News that caught our eye / The week ending August 4, 2023
Tap here for our archives.
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.
North Korea and China share ‘comradeship written with blood,’ Xi tells Kim / July 29, 2023
Chinese leaders met with Kim Jong Un last week to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Armistice of the Korean War. China’s President Xi wrote Kim a letter, expressing their shared sacrifice in blood from that war. Russian diplomats also met with North Korean leaders to strengthen cooperation between the two countries (Fox News).
Italy minister: joining China's Belt and Road was 'atrocious' decision / July 30, 2023
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto lamented Italy’s entrance into China’s Belt and Road Initiative, stating that while Chinese imports have greatly increased in Italy, exports from Italy to China have lagged by comparison. Italy, the only EU nation in the BRI, is looking for ways to exit the deal peacefully (Reuters).
Why it's getting easier to be a single mum in China / July 31, 2023
While the Chinese government is encouraging married couples to have more children, many Chinese women are also choosing to become mothers without a husband to help raise the child, rubbing against traditional ethics in many areas of China that have criticized single mothers and ostracized the child (BBC).
Beijing's worst flooding in a decade kills at least 2 from typhoon Doksuri / July 31
China’s capital was inundated with at least 7 inches of rain from typhoon Doksuri, which lingered over the area for 3 days, killing at least 2. It was the worst flooding in the area since 2012. Unfortunately, another typhoon, Khanun, is headed on a similar path this week (CBS News).
Floods around Beijing kill at least 20, 27 missing as thousands evacuated / August 1, 2023
After an early summer heat wave in China, torrential rains have battered Beijing and surrounding areas with as much as 20 inches of rain as of Tuesday, August 1st. Severe flooding—and severe droughts—have affected other regions of China this summer, as well (AP News).
Fareed's Take: China's 'third revolution' has sent ripple effects across the world / July 31, 2023
Xi Jinping’s aggressive posture, both domestically and internationally, and lately seen in the disappearance of his own Foreign Minister, Chin Gong, may not be paying off as he would have hoped. Many Asian nations are pushing back on China’s posture, allying themselves with the US and western allies (CNN).
Chinese anti-corruption investigators target top PLA Rocket Force generals / July 28, 2023
President Xi’s anti-corruption campaign has claimed 3 more casualties, this time from the PLA Rocket Force’s leadership. While the reasons for their downfall remained undisclosed, the available information suggests the leaders became “immoral” after moving to Beijing (SCMP).
China wants to mobilize the entire nation in counter-espionage / August 2, 2023
China’s counter-espionage law, which took effect in July, allows authorities carrying out an anti-espionage probe to gain access to data, electronic equipment, and information on personal property. This could threaten foreign businesses in China. The Ministry of State Security on Tuesday encouraged Chinese citizens to report suspicious activity wherever they see it (NBC News).
Gallium & germanium: What China’s move in microchip war means for world / August 2, 2023
"Resource nationalism," when governments hoard critical materials to exert influence over other countries, is raising the bar in the technology war between China and Western chip makers, such as the US, Japan, and the Netherlands, as China restricts the export of materials needed for the chip making process (BBC News).
Chinese regulators propose two-hour phone limit per day for under 18s / August 2, 2023
Chinese regulators are proposing the idea of limiting phone usage for children under 18 to two hours or less a day, depending on age, and implementing a “minor mode” to shut off a phone from 10pm to 6am. Internet addiction and poorer eye health are the reasons for the recommended limits (Sky News).