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.
Chinese investment in Western Hemisphere raising concerns for U.S. / January 22, 2023
The head of the U.S. southern command expressed concern about China’s growing influence in Central and Southern America as it builds 17 ports in the region, 5 of them around the Panama Canal, and as they invest in mining and telecommunications systems. China is the region’s largest trading partner (USNI News).
China still grappling with Covid surge as Lunar New Year celebrations kick off / January 22, 2023
Lunar New Year celebrations began today in China in spite of the current Covid surge. Government health officials reported less than 80,000 in-hospital deaths, a number western officials say is unrealistic. Some suggest the pandemic has reached its peak already; others say the death toll could still reach 1 million (CBS News).
How China became the world’s leading exporter of combat drones / January 24, 2023
Over the last decade, China delivered over 280 combat drones to 10 African and Middle Eastern countries, compared to the U.S, which delivered only 12 to the UK and France. US policies meant to keep such technology out of the hands of “rogue” states created the vacuum that China filled (Al Jazeera).
Why Biden’s chip war on China is straining US alliances / January 20, 2023
Increasingly restrictive US pressure against selling materials and technology for semiconductors to China is straining the relationships of US allies who depend on the Chinese market for much of their business. The strategy is encouraging nations to develop their own semiconductor industries independently (Al Jazeera).
China’s Huawei looks to ports, factories to rebuild sales / January 23, 2023
After sales dropped when the US blocked Huawei from using American technology for its products, the company is rebranding itself as a manufacturer of automated vehicles and even “smart terminals,” ports that run with minimal staff. The company sees a growing market with China’s workforce likely to shrink as it ages (AP News).
Biden sends top officials to African nations long-wooed by China and Russia / January 24, 2023
The US Ambassador to the UN visits Africa this week in an effort to catch up to decades of investment by China and Russia on the continent. But while China and Russia make business deals and trade agreements, the US representative will focus on climate change, conflicts, and food shortages.
US seeks re-engagement with China to stop illicit Fentanyl / January 25, 2023
When Secretary of State Blinken visits China in February, a main topic will be reducing the flow of precursor products from China to make Fentanyl. China ended talks on this issue last August when Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan. Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans age 18 to 49 (VOA).
China’s Covid wave drives up consumer interest in insurance / January 25, 2023
While Chinese citizens have government-run health insurance, a growing segment of the society, including young adults, plan to purchase commercial health insurance in the future, giving them access to “premium private providers.” The overwhelmed state of public hospitals during the recent pandemic surge left many looking for more certain availability (CNBC).
Chinese engineer jailed for eight years for spying in US / January 25, 2023
Ji Chaoqun, a 31-year-old man from China in the US on a student VISA, was sentenced to 8 years in prison for attempting to recruit others to obtain aviation data for the Chinese government. Ji is at least the 3rd Chinese national convicted of spying over the last year (BBC News).
China's population falls for first time since 1961 / January 17, 2023
China’s population fell by 850,000 in 2022 as deaths outnumbered births and the birth rate slipped slightly to 6.77 per 1000 people. Although China ended its 1-child policy in 2016, high youth unemployment, fears over income expectations and the lack of childcare support are discouraging people from marrying and having children (BBC News).
India v China: Is becoming the most populous country a boon or curse? / December 20, 2022
Surprisingly, India will become the most populous country in the world—this April. The title carries both bane and blessing as India will have to manage a growing elderly population, family planning without treading on human rights and provide jobs for a large group of young workers. However, India will have the largest pool of “young global talent” (BBC News).
China Undergoing ‘Build-Up in Every Warfare Area’ / January 16, 2023
As China continues to increase its military activity in the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan’s military and its citizens are preparing to resist a potential takeover. China is increasing its capabilities in every area of warfare, even allowing its fishing fleets to harvest illegally in other national waters, threatening global food supplies (USNI News).
China Masses Take Covid Fight Into Own Hands / January 18, 2023
After the CCP abruptly ended the zero-Covid lockdowns, the virus spread so quickly, it caught the government unprepared to respond. So, citizens are helping one another, a surprising and heartwarming experience for the people, but a potential threat to the CCP, whose image is tarnished by the lockdown and the letdown (Bloomberg News).
China 'more likely' to invade Taiwan - in 2027 / January 18, 2023
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister predicts China will attempt to take over Taiwan in 2027, perhaps in an attempt by Xi Jinping to detract attention from domestic problems in China to secure an unprecedented 4th presidential term and achieve his legacy. Politically, annexing Taiwan is at the core of the CCP’s goals (Sky News).
China’s Shrinking Population Is Cause for Alarm / January 18, 2023
News of a population decline in China in 2022 spawned concerns that a continued decline could stagnate the global economy due to both a smaller Chinese consumer population and workforce. The high cost of urban living and many educated women ambivalent about marriage challenge the government’s attempts to reverse course (The New York Times).
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy invites China’s President Xi for ‘dialogue’ /January 18, 2023
In an attempt to bring a diplomatic end to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, President Zelensky wrote a letter to President Xi Jinping via the Chinese delegation at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. It is not the first time Zelensky has sought China’s influence over Russia (Al Jazeera).
One of the World’s Largest Baptist Churches Banned as a “Cult” in China / January 19, 2023
The Berea/Seoul Sungrak Church, a fast-growing church once affiliated with a large Korean Baptist church body, has been labeled a “cult” by the Chinese Three-Self Church in a statement written to their affiliates. Jealousy, sheep-stealing, and charges of Pentecostal teachings may lay at the heart of the discrediting label (Bitter Winter).
Japan-India’s ‘symbolic’ drills complicate China’s calculus for Indo-Pacific / January 20, 2023
Japan is hosting air combat drills with India until next Thursday--the first of its kind--although the two countries have held maritime and army training in the past. The exercise is seen as “symbolic,” but still aims to deter conflict as China flexes its muscle in the region (South China Morning Post).
China cuts deal with Taliban to extract oil in Afghanistan / January 10, 2023
China added another trade alliance—this time, a 25-year oil contract with Afghanistan’s Taliban—to its string of recent global deals. However, a recent terrorist attack on a hotel in Kabul that injured 5 Chinese nationals, and Afghan resentment of China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims, may threaten the new relationship (Fox News).
China halts visas for Japan, South Korea in COVID-19 spat / January 9, 2023
Responding “tit-for-tat” to Japan and South Korea mandating Covid tests for Chinese citizens traveling to those countries, China suspended granting new visas to Japanese and South Korean citizens traveling to China. China could enact additional suspensions on other countries with similar Covid policies for Chinese travelers, including the US (ABC News).
Asia-Pacific’s benchmark index enters a bull market / January 10, 2023
Asian and Pacific stock market indexes entered a bull market this week based on a rally of Chinese stocks, China’s reopening its economy, and a weakening US dollar. Some express concern, however, that the market is warming up too quickly and heedless of existing uncertainties (CNBC).
Looking for the endgame to Sino-U.S. competition / January 10, 2023
How should the West deal with China’s increasing global economic and political influence? One commentator recommends that cooperation with a rising China is the best overall strategy. The West may also need to see itself as one of a number of “hubs” of economic and cultural power, not the leader (The Japan Times).
China Covid: More than 88 million people in Henan infected, official says / January 9, 2023
Almost 90 million people have contracted the Covid virus in China’s third most populous province. The staggering count overwhelms the government’s official report of just 120,000 cases nationwide, and infections will likely multiply as travel for the Lunar New Year begins in the next few weeks (BBC News).
China Snubs US Military Outreach Ahead of Expected Blinken Visit / January 9, 2023
China rejected a US request to discuss military deceleration after a “close call” between US and Chinese military jets in mid-December over the South China Sea. China sees the US presence in the area as provocative while the US considers China’s claim of the entire South China Sea as unlawful (China News).
China: Five dead after man drives into crowd in Guangzhou / January 11, 2023
A 22-year-old man struck a crowd of pedestrians at a street corner in the southern city of Guangzhou on Wednesday, killing 5 and injuring 13. The tragedy occurred as China approaches the family-oriented Chinese New Year. It is at least the third such incident in China since February 2022 (BBC News).
Weifeng Zhong on New House Select Committee on China / January 11, 2023
An expert on China discusses the reasons behind the new House Select Committee on China, including the CCP’s influence in the media, an imbalanced trade relationship, the fentanyl crisis, and data mining. China’s entry into the WTO didn’t transform China into a more open society; rather, the opposite has occurred (C-Span).
Islamic State suicide attack at Afghan Foreign Ministry kills five / January 12, 2023
China may be noticing now that the Taliban is not able to provide the security China needs or expects as another bomb attack occurred in Kabul Thursday at an Afghan Foreign Ministry where Chinese diplomats were scheduled to meet. Is-K, an Isis-offshoot rebel group opposed to the Taliban, claimed responsibility (The China Project).
Russian-Style Jail Sentence for “Extremism” / January 2, 2023
Known for its control of those who operate outside of the approved religious groups, the CCP recently added “extremism” and even “terrorism” to its list of charges against perceived offenders. If one does not tow the party line in his religious activities, he is considered “extreme,” and is acting illegally (Bitter Winter).
Tesla and Apple face China risks as shares prices plunge / January 4, 2023
Slowing demand for Tesla and Apple products in China is the latest “headwind” blowing against the companies’ shares, likely brought on by the surging Covid outbreak and citizens redirecting their finances either to medical products or to travel now that “zero-Covid” restrictions are removed, allowing for foreign travel (CNBC).
China Covid: Celebrity deaths spark fears over death toll / January 5, 2023
The deaths of many popular Chinese media stars and at least 16 top scientists in various academic institutions in December have many doubting the Chinese government’s official figures on Covid cases and deaths. The government is no longer reporting daily cases and has only counted 22 deaths since December (BBC).
China offers talks on oil exploration deal with Philippines / January 4, 2023
President Xi met with the newly elected Philippine President Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, hoping to draw the country away from its alliance with the US and forge greater cooperation in petroleum exploration. Diplomacy was highly positive between the nations, even though tensions over the South China Sea are also high (South China Morning Post).
Beijing threatens response to ‘unacceptable’ virus measures / January 4, 2023
As more nations establish Covid testing for Chinese travelers entering their countries, China is threatening to respond, although it has not stated what form that response will take. This comes as China ends its strict Covid guidelines, including a 5-day quarantine, for foreign travelers to China (AP News).
China blasts ‘unacceptable’ COVID curbs on travelers / January 3, 2023
While Chinese citizens can travel overseas next Sunday, more than a dozen countries have mandated restrictions on Chinese citizens traveling overseas. The CCP objected to the new rules, but its questionable reporting of Covid cases and the potential for new variants spreading from China are key to the global concerns (Al Jazeera).
President Xi outlines new vision for Hong Kong and Xinjiang / January 2, 2023
Marking the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the “motherland” in 2022, President Xi celebrated the “one nation, two systems” governing philosophy as a success. With heartfelt diplomacy to unify China’s 56 ethnic peoples, he envisioned future growth and achievement for all of China, including Hong Kong and Xinjiang (CGTN).
Russia and China to form an alliance in 2023? / January 2, 2023
Xi Jinping spoke with President Putin virtually for his last state visit in 2022, promising to develop greater strategic ties between the two nations. The West’s sanctions against Russia have strengthened Russia’s commerce with China but may concern Xi as he works to improve his own country’s economy (FirstPost).
Xi warns of tough COVID fight and acknowledges divisions in China / January 2, 2023
In President Xi Jinping’s New Year’s address, he acknowledged that China faces tough challenges ahead, but that the government is putting lives first in an effort to halt the pandemic’s spread. Simultaneously, however, its economy shrank again in December, and Covid case estimates are enormously larger than the government declares (The Japan Times).
US arms sales to Taiwan snub China / December 30, 2022
The US has sold Taiwan $180 million worth of anti-tank systems. That suggests planners anticipate that an invasion will be similar to Russia’s attack on Ukraine. It also suggests the US is willing to snub China’s offer to resume talks about Taiwan’s future (SCMP).
Covid is rapidly evolving — in the US, not China / January 1, 2023
Disease experts have raised fears that Covid’s free reign in China will create more virulent strains of Covid. However, a Canadian researcher has found that the most aggressive strains of Covid exist today in the Northeast of the US (SCMP).