling by the Court of Fi- Kong and Macau SARs.” the EU statement and saying CAEAL head said, adding that “money that concerning the Legislative As- nal Appeal of the MSAR,” it The national authority ad- that “the U.S. stands with the ought to be spent shall be spent.” sembly Election of the MSAR,” added. ded that “supporting the Basic European Union in opposing The order of the lists has been posted at the local government said in a Meanwhile, the Chinese Law of the MSAR of the Peo- Macau’s disqualification of 21 the Public Administration Building and on the statement. Foreign Ministry Spokesper- ple’s Republic of China and legislative candidates.”AL CAEAL website. AL ad LRT sees record daily passenger high of 2,600 in July HONEY TSANG

HE average number Tof daily passengers of the Taipa Line of the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) has reached a record high – to- taling 2,600 in July — since it began collecting tolls in February 2020, the operator Macao Light Rapid Transit Corporation revealed yesterday. The July tally represents an increase of 900 when compared to the 1,700 of operation in December Several lawmakers in- recorded in the previous 2019, followed by 16,000 in cluding Agnes Lam and Au month, and an rise of January 2020. Kam San suggested that 36.8% year-on-year. Immediately after it the government consider The Taipa Line com- started charging passen- other ways to reduce los- menced a trial operation gers, the average daily pas- ses, such as reducing the on December 10, 2019. senger number plunged to frequency of LRT services, The operator initially 1,100 in February last year, especially during the eve- planned to offer free rides dropping by a remarkable ning and off-peak hours. for all passengers until De- 14,900. Ever since, the ave- In response, Secretary cember 31, 2019, but the rage daily passenger num- for Transport and Public toll-free period was exten- ber has hovered between Works, Raimundo Arrais ded until January 31, 2020 1000 and 2000. do Rosário, said, “Redu- due to three glitches oc- In the plenary session cing frequency will not curring in less than three of the Legislative Assem- save a lot, so we hope to weeks since the opening. bly (AL) on August 3, some continue to operate in the During the toll-free pe- lawmakers criticized the same way and try, instead, riod, the LRT registered low profitability of the to attract more passengers the highest average dai- LRT and its minimal con- [over time] to use the sys- ly passenger number at tribution to the local job tem instead of reducing 33,000 in the first month market. operations.” page 6 www.macaudailytimes.com.mo CHINA 中國 04.08.2021 wed

MACAU’S LEADING NEWSPAPER

has been wide support for Saun- ders, who is Black and gay. Mao pins worn by Chinese Saunders said at the Olympic track her aim was “to show you- nger people that no matter how athletes may test Olympic rules many boxes they try to fit you in, you can be you and you can ac- GRAHAM DUNBAR cept it.” & JOE MCDONALD, TOKYO The IOC has long claimed it

AP PHOTO is politically neutral and must HE image of Communist maintain that stance to allow TChina’s founding leader, Mao more than 200 national teams to Zedong, made an unscheduled arrive and compete at an Olym- appearance at the Tokyo Olym- pic Games as equals. Still, the pics, and the International Olym- rule prohibiting all athlete pro- pic Committee said yesterday it is tests in Olympic venues was ea- “looking into the matter.” sed slightly in the weeks before The gesture — Mao pin badges the opening ceremony in Tokyo worn by two Chinese gold me- where athletes were expected to dalists at their medal ceremony test its limits. — risks being judged a breach of Gestures and statements are Olympic Charter Rule 50, which now allowed inside the field of prohibits political statements on play at the start line or before a the podium at the Tokyo Games game, though not during com- — and at the upcoming 2022 Bei- petition or at medal ceremonies. jing Winter Games. Several women’s soccer teams, After winning the women’s for example, kneeled on the field sprint in track cycling Monday, before kickoff on the first day of Bao Shanju and Zhong Tianshi Olympic action on July 21. wore pin badges of Mao. The Shanju Bao (left) and Tianshi Zhong, of China, celebrate Monday their gold medals wearing Mao Zedong pins The Mao pins, though, were communist leader who proclai- an unexpected twist on the Rule med the founding of the People’s them for a report about the si- on Tiananmen Square in central Saunders turned toward pho- 50 debate. The wearing of such Republic of China in 1949 re- tuation,” IOC spokesman Mark Beijing in a gray Mao jacket iden- tographers at the Olympic Sta- badges declined after 1970 due mains an iconic figure in China Adams said at the daily news tical to one worn by the former dium to make the gesture se- to complaints producing them 45 years after his death in 1976. conference at the Tokyo Games. leader in a nearby portrait over- conds after she stood facing the used up scarce supplies of me- The incident came one day Badges showing Mao’s pro- looking the square. Other party Chinese flag during the national tal required by Chinese industry. after American shot-put silver file were worn by hundreds of leaders at the same event dressed anthem playing for Gong Lijiao. The original Cultural Revolution- medalist Raven Saunders cros- millions of people in the 1960s in blue business suits. The U.S. Olympic body is taking -era ones are sought after by col- sed the wrists of her raised arms to show their loyalty to the Com- At a Tokyo Olympics, where no action against Saunders, who lectors, both in China and in the on the podium. She was standing munist Party chairman and the athlete activists were expected to it said late Monday “was respec- West. next to the gold medalist from ultra-radical Cultural Revolution draw attention, Saunders pushed tful of her competitors and did Mao images became popu- China. he launched in 1966. China’s cur- at the limits of Rule 50 by cros- not violate our rules related to lar again in the 1990s to express It was unclear yesterday if the rent party chief, Xi Jinping, has sing her wrists to make the shape demonstration.” complaints that ordinary Chine- Mao pins were a response to the invoked Mao’s image as he tries of an X. “It’s the intersection of The IOC has asked U.S. team se gained too little from wren- shot-put medal ceremony. to promote his own status as a where all people who are oppres- officials for more details, Adams ching economic changes that “We have contacted the Chi- history-making Chinese leader. sed meet,” Saunders said when said yesterday, adding it noted caused inflation and layoffs at nese Olympic Committee, asked At a July 1 event, Xi appeared asked to explain it. public opinion in the case. There state companies. MDT/AP

China orders mass testing in Wuhan as Covid outbreak spreads HINA suspended fligh- cases confirmed nationwide which has been traced to Cts and trains, canceled the previous day, the Natio- the delta variant, is the sour- professional basketball lea- AP PHOTO nal Health Commission said ce of the cases in most other gue games and announced yesterday. Of those, 61 were places. Separately, delta va- mass coronavirus testing in locally spread ones and 29 riant outbreaks in two other Wuhan yesterday as wide- among people who had re- places have been linked to ning outbreaks of the del- cently arrived from abroad. neighboring Myanmar, whi- ta variant reached the city Most of the local cases ch has seen a sharp rise in where the disease was first are still in Jiangsu province, infections. detected in late 2019. where an outbreak started An outbreak in Zheng- While the total number at the airport in Nanjing, zhou, a city hit by flooding of cases is still in the hun- the provincial capital, and that killed about 300 peo- dreds, they are far more has spread to other parts of ple last month, started with widespread than anything he province and beyond. people who arrived from China has dealt with sin- Authorities reported 45 new Myanmar by air. A third ou- ce the initial outbreak that cases, five in Nanjing and 40 tbreak, the one that started devastated Wuhan in early in the city of Yangzhou, 105 the earliest, spilled into Yun- 2020 and over time spread kilometers away, where a se- nan province from its bor- to the rest of the country cond round of mass testing der with Myanmar. and the world. was underway. Government-affiliated China has not elimina- Five other provinces and scientists have said that ted but largely curbed CO- People scan health check codes with their smartphones to show to a security guard at a tourist shopping the cities of Beijing and Chinese vaccines are less VID-19 at home with quick street in Beijing Shanghai reported new lo- effective against the new lockdowns and mass testing cal cases in the single digits. strains of the coronavirus to isolate infected people of China’s 33 provinces and Chinese Basketball Associa- central China, is the latest In Shanghai, the nation’s lar- but still offer some pro- whenever new cases pop regions. tion said that matches of its city to undergo city-wide gest city, a driver working at tection. Only Chinese vac- up. Most previous outbreaks The cities of Nanjing and men’s professional league testing. Three cases were one of its two main airports cines are currently being didn’t spread far beyond a Yangzhou have canceled all would be suspended becau- confirmed there on Mon- tested positive. Beijing has given in China, where au- city or province. This time, domestic flights, and Beijing se of the pandemic. day, its first non-imported reported a total of five cases thorities say more than 1.6 cases have been confirmed has halted long-distance Wuhan, a provincial ca- cases in more than a year. in recent days. billion doses have been ad- in more than 35 cities in 17 trains from 23 stations. The pital of 11 million people in They were among 90 new The Nanjing outbreak, ministered. MDT/AP www.macaudailytimes.com.mo page 7 wed 04.08.2021 亞太 ASIA PACIFIC

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MYANMAR tion, health, and the fight against COVID-19,” Dujarric said. “It has also, of course, affected the basic rights of the people of Myanmar to express themselves and have UN calls military actions a government that represents them.” “For us, a unified international response remains paramount,” moves away from democracy he said. Moves by the Association of EDITH M. LEDERER, through extensive voter fraud but Southeast Asian Nations to broker UNITED NATIONS offered no credible evidence. talks between the military govern- AP PHOTO A roadmap published by the ment and its opponents have stal- HE United Nations yes- military after the takeover had led after an agreement at an April terday (Macau time) cal- called for holding new elections summit in Jakarta. At the ASEAN led the Myanmar mili- in a year. summit, leaders issued a plan tary’s election delay and Hlaing said Sunday the state of calling for a halt to violence, cons- Textension of the state of emergen- emergency will achieve its objec- tructive dialogue, appointment of cy a move in the wrong direction tives by August 2023 and pledged an ASEAN special envoy as me- from international calls for the “to hold the multiparty general diator, humanitarian aid and the restoration of democracy. election without fail.” mediator’s visit to Myanmar. Six months after seizing power Armed resistance to the mi- ASEAN foreign ministers were from the elected government, litary is growing in both urban expected to discuss Myanmar in Myanmar’s military leader, Senior and rural areas. As of Sunday, 939 virtual meetings this week hosted Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, declared people have been killed by the au- by Brunei, the current chair of the himself prime minister Sunday thorities since Feb. 1, according 10-nation bloc. and said he would lead the coun- to a tally kept by the independent India’s U.N. ambassador, T.S. Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar’s armed forces, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing try during the extended emergen- Assistance Association for Politi- Tirumurti, the current Security cy until elections are held in about cal Prisoners, while casualties are Council president, told reporters two years. political prisoners, a halt on the protests that has resulted in a le- also rising among the military and yesterday that the ministers are “It’s not taking us in the right violence and the crackdown,” he thal crackdown by security forces police. expected to discuss the selection direction,” U.N. spokesman Ste- said. who routinely fire live ammuni- The U.N. spokesman called of an ASEAN envoy. “I think we phane Dujarric said when asked The state of emergency was tion into crowds. the situation six months after the will have to give the ASEAN initia- about the military’s announce- declared when troops moved The military government of- takeover “precarious” and worse- tive a fair chance,” he said, adding ment. against the elected government of ficially annulled the November ning as a result of the COVID-19 that India hopes it will be “expedi- “It’s moving us further away Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 1, an ac- 2020 election results on July 27 outbreak, with wider implications ted.” from what we have been calling tion the generals said was permi- and appointed a new election “threatening regional stability.” Tirumurti said the council will for, member states have been tted under the military-authored commission to take charge of the “The protracted crisis has im- definitely take stock of the situa- calling for, which is a return to de- 2008 constitution. The military polls. It claimed Suu Kyi’s landsli- pacted humanitarian access to tion in “maybe a week or two to mocratic rule, a release of all […] takeover was met with big public de election victory was achieved people in need, as well as educa- see where we go.” MDT/AP ad page 8 www.macaudailytimes.com.mo WORLD 國際 04.08.2021 wed

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country faces the “wors- t-ever” crisis due to the this day in history AP PHOTO pandemic and other diffi- culties and even a possible 1964 Three civil rights dire food shortage. During a key ruling par- activists found dead ty meeting in June, Kim urged officials to find ways to boost agricultural production, saying the country’s food situation “is now getting tense.” Earlier, he even compared the ongoing pandemic-related difficul- ties to a 1990s famine that killed hundreds of thousands of people. Chinese data show Nor- th Korea’s trade with Chi- The bodies of three civil rights workers missing for six na, its last major ally and weeks have been found buried in a partially construc- biggest trading partner, ted dam near Philadelphia, Mississippi. nosedived by about 80% Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation fou- last year — a result of the nd the three young men - two white and one black man North’s strict border clo- - about six miles from the town in a wooded area near sure. South Korea’s central where they were last seen on the night of 21 June. bank said last week that They were Michael Schwerner, aged 24, Andrew North Korea’s economy is Goodman, 20, both from New York and James Chaney, estimated to have shrunk 22, from Meridian, Mississippi. All were members of the 4.5% last year, the biggest Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) dedicated to non- contraction since 1997. -violent direct action against racial discrimination. As soon as the men were reported missing, the case Kwon said North Korea’s was made top priority and codenamed Miburn (Missis- current food problem will sippi burning). FBI agents headed by Major Case Ins- continue until it harvests pector Joseph Sullivan were sent down to Mississippi NORTH KOREA corn, rice and other grains to investigate the matter. in autumn. But he said After a tip-off they found the mens’ burnt-out car North Korea isn’t likely to two days after their disappearance. suffer a humanitarian di- The bodies have been taken to Jackson, Mississippi, saster like the 1990s fami- for further examination into the cause of death. It is Military releases army ne, during which he said believed all three had been shot and the finger of bla- there was grain remaining me is pointing at the Ku Klux Klan white supremacist at most markets. Currently, group. North Korean citizens can The three young men had left the CORE office in rice reserves amid still buy grain at expensive Meridian six weeks ago to investigate the destruction prices if they have money, of a black congregation church in Longdale, Neshoba he said. County because it was used as the site for a “freedom Other experts say Chi- school”. shortage: Seoul na isn’t likely to allow a The school was set up by Mr Schwerner as part of a HYUNG-JIN KIM, SEOUL wave and drought have the military reserves to sell massive famine to occur wider civil rights campaign in Mississippi teaching bla- wiped out rice, corn and at a cheaper price than at in North Korea. They say ck children, among other things, black history and the ORTH Korea is other crops and killed li- markets to stabilize prices. China worries about North philosophy of the civil rights movement. releasing emer- vestock in North Korea. He said rice prices are “con- Korean refugees flooding The Mount Zion Church was burned down on 16 June gency military The NIS said North Korea’s siderably unstable” in Nor- over the border into China by members of the KKK searching for Mr Schwerner. His wife, Rita, made an emotional statement to rice reserves as leadership views fighting th Korea because the gover- or the establishment of a newspapers today. Nits food shortage worsens, the drought as “a matter of nment has a limit in how pro-U.S., unified Korea on She said: “My husband, Michael Schwerner, did not die South Korea’s spy agency national existence” and is much rice it can supply. its doorstep. in vain. If he and Andrew Goodman had been negroes, said yesterday, with a heat focusing on increasing pu- It isn’t the first time that According to the NIS, the world would have taken little notice of their deaths. blic awareness of its cam- North Korea has released North Korea wants the Uni- wave and drought reducing “After all, the slaying of a negro in Mississippi is not the country’s supply. paign, Ha said. state rice reserves, but the ted States to relax some of news. It is only because my husband and Andrew North Korea’s reported Another lawmaker, Kim assessment that it doesn’t the newer U.N. sanctions Goodman were white that the national alarm had been food problems come as its Byung-kee, quoted the NIS have much left in its grain imposed over its high- sounded.” moribund economy conti- as saying that North Korea stockpiles is worrisome, -profile weapons tests as a nues to be battered by the normally needs about 5.5 Kwon said. precondition for returning Courtesy BBC News protracted COVID-19 pan- million tons of food to feed North Korea had simi- to talks on its nuclear pro- demic. While mass starva- its 26 million people but is lar food shortages in past gram. They are bans on ex- tion and social chaos have currently short 1 million years before the pandemic, porting mineral resources not been reported, obser- tons. He said the NIS told according to Kwon, but and importing refined oil In context vers expect a further dete- the lawmakers that North its needs were met by the and high-end liquors and rioration of North Korea’s Korea is running out of its smuggling of rice and other suits. Kim Jong Un, in par- On 13 October 1964 James Jordan, a member of the Ku Klux Klan, told FBI agents he had witnessed the murder and grain stockpiles. ticular, needs those liquors food situation until the au- grains via its porous bor- was willing to testify. A total of 19 men were arrested and tumn harvest. The price of rice, the der with China. But North and suits to distribute to charged. Seoul’s National Intelli- most important crop in Korea’s ongoing pandemi- elites in North Korea, Ha On 24 February 1967 Judge William Cox dismissed 17 of gence Service told a closed- North Korea, once doubled c-caused border closure cited the NIS as saying. the 19 indictments but he was overruled by the Supreme -door parliamentary com- from early this year. The makes it extremely difficult The two lawmakers said Court and the so-called Mississippi Burning trial took place in October 1967. price briefly stabilized in the NIS also believes there mittee meeting that North for such smuggling to ha- It emerged that the three young men had been arrested by Korea is supplying rice July before soaring again, ppen, worsening this year’s is no indication that Kim Deputy Sheriff Cecil Price on 21 June, then released from reserved for wartime use Kim cited the NIS as saying. food shortage, Kwon said. Jong Un has a health issue, Neshoba jail in the middle of the night and attacked and to citizens with little food, Ha said North Korea is The NIS has a spotty re- following recent photos killed by the KKK as they drove out of town. other laborers and rural trying to control the price cord in confirming deve- that appeared to show a Among those convicted were Deputy Sheriff Price, who got six years in jail. Ku Klux Klan leader Sam Bowers and KKK of grains to which its public bandage on the back of his state agencies, according lopments in North Korea, member Wayne Roberts were sentenced to 10 years each. to Ha Tae-keung, one of the is most sensitive. one of the world’s most head. The NIS said Kim has A film based on the FBI investigation was made in 1988 lawmakers who attended Kwon Tae-jin, an expert secretive countries. But its been actively making pu- called Mississippi Burning. the session. at the private GS&J Institu- current assessments come blic appearances and his In June 2005 Edgar Ray Killen, 80, was convicted of recruit- Ha cited the NIS as te in South Korea, said Nor- after North Korean leader movements have appeared ing the killers. Killen was sentenced to 60 years in jail for the three manslaughters. saying an ongoing heat th Korea is likely releasing Kim Jong Un admitted his normal. MDT/AP www.macaudailytimes.com.mo page 9 wed 04.08.2021 資訊／娛樂 INFOTAINMENT

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YOUR STARS The Born Loser by Chip Sansom

Aries Taurus

Mar. 21-Apr. 19 Apr. 20-May. 20 The universe has been changing the The moon’s presence in versatile terrain for you in recent days. Today’s Gemini sends your focus toward skies make it easy to embrace a sense your abilities and talents, while of optimism and stillness, as the her smooth link with capable thoughtful Gemini moon aligns with Jupiter makes it easy to broadcast faith-instilling Jupiter. your skills on a larger platform.

Gemini Cancer

May. 21-Jun. 21 Jun. 22-Jul. 22 It’s all too easy for you to get lost The moon’s presence in heady in your own mental busy state, Gemini sends your focus towards Gemini. Wednesday’s skies work hazy visions full of fantasy and to ground you down to foster feeling, which is exactly where a deeper self-awareness and you need to be as you cultivate respect for your health and body. rest and recuperation. SUDOKU WEATHER Leo Virgo MIN MAX CONDITION Jul. 23-Aug. 22 Aug. 23-Sep. 22 Easy Easy+ CHINA Honor your mood changes today, Don’t be shy about making bold Beijing 31 cloudy Leo. The moon spends the first moves on the career front today, 24 part of the day trekking through Virgo. All eyes are on your Harbin 20 28 thunderstorms playful Gemini and forming career trajectory, as the versatile a supportive connection with Gemini moon sweetly aligns with Tianjin 27 36 rain visionary Jupiter. visionary Jupiter. Urumqi 25 34 cloudy Xi’an 40 fine Libra Scorpio 28 Lhasa 23 30 overcast Sep.23-Oct. 22 Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Chengdu 26 30 rain Think big under Wednesday’s The reflective Gemini moon’s Chongqing 27 35 rain skies, Libra. You’re hungry for self- smooth alignment with optimistic expansion into new territories, and Jupiter makes it easy to form Kunming 29 38 cloudy the fact-collecting Gemini moon’s powerful intimate bonds and Nanjing 32 cloudy sweet connection with optimistic to heal any unsettled family 21 Jupiter can help you get there. connections. Shanghai 28 32 thunderstorms Wuhan 26 32 rain Sagittarius Capricorn Medium Hard Hangzhou 19 27 thunderstorms Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Taipei 25 34 thunderstorms Today’s skies are brimming with This aspect is ideal for reaching Guangzhou 14 29 cloudy cosmic activity, Sagittarius. The new heights on the work front. illuminating sun merges with Later, your focus turns to the Hong Kong 24 32 cloudy expressive Mercury, bringing current state of your romantic potent insights to your current relationships when the moon dips big-picture view of life. into soft-hearted Cancer. WORLD Aquarius Pisces Moscow 14 24 overcast Frankfurt 13 19 cloudy Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Feb.19-Mar. 20 Paris 13 22 overcast This mood-boosting aspect helps It’s easy to get blocked emotions keep things light and restores a off your chest today and make London 12 20 overcast sense of confidence. Later, Luna headway on long-standing issues. dives into feelingful Cancer, Later, Luna’s entrance into sensitive New York 19 27 cloudy pushing you to seek equilibrium Cancer brightens the mood and in mind, body, and soul. increases your craving for fun.

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AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY AP PHOTO BMW reaps $5.7b in profit, warns on parts shortages MW reported 4.8 billion eu- rating profit margins. Bros ($5.7 billion) in net profit The company more than in the second quarter, rounding doubled its sales of cars with out a strong earnings season for electric motors and said it had Germany’s three big automakers made over the air software up- as global auto markets continue dates for 2.5 million vehicles this to recover from the pandemic year through improved vehicle — particularly when it comes to connectivity. luxury cars. BMW CEO Oliver Zipse said The company warned, howe- the company had benefited ver, that shortages of electronic from “strong customer demand” parts could make production but added that “in light of a and sales for the rest of the year number of prevailing risks, in- “volatile.” cluding raw materials prices and China’s Tencent limits The Munich-based auto- a shortage of semiconductors, maker said yesterday it benefi- the second six-month period is ted from strong pricing during likely to be more volatile for the gaming for minors the quarter and a predominance BMW Group.” of more-profitable vehicles in The entire auto industry is its sales mix. It reaped fat ope- struggling with a shortage of se- after media outcry rating profit margins of 15.8% miconductors used for vehicle for its luxury cars and SUVs. The electronics. ZEN SOO, HONG KONG hours later. diately comment. “’Spiritual opium’ has grown The critique of the gaming in- BMW result follows strong profi- Earnings in the quarter re- ts at competitor Mercedes-Benz, bounded from a loss of 212 HINA’S biggest gaming com- into an industry worth hundreds dustry sparked a selloff of stocks a division of Daimler, and at million euros in the same quar- pany Tencent Holdings said of billions,” the newspaper said, in Chinese gaming companies, C Volkswagen’s premium Audi and ter a year ago, when the initial yesterday it would limit gaming adding that no industry should be including companies like NetEa- Porsche divisions, all of which wave of the pandemic led to fac- time for minors and ban children allowed to develop in a manner se, amid fears that the gaming in- also turned in double-digit ope- tory shutdowns. under 12 from making in-game that will “destroy a generation.” dustry could be the next to see a MDT/AP purchases after a state media Tencent said in a statement it clampdown. article called games “spiritual would further limit gaming time Chinese authorities in recent opium.” for minors, reducing gaming time months have targeted sectors like Tencent’s pledge to curb ga- to one hour a day from an hour e-commerce and online educa- AP PHOTO ming for minors came hours after and a half, and to three hours a tion, implementing new regu- the company’s stock plunged as day from two hours during holi- lations to curb anti-competitive much as 11% following a critique days. Children under the age of 12 behavior after years of rapid grow- published by the Economic Infor- are also prohibited from spending th in the technology sector. mation Daily, a newspaper affilia- within the game, the company Last month, Chinese authori- ted with China’s official Xinhua said. ties banned companies who pro- News Agency. Tencent also called for the in- vide tutoring in core school sub- The newspaper article had na- dustry to control the gaming time jects from turning a profit, wiping med Tencent’s wildly popular Ho- for minors and discuss the possi- out billions from online education nor of Kings game as one that mi- bility of banning students youn- companies such as TAL Education nors were addicted to, and cited a ger than 12 from playing games. and Gaotu Techedu. student saying that some played It was not clear if Tencent is- Tencent’s stock price closed the game for eight hours a day. sued the curbs in light of the arti- down 6.11% at 446 Hong Kong The online article was removed cle. The company did not imme- dollars yesterday. MDT/AP

CORPORATE BITS MGM to bring back Macanese dishes to Rossio SJM awards scholarships to children of staff company Diaoyutai MGM larship Selection Committee Hospitality, MGM hosted a this year. Each recipient will two-week Taste of Macao be awarded MOP20,000 per Food Promotion at Bellagio year until they complete their Shanghai, bringing an array university studies. of signature Macanese and The recipients are Wong Portuguese classics to the Ian Kit, Lei Cheng In, Ouyang vibrant city. Lam Cheong, Chan Ka Wa, The menu showcased in Chu Hou Chong, Sun Weng, Shanghai was designed by Chan Ka Hon, Cheong Chi Rossio’s Chef de Cuisine Kei, Loi Seong Hei and Kuok Tiago Reis and Chef Redo Sio In. Lo, to “intrigue the city with Meanwhile, the 24 existing flavors that showcases the recipients were awarded perfect blend of East and SJM Resorts, S.A. (SJM) has scholarships awarded to MOP20,000 each for the West.” To celebrate the recently awarded scholar- ten outstanding students new academic year. Among success of this collabora- ships to 34 children of staff in 2021, and the renewal of them, Zheng Libin and Tam MGM announced in a sta- in promoting the city’s Ma- tion, starting from August 9, members at the 17th SJM scholarships for 24 recipien- Hou In were named the best tement that they are the canese cuisine at the Shan- MGM Macau will bring back Scholarship Award Cere- ts in prior years. performing students in the first Integrated Resort in ghai Macao Week roadshow some of the heartiest dishes mony, the gambling conces- The ten outstanding stu- past academic year, and were town to support the Macao last month. of Macau’s culinary culture sionaire announced. dents were selected from 35 granted an additional award Government Tourism Office Together with its sister to Rossio. The ceremony saw new applicants by the SJM Scho- of MOP5,000. www.macaudailytimes.com.mo page 11 wed 04.08.2021 體育 SPORTS

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Tuesday’s Olympic Medalists AP PHOTO ATHLETICS BRONZE_France (Florian Men’s 400m Hurdles Grengbo, Rayan Helal, GOLD_Karsten Warholm, Sebastien Vigier) Norway SILVER_Rai Benjamin, Women’s United States Team Pursuit BRONZE_Alison dos GOLD_Germany (Fran- Santos, Brazil ziska Brausse, Lisa Bren- nauer, Lisa Klein, Mieke Women’s Long Jump Kroeger) GOLD_Malaika Mihambo, SILVER_Britain (Katie Germany Archibald, Neah Evans, SILVER_Brittney Reese, Laura Kenny, Josie Knight, United States Elinor Barker) BRONZE_Ese Brume, BRONZE_United States Nigeria (Chloe Dygert, Megan Jastrab, Jennifer Valente, BOXING Emma White, Lily Wil- Men’s Welter liams) (63-69kg) GOLD_Roniel Iglesias, DIVING Cuba Men’s 3m Springboard SILVER_Pat McCormack, GOLD_Siyi Xie, China Britain SILVER_Zongyuan Wang, BRONZE_Andrei Zam- China kovoi, ROC BRONZE_Jack Laugher, BRONZE_Aidan Walsh, Britain Ireland Xie Siyi of China claims gold in men’s diving 3m springboard ARTISTIC Women’s Feather GYMNASTICS (54-57kg) Men’s Horizontal Bar TOKYO 2020 GOLD_Sena Irie, Japan GOLD_Daiki Hashimoto, SILVER_Nesthy Petecio, Japan Philippines SILVER_Tin Srbic, Croatia BRONZE_Karriss Arting- BRONZE_Nikita Na- stall, Britain gornyy, ROC BRONZE_Irma Testa, Another gold, 1-2 finish Italy Men’s Parallel Bars GOLD_Jingyuan Zou, CANOE SPRINT China Men’s Canoe SILVER_Lukas Dauser, for China in diving Double 1000m Germany PAUL NEWBERRY, TOKYO ter world titles in 2017, but third behind Xie and ano- ovation from all the coa- GOLD_Cuba (Serguey BRONZE_Ferhat Arican, nothing like this. ther Chinese diver. ches and competitors in Torres Madrigal, Fernando Turkey EFORE his final “It was very stressful,” “This medal is redemp- the nearly empty arena. Dayan Jorge Enriquez) bounce off the he said. “I feel like it was tion for my past mistakes,” Afterward, he hung SILVER_China (Hao Liu, Women’s Balance Beam board, Xie Siyi felt all a dream.” Laugher said. “Getting on around to pose for pic- Pengfei Zheng) GOLD_Chenchen Guan, like he was in a BRONZE_Germany China The biggest drama was the podium is everything.” tures with everyone who Bmovie. (Sebastian Brendel, Tim SILVER_Xijing Tang, China for the silver, but Wang Long the world’s domi- wanted one. Hecker) BRONZE_Simone Biles, The scenes of his life nailed his final dive to fi- nant diving nation, China “A lot of people were United States flashed before him. nish with 534.90 points. has been near-perfect at watching today,” Terauchi Men’s Kayak Then, he pulled off the Laughter was only 2.05 the Tokyo Aquatics Centre said through an interpre- Single 1000m SAILING dive of his life. points behind Wang going with five gold medals in six ter. “I feel sad and disa- GOLD_Balint Kopasz, Men’s Skiff - 49er Xie led another 1-2 fi- to the final round but over- events. The only slip came ppointed with the results.” Hungary GOLD_Britain (Dylan nish for China in Olym- -rotated his entry a bit on in men’s 10-meter syn- Rommel Pacheco also SILVER_Adam Varga, Fletcher, Stuart Bithell) pic diving, claiming his highest-difficulty dive, chronized, where Chen Ai- bid farewell to the board Hungary SILVER_New Zealand gold in men’s 3-meter a forward 2 1/2 somer- sen and Cao Yuan settled after his fourth and final BRONZE_Fernando (Peter Burling, Blair Tuke) springboard yesterday. saults with three twists. for silver in an upset win Olympics. Pimenta, Portugal BRONZE_Germany (Erik Teammate Wang Zon- Heil, Thomas Ploessel) The telltale splash left him by the British team of Tom The 35-year-old Mexi- Women’s Kayak gyuan held off Jack Lau- with 518.00 points and the Daley and Matty Lee. can, who first competed Single 200m Men’s One gher of Britain for the sil- bronze. Otherwise, the Chine- at the 2004 Athens Games, GOLD_Lisa Carrington, Person Dinghy ver. Wang sliced through se have captured every plans to go into politics af- New Zealand (Heavyweight) - Finn The Chinese divers held the water, barely rippling medal available to them. ter his sixth-place showing SILVER_Teresa Portela, GOLD_Giles Scott, Britain the top two spots after the surface. They won the other three in Tokyo. Over his long Spain SILVER_Zsombor Berecz, both the preliminaries and “I’m happy with my sil- synchronized events and career, he won three me- BRONZE_Emma Hungary the semifinals, and it was ver,” he said. have gone 1-2 in the first dals at the world cham- Aastrand Jorgensen, BRONZE_Joan Cardona more of the same in the Laugher has won a me- two individual events of pionships along with three Denmark Mendez, Spain finals. dal on the springboard the Tokyo Games. golds at the Pan American Xie broke down in tears at the last two Olympics, Xie and Wang added to Games, the first in 2003. Women’s Kayak Women’s Skiff - 49er FX when the scores for his Double 500m GOLD_Brazil (Martine having claimed a silver at the gold they won in 3-me- The Americans were GOLD_New Zealand (Lisa Grael, Kahena Kunze) final dive were posted, a the 2016 Rio de Janeiro ter synchronized. hoping to claim their four- Carrington, Caitlin Regal) SILVER_Germany (Tina string of 9.0s and 9.5s that Games. But it was hardly “In my country, the gold th medal of the Tokyo Ga- SILVER_Poland (Karolina Lutz, Susann Beucke) clinched the victory with an easy road to another medal is important,” the mes, which would match Naja, Anna Pulawska) BRONZE_Netherlands 558.75 points. Wang came medal. 25-year-old Xie said. their best output since BRONZE_Hungary (Da- (Annemiek Bekkering, over to give his teammate At the 2019 world cham- The most touching mo- 1988. But Andrew Capo- nuta Kozak, Dora Bodonyi) Annette Duetz) a hug. pionships, while leading ment came when Ken Te- bianco, a silver medalist in “I felt like I was in a moon the springboard, Lau- rauchi of Japan, just four 3-meter synchro, finished CYCLING TRACK Mixed Multihull - vie,” Xie said through an gher was suddenly stri- days shy of his 41st birth- 10th. Men’s Team Sprint Nacra 17 Foiling interpreter. “All the scenes cken with the same issue day, completed the final “It didn’t go as well as I GOLD_Netherlands GOLD_Italy (Ruggero of my life were flashing in that plagued gymnastics dive of his sixth Olympics. hoped,” said Capobianco, (Jeffrey Hoogland, Harrie Tita, Caterina Banti) my mind.” Lavreysen, Roy van den SILVER_Britain (John star Simone Biles at the He failed to win Japan’s who has battled a back Berg, Matthijs Buchli) Gimson, Anna Burnet) He couldn’t remember Tokyo Games. first diving medal ever, fi- injury but did manage a SILVER_Britain (Jack BRONZE_Germany (Paul being so emotional after a Suddenly losing a sense nishing last in the 12-man silver in the 3-meter syn- Carlin, Jason Kenny, Ryan Kohlhoff, Alica Stuhlem- competition. There were a of where he was while fli- final. Still, Terauchi bowed chronized. “It was a little Owens) mer) few tears after he won the pping and spinning throu- reverently toward the pool bit of a struggle mentally first of two straight 3-me- gh the air, he slipped to and received a standing and physically.” MDT/AP Lithuania to turn migrants the crossing in from Belarus away BUZZ Lithuania has ordered its border guards to turn away, by for- longing to Belarus’ border guard authority. Lithuania says the ce if needed, migrants attempting to enter the Baltic country migrant influx in the past months is an act of retaliation by Pre- as the rapidly growing number of immigrants illegally crossing sident Alexander Lukashenko to increased sanctions by the EU from neighboring Belarus has emerged a major foreign policy toward his country over an air piracy incident. issue to the small European Union nation. Lithuania’s Interior Ministry said yesterday that at least three The Interior Ministry distributed a video footage shot from large migrant groups were stopped in thick woods in the border a helicopter as a proof that large groups of immigrants were area between the two countries, and Lithuanian border guards OPINION being escorted to the European Union border by vehicles be- commanded them to return back to Belarus. China Daily Ikenna Emewu, China Daily EU and the NATO military alliance yesterday joined False claims that a growing chorus of

ANTHONY LAM ANTHONY international condemnation China is laying a of Iran’s alleged attack on debt trap in Africa a merchant ship in the Arabian Sea last week and In 2020, while documenting the Abuja integrated urged Tehran to respect its transport project, which includes the metro, intercity international obligations. railway and the Abuja airport, and is handled by China Last Thursday’s drone strike Civil Engineering Construction Corp, I read in detail on the MV Mercer Street how China developed its high-speed railways. killed a British national and Cooperation between countries is important for a Romanian. It was the improving infrastructure and boosting economic de- first known fatal strike on velopment, and it is cooperation that China is offering commercial shipping in African countries through loans. the region after years of Yet, when some vested interests talk about China’s tensions over the tattered loans to African countries, they don’t mention that nuclear deal between every international loan agreement is vetted by the western nations and Iran. International Monetary Fund for compliance with its Loan Viability Assessment obligations. Which means Germany With less than two loan agreements between China and African coun- MIECF 2021 months before the election, tries, based on standing IMF rules, are not riddled with the environmentalist Green pitfalls that would push the latter into a debt trap. party announced a 10-point plan yesterday that puts Early this year, at an event to mark 50 years of Nigeria- Environmental forum the Paris climate accord’s -China diplomatic relations, I asked Nigerian Foreign goal at the heart of its Minister Geoffrey Onyeama about the so-called Chi- election program. Among nese debt trap. He said that before taking loans from to be held online the measures proposed is China, Nigeria approached some other countries and the mobile application Matching Session, which the creation of a dedicated agencies but almost always found Chinese creditors ANTHONY LAM Climate Ministry that would Scan2Match, and the “On- offering the best terms and conditions. were set to be held on the have the power to veto According to a document issued by Britain-based Ju- UE to the sudden line Business Matching second day of the event. government decisions bilee Debt Campaign in October 2018, China’s loans to Dappearance of four Service Platform” (ht- These sessions were origi- which don’t comply with African countries between 2000 and 2017 amounted new Covid-19 cases in tps://bm.ipim.gov.mo). nally targeted to allow go- the 2015 Paris Agreement, to $143 billion. But the JDC explained that the actual Macau, this year’s Macao A 14-day online bu- vernment departments to which aims to keep global loan liability of Africa according to the IMF and World International Environ- siness matching service be better informed of the warming well below 2 Bank data are: China-$100 billion (24 percent); Paris will be offered before the degrees Celsius. Club-$40 billion (10 percent) World Bank-$66 billion mental Co-operation Fo- latest environmental te- (16 percent); IMF－$18 billion (4 percent); other multi- rum & Exhibition (MIE- event, from now to August chnologies, products and lateral institutions－$61 billion (15 percent); the private CF), to run from August 7, helping exhibitors and developments, as well as

sector (excluding China’s private sector)$132－billion (31 5 to 7, will be held online buyers establish business to enhance co-operation AP PHOTO percent). That is a total of $417 billion. only. contact and negotiate on- and exchange between According to the data, China is Africa’s largest creditor Yesterday morning, the line to explore business the government and in- country. But what about the other creditors? The Paris organizing entities, the co-operation opportuni- dustry on environmental Club is made up of the US and major European econo- Macao Trade and Invest- ties. protection matters. Mo- Turkey As fire crews mies apart from Japan, Australia and the Republic Sou- pressed ahead yesterday ment Promotion Institute Originally, one of the of- reover, green matching th Korea. And the World Bank, the IMF and the other with their weeklong battle fline events was a keynote multilateral institutions all belong to the West. (IPIM) and the Environ- sessions on “electric vehi- against blazes tearing Therefore, the Western countries and their agencies mental Protection Bureau speech on “The transfor- cles” and “eco-friendly ta- through forests and are bigger creditors of Africa－to the tune of 76 percent. (DSPA), held a joint press mation of manufactu- bleware” were originally villages on the country’s So if someone is laying a debt trap for African coun- conference to announ- ring industry under the planned to bring in more southern coast, President tries, it is not China but the West. ce the new arrangemen- ‘double carbon’ target” by eco-friendly products to Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s While some claim the volume of China’s loans to Afri- ts and programs for this Dong Mingzhu, chairper- Macau. government faced increased criticism over its can countries is huge, they ignore the fact that China son and president of Gree year’s event. As was originally plan- apparent poor response and has also been the largest investor in Africa over the past Under the theme Electric Appliances, Inc. ned, on the first two days 12 years, which shows that apart from loans, Chinese inadequate preparedness “Towards a Green and of Zhuhai and the UN’s of the MIECF 2021, there investment in Africa is also benefiting African nations. for large-scale wildfires. “Messenger of Sustainab- Yet Chinese investments in Africa are not comparab- Low Carbon New Era”, this will be four sessions of Fed by strong winds and le with the amount it has invested in Europe and Latin year’s MIECF is designed le Urban Development” at the Green Forum covering scorching temperatures, the fires that began Wednesday America. China’s 5 percent foreign direct investment to further integrate onli- the opening ceremony. four topics, in which near- have left eight people stock in Africa in 2017 was too low compared with ne and offline elements, The organizing enti- ly 30 guests from different dead, forced thousands of what it had in European countries. Between 2016 and ties confirmed yesterday helping enterprises break municipalities, provinces, residents and tourists to flee 2018, China’s total FDI in African countries was 12 per- through geographical evening that this session and regions are invited homes or vacation resorts cent more than the combined figure for the European boundaries and together will not be moved online, as moderators and guest in boats or convoys of cars Union in Africa. Which proves China’s interest in Africa explore green business meaning that it will be speakers. and trucks. is beyond loans. opportunities. cancelled. They were set to share […] And the US Institute of Peace admitted in 2018 With the original ope- that contrary to claims that the Chinese companies However, as disease their views on “Accelera- ning date just around the ting Commercialisation of bring most of the workers for their projects in Afri- control measures step up AP PHOTO ca from China, the ratio of Chinese to local African in the city, the organizing corner, booths were set up Technological Innovation, workers in Chinese-led projects is 1:20, heavily favoring entities announced yes- at the Venetian Macao’s Mainstreaming Green the locals. This assessment was in relation to Nigeria’s terday evening that all the Cotai Expo. The sudden Manufacturing and Li- Abuja-Kaduna railway project, which I documented. offline sessions and even- cancellation of the event festyles”, “The ‘14th Five- Haiti Police have detained However, the possibility of China and some develo- ts in this year’s program will result in the termina- -Year’ Environmental Plan more than 40 suspects ped countries working in cooperation for the good of will be cancelled. Only on- tion of the existing set up. and the Path to the Futu- in the killing of President Africa is slim. First, because forging such a partnership line events and sessions For the first time, the re”, “Pan-Pearl River Delta Jovenel Moïse, but many between the two sides will take a long time. And se- people fear Haiti’s crumbling offline expo was set to in- cond, China and the West have different foreign poli- will be retained. Environmental Protection judicial system could result cies toward Africa, and harmonizing the two will not The online section of clude a section showca- Industry Conference for in the assassination going be easy. the MIECF 2021 will see se electric vehicles. As of Co-operation and Exchan- unpunished. Interrogations The only possibility is through an intergovernmental the return of the Green yesterday, manufacturers ge”, and “Clean Energy, are continuing, while dozens agency or agencies. And the only known multilateral Matching sessions, whi- such as Tesla, BMW and Clean Air: an Investment of suspects, including an ex- body that includes the developed economies is the ch are an important part MINI had set up part of for the Future”, in order Haitian senator and former G20, and I would not hazard a guess on the diplomatic of the event. This year’s their booths. to enhance the industry’s justice official, are still at large. But the judicial process likelihood of the G20 leaving aside its agenda, which MIECF will promote green Also missing this year’s understanding of sustai- is mainly about the benefits to the state parties, to dis- has already hit significant co-operation among en- event will be a Govern- nable development and cuss and implement pro-Africa projects. snags, among them death ment Guided Tour and a [Abridged] terprises through onli- environmental protection threats and allegations of ne business matching, Government Procurement in relevant industries. evidence tampering.