News that caught our eye / The week ending February 17th
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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.
US holds drills in South China Sea amid tensions with China / February 12, 2023
The US conducted naval and marine military drills with Taiwan in the South China Sea again recently, an exercise that was planned prior to the tensions rising over the surveillance balloon controversy of last week. Over 5 trillion dollars’ worth of goods pass through the area annually (AP News).
House Oversight chair: China has ‘massive spy ring’ in US / February 12, 2023
James Comer, R.-KY, warned that China’s suspected surveillance balloon shot down recently is part of a larger surveillance program, including Chinese professors teaching at American universities and stealing valuable information from research and development (Fox News).
China says US balloons breached airspace at least 10 times / February 13, 2023
China claimed that the US has flown surveillance balloons over China at least 10 times over the last year. Last weekend, China claimed to have detected one such object off its east coast and was preparing to shoot it down. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson rejected China’s claims as false (BBC News).
Spy balloon tensions are drifting into politics of the supply chain / February 14, 2023
As tensions rise between China and the US over surveillance accusations, many US trade organizations see the current issue as another sign to diversify their production of goods, leaving China for places like Vietnam, India, and especially, North America. However, China remains a tempting market, and “presence” there supports healthy sales (CNBC).
China’s Belt and Road to nowhere / February 13, 2023
In its haste to make contracts on a global scale to export its industrial and economic clout, China’s banks increasingly made risky loans to borrowers in “financial distress.” Covid’s damage on China’s economy further weakened its economic vitality. Now, many countries are at risk of defaulting on their loans (Foreign Policy Magazine).
Iran’s Raisi leads large delegation in first state visit to China / February 13, 2023
While the US continues sanctions against Iran for its nuclear endeavors and human rights abuses, Iran’s president is in China this week to discuss a cooperation agreement between the two nations begun in 2021. China is Iran’s largest trade partner and continues to buy oil from Iran despite US sanctions (Al Jazeera).
China's Xi expresses support for Iran amid Western pressure / February 14
Presidents Xi of China and Raisi of Iran signed 20 cooperation agreements as part of their 25- year cooperation agreement (2021) on Wednesday as China expressed its support of Iran’s sovereignty and stability. A US official expressed hope that China could encourage Iran to cease agitating its neighbors in the region (ABC News).
The backlash over abuses in Xinjiang roils Europe / February 13, 2023
When officials announced that Governor Erkin Tuniyaz of Xinjiang province was going to visit Europe, critics objected to the visit over human rights abuses of Uyghur Muslims under his administration. British and EU officials scaled back the profiles of their delegations to meet with Tuniyaz, so the governor cancelled the trip (Politico).
China vows to address exorbitant 'bride prices,' extravagant weddings / February 14, 2023
Increasing incomes and materialism, a shortage of women due to China’s one-child policy and preferences for male babies has led to extremely high bride prices, especially in poorer areas. The government issued a document encouraging local officials to set limits on bride prices, if not eliminate them as “outdated” practices (Global Times).
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