News that caught our eye / The week ending April 26, 2024
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NOTE: The news reports below are not in chronological order. There is often a time lag in their reaching the US and in gaining our attention. These reports reflect the opinions of a variety of news sources.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say / April 19, 2024
“Subsidence”— the gradual caving in or sinking of an area of land—is occurring under 45% of China’s major cities according to a research study. Underground water depletion, geothermal well production, and the concentrated weight of urban centers are causing the land to sink between 3 and 16 millimeters a year, which will eventually put some cities under sea level (NBC News).
Chinese students in the US tell of ‘chilling’ interrogations and deportations / April 20, 2024
While the US State Department approves hundreds of thousands of student visas from China each year, dozens of Chinese students have been interrogated or denied entry into the US, even though they have valid student visas. The connection: many Chinese universities have partnerships with the Chinese military, so students from such universities may be refused entry into the US (The Guardian).
Germany and Britain detain suspected Chinese spies / April 23, 2024
German and British authorities have arrested three nationals in Germany and two in Britain for providing sensitive products or information to China. Suspicion is rising in the EU over China’s attempts to spy and influence politics in the EU. China blasted Germany and Britain, accusing them of defaming China (Al Jazeera).
Tesla Slashes EV, FSD Prices In Latest Strategy Shift / April 22, 2024
Prices for Tesla cars in the US, China, and Europe have been on a roller-coaster ride recently as the company tries to increase demand and still maintain profits. Over last weekend, the company cut prices again on some of its vehicles and its Self-Driving service. Tesla stock fell 14% last week and another 4% on Monday. Chinese EV manufacturers’ stock also fell (Investor’s Business Daily).
The bubble has burst: On the road to a lost Chinese economic decade / April 22, 2023
In spite of some recent good news on China’s economy, an economic strategist declares that China’s economic bubble has burst and is heading into a “lost economic decade,” such as Japan endured in the 1980s. President Xi’s use of Deng Xiaoping’s 1980s market reforms will not help (The Hill).
Massive floods threaten millions as intense rains batter southern China / April 22, 2024
Record-breaking torrential rains have caused massive flooding in Guangdong province in southern China, killing 4 and displacing more than 110,000 people. Numerous weather stations in the area have set new rainfall records. Guangdong province is heavily populated and is prone to flooding from April through September (CNN).
China is committed to resolving maritime disputes through talks / April 21, 2024
While condemning “gunboat muscles” and aggressive tactics in the South China Sea at the Western Pacific Naval Symposium, a top Chinese military official declared that China is still willing to use diplomatic talks to resolve maritime issues. The Symposium was attended by US, Australian, French, English, Russian, and Indian representatives (Reuters).
China hosts talks between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah / April 26, 2024
While China is not confirming it, reports indicate that China is hosting talks in Beijing between Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah to unite the parties and broker a two-state solution with Israel. China is seeking a greater role in the Middle East and has been encouraged by the US to be more involved (SCMP).
China warns US after Senate passes aid bill worth billions to Taiwan / April 24, 2023
After the US Senate approved a funding bill for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, China warned the US to stop arming Taiwan. $8 billion was earmarked for Taiwan in the bill. Taiwan has also signed contracts with the US for fighter jets, tanks, and rockets (The Guardian).
Xi Jinping meets Blinken, urges America to be a partner, not a rival / April 26, 2024
Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with President Xi in Beijing this week as the two countries mark their 45th anniversary of holding diplomatic talks with one another. President Xi called for mutual respect between the nations and working as partners. Blinken brought up concerns about “overcapacity” in trade and China’s financial partnerships with Russia (SCMP).
China launches 3-member crew to its space station / April 25, 2024
China sent a 3-man crew to its space station on Thursday, one of four missions planned for this year to the space station. The new crew will replace the current crew on the station and will stay there for about 6 months. China plans to open its station to foreign astronauts in the future and has ambitions to send crews to the moon and probes to Mars by 2030 (AP News).