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☆ IAEA should play constructive role to monitor Fukushima water discharge, says China
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[1/5]Paul McGinnity, research scientist of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) observes a fishing boat unloading the catch of the day for a morning auction at Hisanohama Port Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 in Iwaki, northeastern Japan. Eugene Hoshiko/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 19 (Reuters) - China believes the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should play a constructive role and shoulder responsibility to monitor Japan's water discharge from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday. Mao Ning, ministry spokesperson, made the remarks when asked why China is participating in an IAEA-led survey in Japan analysing fish landed in Fukushima prefecture following the discahrge. Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Paul McGinnity, Eugene Hoshiko, Mao Ning, Muralikumar Organizations: International Atomic Energy Agency, Hisanohama, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, IAEA, Beijing, Thomson Locations: Iwaki, Japan, Rights BEIJING, China, Fukushima prefecture

The original rules had sought to hamper China’s ability to procure advanced computing chips and manufacture advanced weapons systems. Not all chipsRaimondo, who visited China in August, said the administration was “laser-focused” on slowing the advancement of China’s military. Chips used in phones, video games and electric vehicles were purposefully carved out from the new rules, according to senior administration officials. In recent months, the United States has enlisted its allies in Europe and Asia in restricting sales of advanced chipmaking equipment to China. In July, Beijing hit back by imposing its own curbs on exports of germanium and gallium, two elements essential for making semiconductors.

Persons: Washington CNN —, Biden, Gina Raimondo, Raimondo, Mao Ning, chipmakers, “, ”, ASML Organizations: Washington CNN, US Commerce Department, Washington, Ministry, Biden, United States, Nvidia, Intel, AMD, United Arab, ” Nvidia, Semiconductor Industry Association, US Department of Commerce, Biren Technology, CNN Locations: China, Hong Kong, Washington, Macao, United States, Iran, Russia, Beijing, United, Europe, Asia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Dutch

☆ China wants to be a peace broker in the Middle East. How has it responded to the Israel-Gaza war?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Experts say this initial response may expose Beijing’s limited influence in the region, despite official propaganda talking up China as the world’s new peacemaker. Yuval Waks, a senior official at the Israeli Embassy in Beijing, said his country expected a “stronger condemnation” of Hamas from China. State media coverageDespite its claims of neutrality, coverage of the conflict on China’s state-run television appears more slanted. Chinese state media were also quick to blame the US for the conflict now raging in the heart of the Middle East. “China looks at Israel as an opportunity to get points with the broader Arab world and the rest of the developing world.

Persons: Mahmoud Abbas, Xi Jinping, Jonathan Fulton, they’re, Yuval Waks, ” Waks, Chuck Schumer, Xi, “, ” Schumer, Mao Ning, ”, Zhang Jun, Beijing’s, Phil Cunningham, Israel –, Abbas, –, Israel, ” Fulton, Fulton, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Atlantic Council, China’s, Embassy, Reuters, US, Foreign, United Nation, European Union, Global Times, Communist, USS Ford, US Air Force, UN Security Council, Palestinian, Palestinian Authority, West Bank, ”, Israel, Washington, Israeli Locations: China, Beijing, Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Gaza, Palestinian, Palestine, Abu Dhabi, United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, State, ”, Russia, Hamas, Ukraine, Xinjiang, Fulton, Haifa, Iraq, Oman –

☆ In Beijing, Schumer Calls on Xi to Support Israel After Hamas Attacks
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

By Yew Lun Tian, Liz Lee and Antoni SlodkowskiBEIJING (Reuters) -U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday called on Chinese President Xi Jinping to support Israel after deadly attacks by Hamas, adding he was "disappointed" that Beijing showed "no sympathy" for the country over the weekend. Israel responded by pounding Gaza, killing hundreds of Palestinians. Schumer is leading a rare bipartisan congressional delegation on a trip to Asia, which also includes stops in South Korea and Japan. "The ongoing events in Israel over the last few days are nothing short of horrific. I urge you and the Chinese people to stand with the Israeli people and condemn the cowardly and vicious attacks," Schumer told Xi during their meeting in Beijing.

Persons: Lun Tian, Liz Lee, Antoni Slodkowski BEIJING, Chuck Schumer, Xi Jinping, Xi, Joe Biden, Schumer, Mao Ning, Mao, Washington, Biden, Antoni Slodkowski, Bernard Orr, Kim Coghill, Gerry Doyle, Miral Fahmy, Sharon Singleton Organizations: U.S, Fighters, Foreign, Democratic, Economic Cooperation Locations: Israel, Beijing, Egypt, Yom, Gaza, State, Palestine, Asia, South Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, U.S, San Francisco, New Delhi

☆ U.S. leans on China to use influence with Iran to cool Middle East tensions
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday the congressional delegation to China asked Beijing to use its influence with Iran to prevent the Israel-Hamas conflict from spreading. "A bunch of us made the request that China use its influence on Iran to not allow a conflagration to spread," Schumer told reporters in a briefing. "They have influence with Iran in many different ways," he said. "And we asked them to do everything they could to not have Iran spread this conflagration through themselves and through Hezbollah." "We oppose moves that escalate the conflict and destabilize the region and hope fighting will stop and peace will return soon," Mao said.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, Wang Wentao, Schumer, Xi Jinping, We're, Mao Ning, Mao Organizations: Chinese Commerce, Ministry of Commerce, Republican, Democratic Locations: Beijing, BEIJING — U.S, China, Iran, Israel, U.S

CNN —The Philippines on Sunday condemned the Chinese coast guard for installing what it called a “floating barrier” in a disputed area of the South China Sea, saying that it prevented Filipino boats from entering and fishing in the area. In a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, Philippine coast guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela said the floating barrier was discovered by Philippine vessels during a routine maritime patrol on Friday and measured around 300 meters (984 feet). Tarriela shared photos of the alleged floating barrier and claimed three Chinese coast guard boats and a Chinese maritime militia service boat had installed the floating barrier following the arrival of a Philippine government vessel in the area. The Philippine coast guard shared footage earlier this week of vast patches of broken and bleached coral, prompting officials to accuse China of massive destruction in the area. The shoal, which China calls Huangyandao, is one of a number of disputed islands and reefs in the South China Sea, which is home to various territorial disputes.

Persons: Jay Tarriela, Tarriela, ” Tarriela, ”, Mao Ning Organizations: CNN, Sunday, Twitter, of Fisheries, Aquatic Resources, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Locations: Philippines, South China, Philippine, China, Bajo de Masinloc, Rozul, Masinloc, Scarborough, Luzon

☆ South China Sea: Philippines accuses Chinese maritime militia of destroying coral reefs near Palawan
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Philippine Coast Guard/FacebookTarriela said between August 9 and September 11, the coast guard monitored 33 Chinese vessels within the vicinity of Rozul Reef and around 15 Chinese ships near Escoda Shoal. The UP Marine Science Institute found vibrant corals in the Rozul (Iroquios) Reef in the South China Sea in May 2021. At least two foreign ambassadors in Manila have expressed alarm over reports of destruction of marine resources in the South China Sea. The grounded Philippine navy ship Sierra Madre, which Manila uses to stake its territorial claims at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea, as pictured on April 23, 2023. Under current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the country’s National Security Team began to publicize its findings about what was actually happening in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea more regularly, Powell said.

Persons: Jay Tarriela, ” Tarriela, Facebook Tarriela, Tarriela, Mao Ning, “, ”, Gerry Arances, Arances, Ray Powell, SeaLight, Powell, Philippines MaryKay Carlson, Kazuhiko Koshikawa, Rodrigo Duterte, Shoal, Ted Aljibe, Thomas Shoal, Ferdinand Marcos Jr Organizations: CNN, Philippine Coast Guard, Chinese Maritime Militia, Facebook, Philippine, Spratly Islands, Philippine coastguard, University of, Philippines Marine Science Institute, country’s National Security Council, Scientific, UP Marine Science Institute, Marine Science, CNN Philippines, Center for Energy, coastguard, National Security, Stanford University, The, United, Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, Asia, Transparency Initiative, BRP, BRP Sierra Madre, National Security Team, West Philippine, South China Locations: South, Philippines, China, Sabina, South China, Palawan, Beijing, Philippine, Rozul, Escoda Shoal, ” Beijing, China’s, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, The Hague, West Philippine, United States, Indonesia, Vietnam, The Philippines, Manila, Sierra, Spratly, AFP, BRP Sierra, Sierra Madre, West

☆ Philippines weighing legal options against China over coral reef 'destruction'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Neil Jerome Morales | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MANILA, Sept 22 (Reuters) - The Philippines is exploring legal options against China accusing it of destruction of coral reefs within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, an allegation rejected by Beijing an attempt to "create political drama". The Philippines foreign ministry late on Thursday said it was awaiting assessments from various agencies of the extent of environmental damage in Iroquois Reef in the Spratly islands and would be guided by solicitor general Menardo Guevarra. Any move to pursue arbitration would be highly controversial after the Philippines' landmark 2016 victory in a case against China that concluded Beijing's claim to sovereignty over most of the South China Sea had no basis under international law. Iroquois Reef is close to the Reed Bank, where the Philippines hopes to one day access gas reserves, a plan complicated by China's claim to the area. Coral in the South China Sea has been used for limestone and construction materials, traditional medicines and even souvenirs and jewelry.

Persons: Menardo, Guevarra, Mao Ning, Neil Jerome Morales, Martin Petty Organizations: China, Department of Foreign Affairs, South China, Reed Bank, Thomson Locations: MANILA, Philippines, South China, Beijing, Spratly, Hague, China, South, Manila, Vietnam, Malaysia

☆ Philippines Weighs Legal Options Against China Over Coral Reef 'Destruction'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Neil Jerome MoralesMANILA (Reuters) -The Philippines is exploring legal options against China accusing it of destruction of coral reefs within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, an allegation rejected by Beijing as an attempt to "create political drama". The Philippines is studying the possibility of filing a second legal case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the Hague, Guevarra said on Friday. Manila refers to the part of the South China Sea that it claims as the West Philippine Sea. China, which has refused to recognise the 2016 ruling and has chafed at repeated mention of the case by Western powers, denied the latest claims of destruction of coral reefs. Coral in the South China Sea has been used for limestone and construction materials, traditional medicines and even souvenirs and jewellery.

Persons: Neil Jerome Morales MANILA, General Menardo Guevarra, Guevarra, China's, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Mao Ning, Neil Jerome Morales, Martin Petty, Christopher Cushing Organizations: China, Reuters, South China, West, Department of Foreign Affairs, Reed Bank Locations: Philippines, South China, Beijing, Spratly, Hague, West Philippine, Manila, South, China, Vietnam, Malaysia

☆ China says opposes discriminatory U.S. practices against firms
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, Sept 20 (Reuters) - China opposes discriminatory practices by the United States against Chinese companies, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday, after the U.S. commerce department said an advanced phone chip made by Huawei may violate trade restrictions. Smartphone manufacturer Huawei recently started selling its Mate 60 Pro phone containing a chip that analysts believe was made with a technology breakthrough by Chinese chip foundry Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) (0981.HK). In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China "opposed the U.S. generalising the concept of national security". "Such discriminatory and unfair practices against Chinese companies undermine the principles of free trade and international economic and trade rules, and disrupt the stability of the global production and supply chain," she added. China and the United States are locked in an ongoing battle over semiconductor technology.

Persons: Gina Raimondo, Mao Ning, Liz Lee, Ethan Wang, Bernard Orr, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Huawei, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp, HK, The Commerce Department, . Commerce, U.S, Foreign Ministry, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, United States, U.S, Washington

China’s Foreign Ministry said Beijing was “strongly dissatisfied” with Baerbock’s comments and “firmly opposes” them. “The remarks made by Germany are extremely absurd, seriously infringe on China’s political dignity, and are an open political provocation,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular news briefing on Monday. The Chinese Foreign Ministry often leaves out content it deems sensitive from the transcripts of its regular briefings. In June, US President Joe Biden also referred to Xi as a “dictator,” sparking a fierce backlash from Beijing. As a result of this and China’s political decisions, we need to change our approach to China,” the paper said.

Persons: Xi, ”, Berlin’s, Annalena Baerbock, “, Putin, Germany’s, Patricia Flor, Mao Ning, Xi –, Joe Biden, Jiang Zemin, Mike Wallace, Jiang, Deng Xiaoping, Mao Zedong’s, Angela Merkel, Baerbock Organizations: CNN, Fox News, China’s, Ministry, Chinese Foreign Ministry, CBS, South China, Germany’s Greens Locations: China, Germany, United States, Ukraine, Beijing, Berlin, Moscow, Taiwan, South, “ China, Australian

☆ China's ex-Foreign Minister Qin Gang was ousted after alleged affair, WSJ reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang attends a press conference after talks with his Dutch counterpart Wopke Hoekstra in Beijing, China, May 23, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/Pool/file photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 19 (Reuters) - China's former Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who was ousted from his position in July, had an extramarital affair while he was ambassador to the United States, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with a briefing. The report said Qin was cooperating with the investigation, which was now focused on whether the affair or Qin's conduct had compromised China's national security. Senior Chinese officials were told that an internal Communist Party investigation found Qin engaged in the affair throughout his tenure as China's ambassador to the United States, the report said. Qin was replaced by veteran diplomat Wang Yi in July as the foreign minister after a mysterious one-month absence from duties barely half a year into the job.

Persons: Qin Gang, Wopke Hoekstra, Thomas Peter /, Qin, spokeperson Mao Ning, Wang Yi, Shubham, Neil Fullick, Michael Perry Organizations: Foreign, REUTERS, Wall Street, Senior, Communist Party, Beijing, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, United States, U.S, Washington, Bengaluru

Hong Kong CNN —China’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday declined to address a report its former foreign minister Qin Gang was ousted from his position over an alleged extramarital affair. When asked about the report during a regular press briefing Tuesday, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry said she was “not aware” of the information. “As for the appointment and removal of the Chinese Foreign Minister, the Chinese side has released information before,” spokesperson Mao Ning said in an apparent reference to the July announcement of his replacement. Qin served as Chinese Ambassador to the US from July 2021 until early 2023 when he assumed his short-lived role as foreign minister. According to a biographical information page on China’s Foreign Ministry website, Qin is married with a son.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Qin Gang, Qin, Xi Jinping, Li Shangfu, “, Mao Ning, Wang Yi, –, Xi, Antony Blinken Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong Kong CNN — China’s, Wall Street Journal, Communist Party, Rocket Force, China’s Defense, Foreign Ministry, Communist, Wall Street, CNN, China’s, Information Office, China’s Foreign Ministry, Foreign Locations: Hong Kong, Washington, Beijing, China’s, China, United States

☆ China complains to Germany after foreign minister calls Xi a 'dictator'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO: German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock attends a joint press conference with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang (not pictured) at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China, April 14, 2023. Suo Takekuma/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Sept 18 (Reuters) - China has complained to Germany after its foreign minister labelled President Xi Jinping a "dictator", the Chinese foreign ministry said on Monday, calling the title "absurd" and an "open political provocation". German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock made the remarks in a live interview with Fox News last week when asked about Russia's war on Ukraine. "If Putin were to win this war, what sign would that be for other dictators in the world, like Xi, like the Chinese president?" Mao Ning, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, said Baerbock's remarks were "extremely absurd" and infringed on China's political dignity.

Persons: Annalena Baerbock, Qin Gang, Xi Jinping, Putin, Xi, Mao Ning, Baerbock's, Mao, Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Liz Lee, Ethan Wang, Bernard Orr, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Chinese Foreign, Rights, Fox News, Thomson Locations: Diaoyutai, Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING, Germany, Ukraine, Baerbock

☆ China’s Defense Minister Has Not Been Seen in Weeks, Fueling Intrigue
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Chris Buckley | More About Chris Buckley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

China’s defense minister, Gen. Li Shangfu, has not been seen in public in more than two weeks, fueling speculation about further upheaval in the military after the abrupt removal of two top commanders in charge of the country’s nuclear force. Just six weeks ago, China’s leader, Xi Jinping, replaced the two most senior commanders of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, which oversees China’s nuclear missiles. The abrupt dismissals suggested that Mr. Xi was seeking to reassert his control over the military and purge perceived corruption, disloyalty and dysfunction from its ranks, analysts have said. Many experts believe that the military commanders may be accused of corruption, though some have said that suspicions of disloyalty toward Mr. Xi may be involved. In July, China also dismissed the foreign minister, Qin Gang — another official who had risen rapidly under Mr. Xi — without explanation.

Persons: Li Shangfu, General Li’s, Li’s, Mao Ning, Xi Jinping, Xi, Qin Gang — Organizations: Chinese Foreign Ministry, People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, Qin Locations: Vietnam, China

REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Sept 15 (Reuters) - China will impose sanctions against U.S. aerospace and defence firms Northrop Grumman (NOC.N) and Lockheed Martin (LMT.N) for providing weapons to Taiwan, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Friday. The sanctions are being enacted under China's Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular press briefing. Mao named Lockheed Martin Corp's branch in Missouri as the prime contractor that was directly involved in an arms sale to Taiwan on Aug. 24 and said Northrop Grumman has repeatedly participated in the sale of weapons to Taiwan. Taiwan has also reported dozens of Chinese fighters, bombers and other aircraft flying into its air defence zone this week. China's wide-ranging law to counter foreign sanctions came into force in 2021 in an apparent move to legalise tit-for-tat retaliation against punitive actions taken by foreign countries.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Northrop, Lockheed Martin, Mao Ning, Mao, Northrop Grumman, Joe Biden, Joe Cash, Liz Lee, Kim Coghill, Christian Organizations: Lockheed, Japan Aerospace, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Northrop Grumman, China's, Foreign, Thomson Locations: Japan, Tokyo, Rights BEIJING, China, Taiwan, U.S, Missouri, China . U.S, Shandong, Taiwan's, Beijing

☆ Li Shangfu: Speculation grows over whereabouts of China's defense minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong CNN —China’s Foreign Ministry on Friday skirted questions on the whereabouts of the country’s defense minister, amid mounting speculation the recently promoted general has been placed under investigation. Qin, who was only foreign minister for seven months, has retained the position of state councillor – a senior role in China’s cabinet which Li also holds. On Chinese government and military websites, Li is still listed as the defense minister, state councillor and a member of the party’s powerful Central Military Commission (CMC). “The foreign minister and the defense minister are both externally facing interlocutors with the international community. Two weeks away from the public view is not unprecedented for China’s defense minister, who typically has less frequent public engagements than the foreign minister.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Li Shangfu, China’s, Li, Mao Ning, “ I’m, Qin Gang, Qin, –, Rahm Emanuel, Li hadn’t, Emanuel, Xi’s, Agatha Christie’s, Li Shangfu hasn’t, ”, Xi Jinping, ” Drew Thompson, Lee, Sergey Shoigu, Alexander Lukashenko Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong Kong CNN — China’s, Communist Party, Financial Times, Street, Foreign Ministry, Central Military Commission, People’s Liberation Army, Force, CNN, Foreign, Rocket Force, Defense, Lee Kuan Yew, of Public, National University of Singapore, Development Department, Equipment Development Department, Security Forum, ”, Reuters, ” Reuters, Border Defense Friendship Exchange Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, China, United States, Africa, Russia, Belarus, Moscow, Minsk, Hanoi

Rahm Emanuel, Washington's outspoken ambassador to Japan, wrote in a post on X: "1st: Defense Minister Li Shangfu hasn't been seen or heard from in 3 weeks. China's defence ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. On the trip, Wat met with China's navy commander, Dong Jun and other navy leaders, Singapore's defence ministry said on its website. Singapore's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Military observers and diplomats are closely watching whether China will go ahead with plans to hold the Beijing Xiangshan Forum - an annual international security summit normally hosted by China's defence minister - in late October.

Persons: Li Shangfu, Li, Rahm Emanuel, Washington's, Li Shangfu hasn't, Mao Ning, Qin Gang, Qin, Emanuel, Barack Obama, Matthew Miller, Sean Wat, Wat, Dong Jun, Lloyd Austin, Yew Lun Tian, Laurie Chen, Martin Pollard, Yukiko Toyoda, Xinghui, John Geddie, Neil Fullick, Lincoln, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Defence, Financial Times, U.S, Street Journal, Defense, Navy, Liberation, Rocket Force, . State Department, Reuters, Military, Beijing Xiangshan, U.S . Defence, Australian National University, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, TOKYO, U.S, Beijing, Japan, Vietnam, Tokyo, States, China, Singapore, United States, Xinghui Kok

☆ China says it has not banned purchase, use of foreign phone brands
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Sept 13 (Reuters) - China has not issued a ban on the purchase and use of foreign phone brands, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Wednesday, in response to media reports that said some government agencies and firms had told staff to stop using Apple's iPhones at work. "China has not issued laws, regulations or policy documents that prohibit the purchase and use of foreign brand phones such as Apple's," foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular press briefing when asked about the reports. The Chinese government attaches great importance to information and cyber security and treats both domestic and foreign companies as equals," she added. Mao said China hoped all mobile phone companies would strictly abide its laws and regulations, as well as "strengthen information security management". China has increasingly emphasized using locally-made tech products, as technology has become a major national security issue for Beijing and Washington.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Mao Ning, Mao, Ethan Wang, Bernard Orr, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Apple, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Rights BEIJING, China, Beijing, Washington

☆ China Denies Banning iPhones, but Cites Unspecified Security Concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( David Pierson | More About David Pierson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

China on Wednesday made its first public comments about reports that the government is restricting the use of Apple’s iPhones by some state employees, saying that Beijing had noted what it claimed were security concerns about the device. She pointed to what she described as “media reports” about security flaws in the iPhone, without elaborating. She also said China had not published “any law, regulation or policy document” banning the purchase or use of foreign cellphones, including those made by Apple. The comments come after some employees of government agencies have said they have had been told not to use iPhones for work. Notices issued to government employees and state-owned businesses, calling for usage of domestic brands of cellphones, have also been circulating online.

Persons: Mao Ning Organizations: Foreign Ministry, Apple Locations: China, Beijing

☆ China agrees to rare visit by Vatican envoy for Ukraine talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Sept 13 (Reuters) - The Chinese foreign ministry said on Wednesday that Vatican envoy Cardinal Matteo Zuppi will visit China for talks on resolving the conflict in Ukraine, despite the lack of formal bilateral relations between Beijing and the Holy See. Li Hui, China's Special Envoy for Eurasian Affairs, will meet with Zuppi, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular news conference. "On the issue of Ukraine, China has always been committed to promoting peace talks," said Mao. Zuppi will be in China from Wednesday to Friday as part of a diplomatic push to facilitate peace in Ukraine, the Vatican said on Tuesday. The Chinese foreign ministry did not give details on Zuppi's schedule or say whether he would meet China's top officials.

Persons: Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Pope Francis, Maxim, Li Hui, Mao Ning, Mao, Li Qiang, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Wang Yi, Ryan Woo, Ethan Wang, Christian Schmollinger, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Italian Episcopal Conference, REUTERS, Rights, Eurasian Affairs, Kyiv, Vatican, Repubblica, Foreign, Thomson Locations: Moscow, Russia, Rights BEIJING, China, Ukraine, Beijing, Russian, Italian, Washington, Taiwan, Europe, Taipei, Munich

☆ China, Airbus among potential losers from boosted US-Vietnam ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

U.S. President Joe Biden attends a meeting with Vietnam's Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, at the Communist Party of Vietnam Headquarters in Hanoi, Vietnam, September 10, 2023. But Washington's elevation to the same tier as Beijing in Vietnam's ranking will inevitably have an impact on China. The White House had no new arms deals to announce, but the new ties may facilitate future supplies from the U.S. or its partners. That would inevitably reduce Vietnam's reliance on Russian gear, although Hanoi is currently negotiating a new possible arms deal with Moscow. "We do not have any comment on a decision that does not involve Airbus," an Airbus spokesperson said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Nguyen Phu Trong, Evelyn Hockstein, Mao Ning, Joe Biden's, Biden, Carolyn Nash, Fluence, Germany's, Francesco Guarascio, Tim Hepher, Jamie Freed Organizations: Vietnam's Communist Party General, Communist Party of, REUTERS, Washington, White, AIRBUS, U.S, planemaker Boeing, Vietnam Airlines, Airbus, Boeing, Amnesty International, Vietnam, Communist Party, Human Rights Watch, INDIA Washington, Nvidia, Microsoft, AES, SIEMENS, AMI, Honeywell, Nasdaq, Germany's Siemens, Siemens, Thomson Locations: Communist Party of Vietnam, Hanoi, Vietnam, United States, Washington, CHINA Vietnam, Beijing, China, Vietnam's, RUSSIA Vietnam, Russia, U.S, Moscow, Hanoi , U.S, Asia, MALAYSIA, INDIA, Malaysia, India, Paris

☆ China says it hasn't issued any ban on iPhones
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Mengchen Zhang | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Beijing CNN —China hasn’t issued any laws or rules to ban the use of iPhones or any other foreign phone brand, a Chinese government spokesperson said on Wednesday. Bloomberg/Getty ImagesLast week, The Wall Street Journal reported that China had banned the use of iPhones by central government officials, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter. China is the largest foreign market for the company’s products, and Chinese sales represented about a fifth of the company’s total revenue last year. The company doesn’t disclose iPhone sales by country, but analysts at research firm TechInsights estimate that there were more iPhone sales in China than in the United States last quarter. Apple also produces the majority of its iPhones in Chinese factories.

Persons: China hasn’t, “, Mao Ning, ” Mao, Apple hasn’t Organizations: Beijing CNN, ” Ministry of Foreign, Apple Inc, Bloomberg, Getty, Street Journal, Apple Locations: Beijing, China, United States

☆ US Says Hanoi Ties Upgrade Is Not a 'Cold War' Move Against China
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

HANOI (Reuters) - The United States' move to upgrade relation with Hanoi is not a Cold War move against China, a U.S. National Security Council official said on Wednesday. Vietnam and the United States on Sunday upgraded their relationship to the highest diplomatic status during a visit to Hanoi by U.S. President Joe Biden. On Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning called on the U.S. to "abandon hegemony and Cold War thinking," in her response to the Vietnam-U.S. relation upgrade. "We demand that the United States, when dealing with relations with Asian countries, must respect the common aspiration of regional countries for stability, cooperation, and development, abide by the basic norms of international relations," Ning said. Vietnam and China have for years been embroiled in a dispute over the potentially energy-rich stretch of water, called the East Sea by Vietnam.

Persons: Mira Rapp, Hooper, Joe Biden, Mao Ning, Ning, Rapp, Khanh Vu, Francesco Guarascio, Lincoln Organizations: United, U.S . National Security, National Security, Sunday Locations: HANOI, United States, Hanoi, China, U.S, Vietnam, Sea

☆ China says its economy is 'resilient', rejects Western concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, Sept 12 (Reuters) - China's economy is resilient and has not collapsed, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Tuesday, rejecting claims from the West that its economy is faltering and could cause wider problems. Officials from countries including Australia and the United States have publicly raised concerns about the world's second-largest economy. U.S. President Joe Biden called China's economic situation a "crisis" while Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers said a slowing Chinese economy could in turn weigh on Australia's. "The fact is that China's economy has not collapsed," Mao added, without naming Biden or Chalmers. She said China's economy had great potential and that the fundamentals of long-term improvement had not changed.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jim Chalmers, Mao Ning, Mao, Chalmers, Liz Lee, Ethan Wang, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Ed Osmond Organizations: Biden, Reuters, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Australia, United States

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