Chinese state media has released an email, claiming to be from Peng Shuai, saying "I'm not missing, or unsafe". Few believe it.

Where is the Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai who made sex abuse allegations?

China was never going to support "phasing out" coal, when it's currently in the grip of an energy crisis that has proved how dependent it still is on the stuff.

COP26: Why China is unwilling to budge on its coal commitments 

President Xi has placed himself on a par with China’s most powerful leaders - Chairman Mao Zedong and President Deng Xiaoping. 

President Xi turbo boosts power to allow indefinite rule of China

FILE - China's Shuai Peng plays a shot against Romania's Sorana Cirstea during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France. Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Chinese authorities have squelched virtually all online discussion of sexual assault accusations apparently made by the Chinese professional tennis star against a former top government official, showing how sensitive the ruling Communist Party is to such charges. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)




A top tennis player's sexual abuse claims against an ex-CCP leader have been mysteriously wiped off the internet.

What one woman's sex abuse claim tells us about China's #MeToo movement

The air quality in Beijing is three times worse than the most polluted areas of London, but it's unlikely to improve until China ends its reliance on coal.

Beijing's air quality is three times worse than London's - what next for China?

Can coal really be consigned to history at COP26 if the world's largest emitter of coal pollution does not attend the conference?

Is COP26 doomed to fail without China's Xi Jinping?

iPhones are one of the items that may become harder to buy in the run-up to Christmas.

Why China's energy-rationing could leave the UK short of Christmas gifts

The Chinese Ambassador to the UK has accused Western Governments of attempting to tarnish Chinas image and mislead their citizens with baseless accusations. 

Uyghur in China: Stories behind two women who have given evidence at UK tribunal

Taliban fighters stand guard in the main gate leading to Afghan presidential palace, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Aug. 16, 2021. The U.S. military struggled to manage a chaotic evacuation from Afghanistan on Monday 

The Taliban and the Chinese Government have maintained relations for many years but Beijing is uncomfortable with the militant's ideological agenda. 

What does the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan mean for its neighbour China?

It is possible the Beijing Winter Games will be held under even tighter conditions than Tokyo 2020, with foreign spectators likely to be banned. 

Beijing 2022: How may restrictions in the winter games differ from the summer?

The city of Rajshahi, in Bangladesh, is at the centre of a Covid epidemic that threatens to overwhelm health services

Rajshahi: The Bangladesh city racing to vaccinate as Covid wreaks havoc

Professor John Edmunds told ITV News the UK must try to keep the Omicron variant out for "as long as we possibly can".

We must 'move quickly' to tackle Covid Omicron variant, says leading scientist

The PM's decision to put his letter to the French president immediately in the public domain via Twitter appears to have blindsided the French government.

Migrant crisis: Should Johnson be negotiating with Macron via Twitter?

Soaked to the skin and some still wearing life jackets, many continue to attempt the Channel crossing hours after the death of 27. 

Why so many are willing to risk their lives just hours after Channel tragedy

MPs are calling for “humanitarian visas” to allow people to cross the Channel safely if they have a good chance of being granted refugee status.

Patel urged to introduce 'humanitarian visas' to allow safe Channel crossings

Whatever the trustees decide it is likely to cause division amongst the National Trust's members.

National Trust trustees to meet to discuss trail hunting ban

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after watching the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Picture date: Thursday November 18, 2021.

The programme – a new format – will be recorded at Westminster Abbey in early December but ITV sources say they were only made aware of the offer last week.

Punishment for BBC? Kate’s Christmas carol concert to be shown on ITV

Seventeen places in the UK already have confirmed outbreaks of bird flu. 

Bird flu: Lockdown set for birds as owners told to keep pets and poultry inside

Tory MPs are worried about the way Boris Johnson has managed a tough couple of weeks with a "fair level of discontent" on the backbenches.

Debi Edward

Asia Correspondent