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.
Sichuan removes marriage as prerequisite for birth registration / February 1, 2023
Hoping to reverse a dip in China’s population in 2022, Sichuan officials announced that beginning February 15th, unmarried couples and single mothers can now register children to receive government support and insurance. Furthermore, there will no longer be a limit to the number of children people can have, either (The China Project).
It’s as if Nothing Ever Happened Here in China / February 1, 2023
A journalist explains that state media during the New Year holiday avoided practically any mention of the Covid surge while citizens endured the reality of the disease on their own and suffered the loss of loved ones. The lockdown propaganda and the letdown of insufficient government responses exposed the CCP’s limitations (The New York Times).
US secures deal on Philippines bases to complete arc around China / February 2, 2023
The US has made an agreement with the Philippines to establish four additional bases in the country, sealing a gap in the US presence in the region around China from Japan to Australia. The purpose of additional bases there includes humanitarian support, climate-related disasters, and “other shared challenges” (BBC News).
Chinese spy balloon flies over the United States: Pentagon / February 3, 2023
A Chinese surveillance balloon has been detected over the continental US since Feb. 1st or so. Concern over the danger from debris has kept the US military from shooting it down. The US government is communicating with China to resolve the situation diplomatically. China denies any culpability (Reuters).
US downs Chinese balloon, drawing a threat from China / February 4, 2023
After the US shot down the Chinese surveillance balloon on Saturday, China criticized the US for taking such actions and escalating tensions between the two countries. Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceled his planned trip to China, and China threatened to take action for the loss of the balloon (AP News).
China experts predict Beijing’s next move after spy balloon shot down / February 4, 2023
Specialists on China made predictions about China’s reaction to the surveillance balloon shot down on Saturday, including China shifting blame to the US to save face, but not likely to take any aggressive action in the short term. However, one specialist cautioned that China may increase its aggression toward Taiwan (Fox News).
The spy balloon drama from inside China / February 7, 2023
While many Americans expressed alarm at China’s surveillance balloon flying across the US last week, many Chinese citizens wondered why there was so much alarm over a weather balloon, reflecting the message both have received via the media and government propaganda. The distrust between the two countries continues to grow (Axios, Article 2).
China’s Debt Hangover / (Accessed on February 6, 2023)
Local governments across China have mismanaged their finances for years. Now with the negative impact of both Zero Covid and the crashing property prices, their finances are in dire shape. The central government is trying to fix this, but that is creating additional problems (MacroPolo).
China Moves From Contrite to Confrontational Over US Balloon / February 5, 2023
Last Friday, China expressed “regret” over the surveillance balloon entering US airspace, but once the balloon was shot down, the rhetoric from Beijing grew cold and threatening as President XI sought to appear strong before his own party and people. The situation challenges the countries’ efforts at reconciliation (Bloomberg).
China surpasses US in number of ICBM launchers / February 7, 2023
In its efforts to modernize its nuclear weapons program, China now has more ICBM launchers than the US has, according to a US “watchdog” of nuclear arsenals. Republicans want the US to quickly increase its nuclear capabilities while Democrats caution that launchers are just one part of a nuclear program (Defense News).
‘The worst is over’: Tech investors are bullish on investing in China again / February 6, 2023
Unless a new Covid variant surges across China and threatens the economy, investors indicate that China’s economy is ready to rebound and that it is safe to invest again. They don’t see the CCP putting restrictions on the market since an economic revival benefits everyone, including the government (CNBC).
“Socialist Spiritual Civilization”: The Great Comeback of an Old CCP Concept / January 31, 2023
As former CCP leaders like Deng Xiaoping modernized Chinese society, they realized that atheistic communism and increasing wealth left a spiritual and moral void. In response, they promoted a vague “spirituality” that still was ineffective. President Xi is attempting the same, emphasizing China’s ancient history and recent Communist history as sources for spiritual fulfillment (Bitter Winter).
Deepfake 'news anchors' appear in pro-China footage on social media / February 8, 2023
AI technology is now able to create fake news broadcasts using computer-generated avatars of actors acting as news reporters. Two such “broadcasts” peddling pro-China propaganda were found on social media recently; their technical and content quality made them easy to identify. Technical advancements could be a future concern (ABC News).
Chinese balloon part of worldwide fleet, US officials say / February 8, 2023
US officials are postulating that the surveillance balloon shot down last week off the Carolina coast was part of a “fleet” of balloons that have also flown over South America, Europe, and Asia. They also suspect that such balloons have flown over the US at least four times (BBC News).
US holds drills in South China Sea amid tensions with China / February 12, 2023
The US conducted naval and marine military drills with Taiwan in the South China Sea again recently, an exercise that was planned prior to the tensions rising over the surveillance balloon controversy of last week. Over 5 trillion dollars’ worth of goods pass through the area annually (AP News).
House Oversight chair: China has ‘massive spy ring’ in US / February 12, 2023
James Comer, R.-KY, warned that China’s suspected surveillance balloon shot down recently is part of a larger surveillance program, including Chinese professors teaching at American universities and stealing valuable information from research and development (Fox News).
China says US balloons breached airspace at least 10 times / February 13, 2023
China claimed that the US has flown surveillance balloons over China at least 10 times over the last year. Last weekend, China claimed to have detected one such object off its east coast and was preparing to shoot it down. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson rejected China’s claims as false (BBC News).
Spy balloon tensions are drifting into politics of the supply chain / February 14, 2023
As tensions rise between China and the US over surveillance accusations, many US trade organizations see the current issue as another sign to diversify their production of goods, leaving China for places like Vietnam, India, and especially, North America. However, China remains a tempting market, and “presence” there supports healthy sales (CNBC).
China’s Belt and Road to nowhere / February 13, 2023
In its haste to make contracts on a global scale to export its industrial and economic clout, China’s banks increasingly made risky loans to borrowers in “financial distress.” Covid’s damage on China’s economy further weakened its economic vitality. Now, many countries are at risk of defaulting on their loans (Foreign Policy Magazine).
Iran’s Raisi leads large delegation in first state visit to China / February 13, 2023
While the US continues sanctions against Iran for its nuclear endeavors and human rights abuses, Iran’s president is in China this week to discuss a cooperation agreement between the two nations begun in 2021. China is Iran’s largest trade partner and continues to buy oil from Iran despite US sanctions (Al Jazeera).
China's Xi expresses support for Iran amid Western pressure / February 14
Presidents Xi of China and Raisi of Iran signed 20 cooperation agreements as part of their 25- year cooperation agreement (2021) on Wednesday as China expressed its support of Iran’s sovereignty and stability. A US official expressed hope that China could encourage Iran to cease agitating its neighbors in the region (ABC News).
The backlash over abuses in Xinjiang roils Europe / February 13, 2023
When officials announced that Governor Erkin Tuniyaz of Xinjiang province was going to visit Europe, critics objected to the visit over human rights abuses of Uyghur Muslims under his administration. British and EU officials scaled back the profiles of their delegations to meet with Tuniyaz, so the governor cancelled the trip (Politico).
China vows to address exorbitant 'bride prices,' extravagant weddings / February 14, 2023
Increasing incomes and materialism, a shortage of women due to China’s one-child policy and preferences for male babies has led to extremely high bride prices, especially in poorer areas. The government issued a document encouraging local officials to set limits on bride prices, if not eliminate them as “outdated” practices (Global Times).
Ukraine war: Blinken says China might give weapons to Russia / February 20, 2023
Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that he has information that China might supply weapons to Russia, although he would not provide any concrete evidence to support that claim. China denied Blinken’s statements and accused the US of pointing fingers. Blinken met with his Chinese counterpart on Saturday in Germany (BBC News).
China furious after US warns against arming Russia / February 20, 2023
Responding to Secretary of State Blinken’s charge that China might provide weapons to Russia’s war in Ukraine, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs angrily denied the charge and pointed out the US's role in sending lethal aid to Ukraine. China claims to support peace, not conflict (Fox News).
As Biden visits Ukraine, China’s top diplomat goes to Russia / February 21, 2023
Wang Yi, China’s recently appointed chief foreign policy advisor, told European officials that China is not the one pushing the conflict in Ukraine to continue, nor is it doing so to benefit war profiteers. Rather, he said China will unveil a proposition for peace, making China look like the peacemaker (CNN).
China says it’s seeking role in Ukraine peace settlement / February 21, 2023
China’s Foreign Minister expressed strong political support for Russia while stating that China wants to negotiate for peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Seemingly taking the high-road, he condemned countries supporting the conflict and could make it spiral out of control (AP News).
A year after Ukraine invasion, Russia's reliance on China deepens / February 21, 2023
China’s alliance with Russia is getting complicated. China can’t condemn the Ukraine invasion, even if Russia commits atrocities there. EU leaders are suspicious of China’s upcoming peace plan. If China sends lethal aid to Russia, it becomes guilty of its own charges against the West (Axios).
China's Xi preparing to visit Moscow for summit with Putin / February 21, 2023
President Xi will visit Moscow sometime in late Spring this year, although no date has been set yet. The visit will likely focus on negotiating a peace plan for the Ukraine conflict and an advisement to avoid any nuclear assault, according to the release report (Reuters).
Ukraine war: China's claim to neutrality fades with Moscow visit / February 22, 2023
Wang Yi’s seat across the narrow end of the table from President Putin suggests China’s neutrality regarding Russia’s affairs may be crumbling. China already purchases Russia’s “sanctioned” petroleum, and China’s imports into Russia make up for what US sanctions have blocked. A mutual resentment of the West overlooks Russia’s Ukraine atrocities (BBC News).
Xi the Survivor: How Washington Overestimates Chinese Weakness /February 22, 2023
Christopher Johnson, President of China Strategies Group, writes that the Biden administration has repeatedly miscalculated its assessment of Xi Jinping. For example, civil protest did not force the end of the zero-Covid policies; rather, Xi had considered ending the program months earlier. The protests just made for an “easy out” (Foreign Affairs).
Aiming to boost sluggish post-COVID economy, Xi eyes consumers, investment / February 19, 2023
President Xi’s attempts to kickstart the Chinese economy have failed to launch. Now he wants to focus on “consumer behavior,” suggesting loosening credit for low and middle-income citizens. But, poor provincial financial management, a sluggish economy, government overreach scaring off foreign investors, and Xi’s growing threat to invade Taiwan challenge any economic rebound (Radio Free Asia).
Russia, China and South Africa start military drills amid Ukraine war / February 22, 2023
Although planned, evidently, years ago, the military exercises held this week off South Africa’s coast involving South Africa, China and Russia, set a globally cautious tone. China’s military exercises with Russia might lead to further cooperation elsewhere; South Africa’s involvement questions its previous neutrality, and China flexes its muscle in Africa again (CBS News).
China issues peace plan; Zelenskyy says he’ll await details / February 24, 2023
China revealed a 12-point peace plan on Friday’s one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While some points call for humanitarian aid and for wheat exports to be protected, most of the points favor Russia. No mention was made for Russia to remove its troops or cede claimed territory (AP News).
China Reveals New Heavily Armed Extra-Large Uncrewed Submarine / February 23, 2023
At a defense exposition in Abu Dhabi, China presented new information on its program developing XLUUV’s (Extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicles), which also included a weapons feature, which is new to this type of craft. Other countries have similar programs, but China is the first to risk adding weaponry (Naval News).
Beijing official in Hong Kong warns US envoy after speech / February 24, 2023
When Consul General Gregory May expressed concern about Hong Kong’s loss of freedoms, a Chinese Foreign Affairs representative scolded May for threatening China’s international security, Hong Kong’s reputation as a “development prospect,” and for approaching “political infiltration” in Hong Kong affairs. Many democracies are concerned about Hong Kong’s eroding autonomy (ABC News).
China’s local governments are struggling to pay their bills / February 23, 2023
Covid lockdown expenses took a huge bite out of provincial financial coffers, so now public workers, like teachers, abruptly received a reduced salary. Some retirees also saw a reduction in their healthcare coverage. A downturn in land sales that reduced income for local governments is also to blame (The China Project).
China considers sending artillery, ammunition to Russia, U.S. officials say -/ February 25, 2023
Three US officials suggested that China is considering sending arms to Russa, although they gave no evidence for the claim, and such an announcement seems odd after China revealed its peace plan for the Ukraine conflict just on Friday. President Zelensky of Ukraine hopes to meet with President Xi (NBC News).
U.S. hits Russia with new sanctions one year after Ukraine invasion / February 24, 2023
As the world passes the one-year anniversary of the Russian attack on Ukraine, the US, in cooperation with other G7 countries, sanctioned more than 200 additional individuals and companies, both in Russia and third-party companies outside of the country. Simultaneously, the Biden Administration announced a third aid package to Ukraine (Axios).
China complains of ‘bullying’ as US sanctions hit Chinese companies / February 27, 2023
In an effort to undercut the operations of the Russian Wagner Group, the US placed sanctions on a Chinese company supplying satellite intel to the Russian company. China charged that the US itself is extending the war with its own lethal aid to Ukraine and that the sanctions are illegal (Fox News).
CIA chief: China has some doubt on ability to invade Taiwan / February 26, 2023
CIA Director William Burns speculated Sunday that President Xi may be doubting plans to invade Taiwan after observing the West’s involvement in Ukraine. He did not rule out a Chinese invasion of the island country, however, as Xi has already instructed the PLA to be ready to invade by 2027 (AP News).
China's President Xi Urges 'Intensive' State and Party Revamp / February 28, 2023
President Xi called for an intensive reorganization of the CCP and other Chinese state agencies as he forges ahead in his third term as China’s leader. Some of the anchors that slowed last year’s lackluster economy continue to hamper the expected return to fiscal health (US News).