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.
China earns first gold medal of the 2024 Paris Olympics in mixed team air rifle shooting / July 27, 2024
Huang Yuting and Sheng Lihao won the first gold medal for China in the 2024 Olympics in France. They participated in the 10-meter air rifle mixed team event held Saturday morning in the city of Chateauroux. The pair are just 17 and 19 years old. China also won the event in 2020 in Japan (CBS News).
Pan Zhanle breaks own world record to win gold medal in men’s 100-meter freestyle / July 31, 2024
Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle broke his recent world record while winning a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle on Wednesday. Pan won by just over a second to beat Kyle Chalmers of Australia and David Popovici of Romania. The win comes amid controversy over suspected violations of doping among the Chinese swim teams (AP News).
Why the world's anti-doping agency feels stuck between US and China / July 31, 2024
Accusations of doping have been swirling around the Chinese swim teams for the last few years, but the situation has become more political this year around the Paris games. US lawmakers have submitted a bill to cut off funding for the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA), but the agency defends its findings that food contamination is to blame (BBC).
Researchers stunned by find in 1200 year-old tomb in China / July 28, 2024
An elaborate tomb was discovered in 2018 in the northern province of Shanxi, but the tomb likely belonged to a humble noodle maker, not a king or prince. Murals detail the life of the deceased, whose wife was also interred in the tomb, and include a painting of a blonde-haired man leading horses and a camel. The tomb’s owner died in 736 AD (news.com.au).
Philippine forces sail to hotly disputed shoal without incident since deal with China / July 27, 2024
Philippine government personnel safely delivered supplies to its outpost in the Second Thomas Shoal last Saturday without any interference from the Chinese Coast Guard for the first time since the two countries reached an agreement over the contested area in the South China Sea. The Chinese Coast Guard was informed of the delivery and supervised the process (Fox News).
'Quad' foreign ministers decry dangerous South China Sea actions / July 29, 2024do
Foreign ministers from the so-called “Quad”—Australia, India, Japan, and the US—met in Tokyo last weekend, citing China as the “greatest strategic challenge” in the region. They planned to promote dialogue to ease tensions, but also committed to improve “domain awareness” for countries in the region so they could be more aware of what’s going on in their respective areas (NBC News).3
US boosts alliance with the Philippines with $500 million funding and pact / July 30, 2024
The US has dedicated $500 million to the Philippines to improve its navy and some of its military bases in preparation for US troops who will assist the country if defensive maneuvers are needed. The countries are also working on an intelligence-sharing pact to provide more sophisticated weapons and surveillance items (AP News).
Mapped: How the United States uses islands to contain China / July 30, 2024
In order to hem in China’s growing influence in Southeast Asia, the US has negotiated alliances with countries and islands to create three “chains” of defense, with the farthest chain extending from Alaska to Hawaii and south to New Zealand. But China has also responded by increasing its navy and creating its own alliances with other nations (Sky News).
Mudslide kills 15 people near tourist site in China as tropical storm Gaemi drenches region / July 28, 2024
Tropical storm Gaemi left death and destruction in its path from the Philippines, through Taiwan, and into China’s interior. A cargo ship sunk with its captain off the coast of Taiwan and a mudslide killed 15 people staying at a house rental in the city of Yuelin in Hunan province. The area had received about 12 inches of rain in 24 hours (AP News).
Lawmakers from 6 countries say Beijing pressured them not to attend IPAC / July 28, 2024
Lawmakers planning to attend the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, or IPAC, in Taiwan this week received threatening phone calls and emails from Chinese officials, inquiring about their travel plans to the conference and often warning them to not travel to the conference and/or threatening to report their plans to their superiors (AP News).
Chinese leaders pledge to tilt stimulus towards consumers / July 30, 2024
The Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party announced this week that it would seek to direct an economic stimulus towards consumers rather than infrastructure projects, placing greater buying power into the hands of Chinese citizens. The move comes after China’s economy missed its second-quarter growth target (Reuters).
China sanctions US Rep. McGovern for ‘interference’ in its domestic affairs / July 31, 2024
China has sanctioned Rep. Jim McGovern in response to his calls for human rights for ethnic minorities in China. The sanction stems from McGovern’s introduction of a bill calling for support for Tibet that was signed into law by President Biden in June. The sanction is largely symbolic since McGovern has no assets in China (AP News).
India-China Military Tensions Persist Even as Their Trade Surges / July 31, 2024
While India has put in place economic restrictions against China over the last few years because of its ongoing border dispute with China, India imported $100 billion from China last year while It exported only $16 billion to China. Its efforts to “decouple” from China did not work. India is trying to hold the line against China to resolve the border crisis, but its economic ties to China leave little wiggle room (VOA).
Chinese archaeologists unearth 3,400-year-old jade workshop at Sanxingdui ruins / July 24. 2024
With no written history to explain where they came from, the Shu Kingdom that once flourished in southwestern China three to four thousand years ago has remained a mystery. However, the archeological site at Sanxingdui has revealed an array of relics to shed at least some light on the enigmatic culture (SCMP).
CrowdStrike-Microsoft outage: Chinese cybersecurity firms take victory lap / July 21, 2024
After the Crowdstrike outage that crippled Microsoft Windows operations throughout the globe —except in most of China, where mostly foreign businesses that used Microsoft were affected-- China’s cybersecurity firms promoted their own software, emphasizing their reliability and the safety of being independent of other global companies (Yahoo Finance).
Was deadly bridge collapse a freak accident or result of China's race to modernize? / July 21, 2024
A portion of an expressway in Shaanxi province in central China collapsed during flooding—the second collapse this season—killing at least 12 as an entire section of highway collapsed into the raging river. Locals say a log pile had built up against the highway’s pillars, possibly causing the support to buckle. Others wonder, however, if China’s rapid infrastructure schedule caused some to cut corners (Sky News).
China braces for twin tropical cyclones after deadly flash floods /July 22, 2024
After enduring torrential rains and flooding in the interior of the country over the weekend, two cyclones were forecasted to hit China’s eastern seaboard, the first on Sunday and the second later in the week. Prapiroon, the first cyclone, was expected to bring torrential rain to Hainan and Guangdong, China’s most populated province. Gaemi, the second storm, was expected to brush northern Taiwan before making landfall in China as a typhoon (Reuters).
After spurning China for years, Brazil reveals plan to join Belt and Road Initiative / July 20, 2024
Brazil’s President Lula da Silva declared that his country is now looking into joining China’s Belt and Road Initiative, although he wants to be assured of a few things before signing a deal. Those would include how advantageous the agreement would be to Brazil, and how it would affect Brazil’s relationships with other allies in the West (SCMP).
China and the Philippines reach deal in effort to stop clashes at fiercely disputed shoal / July 21, 2024
Representatives from China and the Philippines reached an agreement on Sunday regarding the contested 2nd Thomas Shoal, although very few details about the agreement were made available. Both sides recognize the need for dialogue and diplomacy, especially after recent confrontations caused damage to vessels and injuries to some Philippine Navy personnel (NBC News).
China cuts several major interest rates to support fragile economy / July 22, 2024
China cut short- and long-term interest rates on Monday in a surprise move to shore up a flagging economy. The move comes after a weaker-than-expected 2nd quarter economic report and the Chinese Communist Party leaders’ recent plenum. The People’s Bank of China also lowered some rates (Reuters).
Hamas and Fatah sign unity deal in Beijing aimed at Gaza governance / July 23, 2024
Hamas, Fatah, and a dozen other factions have signed an agreement negotiated by China to form a unity government to govern Gaza after the fighting with Israel ceases. The deal intends to block Israel from forming a government that would be more compatible with Israeli interests. Conflict between Hamas and Fatah had been going on since 2006 (Al Jazeera).
We bought everything needed to make $3 million worth of fentanyl / July 25, 2024
Reuters bought everything needed to make $3 million worth of fentanyl from a Chinese chemical seller. All it took was $3,600 and a web browser. "Such deals are astonishingly easy – and reveal how drug traffickers are eluding efforts to halt the deadly trade behind the fentanyl crisis."
China Blasts US Tibet-China Dispute Bill, Vows to Defend Its Interests / July 13, 2024
President Biden signed the Tibet-China Dispute Act into law on Saturday, forcing pressure on China to hold talks with Tibetan leaders over the region’s desires for greater autonomy if the US puts the Act into motion. China strongly rejected the new law stating that it directly affects China’s sovereignty and that it would defend its interests. China’s talks with Tibetan leaders have stalled since 2010 (US News).
China’s economic growth slows amid weak retail spending / July 15, 2024
Annual retail sales growth in China slowed from 3.2% to 2% in the second quarter of 2024, marking the weakest growth in eighteen months. The housing sector continues to drag on the economy as the overall Chinese economy grew at an annual rate of 4.7%, lower than the 5.1% anticipated by financial markets. Strong exports in June, however, compensated for low consumer demand (The Guardian).
China’s Communist Party will signal its approach to the country’s challenges this week /July 16, 2024
China’s Communist Party will meet this week in its “third plenum” to set policies for economic growth and national security concerns. Many believe that the CCP’s crackdown on “corruption,” private businesses, and society may be stifling the economy and that some easing in this area would be helpful. Local governments are also heavily in debt and may divert funds from other needed areas (NBC News).
China vows to deepen reforms, ex-minister Qin leaves top party body / July 18, 2024
The CCP in its third plenum vowed to continue reforms both to restore the economy by “advancing modernization” and a “high-standard socialist market economy” and to strengthen national security. Former Foreign Minister Qin Gang, as well as former Defense Minister Li Shangfu were removed from the party (Kyodo News).
Oil prices ease on demand concerns in China / July 15. 2024
Demand for oil in China fell in the second quarter of 2024, partly due to planned maintenance of oil refineries. US demand for oil was healthy, however, providing a little balance to the global market. China’s refinery output fell 3.7% in June (Reuters).
China tries to hit more birds with one stone in property rescue push / July 16, 2024
In May, the Chinese government ordered Chinese cities to buy up newly built apartments and turn them into affordable housing and offer subsidies to households to purchase them. Some cities saw this as an opportunity to attract needed skilled workers, such as teachers or medical professionals, and to halt population outflows from smaller cities to major cities (CNA).
Chip stocks shed over $500 billion in value on China trade fears / July 17, 2024
Semiconductor stocks fell sharply on the news that the US may increase sanctions on chip sales to China, as well as former President Trump’s comment that Taiwan should pay the US for the military support the US gives the island. NVDA, Broadcom, AMD, and Arm stocks all fell between 7% and 10%, but US chip manufacturer stocks all rose (Yahoo Finance).
How the Trump Pennsylvania rally shooting looked from China / July 14, 2024
Former US President Trump’s assassination attempt became the top trending news buzz on Chinese social media, sparking comments from Chinese citizens from neutral to gloating, and many calling attention to US gun policy and its harmful effects on US society. The New York Post initially claimed the shooter was a Chinese man, but quickly changed that to a “white” man (SCMP).
China, Russia Start Naval Drills, Days After NATO Says Beijing Enables Ukraine War / July 14, 2024
Chinese and Russian naval forces began joint drills on Sunday at a port in southern China, just days after NATO held meetings in Washington, D.C., and claimed China was enabling Russia’s war in Ukraine. Chinese officials, however, denied any connection between the drills and NATO’s accusation (Radio Free Europe).
China suspends nuclear talks with Washington / July 18, 2024
Citing recent arms sales to Taiwan, China suspended nuclear arms-control talks with the US, following Russia’s lead to cease treaty-mandated communication with the US. China stated that the arms sales “seriously compromised the political atmosphere. The Biden Administration would like to see the nuclear arms issue as separate from other geo-political matters (NBC News).
Fire kills 16 at a shopping mall in southwestern China / July 17, 2024
A fire broke out in a 14-story building housing a shopping mall, a restaurant, offices, and a movie theater, killing 16 people. The fire was reported at about 6 pm as thick black smoke and flames poured out of the windows of the lower floors of the building. Such fires are somewhat common in China, with 947 fatalities due to fires this year through May 20th (ABC News).
Commentary: China can’t stop Russia. It likely won’t even try / July 9, 2024
China has the economic clout over Russia to force it to negotiate peace with Ukraine, but China has no reason to do so. The conflict does not threaten China’s interests, and China would fare better strategically if it had a strong Russia at its side. Additionally, Russia’s war on NATO’s steps, along with simmering trouble in the Middle East, spreads the US’ military elasticity to a point where it may have trouble dealing with an Asian conflict—Taiwan (CNA).
Hungary’s Orban meets China’s Xi in mission to end Russia-Ukraine war / July 9, 2024
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban recently began his “rotational term” as President of the EU by making unofficial trips to Ukraine, Russia, and China in an effort to promote peace talks and resolve the war in Ukraine. Orban has stronger relationships with Russia and China than most other EU nations, but many of his counterparts in the EU disliked the mixed message Orban made with these trips (Al Jazeera).
China slams NATO’s ‘provocations, lies, smears’ over its Russia ties / July 11, 2024
NATO accused China of enabling Russia’s war effort in Ukraine by supporting Russia’s economy and supplying Russia with dual-use parts that can be used in the production of military supplies, sparking a strong reaction from China. China accused NATO of being full of “cold war mentality” and said its own position is to promote peace talks (Al Jazeera).
Chinese developers scramble as OpenAI blocks access in China / July 8, 2024
AI frontrunner OpenAI recently announced that its services would no longer be available in China beginning on July 9th but did not go into detail regarding the reasons for such a move. The gap that was made, however, opened the door for Chinese domestic AI companies to scramble for new customers, and forces those companies to accelerate their product development to meet what OpenAI once held there (The Guardian).
China leads the world in adoption of generative AI, survey shows / July 9, 2024
In a global survey of 1600 industry representatives, China took the lead in the percentage of industries that have adopted the use of generative AI, clocking in at 83% as compared to 65% for the US and 54% for the global average. China also leads the world in its use of “continuous automated monitoring” (CAM), a controversial form of surveillance (Reuters).
A driverless car hits a person crossing against the light in China / July 9, 2024
An autonomous “robotaxi” lightly struck a pedestrian in the city of Wuhan last Sunday but caused no obvious external injuries. The pedestrian apparently was walking against the light, so while the fault falls on the pedestrian, the situation raises questions about how autonomous vehicles should respond to unusual circumstances, such as when people violate the law, such as in this case (ABC News).
China’s consumers up travel interest despite worries / July 11, 2024
A survey of Chinese young adults and middle-aged citizens showed that at least half of them plan to spend more money on travel, food, and clothing, although they are still concerned about the economy and may “reverse travel,” that is, they will avoid high-profile tourist destinations in favor of lesser-known and cheaper places (SCMP).
Across China, more than 50 sprawling ghost cities sit eerily abandoned / July 9, 2024
The effect of China’s housing market bust and the struggling economy can be seen in over 50 “ghost cities” all across China where complete city structures—apartment and condo complexes, skyscraper business towers, shopping malls, and in some places, meticulously planned neighborhoods—all stand empty and crumbling. The sobering spectacle becomes disheartening when one realizes the economic loss so many Chinese citizens are enduring (news.com.au).
Man caught smuggling 100 snakes in his trousers / July 9, 2024
A man was caught trying to smuggle 104 snakes of different types kept in plastic bags in his pants as he passed through customs between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China. China is “one of the world’s biggest animal trafficking hubs” in the world (BBC).
China launches high-level probe after paper says fuel tankers used to carry cooking oil / July 9, 2024
Numerous Chinese government agencies, Chinese agro-businesses, and food transportation companies are involved in an investigation to determine if some chemical tankers were used to transport cooking oil and other foods after a media report was published revealing it had happened. Similar incidents occurred in 2005 and 2015 (SCMP).
Multiple Chinese warships spotted near Alaska, U.S. Coast Guard says / July 11, 2024
Four Chinese ships—three on Saturday and one on Sunday—were spotted in the US Exclusive Economic Zone off the coast of Alaska and were monitored by a US Coast Guard cutter until they left the area. The Chinese ships reported that they were in the area for “freedom of navigation operations.” Similar situations have occurred for the last three years, as well (CBS News).
Japan navy destroyer enters Chinese waters near Taiwan, Beijing complains / July 11, 2024
A Japanese navy destroyer entered Chinese waters north of Taiwan on the 4th of July without notifying China, causing China to lodge a complaint. The ship sailed within twelve nautical miles from the Chinese coast for about 20 minutes. Japan excused the ship’s route as a “technical error” (Reuters).
China’s new large amphibious aircraft goes into production and final assembly / July 5, 2024
China’s new amphibious aircraft, the AG600, has gone into production this summer to fill a growing demand for search and rescue operations. It is the world’s largest amphibious aircraft and can transport cargo or passengers. The plane can reach anywhere in the South China Sea from Hainan province in southern China in four hours (SCMP).
China seizes Taiwan fishing boat with crew near Chinese coast / July 3, 2024
China seized and then took a Taiwan fishing boat with five crew members to a Chinese port after the Chinese coast guard found it fishing in Chinese waters off the Kinmen Islands, which are controlled by Taiwan, but are very close to the Chinese mainland. The Coast Guard also said the fishermen were fishing during China’s no-fishing ban and that its nets were designed to catch squid that are smaller than the minimum size (ABC News--Australia).
A tell-tale sign that China could be preparing for war / July 4, 2024
China is stockpiling minerals and resources in a similar fashion to Germany and Japan before World War II, raising concern among some analysts that China is preparing for War and preparing for sanctions that might occur if it did act on that presumption. A former US Naval Intelligence officer also claimed that China is “militarizing its society” in preparation for a showdown (The Economic Times).
Putin and Xi hail ‘stability’ of China-Russia partnership on SCO sidelines / July 3, 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed the growing strength of their strategic partnership at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, stating that their relationship is the strongest it has ever been. The SCO is a regional strategic bloc designed to counter Western organizations like the G20 and NATO (Al Jazeera).
Lawmakers sound alarm on Cuba-China threat after spy base images surface / July 4, 2024
Florida Congressman Carlos Gimenez warned of China’s increasing activity at spy bases on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from his district in the Florida Keys and southern Florida where the US has significant military bases. He and other US representatives lamented the Biden Administration’s efforts to placate the Communist countries rather than standing up to them (Fox News).
Italy seizes Chinese military drones heading to Libya, authorities say / July 2, 2024
Italy has seized component parts of 2 aerial Chinese drones found in shipping containers and concealed by wind turbine parts. The drones were destined for Libya and were seized because of an embargo against that country due to civil conflict since 2011. Libya has also recently been increasing ties with Russia, allowing Russia to stockpile tons of military equipment intended for Russia’s military involvement in Africa (Defense News).
China and the Philippines hold crucial talks after intense clash in disputed waters / July 2, 2024
Representatives from China and the Philippines met on Tuesday to ease tensions between the two countries after a clash occurred between the Chinese Coast Guard and Philippine transport ships in the Second Thomas Shoal in mid-June. A Philippine soldier was wounded, and two boats were damaged. Because shots were not fired, the US did not have to intervene to uphold a defense treaty it has with the Philippines (AP News).
Navy observes ‘drastic reduction’ of Chinese vessels in West Philippine Sea / July 2, 2024
The Philippine Navy noticed a reduction of about 25% in the number of Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea at the end of June. The decrease may be due to an upcoming meeting between China and the Philippines, the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM), that Manila hopes to convene this month (ABS CBN News).
China and the Philippines jointly rescue stranded Filipino fishermen in humanitarian effort / July 1, 2024
In a rare expression of humanitarian aid, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Chinese Coast Guard joined efforts to assist a Philippine fishing boat that experienced an engine explosion, injuring two of its eight fishermen on board. At first, the Chinese vessel attempted to block the Philippine vessel, but once the Philippines’ intentions were made known, it offered to help (CNA)
China's BYD posts 21% jump in quarterly EV sales, closes gap with Tesla / July 2, 2024
Chinese automaker BYD saw a 21% increase in sales of electric vehicles in the second quarter of 2024, edging closer to Tesla’s recorded sales, but not surpassing them for the second quarter in a row. Sales of new energy vehicles including EVs and plug-in hybrids in China made up almost half of total car sales in May (Yahoo Finance).