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FBI Director Christopher Wray on Wednesday warned Congress about a range of threats against the U.S., from Chinese hackers to heightened terrorist risks after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The FBI director has long warned about the Chinese government’s hacking capabilities. Cyberattacks and disinformation warfare can work in tandem, Wray warned. He also noted that AI can enhance foreign adversaries abilities to collect personal data and feed it into disinformation and influence operations. Heightened Terrorist Risk“We are, since Oct. 7, in a heightened threat environment from various forms of terrorist risk,” Wray warned, alluding to Hamas’ attack on Israel last year.

Persons: Christopher Wray, ” Wray, ” TikTok, Wray, ”, “ Organizations: Wednesday, U.S, Chinese Communist Party, FBI, Intelligence Locations: Israel, U.S, China, PRC, Iran

WASHINGTON (AP) — Chinese government hackers are busily targeting water treatment plants, the electrical grid, transportation systems and other critical infrastructure inside the United States, FBI Director Chris Wray will tell House lawmakers on Wednesday in a fresh warning from Washington about Beijing's global ambitions. “China’s hackers are positioning on American infrastructure in preparation to wreak havoc and cause real-world harm to American citizens and communities, if or when China decides the time has come to strike,” Wray will say. The comments align with assessments from outside cybersecurity firms including Microsoft, which said in May that state-backed Chinese hackers have been targeting U.S. critical infrastructure and could be laying the technical groundwork for the potential disruption of critical communications between the U.S. and Asia during future crises. The following month, Mandiant said that suspected state-backed Chinese hackers had used a security hole in a popular email security appliance to break into the networks of hundreds of public and private sector organizations globally. The Chinese government has lashed out at the committee, demanding that its members “discard their ideological bias and zero-sum Cold War mentality.”

Persons: Chris Wray, Wray, “, ” Wray, Mandiant, they’re, Mike Gallagher of Organizations: WASHINGTON, Chinese Communist Party, Microsoft, U.S, Republican Rep Locations: United States, Washington, China, Asia, Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin

☆ Chinese hackers are determined to 'wreak havoc' on U.S. critical infrastructure, FBI director warns
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Chinese government hackers are busily targeting water treatment plants, the electrical grid, transportation systems and other critical infrastructure inside the United States, FBI Director Chris Wray will tell House lawmakers on Wednesday in a fresh warning from Washington about Beijing's global ambitions. "China's hackers are positioning on American infrastructure in preparation to wreak havoc and cause real-world harm to American citizens and communities, if or when China decides the time has come to strike," Wray will say. The comments align with assessments from outside cybersecurity firms including Microsoft, which said in May that state-backed Chinese hackers have been targeting U.S. critical infrastructure and could be laying the technical groundwork for the potential disruption of critical communications between the U.S. and Asia during future crises. The following month, Mandiant said that suspected state-backed Chinese hackers had used a security hole in a popular email security appliance to break into the networks of hundreds of public and private sector organizations globally. The Chinese government has lashed out at the committee, demanding that its members "discard their ideological bias and zero-sum Cold War mentality."

Persons: Chris Wray, Wray, Mandiant, they're, Mike Gallagher of Organizations: Chinese Communist Party, Microsoft, U.S, Republican Rep Locations: United States, Washington, China, Asia, Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin

☆ FBI and Justice Department use court order to try to disrupt Chinese hacking targeting key US infrastructure
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Sean Lyngaas | Evan Perez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The court order allows the Justice Department to update vulnerable software used by thousands of devices in the US that are vulnerable to the Chinese hacking, the source said. The Justice Department action is an effort to undercut the Chinese hackers’ ability to communicate with some of the infrastructure used in the hacks. The Justice Department and FBI declined to comment. Rob Joyce, a senior National Security Agency official, has told CNN that the Chinese activity is “unacceptable” because of its potential disruptive effects. “I think the difference here is how brazen it is in scope and scale,” Joyce told CNN last May.

Persons: Rob Joyce, ” Joyce Organizations: CNN, FBI, Justice Department, The, Department, The Justice Department, Reuters, Microsoft, US Marine Corps, National Security Agency, NSA, Chinese Communist Party Locations: Taiwan, Guam, Pacific, China

☆ Lawmakers want U.S. to probe four Chinese firms involved in Ford battery plant — letter
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Bill Ford, Executive Chairman of Ford Motor Company, announces at a press conference that Ford will be partnering with the world's largest battery company, a China-based company called Contemporary Amperex Technology, to create an electric-vehicle battery plant in Marshall, Michigan, on February 13, 2023 in Romulus, Michigan. The chairs of two U.S. House committees asked the Biden administration to investigate four Chinese companies they say are involved in Ford Motor's planned Michigan battery plant, according to a letter seen Monday by Reuters. The previously unreported letter said the four Chinese companies have direct ties to the Chinese military, Chinese Communist Party, North Korean government and alleged human rights abuses in China's Xinjiang region. The plant has drawn fire from U.S. lawmakers for its use of technology supplied by Chinese battery maker CATL. The Chinese companies were not named in the letter seen by Reuters because the committees reviewed confidential records turned over by Ford and were not allowed to make their identities public.

Persons: Bill Ford, Biden, Ford, Mike Gallagher, Cathy McMorris Rodgers Organizations: Ford Motor Company, Ford, Technology, Reuters, Chinese Communist Party, North, Energy, Commerce, Commerce Department Locations: China, Marshall , Michigan, Romulus , Michigan, Ford Motor's, Michigan, North Korean, China's Xinjiang, U.S

☆ China says US military makes region more dangerous after Navy ship sails through Taiwan Strait
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —China accused the United States military of “abusing international law” and continuing a pattern of “dangerous provocations” in East Asia Thursday, after a US Navy destroyer made the service’s first transit of the Taiwan Strait of 2024. The USS John Finn (DDG 113) conducts routine operations in the East China Sea, on January 24, 2024. John Finn’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States’ commitment to upholding freedom of navigation for all nations as a principle,” Greene said. While the John Finn’s transit of the Taiwan Strait was the first of 2024, US warships and warplanes regularly travel through and over the waterway. Aquilino told a defense forum in Hawaii that he expected a show of force from China against Taiwan in the wake of the election result.

Persons: ”, John Finn, Xi Jinping, reunify, Justin Stack, Cmdr, Meagan Greene, John Finn’s, ” Greene, John, Collin Koh, Washington, Wu Qian, “, John Aquilino, Aquilino, ” Aquilino, ” Koh Organizations: South Korea CNN, United, US Navy, Democratic Progressive Party, Party, Taiwan, Taiwan Relations, U.S . Navy US Navy 7th Fleet, Coast Guard, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, China’s Defense Ministry, Xinhua, China -, Defense, Pacific Command, Communist Party, Clinton, CNN, Pacific Locations: Seoul, South Korea, China, United States, East Asia, Taiwan Strait, Taiwan, Beijing, East China, State, States, Singapore, China - U.S, U.S, Hawaii, Honolulu ., Washington

☆ U.S. and China are working to make the business environment less volatile, Beijing says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Aly Song | ReutersBEIJING — China and the U.S. are working toward creating a more stable and predictable environment for businesses, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said Friday. U.S. and other foreign businesses in China have long complained of challenges to doing business in the Asian country, such as unequal treatment of foreign companies compared to local players. The move was widely seen as an improvement for foreign businesses, but no official policy has yet followed. When asked Friday for an update on data rules, Wang only said the "primary ministry is stepping up efforts to release them." When Raimondo visited China last year, she called for more action to improve predictability for U.S. businesses in China.

Persons: Aly Song, Wang Wentao, Gina Raimondo's, Wang, Raimondo, Biden Organizations: Chinese Communist Party, Reuters, Commerce, CNBC, Cyberspace Administration of China, CAC, of Commerce Locations: China, U.S, Yiwu, Zhejiang province, Reuters BEIJING, Washington, France

☆ Taiwan's political disrupter could be kingmaker in a split parliament. Here's why it matters
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je speaks during an interview in New Taipei City on December 12, 2023. He urged his disappointed young supporters, some of them crying, not to give up, and framed himself as a one-man social movement crusading for political change. Since this social movement has not fully materialized, let's keep working hard," the former Taipei City Mayor told supporters in Mandarin. That kind of populist messaging appeals to people who feel like Taiwan's current economic and political system is not benefiting them. Taiwan's young and restlessIn any case, Taiwan's two major parties now face a battle to cater to younger voters that could come at the expense of older votes or a focus on broader strategic interests.

Persons: Ko Wen, Cheng, we'll, Ko, let's, Wei, Ting Yen, Sara Newland, Taiwan's, Newland, Lai Ching, Taiwan People's Party —, —, Yuan, Beijing's, Tsai Ing, Annice Lyn, Xi Jinping, Lily, Hwa CHENG, HWA CHENG, Ho Organizations: Taiwan People's Party, AFP, Getty, TAIPEI, Taipei City Mayor, Democratic Progressive Party, Kuomintang, Franklin, Marshall College, CNBC, Sara Newland Smith, Ko's, Taipei, KMT, Smith College, National Taiwan University, Democratic, Chinese Communist Party, HWA, Afp, Sunflower Movement Locations: Taiwan, New Taipei City, China, Taipei, Xinzhuang, AFP

NEW YORK (AP) — Ai Weiwei, the Chinese artist and dissident who believes it his job to be “incorrect,” was hard at work Tuesday night during an appearance at The Town Hall in Manhattan. “I really like to make trouble,” Ai said during a 50-minute conversation-sparring match with author-interviewer Mira Jacob, during which he was as likely to question the question as he was to answer it. The event was presented by PEN America, part of the literary and free expression organization's PEN Out Loud series. Ai was in New York to discuss his new book, the graphic memoir “Zodiac,” structured around the animals of the Chinese zodiac, with additional references to cats. The book was not initiated by him, Ai said, and he was to let others do most of the work.

Persons: — Ai Weiwei, ”, “, ” Ai, Mira Jacob, Ai, Gianluca Costantini, Jacobs Organizations: PEN America, ”, Ten Speed Press, Chinese Communist Party Locations: Manhattan, New York, Portugal, Germany, Britain, China, London, Israel, United States

County lawyers had urged approval of the settlement in a letter to the board, the station said. In 2020, it won a five-year, $2.9 million contract with LA County for software to track election worker schedules, training, payroll and communications. Yu sued the county, alleging that District Attorney George Gascón had targeted him based on allegations of conspiracy theorists and election deniers. “Plaintiffs alleged Mr. Yu’s arrest and the seizure of Konnech’s property was without probable cause and a violation of Mr. Yu’s civil rights causing damage to Konnech’s business and Mr. Yu’s reputation,” according to the letter by the county lawyers. In legal filings for the lawsuit, Yu noted that Los Angeles County continues to use Konnech's services and is, in fact, its largest customer.

Persons: Eugene Yu of, Konnech, Yu, George Gascón, wasn't, Dean Z, ”, Mr, Gregg Phillips Organizations: ANGELES, Konnech Corp, LA, LA County, Attorney's Office, Associated Press, Attorney's, Chinese Communist Party, New York Times, Attorney’s Locations: Los Angeles County, Eugene Yu of Michigan, East Lansing , Michigan, Michigan, United States, China, Angeles, North America

☆ Shein and Temu use a loophole to ship millions of packages to the US tax-free. Here's why the tax rule faces increased scrutiny.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The other bill, from Sen. Bill Cassidy and Sen. Tammy Baldwin, would ban de minimis shipments from China. The provision is more likely to change — a prospect that both Shein and Temu have said they support. Jennifer Ortakales Dawkins/InsiderShipping consultancy ShipMatrix estimates that Shein and Temu each ship more than a million packages to the US daily. It added that almost 50% of all de minimis shipments to the US come from China. Related stories"Changes to the exemption could create a paradigm shift for retailers like Temu and Shein," Bank of America analysts wrote in the note.

Persons: minimis, Earl Blumenauer, Russia —, Bill Cassidy, Sen, Tammy Baldwin, Cassidy, Baldwin, Jay Sole, It's, Jennifer Ortakales Dawkins, Shein's, Temu, Shein, Donald Tang, SHEIN, de minimis, they've, Steve Story, Sole, Satish Jindel, ShipMatrix, Jindel Organizations: Business, Customs, Rep, Bank of America, US Chamber of Commerce, Express, UBS, Pinduoduo Holdings, Goods, Shipping, Chinese Communist Party, China . Shipping, Wired, Shein, American Apparel and Footwear Association, Apex Logistics International, Walmart Locations: Xinjiang, China, Russia, Sen, Singapore, Boston, minimis, United States, mstone@insider.com

☆ China's rapidly dwindling future will shape the world for decades to come
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Linette Lopez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Everything was getting bigger — its cultural influence, geopolitical ambition, population — and seemed poised to continue until the world was remade in China's image. But now China's economy is withering, and the future Beijing imagined is being cut down to size along with it. What Beijing does — or fails to do — to fight this malaise will determine the course of humanity for decades to come. China's deflation worries started in earnest in the summer. Years of overbuilding — by about double the population, according to some estimates — and slowing population growth caused prices to collapse .

Persons: Minxin Pei, there's, Charlene Chu, Autonomous Research Charlene Chu, Chu, Wei Yao, Générale, I'm, Ben Bernanke, Bernanke, Xi Jinping, Xie Huanchi, Société Générale's Yao, Yao, It's, —, aren't, Logan Wright, Wright, Xi doesn't, Jinping, it's, Xi, Claremont's Pei, magnanimity Organizations: Claremont McKenna College, Autonomous Research, Federal Reserve, Getty Images Japan, Chinese Communist Party, Xi, CCP Locations: China, Beijing, dauphin, Xinhua, Japan, Xi's China, East Asia, Taiwan, Europe

☆ The next country to land humans on the moon in the next 10 years 'sets a precedent' for who decides the rules there: US officials
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Their worries were largely directed at efforts by China to forge its own space dominance and land astronauts on the moon in the next decade. "I don't think Artemis 3, the landing mission, is at all realistically scheduled." "I think that China has a very aggressive plan," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said on January 9. Its lead-up to the lunar base involves crewed flights to the moon via its Chang'e missions, which China opened to international collaboration in October 2023.

Persons: —, Frank Lucas, Artemis, Lucas, Neil Armstrong, it's, James Free, Mike Griffin, Griffin, Rich McCormick, Bill Posey, Zoe Lofgren, Bill Nelson, Jing Haipeng, Nelson Organizations: Service, Wednesday, National American Space Agency, Business, Chinese Communist Party, Technology, NASA, Artemis, China, Congressional, GOP, Republican, Democratic, Associated Press Locations: China, Oklahoma, United States, Georgia, Florida, Zoe Lofgren of California, Beijing

☆ Opinion: The repercussions from Taiwan’s election will continue for years
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Opinion Lanhee J. Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —For the US, Saturday’s Taiwan election results signal the continuation of heightened tension with China over the issue of Taiwan’s sovereignty. This will be the case regardless of who wins the US presidential election in November. In fact, support for Taiwan is one of the few policy issues on which there is agreement between Republicans and Democrats. Overall, Taiwan’s voters chose continuity over change by delivering a victory to Lai and the incumbent DPP. Taiwan's President-Elect, Lai Ching-te (left), celebrates with his running mate, Hsiao Bi-khim, during a rally outside the headquarters of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taipei on January 13, after winning the presidential election.

Persons: J, Chen, David, Diane Steffy, Romney, Ryan, Lai Ching, Lanhee J, Chen Lanhee J . Chen, Lai, Hsiao Bi, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Hsiao, Yasuyoshi Chiba, China’s, Xi Jinping, Elect Lai, —, ” Xi, Xi, ”, ” Lai Organizations: CNN, Public Policy Studies, Hoover Institution, California State, Republican, Democratic, Democratic Progressive Party, Republicans, Democrats, Taiwan’s, Taiwan's, Getty, Communist Party, Nationalist, Taiwan People’s Party, Beijing’sTaiwan, Chinese Communist Party Locations: Taiwan, China, Taipei and Washington, Taipei, People’s Republic of China, PRC, AFP, Nauru, Beijing, Taiwan Strait

☆ Veteran investor David Roche says the market is getting it wrong on Taiwan's election result
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen speaks as Lai Ching-te, Taiwan's vice president and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate looks on during a campaign rally ahead of the elections in Taipei, Taiwan, January 11, 2024. Carlos Garcia Rawlins | ReutersTaiwan's election results place the island on a "collision course with China" and the market reaction has been too sanguine, according to veteran investor David Roche. Beijing has already dismissed the outcome of Saturday's elections, which saw the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's Lai Ching-te elected president alongside a split parliamentary vote. The DPP rejects the so-called "One China principle" and advocates a separate and distinct Taiwanese national identity. Xi has repeatedly stated that Taiwan will be reunified with China, and has not ruled out using military force to achieve his goals.

Persons: Tsai Ing, Lai Ching, Democratic Progressive Party's, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, David Roche, Party's Lai Ching, Roche, CNBC's, Lai, Xi Jinping, Xi Organizations: Democratic Progressive, Reuters, Democratic, DPP, Independent, CSI, Chinese Communist Party, Citi, KMT Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, China, Beijing

☆ Taiwan's new president will face a divided parliament. Here's why it matters
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

A kid runs across the flag of Taiwan banner during the announcement of official results on January 13, 2024 in Taipei, Taiwan. While Lai won the presidential election on Saturday with 40% of the popular vote, his DPP lost 10 seats in Taiwan's parliament from its previous 61, giving up its majority. Taiwan's president- and vice president-elect from the Democratic Progressive Party Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim standing along several party's heavyweight on the central stage in Taipei on Janauary 13, 2024 to celebrate victory in Taiwan's 8th presidential election. The Chinese Communist Party has refused to engage with outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen since she assumed office in 2016. Supporters attend the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) campaign rally on January 12, 2024 in Taipei, Taiwan.

Persons: Sawayasu Tsuji, Lai Ching, Han Kuo, rancor, —, Lai, Timothy S, Rich, Sara Newland, TPP, Tsai, Gabriel Wildau, Democratic Progressive Party Lai Ching, Hsiao, Alberto Buzzola, Tsai Ing, Ting Yen Franklin Organizations: Getty, TAIPEI —, Taiwan People's Party, Democratic Progressive Party, Beijing Kuomintang, Kuomintang, KMT, TPP, Rich Western Kentucky University, Smith College, Lightrocket, Chinese Communist Party, Marshall College China, DPP, Chinese Communist Party officials, Taiwan Straits, Western Kentucky University, Supporters Locations: Taiwan, Taipei, China, Taiwan's, Beijing

☆ Why China hates the new president of Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

"Lai Ching-te clings stubbornly to the separatist position for 'Taiwan independence.' A matter of Taiwan's independenceIn 2017, while he was premier, Lai referred to himself as a "pragmatic worker for 'Taiwan independence.'" AdvertisementLai has pledged to maintain status quo and stability in Taiwan, but China isn't backing down on its stance either. "I think China hates him, really hates him," Wu Xinbo, an international relations professor at Shanghai's Fudan University, told Reuters, referring to Lai. "It is because if he is elected as the leader of Taiwan, he may come to advance his goal of Taiwan independence, which will provoke a crisis across the Taiwan Strait," added Wu.

Persons: William Lai Ching, Taiwan's, Lai, —, Wiliam Lai Ching, Lai Ching, Xi Jinping, Wu Xinbo, Wu, Wang Yi, Jeremy Mark, William Lai, Chong Ja Ian, Chong, Tsai Ing Organizations: Democratic Progressive Party, Service, China's Taiwan Affairs Office, Chinese Communist Party, Shanghai's Fudan University, Reuters, Analysts, Lai's, Atlantic Council, Eurasia Group, KMT, National University of Singapore, Carnegie China, Channel News Asia Locations: China, Beijing, Taiwan, South America, Taiwan Strait, Taiwan's

☆ The 'crown jewel' of the Chinese military appears to have a serious corruption problem, but the US can't afford to bet on its missiles all being defective
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Recent reports point to corruption and readiness problems in the Chinese military, the rocket force in particular. In the aftermath of the report, an ex-PLA official told Radio Free Asia problems like this have long been rampant in the Chinese military. The rocket force shakeups suggest that there are questions over who can be trusted. Xinhua/Cha Chunming via Getty ImagesConcerns about corruption and readiness stand in contrast with the modernization and strengthening of the Chinese military. Is the PLA, particularly the rocket force, the increasingly formidable force the Pentagon described in a military power report last October?

Persons: It's, —, Tom Shugart, Xi Jinping, that's, hotpot, hadn't, bigwig, Xi, Liu Dawei, Shugart, weren't, Lintao Zhang, Li Shangfu, Li Gang, ISW, there's, Andy Wong Organizations: Service, People's Liberation Army, US, Center, New, New American Security, Liberation Army, Getty Images, Bloomberg, PLA, Rocket Force, Radio Free, 14th China International Aviation, Aerospace Exhibition, Getty, Liberation Army Rocket, Business, United, Naval, Army, Air Force, Communist, of, Defense, Chinese Communist Party, Liberation Army's Army Infantry College, Li, Pentagon, U.S . Nimitz, US Army Locations: New American, Taiwan, Hefei, Anhui province, Radio Free Asia, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, Xinhua, United States, Beijing, China, PLA, Gutian, Jiangxi Province, U.S, Tiananmen, Pamir, Kashgar, China's Xinjiang, Pacific

☆ Goldman Sachs says these China stocks can win even if there's a repeat of Japan's lost decades
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Goldman Sachs calls the China story today one of "rebalancing," and has picked 40 buy-rated stocks to play the theme. They predict certain consumer names, artificial intelligence companies and rising global players will be among the Chinese stocks that can do well. December data and fourth-quarter GDP due out late Tuesday New York time may give more clues on China's economic trajectory — and whether policymakers need to act. For China's economic outlook, comparisons to Japan may ultimately be more academic as the debate has become more about the extent to which national security has replaced economic growth as the priority. "Very often I'm asked the question, will China ignore development as it talks more about security?"

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Japan's, Kinger Lau, Morgan, Robin Xing, Goldman, Lau, Li Qiang, Liu, SICC, Arthur Kroeber, Dragonomics, Liu Jianchao, Michael Bloom Organizations: Beijing, China Equity, China New Economy Summit, China, New, Invesco, Central Commission, Financial, Economic Affairs, Laboratories, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, U.S, StarPower Semiconductor, Wire China, Communist Party's, Foreign Locations: China, Japan, Hong Kong, Beijing, New York, Davos, Shanghai, U.S, Shenzhen, Europe

☆ China Failed to Sway Taiwan’s Election. What Happens Now?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Damien Cave | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

China’s leader, Xi Jinping, has tied his country’s great power status to a singular promise: unifying the motherland with Taiwan, which the Chinese Communist Party sees as sacred, lost territory. A few weeks ago, Mr. Xi called this a “historical inevitability.”But Taiwan’s election on Saturday, handing the presidency to a party that promotes the island’s separate identity for the third time in a row, confirmed that this boisterous democracy has moved even further away from China and its dream of unification. After a campaign of festival-like rallies, where huge crowds shouted, danced and waved matching flags, Taiwan’s voters ignored China’s warnings that a vote for the Democratic Progressive Party was a vote for war. They made that choice anyway. Lai Ching-te, a former doctor and the current vice president, who Beijing sees as a staunch separatist, will be Taiwan’s next leader.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Xi, Lai Ching, It’s Organizations: Chinese Communist Party, Democratic Progressive Party Locations: Taiwan, China, Beijing

☆ China skeptic Lai Ching-te wins Taiwan's presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Taiwan's President-elect Lai Ching-te (left) gestures beside his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim during a rally outside the headquarters of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taipei on January 13, 2024, after winning the presidential election. The outcome of the presidential election on Saturday riled Beijing, which has repeatedly labeled Lai as a "stubborn worker for Taiwan independence" and a dangerous separatist. Annabelle Chih | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesDPP's Lai — Taiwan's current vice-president — won more than 40% of the popular vote in Taiwan's eighth presidential election. DPP is the first party to win the presidential office three times in row since direct presidential elections were introduced in 1996. This year, 71.9% of all eligible voters cast their ballots for the presidential election, according to preliminary data from Taiwan's Central Election Commission.

Persons: Lai Ching, Hsiao Bi, Yasuyoshi Chiba, Lai, Tsai Ing, Tsai, Annabelle Chih, DPP's Lai, Taiwan's, —, Beijing's, Hou, Ko Wen, Chen Binhua, Chen, Xi Jinping, Antony Blinken, Ko, Wei, Ting Yen Organizations: Democratic Progressive Party, AFP, Getty, TAIPEI, Saturday, Beijing, Chinese Communist Party, DPP, KMT, Chinese Communist Party officials, Democratic Progressive, Kuomintang, Taiwan People's Party, Taiwan's, Taiwan Affairs Office, State Council, CNBC, Franklin, Marshall College, Taiwan's DPP Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, China, U.S, Taiwan Strait, Beijing, Taiwan —, Republic of China, Xinhua, United States

Taipei, Taiwan CNN —Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party pulled off a historic third consecutive presidential victory on Saturday as voters shrugged off warnings by China that their re-election would increase the risk of conflict. The counting of votes has concluded, with Lai – the candidate of Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) – receiving just over 40% of the total votes, according to Taiwan’s Central Election Commission (CEC). Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party candidate Hou Yu-ih garnered 33.49% of the votes, with Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) candidate Ko Wen-je received 26.45%. A spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office insisted the election result “does not represent the mainstream view on the island.”“Taiwan is China’s Taiwan. “There’s multiple times that China could cause a fuss over a DPP victory, either now or later this year,” Nachman said.

Persons: Taiwan CNN — Taiwan’s, Lai Ching, ” Lai, “, Hsiao Bi, Lai –, Taiwan’s, –, Hou Yu, Ko Wen, je, Xi Jinping, Xi, Yasuyosh Chiba, Tsai Ing, Lai, Tsai, China’s, ” Xi, Hsiao, ”, Jaw Shaw, kong, Sam Yeh, Biden, Wang, Lev Nachman, ” Nachman, Nachman, hasn’t, they’ve Organizations: Taiwan CNN, Democratic Progressive Party, Commission, Kuomintang, KMT, ih, Taiwan People’s Party, Taiwan Affairs Office, Xinhua, China’s Communist Party, Party, Taiwan, Communist, DPP, Chinese Communist Party, Taiwan’s, Illinois State University, National Chengchi University, China’s Taiwan Affairs, Taiwan “, Analysts Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, China, United States, Beijing, ”, China’s Taiwan, AFP, “, New Taipei City, Washington, Taiwan Strait

☆ Taiwan has chosen its new president. What’s at stake and how might China respond?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Nectar Gan | Wayne Chang | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The world was watching to see not only who won the election, but how democratic Taiwan’s authoritarian neighbor will respond. China’s ruling Communist Party views Taiwan as part of its territory, despite having never controlled it. In an initial response, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said Taiwan’s presidential election result “will not change the basic layout and course of development in cross-strait relations.”“Taiwan is China’s Taiwan,” he said. Taiwan's Vice President and presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Lai Ching-te speaks during a campaign rally in Keelung on January 8, 2024. In August 2022, China staged massive war games around Taiwan to show its displeasure with then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei.

Persons: Lai Ching, Xi, China’s, ” Xi, ”, Amanda Hsiao, ” Hsiao, Lai, Chen Binhua, Hwa Cheng, “, Wen, doesn’t, Hsiao, Nancy Pelosi’s, Lai’s, Yuan Organizations: CNN, Democratic Progressive Party, DPP, Party, Taiwan, Communist, International Crisis, Taiwan Affairs Office, Getty, China’s Taiwan Affairs, Atlantic, US Locations: China, Beijing, Taiwan, Taipei, United States, Japan, Keelung, AFP, ” Beijing, “, South, Washington

☆ A US Navy sailor handed over military secrets to China for just $15,000, prosecutors say
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-09 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewA US Navy sailor has been fined $5,500 and sentenced to 27 months in prison for leaking military secrets to Chinese intelligence, federal prosecutors said on Monday. Prosecutors said Zhao would talk with the Chinese intelligence officer using encrypted messaging, and accused him of destroying evidence and trying to hide his communications with his handler. AdvertisementAnother US Navy sailor, Jinchao Wei, also known as Patrick, was arrested at the same time as Zhao on similar charges. She believed that the espionage would secure him a position in the Chinese Communist Party, federal prosecutors alleged.

Persons: —, Wenheng Zhao, Zhao, Thomas, Prosecutors, Larissa Knapp, Jinchao Wei, Patrick, Wei Organizations: Service, US Navy, Business, Justice Department, Federal Bureau, Investigation's National Security, Prosecutors, Chinese Communist Party Locations: Port Hueneme, Ventura County , California, Okinawa, Japan, Monterey Park , California, Essex, San Diego, Wisconsin, Washington

☆ Lawmakers ramp up scrutiny of Shein, call for proof it doesn't use forced labor after retailer files for IPO
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Gabrielle Fonrouge | In Gabrielle-Fonrouge | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Lawmakers are ramping up their scrutiny of Shein after it confidentially filed to go public last week. "Urge the SEC to apply maximum scrutiny to Shein's business and management before letting it anywhere near our capital markets," Luetkemeyer said in the video, viewed by CNBC. They include legislation that would block Shein from trading in the U.S. or bar its shipments from coming into the country. Gallagher is also interested in pursuing reforms to the trade loophole known as the de minimis provision and expanding enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, the aide said. The committee is investigating Shein over its use of forced labor and de minimis — probes that are ongoing, Luetkemeyer said.

Persons: confidentially, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Shein, Luetkemeyer, let's, Mike Gallagher, Gallagher Organizations: U.S . Securities, Exchange, CNBC, SEC, Chinese Communist Party, Uyghur, Labor Locations: U.S

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