Dengue cases prompt warning in HK

HONG KONG • The Centre for Health Protection in Hong Kong yesterday urged residents to take precautions against dengue fever after three new cases were confirmed.

The patients had travelled to Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia during the incubation period, the centre said, adding that as of Thursday there have been 47 cases this year.

XINHUA

Pentagon report angers China

BEIJING • China's Foreign Ministry expressed anger yesterday after the Pentagon's latest National Military Strategy slammed Chinese claims in the South China Sea as aggressive and inconsistent with international law.

"China's actions are adding tension to the Asia-Pacific region," said the paper, prompting Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying to claim the US was pushing unfounded exaggerations.

"We have already clearly explained our stance on the issue of construction on islands and reefs in the South China Sea," Ms Hua said. "We believe that the US should abandon its Cold War mentality."

China claims most of the sea. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have claims.

REUTERS

Thailand's Mers victim leaves hospital

BANGKOK • A 75-year-old Omani man who became Thailand's first case of Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers) was discharged from hospital yesterday after being declared free of the deadly virus.

His diagnosis last month was South-east Asia's first case since the disease was confirmed in South Korea in May. Thailand now appears to be Mers-free after the Omani patient and 176 people who were put under surveillance after being in contact with him also showed no signs of the disease.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE