China News
Politics & Law
Coronavirus drives the U.S. and China deeper Into global power struggle
Many experts warn that an international health and economic crisis calls for more cooperation, not confrontation, between Washington and Beijing. When President Trump took the podium at the White House briefing room one afternoon last week, his prepared remarks included a reference to the “corona virus.” But a close-up photograph revealed that Mr. Trump had … Continue reading
Photo shows “corona” crossed out and replaced with “Chinese” in Trump’s briefing notes
President Trump’s notes from Thursday’s coronavirus briefing show someone crossed out the word “Corona” in coronavirus and replaced it with the word “Chinese.” This picture captured by Washington Post Photographer Jabin Botsford, comes as Trump has stepped up his efforts to scapegoat China for the spread of the coronavirus. The change in tone from the White House comes as the … Continue reading
China’s handling of coronavirus ‘ruined their international brand’
Hoover Institution Fellow Victor Davis Hanson said on Wednesday that China’s handling of the coronavirus “ruined their international brand,” having potential serious repercussions on its economy as foreign companies may exit. “[China] knew that that virus was not only epidemic but infectious and could be deadly to older people. They didn’t tell anybody. They didn’t … Continue reading
Coronavirus outbreak tests China’s president Xi Jinping
Xi Jinping is surely having the worst 2020 of any major international leader to date. Much of this can be put down to the knock-on effects of the COVID-19 outbreak in the city of Wuhan and Xi’s belated attempts to show he was in charge after an awkward start during which he was almost invisible … Continue reading
China’s coronavirus problem is an opportunity for Taiwan
The island nation has been showing its East Asian neighbors the advantages of democracy and free markets. As the coronavirus wreaks political and economic havoc on the nations of East Asia, one has stood out as a literal island of responsibility and efficiency: Taiwan. Its public-health response is being held up as a global model … Continue reading
Solomon Islands seeks $100 billion loan from Chinese interests
The Solomon Islands is seeking a $100-billion loan from Chinese interests in talks begun soon after the small South Pacific archipelago switched diplomatic ties to Beijing from Taiwan last year. Details of the proposal, reviewed by Reuters, have sparked concern over whether the small economy can handle a loan that represents more than 66 times … Continue reading
The three mistakes the Chinese government has made in its mishandling of the coronavirus crisis
Even though the SSRS disaster demonstrated the need for greater openness, China has made the same mistakes in the current crisis while expecting a different outcome. Wuhan’s decision to suppress the bad news was particularly dire. Given the Communist Party’s tight grip on power, it is hardly surprising that it would mortgage the health of … Continue reading
Rulers for life? How Russia’s Putin and China’s Xi are posing a challenge to the West
Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping have established themselves as the world’s most powerful authoritarian leaders in decades. Now it looks like they want to hang on to those roles indefinitely. Putin’s sudden announcement this week of constitutional changes that could allow him to extend control way beyond the end of his term in … Continue reading
What Americans don’t understand about China’s power
Chinese leaders stretching back to Deng Xiaoping have often thought in terms of decades. A decade encompasses two of China’s famous five-year plans, and it’s a long-enough period to notice real changes in a country’s trajectory. As it happens, I spent time in China at both ends of the decade that just ended, first in … Continue reading
Germany investigates three suspected of spying for China
German authorities raided the homes and offices of three people suspected of spying for the Chinese government, officials said on Thursday, giving no details about their identities or the nature of the alleged espionage. “This is a preliminary investigation against three known persons,” said Markus Schmitt, a spokesman for the German federal prosecutor, Peter Frank. … Continue reading
China says it won’t back off position that Taiwan is its territory
China will not change its position that Taiwan belongs to it, Beijing said on Sunday, after President Tsai Ing-wen won re-election and said she would not submit to China’s threats, as state media warned she was courting disaster. The election campaign was dominated by China’s ramped-up efforts to get the democratic island to accept Beijing’s … Continue reading
How China may help its enemy get elected in Taiwan
Taiwan’s President Tsai can thank Beijing for its stupidity if she stays in power. This Saturday, voters in Taiwan will choose their next president and the national Legislature. Tsai Ing-wen, the incumbent president who is detested by the Chinese government because of her tough — if, until recently, low-key — anti-China stance, has chosen as … Continue reading
U.S.-North Korea tension looms as leaders from China, Japan, South Korea meet
The specter of new confrontation between Pyongyang and Washington hangs over meetings between China, Japan and South Korea this week, with growing risks North Korean actions could end an uneasy detente and upend recent diplomatic efforts. South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping … Continue reading
Hong Kong faced ‘grimmest and most complex year’ since handover, China’s Xi says
Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his support for Hong Kong‘s embattled leader on Monday even as he declared that the former British colony has faced its “grimmest and most complex year” since its return to China. Xi praised Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam for holding fast to the principle of “one country, two systems,“ … Continue reading
China’s foreign minister says the US has successively angered and suppressed China
Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said on Friday that the United States had seriously damaged the hard-won mutual trust between the countries by criticizing Beijing over issues such as Hong Kong and the treatment of Muslim Uighurs. “Such behavior is almost paranoid, and is indeed rare in international exchanges, seriously damaging the hard-won foundation of … Continue reading
Beijing’s policies uniting US interest groups against China
China’s US policies are uniting a broad range of American interests against the world’s second largest economy, and a veteran US diplomat believes it is time for a new approach. Christopher Hill, former assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said China needed to start peeling back its assertive stance across the … Continue reading
China says Taiwan’s anti-infiltration bill, combatting Chinese influence, will cause ‘alarm’ for investors
A proposed anti-infiltration bill in Taiwan which the government says is needed to combat Chinese influence is spreading alarm amongst the Taiwanese business community in China, the Chinese government said on Wednesday. The legislation is part of a years-long effort to combat what many in Taiwan see as Chinese efforts to influence politics and the … Continue reading
China has lost Taiwan, and they know it
“Not a chance,” the president’s tweet said, in Chinese characters. That was the message from Tsai Ing-wen, the leader of Taiwan, on Nov. 5, after the Chinese government announced a string of initiatives to lure Taiwanese companies and residents to the mainland. “Beijing’s new 26 measures are part of a greater effort to force a … Continue reading
China holds out carrot ahead of Taiwan election, but few convinced
China is stepping up efforts to be nice to Taiwan ahead of key elections on Jan. 11, offering better treatment to Taiwanese in China and urging the democratic island to “come home,” but many there only see Beijing wielding a threatening stick. China denies interfering in elections in Taiwan, which Beijing claims as sacred territory, … Continue reading
China vows to retaliate with ‘firm counter measures’ over U.S. Hong Kong rights law
China warned the United States on Thursday it would take “firm counter measures” in response to U.S. legislation backing anti-government protesters in Hong Kong, and said attempts to interfere in the Chinese-ruled city were doomed to fail. U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed into law congressional legislation which supported the protesters, despite angry objections from Beijing, … Continue reading
Hong Kong’s landslide democratic win puts pressure on leader Carrie Lam
Hong Kong‘s leader pledged to listen to public opinion on Monday and referred to deep-seated problems in society after a landslide election victory by opponents of Chinese rule amid months of sometimes violent pro-democracy unrest. Democratic candidates secured almost 90% of 452 district council seats in Sunday’s poll, held during a rare weekend lull in … Continue reading
‘Dictators’: Europe is waking up to threats from China, defence experts say
China’s attempt to gain economic influence in Europe poses major strategic threats to American allies, according to defense officials, including one on the front lines of NATO. “We really need to be careful that, as well, China would not be dictators [of] us economically,” Lithuanian Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis told the Washington Examiner. Lithuania, a … Continue reading
From Singapore to Sweden, China’s overbearing campaign for influence is forcing countries to resist and recalibrate relations with Beijing
Russia’s efforts to influence elections in the United States and Europe were a wake-up call about the threat of foreign influence in domestic public opinion and politics, blatantly violating norms of non-interference. China is not guilty of Russia’s excesses, but Beijing’s information and influence campaign has affected countries from Singapore to Sweden, causing many to … Continue reading
Beijing’s plan to tighten its grip on Hong Kong could spell the end of China’s economic dream
Although the rapid escalation of violence in Hong Kong seems terrifying enough, things may be about to get much worse. The communique of the recently concluded fourth plenum of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party indicates that Chinese President Xi Jinping plans to tighten his grip on the former British colony at any … Continue reading
China is sabotaging itself in Taiwan
China has a lot at stake in getting its favored candidate across the line in Taiwan’s presidential election in January, so it’s strange that Beijing is doing so much to sabotage Han Kuo-yu’s chances. Without a change in its approach, the Communist Party risks making the already difficult task of winning over the self-governing island next … Continue reading
Pro-democracy activist barred from running in Hong Kong election
Hong Kong authorities barred pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong from an election as the city’s leader warned Tuesday that months of violent protests have pushed the city to the brink of recession. In comments likely to further anger protesters, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said there would be no political solution until the violent protests gripping the semi-autonomous Chinese … Continue reading
Prague refuses Beijing’s demand to recognise Taiwan as part of China
On a typical day, Prague’s City Hall is buzzing with discussions about contracts to upgrade the centuries-old city’s network of cobblestone streets or sewers. But this month, assembly members have been debating a bigger topic — China, and what to do about it. “This is clearly a topic for our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and … Continue reading
China and India are fighting over Nepal’s railways
China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has stirred worldwide controversy. The seizure of Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka, a land grab in Africa, debt traps in the Maldives, and the angry response in India and the tumultuous Pakistani region of Balochistan to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor are just some of the developments drawing international … Continue reading
China’s worldwide investment project is a push for more economic and political power
Inspired by the ancient Silk Road, China is investing in a massive set of international development projects that are raising concerns about how the country is expanding its power around the world. Initially announced in 2013 by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the so-called “Belt and Road Initiative” has China planning to invest in economic development … Continue reading
Chinese officials will soon be required by the U.S. to report American contacts
The Trump administration said Wednesday that it will soon require Chinese officials in the U.S. to notify the State Department ahead of any contacts they plan to have with American educators, researchers and local and state governments. The release of the new rules was accompanied by notices to American educational and research institutions and local … Continue reading
Xi Jinping visits Nepal as first Chinese president to do so in over two decades
Xi Jinping has become the first Chinese president in more than two decades to visit Nepal, where he’s expected to sign agreements on major infrastructure projects. Xi arrived Saturday from New Delhi, where he met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was received by Nepalese President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister K.P. Sharma … Continue reading
Is geographical hindrance a key to stop China in Nepal?
Recently, in September, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries conducted a military exercise (MILEX) to raise the coordination between the armies of member nations. Threatened from the Nepal-China’s tryst, India designed and formed this exercise in an order to help both India and Nepal to increase their ties … Continue reading
Taiwan president rejects China’s offer of ‘one country, two systems’
Taiwan’s president on Thursday delivered a fiery rebuke to China’s offer of a “one country, two systems” formula to unify the self-governing island with the mainland, saying that such a framework has taken Hong Kong to “the brink of disorder.” President Tsai Ing-wen’s comments, delivered during a National Day speech, came amid a renewed push by … Continue reading
China’s heavy-handed reaction to the NBA is just the wake-up call the world needed
Many financial journalists and political pundits have been trying for years to get the U.S. public more concerned about China’s increasingly repressive regime and the questionable trade-offs many American companies have been making to continue doing business in the country. Thanks to the NBA, Twitter and a Chinese government that feeds a national “outrage culture,” … Continue reading
Life in China is getting harder, and President Xi Jinping should worry
Shopkeepers in Shenzhen. Pork sellers in Nanning. Factory workers in Dongguan. All across China’s southern industrial belt, the working class is under pressure — and so is President Xi Jinping. A protracted U.S. trade war, protests in Hong Kong, soaring food prices and the slowest economic growth in decades are among the many problems facing … Continue reading
Now is the beginning of the end for China’s Communist Party rule
After nearly 70 years in power, China’s one-party regime is approaching the longevity frontier for dictatorship amid an economic slowdown and tensions with the US. A crackdown on opponents and an emphasis on nationalism may boost support in the short term but staying in power to celebrate the party’s centenary will be a challenge. On … Continue reading
Taiwan just lost Solomon Islands, its biggest ally in the Pacific, to China; US may retaliate
Taiwan lost its largest ally in the Pacific on Tuesday, when the Solomon Islands confirmed it was switching diplomatic allegiance to China. A spokesman for the Solomon Islands’ prime minister said the government’s caucus took a poll on Monday, with 27 lawmakers voting in favour of switching and six abstaining, followed by the Cabinet voting … Continue reading
Saudi oil attack cultivates a critical juncture for China to play a role
The Sep 14 Saudi Arabia oil attack exposed at least three issues. First, Saudi is highly vulnerable. It seems there is a lack of sufficient military capacities of detecting intrusion, becoming alert to attack timely, and taking immediate reactions to protect the facilities, etc. Second, Saudi did not get sufficient protection from the U.S. at … Continue reading
The U.S. is about to do something big in Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protest movement, the David to China’s Goliath, is calling out to the land of the free for help—and help may be on the way. The question is whether it will be substantial enough and fast enough, and have the support of the president of the United States. For months now, a small … Continue reading
How long can China’s workers tolerate China’s dictator?
Many observers have warned that the Chinese could dominate the field of artificial intelligence. Maybe it will dominate them. The potential impact of technology on the Chinese workforce could be driving Beijing to try again for a U.S. trade deal. Lingling Wei and Chao Deng report in the Journal: China is looking to narrow the … Continue reading
Beijing’s hostility started the trade war
I first traveled to mainland China as a high school student in 2008. Like many observers at the time, I was enthralled by the apparent success of China’s development model, manifested in the urban landscapes of Beijing and Shanghai. I was influenced by the then-prominent idea of Chinese exceptionalism, which one could encounter in both … Continue reading
China calls Justin Trudeau’s accusations of arbitrary detentions ‘purely unfounded’
China accused Canada of not abiding by international norms Friday in response to comments from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who accused Beijing of arbitrarily detaining two Canadians. Trudeau’s remarks are “purely unfounded countercharges that confound black and white,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said. Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou – Chinese telecom giant Huawei’s … Continue reading
Canada’s Justin Trudeau accuses China of using arbitrary detentions to achieve ‘political goals’
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says China uses arbitrary detentions as a tool to achieve its international and domestic political goals. He brands that as a pressure tactic that is worrying not only to Canada, but to its Western allies. Trudeau offered that assessment during a meeting today with the editorial board of the Toronto … Continue reading
China’s Great Game in Iran
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s visit to the G-7 summit in France late last month was a surprise to many in the West. Some even viewed it as a good omen. But for the Iranian leadership, Zarif’s quick trip to Biarritz was always a long shot and with little chance to turn the tide … Continue reading
Japan cannot stop China from owning Africa
Japan cannot stop China from owning Africa. When it comes to votes of African nations in international agencies, that is. It’s too late. China already owns the votes of most Africa nations. Japan has a new mission in Africa: to save it from China’s “debt trap,” the prospect that some African nations become so indebted … Continue reading
Canada’s Justin Trudeau sharpens criticism of China in Huawei spat
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has accused Beijing of using “pressure tactics” to try to secure the release of a senior Huawei executive being held in Canada. Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were detained in China days after Meng Wanzhou was arrested at the request of US authorities. Mr Trudeau says that China is “using … Continue reading
Rodrigo Duterte is a gift to The Philippines by playing China against USA
Rodrigo Duterte is at the halfway point of his presidency of the Philippines and since coming to power in 2016, he has made huge waves domestically and internationally for his tough talk and policies. The one policy that has defined his presidency is his signature war on drugs that has killed thousands and prompted fierce … Continue reading
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam reportedly said she would quit if she could and had ‘very limited’ ability to contain protests
Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam, told a group of business leaders in the city that she would quit if she had a choice, according to leaked audio of her remarks obtained by Reuters, amid increasing calls from protesters for her to resign. Protests in Hong Kong have entered their 13th week and show no sign … Continue reading
China says Taiwan was always part of it, but an old stamp shows a telling propaganda snafu
If you were to rely on the official Chinese version of events, the island off the southern coast of Fujian province, Taiwan, has “always been part of China.” The website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, for example, proclaims: “Taiwan has belonged to China since ancient times,” and then … Continue reading
The inevitable dismantlement of the Chinese Communist empire has begun
The geopolitical tectonic plates are moving, and the inevitable dismantlement of the Chinese Communist empire has begun. History teaches that the lifespan of a major communist power is about seven decades, even under the best of circumstances — that is, when the dictatorship is given every strategic advantage through sporadic Western naivete, timidity and other … Continue reading
