News that caught our eye / The week ending December 13, 2024
Tap here for our archives.
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.
Dwarfed by China in shipbuilding, US looks to build its defense base / December 8, 2024
The US is significantly behind in its shipbuilding ability compared to China, which currently has the largest navy in the world. According to US officials, the US shipbuilding industry has been lagging since the 1980s, and would have difficulty keeping the fleet competitive in a prolonged conflict with China. Relying on allies could help the US, if they commit to the cause (Defense News).
DHS Conducts Removal Flight to the People’s Republic of China / December 11, 2024
The Dept. of Homeland Security said that it conducted its fourth “large-frame charter removal flight” of Chinese nationals without a legal basis for being in the US in the last six months. This report states that in fiscal year 2024, DHS has removed or returned 742,000 people to their native countries (Homeland Security).
US House to vote to provide $3 billion to remove Chinese telecoms equipment / December 7, 2024
In 2019, the US Congress urged US telecoms carriers to purge their systems of Chinese-made equipment over potential security risks. This week, the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a $3 billion defense bill to help carriers complete the task. Previously, $1.9 had been set aside for the task that came to be known as “rip and replace” (VOA).
Trump has invited China's Xi Jinping to his inauguration / December 12, 2024
President-elect Donald Trump has invited President Xi to his inauguration in January, although there is no certainty that Xi will attend the ceremony. It is precedent for newly elected presidents to invite such dignitaries to the inauguration, and inviting a potential adversary reveals that Trump is willing to maintain an open relationship with Xi, says Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s new press secretary (NBC News).
Taiwan reports near doubling of Chinese warships nearby / December 7, 2024
As Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te returned home to Taiwan after a Pacific tour that included stops in Hawaii and Guam, China increased the number of its warships around Taiwan from 8 to 14 between Saturday and Sunday. China has held two “war games” around Taiwan so far this year. Four air balloons were also detected over the Taiwan Strait (VOA).
China sends largest naval fleet in decades to region, threat level severe, Taiwan says / December 9, 2024
Taiwan was on high alert this week as 90 Chinese Coast Guard ships had positioned themselves north of the island from Japan through the Taiwan Strait and even south of Taiwan. On Tuesday, Taiwan counted 47 military aircraft operating around the island. China was “constructing” two walls of defense, one along the island chain that includes Taiwan, and another further into the Pacific (Reuters).
China vows ‘more proactive’ fiscal stimulus measures, looser monetary policy / December 9, 2024
China’s leaders are forging ahead in their fight to restore the economy as they look ahead to 2025, promising forward-looking stimulus measures and easing monetary policies. Meetings this week will develop those plans, but the results won’t be public until March. President Xi commented, “We must….actively build an external environment that is favorable to us” (CNBC).
China Politburo policy shift spurs surge in stocks, bonds / December 9, 2024
Chinese stocks rose upon the news from China’s politburo that they will ease monetary policies in 2025. The change in policy direction seems to follow the pattern set in 2010 when the government stepped in to re-ignite the economy (Reuters).
Chinese wedding customs / November 14, 2024
While many Chinese weddings include typical Western traditions, there are plenty of Chinese traditional customs that are “musts” in Chinese weddings. Cake vouchers, wedding games (that could become dangerous!), pre-wedding hair combing ceremonies, and kids jumping on the bridal bed are just a few of the unique customs one might find in a Chinese wedding celebration (SCMP).
Nvidia Stock Falls as China Opens Anti-Monopoly Probe / December 9, 2024
Nvidia Stock fell on Monday as China launched an anti-monopoly charge against the company for its acquisition of Mellanox Technologies in 2020. China’s anti-monopoly law forbids companies from discriminating against Chinese firms. Nvidia also has an anti-trust case in US courts, as well (Investors’ Business Daily).