News that caught our eye / The week ending December 29, 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.
Can I Still Get a Bible in China? / December 22, 2023
While China is a Communist country, it is still legal to own a Bible. Finding one, however, is not as easy as ordering one off of Amazon. Online ordering of a Bible—even digital ones--in China is non-existent. The only places where China’s one approved version of the Bible is available is in a Three-Self church or TSPM church bookstore. The TSPM organization sells between 3 and 3.5 million copies annually (ChinaSource).
Xi vows to prevent anyone 'splitting Taiwan from China' / December 26, 2023
President Xi Jinping vowed that nobody will separate Taiwan from China as he spoke at a symposium on Tuesday marking the 130th birthday of Mao Zedong. Zedong had led the Communist faction in a victory over the Republic of China government in 1949, with the republican government fleeing to Taiwan. Taiwan holds presidential elections on Jan. 13th (Reuters).
China decries Taiwan for 'hyping up' military threat, sends warplanes / December 28, 2023
China’s defense ministry accused the ruling Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan of exaggerating China’s military activities in the Taiwan Strait in order to gain electoral votes as the island nation heads into a January election. However, shortly after the statement from defense minister Wu Qian, at least 12 Chinese aircraft once again crossed into or approached Taiwan’s airspace, and activity now happening several times a day (Reuters).
In bid to counter China, US ramps up effort to boost military ties in Asia / December 28, 2023
While it may be difficult to ascertain “who started it,” the US in recent years, and especially in 2023, has built up significant partnerships with southeast Asian countries in a bid to counteract China’s military and economic clout in the region as the two superpowers compete for dominance in the region and globally, as well (Al Jazeera).
China's military lashes out at US after breakthrough talks / December 28, 2023
A week after China and the US’ top military personnel met to resume communication to avoid misunderstanding, China’s defense ministry harshly accused the US of maintaining a provocative “Cold War” mindset and being selfish as the US seeks greater ties with other southeast Asian nations. China wants the US out of the region (Yahoo! News)
China warns ‘military fans’ they could face prison for posting photos online / December 26, 2023
Chinese military enthusiasts are being warned not to take photos of China’s military sites, ships or aircraft since the photos can be accessed by foreign adversaries if they are posted on social media sites. Violators could be imprisoned. The US also has laws if the president designates a military site as “off-limits” to photographers, with up to a year in prison for violators (CNN).
Why China is keeping its distance as Russia and North Korea cozy up / December 26, 2023
China sees itself as a stabilizer in Asia, and with its current economic crisis and rising tensions with the West, it currently does not see an advantage in developing a bloc that could trigger a new cold war. China still has a close alliance with both Russia and North Korea (CNA).
Goldman rethinks emerging market strategy after China lesson / December 26, 2023
While Wall Street forecasters hoped for a 15% increase in China’s post-Covid emerging economy this year, the Chinese market actually fell 15%. The fear rose that emerging markets would also suffer, but because of steps taken early on, most emerging markets did well in 2023, despite China’s economic struggles (The Japan Times).
5 Predictions for China in 2024 / December 26, 2023
This Foreign Policy article makes 5 predictions for China in 2024 that include relations with Taiwan in its election year, keeping the real estate market from going over the cliff, high-level political leadership instability, youth unemployment and angst, and maintaining a cooperative relationship with the US (Foreign Policy).