DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Car Talk and Birthday Wishes Punctuate Biden’s ‘Trust but Verify’ Diplomacy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Katie Rogers | More About Katie Rogers | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

“You know what they call that car?” Mr. Biden asked Mr. Xi. Mr. Biden wished Mr. Xi’s wife a happy birthday. Mr. Xi replied with embarrassment that he had forgotten her birthday was approaching because he had been working so much. At another point, Mr. Biden brandished a picture of a younger Mr. Xi standing on the Golden Gate Bridge. Mr. Biden eventually pierced the “Kumbaya” moment by telling reporters after the carefully coordinated summit that he still considered the Chinese leader a dictator.

Persons: Mr, Biden, Xi, ’, Xi’s, “, ‘, Mao Ning, Biden’s, Donald J, Trump, —, Vladimir V, Putin, Kim Jong Organizations: Economic Cooperation, Mr, North Locations: United States, China, Asia, Washington, Russia, Helsinki, North Korean, Lago, Florida

☆ Gina Raimondo seeks better ties with China amid tensions over tech, Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Ahead of high-stakes meetings next week between the United States and China, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo dismissed the notion there would be a military conflict with China over Taiwan. Both the United States and China “have a desire to stabilize (their) relationship,” Raimondo told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour in an interviewed that aired Saturday. Raimondo noted the world is looking to the United States and China “to be responsible and manage this relationship.”Raimondo acknowledged there is a “great competition” with China, echoing similar sentiments expressed by President Joe Biden, who has stated the United States wants competition with China, rather than outright hostility and conflict. At the same time, Raimondo said she has told China “there can be no negotiation when it comes to matters of national security,” particularly with regard to semiconductor chips used to manufacture advanced weapons. Also on the table are issues surrounding military communication between the United States and China, the climate crisis and narcotics trafficking.

Persons: Gina Raimondo, ” Raimondo, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Raimondo, Joe Biden, ”, Mao Ning, —, Biden, Xi Jinping Organizations: CNN, US, China, Commerce Department, San Francisco Bay Area Locations: United States, China, Taiwan, San Francisco Bay

The pandas’ departure from the National Zoo leaves Zoo Atlanta as the only other US zoo to feature pandas from China, and not for much longer. First lady Pat Nixon welcomes China's giant pandas on April 20, 1972, at Washington's National Zoo. They have since become the parents of seven giant panda cubs born at Zoo Atlanta, according to the zoo. Staff at the National Zoo say they’re hopeful China might one day send over more giant pandas. Plans for the exhibit, with a welcome sign announcing the “Giant Pandas of Chengdu” and a panda-themed gift shop, aren’t clear.

Persons: Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, Xiao Qi Ji, Nixon, Mao Zedong, Richard Nixon, ”, Mao Ning, Richard Nixon’s, Mao Zedong’s, Pat Nixon, “, Hsing, YaYa, Xin Xin, David Culver, Fernando Gual Sill, CNN Xin Xin –, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Yang Yang, Lun Lun, Steve Schaefer, –, Bob Lee, Jane Mahalik, “ Pat Nixon, ” Mahalik, Jill Biden, Yong Xiong, Melissa Gray Organizations: CNN, Smithsonian National Zoo, ” Zoo, National Zoo, Zoo, AP China, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Washington, of Public Service, Memphis Zoo, Atlanta, Chapultepec Zoo, Pandas, Zoo Atlanta, Getty, Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, Adelaide Zoo, Chengdu Research Base, Staff, National Locations: Washington ,, China, what’s, Zoo Atlanta, Beijing, United States, City of Peking, Washington, Atlanta, Russia, Mexico City, Chapultepec, Mexico, “, China’s, Moscow, Qatar, AFP, America, Zoo, Chengdu, New York, Los Angeles

That's why more than 50 local officials signed onto a letter Tuesday calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to help municipal governments cut food waste in their communities. Tackling food waste is a daunting challenge that the U.S. has taken on before. In 2015, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the EPA set a goal of cutting food waste in half by 2030, but the country has made little progress, said Claudia Fabiano, who works on food waste management for the EPA. Researchers say households are responsible for at least 40% of food waste in the U.S. Chicago, for instance, just launched a city-wide composting pilot program two weeks ago that set up free food waste drop-off points around the city.

Persons: Claudia Fabiano, “ We've, ” Fabiano, Weslynne Ashton, ” Ashton, Ning Ai, ”, Ai, ___ Read, Melina Walling Organizations: CHICAGO, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S . Department of Agriculture, EPA, Farmers, Illinois Institute of Technology, ”, Chicago, University of Illinois, AP Locations: U.S, It's, California, University of Illinois Chicago, ___

☆ China Says US Has No Right to Get Involved in Problems Between It and Philippines
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING (Reuters) - The United States does not have the right to get involved in problems between China and the Philippines, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday at a regular press briefing. "The U.S. is not party to the South China Sea issue, it has no right to get involved in a problem between China and the Philippines," said ministry spokesperson Mao Ning in addressing a question on the US saying it will defend the Philippines. "The U.S. promise of defending the Philippines must not hurt China's sovereignty and maritime interests in the South China Sea, and it also must not enable and encourage the illegal claims of the Philippines," Mao said. U.S. President Joe Biden said on Wednesday at the White House that America's commitment to Philippines defense remains "iron-clad," after accusing China of acting "dangerously and unlawfully" in the South China Sea. China and the Philippines recently have had several high-profile skirmishes in the South China Sea, most notably in disputed waters around the Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands.

Persons: Mao Ning, Mao, Joe Biden, Biden, Thomas Shoal, Eduardo Baptista, Bernard Orr, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Michael Perry Organizations: China, Mutual Defense Locations: BEIJING, United States, China, Philippines, South, South China, Spratly, Chinese, Philippine, Manila

☆ China says US has no right to get involved in its problems with Philippines
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, Oct 26 (Reuters) - The United States does not have the right to get involved in problems between China and the Philippines, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday, as tensions simmer over conflicts in disputed waters of the South China Sea. "The U.S. is not party to the South China Sea issue, it has no right to get involved in a problem between China and the Philippines," said ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a regular press briefing when asked about the U.S. saying it will defend the Philippines. China and the Philippines have had several high-profile confrontations in the South China Sea, most notably in disputed waters around the Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands. U.S. President Joe Biden said on Wednesday at the White House that America's commitment to Philippines defence remains "iron-clad," after accusing China of acting "dangerously and unlawfully" in the South China Sea. The guidelines now specifically mention that mutual defence commitments would be invoked if there were an armed attack on either country “anywhere in the South China Sea”.

Persons: Mao Ning, Thomas Shoal, Mao, Joe Biden, Biden, Eduardo Baptista, Bernard Orr, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Michael Perry Organizations: China, Mutual Defence, Mutual, Treaty, South China, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, United States, China, Philippines, South China, South, Spratly, Chinese, Philippine, Manila

☆ China says US statement on collision with Philippine boat disregards facts
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Philippine flagged boat is blocked by a China Coast Guard vessel during an incident that resulted in a collision between the two vessels, in the disputed waters of the South China Sea in this screen grab obtained from handout video released October 22, 2023. China Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 23 (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry on Monday said a U.S. statement in which Washington sided with the Philippines regarding a collision between vessels in the South China Sea "disregarded the facts". China and the Philippines traded accusations on Sunday over the collision in disputed waters of the South China Sea, as Chinese vessels blocked Philippine boats supplying forces there in the latest of a series of maritime confrontations. In a statement on Sunday, the U.S. State Department said China's coast guard had "violated international law by intentionally interfering with the Philippine vessels' exercise of high seas freedom of navigation". Maritime confrontations between Manila and Beijing have become a regular feature in the South China Sea, as both countries assert their territorial claims in the highly strategic waters.

Persons: Mao Ning, China's, Mao, Thomas Shoal, Thomas, Liz Lee, Bernard Orr, Christopher Cushing, Miral Organizations: China Coast Guard, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Washington, U.S . State Department, Thomson Locations: Philippine, South, Rights BEIJING, U.S, Philippines, China, South China, United States, China's Nansha, Spratly Islands, Manila, Beijing

☆ China says US Pentagon report on nuclear warheads distorts facts
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 20 (Reuters) - A U.S. Pentagon report saying China will probably have more than 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030 was filled with prejudice and distorts facts, and China had no intention of engaging in a nuclear arms race, its foreign ministry said on Friday. The Pentagon said in an annual report released on Thursday that China had more than 500 operational nuclear warheads in its arsenal, as of May. The report added that China's Navy had more than 370 ships and submarines, up from the 340 ships last year. "As long as any country does not use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against China, it will not be threatened by China's nuclear weapons," Mao said. In a report last November, it said China would likely have a stockpile of 1,500 nuclear warheads by 2035.

Persons: Carlos Barria, Mao Ning, Mao, Joe Cash, Bernard Orr, Kim Coghill Organizations: Pentagon, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Pentagon, Navy, Thomson Locations: Arlington , Virginia, U.S, Rights BEIJING, China, United States

Tokyo CNN —China has formally arrested a Japanese man who was detained in March, according to officials from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Japanese Embassy in Beijing. The arrest of the Japanese national, who was reportedly an employee of a Tokyo-based pharmaceutical firm, could further rattle foreign businesses in China, which have reported feeling more unsettled this year amid a crackdown on international consulting firms on national security grounds. According to Japanese public broadcaster NHK, the man was an employee of drugmaker Astellas Pharma and was detained in March by Chinese security authorities in Beijing on suspicion of violating the country’s criminal law and anti-espionage law. In May, state security authorities said they had raided several offices of Capvision, an advisory network. The issue has been cited as headache for foreign businesses, some of which were already having trouble convincing workers to relocate to China.

Persons: Hirokazu Matsuno, Japan’s MOFA, Mao Ning, “, ”, Weeks, Bain, — CNN’s Michelle Toh, Sophie Jeong, Mengchen Zhang Organizations: Tokyo CNN, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy, NHK, drugmaker, Pharma, CNN, Foreign Ministry, Ministry of State Security, Mintz Group, American Chamber of Commerce, China’s Commerce Ministry, State Administration of Foreign Exchange Locations: China, Tokyo, Beijing, MOFA, Shanghai, Hong Kong

☆ 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

☆ Goldman names global winners and losers from sliding battery prices; gives one 120% upside
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Amala Balakrishner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"It's more a virtuous cycle —lower battery prices mean more competitively priced EV cars [and in turn] higher adoption and higher demand." Technological developments such as direct lithium extraction could also cause a shake-up in battery prices. Battery market 'winners' Despite some potential risks, Bhandari identified several global stocks that look set to gain from the fall in battery prices. Battery market 'losers' Goldman also revealed a list of potential "losers" in the battery market, or stocks it has a sell call on right now. It gives Gotion a 22.6 Renminbi price target, or 1.8% downside.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, ning, Nikhil Bhandari, CNBC's, Bhandari, —, Envicool, Goldman, CNBC's Naman Tandon Organizations: Battery, LG Chem, Korean, Panasonic, Hong Locations: China, Africa, Latin America, Hong Kong

☆ 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

☆ Neymar on target as Al-Hilal secure Asian Champions League win
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 3 (Reuters) - Neymar scored his first goal since his high profile move to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday as Al-Hilal defeated Iran's Nassaji Mazandaran 3-0 in Tehran's Azadi Stadium in the group phase of the Asian Champions League. Neymar doubled Al-Hilal's lead with a perfectly timed left-foot strike in the 58th minute and substitute Saleh Al Shehri put the seal on a comfortable win in injury time. Al Ain backed up their opening round win over Pakhtakor with an impressive attacking performance in front of their own fans as Brazilian midfielder Erik put the former champions ahead in the fourth minute with a clinical finish. Al Ain now have a three-point cushion over Ahal and Al Fayha, who had a goal in each half from Abdelhamid Sabiri to thank for their 2-0 win at home over Pakhtakor. ($1 = 0.9551 euros)Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Neymar, Hilal, Iran's, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ma Ning, Hilal's Salman Al Faraj, Nassaji's Amir Houshmand, Saleh Al Shehri, Hilal's, Navbahor, Jamshid Iskanderov, Jasurbek, Doniyor Abdumannopov, Al, Turkmenistan's Ahal, Pakhtakor, Al Fayha, Al Ain, Erik, Soufiane, Kodjo Laba, Elman Tagayew, Kouame Kouadio, Dayanch, Michael Church, Toby Davis Organizations: Iran's Nassaji, Tehran's Azadi, Asian Champions League, Saudi Pro League, Paris St Germain, Al, Mumbai, United Arab Emirates, Thomson Locations: Saudi Arabia, Al, Iran's Nassaji Mazandaran, Paris, Saudi, Mumbai City, Hilal, Al Ain, Pakhtakor

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

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’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 capital city is letting the public take fully driverless robotaxis — and has bigger rollout plans, startup Pony.ai says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty ImagesBEIJING — China's capital city is taking swift steps to allow robotaxi businesses to grow. As of Tuesday, the suburban Beijing city district of Yizhuang is officially letting local robotaxi operators — primarily Baidu and startup Pony.ai — charge fares for fully autonomous taxis, with no human staff inside. "We have very high confidence ... maybe only in three years, our full driverless vehicles are going to be running over the whole Beijing city," he said in an interview with CNBC on Monday. Out of more than 200 robotaxis that Pony.ai operates in the region, only about ten are currently fully driverless, Zhang said. Beijing city did not immediately respond to a CNBC request for comment.

Persons: Ning Zhang, Beijing's, Zhang, Yin Yong, Pony.ai, Baidu, Alphabet's Waymo, Pony.ai's Zhang, —, Leswing, Lora Kolodny Organizations: Visual China, Getty, BEIJING, Baidu, CNBC, Daxing International, robotaxis, General Motors, California Department of Motor Vehicles, Beijing Daxing, Google Locations: Beijing, Yizhuang, Pony.ai, Yizhuang district, Daxing, U.S, San Francisco, California, China, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shanghai

☆ 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

Search resuls for: "Ning"

25 mentions found