News that caught our eye / The week ending March 10th
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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.
Xi Jinping's power grab - and why it matters / March 4, 2023
The National People’s Conference began over the March 4th weekend and established the final “personnel list” for the Chinese Communist Party, a process that began last October with the presentation of the new 7-member Politburo Standing Committee. President Xi will now have a top-down ranking of loyalists throughout the Party (BBC News).
All you need to know about China’s ‘Two Sessions’ / March 3, 2023
The National People’s Conference and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) begin this weekend in China. The CPPCC is an advisory body while the NPC is the national legislature. The 5-year delegates represent all areas of culture: the arts, business, and law, as well as ethnic minorities and women (Al Jazeera).
China Premier Li Keqiang bows out as Xi loyalists take reins / March 5, 2023
Once a contender for the Chinese presidency, Li Keqiang completed his final act as Premier at the NPC this week. Since 2018, his position as Premier slowly lost its influence, especially during the Covid pandemic. His removal marks the end of an era of meritocracy for political advancement; now it is loyalty to Xi (AP News).
China Slams US Plans to Sell Missiles to Taiwan / March 2, 2023
The Biden Administration informed the US Congress of a potential sail of more than $600 million in missiles and weaponry to Taiwan, which it claims is allowable under the Taiwan Relations Act. China warned that the US has cut close to the edge with this and other support to Taiwan (Voice of America).
China expands defense budget 7.2%, marking slight increase / March 4, 2023
China has doubled its annual defense budget over the last decade, including a very slight increase this year over last year. China has the largest army and navy in the world. “Enhancing political loyalty” was among the military’s accomplishments last year, along with technological modernization, Premier Li Keqiang reported (AP News).
China’s human organ harvesting industry sanction bill advances in US House / March 4, 2023
A bill to sanction anyone involved in China’s human organ harvesting activities from entering the US or doing business here was presented by New Jersey Representative Chris Smith recently. Smith claims up to 100,000 people are executed for organ harvesting annually in China, mostly prisoners of conscience: Christians, Muslims and Falun Gong practitioners (Fox News).
What's cooking between India and China? / March 6, 2023
India’s foreign minister Jaishankar was criticized for acknowledging India’s smaller economy was no real match against China’s. Recently, representatives from both countries met for talks, including the border dispute in the Ladakh Sector. China’s message to India: Don’t let the border dispute interrupt other areas of diplomacy (The Economic Times).
Scholz warns of 'consequences' if China sends arms to Russia / March 5, 2023
Echoing the US’s warnings to China, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also warned China of “consequences” if China supplied weapons to Russia in the Ukraine conflict. Neither he nor European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen would acknowledge that sanctions from Europe would occur if China did so (ABC News).
China says US should change attitude or risk conflict / March 7, 2023
Foreign Minister Qin Gang gave a strong warning to the US in his first news conference as Minister, cautioning that the US is speeding to derail relations between the two countries due to its “distorted” reactions to current issues. US National Security spokesman John Kirby dismissed the Minister’s remarks (Reuters).
China’s Xi urges private companies to ‘be rich and loving’ / March 6, 2023
“Common prosperity” was Xi Jinping’s motto for “equity” in China as he urged private businesses to be involved in “charity undertakings” and rich in financial generosity towards its employees. But many companies are still struggling from Covid’s anchor on the economy and the government’s own regulatory crackdown on certain businesses (Al Jazeera).
Bao Fan: Why do Chinese billionaires keep vanishing? / March 8, 2023
February’s disappearance of Bao Fan shed light on China’s disappearing rich again. Some return after months, reportedly having helped in an investigation on corruption; some have been sentenced to years in prison. Currently, technology CEO’s have been targeted; the banking system may be next for scrutiny as Xi seeks to exercise control over the country (BBC News).
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