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 Ministry of State Security warned Chinese citizens on its WeChat page that foreign consulting companies—through their consulting activities—are stealing sensitive information that compromises China’s national security, A May 2023 amendment to its anti-espionage law expanded the country’s definition of spying (SCMP).
US, UK accuse China of cyberespionage that hit millions of people / March 26, 2024
US and British officials filed charges against 7 Chinese individuals, accusing them of hacking and conducting espionage that compromised the personal information of millions of Americans and British citizens, businesses, and government officials, including even their spouses. Titled “ATP31,” the group is allegedly tied to China’s Ministry of State Security (Reuters).
Xi Jinping to China’s central bank: restart treasury-bond trade, after 2-decade hiatus / March 28, 2024
A new book details President Xi Jinping’s philosophy on monetary policy over the course of his three presidential terms, including a controversial and rarely used strategy for China’s central banks to purchase more treasury bonds. It’s been more than two decades since China’s banks have done so (SCMP).
Yellen Warns She’ll Confront China on Its Energy Subsidies / March 27, 2024
In an upcoming visit to China in April, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen plans to discuss the negative impact China’s subsidies for clean energy industries are having on the global market. The subsidies are flooding the global market with cheaper goods, distorting global prices and other countries’ production of items like solar panels and EV vehicles (VOA).
Taiwan stands as major line of defense against global war with China / March 27, 2024
Although the island of Taiwan is about the size of the state of Maryland, its strategic impact for stability in East Asia is extremely significant. If China were to overtake Taiwan, it would give China a closer launching pad and greater control over the South China Sea, Japan, and the western Pacific Ocean, weakening the US’ influence in the region (Fox News).
Lies, ideology, and repression: China seals Hong Kong’s failed-state fate / March 23, 2024
With the enforcement of “Article 23,” journalist Simon Tisdall declares that the Hong Kong the world once knew, is gone forever. Forced into silence, the citizens of Hong Kong fear being targeted for speaking their minds; investors and residents are fleeing the city. Tisdall sees Taiwan as China’s next target for oppression (The Guardian).
China’s Xi holds all-male meeting with US business leaders / March 27, 2024
President Xi Jinping met with US business leaders in China this week, encouraging a strong business relationship between the two superpowers in an effort to lure US businesses to invest more in China. For whatever reason, all of the attendees happened to be male. The meeting was another indication of possibly warmer ties between the two nations (The Hill).
Xi tells Dutch PM that restricting technology access won’t stop China’s advance / March 27, 2024
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte met with President Xi Jinping on Wednesday with the war in Ukraine as the most important issue on his list to discuss with the Chinese President. But Xi talked economics, warning that no force—namely, Western sanctions against China—could slow down China’s economic growth. The Netherlands’ largest company, ASML, makes advanced semiconductors and once did lucrative business with China (AP News).
China Aims to phase out AMD, Intel chips from government computers / March 25, 2024
Under new guidelines, China plans to phase out the use of AMD, Intel, and Microsoft’s processors and operating systems as it reacts to Western sanctions of technology and determines to create its own systems. Both China and Western nations distrust the others’ advancements in technology and their use in espionage (Investor’s Business Daily).
China Could Be Hoarding Over 5,300 Tons of Gold, Might Create Price 'Perfect Storm' / March 24, 2024
A gold expert has calculated that China may be hoarding more than twice as much gold as it has officially reported, in an effort to support its economy in the event that the US dollar ceases to be the global currency standard. The rising value of gold increases its demand (Bitcoin.com).
Philippines’s Marcos promises action after China’s ‘dangerous attacks’ / March 28, 2024
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos declared that the Philippines will counteract any foreign aggression with an equal amount of force if a foreign entity threatens its territory in the South China Sea after a Chinese coast guard ship damaged a Philippine ship and injured three soldiers. Marcos does not want confrontation, but he said also that “Filipinos do not yield” (Al Jazeera).
US ‘may be sending strong message’ to China with hypersonic missile test / March 22, 2024
The US tested an AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) on Sunday as the US attempted to keep up with Russia and China in the hypersonic missile arms race. The test was carried out in the western Pacific, suggesting the test was intended to send a message to China and Russia. North Korea is also testing hypersonic weapons (SCMP).
Six more years of Putin will worry many countries. But not China / March 18, 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin handily won the presidential election on Monday, securing a safe future for the BRICS nations allied with Russia, including China. Consequently, it also signals concern for the Western nations opposed to Russia’s attack on Ukraine, including the US and Europe. Putin won over 87% of the vote, running virtually without a rival (CNN).
China pushes back on international criticism of restrictive new Hong Kong law / March 20, 2024
Article 23, a new national security law passed by Hong Kong’s government on Tuesday as an addendum to the 2020 national security law imposed on Hong Kong by Beijing, met with strong opposition from foreign democratic governments. Hong Kong officials defended the new law as necessary for civility and improving livelihoods. Critics still say the law enforces “self-censorship (NBC News).
China will be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027, U.S. Admiral says / March 20, 2024
US Adm. John Aquilino, head of the Indo-Pacific Command, told government officials on Wednesday that China’s military is on schedule to invade Taiwan in 2027 by force, if necessary. China has increased its military aircraft by 400, added 20 warships to its navy, and doubled its ballistics and cruise missiles since 2020 (Forbes).
Taiwan warns of 'enormous' Chinese bases near its S. China Sea holding / March 19, 2024
Taiwan warned that China is building large military bases on three islands near an island—Itu Aba, also known as Taiping in Taiwan—in the South China Sea that Taiwan claims as its own. China as of yet has not threatened the island, but tensions are high between China and all of the countries bordering the South China Sea. Taiwan hopes to resolve the issue diplomatically (Reuters).
China blasts US declaration of ‘ironclad’ alliance with Philippines / March 19, 2024
After US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the US’ “ironclad” support for the Philippines’ claims in the South China Sea this week, China fired back, stating that the US has no part in the affairs regarding the disputed region (Al Jazeera).
China's nuclear missile force, army giving Xi sleepless nights: Here's why / March 17, 2024
Concerns about looming corruption in China’s military and the People’s Liberation Army of China lack of fighting experience may be preventing President Xi from entering any military combat in the near future, according to some analysts. Xi has recently purged at least 10 leading officers from the military since last summer (Business Standard).
China’s words at top UN court could signal stronger support for Palestinian cause / March 22, 2024
China’s warming relationship with Iran and its cooling relationship with the US may be behind a recent shift in stance regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. China recently appeared to shift back to Mao Zedong’s support for the Palestinian cause against colonial imperialism. Others say China still favors a two-state solution (SCMP).
Grisly teen murder case shocks China and shines a light on ‘left behind’ children / March 20, 2024
The brutal murder of a 13-year old boy by three of his classmates in Hebei province on March 10 brought outrage and condemnation on Chinese social media, and also brought to light the plight of China’s “left-behind” children—often rural children whose parents leave the family to work in the cities, leaving their children in the care of relatives. Such children often suffer socially and deal with mental health issues (CNN).
Many hospitals in China stop newborn delivery services as birth rate drops / March 19, 2024
A number of Chinese hospitals have reportedly shut down their obstetrics departments due to the decreasing need for birthing services as more women in China choose not to bear children. China is one of the most expensive countries to raise children. Some department closures already occurred in 2020-2021 (Reuters).
China: Marriages rise for the first time in nine years / March 18, 2024
The number of newlyweds in China increased by 12.4% in 2023, a hopeful sign that China’s birthrate will also turn around with the increase in marriages. However, the cost of raising a child in China continues to make couples hesitant to start families. The government plans to help subsidize families to encourage more births. Other Asian countries are also facing dangerously low birthrates (BBC).
China pursues aggressive growth to prevent devastating slowdown / March 9, 2024
Chinese Premier Li Qiang spoke at the National People’s Congress last week, promoting the government’s economic reforms to grow the economy. Many economic experts are still concerned that China may not be able to achieve its 5% growth rate in 2024. The Chinese government, however, expects to get the country out of its economic slump (Fox News)
US Army Soldier Sold Taiwan Response Plans to China: DOJ / March 8, 2024
Army intelligence analyst Korbein Schultz was arrested recently for providing sensitive military information to a China-based co-conspirator. The transfer of information took place between June of 2022 and October of 2023 and included information about what the US learned from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and how that would direct the US response if China invaded Taiwan (Newsweek).
Philippines strikes security deals as tensions rise with China at sea / March 9, 2024
The Philippines has either signed or is negotiating agreements with at least 18 countries to support its defenses against foreign aggression in the South China Sea. Countries like Japan, Vietnam, Canada, France, Germany, and Italy are on the list. A change in Philippine leadership, however, could turn the Philippines more favorably back toward China again (The Washington Post).
US mulls blacklisting CXMT to curb China's chip advance / March 9. 2024
The US is considering black-listing 6 more Chinese companies in another round of sanctions to prevent China from getting sensitive microconductor knowledge that it could use in its military development. ChangXin is one of the companies on that list (Yahoo Finance).
China's CNOOC makes 100-million-ton oilfield discovery in South China Sea / March 7, 2024
China’s state-owned oil company CNOOC discovered a new oil field in the South China Sea, off the shore of Guandong Province. The discovery is a boon to China’s oil industry as many older wells on the mainland are drying out (Reuters).
Chinese-owned tutoring company found in classrooms across America / March 15, 2024
According to the group, Parents Defending Freedom (PDF), over 100 school districts in the US are giving students access to a site called Tutor.com, which is owned by a Chinese-based company. The content the site delivers may be a concern, but the data it collects on students and their families is also a major concern, according to the PDF group (Fox News).
China's consumer prices swing up on seasonal Lunar New Year gains / March 10, 2024
China’s consumer price index grew by 0.7% in February, the largest growth in six months, prompted by the Lunar New Year celebrations and higher prices in food commodities like pork and vegetables. The positive numbers may be a sign of better things to come, but analysts are cautioning that it is too soon to tell if the economy is starting to recover (Reuters).
Tibet boarding schools: China accused of trying to silence language / March 9, 2024
According to some human rights watchers and sociologists, China is using boarding schools that teach only Mandarin in Tibet to erase Tibetan culture and replace it with Chinese culture. China claims that learning Mandarin is necessary to prepare students for success in the world. Others say that the Mandarin emphasis will create people who can’t fit into either culture (BBC).
‘More dangerous’ than nukes—China, Russia suddenly abandoning the U.S. dollar / March 9, 2024
China, Russia, and other BRICS nations are utilizing “blockchain” technology, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, as the basis for their transnational trading dollar, threatening the power and dominance of the US dollar in global business transactions. Such digital currencies have exploded in the market recently (Forbes).
The Chinese-Russian war machine could soon overwhelm the West / March 10, 2024
China is maneuvering its global strategies to benefit from Russia’s war in Ukraine financially, militarily, and politically while giving Russia an economic boost of its own in spite of the sanctions of the West that were meant to punish Russia for invading Ukraine in the first place. China’s moves are threatening the current world order (The Telegraph).
China’s congress ends with a show of unity behind Xi’s vision for national greatness / March 11, 2024
China ended is National Congress on Monday, giving more power to President Xi Jinping through revisions to the Organic Law of the State Council that diminish the Council’s power. The absence of the traditional news conference held by the Chinese Premier, Li Qiang, also demonstrates his weaker position (NBC News).
China pledges to increase opportunities for foreign companies to boost its economy / March 1, 2024
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng spoke to a conference of American businesspeople to encourage foreign investment in China, stating that the government is addressing the issues that concern them. The high-profile speaker indicates how seriously China is taking boosting foreign investment. However, it may be difficult for them to resolve the real issues that matter (AP News).
What to watch for as China’s major political meeting of the year gets underway / March 3, 2024
China’s National People’s Congress meets this week with the economy and a possible new Foreign Minister on the schedule for discussion. The Congress is more of a rubber stamp to “approve” the edicts of the Communist Party and President Xi Jinping. Economic reports will likely promote the CCP’s increasing control over the economy (AP News).
China scraps Premier’s annual news conference in surprise move ahead of Congress / March 4, 2024
On the eve of the National People’s Congress, a representative announced that Premier Li Qiang would not host a news conference with reporters at the end of the Congress. Other officials may offer briefings on subtopics during the conference. Congress presenters are confident in China’s future, but the absence of Qiang’s Q & A casts a shadow of concern about China’s economic future (NBC News).
China ends 30-year tradition: premier's annual press conference / March 4, 2024
As part of President Xi Jinping's centralizing his power, Chinese Premier Li Qiang will stop his predecessors’ practice (of the past 30 years!) of hosting an annual press conference after the country’s key legislative meeting. “China was heading towards an era of opening up. Now it is heading towards an era of isolation, as shown by the canceled premier news conference” (Chen Daoyin, an independent political commentator (Reuters)
As China looks to stabilize its economy, senior finance officials get the boot / March 2, 2024
In an effort to stabilize the economy, the Chinese government is laying blame on senior bank officials now, charging them with corruption and removing them from their positions. Investors are ending up empty-handed; even the insurance on their policies is useless. The purge, however, is paralyzing the remaining bank officials when considering ways to restore the economy (NPR).
Unless we take countermeasures now, we will fall behind China / March 1, 2024
Michigan Rep. John James warns that China plans to build cars in Mexico to ship to the US, and recalls China’s efforts to influence and spy on US citizens through companies like TikTok. By weaving eaves-dropping devices into the vehicles, China could gather information on the daily lives of everyday citizens, and could even disable vehicles from China (Fox Business).
The Chinese government tried to silence them. It backfired. / March 3, 2024
Ex-patriot Chinese people have been harassed and sometimes deported by Chinese agents working in foreign countries to monitor and ensure that ex-patriot Chinese people do not criticize the CCP or the country. But some are fighting back, despite the risks involved, adding criticism of their harassers to their list against China (NBC News).
China drops 'peaceful reunification' reference to Taiwan / March 5, 2024
Reports from the National People’s Conference in China this week indicate that China will increase its defense spending by more than 7%, continuing a 30-year trend. China’s defense spending has more than doubled since Xi Jinping began his presidency over a decade ago. China also spoke in more assertive terms regarding Taiwan, sparking concern (Reuters).
National People's Congress: China sets ambitious 2024 economic target / March 4, 2024
In spite of the gloomy economic environment, Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced this week that China is planning on a target in economic growth of around 5%. While official reports state China’s growth last year hit 5.2%, some suspect that number realistically is much lower than that, maybe even 1 or 2%. China’s recovery may take up to a decade to fully recover (BBC News).
China is 'deliberately stirring up trouble' in the South China Sea, Philippines says / March 6, 2024
Chinese coastguard ships fired a water cannon on a Philippine vessel on Tuesday near the Second Thomas Shoal, breaking the windshields and injuring four Philippine seamen, bringing the tension between China and the Philippines to a new level (NBC News).
Oil falls 1% on concerns over China's economic growth plan / March 5, 2024
While China set its projected economic growth at 5% for 2024, the lack of an announcement about any major stimulus to invigorate China’s sluggish economy disappointed investors and market specialists, causing oil prices to fall 1% on Tuesday (Reuters).