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.
US charges two over China-backed plot against Falun Gong / May 27, 2023
Two Chinese born American citizens were arrested in Los Angeles for attempting to revoke Falun Gong’s tax-exempt status in the US through the IRS, allegedly on behalf of the CCP. An undercover police officer posed as an IRS agent to uncover the plot. Falun Gong urges Chinese citizens to renounce communism (Al Jazeera).
Yunnan protest: Mosque closure sees clashes with security forces / May 30, 2023
China’s efforts to “Sinicize” religion has led to protests outside a mosque in Nagu, Yunnan. The government ordered that the mosque’s new dome roof and additional minarets be removed, likely because they did not reflect Chinese culture. Several protesters have been arrested, and citizens are encouraged to turn in remaining protesters (BBC News).
There are Christian Uyghurs, too: new organization launched in London / May 31, 2023
A group of Uyghur Christians, calling themselves the World Uyghur Christian Union (WUCU), held their inaugural meeting in London in May, dedicating themselves to spreading the gospel among their people, citing the historical presence of Nestorian Christianity in their region dating back before the arrival of Islam (Bitter Winter).
Sinicization of Christianity comes to Hong Kong / May 24, 2023
The CCP is mandating the “Sinicization” of Christian churches in China and now Hong Kong, but the cultural changes are more than aesthetic, it includes adapting to socialism and the oversight of the CCP. Protestant church leaders met in Hong Kong where the message was, unfortunately, mandatory adaptation to socialism (Bitter Winter).
China deletes 1.4 million posts in crackdown on 'self-media' accounts / May 27, 2023
The Cyberspace Administration Center (CAC) of China closed 67,000 online accounts and punished over 900,000 other accounts by cutting off followers or suspending profit-making privileges in a two-month time period this Spring. The CAC claims it was deleting fake accounts and false information (Reuters).
China’s industrial profits tumble 18% in April as demand sputters / May 26, 2023
China’s post-pandemic economic recovery took a nose-dive in the first quarter of 2023 when it comes to “industrial profits,” and April’s 18% drop from the same month last year indicated a continuous soft demand for goods both domestically and internationally. The demand for steel in May also slumped, lowering prices (NBC News).
Hong Kong stocks touch bear market territory / May 31, 2023
Hong Kong’s benchmark index dipped into bear market territory on Wednesday but closed just above the 20% level of bear market territory. The market hit a high at the end of January based on China’s anticipated post-pandemic economic recovery. All of that gain disappeared by Wednesday’s slump (CNBC).
China’s C919 takes maiden commercial flight—and first bite from Boeing / May 28, 2023
China’s first single-aisle commercial airplane flew from Shanghai to Beijing last week, marking the country’s attempt to enter the aviation market against Boeing and Airbus with its own domestic brand. Such competition is tough as other plane manufacturers have abandoned plans because they simply can’t compete (The Wall Street Journal).
China plans to land astronauts on moon before 2030, expand space station / Ma7 27, 2023
China’s space program plans to expand its space station, land on the moon, and is currently sending a replacement crew to its space station, including a first-time Chinese civilian. The country’s first manned space mission occurred in 2003 but was excluded from the International Space Station (AP News).
Elon Musk: Tesla boss on first China trip in over three years / May 30, 2023
Musk arrived in Beijing this week, meeting with China’s foreign minister Qin Gong and its industry minister, Jin Zhuanglong. Musk hopes to build a second Tesla plant in China, this one to make “megapack” batteries. China accounts for 1/3 of Tesla’s global sales (BBC News).
China rejects Biden admin. request for meeting between military leaders / May 30, 2023
Although previous heads of the Biden Administration have met with their Chinese counterparts this year, the Chinese government declined an invitation from the US for their defense ministers to meet this week. China blames the US for trying to suppress China and its goals, and for supporting Taiwan (Fox News).
Chinese jet flew past nose of U.S. plane, Pentagon says / May 30, 2023
On Saturday, a Chinese fighter jet flew in front of a US surveillance plane in the South China Sea, risking the safety of the US jet and its crew. The Pentagon states that the US plane was flying in international waters. China claims that the plane threatened China’s security and sovereignty (NBC News).
China, India kick out nearly all of each other’s journalists as rivalry escalates / May 30, 2023
After the June 2020 border clash in the Ladakh region between China and India, relations between the nuclear superpowers have soured to the point that both countries have rejected extending visas to each other’s journalists. Media representatives state that journalists provide cultural understanding and perspectives, so the loss of journalists makes matters worse (WSJ).
Xi Jinping tells national security team to prepare for ‘worst-case scenario’ / May 31, 2023
The CCP’s National Security Commission met this week, with President Xi urging members to be on high alert for domestic and foreign threats against China’s national security, including the development of AI. But China uses AI to suppress its own citizens by using facial, voice and even walking gait recognition to identify potential threats (Fox News).
US gov sent $1.3B to China/Russia for gender equality, cat and Wuhan research / May 31, 2023
Senator Joni Ernst revealed that the US government has sent over a billion dollars to China and Russia over the last 5 years, including $2 million to the Wuhan Lab, over $750,000 for cat treadmill experiments in St. Petersburg, and almost $100,000 for a New Yorker Magazine exhibition in China of female cartoonists’ work (Fox News).
China’s 'debt-trap' crippling poor economies, endangering US national security / May 31, 2023
At one time, developing nations scrambled to obtain loans from China, which China was eager to give. But now, many of those nations are unable to make their payments, giving China the ability to take over the sites and use them as strategic bases of operations—One Belt, One Road (Fox News).
To compete with China, the U.S. should increase immigration and decrease gov. regulation / May 24, 2023
This Cato Institute scholar takes issue with some of the US's approach to China. E.g., he maintains that to compete with China, the U.S. should admit more immigrants and cut back on government regulation. He advocates for the US to compete with China using its traditional strengths: openness and competition (The China Project).
In China, Elon Musk talks ‘intelligent networked vehicles’ / May 31, 2023
Tesla CEO Elon Musk met with Chinese dignitaries this week in China, praising the country for its development potential. Tesla has a large plant in China and plans to build a second one. Musk favors “de-risking” over “de-coupling” when it comes to East-West relations and the potential for a fractured global market (Al Jazeera).
Chinese comedian arrested after joke about army / May 18, 2023
Chinese comedian Li Haoshi was arrested by Chinese police for using a quote to encourage excellence in the military by President Xi to describe the behavior of his dogs chasing a squirrel. Li apologized for his comment. A representative of China’s Culture Ministry described the comment as slanderous of the PLA (BBC News).
China overtakes Japan as world's top car exporter / May 19, 2023
Increased sales to Russia pushed China into the world’s top exporter of automobiles, edging out Japan in the first quarter of 2023 and previously beating Germany in 2022. Sanctions against Russia opened the door for China as other automakers cut ties. Production of New Electric Vehicles (NEV’s) rose by 90% over 2022 (BBC News).
Takeaways on Chinese loans pushing poor countries to brink of collapse / May 18, 2023
Recently discovered undisclosed loans from Chinese banks to “shell companies” of countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zambia, exposes an even more troubling light on the economic plight these countries are facing. They are close to default and collapse, and Chinese blanks refuse to offer solutions (AP News).
In one border town, China and Russia appear be growing closer / May 20, 2023
Heihe, a Chinese border town on the Amur River that separates China from Russia, shows evidence of a strong economic and cultural exchange between the two countries. Bi-lateral trade between the two countries increased by 30% in 2022. Sanctions and the war in Ukraine have pushed the countries together (NBC News).
Zelensky dominates summit as G7 leaders call out China / May 20, 2023
President Zelensky made a surprise visit to the G7 summit in Japan on Saturday, adding a spark of excitement to the rather placid conference. The G7 countries continued to vow to “starve” Russia out of Ukraine through more sanctions, but at the same time blamed China for economic coercion in the Indo-Pacific (BBC News).
G7 takes stand against China’s “economic coercion” / May 21, 2023
The G7 issued strong statements against China as they met in Japan over last weekend due to China’s authoritarian actions against nations that displease Beijing. They fear “being held hostage” by China’s coercion, but at the same time, they are speaking as diplomatically as possible because they are all integrated with China economically (BBC News).
China and Ukraine force rivals Japan and South Korea to rethink / May 21, 2023
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s growing territorial ambitions in the China Sea have brought Japan and South Korea together politically and working in tandem to step up their military preparedness against North Korea and China. China claims the two countries are doing Washington’s bidding against China (NBC News).
Isolating China will be ‘impossible & dangerous,’ analyst says after G7 summit / May 22, 2023
Shifting from the Biden administration’s buzz word, “decoupling,” which describes the West’s efforts to break from dependency on China’s economy, to “de-risking,” is a sign that any large economic separation from China is unlikely and even dangerous, according to one analyst. 2022 saw a record high in trade between the two countries (CNBC).
Biden admin pulls grant for energy firm with Chinese ties in stunning reversal / May 22, 2023
After awarding a grant to battery producer Microvast in 2022, the Dept. of Energy pulled the grant from the company, although no specific reason was given for the reversal. Microvast, however, is under control of the CCP, which can step in at any time to influence the direction of the company. (Fox News).
Russia, China sign new agreements, defying Western criticism / May 24, 2023
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin visited Beijing this week and signed agreements with China on trade and sports cooperation. The West’s sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine has brought the two nations together economically, politically and militarily. Trade between the two nations reached a new record high in 2022 (Al Jazeera).
Canada inquiry into China election meddling claims ruled out / May 23, 2023
A Canadian government-appointed official reported that an inquiry into China’s meddling in Canada’s last two elections would not be possible because the sensitive information involved should not be under public review. Rather, public hearings into the manner that agencies share such intelligence would be appropriate. Trudeau agreed (BBC News).
China-backed hackers spying on US critical infrastructure, says Five Eyes / May 24, 2023
Microsoft and the “Five Eyes Intelligence Network,” made up of the US, the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, reported that a Chinese hacking group called Volt Typhoon has been spying on critical US infrastructure, including in Guam, a strategic center in the event of an Indo-Pacific crisis (The Guardian).
China faces a new Covid wave that could peak at 65 million cases a week / May 25 2023
A new Covid variant, XBB, is hitting China this Spring and is expected to peak at the end of June. While infections could reach 65 million new cases per week, the government and the Chinese people seem to be taking the “surge” in stride. Nobody wants to go back to zero-Covid (NBC News).
China & Russia increasing military collaboration, says Japan’s foreign minister / May 13, 2023
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi declared that Russia’s war in Ukraine is inseparable from the escalation of political tensions in the Indo-Pacific since Russia and China are political and economic partners and the source of these escalations in both arenas. He warned similar destabilizing conflicts could occur if other nations don’t step up (AP News).
Liz Truss in Taiwan calls for ‘economic Nato’ to challenge China / May 17, 2023
The former Prime Minister of England had strong words against China’s “bully tactics” to intimidate nations from supporting Taiwan’s democracy and freedom. Truss called for democratic nations to back up their verbal support for Taiwan with concrete measures to defend the island. China said her words were harmful for the UK (The Guardian).
G7 struggles with response to China ‘economic coercion’ threat / May 17, 2023
As the G7 meet in Hiroshima this week, there isn’t a unanimous approach to countering China’s economic coercion. While the US has some leverage in dealing with China (it’s 3rd biggest trade partner), Japan and the EU find themselves more bound to China. China accuses the US of its own coercion through sanctions (Al Jazeera).
China’s recovery lifts U.S. companies’ sales as consumers pull back spending / May 14, 2023
As China continues to bounce back from its zero-Covid lockdown, US companies are seeing a resurgence in profits from Chinese sales, although they have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels in most areas. At the same time, US sales are lukewarm as US consumers deal with inflation (CNBC).
China sentences 78-year-old US citizen to life in prison for spying / May 15, 2023
John Shing-Wan Leung, an American citizen living in Hong Kong, was convicted of espionage and sentenced to life in prison, but the reasons for his conviction have not been revealed. Such a harsh punishment is rare for foreign citizens. Leung worked in cultural and expat programs between the US and China (BBC News).
New US report alleges religious freedom violations in China, Iran, India / May 15, 2023
The US State Department released its annual review of religious freedom throughout the world, stating that governments that typically target religious minorities have increased their harassment tactics. Secretary Antony Blinken provided details about China and Iran’s persecution of Uyghurs and minorities in Iran, but also included India, which is new on the list (ABC News).
China launches projects to build 'new-era' marriage, childbearing culture / May 14, 2023
With China’s population shrinking and aging, the government is now offering incentives and social engineering to create a “friendly child-bearing environment” in major cities to encourage women to marry and have more children. Women, however, prefer to work and worry about the cost of childcare and its effects on their careers (Reuters).
China erupts in anger over Japan’s latest move / May 15, 2023
Japan is locked in a struggle with three geo-political threats due to territorial disputes with China and Russia, as well as North Korea’s nuclear ambitions in the region. Japan increased its defense funding and established a military presence in a disputed area. Consequently, China reacted with outrage, threats, and historical claims about Japanese militarism (news.com.au)
China’s Xi hosts Central Asia summit as Russian influence wanes / May 18, 2023
China is hosting a Central Asian conference with 5 former Soviet bloc nations, suggesting China’s growing influence is pushing Russia out of the picture. While China and Russia have strong political ties, China’s 1st quarter import/export volume with these countries increased by more than 35% year over year (Al Jazeera).
China Warns of ‘Strong’ Reaction If EU Sanctions Its Companies / May 9, 2023
China said it would react “strictly and strongly” to any sanctions imposed on its companies by the EU for supplying Russia with so-called “dual-use goods”—products made for both military and civilian purposes. The EU has proposed strict trade restrictions to several Chinese companies allegedly supplying the Kremlin with banned goods for its war machine in Ukraine. (Bloomberg).
Canada summons Chinese envoy over alleged legislator intimidation / May 4, 2023
Canadian authorities summoned Chinese Ambassador Cong Pei Wu after allegations surfaced that the Chinese government threatened a Canadian conservative opposition party leader and his family because he spoke out against China. The two countries have sparred over human rights abuses, election interference, and potential Chinese secret police stations in Canada (Al Jazeera).
Mendicino calls out CSIS as Trudeau refuses to clear up confusion over Chong case / May 5, 2023
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau repeatedly denied being briefed about China’s potential threats against Canadian politician Michael Chong and his family in 2021, Chong declared that indeed that information had been reported to Trudeau’s government. Other officials stated that such critical information is normally shared with the upper levels of government (CBC News).
Canada expelling Chinese diplomat over alleged legislator threats / May 8, 2023
In an effort to show resolve against potential Chinese interference and harassment in Canada, the Trudeau administration expelled Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei from Canada this week. China promised in-kind countermeasures and denied all of the allegations. Some wondered why it took Ottawa so long to finally act on the matter (Al Jazeera).
'Not intimidated': PM Trudeau says after China expels Canadian diplomat / May 9, 2023
Jennifer Lynn Lalonde, a Canadian consul based in Shanghai, was expelled from China on Tuesday in retaliation to Canada’s expulsion of Zhao Wei, a Chinese diplomat in Canada on Monday, due to his alleged involvement in harassing conservative representative Michael Chong and his family in Hong Kong back in 2021 (CTV News).
China is making its move in Ukraine, and the US has no chance of matching it / May 7, 2023
When Chinese President Xi Jinping called Ukrainian President Zelensky in April, brokering a peace deal was not the only item on his to-do list. Becoming a pre-eminent, global negotiator was the reward for his efforts, and he had plenty of cards in his hand to play a winning hand (ABC News).
Beijing is using its currency to insulate against future sanctions / May 7, 2023
US sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine ended up strengthening both the Russian ruble and the Chinese yuan. Now, China is internationalizing the yuan to further increase its stability and economic prominence. Between March 2021 and March 2022, the use of the yuan more than doubled in the international finance market.
Israel, Jordan, Egypt want 'stronger' US role in region as China makes inroads / May 7, 2023
House Intel Representatives reported that Israel, Jordan, and Egypt want stronger ties and a stronger presence in the Middle East due to China’s encroaching presence there and Iran’s return to advancing its nuclear abilities. One official stated that all three countries prefer to work with the US than with China (Fox News).
China, Beware of the New Anti-Espionage Law / May 10, 2023
China passed a new anti-espionage law in April that will take effect on July 1st. The new law is vague enough to make any information shared outside of China that might be seen by the CCP as critical of the CCP would be considered espionage and a threat to national security (Bitter Winter).
Cheng Lei: 1,000 days imprisoned in China for an unknown reason / May 10, 2023
A journalist and native Chinese citizen of Australia has been incarcerated for nearly 3 years in China, but while a trial has been held, no sentencing has been handed down. Other business people have also been detained for “espionage” and other vague charges, making foreign investors leery of living in China. Nearly 100% of those charged are convicted in Chinese courts (BBC News).
These maps show how far China’s freight railways are stretching across Asia / May 9, 2023
Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, begun in 2013, includes a vast new railway system connecting China to its neighbors and even Europe. Geographically well situated, China is expanding its trade to Russia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and eastern Asian countries like Uzbekistan and Afghanistan through railways (CNBC).
Consumer prices in China rose 0.1% in April, the slowest rate in two years / May 10, 2023
China’s inflation rate is blissfully low, but may also be edging into “deflation” territory according to one economist. The domestic tourism sector is improving, but Chinese consumers are still hesitant to buy high ticket purchases; a weak labor market and a slowly recovering housing market also weigh on China’s economic recovery (CNBC).
Wang Yi and Jake Sullivan meet; Xi inspects Xiong’an / May 11, 2023
Top US and Chinese officials met this week in Vienna, perhaps marking a new round of talks between the rival countries. To help those talks to proceed, the US may withhold further sanctions against China and not disclose its findings regarding the Chinese spy balloon fiasco from January. Both would be unpopular domestically (Sinocism).
China using tech to ‘oppress its own people,’ warns US lawmaker / May 1, 2023
Republican Representative Mark Green is proposing a bill to restrict additional tech exports to China, claiming that the CCP is using tech to rewrite China’s own history by deleting embarrassing events like the Tiananmen Square massacre. The Biden administration may propose its own version to also limit similar exports (Fox News).
Why China's man for peace in Ukraine might be the 'best possible choice' for Russia / May 1, 2023
Li Hui, former Chinese ambassador to Russia, is China’s representative to promote peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. He will travel to Europe this month, but his past support of Russia has some Ukrainians and its allies questioning his impartiality and the likelihood of a fair outcome for Ukraine (NBC News).
Mercedes CEO says cutting ties with China is 'unthinkable' / May 1, 2023
The head of Mercedes-Benz, Ola Kallenius, stated that decoupling economic ties with China is unrealistic, not just for the auto industry, but for nearly all industry in Germany. Kallenius anticipates a good sales year for Mercedes-Benz in China, which accounted for 18% of its revenue in 2022 (Automotive News Europe).
Chinese electric vehicle brands expand to global markets / May 1, 20223
A number of Chinese EV auto producers are already selling Chinese produced hybrid and EV vehicles in Europe, Australia, Asia and South America, but they plan to increase production and sales in the global market. China’s BYD Auto sold slightly more vehicles than Tesla already in 2022.
U.S. allies could play key roles in a U.S.-China war over Taiwan / May 2, 2023
In the event of an invasion of Taiwan by China, US allies in the Pacific—the Philippines, Japan, South Korea and Australia—may have important roles to play if the US steps in to defend Taiwan, roles that run from providing troops to offering logistical aid and providing supplies (Axios).
Unclear who would aid Taiwan in a war, foreign minister says / May 2, 2023
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Joseph Wu, stated that the people of Taiwan would defend their island in the event of a Chinese invasion, but he was unable to state with certainty that any other countries would come to their aid, nor did he say that Taiwan was asking any countries to do so (AP News).
Fang Bin: China Covid whistleblower returns home to Wuhan after jail / May 2, 2023
A “citizen-journalist” who provided videos of the early days of the Covid outbreak in Wuhan was released from a 3-year prison sentence last Sunday. Others have also been jailed for exposing Covid realities in Wuhan. But the government’s “nothing to see here” censorship is causing many to move on from that era (BBC News).
New world disorder: China, Russia bloc shores up influence as countries eager to join / May 2, 2023
BRICS, an economic bloc formed by China and Russia over 20 years ago, is recruiting new members from Africa, the Middle East and South America, including US allies. US Secretary Blinken states, however, that the US encourages other nations to trade freely. The bloc could threaten the US dollar as the global currency (Fox News).
China’s holiday spending exceeds pre-pandemic levels for the first time / May 4, 2023
“Revenge travel boom” is how one economic analyst described the large uptick in consumer spending in China over the recent “May Day” holiday, which runs from April 29 to May 3rd. This is the first holiday that Chinese citizens were able to celebrate without great fears of contracting Covid (CNN Business).
US investor interest in China cools as political tensions grow / May 3, 2023
After record-breaking US investments in Chinese companies in January, foreign investments in Chinese stock markets cooled dramatically over fears of political tension between China and the West, with some ratings dropping by half or more over the January highs. Concerns over China’s ability to sustain its economic rebound weighs on investors’ minds (Financial Times).