News that caught our eye / The week ending April 21, 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.
Biden not moving with ‘urgency to prevent WWIII,’ says China committee chairman / April 14, 2023
Mike Gallagher (R-WI), who met with President Tsai Ing-wen and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles last week, w/aarned that the Biden administration seems unconcerned about preventing an invasion of the island by China. In his view, an invasion could occur as early as next January (Fox News).
China expands wartime military draft to include veterans and college students / April 15, 2023
China announced changes to its conscription policy, should it enter a time of war, that would place veterans and college students at the top of its draft lists. Currently, the PLA has about 2 million personnel, but China hopes to bolster its ranks with more skilled and educated soldiers (Fox News).
Call on ‘aggressor’ Russia to end war, Germany urges China / April 14, 2023
Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s foreign minister, the third European dignitary to visit China recently, urged China to open peace talks between Ukraine and Russia to solve the brutal conflict, citing China’s influence over Russia. She also expressed concern over human rights abuses in China and the Taiwan crisis (Al Jazeera).
China vows not to sell arms to any party in Ukraine war / April 14, 2023
Qin Gang, China’s foreign minister, spoke during a visit by Germany’s foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, declaring that China would not sell military arms to any party involved in the Russia/Ukraine crisis, and that it would regulate the sale of “dual-use” items. However, China still heavily supports Russia economically and politically (AP News).
Flights out of Taipei delayed after China launches satellite / April 15, 2023
China’s launch of a satellite on Sunday halted flights temporarily out of Taipei’s airport as rocket debris fell into the sea north of the city. China had planned delays in air travel over 3 days due to its military exercises, but Taiwan protested, thus shortening the length to about a half hour (ABC News).
China’s economy shakes off Covid legacy to grow 4.5% in Q1 / April 18, 2023
China’s GDP narrowly beat estimates for the first quarter of 2023, settling at a robust 4.5%, but some of that might be from “delayed economic activity” in 2022 as China struggled to put Covid behind. Private investment was weak, however, and youth unemployment reached its second highest level at 19.6% (CNN Business).
China resorts to unusual measures to restore confidence among entrepreneurs / April 17, 2023
In an attempt to increase private investment and private enterprise, China plans to turn the province of Hainan into the world’s largest free trade port and says it will only arrest, prosecute or convict business people involved in criminal cases when absolutely necessary. The ambiguous pledge is causing more reluctance than incentive (CNN Business).
China starts ‘surgical’ retaliation against foreign companies after US-led tech blockade / April 16, 2023
In response to 5 years of US sanctions against China, the government is strategically targeting specific foreign companies by detaining their employees, raiding offices, and burdening them with hefty fines. But, some warn that too much harassment, even “hostage diplomacy” could drive off current and future investments (Financial Times).
U.S. arrests 2 for allegedly operating secret Chinese police outpost in New York / April 18, 2023
Two men were arrested this week for operating a Chinese police station in New York City. The stations exist globally and are a product of China’s “Ministry of Public Security,” but the officers act more like henchmen to persecute critics and dissidents of the Chinese regime for their anti-China rhetoric (CBS News).
US warship sails through Taiwan Strait following China war games / April 17, 2023
The USS Milius, a guided missile destroyer, sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Sunday, soon after China had concluded its military exercises around the island of Taiwan. US military ships travel through the strait about once a month, but China views the entire waterway as its “territorial waters” (Al Jazeera).
The Jiangsu Chained Mother of Eight: Case Closed? Not Really / April 19, 2023
China’s one-child policy triggered a lucrative business of human-trafficking women in China, sometimes involving CCP members. In February, 2022, a CCP member was charged with keeping his purchased wife in chains. His one-day trial on April 6th, the traffickers’ short sentences, and the lack of attention toward human trafficking leave many suspicious (Bitter Winter).