News that caught our eye / The week ending October 27, 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.
Not all in China’s military view Taiwan, the West as primary threat / October 20, 2023
While the CCP and President Xi mandate that the PLA align with CCP thought regarding a victory in a potential war to take back Taiwan, some members of the PLA doubt that China would be successful in a battle with the West. Some also resent that the PLA serves the CCP, not the Chinese nation (Al Jazeera).
As China strengthens ties with Russia, the Israel-Hamas war widens gap with the U.S. / October 21, 2023
China and Russia are seeking to gain a larger role in Middle Eastern politics, but their solution to the Israeli-Hamas crisis is for an independent Palestinian state, which the US does not fully support. The conflict threatens to further expand the political rift between East and West (NBC News).
China sends envoy to the Middle East, eager to play larger role/ October 20, 2023
In an effort to play a larger role in the Middle Eastern conflict between Israel and Hamas, China sent its Middle Eastern envoy, Zhai Jun, to the region to push for a ceasefire and ultimately, a two-state solution to the crisis. China appears to have the support of other nations in the region to mediate a solution ( ABC News).
Shifting Stance, China Now Says Israel Has "Right To Self-Defense" / October 24, 2023
After China called for a ceasefire and a two-state solution to the Israeli-Hamas conflict, without condemning Hamas for its attack on Israel, China appeared to alter its stance by stating that Israel has the right to defend itself. This comes as Wang Yi visits the US for high-level talks with the Biden Administration (NDTV).
China's youngest-ever crew of astronauts heads to space station / October 26, 2023
Three “taikonauts” embarked on a space flight on Thursday to the Chinese space station called “The Celestial Palace.” Two of the taikonauts are just 33 and 35 years old, the youngest Chinese ever to fly into space. China is barred from participating in the International Space Station, so they built their own, and now are inviting qualified, fluent Chinese foreigners to apply (Reuters).
Standard Chartered shares slide 12% as China losses hit earnings / October 26, 2023
UK bank Standard Chartered’s shares sank 17% on Thursday before recovering to close down 12%. Its third-quarter revenue was cut by more than half compared to last year’s third-quarter benchmark due to the bank slashing the value of its investment in China Bohai Bank by $697 million (CNBC).
China says US ‘exaggerates’ its military threat in new report / October 25, 2023
China’s Defense Minister Wu Qian criticized a report from the Pentagon on China’s growing military strength and nuclear arsenal, claiming that the US is confused and hypocritical. Qian claimed that China is a “non-existent Chinese military threat.” And yet, China has aggressively challenged US jets and South Asian naval ships in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait (Al Jazeera).
US vows it will defend Philippines after incidents in South China Sea / October 23, 2023
On Sunday, while attempting to deliver food and supplies to a Filipino outpost in the Second Thomas Shoal, two Filipino ships were struck and damaged by Chinese ships as the Chinese ships tried to block them from reaching the Sierra Madre, a capsized ship turned military outpost for the Philippines. The US stated it would defend the Philippines, honoring a 1951 treaty with the country (AP News).
China fires defense minister not seen in public for two months / October 24, 2023
President Xi has officially removed Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu and Foreign Minister Qin Gang from their positions, as well as removing them as state councilors. Li was last seen in August and Qin in July. No explanation for the reason for their removal was given (Al Jazeera).
China crackdown on cyber scams in SE Asia nets 1000’s, leaves networks intact / October 23, 2023
Often following developments from China’s Belt and Road Initiative, criminal syndicates have set up cyber scam operations, luring Chinese citizens into deceptive online and phone scams offering fake investment schemes. China is attempting to resolve the problem by recovering the low-level people caught in the scheme, but has often left the elite operators to continue their operations (AP News).
Foxconn: Taiwan-based iPhone maker investigated by China / October 23, 2023
Chinese tax officials are investigating iPhone maker Foxconn at two of its production sites in China. Foxconn’s founder, Terry Gou, is a presidential candidate for Taiwan’s election coming in January. The investigation may be routine, or China’s way of manipulating the election, or it is retribution against the US for its sanctions against China (BBC).