China
Infant’s Death Inflames Health-Care Tensions in China
By Shangjing Li The tense relationship between doctors and patients in China has boiled over following the death of a 12-day-old infant in a hospital incubator in the eastern part of the country. Hospital authorities and the baby girl’s family present differing accounts of her death. The hospital says the baby died of a bacterial infection. The family insists the baby was scorched to death in the incubator, citing burns on the infant’s back, buttocks and legs. Images showing burns on the dead infant’s corpse were spread widely by local media outlets on the Twitter-like Sina Weibo microblogging platform, fueling public outrage. “Either the doctors are irresponsible or the hospital’s incubator is of poor quality. In either case, I’m furious!” wrote one microblogger. The infant’s farther, Ye Yilong, told the state-run China News Service (in Chinese ) that his daughter bad been born with low levels of oxygen in her blood and was sent to the intensive care unit at Quanzhou Children’s Hospital in the city of Quanzhou, in Fujian province, immediately after she was born in July 6. On Tuesday afternoon, he said, he was told that “everything is normal and she can be discharged tomorrow.” But the next morning, the hospital told him his daughter had died. According to the infant’s family, a physician at the hospital told them the baby had died of a bacterial infection. An initial investigation launched by health authorities in Quanzhou has come to a similar preliminary conclusion but more work is needed to confirm that result, the official Xinhua news agency said on Saturday (in Chinese). The incident comes as many Chinese are questioning the country’s healthcare system. Despite having poured $125 billion into overhauling health care, the government is still battling to improve the quality of care. Patients have increasingly taken out their frustrations directly on doctors, many of whom are overworked and underpaid. In some cases confrontations have turned violent. Last year, an 18-year-old teenager from Harbin, the capital of China’s northeastern Heilongjiang province, killed one medical worker and injured three others, after disputes over treatment of a spinal condition. He was sentenced to life in prison last October. Also last year, two doctors in Peking University People’s Hospital and General Hospital of Beijing Aerospace were seriously stabbed by one person on the same day. The man was later sentenced to 13 years in prison. In a 2012 survey of nearly 6,000 physicians in 3,300 hospitals by McKinsey& Co., 59% of doctors said they have been verbally assaulted by a patient or a patient’s family member, and 6% said they have been physically assaulted by patients. The family of the infant consented to an autopsy late Friday after initially resisting because they wanted to keep the baby’s body whole.
By Shangjing Li The tense relationship between doctors and patients in China has boiled over following the death of a 12-day-old infant in a hospital incubator in the eastern part of the country. Hospital authorities and the baby girl’s family present differing accounts of her death. The hospital says the baby died of a bacterial infection. The family insists the baby was scorched to death in the incubator, citing burns on the infant’s back, buttocks and legs. Images showing burns on the dead infant’s corpse were spread widely by local media outlets on the Twitter-like Sina Weibo microblogging platform, fueling public outrage. “Either the doctors are irresponsible or the hospital’s incubator is of poor quality. In either case, I’m furious!” wrote one microblogger. The infant’s farther, Ye Yilong, told the state-run China News Service (in Chinese ) that his daughter bad been born with low levels of oxygen in her blood and was sent to the intensive care unit at Quanzhou Children’s Hospital in the city of Quanzhou, in Fujian province, immediately after she was born in July 6. On Tuesday afternoon, he said, he was told that “everything is normal and she can be discharged tomorrow.” But the next morning, the hospital told him his daughter had died. According to the infant’s family, a physician at the hospital told them the baby had died of a bacterial infection. An initial investigation launched by health authorities in Quanzhou has come to a similar preliminary conclusion but more work is needed to confirm that result, the official Xinhua news agency said on Saturday (in Chinese). The incident comes as many Chinese are questioning the country’s healthcare system. Despite having poured $125 billion into overhauling health care, the government is still battling to improve the quality of care. Patients have increasingly taken out their frustrations directly on doctors, many of whom are overworked and underpaid. In some cases confrontations have turned violent. Last year, an 18-year-old teenager from Harbin, the capital of China’s northeastern Heilongjiang province, killed one medical worker and injured three others, after disputes over treatment of a spinal condition. He was sentenced to life in prison last October. Also last year, two doctors in Peking University People’s Hospital and General Hospital of Beijing Aerospace were seriously stabbed by one person on the same day. The man was later sentenced to 13 years in prison. In a 2012 survey of nearly 6,000 physicians in 3,300 hospitals by McKinsey& Co., 59% of doctors said they have been verbally assaulted by a patient or a patient’s family member, and 6% said they have been physically assaulted by patients. The family of the infant consented to an autopsy late Friday after initially resisting because they wanted to keep the baby’s body whole.
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Infant’s Death Inflames Health-Care Tensions in China
Business
Business Update: Southern Sun Reports Earnings Growth; China Stimulates Property Market – News24
Southern Sun reports increased earnings, attributed to growth in the hospitality sector, while China’s property market receives a boost, reflecting economic recovery and renewed investor confidence.
Southern Sun Earnings Surge
Southern Sun has reported a significant increase in its earnings, showcasing solid financial performance amid evolving market conditions. This growth highlights the company’s resilience and adaptability to changing consumer demands, positioning it well for future opportunities in the hospitality industry.
China’s Property Market Recovery
In a bid to rejuvenate its economy, China has introduced measures to boost its property market. These initiatives aim to stabilize real estate prices and encourage investment, which is crucial for maintaining economic momentum. The government’s commitment to supporting the sector reflects its understanding of the industry’s importance in overall economic health.
Broader Economic Implications
The rise in Southern Sun’s earnings and China’s proactive approach to revitalizing its property market indicate broader economic trends. Investors and stakeholders are keenly observing these developments, as they may signal recovery and growth opportunities in both the hospitality and real estate sectors. The collaboration between local businesses and governmental actions will be pivotal in shaping future economic landscapes.
Source : Business brief | Southern Sun sees earnings rise; China boosts its property market – News24
China
Vietnam’s Approach to China: A Balance of Cooperation and Struggle
Vietnam’s diplomatic strategy seeks a balance of cooperation and struggle with China, focusing on strengthening ties while resisting encroachments in the South China Sea through military enhancements and regional partnerships.
Vietnam’s Diplomatic Strategy
Vietnam’s diplomatic approach seeks to maintain a delicate balance between cooperation and struggle with China. While concerned about China’s growing influence, particularly in the South China Sea, Hanoi focuses on strengthening its economic and political ties. This effort involves military enhancements, fostering relationships with regional powers, and engaging in frequent political dialogues. By skillfully navigating relations with major powers, Vietnam aims to protect its sovereignty and foster stability amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics.
Recent Developments and Implications
Hanoi’s diplomatic maneuvering has drawn attention, particularly regarding key visits like Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam’s August 2024 trip to China. Although there are apprehensions about a potential shift in Vietnam’s alignment due to To Lam’s background in public security and his anti-corruption initiatives, it is premature to predict any significant changes in policy. Vietnam’s leaders must continuously seek a balance between peaceful coexistence with China and safeguarding national sovereignty.
Economic Interdependence and Military Modernization
Vietnam’s strategy involves fostering economic interdependence with China while simultaneously resisting encroachments. This paradigm of “cooperation and struggle” enables Hanoi to cultivate beneficial ties in economic, political, and security domains. By leveraging its geographical advantage and connections, Vietnam enhances its economic ties while countering threats through military modernization and cooperation with regional partners. This nuanced approach allows Vietnam to welcome trade, particularly amidst shifting dynamics from the US-China trade war, ensuring continued foreign direct investment and growth in key sectors.
Source : Cooperation and struggle define Vietnam’s approach to China
China
2025 Schedule of Public Holidays in China
China’s 2025 public holiday schedule increases holidays by two days, with an 8-day Spring Festival and a 5-day Labor Day. Adjustments address public frustration, though long work periods persist. Notably, weekends are often designated as workdays to balance extended breaks.
China has released its 2025 Public Holiday schedule. Compared to 2024, the number of public holidays for all citizens has increased by two days, specifically for Lunar New Year’s Eve and May 2nd.
The announcement also clarifies the adjusted holiday arrangements, stating that the continuous work period before and after statutory holidays generally should not exceed six days, except for certain special circumstances.
According to the notice, in 2025, the Spring Festival will have an 8-day holiday, the Labor Day holiday will last 5 days, and the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival will jointly have 8 days off.
China has long been considered one of the least generous countries in terms of public holidays. Additionally, people have expressed frustration over the complicated adjustments to holiday and working days that are meant to create longer breaks. The newly introduced changes are expected to address these concerns to some extent.
Beyond the newly introduced changes, China’s 2025 public holiday schedule still features two major week-long holidays: Spring Festival (also known as Chinese New Year) and the National Day holiday (often called ‘Golden Week’).
In 2025, the Spring Festival falls between January 28 and February 4, and the National Day holiday, together with the Mid-Autumn Festival, fall between October 1 and 8.
Foreign human resource managers should note that Saturdays and Sundays are often marked as additional official workdays in China to compensate for long holiday breaks. For example, January 26 (Sunday) and February 8 (Saturday) are designated as workdays to partially offset the eight days off for the Spring Festival.
| This article was first published by China Briefing , which is produced by Dezan Shira & Associates. The firm assists foreign investors throughout Asia from offices across the world, including in in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, and India . Readers may write to info@dezshira.com for more support. |
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- Vietnam’s Approach to China: A Balance of Cooperation and Struggle
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