China has brought the middle section of the China-Russia East natural gas pipeline into operation. It is connected to the Power of Siberia gas pipeline from Russia that will deliver blue fuel to northern China.

According to the state-run China Oil & Gas Piping Network Corp (PipeChina), the 1,110km section of the pipeline will stimulate the development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the country’s main manufacturing area, by increasing gas supply by 27 million cubic meters per day.

The new section starts at Changling city in Jilin and stretches to Yongqing city in Hebei, connecting the existing gas pipelines in the northeastern and northern parts of the country, as well as the gas storage projects in Dalian, Tangshan and Liaohe.

The new route will also reportedly help to improve air quality in the region, where a quarter of China’s steelmaking capacity is located.

The northern part of the international gas route was launched in December 2019, and so far has transmitted around four billion cubic meters of natural gas, PipeChina says.

China started the construction of the southern section of the China-Russia East pipeline in July, extending the route to Shanghai in eastern China. The pipeline is projected to reach an annual capacity of 38 billion cubic meters when it is completed in 2025.

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/. On 2 December 2020, the OECD organized an EU-financed webinar for the government of Mongolia to support the design of policies for SME recovery in Mongolia.

The event was an opportunity to discuss Mongolia’s ongoing reform efforts to support the growth of SMEs and share OECD countries’ experiences in developing policies to weather the effects on SMEs during this challenging period.

The webinar brought together senior policy-makers from Mongolia, the SME agency, experts from France and the OECD, and a number of stakeholders from the international development and diplomatic community. This event was part of the OECD policy component of the EU Central Asia Invest initiative.

Opening the session, Ms Vasha Oyu, Director of the Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, outlined the impact of the crisis on the country’s economy, and noted that the government moved quickly to put in place measures to support firms.

Whilst some of the current confinement measures will stay in place for the time being, the government is aware of the importance of helping SMEs restart their work safely. Mr Erdenesaikhan Yadamsuren, Head of the Mongolian SME Agency, noted that SMEs were particularly active in a number of highly vulnerable sectors and that there would be a major shock to the country’s labor market as a result.

Mr H Bolorchuluun, Director of the Policy Planning Department at the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, also underlined the challenges for SMEs and the support provided by the government during this period.

Mr Marco Ferri, Deputy Head of Mission of the EU Delegation to Mongolia, outlined a range of EU-supported measures to help Mongolia and its SMEs, including with the EBRD.

The webinar then heard from Mr Stephan Raes from the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities, who gave a detailed presentation on how OECD members had met the needs of their SMEs in light of the impact of COVID-19, ranging from financial measures to training and digitalization support.

Governments need to better target their interventions in tight fiscal conditions, focusing on firms which are at risk of collapse due to COVID, but which are otherwise entirely viable businesses.

Ms Amélie Schurich-Rey of the OECD Eurasia Division presented an overview of the policy measures undertaken by the government of Mongolia, and how these compared to those of its peers in Central Asia.

Ms Baigalmaa Sanjjav, Principal Manager at the EBRD in Mongolia, presented a major new five-year initiative, Building Crisis-Resilient SMEs in Mongolia Post-COVID-19, as well as new data from an EBRD survey to gauge the impact of the crisis on SMEs.

Mr Vincent Di Betta, Head of International Expertise Activities of Bpifrance, the French public bank for SME development, and Ms Isabelle Lebo, its International Partnerships Manager, proceeded to present their practitioners’ perspective on supporting SMEs in time in crisis. They emphasized the importance of offering guaranteed loans to SMEs at a time where liquidity shortages were arising, with France having set aside some €300 billion.

Concluding the seminar, Mr Erdenesaikhan called for additional support, and together with Mr Ferri, returned to a question raised earlier in the session on the topic of mainstreaming gender concerns into SME policy responses, and helping address gender earning gaps.

The first consignment of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine has arrived in the UK.

It has been taken to a central hub at an undisclosed location, and will now be distributed to hospital vaccination centres around the UK.

The UK has ordered 40 million doses - enough to vaccinate 20 million people.

England's deputy chief medical officer said the first wave of vaccinations could prevent up to 99% of Covid-19 hospital admissions and deaths.

Speaking to BBC News, Prof Jonathan Van-Tam said that would be possible if everyone on the first priority list took the vaccine and it was highly effective.

He said it was key to distribute the vaccine "as fast" and at the "highest volume" as possible, but he acknowledged there would need to be some flexibility in the list.

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines are made in Belgium and have travelled to the UK via the Eurotunnel.

The order in which people will get the jab is recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and decided by the government.

Elderly people in care homes and care home staff have been placed top of the priority list, followed by over-80s and health and care staff.

However, because hospitals already have the facilities to store the vaccine at the necessary -70C, the very first vaccinations are likely to take place there - for care home staff, NHS staff and patients - to lower the risk of wasting doses.

Prof Van-Tam told BBC News: "If we can get through phase one [of the priority list] and it is a highly effective vaccine and there is very, very high up take, then we could in theory take out 99% of hospitalisations and deaths related to Covid 19.

"That is why the phase one list is what it is, that is the primary ambition."

Graphic outlining how the Pfizer vaccine will be prioritised among different groups. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that people are given the vaccine in the following order, although there is likely to be some overlap between groups: 1. residents in a care home for older adults, and their carers 2. everyone aged 80 and over, and frontline health and social care workers 3. everyone aged 75 and over 4. everyone aged 70 and over, and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable 5. everyone aged 65 and over 6. people aged 16 to 64 with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and death from Covid-19 7. everyone aged 60 and over 8. everyone aged 55 and over 9. everyone aged 50 and over

The UK became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer vaccine on Wednesday.

Dr Anthony Fauci, the top US infectious disease expert, has apologised for remarks that seemed to criticise the UK's vaccine approval process.

He initially told Fox News: "The UK did not do it as carefully. If you go quickly and you do it superficially, people are not going to want to get vaccinated."

But the UK defended its process, and said the jab is safe and effective.

And speaking later to the BBC, Dr Fauci said: "There really has been a misunderstanding, and for that I'm sorry, and I apologise for that.

"I have a great deal of confidence in what the UK does both scientifically and from a regulator standpoint.

"Our process is one that takes more time than it takes in the UK. And that's just the reality. I did not mean to imply any sloppiness even though it came out that way."

The UK's 40 million doses will be distributed as quickly as they can be made by Pfizer in Belgium, with the first load rolled out next week and then "several millions" throughout December, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said.

But the bulk of the roll-out across the UK will be next year.

And it could take until April for all those deemed most at-risk to receive the new vaccine, according to NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens.

The arrival of the vaccines comes after the UK became the first country in Europe to surpass 60,000 coronavirus deaths

Official figures show a further 414 deaths within 28 days of a positive test were recorded on Thursday, taking the total to 60,113.

Two other ways of measuring deaths - where Covid is mentioned on the death certificate, and the number of "excess deaths" for this time of year - give higher total figures.

Covid deaths

Only the US, Brazil, India and Mexico have recorded more deaths than the UK, according to Johns Hopkins University.

However, the UK has had more deaths per 100,000 people than any of those nations.

In terms of deaths per 100,000 people, the UK is the seventh-highest country globally, behind Belgium, San Marino, Peru, Andorra, Spain and Italy.

Ulaanbaatar Railway JSC has reached the 100 km mark for the construction of the railway line between Zuunbayan and Tavantolgoi.

On November 30, the railway construction team working on the strategically important “coal line” completed the 4000th section, thus completing 100 km. The milestone has been reached by Ulaanbaatar Railway employees in less than a year. Despite weather conditions becoming harsherwith the arrival of winter, progress continues to be made as a result of proper preliminary preparations.

The railway connecting Chinese border with Mongolia’s giant Tavan Tolgoi coal mine is expected to open in 2022. The line will be yet another nail in the coffin of Australia’s coal exports to China.

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/. At its regular session held today, the Parliament approved the draft law on ratification of the COVID-19 Crisis Emergency Support Loan Agreement between the Government of Mongolia and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which was submitted by the Standing Committee on Security and Foreign Policy.

The loan of JYP 25 billion or USD 233 million which will be financed by the Japanese side will be spent to stimulate the economy, protect public health, support livelihoods, sustain incomes and improve social security.

63.8 percent or 44 out of 69 participating members of the Parliament supported the bill on ratification of the abovementioned agreement.

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/. In 2021, 824 projects will be implemented in construction sector with the financing from the state budget.

In accordance with the decision to open the operations of woodwork, construction and materials factory starting from December 1, 2225 employees of 100 factories have started working again normally amid the ongoing lockdown.

In 2020, 691 projects in construction sector with financing of a total of MNT 546.3 billion from the state budget was approved. Whereas, 824 projects to be financed with MNT 850.8 billion from the state budget was approved for 2021 as reflected in the budget law.

Of the 824 projects, 516 or 63 percent will be realized with the extent of 2 or more years, which means that the number of projects that will be implemented within one year for 2021 is fewer by 379 compared with 2020.

In addition, the Ministry of Construction and Urban Development conducted the necessary research on ways to organize construction works during the pandemic and developed recommendations and methodologies for construction sites.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - IBM is sounding the alarm over hackers targeting companies critical to the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, a sign that digital spies are turning their attention to the complex logistical work involved in inoculating the world’s population against the novel coronavirus.

The information technology company said in a blog post published on Thursday that it had uncovered “a global phishing campaign” focused on organizations associated with the COVID-19 vaccine “cold chain” - the process needed to keep vaccine doses at extremely cold temperatures as they travel from manufacturers to people’s arms.

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency reposted the report, warning members of Operation Warp Speed - the U.S. government’s national vaccine mission - to be on the lookout. Understanding how to build a secure cold chain is fundamental to distributing vaccines developed by the likes of Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE because the shots need to be stored at minus 70 degrees Celsius (-94 F) or below to avoid spoiling.

IBM’s cybersecurity unit said it had detected an advanced group of hackers working to gather information about different aspects of the cold chain, using meticulously crafted booby-trapped emails sent in the name of an executive with Haier Biomedical, a Chinese cold chain provider that specializes in vaccine transport and biological sample storage.

The hackers went through “an exceptional amount of effort,” said IBM analyst Claire Zaboeva, who helped draft the report. Hackers researched the correct make, model, and pricing of various Haier refrigeration units, Zaboeva said.

“Whoever put together this campaign was intimately aware of whatever products were involved in the supply chain to deliver a vaccine for a global pandemic,” she said.

Haier Medical did not return messages seeking comment.

Messages sent to the email addresses used by the hackers were not returned.

IBM said the bogus Haier emails were sent to around 10 different organizations but only identified one target by name: the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union, which handles tax and customs issues across the EU and has helped set rules on the import of vaccines.

Representatives for the directorate-general could not immediately be reached for comment.

IBM said other targets included companies involved in the manufacture of solar panels, which are used to power vaccine refrigerators in warm countries, and petrochemical products that could be used to derive dry ice.

Who is behind the vaccine supply chain espionage campaign isn’t clear.

Reuters has previously documented how hackers linked to Iran, Vietnam, North Korea, South Korea, China, and Russia have on separate occasions been accused by cybersecurity experts or government officials of trying to steal information about the virus and its potential treatments.

IBM’s Zaboeva said there was no shortage of potential suspects. Figuring out how to swiftly distribute an economy-saving vaccine “should be topping the lists of nation states across the world,” she said.

A UN human rights expert today called upon the Mongolian parliament to move forward with a ground-breaking law to protect people who stand up for human rights in the Central Asian country.

“Mongolia has a chance to be a regional leader, and I urge all parliamentarians to support this important law, which would make it easier for human rights defenders to continue their important work,” said Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.

The Human Rights Defender Law, drafted by the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia with the support of civil society, was submitted to Parliament, the Great State Khural, in May, and should be on its agenda for discussion before mid-December. The law includes a definition of human rights defenders in line with international standards, and provides for their protection. It also foresees establishment of an independent body to prevent and respond to violations of their rights.

“I commend the submission of this law to the parliament, and I hope that all political parties will support it unanimously,” said Lawlor. “If enacted, this law would be the first of its kind in the region, and will send a strong signal of Mongolia’s commitment to human rights.”

The Government of Mongolia and representatives of Canada’s Turquoise Hill (TSX, NYSE: TRQ) have set up a special board committee to conduct an independent review into the cost overruns and delays at the Oyu Tolgoi underground expansion flagged by Rio Tinto (ASX, LON, NYSE: RIO) last year.

Two of the commission’s four members were nominated by Turquoise Hill, Oyu Tolgoi’s majority shareholder, with another two chosen by Erdenes Oyu Tolgoi (EOT), Mongolia’s entity that owns the remaining 34% interest in the massive copper-gold-silver mine.

”The special committee has been charged with selecting and engaging an independent and reputable firm of experts in the field of project management, mine planning, cost management and other related fields,” the Mongolian government said in a separate statement.

Rio’s partners’ show of defiance, worked out late on Monday, comes amid threats of legal action from investors against the company for failing to meet the set cost and timeline for the mine expansion.

The world’s second-largest miner confirmed in July that its most important growth project would be delivered almost two years late and close to $1.5 billion over budget. Rio also lowered at the time its forecast for annual copper output at Oyu Tolgoi open-pit, citing coronavirus-related disruptions.

“Turquoise Hill fully supports our government partner, EOT, in securing an independent and objective review of the cost overruns and delays announced last year,” the company said on Tuesday.

“We believe [the move] is consistent with corporate governance best practices, ensures accountability and transparency and will ultimately serve the best interests of Oyu Tolgoi’s owners – EOT and TRQ – as well as our respective stakeholders,” the company added.

The dispute over funding the expansion’s sudden cost increase began heating up in early November when Turquoise Hill launched arbitration proceedings against the mining giant to get clarity on funding.

Rio Tinto has said it will not allow the Canadian miner, in which it holds a 51% stake, to take on more than $500 million in additional debt, and asked the company to fill up a funding gap of up to $3 billion by reprofiling loans and raising equity.

Minority investors in Turquoise Hill, including US hedge fund Pentwater Capital, oppose Rio’s attempts to force the Canadian miner to conduct an equity raise. The claim there are “much cheaper and more advantageous financing options” available to the company, such as streaming and bond financing.

They also worry about Rio growing its stake in Turquoise Hill through such an equity raising. Investors based this argument on the expectation that Rio would underwrite any shortfall created by minority Turquoise Hill shareholders who do not participate in the raising.

Troubles-plagued

Mongolia has complained about overruns in the past. Much of Oyu Tolgoi’s copper lies deep underground. When Rio finally kicked off the delayed project, profits from surface extraction were meant to pay for digging up more of the copper below.

With time, it became clear the underground mine alone would cost as much as a third more than the original $5.3 billion budget.

Mounting investor activism is just one of the may headaches Rio Tinto has had while building what would rank as one of the world’s three largest copper mines when operating at full capacity – now expected to be by 2025 at the earliest.

Oyu Tolgoi’s expansion cost blowout to hit up to $1.8 billion

The copper-gold mine is located in the South Gobi region of Mongolia, about 550 km south of the capital Ulaanbaatar.

The Mongolian government’s insistence on owning an equity stake in the mine and has also been a major obstacle for Rio to overcome.

A group of legislators recommended last year a review of the 2009 deal that launched construction of the mine. It also advised revoking a 2015 agreement allowing for the now ongoing underground expansion.

Mongolia’s parliament ended up approving a resolution in December last year, which reconfirmed the validity of all the Oyu Tolgoi mine-related agreements. The decision brought an 18-month-long review to a close.

The underground expansion of Oyu Tolgoi is Rio’s most important growth project. Once completed, it is expected to lift the mine’s production from 125,000–150,000 tonnes in 2019 to 560,000 tonnes at peak output.

The Mongolian government on Wednesday decided to reduce the price of processed fuel by 50 percent amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Our people's livelihoods have been badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the government decided to reduce the price of processed fuel by 50 percent from Dec. 3 to April 1 in order to support the livelihoods of residents of ger areas of the capital city Ulan Bator during the pandemic," said Prime Minister Ukhnaa Khurelsukh.

The current price of processed fuel is 150,000 Mongolian tugriks (about 52.8 U.S. dollars) per ton.

Mongolia replaced low-grade coal with processed fuel in Ulan Bator in 2019 to curb air pollution. In other words, the processed fuel is currently used only in the capital city, which is home to over half of Mongolia's 3.2 million population.

Around 220,000 households live in Ulan Bator's ger (yurt, or round-shaped dwelling) districts, with no running water, central heating or sewerage systems, according to government data.

As of Wednesday, Mongolia has reported 812 COVID-19 cases, including 380 locally transmitted cases.

The Asian country's nationwide lockdown, imposed on Nov. 12 after reporting its first locally transmitted case, expired on Tuesday.

However, the Mongolian government has extended the lockdown in Ulan Bator and the provinces of Selenge and Arkhangai by 10 days until Dec. 11. Enditem