Editor's Notes: China to further intensify relief policy support for smaller businesses, what are the reasons behind that?  Globally, the U.S. approves a new booster of COVID-19 vaccines, "mix and match" dose, what can we learn from that? Let's take a look at today's Global Focus.

1. China to bring coal prices back to the appropriate range 

China's top economic planner has said it will use all necessary means provided by the price law to bring coal prices back to an appropriate range and ensure a secure and stable energy supply.

The recent coal price hike has completely deviated from the fundamentals of supply and demand, and prices are still showing further irrational rises, said the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). The NDRC made the comments after holding symposiums with major coal companies, the coal industry association, and the China Electricity Council.

2. Beijing welcomes Olympic flame, unveils torch relay itinerary

The Olympic flame ignited for the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Ancient Olympia in western Greece, which arrived in Beijing on the morning of October 20.

3. China to further intensify relief policy support for smaller businesses

China will take a multi-pronged and targeted approach to step up relief to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), the State Council's executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang decided on October 20.

"The confidence and market expectations of MSMEs are falling. In this context, we need to further bolster relief policy support for MSMEs and help them grow more competitive. The relief policies must be inclusive and targeted," Li said.

Efforts will be made to prevent cost-induced pressure transmitted from commodity price hikes on downstream industries. Inclusive benefit policies including time-limited tax and fee cuts will be studied as quickly as possible, and localities encouraged to provide support to MSMEs such as reduction or exemption of rents and utility bills, to lighten their burden and help them tide over difficulties.

The MSMEs will be supported in developing themselves into ones with specialized, sophisticated techniques and unique, novel products, to enhance their competitiveness.

"We need to respond proactively to the acute difficulties facing MSMEs and help ease their cost-induced pressure. The central government will roll out temporary support policies to shore up their confidence," Li said. "Supporting MSMEs and other market entities will ensure stability in employment, and is also conducive to increasing supply and stabilizing prices." 

4. Wang Yi to chair 1st FMs meeting of China-Pacific Island Countries

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will chair the first China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting, which will be held on October 21 via video link, China's Foreign Ministry announced on October 20.

The meeting will be attended by foreign ministers of Pacific Island Countries that have diplomatic ties with China.

"Parties at the meeting will have an in-depth exchange of views on the relationship between China and Pacific Island Countries, the fight against COVID-19, exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and international and regional cooperation, among other things," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said.

5. Chinese mainland reports 21 confirmed COVID-19 cases

The Chinese mainland recorded 21 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on October 20, with 13 cases of local transmission and eight from overseas, data from the National Health Commission showed on October 21.

In addition, 27 new asymptomatic cases were recorded, seven of which were locally transmitted, while 372 asymptomatic patients remain under medical observation.

Confirmed cases on the Chinese mainland now total 96,622, with the death toll remaining unchanged at 4,636.

The latest tally of confirmed cases in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and Taiwan region are as follows:

Hong Kong: 12,305 (12,003 recoveries, 213 deaths)

Macao: 77 (66 recoveries)

Taiwan: 16,347 (13,742 recoveries, 846 deaths)

6. U.S. approves new booster of COVID-19 vaccines, "mix and match" dose

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 20 authorized COVID-19 booster doses of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, and approved "mix and match" booster dose for currently available approved COVID-19 vaccines.

The agency authorized the use of a single booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after completion of the primary shots to people 65 years of age and older, 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19, and 18 through 64 years of age with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

As for the Johnson & Johnson booster dose, the FDA authorized the use of a single booster dose at least 2 months after completion of the single-dose primary regimen to individuals 18 years of age and older.

A single booster dose of any of the available COVID-19 vaccines may be administered as a "mix and match" booster dose following completion of primary vaccination with a different available COVID-19 vaccine, according to the FDA.

For instance, a person who got a Johnson & Johnson vaccine could receive one from Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech as a booster.

7. La Palma volcano eruption continues into the second month

The eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano on the island of La Palma, Spain, entered into the second month on October 19, with experts warning that it is likely to continue spewing lava in the "short and medium-term."

Over 7,000 people from a total population of 85,000 have been evacuated from their homes since the start of the eruption on Sept. 19, after a "swarm" of earthquakes had affected the island in the Canary Island archipelago.

During its 31-day eruption, the volcano ejected 80 million cubic meters of lava covering over 800 hectares of land on the island that has a surface area of just 708.32 square km.

On its route to the coast, the lava has split into four different channels and has destroyed almost 300 hectares of agricultural land, including 52 hectares of vineyards and 128 dedicated to banana plantations -- the island's main crop. Almost 2,000 buildings have been destroyed.

One of the flows has reached the sea and created around 40 hectares of new land while a second flow is expected to reach the ocean "in a matter of hours."

"We are doing everything that is humanly possible, almost the impossible, to limit the damage," said October 20 Angel Victor Torres, the Canary Islands regional president, as lava moved through the municipality of La Laguna.

Meanwhile, the island continues to be shaken by constant earthquakes of which over 35,000 have been measured since the start of the event, with the strongest measuring 4.8 on the Richter Scale.

An unprecedented drone operation was carried out Wednesday to rescue stranded dogs.

8. Roundup: White House unveils plan to roll out COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5 to 11

The White House on October 20 unveiled its plan to roll out COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5 to 11, pending the vaccine's approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"In anticipation of the FDA's independent advisory committee meeting on October 26 and the CDC's (the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) independent advisory committee meeting on November 2 to 3, today the Biden Administration is announcing a plan to ensure that, if a vaccine is authorized for children ages 5 to 11, it is quickly distributed and made conveniently and equitably available to families across the country," the White House announced in a statement.

The start of a vaccination program for children ages 5 to 11 will depend on the independent FDA and CDC process and timeline, said the White House, adding the country will be ready to begin getting shots in arms in the days following a final CDC recommendation.

The Biden administration has procured enough vaccines to support vaccination for the country's 28 million children ages 5 to 11 years old, according to the White House.

9. U.S. secretary of defense says to deepen military cooperation with Romania in Black Sea region

Visiting U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin pledged here on October 20 to continue to work with partners in the Black Sea region.

"We will continue to have about 1,000 soldiers, through rotation, in Romania," Austin said at a joint press conference with his Romanian counterpart Nicolae Ciuca.

"The U.S. will continue to provide assistance to strengthen the maritime capabilities of Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Georgia," added Austin.

At his meeting with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, Austin stressed the increased interest of his country to continue the development and diversification of cooperation with Romania.

On his part, the Romanian president said that his country will continue to be a strategic partner and a trusted ally, firmly engaged in the political and military strengthening of NATO.

Austin's visit to Romania is the second leg of his three-nation tour that also includes Georgia and Ukraine before he attends the two-day NATO Defense Ministerial meeting in Brussels, Belgium, which begins on October 21.  

10. New Zealand secures "historic" free trade deal with Britain: PM

New Zealand and Britain have agreed in principle the details of a historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which will see a boost of almost 1 billion NZ dollars (720 million U.S. dollars) to New Zealand GDP and unprecedented access for Kiwi exporters to the British market.

The FTA will also see an elimination of all tariffs by Britain on New Zealand exports, with over 97 percent being removed the day the FTA comes into force, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told a press conference on October 21.

Editor: He Zhenzhen