News that caught our eye / The week ending May 31, 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.
Curated by James Getka.
China wraps up 'punishment' war games around Taiwan / May 25, 2024
China carried out military exercises around Taiwan that it called “Joint Sword-2024A” as well as a “punishment” for Taiwan’s newly inaugurated President Lai Ching-te. This exercise included 62 Chinese aircraft and 27 naval ships (NBC News).
China stages mock missile strikes on Taiwan after island’s inauguration / May 24, 2024
China’s military exercises around Taiwan last week included mock missile strikes against the island, with their aircraft carrying live missiles during the drills. While the size of the exercises was smaller than past drills, the Chinese Theater Command appeared to amp up the social media mind game, posting an animated video of bombs falling on major Taiwanese cities and exploding in fireballs (NBC News).
Fearing war with China, civilians in Taiwan prepare for disaster / May 25, 2024
Concerned that Taiwan’s government has not been serious enough about strengthening civil defense and disaster relief services in the event of a Chinese attack on the island, Taiwanese civilians are forming grass root groups, businesses, and training services to better prepare the island’s population to respond not just to a war scenario, but any natural disaster, too. (Al Jazeera).
Japan to Join U.S. in Valiant Shield Exercise, China Continues Military Drills / May 24, 2024
For the first time, Japan’s Military Defense Force will join the US and other nations in the US’s sponsored “Valiant Shield” military exercises in June. As the geopolitical environment in the Asian Pacific region continues to change, Japan sees the need to strengthen its military defense capabilities and its collaboration with the US and like-minded countries (USNI News).
Biden admin urges China to show 'restraint' in Taiwan / May 25, 2024
The Biden Administration urged China to act with restraint after China’s “Joint Sword—2024A” military exercises took place around Taiwan days after Taiwan’s new president took office. China responded stating that the US’s remarks were irresponsible, but a former Taiwanese navy captain said China is preparing for war (Fox News).
'Military action will continue until complete reunification': China threatens war / May 25, 2024
China’s rhetoric after its military exercises this month is taking a more threatening tone with expressions becoming more graphic: “to make the blood of ‘independence forces’ on the island flow,” and those who want independence will be left with their “heads broken and blood flowing” for challenging China’s reunification plan. China has vowed to take control of the island one way or another (Firstpost).
After China drills, Taiwan president again extends goodwill / May 26, 2024
In spite of China’s harsh response to his inauguration, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te extended a cordial hand toward China as a gesture of goodwill and cooperation. President Lai would like to increase communication, understanding, and trade with China, but so far, China has “rebuffed” his offers (The Indian Express).
Weapons are on the way, U.S. lawmakers tell Taiwan during visit / May 27, 2024
A delegation of US representatives met with Taiwan’s new President, Lai Ching-te, and assured him that weapons the island had ordered were indeed on the way. Evidently, Taiwan had ordered them earlier and has gotten a bit impatient for their delivery. China’s recent military exercises and rhetoric explain why (NBC News).
The Chinese military could seize Taiwan’s government buildings within an hour / May 27, 2024
Geopolitical analyst Dimitri Alperovitch predicts a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could be over and done with in less than an hour, giving the US and its allies almost no time to commit to Taiwan’s defense, much less entering a costly war with China itself (NBC News).
McCaul warns of global economic catastrophe if China invades Taiwan / May 28, 2024
Texas Republican Michael McCaul, who was part of a US delegation that met with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te this week, warned that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could spell disaster for the global economy, all because a large portion of semiconductors are made in Taiwan. If China destroys those factories or takes them over, the results could be devastating (Fox News).
Taiwan’s parliament passes bill pushing pro-China changes / May 28, 2024
Taiwan’s opposition parties passed new legislation that gives them greater control over defense spending and greater oversight of President Lai’s actions. Supporters of Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party protested in the streets, and DPP representatives accused the opposition of being influenced by China (Al Jazeera).
China, South Korea leaders meet before trilateral talks with Japan / May 26, 2024
China’s premier, Li Qiang, met with South Korea’s president and Japan’s president in separate meetings prior to a trilateral meeting that began last Monday. It is the first trilateral meeting between the three countries since 2019. No significant results are expected from this meeting, other than the hope that tensions will ease (Al Jazeera).
Rare dispute reveals China and North Korea's ongoing discord over nuclear weapons / May 29, 2024
A statement issued after the trilateral talks between China, South Korea, and Japan included the subject of denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, causing North Korea to criticize China’s part in the statement. While some may claim the criticism shows a rift between China and North Korea, others say the North’s concern is inconsequential (Fox News).
China’s tightening grip on Islam / May 27, 2024
China’s efforts to sinicize its Muslim population seems to be effective among the largest of China’s ethnic Muslims, the Hui. In central China, the domes and minarets of many mosques have been removed, mosques are redesigned to look more Chinese, children are forbidden to worship or learn the faith of Islam, CCP doctrine is taught, and mosques are nearly empty (Sky News).
China has threatened trade with some countries after feuds. They're calling 'the firm' / May 26, 2024
When a country does or says something that upsets China, China retaliates with sanctions or minimizing trade. That happened to Lithuania, who turned to the US for help. The State Department created a team of eight—the “firm”—to find new markets to rescue Lithuania’s trade situation. Other countries have done the same (ABC News).
China is banning 'wealth-flaunting' behavior on social media / May 29, 2024
Wealthy online influencers found their sites blocked on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, on Tuesday, with notices stating the site violated the site’s community guidelines. The move was part of the government’s crackdown on media it deems undesirable. While Westerners might decry such censorship, young adults in a depressed economy are negatively affected by such seemingly unattainable happiness (NBC News).
China sentences former asset manager to death for 'extremely large' bribes / May 28, 2024
Bai Tianhui, the former general manager at a subsidiary of Huarong Asset Management, was found guilty of taking excessive bribes and was sentenced to death on Tuesday in a Shanghai court. His predecessor, Lai Xiaomin, was executed in January 2021 for also accepting millions of dollars in bribes. China’s banking sector has endured a significant purge from President Xi’s crackdown on corruption (CNA).