News that caught our eye / The week ending June 21, 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.
China's Xi says army faces 'deep-seated' problems in anti-corruption drive / June 19, 2024
Chinese President Xi Jinping warned that there continue to be “deep-seated problems” of corruption in the People’s Liberation Army. He spoke at a 3-day military political work conference in the Chinese Communist Party’s founding city, Yanan. More than a dozen high-level PLA and rocket force officials were removed last year, with more on the chopping block at an upcoming conference of the CCP (Reuters).
China's new rule allowing maritime trespasser detention takes effect / June 15, 2024
A new regulation took effect on Saturday in China, stating that China now has the right to detain for up to 60 days anyone found transgressing the waters claimed by China in the South China Sea. The regulation is the full implementation of a 2021 law giving China’s coastguard the right to use weapons in any dispute on its claimed waters (Kyodo News).
Filipino soldiers fought off Chinese coast guard 'with bare hands' / June 17, 2024
Another conflict between Chinese coast guard ships and Philippine supply vessels at the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on Monday as Chinese guardsmen pointed knives, swords, and spears at Philippine soldiers as they were trying to bring supplies to fellow soldiers on a grounded ship in the shoal. The Chinese even boarded some of the ships and seized weapons (BBC News).
Philippines demands China return rifles and pay for boat damage after hostilities / June 19, 2024
Calling China’s attack on Philippine supply ships in the Second Thomas Shoal an “act of piracy,” the Philippines’ military chief demanded that China return the rifles and other equipment its coast guardsmen took on Monday, and that China pay for the damage that was done to its boats. China claimed its guardsmen acted in accordance with the law (AP News).
After injury in South China Sea, U.S. cites risk of "more violent" confrontation / June 18, 2024
The Biden Administration condemned the Chinese coastguard’s “ramming” of one of its ships into a Philippine supply ship in the Second Thomas Shoal in which a Philippine soldier lost his right thumb. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby called China’s actions “provocative” and could lead to something much more violent (CBS News).
China changed village names 'to erase Uyghur culture' / June 19, 2024
Since 2010, the Chinese government has been changing the names of Uyghur cities in the northwestern region of the country, sometimes replacing religious or strong cultural terms with Chinese names that harmonize with Chinese Communist ideology. A study by Human Rights Watch found 3600 city names had been changed over this period, but a Chinese official at the Chinese embassy in London rejected the claim (BBC News).
China is the true power in Putin and Kim’s budding friendship / June 18, 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea this week, staging the event to make the West concerned about a growing alliance between the two sanctioned countries. But China is also watching, not eager to see the two national leaders bonding. President Xi is aware of the ramifications if Russia and North Korea tease the West; usually, the West responds with more military presence where China doesn’t want it (BBC News).
China targets Europe’s farmers, not its automakers, in response to EU EV tariffs / June 18, 2024
China is launching a probe into the EU’s pork industry, likely in response to the EU’s tariffs on electric cars exported from China, which will begin in July. China’s consumption of pork from Europe peaked in 2020 when a swine disease decimated its pork population. China said the investigation could take a year or more to complete (AP News).
China says G7 statement 'full of arrogance, prejudice and lies' / June 17, 2024
The G7’s end-of-summit statement heavily criticized China for its aggressive stance against Taiwan and its claims in the South China Sea, as well as its suspected support of Russia by supplying the country with dual-use items for its war in Ukraine. China’s Lin Jian charged that the statement “slandered and attacked” China (VOA).
Southern China faces heavy floods, and landslides kill at least 9 / June 17, 2024
While northern China has experienced drought recently, flooding in southern China has claimed nine lives, with many more missing. Millions of dollars of crops have also been lost due to flooding and landslides. Flood-related disasters also claimed seventeen lives last month across China (AP News).
Taiwan military drones unlikely to hasten US ‘hellscape’ against Chinese attack / June 18, 2024
Taiwan plans to purchase nearly 1000 drones for its defense against an attack from China’s mainland. The intent is to flood the skies with so many drones the volley would slow China’s attack long enough to allow the US to step up its defense on behalf of Taiwan. Some, however, say the strategy probably won’t work, at least in the short term (SCMP).
Australia’s Albanese and China’s Li hold ‘candid’ talks in Canberra / June 17, 2024
China’s Premier Li Qiang was in Australia for four days, meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The two held frank and “candid” discussions on numerous topics and the countries’ strong trade relationship. China recently removed tariffs on Australian goods but still holds Australian political prisoner Yang Hengjun (Al Jazeera).
‘Elimination’ of Taiwan is China’s great national cause, Lai says / June 16, 2024
Taiwan’s President William Lai Ching-te spoke at a military academy’s 100th anniversary on Sunday, stating that defending Taiwan is the “highest mission” of Taiwan’s people. China sees the annexation of the island as the means of rejuvenating the Chinese people, and any attempt at independence as a cause for war (Al Jazeera).