News that caught our eye / The week ending April 14, 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.
Chinese military rehearses encirclement of Taiwan / April 8, 2023
In response to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s visit with US Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles last week, the Chinese government carried out a 3-day military exercise encircling Taiwan with 9 warships and over 70 military planes. Taiwan citizens seem to be taking the exercise in stride (BBC News).
In Dealing With China, U.S. and Europe Take Different Tacks / April 7, 2023
As an EU delegation with 50 businessmen visited China recently, the EU continues to offer discussions on trade and economic relations while the US’s approach is more hard line, particularly because of Taiwan. Some EU members, however, continue to lean more toward the US’ approach as China grows more aggressive (The New York Times).
China military ‘ready to fight’ after drills near Taiwan / April 10, 2023
China completed its 3-day military exercise around Taiwan, declaring that it is now ready for any military challenge regarding Taiwan and any attempt to become independent. The exercises were similar to those held last August, but didn’t disrupt commercial flights or ships (AP News).
China-Taiwan: How Beijing calibrates its Taiwan response / April 10, 2023
Taiwan’s presidential election is in 9 months, so China is carefully planning its strategy toward Taiwan, not pushing its weight too much to cause a negative reaction in the vote count. The Kuomintang Party once was the CCP’s opposition, but now favors China, while the Democratic Progressive Party leans toward independence (BBC News).
How a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could impact the US / April 12, 2023
Us lawmakers suggest that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could happen earlier than previously forecasted. If it does occur, it would disrupt vital trade in Japan, South Korea and Australia, affect markets across the globe and potentially pull the US into a ground battle with US troops (Fox News).
China warns as US, Philippines stage combat drills / April 12, 2023
As the US carries out military drills with the Philippines this month, China has warned that any alliance should not interfere with China’s interests in the region nor any territorial disputes. It did not say what the repercussions would be if that line were crossed (AP News).
Japan to develop long-range missiles as tensions with China rise / April 12, 2023
After he announced an increase in the country’s military budget last December, Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida announced recently that the country would develop more missiles by 2026 and purchase additional ones from the US in order to defend its lands in the event of an attack by another country, likely China (CNN).
US and Philippines begin largest-ever drills after China exercises / April 12, 2023
While it may appear that the US is responding to China’s recent military exercises around Taiwan, the upcoming US-Philippine military exercise had been pre-planned before the incidents of the last week occurred. More than a dozen US allies are participating in this exercise, not just the Philippines (BBC News).
China: We're Still a Developing Nation. US Lawmakers: No Way / April 8, 2023
China has the most billionaires, and the second largest economy, and yet it is still considered a “developing country,” benefiting from low- to no-interest loans and trade benefits due to that ranking. US lawmakers rejected that status, but more must be done globally to make it official (VOA).
Brazil’s Lula heads to China hoping to boost trade, investments / April 11, 2023
President Lula is leading a delegation of businessmen to China for talks with President Xi to further consolidate their economic relationship. Lula visited President Biden two months ago, and plans to continue economic ties with the US, but will base his China trade on the Chinese yuan, not the US dollar (Al Jazeera).