China’s Vice President Attends Queen’s Funeral

Leaders and royalty from across the world gathered in London on Monday to mourn Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-serving monarch. One of them was China's Number two official: Wang Qi Shan. Serving as a special envoy for Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Wang joined some 500 other foreign officials at the ceremony. Wang's mask stood out during the event. COVID-19-driven restrictions have widely loosened across Europe, while China is holding firm to its Zero-COVID-19 policy. Its rules make wearing masks mandatory. Wang also viewed the coffin of Queen Elizabeth the day before in London's Westminster Hall, after a media report last week said China’s official delegation would be barred from attending the vigil. Some British lawmakers had raised concerns about inviting representatives from China. Several UK lawmakers were sanctioned by Beijing for criticizing human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region, an area the Uyghur ethnic group calls East Turkestan.