News that caught our eye / The week ending December 1, 2023
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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.
Chinese hospitals overwhelmed with spike in children’s respiratory illnesses / November 28,2023
A surge in respiratory illnesses, mostly in children, is sweeping through China. However, known pathogens appear to be causing the increase in sick children. After three years of masking and isolation, much of the population has fewer antibodies against these illnesses (CBS News).
China’s Latest Outbreak Is Giving Neighbors PTSD / November 27, 2023
Still highly sensitive to respiratory disease warnings emanating from China, southeast Asian nations are putting themselves on high alert as China announced a spike in respiratory illnesses, mostly in children in mid-November. Most countries are avoiding any panic, however, and China has been more transparent in reporting about the spike than it has in the past (Bloomberg News).
Next China: Trust Deficit / November 30, 2023
All eyes are on China this month as the global community wonders if China is being forthright in its reporting of the mycoplasma pneumonia outbreak in China that is triggering fears of another Covid-like pandemic. China appears, however, to have learned a lesson from its past mistakes (Bloomberg News).
China Wants to Strengthen Supply Chains Even as Foreign Investors Flee / November 28, 2023
China hosted a supply-chain conference which hosted more than 500 companies, with ¼ of them from foreign countries. Foreign investors are wary, however, and many have divested in China, moving their factories to other countries. Political tensions between China and the West, China’s crackdown on business executives and its sluggish economy are scaring investors away (VOA).
China sees an ETF boom as investors wait for stocks to trough / November 28, 2023
Chinese investors are pouring funds into ETF’s—Exchange-Traded Funds—as a safe haven for their money as they “bet on the bottom” and wait for stocks to “trough.” More than $55 billion has been moved into ETF’s potentially setting a record for the year. In contrast, active equity funds have dropped 12% (Reuters).
China leads Asia market declines as property stocks plunge / November 27, 2023
China’s struggling property sector fell over the weekend, sending waves of slight decline across the Asian markets on Monday. Monthly and quarterly reports across the region will be released later this week (CNBC).
Analysts: Vietnam's Island Expansion Aims to Counter China / November 28, 2023
As China and the Philippines vie for control for various areas of the South China Sea, Vietnam is also staking out its claims in the Spratley Islands, dredging to increase the size of the Barque Canada Reef. China, Vietnam and other countries conduct dredging even of coral reefs, harming the environment and altering the migrating patterns of wildlife (VOA).
China, US exchange accusations over US vessel in South China Sea / November 25, 2023
Both China and the US accused one another of violating international maritime law as a US destroyer patrolling near the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea was confronted by Chinese naval and air forces. The Philippines and Australia also had begun their first joint military exercises in the region on Saturday, as well (Reuters).
China turns to households in fight to slash carbon emissions / November 26, 2023
In an effort to reduce carbon emissions in China, dozens of cities are doling out carbon reduction schemes to encourage households to reduce carbon emissions, offering “carbon coins” and other incentives to participants if they reduce their carbon emissions through renewable energy, or even plant a tree (Reuters).
Beijing frets over Taiwan opposition split as parties go on the attack / November 26, 2023
In mid-November, negotiations between Taiwan’s two opposition parties in the island’s upcoming presidential election broke down, giving a greater edge to the ruling Democratic People’s Party (DPP) and frustrating the CCP and Chinese citizens hoping for a pro-China candidate to win the January election (Reuters).
In China, Spirit of White Paper Protests Still Inspires / November 25, 2023
A year after many people in China protested the CCP’s handling of the Covid pandemic and the death of 10 citizens in an apartment complex fire, the “White Paper” movement still resonates throughout China. Halloween costumes were used to continue the protest. Many protestors from the initial 2022 protest continue to be incarcerated or face political oppression (VOA).
Keeping Pace in Our Digital Age / October 9, 2023
More than 5 billion people, which is more than half of the world’s population, has access to the internet in 2023. Most of them are in China and SE Asia. This article encourages the global church to take advantage of this opportunity to share the gospel digitally in as many ways as it can think of, even in the face of governmental opposition (ChinaSource).
Listening in the Quietness / November 13, 2023
A frequent traveler to China returns finally after four years but finds the country much quieter and perhaps a little less confident. He found the church was also quieter, perhaps in response to the CCP’s harsh restrictions against religion both physically and digitally. Or could the church be maturing internally for a time? (ChinaSource).