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 wraps up 'punishment' war games around Taiwan / May 25, 2024
China carried out military exercises around Taiwan that it called “Joint Sword-2024A” as well as a “punishment” for Taiwan’s newly inaugurated President Lai Ching-te. This exercise included 62 Chinese aircraft and 27 naval ships (NBC News).
China stages mock missile strikes on Taiwan after island’s inauguration / May 24, 2024
China’s military exercises around Taiwan last week included mock missile strikes against the island, with their aircraft carrying live missiles during the drills. While the size of the exercises was smaller than past drills, the Chinese Theater Command appeared to amp up the social media mind game, posting an animated video of bombs falling on major Taiwanese cities and exploding in fireballs (NBC News).
Fearing war with China, civilians in Taiwan prepare for disaster / May 25, 2024
Concerned that Taiwan’s government has not been serious enough about strengthening civil defense and disaster relief services in the event of a Chinese attack on the island, Taiwanese civilians are forming grass root groups, businesses, and training services to better prepare the island’s population to respond not just to a war scenario, but any natural disaster, too. (Al Jazeera).
Japan to Join U.S. in Valiant Shield Exercise, China Continues Military Drills / May 24, 2024
For the first time, Japan’s Military Defense Force will join the US and other nations in the US’s sponsored “Valiant Shield” military exercises in June. As the geopolitical environment in the Asian Pacific region continues to change, Japan sees the need to strengthen its military defense capabilities and its collaboration with the US and like-minded countries (USNI News).
Biden admin urges China to show 'restraint' in Taiwan / May 25, 2024
The Biden Administration urged China to act with restraint after China’s “Joint Sword—2024A” military exercises took place around Taiwan days after Taiwan’s new president took office. China responded stating that the US’s remarks were irresponsible, but a former Taiwanese navy captain said China is preparing for war (Fox News).
'Military action will continue until complete reunification': China threatens war / May 25, 2024
China’s rhetoric after its military exercises this month is taking a more threatening tone with expressions becoming more graphic: “to make the blood of ‘independence forces’ on the island flow,” and those who want independence will be left with their “heads broken and blood flowing” for challenging China’s reunification plan. China has vowed to take control of the island one way or another (Firstpost).
After China drills, Taiwan president again extends goodwill / May 26, 2024
In spite of China’s harsh response to his inauguration, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te extended a cordial hand toward China as a gesture of goodwill and cooperation. President Lai would like to increase communication, understanding, and trade with China, but so far, China has “rebuffed” his offers (The Indian Express).
Weapons are on the way, U.S. lawmakers tell Taiwan during visit / May 27, 2024
A delegation of US representatives met with Taiwan’s new President, Lai Ching-te, and assured him that weapons the island had ordered were indeed on the way. Evidently, Taiwan had ordered them earlier and has gotten a bit impatient for their delivery. China’s recent military exercises and rhetoric explain why (NBC News).
Expert says the Chinese military could seize Taiwan’s government buildings within an hour / May 27, 2024
Geopolitical analyst Dimitri Alperovitch predicts a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could be over and done with in less than an hour, giving the US and its allies almost no time to commit to Taiwan’s defense, much less entering a costly war with China itself (NBC News).
McCaul warns of global economic catastrophe if China invades Taiwan / May 28, 2024
Texas Republican Michael McCaul, who was part of a US delegation that met with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te this week, warned that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could spell disaster for the global economy, all because a large portion of semiconductors are made in Taiwan. If China destroys those factories or takes them over, the results could be devastating (Fox News).
Taiwan’s parliament passes bill pushing pro-China changes / May 28, 2024
Taiwan’s opposition parties passed new legislation that gives them greater control over defense spending and greater oversight of President Lai’s actions. Supporters of Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party protested in the streets, and DPP representatives accused the opposition of being influenced by China (Al Jazeera).
China, South Korea leaders meet before trilateral talks with Japan / May 26, 2024
China’s premier, Li Qiang, met with South Korea’s president and Japan’s president in separate meetings prior to a trilateral meeting that began last Monday. It is the first trilateral meeting between the three countries since 2019. No significant results are expected from this meeting, other than the hope that tensions will ease (Al Jazeera).
Rare dispute reveals China and North Korea's ongoing discord over nuclear weapons / May 29, 2024
A statement issued after the trilateral talks between China, South Korea, and Japan included the subject of denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, causing North Korea to criticize China’s part in the statement. While some may claim the criticism shows a rift between China and North Korea, others say the North’s concern is inconsequential (Fox News).
China’s tightening grip on Islam / May 27, 2024
China’s efforts to sinicize its Muslim population seems to be effective among the largest of China’s ethnic Muslims, the Hui. In central China, the domes and minarets of many mosques have been removed, mosques are redesigned to look more Chinese, children are forbidden to worship or learn the faith of Islam, CCP doctrine is taught, and mosques are nearly empty (Sky News).
China has threatened trade with some countries after feuds. They're calling 'the firm' / May 26, 2024
When a country does or says something that upsets China, China retaliates with sanctions or minimizing trade. That happened to Lithuania, who turned to the US for help. The State Department created a team of eight—the “firm”—to find new markets to rescue Lithuania’s trade situation. Other countries have done the same (ABC News).
China is banning 'wealth-flaunting' behavior on social media / May 29, 2024
Wealthy online influencers found their sites blocked on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, on Tuesday, with notices stating the site violated the site’s community guidelines. The move was part of the government’s crackdown on media it deems undesirable. While Westerners might decry such censorship, young adults in a depressed economy are negatively affected by such seemingly unattainable happiness (NBC News).
China sentences former asset manager to death for 'extremely large' bribes / May 28, 2024
Bai Tianhui, the former general manager at a subsidiary of Huarong Asset Management, was found guilty of taking excessive bribes and was sentenced to death on Tuesday in a Shanghai court. His predecessor, Lai Xiaomin, was executed in January 2021 for also accepting millions of dollars in bribes. China’s banking sector has endured a significant purge from President Xi’s crackdown on corruption (CNA).
Flying taxis to take off in China as Beijing pumps up 'low-altitude economy' / May 18, 2024
Urban scenes out of Star Wars may become reality in China as the Chinese government pushes for the development of the “low-altitude economy,” which will consist of drones, autonomous, flying taxis, and manned aircraft flying below 1000 meters. Other countries may follow suit, but regulator approval is easier in China (ABC News-Australia).
Atin Ito: China's threats to jail WPS trespassers a desperate move / May 18, 2024
Recently, naval ships from the Philippines and China’s coast guard have clashed near the Scarborough Shoal. More recently, civilian boats and fishermen have been harassed by Chinese vessels, and China has now made a declaration that it will detain—for up to 60 days, without a trial--any civilian that trespasses in its claimed territory (GMA News).
RAY McGOVERN: Russia & China — Two Against One / May 17, 2024
As President Xi welcomed Russian President Putin to Beijing last week, one analyst suggests that the Biden administration may still believe that its original attempt to drive a wedge between the two nations is still a viable option. But this most recent meeting in Beijing appears to have sealed the “no-limits” partnership—against Washington (Consortium News).
Putin and Xi no longer have a partnership of equals / May 16, 2024
While Putin and Xi’s no-limits partnership appears to present a balanced relationship between the two leaders, Russia’s sanction-based isolation from the West puts Putin in a subservient role to Xi. Putin needs China to survive, but China is less at risk, yet also needs the West to shore up its own economy (BBC News).
UK defense minister says China working to supply lethal aid to Russia / May 23, 2024
British defense minister Grant Shapps charged China with supplying lethal aid to Russia—now, or in the near future—for its war in Ukraine, although he did not provide direct evidence to support his claim. He did point to the dramatic increase in trade between the two countries and advised Western nations to wake up. The Chinese embassy in London rejected his claims (Reuters).
Biden's Chinese EV tariffs don't address national security concerns / May 17, 2024
President Biden announced a 4-fold increase in the Trump Administration’s tariffs on imported Chinese EVs last week, but even members of the Democrat Party say the increase doesn’t go far enough. Rather, they say all Chinese EVs and smart vehicle tech should be banned because of the ability to monitor so much of US drivers’ lives (CBS News).
China's moves away from US dollar hit new milestone / May 20, 2024
China sold more than $53 billion in US Treasury and agency bonds during the first quarter of 2024, marking a new low in the amount of US bonds that China has. China is investing more in gold, possibly as a hedge against Western sanctions if it invades Taiwan. China sees how sanctions have hurt Russia as it invaded Ukraine (Newsweek).
Chinese lawyers accuse court officials of interfering in trial / May 19, 2024
Chinese lawyers happened to notice that a judge was communicating with his superiors via Weibo and receiving instruction from them regarding an ongoing trial. While China passed a law in 2021 to allow for “key supervision” in four categories of cases, the law does not allow judges to manipulate the outcome of a trial. Evidence suggests this happens occasionally (SCMP).
Why China’s Taiwan-pop generation is drifting away from the island / May 19, 2024
Mainland Chinese citizens born after the 1990’s grew up on Taiwan-produced music and movies which established bonds of familiarity between the two Chinese cultures. However, the pandemic and the widening gap between the two nations’ political philosophies have curtailed most “people-to-people” exchanges and tourism between the two (SCMP).
Taiwanese leader William Lai sends ‘dangerous signals’ with speech / May 20, 2024
Beijing reacted negatively to President William Lai’s inaugural speech in Taiwan this week, charging Lai with promoting a pro-independence platform for Taiwan. Lai promoted the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and urged the mainland to stop intimidating the island (SCMP).
Taiwan's steely leader rewrote the book on how to deal with China / May 18, 2024
Former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen changed Taiwan’s relationship with China by standing up to its aggression and building somewhat tenuous alliances with other nations in the region, and with the US. She says the people of Taiwan see themselves as a nation; now she wishes the rest of the world would see that, too (BBC News).
China launches 'punishment' war games around Taiwan / May 23, 2024
In response to the inauguration of Lai Ching-te as Taiwan’s new president and his “pro-independence” stance in his inaugural speech, China began a two-day military exercise around the island as well as around many smaller islands closer to the mainland that Taiwan also claims. The drills are shorter in duration, but similar to previous exercises, and were expected to occur (Reuters).
China hits Boeing Defense, two others with symbolic sanctions / May 19, 2024
China placed sanctions on three US defense contractors in response to the US’s military support for Taiwan and the inauguration of Taiwan’s new President, Lai Ching-te. The move is mostly symbolic since these companies don’t do much, if any. business in China (Yahoo! News).
China promises 'friendship' as two warships dock in Cambodia / May 19, 2024
Two Chinese warships docked in a Cambodian port recently in anticipation of joint military exercises with the Cambodian navy. Just south of that port, however, is the Ream Naval Base, where China has invested a great deal in infrastructure. That worries the West because China could turn that base into a port for its own warships and supplies (NBC News).
It's tough to pay cash in China: the government fined a KFC for rejecting banknotes / May 23, 2024
Even before the pandemic, Chinese citizens became accustomed to paying for purchases via their phones or QR codes. In 2023, 86% of all purchases were cashless and even “card-less.” But, foreign tourists and the elderly are not accustomed to this method of payment. So the government is cracking down on companies for refusing cash payments (Yahoo! News).
Vatican reaffirms that Catholic Church is no threat to sovereignty / May 21, 2024
The Vatican reached out to China last week to pacify concerns that the Catholic Church is a threat to China’s sovereignty because of the church’s history of foreign, ecclesiastical leadership in China rather than allowing Chinese bishops to govern the Chinese church themselves. “Obedience to the pope does not harm one’s love for his country” (ABC News).
In China, poker is out, while 'throwing eggs' is in / May 12, 2024
As foreign investors recede from China’s economic environment, Chinese investment financiers are wooing domestic investors instead, and they are using a Chinese card game called Guandan, also known as “throwing eggs,” as a way to socialize and establish business relationships. The game has been gaining in popularity over the last year or so (NBC News).
China’s Dead-End Economy Is Bad News for Everyone / May 11, 2024
China’s struggling economy is running out of options for recovery, and the country’s latest attempt to revive its economy by flooding the global market with its excess goods is meeting opposition from the EU and the US. Large foreign investors in China will see losses if the economy fails; China’s citizens may meet more repression if social unrest sweeps the country (The New York Times).
China's consumer prices rise for third month, signaling demand recovery / May 12, 2024
Consumer prices rose by 0.3% in April over a year ago and core inflation also rose by 0.7%, signaling a slight improvement in China’s economy. However, analysts still express concern about China’s economy and the continuing faults in the housing sector, consumer demand, and high unemployment that underly it (Reuters).
Commentary: China’s housing mess finally comes for Xi’s own / May 14, 2024
China’s Politburo met in April and announced a plan for the government to buy up existing, excess housing stock in an attempt to shore up the bloated property sector. The change may be due to the housing blight’s arrival at the door of “state-owned enterprises,” or SOEs, in housing development (CNA).
China to kick off 1 trillion yuan stimulus bond issues this week / May 13, 2024
In an effort to revive its struggling economy, China announced that it will start issuing 1 trillion yuan in treasury bonds starting this week. The bonds will carry 20, 30 and 50-year terms. The revenue will be used to support “key sectors” in China’s flagging economy (Reuters).
Biden set to hit China EVs, strategic sectors with tariffs / May 10, 2024
The Biden Administration plans to increase tariffs on selected goods made in China, increasing tariffs on EVs from 25% to 100%. Batteries and solar cells will also see an increase. Last month, the administration also placed tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum, although the US does not import much of either metal from China (Yahoo Finance).
China military says it 'drove away' US destroyer in South China Sea / May 10, 2024
China stated that its navy “drove away” a US destroyer near the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea on May 10th. The US, however, said that the vessel completed its exercise in the area and then left on its own accord. Tensions are rising in the region as China claims most of the South China Sea as its own territory (Reuters).
Malaysia’s appetite for oil and gas puts it on collision course with China / May 11, 2024
Malaysia’s shallow, offshore oil and gas reserves are running dry, so the country must look for these commodities further out into the South China Sea. But Chinese vessels are almost constantly monitoring the waters, making any construction of oil rigs a risky venture of provoking China. China claims waters that are only 25 km from Malaysia’s shores (The Washington Post).
NATO ally, seen as “model of diplomacy,” endorses China's Ukraine peace plan / May 11, 2024
Hungary’s Viktor Orban met with President Xi last week and established Hungary’s place in China’s Belt and Road Initiative. President Xi lauded Hungary’s partnership with China as a “model” for other EU nations to follow. Orban accused the rest of Europe of being on the side of war regarding Ukraine; he also endorsed China’s peace plan for Ukraine (Fox News).
Russia’s Putin to visit China in first foreign trip since re-election / May 14, 2024
Newly re-elected Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting China this week for the second time in six months, and marking the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China’s communist rule. China and Russia’s trade increased by 26.3% in 2023 compared to 2022 in spite of sanctions placed by the US and the West (Al Jazeera).
‘Genuine desire’: Putin backs China peace plan to end Ukraine war / May 15, 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin praised China’s “peace plan” for the war in Ukraine as he traveled to China for a visit with President Xi. Ukrainian officials, however, called Putin’s remarks “hypocritical” as Russia continues to pummel areas of Ukraine. President Zelensky wants China to attend a peace summit in June in Switzerland (Al Jazeera).
Former spy for China's secret police reveals operations targeting dissidents / May 12, 2024
A Chinese spy who “defected” to Australia in 2023 revealed that Chinese operatives are working in Australia and other countries to intimidate, harass, and possibly return suspected Chinese dissidents to China for prosecution if they are found to have spoken against the CCP or President Xi (ABC News).
China Builds World’s First Dedicated Drone Carrier / May 15, 2024
China has built a fourth aircraft carrier, but this one appears to be a drone carrier based on its size and dimensions. It was built in 2022, but it is not certain if the ship is intended for training (posing as an enemy ship) or for direct combat (Naval News).
China carries Pakistan into space / May 3, 2024
China’s rocket launch last Friday directed to the southern pole of the moon included a Pakistani satellite that will orbit the moon to collect data for Pakistan. The “ride-along” serves as an example of China’s ambition to host other nations in space travel. But space travel isn’t the only partnership China has with Islamabad (VOA).
China publicizes for time what it claims is a 2016 agreement with the Philippines / May 3, 2024
China claims that it had a secret, verbal agreement with former Philippine President Duterte, which limited the Philippines’ presence in the South China Sea to fishing boats, while any military vessels or aircraft are limited to the 12 nautical mile region in territorial waters. The current President, Marcos, said he will rescind any agreement if one exists (ABC News).
China ramps up pressure on Taiwan ahead of presidential inauguration / May 6, 2024
China increased its military presence in the Taiwan Strait recently, both to test the new, incoming administration under President-elect Lai Ching-te and to redefine China’s possession of the Taiwan Strait. China is also using disinformation, economic coercion, and influence operations within Taiwan to divide the government and the island nation (VOA).
Anthony Albanese has not spoken with Xi Jinping after military confrontation / May 7, 2024
Last Saturday, a Chinese military jet fired flares close to an Australian helicopter over the Yellow Sea (between China and the Korean peninsula) in an effort to repel the helicopter from what China claimed was too close to its airspace. Australian diplomatic channels lodged complaints, but Australian Prime Minister Albanese has not yet spoken to President Xi about the issue (ABC News).
The US military may have a new leg up on China in the Pacific / May 4, 2024
The US may utilize a fleet of autonomous drones to deliver up to 300 pounds of military equipment, food, or other supplies, preventing potential injuries to the pilots who would otherwise fly traditional aircraft. The fleet, produced by a California company, could be used in the South Pacific (Fox News).
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse / May 4, 2024
A Chinese driver received praise from fellow citizens, a foundation, and a charity project that was a subsidiary of Alibaba. The latter two also gave him an award of just over $1000 USD each. Wang Xiangnan placed his vehicle sideways on the road to prevent drivers from tumbling into the collapsed area (CTV News).
Two dead, 21 injured after knife attack in hospital in Yunnan province / May 7, 2024
A knife attack occurred at a hospital in southwest China as a young man attacked and killed two people and injured nearly two dozen more. Mass attacks like this are rare as Chinese citizens cannot own firearms, but knife attacks have recently occurred. No cause for this attack was given at this time (CAN).
China's president arrives in Europe to reinvigorate ties amidst global tensions / May 5, 2024
President Xi Jinping made a 3-country trip to Europe last week, meeting with leaders in France, Hungary, and Serbia. Xi wanted to strengthen and build relations with the EU after Covid’s suspension of international interaction, but both French President Macron and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pushed for better trade balances and China’s help to urge Russia to end its war in Ukraine (Yahoo Finance).
Why European leaders are divided over the Chinese president's visit / May 5, 2024
President Xi Jinping’s visit high-lighted divisions across Europe regarding relations with China and other autocracies like Russia. Serbia and Hungary are more allies of Russia than they are of the US or the West, and it appears Xi is exploiting that division. When Xi last visited Europe in 2019, there was no pandemic, war in Ukraine or excessively subsidized Chinese products flooding Europe (DW News).
China and EU-candidate Serbia sign an agreement to build a ‘shared future’ / May 8, 2024
President Xi’s visit to Serbia concluded with an alliance between the two nations for a stronger partnership in investment and trade. For a number of years, Serbia has participated in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, allowing Chinese mining companies to operate in Serbia. Serbia has applied for EU membership but appears to be shrinking back from that goal (AP News).
China suspected of massive cyberattack of UK armed forces database / May 7, 2024
Britain’s Ministry of Defense says a Chinese cyberattack revealed the names and bank account information of tens of thousands of UK military personnel recently. Similar cyberattacks occurred in 2021 and 2022 and earlier this year (Independent).
China is now engaged in open hybrid warfare against the West / May 4, 2024
Journalist Matthew Henderson warns that China is seeking to exploit any and all weaknesses in liberal Western societies in an effort to shift global power and influence away from the West and to China. Henderson cites coercive diplomacy, proxy wars, data theft, and influence operations among a number of the battlefronts in this hybrid war (The Telegraph).
China in a Frenzy for Gold, Up 45% Since 2022 / May 6, 2024
Chinese citizens, investors, and its Central Bank are driving the gold market now, pushing the price higher even while high interest rates and a strong US dollar, which typically lower gold’s value, are dominant in Western commerce. Given China’s economy, it makes sense that people would invest in gold for security (Newsmax).
China’s Chang’e-6 blasts off on mission for rocks from the far side of the moon / May 3, 2024
On Friday morning, China launched the Chang’e-6, a spacecraft headed to the far side of the moon to collect rock samples to bring back to Earth for study. The voyage will take 53 days as the spacecraft will split into four different modules, each with a role to play for the mission (SCMP).
At least 24 dead, dozens injured, after road collapses in southern China / May 1, 2024
A nearly 60-foot stretch of a highway in Guangdong province caved in early Wednesday morning just after 2:00 am, killing at least 24 and injuring dozens more. The region has recently been deluged with rain and flooding (Al Jazeera).
Shanghai: Traditional Culture, Human Sin / May 2, 2024
A Chinese pastor describes the changes that occurred in him as he came to know Jesus and grew in faith, especially how he viewed himself culturally. Traditional Chinese culture promotes humanism, a positive perspective of human goodness, so identifying oneself as a sinner is very difficult for a person to do in Chinese culture. Understanding the gospel, then, too, is a challenge, but it is what each person needs (China Partnership).