News that caught our eye / The week ending February 2, 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.
Ukraine invites China's Xi to 'peace summit' - Zelenskiy's top adviser / January 26, 2024
In an effort to construct a peace plan, Ukraine is organizing a peace summit to take place in Switzerland sometime in the future and has invited Chinese President Xi to the summit, underscoring the value Ukraine places in China’s input. Ukraine has a 10-point peace plan, but Russia so far has rejected it (Reuters).
Beijing steps up military pressure on Taiwan after US, China announce talks / January 27, 2024
After plans for top American and Chinese officials to meet were announced on Saturday, China sent 30 aircraft and 6 six ships to surround Taiwan in another military exercise. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Chinese and Chinese Foreign Security Officer Wang Yi were both in Thailand and were expected to meet to discuss Taiwan, troubled Red Sea shipping, and other concerns (NBC News).
US-China meetings fail to produce breakthrough on Red Sea shipping attacks / January 27, 2024
Talks between US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Security Officer Wang Yi did not convince China to aid the US in calling for Iran to scale back its involvement in the Red Sea tensions, nor for North Korea to stop its military nuclear buildup, nor for Russia to end its war with Ukraine. The talks reveal the Biden administration’s limitations in its dealings with China (Politico).
China's top diplomat warns U.S. against Taiwan independence / January 27, 2024
China appeared to hold the upper hand in Chinese Foreign Security Officer Wang Yi’s talks with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Thailand on Friday and Saturday, as Wang told the US to not interfere in China’s agenda to restore Taiwan to the mainland. Sullivan urged China to maintain peace and stability regarding the island (Kyodo News).
Exclusive: Xi promised Biden China wouldn’t interfere in 2024 election / January 31, 2024
When President Xi met with President Biden in California last November, Xi confirmed that China would not interfere in the US elections in 2024. When top officials met in Thailand last week, China’s Wang Yi reaffirmed Xi’s statement in his discussions with Jake Sullivan. Nevertheless, Chinese operatives may still pose a threat with disinformation on social media (CNN Politics).
US says it blocked China cyber-threat but warns hackers can ‘wreak havoc’ / February 1, 2024
US officials stated that they partially dismantled a Chinese cyber operation called Volt Typhoon that was attempting to disrupt public utilities in the event of a conflict between China and Russia. By disrupting water, electricity, and gas lines, the hackers could create chaos to weaken any US response to foreign aggression (Al Jazeera).
Evergrande collapse: Hong Kong court orders liquidation of property giant / January 29, 2024
After a year and a half of attempts to restructure, a Hong Kong court ordered the liquidation of property giant Evergrande after it failed to restructure in September, and its founder came under investigation for possible crimes. It is not certain how Evergrande’s liquidation may affect both China’s and the global economy (The Guardian).
The West shouldn’t celebrate a weaker Chinese economy/ January 29, 2024
While some in the West might see China’s economic slump as a boon for Western dominance, China’s influence on the global economic market could negatively affect other economies. More than that, authoritarian governments often resort to aggressive nationalism to satisfy their citizens when other means of compliance have failed (The Hill).
Woman ordered deported over Chinese foreign interference / January 30, 2024
A Chinese woman, Jing Zhang, has been ordered deported from Canada when it was determined she was part of a foreign interference program called the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office. That agency often works to silence dissent in Chinese nationals and even immigrants in other nations, like Canada. The deportation was ordered on August 28th, but only publicly announced this week (Global News).
Russia’s planned gas pipeline to China faces construction delay / January 28, 2024
Russia had planned to start construction on a new gas pipeline through Mongolia to China in early 2024, but now, those plans have been delayed due to ongoing negotiations between Russia and China. The Power of Siberia-2 pipeline is expected to transport 50 billion cubic meters of gas per year once it is operating around 2030 (Reuters).
China sees potential 2024 Biden-Trump rematch as two 'bowls of poison' / January 30, 2024
A Shanghai professor of international relations states that either US presidential candidate (likely Donald Trump for the Republican party) would be a challenge for China, but at least China has had the experience of dealing with both presidents for four years. Both Trump and Biden have had a hot/cold relationship with China (Fox News).
China-Africa trade increased in 2023 but Africa’s trade deficit widens / February 1, 2024
While China’s trade with Africa grew modestly in 2023, Africa’s trade deficit with China grew significantly from US$46.9 billion to US$64 billion. Part of that, however, may be due to lower prices on raw materials, not necessarily a decrease in the volume of those raw materials. China has promised to balance the trade deficit, but that will take time (SCMP).
Vietnam becomes largest exporter of goods from Uyghur forced labor / January 31, 2024
China appears to be rerouting goods made in Uyghur forced labor camps to other neighboring countries, causing Vietnam to pass China as the largest exporter of those goods. The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, passed in 2021, prevents imports of these goods to the US. The US has increased trade and political relations with Vietnam recently (VOA).