Tag: China

China a ‘principal military, economic threat’ in Asia: US Commerce Secretary
9Dec mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
Asia, China, Market, Singapore, World

China a ‘principal military, economic threat’ in Asia: US Commerce Secretary

China continues to be both the largest potential market and the principal military and economic threat in the Asian region, US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said on Tuesday.Speaking at the Milken Institute Asia Summit, Ross said: “China accounts for 210 out of 539 anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders imposed by the U.S. In addition, China makes up a “good portion” of the U.S. entity list that restricts companies’ access to American suppliers for national security reasons, he said.Anti-dumping and countervailing duties are slapped on products suspected of being sold at an unfairly low price. Chinese firms that have been put on the entity list include telecommunications giant Huawei.Commenting on the recently signed between China and 14 other Asia-Pacific Countries, Ross said that...
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NATO must devote more time, action to counter security challenges posed by China: Report
7Dec mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, Singapore, World

NATO must devote more time, action to counter security challenges posed by China: Report

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in its latest report titled 'NATO 2030 - United for a New Era report' has said that it must devote more time, political resources, and action to counter the security challenges posed by China.The report has also recommended a special unit within the Joint Intelligence and Security Division (JISD) to monitor Russia-China cooperation impacting Euro-Atlantic security.The internal political differences are "dangerous" as they help the "external actors, and in particular Russia and China, to exploit intra-Alliance differences and take advantage of individual Allies in ways that endanger their collective interests and security", the report stated."This includes actions that are directly relevant to NATO's traditional geographic and functional mission but...
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Drugs worth Rs 2.5 billion from Gwadar seized in Sri Lanka
7Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, Singapore

Drugs worth Rs 2.5 billion from Gwadar seized in Sri Lanka

On Sunday, four people from the Marawila Thoduwawa area of Sri Lanka were arrested for transporting drugs worth Rs 2.5 billion with origins in Chinese-controlled Gwadar.They were transporting heroin and crystal methamphetamine (ice) to the Sri Lankan boats from the Pak Dhow that originated from Gwadar.The involvement of the ISI officials in the drug smuggling network is established as such regular movement of Dhow from Gwadar is not possible without tacit support from the ISI and Chinese intelligence officials.The transfer happened in high seas between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.During a raid carried out by the Excise Department, 100 kilograms of heroin and 100 kilograms of ice were seized. It is suspected that a drug trafficker named 'Jude' who is hiding in Dubai, has sent the stock of dr...
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US imposes sanctions on Russian, Chinese firms for supporting Iran missile programme
28Nov mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, World

US imposes sanctions on Russian, Chinese firms for supporting Iran missile programme

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday said that the country has imposed sanctions on four companies from China and Russia for supporting Iran’s missile programme that remains a “significant proliferation concern”.“The US has sanctioned four entities in China and Russia for their support of Iran’s missile programme, which remains a significant proliferation concern. We will continue to use all our sanctions tools to prevent Iran from advancing its missile capabilities,” Pompeo said.The companies are Chengdu Best New Materials Co Ltd and Zibo Elim Trade Co, Ltd. in China and Nilco Group, which is also known as Nil Fam Khazar Company and Santers Holding and Joint Stock Company Elecon in Russia for transferring sensitive technology and items to Iran’s missile programme.In 2018...
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Despite growing tensions, China buying computer chips from Taiwan firms
27Nov mmBy Walter ParezNo Comments
Asia, China, Market, World

Despite growing tensions, China buying computer chips from Taiwan firms

Despite growing tensions between Taiwan and China, Chinese technology companies have increased orders for computer chips or semiconductors made in Taiwan.According to media reports, Taiwan has reported a six per cent jump in export from July through September this year.Alicia Garcia Herrero, chief Asia-Pacific economist with the French investment bank Natixis said, “They (Chinese firms) know they’re not yet able to produce at least the highest-end semiconductors needed for 5G.”She added that Taiwan makes top-level semiconductors and is unlikely to give up as a leader in the field. Taiwan factories produce some of the world’s top computer chips. But during the past four years, it has pushed companies to depend less on the Chinese market.The two countries have been locked in a political disp...
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Anti-China protests gain momentum in Argentina
21Nov mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, Market, USA, World

Anti-China protests gain momentum in Argentina

Between 2005 and 2019, Argentina has received maximum investment from China amounting to US$30.6 billion, which is 39 per cent of the total Chinese investment in South America.At the heart of the new Chinese investments in Argentina, is the proposal to build 25 industrial pig farms in Argentina, which will significantly increase pork exports to China. The project involving investment of US$3.8 billion, is expected to generate annual production of 900,000 tons amounting to US$2.5 million in annual exports.As per media reports, the pig farms will be set up with Chinese investment in partnership with local producers in Argentina, which currently has 10 industrial pig farms exclusively for export to China. In addition, 25 new farms are due to start operation in the next six years, which will e...
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Billionaire Jack Ma pays a hefty price for offending the Chinese regime
20Nov mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, China, World

Billionaire Jack Ma pays a hefty price for offending the Chinese regime

The year 2020 could have been the best year for Jack Ma, the billionaire founder of fintech giant Ant Group Co. Ltd. But now, he is paying an extremely high price for challenging the Chinese Communist Party.The state has pulled the plug on the ANT group, which could have been the biggest Fintech Company in the world. The initial public offering of Ant Group, the internet finance giant, was ready with its $34 billion stock debut in Shanghai and Hong Kong.This would have been the biggest IPO, or first sale of stock in the world - greater than the listing of Saudi Aramco, the state-run oil giant, when it went public last year. But the initiative received a huge blow from the Chinese authorities as the government suspended the public listing of the company abruptly.This caused a severe setback...
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Delhi Court rejects bail plea of Chinese national arrested under Official Secrets Act
17Nov mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, China, Market

Delhi Court rejects bail plea of Chinese national arrested under Official Secrets Act

A bail petition by Miss Qing Shi, a Chinese National arrested in India by special cell of Delhi Police under the Official Secrets Act has been rejected by a Delhi Court.She was arrested along with freelance Journalist Rajeev Sharma and one other accused in September.While rejecting the bail, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Pawan Singh Rajawat said that “no ground is made out to grant bail to Qing Shi at this stage.”The court noted that, if accused Wing Shi is released on bail, she will not only try to flee from the country through land routes but may also attempt to indulge in similar offences.The court also observed, “Furthermore, the other material which was recovered coupled with the preliminary electronic evidence collected by the investigating agency points towards involvement of accuse...
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A headless chicken: Multiple obstacles hit CPEC’S progress
17Nov mmBy Brian ThompsonNo Comments
China, Market, USA

A headless chicken: Multiple obstacles hit CPEC’S progress

 A ‘headless’ body, officially admitted as such, is supposed to be taking (or delaying) decisions in Pakistan regarding the 60 billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.The Pakistan Government’s ordinance under which the CPEC Authority (CPECA) was set up last year lapsed in July, 2020 and no fresh legal/constitutional arrangement has been made. Questioned by a parliamentary committee, the government said the body is headed by “no one.”The man placed at the top of CPECA, retired Lt. general Asim Bajwa, is working away from the office, and not drawing any salary. He was forced to resign as a Special Adviser of Prime Minister Imran Khan in October following media exposure about over 90 business firms his family has allegedly set up. He was holding dual charge and now, Kha...
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Pakistan to seek $2.7 billion loan from China for CPEC construction project
15Nov mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, China, USA

Pakistan to seek $2.7 billion loan from China for CPEC construction project

At a time when financial institutions of China are reluctant in investing in the China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC), Pakistan has decided to seek USD 2.7 billion loan from China for the construction of package-I of the Mainline-1 project of CPEC.As per reports, the sixth meeting of the financing committee on ML-1 project, which includes dualisation and upgrading of the 1,872 km railway track from Peshawar to Karachi, decided that Pakistan would initially request China to sanction only USD 2.73 billion in loan out of the total estimated Chinese financing of about USD 6.1 billion.The Ministry of Economic Affairs has been directed to formally send the Letter of Intent to China next week as Beijing is expected to finalise its next year's financing plans by the end of the current month."In...
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