News that caught our eye / The week ending June 6, 2025
China warns US not to ‘play with fire’ over Taiwan / June 1, 2025
The rhetoric between the US and China heated up over the weekend after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke at a summit in Singapore warning about China’s threat to destabilize the region. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs shot back with an accusation that the US is the agitator by making such statements and by deploying offensive weapons in the South China Sea (Al Jazeera).
Australia asks China to explain 'extraordinary' military build-up / June 1, 2025
Australia's defense minister Richard Marles and the Philippines’ defense minister Gilberto Teodoro both called on China to be more transparent regarding its recent military buildup as they attended the Asian defense summit, the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore. China sent a low-level delegation to the summit this year (BBC).
China says U.S. violated tariff truce as trade war heats up / June 2, 2025
After President Trump accused China on Friday of violating the May 12th agreement to ease tariff hikes, on Monday, China accused the Trump administration of violating the same agreement by changing AI chip export guidelines, halting chip design sales to China, and threatening to cancel Chinese student visas (CBS News).
China Warns US Ally with Show of Force / June 2, 2025
China claimed that it held military exercises on Saturday around Huangyan Dao Island, an area in the South China Sea that is geographically closer to Philippine territory than Chinese territory. China has held control of the area since 2012 and stated that the exercises were intended to maintain "relevant maritime and airspace control and management" (Newsweek).
US Warship Challenged Beijing's South China Sea Claims, Navy Says/ June 2, 2025
The USS Dewey, part of the Seventh Fleet, sailed through the South China Sea near the Spratley Islands on a Freedom of Navigation exercise recently. The exercise was carried out to uphold the “lawful use of the sea and maritime airspace” and for the US to maintain a presence in the contested area (Newsweek).
China’s May factory activity unexpectedly shrinks as tariffs dent sentiment / June 3, 2025
A small private survey, the Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing purchasing managers’ index, revealed that China’s factory activity in May fell to 48.3, well under the 50-point benchmark that differentiates between growth and contraction. The survey, however, took place in the middle of the month, and polled fewer—and export-oriented—companies (CNBC).
Chinese nationals charged with smuggling 'agroterrorism agent' into US / June 3, 2025
Two Chinese nationals were charged on Tuesday for allegedly bringing biological weapons into the US to damage the US food supply. FBI Director Kash Patel warned that the incident is a sobering reminder that the Chinese Communist Party continues to use operatives in the US to threaten the economy and even American lives. One of the suspects is a research fellow at the University of Michigan (Fox News).
In China, ‘The Great American’ burger is now made with Australian beef / June 2, 2025
Chinese restaurants have stopped purchasing American products like beef and even chicken feet due to the increased prices caused by the tariff war. Both American products have a better flavor and consistency, but beef from other countries, like Australia is less expensive (CNBC).
Trump, Xi Jinping speak at last as US and China lean on key exports in trade fight / June 6, 2025
President Trump and President Xi Jinping finally spoke on Thursday, agreeing to restart negotiations over tariffs and trade. It was a positive sign that perhaps, the two economic powerhouses have a chance to settle disputes and create better economic relationships. At the same time, however, both countries are gathering their bargaining chips to better control negotiations (Yahoo Finance).
Chinatowns around the world / May 21, 2025
The diaspora of Chinese citizens throughout the world has created “Chinatowns” wherever they have settled. The reputations of these enclaves have been controversial over the years, sometimes sowing distrust and xenophobia. This article offers a look into a number of global Chinatowns to get a better view of them (SCMP).