News that caught our eye / The week ending January 27th
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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.
Chinese investment in Western Hemisphere raising concerns for U.S. / January 22, 2023
The head of the U.S. southern command expressed concern about China’s growing influence in Central and Southern America as it builds 17 ports in the region, 5 of them around the Panama Canal, and as they invest in mining and telecommunications systems. China is the region’s largest trading partner (USNI News).
China still grappling with Covid surge as Lunar New Year celebrations kick off / January 22, 2023
Lunar New Year celebrations began today in China in spite of the current Covid surge. Government health officials reported less than 80,000 in-hospital deaths, a number western officials say is unrealistic. Some suggest the pandemic has reached its peak already; others say the death toll could still reach 1 million (CBS News).
How China became the world’s leading exporter of combat drones / January 24, 2023
Over the last decade, China delivered over 280 combat drones to 10 African and Middle Eastern countries, compared to the U.S, which delivered only 12 to the UK and France. US policies meant to keep such technology out of the hands of “rogue” states created the vacuum that China filled (Al Jazeera).
Why Biden’s chip war on China is straining US alliances / January 20, 2023
Increasingly restrictive US pressure against selling materials and technology for semiconductors to China is straining the relationships of US allies who depend on the Chinese market for much of their business. The strategy is encouraging nations to develop their own semiconductor industries independently (Al Jazeera).
China’s Huawei looks to ports, factories to rebuild sales / January 23, 2023
After sales dropped when the US blocked Huawei from using American technology for its products, the company is rebranding itself as a manufacturer of automated vehicles and even “smart terminals,” ports that run with minimal staff. The company sees a growing market with China’s workforce likely to shrink as it ages (AP News).
Biden sends top officials to African nations long-wooed by China and Russia / January 24, 2023
The US Ambassador to the UN visits Africa this week in an effort to catch up to decades of investment by China and Russia on the continent. But while China and Russia make business deals and trade agreements, the US representative will focus on climate change, conflicts and food shortages.
US seeks reengagement with China to stop illicit Fentanyl / January 25, 2023
When Secretary of State Blinken visits China in February, a main topic will be reducing the flow of precursor products from China to make Fentanyl. China ended talks on this issue last August when Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan. Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans age 18 to 49 (VOA).
China’s Covid wave drives up consumer interest in insurance / January 25, 2023
While Chinese citizens have government-run health insurance, a growing segment of the society, including young adults, plan to purchase commercial health insurance in the future, giving them access to “premium private providers.” The overwhelmed state of public hospitals during the recent pandemic surge left many looking for more certain availability (CNBC).
Chinese engineer jailed for eight years for spying in US / January 25, 2023
Ji Chaoqun, a 31-year-old man from China in the US on a student VISA, was sentenced to 8 years in prison for attempting to recruit others to obtain aviation data for the Chinese government. Ji is at least the 3rd Chinese national convicted of spying over the last year (BBC News).