On Sunday, tens of thousands of travelers flew in and out of China without having to submit to stringent centralised quarantine requirements. The change in policy is raising hope in neighboring countries that this will signal the return of Chinese tourists. Holiday bookings have already increased and markets are trading higher on the news, but as we explain, it will take some time for travel to return to what it was before the pandemic.

While part of the international community denounces the repression of the Uighur ethnic group in Xinjiang, a region in western China, Uighur "influencers" offer an idyllic vision of their daily life. But a growing number of human rights organisations and the United Nations have documented China’s severe repression of this Muslim ethnic minority.

Three years ago, a protest movement began in Hong Kong against an extradition bill, which led to an authoritarian response from Beijing that would forever transform the city and its people.

Wei Fenghe slammed US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's "smearing" accusation that China was causing regional instability. He said Beijing would do whatever it takes to ensure reunification with Taiwan.

Amid a COVID surge, the Chinese capital has also closed entertainment venues and restaurants, in a major blow to the already hard-hit industries. At the same time, Shanghai's strict lockdown has been slightly relaxed.

Beijing has launched a mass testing drive to detect as many infections as possible in a bid to contain a new outbreak. Meanwhile, Germany's finance minister tests negative for COVID.

Brussels is seeking to warn Beijing about supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine — and to use its influence to stop the war. Some experts, however, are skeptical about what can be achieved during the EU-China summit.

In the past year authorities have used the law to close independent media and arrest or jail leaders of the pro-democracy protests. Many have left Hong Kong. Of those who remain, few are willing to speak out. DW's Phoebe Kong met one of them.

Posts on social media claim that US Olympic athletes received a poor welcome in China. In the video being shared on Twitter, you can see Chinese basketball fans racially insulting an athlete with the N-word. When did this incident actually take place?Then, did Justin Trudeau admit to a 600 million dollar bribe to the media?We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.

We start with the British papers, which are reporting on "Black Thursday", after four of Boris Johnson's closest aides resigned and the government warned of major price hikes. Also, a US pastor in Tennessee makes headlines by burning Harry Potter and other fantasy books that he says threaten his religious rights. Finally, we take a look at some of the athletes who will be gracing us with their talents in Beijing!

While the International Olympic Committee has said that politics and sport do not mix, there are many examples to the contrary. Athletes have often been advocates for social change, while activists are angry about Beijing hosting the Winter Olympics despite rampant allegations of human rights abuses. More than 200 global groups have made a joint call for a diplomatic boycott. We take a closer look.

FRANCE 24 spoke to Lu Shaye, the Chinese ambassador to France. He insisted Beijing was prioritising "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan, but said the Chinese authorities had "not ruled out the use of force" – not with the intention of targeting "the people of Taiwan", but rather to dissuade "separatists in Taiwan" and certain "foreign forces". The Chinese diplomat also said he was "sure" there would be no mass surge in Covid-19 cases during the Winter Olympics, which open in Beijing on February 4.