Defense ministry confirms missile test

China’s Ministry of National Defense (MOD) confirmed late on May 9 that the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) Rocket Force recently conducted a missile test with the aim of enhancing the military’s capability to fend off threats to national security.

In a statement, the MOD’s information bureau said that the PLA Rocket Force “conducted a test for a new-type missile in the waters of the Bohai Sea and the result had met the expectations.” The MOD also said the missile test was “part of the PLA’s annual training program.”

But the MOD did not elaborate on which “new-type missile” was tested or for what specific purpose the missile test was conducted.

However, there is wide speculation that the missile test was the PLA’s latest response to the deployment of THAAD (Terminal High Attitude Area Defense) system in South Korea.

In the latest MOD press briefing on April 27, the MOD’s spokesperson Senior Colonel Yang Yujun reaffirmed the Chinese military’s opposition against joint deployment of the THAAD by the United States and South Korea.

Yang said that the PLA would continue with its “real battle-oriented exercises” and “tests of new weapons” to safeguard China’s national safety and regional peace and stability.

Ancient tomb discovered in southwest China

The working staff carry out excavations at the tomb recently discovered in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

A tomb dating back around 1,800 years has been discovered in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, authorities said Tuesday.

The tomb, believed to have been built during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220AD), contains various burial artifacts such as pottery, statues and broken coins, according to Fuling District Museum.

It was found earlier this month during the construction of a kindergarten.

Initial investigation shows that the tomb was built for a wealthy person, but archaeologists have not confirmed the owners identity.

Judicial rule specifies penalties for personal info encroachment

China’s top court and procuratorate on Tuesday jointly issued a judicial interpretation, stipulating that those who illegally obtain, sell or provide 500 pieces of data related to personal credit or property information could face a prison term of up to seven years.

The interpretation, by the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, was the first document of its kind to ensure data protection for citizens personal information.

The Criminal Law states that those convicted of selling or providing personal information to others could face a maximum sentence of three years if “the circumstances are serious,” while if “the circumstances are especially serious,” violators could face up to seven years in prison.

The interpretation clearly defines situations considered “especially serious,” including illegally obtaining, selling or providing 500 items of data about a person’s location, communication content or their credit or property information; 5,000 items of communication record, accommodation, health or transaction information; or 50,000 items of personal information other than the aforementioned types.

Should violators make more than 50,000 yuan (US$7,239) from their underhand activities or their crimes are linked to the death, serious injury, mental disorder or kidnap of people, their offenses will be considered “especially serious,” according to the new rule.

Under the interpretation, fines for violators shall be between one to five times of their illegal gains.

The move came amid increasing public outcry against rampant online and telecom fraud spreading across China, which has led to significant property losses and social instability.

12, including 5 ROK kids, killed in China traffic accident

Twelve people, including 11 kindergarteners, were killed Tuesday when a school bus crashed and then burst into flames as it traveled through a tunnel in Weihai City, Shandong Province, east China.

Of the 11 children, who were aged between three and six, five were Republic of Korea nationals and six Chinese nationals. They were all students at an international kindergarten in Weihai, local authorities said.

The accident occurred at about 8:59 a.m. inside Taojiakuang tunnel in Huancui District when the bus was on its way to the kindergarten with 13 people onboard, including the children’s teacher.

The driver also died and the teacher has sustained serious injuries.

The provincial government has assigned a team to investigate the incident. It will be headed by a vice provincial governor.