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☆ China's president arrives in Europe to reinvigorate ties at a time of global tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Chinas President Xi Jinping (L) and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron attend the official welcoming ceremony in Beijing on April 6, 2023. Chinese President Xi Jinping kicked off a three-country trip to Europe on Sunday with the continent divided over how to deal with Beijing's growing power and the U.S.-China rivalry. Xi starts Sunday in France, whose president wants Europe to have more economic and strategic independence from other world powers. Then the Chinese president heads to Serbia and Hungary, both seen as China-friendly and close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and recipients of substantial Chinese investment. On Monday French President Emmanuel Macron will treat the Chinese leader to formal honors of a full state visit.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Emmanuel Macron, China's, Xi, Vladimir Putin, Gabriel Attal –, Ursula von der Leyen Organizations: U.S ., EU, Paris, Airport, French, Monday, European Locations: Beijing, Europe, U.S, China, Russia, Ukraine, Russian, France, Serbia, Hungary, Washington, Tibet, Paris

☆ China has a lot more missiles — with US warships and bases in its sights
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +18 min

American warships and bases in the Pacific are within reach of an increasingly worrying threat, a missile force unlike anything the US has faced in combat. With these missiles, China is signaling that it could attack US bases and ships in the region with little to no warning, Clark said. TK Department of DefenseThere's a lot more to the Chinese Rocket Force than these weapons, though. AdvertisementThat said, the US and its allies can't afford to assume the Rocket Force won't be ready should conflict come. In other words, how the US prepares itself and adapts to the Chinese Rocket Force gives it the best shot at avoiding a fight altogether.

Persons: China's, Andersen, Thomas Shugart, Bryan Clark, John Aquilino, Kevin Frayer, Harry Harris, Harris, Clark, Shugart, Gerald R, Kendall Warner, Byrd, US Defense Department Harris, Robert Peters, Peters, Ronald Reagan, Andrea Rosembert, Cpl, Ryan Little, Charles Flynn, I'm, Flynn, it's, Andy Wong Organizations: Business, Army Rocket Force, Pentagon, China's Rocket Force, Department of Defense TK Department of Defense, Center, New, New American Security, US Navy, PLA, Hudson Institute, Pacific Command, People's Liberation Army Rocket Force, Eastern Theater Command, People's Liberation Army PLA, Getty, Rocket Force, Liberation, TK Department of Defense, Chinese Rocket Force, US Defense Department, Ford, Virginian, Tribune, Service, Japan, Self, Defense Force, Misawa Air Base, Pacific, US, Defense, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, Army, Heritage Foundation, Aegis, Guam, Area, Ronald, Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense, Department of Defense, US Air Force, Marine Corps, Andersen Air Force Base, Marine, Combat, US Army Pacific, Stealth, Force, Military Locations: Beijing, China, American, Guam, South, Washington, Japan, New American, People's Republic of China, South Korea, Taiwan, South China, AFP, U.S, Marshall, Pearl, Pacific, PLARF, Tiananmen

☆ China's true military spending in 2022 was likely worth $711 billion, or 'nearly equal' to the US military budget that year: US think tank
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

A new report says China's $229 billion military budget in 2022 was actually equivalent to $711 billion. AdvertisementIn June 2023, Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska warned Congress that China's military was catching up to America's faster than previously imagined. That makes Beijing's spending in 2022 "nearly equal" to the US defense budget of about $740 billion that year, wrote Eaglen, a senior fellow at AEI. Using that factor, Eaglen wrote that it's highly likely China's spending on personnel that year was worth $293 billion of US military spending. US military spending is also often cited as higher than the actual defense budget.

Persons: —, Sen, Dan Sullivan, Mackenzie Eaglen, Sullivan, Eaglen, haven't Organizations: AEI, Service, Republican, American Enterprise Institute, Pentagon, Beijing, United Nations, Labor, US Army, People's Armed Police, Liberation Army's, Publishing, Getty, China's, Guard Locations: Alaska, Beijing, Washington, China, Nanning, South, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous, United States

☆ China's 'unprecedented' space mission blasts off to the far side of the moon to collect samples
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A Long March 5 rocket, carrying the Chang'e-6 mission lunar probe, lifts off as it rains at the Wenchang Space Launch Centre in southern China's Hainan Province on May 3, 2024. China on Friday launched a space probe to collect samples from the far side of the moon in a mission that has been billed as "unprecedented" as the global space race heats up. An unmanned rocket carrying the Chang'e-6 lunar probe took off from Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province just before 5:30 p.m. local time, kickstarting the 53-day planned mission. The expedition aims to return around 5 pounds of lunar samples to Earth for analysis. "Collecting and returning samples from the far side of the moon is an unprecedented feat," Wu Weiren, chief designer of China's lunar exploration program, said, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua News.

Persons: Wu Weiren, Stephen Whiting Organizations: Xinhua News, Scientists, U.S, U.S . Space Command Locations: Hainan Province, China, Hainan, Beijing

☆ China is gradually amping up its military aggression in a 'boiling frog' strategy, US Indo-Pacific commander says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementAquilino, who led US forces in the Indo-Pacific for three years, cited two major conflict points involving China — Taiwan and the Second Thomas Shoal. I've watched it increase in scope and scale, it is not slowing down," Aquilino told the FT. During his tenure overseeing the region, Aquilino repeatedly warned of China as a primary growing danger to its neighbors. Paparo, on his part, has also named China as one of the most pressing threats to US military interests in the region. AdvertisementThe Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.

Persons: —, Adm, John Aquilino, Thomas, Aquilino, That's, Samuel Paparo Organizations: Service, Financial Times, Business, Coast Guard, Philippine Coast Guard ship, Pacific Command, Pentagon, Embassy Locations: China, Beijing, Taiwan, Thomas Shoal, Philippines, Spratly Islands, South China, Washington

☆ Tesla stock set to surge 10% on Elon Musk's China full self-driving 'home run'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Tesla's stock price jumped 10% in Monday's premarket as traders reacted to Elon Musk's China trip. Musk seems to have won key support for rolling out Tesla's autonomous driving technology in China. The Wall Street Journal reported that China's government had signaled to Musk that it would support Tesla's full self-driving rollout. Signs of slowing demand in China have dragged on Tesla's stock price in recent months, although shares rallied last week after Musk's company said it planned to launch cheaper models in 2025. "Musk winning FSD approval in the key China market is a watershed moment for the Tesla story in our view," Ives said in a note seen by BI.

Persons: Wedbush's Dan Ives, —, Tesla, Elon Musk, Premier Li Qiang, Dan Ives, Ives Organizations: Service, Tesla, Baidu, Bloomberg, Premier, Street Journal, BI Locations: Monday's premarket, Elon Musk's China, China, Beijing

☆ How China and Russia are reportedly using 'underground' channels to get around sanctions
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Chinese exporters are reportedly going "underground" as domestic banks pullback from transaction business with Russia, Reuters reported. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementTighter US scrutiny of Beijing's trade ties is sending domestic exporters underground, Reuters exclusively reported on Monday. "Transactions between China and Russia will increasingly go through underground channels," a Chinese trade body head told Reuters: "But these methods carry significant risks." This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Reuters, Service, Business Locations: Russia, Moscow, China

☆ The red flags that will tell us when China's actually ready to invade Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

"I don't think they lack for anything that they need," Lyle Goldstein, director of Asia engagement at Defense Priorities, said of China's forces. Military forces are being deployed nearer to Taiwan than ever, effectively shortening Taiwan's reaction time. Stockpiling of China's rocket force, too, suggests it would have more than enough missiles and rockets to target Taiwan. One common concern is that as China's military exercises around Taiwan have grown in frequency and size, the line between exercise and potential attack is becoming blurred. Xie Huanchi/Xinhua via Getty ImagesExperts, as well as US and Taiwan lawmakers and military officials, have long debated about the readiness of the People's Liberation Army as China's military is known.

Persons: —, Lyle Goldstein, Stringer China, Xi, Thomas Shugart, who's, Shugart, Goldstein, Mike Studeman, Xi Jinping, Dean Cheng, haven't, Cheng, Xie Huanchi, There's, Kyle Amonson, Dane Egli, Annabelle Chih, Getty Images Goldstein, Joe Biden Organizations: Service, Business, Defense, REUTERS, Taiwan's, Taiwan's Ministry of Defense, US Department of Defense, China Economic, Security, PLA, Patriot, US, Center, New, New American Security, Marine Corps, China Coast Guard, Scarborough, ROSA, Military, of Naval Intelligence, Pacific Command, US Institute of Peace, of, People, Getty Images, People's Liberation Army, CCP, Soviet, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Japan, US Coast Guard, Chinese Communist Party, Democratic Progressive Party, Kyodo, Stills Locations: China, Taiwan, Asia, Liaoning, Beijing, New American, AFP, Hong Kong, Xinhua, DoD's China, Cuba, US, Tainan, Japan, Philippines

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken waves as he prepares to depart Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport en route to Beijing, on April 25, 2024. The U.S. and China will hold their first high-level talks on artificial intelligence within the "coming weeks," U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Friday, providing no update over the future of Chinese social media giant TikTok. During wide-ranging talks with Chinese officials in Beijing, Blinken said the two sides had agreed to the first U.S.-China intergovernmental dialogue on AI to discuss the risks and safety concerns surrounding the emerging technology. The U.S. imposed restrictions on Beijing's ability to access high-end tech and is moving close to banning social media app TikTok, unless its Chinese parent ByteDance sells it. Speaking at a press conference, Blinken said that TikTok "did not come up" in the talks.

Persons: Antony Blinken, State Anthony Blinken, Blinken Organizations: State, U.S Locations: Shanghai Hongqiao, Beijing, U.S, China

☆ The US and China are engaging more. But that doesn't mean they trust each other more, an analyst said.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

US and China's engagements don't mean they trust each other more, said Eurasia Group's Ian Bremmer. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . But just because they're talking more doesn't mean that they actually trust each other more, an analyst said on Wednesday. Earlier this month, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited China, seeking cooperation in areas beneficial to both countries. Advertisement"It's always better to have more engagement, more conversations — especially when you don't trust each other," Bremmer said.

Persons: Ian Bremmer, —, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, there's, Bremmer, Janet Yellen, Lloyd Austin, State Anthony Blinken, William Lai — Organizations: Service, Eurasia Group, Bloomberg, APEC, Defense, State Locations: Eurasia, Ian Bremmer . Washington, China, Taiwan, San Francisco, US, Washington, Taiwan —, Beijing

☆ Solar manufacturers petition U.S. to impose tariffs on imports from four Southeast Asian nations
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A coalition of U.S. solar manufacturers petitioned the federal government on Wednesday to impose tariffs on imports from four Southeast Asian nations, alleging that the countries are flooding the U.S. market with cheap products that threaten the domestic industry. The other six parties to the petition are Convalt Energy, Meyer Burger, Mission Solar, Qcells, REC Silicon and Swift Solar. They are requesting that the Commerce Department impose tariffs on solar cell imports from the four countries as a remedy. "This case is bad news for clean energy jobs and American solar manufacturing," Array CEO Kevin Hostetler said in a statement Wednesday. The ITC and Commerce Department investigations will take about 12 months to conclude, Brightbill said.

Persons: Meyer Burger, Tim Brightbill, Joe Biden, Brightbill, Kevin Hostetler, Janet Yellen, Biden Organizations: U.S, Convalt Energy, International Trade Commission, Commerce, ITC, Initiative, Commerce Department, Solar Energy Industries Association, American Clean Power Association, Advanced Energy, American Council, Renewable Energy, Technologies, International Energy Agency, IEA, CNBC Locations: Zhangye city, Gansu province, China, Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, U.S, The U.S, Beijing's

☆ China's 'Netflix' iQiyi pivots toward an aging population in an AI era
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING — Chinese video streaming platform iQiyi is turning its attention to the country's aging population, while using artificial intelligence tools to bolster content production. One of iQiyi's near-term goals is to improve the product offering for older users, CEO and founder Gong Yu said Tuesday at the company's annual conference. Gong also pointed to estimates that predict about one-fourth of China's population will be considered elderly in 2033, rising to one-third in 2053. Fewer children, Gong said, means each child becomes more important. He said iQiyi would improve the quality of its content for children.

Persons: Gong Yu, Gong Organizations: Netflix, CNBC Locations: China, U.S, BEIJING, iQiyi's

☆ Germany arrests three suspected of spying for China
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Three German nationals have been arrested on suspicion of working with the Chinese secret service to hand over technologies that could be used for military purposes, German prosecutors said on Monday. The suspects were identified as Herwig F. and Ina F, a married couple who run a company in Dusseldorf, and Thomas R., whom prosecutors described as an agent for an employee of China's Ministry of State Security (MSS). The Chinese contract partner was the MSS employee from whom Thomas R. received his orders, it added. The suspects also purchased a special laser from Germany on behalf of and with payment from the MSS and exported it to China without authorisation, according to the prosecutors. The Chinese embassy in Berlin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Persons: Herwig, Ina F, Thomas R, Olaf Scholz Organizations: China's Ministry of State Security, Russia Locations: Dusseldorf, Germany, China, Beijing, Europe, Berlin

☆ Blinken to warn China over its support for Russia’s military during this week's visit
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Sumathi Bala | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) and China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang shake hands ahead of a meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on June 18, 2023. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will warn China about its support for Russia's military during his visit to the country this week, according to a senior State Department official. Blinken is expected to convey Washington's "deep concerns" over China's aid for Russia's defense industrial base, during his three-day visit starting Wednesday. "And I think we've demonstrated our willingness to do so regarding firms from a number of countries, not just China," he added. During his visit to Beijing and Shanghai, Blinken is expected to meet senior Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to the State Department.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Qin Gang, Blinken, We're, Wang Yi, Xi Jinping Organizations: China's Foreign, State Department Locations: Diaoyutai, Beijing, China, Ukraine, Europe, U.S, Shanghai, Blinken

☆ Beijing half-marathon winner stripped of medal after 3 African runners let the Chinese athlete overtake, video appears to show
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Cameron Manley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Organizers of Beijing's half-marathon stripped the winner of his gold medal, say reports. Video evidence appeared to show African runners slow to allow China's He Jie to overtake and win. Robert Keter then waves at He to overtake and signals to the other two African runners to pull back. AdvertisementThe investigation revealed the three African runners to be pacemakers, hired by Chinese sports company Xtep, which sponsored both He and the Beijing Half Marathon, but it did not inform the organizers. AdvertisementAll four runners' results have been revoked, and they will be stripped of their trophies, medals, and bonuses.

Persons: Jie, Kenya'sWilly Mnangat, —, Kenya's Robert Keter, Willy Mnangat, Mnangat, Robert Keter, Xtep, Zhong'ao Organizations: Service, Guardian, BBC Sport, South China Morning, World, Sports Management Co Locations: Beijing, BBC Sport Africa

☆ China may be shaking out of its slump, and its economy could grow 5% this year after a surprising first-quarter performance, BofA says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Yuheng Zhan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

China's breakout from its economic slump may also mean less government support ahead, BofA said. BofA doesn't expect a "a full-blown growth rebound" as real estate woes and weak demand are still a problem. AdvertisementBank of America boosted its forecast for China's economic growth in 2024 on the heels of a surprisingly strong first-quarter performance from the world's second-largest economy. AdvertisementWith a robust first quarter dataset in hand, policymakers may be less inclined to intensify easing measures, dashing hopes for imminent policy support, according to the bank. The analysts wrote that they anticipate a gradual growth deceleration through the rest of 2024 as policy support wanes.

Persons: BofA, —, Helen Qiao, wasn't Organizations: of America, Service, Bank of America, FAI Locations: China

☆ Critical chip firm ASML posts profit beat but sales miss expectations with 22% drop
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Net sales fell 21.6% year-on-year while net income dropped 37.4%. ASML's net sales fell in the middle point of the company's guidance. ASML on Monday said first-quarter profit beat expectations while sales missed forecasts, with the company sticking to its full-year outlook. ASML has previously said it expects net sales for 2024 to be similar to 2023 and reiterated this projection on Monday. ASML previously said that export restrictions would impact 10% to 15% of China sales this year.

Persons: Joe Biden's, ASML, Peter Wennink, ASML's bullishness, Roger Dassen Organizations: Samsung, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, Intel Locations: Netherlands, China, U.S, America

☆ China's inaction on Iran has 'undermined' its influence in the Middle East, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

China's restrained silence on the Middle East conflict is tipping the scales of regional influence back in the U.S.' favor, according to one analyst. "[Beijing's] role has been less pronounced than many expected, and actually I think it's undermined the sense of growing Chinese influence and confidence in the region," Julien Barnes-Dacey, director of the Middle East & North Africa program at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said on CNBC's "Street Signs" Tuesday. Last week, world leaders entreated China to use its considerable influence as a key trade partner to sway Tehran away from a direct attack against Israel, after an Israeli strike killed several top Iranian commanders in Damascus. Roughly 99% of these projectiles were eliminated by Israel, with help from the U.S., the U.K., France and Jordan. Since then, the specter of Israeli retaliation and a broader conflict in the Middle East has loomed large, with Washington stressing its commitment to Israeli defense and world leaders urging calm.

Persons: Julien Barnes, Dacey, Israel — Organizations: European Council, Foreign Relations, Israel Locations: U.S, Africa, China, Tehran, Israel, Damascus, Iran, Strait, Hormuz, France, Jordan, Washington

☆ Iran's attack on Israel could be bad for Russia's war in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewIran's attack on Israel on Saturday is bad not only for the Middle East, but also for Russia's war in Ukraine as new fault lines emerge between Moscow and Tehran. AdvertisementRussia has been installing itself as a military and diplomatic player in the Middle East for years. This is in part due to Moscow's preoccupation with its war in Ukraine, Grisé wrote. "Russia would be especially sensitive to Chinese attempts to encroach on its influence in the Middle East," Grisé wrote in her commentary. AdvertisementThis is especially so since Beijing managed to deliver results in March 2023, brokering a détente between Saudi Arabia and Iran, Grisé added.

Persons: —, Michelle Grisé, Grisé, Russia's, Israel —, Ursula von der Leyen, Vladimir Putin Organizations: Service, RAND, Business, Iran, European Commission Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Moscow, Tehran, American, Russia, Iran, Damascus, Syria, Libya, Iranian, Beijing, Saudi Arabia, China

☆ The Moscow-Beijing alliance is here to stay because partnering with China is the only way Putin can sustain his conflict with the West, think tank says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Russia's growing partnership with China isn't going to fade, a think-tank director said. The West should consider enforcing economic sanctions on China as well, he said. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . In an op-ed for Foreign Affairs, the think-tank director pointed to Russia and China's economies becoming increasingly intertwined since Moscow began its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The two nations scaled up their trade partnership to a record $240 billion last year, partly because China has snapped up key Russian commodities while the West has shunned trade with Moscow.

Persons: China isn't, Putin, —, Vladimir Putin, Alexander Gabuev Organizations: Service, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, Foreign Affairs, Business Locations: China, Beijing, Russia, Moscow, Ukraine

☆ China's policy to boost demand by $700 billion will have a 'bigger and bigger' impact, official says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty ImagesBEIJING — China's latest policy to boost demand will soon have a greater effect on growth, a top official at the economic planning agency told reporters Thursday. "We believe this work will achieve bigger and bigger results," he said in Mandarin, translated by CNBC. He noted that equipment upgrades account for 9% to 10% of total GDP. 'Strong' central government fiscal supportIn terms of fiscal funding for those upgrades, Zhao said the central government would provide "strong support." Part of the equipment upgrade and consumer trade-in policy also focuses on improving standards for the kinds of products that can be used.

Persons: That's, Zhao Chenxin, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Zhao, Bruce Pang, Fu Jinling, Fu, Francoise Huang, We're, JLL's Pang, Shan Zhongde Organizations: Visual China, Getty, BEIJING, National Development, Reform Commission, CNBC, Analysts, People's Bank of, Allianz Trade, Ministry of Industry, Information Technology, Ministry of Housing, Ministry of Commerce, State Administration, Market, China's Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Global Locations: Qingzhou, Weifang City, Shandong Province, China, oversupply, Beijing, JLL, People's Bank of China

The U.S. has passed a series of export controls starting in October 2022 aimed at restricting China's access to advanced chip technology, particularly those used in AI applications. According to data from tech consultancy Omdia, China consumes nearly 50% of the world's semiconductors as it is the biggest market for assembling consumer devices. But, soon after, it was reported that Nvidia was working on a new chip made for China. The company did not respond to a request for comment on their plans for the China market. An analysis of Huawei's Mate 60 Pro smartphone by TechInsights revealed an advanced chip made by China's top chip maker, SMIC.

Persons: Wong Yu Liang, Chris Miller, William B, Bailey, Donald Trump, TechInsights Organizations: AMD MU, P Global, Intel, Broadcom, Qualcomm, Marvell Technology, U.S, The, CNBC, Nasdaq, Intelligence, Micron Technology, AMD, Nvidia, Huawei, Semiconductor Industry Association, America's Micron, country's Cyberspace Administration, Micron Locations: China, The U.S, U.S, Washington, Xi'an, Netherlands, Beijing

☆ Biden warns on Beijing's South China Sea moves in Philippines-Japan summit
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Leaders from the three nations are meeting in a first-ever trilateral summit in a show of solidarity as China's assertiveness in the South China Sea has raised tensions in the region. Topping the meeting's agenda is China's increasing pressure in the South China Sea, which has escalated despite a personal appeal by Biden to Chinese President Xi Jinping last year. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including the maritime economic zones of neighboring nations. Japan has a dispute with China over islands in the East China Sea. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said "China's activities in the East China Sea and South China Sea fully comply with international law" and that they were prepared to resolve issues through "dialogue and consultation" but criticized both the U.S. and Japan for ratcheting up tensions.

Persons: Joe Biden, Fumio Kishida, Ferdinand Marcos, Andrew Harnik, Beijing's, Joe Biden's, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Biden, Xi Jinping, Thomas Shoal, Marcos, Thomas, Mao Ning Organizations: Japanese, White, Washington , DC, South China, Getty, East China, U.S Locations: Washington ,, South, China, U.S, Japan, Philippines, Manila, . U.S, American, Washington, South China, States, East

☆ Fitch downgrades outlook on China to negative on economic growth risks
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

The aerial view shows residential buildings under construction in Hangzhou, China on March 15, 2024. Ratings agency Fitch revised its outlook on China's sovereign credit rating to negative on Tuesday, citing risks to public finances as the economy faced increasing uncertainty in its shift to new growth models. Fitch forecast the general government deficit would rise to 7.1% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024 from 5.8% in 2023, the highest since a reading of 8.6% in 2020, when Beijing's strict Covid curbs weighed heavily on the world's No. While it lowered its outlook, indicating a downgrade is possible over the medium term, the agency affirmed China's IDR rating at "A+." Fitch forecast China's economic growth would slow to 4.5% in 2024 from 5.2% last year, in contrast to Citi and the International Monetary Fund, which both revised up their China forecasts.

Persons: Fitch, China's Organizations: Citi, International Monetary Fund Locations: Hangzhou, China

☆ U.S. ready to sanction Chinese banks if they aid Russia's war machine, Yellen says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The United States is prepared to sanction Chinese banks and companies, as well as Beijing's leadership, if they assist Russia's armed forces with the invasion of Ukraine, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Monday. "We stand ready to act if we see significant violations, especially by financial institutions," Yellen said in an interview with CNBC's Sara Eisen in Beijing. "Anything that involves aiding Russia's military in their brutal war against Ukraine is unacceptable to us and we have the ability to sanction it." President Joe Biden issued a new executive order in December that vested the Treasury secretary with the authority to sanction financial institutions that aided Russia's military-industrial complex. But the provision of military aid from Beijing to Moscow could trigger sanctions.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Yellen, CNBC's Sara Eisen, Joe Biden Organizations: Treasury, Treasury Department, U.S Locations: States, Ukraine, U.S, Beijing, China, Russia, Moscow

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