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 threatens 'serious consequences' after US warship sails by Paracel Islands / March 24, 2023
The guided-missile destroyer USS Milius passed by the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea last Friday for the second straight day, prompting China to charge the US for “militarizing” the area. The US claimed it was legally traveling through international waters. The islands are contested by China, Vietnam and Taiwan (Fox News).
China’s huge quarantine camps standing months after ‘zero COVID’ / March 23, 2023
The Chinese government built a number of quarantine camps throughout the country to house Covid patients, investing hundreds of millions of dollars for makeshift structures that now, mostly, lay empty. No official plan for the sites has been made known as of yet, nor how to recover the expense (Al Jazeera).
Beijing sets up formal ties with Honduras in yet another diplomatic blow for Taiwan / March 26, 2023
Over the weekend, Honduras became the 9th country since 20116 to sever ties with Taiwan in favor of Beijing. The seemingly calculated announcement comes just before Taiwan’s pro-democracy President visits the US and Central America. China’s growing political and economic clout will be a challenge to Taiwan’s remaining allies (SCMP).
China threatens retaliation if Kevin McCarthy meets with Taiwan’s president / March 29, 2023
Although Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen has traveled to the US 6 times before with no serious concern from China, China is threatening to retaliate if she speaks with US officials as she stops in New York and Los Angeles over the next week’s trip to Belize, Guatemala and the US (NBC News).
Putin 'Humiliated' China's Xi With Nuclear Decision: Former Ambassador / March 26, 2023
Possibly before the ink dried on Putin and Xi’s agreement to not deploy nuclear weapons beyond their countries’ borders, President Putin announced the transfer of nuclear warheads to Belarus. A former US ambassador to Russia claims that China must not be too happy about the situation (Newsweek).
Online trolls are taking a toll in China / March 26, 2023
While China has strong censorship control to block those who would speak contrary to the CCP’s doctrine online, it does not have a strong mechanism to block cyber-bullying. Since the pandemic began, a growing number of “trolls” have increasingly attacked both celebrities and citizens, driving many into depression and suicide (BBC News).
Jack Ma: Alibaba founder seen in China after long absence / March 27, 2023
Conspicuously absent for about 3 years, Alibaba founder Jack Ma appeared at a school in Hangzhou, Alibaba’s headquarters. Reports from the South China Morning Post state that he has been traveling overseas, and other reports claim he was seen in Europe, Thailand and Australia. In 2020, Ma criticized CCP bank regulators (BBC News).
Hohhot Trial of Christians Who Illegally Sold Legal Bibles Scheduled for Late April / March 30, 2023
A group of Christians in Inner Mongolia sold legally-produced Bibles produced by a government approved company were arrested in 2022 and may finally see their trial this April. Their crime: not being members of the officially recognized Three Self Church. Some may face up to 15 years in prison (Bitter Winter).
Xi Jinping’s “Global Community”: A Uyghur View / March 31, 22023
A Uyghur political émigré from East Turkestan claims that China’s call for “rational solutions” and “neutrality” regarding the war in Ukraine reveals a deceptive, historic pattern of supporting oppressive regimes while ignoring its own history of genocide and political repression (Bitter Winter).
Xi Putin meeting: What to expect from China-Russia talks /March 19, 2023
Can Presidents Xi and Putin get what they both want this week? Putin needs an ally to be successful in Ukraine, but China may want to appear as a global negotiator. China is also watching whether public sentiment for war wanes in the West, signaling a possible opportunity for Xi in Taiwan (BBC News).
Full text: China’s position on settling the Ukraine Crisis / March 20, 2023
China’s 12-point peace plan for Ukraine appears diplomatic, but chides the US and others for using sanctions in the conflict and makes China look like the responsible parent in the room. Respecting national borders and sovereignty will prove to be challenging to find an agreeable solution, though (Al Jazeera).
Putin welcomes China’s Xi to Kremlin amid Ukraine fighting / March 20, 2023
President Xi began his 3-day visit with Vladimir Putin on Monday, praising their new diplomatic partnership and enjoying Pacific seafood and roast venison at a state dinner. Multipolarity is the new buzz-word as their new alliance challenges decades of US dominance in global affairs.
Xi, Putin pledge more cooperation in ‘new era’ of China-Russia ties / March 22, 2023
Presidents Xi and Putin not only strengthened the bonds between their two nations in their meeting this week, but also pledged to cooperate in a greater development of China’s Belt and Road initiative in Asia, as well as furthering diplomatic and economic ties in the Middle East and South America (SCMP).
WHO blasts China for withholding info on COVID origin after data pulled offline / March 19, 2023
In an apparent about-face, the WHO condemned China for taking critical information about Covid-19’s origin offline after releasing it in January. Virus experts, however, were able to retrieve the data before it disappeared, and found large amounts of canine DNA in the area of the virus’ origin.
China welcomes former Taiwan president’s plan to visit / March 21, 2023
Ma Ying-jeou, Taiwan’s former president (2008-2016), plans to visit China next week, but not for government business. He plans to discuss student exchanges and visit the graves of his ancestors in central China. Ma’s KMT Party has a closer relationship to Beijing than the current president’s Democratic Progressive Party (Al Jazeera).
Wenzhou, school parents asked to sign a “Commitment Not to Believe in Religion” / March 24, 2023
Parents of kindergarteners in the Longwan District of Wenzhou, Zhejiang were instructed to sign a statement promising not to teach their children with any religious education nor to encourage them in any religious faith. Rather, children are to be instructed in (atheistic) science, socialism and the Chinese Communist Party (Bitter Winter).
Courtesy of the Two Sessions: Two New Powerful (and Dangerous) Chinese Agencies / March 24, 2023
The recent Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference produced two agencies that give the CCP a tighter grip on the nation’s banking system and the internet. President Xi stated that the West’s attempts to contain China and even overthrow the regime are the reasons for stronger controls in these sectors (Bitter Winter).
The Saudi-Iran deal: China’s first geopolitical moonwalk / March 21, 2023
China’s Saudi-Iran deal is China’s first international (and successful) mediation attempt, creating a potentially new area in global conflict resolution. The author, however, claims that the US and the West played an unseen role in this negotiation and in China’s ability to access Middle East raw materials (The China Project).
‘Changing global order’: China’s hand in the Iran-Saudi deal / March 11, 2023
China brokered a diplomatic relations deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia last week, bringing the two countries together after they broke ties in 2016. With no allegiance to either party, China could easily step in to mediate. China’s involvement here demonstrates its new role as a global mediator (Al Jazeera).
China’s Xi plans to speak with Zelensky for first time since Ukraine war broke out / March 13, 2023
While on an upcoming European tour to Russia and other countries, President Xi plans to meet virtually with Ukraine’s President in an effort to serve as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine. The Biden administration welcomes the endeavor so that China might get a different perspective on the war (WSJ).
Xi awarded 3rd term as China’s president, extending rule / March 10, 2023
President Xi was officially and unanimously voted into his 3rd presidential term at the National People’s Conference in Beijing last week Friday, along with other top officials. His consolidation of power and appointment of loyalists in nearly all branches of government may secure his rule for a lifetime (AP News).
China now seen as influencing politics more than ever, on a global scale / March 10, 2023
Evidence is becoming clearer that China has been influencing politics on a massive, global scale, from publishing disinformation on social media in election campaigns to influencing education at universities, and bribing corrupt candidates from presidential to even local elections, all in an effort to “weaken resistance to its encroachment on sovereignty” (CBC).
Support grows for reestablishing Trump-era China initiative / March 11, 2023
Representative Gooden (R) submitted his version of a Senate bill in the House last week, seeking to restore a tougher stance against the CCP’s efforts at espionage and influencing academia in the US. If reestablished, the law would allow prosecuting those caught in “trade, hacking and espionage” (Fox News).
China’s neighbors seek expanded partnerships with US to deter, defend / March 10, 2023
After the US and the Philippines agreed to expand a 2014 defense agreement in early February, a Chinese ship allegedly blocked a Philippine patrol vessel, threatening its passage. Such challenges from China are causing Pacific-rim countries to seek expanded US military partnerships: Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Australia among them (Defense News).
Tesla Price Cuts Trigger Desperate Fight For Survival In China's EV Market / March 14, 2023
In an effort to boost its presence in the Chinese electric vehicle market, Tesla cut prices by 6% on two of its EVs, triggering other EV companies to slash prices on their vehicles to hold their places in the market. Tesla is the only foreign EV company to have a significant in-road in the Chinese market (IBD).
‘A defeated person’: sidelined by Xi, China’s Li Keqiang bows out as premier / March 10, 2023
Li Keqiang, China’s premier for the last decade, was replaced by Xi loyalist Li Qiang on March 11th. According to an old friend, Li Keqiang was overshadowed, out-maneuvered, and handicapped by President Xi. Li included the cryptic commentary in his final report to his staff, “While the people work, Heaven watches” (The Guardian).
China names Li Qiang premier nominally in charge of economy / March 10, 2023
Li Qiang, an ally of Xi Jinping, became China’s second most powerful leader last Friday. Best known for his brutal zero-Covid lockdown in Shanghai last year, Li was also known for creating a government image of friendliness to businesses while Xi tightened regulations and political controls (AP News).
Chinese official to explicit park performers: ‘Dance, but don’t be dirty’ / March 13, 2023
Provocative dancing in a public park in China did not meet the approval of a local management official, who advised dancers to avoid sexually explicit movements, especially since they were being recorded by onlookers. Many commentators on social media praised the official while others stated he was “over the top” (SCMP).
Xi Jinping's power grab - and why it matters / March 4, 2023
The National People’s Conference began over the March 4th weekend and established the final “personnel list” for the Chinese Communist Party, a process that began last October with the presentation of the new 7-member Politburo Standing Committee. President Xi will now have a top-down ranking of loyalists throughout the Party (BBC News).
All you need to know about China’s ‘Two Sessions’ / March 3, 2023
The National People’s Conference and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) begin this weekend in China. The CPPCC is an advisory body while the NPC is the national legislature. The 5-year delegates represent all areas of culture: the arts, business, and law, as well as ethnic minorities and women (Al Jazeera).
China Premier Li Keqiang bows out as Xi loyalists take reins / March 5, 2023
Once a contender for the Chinese presidency, Li Keqiang completed his final act as Premier at the NPC this week. Since 2018, his position as Premier slowly lost its influence, especially during the Covid pandemic. His removal marks the end of an era of meritocracy for political advancement; now it is loyalty to Xi (AP News).
China Slams US Plans to Sell Missiles to Taiwan / March 2, 2023
The Biden Administration informed the US Congress of a potential sail of more than $600 million in missiles and weaponry to Taiwan, which it claims is allowable under the Taiwan Relations Act. China warned that the US has cut close to the edge with this and other support to Taiwan (Voice of America).
China expands defense budget 7.2%, marking slight increase / March 4, 2023
China has doubled its annual defense budget over the last decade, including a very slight increase this year over last year. China has the largest army and navy in the world. “Enhancing political loyalty” was among the military’s accomplishments last year, along with technological modernization, Premier Li Keqiang reported (AP News).
China’s human organ harvesting industry sanction bill advances in US House / March 4, 2023
A bill to sanction anyone involved in China’s human organ harvesting activities from entering the US or doing business here was presented by New Jersey Representative Chris Smith recently. Smith claims up to 100,000 people are executed for organ harvesting annually in China, mostly prisoners of conscience: Christians, Muslims and Falun Gong practitioners (Fox News).
What's cooking between India and China? / March 6, 2023
India’s foreign minister Jaishankar was criticized for acknowledging India’s smaller economy was no real match against China’s. Recently, representatives from both countries met for talks, including the border dispute in the Ladakh Sector. China’s message to India: Don’t let the border dispute interrupt other areas of diplomacy (The Economic Times).
Scholz warns of 'consequences' if China sends arms to Russia / March 5, 2023
Echoing the US’s warnings to China, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also warned China of “consequences” if China supplied weapons to Russia in the Ukraine conflict. Neither he nor European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen would acknowledge that sanctions from Europe would occur if China did so (ABC News).
China says US should change attitude or risk conflict / March 7, 2023
Foreign Minister Qin Gang gave a strong warning to the US in his first news conference as Minister, cautioning that the US is speeding to derail relations between the two countries due to its “distorted” reactions to current issues. US National Security spokesman John Kirby dismissed the Minister’s remarks (Reuters).
China’s Xi urges private companies to ‘be rich and loving’ / March 6, 2023
“Common prosperity” was Xi Jinping’s motto for “equity” in China as he urged private businesses to be involved in “charity undertakings” and rich in financial generosity towards its employees. But many companies are still struggling from Covid’s anchor on the economy and the government’s own regulatory crackdown on certain businesses (Al Jazeera).
Bao Fan: Why do Chinese billionaires keep vanishing? / March 8, 2023
February’s disappearance of Bao Fan shed light on China’s disappearing rich again. Some return after months, reportedly having helped in an investigation on corruption; some have been sentenced to years in prison. Currently, technology CEO’s have been targeted; the banking system may be next for scrutiny as Xi seeks to exercise control over the country (BBC News).