News that caught our eye / The week ending October 6, 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.
Taiwan shivers over Ukraine funding freeze / October 5, 2023
The US Congress’s last-minute budget deal last weekend did not include additional funds for Ukraine, sending chills in Taiwan that the US might not come to its aid should China make good on its threat to take the island for itself. China is using the development to convince the Taiwan people that the US can’t be trusted (Politico).
Taiwan says China has 'very diverse' ways of interfering in election / October 3, 2023
Taiwan National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen reported that China will likely use military threats, economic coercion, fake news and the manipulation of opinion polls to sway Taiwan’s presidential election in January. The more popular candidate, Vice President William Lai, is a pro-independent candidate (Reuters).
How China is fighting in the grey zone against Taiwan / October 4, 2023
China is operating it’s military exercise around Taiwan in a “grey zone,” which is an aggressive posture of war games without declaring war. The strategy allows China to refine its own methods, test Taiwan’s response and over time, weary Taiwan socially and politically, and deplete its resources (BBC News).
'Trump-like' pres. candidate in Taiwan promises '50 years of peace' with China / October 2, 2023
Terry Gou, the Taiwanese billionaire founder of Foxconn, has entered Taiwan’s presidential race as a latecomer, declaring his candidacy in August. Like Donald Trump, Gou is a billionaire, makes bold proposals, has some potentially unrealistic ideas, and presents himself as a conservative and a populist (Fox News).
Philippine boats breach Chinese coast guard blockade in South China Sea / October 5, 2023
On Wednesday two Philippine supply ships and two coastguard ships broke through a Chinese blockade attempting to keep supplies from a Philippine station aboard a marooned warship on the Second Thomas Shoal. Both countries blamed one another for breaking maritime laws, adding more tension in an already politically controversial region (Fox News).
China submarine mishap: 55 feared dead; 'catastrophic failure' in oxygen system / October 4, 2023
A Chinese submarine is feared to be lost in the Yellow Sea as reports indicate the submarine hit a chain and anchor mechanism set by China itself to trap “enemy” vessels. It is feared that all 55 sailors onboard are dead as the oxygen system failed. The incident occurred in September, but China denies the accident (YouTube/WION).
Ouster of McCarthy shows US division, 'demons dancing in riotous revelry' / October 4, 2023
The ouster of US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is a sign by some Chinese academics that US politics is in chaos and will continue to be so until a philosophy of compromise and consensus for the good of the people and the country holds sway between the two parties (The Global Times).
US takes aim at China companies, executives over fentanyl supply chain / October 4, 2023
The US has brought charges and sanctions against dozens of Chinese companies accused of advertising, manufacturing, and distributing the chemicals used in making fentanyl, which is killing 300 Americans a day. Twelve company executives were also indicted (Al Jazeera).
Asian Games: China censors 'Tiananmen' image of athletes hugging / October 2, 2023
A hug between two Chinese athletes at the Asian Games became controversial when their running numbers formed the number “64” as they embraced, inadvertently suggesting it was a reference to June 4th, the date for the Tiananmen Massacre that took place in 1989. Few young Chinese know much about the massacre because mention of it is regularly scrubbed from social media (Reuters).
Fears China ‘closing in on itself’ amid crackdowns, rising nationalism / October 3, 2023
As President Xi and the CCP drive the Chinese population to a more strict, communist, and nationalist ideology, the agenda is also cutting off China from the world, spooking foreign business investors and raising the concerns of many of its own citizens. China’s recent anti-espionage laws are almost turning citizens against one another (Al Jazeera).
Evergrande shares soar as trading in crisis-hit China firm resumes / October 3, 2023
Shares in the Chinese property developer Evergrande soared more than 40% in trading and then settled at 28% at closing earlier this week. Trading was suspended last week Thursday when it was revealed the company’s billionaire chairman and founder, Hui Ka Yan, was being investigated for “illegal crimes” (The Guardian).
Pandas could be gone from America’s zoos by the end of next year / October 3, 2023
A 50-year agreement begun by President Nixon and China is coming to an apparent end as China is not renewing agreements with zoos worldwide to loan Panda Bears for 10-year leases. As the bears get old, they are returned to China, as are any offspring once they reach mating age. Tensions with the West appear to be causing China to take its Pandas back (AP News).
Golden Week: Chinese seek cheap wanderlust in economic gloom / October 2, 2023
As China celebrates an 8-day national holiday, many Chinese travelers are getting out to tour the country, but also are watching their budgets closely. Some are even resorting to a few day trips rather than an extended vacation. Air and rail travel reservations have increased nicely due to the holiday, but still show signs of a sluggish economy (BBC News).