China

President Xi Jinping undertakes fresh round of brutal purge in China
4Oct By Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, China, USA

President Xi Jinping undertakes fresh round of brutal purge in China

Millions of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) cadres are potentially at risk of being targeted now as President Xi Jinping has launched a fresh round of purges, as a part of his ongoing anti-corruption campaign.Under the campaign, over two dozen police and judicial officials were investigated, with dozens more removed from their posts in August.A senior ally to Xi’s called for the purge in July, saying it was time to ‘turn the blade of a knife inwards, cure the poison by scrapping it from the bones’ that must cleanse the country’s justice system of corrupt elements and purge officials who only paid lip service to the CCP.A “Yan’an Rectification Movement” style purge of party cadres was first announced by Chen Yixin on July 8 during a meeting of the Central Political and Legal Commission, a pol...
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How floods and Covid-19 slowly distorting Xi Jinping-led China’s superpower dream
1Oct By Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, China

How floods and Covid-19 slowly distorting Xi Jinping-led China’s superpower dream

China is currently facing severe food shortage and is struggling to feed its people, say reports.If reports are to be believed, a number of factors have directly contributed to the food crisis. China's surging population, the growing industrial economy and an increase in consumerism have given rise to demand for agricultural products. Apart from that, floods have played a key part in disturbing China's food stability.According to Chinese local media, the recent floods have cost the country at least $29 billion, affecting 70 million Chinese citizens across 28 provinces.Li Kungang, an official of the Emergency Management Ministry, has warned of another flooding during autumn. "It is the first time that three major river basins experienced a regional or above-average flood since 1998," the of...
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China fails to tackle flooding problem, billions of dollars at stake
1Oct By Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, China

China fails to tackle flooding problem, billions of dollars at stake

Over the last several years, China has built many reservoirs, levees, dikes and dams on its seven major river systems, however, it is still struggling with a spike in crippling floods, which has destroyed huge agricultural and industrial land, and millions of homes.Flooding in cities is a worrying trend and it is a clear sign of rising populations and failure to execute urbanisation policies.In August, flooding in the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric dam, on the Yangtze River peaked and officials feared it could overflow. Authorities elsewhere have blown up barriers that were creating more damage than help.According to China Water Risk, a research firm based in Hong Kong, over 40 per cent of China’s population lives in the Yangtze River Economic Belt and accounts for nea...
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Chinese national arrested in US in investigation of transfer of software to China
30Sep By Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, World

Chinese national arrested in US in investigation of transfer of software to China

The US Justice Department announced the arrest of a Chinese national and researcher at the University of California, Los Angeles on federal charges of destroying evidence to obstruct an FBI investigation after he was seen throwing a damaged hard drive into a dumpster outside his apartment.Guan Lei, 29, Alhambra, who was in the U.S. on a J-1 non-immigrant visa was arrested pursuant to a one-count criminal complaint unsealed during his initial appearance in United States District Court.The criminal complaint alleges that Guan, threw a damaged hard drive into a trash dumpster near his residence on July 25.The FBI recovered the damaged hard drive after Guan was not allowed to board a flight to China and after Guan refused the FBI’s request to examine his computer.The affidavit in support of th...
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China’s ally Pakistan secretly developing trade ties with Taiwan
29Sep By Michael SmithNo Comments
China, Market, USA

China’s ally Pakistan secretly developing trade ties with Taiwan

Pakistan, a close ally of China, is secretly developing trade ties with Taiwan, which showcases its duplicity.In a recent meeting, Sidrah Haque, trade and investment attache at the Embassy of Pakistan in Cairo met with Michael Yeh, the director of Taiwan Trade Centre in Cairo to discuss the trade ties.She tweeted about the meeting along with a picture with Michael Yeh, but later deleted it fearing condemnation by Beijing."Met Mr. Michael Yeh, a veteran commercial officer from Taiwan Trade Center. We spoke of Pakistan-Taiwan trade ties, our shared commercial experience in Cairo and major products of interest in the local market. Always feels good to connect with other trade wings and compare notes!” Sidrah Haque said in her tweet.China has no control over Taiwan but claims it as part of its...
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Czech Mayor blasts ‘unmannered rude clowns’ of China after Beijing’s threat
29Sep By Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, World

Czech Mayor blasts ‘unmannered rude clowns’ of China after Beijing’s threat

The mayor of a Prague district lashed out at Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for issuing threats to Czech Republic Senate Speaker Milos Vystrcil following his visit to Taiwan.Wang Yi had warned that Vystrcil would "pay a heavy price" for his “short-sighted behaviour”, accusing the Czech official of committing an act of “international treachery”.Responding to the warning, the Mayor of Prague district Reporyje, Pavel Novotny, in a letter addressed to Wang on his Facebook page, demanded an immediate apology from the Chinese minister, saying this was the last time he opened his mouth against the Czech Republic.He accused Wang of “crossing the lines” of acceptable diplomatic norms and chastised the foreign ministry as “unmannered rude clowns!”Novotny asked China to apologise for the threat “ri...
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Developer says ‘New City’ on Thai-Myanmar border part of BRI, despite China’s denials
29Sep By Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, Singapore, World

Developer says ‘New City’ on Thai-Myanmar border part of BRI, despite China’s denials

The Chinese developer of a “new city” project on the Myanmar-Thai border has insisted the project is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), despite the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar denying the claims.The project in Karen State, known locally as the Shwe Kokko New City after the village where it is located, was launched in 2017 by Yatai International Holdings Group (YIHG) after the company signed a deal with a local ethnic Karen armed group, the Border Guard Force (BGF).Locals have criticised the project over what they see as a lack of transparency, as well as confusion over the scale of construction and a growing influx of Chinese migrants. Also, suspicions have been aroused over possible illicit activity and concerns about the social impacts of casino businesses.From the beginning,...
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How China’s top-notch mass surveillance system threatens global freedoms
26Sep By Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, Market, USA, World

How China’s top-notch mass surveillance system threatens global freedoms

Going by the records of Beijing Public Safety Bureau, every step, every action is monitored by state-of-the-art surveillance cameras. Facial recognition algorithms filed away in a secret database could land you in legal trouble for something you did near your front door. A semi-political post made in a private chat could lead to the loss of your job.Yet it is only the beginning of the rise of technologically-advanced China and its dystopian dreams. It might be a deterrent to crime, as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership says, but it also means a substantial loss of privacy and free expression."The Chinese Communist Party is committed to the production and use of technology that controls and surveils its population," Chairman Robin Cleveland and Vice Chairman Carolyn Bartholomew of...
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Will ask US for military assistance if China attacks in South China Sea: Philippines
25Sep By Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, World

Will ask US for military assistance if China attacks in South China Sea: Philippines

In a statement, the Philippines have made it clear to China that it would turn to the United States for military help during ongoing flare-ups between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea.Philippines Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr said Manila would invoke its defence agreement with the US if China attacks its naval vessels in the disputed waters."If something happens that is beyond incursion but is, in fact, an attack on say a Filipino naval vessel.....means then I call up Washington DC," he added.Since 1951, the US and the Philippines have had a Mutual Defence Treaty that commits them to support each other in the event if either is attacked.The statement by the Philippines Foreign Secretary marks the first time President Rodrigo Duterte administration openly declaring its intent...
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Thailand delays US$724m China submarine deal after public anger
25Sep By Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, China

Thailand delays US$724m China submarine deal after public anger

Facing heat from the public, Thailand has delayed its controversial US$724 million purchase of two submarines from China as the kingdom's economy flatlines due to the coronavirus pandemic.Under a 2015 deal, Thailand was one of the first countries to buy Chinese naval hardware and finalised its purchase of three submarines in 2017, with the first one expected to be delivered in 2023.An order for two more for 22.5 billion baht (US$724 million) was approved in August by a parliamentary sub-committee - a move which drew public outrage as Thailand struggles with a freefalling economy.Angry citizens took to social media to criticise the deal, and the hashtag "People don't want submarines" trended on Twitter.Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri later announced that Prime Minister Prayut Chan...
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