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.
Macron’s Push to Get China’s Help on Ukraine Is Unraveling / April 23, 2023
French President Emmanuel Macron’s efforts to enlist China’s help to intervene in Russia’s war in Ukraine suffered another blow when the Chinese Ambassador to France said ex-Soviet states don’t have sovereign status as independent nations. Those comments triggered furious reactions, particularly in the former Soviet bloc countries Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania (Bloomberg).
China disowns ambassador's remarks questioning Ukrainian independence / April 24, 2023
Chinese ambassador to France, Lu Shaye, the “Wolf Warrior,” recently declared that former Soviet nations did not have international status as independent countries. China’s foreign ministry quickly rejected his remarks on Monday, attempting to conceal Lu’s political viewpoint. Lu holds the nickname due to his “abrasive style” (BBC News).
Netherlands Turns Hawkish on China as EU Splits / April 22, 2023
While French President Macron pushed for stronger relations between the EU and China, and distancing the EU from the US, the Netherlands expressed an equally strong warning that China is the biggest national threat to its economic security. It also joined the US in trade sanctions for microchips against China (Bloomberg).
Italy may pull out of China's Belt and Road initiative / April 22, 2023
Italy’s prime minister, Georgia Meloni, is caught between the world’s superpowers as she has to decide whether to remain in China’s “Belt and Road” pact or to withdraw and favor the US’ global economic and political position. Italy has a strong trade partnership with China, but it also trades with Taiwan (The Japan Times).
China urges jobless graduates to ‘roll up their sleeves’ and try manual work / April 22, 2023
As China’s young adult unemployment numbers hold at or above 16% for a year, the government blamed young people for holding out for their dream jobs, recommending that they try manual labor in the service or farming industries. A record 11.6 million graduates will enter China’s overcrowded young workforce this spring (Financial Times).
The next battlefield with China is the college campus / April 25, 2023
Through its “Confucius Institutes” set up on college campuses, China has been known to spread communist propaganda and steal intellectual property at institutions for higher learning for decades. But for more than a decade, some US universities have actually invested in Chinese entities and accepted Chinese money for their endowment funds (Fox News).
China will require ChatGPT-style bots to fall in line with CCP ‘core values’ / April 24, 2023
Along with adhering to communist “core values,” Chinese AI chat systems must also comply with the government’s censorship program and ensure content does not contradict the CCP’s agenda or goals of “national unity.” Western tech leaders have called for a pause to regulate the developing AI sector, but China may use the pause to surge ahead (Fox News).
India's population to surpass China this week – UN / April 25, 2023
India will claim China’s long-held title as the most populous nation in the world by the end of this week, rather than the mid-summer milestone predicted earlier. India will have more than 1.425 billion citizens, and its population is predicted to continue growing even though the birthrate is declining (BBC News).
Fucha: China reveals arrest of Taiwan-based publisher on security grounds / April 26, 2023
China has arrested and detained a Taiwan-based publisher for producing books critical of the CCP. Li Yanhe, who calls himself “Fucha,” was visiting China earlier this month when he disappeared. The Chinese government acknowledged that he had been detained for “endangering national stability” (BBC News).
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy upbeat after talk with China’s Xi / April 26, 2023
President Xi held an hour-long, “productive” phone call with Ukraine President Zelensky on Wednesday, perhaps starting the process for a diplomatic resolution to the war in Ukraine. Zelensky was positive about the phone call, but critics don’t see a positive outcome for China’s role as a mediator when its allegiance to Russia is so strong (AP News).
Biden not moving with ‘urgency to prevent WWIII,’ says China com. chairman / April 14, 2023
Mike Gallagher (R-WI), who met with President Tsai Ing-wen and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles last week, w/aarned that the Biden administration seems unconcerned about preventing an invasion of the island by China. In his view, an invasion could occur as early as next January (Fox News).
China expands wartime military draft to include veterans, college students / April 15, 2023
China announced changes to its conscription policy, should it enter a time of war, that would place veterans and college students at the top of its draft lists. Currently, the PLA has about 2 million personnel, but China hopes to bolster its ranks with more skilled and educated soldiers (Fox News).
Call on ‘aggressor’ Russia to end war, Germany urges China / April 14, 2023
Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s foreign minister, the third European dignitary to visit China recently, urged China to open peace talks between Ukraine and Russia to solve the brutal conflict, citing China’s influence over Russia. She also expressed concern over human rights abuses in China and the Taiwan crisis (Al Jazeera).
China vows not to sell arms to any party in Ukraine war / April 14, 2023
Qin Gang, China’s foreign minister, spoke during a visit by Germany’s foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, declaring that China would not sell military arms to any party involved in the Russia/Ukraine crisis and that it would regulate the sale of “dual-use” items. However, China still heavily supports Russia economically and politically (AP News).
Flights out of Taipei delayed after China launches satellite / April 15, 2023
China’s launch of a satellite on Sunday halted flights temporarily out of Taipei’s airport as rocket debris fell into the sea north of the city. China had planned delays in air travel over 3 days due to its military exercises, but Taiwan protested, thus shortening the length to about a half hour (ABC News).
China’s economy shakes off Covid legacy to grow 4.5% in Q1 / April 18, 2023
China’s GDP narrowly beat estimates for the first quarter of 2023, settling at a robust 4.5%, but some of that might be from “delayed economic activity” in 2022 as China struggled to put Covid behind. Private investment was weak, however, and youth unemployment reached its second highest level at 19.6% (CNN Business).
China resorts to unusual steps to restore confidence among entrepreneurs / April 17, 2023
In an attempt to increase private investment and private enterprise, China plans to turn the province of Hainan into the world’s largest free trade port and says it will only arrest, prosecute or convict business people involved in criminal cases when absolutely necessary. The ambiguous pledge is causing more reluctance than incentive (CNN Business).
China starts ‘surgical’ retaliation against foreign companies after US tech blockade / April 16, 2023
In response to 5 years of US sanctions against China, the government is strategically targeting specific foreign companies by detaining their employees, raiding offices, and burdening them with hefty fines. But, some warn that too much harassment, even “hostage diplomacy” could drive off current and future investments (Financial Times).
U.S. arrests 2 for allegedly operating Chinese police outpost in New York / April 18, 2023
Two men were arrested this week for operating a Chinese police station in New York City. The stations exist globally and are a product of China’s “Ministry of Public Security,” but the officers act more like henchmen to persecute critics and dissidents of the Chinese regime for their anti-China rhetoric (CBS News).
US warship sails through Taiwan Strait following China war games / April 17, 2023
The USS Milius, a guided missile destroyer, sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Sunday, soon after China had concluded its military exercises around the island of Taiwan. US military ships travel through the strait about once a month, but China views the entire waterway as its “territorial waters” (Al Jazeera).
The Jiangsu Chained Mother of Eight: Case Closed? Not Really / April 19, 2023
China’s one-child policy triggered a lucrative business of human-trafficking women in China, sometimes involving CCP members. In February, 2022, a CCP member was charged with keeping his purchased wife in chains. His one-day trial on April 6th, the traffickers’ short sentences, and the lack of attention toward human trafficking leaves many suspicious (Bitter Winter).
Chinese military rehearses encirclement of Taiwan / April 8, 2023
In response to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s visit with US Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles last week, the Chinese government carried out a 3-day military exercise encircling Taiwan with 9 warships and over 70 military planes. Taiwan citizens seem to be taking the exercise in stride (BBC News).
In Dealing With China, U.S. and Europe Take Different Tacks / April 7, 2023
As an EU delegation with 50 businessmen visited China recently, the EU continues to offer discussions on trade and economic relations while the US’s approach is more hard line, particularly because of Taiwan. Some EU members, however, continue to lean more toward the US’ approach as China grows more aggressive (The New York Times).
China military ‘ready to fight’ after drills near Taiwan / April 10, 2023
China completed its 3-day military exercise around Taiwan, declaring that it is now ready for any military challenge regarding Taiwan and any attempt to become independent. The exercises were similar to those held last August, but didn’t disrupt commercial flights or ships (AP News).
China-Taiwan: How Beijing calibrates its Taiwan response / April 10, 2023
Taiwan’s presidential election is in 9 months, so China is carefully planning its strategy toward Taiwan, not pushing its weight too much to cause a negative reaction in the vote count. The Kuomintang Party once was the CCP’s opposition, but now favors China, while the Democratic Progressive Party leans toward independence (BBC News).
How a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could impact the US / April 12, 2023
US lawmakers suggest that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could happen earlier than previously forecasted. If it does occur, it would disrupt vital trade in Japan, South Korea and Australia, affect markets across the globe and potentially pull the US into a ground battle with US troops (Fox News).
China warns as US, Philippines stage combat drills / April 12, 2023
As the US carries out military drills with the Philippines this month, China has warned that any alliance should not interfere with China’s interests in the region nor any territorial disputes. It did not say what the repercussions would be if that line were crossed (AP News).
Japan to develop long-range missiles as tensions with China rise / April 12, 2023
After he announced an increase in the country’s military budget last December, Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida announced recently that the country would develop more missiles by 2026 and purchase additional ones from the US in order to defend its lands in the event of an attack by another country, likely China (CNN).
US and Philippines begin largest-ever drills after China exercises / April 12, 2023
While it may appear that the US is responding to China’s recent military exercises around Taiwan, the upcoming US-Philippine military exercise had been pre-planned before the incidents of the last week occurred. More than a dozen US allies are participating in this exercise, not just the Philippines (BBC News).
China: We're Still a Developing Nation. US Lawmakers: No Way / April 8, 2023
China has the most billionaires, and the second largest economy, and yet it is still considered a “developing country,” benefiting from low- to no-interest loans and trade benefits due to that ranking. US lawmakers rejected that status, but more must be done globally to make it official (VOA).
Brazil’s Lula heads to China hoping to boost trade, investments / April 11, 2023
President Lula is leading a delegation of businessmen to China for talks with President Xi to further consolidate their economic relationship. Lula visited President Biden two months ago, and plans to continue economic ties with the US, but will base his China trade on the Chinese yuan, not the US dollar (Al Jazeera).