News that caught our eye / The week ending July 28, 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.
China to resume 15-day visa-free entry for Singaporeans after 3+ years / July 23, 2023
Residents of Singapore and Brunei will be able to take advantage of 15-day-free entry visas into China beginning July 26th for the first time in three years due to the Covid outbreak. Singapore’s embassy welcomed the news and expressed hope that the people-to-people exchange will strengthen the bonds between the two countries (CNA).
China draws geopolitical lessons as Ukraine war grinds on / July 23, 2023
Russia’s war with Ukraine is providing the world with valuable lessons on economic warfare, geopolitics, and the potential military strength of global allies, and China is learning as it weighs its longing to reunite Taiwan with the mainland against the West’s reaction to such a takeover (The Japan Times).
Inspired by Ukraine war, Taiwan launches drone blitz to counter China / July 22, 2023
A year ago, after observing Ukraine’s use of drones in its battle with Russia, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen learned that Taiwan’s military drone capacity was pitifully small compared to its rival, China. So she enlisted Taiwan’s drone companies to immediately increase research and development to produce a more robust arsenal of military drones (The Japan Times).
China secretly sends enough gear to Russia to equip an army / July 24, 2023
Evidence is quickly growing that China is indeed supplying Russia with “dual-use” products for its war in Ukraine. Customs data is easy to acquire and reveals significantly large orders for bullet-proof vests, helmets, ceramic (used in body armor), and thermal optic equipment from Chinese companies to “one-day” firms (Politico).
China has announced a slew of measures to bolster its economy / July 24, 2023
In an effort to boost its floundering economy, China’s government presented a multi-faceted plan to target support for private businesses and consumer spending, among other things. This presents a shift from harassing private businesses to now inviting them to participate in national projects. Private firms, however, are still cautious (CNBC).
Girls playing netball killed as school gym collapses in China / July 24, 2023
Heavy rains and water-absorbing building materials placed on a school roof are the suspected causes of a gymnasium roof collapsing on a group of girls and some adults in Longsha District in Qiqihar, located in China’s northeastern Heilongjiang province. At least 11 were killed in the Sunday incident (Al Jazeera).
'Missing' Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang removed from office / July 25, 2023
After being absent from his post for a month, Qin Gang—still absent--was officially removed from office on Tuesday and replaced by his predecessor, Wang Yi. At first, government statements declared he was sick, but no details were provided. Such lack of transparency is common in China (The Times of India).
China censors CNN in middle of report on missing foreign minister / July 25, 2023
Censors blocked a CNN reporter for about 30 seconds as he described the dismissal of China’s foreign minister Qin Gang and Xi Jinping’s control over those in his inner circle. Such censorship, though, is common in China, but the censors seem to selectively pick certain data to block, allowing some information to remain (CNN).
Qin Gang: Foreign minister's downfall leaves China red-faced / July 27, 2023
Qin Gang’s sudden disappearance and ouster suggest, to some, a measure of instability in Xi Jinping’s inner core, reminding everyone that fidelity to the Xi agenda is paramount to survival in China. Qin’s presence has been completely eradicated from the foreign ministry’s website, another troubling sign of the consequences of stepping out of line (BBC).