News that caught our eye / The week ending June 16, 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.
Cuba Spy Station Brings China Rivalry to America’s Doorstep / June 9, 2023
China’s plans to place a “listening post” in Cuba marks another step in China’s global intelligence counteroffensive against the US and its surveillance of China via military vessels in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. The former USSR used Cuba for the same purpose. China’s influence in the western hemisphere is growing (WSJ).
US confirms China has had a spy base in Cuba since at least 2019 / June 10, 2023
In response to the revelation that China plans to base an eavesdropping station in Cuba, the Biden Administration stated that China has been spying on the US from Cuba since at least 2019 when it upgraded some systems on the island. China’s surveillance operation is a global entity (AP News).
Amid focus of Cuba's ties to China and Russia, residents go hungry / June 13, 2023
While China and Cuba reportedly sign a multi-million dollar deal to set up a spy station in Cuba, the island’s residents are going hungry, reeling from the economic downturn created by the Covid pandemic. Over 200,000 Cubans emigrated to the US in 2022. Government strategies to help seem to only benefit those loyal to the state (NBC News).
Canadian appointee investigating China election claims steps down / June 10, 2023
Former Canadian Governor General David Johnston announced his resignation from heading a probe into potential meddling by China in Canadian politics, citing a “highly partisan atmosphere” as the reason for his departure. Conservatives charge Johnston is too close to Trudeau to be objective (Al Jazeera).
Taiwan scrambles jets as Chinese war party crosses median line / June 11, 2023
Taiwan’s air force took to the air on Sunday after 10 Chinese aircraft crossed the median line in the Taiwan Strait, the second time in less than a week. Since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in 2022, China has increased its military exercises around the island (Fox News).
US decides to rejoin UNESCO and pay back dues, to counter China / June 12, 2023
The US stopped funding UNESCO in 2011 and pulled out completely in 2017 over Palestine’s inclusion as a member. But now, as China’s influence grows globally, the US is rejoining UNESCO to counter China. Oddly, the US has pledged to repay the organization for the years it has been absent from UNESCO (AP News).
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrives in China / June 13, 2023
Palestinian President Abbas made his fifth visit to China this week, meeting with President Xi to talk about China’s desire to contribute toward peace talks with Israel. It is another example of China’s growing involvement in Middle East relations (Al Jazeera).
China spinning a ‘web’ of influence campaigns to win over Taiwan / June 13, 2023
Along with military confrontations in the Taiwan Strait, China has another “army”—the United Front Work Department—that uses cultural exchanges and influencers in Taiwan to promote the CCP’s agenda of reunification. While more Taiwanese desire independence for Taiwan, China will still use Taiwan’s open society to sway public opinion (Al Jazeera).
China makes surprise rate cut as economic recovery loses steam / June 13, 2023
China’s Central Bank lowered a key lending rate this week, and although the cut was slight, it signified concern that China’s economy is still struggling to recover and indicated that more rate cuts will likely follow. Economic indicators in China show the economy is waning (CNN Business).
Blinken set for high-stakes China trip this weekend as U.S. pushes for a 'thaw' / June 14, 2023
Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit China this weekend in the hope of reestablishing talks with the Chinese government. The visit has been stalled for 6 months after the spy balloon crisis occurred in January. Relations continue to be quite cool between the two nations (NBC News).