DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

Hanoi, Vietnam CNN —President Joe Biden will arrive at Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s doorstep on Sunday with a deal in hand to draw yet another one of China’s neighbors closer to the United States. “It’s not going to be easy for Vietnam, because they’re under enormous pressure from China,” the official went on. In Vietnam, it’s not only China whose influence Biden is competing with. On Monday, Biden plans to announce steps to help Vietnam diversify away from an over-reliance on Russian arms, a senior administration official said. “I think that’s a deliberate design by the Biden administration,” said Yun Sun, the China program director at the Stimson Center.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping’s, Biden, ”, It’s, playbook, Xi Jinping, Evelyn Hockstein, ” Biden, Modi, Xi, States ’, it’s, ratchets, aggressions, Didier Marti, “ We’re, “, Biden’s, Mao Ning, Vietnam’s, Antony J, Blinken, Trung, Patricia Kim, Le Hoai, Jake Sullivan, Sullivan, ” –, General Secreatary Nguyen, Trong, Yun Sun, ’ Organizations: Vietnam CNN, White House, Korean, Getty, Saturday, Communist Party, Xinhua, China’s, Monday, Communist Party of Vietnam's, Department of State . US Department of State, Biden, Brookings Institution, Communist, NATO, Wing, Stimson Locations: Hanoi, Vietnam, United States, Philippines, China, Beijing, New Delhi, AFP, Asia, States, Russia, Moscow, India, Brazil, South Africa, –, That’s, South China, Washington, South Korea, Helsinki, Japan, Korea, Australia, United Kingdom

NEW DELHI/BEIJING, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping's decision to skip the G20 summit is being seen in host India as a snub to New Delhi and a new setback to the already frozen relations between the nuclear-armed Asian giants. Asked if Xi's decision reflects China-India tensions, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that Beijing had supported India's hosting of the summit. China did not refer to any agreement and said Xi stressed improving ties helps both countries and global peace and stability. Shyam Saran, formerly India's top diplomat, said Xi's decision to skip the summit was "unusual". Happymon Jacob, who teaches international relations at New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University, said Xi skipping the G20 summit "doesn't bode well" for India-China relations.

Persons: Xi Jinping's, Xi, Li Qiang, Mao Ning, Mao, Narendra Modi's, Baijayant Jay Panda, ”, China nosedived, Modi, Shi Yinhong, Shi, Shyam Saran, Saran, Happymon Jacob, bode, Jacob, Liz Lee Organizations: NEW, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, riling, China's Renmin University, Reuters, New, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Thomson Locations: NEW DELHI, BEIJING, India, New Delhi, China, Beijing, Johannesburg, Delhi, United States, riling Beijing, Japan, Australia, South China

☆ Xi to skip G20 summit in India, China to send Li instead
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Xi Jinping, China's president, on the closing day of the BRICS summit at the Sandton Convention Center in the Sandton district of Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. Premier Li Qiang will lead China's delegation at a G20 summit in New Delhi this weekend, China's foreign ministry said on Monday, indicating President Xi Jinping would not attend and scuppering chances of a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden there. Reuters reported exclusively last month that Xi was likely to skip the meeting and send Li. Xi last met Biden on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Indonesia in November. The other G20 leaders attending include German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, Joe Biden, Xi, Biden, Mao Ning, Mao, Li, Vladimir Putin, Olaf Scholz, Emmanuel Macron, Fumio Kishida Organizations: Premier, U.S, Reuters, Criminal Court Locations: Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, New Delhi, China, Indonesia, Germany, Europe's, Ukraine, Russia

☆ G20: China sending premier to G20 summit in India, Beijing confirms, after reports Xi Jinping would miss gathering
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —China on Monday issued the clearest sign yet its leader Xi Jinping will skip an important gathering of world leaders in New Delhi this weekend, as it confirmed Premier Li Qiang will be traveling to the event. Xi’s attendance at the G20 summit was thrown into doubt last week when Reuters reported that he was likely to miss it, citing two unnamed Indian diplomats. Beijing’s announcement came after US President Joe Biden publicly expressed disappointment that he will not see Xi at the summit. “I am disappointed – but I’m going to get to see him,” Biden told reporters on Sunday. Biden had previously told CNN he would be meeting with Xi in “the fall.”They last spoke on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Bali last November.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Li, Xi, Mao Ning, sidestepped, ” Mao, Joe Biden, –, ” Biden, Biden, ” Organizations: CNN, Reuters, China’s Foreign Ministry, Sunday Locations: China, New Delhi, “, Bali

Ms. Mao declined to explain the reason for the decision and refused to answer questions about Mr. Xi. The Chinese leader has never missed a G20 summit, which brings together 19 countries and the European Union, since taking power in 2012. The opacity of Chinese politics and Beijing’s reticence make it difficult to know why Mr. Xi appears to have chosen not to attend the summit. Analysts say it could reflect Mr. Xi’s preference for groupings in which China is more dominant, such as the recently concluded BRICS summit of emerging nations in Johannesburg. Given that Mr. Xi would be missing an opportunity to meet with President Biden on the sidelines of the summit, the move might suggest that Mr. Xi wants to ease tensions with the United States on his own terms.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Mao Ning, Mao, Xi, Beijing’s, Biden Organizations: China’s Foreign Ministry, European Union, Russia Locations: China, New Delhi, India, United States, Washington, Asia, Johannesburg

☆ Southeast Asia's first high-speed train – a boon or bust for Indonesia's economy?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Nyshka Chandran | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

While it could improve overall economic and business productivity, those benefits may be overrun by Jakarta's soaring debt burden as project costs continue to mount. The 142-kilometre train linking Indonesia's capital to Bandung is expected to move at 350 kilometers per hour, driven by electricity with no direct carbon emissions expected during operations. However, escalating costs of the project could push up Indonesia's government debt and overshadow any short-term economic gains. Initially, the train was to be financed by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China — a consortium of companies from China and Indonesia tasked with building the rail project. In that scenario, money spent on the train would have been better spent on alternative investments like irrigation projects, he said.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Arief Anshory Yusuf, Jokowi, Sri Lanka's, Mao Ning, Mao, Yusuf Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, Initiative, Indonesian, Bandung's Padjadjaran University, Australian National University, PT Kereta, Indonesia China —, KCIC, China Development Bank, Reuters, of Economic, Law Studies, Nurphoto, CNBC Locations: Indonesia, Jakarta, Bandung, Southeast Asia, Indonesian, Surabaya, Japan, Indonesia China, China, Entebbe, Beijing, IDR

☆ 'Not found': China's ex-foreign minister is gone but wait for explanation goes on
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Yew Lun Tian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

BEIJING, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Hours after China's top legislature convened a special meeting last week to remove foreign minister Qin Gang, photos and mentions of the 57-year-old started disappearing from his former ministry's website. China named veteran diplomat Wang Yi to replace Qin, but gave few further clues on the reason for the change. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning on Thursday said Beijing will release information in a timely matter regarding Qin and opposes "malicious hype". The foreign ministry removed all online traces to its former chief protocol officer Zhang Kunsheng who was found guilty of corruption and using his position of power to obtain sex in 2016. He then made a triple jump from director of protocol to U.S. ambassador and then to foreign minister and state councillor in five years, bullet-train speed by China standards.

Persons: Qin Gang, Qin, Gang, Xi Jinping, Wang Yi, Mao Ning, Ian Johnson, Wu Qiang, Wu, Xiao Yaqing, Zhang Kunsheng, Mao Zedong, Mao, Xi, Xi's, Alfred Wu, Lee Kwan, Yew Lun Tian, John Geddie Organizations: Foreign Ministry, State, Information Office, Council, Foreign Relations, Industry, Committee, Communist, Xinhua, Lee Kwan Yew, of Public Policy, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, Beijing, Washington, Singapore, Lincoln

"Chinese Exim bank rolled over principal amounts totalling $2.4 bln which are due in next 2 fiscal years," he said in a post on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter. "Pakistan will make interest payments only over the next two years," Dar said, meaning the wavier is only for the principal loan amount. "In principle, China and Pakistan have close cooperation in economic and financial sectors, and we will continue to advance cooperation with Pakistan to support the country in achieving stability and development," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said. The IMF team this month met the leadership of all political parties, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan, to seek a continuation of its bailout objectives irrespective of who comes to power. Reporting by Asif Shahzad; Additional Reporting by Andrew Hayley in Beijing; Editing by Tom Hogue and Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ishaq Dar, Dar, Mao Ning, Shehbaz Sharif, Imran Khan, Asif Shahzad, Andrew Hayley, Tom Hogue, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Pakistan Finance, Reuters, Foreign Ministry, Longtime, Beijing, Initiative, International Monetary Fund, United, United Arab Emirates, IMF, Thomson Locations: Islamabad, Pakistan, ISLAMABAD, China, Saudi Arabia, United Arab, Beijing

☆ Taiwan-US trade: Deal is key to countering diplomatic isolation, Taipei's top trade negotiator says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Eric Cheung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Taipei CNN —The signing of a trade pact between Taiwan and the United States will play a key role in helping the island counter its diplomatic isolation from China, according to Taiwan’s top trade negotiator. Taipei has described the initiative as the most comprehensive trade agreement between the United States and Taiwan since Washington switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979. But Chinese pressure is not the only hurdle facing Taiwan’s trade negotiators like Deng, as trade deals could also become a politically sensitive issue on the island itself. In 2014, a controversial service trade agreement between Taipei and Beijing — which was passed by the then ruling Kuomintang — resulted in mass student protests, known as the Sunflower Movement. They opposed it because it would allow meat products containing ractopamine, an animal feed additive common in the United States.

Persons: John Deng, ”, ” John Deng, John Mees, Deng, Mao Ning, Kuomintang —, —, Will Ripley Organizations: Taipei CNN, CNN, Taiwan Affairs Office, Trans, Pacific, Sunflower Movement, Student Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, United States, China, Washington, Beijing, Britain, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore, Vietnam, Kuomintang

The planned recipient of the colorful batik top was Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang, who has not been seen in nearly a month and is set to miss at least one other important meeting, in South Africa, next week. It is not clear whether even then Borrell would meet Qin as initially planned, the official said. The former aide to President Xi Jinping was appointed foreign minister in December after serving less than two years as ambassador to the United States. Qin's absence has also been widely discussed in the diplomatic community, with some saying it is another example of China's lack of transparency. Some diplomats have even started to speculate on who may replace Qin, with three telling Reuters the ranking vice foreign minister, Ma Zhaoxu could be a candidate.

Persons: Qin Gang, Qin, Yun Sun, Mao Ning, Wang Yi, Josep Borrell, Wen, Xi Jinping, Antony Blinken, Ma Zhaoxu, Ma, Wang, Xie Feng, Xie, Laurie Chen, Martin Quin Pollard, Yew, Tian, Kate Lamb, Gabriela Baczynska, Andrew MacAskill, John Geddie, Robert Birsel Organizations: China Program, Stimson, Reuters, EU, Australian National University, Qin, Baidu, London School of Economics, United, Aspen Security Conference, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, JAKARTA, China, Indonesia, Jakarta, South Africa, Washington, Johannesburg, Britain, United States, Beijing, Sri Lankan, United Nations, Brussels, London

BEIJING/TAIPEI, July 17 (Reuters) - China reacted with anger on Monday to a planned visit next month to the United States by "separatist" Taiwan presidential frontrunner Vice President William Lai, as the government in Taipei said it saw no reason to overreact to mere transit stops. Such transits infuriate China, which views them as covert support by the United States for Taiwan's separateness from China and challenge to Beijing's territorial claims. "China firmly opposes any form of official exchanges between the United States and Taiwan, resolutely opposes sneaky visits by Taiwan independence separatists in any name or for any reason, and resolutely opposes any form of connivance by the United States to support Taiwan independence separatists," she said. Speaking to reporters, Taiwan Vice Foreign Minister Alexander Yui declined to give details on Lai's U.S. transits, saying details would come later. Pena visited Taiwan last week and met both Lai and Tsai, who cannot run for office again after serving two terms.

Persons: William Lai, Lai, Santiago Pena, Tsai Ing, Tsai, Kevin McCarthy, Mao Ning, Pena, Alexander Yui, Yui, Liz Lee, Ben Blanchard, Kim Coghill, Lincoln, Michael Perry Organizations: Central America, Foreign Ministry, Taiwan, Foreign, U.S, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, TAIPEI, China, United States, Taiwan, Taipei, U.S, Taiwan's, Los Angeles, Central, Beijing, Paraguay, Republic of 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

☆ SPECIAL REPORT-Inside the subsea cable firm secretly helping America take on China
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Joe Brock | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +23 min

Reuters is revealing details of the Diego Garcia project and SubCom’s deepening ties with the Pentagon. SubCom’s loyalty is especially important because it is the only major U.S. subsea cable company. Rather, they carefully obscured the U.S. military component within a larger private-sector cable project, according to four subsea cable industry sources with knowledge of the arrangement. That project, known as the Oman Australia Cable, was spearheaded by SUBCO, a Brisbane-based subsea cable investment company owned by Australian entrepreneur Bevan Slattery. Once the Navy project was complete, AT&T’s submarine cable project morphed into a commercial business, the former employees said.

Persons: Diego Garcia, SubCom, Cerberus, Stephen Feinberg, Donald Trump, Feinberg, Joe Biden, Biden, Eckhard Bruckschen, They’ve, ” Bruckschen, Trump, Brad Smith, –, Mao Ning, ”, Jacob Helberg, Bevan Slattery, SUBCO’s, Richard Payne, Payne, “ We’re, ” Payne, Alex Kerska, Catherine Creese, Creese, David Coughlan, Coughlan, Slattery, SubCom’s Coughlan, Rich, Australia West Express –, John Mariano, Anthony Albanese, Albanese, Caesar, Kellee Wicker, ” Wicker Organizations: CS, SubCom, Google, Microsoft, Meta, ., U.S, Navy, Cerberus Capital Management, U.S . Navy, President’s Intelligence, Board, U.S . Navy’s Pacific Fleet, U.S . Pacific Fleet, U.S ., Pentagon, America Inc, Cable Consultancy, Reuters, Japan’s NEC Corporation, France’s Alcatel Submarine Networks, China’s HMN, U.S . Department of Defense, White, U.S . Department of Justice, Foreign, Oracle, China Economic, Security, Commission, U.S . Department of Transportation, Department of Defense, government’s, Cable Security Fleet, Oman Australia Cable, SUBCO, The, The U.S . Pacific Fleet, SUBCO’s Oman Australia Cable, Facebook, Defense, Intelligence, SubCom’s, London Stock Exchange Group, U.S . Coast Guard, Naval, Cable, Office, Tyco Telecommunications, Australian, Financial, Australia West Express, GoTo Networks, couldn’t, Netflix, AT, Tyco International, Tyco, New, Washington, Science, Technology, Wilson, “ Cables Locations: Diego, Indian, China, New Jersey, United States, U.S, Soviet, Washington, New York, Philippine, South China, Beijing, America, American, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Eatontown , New Jersey, British, Britain, Australian, Australia, Oman, Brisbane, Southeast Asia, The U.S, SUBCO’s Oman, Perth, SubCom, Guam, U.S . Pacific, Republic of Djibouti, of Africa, Djibouti, Sri Lanka, Scotland, Newfoundland

☆ Lawyer wanted by Hong Kong says he was exercising his rights in Australia
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Hong Kong police and security bureau did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Hong Kong says 260 people have been arrested under the law, 79 of them convicted for offences including subversion and terrorism. China and Hong Kong say it was necessary to restore stability in the financial hub. Yam said he started speaking out about the rule of law in Hong Kong and the crackdown because his friends were in jail. Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Additional reporting by James Pomfret and Jessie Pang in Hong Kong; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kevin Yam, Yam, Mao Ning, Anthony Albanese, Hong, Ted Hui, Richard McGregor, Kirsty Needham, James Pomfret, Jessie Pang, William Mallard Organizations: SYDNEY, Hong, HK, Hong Kong, of Australia, Law Society of Hong, Lowy Institute, Thomson Locations: Australian, Hong Kong, Hong, Australia, China, Beijing, British, Law Society of Hong Kong, Sydney

☆ Inside the subsea cable firm secretly helping American take on China
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +24 min

Persons: Diego Garcia, SubCom, Cerberus, Stephen Feinberg, Donald Trump, Feinberg, Joe Biden, Biden, Eckhard Bruckschen, They’ve, ” Bruckschen, Trump, Brad Smith, –, Mao Ning, ”, Jacob Helberg, Bevan Slattery, SUBCO’s, Richard Payne, Payne, “ We're, ” Payne, Alex Kerska, Catherine Creese, Creese, David Coughlan, Coughlan, Slattery, SubCom’s Coughlan, Rich, Australia West Express –, John Mariano, Anthony Albanese, Albanese, Caesar, Kellee Wicker, ” Wicker, Joe Brock, Mohammad Kawoosa, Edgar Su, Catherine Tai Design, Eve Watling, Marla Dickerson Organizations: CS, SubCom, Google, Microsoft, Meta, ., U.S, Navy, Cerberus Capital Management, U.S . Navy, President’s Intelligence, Board, U.S . Navy’s Pacific Fleet, U.S . Pacific Fleet, U.S ., Pentagon, America Inc, Cable Consultancy, Reuters, Japan’s NEC Corporation, France’s Alcatel Submarine Networks, China’s HMN, U.S . Department of Defense, White, U.S . Department of Justice, Foreign, Oracle, China Economic, Security, Commission, U.S . Department of Transportation, Department of Defense, government’s, Cable Security Fleet, Oman Australia Cable, SUBCO, The, The U.S . Pacific Fleet, SUBCO’s Oman Australia Cable, Facebook, Defense, Intelligence, SubCom’s, London Stock Exchange Group, U.S . Coast Guard, Naval, Cable, Office, Tyco Telecommunications, Australian, Financial, Australia West Express, GoTo Networks, couldn’t, Netflix, AT, Tyco International, Tyco, New, Washington, Science, Technology, Wilson, “ Cables Locations: Diego, Indian, China, New Jersey, United States, U.S, Soviet, Washington, New York, Philippine, South China, Beijing, America, American, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Eatontown , New Jersey, British, Britain, Australian, Australia, Oman, Brisbane, Southeast Asia, The U.S, SUBCO’s Oman, Perth, SubCom, Guam, U.S . Pacific, Republic of Djibouti, of Africa, Djibouti, Sri Lanka, Scotland, Newfoundland

☆ Biden administration approves potential $440 million arms sales to Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Michael Callahan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Washington CNN —The Biden administration has approved two potential arms sales totaling $440 million to Taiwan amid ongoing tensions between the self-governing island and Beijing, the State Department announced Thursday. “This proposed sale serves US national, economic and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability,” the State Department said. Washington has long provided arms to the island under the terms of the Taiwan Relations Act, and there is bipartisan support for supplying Taiwan with weapons. “China’s ever-expanding military and grey zone oppression have posed a severe threat to Taiwan,” the ministry said in a statement. “The US arm sales this time not only helps to build Taiwan’s capacity in responding to China’s military threat, but also strengthens our defense resilience and satisfies our training needs.”

Persons: Washington CNN —, Biden, –, “, Mao Ning, “ China’s, ” Organizations: Washington CNN, State Department, Cultural, Washington, Taiwan Relations, Foreign Ministry, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry Locations: Taiwan, Beijing, Taipei, United States, China, Taiwan Strait

☆ The Chinese spy balloon shot down by the US military was rife with off-the-shelf, American-made technology: reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Chinese spy balloon that flew over the United States was reportedly loaded with American tech. That technology assisted in the gathering of photos and videos, The Wall Street Journal reported. The balloon was shot down off the coast of South Carolina by the US military earlier this year. The Pentagon said on Thursday, however, that the Chinese balloon did not collect information as it flew across the country. Chinese officials have admitted the downed balloon belonged to China but have repeatedly insisted it was a weather balloon that blew off course.

Persons: —, Biden, Patrick Ryder, majeure, Mao Ning Organizations: Street Journal, Service, FBI, NBC, US Air Force, US, Wall Street Journal, Pentagon, CNN, Foreign Ministry Locations: United States, South Carolina, Alaska, Canada, Beijing, China

WHAT IS THE COMMON FRAMEWORK? The Common Framework requires debtor countries to secure restructuring assurances from any bilateral lenders first and commercial and multilateral lenders second - to Beijing's dismay. "We call on multilateral financial institutions and commercial lenders, who are the main creditors for developing countries, to participate in developing countries' debt relief efforts," Mao said. In Paris, analysts expect China to continue to voice support for the Common Framework but for debt relief to be dispensed "case-by-case". The last time global policymakers met to discuss the Common Framework in Washington, China proposed the IMF should speed up and improve information sharing on debt sustainability analyses.

Persons: Li Qiang, acceding, Yi Gang, Mao Ning, Mao, Qin Gang, Sri, Wang Wenbin, Joe Cash, Ryan Woo, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Paris Club, International Monetary Fund, Bank, IMF, World Bank, Foreign Ministry, China's, France, Thomson Locations: Paris, China, Zambia, Chad, Ethiopia, Ghana, United States, U.S, Beijing, Washington, CHINA, Addis Ababa, Japan, India, France, Sri Lanka's

☆ Biden labels Chinese President Xi a dictator
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U. S. President Joe Biden calls Chinese President Xi Jinping a dictator in comments on Tuesday at a California fundraiser for his re-election campaign. U.S. President Joe Biden referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping as a dictator in comments underscoring the tricky balance of managing ties with an assertive global rival while appealing to domestic audiences as he seeks re-election. Biden's comment at a Tuesday fundraiser comes just a day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up his first official visit to Beijing. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs could not be immediately reached for comment when contacted by CNBC. In the ministry's regular press conference Wednesday, spokesperson Mao Ning said Biden's comment seriously violated China's political dignity and amounted to public political provocation, according to a Reuters report.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Antony Blinken, —, Biden, Mao Ning Organizations: China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CNBC Locations: California, Beijing, China, South Carolina, Kentfield , California

☆ It's not just spy bases in Cuba, China could be sending troops right to Florida's doorstep: WSJ
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

China is planning a new joint military training facility in Cuba, per The Wall Street Journal. At 100 miles off Florida's coast, the facility would put China's troops at Florida's doorstep. Intelligence officials told the Journal China's move is a likely response to US's involvement in Taiwan. The officials told the Journal that the facility could allow China to "house troops permanently on the island" and "broaden its intelligence gathering" against the US. The new facility in Cuba would be just 100 miles off Florida's coast, and effectively allow China to station troops right at the Sunshine State's doorstep.

Persons: —, Mao Ning, Mao, Biden, Miguel Díaz, Xi Jinping, H.R Organizations: Street, Service, Privacy, China, US, White, Foreign Ministry, Intelligence, Associated Press, Cuban, Trump, McMaster, CBS, State Department Locations: China, Cuba, Taiwan, Cuban, Florida, Havana, South, Russia

☆ Beijing reacts to Biden's 'dictator' comment on Xi
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Reuters Editorial | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PoliticsBeijing reacts to Biden's 'dictator' comment on XiPostedU.S president Joe Biden calling Chinese president a "dictator" seriously violated China's political dignity and amounted to public political provocation, China's foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday (June 21).

Persons: Biden's, Joe Biden, Mao Ning Locations: Beijing

☆ India and China are kicking out each others' journalists in latest strain on ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Visa spatOn Sunday, Xinhua published a first-person account from Hu Xiaoming, the state agency’s New Delhi bureau chief since 2017, describing the “torment” of Chinese reporters’ “visa hassle” in India. A spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs on Friday declined to comment on the number of Chinese journalists in the country when asked in a regular briefing. “All foreign journalists, including Chinese journalists, have been pursuing journalist activities in India, without any limitations or difficulties in reporting,” spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. Bagchi did not confirm that any Indian reporters had lost accreditation in China, but said such reporters had faced difficulties doing their jobs there. Because Chinese reporters are working for state media outlets, New Delhi is also likely looking at them as “state actors,” according to Kewalramani.

Persons: Mao Ning, It’s, Hu Xiaoming, ”, ’, Hu, Arindam Bagchi, Bagchi, Ananth Krishnan, Anshuman Mishra, Narendra Modi’s, “, Manoj Kewalramani, Modi, Xi Jinping, Kewalramani Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Beijing, CNN, Foreign, Washington, Visa, Xinhua, India’s Ministry, Affairs, Ministry, Prasar, Foreign Ministry, BBC, Takshashila, Huawei, Shanghai Cooperation Organization – Locations: Hong Kong, Hong Kong CNN — India, China, New Delhi, Beijing, India, Aksai Chin, Ladakh, Delhi, India China, Mumbai, British, Bengaluru, If, United States, Japan, US, Australia, Jammu, Kashmir, Pakistan

HONG KONG/TAIPEI, June 4 (Reuters) - Hong Kong police said on Sunday they had detained eight people near a park, four of them for "seditious intention and disorderly conduct", as authorities tightened security on the 34th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. Restrictions in Hong Kong have stifled what were once the biggest vigils marking the bloody crackdown by Chinese troops on pro-democracy demonstrators, leaving cities like London, New York, Berlin and Taipei to keep alive the memory on the June 4 anniversary. The eight people were detained near Victoria Park, where for years after 1989 democracy activists gathered on the Tiananmen Square anniversary. Security is significantly tighter across Hong Kong this year, with up to 6,000 police officers deployed, including riot and anti-terrorism officers, the public broadcaster said. Jailed Hong Kong activist Chow Hang-tung, one of the leaders of a group called The Alliance, which used to organise Hong Kong's annual June 4 vigils before it was disbanded in 2021, said on Facebook she would hold a 34-hour hunger strike in prison.

Persons: Sanmu Chan, Hongkongers don’t, Hong, Chow, Mao Ning, William Lai, James Pomfret, Robert Birsel Organizations: Hong Kong, Reuters, Police, The, Hong, Facebook, Foreign, Democratic Progressive, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, TAIPEI, Hong, Hong Kong, London , New York, Berlin, Taipei, North America, Europe, Asia, Victoria Park, China, Beijing, Taiwan

HONG KONG/TAIPEI, June 4 (Reuters) - Hong Kong police searched and detained scores of people on Sunday, including four arrested for "seditious" intent, as authorities tightened security for the 34th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. [1/6] Police detain a woman with paper flowers in downtown on the 34th anniversary of the 1989 Beijing's Tiananmen Square crackdown, near where the candlelight vigil is usually held, in Hong Kong, China June 4, 2023. 'CLEAR CONCLUSION'Despite the warnings in Hong Kong, some individuals, including book shop owners, have been quietly marking June 4. Peggy Kwan, 57, an interpreter at the event, expressed sadness at the stifling of commemorations in Hong Kong. "Hong Kong is moving backward," she said.

Persons: Alexandra Wong, Chris, Tyrone Siu, Hong, Chow, Mao Ning, Peggy Kwan, William Lai, Yew Lun Tian, Joyce Zhou, Angie Teo, James Redmayne, James Pomfret, Robert Birsel, Nick Macfie Organizations: Hong Kong, Britain, Police, REUTERS, New, Rights, The, Facebook, Foreign, Taiwan, Democratic Progressive, Town, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, TAIPEI, Hong, Hong Kong, Taipei, London , New York, Berlin, Victoria, China, Kong, Beijing, Tiananmen, New York, Taiwan, Sydney, North America, Europe, Asia

☆ Kosovo tensions: Why did ethnic Serbs attack NATO peacekeepers?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Dozens of NATO peacekeepers were injured after they were attacked by ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo, during protests over the installation of ethnically Albanian mayors. More than a decade on, these municipalities have not been created, leaving disputes over the degree of autonomy for Kosovo’s Serbs to fester. Valdrin Xhemaj/ReutersFearing potential violence, Kosovo’s central election commission changed plans to put voting booths in local schools, instead setting up mobile huts patrolled by NATO peacekeepers. Of these, more than 16,000 are ethnic Serbs – with only around 500 ethnic Albanians. The peacekeeping mission said that it had increased its presence in northern Kosovo after the newly elected ethnically Albanian mayors took office in majority Kosovo Serb areas.

Search resuls for: "Mao Ning"

25 mentions found