News that caught our eye / The week ending April 5, 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.
Biden, China's Xi hold phone call on Taiwan, AI, trade / April 2, 2024
President Biden and President Xi held a phone call on Tuesday, allegedly discussing topics like Taiwan, narcotics, AI, and China’s support for Russia during Russia’s war against Ukraine. A Chinese representative stated that the Taiwan issue is the most important matter between the two countries. While Biden has said the US would intervene if China were to invade the island, but has had to walk that commitment back (Fox News).
Biden tells China's Xi to stay out of US elections / April 2, 2024
Among the many topics on President Biden’s and President Xi’s phone call on Tuesday came a warning from President Biden to China to stay out of the upcoming presidential elections in November. Stability across the Taiwan Strait, South China Sea tensions, and China’s support for Russia were also on President Biden’s talk list with President Xi (VOA).
China sends warplanes, boats around Taiwan following Presidential phone call / April 3, 2024
China conducted another military exercise around the island of Taiwan with 30 aircraft and 9 warships, the largest exercise so far this year, and just on the heels of the phone call between Presidents Biden and Xi, where Pres. Biden called for stability in the Taiwan Strait. No mention was made if the military exercise had been previously planned and occurred coincidentally after the phone call (Fox News).
Media feel pressure to tell ‘positive’ China story as party tightens grip / April 4, 2024
Sixth Tone, an online Chinese magazine that began in 2016, used to present articles on the current issues of the people of China, even if those stories presented a negative aspect about China. But recently, censors and CCP regulations are pulling even more independent-minded media outlets into conformity with Xi Jinping Thought (Al Jazeera).
Starved of Affection at Home, Young Chinese Seek Out ‘Digital Parents’ / March 25, 2024
“Digital Parenting” is a new phenomenon on China’s media sites as children of disciplinarian or disengaged parents are drawn to the caring and consoling messages of parenting influencers, even though the parenting posts are generic and may be posted by imposters. One digital parenting couple has over 1 million followers (Sixth Tone).
Ex-Taiwanese Pres. Ma visits China to help build social, cultural links / April 1, 2024Former Taiwanese Former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou visited China this week in a cultural exchange that included a group of Taiwanese students. President Ma may meet with President Xi in Beijing. Ma represents the political wing of Taiwan that is more “pro-China” than the current President and the President-elect Lai Ching-te (AP News).
Taiwan emerges remarkably unscathed after massive earthquake / April 4, 2024
Taiwan experienced a 7.4 magnitude earthquake on Wednesday morning, and although 9 people had died as of Thursday, overall the island did not suffer as much damage or loss of life as it had in the past. After a 1999 earthquake that killed over 2000 people, authorities implemented building codes and retrofitted older buildings with support structures, and it appears to have paid off (NPR).
China should not repeat history with Taiwan’s quake / April 3, 2024
As the world responds to Taiwan’s latest devastating earthquake, one journalist recommends that China Tasimply stay out of the way, and let other nations supply aid to the island. In 1999, when an earthquake also struck Taiwan, China’s involvement in the aid process slowed that aid in getting to the island. Already China has described the earthquake’s epicenter occurring east of “China’s Taiwan” (Bloomberg News).
Taiwan rebukes China following global concern over earthquake: ‘Shameless’ / April 4, 2024
One of China’s UN representatives offered thanks to the global community for its aid to Taiwan following the earthquake, claiming that the aid was really given to China and not to Taiwan. Taiwan called the statement “shameless” (The Hindustan Times).
China's central bank says it will make efforts to expand demand, boost confidence / April 3, 2024
The People’s Bank of China reported a number of measures to boost the economy at its quarterly meeting this week in order to boost domestic demand and increase consumer confidence. While China’s economy reportedly has had a positive first quarter, it still faces significant challenges to a full recovery (Reuters).
India rejects China's renaming of 30 places in Himalayan border state / April 2, 2024
In an attempt to further its claim on disputed territory between China and India, China gave new names to 30 locations in the territory called Arunachal Pradesh by India on Tuesday. In response, India rejected the new names, with the Indian Foreign Minister declaring, “If I give your house a new name, does it become my house?” (Reuters).
China’s March factory activity expands for the first time in six months / April 4, 2024
The official purchasing managers’ index (PMI) rose to 50.8in March from 49.1 in February, indicating a positive move in China’s economy that hasn’t been seen in six months. New export orders also rose into positive territory, suggesting that there are signs that the economy is getting a better footing (Hellenic Shipping News).