News that caught our eye / The week ending November 17, 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.
Dozens of Chinese ships chase Philippine vessels as US renews warning / November 11, 2023
Once again, a large fleet of Chinese ships harassed Filipino ships as they were bringing supplies to a small outpost in the Second Thomas Shoal on Friday. Both countries claimed that they were following international laws. The Chinese ships ultimately allowed the deliveries to be made but fired a water canon at one Filipino ship in the four-hour engagement (AP News).
China makes a ‘major strategic decision’ that will impact the world / November 13, 2023
China recently began operating a clean energy power plant in the Tengger Desert that will produce 1.8 billion kilowatt-hours of power annually. The Chinese government plans to produce 100 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2026 and hopes to operate net-zero emission power plants by 2060. A 2019 report revealed that China emitted 27% of the world’s toxic heat-trapping gases (Yahoo! finance).
Biden’s failed foreign policy with China is based on a disastrous idea / November 13, 2023
This opinion piece charges that the Biden Administration is guilty of appeasing China to the detriment of the American people in matters relating to energy production, human rights, and national security, among others. The article claims the Administration is ignorant of China’s global ambitions ( Fox News).
China weighs ending freeze on Boeing purchases with 737 Max deal / November 12, 2023
China may resume purchasing Boeing 737 Max aircraft after a long hiatus brought on by two plane crashes in 2017 and rising economic and political tensions between the US and China. Forecasts for China’s airline fleet suggest that the number of aircraft needed may double in the next 20 years (Reuters).
US and China agree to resume military communications after summit / November 15, 2023
President Biden met with President Xi of China at an estate outside of San Francisco and the APEC meetings on Wednesday, discussing serious topics between the rival nations. The most significant outcome is the creation of direct communication between each country’s militaries and between Biden and Xi themselves (BBC News).
China’s state media take a new tone toward the US ahead of APEC / November 15, 2023
After years of negative coverage of the US in China’s state media, outlets took a slightly more positive stance on the US as the meeting between Presidents Biden and Xi approached this week, anticipating warmer relations between the leaders and the countries they represent. Not all coverage was positive, though (AP News).
Biden again calls Xi Jinping a 'dictator' as China vows to retake Taiwan / November 15. 2023
Just hours after Biden’s cordial meeting with Xi Jinping, the gloves came off as a Chinese representative vowed that China would take over Taiwan, and President Biden referred to Xi as a dictator once again. A Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman warned the US to avoid support for an independent Taiwan (Fox News).
Pandas may return to California, China’s Xi tells U.S. business elites / November 16, 2023
President Xi was welcomed with a standing ovation at a dinner with top US business leaders, where he posited that Panda bears might return to the US, beginning in California. The dinner was held to encourage US businesses to invest in China, although many are skeptical of China’s politically influenced economic sector (NBC News).
Russia pours cold water on Xi-Biden talks / November 15, 2023
Russian media is downplaying the events occurring at the APEC conference in San Francisco this week, choosing rather to exploit pro-Palestinian protests in the US and a pre-conference meeting that was not fully attended by all participants as a sign of low interest in the conference (CNBC).
Xi Jinping arrives in the US as his Chinese Dream sputters / November 15, 2023
Five years ago, when President Xi was last on American soil, China was enjoying a strong economy. Now, as he visits the US again, the Chinese economy is enduring significant issues from massive youth unemployment to a realty sector time bomb. Thus, Xi’s approach to the APEC conference and the US appears to be more conciliatory and eager for healthier relationships (BBC).