News that caught our eye / The week ending September 15, 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.
Abuse fears sparked by China’s proposed ‘hurt feelings’ legal change / September 9, 2023
A draft amendment to the Public Security Administration Punishments Law was submitted to the National People’s Congress in early September that would make any act of “hurting the feelings of the Chinese nation” punishable with a fine and up to 15 days in detention. Concerns about possible corruption or abuse by grass-roots county police were aired across social media (SCMP).
US and Vietnam ink historic partnership in Biden visit / September 10, 2023
As President Biden met with leading officials in Vietnam over the weekend, Hanoi is trying to straddle relationships with the US, China, and Russia. Biden’s team and Vietnamese officials talked about weapons deals and hi-tech manufacturing while Vietnam was also in negotiations with Russia for an arms supply deal (Reuters).
The hottest electric vehicles are in China / September 10, 2023
China boasts 138 automakers, with at least 40 that are solely EV producers. They manufacture a variety of vehicles, including popular deluxe minivans with massage seats, sedans that will run over 600 miles on a single charge, but few of them will ever reach the US. Most are not designed for the American market, and US tariffs raise the price (ABC News).
China think tank says India is 'sabotaging' G20 for its own agenda / September 9, 2023
A Chinese think tank criticized India as it hosted the G20 Summit this week, claiming that India was taking undue advantage of its position as host to hedge China out. India held two prior G20 meetings in contested territories it has with China and Pakistan, highlighting the issues (Reuters).
US, Canada sail warships through Taiwan Strait in a challenge to China / September 9, 2023
Two warships, one from the US and one from Canada, sailed through the Taiwan Strait between the island nation and China on Saturday. A US naval representative stated that the Strait is beyond any “territorial sea of any coastal nation,” thus, it is international waters. China stated that it monitored and dealt with the situation legally (ABC News).
China deploys planes to Taiwan Strait, massing forces at coastal bases / September 12, 2023
China continues to fortify its coastal military bases along the Taiwan Strait, and deployed a fleet of 22 warplanes and 20 warships on Tuesday into the Taiwan Strait to conduct military drills, likely in response to the passing of US and Canadian warships sailing through the Strait recently (Fox News).
At G20, Italy Tells China It Plans To Exit Belt And Road Project / September 10, 2023
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni indicated to China’s Li Qiang that Italy plans to exit China’s Belt and Road Initiative sometime in the future. The issue is delicate since China has warned that there will be negative consequences for Italy if it bows out of the pact (NDTV).
Sunak chides China after report that UK staffer may be Beijing spy / September 10, 2023
British PM Rishi Sunak criticized China at the G20 summit after a report revealed the arrest of a parliamentary worker for potentially spying for Beijing earlier this year. Sunak called the situation “unacceptable” and has been extremely cautious about China’s involvement in British politics (AP News).
Dozens of crocodiles in China escape during floods / September 12, 2023
More than 75 crocodiles escaped a farm in Maoming, Guangdong province after Typhoon Haikui caused a lake to flood. About 8 crocs have been captured and killed, but more than 65 were still on the loose. Residents nearby were told to stay home (BBC News).
China Backs Venezuela's Efforts to Safeguard Sovereignty: Xi / September 13, 2023
President Xi met with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday as the two met to strengthen political and economic ties between the two nations. Venezuela is the first South American nation to join China with an “all-weather strategic partnership.” The two countries will observe their 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year (TeleSUR).