News that caught our eye / The week ending March 22, 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.
US ‘may be sending strong message’ to China with hypersonic missile test / March 22, 2024
The US tested an AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) on Sunday as the US attempted to keep up with Russia and China in the hypersonic missile arms race. The test was carried out in the western Pacific, suggesting the test was intended to send a message to China and Russia. North Korea is also testing hypersonic weapons (SCMP).
Six more years of Putin will worry many countries. But not China / March 18, 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin handily won the presidential election on Monday, securing a safe future for the BRICS nations allied with Russia, including China. Consequently, it also signals concern for the Western nations opposed to Russia’s attack on Ukraine, including the US and Europe. Putin won over 87% of the vote, running virtually without a rival (CNN).
China pushes back on international criticism of restrictive new Hong Kong law / March 20, 2024
Article 23, a new national security law passed by Hong Kong’s government on Tuesday as an addendum to the 2020 national security law imposed on Hong Kong by Beijing, met with strong opposition from foreign democratic governments. Hong Kong officials defended the new law as necessary for civility and improving livelihoods. Critics still say the law enforces “self-censorship (NBC News).
China will be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027, U.S. Admiral says / March 20, 2024
US Adm. John Aquilino, head of the Indo-Pacific Command, told government officials on Wednesday that China’s military is on schedule to invade Taiwan in 2027 by force, if necessary. China has increased its military aircraft by 400, added 20 warships to its navy, and doubled its ballistics and cruise missiles since 2020 (Forbes).
Taiwan warns of 'enormous' Chinese bases near its S. China Sea holding / March 19, 2024
Taiwan warned that China is building large military bases on three islands near an island—Itu Aba, also known as Taiping in Taiwan—in the South China Sea that Taiwan claims as its own. China as of yet has not threatened the island, but tensions are high between China and all of the countries bordering the South China Sea. Taiwan hopes to resolve the issue diplomatically (Reuters).
China blasts US declaration of ‘ironclad’ alliance with Philippines / March 19, 2024
After US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the US’ “ironclad” support for the Philippines’ claims in the South China Sea this week, China fired back, stating that the US has no part in the affairs regarding the disputed region (Al Jazeera).
China's nuclear missile force, army giving Xi sleepless nights: Here's why / March 17, 2024
Concerns about looming corruption in China’s military and the People’s Liberation Army of China lack of fighting experience may be preventing President Xi from entering any military combat in the near future, according to some analysts. Xi has recently purged at least 10 leading officers from the military since last summer (Business Standard).
China’s words at top UN court could signal stronger support for Palestinian cause / March 22, 2024
China’s warming relationship with Iran and its cooling relationship with the US may be behind a recent shift in stance regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. China recently appeared to shift back to Mao Zedong’s support for the Palestinian cause against colonial imperialism. Others say China still favors a two-state solution (SCMP).
Grisly teen murder case shocks China and shines a light on ‘left behind’ children / March 20, 2024
The brutal murder of a 13-year old boy by three of his classmates in Hebei province on March 10 brought outrage and condemnation on Chinese social media, and also brought to light the plight of China’s “left-behind” children—often rural children whose parents leave the family to work in the cities, leaving their children in the care of relatives. Such children often suffer socially and deal with mental health issues (CNN).
Many hospitals in China stop newborn delivery services as birth rate drops / March 19, 2024
A number of Chinese hospitals have reportedly shut down their obstetrics departments due to the decreasing need for birthing services as more women in China choose not to bear children. China is one of the most expensive countries to raise children. Some department closures already occurred in 2020-2021 (Reuters).
China: Marriages rise for the first time in nine years / March 18, 2024
The number of newlyweds in China increased by 12.4% in 2023, a hopeful sign that China’s birthrate will also turn around with the increase in marriages. However, the cost of raising a child in China continues to make couples hesitant to start families. The government plans to help subsidize families to encourage more births. Other Asian countries are also facing dangerously low birth rates (BBC).