News that caught our eye / The week ending June 13, 2025
Hong Kong opera puts Trump onstage with Mao, Kim, and more / June 8, 2025
Combining Cantonese opera with modern-day politics, a Chinese opera has hit the stage in Hong Kong presenting a parody of major world leaders but focusing on US President Donald Trump. “Trump, the Twins President,” began in 2019, and is regularly updated as new events from the US President continue to unfold (NBC News).
This deal can trigger a new India-China power play / June 8, 2025
Islands in the Indian Ocean could serve to increase India’s influence in the region as China also has been working on establishing its presence there through its Belt and Road Initiative. Mauritius, a set of islands with strong historic and diplomatic ties to India, has reached an agreement with the UK to gain sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago, which also houses a US military base (The Economic Times).
New disputes emerge ahead of US-China trade talks in London / June 8, 2025
As the US and China plan to continue trade talks in London this week, concerns about access to technology, rare-earth minerals and student visas for Chinese students are among the top issues the countries will haggle over at the bargaining table. The talks are set to resume on Monday (AP News).
China extends an olive branch to Western auto giants over rare earth shortage / June 9, 2025
Just as some EU and Japanese auto companies halted vehicle production as they ran out of components made from rare earth minerals, China has indicated that it would open a window of opportunity for automakers to obtain the sought-after minerals in spite of the trade war between the US, China and by extension, the EU (CNBC).
U.S.-China Trade Talks: Trump Seen Trading Chips for Rare Earths / June 10, 2025
As the US and China continue trade talks this week, the Trump Administration will roll back some export controls on hi-tech products such as semiconductors, microchips, and jet engines. Whether that will be enough for China to also ease restrictions on badly needed rare earth minerals is the question. The 90-day pause on sky-high tariffs ends on August 12th (Investor’s Business Daily).
The U.S. and China have agreed on a framework to resolve their trade disputes / June 10, 2025
While the trade dispute between the US and China has not been resolved, talks in London between high-level negotiators from both countries have resulted in the development of a framework for future talks for major issues rare earth minerals and hi-tech products, but other concerning issues, like unfair trade practices and fentanyl, were not addressed (NPR).
Trump says China will supply rare earths, US to allow students / June 11, 2025
President Trump hailed the results of the two-day talks in London between US and Chinese negotiators, announcing that China will allow for rare earth mineral exports and the US will allow Chinese students to attend US universities. Tariffs are still in place, although China lowered its tariffs to 10% (Reuters).
China appears to downplay US trade deal Trump said was 'done' / June 12, 2025
While President Trump seemed to emphasize that the London talks resulted in a done “deal,” a spokesman from China referred to the talks as a “framework” and a “first meeting,” indicating that more negotiating still needed to be done. Trump also admitted that he and President Xi have to finally sign off on the proposals, but he seemed satisfied that an agreement would occur (ABC News).
China issues safety advisory amid intensifying protests in Los Angeles / June 9, 2025
Out of concern for Chinese nationals living in the Los Angeles area, the Chinese consulate in Los Angeles issued an advisory to Chinese citizens to be vigilant about their safety and to avoid crowds or places with low public security as protests continued over the detainment of undocumented immigrants. Most Chinese nationals in the area, however, did not feel a threat to their safety (The Business Standard).
Price wars grip China as deflation deepens, $30 for a luxury Coach bag? / June 10, 2025
Second-hand luxury items in China are piling up in discount stores as second-hand retailers compete with each other to make sales at 70% or more off the regular prices. China’s economy continues to battle against strong deflationary pressures. Consumers, having suffered significant losses in property investments and lower wages, are foregoing expensive purchases (Reuters).
China’s megaprojects and their significance / June 2, 2025
China is breaking records for the longest bridges, biggest dams, and other megaprojects that push human ingenuity to incredible levels. Browse a series of articles that showcase incredible undertakings and accomplishments in Chinese technology and engineering (SCMP).
Why turning 35 feels like a career ‘death sentence’ for some Chinese tech workers / May 3, 2025
The “curse of 35” has become a feared hashtag among Chinese professionals as many major tech companies strive to balance tight budgets by firing workers over 35 years of age in favor of younger, more energetic employees who can be given starter salaries. 9-9-6 refers to the expected workweek hours: 9am to 9pm six days a week. Laid-off middle-agers often resort to the “triathlon” in China’s gig economy: deliveries, ride-hailing, and express deliveries (SCMP).
