News that caught our eye / The week ending April 4, 2025
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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.
Jingjiao: The first Christian Church in China / April 3, 2025
Dr. Glen Thompson, a former professor of Asia Lutheran Seminary, has published a fascinating accounting of Christian missionaries bringing the message of the Christian faith along the Silk Road to eventually establish a Christian church in China during the Tang dynasty some time before 781 A.D., when a stele was erected in Chang’an describing the “Luminous Teaching.” The book is available on Amazon.
Five Key Trends That Shaped Christianity in China in 2024 / March 25, 2025
Churches grow and develop, with its needs, achievements, desires and goals changing as it matures. A journalist documents the growth of the Chinese Church, stating that now, there are five trends that the Church in China is focusing on as it becomes more independent of its “Western” parents (China Christian Daily).
China Connection Emerges In Bangkok Skyscraper That Collapsed During Quake / March 30, 2025
A 33-story high rise in Bangkok, Thailand, that collapsed during an earthquake last Friday in Myanmar was partially funded by a Chinese company called China Railway Number 10 Ltd. Apparently, it was the only high-rise under construction in Bangkok that collapsed. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the collapse (NDTV).
Hegseth announces plan for US command upgrades in Japan to deter China / March 30, 2025
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was in Japan on Sunday, praising the US ally for its partnership with the US, especially in its deterrence of Chinese aggression in the region. Hegseth announced a plan to upgrade the military command in Japan both in personnel and military equipment and weapons (Fox News).
China holds major war games around Taiwan as U.S. boosts ties with Japan / April 1, 2025
After U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth held talks with Japan to increase the military cooperation between the two countries, China responded with large military exercises around Taiwan. China is also irritated by Taiwan’s President, Lai Ching-te, who strongly supports Taiwan’s independence (CBS News).
China state media blasts CK Hutchison's Panama port deal in soon-deleted post / March 29, 2025
A social media account linked to China’s CCTV harshly criticized Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison’s plans to sell two ports near the Panama Canal to a US based BlackRock group, but the post was deleted minutes after it had appeared online. The post described the deal as similar to handing a knife to an opponent (CNA).
US, China raise the stakes in Panama Canal ports row / March 29, 2025
The potential sail of two ports near the Panama Canal has drawn global shipping ports into politics as they become valuable assets for potential trade and military wars, although most countries have laws that prohibit discrimination depending on a ship’s national status. China’s Belt and Road Initiative, nevertheless, has strengthened Beijing’s global presence access to supplies and markets (Yahoo News).
South Korea, China, Japan agree to promote regional trade as Trump tariffs loom / March 30, 2025
After a five-year hiatus, trade ministers from Japan, South Korea and China held a dialogue and pledged to promote regional and global trade as part of the RCEP (the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) a 15-nation trade conglomerate. The three nations are major trade partners with the US and are bracing for the effects of Trump’s tariff strategy (Reuters).
China's biggest state banks to raise $71.6 bln to boost capital / March 30, 2025
With support from the Chinese government, China’s four biggest banks announced a plan to raise $71.6 billion through investments and the selling of shares. China’s banks have struggled to be profitable in the sluggish economy over the last few years. Expected cuts to key interest rates this year will add further pressure (Reuters).
Trump’s tariffs threaten to escalate a trade war. China wants to talk, but it’s ready to fight / March 31, 2025
President Trump’s use of tariffs and uncertainty has global markets on edge, especially between the US and China. But China has learned from Trump’s first term as president, so now it has more tools in its toolbox to be a greater challenge to Trump’s trade strategy, and it is prepared to use them (CNN).
For China and US Inc, Trump's trade war feels much worse this time / March 30, 2025
President Trump’s first term tariff war affected the Chinese economy with pressure on profit margins and a loss of 3.5 million jobs. Now, Chinese manufacturers can’t cut their prices any further without taking a loss, and local governments have little revenue to support local industries with subsidies, so many factories may close. Some US business owners say it is impossible to move their supply chain to the US (Reuters).
China’s factory activity growth at 1-year high as stimulus measures kick in / March 30, 2025
PMI (Purchasing Managers’ Index) figures improved in March as manufacturing activity increased, pushing the rate a little higher over the 50-point threshold between expansion and contraction. The PMI rate was 50.2 in February and 50.5 in March. Other figures, except employment, showed promise that recent government stimulus measures were improving the economy (CNBC).
In the engine room of China's economy Trump's tariffs are already beginning to bite / April 2, 2025
It is common knowledge that China’s economy has been struggling since the pandemic, but even before that, President Donald Trump’s first-term tariffs against China did have a negative effect on China’s economy even before the pandemic. Now, a second round of tariffs is hitting even harder on Chinese small businesses that have few options to escape the tariffs’ effects (Sky News).
Hang Seng tech index slides into correction territory after strong rally / March 31, 2025
After government stimulus measures inspired a slight rebound in Chinese stocks since last September, and DeepSeek’s surprising success in the AI market in January, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng tech index hit a wall on Monday, declining 3% on Monday, and 12% from a March 18th high. While the drop could be the sign of a “false rally,” analysts say that the correction is normal (CNBC).
China urges U.S. to ‘immediately’ cancel reciprocal tariffs, vows countermeasures / April 3, 2025
China’s Ministry of Commerce strongly urged US President Trump to cancel his tariff war against China while stating that China has its own countermeasures if he doesn’t bring the shocking tariffs to an end. Other countries are expressing their displeasure as well. Time will tell if it gets any of them to Trump’s bargaining table (CNBC).
China Restricts Companies from Investing in US as Tensions Rise / April 2, 2025
China’s government has put a hold on the approval process for Chinese investors and companies who want to invest in US companies, possibly giving China a bargaining chip as it grapples with Trump’s most recent tariff volley. This new suspension may block Chinese businesses from transferring their production to the US to avoid the tariffs (Yahoo Finance).