China Says It Is ‘Seriously Concerned’ about US Nuclear Strategic Report 

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning speaks during a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning speaks during a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
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China Says It Is ‘Seriously Concerned’ about US Nuclear Strategic Report 

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning speaks during a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning speaks during a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

China is seriously concerned about a report that said the United Stated approved a nuclear strategic plan to focus on China's rapid expansion in its nuclear arsenal, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

"The US is peddling the China nuclear threat narrative, finding excuses to seek strategic advantage," a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said.

According to a report by the New York Times, US President Joe Biden approved in March a highly classified nuclear strategic plan that focused on China's quickly growing arsenal, but also seeks to prepare the US for possible coordinated nuclear challenges from China, Russia and North Korea.

"China is seriously concerned about the relevant report, and the facts have fully proved that the United States has constantly stirred up the so-called China nuclear threat theory in recent years," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a regular press briefing.

The White House said on Tuesday that the classified nuclear strategic plan approved by Biden this year is not a response to a single country or threat.

The US has consistently pointed to China's expansive and growing nuclear weaponry. An annual report by the Pentagon last October said China had more than 500 operational nuclear warheads in its arsenal and will probably have over 1,000 warheads by 2030.



Thailand Says Mpox Case Recorded in Traveller from Africa 

The logo for Thailand's Department of Disease Control is pictured after officials hold a press conference on the suspected first case of the new more dangerous strain of mpox in Bangkok on August 21, 2024. (AFP)
The logo for Thailand's Department of Disease Control is pictured after officials hold a press conference on the suspected first case of the new more dangerous strain of mpox in Bangkok on August 21, 2024. (AFP)
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Thailand Says Mpox Case Recorded in Traveller from Africa 

The logo for Thailand's Department of Disease Control is pictured after officials hold a press conference on the suspected first case of the new more dangerous strain of mpox in Bangkok on August 21, 2024. (AFP)
The logo for Thailand's Department of Disease Control is pictured after officials hold a press conference on the suspected first case of the new more dangerous strain of mpox in Bangkok on August 21, 2024. (AFP)

Thailand has detected an mpox case in a European man who arrived from Africa last week and is awaiting test results to determine the strain, a disease control official said on Wednesday.

Thai authorities were treating the case as if it were the Clade 1 form of mpox, as the person, a 66-year-old European man with residency in Thailand had arrived on Aug. 14 from an African country where it was spreading, Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, told Reuters.

"After he arrives from the flight there is very little time frame where he come into contact with others," Thongchai said. "He arrives around 6 pm and on the next day, Aug 15, he went to see the doctor at the hospital."

Thongchai said the man has undergone a test to determine whether the case was a Clade 1 variant, with the result expected by Friday. Authorities are also monitoring 43 people in the country who may come into contact with the patient, he said.

The director-general did not name the African country the man had been in. He said the man had transited in a Middle Eastern country, which he also did not name, before flying on to Thailand.

Thailand has detected 800 cases of mpox Clade 2 since 2022, but so far not detected a case of the Clade 1 or Clade 1b variants.