President Xi calls for global solidarity in combating climate change

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for global solidarity in combating climate change at the virtual Leaders Summit on Climate. 

The Chinese president attended the event at the invitation of U.S. President Joe Biden. 

President Xi says that all countries should join hands in global environmental governance. 

He highlighted the importance of the environment in driving development. 

"We must be committed to green development. Green mountains are gold mountains. To protect the environment is to protect productivity, and to improve the environment is to boost productivity. The truth is as simple as that. We need to make sure that a sound environment is there to buttress sustainable economic and social development worldwide."

President Xi also says countries should honor their promises on addressing climate change instead of breaking their vows.

China's top legislature opposes U.S. bill on strategic competition

A spokesperson from China's top legislature has expressed opposition to the passing of the Strategic Competition Act of 2021 by the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

The spokesperson says the bill is full of Cold War mentality and ideological bias. 

The spokesperson added that it has grossly interfered in China's internal affairs.

Brazil grants permission for clinical trial of new Chinese vaccine

Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency has authorized clinical trials of a new Chinese COVID-19 vaccine. 

The vaccine developed by Sichuan Clover Biopharmaceuticals will go through Phase II and III trials in Brazil.

The company is planning to test the vaccine on 22,000 volunteers in countries and regions including Latin America, South Africa, Belgium, China, and the United Kingdom.

Singapore probing COVID-19 re-infections after cases in workers dormitory

Singapore is investigating the possibility of COVID-19 re-infections, after a dozen cases were found among residents in a migrant workers' dormitory. 

A 35-year-old worker tested positive for the new coronavirus earlier this week, after he had been fully vaccinated. His room-mate also tested positive.

Authorities have conducted coronavirus tests on all residents at the dormitory. 

The more than 1,000 residents from the block where the cases were found will be sent to a government quarantine facility.

Fear of U.S. hate crimes prompts Asians to reconsider study plans: media

Spiking anti-Asian violence in the United States has prompted people in Asia to reconsider their study plans and question their confidence in the country as a world role model.

A report by USA TODAY says that the violence soiled Asian people's impressions of the United States as a racially tolerant society and a top choice for overseas study.

A California-based group tracking incidents of violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders received nearly 3,000 firsthand accounts of hate crimes from March 2020 through the end of the year.

The advocacy group also tracked nearly 1,000 cases in the first two months of this year.

Spain to donate 5%-10% of its share of COVID-19 shots to Latin America

Spain says it will offer between 5 and 10 percent of its COVID-19 vaccine shots to Latin American and Caribbean countries this year.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says that the country will launch the donation as soon as it has vaccinated half of its population. 

Spain is aiming to reach that mark by the end of July. 

Sanchez expects Latin American countries to receive 7.5 million doses by the end of this year.

High demand for COVID-19 vaccines in Toronto as rising caseload pushes hospitals to the brink

Vaccinations are well-underway in parts of Canada hard hit by COVID-19 amid efforts to curb a surge in new infections.

In Toronto, some parts have expanded shots to people 18 and older as the rising caseload pushes Ontario's hospitals to the brink.

Tokyo enters final stages of preparations to deliver Summer Olympics

Organizers for the Tokyo Olympic Games say they are fully focused on the successful delivery of the delayed Games. 

Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto says that they will strengthen COVID-19 prevention measures and ensure a safe, secure and successful Olympic Games.

The torch relay has reached 14 prefectures including Fukushima, Nagano and Osaka, with more than 2,500 torchbearers participating in the relay.

The Olympic flame is set to arrive at the opening ceremony in Tokyo on July 23.