News that caught our eye / The week ending September 20, 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 frees David Lin, American pastor detained for 18 years / September 16, 2024
China released an American pastor imprisoned for nearly 20 years on Sunday in a rare move that happened to occur at the beginning of the mid-Autumn festival. Lin was convicted of fraud after trying to establish a Christian training center in China. His daughter was recently diagnosed with cancer. There are still over 200 Americans being held in China (CBS News).
China is raising its retirement age, now among the lowest in major economies / September 13, 2024
The world's second-largest economy approved a plan Friday to raise its retirement ages over the next 15 years. China's retirement ages are among the world's lowest. The legislation comes amid China's falling birth rates and an aging workforce (AP News).
China’s startup scene is dead as investors pull out—’Today, we are like lepers’ / September 16, 2024
The number of China’s new companies has collapsed in 2024 as investors have stopped offering funds to support startups. The risks in a sluggish economy and strict government regulations have scared off investors in what has been an extremely vibrant economic atmosphere (Yahoo Finance).
China hits 9 US firms with property freeze over weapons sales to Taiwan / September 18, 2024
This Wednesday, China placed sanctions on nine US military-related firms for making weapons sales to Taiwan. The companies’ properties in China have been “frozen” as an attempt by China to get Washington to end its military support of Taiwan (Reuters).
Philippine Coast Guard ship in South China Sea standoff returns to port / September 15, 2024
The Philippine vessel, Teresa Magbanua, returned to its port in Manila after a months-long tour of duty in the Sabina Shoal, protecting the area from China’s attempts to claim more territory in the South China Sea. The ship is returning for repairs, some due to a Chinese Coast Guard vessel ramming the ship in August (Al Jazeera).
China rams Philippine ship while 60 Minutes on board / September 15, 2024
Tension in the South China Sea continues to grow as Chinese Coast Guard vessels have interrupted Philippine supply ship deliveries near the Sabina Shoal. In August, Chinese vessels surrounded the Cape Engaño, which was hosting a 60 Minutes filming crew. One ship rammed the Engaño, creating a 3-foot hole in the hull. China accused the Philippines of a propaganda campaign (CBS News).
US-China military leaders hold routine talks on South China Sea tensions / September 15, 2024
US military officials met with their Chinese counterparts in Beijing this weekend to continue talks between the two superpowers regarding major global issues such as the Russia-Ukraine war, Taiwan and tensions in the South China Sea. The talks were last held in January (ABC News).
Vladimir Putin's Pivot to China is Backfiring / September 16, 2024
US sanctions hanging like a dark cloud over Chinese banks has forced them to increasingly reject transactions with Russian banks and companies, causing Moscow to raise fees on yuan transfers. An old idea to create a joint Chinese-Russian bank is back on the table to try and skirt the sanctions (Newsweek).
All flights grounded in Shanghai as China prepares for typhoon / September 15, 2024
Typhoon Bebinca was set to make landfall on China’s populous eastern seaboard and Shanghai on Sunday, bringing torrential rain and damaging winds. Airports, shipping, rail lines, and recreational parks all planned to shut down to ride out the storm. China’s weather office issued its second highest warning as the storm approached the mainland (CNA).
Strongest typhoon since 1949 hits Shanghai, knocks out power to homes / September 16, 2024
Typhoon Bebinca made landfall on Monday, bringing winds up to 94 mph and up to 12 inches of rain. One man was injured, but no other injuries or fatalities were reported. More than 400,000 people had been relocated ahead of the storm. It is unusual for typhoons to strike Shanghai (AP News).
Ten-year-old Japanese boy dies after stabbing in China / September 19, 2024
A ten-year-old boy who was stabbed by a Chinese citizen on Wednesday this week died from his injuries one day later. The boy, who has a Japanese father and a Chinese mother, was attending a Japanese school when the incident occurred. No reason for the stabbing was given, although some suggested that rising Chinese nationalism may have motivated the assailant (BBC News).