Human Rights Watch has urged the United Nations to take necessary steps to address what it calls China's crimes against humanity targeting Uyghur Muslims and other Turkic minorities in the Xinjiang region.

Chancellor Angela Merkel has spoken to the presidents of China and France, agreeing to greater cooperation on climate change. Meanwhile, US climate envoy John Kerry met his counterpart in China.

Asked about US involvement in a move by the Australian government to scrap a state's deal to join China's Belt and Road Initiative, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki says, "how we can work together as a global community and in a coordinated fashion as it relates to China is part of nearly every discussion the President has with a European partner or country in the region."

The United States is "falling behind" China in their competition to lead the world in the field of renewable energy, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says during a speech in Annapolis, Maryland.

Diplomats are discussing China-US cooperation on climate measures. The talks come ahead of a virtual summit of world leaders later this month.

A report by a Chinese human rights organization has called out the US for its history of military interventions. The accusation continues an ongoing tit-for-tat between the two major powers.

Under the twin emblems of the Chinese flag and the Olympic rings, two tiny boys dangle from the high bar in a cavernous gymnasium -- the cradle of China's elite gymnasts. They are among the latest recruits to China's notoriously demanding state sports system, which has attracted legions of critics but has also made it one of the successful Olympic nations. Despite the tough nature of the drills, officials say the focus is now more on fun -- "happy gymnastics" -- than the medal-obsessed ways of old.

The former secretary of state will travel to China for climate talks as world powers look for ways to follow their pledges under the 2015 Paris accord. A UN summit takes place in Glasgow, Scotland, later this year.

China has urged the US to immediately stop official interactions with Taiwan. China has been flexing its military power in the region in recent months.

This week's "two-plus-two" meeting of ministers could the stage for closer cooperation on regional security. However, Germany needs to balance its interests between China and Japan.

Beijing's complaint comes as regional tensions grow and the US strengthens ties with Taiwan, a self-ruled island that China continues to claim.

China has shipped hundreds of thousands of much needed coronavirus vaccine shots to Sri Lanka over the past few months. Observers say it could help support Beijing's geopolitical interests and bolster influence.