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 stopped exporting two minerals the world’s chipmakers need / September 22, 2023
China’s exports of gallium and germanium fell to zero in August as China retaliates against US tech sanctions by disallowing exports of these minerals required for a variety of tech products. The block caused the price of gallium to fall 20% in China (CNN Business).
Crowd Roars as Xi Opens Hangzhou Asian Games / September 23, 2023
President Xi opened the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China on Saturday, receiving great fanfare as he took his seat amongst other dignitaries, including Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Nearly 12,000 athletes participated in the games. Locals in the city dealt with traffic blockades and even halted shipping over safety concerns (VOA).
India's pushback on China denying wushu players, Minister cancels visit / September 22, 2023
Three athletes from Arunachal Pradesh, a province of India, were not able to download their accreditation cards in order to board a flight to take them to the Asian Games in China, so they were unable to participate. India lodged a formal complaint with China, but China claims that the athletes refused to accept the visa (The Hindustan Times).
China to help reconstruct war-battered Syria / September 22, 2023
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met with President Xi Jinping last week and announced a “strategic partnership” with China offering to help rebuild the war-torn country as part of its “Belt and Road” initiative. China has been increasingly involved in Middle Eastern negotiations in an attempt to provide an alternative to the US-led international order (Al Jazeera).
Taiwan concerned about situation 'getting out of hand' with China drills / September 23, 2023
Taiwan’s defense minister issued caution on Saturday regarding China’s increasingly provocative military exercises around Taiwan with the concern that the increased activities might trigger an accidental response. China has been conducting its military drills even off the eastern coast of Taiwan where Taiwan has two air bases (Reuters).
China says drills around Taiwan to ‘combat arrogance of separatists’ / September 27, 2023
When asked why China was carrying out so many drills around Taiwan, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office stated that it was responding to “combat the arrogance of Taiwan independence separatist forces,” referring to Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen and her Democratic Progressive Party (Al Jazeera).
US launches new economic working groups with China to quell tension / September 24, 2023
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated on Friday that the US and China will have “working groups” from both countries collaborate with one another to discuss economic and policy issues in an effort to stabilize relations between the superpowers. Yellen visited China in July (Al Jazeera).
China sentences Uyghur scholar to life in jail / September 23, 2023
Rahile Dawut, a 57-year-old professor of Uyghur folklore and ethnic minorities in northwestern China was sentenced to life in prison for “splittism” a crime endangering national security. She is the latest in a growing list of intellectuals imprisoned by China since 2016 (BBC News).
South China Sea: Philippines removes Chinese barrier in contested area / September 25, 2023
As three Chinese coast guard ships installed a 1000-foot floating barrier near the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, a Philippine vessel arrived and workers dismantled the barrier. The Chinese workers issued warnings to the Philippine vessel, but once they saw media personnel on the Philippine ship, they disbanded (BBC News).
Beijing aims to snatch the South China Sea. US Navy is backing down / September 26, 2023
Author Thomas Sharpe warns that China’s attempts to “normalize” its illegal maneuvers to claim all of the South China Sea threaten not only the local economy in that region but also the global food supply and economy. If the US continues to reduce its naval forces, the time may come when nobody will be able to stop China from achieving its goals (The Telegraph).
‘Batwoman’ scientist warns another coronavirus outbreak is ‘highly likely’ / September 24, 2023
Chinese virologist, Shi Zhengli, stated in a report that another 20 coronavirus strains exist that could infect humans sometime in the future. She, and her co-authors, called for global preparedness, but fatigue from the recent Covid outbreak has many people avoiding the topic, preferring to “move on” (SCMP).
Evergrande debt setback, Oceanwide blow rattle China property stocks / September 25, 2023
China’s realty sector was hit with more bad news this week as China Evergrande Group and China Oceanwide Holdings both hit obstacles in their bids to restructure debt and avoid liquidation. The property sector accounts for about 25% of China’s economy (Reuters).
China warns EU: show restraint when countering Beijing’s trade tactics / September 25, 2023
After Valdis Dombrovskis, the EU’s trade chief, expressed concern over the trade imbalance between the EU and China, the effect of Russia’s war in Ukraine on the food supply, and the threat of Chinese subsidized electric vehicles flooding the global market, China countered by advising the EU to not get bullish in their relationship with China (SCMP).
Upheavals in Xi's world spread concern about China's diplomacy / September 17, 2023
Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu, last seen in August, is under investigation in a corruption probe within the Chinese military. This follows the abrupt disappearance of Foreign Minister Qin Gang in July as President Xi’s crackdown on corruption strikes even his closest appointees. The volatility has left many foreign diplomats concerned about dealing with their Chinese counterparts (Reuters).
China's ex-foreign minister Qin Gang was ousted after alleged affair / September 19, 2023
China’s former foreign minister, Qin Gang was ousted from that position after it was revealed that he was involved in an apparent affair while he was the ambassador to the United States and that a child was born from the affair. There were concerns that the affair threatened national security (CNA).
Massive retreat of funds from Chinese stocks diminishes dragon's global clout / September 16, 2023
Since December of 2021, about $188 billion of foreign investment in China has left the Chinese market, a result of the strict COVID lockdowns, poor consumer spending, a plummeting realty sector, and political tensions with the West. Both China and the West are decoupling from one another. Still, China’s impact will have a presence in the global market (Mint).
China’s aversion to bad news about economy: unsettling & counterproductive / September 19, 2023
China’s habitual reaction to negative news—to hide it, shut it down, or nullify the source--about its economy or other policies has stifled opportunities to learn from mistakes or to let the facts expose the disinformation of agitators, has ultimately created distrust and concern among foreign and domestic investors (SCMP).
Xi’s economic policies leave many China watchers perplexed, confused / September 19, 2023
China watchers cite two possible reasons for China’s strange way of dealing with its market woes: either President Xi is following his Marxist-Leninist philosophy and is hell-bent on maintaining control of the country, or the CCP is simply following long-term plans to rein in the private sector now that it has achieved a predetermined level of success (CNBC).
‘He’s had a bad summer’: Xi faces calls to loosen grip as China’s crises mount / September 17, 2023
President Xi has had bad seasons in the past, but this summer’s events are swelling up to perhaps become Xi’s greatest challenge yet. Many of the current issues are by his own making as he has sought to centralize power ever more tightly around himself. Now the people of China are growing discontent (The Guardian).
The bizarre secret behind China's spy balloon / September 17, 2023
US General Mark Milley declared this weekend that while the Chinese balloon shot down off the Atlantic coast in February was a spy balloon, he claimed that the balloon did not collect any intelligence while traversing across the US. Its sensors, technical experts reported, were never turned on. The balloon’s presence over the US soured relations between the two nations ever since (CBS News).
Taiwan urges China to stop ‘continuous military harassment’ / September 18, 2023
China sent over 100 military aircraft and 9 navy vessels toward Taiwan over a 24-hour period from Sunday through Monday with some of those aircraft crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan only monitored the exercise, but did demand that China “stop such destructive unilateral actions” (Al Jazeera).
Taiwan faces threat of invasion. Many Taiwanese aren't worried / September 18, 2023
China conducts military drills near or around Taiwan almost on a monthly basis now, but citizens of Taiwan seem unconcerned about an invasion since it’s been 70 years since the island nation separated from the mainland government and China has yet to do anything about it. With the upcoming election, questions arise if Taiwan should declare independence (CBC).
China Rolls Out Carrot & Stick Strategy to Influence Taiwan before Election September 20, 2023
China presented an “influence campaign” in Taiwan last week, proposing an economic and cultural program between Chinese coastal cities and two Taiwanese islands close to the Chinese mainland. At the same time, however, it also conducted military drills in the Taiwan Strait. The exchange program is seen by some Taiwanese as a way to divide the island nation before the presidential election in 2024 (VOA).
Southeast Asia troops launch first-ever joint military drills / September 20, 2023
All ten of the ASEAN nations are participating in a 5-day naval exercise at the southern edge of the South China Sea which includes maritime security, disaster relief, and humanitarian assistance, but not combat drills. However, to avoid increasing tensions with China, the drills were moved to the South Natuna Sea (DW News).
China 'strongly dissatisfied' with Baerbock remarks / September 19, 2023
Last week, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock referred to President Xi as a “dictator.” This week, China summoned the German ambassador to China to condemn Baerbock’s comment. China is Germany’s largest trade partner and wants a good trading relationship. Earlier this year, US President Biden also called Xi a dictator (DW News).
China’s foreign minister holds talks with Russia’s Lavrov in Moscow / September 18, 2023
China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, was in Moscow this week, meeting with Sergey Lavrov to build on the “strategic cooperation” between the two countries in what they envision as a multipolar world (Al Jazeera).
Syria's Assad in China, seeks exit from diplomatic isolation / September 21, 2023
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad arrived in China this week to meet with government officials and President Xi, hoping to secure financial deals to help his war-torn country. But, sanctions by Western countries, including the US, may get in the way, as well as concerns by Chinese companies over Syria’s poor security and its dire financial situation (Reuters).
Tornadoes kill 10 people and seriously injure 4 others in eastern China / September 20, 2023
Two tornadoes hit eastern China on Tuesday, killing 10 people in two cities in Jiangsu province. Tornadoes in China are rare but have struck Jiangsu province in 2022 and 2021 (AP News).
Abuse fears sparked by China’s proposed ‘hurt feelings’ legal change / September 9, 2023
A draft amendment to the Public Security Administration Punishments Law was submitted to the National People’s Congress in early September that would make any act of “hurting the feelings of the Chinese nation” punishable with a fine and up to 15 days in detention. Concerns about possible corruption or abuse by grass-roots county police were aired across social media (SCMP).
US and Vietnam ink historic partnership in Biden visit / September 10, 2023
As President Biden met with leading officials in Vietnam over the weekend, Hanoi is trying to straddle relationships with the US, China and Russia. Biden’s team and Vietnamese officials talked about weapons deals and hi-tech manufacturing while Vietnam was also in negotiations with Russia for an arms supply deal (Reuters).
The hottest electric vehicles are in China / September 10, 2023
China boasts 138 automakers, with at least 40 that are solely EV producers. They manufacture a variety of vehicles, including popular deluxe minivans with massage seats, sedans that will run over 600 miles on a single charge, but few of them will ever reach the US. Most are not designed for the American market, and US tariffs raise the price (ABC News).
China think tank says India is 'sabotaging' G20 for its own agenda / September 9, 2023
A Chinese think tank criticized India as it hosted the G20 Summit this week, claiming that India was taking undue advantage of its position as host to hedge China out. India held two prior G20 meetings in contested territories it has with China and Pakistan, highlighting the issues (Reuters).
US, Canada sail warships through Taiwan Strait in a challenge to China / September 9, 2023
Two warships, one from the US and one from Canada, sailed through the Taiwan Strait between the island nation and China on Saturday. A US naval representative stated that the Strait is beyond any “territorial sea of any coastal nation,” thus, it is international waters. China stated that it monitored and dealt with the situation legally (ABC News).
China deploys planes to Taiwan Strait, massing forces at coastal bases / September 12, 2023
China continues to fortify its coastal military bases along the Taiwan Strait, and deployed a fleet of 22 warplanes and 20 warships on Tuesday into the Taiwan Strait to conduct military drills, likely in response to the passing of US and Canadian warships sailing through the Strait recently (Fox News).
At G20, Italy Tells China It Plans To Exit Belt And Road Project / September 10, 2023
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni indicated to China’s Li Qiang that Italy plans to exit China’s Belt and Road Initiative sometime in the future. The issue is delicate since China has warned that there will be negative consequences for Italy if it bows out of the pact (NDTV).
Sunak chides China after report that UK staffer may be Beijing spy / September 10, 2023
British PM Rishi Sunak criticized China at the G20 summit after a report revealed the arrest of a parliamentary worker for potentially spying for Beijing earlier this year. Sunak called the situation “unacceptable” and has been extremely cautious about China’s involvement in British politics (AP News).
Dozens of crocodiles in China escape during floods / September 12, 2023
More than 75 crocodiles escaped a farm in Maoming, Guangdong province after Typhoon Haikui caused a lake to flood. About 8 crocs have been captured and killed, but more than 65 were still on the loose. Residents nearby were told to stay home (BBC News).
China Backs Venezuela's Efforts to Safeguard Sovereignty: Xi / September 13, 2023
President Xi met with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday as the two met to strengthen political and economic ties between the two nations. Venezuela is the first South American nation to join China with an “all-weather strategic partnership.” The two countries will observe their 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year (TeleSUR).
Typhoon Saola arrives on China’s coast after slamming Hong Kong / September 2, 2023
With winds at more than 125 mph, Typhoon Saola made landfall in Guandong province on Friday, passing over Hong Kong and affecting neighboring provinces. The typhoon was downgraded by Saturday morning. One person was reportedly killed in Shenzhen City. Another typhoon, Haikui, was approaching Taiwan (Al Jazeera).
China’s new national map has set off a wave of protests. Why? / September 1, 2023
China recently released an updated “standard map” that includes disputed areas now belonging to China despite historical claims by the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Taiwan, and even Russia. All of these countries, except Russia, have lodged formal complaints. China is clearly making its intentions known before the G20 and /ASEAN conferences (AP News).
In U.S.-China AI contest, the race is on to deploy killer robots / September 8, 2023
Engineers in Australia are developing an autonomous submarine, about the size of a bus, in an effort to quickly build up its military strength should a conflict arise with China. Both China and the West are in a military “contest” to develop AI military weapons, everything from drones to autonomous vehicles, fighter jets, and submarines (Reuters).
‘Severe stress’: Myanmar, South China Sea push ASEAN to breaking point / September 4, 2023
The ASEAN summit meeting this week in Jakarta is wrought with internal struggles over support for Myanmar and China’s aggressive claims for the South China Sea. So much so, the conference’s ability to get any of its agenda done is in question, including its goal to unite the region’s nations (Al Jazeera).
Xi will skip G20 summit in India during a period of soured relations / September 5, 2023
President Xi will not be attending the G20 summit in India this weekend, although no explanation was given for his absence. India, which has a frosty relationship with China over border disputes, is hosting the summit. President Putin will not be present at the summit, either (ABC News).
For foreign envoys in China, Xi’s G20 absence confirms worrying trend / September 7, 2023
Xi’s absence from the G20 summit reflects what’s been happening as foreign dignitaries try to meet with Chinese officials: it is increasingly difficult to meet face to face, especially in informal, “off-script” meetings. China is cutting itself off from the West (Reuters).
China’s biggest city introduces localized Anti-Espionage Regulation / September 3, 2023
With more than 32 million people, the Chinese city of Chongqing has implemented China’s new anti-espionage laws, calling upon, and even mandating, that its citizens report any suspicion of activity or “weak spots” that would threaten national security. Even foreign travel and business will come under scrutiny when citizens travel abroad and return to China (JURIST).
China mobilizes country to look out for foreign spies, offers cash rewards / September 4, 2023
China’s recently expanded anti-espionage law is gaining popularity in China, sometimes offering a $13,000 reward for information, although it is discouraging to foreigners who want to do business or are doing business in China. The law arms citizens to report any suspicious behavior, turning the citizenry into a layman’s spy agency for the CCP (Fox News).
Country Garden wins bond extension in relief for China's property sector / September 3, 2023
Creditors approved an extension on a debt payment for property developer Country Garden on Friday, giving the struggling company 3 years to pay off a $540 million debt that was due Saturday. However, the company still has other monthly payments to meet for the rest of the year (Reuters).
Part of China's economic miracle was a mirage. Reality check is next / September 7, 2023
President Xi’s 60-point economic reform agenda from a decade ago appears to have not been realized, causing the country to fall back on older policies that have pulled the economy further into debt. Economists predict three scenarios for China’s future, which could include a hard fall into an economic crisis in two of them (Reuters).
China's largest banks extend billions to Russia as Western lenders exit / September 4, 2023
Four of China’s largest banks have extended nearly $8 billion in additional loans to Russia since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This comes as China is dealing with a threatening economic slowdown within its own borders (Mint).
China makes a ‘major strategic decision’ that will impact the world / September 3, 2023
While China leads the world in producing planet-warming gases and has over 1000 coal power plants operating, it also began operating its first large-scale renewable energy power plant in the Tengger Desert At peak performance, the plant should be able to power 1.5 million homes (Yahoo News).
China's Great Wall damaged by workers looking for shortcut / September 5, 2023
Two Chinese construction workers were detained after excavating a path through a section of the Great Wall of China, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The workers were hoping to shorten the distance their vehicles would have to travel. Much of the Wall is in poor disrepair, but it is still protected as a significant cultural site (BBC News).