News that caught our eye / The week ending December 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.
How China's satellite megaprojects are challenging Elon Musk's Starlink / December 15, 2024
SpaceX’s Starlink currently has about 7,000 satellites in orbit to provide internet access to underserved areas around the world and hopes to increase that to 42,000 satellites. China hopes to come close to Starlink’s goal with 38,000 satellites. Starlink poses a threat to China’s censorship ideology, and satellite service is seen as a military necessity, as well (NBC10 Philadelphia).
All eyes on Prince Andrew after alleged Chinese spy controversy / December 15, 2024
After Britain’s National Security Service, MI5, red-flagged a close Chinese associate of Prince Andrew, the Prince’s favor in the royal family is now in question more seriously than it had been. Andrew’s relationship with the Chinese person, dubbed H6, could have allowed China to interfere in British government matters (The Guardian).
China spy efforts happening in plain view, says ex-Tory leader / December 16, 2024
Some British officials are claiming that Prince Andrew’s Chinese associate known as H6 may just be one of many Chinese spies working in plain sight, influencing policies in government, business, and even education. The United Work Front Department, an extension of the CCP, has been known to be working in England for some time (BBC).
United Front: China's 'magic weapon' caught in a spy controversy / December 18, 2024
China’s United Front has a long history in China. It was part of Mao Zedong’s successful overthrow of China’s government before 1949 as it coalesced the most important social structures to favor the Communist Party. Now, President Xi is using the United Front to influence Chinese citizens globally, as well as influencing global rhetoric to favor China and its policies (BBC).
China warns UK ‘to stop creating trouble’ amid row over spy linked to Prince Andrew / December 17, 2024
China bit back at the UK’s accusations that China was infiltrating UK government policies and institutions as controversy continues to swirl around Yang Tengbo, a close confidant of Prince Andrew, and an alleged spy. China accused certain UK politicians of being unrealistic and irresponsible. But China’s United Front Work Dept. has 40,000 “employees” in nearly every sector of UK society (The Independent).
China Abductee Rejects 3 Flats, Cars From Wealthy Parents To Stay Humble / December 15, 2024
In 1999, at just three months old, Xie Qingshuai was abducted in China, and his wealthy parents spent over $100,000 to try to find him. Reunited, finally, on December 1st of last year, Xie has spent the last year adjusting to his new “rags to riches” reality but has decided to earn his own way, rejecting his father’s generous offers. He cites a popular Chinese comedy from 2018, Hello, Mr. Billionaire, as an example of what not to do (NDTV).
China bank lending rises far less than expected, more policy steps needed / December 13, 2024
While China’s financial leaders attempted to boost the sluggish economy with more stimuli beginning in September, November’s credit demand failed to meet analysts' expectations. Other markers in November also missed the mark. Now, tariff threats from President-elect Donald Trump have the Politburo creating policies to fend off the effects of those tariffs (Reuters).
China retail sales slow as consumers hold back, while home prices fall / December
While Chinese consumers increasingly utilized government subsidies to replace home appliances and cars, overall consumer spending in November was down, and home sale prices also fell. Consumers are concerned about employment, low property prices, and low incomes, so they are unwilling to increase their spending (AP News).
Once again, China pushes for economic stimulus, hoping for a different result / December 16, 2024
President Xi and the CCP have repeatedly tried various stimulus measures to reinvigorate China’s painfully poor economy, but their efforts appear to be in vain, according to this article. The CCP’s strict regulation and control of the private sector is at the root of China’s problems, but the CCP, originally formed to support the less fortunate, doesn’t seem willing to let go of its state-centered philosophy, hurting the poor the most (Atlantic Council).
Alibaba to sell China department store chain Intime for $1.3 bln loss / December 17, 2024
Chinese mega-company Alibaba said on Tuesday that it is selling its department store chain, Intime, and taking a huge loss on the deal in order to continue its restructuring process. It bought Intime for twice that loss in 2017. The sale of the store chain is to a consortium of some of Intime’s managers and the Chinese company, Youngor Fashion (Reuters).
Uyghur fighters in Syria vow to come after China next / December 15, 2024
The Turkistan Islamic Party, a Uyghur resistance group based in Syria for the last decade, played a part in the downfall of Saad’s government in Syria this month. Made up of mostly exiled Uyghurs from China, the group now has its sites set on liberating its people from China, creating an independent state for the Uyghurs in China (The Telegraph).
Did Chinese citizen charged with flying drone over base commit 'more offenses?' / December 16, 2024
The US is investigating whether Yinpiao Zhou, a Chinese citizen and a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., committed more serious crimes than flying an unregistered drone over national defense space. Yinpiao allegedly took photos of the Vandenberg Space Force military base and was arrested on December 9th while trying to fly to China (Fox News).
Undocumented Chinese men baffled by Trump's reported plans to deport them first / December 19, 2024
As President-elect Donald Trump threatens to deport undocumented migrants back to their native countries, illegal Chinese migrants are concerned that they are apparently at the top of Trump’s deportation list as a matter of national security. Citing support from Chinese language media, one undocumented migrant says he is following a Chinese motto: “Follow the correct and law-abiding path” (NBC News).