News that caught our eye / The week ending January 19, 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.
China GDP grew around 5.2% in 2023 without relying on 'massive stimulus' / January 17, 2024
Li Qiang reported that China’s economy grew by 5.2%, meeting expected target goals for 2023 while he was in Davos, Switzerland, emphasizing that the achievement did not require any stimulus on the part of the government. However, the CCP did offer fiscal aid and interest cut rates. Even so, the targeted growth is a positive note in what has been a challenging year for China (Mint).
China's Charm Offensive in Davos to Woo Investors Falls Short / January 17, 2024
China’s Premier, Li Qiang, with a large entourage of 140 Chinese officials in tow, spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, encouraging foreign business leaders to see China as a positive place for future investing. However, he did not provide any specifics to win them over. Divestment out of China was the trend in 2023 and it may continue (VOA).
China snubs Zelenskyy in Switzerland / January 17, 2024
Ukrainian President Zelensky requested a meeting with Chinese officials while they attended the World Economic Forum, but his request went unanswered even though there were opportunities for the leaders to meet. China has thrown its support to Russia instead (Politico).
Taiwan voters elect president labeled 'troublemaker' by China / January 13, 2024
William Lai Ching-te won Taiwan’s presidential election on Saturday, garnering about 40 percent of the vote, frustrating China and President Xi Jinping, who still vowed to unite the island to the mainland. Lai will extend the DPP’s interests as the former president is limited to two terms by law (NBC News).
China vents fury at Philippines over Taiwan congratulations / January 16, 2024
“Don’t play with fire,” was China’s retort to Philippines President Marcos after Marcos congratulated William Lai Ching-te on his presidential win in Taiwan last Saturday, potentially souring the already tense relationship between China and the Philippines. The US and Japan also sent well-wishes to Lai (Al Jazeera).
Taiwan election: China says US 'gravely wrong' to congratulate new leader / January 14, 2024
China lashed out at the US after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Lai Ching-te on his presidential win in Taiwan. China does not want any government to formally dialogue with Taiwan’s government, so Blinken’s comments were strongly rejected. Yet, the Biden administration sent a delegation to Taiwan just hours after the election win (BBC News).
China’s muted reaction to Taiwan’s election may signal a waiting game / January 18, 2024
While China began military exercises around Taiwan again on Wednesday (after Taiwan’s presidential election last Saturday), China’s response to the DPP’s win in Taiwan has been fairly quiet. Some analysts suggest China may provoke the new president, Lai Ching-te, to get him to react in a way that China can justify its “need” to take action against Taiwan (The Guardian).
China experts urge Beijing to revive communication with Taiwan / January 19, 2024
With William Lai Ching-te’s election victory in Taiwan last Saturday, China experts are urging the CCP to resume communication with Taipei after suspending that communication when the DPP won the presidential election in 2016. The current lack of communication could escalate tensions between the two governments (SCMP).
Chinese lab mapped deadly Coronavirus 2 weeks before Beijing told the world / January 17, 2024
A Chinese researcher mapped the COVID-19 virus in a database on December 28, 2019, two weeks before China revealed the presence of the deadly disease. The virus’ information was stored on a US government-run database. Had the information been disclosed two weeks earlier, more lives could have been saved worldwide (WSJ).
US had COVID sequence in 2019, raising questions about who knew what when / January 17, 2024
Since the COVID-19 virus mapping had been stored on a US government-run database, both China and the US were in possession of this information before China announced the new disease around January 8, 2020. The new timeline has caused many to question the timeline of the early days of the pandemic and how leaders responded to the novel disease (USA Today).
China records population decline for second straight year / January 17, 2024
China saw a decline in population and its birth rate for the second straight year in 2023, but there has been an overall decline in China’s population since the late 70’s. The CCP’s attempts to encourage more births with financial incentives have not caught on as many young adults don’t feel financially secure enough to have even one child (BBC).
China develops nuclear battery that can last 50 years without charging / January 18, 2024
A Chinese start-up company, Betavolt, has developed a nuclear battery smaller than a coin that can provide electricity for up to 50 years without recharging. The company says the battery is safe, won’t explode when subjected to sudden force, and protects users from radiation. The battery could be used in items like drones, cell phones, and even health products like pacemakers (The Economic Times).