News that caught our eye / The week ending July 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.
Mushroom diplomacy: Janet Yellen sets off culinary craze in China / July 15, 2023
While US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s visit to China didn’t create major improvements between the two countries, her delegation’s visit to a restaurant has set off a craze for Yunnan provincial foods, including a mushroom dish that, if not cooked correctly, could trigger hallucinogenic reactions (CNN).
China’s Rebound Falters, Tripped Up by Debt and Weak Exports / July 16, 2023
June’s economic numbers in China confirmed a 2nd quarter slump, even though compared to 2022’s second quarter, the economy rebounded 6.3 percent. However, the second quarter in 2022 was crippled by the Covid pandemic. Youth unemployment hit a record high, but car sales were up and adult employment was at 4.1 percent (The New York Times).
China’s risk of deflation is ‘serious’ — one economist says it’s ‘time to act’ / July 18, 2023
Economists are concerned that China may fall into “deflation” if the government doesn’t step in with some wise and practical measures to stem the downward trend. For now, some are coining the term “disinflation” to explain the current slog in China’s economy. Forecasts for the remainder of the year have been downgraded (CNBC).
Burnt out or jobless - meet China's 'full-time children' / July 17, 2023
As China’s youth and young adult unemployment rate continues to edge higher over 21%, some are opting to simply remain--or move back--home to care for parents, reflect and search for better employment. The government describes the current situation as “slow-employment,” suggesting university graduates and twenty-somethings are taking their time getting back into the workforce (BBC News).
The Chinese Communist Party is rewriting the Bible / July 17, 2023
In its efforts to sinicize all religions in China, the CCP is planning to re-write the Bible and other religious texts to conform to CCP philosophy. Thus, rather than Jesus’ forgiveness for the adulterous woman in the Gospel of John, the account ends with Jesus stoning the woman himself, since her rebellion against the laws of the “state” merited her doom (Fox News).
Qin Gang: China's 'missing' foreign minister sparks guessing game / July 19, 2023
China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang has not been seen publicly since June 25th of this year, sparking debate on his whereabouts and condition. Along with China watchers, many Chinese citizens are also wondering where he is at, spiking a rise in Qin Gang searches online. Government representatives have offered no explanation (BBC News).
Where is China’s foreign minister Qin Gang? / July 20, 2023
Speculation continues both inside and outside of China regarding the whereabouts of Foreign Minister Qin Gang. The Chinese government continues to dismiss questions about Qin or denies knowing his location. Some suspect that Qin has fallen out of favor with Xi, who appointed him last December (Al Jazeera).
Taiwan presidential candidate plans US stop, drawing China’s ire / July 17, 2023
Taiwan’s current Vice President and leading 2024 presidential candidate, William Lai, plans a stop in the US on a trip to Paraguay, drawing the sharp anger of China and a formal diplomatic complaint from the Chinese government. Paraguay is Taiwan’s last formal diplomatic ally in South America (Al Jazeera).
Typhoon Talim lashes China as extreme weather grips Asia / July 18, 2023
Winds reaching 87 mph hit Guangdong Province in China this week as Typhoon Talim came ashore, but then weakened as it headed to Vietnam. Fishermen and coastal workers were evacuated. Other areas of China and eastern Asia battled extremely high temperatures in what appears to be a global heat wave (BBC News).
China leading global electric vehicle production / July 8, 2023
China’s EV market now dominates the global market, overtaking Japan and sparking stiff competition between China’s automakers. The US has not seen the Chinese presence in the market due to Trump administration tariffs. China is leading the market because it also controls the mining of battery materials (NBC News).
China’s Xi Jinping meets with Henry Kissinger in Beijing / July 20, 2023
Veteran US diplomat Henry Kissinger made a special trip to China this week, meeting with President Xi, who praised the 100-year-old for his celebrated age and the fact that Kissinger has visited China more than 100 times. Kissinger traveled to China this time of his own volition, not as an envoy for the U.S. (NBC News).
China’s Semiconductor Ambitions Fuel European Brain Drain / July 19, 2023
Over the last 20 years, over 30,000 Chinese nationals have worked in Europe’s technological industries, but have moved back to China, taking their technical knowledge, skills, and expertise with them to benefit industries in China. Some have started their own companies in China and now are competing with their former employers (Bloomberg).