News that caught our eye / The week ending November 22, 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’s lonely-heart crisis fuels a growing ‘companionship economy’ / November 17, 2024
As China’s young adults avoid marriage and children, many of them are experiencing loneliness to the degree that they are seeking friendships and even romantic relationships online. “Companion chat” is a common hashtag as people look for others to simply talk to. “Otome” games, a romantic storyline-driven concept from Japan, have become big business in China (SCMP).
Eight die in knife rampage as China suffers second mass killing in a week / November 17, 2024
In the latest of a string of violent attacks on Chinese citizens and foreigners, eight people were killed and another seventeen were injured in Yixing, a city in Jiangsu province. The 22-year-old attacker is allegedly a student who recently failed his exams and was upset about his low-paying factory job (SCMP).
Car driven into crowd outside China primary school / November 18, 2024
“Taking revenge on society” is the term being used now for an increasing number of attacks against civilians in China. This week, a man plowed his SUV into a crowd of parents and children outside of a primary school, injuring many, but no life-threatening injuries were reported, fortunately. This is the third random attack on civilians in China in the last 10 days, and the 19th this year (BBC).
Swarming drones and counter-drone systems dazzle at China’s Zhuhai air show / November 14, 2024
China has learned from Russia’s war with Ukraine that countering advanced drone “swarming” systems had to be a high priority for its military. At the recent Zhuhai air show, multiple companies displayed their answer to the drone threat: microwave weapons systems that can identify and destroy multiple drones in one shot (SCMP).
Major Chinese Bank Deals Blow to Russia's Economic Lifelines / November 18, 2024
For the last few months, the Bank of China has been blocking financial transactions from countries dealing with Russia if it is suspected that the transaction involved products that could be used by Russia in its war with Ukraine. Even smaller Chinese banks have blocked transactions since the Bank of China serves as an intermediary for those banks (Newsweek).
During meeting with Biden, China’s Xi cautions the U.S. to ‘make the wise choice’ / November 16, 2024
Presidents Xi and Biden met at the APEC summit in Peru on Saturday, but Xi’s comments were more directed to President-elect Donald Trump than to President Biden. Xi stated that China is ready for the new administration, and advised Trump to “keep exploring the right way for two major countries to get along well with each other” (CNBC).
Why is Xi Jinping excited for President Biden to leave office? November 16, 2024
President Biden made numerous coalitions with East Asian countries to counter China’s growing geopolitical clout, making President Xi a bit frustrated. By comparison, President Trump’s tariff war caused prices to rise on imports from China, something US citizens didn’t want. Trump’s protectionist philosophy may also allow China to make a move on Taiwan (MSNBC).
China's Xi highlights 'Global South' measures at G20 / November 18, 2024
President Xi took advantage of the G20’s “podium” to announce a raft of measures to boost the economic development of “Global South” countries, which generally include South American, African, and Middle Eastern countries. Xi expects imports from developing countries to China to top $8 trillion by 2030 (VOA).
China, India should not be called developing countries, several Cop29 delegates say / November 19, 2024
Representatives from poorer countries at the Cop29 summit (a conference on Climate Change) in Azerbaijan are objecting to some countries’ status as “developing countries,” such as India and China. With that status, those countries are not obligated to cut greenhouse gas emissions, nor do they need to support other developing countries financially. In fact, they can receive financial support, although China has refused to do so (The Guardian).
What is behind Starmer's meeting with China's president? / November 18, 2024
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer became the first British PM to meet with President Xi in six years as he met with China’s leader at the G20 summit in Brazil. His intent was to foster a better relationship between the UK and China, primarily to boost the British economy (BBC).
Indo-Pacific Commander Gives Unvarnished View of Situation in Region / November 20, 2024
The commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Navy Admiral Samuel Paparo, stated in an interview that China’s military exercises this year grew in size and number, sometimes conducting joint exercises with Russia. China is the US’s greatest military rival; consequently, Paparo is on a daily watch (US Dept. of Defense).
Development finance veteran urges multilateral response to Trump challenges / November 22, 2024
President-elect Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda, with its tariff threats, may present a challenge to China, but it may also present an opportunity for China to respond to the US by gathering a coalition of countries and financial institutions that would use Chinese currency instead of the US dollar (SCMP).
Sen. Mark Warner stunned by China's penetration of US phones / November 22, 2024
Democrat Senator Mark Warner stated that he is stunned by the reach and depth of Chinese hackers made into major US phone companies this last summer. The hackers were able to access some conversations of then-candidate Donald Trump and JD Vance, as well as some democrat officials. The hackers were mainly looking for conversations among senior US officials (Newsmax).