The systems, worth $180 million, "serve US national, economic and security interests," the Pentagon said. The sale comes after China conducted one of its largest incursions into Taiwan-controlled airspace to date.

With China scrapping its strict COVID restrictions, several countries have introduced mandatory testing on travelers from China. Italy is calling for EU-wide measures.

It has been a turbulent year for Germany's government — and 2023 promises to be just as nerve-wracking. DW examines the biggest challenges facing German politicians in the new year.

European companies in 2023 are not expected to forget Southeast Asia and return their investments to China — despite Beijing shedding its draconian "zero-COVID" restrictions.

The "overwhelming majority" of EU nations want passengers arriving from China to be tested for COVID-19. China has called new testing rules "unacceptable" after the country opens up following years of strict lockdowns.

The visit comes after Japan recently announced a massive expansion of its defense capabilities in light of China's growing clout in the Indo-Pacific region and security threats posed by North Korea.

Amid China's skyrocketing COVID case numbers, India has been preparing for a possible similar scenario. Authorities are keeping an eye on the possible emergence of new variants.

Europe has been criticized for its patchwork approach to arrivals from China amidst a spike in COVID-19 infections. Only some countries have introduced travel restrictions for Chinese arrivals.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is visiting Beijing to seek better economic ties with China despite continued tension over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Germany's health minister said Berlin would be following an EU recommendation that member states demand travelers from China provide proof of a recent negative rapid COVID test.

China expects the total number of passenger trips made by travellers by road, rail, water and flight during the upcoming Lunar New Year to reach 2.1 billion this year, double from last year's 1.05 billion during the same period.

In China, there are fears not just of a Covid wave but maybe a tsunami. Funeral parlours are overwhelmed and hospitals are packed with elderly patients on respirators. This comes after the lifting of China's zero-Covid restrictions following protests. The World Health Organization, meanwhile, is pointing the finger, saying China's official virus data is being under-reported.