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“Obviously, the little girls that are going to see Barbie, none of them are going to have any idea what those dashes mean,” Mr. Cruz told Fox News. “This is really designed for the eyes of the Chinese censors, and they’re trying to kiss up to the Chinese Communist Party because they want to make money selling the movie.”The response on the right is not a one-off. For a generation of conservative personalities, weaned on Andrew Breitbart’s much-cited observation that “politics is downstream of culture,” Hollywood and other ostensibly liberal bastions are to be confronted head-on, lest their leanings ensnare young voters without a fight. Recent years have provided ample evidence, some on the right say, for a “go woke, go broke” view that progressivism is bad business. (Of course, there is no way to trace exactly what determines any movie’s success or failure, and many observers adhere to the screenwriter William Goldman’s axiom: “Nobody knows anything.”)“Barbie” cannot be said to have gone broke.

Persons: Mr, Cruz, Andrew Breitbart’s, ensnare, ”, Mario, Halle Bailey, ’, William Goldman’s, Barbie, Rich Cromwell, ” Kyle Smith Organizations: Fox News, Chinese Communist Party, Mario Bros, Black, Wall Street

☆ China vows to 'adjust and optimize' property policy in 'torturous' economic recovery
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

China's top leaders pledged to "adjust and optimize policies in a timely manner" for its beleaguered property sector, while elevating stable employment to a strategic goal, along with other pledges to boost domestic consumption demand and resolve local debt risks. The July Politburo meeting typically sets the tone for China’s economic policies for the second half of the year, with market watchers eagerly awaiting firmer guidance on policy support for faltering growth in the world’s second-largest economy. The post-pandemic economic recovery will proceed in a "wave-like" fashion in a "tortuous" process, it added. A raft of disappointing economic data last week prompted renewed calls for policy support to bolster growth. "While it signaled more support for the economy, the Politburo meeting generally fell short of offering large-scale stimulus," said economists at Barclays in a note late Monday.

Persons: Xi Jinping Organizations: Communist, Xinhua, Barclays

July 24 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever, financial markets columnist. If that wasn't enough, purchasing managers index figures will give the first indications on how economies performed in July. Dovish signals from Fed Chair Jerome Powell would probably boost risk appetite and lift global stocks markets. The dollar and U.S. bond yields would likely come under downward pressure too - often bullish triggers for Asian and emerging markets. BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda has signaled his resolve to maintain massive monetary stimulus, despite inflation persistently outpacing the bank's 2% target.

Persons: Jamie McGeever, Jerome Powell, Kazuo Ueda, Japan PMIs, Australia PMIs, Diane Craft Organizations: Communist Party, U.S . Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and Bank of Japan, Microsoft, Investors, Reuters, Thomson Locations: U.S, Asia, China, Beijing, Australian, Malaysia, Singapore, Malaysian, Japan, Australia

☆ Vladimir Putin Can’t Count on Chinese Support Forever - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( Sergey Radchenko | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Mao Zedong warned, “You piss on my head, and I shall retaliate!” The Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev called Mao “treacherous.” An alliance that Moscow and Beijing previously billed as unbreakable quickly unraveled. So Mao reached out to his avowed foe the United States. Mao, a scathing critic of what he called American imperialism, suddenly referred to President Richard Nixon as “the No. 1 good fellow as the two countries make common cause against the United States. Mao’s abrupt turn to the United States showed just how quickly Chinese loyalties can crumble when the usefulness of a strategic partner wanes.

Persons: Mao Zedong, Leonid Brezhnev, Mao, Richard Nixon, Nixon, Vladimir Putin, Xi, —, Wagner, Mikhail Kapitsa Organizations: Communist Locations: China, Soviet, Moscow, Beijing, United States

☆ China and the US are talking -- but can they work together?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Beijing views Washington as bent on suppressing its development and global rise, while Washington has proclaimed the need to protect its national security and the world order from an increasingly authoritarian and assertive China. Washington last year imposed sweeping curbs on exports of critical technology to China in the name of security, and Beijing has responded with export controls of its own. China has refused US overtures to restore those ties, apparently until Washington removes sanctions against its defense minister Li Shangfu. US climate envoy John Kerry during a meeting with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi in the Great Hall of the People on July 18, 2023 in Beijing, China. But all this doesn’t mean there’s no room to work together, according to Shanghai-based international relations scholar Shen Dingli.

Persons: Nancy Pelosi, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Janet Yellen, John Kerry, Li Qiang, Wang Yi, –, ”, Chong Ja Ian, “, Suisheng Zhao, Kerry, Wang, ” Yellen, Li, Li Shangfu, Shi Yinhong, Florence Lo, Shen Dingli, ” Shen, Shen, Blinken, ” Blinken, Xi, Qin Gang, Yun Sun, Chong Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Washington, US, Treasury, National University of Singapore, US Air Force, Air Force, South Carolina . U.S . Air Force, Department of Defense, Reuters, Center for, Cooperation, University of Denver, China’s Communist Party, Renmin University, of, CNN, ”, Economic Cooperation, Foreign, China Program, Stimson, “ Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, Ukraine, United States, China, Taiwan, Bali, —, South Carolina . U.S, Washington, Center for China, South, Shanghai, Asia, Singapore

☆ Beijing Offers Love, but Chinese Entrepreneurs Aren’t Buying It
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( Li Yuan | More About Li Yuan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In the darkest moments of the financial crisis in 2008, former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao lectured a group of U.S. government officials and business executives in New York. “In the face of economic difficulties,” he said, “confidence is more precious than gold.”The Chinese economy then was teetering. Today it’s sputtering, facing the dimmest prospects in decades, and China’s leaders are learning the hard way exactly what Mr. Wen meant. Beijing unveiled a 31-point set of guidelines on Wednesday to bolster the confidence of the private sector. But in private, others I interviewed dismissed the party’s pep talk in words that can be best translated as, “Save it for the suckers.”

Persons: Wen Jiabao, ”, Wen Organizations: “, Communist Party Locations: New York, Beijing, Hong Kong

☆ U.S. House committees investigate Ford Chinese battery partnership
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File PhotoWASHINGTON, July 21 (Reuters) - Two U.S. House of Representatives committees said Friday they are investigating Ford Motor Co's (F.N) partnership with Chinese battery company CATL (300750.SZ). Ford announced in February it is spending $3.5 billion to build a battery plant in Michigan using technology from CATL, the world's largest battery maker. The committees said several hundred of the 2,500 Ford plant jobs will be filled by CATL employees from China who will be in charge of setting up and maintaining equipment. Ford still is awaiting guidance from the U.S. Treasury to ensure the partnership does not run afoul of the requirement. Republican Senator Marcio Rubio has urged the Biden administration to investigate the deal and introduced legislation that seeks to bar consumer tax credits for EVs produced using CATL technology.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Jason Smith, Mike Gallagher, Ford, CATL, Marcio Rubio, Biden, EVs, David Shepardson, Jonathan Oatis, David Holmes Organizations: North American, REUTERS, WASHINGTON, House, Ford Motor, Ford, Chinese Communist Party, U.S . Treasury, Republican, Thomson Locations: Detroit , Michigan, U.S, Michigan, CATL, China, United States, Xinjiang, Beijing

☆ Prigozhin's uprising failed, but it triggered China's 'psychology about warlords,' top White House official says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

A brief, failed revolt by Russian mercenaries in June raised doubts about Putin's hold on power. It also worried officials in China, which has its own history with "warlords," a US official said. They were unnerved by what happened two weekends ago in Moscow," Campbell said in an interview with The Wire China published on July 16, after several senior US officials visited China. China presented a peace plan in April — shortly after President Xi Jinping visited Moscow — that was widely seen as vague and self-interested. Putin and Xi have been a driving force behind the strengthening of Sino-Russian relations over the past 15 years.

Persons: Yevgeny Prigozhin's, Vladimir Putin's, Putin, Prigozhin, Kurt Campbell, Campbell, Xi Jinping, Wagner, We've, Putin Putin, SERGEI GUNEYEV, Yu Sui, Joseph Torigian, China's, Torigian, Xi, Ryan Haas, PAVEL BYRKIN, Haas, Obama, Mark Galeotti, Galeotti Organizations: Service, Pacific Affairs, White House National Security Council, China, Wagner Group, REUTERS, Kremlin, SPUTNIK, Getty, Chinese Communist Party tabloid Global Times, Communist, Central Propaganda Department, China Center, Contemporary World, American University, Brookings Institution, The New York Times, Getty Images, National Security Locations: Russian, China, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Moscow, Ukraine, —, Rostov, Beijing, lockstep, Getty Images Beijing

Ford CEO Jim Farley announces at a press conference that Ford Motor Company will be partnering with the worlds largest battery company, a China-based company called Contemporary Amperex Technology, to create an electric-vehicle battery plant in Marshall, Michigan, on February 13, 2023 in Romulus, Michigan. DETROIT – U.S. lawmakers are seeking to review a licensing deal between Ford Motor and China-based CATL that would allow the automaker to produce battery cells developed by the global supplier at a planned $3.5 billion plant in Michigan. The new batteries are expected to offer different benefits at a lower cost, assisting Ford in increasing EV production and profit margins. Several hundred of the proposed 2,500 jobs managed by Ford will be staffed by CATL employees from China until the licensing agreement expires in 2038, according to the letter. "Indeed, although the executives of the proposed project will be US-based Ford employees, it appears that the project will rely on CATL employees from the PRC to maintain operations in the long term," the lawmakers wrote.

Persons: Jim Farley, Biden, Tesla Organizations: Ford Motor Company, Technology, Ford Motor, Chinese Communist Party, CCP, Ford, Detroit automaker Locations: China, Marshall , Michigan, Romulus , Michigan, DETROIT – U.S, Michigan

A partnership between Ford Motor and a major Chinese battery maker is facing scrutiny by Republican lawmakers, who say it could make an American automaker reliant on a company with links to forced labor in China’s Xinjiang region. In a letter sent to Ford on Thursday, the chairs of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party and the House Ways and Means Committee demanded more information about the partnership, including what they said was a plan by Ford to employ several hundred workers from China at a new battery factory in Michigan. Ford announced in February that it planned to set up the $3.5 billion factory using technology from Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd., known as CATL, the world’s largest maker of batteries for electric vehicles. CATL produces about a third of electric vehicle batteries globally and supplies General Motors, Volkswagen, BMW, Tesla and other major automakers. Ford has defended the partnership, saying it will help diversify Ford’s supply chain and allow a battery that is less expensive and more durable than current alternatives to be made in the United States for the first time, rather than imported.

Persons: Ford Organizations: Ford Motor, Republican, Ford, Chinese Communist Party, Amperex Technology Ltd, Motors, Volkswagen, BMW, Tesla Locations: American, China’s Xinjiang, China, Michigan, United States

☆ China seeks to boost demand by pushing urban development - state media
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, July 21 (Reuters) - China's cabinet has approved guidelines on transforming underdeveloped areas in megacities, in the government's latest move to support the economy, state media said on Friday. China will promote the transformation of "urban villages" - or underdeveloped areas - in megacities, as they pose a threat to public safety and social governance, state media said, citing a regular cabinet meeting. Such transformation "is an important measure to improve people's livelihoods, expand domestic demand, and promote high-quality urban development," the cabinet said. The Politburo, a top decision-making body of the ruling Communist Party, pledged in April to accelerate the redevelopment of underdeveloped areas in megacities. Reporting by Beijing newsroom and Kevin Yao Editing by Andrew Heavens and Frances KerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kevin Yao, Andrew Heavens, Frances Kerry Organizations: Communist Party, Beijing, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, megacities, China

☆ Inspired by Ukraine war, Taiwan launches drone blitz to counter China
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Reuters Graphic | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +16 min

These drones range from jet-powered, long range surveillance aircraft to small quadcopters deployed by ground troops. Taiwan should accelerate mass production of a range of military drones to boost self-reliance in the struggle with Beijing, it concluded. U.S. drones range in size from two-kilogram, hand-launched drones to 14,500-kilogram long range surveillance drones. Unlike Taiwan, China began mass-producing unmanned aircraft long before the Ukraine conflict. Hundreds of technology experts, including specialists in AI, were recruited to the military, according to UCSD analyst Cheung.

Persons: Tsai Ing, ”, Tsai “, Max Lo, “, Hawk Yang, Yang, Tsai, Joe Biden, ’, Lo, Tai Ming Cheung, ” Cheung, Nancy Pelosi, ” Tsai, Chang, Xi Jinping, Xi, Cheung, ” Elsa Kania Organizations: Reuters, People’s Liberation Army, Thunder Tiger Group, “, Communist Party, Taiwan, Taiwan Affairs Office, U.S . Department of Defense, White, Pentagon ., Teal, University of California, PLA, U.S . House, Airborne, Washington -, Strategic & International Studies ., Royal United Services Institute, 20th Party Congress, UCSD, Center, New, New American Security, China's Ministry of Defense, Pentagon Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Taipei, Taiwan, China, Asia, United States, Australia, Japan, South Korea, America, Republic of China, “ China, Kinmen, Beijing, Washington, Pentagon . U.S, U.S, University of California San Diego, Chiayi, Strategic & International Studies . Ukraine, London, Chang Kong, Today, New American

[1/2] U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry shakes hands with his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua before a meeting in Beijing, China July 17, 2023. REUTERS/Valerie Volcovici/File PhotoBEIJING/SINGAPORE, July 20 (Reuters) - Climate talks this week between China and the United States were buoyed by goodwill, but the world's two biggest carbon polluters achieved more on righting their diplomatic relationship than battling climate change. Kerry said China agreed that a target to keep global temperatures rises within 1.5 Celsius of pre-industrial levels should remain "alive". Kerry and Xie focussed on progress headed toward COP28, the annual U.N. climate summit in November. Questions remain about the longer term, should political winds shift in the United States or the two diplomats leave their posts.

Persons: John Kerry, Xie Zhenhua, Valerie Volcovici, Kerry, Nancy Pelosi, Antony Blinken, Janet Yellen, Li Shuo, Li, Xie, Ma Jun, Ma, Premier Li Qiang, Wang Yi, David Stanway, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, Democratic, GOOD AS IT, China, Greenpeace, Institute of Environment, Public Affairs, Communist Party, Daily, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, BEIJING, SINGAPORE, United States, Washington, U.S, Taiwan, Kerry, Paris, COP28, America, Premier, Dubai

☆ Morning Bid: Barbie hits the box office
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A fan takes a photo of a Barbie doll at the world premiere of the film "Barbie" in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 9, 2023. American Airlines (AAL.O) and Philip Morris (PM.N) are reporting. Market sources told Reuters that China's state banks were out in the Asia morning selling dollars offshore. Mattel says the Barbie movie is expected to boost global sales of Barbie dolls, which declined last year from record growth during the pandemic. Reuters GraphicsKey developments that could influence markets on Thursday:Data: U.S. jobless claims, housing startsEarnings: Philip Morris, American AirlinesReporting by Tom Westbrook; Editing by Edmund KlamannOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mike Blake, Tom Westbrook Barbie's, Elon Musk, Ansell, Philip Morris, Barbie, Tom Westbrook, Edmund Klamann Organizations: REUTERS, American Airlines, Communist Party, Traders, Reuters, Aussie, Mattel, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, Asia, China, Xinhua, Hong Kong, Greenland

☆ Chinese autonomous vehicle tech raises concerns, US transportation chief says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, July 20 (Reuters) - U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on Thursday his agency has national security concerns about Chinese autonomous vehicle suppliers in the American market. "Whether we are talking about hardware or software, in the same way there are concerns around telecom or TikTok, there are concerns around transportation technologies," Buttigieg said in an interview with Reuters. Buttigieg said the United States needs to better understand "the true ownership of the different enterprises that are supplying different elements of our transportation systems." The lawmakers were particularly concerned about AV vehicle and equipment testing in the United States. Their letter cites data from California regulators showing seven Chinese firms tested autonomous vehicles in the most-populous U.S. state last year.

Persons: Pete Buttigieg, Buttigieg, Gina Raimondo, Chris Sanders, Will Dunham Organizations: . Transportation, Reuters, Chinese Communist Party, CCP, Thomson Locations: United States, China, California, U.S

Hong Kong CNN —China has promised to throw its weight behind private businesses, just days after a slew of economic data showed growth momentum had slumped. The measures include promises to break down barriers to market access for private firms, to “fully implement” a system of fair competition and to strengthen enforcement of anti-monopoly laws. “We believe that the … pivot from the top level is real, but it’s not enough to bring back the animal spirit among private companies,” Larry Hu, chief China economist at Macquarie Group, wrote in a research note. That pledge had marked a major shift from leader Xi Jinping’s years-long effort to rein in private businesses, which were perceived as too powerful and disorderly. The Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index closed 0.7% higher, after falling in several previous trading sessions.

Persons: “, Larry Hu, Xi Jinping’s, Premier Li Qiang, Li, ”, Ma, Lei Jun Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Communist Party, State Council, Macquarie Group, ”, Investment, Premier, Alibaba, Tencent, Nasdaq, Dragon Locations: Hong Kong, China, Beijing, New York, Dragon China, Shanghai

HONG KONG, July 19 (Reuters) - China's appointment of a top intelligence official to run Hong Kong's national security regime underscores its determination to tighten its grip on the financial hub, according to diplomats and analysts. Dong will bolster security oversight of Hong Kong, rocked for months in 2019 by pro-democracy protests that posed a crisis for Beijing's Communist Party leadership. Under the security law, China's national security office has sweeping investigative and surveillance powers, and enjoys immunity from city laws. Dong's appointment comes as Hong Kong prepares to bolster its national security regimen with a new law, called Article 23, that Hong Kong officials say will encompass espionage and treason among other offences not covered in the 2020 legislation. Additional reporting by Hong Kong newsroom and Yew Lun Tian in Beijing; editing by Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Dong Jingwei, Dong, Xi Jinping's, Tian, Robert Birsel Organizations: Hong, Beijing's Communist Party, Ministry of State Security, U.S, Hong Kong, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, British, Beijing, Hong Kong, China, United States, Britain, Australia

☆ China to increase support for private firms to bolster recovery
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Ella Cao And Kevin Yao | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Summary Party, cabinet issue policies to support private sectorTo protect private property rights, ensure fair competitionTo create "traffic light" regime for private investorsTo support eligible firms to list and refinanceBEIJING, July 19 (Reuters) - China on Wednesday pledged to make the private economy "bigger, better and stronger" with a series of policy measures designed to help private business and bolster the flagging post-pandemic recovery. The measures include protection for the property rights of private firms and entrepreneurs and steps to ensure fair market competition by breaking down market-entry barriers. They will also create a "traffic light" system to make clear the areas in which private investors are able to invest, as well as encouraging some private companies to issue technology innovation bonds. Private companies will be encouraged to increase investment in areas such as power generation and storage, and the industrial internet. China is also encouraging private enterprises to increase investment in research and development and participate in investment and construction of new types of infrastructure.

Persons: Ella Cao, Kevin Yao, Bernard Orr, Andrew Heavens, Jane Merriman, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Xinhua, Communist Party, Authorities, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, Xinhua

The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party sent letters to four separate U.S. venture capital firms, including Qualcomm's venture arm, expressing "serious concern" about their investments in Chinese tech startups. The letters, which were made public on Wednesday, were sent to GGV Capital, GST Ventures, Qualcomm Ventures, and Walden International. Qualcomm Ventures, for example, made 13 investments in Chinese A.I. Walden, a smaller firm, was identified as a particularly significant backer of Chinese AI companies. He said at the time he found there was "broad support" among venture capitalists and others to keep U.S. asset managers from investing in Chinese AI firms.

Persons: Mike Gallagher, Wisconsin Republican Mike Gallagher, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Janet Yellen, Antony Blinken, Gallagher, Krishnamoorthi, SenseTime, GGV, Didi, Megvii, Abu, Walden, Intellifusion, Neil Shen helming Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Chinese Communist Party, GGV, Ventures, Qualcomm Ventures, Walden International, Wisconsin Republican, Treasury, New York Times, Qualcomm, Tiger Global Management, Tiger Global, Denglin Technology, Georgetown's Center for Security, Emerging Technology, Macquarie Group, GSR Ventures, Center for Security, Horizon Robotics, Silicon Valley, CNBC, U.S . Commerce Department, Street, Sequoia Capital, Sequoia Locations: Illinois, China, U.S, Silver, Denglin, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore, Megvii, Sequoia China

[1/5] A worker sweeps a street in the Central Business District on a rainy day in Beijing, China, July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas PeterBEIJING, July 18 (Reuters) - China is entering an era of much slower economic growth, raising a daunting prospect: it may never get rich. He expects growth to slow to 3%, which "will feel like an economic recession" when youth unemployment is already above 20%. The April-June data puts 2023 growth on track for roughly 5%, with slower rates thereafter. But China's annual growth averaged around 7% last decade, and more than 10% in the 2000s.

Persons: Thomas Peter BEIJING, Desmond Lachman, year's, Wang Jun, Zheng Shanjie, Zheng, Richard Koo, Juan Orts, Xi Jinping's, Zhao, Cai Fang, Zhu Ning, Koo, Liangping Gao, Ellen Zhang, Ziyi Tang, Kevin Yao, Joe Cash, Marius Zaharia, David Crawshaw Organizations: Central Business District, REUTERS, American Enterprise Institute, Reuters, Communist, Huatai Asset Management, Reform Commission, Overseas, Nomura Research Institute, Fathom Consulting, Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Japan, United States, Young, Africa, Latin, U.S, Central

☆ China is telling anyone who'll listen it's open for business again – but its economy has a Xi Jinping problem
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

China is signaling to the rest of the world that it's open for business again. Both Elon Musk and Janet Yellen have made trips to Beijing recently. But less money is flowing into the country – with foreign investors likely alienated by Xi Jinping's authoritarianism. Get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in business, from Wall Street to Silicon Valley — delivered daily. Spooked investors responded by dumping Chinese stocks in a $6 trillion blowout, while the onshore Chinese yuan dropped against the US dollar.

Persons: Elon Musk, Janet Yellen, Xi, Li Qiang, John Kerry, Mark Mobius, he'd Organizations: Service, Privacy, China, Tesla, Communist Party, Bain, Co, Big Tech Locations: China, Beijing, Wall, Silicon, Tianjin, Shanghai, West

elites” and his disappointment in Mr. Trump for failing to fire Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, who helped lead the Covid-19 response in the final year of the Trump administration. On Tuesday morning, Mr. DeSantis discussed military policy outside Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, a state that is dependent on military bases and has a large veteran population. Mr. DeSantis has avoided mainstream news outlets, hoping to take his message directly to conservative audiences. Large donors have met in recent days with Mr. Scott and the wealthy entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. The DeSantis political operation may be strengthening its jabs against Mr. Trump.

Persons: DeSantis, Trump, ”, Anthony S, Fauci, Jake Tapper, Scott, Vivek Ramaswamy, Kim Reynolds Organizations: Chinese Communist Party, “, CNN, DeSantis, Politico Locations: Tega Cay, S.C, North Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, West Columbia

HONG KONG, July 18 (Reuters) - China plans to appoint the CEO of state-owned telecoms giant China Unicom (0762.HK), (600050.SS), Liu Liehong, as the head of its new national data bureau, four sources said, putting him in charge of efforts to make the country a digital superpower. China announced plans for the data bureau in March as part of a sweeping government reshuffle. Its formation is part of efforts to achieve President Xi Jinping's vision of a "digital China", where data is managed alongside labour and capital as a key economic driver. China's internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), will also transfer some staff to the data bureau, said one source. "Whether Mr. Liu Liehong will take up any role in the National Data Bureau shall be subject to the decision of the PRC government," it added.

Persons: Liu Liehong, Liu, Xi, China Unicom, Julie Zhu, Kevin Huang, Jane Xu, Brenda Goh, Sam Holmes Organizations: HK, National Data Bureau, Reuters, China, Tech Development Department, Cyberspace Administration of China, CAC, Information Office, National, Bureau, China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, Ministry of Industry, Information Technology, Communist Party, Committee, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, China, Hong Kong, Chengdu, Sichuan province

☆ China rolls over medium-term policy loans, rate unchanged
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SHANGHAI/SINGAPORE, July 17 (Reuters) - China's central bank rolled over maturing medium-term policy loans and kept the interest rate unchanged as expected on Monday, however markets expect authorities will need to unleash more stimulus to support slowing economic growth. The People's Bank of China (PBOC) said it was keeping the rate on 103 billion yuan ($14.43 billion) worth of one-year medium-term lending facility (MLF) loans to some financial institutions unchanged at 2.65%. In a Reuters poll conducted last week, market participants predicted no change to the MLF rate. Traders and analysts said the rate decision was well expected after the central bank lowered key policy rates last month. With 100 billion yuan worth of MLF loans set to expire this month, the operation resulted a net 3 billion yuan fresh fund injection into the banking system.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Winni Zhou, Tom Westbrook, Kim Coghill, Sam Holmes Organizations: People's Bank of China, Traders, Communist Party, Goldman, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, SINGAPORE, United States, China

CNN —Taiwan’s Vice President Lai Ching-Te is expected to transit the US next month en route to Paraguay, the island’s presidential office announced at a news conference Monday. The Biden administration expects the transit to occur “without incident,” a senior administration official said Sunday. The transit comes as the Biden administration is working to regularize the pace of diplomacy with Beijing, with three top administration officials visiting China in the last month. “These transits of senior officials are unofficial in keeping with our US One China policy,” the official said, calling the transits fairly common. Candidates from other political parties may also visit the US later this year, but the senior administration official did not provide detail about future possible trips.

Persons: CNN —, Lai Ching, Biden, ”, Lai, We’ve, hasn’t, China’s, Mao Ning, ’, ” Mao, Tsai Ing, Kevin McCarthy, John Kerry, Antony Blinken, Janet Yellen, “ We’ve Organizations: CNN, US, ”, Democratic Progressive Party, Communist Party, Foreign Ministry, Biden, Presidential Locations: Paraguay, Beijing, China, Taiwan, Lai, Washington, California, Ukraine

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