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☆ Labor Day isn’t the holiday it once was for China’s workers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Chris Lau | Hassan Tayir | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Hong Kong CNN —Like hundreds of millions of workers in China, Hao Zeyu, an algorithm engineer at an electric vehicle maker, is getting five days off this week for the Labor Day holiday. So, why has a decades-old policy caused so much upset in a country whose Communist Party leadership pays annual homage to International Workers’ Day? Trending topicIn recent weeks, complaints about this year’s Labor Day leave arrangements have exploded on Chinese social media. Tourists visit the Qiansimen Jialing River Bridge during the May Day holiday on May 1, 2023 in Chongqing, China. Labor Day isn’t the only holiday to get the adjusted rest policy.

Persons: Hao Zeyu, Hao, “, ” Hao, ”, Yao, Max Teng, it’s, Yaer Tuerdi, Pang Dong Lai, Yu Donglai, Yu, Teng Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Labor, CNN, Communist Party, International Workers, Workers, Weibo, Tourists, China News Service, University of Wellington, “ Workers Locations: China, Hong Kong, Chongqing, United States, United Kingdom, Kentucky, Henan

☆ Zhang Yongzhen: Chinese virologist shared crucial Covid-19 data. Then his research hit hurdles
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | Yong Xiong | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The ordeal is just the latest hindrance to Zhang’s research since 2020, according to a colleague who has been in contact with the Chinese scientist in recent years. The “institute always respects … and supports scientific researchers and students in carrying out normal research work,” the statement said. The earlier post by Zhang’s students said the two days originally allocated by the center for them to move their scientific work was insufficient. Following the release of the data, Zhang’s lab had limitations placed on it, which barred it from isolating the Covid virus, Holmes said. That included imposing restrictions by April 2020 on the publication of academic research on the origins of the novel coronavirus.

Persons: Zhang Yongzhen’s, Zhang, ”, hadn’t, Hector Retamal, Edward Holmes, Holmes, ” Holmes, “, He’s, Zhang Yongzhen, ” Zhang, “ He’s, It’s, virologist Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Shanghai, Health, Weibo, Zhang’s, Chinese Center for Disease Control, CNN, Fudan University, Health Clinical, Getty, World Health Organization, Nature, University, Sydney, CDC, China’s National Health Commission, Oxford University Press, Shanghai Public Health Center, Natural Science Foundation of China Locations: China, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Wuhan, AFP, Beijing

☆ Hong Kong stocks are back from the dead. Here’s why
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Hong Kong CNN —Hong Kong’s benchmark Hang Seng Index surged more than 7% in April as the best-performing major index in the world. The valuation of Hong Kong stocks has also become more “compelling” relative to the rest of the Asian region after the pullback last year, said Zhikai Chen, head of Asian equities at BNP Paribas Asset Management. He added that there is a shift in investors’ sentiments as Chinese economic data turned more positive. Innes said global investors are currently “underweight” in Chinese markets, including Hong Kong, because of geopolitical tensions and concerns surrounding potential fallout from the upcoming US elections. Stock exchange data showed that southbound investors (meaning investment from mainland China into Hong Kong) have bought nearly $20 billion of Hong Kong-listed stocks in March and the first three weeks of April on a net basis.

Persons: ”, Kelly Chung, Zhikai Chen, Stephen Innes, David Chao, Nomura, Xiaomei Chen, Angelina Lai, Innes, Kong, BNP Paribus Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong, Value Partners, BNP, Management, P Global, PMI, Kong's, Reuters, US, People’s Bank of, HK, “ Locations: China, Hong Kong, United States, Beijing, India, James’s, People’s Bank of China

☆ Hong Kong transgender activist gets new male ID after yearslong legal battle
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

On Monday, Tse finally picked up a new ID card that registered his gender as male at Hong Kong’s immigration office. The 33-year-old activist, who holds both British and Hong Kong passports, identifies as a man and has lived as a man for years. His British passport identifies him as male but Hong Kong authorities refused to make that change for the city’s identity card, which is compulsory for all residents. So in 2017, Tse took legal action against the Hong Kong government, which fought the case all the way. LGBTQ activists in Hong Kong have long questioned why they must keep fighting through the courts to gain recognition and equality, but they have nonetheless seen repeated successes.

Persons: Henry Tse, Tse, –, ” Tse, Hong, ”, Xi Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, British, Hong, Appeal, CNN, Kong’s Immigration Department, Reuters Locations: Hong Kong, Hong, East Asia, Kong’s, Tse’s, China, Taiwan, Asia, Japan

☆ Elon Musk wins official praise for Tesla during surprise visit to China
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Autopilot is available in China, but not the full FSD feature, which needs to comply with the country’s data security rules. “The economies of China and the United States are deeply integrated,” he said, according to an official readout of the meeting with the Tesla CEO. “Tesla is willing to further deepen cooperation with China and achieve more win-win results,” Musk told Li. Musk first met Li in 2018, when Tesla signed a deal with the Shanghai government to open a plant there. Since then, Musk has met with Li publicly at least five times, according to state media reports and government statements.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — Elon Musk, Premier Li Qiang, Tesla, Musk, ”, Dan Ives, that’s, Ives, Antony Blinken, Xi Jinping, Li, China’s BYD, “, ” Musk, Tesla’s, Ren Hongbin, Li Qiang Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Premier, China Association of Auto Manufacturers, Baidu, Bloomberg, CNN, Beijing Auto, EV, Wedbush Securities, China Council, Promotion of International Trade Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, United States, Shanghai, Weibo

☆ Xi shakes up China’s military in rethink of how to ‘fight and win’ future wars
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Chinese leader Xi Jinping oversees the inauguration of the Information Support Force of the People's Liberation Army at a ceremony in Beijing on April 19, 2024. The Information Support Force will be led by top generals from the now-defunct SSF. These functions will now be supervised at his level and not through the Strategic Support Force, which served as a middleman,” Wuthnow said. Though US intelligence officials said the balloon was part of an extensive surveillance program run by the Chinese military, Xi may not have been aware of the mission. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has scrapped the People's Liberation Army's Strategic Support Force, a branch he founded in 2015.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Xi, ”, Wu Qian, SSF, Bi Yi, Li Wei, Ju Qiansheng, Joel Wuthnow, ” Wuthnow, Joe Biden, didn’t, Xinhua News Agency James Char, Char Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Strategic Support Force, Support Force, PLA, China’s Defense, Aerospace Force, Cyberspace Force, Central Military Commission, Logistic Support Force, Information, Force, People's Liberation Army, Xinhua News, Information Support Force, Xinhua, Pentagon, National Defense University, Aerospace Systems Department, Network System Department, Xinhua News Agency, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, SSF’s Aerospace Systems Department, “, Communist Party, Taiwan Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Washington, United States, Singapore, Ukraine, Taiwan Strait, Taiwan

☆ Tiktok ban: Chinese owner Bytedance denies it’s willing to sell as US ban looms
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

In the statement, Bytedance attached screenshots of the Information’s report, which cited three people with knowledge of deliberations. Under what is now US law, TikTok is forced to find a new owner within months or be banned from the United States entirely, its biggest market with 170 million users. The Chinese government has previously said it strongly opposes a forced sale of TikTok, and has the legal ability to do so. In particular, they worry that TikTok could share data with the Chinese government or manipulate content displayed on its platform. But as a China-based company, ByteDance is subject to a myriad of national intelligence, data security and cybersecurity laws.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, ByteDance, Joe Biden, Bytedance, TikTok, Shou Chew, ” Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, “, ByteDance, National Intelligence Law Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, China, Israel, Ukraine, United States, India

☆ Japan Airlines first female CEO hopes more women make it to the top
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Hanako Montgomery | Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Tokyo/Hong Kong CNN —Mitsuko Tottori admits Japan has much more to do to get people like her into the chief executive seat. Tottori was named as the first female president and chief executive of Japan Airlines (JAL) in January, crowning a career that began nearly 40 years ago when she joined the airline as a flight attendant. Tottori, pictured in 1985 using an in-flight phone, began her career as a cabin attendant at Japan Airlines. Japan Airlines' A350 airplane is on fire at Haneda international airport in Tokyo, Japan January 2, 2024. They really followed the instructions of the flight crew calmly, which I think was a big factor.

Persons: Mitsuko Tottori, ”, “, Tottori, Issei Kato, Shukor Yusof, Seijiro Takeshita, ’, ” Takeshita, — CNN’s Junko Ogura, Mayumi Maruyama, Juliana Liu Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Japan Airlines, JAL, “, CNN, University of Tokyo, Women’s Junior College, Boeing, Airbus, Haneda, Endau, ”, Japan Inc, University of Shizuoka, ANA, All Nippon Airways Locations: Tokyo, Hong Kong, Japan, Tottori, “ Japan, Nagasaki, Haneda, Osaka, Asia, Myanmar, Fiji

☆ Banning TikTok would hit China’s tech ambitions and deepen the global digital divide
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Not only would that deal another huge blow to China’s tech ambitions, it would further deepen the divide between two digital worlds centered around the rival economic superpowers. Congress on Tuesday approved legislation that could compel ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a national ban. That leaves few options for ByteDance to secure the future of TikTok in the US, its biggest market with 170 million users. “This includes everything from who owns and operates data centers, to space-based internet satellites, to undersea cables and, of course semiconductors.”In that sense, the TikTok ban has its silver lining for Beijing. Growing challenges for Chinese appsThe TikTok legislation was included in a wide-ranging foreign aid package meant to support Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, ByteDance, Joe Biden, TikTok, “, ”, Alex Capri, Richard Windsor, Capri, Biden, Paul Triolo, ” Triolo, Wang Wenbin, CNN’s Marc Stewart, Triolo doesn’t, — CNN’s Wayne Chang, Marc Stewart Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Foundation, National University of Singapore’s Business, YouTube, Google, Radio Free Mobile, TikTok, Technology, Albright, Commerce Department, Commerce, China’s, Foreign Ministry, Facebook, Apple Locations: China, Hong Kong, America, Beijing, Capri, “, Asia, Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, Silicon Valley, American, Bytedance, “ Beijing

☆ Analysis: China’s EV market reshaped by a brutal elimination round
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Hong Kong CNN —A “life and death race” has begun to unfold in the world’s largest market for electric vehicles (EV). More than a dozen passenger carmakers disappeared from the market last year, according to statistics from the China Passenger Car Association. Too many playersOvercrowding is another major issue plaguing China’s EV industry. Last month, Xiaomi, a Chinese smartphone brand, launched its electric car, the SU7 sedan. “China’s EV industry has entered a stage of cyclical adjustment after two decades of growth,” he said at a forum in Beijing.

Persons: ”, Tesla, Mark Rainford, Richard Yu, Li Auto, “ They’re, Huawei’s Aito, Lei Jun, BYD, Rainford, Gan Jiayue, Wang Chuanfu, Yin Tongyue Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Auto China, YouTube, China, “, National Development, Reform Commission, China Passenger Car Association, WM, Mitsubishi Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Ford, Huawei, EV, China Association of Auto Manufacturers, China’s EV, Li, Tesla, Porsche, Geely Auto, Meizu, Chery Auto, International Energy Agency Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, oversupply, Meizu

☆ Tesla cuts prices in China and Germany as competition heats up
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —Tesla has announced aggressive price cuts in China and Germany, shortly after reducing prices in the United States, as the world’s largest maker of electric vehicles (EV) faces declining sales and growing competition in major markets. The first cuts were announced on Friday in the US, when Tesla reduced the prices of three of its five models. China gets tougherIn China, the largest EV market in the world, Tesla’s price cuts are expected to exacerbate an existing price war in a highly competitive sector. China’s EV price war started in October 2022, when Tesla cut prices to boost sales as consumers slashed spending in a slowing economy. The competition continues unabated in 2024, with more than 30 major car makers announcing further price cuts.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — Tesla, Tesla, Elon Musk, Narendra Modi, Li Auto, Li Xiang, Li, China’s BYD, XPeng, BYD Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, EV, Tesla, Li Locations: China, Hong Kong, Germany, United States, Tesla’s, Europe, India, Guangzhou

☆ Massive floods threaten tens of millions as intense rains batter southern China
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —Heavy rains hammered southern China on the weekend, flooding homes, streets and farmland and threatening to upend the lives of tens of millions of people as rescuers rushed to evacuate residents trapped by rising waters. Since April 16, sustained torrential rains have pounded the Pearl River Delta, China’s manufacturing heartland and one of the country’s most populated regions, with four weather stations in Guangdong registering record rainfall for April. Since last week, at least 44 rivers in the Pearl River basin have swelled above the warning line, threatening to burst their banks, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Aerial view of waterlogged fields after torrential rains on April 20, 2024 in Qingyuan, Guangdong Province of China. Authorities raised the flood control emergency response for the Pearl River Delta to level 2 on Sunday – the second highest in a four-tier system.

Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Xinhua, China Meteorological Administration, Visual China, CCTV, Authorities Locations: Hong Kong, China, Guangdong, Jiangwan, Shaoguan, Pearl, Qingyuan, Guangdong Province of China, Guangning county, Zhaoqing, Qingyuan city, Guangzhou, Shenzhen

☆ World Anti-Doping Agency defends handling of elite Chinese swimmers who tested positive for banned drug
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong CNN —Global sport’s anti-doping watchdog has slammed as “outrageous” and “completely false” allegations that it mishandled a 2021 case in which more than 20 elite Chinese swimmers tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) made the comments after US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) chief Travis Tygart accused the agency and Chinese officials of having “swept these positives under carpet” and failing to follow the rules around drugs in sport. The China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) said recent media reports about the cases were “misleading,” according to Chinese state agency Xinhua, citing a statement Saturday. In its statement Saturday, WADA said it was notified in June 2021 of CHINADA’s ruling on the swimmers who had tested positive earlier that year. “These are egregious failures even if you buy their story that this was contamination and a potent drug ‘magically appeared’ in a kitchen and led to 23 positive tests of elite Chinese swimmers,” Tygart said, referencing details included in The New York Times’ article citing a report from Chinese investigators.

Persons: “, WADA, Travis Tygart, CHINADA, Kamila Valieva, “ WADA, ” Tygart Organizations: Hong Kong CNN — Global, Doping Agency, New York Times, Tokyo Olympics, ARD, Tokyo Games, CNN, Chinese Olympic, Testing Agency, Xinhua, trimetazidine, “, TMZ, The New York Times Locations: Hong Kong, China, USADA, Xinhua, Russian

☆ China sees foreign threats ‘everywhere’ as powerful spy agency takes center stage
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

But among the crowds you and I together are protecting national security,” the narrator concludes. Chinese soldiers look at a poster promoting national security in the southwestern city of Beihai on National Security Education Day on April 15, 2024. CFOTO/Future Publishing/Getty ImagesAccording to the MSS, foreign spies are omnipresent and infiltrating everything – from mapping apps to weather stations. But China’s spy agency has gradually stepped out of the shadows as Xi makes national security a key priority. “Shenyin Special Investigation Squad” is a comic series based on real-life counterespionage operations, according to China's spy agency.

Persons: –, “, ”, Xi, Xuezhi Guo, Sheena Chestnut Greitens, Xi Jinping, Greg Baker, Mao Zedong, Greitens, Chen Yixin, Chen, “ Chen, ” Greitens, Xi –, denigrate, Bain, Alex Plavevski, Guo, influencers, China’s, can’t, James Zimmerman, Perkins Coie, Zimmerman, ” Zimmerman Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, National Security Education, “, Ministry of State Security, National Security, Publishing, CIA, National, Education, Capitol, Guilford College, Asia, University of Texas, Getty, Communist Party, FBI, National Security Propaganda, CCTV, Ministry of State, China’s National Security Commission, Group, China Development Forum, Perkins Coie LLP, ”, MSS Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beihai, British, American, Beijing, Austin, AFP, Zhejiang province, Shanghai, New York, overreaching

☆ Beijing half marathon winners stripped of medals after African trio let Chinese runner win
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong CNN —The top four finishers of the Beijing Half Marathon have been stripped of their medals after an investigation found three African runners deliberately slowed down near the finish line to let a Chinese competitor win, according to organizers. The three African runners were invited to join the race as pacemakers by Chinese sports company Xtep, which sponsored both He and the Beijing Half Marathon, according to the committee. But Xtep failed to note the trio as pacemakers to the race operator, Zhong’ao Lupao Beijing Sports Management company, the committee said. The committee disqualified the operator from hosting the Beijing Half Marathon and banned Xtep from sponsoring any more races this season. He is ranked 74th in the world in the men’s marathon by World Athletics and is expected to lead the way for Asian runners in the upcoming Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.

Persons: China’s, Jie, Kenya’s Willy Mnangat, gesturing, Robert Keter, Ethiopia’s, Xtep, Xtep “, ” Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Beijing Sports Management, Marathon, World Athletics Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, Kenya, China

☆ Oil prices jump on escalating tensions in the Middle East after strike on Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong CNN —Oil prices jumped on Friday while Asian markets tumbled, with global investors worrying about an escalation in conflict in the Middle East after explosions were reported near the Iranian city of Isfahan. Iran launched the attack in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria earlier this month. “Israel’s response could determine whether oil supplies are ultimately under threat.”Elsewhere, ongoing oil disruptions remain high, the analysts added. In Hong Kong, PetroChina, Asia’s largest oil and gas supplier, advanced 2.3%. Sinopec, the world’s largest oil refining company by capacity, rose 1.3%.

Persons: Brent, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, ”, “, Korea’s Kospi, Cosmo Energy Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, CNN, ANZ, United, Stock, Nikkei, China’s, Energy, Eneos Corp, Oil Corp Locations: Hong Kong, Iranian, Isfahan, Israel, Iran, Syria, United States, Mexico, Asia, China’s Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul

☆ Apple deletes WhatsApp, Threads from China app store on orders from Beijing
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Juliana Liu | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong CNN —Apple has removed WhatAapp and Threads from its app store in China, following an order from the country’s internet watchdog which cited national security concerns. “The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns. Other popular Western social media apps including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and Messenger are still available on Apple’s China app store, according to a check by CNN. Chinese consumers who once would have considered Apple are now turning to the country’s national brands. Its CEO Tim Cook visited Shanghai just last month to open the second biggest Apple store in the world.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Duncan Clark, ”, VPNs, Tim Cook, — Hassan Tayir Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong Kong CNN — Apple, Apple, CNN, Administration of China, Meta, BDA China, Facebook, IDC, Huawei Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, United States, Shanghai

HONG KONG CNN —India is set to vote in the world’s largest ever general election, setting the stage for a mammoth exercise in democracy with nearly a billion people eligible to head to the polls across just over six weeks. Here is a look at how the world’s most populous country votes in the world’s largest democracy. The number of women registered to vote has increased by 40 million since the previous election in 2019, according to the election commission, while more than 20 million voters between ages 18-29 have been added to the electorate. Voting begins on Friday, April 19, and will continue through June 1, with results announced on June 4. This operation requires some 15 million polling officials and security staff during the election, with some of these election workers traveling via road, boat, camel, train, and helicopters to reach India’s citizens.

Persons: Narendra Modi Organizations: HONG KONG CNN —, European Union Locations: HONG KONG, HONG KONG CNN — India, North America, Lok, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, India’s

☆ Can China play a role in avoiding an all-out war in the Middle East?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Nectar Gan | Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“China calls on the international community, especially countries with influence, to play a constructive role for the peace and stability of the region,” the ministry added. The decision by Iran’s leaders to strike at Israel directly has pushed the shadow war between the two regional foes into the open. That’s why China does not condemn Iran,” said Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Washington-based Stimson Center think tank. Beijing meanwhile denounced the strike as a “barbarian act,” with protests erupting outside US diplomatic compounds across China. “For China, had US applies enough pressure on Israel, neither the Israeli attack nor the Iranian retaliation would have taken place.

Persons: Beijing’s, Antony Blinken, Wang Yi –, Saudi Arabia –, ”, William Figueroa, Figueroa, “, Xi Jinping, China’s, Iran ”, Israel, ” Figueroa, Wang Wenbin, Wang, Yun Sun, Bill Clinton, Jiang Zemin, ” Sun, Kishida, Jaishankar, Israel Katz, Hossein Amirabdollahian Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Foreign Ministry, Washington, US State Department, Hamas, Beijing, Tehran, University of Groningen, Global Security Initiative, CNN, Chinese Foreign Ministry, Stimson, NATO, Embassy, Japan’s, Israel’s Foreign, Iranian Locations: China, Hong Kong, East, Iran, Israel, Beijing, Gaza, Tehran, Damascus, Republic, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Palestinian, Red, Tehran –, Netherlands, underinvestment, United States, Israeli, Syria, Quds, Washington, Belgrade, That’s, Yugoslavia, Asia, ”, India, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia

☆ China’s Q1 GDP grows 5.3% partly thanks to strong manufacturing
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Hong Kong CNN —China’s economy grew stronger than expected at the start of this year, partly thanks to robust factory activity. Gross domestic product grew by 5.3% in the first quarter from a year ago, according to the National Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday. Last month, an official survey showed China’s manufacturing purchasing manager’s index (PMI) expanded for the first time in six months. The Caixin/S&P manufacturing PMI also hit its strongest reading in more than a year, as overseas demand picked up. The authorities have cut interest rates this year to boost bank lending and speed up central government spending to support infrastructure investment.

Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Gross, National Bureau, Statistics, PMI Locations: Hong Kong, China

☆ Chinese runner’s win invites suspicion after rivals appear to step aside
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Andrew Mcnicol | Hassan Tayir | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —Chinese runner He Jie’s victory Sunday in the Beijing Half Marathon is facing a probe after his win was called into question by Chinese internet users because a trio of African runners appeared to deliberately slow down to let him win. The Chinese runner crossed the finish line in 1:03:44 to claim the $5,500 first prize, with the African trio just one second behind in joint-second place. The video clip shows the African runners applauding He’s win and patting him on the back, though the Asian Games marathon champion appears less enthused despite winning his first ever competitive half marathon. Some Chinese internet users called for an investigation into the race, while others demanded action from organizers. He is ranked 77th in the world in men’s marathon by World Athletics and is expected to lead the way for Asian runners in the upcoming Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.

Persons: Kenya’s Willy Mnangat, Robert Keter, Ethiopia’s, He’s, patting, “, ”, ” Xstep, It’s, Mark Dreyer, That’s, “ It’s, Jie, ” Dreyer Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Asian Games, Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau, Chinese Athletics Association, CNN, Sporting, World Athletics Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, Kenya, Weibo, China’s Ningxia

☆ Gold prices rise, Asian markets fall after Tehran’s attack on Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

It had hit an all-time high of $2,431 per ounce on Friday because of fears of a potential attack by Iran on Israel. US gold futures also added 0.1% on Monday. The Middle East was plunged into uncharted waters after Iran launched scores of missiles toward Israel late Saturday. Before Iran’s attack, US stocks ended Friday sharply lower, as Wall Street worried about escalating tension in the Middle East. Dow futures rose 80 points, or 0.2%, in Asian hours on Monday.

Persons: Kospi, Brent, Joe Biden Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Nikkei, ANZ, Dow, Nasdaq Locations: Hong Kong, Iran, Israel, Shanghai, Syria, East

☆ China is sending its highest-level delegation to North Korea since 2019 to kick off a ‘friendship year’
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The three-day visit, at North Korea’s invitation, shows the “great importance” China attaches to those relations, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said. The delegation will also arrive amid heightened global concern about North Korea, which has in recent months ramped up its bellicose rhetoric and continued its weapons testing. The trip could also be an important opportunity for the upper echelons of China’s political establishment to better understand the circumstances in North Korea today. Balance of powerChina has long walked a thin line in its relations with North Korea. It is a critical economic lifeline for a North Korea crippled by international sanctions over its illegal weapons testing.

Persons: Zhao Leji, ”, KCNA, Zhao, Xi Jinping, China’s, Joe Biden, Fumio Kishida, Kishida, Li Qiang, Liu Dongshu, …, ” Liu, Kim, Li Mingjiang, Vladimir Putin, Yun Sun Organizations: Hong Kong CNN — China’s, Beijing, Foreign Ministry, Japanese, CNN, Communist, North Korea –, Hong Kong’s City University, North, Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, “, United Nations Security, Stimson Locations: China, Hong Kong, North Korea, Pyongyang, Beijing, Moscow, United States, North, Japan, South Korea, Ukraine, Asia, Washington, Philippines, Russia, North Korean, Covid, Pacific, American

☆ China’s Xi to host former Taiwan president in Beijing, in rare meeting echoing bygone era of warmer ties
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Nectar Gan | Wayne Chang | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Joint concerns over China’s increasing assertiveness under Xi, including toward Taiwan, are a key driver of that summit. Chinese leader Xi Jinping shakes hands with then Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou before their meeting in Singapore on November 7, 2015. Taiwan's former President Ma Ying-jeou speaks to reporters ahead of his visit to China at the Taoyuan International Airport on April 1, 2024. Ma Ying-jeou” or former chairman of the KMT, with no mention of his former role as the president of Taiwan. Reaction in TaiwanMa’s itinerary – and his meeting with Xi – has been closely watched in Taiwan.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Ma Ying, Xi, Chiang Kai, Eric Chu, Ma, ” Chu, Lai Ching, Joe Biden, Biden, Fumio Kishida, Roslan Rahman, Amanda Hsiao, “, underscoring, ’ ”, Tsai Ing, –, Lai, Lai’s, fixating, ”, ” Sung, China –, Ma’s, Hsiao, Yan Zhao, Mr, Sun, Xi –, Sung, ” Ma, James Chen Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Beijing, Kuomintang, KMT, China’s, shek’s Nationalists, –, Democratic Progressive Party, CNN Beijing, Japanese, Getty, International Crisis, Atlantic, “, Taoyuan International Airport, Communists, Nationalists, Atlantic Council, Taiwan’s Tamkang University, DPP Locations: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Beijing, Taipei, Singapore, Washington, Japan, Philippines, AFP, Taoyuan, Guangzhou, Republic of China, Shaanxi, United States, China . Washington

☆ Fitch downgrades China’s credit rating outlook over economic worries
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Juliana Liu | Wayne Chang | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong CNN —Fitch downgraded its outlook on China’s credit rating on Tuesday, citing increasing risks to its finances as it faces economic challenges. Lowering its outlook from stable to negative does not automatically mean the ratings agency will downgrade China’s creditworthiness, but it increases the chances. Fitch has kept its rating on Chinese sovereign bonds at A+. Fitch believes the general government deficit will rise to 7.1% of gross domestic product in 2024 from 5.8% last year. In December, rival ratings agency Moody’s downgraded its outlook on China’s credit rating from stable to negative, citing risks related to “structurally and persistently lower medium-term economic growth” and ongoing troubles in its property sector.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — Fitch, China’s, Fitch, “, Moody’s Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Finance, Fitch Locations: China, Hong Kong

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