News that caught our eye / The week ending November 11
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’s Xi tells PLA to focus on war preparation / November 11, 2022
According to various sources, President Xi Jinping has directed the PLA to prepare for war, citing an "unstable and uncertain national security situation." Perhaps his wording is typical of any speech to a country's military; however, based on Xi's consolidation of power in the CCP, the inception of his third term, and his reference to a threat to the country's security, he may have more in mind than just rallying the troops (Mint).
5 tensions That Could Derail the Climate Conference / November 6, 2022
The COP 27 (Conference of the Parties) climate meetings began this week on November 6th in Egypt, but a number of global issues may slow the impact of the meetings’ goals, such as the lack of representation by the world’s largest emitters (including China, the largest contributor to pollution), Russia’s war in Ukraine, which is causing Europe to eye fossil fuels in Africa, and the members’ general lack of ambition to fulfill prior commitments at former summits. (Politico)
Long Road to Reopening / November 7, 2022
China is dealing with current Covid cases and with a potential surge this winter. In addition, it is increasingly concerned about the risks of continuing its strangling shutdowns on the economy. If Covid goes wrong, the legitimacy of the CCP will be threatened. (Sinocism).
Opinion: China’s ‘peripheral diplomacy’ in Southeast Asia? / November 10, 2022
When President Xi Jinping became China’s leader in 2013, he established his “peripheral diplomacy” policy to focus on relations with neighboring countries. After ten years of military buildup in the South China Sea and other issues, it may be time to adjust this policy—at least, for clarification (South China Morning Post).
Can Germany ‘reduce lopsided dependencies’ on China? / November 07, 2022
Last week German Chancellor Scholz visited Beijing while German President Steinmeier met with Japanese and South Korean leaders. Germany seems to support “decoupling” from China’s economic powerhouse, but a Chinese company, COSCO, recently bought a significant portion of the port of Hamburg and a German chemical company has heavily invested in China’s chemical manufacturing (The China Project).
Canada facing ‘aggressive games’ from China: Trudeau / November 07, 2022
Prime Minister Trudeau claims that China, as well as other countries, may have influenced 11 Canadian politicians in the country's latest elections in 2019. He did not state which politicians were suspected either to have received financial support from China or to have had a staffer "planted" by China as an agent to influence policy (Global News).
Xi Jinping: Don’t use nuclear weapons in Europe / November 6, 2022
China's president Xi Jinping warned against using nuclear weapons over Ukraine. This is Xi’s first clear message to Russia about its war strategy. He made his remarks during a meeting with German chancellor Olaf Scholz in Beijing (Hindustan Times).
US, allies clash with China, Russia over North Korean missiles / November 4, 2022
The United States and its allies clashed with China and Russia on Friday over North Korea’s escalating ballistic missile launches and American-led military exercises in South Korea. Russia and China blamed the situation on the US war games in the area and its insistence on North Korea disarming (AP).
Chinese election meddling hits the midterms / November 4, 2022
Beijing is shifting its global influence campaigns from propaganda to blatant election interference. Chinese government-affiliated cyber-actors have increased their attempts to discourage Americans from voting, discredit the election process, and sow further divisions among voters (Foreign Policy)
A crackdown on illegal churches in China / November 4, 2022
In the months leading up to the 20th Congress of the CCP, a large number of pastors and church workers in house churches were detained by police. The message was clear: “illegal” religion should become invisible around the dates of the Congress (Bitter Winter).