News that caught our eye / The week ending August 23, 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.
US charges former democracy activist with spying for China / August 22, 2024
US prosecutors have charged a 67-year-old Chinese man with spying for China while living in the US as a US citizen. Previously, Yuanjun Tang was a citizen of China and was involved in the protest that led up to the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989. He served time in prison, fled to Taiwan and eventually moved to the US. Evidently, Yuanjun spied on dissident groups and individuals between 2018 and 2023 (Al Jazeera).
China says it is 'seriously concerned' about US nuclear strategic report / August 21, 2024
The Biden Administration issued a nuclear strategic plan in March designed to focus on China’s growing nuclear arsenal as well as the military cooperation between China, Russia and North Korea. Now, China is charging the US with fanning the flames of a Chinese nuclear threat without reason. China has around 500 nuclear missiles currently, and may have around 1000 missiles by 2030 (CNA).
Tensions rising in South China Sea between China, Philippines / August 21, 2024
After a brief respite between China and the Philippines, a new skirmish occurred near the Sabina Shoal when Chinese Coast Guard ships tried to block and ended up colliding with at least two Philippine transport ships. The Sabina Shoal is about 60 miles west of the Philippines and over 650 miles from China (CBS News).
China ‘dramatically’ alarmed by US missile deployment: Philippines / August 18, 2024
Last April the US deployed missile systems to the Philippines for combat drills, causing China to express “dramatic” concern over the military buildup. However, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo told China’s Foreign Secretary Wang Yi that he deployment was only temporary, and that the systems would likely be moved next month (Defense News).
Fury as suspected China spy flees the Philippines / August 20, 2024
The former mayor of the small Philippine town of Bamban, Alice Gao, has fled the country as allegations of allowing scam and human trafficking centers, and even spying for China have been raised against her. Philippine President Marcos has pledged to get to the bottom of the corruption that allowed her skip border inspections in order to escape (BBC News).
Chinese academic visits banned at Canberra's Australian Defense Force Academy / August 20, 2024
The Australian Defense Force Academy has banned academics from China at its Canberra campus at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). The ADF trains most of its cadets at the Canberra campus and doesn’t want potential Chinese operatives mingling with future officers in the ADF, nor does it want sensitive military information to be freely taught to potential operatives (ABC News—Australia).
Future murky for Russia-China pipeline as Mongolia omits project from long-term plan / August 20, 2024
Mongolia’s new government has shelved the construction of a pipeline that would bring natural gas to China from Russia, supplying Russia with badly needed cash as it faces Western sanctions and continuing costs for its war with Ukraine. China doesn’t appear to be eager to complete the pipeline and Russia is short on cash, so Mongolia is sitting tight. All three countries would benefit from the pipeline, however (SCMP).
Azerbaijan applies to join Russia and China in the BRICS alliance / August 20, 2024
Azerbaijan is the latest country to join the BRICS alliance, joining this Tuesday, a day after Azerbaijan’s president met with Russian President Putin. For many years, the BRICS alliance included only Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Recently, however, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, and now Azerbaijan doubles the size of the pact (AP News).
China and Vietnam sign 14 deals from rail to crocodiles after leaders meet / August 19, 2024
Vietnam’s new leader, To Lam, visited China this week, signing fourteen deals with China to build three new railroads to link the two countries, coordinate with central banks, health and media, and to address trade issues. China is looking for ways to skirt Western sanctions through trade deals with neighboring countries (VOA).
Tim Walz made an impression in China, students and teachers say / August 20, 2024
Current Democratic VP candidate Tim Walz has a rich history in traveling to China as an educator just as China began opening its doors to cultural exchanges in the early ‘90s. Some say his cumulative experiences in China could serve well if the democratic team wins the election. Republicans, however, are concerned about his pro-China stance and would like to know more about any connections he has to the CCP (NPR).
Youth unemployment in China jumps to 17.1% in July / August 17, 2024
China’s youth unemployment increased to 17.1% in July, up from June’s 13.2%. The figure was still below the staggering 21.3% from June in 2023, before the government stopped reporting the unemployment figure for many months. Other economic figures reveal that China is still struggling with a poor economy (VOA).