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☆ Alphabet tempers fears that it's falling behind in AI with blowout first-quarter results
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Jennifer Elias | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Google CEO Sundar Pichai speaks in conversation with Emily Chang during the APEC CEO Summit at Moscone West on November 16, 2023 in San Francisco, California. There were other reasons for skepticism ahead of Alphabet's earnings report. Like Meta, Alphabet is pouring money into AI. Last month, Alphabet announced a suite of products, including Vertex AI, a no-code console for enterprise companies to build their own AI agents. With first-quarter results in the rearview mirror, Alphabet now has to keep up with heightened expectations, which will only increase as competitors roll out more generative AI products.

Persons: Sundar Pichai, Emily Chang, Ruth Porat, missteps, Investors, Mark Zuckerberg, Pichai, he's, Prabhakar Raghavan, Raghavan Organizations: APEC, Summit, Moscone West, YouTube, Nasdaq, Nvidia, Amazon, Meta, Revenue, Google, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, rollouts Locations: San Francisco , California, San Francisco, U.S

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

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

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

☆ Apple pulls Meta's WhatsApp, Threads from China App Store
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Ashley Capoot | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Apple on Friday said it pulled several messaging apps like Meta 's WhatsApp and Threads from the App Store in China after the nation's government ordered the removal, citing security concerns. In recent days, Congress has been looking to fast-track legislation to push TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest the social media app. "We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree," Apple said in a statement. "The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns." Other messaging platforms like Signal and Telegram were also removed from China's App Store.

Persons: Tim Cook, Joe Biden, Apple Organizations: Apple, Economic Cooperation, APEC, U.S, Administration of China Locations: Asia, San Francisco , California, China

☆ Biden’s China tariff threats are more bark than bite, economists say
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. President Joe Biden attends a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Filoli estate on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Woodside, California, U.S., November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin LamarqueThe Biden administration this week sent several signals of a toughening U.S. economic strategy against China. Earlier in the week, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen delivered tougher economic red lines on a visit to China. China has so far denied the overcapacity accusation as "groundless" and fired back that the U.S. is threatening protectionist trade policies to stifle global competition. "It remains unclear what this relationship will endure in the months and years ahead," Yellen said at a press conference in Beijing on Monday.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Kevin Lamarque, Biden, Fumio Kishida, Kishida, Janet Yellen, Yellen, CNBC's Sara Eisen, Republican Donald Trump Organizations: Economic Cooperation, REUTERS, China, Japanese, U.S ., Biden, EU, U.S, Republican Locations: Filoli, Asia, Woodside , California, U.S, Washington, Japan, China, United States, Beijing

☆ Visits from Japanese and Filipino leaders highlight Biden’s efforts to blunt China’s aggression
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Arlette Saenz | Kayla Tausche | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Biden’s week also includes an official visit for Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, reinforcing his commitment to cultivating partnerships in the Indo-Pacific in the face of China’s rising economic and military power. The historic leaders summit on Thursday between Biden, Kishida and Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos is expected to produce announcements relating to infrastructure, energy security, digital connectivity and maritime security. Meanwhile, Japan has recently loosened restrictions on the export of military technology – paving the way for deeper collaboration with like-minded allies. The first virtual meeting with the four leaders took place in March 2021 with subsequent in-person summits in the years that followed. Biden and his team also have sought to draw in smaller regional neighbors concerned about China’s military and economic aggression.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kishida, Biden, Jake Sullivan, “, Jill Biden, Kishida Yuko, They’re, Ferdinand Marcos, Marcos, ” Sullivan, ”, John Neuffer, ” Biden, ” Rahm Emanuel, Sullivan, zeroed, Japan’s, Yoshihide Suga, Korea’s, Moon Jae, Yoon Suk Yeol, Rodrigo Duterte, Donald Trump, ” Kishida Organizations: Washington CNN, Japanese, CNN, Biden White House, Australia, US Steel, APEC, Washington, Semiconductor Industry Association, Clark Air Base, Subic Naval Base, American, White, Kishida, White House, Pacific, PBS Locations: Japan, Philippines, North Korea, Ukraine, Gaza, India, South Korea, China, Manila, ’, lockstep, Netherlands, Taiwan, Beijing, Thursday’s, US, Australia, South China, South, Russia, Kishida, United States, Tokyo, Seoul, David, United Kingdom, Washington, Vietnam, U.S

☆ China's Xi tells U.S. CEOs that bilateral relations can have a 'brighter future'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

China's President Xi Jinping speaks at an event held by the National Committee on US-China Relations and the US-China Business Council on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Week in San Francisco, California, on November 15, 2023. Carlos Barria | Afp | Getty ImagesBEIJING — Chinese President Xi Jinping told U.S. executives on Wednesday that bilateral relations can improve, and pledged that Beijing would keep working to improve the business environment. In the Chinese side's readout, Xi described China's economy as "sound and sustainable," and pushed back on some forecasts that the country would soon "peak." The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations did not provide a statement. "I commend [Xi's] personal engagement in the U.S.-China relationship, including a meeting like this.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Carlos Barria, Stephen Schwarzman, Cristiano Amon, Evan G, Greenberg, Harvard's John F, Dean Graham Allison, Craig Allen, Xi, Wang Yi, Zheng Shanjie, Commerce Wang Wentao, Rajesh Subramaniam, Chubb Organizations: National Committee, China Relations, China Business Council, Economic Cooperation, APEC, Afp, Getty, U.S, China -, Blackstone, Qualcomm, Kennedy School of Government, U.S ., China Business, Authorities, National Development, Commerce, FedEx, CNBC, Committee Locations: Asia, San Francisco , California, BEIJING, Beijing, China, United States, U.S

☆ Opinion: The world’s dangerous place has only gotten more dangerous
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Fareed Zakaria | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Editor’s Note: Fareed Zakaria is the host of Fareed Zakaria GPS, airing at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET and PT tonight on CNN, Fareed’s latest special report, “Taiwan: Unfinished Business,” will examine the complicated history and present dangers surrounding Taiwan. The backdrop to the tensions over Taiwan is, of course, the expanding geopolitical rivalry between China and the United States. Washington has been willing to accept China’s claims on Taiwan as long as it did not use coercion to achieve them. This is one place on Earth where there should be little room for macho rhetoric and provocative actions.

Persons: Fareed Zakaria, Fareed, Read, Fareed’s, ”, —, Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, Graham Allison, “, Joe Biden, Brendan Smialowski, Mao Zedong Organizations: CNN, Fareed’s, Unfinished, Harvard, Economic Cooperation, APEC, Getty, America Locations: Taiwan, China, United States, Soviet, Asia, Woodside , Calif, AFP, Soviet Union, Pakistan, India, People’s Republic of China, Communist China, Washington, Beijing

☆ China might have a friendlier face now, but it's not giving up on its aggressive Wolf Warrior diplomacy, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The move has also fueled speculation about the end of Wolf Warrior diplomacy. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty ImagesChina is also aware that the shock value of Wolf Warrior diplomacy brings diminishing returns. "I think the limits of wolf warrior diplomacy are apparent," Loh said. The Wolf Warrior will be backThat said, Wolf Warrior diplomacy will return, depending on the issue at hand, said Loh. LEAH MILLIS/Getty ImagesSo why did Liu tell reporters and academics in New York that Wolf Warrior diplomacy would never return?

Persons: —, Liu Jianchao, Liu, China's, Antony Blinken, ROBERTO SCHMIDT, Ian Ja Chong, Chong, Zhao Lijian, Zhao, Rather, Stanley Rosen, Rosen, you'll, Zhao dismissively, Nancy Pelosi's, Anthony Kwan, Pan Chengxin, Donald Trump's, Pan, Dylan Loh, Xi Jinping, Biden, Xi, BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, Loh, Qin Gang, LEAH MILLIS Organizations: Service, Communist Party's International Department, of Foreign, Business, US, AFP, Getty, National University of Singapore, Foreign Ministry, University of Southern, China Institute, U.S . House, Deakin University, Nanyang Technological University of Singapore, Getty Images, Chinese Foreign Locations: New York, China, West . China, Beijing, University of Southern California's US, Maryland, Ukraine, Weibo, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, Gaza, AFP, Getty Images China, West

☆ Google CEO tells employees Gemini AI blunder ‘unacceptable’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Jennifer Elias | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Google CEO Sundar Pichai speaks in conversation with Emily Chang during the APEC CEO Summit at Moscone West on November 16, 2023 in San Francisco, California. In a memo Tuesday evening, Google CEO Sundar Pichai addressed the company’s artificial intelligence mistakes, which led to Google taking its Gemini image-generation feature offline for further testing. Google introduced the image generator earlier this month through Gemini, the company’s main group of AI models. Over the past week, users discovered historical inaccuracies that went viral online, and the company pulled the feature last week, saying it would re-launch it in the coming weeks. This has to be our approach for all our products, including our emerging AI products.”Read the full text of the memo here:

Persons: Sundar Pichai, Emily Chang, Pichai, “, ” Pichai, Bard, Gemini, “ We’ve, ” Organizations: APEC, Summit, Moscone West, Google, Semafor, Gemini Locations: San Francisco , California

☆ China is torn between wanting control of its citizens' data and growing its economy, says US ambassador
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The US ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, said that China is torn between seeking foreign investment and its desire to control data about its businesses and citizens. US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns attends a climate roundtable at the US embassy on July 8, 2023 in Beijing, China. Advertisement"You know, I think they want to control data about the Chinese people, about Chinese companies. And so, that I think is at the heart of the problem with those American companies operating in that sphere," said Burns. But on the other hand, they've raided six or seven American businesses since last March," said Burns.

Persons: —, Nicholas Burns, Lesley Stahl, Burns, China Nicholas Burns, Mintz, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Xi, they've Organizations: Service, Getty, Bain & Co, APEC Locations: China, Beijing, Chinese, San Francisco

☆ AI can 'disproportionately' help defend against cybersecurity threats, Google CEO Sundar Pichai says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Justin Sullivan | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesMunich, GERMANY — Rapid developments in artificial intelligence could help strengthen defenses against security threats in cyber space, according to Google CEO Sundar Pichai. Amid growing concerns about the potentially nefarious uses of AI, Pichai said that the intelligence tools could help governments and companies speed up the detection of — and response to — threats from hostile actors. But AI, I think actually, counterintuitively, strengthens our defense on cybersecurity," Pichai told delegates at Munich Security Conference at the end of last week. Sundar Pichai CEO at GoogleHowever, Pichai said that AI was also lowering the time needed for defenders to detect attacks and react against them. Google last week announced a new initiative offering AI tools and infrastructure investments designed to boost online security.

Persons: Sundar Pichai, Emily Chang, Justin Sullivan, Pichai, —, Hillary Clinton, Mark Hughes, DXC, Hughes, That's Organizations: APEC, Summit, Moscone West, Getty, Munich, Cybersecurity Ventures, Britain's, Cyber Security, Google, MSC, Adobe, IBM, Meta, Microsoft, Twitter, U.S, Iran's, Guard, CNBC Locations: San Francisco , California, San Francisco, Munich, GERMANY, cybersecurity, GCHQ, Russia, China, Iran

☆ Uber beats estimates as revenue and bookings see double-digit growth
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Ashley Capoot | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Uber reported fourth-quarter results Wednesday that beat analysts' estimates on top and bottom lines. Here's how the company did:Earnings per share: 66 cents vs. 17 cents expected by LSEG, formerly known as Refinitiv. 66 cents vs. 17 cents expected by LSEG, formerly known as Refinitiv. Uber's net income includes a $1 billion net tailwind thanks to "unrealized gains" from revaluations of its equity investments, according to a release. Uber anticipates an adjusted EBITDA of $1.26 billion to $1.34 billion, compared to the $1.26 billion expected by analysts.

Persons: Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber, LSEG, EBITDA, Khosrowshahi Organizations: APEC, Summit, Moscone West, LSEG, StreetAccount, Mobility Locations: San Francisco , California

☆ Apple's sales plunged in China — these are the iPhone giant's 5 biggest problems right now
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | AFP | Getty ImagesApple is facing renewed challenges in China, one of its most critical markets. The iPhone giant's sales in the greater China region in the December quarter fell nearly 13% to $20.8 billion. "This increased competition exerts pressure on both Apple's older models and the base models of its new series." For a long time, Apple has been seen as a luxury brand in China with high appeal among younger audiences. GeopoliticsAnd like many foreign technology firms operating in China, the specter of geopolitics constantly hangs over.

Persons: Tim Cook, Andrew Caballero, Reynolds, Will Wong, Shah, Josh Koren, CNBC's, Gen, Koren, Apple Organizations: Economic Cooperation, APEC, Apple, AFP, Getty, Huawei, IDC, CNBC, Musketeer Capital Partners, Samsung, Bloomberg Locations: Asia, San Francisco, China, Cupertino , California, 4Q23, Xiaomi

☆ Exclusive: Xi promised Biden China wouldn’t interfere in 2024 election
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Sean Lyngaas | Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

In a meeting this past weekend in Bangkok with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan again brought up the topic. Wang offered Sullivan the same assurance Xi had given Biden months prior — that Beijing would not meddle in the American election this fall, the source said. The White House National Security Council declined to comment on whether election interference came up in the Biden-Xi and Sullivan-Wang meetings. CNN has reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry for comment. Last week, a senior National Security Agency official told reporters that the agency had not yet seen signs of any notable new foreign influence operations aimed at the 2024 election.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Xi, Biden, Wang Yi, Jake Sullivan, Wang, Sullivan, Hillary Clinton’s, ”, “, Chris Krebs, ” Krebs, Brendan Smialowski, Antony Blinken, CNN’s Natasha Bertrand Organizations: CNN, Chinese Foreign, Democratic National Committee, FBI, Justice Department, White House National Security, Biden, Chinese Foreign Ministry, Microsoft, of, National Security Agency, US, Infrastructure Security, Economic Cooperation, APEC, Getty Locations: China, California, Bangkok, Beijing, Taiwan, Russia, Iran, Asia, Woodside , California, AFP, Washington, Chinese

☆ China surrounding Taiwan would be enough to drag the US into military conflict, said the majority of 52 US experts
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US military is likely to intervene if China enacts a quarantine or blockade in China, experts say. Almost all of the surveyed experts — 96% — said the US would join the fight if China were to fully invade Taiwan. Experts aren't confident that US allies will get involvedHowever, the experts weren't as confident that US allies would jump into the conflict. Meanwhile, 60% of the experts were confident that US allies would assist militarily if China were to invade the island. CSIS also surveyed 35 experts and scholars from Taiwan, who were less optimistic about US intervention.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, William Lai Ching, Tsai Ing, Beijing's, Xi Organizations: CSIS, Pentagon, Service, Center, Strategic & International Studies, People's Liberation Army, APEC, Democratic Progressive Locations: China, Taiwan, Beijing, Washington, Taipei, San Francisco

☆ Apple opens up iPhone app store in Europe, a major crack in its 'walled garden'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Apple announced plans to open up its iPhone App Store in Europe to competitors on Thursday, a move that opens up cracks in the company's famous "walled garden," with which it controls app distribution on its devices. Apple said on Thursday that it believes the new regulation puts its users at risk for scams, fraud and abuse, because apps that don't go through Apple's App Store aren't reviewed for content and could contain malware. Developers in general are likely to celebrate, as many have chafed for years over Apple's fees and rigorous App Review program that frequently rejects app updates. The changes are restricted to Europe and accounts that are registered in the E.U., rather than changes to the way iPhone app distribution works in the U.S. "Developers can now learn about the new tools and terms available for alternative app distribution and alternative payment processing, new capabilities for alternative browser engines and contactless payments, and more," said Apple App Store boss Phil Schiller in a statement.

Persons: Tim Cook, Apple, Phil Schiller Organizations: Apple, National Committee, China Relations, China Business Council, Economic Cooperation, APEC, Digital Markets, Spotify, Microsoft, U.S Locations: Asia, San Francisco , California, Europe, U.S

☆ UK defense secretary says a Russian victory in the Ukraine war would 'signal to China that everything is up for grabs'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewA Russian victory in Ukraine could embolden China, the UK's defense secretary, Grant Shapps, said on Wednesday. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Shapps was calling for continued support from the West for Ukraine in an op-ed for Politico, which was published Wednesday. During last year's APEC summit, Chinese leader Xi Jinping reportedly told President Joe Biden that China intended to take over Taiwan. Representatives for China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Persons: —, Grant Shapps, Shapps, Putin, Donald Trump, William Burns, Burns, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Liu Pengyu, Liu Organizations: Service, Business, West, Politico, CIA, NBC, APEC, China's Embassy, Newsweek, Business Insider Locations: Ukraine, China, Russia's, Russia, Taiwan, Washington

☆ U.S. oil giant Exxon Mobil sues activist investors to prevent climate proposals
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods speaks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Week in San Francisco, California, on November 15, 2023. Exxon Mobil filed a lawsuit against U.S. and Dutch activist investors in a bid to stop them from submitting climate proposals during the oil giant's annual shareholder meeting. An Exxon Mobil win in the proceedings could have a chilling impact on future shareholder petitions. The Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. financial regulator, has overseen a growing number of environmental and social shareholder proposals during the past two proxy seasons. In an emailed statement, Exxon Mobil said "the breakdown of the shareholder proposal process, one that allows proponents to advance their agendas through a flood of proposals, does not serve the interests of investors."

Persons: Darren Woods Organizations: Economic Cooperation, APEC, Exxon Mobil, U.S, Northern, Northern District of, Arjuna, Securities, Exchange Commission Locations: Asia, San Francisco , California, U.S, Northern District, Northern District of Texas, Massachusetts, Amsterdam

☆ Apple offers rivals access to mobile payment tech in EU antitrust case
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Ashley Capoot | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Apple has offered to give rivals the ability to access and interoperate with its contactless payment tech in an effort to appease antitrust regulators in Europe. Apple Pay, the company's mobile wallet feature, allows users to make purchases by simply tapping their iPhones, which run on Apple's operating system called iOS. Since Apple controls this operating system exclusively, third-party mobile wallet developers' access to its payment technology has previously been restricted. Apple said it will allow third-party developers to gain access to the mobile payment technology, provide new features for users like defaulting to preferred payment apps and apply "non-discriminatory eligibility criteria" for rival developers. If Apple's commitments assuage European regulators' competition concerns, the Commission will adopt them and legally require Apple to implement the changes.

Persons: Tim Cook, Apple Organizations: Apple, National Committee, China Relations, China Business Council, Economic Cooperation, APEC, European Commission, Economic, CNBC, Department of Justice, Bloomberg, DOJ Locations: Asia, San Francisco , California, Europe, U.S

☆ China’s economy grew by about 5.2% in 2023, Premier Li tells Davos meeting
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —China’s economy grew by about 5.2% in 2023, slightly better than the official target Beijing had set, Premier Li Qiang said Tuesday at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. “In the past year of 2023, China’s economy has generally rebounded and improved,” the country’s second highest official told the meeting of global business and political leaders. While this expansion would mark a significant pick-up over 2022, when China’s economy grew by just 3%, it is still one of the country’s economic worst performances in over three decades. “Even if there are twists and turns in China’s economic operation, its overall long-term positive trend will not change,” said Li. The premier is the most senior Chinese leader to attend the Davos forum in person since President Xi Jinping in 2017.

Persons: Li Qiang, Hong, Seng, ”, Li, Xi Jinping, Viola Amherd, Joe Biden, BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, Xi Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Beijing, Swiss, Economic Cooperation, APEC, Getty Locations: Hong Kong, Davos, Switzerland, “, China, Beijing, Asia, Woodside , California, AFP, United States

☆ Xi Jinping is in a battle with China's own military, and the outcome could drag the US into WWIII
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Xi Jinping is in a struggle with China's military, purging senior commanders to reshape it. A Chinese invasion somewhere like Taiwan could drag the US into a Third World War, one analyst said. AdvertisementXi Jinping is fighting with China's own military, seeking to purge commanders he sees as unwilling or unable to go to war, military analysts told Business Insider. Since taking power in 2012, Xi has overhauled China's military by cutting deep into its personnel, seeking to improve military-civilian cooperation, and reshaping its structure, among other reforms. A Chinese invasion in East Asia would drag Western countries into something larger, he predicted.

Persons: Xi Jinping, —, Gordon Chang, Chang, Xi, Liu Yazhou, Joel Wuthnow, Wuthnow, Biden, Vladimir, Jinping Organizations: Service, Gatestone Institute, Air Force, BI, Center, Chinese Military Affairs, National Defense University, China's, Force, PLA, Navy, NBC News, APEC, WWIII Locations: Taiwan, China, Washington , DC, India, Japan, East China, Philippines, South China, San Francisco, Ukraine, Russia, insurgencies, Africa, Gaza, Red, Persian Gulf, East Asia, Israel, United States

☆ Taiwan made its choice on who will lead it into an uncertain future as China remains hellbent on controlling it, and tough times may lie ahead
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Read previewTaiwan has elected its new president, the Democratic Progressive Party's Lai Ching-te, who is also the current Vice President. While experts still assess that an invasion of Taiwan remains unlikely in the near future, that doesn't diminish concerns about other ways China could squeeze the island. AdvertisementTaiwan's Vice President and presidential candidate for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Lai Ching-te (C) casts his ballot to vote on January 13, 2024, in Tainan, Taiwan. Nevertheless, the win marks the first time a political party in Taiwan has won a presidential election three times in a row. The supporters of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) cheer at an election campaign on January 12, 2024 in Tainan, Taiwan.

Persons: —, Party's Lai Ching, Lai's, Lai, Tsai Ing, Lai Ching, Tsai, Getty Images Lai, Hou, Ko Wen, Amanda Hsiao, Annabelle Chih, Nancy Pelosi, flack, Annice Lyn, He's, Hsiao, Hao, Hou Yu, Beijing's, Chuan Kang, Xi Jinping, It'll, Joe Biden's, Xi, Biden, it's, BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI Organizations: Service, Democratic, Taiwan, Business, Democratic Progressive Party, Getty Images, ih, Taiwan's People Party, Kuomintang, KMT, Getty, Washington, NBC, US, People's Liberation Army Locations: Taiwan, China, Beijing, Taipei, New Taipei City, AFP, Tainan, Taichung, Taipei , Washington, San Francisco

☆ China will make foreign investment easier, vice premier tells foreign executives
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-11 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Secretary Yellen and Vice Premier Lifeng will hold meetings ahead of the APEC summit being held in San Francisco. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)BEIJING — Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met with global financial executives Wednesday and pledged to make it easier for foreign institutions to invest in the country, state media said. Vice Premier He is also director of the office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs. "China will continue to deepen the reform and two-way opening-up of its capital market, facilitate cross-border investment and financing, and attract more foreign financial institutions and long-term capital to China," He reportedly said at the meeting, according to state news agency Xinhua. China has gradually allowed foreign financial institutions to take majority control of their local operations.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Yellen, Lifeng, Justin Sullivan, Goldman Sachs Organizations: FRANCISCO, People’s, Ritz Carlton Hotel, APEC, Central Commission, Financial, Economic Affairs, U.S, Xinhua Locations: CALIFORNIA, People’s Republic of China, San Francisco , California, San Francisco, BEIJING, China

☆ Vote counting begins in closely watched Taiwan election
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

With China intensifying its rhetoric on its claim over Taiwan, global observers are billing this Taiwan election as highly pivotal for security in the Asia-Pacific at a time of testy U.S.-China relations. If Lai and Hsiao win the Jan. 13 vote for the Taiwan presidential office, it would mark the first time any political party has stayed in office for more than two consecutive terms since Taiwan introduced direct presidential elections in 1996. Campaign posters for various legislative member candidates in Taipei, Taiwan, on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023. China's Taiwan affairs office has characterized the self-ruled island's election as a choice between "peace and war, prosperity and decline." "China has always meddled whenever there is an election in Taiwan, but this time, it's the most serious."

Persons: Hou Yu, Hei Leung, Ko Wen, policymaking, Tsai Ing, Ko, Cynthia Wu, Jing Bo, jiun, Sam Yeh, Jing, Tsai, Lai Ching, Hsiao, United States —, Lai, Timothy S, Rich, Jaw Shaw, kong, Hou, Kevin Luo, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Xi, Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Rong Xu, Democratic Progressive Party Lai Ching, Yasuyoshi Chiba, DPP's Lai, Weeks Organizations: ih, Anadolu, Getty, Democratic Progressive Party, Kuomintang, Taiwan People's Party, China, Local, KMT, Taiwan Studies, University of Oxford, AFP, Taiwan, Rich Western Kentucky University, Taiwan's National Police Agency, New, DPP, University of Minnesota, Western Kentucky University, U.S, China -, APEC, CNBC, Former U.S, Bloomberg, Taiwan's DPP, Beijing, Cross Straits Service Locations: Taichung, Taiwan, Taipei, Asia, Pacific, U.S, China, Hsinchu, United States, Overconfidence, New Taipei City, China - U.S, Beijing, Taiwan Strait, Kaohsiung

☆ Asia’s year in review: Who had it good — and who had it bad — in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-22 | by ( Curtis Chin | Jose B. Collazo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

As 2023 comes to a close, we take a look at the year that was in Asia and the Pacific region. But who had it good and who had it bad in 2023? Bad year: China's property marketWith millions of Chinese citizens still waiting for homes they put down payments on — but might never be built — 2023 was a particularly bad year for China's property market. A newly built property is seen from the air in Hangzhou city, Zhejiang province, China, Dec 15, 2023. Chinese families and individuals who once saw homes as more than somewhere to live but also as investments have reason to fear 2023 won't be the last bad year they face.

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