China

<strong>China on the defensive in Taiwan after poll victory of William Lai</strong>
Asia, China

China on the defensive in Taiwan after poll victory of William Lai

The election of Lai Ching-te as the President of Taiwan has put China on the defensive in its policies vis-a-vis the island territory. Earlier when the elections were approaching, Beijing had gone on the aggressive mode to intimidate the people of Taiwan not to vote in favour of William Lai, as he is popularly called. China had sent warships to the coasts of Taiwan; had sent numerous warplanes to the skies of the island and in the last leg of campaigning had even dispatched spy balloons to Taiwan. Beijing had openly asked the people of Taiwan not to vote for William Lai if they wanted to have peace in future. Nothing of these seems to have had an effect on the common Taiwanese people who voted for William Lai to elect him to power; the underlying message being that the people of Taiwan wa...
<strong>Philippines and Vietnam join hands against the assertiveness of China</strong>
China

Philippines and Vietnam join hands against the assertiveness of China

Joint defense against CCP, Philippines and Vietnam enhanced cooperation, Japan and Germany signed military treaty. The strategic partnership between the Philippines and Vietnam is based on “amity, equity, mutual respect, and cooperation.” Both countries are committed to peacefully resolving territorial disputes and ensuring a rules-based international order in the South China Sea. They aim to increase defense cooperation to combat security threats. This partnership sends a clear signal that small claimant states can converge to strengthen their collective stance against China’s assertive actions in the region. Additionally, Japanand Germany have recently signed a military treatyaimed at intensifying their defense cooperation. The treaty, known as the Re
The Continued Deception: Unmasking The True Face Of The CCP
China

The Continued Deception: Unmasking The True Face Of The CCP

In the cacophony of voices that permeate the global media landscape, the focus on communist China ranges from significant issues like the property sector woes, military intimidation of Taiwan and the Philippines, and human rights violations to lighter topics such as the Chinese New Year and cuisine. However, a particularly unsettling category emerges – one that offers seemingly sincere advice to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on addressing its self-made problems. This advice, reminiscent of the days of Soviet Russia, raises concerns about the naivety and sympathy displayed by certain foreign intellectuals, diplomats, and media figures. The term "fellow traveler" finds relevance here, describing individuals who sympathize with and further the ideals of an organized group, like the CC
Unveiling The Biosecure Act: A Long-overdue Stand Against CCP’s Genetic Espionage
China

Unveiling The Biosecure Act: A Long-overdue Stand Against CCP’s Genetic Espionage

In a belated but essential move, U.S. members of Congress recently introduced the BIOSECURE Act on Jan. 25, aiming to prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars for genetic companies in China collaborating with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). While the proposed law is a step in the right direction, it prompts a crucial question: How has the United States allowed such perilous practices to persist for so long, necessitating legislative action? The legislation sheds light on the need for an all-encompassing government and societal effort, dating back to at least the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989, to sever dependence on China, particularly companies entwined with its military apparatus. Genetic data, especially, should have been safeguarded from release to Beijing, with a focus on thwar
China, World

US and China describe their discussions in Bangkok as “candid, substantive.”

China and the United States said on January 27 that top diplomat Wang Yi and U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan held "candid, substantive" talks in Thailand's capital Bangkok, with the issue of Taiwan central after recent elections there. Beijing and Washington have clashed in recent years on flashpoint issues from technology and trade to human rights, as well as over the self-ruled island and competing claims in the South China Sea. Relations have somewhat stabilised since U.S. President Joe Biden met Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in San Francisco in November for talks that both sides described as a qualified success. Mr. Wang and Mr. Sullivan "had candid, substantive and fruitful strategic communication on implementing the consensus reached at the San Francisco meeti...
Dynamics in India-Maldives relations: The influence of China
China, World

Dynamics in India-Maldives relations: The influence of China

Mohamed Muizzu, the newly elected president of the Maldives, seems to be pivoting away from India and moving closer to other sources of support, such as the Arab countries and China. With a wary eye on China's ambitions in the Indian Ocean, India is expected to push back strongly. “We may be small, but that doesn’t give you the license to bully us.” This was the jibe taken at India by Mohamed Muizzu, the newly elected president of the Maldives, who has brought Male’s ties with New Delhi down to its lowest point. In a geopolitical landscape where the Maldives has traditionally acknowledged India as a longstanding ally and a development partner, the recent statement reflects strong ripples in bilateral ties. In the past, other smaller countries in India’s periphery, including Nepal
China, World

‘Unilateral’ China alters aircraft path in strait, which Taiwan attacks

TAIPEI – Taiwan's government has expressed anger after China "unilaterally" changed a flight path close to the sensitive "median line" in the Taiwan Strait, saying it appeared to be a deliberate attempt to change the status quo for possible military means.China's civil aviation administration said in a short statement late Tuesday that from Thursday it was cancelling an "offset measure" for the southbound operation of the M503 flight route, which is just west of the strait's median line. The median line had for years served as an unofficial barrier between Chinese-claimed Taiwan and China, but China says it does not recognize its existence and Chinese warplanes now regularly fly over it as Beijing seeks to pressure Taipei to accept its sovereignty claims. China also said it was open
<strong>Will the Filipino President’s Vietnam visit give sleepless nights to China?</strong>
Asia, China

Will the Filipino President’s Vietnam visit give sleepless nights to China?

More than four months after US President Joe Biden’s visit to Vietnam, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on January 29 landed in Hanoi on a two-day visit, giving Manila a much-needed opportunity to strengthen ties with the Southeast Asian nation which is also facing its claim over the South China Sea being challenged by China. In the strategic circle, the Philippines President’s visit to Vietnam is considered very important as it has led to Manila deepening its maritime cooperation and forging greater regional cooperation with Vietnam on South China Sea disputes. On January 24, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Beijing’s claim to the Paracel and Spratly Islands in the South China Sea is backed by history. China issued this statement to counter Vietnam’s claim that it has suf
What you should know about the demise of China’s Evergrande real estate company
China, World

What you should know about the demise of China’s Evergrande real estate company

A Hong Kong court has ordered the liquidation of the Evergrande Group, China's giant and massively indebted real estate developer, after the company was unable to restructure the $300 billion it owed investors. Just six years ago, Evergrande was riding high, preselling apartments to middle- and upper-income Chinese. In 2018, it was listed as the world's most valuable real estate company. But just three years later, it was on the financial ropes. Massively overleveraged and unable to complete some existing projects, Evergrande has become symbolic of a Chinese economy that faces some major near-term obstacles: slowing growth, increasing debt and a shrinking workforce. Evergrande had been seeking a $23 billion debt restructuring plan, but that fell apart last year when the company's bi...
In a rare show of cooperation, the United States and China begin talks to stop the flow of fentanyl.
China, World

In a rare show of cooperation, the United States and China begin talks to stop the flow of fentanyl.

BEIJING — American and Chinese officials met Tuesday to discuss joint efforts to stem the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., a sign of cooperation as the two global powers try to manage their contentious ties. The two-day meeting was the first for a new counternarcotics working group. One focus of the talks was fentanyl, the synthetic opioid that is ravaging America, and in particular ingredients for the drug that are made in China. Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to restart cooperation in a handful of areas, including drug trafficking, when he and U.S. President Joe Biden met outside San Francisco in November. The agreements were a small step forward in a relationship strained by major differences on issues ranging from trade and technology to Taiwan and human rights. The U.S.