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☆ China imposes further sanctions on Taiwan's US representative
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING/TAIPEI, April 7 (Reuters) - China has imposed further sanctions on Hsiao Bi-khim, Taiwan's de facto ambassador to the United States, prohibiting her and family members from entering the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, state media reported on Friday. The sanctions, announced by China's Taiwan Affairs Office, also prohibit investors and firms related to Hsiao from cooperating with mainland organisations and individuals. They come after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy during a stopover in the United States this week. Others on the August sanctions list also include Taiwan foreign minister Joseph Wu and Secretary-General of Taiwan's National Security Council Wellington Koo, and DPP politicians. Chinese sanctions will have little practical impact as senior Taiwanese officials do not visit China while Chinese courts do not have jurisdiction in Taiwan.

"Wow, the PRC (People's Republic of China) just sanctioned me again, for the second time," Hsiao tweeted in response to the announcement. Taiwan's Foreign Ministry reacted angrily, saying China had no right to "butt in" when it came to Tsai's overseas trips and that Beijing was "deceiving itself" if it thought the sanctions would have any effect. China has also banned the leaders from entering the country, and frozen any properties they have in China, it said. Chinese sanctions will have little practical impact as senior Taiwanese officials do not visit China while Chinese courts do not have jurisdiction in Taiwan. Others on the August sanctions list include Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu; Wellington Koo, Secretary-General of Taiwan's National Security Council; and DPP politicians.

☆ China to inspect ships in Taiwan Strait, Taiwan says won't cooperate
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, April 6 (Reuters) - China's Fujian maritime safety administration launched a three-day special joint patrol and inspection operation in the central and northern parts of the Taiwan Strait that includes moves to board ships, it said on its WeChat account. Taiwan's Transport Ministry's Maritime and Ports Bureau said in a statement late Wednesday said it has lodged a strong protest with China about the move. Areas covered by the operation include the Pingtan Taiwan direct container route, the "small three links" passenger route, the Taiwan Strait vessel customary route, the densely navigable areas of commercial and fishing vessels, and areas with frequent illegal sand mining activities. The "small three links" passenger route refers to boat routes between Taiwan's Kinmen and Matsu islands which sit opposite China and Chinese cities. The fleet, a joint special operation with East China Sea Rescue Bureau and the East China Sea Navigation Support Center, will continue to carry out cruise inspections in the central and northern parts of the Taiwan Strait over the next two days.

☆ China warns US House Speaker not to meet Taiwan president
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Leah Millis/File PhotoBEIJING, April 4 (Reuters) - China warned U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Tuesday not to "repeat disastrous past mistakes" and meet Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, saying it would not help regional peace and stability, but only unite the Chinese people behind a common enemy. China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, staged war games around the island last August after then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, visited the capital, Taipei. The U.S. says such stopovers are common practice and there is no need for China to overreact. In a statement on Tuesday, Taiwan's foreign ministry said China had no right to complain, as the People's Republic of China has never ruled the island. "Even if the authoritarian government continues with its expansion and intensifies coercion, Taiwan will not back down."

☆ China dissatisfied with Japan's chip export restrictions -spokesperson
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BEIJING, April 3 (Reuters) - China was strongly dissatisfied with Japan's export restrictions on chip manufacturing equipment, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday. China hoped Japan would act on its statements of cooperation with China and take an objective stance, Mao told reporters at a regular briefing. Japan said on Friday 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. read moreReporting by Beijing newsroom Editing by Bernadette BaumOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China willing to work with Russian military on several fronts - Chinese defence ministry
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BEIJING, March 30 (Reuters) - China said its military was willing to work together with the Russian military to strengthen strategic communication and coordination, the Chinese defence ministry said on Thursday. The two countries would work together to implement global security initiatives, said Tan Kefei, a spokesman at the Chinese defence ministry, at a regular press conference. Tan said the two countries would deepen military trust and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice. They will also further organise joint maritime, air patrols and joint exercises, Tan said. China President Xi Jinping recently visited Russia and met with President Vladimir Putin - a visit the United States denounced.

☆ Shanghai's population drops in 2022 after COVID lockdowns
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Shanghai's figures came after Beijing also posted its first population drop since 2003. China's population fell last year for the first time in six decades, weighed down by rising living costs especially in big, sprawling urban hubs, weak economic growth, and changing attitudes towards raising a family. Shanghai's birth rate dropped to 4.4 per 1,000 people from 4.7 a year earlier, while its death rate increased to 6.0 per 1,000 people from 5.6 due to a rapidly ageing population. China last year recorded its lowest ever birth rate, of 6.77 per 1,000 people. Around 18.7% of Shanghai's population is older than 65, above the national average of 14.9%.

☆ China plans to improve national blockchain tech standards system by 2025
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BEIJING, March 28 (Reuters) - China plans to improve its blockchain tech standards by 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the country's industry watchdog, said on Tuesday. The country will aim to clarify the top-level design of its blockchain and distributed ledger technology standards system by 2023, before further improving the standards system by 2025, according to a draft guideline on the ministry's website. The MIIT is seeking comment on the draft until April 28. Reporting by Beijing newsroom, Editing by Louise HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China to crack down on malicious online comments damaging reputation of businesses
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BEIJING, March 28 (Reuters) - China plans to clamp down on malicious online comments that damage the reputation of businesses and entrepreneurs, said a Cyberspace Administration official on Tuesday. "False information against enterprises and entrepreneurs, especially private enterprises and private entrepreneurs, appear from time to time, damaging the brand image of enterprises," said Shen Yue, an official with the Cyberspace Administration of China, when answering a question at a news briefing. Shen said it also affects the normal production and operation of enterprises, resulting in economic losses. Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Editing by Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ 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.

☆ Alibaba founder Jack Ma returns to China, ending year-long sojourn abroad -SCMP
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, March 27 (Reuters) - Alibaba (9988.HK) founder Jack Ma has returned to China, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on Monday, ending a more than year-long sojourn overseas that was viewed by industry as reflecting the sober mood of China's private businesses. Ma, one of China's best known entrepreneurs, left mainland China in late 2021 and has been seen in photographs in Japan, Australia and Thailand in the months since. Once one of the country's most outspoken businessmen, he retreated from the public limelight in late 2020 after criticising China's regulatory system that was later blamed for triggering a wide-ranging regulatory crackdown by Beijing. Alibaba shares in Hong Kong rose more than 4% after the SCMP report was published. It added that he returned to China after a brief stop in Hong Kong.

☆ China says U.S. presumption of guilt against TikTok is baseless
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BEIJING, March 27 (Reuters) - The U.S. has made a presumption of guilt against TikTok without presenting any evidence that threatens its national security, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Monday regarding the TikTok bill. "U.S. should respect fair competition, and stop suppressing foreign companies," Mao said, while answering a question about U.S. lawmakers pushing forward with the bill, which is designed to address national security worries relating to the popular video app. Reporting by Beijing newsroom, Editing by Louise HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China, U.S. Navy in row over guided-missile destroyer in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, March 24 (Reuters) - China's defence ministry said on Friday that it yet again had to monitor and drive away the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Milius that entered its territorial waters in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands. The U.S. Navy said the guided-missile destroyer was asserting its navigational rights and freedoms. "Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation and overflight, free trade and unimpeded commerce, and freedom of economic opportunity for South China Sea littoral nations," the U.S. Navy 7th fleet said in an emailed statement. U.S. forces operate in the South China Sea on a daily basis, the U.S. Navy said. It was the second straight day of a stand-off between the two super powers amid growing tensions in the South China Sea.

☆ Number of Chinese kindergartens drops in 2022 for first time in 15 years-media
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

HONG KONG, March 23 (Reuters) - The number of kindergartens in China has dropped for the first time in 15 years, falling by more than 5,000 on the previous year, financial news outlet Yicai reported, citing data from the country's Education Ministry. There were a total of 289,200 kindergartens nationwide in 2022, the Education Ministry said on Thursday. The fall compared to previous years was due to fewer students enrolled in the kindergartens, Yicai said. The number of rural kindergartens is decreasing along with urbanisation as residents move to more urban cities, Yicai said. China's birth rate last year fell to 6.77 births per 1,000 people, from 7.52 births in 2021, the lowest on record.

☆ China's military says US warship illegally entered waters in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, March 23 (Reuters) - China's military said on Thursday it monitored and drove away a U.S. destroyer that had illegally entered waters around the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. In a statement, the military said without the approval of the government, the guided-missile destroyer Milius illegally intruded into China's territorial waters, undermining peace and stability in the busy waterway. "The theater forces will maintain a high state of alert at all times and take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security and peace and stability in the South China Sea," said Tian Junli, a spokesman for China's Southern Theatre Command. Tension between the United States and China has been growing in the area. The United States has been shoring up alliances in the Asia-Pacific seeking to counter China's assertiveness in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, as Beijing seeks to advance its territorial claims.

☆ Fact Check-Video does not show Australian doctor suffering stroke because of COVID vaccine
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A 2020 video of a doctor in China collapsing during an operation was shared online with captions falsely suggesting that it shows an Australian surgeon suffering a stroke related to COVID-19 vaccination. The clip was posted on Twitter (here) and Facebook (bit.ly/3FGGxyX) with the description: “Triple jabbed Australian surgeon stroking out mid-surgery. Again, this is apocalyptic.”But the video dates back to January 2020, at least nine months before COVID-19 vaccines were developed and rolled out in China (here). A still from the video appears in a Jan. 17, 2020 report by The Beijing News, which describes the footage as circulating online at that time (here). A 2020 video shows a Chinese doctor collapsing during due to hypoglycemia and exhaustion, not an Australian surgeon “stroking out” because of the COVID-19 vaccine.

☆ Beijing still seeking answers a year after China Eastern plane crash
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

While the MU5735 tragedy like all aircraft disasters was complex, the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder of the aircraft were recovered days after the crash, he added. A final report into the causes of the crash could take two years or more to compile, Chinese officials said last year. Boeing declined to comment and China Eastern did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were sent to a U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) laboratory in Washington, a move Beijing had supported despite rising political tensions between the two countries. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said last week the agency has had a "really good working relationship with China" during the investigation.

☆ China still seeking answers a year after plane crash
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BEIJING/WASHINGTON, March 20 (Reuters) - China's aviation regulator said Monday investigators were still looking into the cause of the crash of China Eastern Airlines' Flight MU5735, almost a year after the plane came down, killing all 132 people on board. On the eve of the anniversary, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said experts had already inspected more than 100 pieces of wreckage. NTSB investigators also traveled to China. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said last week the agency has had a "really good working relationship with China" during the investigation. A final report into the causes of the crash could take two years or more to compile, Chinese officials said last year.

The People's Bank of China (PBOC) said it would cut the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) for all banks, except those that have implemented a 5% reserve ratio, by 25 basis points from March 27. "In the first two months of this year, China's main economic indicators showed a positive trend, but the overall recovery foundation is not yet solid." The central bank has yet to give an estimate of how much long-term liquidity will be released following the cut, which will allow banks to lend out more funds. The weighted average RRR for financial institutions stood at around 7.6% after the cut, the central bank said. China's economic activity picked up in the first two months of 2023 as consumption and infrastructure investment drove a recovery from COVID-19 disruptions.

Chinese leaders have pledged to step up support for the world's second-largest economy, which is gradually rebounding from a pandemic-induced slump after virus curbs were abruptly lifted in December. The People's Bank of China (PBOC) said it would cut the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) for all banks, except those that have implemented a 5% reserve ratio, by 25 basis points (bps), effective March 27. The move, which came earlier than financial markets had anticipated, comes after data showed a gradual but uneven recovery in the world's second-largest economy in the first months, and stronger-than-expected credit expansion in February. The central bank has promised to make its policy "precise and forceful" this year to support the economy, keeping liquidity reasonably ample and lowering funding costs for businesses. The weighted average RRR for financial institutions stood at around 7.6% after the cut, the central bank said.

☆ China's pig farms battle new surge in African swine fever
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Dominique Patton | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"Data from swine fever virus testing companies show that the number of positive detections exploded after the new year holiday. "We guess that the current swine fever infection area in northern production areas may be reaching 50%," it added. We feel it hasn't ended yet, that's the problem," he said, declining to be identified due to the sensitivity of disease outbreaks in China. HARD TO ASSESSChinese farms typically do not report disease outbreaks to the government, making it challenging to get an accurate picture of the extent of the infections. Though not as serious as in 2019, the disease could reduce production by more than 10%, Huachuang analyst Xiao Lin told Reuters.

☆ China coast guard enters disputed waters in East China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, March 15 (Reuters) - China's coast guard entered the waters around disputed East China Sea islets on Wednesday to counter what it called the incursion of Japanese vessels into Chinese territorial waters. Disputed East China Sea islets claimed by China and Japan have long been a sticking point in bilateral ties. China Marine Police spokesperson Gan Yu said in a statement that coast guard vessels entered the waters of the Diaoyu for a "normal rights protection patrol" calling it a "routine move". "(This also）is a strong countermeasure to the Japanese side's intrusion of one yacht and several patrol vessels into our territorial waters," Gan said, though he did not specify any incident. China's coast guard said in late January that the Shinsei Maru and four other Japanese ships illegally entered the territorial waters of the Diaoyu islands before being driven away by Chinese coast guard vessels.

☆ China to raise retirement age to deal with aging population - media
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

HONG KONG, March 14 (Reuters) - China is planning to raise its retirement age gradually and in phases to cope with the country's rapidly aging population, the state-backed Global Times said on Tuesday, citing a senior expert from China's Ministry of Human Resources. Jin Weigang, president of the Chinese Academy of Labor and Social Security Sciences, said China was eyeing a "progressive, flexible and differentiated path to raising the retirement age", meaning that it would be delayed initially by a few months, which would be subsequently increased. "People nearing retirement age will only have to delay retirement for several months," the Global Times said, citing Jin. China has yet to formally announce a change to its retirement age, which is among the lowest in the world at 60 for men, 55 for white-collar women and 50 for women who work in factories. The state-run Chinese Academy of Sciences sees the pension system running out of money by 2035.

Li, installed as premier on Saturday during the annual session of China's parliament, is tasked with reviving the world's second-largest economy after three years of COVID curbs. But he faces challenges including weak confidence among consumers and private industry, sluggish demand for exports and worsening relations with the United States. China's private sector has been rattled in recent years by a sweeping regulatory clampdown targeting some of its most vibrant industries, including the internet and private education. At the opening of the annual parliamentary session, China set a GDP growth target of 5% percent, its lowest goal in nearly three decades, after the economy grew just 3% last year. China's relations with the United States sank to a low after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022.

☆ China to consolidate, boost domestic strategic resources bases - state media
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, March 12 (Reuters) - China will consolidate and add to its domestic strategic resources bases this year to achieve a rapid buildup in mineral resources, natural resources minister Wang Guanghua said on Sunday, according to state media. "We will launch a new round of strategic action for mineral prospecting," Wang told reporters on the sidelines of the annual parliamentary meeting. "The focus is to strengthen domestic exploration and development around scarce and strategically important mineral resources," he said. China will also promote the "nationalization" of high-tech mineral equipment to avoid being caught in any stranglehold regarding technology and equipment, he said. The Ministry of Natural Resources will roll out follow-up measures to attract social capital into mineral exploration and development, Wang said.

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