News that caught our eye / The week ending September 8, 2023
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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.
Typhoon Saola arrives on China’s coast after slamming Hong Kong / September 2, 2023
With winds at more than 125 mph, Typhoon Saola made landfall in Guandong province on Friday, passing over Hong Kong and affecting neighboring provinces. The typhoon was downgraded by Saturday morning. One person was reportedly killed in Shenzhen City. Another typhoon, Haikui, was approaching Taiwan (Al Jazeera).
China’s new national map has set off a wave of protests. Why? / September 1, 2023
China recently released an updated “standard map” that includes disputed areas now belonging to China despite historical claims by the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Taiwan, and even Russia. All of these countries, except Russia, have lodged formal complaints. China is clearly making its intentions known before the G20 and /ASEAN conferences (AP News).
In U.S.-China AI contest, the race is on to deploy killer robots / September 8, 2023
Engineers in Australia are developing an autonomous submarine, about the size of a bus, in an effort to quickly build up its military strength should a conflict arise with China. Both China and the West are in a military “contest” to develop AI military weapons, everything from drones to autonomous vehicles, fighter jets, and submarines (Reuters).
‘Severe stress’: Myanmar, South China Sea push ASEAN to breaking point / September 4, 2023
The ASEAN summit meeting this week in Jakarta is wrought with internal struggles over support for Myanmar and China’s aggressive claims for the South China Sea. So much so, the conference’s ability to get any of its agenda done is in question, including its goal to unite the region’s nations (Al Jazeera).
Xi will skip G20 summit in India during a period of soured relations / September 5, 2023
President Xi will not be attending the G20 summit in India this weekend, although no explanation was given for his absence. India, which has a frosty relationship with China over border disputes, is hosting the summit. President Putin will not be present at the summit, either (ABC News).
For foreign envoys in China, Xi’s G20 absence confirms worrying trend / September 7, 2023
Xi’s absence from the G20 summit reflects what’s been happening as foreign dignitaries try to meet with Chinese officials: it is increasingly difficult to meet face to face, especially in informal, “off-script” meetings. China is cutting itself off from the West (Reuters).
China’s biggest city introduces localized Anti-Espionage Regulation / September 3, 2023
With more than 32 million people, the Chinese city of Chongqing has implemented China’s new anti-espionage laws, calling upon, and even mandating, that its citizens report any suspicion of activity or “weak spots” that would threaten national security. Even foreign travel and business will come under scrutiny when citizens travel abroad and return to China (JURIST).
China mobilizes country to look out for foreign spies, offers cash rewards / September 4, 2023
China’s recently expanded anti-espionage law is gaining popularity in China, sometimes offering a $13,000 reward for information, although it is discouraging to foreigners who want to do business or are doing business in China. The law arms citizens to report any suspicious behavior, turning the citizenry into a layman’s spy agency for the CCP (Fox News).
Country Garden wins bond extension in relief for China's property sector / September 3, 2023
Creditors approved an extension on a debt payment for property developer Country Garden on Friday, giving the struggling company 3 years to pay off a $540 million debt that was due Saturday. However, the company still has other monthly payments to meet for the rest of the year (Reuters).
Part of China's economic miracle was a mirage. Reality check is next / September 7, 2023
President Xi’s 60-point economic reform agenda from a decade ago appears to have not been realized, causing the country to fall back on older policies that have pulled the economy further into debt. Economists predict three scenarios for China’s future, which could include a hard fall into an economic crisis in two of them (Reuters).
China's largest banks extend billions to Russia as Western lenders exit / September 4, 2023
Four of China’s largest banks have extended nearly $8 billion in additional loans to Russia since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This comes as China is dealing with a threatening economic slowdown within its own borders (Mint).
China makes a ‘major strategic decision’ that will impact the world / September 3, 2023
While China leads the world in producing planet-warming gases and has over 1000 coal power plants operating, it also began operating its first large-scale renewable energy power plant in the Tengger Desert At peak performance, the plant should be able to power 1.5 million homes (Yahoo News).
China's Great Wall damaged by workers looking for shortcut / September 5, 2023
Two Chinese construction workers were detained after excavating a path through a section of the Great Wall of China, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The workers were hoping to shorten the distance their vehicles would have to travel. Much of the Wall is in poor disrepair, but it is still protected as a significant cultural site (BBC News).