News that caught our eye / The week ending on September 2
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 limits computer chips; China cries foul / September 1, 2022
The Chinese government on Thursday called on Washington to repeal its technology export curbs after California-based chip designer Nvidia said a new product might be delayed and some work might be moved out of China. American officials say they need to limit the spread of technology that can be used to make weapons.
UN report on China’s Uyghurs / September 1, 2022
The United Nations High has released a damning report on China’s treatment of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities. The report maintains that China may have committed “crimes against humanity” in Xinjiang. China has repeatedly and vehemently denied accusations of human rights abuses in the region.
Taiwan forces fire at drones flying over island near China / August 31, 2022
Taiwan’s military fired warning shots at drones from China flying over its outposts just off the Chinese coastline. Taiwan’s forces said in a statement that troops took the action on August 30 after drones were found hovering over the Kinmen island group. Dadan, one of the islands where a drone was spotted, lies roughly 9 miles off the Chinese coast.
Taiwan Shoots Down Commercial Drone Harassing Guard Post / September 1, 2022
A third term for Xi Jinping won’t make him ruler for life / August 30, 2022
Xi Jinping will probably be elected president for a third term at the twice-a-decade Communist Party congress in October. But that doesn’t mean he’ll rule China for life. To keep that post beyond 2027, under the current rules, he’ll need to keep securing five-year terms.
China and US compared: Spending on defense vs education / August 30, 2022
China’s Global Times offers an infographic that compares the percentage of China budget that supports education and defense compared to the percentage the US spends.
China sends additional flood aid to Pakistan / August 29, 2022
China will provide additional humanitarian aid to flood-devastated Pakistan. The Red Cross Society of China will also provide 300,000 US dollars in emergency cash assistance to the Pakistan Red Crescent Society. "We will never forget that Pakistan rushed to our assistance after the Wenchuan earthquake (in China) in 2008 and sent all its tents in stock to the stricken area, which deeply touched the Chinese people," Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said. "We also stand with our brotherly Pakistani people in face of this flood."
Russia and China to hold war games / August 29, 2022
Russia and China will hold joint military drills in Russia’s east during the first seven days of September. The Russian Defense Ministry said that the exercise will be held in various locations in Russia’s Far East and the Sea of Japan. It will involve more than 50,000 troops, and over 5,000 weapons units, including 140 aircraft and 60 warships.
China lowers interest rates / August 29, 2022
While interest rates in the US are going up, China has lowered its interest rates. The reason: “People are not spending money, nor are they trying to start businesses or buy homes. When a whole nation chooses to stop spending and borrowing (regardless of which nation it is), it means people are worried and scared. They either think tough times are coming, or they are already going through tough times and don’t expect it to get easier soon.”
UN: China is enslaving Uyghurs / August 29, 2022
A top UN official has confirmed Uyghurs are being forced to work against their will in Xinjiang, provoking fury and fresh denials from Beijing.
Economic growth declines in China / August 29, 2022
China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports that “of the total profit of 4.89 trillion yuan ($711.49 billion) reported by domestic enterprises in the first seven months of the year,
The manufacturing industry accounted for 3.62 trillion yuan ($526.64 billion), a decrease of 12.6% year-on-year;
Electricity, heat, gas, and water production and supply industries accounted for 275.12 billion yuan ($40 billion), a decrease of 12.5%;
The mining industry accounted for 996.11 billion yuan ($144.84 billion), an increase of 1.05 times.
8,000 officials punished for ethics violations / August 29, 2022
A total of 8,185 Chinese officials were punished in July for violating the country's eight-point code on improving Party and government conduct. The officials were involved in 5,434 cases, and 5,626 of them were handed down disciplinary or administrative penalties.
Why China’s economy is slowing / August 26, 2022
Three powerful forces are at work in China's economic slowdown: a structural transformation of the economy, payback for past excesses, and a profound shift in the ideological underpinnings of Chinese governance.
What Chinese adults think about foreign bullies / August 25, 2022
“A plurality of Chinese (49%) think foreign countries regularly bully China and try to forestall its rise, with that share increasing to a majority (54%) when the bully in question is the United States specifically. An even larger share (58%) think China should stand up for itself more than it currently does — a rare indication of dissatisfaction with Chinese leadership — while around two-thirds (67%) think other countries should show China more respect.”
Drought changes the landscape in southwest China / August 23, 2099
AP photos show the impact of China’s unusually long and intense heat wave.” Chinese meteorologists are calling it the nation's strongest heat wave since record-keeping began in 1961, based on its intensity, geographic area, and duration. Now into its third month, it has surpassed the previous record of 61 days in 2013.”