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U.S. Condemns China's Hong Kong Electoral Changes; Cases Creeping up in Tokyo Ahead of Olympics; Amazon Rain Forest Losing Carbon Storage Capacity; Russia Turns to Hockey to Safe Freshwater Lake; Royal Rift Between Prince William and Prince Harry; Myanmar's Military, Crimes Against Humanity?; Britain's Elderly Begin To See Their Loved Ones; French Health Minister On Safety Of AstraZeneca Vaccine; Myanmar Ethnic Groups Band Together Against Military; Calls For Saudi Arabia To Lift Blockade As Yemenis Starve. Aired 1-2a ET
Aired March 12, 2021 - 01:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[01:00:00]
JOHN VAUSE, ANCHOR, CNN NEWSROOM: Hello, I'm John Vause with another hour of CNN NEWSROOM.
Coming up.
The legal case for why Myanmar's military dictatorship is guilty of crimes against humanity as more unarmed protesters are shot dead.
A new study says that the Amazon rain forest is not only no longer helping climate change, it's making it worse.
And the growing uncertainty of the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine as regulators in parts of Europe suspend distribution.
A day after the U.N. Security Council urged Myanmar's military to exercise utmost restraint, at least 12 pro-democracy protesters have been shot dead.
There appeared to be a deliberate and deadly offensive on unarmed civilians by security forces believed to be acting on the direct orders of the generals who seized power in last month's coup.
And in response to international condemnation, the military announced new corruption charges against Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's now deposed opposed civilian leader.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGADIER GENERAL ZAW MIN TUN, MYANMAR JUNTA SPOKESMAN (Speaking in Foreign Language)
UNKNOWN: Former Yangon regional minister Phyo Mien Thein said he gave Aung San Suu Kyi 600,000 dollars in cash and seven kilograms of academy (ph) gold between December of 2017 to March of 2018.
(END VIDEO CLIP) VAUSE: The military presented no evidence to support their allegations but nonetheless, they raised the stakes on Aung San Suu Kyi who until now was facing four relatively minor charges.
During that same news conference, the military insisted their security forces were exercising restraint when confronting violent protesters.
The U.N. special rapporteur to Myanmar says there is clear evidence that crimes against humanity have likely been committed by the military.
He's now urging international cooperation to cut off all business ties directly with the military, impose an international arms embargo, deliver aid directly to the people and deny generals the recognition as being the legitimate leaders of Myanmar.
Tom Andrews is the U.N. special rapporteur on Myanmar. He is with us this hour from Washington.
Mr. Andrews, thank you for being with us.
THOMAS ANDREWS, U.N. SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON MYANMAR: John, thank you.
VAUSE: On Thursday, you briefed the U.N. Human Rights Council, laid out an argument that, in your words -- "The "junta's brutal response to peaceful protests, likely meets the legal threshold for crimes against humanity."
Just very briefly, what is that legal threshold and why "likely," why the hesitation?
ANDREWS: Well, it's a legal definition so, of course, it has to be adjudicated by a court for it to be formally declared as crimes against humanity. But I just basically laid out the case.
This is a brutal military regime, they're attacking people, not at random, but on a very systematic basis. These are not combatants that are engaged here, these are innocent people. And it is spread out over a wide geographic area.
We've had -- (ph) over 70 people have been killed in 28 different districts around the country. There are over 2,000 that have been arbitrarily detained.
So when you look through the basic criteria for crimes against humanity and you look at the reality of what's going on in Myanmar, right, today, it's a very close fit.
Again, it has to be adjudicated in a court of law, but I urged that the members of the Human Rights Council look at what's going on, look at that definition and make up their own mind.
VAUSE: Amnesty International has made some serious claims as well about the military response to the pro-democracy protests, backs up those claims with some video evidence -- and a warning, what we're about to see will be disturbing for some people so if there are kids maybe watching maybe get them out of the room.
Because in this next clip, Amnesty claims the video shows an extrajudicial killing, it's an execution.
So what you need to do is focus -- for our viewers -- focus on the middle of the screen on the outer upper edge of the crowd. Roll it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(Noises of crowd)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: OK. There's also other clips which Amnesty uses which backs up their claims that battlefield weapons being used as part of the military response and there's a lot more out there from Amnesty. They collected more than 50 video clips, all up.
What's your take on this case which is presented by Amnesty?
[01:05:00]
ANDREWS: Well, it just fits just a horrific, horrific pattern of massive, massive abuse.
People are being literally shot at at point blank range. We've now seen clips of soldiers, police officers, walking through neighborhoods destroying property and then taking their rifles and shooting at random up in people's homes.
So people are not safe anywhere in the country and it's this reign of terror and intimidation, and fear that they are trying to foster throughout the country.
And on top of that, we've seen these grisly, brutal murders of people in cold blood.
What makes it all the more preposterous and outrageous, really, is the fact that the defense has been -- the junta (inaudible) acting with utmost restraint and that they confronting people who are violent, that is the protesters are violent.
So basically, what they're saying is that we shouldn't believe our own eyes, that we should be looking at them as being restrained and looking at these very peaceful protests all over the country as being inherently violent.
It's just outrageous.
VAUSE: Yes. There is an element to this, though, because in recent years of (inaudible) irony, I guess -- maybe it's a cautionary tale.
Because in recent years, the majority of people in Myanmar sat back, either did nothing or supported the military as it committed crimes against humanity on the Rohingya Muslims. Is the lesson here for any country where the military or the
government is actively persecuting one part of the population, there's every chance that you will be next?
ANDREWS: Well, the reality is that the man who was responsible for those atrocities in 2017, those mass atrocity crimes, Min Aung Hlaing, the commander in chief, is now in control of the entire country.
So -- and listen, they have not let up on persecution of ethnic minorities, ethnic nationalities, and indeed, the Rohingya.
I reported today to the Human Rights Council that 33 Rohingya people were killed in just the past year and the persecution of them continues, unabated.
So, this is a regime. This is a brutal military regime, that has shown their capability at brutality and they're showing it right now all over the country and even as we speak.
VAUSE: Tom Andrews, the U.N. special rapporteur for Myanmar. Thank you very much for being with us. Thank you, sir.
ANDREWS: John, thank you.
VAUSE: When it comes to human rights abuses, ethnic cleansing, crimes against humanity, Myanmar's military has a decades long rap sheet.
Before they turned their automatic weapons on unarmed protesters, the army targeted Rohingya Muslims, a years' long military operation the U.N. described as genocide.
And now the generals are back in power, seems they've picked up where they've left off.
Live now to CNN's Paula Hancocks who's following the story for us from Seoul.
One thing which is interesting about this is that the military is once again focusing not just on these protesters but also the Rohingya Muslims and this is sort of uniting all of these ethnic groups together like they've never been before.
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right, John. They have a common enemy at this point.
We know some of the light infantry divisions who are now seen on the streets of the cities, they have been known for committing atrocities against those in the ethnic areas. This is something that many in the ethnic groups have had to deal with for decades.
So the fact that they are now seeing those in the city having to go through what they went through as well, there is a common unity that hasn't been seen for some time.
Villagers flee their homes in the mountains of Karen state saying Myanmar's military is attacking. Violence and oppression from the army that many ethnic groups across Myanmar have faced for decades.
Sheltering in the jungle, the displaced rely on humanitarian groups for food and medicine. Children continue their schooling wherever they can.
Aid group, Free Burma Rangers, believes some 6,000 people are currently unable to return home in this one state alone.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVE EUBANKS, FREE BURMA RANGERS: The coup, evidently, was well planned beforehand and we saw the pressure begin to build in the ethnic areas here in December last year and in January and then after the coup even more.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HANCOCKS (off camera): Ethnic groups want self determination. The military has been accused of carrying out atrocities against them, most recently against the Muslim Rohingya in Rakhine state in 2017.
The military generals stand accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, an accusation they and the now deposed civilian government deny.
The one thing the coup has achieved which even a nationwide cease-fire signed in 2015 could not entirely; ethnic unity.
With 135 different official groups in a 70-year long civil war, solidarity between ethnic groups and with those in the cities has until now been scarce.
[01:10:00]
Groups say the cease-fire with the military is off and they stand firmly behind the anti-coup protesters.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DR. LIAN HMUNG SAKHONG, CHAIRMAN, ETHNIC NATIONAL COUNCIL: So I think this is the time we are so united, ethnic groups and the people, the whole country, the whole nation is united. For democracy, for equality, for federal peace.
The people are very much aware that they don't want to go back to military rule, they are suffering long enough.
2,000 teachers and students in Karen state protested earlier this week, escorted and protected by the ethnic armed forces, the KNU.
Last month before security forces increased the level of force used against protesters, a number of ethnic groups gathered in Yangon, sharing solidarity with the Civil Disobedience Movement.
This protester says we've been protesting against the military dictatorship for well over 70 years, we're not just starting now. It is important to be here as we don't know how long it might last.
The protests in the cities may seem a world away from the displaced in the jungles but the desire for democracy and hatred of the military runs throughout.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HANCOCKS (On Camera): Now the Free Burma Rangers, the humanitarian aid group, which is working in the mountains of Karen state, I spoke to the representative there and he said that he had spoken to one elderly woman who had lost count, she said, of the amount of times that they had had to flee their village because the military had been shelling so often over the years.
And this is really something that many of these borderlands, people there, have been dealing with for such a long time.
So now the unity and the common enemy, is being felt now that the same troops that had been fighting against them are seen on the streets of the cities. John.
VAUSE: Paula, thank you. Paula Hancocks, live for us there in Seoul.
Well, on to Yemen now which is staring at the biggest famine in modern history. And the head of the World Food Program says the Saudi-led coalition must lift its maritime blockade.
CNN's Nima Elbagir and her crew traveled to Yemen, found starving children at a hospital in the port city of Hodeidah.
Famine has gripped many parts of the country, not just because of the shortage of food but also fuel, what supplies there are cannot be transferred to those in need.
And the U.N. says more than 20 million people are in need, more than half acute need while millions of others have been forced from their homes.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID BEASLEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME: Around 400,000 children may die in Yemen this year without urgent intervention. That is roughly about every 75 seconds so while we're sitting here every minute and a quarter, a child's dying.
And to add to all of their misery, the innocent people of Yemen have to deal with a fuel blockage, a fuel blockade.
For example, most hospitals only have electricity in their intensive care units because fuel reserves are so low. I know this first hand because I walked into the hospitals and the lights are off, electricity was off.
The people of Yemen deserve our help. That blockade must be lifted, as a humanitarian act otherwise millions more will spiral into crisis.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: The Saudi ambassador to the U.N. tells CNN the kingdom is looking for a political solution to this conflict in Yemen but adds the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels continue with their attacks.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRINCE ABDULLAH BIN KHALED BIN SULTAN AL SAUD: SAUDI AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: Saudi Arabia has always looked for a political solution in Yemen, Saudi Arabia committed to the cease-fire the past year, unfortunately, the Houthis have not.
They have launched dozens of ballistic missiles and drones in the past month. This is not the act of any party that wants a cease-fire or that wants peace.
VAUSE: Becky Anderson's full interview with the Saudi ambassador can be seen on "CONNECT THE WORLD," starting 3:00 p.m. in London, 7:00 p.m. in Abu Dhabi.
Still to come here. Why this July 4th holiday in the U.S. could also mean independence from the coronavirus.
President Joe Biden has set the national holiday as a sign of hope for some normalcy when Americans can gather again in small groups.
Also, why a growing number of countries are suspending their rollouts of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[01:15:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VAUSE: Well, this Fourth of July Independence Day in the U.S. might also mark independence from the pandemic.
U.S. President Joe Biden said if Americans did their part and vaccine rollouts continued successfully then small gatherings might be possible by then marking a return of some normalcy.
The president also signed a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill on Thursday before he made his first primetime national address.
Mr. Biden says the fight against COVID is far from over. In fact, a key model suggests the U.S. death toll will be close to 600,000 by July 1st.
But the president is promising more vaccines at a faster pace.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: All adult Americans will be eligible to get a vaccine no later than May 1. That's much earlier than we expected. Let me be clear. That doesn't mean everyone's going to have that shot
immediately but it means you'll be able to get in line beginning May 1, every adult will be eligible to get their shot.
To do this, we're going to go from a million shots a day that I promised in December before I was sworn in, to maintaining beating our current pace of 2 million shots a day, outpacing the rest of the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: The one dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been approved for use by the E.U., 200 million doses expected to arrive next month.
Four vaccines are now being used across Europe, bringing hope a much troubled and delayed vaccination rollout might just reach its goal of inoculating 70 percent of the adult population by the end of the northern summer.
But there are problems. Thailand has joined a number of European countries which have suspended distribution of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine over concerns of increased risk from blood clots.
Denmark, Iceland, Norway along with the countries here in yellow have hit pause while those in blue are still using the vaccine.
We get details from Melissa Bell, reporting in from Paris.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MELISSA BELL, CNN PARIS CORRESPONDENT: Here in Europe, several countries and announcing the suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine rollout or at least the suspension of the rollout of some of its batches.
This after concerns were raised in a number of European countries about possible blood clots that have been found in patients who'd been inoculated.
The European Medicines Agency has reacted saying it does not agree with the suspension, France's foreign minister as well saying that France will continue.
This is what he had to say Thursday evening.
OLIVIER VERAN, FRENCH MINISTER OF SOLIDARITY & HEALTH (Through Translator): Investigations are carried out systematically each time serious adverse effects are declared.
But what are we talking about? About 30 people out of more than 5 million Europeans having received an injection.
BELL: The news of those suspensions though in European countries another blow to the rollout of the European Union's vaccine program that has been beset by supply issues for the last few weeks. One bit of good news on that front though. The European Medicines
Agency announcing that it had approved for marketing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
That decision though now needs to go to the national health agencies before deliveries can begin of the 200 million doses that have been promised to the European Union this year.
Something that could help improve the roll out that we've seen so far.
BELL (On Camera): Melissa Bell, CNN, Paris.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: The governor of Brazil's most populous state, Sao Paulo, has warned the entire country is collapsing under the weight of a surging number of coronavirus infections.
He's announced new pandemic restrictions which start Monday impacting offices, schools, churches, sporting events. Beaches and parks will also be closed.
Brazil's daily death toll topped 2,000 again with more than 270,000 dead since the pandemic began, the second highest death toll in the world.
[01:20:00]
But the president, Jair Bolsonaro, who's repeatedly downplayed the crisis and refuses to wear a face mask is pushing back on more restrictions, claiming they'll only bring chaos.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAIR BOLSONARO, PRESIDENT, BRAZIL (Through Translator): How long will our economy resist? If it collapses, it will be a disgrace.
What will we have soon? Supermarket invasions, buses on fire, strikes, pickets, work stoppages.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: In the U.K., thanks in part to an impressive vaccine rollout, many seniors are now able to see their loved once again, in person.
CNN's Phil Black has more of these emotional moments.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PHIL BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: From its earliest days, the pandemic has stood like a barricade blocking David Alexander's (ph) sense of duty and love for his wife.
Until this moment.
DAVID ALEXANDER (ph): Hello, my darling. Hello. Do you know who I am?
SHEILA: (Inaudible).
ALEXANDER: Do you know who I am? I'm David.
SHEILA: (Inaudible).
ALEXANDER: Do you know David? Your husband. Oh, it's a long time since I've seen you.
BLACK: Sheila has dementia, she rarely speaks. So David can't know with this reunion needs to her or what she thought and felt through the long stretches where he wasn't allowed to visit.
They've shared their lives for more than 55 years but this is only the second time they've sat together during the pandemic.
It's almost five months since Sheila last heard David's voice.
ALEXANDER: I've got you a few little flowers out of the garden.
BLACK: Or felt his touch.
ALEXANDER: Even with gloves on it's better than what they arranged before. You've got to be thankful for what you've got. You all right, love?
BLACK: Emotional reunions, poignant and joyful.
SARA (ph): Hello there.
BLACK: Taking place in nursing and care homes across England. Because, as vaccines roll out, residents are now allowed one designated visitor.
RENE DOLAN (ph): Lovely seeing you, darling.
SARA: Yes. And you.
BLACK: For Rene Dolan (ph), it's her granddaughter, Sara.
DONAN: It's so nice seeing you. It's a long time.
SARA: I know. I know, but listen. Listen. I'm going to come back next as well.
BLACK: After so many months apart, the need for physical contact and comfort is overwhelming. But there are still rules. No hugging or kissing, they can only hold hands.
In this moment, that limited gesture is loaded with feeling.
DONAN: (Inaudible) daughter means everything to me. Everything, yes. I'm going to cry a little bit. I don't want to do that.
SARA: Oh, it's all right. It's OK. Don't worry. DONAN: I've got one.
SARA: You've got one. All right.
ANDREA (ph): Hello, how are you?
HOWARD CHAPMAN (ph): (Inaudible).
BLACK: Howard Chapman and his daughter, Andrea, say in normal times they don't usually hold hands. But these aren't normal times.
CHAPMAN: But to have somebody in like this.
ANDREA: Yes.
CHAPMAN: My lovely daughter. What's your name?
ANDREA: Yes. Which one are you?
BLACK: In the Manor Hall nursing home --
UNKNOWN: Are we excited to go out today, George?
BLACK: -- there's a buzz of anticipation. Some of the residents are leaving the grounds for the first time since last summer.
UNKNOWN: Oh, you're quick on your feet this morning.
UNKNOWN: Always am.
BLACK: It's only a small excursion, a drive through the nearby countryside followed by tea in a park near a local beach.
UNKNOWN: And now we can explore that beach today, can't we?
BLACK: It's more freedom than George Lodge (ph) thought possible.
How are you doing today?
GEORGE LODGE: Very well. We've been locked up for weeks and weeks and weeks. Never thought this == was going to happen again for us.
To come here, you realize how big England is. You've almost forgot how big this place is, really. Isn't it?
BLACK: Many of England's elderly were lost to the pandemic and so many more have been forced to endure heartbreaking confinement.
Their restored freedoms are modest but they allow the possibility of hope. For more time with loved ones.
DOLAN: Love you.
SARA: Love you.
DOLAN: All right. SARA: See you next week.
DOLAN: Yes. All right, darling. Take care.
BLACK (Voice Over): And more walks by the beach.
Phil Black, CNN, Southern England.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: As vaccine roll outs pick up steam and hopes are growing of herd immunity, the next challenge could be restarting our lives after the pandemic.
That may not be as easy as it sounds. A year of isolation, relatives and friends kept apart for long, lonely stretches at a time or spending way too much time together in small cramped homes.
Either way, it's taken a toll.
The European regional director for the Red Cross says the verdict is in.
[01:25:00]
"COVID-19 worsens mental health. So there can be no excuse and no delay in stepping up now to prevent a worsening and chronic catastrophe.
There is no help without mental health, therefore recovery from the pandemic needs to be a factor in mental health and psychosocial interventions."
Psychiatric professor, Natasha Rajah, from McGill University is with us now at this hour from Montreal in Canada. Professor, thank you for taking the time to speak with us.
NATASHA RAJAH, PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY, MCGILL UNIVERSITY: Oh, thanks for having me.
VAUSE: OK. In terms of shared PTSD, it's hard to think of anything humanity has suffered on such a collective scale as this pandemic.
So what will be the emotional challenges as we emerge from our caves, our COVID caves, and try to resume being social again?
RAJAH: I think one of the biggest challenges will be learning how to reconnect socially and having things to talk about with each other. Having spent one year in social isolation, not much has happened to many of us.
So just having that opportunity to reconnect. It will be new again to some extent, especially if you've been living in isolation. And the other thing is to get used to basically the rush of life that maybe you left behind. And dealing with some remnants of maybe anxiety and depression and how
do you cope with those things? I think there's a lot that we will have to work on.
But I am optimistic. I think we're very plastic and, as individuals, very resilient so I think that it be a gradual, slow reentry but once we're back at it, I think we'll adjust very well on average.
BIDEN: Right now, a lot of people are talking about this mental fog, unable to remember simple things.
Comedian Kylie Brakeman put it this way.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KYLIE BRAKEMAN, COMEDIAN: You know what I miss is like those night restaurants that served alcohol, what were those called? And there were those like big men outside who would check your credit card to make sure you were 41.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: It seems the pandemic and, in particular, measures taken to control it are not especially great for our brains.
Mike Yassa is a neuroscientist at University of California, Irvine.
He told "The Atlantic" -- "Based on everything we know about the brain, two of the things that are really good for it are physical activity and novelty. A thing that's very bad for it is chronic and perpetual stress."
So is this all part of the forgetfulness? What shape are our brains in right now and how long before our brains are back to some kind of normalcy?
RAJAH: Yes. I think the chronic stress of COVID plus for many -- people are experiencing grief, some people might have a history of psychiatric illness might be experiencing anxiety and depression again.
These are definitely challenges to our brain, especially the lack of novelty that my colleague mentioned is a big challenge.
Because our hypo canthus (ph) and our memory systems of the brain really rely on novel information to kind of keep feeding it.
And so when there's a lack of novelty and this kind of repetitive habitual sense of life, you really do kind of shut down as far as remembering the details of your past experiences.
Which is what a lot of people might be experiencing right now.
In addition, a feeling of grief for the life we've left behind and also grief of perhaps losing individuals. That changes our mindset and we tend to notice less positivity around us and tend to focus on negative events in our day-to-day lives.
So it will be a challenge of overcoming grief and overcoming the boredom that we've experienced.
But at the same time, as I mentioned earlier, we are very resilient and plastic. And so once we are re-integrated into society, I think we'll quickly learn those behaviors and have more novel experiences. And our brains will rebound faster than we might expect.
So I'm pretty optimistic.
VAUSE: That's good. Optimism is a good thing. For a lot of people, the first thing on their post-pandemic to do list is either visit family or get away from family or probably both.
But either way, reestablishing those bonds, those connections, that's crucially important. But there's also this over expectation that maybe everything's going to be wonderful as well. And that comes with its own risks.
RAJAH: Yes, for sure. I could understand the desire to reconnect with people, especially if you've been living alone. We are social animals and having that touch and communication with each other is very important for our well-being.
But also if you have felt claustrophobic or bored and feeling like your life has gotten a bit too repetitive been with your family day in day out, I could definitely understand the deathly understand the desire to go on a flight and just get away to have new experiences.
To take a vacation from this one year, basically.
VAUSE: OK. We are out of time, Professor Rajah. Thank you so much for being with us. We really appreciate it.
RAJAH: Thank you for having me.
[01:29:52]
VAUSE: Quick note here if you or someone you know needs help, the International Association for Suicide Prevention and Befrienders Worldwide has contact information for crisis centers around the world.
Well, the first day of the Quad Summit just hours away. The U.S., Japan, India and Australia are expected to focus on a rising China and its growing regional influence. A live report when we come back.
Plus the first of its kind study warns the Amazon rain forest long thought to be absorbing carbon emissions may now be releasing more carbon than it's storing.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VAUSE: Welcome back, everybody. You're watching CNN NEWSROOM. I'm John Vause. Washington has strongly criticized China's move to change Hong Kong's electoral system by reducing democratic representation and promoting pro Beijing candidates. The State Department calls it a direct attack on Hong Kong's autonomy.
CNN's Kristie Lu Stout, live for us this hour from Hong Kong.
You know, when it comes to, you know, criticism, that's kind of weak tea in a way and will hardly matter much to Beijing, will it?
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It won't. Just more criticism, but China is unwavering for its sovereignty and controlling, exercising its control over Hong Kong which is an inalienable part of China.
You know, a day after China paved the way for now patriots to run the territory, you get this criticism from the United States slamming China. A U.S. State Department spokesman, Ned Price, called it a direct attack against Hong Kong's autonomy, its freedoms, and its democratic processes.
You know, yesterday, as we reported, the National Peoples Congress as expected, rubberstamps that electoral reform plan for Hong Kong. It expanded the usually pro Beijing election committee, but it also set up a new vetting committee which will screen candidates for the election committee, for chief executive, that's the top post here in Hong Kong; as well as the legislative council.
When the news broke that this was, indeed, rubberstamped in Beijing, it was hailed by the chief executive of Hong Kong. She said she would implement the plan, immediately plug-in existing electoral loopholes.
And she also said that it was necessary to screen out any harmful elements in the opposition. Take a listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARRIE LAM, HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE: They are trying to politicize everything that we put through the legislative council, and by advocating and promoting this anti-mainland, anti government sentiment, or even, inviting external forces to impose sanctions on Hong Kong which is not hurting the government alone, it's hurting the people of Hong Kong.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[01:34:52]
STOUT: Mainland Chinese officials, they say that this will improve the electoral system in Hong Kong. That it will strengthen Hong Kong's standing as an international financial hub.
Of course, critics they say that this is a major step backwards for democracy in Hong Kong. And yet another example of China's tightening grip on the territory, John.
VAUSE: Interesting take that one.
Ok. Let's move on to Australia, Japan, the U.S., India, meeting for the first ever Quad Summit in the coming hours. This is like the anti- China club.
STOUT: It is and it's funny that you phrase it that way because within the last hour or so the Australian prime minister was asked whether or not China should be concerned about this upcoming Quad Meeting. And his response was, no, China should not be concerned, because the Quad is, in his words, an anchor for peace and stability in the region.
But let's face it, the Quad, traditionally, was out to counter an increasingly assertive China in the Asia Pacific region, but it is interesting to note that, this year the early indications are that the Quad will focus on non China topics. They're going to focus on trade. They'll focus on climate change, as well as coronavirus vaccine manufacturing and rollout.
But, the fact that these four nations are meeting, four nations who have very frayed relations with China right now, and their leaders are meeting in this virtual summit that takes place at 8 30 a.m. Eastern time is being seen in China as an escalation aimed at China.
Of course, this is on the radar of "The Global Times", the state-run tabloid. We have an excerpt of one of its recent op-eds about the Quad meeting. And in it "The Global Times "says this. Quote, "Days before the meeting Japan, India and Australia couldn't help but again hype the quote China threat, unquote."
It goes on to say "The Quad is not an alliance of like-minded countries as the U.S. claims. The three countries, other than the U.S. would probably take a tactic of coordinating with the U.S. in narrative, while sticking to their own approaches on China."
Now, there are a lot of questions out there but what the Quad meeting will achieve, is this going to be just another talk shop between four very separate parties? Or will this be a unified force that will counter China, John.
VAUSE: Kristie, well, you know, I think someone's at the door, live shots from home. Always at you. Thank you. Appreciate it.
Kristie Lu Stout there, live for us in Hong Kong.
Well, this summit comes a week before top U.S. and Chinese officials hold talks in Alaska. This will be the first high-level, in-person meeting under the Biden administration. It comes after years of rising tension between Beijing and Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NED PRICE, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON: There will be some difficult conversations. I would expect that we will certainly not pull any punches in discussing our areas of disagreement. But, as Secretary Blinken has said, our relationship with Beijing is a multifaceted one. It is, fundamentally competitive. It is adversarial in some ways. And there also are initial areas for collaboration.
And so, I suspect all of those elements will come up during these discussions on March 18th.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: State Department spokesperson Ned Price went on to add that the U.S. expects Beijing to actually live up to its desire to change the tone of their bilateral relationship.
Japan's health minister says COVID cases are creeping up in the greater Tokyo area. This comes about four months before the start of the summer games. But China has a plan to help bring the outbreak under control.
CNN's Selina Wang has details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SELINA WANG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The Chinese Olympic Committee has offered additional COVID-19 vaccine doses for athletes at this summer's Tokyo games, as well as the Beijing Olympics next year.
The president of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach, added that the IOC will pay for those additional vaccine doses for the Olympic and Paralympic teams.
THOMAS BACH, PRESIDENT, INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE: The Chinese Olympic Committee is ready, in cooperation with the IOC, to make these additional doses available in two different ways. Either via collaboration with international partners, or directly in the numerous countries where agreements regarding Chinese vaccines are already in place.
WANG: Bach did not say which vaccines have been offered by the Chinese Olympic Committee, and this offer comes amid skepticism over the lack of transparency around China's vaccines. As well as growing tensions between China, the U.S., and its allies.
Now athletes are not required to be vaccinated, but Bach said a significant number of Olympic teams have already done so. With the games just months away, it is still unclear how Tokyo will be able to hold the Olympic games safely in the middle of a pandemic.
Tokyo is still in a state of emergency. Japan has recently started vaccinating its health care workers, with no timeline for vaccinating the broader population. Officials have yet to decide if spectators can attend.
According to recent polls, public opposition in Japan remains high. Officials have announced that athletes movements will be severely restricted, and they will be tested regularly.
[01:39:56]
WANG: The IOC has asked people to avoid hugging, high-fives and handshakes. And spectators, if they can come, have been asked to avoid chanting or cheering. What is clear at this point is that these Olympic games will be like no other.
Selina Wang, CNN -- Tokyo.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: March 16th is My Freedom Day. For the 5th straight year, CNN is partnering with young people, worldwide, for a student-led day of action against modern day slavery.
This year, we're asking young people to make a pledge, promising to take action to help end slavery.
Here is a few students who are taking part.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALFREDA: I'm Alfreda (ph) from Firenze (ph) Italy. And I'm signing citing my freedom day pledge.
JULIA: I'm Julia from Roseto, Italy. And I am signing my freedom day pledge.
GRETA: I am Greta in Atlanta, Georgia and I'm signing the my freedom day pledge.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Now, here is a look at the pledge, and what it says. It's a promise to take action to end slavery by one, recognizing and staying vigilant to spot the signs of human trafficking.
Number two, understanding online dangers and speaking up if I see a friend who may be making some bad life choices.
And three, becoming aware of how goods are made. I will take into consideration the company's business practices from buying things like clothes, electronics, chocolate, then make my decisions based on how they treat their workers, as well as the environment.
So we invite you to sign the pledge and join CNN on March 16th for my freedom day. Nominate your friends to do the same and share your pledge on social media, using the #my freedom day.
We'll take a short break. When we come back, taking to the ice while it's still there to highlight the impact of climate change.
Legends of hockey, traveling to Siberia to help save the planet.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VAUSE: A first of its kind analysis of the Amazon rain forest has found the lungs of the planet are no longer storing carbon but rather contributing to global warming by being a net emitter.
Let's go to CNN meteorologist Tyler Moore with more on this. So, you know, for ages, for a very long time, we thought that they were sucking up all that carbon and all those carbon emissions. There was concern that, at some point, it may start reversing the process. Are we there yet?
TYLER MOORE, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Right. So the study shows that we may just be there right now. For a very long time, John, we have known that deforestation, and destruction of the Amazon rain forest would have detrimental impacts on the world temperature. However, this study shows that it's a lot worse than we think because there are other factors at play.
You see, the Amazon rain forest is a carbon sink. That is, a natural carbon sequestration technology. It's grabbing carbon out of the atmosphere and storing it into the trees. At the same time, it is releasing myriad of other gases out into the atmosphere.
[01:44:50]
MOORE: But the fact that we've always had so much forest and so many trees and plants to bring the carbon out of the atmosphere and absorb it was offset the other gases that it's releasing out into the atmosphere and the gases that we humans are releasing out into the atmosphere.
And the problem here is that as we deforest the rain forests, we start logging, and we start doing all of this other stuff, well, we are taking away that sink, and then we're also adding the other gases into the atmosphere, more than the natural gases that would be released in to the atmosphere and that causes the atmosphere to warm up even quicker.
So it basically increases production of the greenhouse gases.
Land clearing, the fires increase black carbon in the atmosphere, flooding increasing the amount of methane into the atmosphere. Black carbon are these little particles that absorb sunlight and heat. And then you've also got, when you go in and you start logging, you start compacting the soil, that releases nitric oxide on into the atmosphere. That causes the atmosphere to heat up.
Methane warms up a lot quicker than carbon dioxide, and that just exacerbates the entire situation. How can we fix this?
Well, we've got to stop deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, and we've got to limit our fossil fuels. It's important John because there is this little thing called regulating the temperature, that's what the rainforest does. And oh, the Amazon rain forest produces 20 percent of our oxygen.
VAUSE: Yes. A small detail, that last one. Tyler, thank you. It's a timely reminder
(CROSSTALK) VAUSE: -- for this climate crisis that it's not gone away. A little thing for all of us. Yes, we all need the air.
MOORE: You think so.
VAUSE: Well as you say, this climate crisis hasn't gone anywhere and to help remind us of that NHL legends are facing off in places endangered by global warming.
Playing hockey in places like this Lake Baikal in Russia that's where CNN's Fred Pleitgen is live ins Siberia.
Ok. So how many carbon emissions were produced by everyone flying there? Just asking?
FRED PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I'm sure that there were a lot of carbon emissions produced by flying there. However, of course, the big issue is, John, showing how important it is to save the ice and to start raising awareness for climate change. And that was really the main message that they were trying to send with that match that was going on.
Of course, one of the interesting things is that the Lake Baikal down here in the south of Russia really is a tourist spot. And it's growing the tourist industry here as well. And that in itself can become also an environmental concern.
And one of the things the folks who were telling us here are saying that the winters here have, certainly, been getting a lot shorter recently. And it really is one of those places where you see that it is on the front line of the fight against climate change and of global warming itself.
It is a big concern, of course, also one that this hockey match wants to address but I was able to participate in as well.
Let's have a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PLEITGEN: A power play to help save our planet. Russian hockey legends playing a match on the majestic Lake Baikal, the largest freshwater reservoir in the world.
Organized by all-time NHL great Vyacheslav Fetisov who is now the U.N.'s patron for polar regions.
VYACHESLAV FETISOV, NHL PLAYER: We play on ice, and as you know, the ice is melting everywhere, not only on the North or South pole. It doesn't need to be a rocket scientist to see what's going on.
PLEITGEN: I had the privilege of being allowed to play in the match, on a rink made of ice blocks at this stunning venue. The initiative is called The Last Game, which plays hockey in places endangered by global warming around the world. Endorsed by the U.N. and even blessed by Pope Francis. Of course, the reason for this game is very serious. The warmer our earth gets, the less space there is for games like ice hockey, and other winter sports as well.
Lake Baikal is one of those endangered areas. It's gigantic, holding more freshwater than all of America's Great Lakes combined. A fifth of the world's unfrozen reserves.
But there are a lot of unresolved problems here from unregulated tourism to harmful industries. The Russian government also recently relaxed regulations protecting the lake.
And Russia is one of the countries hardest hit by global warming. Record temperatures for several years have led to a massive melt of its permafrost, leading to giant sinkholes, and releasing even more greenhouse gases, as well as massive wildfires that further increase the world's temperatures.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the catastrophe with no vaccine could be found.
PLEITGEN: And while hockey won't save the world's climate, at least the organizers hope it will cause some to take action to try and preserve the natural playing fields of the game that so many love so much.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[01:49:51]
PLEITGEN: That is exactly what all that was about, John. It is about raising awareness for the people, not just here in Russia, but of course, in other places as well around the world.
Just to show how important it is to notice climate change, and to do something about it as well. And you know, it is hard to overstate how hard hit Russia especially is by climate change. You've really seen that over the past couple of years, especially in this gigantic Siberia region where we've had the permafrost melting which, of course, in itself, releases a lot of greenhouse gases, massive wildfires there, massive flooding there.
That is already causing a big impact on the people living in the Siberia region, living right here, living in other places in the Siberia region as well.
And of course, also to a great deal contributes to the warming of our planet. So a very, very important topic addressed by playing a very beautiful game, John.
VAUSE: Certainly brought it into focus, Fred, thank you.
Fred Pleitgen our man in Siberia, thank you.
Christie's is bringing the art world into the future. The first major auction to sell a piece of purely digital art. The collage is called "Every Day, the First 5,000 Days". It is made up of 5,000 individual digital images which were made one day at a time for more than 13 years. It just sold for more than $69 million.
The artist known as Beetle, is a little incredulous about it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MIKE WINKELMANN, ARTIST: I don't even. Yes, I probably should have put all these interviews off a few hours, or days, or weeks until it was more than like -- I don't even know. I can't even -- it's an unfathomable number, to be quite, honest. It's just crazy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Whatever that was. People are (INAUDIBLE) one of the top three most valuable living artists.
It wasn't that long ago when Prince Harry and William, would be side by side, joking in front of the cameras. Not now. They are literally continents apart. We'll look at their relationship, when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VAUSE: Well, they were once the closest brothers. They shared the grief of their mother dying at a very early age, they're often seen together laughing and joking but not now.
It seems Prince William and Harry have been separated by the explosive allegations made by Harry's wife, Meghan, about racism in the royal family, about her thoughts of suicide while she was pregnant, and a denial of help from Buckingham Palace.
We have more now on the relationship between the two princes from Max Foster.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sir, have you both -- have you spoken to your brother since the interview?
PRINCE WILLIAM, DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE: I haven't spoken to him yet, but I will do.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can you just let me know, is the royal family a racist family sir?
PRINCE WILLIAM: We're very much not a racist family.
MAX FOSTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): A reporter, breaking protocol with unsolicited questions. Answered by a brother, still not ready to talk.
The royal rift never more apparent than just days after scathing, no holds barred interview in which Harry made allegations that will live with the British monarchy for years, if not decades.
Prince William, still the heir. Prince Harry, no longer his stand in. An ocean apart but the distance between the two, even greater.
PRINCE HARRY, DUKE OF SUSSEX: The relationship is space, at the moment.
FOSTER: That space, confirmed it seemed on Thursday by the future king of the United Kingdom, a far cry from this.
PRINCE HARRY: He's definitely got more brains than me. I think we've established that from school. But when it comes to all -- I'm much better hands on.
[01:55:01]
FOSTER: -- when the gentle ribbing and teasing of two brothers who have been through so much, showed just how inseparable their bond seemed to be.
PRINCE WILLIAM: It's pretty rich, coming from a ginger.
FOSTER: These two young men who had grown up being watched by millions living through the unimaginable tragedy of losing their mother as young boys. And emerging on the other side, together, side by side, candidly exposing their pain.
PRINCE WILLIAM: We've been brought closer because of the circumstances as well, that's the thing. Even if you are uniquely bonded because of what we've been through.
FOSTER: Making mental health a joint centerpiece of their royal platform.
At the time, both men aware of the duty on William's shoulders as future king. Their grandmother, the Queen, committed to a slimmed down future monarchy, only adding to the burden they were meant to share.
PRINCE HARRY: There's a lot of times that both myself, and my brother, we wish obviously that we were just, you know, completely normal. But, we've been born into this position, and we will do what we need to do.
FOSTER: But after a period of smooth sailing, royal tours, engagements, weddings, and births, rumors of turmoil within. Becoming reality as Harry and Meghan, took steps last year to stand back and ultimately, to stand apart.
Prince William, reportedly, saddened by the couple's decision. According to "The Sunday Times", saying to a friend, "I've put my arm around my brother all our lives. And I can't do that anymore. We are separate entities."
Harry, solidifying that separation in a sit-down tell-all with his wife to Oprah Winfrey.
PRINCE HARRY: My brother, we've been through hell together. And we had a shared experience, but we, you know, we were on different paths.
FOSTER: Max Foster, CNN -- Hampshire, England. (END VIDEOTAPE)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The usual sir?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Even after 500 plays, our high fidelity tape, still, delivers, high fidelity.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Well, the cassette tape may still be playing somewhere, but the man who invented them has passed away. Luo Ottens has died at the age of 94. The Dutch inventor created the Cassette tape in the 1960s will working at Phillips sending millions of love sick teenagers, often to a frenzy of cutting and splicing romantic playlists for the one they loved.
The director of the Phillips Museum called Ottens an extraordinary man who love technology. The cause of death was not made public.
Thank you for watching CNN NEWSROOM.
I'm John Vause.
Please stay with us. CNN NEWSROOM continues after a break with my friend and colleague Michael Holmes.
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