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[1/2] Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk gets in a Tesla car as he leaves a hotel in Beijing, China May 31, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu WangBEIJING, May 31 (Reuters) - Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) CEO Elon Musk kicked off his second day in China with visits to the country's commerce ministry and industry ministry. Musk left his hotel on Wednesday morning accompanied by Grace Tao, Tesla's China-based public affairs chief and Tom Zhu, head of global manufacturing. He next visited the Ministry of Industry and Information which has regulatory oversight of the automotive industry. Tesla and the ministries did not immediately reply to a request for comment on discussions with Musk.

Persons: Elon Musk, Tingshu Wang, Musk, Grace Tao, Tom Zhu, Wang Wentao, Tesla, Qin Gang, Zeng Yuqun, CATL, Martin Pollard, Josh Arslan, Wang Tingshu, Joe Cash, Zhang Yan, Brenda Goh, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Tesla, REUTERS, Tesla Inc, Ministry of Industry, Foreign, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Tingshu Wang BEIJING, Shanghai, United States

☆ Elon Musk visits China's commerce ministry
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang meets Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk in Beijing, China, in this handout image released by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 30, 2023. Tesla CEO Elon Musk kicked off his second day in China with a visit to the country's commerce ministry on Wednesday morning. A day earlier, he met with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang. Tesla and CATL did not respond to requests for comment on the meeting or on Musk's plans in China. He declined to comment at the hotel when questioned by reporters about the aim of his trip, Tesla's prospects in China and plans for Tesla's plant in Shanghai.

Persons: Qin, Elon, Elon Musk, Qin Gang, Zeng Yuqun, CATL, Musk, Tesla's, Grace Tao, Tom Zhu Organizations: Qin Gang, China's Ministry of Foreign, Foreign, CATL Locations: Beijing, China, Tesla's China, Shanghai, U.S

☆ Elon Musk: CEOs flock to China as risks to trade and investment rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

To drum up business, Chinese leaders have urged foreign companies to invest more in the country, promising them an open and level playing field. “The interests of the United States and China are intertwined like conjoined twins,” he was quoted as saying by the foreign ministry. Over time, “there will be less trade” between China and the United States, Dimon predicted. The move was seen as retaliation for restrictions the United States has imposed on Chinese chipmakers. The interests of the United States and China are intertwined like conjoined twins.

Persons: Elon, Laxman, Jamie Dimon, Qin Gang, Tesla, Elon Musk, Musk, ”, Warren Buffett, Dimon’s, Dimon, That’s, Bain, “ who’s, ” Michael Hart, Ben Cavender, Nick Marro, Tim Cook, Cook, Marro, ‘, ” —, Sophie Jeong, Martha Zhou Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Tesla, Starbucks, JPMorgan, Apple, Samsung, Aramco, Volkswagen, HSBC, Standard Chartered, Foreign, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Reuters, China’s Foreign, Shanghai’s Communist Party, Bloomberg, Group, American Chamber of Commerce, CNN, British, of Commerce, China Market Research Group, US, Micron, Economist Intelligence Unit, “ Companies, China Development Forum Locations: Hong Kong, China, Beijing, United States, Shanghai, Taiwan, Washington, New York, American, Xinjiang

☆ China urges Japan to end curbs on chip exports
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —China’s commerce minister has urged Japan to end its newly announced curbs on exports of chipmaking equipment, saying it would hurt economic and trade relations between the two countries. In March, Japan announced it would tighten rules on exports of 23 types of advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment, joining the United States and the Netherlands in curbing the sale of key technology to China. On May 23, the commerce ministry issued a statement calling on Japan to “immediately” stop the export restrictions and said China would take measures to defend its interests. China's commerce minster, Wang Wentao, left, met Yasutoshi Nishimura, Japan's trade minister, in Detroit last week. China has its own chip manufacturers, but they supply mostly low- to mid-end processors used in home appliances and electric vehicles.

BEIJING, May 29 (Reuters) - Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao urged Japan to halt semiconductor export controls, calling it a "wrongdoing" that "seriously violated" international economic and trade rules, a statement from his ministry said on Monday. China's latest condemnation of the export restrictions was made during Wang's talks with Japanese Trade Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura on May 26 at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in Detroit. Japan, along with the Netherlands, in January agreed to match U.S. export controls that will limit the sale of some chipmaking tools to China, and has placed restrictions on the export of 23 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment to its neighbour. Japan has not singled out China in its statements about the export controls, saying only that it is fulfilling its duty to contribute to international peace and stability. Monday's statement from the Chinese commerce ministry also said, however, that China "is willing to work with Japan to promote practical cooperation in key economic and trade areas."

☆ China urges Japan to stop imposing chip export controls
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BEIJING, May 29 (Reuters) - Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao urged Japan to correct its "wrongdoing" of imposing chip export controls, according to a statement from the Chinese commerce ministry on Monday. Wang made the comments during talks with Japanese Trade Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura on May 26 at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference. Wang was quoted as saying that Japan had ignored China's strong opposition and opinion within the industry and that its actions "seriously violated" international economic and trade rules. "China is willing to work with Japan to promote pratical cooperation in key economic and trade areas," the statement also quoted Wang as saying. Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Writing by Bernard Orr; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Edwina GibbsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China, South Korea agree to strengthen talks on chip industry, Chinese commerce ministry says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Printed Chinese and South Korean flags are seen in this illustration, July 21, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/IllustrationBEIJING, May 27 (Reuters) - China and South Korea have agreed to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on semiconductor industry supply chains, amid broader global concerns over chip supplies, sanctions and national security, China's commerce minister said. Wang Wentao met with South Korean Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in Detroit, which ended on Friday. Wang also said that China is willing to work with South Korea to deepen trade ties and investment cooperation. South Korea is in the crosshairs of a tit-for-tat row between the United States and China over semiconductors.

☆ Shein partners with Reliance in major India comeback
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-26 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —Shein is plotting a major comeback in India, nearly three years after it was booted out of the country. The fast fashion giant is partnering with the retail arm of Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries, a Shein spokesperson confirmed Friday. “We can confirm Shein’s partnership with Reliance Retail and have no additional comment at this time,” a Shein spokesperson said. A powerful partnerIts new partnership with Reliance Retail, which bills itself as the country’s largest retailer, could be a game-changer. Shein has said it doesn’t have any suppliers in the Xinjiang region, and it has zero tolerance for forced labor.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — Shein, Mukesh Ambani’s, Shein, Bain, “, Sania Farooqui Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Industries, Wall Street, Financial Times, Reliance, Reliance Retail, Burberry, Apple, US Securities and Exchange Commission Locations: Hong Kong, India, Zara, China, Singapore, ”, Washington, Xinjiang, New Delhi

Hong Kong CNN —China’s Communist Party had “supreme access” to all data held by TikTok’s parent company Bytedance, including on servers in the United States, a former employer who is bringing a wrongful termination lawsuit has alleged. Yintao “Roger” Yu filed a lawsuit of wrongful termination against Bytedance in Superior Court in San Francisco earlier this month. Yu’s lawsuit alleges that the company made user data accessible to China’s Communist Party via a backdoor channel, no matter where the data was located. Yu worked for ByteDance Inc. for less than a year and his employment ended in July 2018,” which Yu disputed in his complaint. So the risk would be similar to any government going to an American company, asking for data,” Chew said at the hearing.

☆ Australia trade minister flies to China to lobby for 'full' restoration of exports
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Trade Minister Don Farrell arrived in Beijing on Thursday for a three-day visit to meet with his counterpart, Wang Wentao, according to the Chinese commerce ministry. It’s the first visit to China by an Australian trade minister since 2019. “I will be advocating strongly for the full resumption of unimpeded Australian exports to China — for all sectors — to the benefit of both countries,” he added. As a result, Australian exports to China fell by 13% in 2022, compared to the previous year, according to Chinese customs data. In March, Australia’s exports to China hit a record high, with the value of shipments reaching 19 billion Australian dollars ($12.8 billion).

☆ China rolls out plan to boost trade amid weakening global demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, April 25 (Reuters) - China's cabinet on Tuesday issued a plan to stabilise its vital trade sector, including supporting exports of automobiles and facilitating visas for overseas businessmen, as subdued global demand threatens its exports outlook. China will also further smooth the issuing of visas for overseas business people, while increasing inbound and outbound flights, according to the statement. "The commerce ministry together with relevant departments should closely follow the operation of foreign trade, analyse the changes of situation" and "adjust and improve relevant policies" in a bid to "help firms stabilise orders and explore markets," said the statement. China will also properly respond to unreasonable foreign trade restrictions and strengthen training and guidance to local governments and firms affected, the statement added. Financial institutions, it said, are encouraged to expand the scale of yuan settlement in cross-border trade transactions to better meet the demand from firms to hedge currency risks.

☆ China protests U.S. sanctioning of firms dealing with Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Beijing on Saturday protested U.S. sanctions against additional Chinese companies over their alleged attempts to evade U.S. export controls on Russia, calling it an illegal move that endangers global supply chains. "The U.S. should immediately correct its wrongdoing and stop its unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies. China will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies," it added. However, Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Friday said China won't sell weapons to either side in the war, responding to Western concerns that Beijing could provide outright military assistance to Russia. "Regarding the export of military items, China adopts a prudent and responsible attitude," Qin said at a news conference alongside visiting German counterpart Annalena Baerbock.

☆ China concerned about Japan's plan to curb chipmaking gear exports
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, April 13 (Reuters) - China is highly concerned about Japan's plan to put export curbs on 23 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, Wang Shouwen, a Chinese vice commerce minister, said. The comments were made on Wednesday during a meeting with Japan's ambassador, Hideo Tarumi, in Beijing. In a commerce ministry statement on Thursday, Wang urged Japan to follow World Trade Organization rules to maintain stability of global supply chains. Japan recently said it would restrict the chip equipment exports, aligning its technology trade controls with a U.S. push to curb China's ability to make advanced chips. Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China urges Australia to treat all firms, including TikTok fairly
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BEIJING, April 7 (Reuters) - China said Australia's "discriminatory" ban on TikTok from all federal government-owned devices harmed the interests of Australian businesses and the public, urging Canberra to treat all firms fairly, a commerce ministry statement said on Friday. "Australia treated TikTok differently from other social media platforms and adopted discriminatory restrictive measures, which are not conducive to maintaining Australia's national security," the statement said. China also urged Australia to create a favourable environment for bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Reporting by Ellen Zhang, Judy Hua and Liz Lee; Editing by Jacqueline WongOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China urges the World Trade Organization to sift U.S.-led chip export curbs
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A Chinese flag is displayed next to a "Made in China" sign seen on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. China has urged the World Trade Organization to scrutinize U.S.-led technology export restrictions aimed at curbing its ability to make advanced chips, state television said on Wednesday. Chinese representatives told a regular WTO meeting this week that Japan, the Netherlands and the United States should report their plans and subsequent measures to the body, which it urged to step up supervision on the matter, broadcaster CCTV said. On Tuesday, the commerce ministry said Beijing was seriously concerned about Japan's export curbs on chip-making equipment and called for it to correct its "wrong practice." The move of the three nations in alignment to curb chip exports to China "violates the fairness and transparency principles of WTO," CCTV said.

☆ China urges WTO to sift US-led chip export curbs
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 5 (Reuters) - China has urged the World Trade Organization to scrutinise US-led technology export restrictions aimed at curbing its ability to make advanced chips, state television said on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the commerce ministry said Beijing wasseriously concerned about Japan's export curbs on chip-making equipment and called for it to correct its "wrong practice". The move of the three nations in alignment to curb chip exports to China "violates the fairness and transparency principles of WTO", CCTV said. Last week, without specifying China as the target, Japan had said it would restrict export of 23 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, a move in line with Washington's curbs announced last October. China has accused the U.S. of being a "tech hegemony" and urged the Netherlands not to follow it.

☆ China calls on Japan to correct chip export restrictions
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BEIJING, April 4 (Reuters) - China is seriously concerned about Japanese export restrictions on chip manufacturing equipment and called on it to correct its "wrong practice", the Chinese commerce ministry said on Tuesday. "China will take decisive measures to safeguard its rights and interests if Japan insists on obstructing the chip industry cooperation between the two countries," it said in a statement. Japan said last week it would restrict exports of 23 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, aligning its technology trade controls with a U.S. push to curb China's ability to make advanced chips. Reporting by Ella Cao and Meg Shen; Editing by Alexander SmithOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Australia bans TikTok on federal government devices
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Australia has joined other Western countries in banning the use of TikTok on government devices as the Chinese-owned video app comes under increasing pressure over claims it presents a security concern. So far, there’s no evidence the Chinese government has accessed TikTok user data, and no government has enacted a broader ban targeting TikTok on personal devices. During a high profile congressional hearing on the matter, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew was grilled about the tech firm’s alleged ties to the Chinese government. Chew has said the Chinese government had never asked TikTok for its data and that the company would refuse any such request. For its part, China’s Commerce Ministry said it would “firmly oppose” any decision resulting in the forced sale of TikTok, adding that it would “seriously damage” global investors’ confidence in the United States.

☆ China's non-manufacturing PMI jumps to decade high as economic recovery gets back on track
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —A key index measuring the strength of China’s massive services sector jumped to its highest level in more than a decade, as the country’s economic recovery gained traction. The official non-manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) soared to 58.2 in March from 56.3 in February, marking the best level since 2011, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). “The official PMIs suggest that China’s rapid reopening recovery remained robust this month,” Capital Economics analysts wrote on Friday. In a keynote speech, the newly minted premier told more than a thousand international business and political leaders that China’s economic growth was “strong,” with March’s performance even better than January and February’s. Top economic officials have also been trying to reassure both foreign business and the domestic private sector.

☆ Chinese commerce minister in talks with Apple boss Tim Cook
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, March 27 (Reuters) - Chinese commerce minister Wang Wentao met Apple (AAPL.O) CEO Tim Cook on Monday and exchanged views on the company's development in China, the commerce ministry said. The two talked about stabilising industrial and supply chains, the ministry said, adding that Wang told Cook China is willing to provide a good environment and services for foreign companies including Apple. Cook was in Beijing over the weekend to attend the government-organised China Development Forum. Wang told Cook that China unswervingly promotes a high-level opening-up of rules, regulations, management, standards and other systems, the ministry added. Reporting by Beijing newsroom Writing by Bernard Orr Editing by David GoodmanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

The last time Cook visited China was in 2019. We also have a thriving App Store,” the Apple chief was quoted as saying in state-run China Daily. On Friday, Cook had posted a picture of himself smiling with customers and staff at the Apple store in the shopping district of Sanlitun on China’s Twitter-like social media site Weibo. “TikTok CEO was under siege at the US hearing, while Apple CEO was enthusiastically welcomed by people at its flagship Chinese store. China’s commerce ministry said Thursday that a forced sale of TikTok would “seriously damage” global investors’ confidence in the United States.

☆ China says it ‘firmly opposes’ a potential forced sale of TikTok
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

China’s commerce ministry said Thursday that a forced sale of TikTok would “seriously damage” global investors’ confidence in the United States. “If the news [about a forced sale] is true, China will firmly oppose it,” Shu Jueting, a spokeswoman for the ministry, told a Thursday news conference in Beijing, adding that any potential deal would need approval from the Chinese government. “The sale or divestiture of TikTok involves technology export, and administrative licensing procedures must be performed in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations,” she said. “The Chinese government will make a decision in accordance with the law.”Previously, Beijing didn’t weigh in directly on a potential forced sale. Chinese regulators first added algorithms to the restricted list of technologies in August 2020, when the Trump administration threatened to ban TikTok unless it was sold.

China and U.S. flags are seen near a TikTok logo in this illustration picture taken July 16, 2020. Florence Lo | ReutersBEIJING — China says it would "strongly oppose" a forced sale of TikTok, making clear the government's involvement with the social media giant that's trying hard to distance itself from Beijing authorities. ByteDance did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Chinese Commerce Ministry's remarks. But the commerce ministry's claim of control over a TikTok sale or spinoff indicates Beijing wants to be involved. When asked about the commerce ministry's remarks Thursday, TikTok's CEO said the app isn't available in mainland China and is based in Los Angeles.

Both are owned by Beijing-based parent company ByteDance, but Douyin launched before TikTok and became a viral sensation in China. Like TikTok, it’s a short-form video app. Then in 2017, the privately-owned tech company bought a US-based video startup and released TikTok as the overseas version of Douyin. The download page for the TikTok app displayed on an Apple iPhone. Besides TikTok, there’s also shopping app Temu, fast fashion retailer Shein and video editing app CapCut, which is also owned by ByteDance.

[1/2] Staff members chat behind Chinese and U.S. flags displayed at the 2021 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, China September 4, 2021. REUTERS/Florence LoBEIJING, March 23 (Reuters) - China has never deliberately pursued a trade surplus with the United States, Shu Jueting, a commerce ministry spokesperson, said on Thursday, despite signs that China is continuing to reduce its reliance on American exports. She said this was needed to "create the conditions for enterprises from both sides to expand trade cooperation and reduce the trade deficit through dialogue". The goods trade gap with China widened $29.4 billion to $382.9 billion in 2022. Trade tensions between the United States and China have been simmering ever since the US-China Phase One Trade Deal expired at the end of 2021.

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