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.
Migration from China’s countryside to cities to be a key factor in resource allocation / December 20, 2024
Officially, rural citizens account for about half of China’s 1.4 billion people, although there is a large migration of rural dwellers moving to the larger cities. Government planners need to take the migration factor into account as they plan to allocate resources and build infrastructure; otherwise, they will be “sprinkling pepper” with those valuable resource (SCMP).
China’s record farm yields see fertilizer on its way out as advanced tech is in / December 19, 2024
While China’s crop production of grains like wheat, corn, and rice have increased over the last few years, its use of fertilizer has also steadily declined over the same period of time. Targeted use of fertilizer has helped, but other technologies have also played a part in China’s agricultural modernization. Greenhouses in the desert are projected to produce ten times more rice than it has in 2024 (SCMP).
China Says US Is 'Playing with Fire' After Latest Military Aid for Taiwan / December 22, 2024
After President Biden authorized $571 million in military aid to Taiwan, China warned the US that it was “playing with fire” for supporting Taiwan with such aid. The US Defense Dept. also stated that it had approved an additional $295 million in aid. Back in September, Biden had also approved $567 million in aid to Taiwan (Newsmax).
Expert Gordon Chang warns China wants to go to war and 'kill Americans' / December 21, 2024
China expert Gordon Chang advises that we could be on the edge of conflict with China as is building its nuclear missile stockpile with the intention of risking war with the US. He says the current administration doesn’t recognize the threat, but he’s unsure what President-elect Trump will do about the situation (Fox News).
Xi stresses progress in advancing "one country, two systems" at Macao celebration / December 21, 2024
President Xi was in Macao last Friday to mark the 25th anniversary of Macao’s “return to the motherland,” and to inaugurate the sixth-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region. His speech was full of praise for the region’s development and exemplary participation in the “one country, two systems” political philosophy. Yet, the motherland’s needs seem to overwhelm the region’s autonomy (Xinhua).
First Kuliang Forum commemorates enduring bond between Chinese and American people / December 22, 2024
President Xi has promoted cultural exchanges between Chinese citizens and citizens of other countries for most of his years in power. The Kuliang Forum, held last Friday, celebrated the bond between Chinese and Americans, inspired by Milton Gardner, who spent ten years of his childhood in Kuliang, only to return to it just before he died (The Global Times).
China takes steps against Canadian institutions, individuals over Uyghurs, Tibet / December 22, 2024
China froze the assets of two human rights groups and a number of Canadian citizens, barring them from entering China. The two groups are the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project and the Canada-Tibet Committee (VOA).
The Australian dollar could be heading to a 20-year low, on risks of China, Trump, slow growth / December 23, 2024
The “Aussie Battler,” that is, the Australian dollar, is enduring a sluggish low, currently valued at about 60 US cents, but it may sink lower to 50 cents due to Australia’s close economic relationship with China, Trump’s threatened tariffs and an economic slow down in Australia itself (ABC Australia).
Chinese man in school attack gets suspended death sentence / December 23, 2024
The Chinese man who drove his car into a crowd of young schoolchildren received a “suspended death sentence” for his crime. However, many on social media criticized the sentence as being too lenient. The incident occurred in mid-November when two other similar attacks also occurred (BBC).
Japan to ease visa requirements, agrees on top China diplomat visit / December 24, 2024
Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya was in Beijing this week for talks to increase collaboration between Japan and China. Japan plans to ease visa agreements to allow for longer visits by Chinese tourists to Japan. The Foreign Minister also brought up concerns about China’s military aggression in the region, as well as a Chinese buoy placed in Japanese waters (Kyodo News).
China Flies Brand New Stealth Fighter Jet, Believed To Be 6th Generation / December 26, 2024
China has developed a new version of its stealth fighter jet, the Chengdu J-20, as video of its flight reached social media. The flight took place close to the Indian border, raising concern about how India might counteract an offensive brought on by the jet (NDTV).
China approves Tibet mega-dam that could generate more power than Three Gorges/ December 26, 2024
China plans to build the world’s largest infrastructure project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the Tibet Autonomous Region, creating a hydroelectric dam that could produce 300 billion kilowatt hours of electricity per year, three times larger than the Three Gorges Dam, currently the largest dam in the world. The Yarlung Tsangpo River drops 25,000 feet from the Tibetan Plateau to the border of India (SCMP).
How China's satellite megaprojects are challenging Elon Musk's Starlink / December 15, 2024
SpaceX’s Starlink currently has about 7,000 satellites in orbit to provide internet access to underserved areas around the world and hopes to increase that to 42,000 satellites. China hopes to come close to Starlink’s goal with 38,000 satellites. Starlink poses a threat to China’s censorship ideology, and satellite service is seen as a military necessity, as well (NBC10 Philadelphia).
All eyes on Prince Andrew after alleged Chinese spy controversy / December 15, 2024
After Britain’s National Security Service, MI5, red-flagged a close Chinese associate of Prince Andrew, the Prince’s favor in the royal family is now in question more seriously than it had been. Andrew’s relationship with the Chinese person, dubbed H6, could have allowed China to interfere in British government matters (The Guardian).
China spy efforts happening in plain view, says ex-Tory leader / December 16, 2024
Some British officials are claiming that Prince Andrew’s Chinese associate known as H6 may just be one of many Chinese spies working in plain sight, influencing policies in government, business, and even education. The United Work Front Department, an extension of the CCP, has been known to be working in England for some time (BBC).
United Front: China's 'magic weapon' caught in a spy controversy / December 18, 2024
China’s United Front has a long history in China. It was part of Mao Zedong’s successful overthrow of China’s government before 1949 as it coalesced the most important social structures to favor the Communist Party. Now, President Xi is using the United Front to influence Chinese citizens globally, as well as influencing global rhetoric to favor China and its policies (BBC).
China warns UK ‘to stop creating trouble’ amid row over spy linked to Prince Andrew / December 17, 2024
China bit back at the UK’s accusations that China was infiltrating UK government policies and institutions as controversy continues to swirl around Yang Tengbo, a close confidant of Prince Andrew, and an alleged spy. China accused certain UK politicians of being unrealistic and irresponsible. But China’s United Front Work Dept. has 40,000 “employees” in nearly every sector of UK society (The Independent).
China Abductee Rejects 3 Flats, Cars From Wealthy Parents To Stay Humble / December 15, 2024
In 1999, at just three months old, Xie Qingshuai was abducted in China, and his wealthy parents spent over $100,000 to try to find him. Reunited, finally, on December 1st of last year, Xie has spent the last year adjusting to his new “rags to riches” reality but has decided to earn his own way, rejecting his father’s generous offers. He cites a popular Chinese comedy from 2018, Hello, Mr. Billionaire, as an example of what not to do (NDTV).
China bank lending rises far less than expected, more policy steps needed / December 13, 2024
While China’s financial leaders attempted to boost the sluggish economy with more stimuli beginning in September, November’s credit demand failed to meet analysts' expectations. Other markers in November also missed the mark. Now, tariff threats from President-elect Donald Trump have the Politburo creating policies to fend off the effects of those tariffs (Reuters).
China retail sales slow as consumers hold back, while home prices fall / December
While Chinese consumers increasingly utilized government subsidies to replace home appliances and cars, overall consumer spending in November was down, and home sale prices also fell. Consumers are concerned about employment, low property prices, and low incomes, so they are unwilling to increase their spending (AP News).
Once again, China pushes for economic stimulus, hoping for a different result / December 16, 2024
President Xi and the CCP have repeatedly tried various stimulus measures to reinvigorate China’s painfully poor economy, but their efforts appear to be in vain, according to this article. The CCP’s strict regulation and control of the private sector is at the root of China’s problems, but the CCP, originally formed to support the less fortunate, doesn’t seem willing to let go of its state-centered philosophy, hurting the poor the most (Atlantic Council).
Alibaba to sell China department store chain Intime for $1.3 bln loss / December 17, 2024
Chinese mega-company Alibaba said on Tuesday that it is selling its department store chain, Intime, and taking a huge loss on the deal in order to continue its restructuring process. It bought Intime for twice that loss in 2017. The sale of the store chain is to a consortium of some of Intime’s managers and the Chinese company, Youngor Fashion (Reuters).
Uyghur fighters in Syria vow to come after China next / December 15, 2024
The Turkistan Islamic Party, a Uyghur resistance group based in Syria for the last decade, played a part in the downfall of Saad’s government in Syria this month. Made up of mostly exiled Uyghurs from China, the group now has its sites set on liberating its people from China, creating an independent state for the Uyghurs in China (The Telegraph).
Did Chinese citizen charged with flying drone over base commit 'more offenses?' / December 16, 2024
The US is investigating whether Yinpiao Zhou, a Chinese citizen and a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., committed more serious crimes than flying an unregistered drone over national defense space. Yinpiao allegedly took photos of the Vandenberg Space Force military base and was arrested on December 9th while trying to fly to China (Fox News).
Undocumented Chinese men baffled by Trump's reported plans to deport them first / December 19, 2024
As President-elect Donald Trump threatens to deport undocumented migrants back to their native countries, illegal Chinese migrants are concerned that they are apparently at the top of Trump’s deportation list as a matter of national security. Citing support from Chinese language media, one undocumented migrant says he is following a Chinese motto: “Follow the correct and law-abiding path” (NBC News).
Dwarfed by China in shipbuilding, US looks to build its defense base / December 8, 2024
The US is significantly behind in its shipbuilding ability compared to China, which currently has the largest navy in the world. According to US officials, the US shipbuilding industry has been lagging since the 1980s, and would have difficulty keeping the fleet competitive in a prolonged conflict with China. Relying on allies could help the US, if they commit to the cause (Defense News).
DHS Conducts Removal Flight to the People’s Republic of China / December 11, 2024
The Dept. of Homeland Security said that it conducted its fourth “large-frame charter removal flight” of Chinese nationals without a legal basis for being in the US in the last six months. This report states that in fiscal year 2024, DHS has removed or returned 742,000 people to their native countries (Homeland Security).
US House to vote to provide $3 billion to remove Chinese telecoms equipment / December 7, 2024
In 2019, the US Congress urged US telecoms carriers to purge their systems of Chinese-made equipment over potential security risks. This week, the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a $3 billion defense bill to help carriers complete the task. Previously, $1.9 had been set aside for the task that came to be known as “rip and replace” (VOA).
Trump has invited China's Xi Jinping to his inauguration / December 12, 2024
President-elect Donald Trump has invited President Xi to his inauguration in January, although there is no certainty that Xi will attend the ceremony. It is precedent for newly elected presidents to invite such dignitaries to the inauguration, and inviting a potential adversary reveals that Trump is willing to maintain an open relationship with Xi, says Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s new press secretary (NBC News).
Taiwan reports near doubling of Chinese warships nearby / December 7, 2024
As Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te returned home to Taiwan after a Pacific tour that included stops in Hawaii and Guam, China increased the number of its warships around Taiwan from 8 to 14 between Saturday and Sunday. China has held two “war games” around Taiwan so far this year. Four air balloons were also detected over the Taiwan Strait (VOA).
China sends largest naval fleet in decades to region, threat level severe, Taiwan says / December 9, 2024
Taiwan was on high alert this week as 90 Chinese Coast Guard ships had positioned themselves north of the island from Japan through the Taiwan Strait and even south of Taiwan. On Tuesday, Taiwan counted 47 military aircraft operating around the island. China was “constructing” two walls of defense, one along the island chain that includes Taiwan, and another further into the Pacific (Reuters).
China vows ‘more proactive’ fiscal stimulus measures, looser monetary policy / December 9, 2024
China’s leaders are forging ahead in their fight to restore the economy as they look ahead to 2025, promising forward-looking stimulus measures and easing monetary policies. Meetings this week will develop those plans, but the results won’t be public until March. President Xi commented, “We must….actively build an external environment that is favorable to us” (CNBC).
China Politburo policy shift spurs surge in stocks, bonds / December 9, 2024
Chinese stocks rose upon the news from China’s politburo that they will ease monetary policies in 2025. The change in policy direction seems to follow the pattern set in 2010 when the government stepped in to re-ignite the economy (Reuters).
Chinese wedding customs / November 14, 2024
While many Chinese weddings include typical Western traditions, there are plenty of Chinese traditional customs that are “musts” in Chinese weddings. Cake vouchers, wedding games (that could become dangerous!), pre-wedding hair combing ceremonies, and kids jumping on the bridal bed are just a few of the unique customs one might find in a Chinese wedding celebration (SCMP).
Nvidia Stock Falls as China Opens Anti-Monopoly Probe / December 9, 2024
Nvidia Stock fell on Monday as China launched an anti-monopoly charge against the company for its acquisition of Mellanox Technologies in 2020. China’s anti-monopoly law forbids companies from discriminating against Chinese firms. Nvidia also has an anti-trust case in US courts, as well (Investors’ Business Daily).
China blasts US arms sale to Taiwan, President Lai's US transit / November 30, 2024
The US State Department finalized a sale of more than $350 million in arms to Taiwan last Friday, just hours before Taiwan’s President, Lai Ching-te departed on a trip taking him to Hawaii and Guam. China fiercely condemned both the sale and the US’ approval of Lai’s trip to US territories (Reuters).
China bans exports to US of gallium, germanium, antimony in response to sanctions / December 3, 2024
China announced new restrictions on exports of various minerals to the US in response to the US’s move to add more than 140 Chinese companies to its “entity list,” that is, a list of Chinese companies that can’t receive advanced technological imports from Western tech companies. China is the largest producer of many of these minerals, although the US has its own deposits it could be mining, but currently isn’t doing so (ABC News).
After China's mineral export ban, how else could it respond to U.S. chip curbs? / December 3, 2024
As tensions continue to rise in the trade war between China and the US, China could employ other means to frustrate the US and its efforts to contain China’s technological advancements. Security reviews of products made by US manufacturers, slowing down customs clearances, and “unreliable entity list” and “anti-foreign sanctions” laws already in place could all be used to counter the US (Reuters).
World's Largest Gold Deposit Worth $80 Billion Discovered in China / November 29, 2024
China’s state media reported a discovery of more than 1000 tons of gold—the largest ever found—between 2,000 and 3,000 meters underground in the central Hunan Province in China. Already the world’s largest producer of gold, China sees this deposit as a further way of strengthening its resource security (Newsweek).
Biden travels to Africa where policies were ‘over-promised and under-delivered' / December 2, 2024
President Biden’s trip to Africa to hi-lite his administration’s successes in development projects is being overshadowed by China’s ubiquitous presence in the continent and its decade-long efforts to invest, develop and control much of Africa’s “critical raw materials,” or CRMs. While numerous Biden officials have visited the continent, US involvement in Africa has been lackluster (Fox News).
Chinese government moves to cover up deadly ‘revenge against society’ attacks / November 30, 2024
Although China has suffered nearly ten attacks labeled “revenge against society” in the last few months, China’s state media and government have gone to great lengths to block both reporting on the events and public displays of mourning over the victims of the attacks. Many are speculating that the attacks are in response to increasing poverty and strict government controls, but Chinese media has reported that “personal issues” prompted many of the attacks (news.com.au).
"Go Find Another Sucker": Trump's Big Warning For India, China, Russia / December 1, 2024
If President-elect Donald Trump has a weapon in his hand to reign in countries wandering away from the US dollar as the standard currency in trading, that weapon is the tariff. In reference to a recent BRICS conference and approval of establishing a new monetary currency, Trump said he plans to place tariffs up to 100% against countries that drop the dollar as its trading currency (NDTV World).
America’s nuclear submarine crisis on a collision course with China / December 2, 2024
COVID-19, supply chain shortages, inflation, and labor shortages are among the reasons the US Navy is behind in submarine production and completing repairs. Currently, the Navy has 66 nuclear-powered submarines, but only 40 are operationally ready. Both China and Russia are strengthening their submarine arsenal (Fox News).
"Very unique" Russian sub spotted in the South China Sea; Philippines responds / December 2, 2024
While the passage of a Russian submarine through the South China Sea is legal and not unusual, the Philippine military was alarmed by the sub’s presence about 80 nautical miles from its territory due to its unusual type, measuring more than 240 feet long and carrying a load of long-range missiles. Russia and China’s war game exercises have occurred all along the western Pacific, from Malaysia all the way to the Aleutian Islands (CBS News).
Illegal immigrant from China shipped weapons to North Korea from California: DOJ / December 3, 2024
An illegal immigrant from China has been charged with exporting US firearms and ammunition to China, which were then sent to North Korea, allegedly to be used in an attack against South Korea, or so the defendant thought. Evidently, the North Korean government paid him millions of dollars to smuggle the weapons out of the US.(Fox News).
Losses in China lead to $5 billion charge for GM as it cuts the value of its assets / December 4, 2024
GM’s joint ventures in China have struggled to be profitable in the Chinese market this year, so the company is restructuring its businesses in China with the hope that they will be more profitable in 2025. Foreign automakers in China have been struggling against domestic carmakers like BYD, who have increased their product quality and have the advantage of government subsidies to competitively undercut foreign vehicle prices (AP News).