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's Xi says army faces 'deep-seated' problems in anti-corruption drive / June 19, 2024
Chinese President Xi Jinping warned that there continue to be “deep-seated problems” of corruption in the People’s Liberation Army. He spoke at a 3-day military political work conference in the Chinese Communist Party’s founding city, Yanan. More than a dozen high-level PLA and rocket force officials were removed last year, with more on the chopping block at an upcoming conference of the CCP (Reuters).
China's new rule allowing maritime trespasser detention takes effect / June 15, 2024
A new regulation took effect on Saturday in China, stating that China now has the right to detain for up to 60 days anyone found transgressing the waters claimed by China in the South China Sea. The regulation is the full implementation of a 2021 law giving China’s coastguard the right to use weapons in any dispute on its claimed waters (Kyodo News).
Filipino soldiers fought off Chinese coast guard 'with bare hands' / June 17, 2024
Another conflict between Chinese coast guard ships and Philippine supply vessels at the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on Monday as Chinese guardsmen pointed knives, swords, and spears at Philippine soldiers as they were trying to bring supplies to fellow soldiers on a grounded ship in the shoal. The Chinese even boarded some of the ships and seized weapons (BBC News).
Philippines demands China return rifles and pay for boat damage after hostilities / June 19, 2024
Calling China’s attack on Philippine supply ships in the Second Thomas Shoal an “act of piracy,” the Philippines’ military chief demanded that China return the rifles and other equipment its coast guardsmen took on Monday, and that China pay for the damage that was done to its boats. China claimed its guardsmen acted in accordance with the law (AP News).
After injury in South China Sea, U.S. cites risk of "more violent" confrontation / June 18, 2024
The Biden Administration condemned the Chinese coastguard’s “ramming” of one of its ships into a Philippine supply ship in the Second Thomas Shoal in which a Philippine soldier lost his right thumb. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby called China’s actions “provocative” and could lead to something much more violent (CBS News).
China changed village names 'to erase Uyghur culture' / June 19, 2024
Since 2010, the Chinese government has been changing the names of Uyghur cities in the northwestern region of the country, sometimes replacing religious or strong cultural terms with Chinese names that harmonize with Chinese Communist ideology. A study by Human Rights Watch found 3600 city names had been changed over this period, but a Chinese official at the Chinese embassy in London rejected the claim (BBC News).
China is the true power in Putin and Kim’s budding friendship / June 18, 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea this week, staging the event to make the West concerned about a growing alliance between the two sanctioned countries. But China is also watching, not eager to see the two national leaders bonding. President Xi is aware of the ramifications if Russia and North Korea tease the West; usually, the West responds with more military presence where China doesn’t want it (BBC News).
China targets Europe’s farmers, not its automakers, in response to EU EV tariffs / June 18, 2024
China is launching a probe into the EU’s pork industry, likely in response to the EU’s tariffs on electric cars exported from China, which will begin in July. China’s consumption of pork from Europe peaked in 2020 when a swine disease decimated its pork population. China said the investigation could take a year or more to complete (AP News).
China says G7 statement 'full of arrogance, prejudice and lies' / June 17, 2024
The G7’s end-of-summit statement heavily criticized China for its aggressive stance against Taiwan and its claims in the South China Sea, as well as its suspected support of Russia by supplying the country with dual-use items for its war in Ukraine. China’s Lin Jian charged that the statement “slandered and attacked” China (VOA).
Southern China faces heavy floods, and landslides kill at least 9 / June 17, 2024
While northern China has experienced drought recently, flooding in southern China has claimed nine lives, with many more missing. Millions of dollars of crops have also been lost due to flooding and landslides. Flood-related disasters also claimed seventeen lives last month across China (AP News).
Taiwan military drones unlikely to hasten US ‘hellscape’ against Chinese attack / June 18, 2024
Taiwan plans to purchase nearly 1000 drones for its defense against an attack from China’s mainland. The intent is to flood the skies with so many drones the volley would slow China’s attack long enough to allow the US to step up its defense on behalf of Taiwan. Some, however, say the strategy probably won’t work, at least in the short term (SCMP).
Australia’s Albanese and China’s Li hold ‘candid’ talks in Canberra / June 17, 2024
China’s Premier Li Qiang was in Australia for four days, meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The two held frank and “candid” discussions on numerous topics and the countries’ strong trade relationship. China recently removed tariffs on Australian goods but still holds Australian political prisoner Yang Hengjun (Al Jazeera).
‘Elimination’ of Taiwan is China’s great national cause, Lai says / June 16, 2024
Taiwan’s President William Lai Ching-te spoke at a military academy’s 100th anniversary on Sunday, stating that defending Taiwan is the “highest mission” of Taiwan’s people. China sees the annexation of the island as the means of rejuvenating the Chinese people, and any attempt at independence as a cause for war (Al Jazeera).
Gold Dips Below $2,300 as Jobs Dash Fed Bets, China Buying Pause / June 7, 2024
Undercut by a strong jobs market reported in the US and China’s refrain from buying gold in May, gold values dropped 3.7%. Other metals, like silver, titanium, and copper also fell. China has been hoarding gold since November of 2022 but began purchasing less and less since February of this year (Yahoo Finance).
Volvo shifting EV production to Belgium to avoid China tariffs / June 9, 2024
Volvo Cars began producing EVs in Belgium rather than China to avoid potential tariffs placed by the EU after its investigation into suspected subsidies from the Chinese government that made its EVs more affordable. By building the cars in Belgium, Volvo would avoid the tariffs. Volvo is majority-owned by the Chinese company Geely (Yahoo Finance).
EU threatens China EVs with tariffs of up to 38% / June 12, 2024
The EU’s investigation into Chinese subsidies in the production of EVs made in China has resulted in a set of tariffs against the vehicles made in China. The tariffs vary based on the auto companies’ participation status in the investigation—the more the company cooperated with the investigation, the lower the tariff. Further dialogue between the EU and China may halt or change the tariffs that are to be implemented starting July 4th (BBC).
Backlash in mainland China over Taiwan comment by Nvidia’s Jensen Huang / June 7, 2024
Jensen Huang, the founder of microchip giant Nvidia, referred to Taiwan as a country when he referred to Taiwan as a country in an impromptu interview that aired on May 29th. In response, Chinese citizens and media outlets condemned the company and its founder for the reference, with some saying the mainland should boycott Nvidia. Twenty percent of Nvidia’s revenue comes from China (SCMP).
Why is China so annoyed over Modi's reply on X? / June 8, 2024
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently won an election for his third term as Prime Minister. When Taiwan President Ching-te Lai congratulated him on X, Modi responded with a thank you and a desire to increase political and economic ties between Taiwan and India. China did not appreciate the diplomatic exchange, saying it violated the one-China policy (The Economic Times).
China warned to prepare for hotter than average summer / June 8, 2024
Forecasters are warning that China will face a hotter summer than average, although not likely as hot for as long a period of time as the country experienced in 2022. India, Pakistan, and other southern Asian countries have already had a month of 110+ degree (F.) weather as the region experiences the shift from an El Niño weather pattern in the Pacific to a La Niña (SCMP).
China Says US Provoking Arms Race in Moves into South China Sea / June 9, 2024
China accused the US of provoking an arms race in the South China Sea as it supports the Philippines and other coastal nations in the region against China’s territorial claims. However, China claims almost the entirety of the South China Sea, establishing coast guard ships 1000 kilometers from its own mainland (Newsmax).
China Issues Nuclear Statement to US / June 12, 2024
China’s embassy in the US accused the US of stoking the nuclear arms race rather than encouraging disarmament, but a US National Security Council official said the US is only considering a buildup because Russia, China, and North Korea are increasing their stockpiles at a “breakneck” speed. Both sides accuse the other of rejecting diplomatic solutions (Newsweek).
4 U.S. college instructors injured in stabbing attack in China / June 10, 2024
Four instructors from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa were stabbed while walking through a park in Jilin, China on Monday. Such attacks against foreigners have been very rare, and the victims were recovering from their injuries. A 55-year-old man had been arrested on Monday, but no motive had been given (NBC News).
Taiwan arrests former Chinese Navy captain over illegal speedboat arrival / June 11, 2024
A 60-year-old Chinese Navy official drove a boat into Taipei harbor and the Tamsui River before being detained by Taiwan officials, stating that he was trying to defect. Taiwan, however, is investigating whether this is another “grey zone” effort by China to test Taiwan’s response to minor incursions (Al Jazeera).
South China Sea: Why is Beijing so aggressive? / June 3, 2024
In an interview with a Chinese delegate at the Shangri-La Dialogue conference, a DW journalist learns that China’s aggressive stance, especially in the South China Sea, is due to the United States’ aggression in the region, threatening China’s aims and turning regional countries against China (DW News).
Marcos sets ‘red line’ with Beijing over South China Sea / June 1, 2024
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. defended his nation’s territory in the South China Sea at the Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, stating that the death of any Philippine citizen by other aggressors could rise to an “act of war,” and that the Philippines would respond appropriately. He also cited a treaty with the US that could involve the US responding along with the Philippines if an incident were to arise (The Straits Times).
China: “It’s ‘hard to meet’ discussions on Russia-Ukraine war, citing arrangement issues / June 1, 2024
In response to invitations for talks to resolve the war in Ukraine, Foreign Minister spokesperson Mao Ning stated that complications for meeting China’s needs were making it difficult to solidify the arrangements. She offered no further explanation. While China says it remains neutral regarding the war, it has heavily supported Russia and President Putin (AP News).
Zelenskyy: China is pressuring other countries to skip upcoming Ukraine Talks / June 2, 2024
Switzerland is hoping to host a peace conference in mid-June to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war, but Ukraine’s President Zelensky has accused China of stalling and pressuring other nations not to attend. One of China’s objections: Russia has not been invited to the conference (NewsMax).
China ready to ‘forcefully’ stop Taiwan independence: Defense minister / June 2, 2024
Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue conference in Singapore, declared that China is ready to take Taiwan by force and that anyone who would support Taiwan’s independence would be crushed. He also spoke out against the Philippines’ attempts to claim territory in the South China Sea that China claims (Al Jazeera).
US President Joe Biden open to military action if China invades Taiwan June 5, 2024
President Biden admitted that the US might involve itself in defense of Taiwan should China attack the island, although he identified different forms of military involvement to hedge his statement. While the US has declared that the US will not support Taiwan’s independence, it would support the status quo and support Taiwan in its self-defense (Mint).
China lands on Moon's far side in historic sample-retrieval mission / June 2, 2024
China successfully landed its Chang’e-6 spacecraft on the dark side of the moon on Sunday, making it the first country to do so. The craft will scoop up just under 5 pounds of moon soil to bring back to Earth for analysis. China plans to place humans on the moon by 2030 (Reuters).
China says MI6 recruited Chinese couple as spies / June 3, 2024
China has accused the British intelligence agency of recruiting two Chinese nationals in Britain to work as spies, continuing a back-and-forth series of arrests and accusations of espionage between China and the West. China has gone to great lengths to urge its citizens to protect its military information and other state secrets (BBC).