News that caught our eye / The week ending October 20, 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.
China Exploits Israel-Hamas Conflict to Diminish US Global Influence / October 13, 2023
As China urges for calm, a ceasefire, and negotiations between Hamas and Israel, experts warn that China’s actions reveal a preference for a Palestinian state, and an effort to overshadow the US’ involvement in the region, but it can’t take an official stand without jeopardizing its goals (VOA).
Israeli embassy worker attacked in China amid call for attack on Jews / October 13, 2023
An Israeli embassy worker was stabbed multiple times within two kilometers of the Israeli embassy in China on Friday. No motive has been given, nor has any information on the attacker been released, but the call for the “Day of Rage” against Israelis may likely play a part. The worker is in stable condition in a hospital (Mint).
China says Israel has gone too far / October 15, 2023
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated last Saturday that Israel has gone too far in its retaliation against Hamas, claiming it should stop at self-defense and avoid an aggressive attack. China is attempting to increase its involvement in Middle Eastern affairs (Politico).
China's Foreign Minister calls US Sec. of State on crisis in Israel and Gaza / October 14, 2023
In a phone call on Saturday, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with US Secretary of State Antony Blinkin, warning that the Hamas-Israel conflict could get out of control. Wang stated that China stands against any harm done to civilians and actions that violate international law (Reuters).
Blinken asks China to use 'influence' for Middle East calm / October 14, 2023
In his 1-hour phone call with Wang Yi, US Secretary Blinkin encouraged China to use its influence with Iran to restore calm in the region. Yi called for a two-state solution and an end to hostilities, but China has yet to condemn Hamas for its atrocities against Israel (France 24).
China gives Ehang approval for fully autonomous, passenger air taxis / October 13, 2023
China has given the green light to the Ehang manufacturer to operate driverless airborne drone taxis capable of transporting two people, the first time such a certificate has been awarded. The company plans to fill orders outside of China next year and expects such drone taxis to be commonplace in many cities in five years (CNBC).
China's economic deal with Russia is so lopsided that Putin needs US help / October 13, 2023
Several “think tank” advisors state that Russia’s “no-limits” partnership with China may be doing so much harm to its own economy, only help from the West could restore some balance, but Putin would never admit it. China is not investing in Russia as much as it is investing in other Asian nations (Insider).
Putin sees Belt and Road Initiative as China's desire to cooperate / October 14, 2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that he believes China’s Belt and Road Initiative is a balanced economic strategy that favors both China and those countries that participate in it and only provides opportunities for its members. The third BRI forum was planned for this week (Reuters).
Russia’s Vladimir Putin visits ‘dear friend’ Xi Jinping in China / October 17, 2023
President Vladimir Putin traveled outside of Russia for the first time this month to visit a country outside of the former Soviet bloc since an arrest warrant was issued against him by the International Criminal Court, and as China celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative at its forum in Beijing (Al Jazeera).
Putin filmed in China accompanied by officers with Russian nuclear briefcase / October 18, 2023
While it is rare that Russian President Vladimir Putin is filmed in the presence of the two suitcases used to arm Russia’s nuclear arsenal in case of a threat, the Russian president was filmed twice with naval officers carrying the parcels close to Putin while he was in China for the BRI forum (Reuters).
Exclusive: Taliban to join China's Belt and Road forum, elevating ties / October 14, 2023
Representatives of Afghanistan’s Taliban will attend China’s Belt and Road Initiative this week, seeking to enroll the country in the BRI, even though no country in the world yet has recognized the Taliban as Afghanistan’s official government. The BRI would construct a road already being built in Pakistan to extend through Afghanistan, among other ventures to tap Afghanistan’s potentially rich mineral resources (Reuters).
China’s Trade Grows in SE Asia Under BRI, as Do Concerns / October 15, 2023
While China’s BRI in Southeast Asia has increased trade, in some areas by nearly double since the BRI began 10 years ago, other concerns tarnish the celebratory image of the program. Few benefits and soaring loans plague poorer countries who participate in the initiative; Chinese crime syndicates eventually follow infrastructure, and China’s quest for raw materials has damaged the environment (VOA).
China’s Xi warns West against economic ‘decoupling’ / October 18, 2023
President Xi opened his 10th-anniversary BRI forum on Wednesday, declaring that the initiative is “on the right side of history,” calling it an asset rather than a threat. The claim was made in response to the West’s efforts to “de-couple” from economic dependency on China and a 25-year low in foreign investment earlier this year (Al Jazeera).
Belt and Road Initiative: Is China's trillion-dollar gamble worth it? / October 17, 2023
China’s Belt and Road Initiative is connecting over 100 countries to China through infrastructure projects and trade. But, many low to middle-income countries are struggling to manage the debt and may not be realizing the benefits promised by China. Workers’ rights violations, environmental damage, corruption and the strong arm of political influence in China’s favor on the world stage also plague participants (BBC).
U.S. curbs export of more AI chips, including Nvidia H800, to China / October 17, 2023
The US is set to further tighten the restrictions on microchips and component technologies in sales to China in an effort to prevent China from using them in the production of military equipment. Even so, the sanctions still restrict a small fraction of chip and semiconductor sales that go to China (CNBC).
China, US race to unleash killer AI robot soldiers for military supremacy / October 17, 2023
AI is the new arms race between the US and China. The West’s support for Ukraine included highly technical devices that caught Russia by surprise. Drones and the recently developed autonomous submarine by the US and Australia reveal that the future is fast becoming the present. With the potential killing power that AI could wield, there may be no winners in this race (Fox News).
US accuses China of ‘dangerous’ air force maneuvers against military planes / October 17, 2023
Since the fall of 2021, the US has recorded more than 180 incidents where Chinese aircraft have dangerously intercepted US aircraft in international airspace, and that number increases to over 300 when US allies’ aircraft are included. China claims it followed all laws and regulations to defend its sovereignty. The fear is that eventually, one of these intercepts will cause casualties (The Guardian).
China’s 3rd quarter growth exceeds forecast / October 17, 2023
September brought some good news regarding China’s economy as economic growth in the 3rd quarter reached 4.9% over the same period in 2022, exceeding the predicted 4.6% GDP for that quarter. Other markers posted positive gains. The property sector, however, continues to struggle and consumer prices were flat in September (CNBC).
Nebraska governor faces backlash after dismissing investigative report / October 19, 2023
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen dismissed a Chinese national reporter for a Nebraskan non-profit newspaper when she reported that his hog farms are producing excessive amounts of nitrates. Pillen’s daughter, the CEO of his company, commented on the company’s environmental program. Rather than addressing the nitrate question, Pillen stated that the author was from communist China, “and that’s all you need to know” (CNN).