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☆ China has launched new drills encircling Taiwan. Why now?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Jessie Yeung | Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Tensions are once again ratcheting up in the Taiwan Strait, with China launching military drills encircling Taiwan just days after the democracy swore in a new leader long loathed by Beijing. The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said it launched joint military drills involving the army, navy, air force and rocket force in areas around Taiwan early Thursday morning. The drills are being conducted in the Taiwan Strait – a narrow body of water separating the self-ruling island with mainland China – as well as north, south and east of Taiwan. The Chinese guided missile frigate Nantong, one of the vessels in the series of military drills around Taiwan. The defeated Nationalist Party fled to Taiwan, moving the seat of their Republic of China (ROC) government from the mainland to Taipei.

Persons: ”, Lai Ching, China’s, Xi Jinping, Li Xi, Lai, Wu Mei, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Tsai Ing, Tsai –, Mike Gallagher Organizations: CNN, Communist Party, Eastern Theater Command, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, People's Liberation Army, Weibo, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, Democratic Progressive Party, DPP, Chinese Communist Party, CCP, Nationalist Party, US, Communist, Beijing, Tuesday Locations: Taiwan, China, Beijing, Kinmen, Taipei, People’s Republic of China, Republic of China, Xi, Washington

CNN —China’s military drills around Taiwan are designed to test its ability to “seize power” over the island, the People’s Liberation Army said Friday as its forces kicked off a second day of large-scale exercises encircling its democratic neighbor. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry has condemned China’s military exercises as “irrational provocations” and dispatched its own sea, air and ground forces in response. A total of 19 Chinese warships and seven coast guard vessels were detected near the Taiwan Strait, according to the ministry. China Coast Guard drill near Taiwan. China Coast Guard/Weibo‘Blockading Taiwan’China’s military drills are often as much about playing to a domestic audience as signaling intentions internationally, and state media has ramped up coverage of the drills.

Persons: CNN —, Lai Ching, Lai, Xi Jinping, ”, China’s, Tsai Ing, ” “, Wu Qian, Liu, Tsai, wasn’t, “, I’m, Zhang Chi, Zhang, Carl Schuster, Craig Singleton, ” Singleton, Singleton, Lionel Fatton, ” Fatton Organizations: CNN, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Command, Party, Taiwan, Guard, CCTV, Taiwan’s Defense, Kyodo, Democratic Progressive Party, China’s, Ministry, Chinese Communist Party, China Coast Guard, Taiwan . China Coast Guard, Weibo, US, Coast Guard, Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center, Foundation, Defense of Democracies, Webster University Locations: Taiwan, Beijing, China, Kinmen, Taiwan Strait, China's, Taiwan ., ”, Kaohsiung, Wuqiu, Geneva

☆ Rihanna’s makes Chinese street food to promote Fenty Beauty to China’s Gen Z
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Stephy Chung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

She’s a business mogul in every sense: Aside from a prolific music career, she’s launched successful brands including her cosmetics empire Fenty Beauty – worth an estimated $2.8 billion according to Forbes – and her lingerie label Savage X Fenty. Her latest move in China to promote makeup products is something of a masterclass in how to tap into its lucrative – mostly online – Gen Z market. On Tuesday night, the chart-topping singer attended a Fenty Beauty pop-up held at a Shanghai photography museum, “servin’ face” according to brand’s Instagram, and “jianbing” – a popular Chinese breakfast crepe that costs about a dollar. In a screengrab from Instagram, Rihanna makes jianbing in Shanghai, China, during a visit to promote Fenty Beauty. While Fenty Beauty products have been available in the country since 2019, the brand announced this March that it would be expanding its presence via Sephora stores on the mainland.

Persons: CNN —, Rihanna, She’s, she’s, Forbes –, brand’s Instagram, ”, China’s TikTok, “, Guo Pei, jianbing, RihannashowsupinShanghai, Gucci, Dior, Louis Vuitton Organizations: CNN, Vogue China, Academy of China Council, Promotion of International Trade Locations: China, Shanghai, Instagram, Weibo, Shandong, ”, China’s Shandong province, Jianbing, Douyin

☆ Drag queen Nymphia Wind performs at Taiwan’s presidential office
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Christy Choi | Wayne Chang | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Taipei, Taiwan CNN —Taiwanese drag queen Nymphia Wind gave a riotous performance at Taiwan’s presidential office on Wednesday, celebrating her win on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” last month. Taiwanese drag queen Nymphia Wind shakes hands with Taiwan's outgoing leader Tsai Ing-wen. Taiwanese drag queen Nymphia Wind performs on May 15, 2024. Nymphia Wind attends "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 16 finale screening at The Edge at Hudson Yards. Nymphia Wind and Jimbo onstage at the "RuPaul's Drag Race" season 16 finale screening event on April 19, 2024 in New York City.

Persons: Nymphia, Tsai Ing, Gaga’s “, Huang Fei’s “ Chase, Chase, ”, ” Nymphia, Tsai, Wang Yu Ching, Xi Jinping, Lai Ching, Taiwan’s, popstar, “, Sun, Sun Yat Sen, Santiago Felipe, Leo Tsao, that’s, Jimbo, ” Tsai Organizations: Taiwan CNN, Communist Party, Democratic Progressive Party, DPP, Facebook, Weibo, Sun Yat, Hudson Yards, Reuters Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, ” Taiwan, Beijing, Taiwanese, Asia, China, Taiwan’s, East, Santiago, West, New York City

☆ Putin to meet Xi in China as world convulses from global conflicts
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Pyongyang – which has an economy almost entirely dependent of China – is believed by Western governments to be aiding Russia with war supplies. Xi has ramped up his calls for Europe and other countries to help the world avoid a “Cold War,” suggesting they resist what Beijing sees as US efforts to contain China. They have also criticized Israel and the United States – converging with mounting global backlash, especially across the Global South against Israel’s war. The conflict has also impacted how China and Russia view their relations with countries there, he added. China “wants to use Russia” for its aims, but Russia is making China weak, he said.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Putin, –, It’s, China –, Xi, France –, Jens Stoltenberg, Sergei Guneyev, ”, Li Mingjiang, Manoj Kewalramani, Russia doesn’t, Stringer, Gaza —, Sergey Lavrov, presser, Wang Yi, Israel, “, Privately, Shen Dingli, China “, Alexander Dugin, Donald Trump, Li Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, West, NATO, Forum, Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, EU, Takshashila, Boys, Getty, United, Global, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Russia, Weibo, Moscow, CNN Locations: Hong Kong, China, Russian, Gaza, Ukraine, Moscow, Washington, Iran, North Korea, Pyongyang, Russia, Tehran, Beijing, Europe, France, Serbia, Hungary, Bangalore, Rafah, AFP, Israel, United States, Kewalramani, South, Taiwan, Shanghai, Singapore

☆ Baidu's PR boss, who threatened to destroy workers' careers, has reportedly left the company
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Hasan Chowdhury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Qu Jing, executive at the Chinese firm, posted several videos online encouraging extreme work. In one video, she claimed she could destroy the careers of employees who failed to comply. In one video, reported by the FT, the Baidu PR executive said she expected employees to be prepared to travel for 50 consecutive days of business with her. In a post on WeChat, Baidu PR lead Qu acknowledged the criticism leveled at her, writing: "I deeply reflect on and humbly accept them." The system expected workers to put in toil from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week.

Persons: Qu Jing, —, Qu, Jack Ma —, Elon Musk Organizations: Service, Baidu, FT, Weibo, Twitter, Economic, CNN Locations: Beijing, China

☆ Qu Jing: Baidu’s PR chief sparks a PR nightmare for the Chinese tech giant
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Hong Kong CNN —Chinese search engine giant Baidu has found itself in a public relations crisis, thanks to its own PR chief. Qu, Baidu's vice president and head of communications, has sparked backlash over her comments endorsing a tough workplace culture. China’s young workers have increasingly spoken out against the harsh workplace culture that has come to dominate many industries. Qu had asked all members of the PR team to create their personal accounts, according to the person, who requested anonymity. A former Baidu employee said Qu brought Huawei’s aggressive corporate culture with her to Baidu.

Persons: Qu Jing, Qu, I’m, ” Qu, “, ”, Jing, China’s, Ivy Yang, ” Yang, Alibaba, Jack Ma, Ma, Baidu, Cristina Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Baidu, Xinhua, Huawei, CNN Locations: China, Hong Kong, Weibo

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Berkshire Hathaway, Micron, Tyson Foods, Spirit Airlines and more
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Tanaya Macheel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Spirit also forecast second-quarter revenue between $1.2 billion and $1.34 billion, below a FactSet estimate of $1.46 billion. Paramount — Shares popped 3.3% following a report that the owner of Paramount Pictures and CBS Entertainment Group began formal acquisition negotiations with a group led by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Apollo . U.S. Steel shares have room to rise due to internal improvements, even if the Nippon Steel buyout deal collapses, Morgan Stanley said in a note. Morgan Stanley said the market is likely overlooking the Canadian-based company's progress on improving core profit margins. Morgan Stanley downgraded the intimate apparel maker to underweight due to expectations for negative earnings per share revisions.

Persons: Baird, Warren Buffett, Morgan Stanley, Tyson, StreetAccount, Bausch, Coinbase, Li Auto, Alex Harring, Jesse Pound, Samantha Subin, Hakyung Kim, Sarah Min, Matthew Staver Organizations: Berkshire Hathaway, Berkshire, Micron Technology, Spirit Airlines, Paramount, Paramount Pictures, CBS Entertainment Group, Sony Pictures Entertainment, United States Steel, . Steel, Nippon Steel, Medical Properties, Health Care, EHang Holdings, Barclays, Micron Technology Inc, Bloomberg, Getty Locations: The Boise , Idaho, Berkshire, Pittsburgh, China, Weibo, Boise , Idaho

☆ Labor Day isn’t the holiday it once was for China’s workers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Chris Lau | Hassan Tayir | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Hong Kong CNN —Like hundreds of millions of workers in China, Hao Zeyu, an algorithm engineer at an electric vehicle maker, is getting five days off this week for the Labor Day holiday. So, why has a decades-old policy caused so much upset in a country whose Communist Party leadership pays annual homage to International Workers’ Day? Trending topicIn recent weeks, complaints about this year’s Labor Day leave arrangements have exploded on Chinese social media. Tourists visit the Qiansimen Jialing River Bridge during the May Day holiday on May 1, 2023 in Chongqing, China. Labor Day isn’t the only holiday to get the adjusted rest policy.

Persons: Hao Zeyu, Hao, “, ” Hao, ”, Yao, Max Teng, it’s, Yaer Tuerdi, Pang Dong Lai, Yu Donglai, Yu, Teng Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Labor, CNN, Communist Party, International Workers, Workers, Weibo, Tourists, China News Service, University of Wellington, “ Workers Locations: China, Hong Kong, Chongqing, United States, United Kingdom, Kentucky, Henan

☆ Wild video captures a Chinese Coast Guard ship collide with a Philippine vessel while battering it with a powerful water cannon
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The Philippine Coast Guard shared video footage on Tuesday of the incident. "During the patrol, the Philippine vessels encountered dangerous maneuvers and obstruction from four China Coast Guard vessels and six Chinese Maritime Militia vessels," Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said. MOMENTS AGO: It appears like this China Coast Guard ship is not done yet as it blasted BRP Datu Bangkaw with water cannon. Scarborough Shoal, which has a constant Chinese Coast Guard presence, but the Philippines continues to press its claims to this area. A recent one in March saw a Chinese water cannon destroy a Philippine ship's windows and injure four sailors.

Persons: —, 5jQkS2g66e — Jay Tarriela, Jay Tarriela, Tarriela, Gio Robles, Datu, — Gio Robles, Nicola Smith, Bagacay, Smith, Datu Bankaw, Ezra Acayan, Tom Shugart, rUIKi8ws8O, Joseph Morong 🇵🇭 ( Organizations: Service, Guard, Business, Philippine Coast Guard, of Fisheries, Aquatic Resources, BRP Bagacay, BRP Datu Bankaw, BRP BAGACAY, Bureau of Fisheries, BRP BANKAW, China Coast Guard, Chinese Maritime Militia, Task Force, West Philippine, BRP Datu, China's Coast Guard, Weibo, Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, US Navy, Center, New, New American Security, GMA Locations: Philippine, China, country's, Scarborough Shoal, South China, Bajo De Masinloc, @_GioRobles, Asia, New American, Scarborough, Philippines

☆ Zhang Yongzhen: Chinese virologist shared crucial Covid-19 data. Then his research hit hurdles
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | Yong Xiong | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The ordeal is just the latest hindrance to Zhang’s research since 2020, according to a colleague who has been in contact with the Chinese scientist in recent years. The “institute always respects … and supports scientific researchers and students in carrying out normal research work,” the statement said. The earlier post by Zhang’s students said the two days originally allocated by the center for them to move their scientific work was insufficient. Following the release of the data, Zhang’s lab had limitations placed on it, which barred it from isolating the Covid virus, Holmes said. That included imposing restrictions by April 2020 on the publication of academic research on the origins of the novel coronavirus.

Persons: Zhang Yongzhen’s, Zhang, ”, hadn’t, Hector Retamal, Edward Holmes, Holmes, ” Holmes, “, He’s, Zhang Yongzhen, ” Zhang, “ He’s, It’s, virologist Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Shanghai, Health, Weibo, Zhang’s, Chinese Center for Disease Control, CNN, Fudan University, Health Clinical, Getty, World Health Organization, Nature, University, Sydney, CDC, China’s National Health Commission, Oxford University Press, Shanghai Public Health Center, Natural Science Foundation of China Locations: China, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Wuhan, AFP, Beijing

☆ Chinese water cannon damages ship in new South China Sea flare-up, Philippines says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Video supplied by the Philippine Coast Guard showed two larger Chinese vessels firing water cannons from opposite sides of the Philippine ship. “The Philippine vessels encountered dangerous maneuvers and obstruction from four China Coast Guard vessels and six Chinese Maritime Militia vessels,” Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said in the statement. The Philippine Coast Guard ship suffered “damage to the railing and canopy,” according to its statement. Over the past two decades, China has occupied a number of obscure reefs and atolls far from its shoreline across the South China Sea, building up military installations, including runways and ports. Beijing and Manila’s South China Sea disputes have heated up since the 2022 election of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has taken a stronger line against China than his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte.

Persons: Jay Tarriela, ”, Thomas, “, Thomas Shoal, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Rodrigo Duterte Organizations: CNN, Philippine Coast Guard, China Coast Guard, Chinese Maritime Militia, Weibo, Asia, Transparency Initiative, BRP Sierra Madre, Philippine Locations: Philippine, China, Scarborough Shoal, Chinese, Luzon, ” Beijing, South, Scarborough, Huangyan, Bajo, Masinloc, Philippines, South China, Palawan, BRP Sierra, Weibo, ”, Beijing, Manila’s, Manila, United States, Washington

☆ Elon Musk wins official praise for Tesla during surprise visit to China
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Autopilot is available in China, but not the full FSD feature, which needs to comply with the country’s data security rules. “The economies of China and the United States are deeply integrated,” he said, according to an official readout of the meeting with the Tesla CEO. “Tesla is willing to further deepen cooperation with China and achieve more win-win results,” Musk told Li. Musk first met Li in 2018, when Tesla signed a deal with the Shanghai government to open a plant there. Since then, Musk has met with Li publicly at least five times, according to state media reports and government statements.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — Elon Musk, Premier Li Qiang, Tesla, Musk, ”, Dan Ives, that’s, Ives, Antony Blinken, Xi Jinping, Li, China’s BYD, “, ” Musk, Tesla’s, Ren Hongbin, Li Qiang Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Premier, China Association of Auto Manufacturers, Baidu, Bloomberg, CNN, Beijing Auto, EV, Wedbush Securities, China Council, Promotion of International Trade Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, United States, Shanghai, Weibo

☆ Huawei SUV crash kills three in China's Shanxi province, says state media
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

AITO Automobile, a Huawei-backed new energy vehicle brand, is investigating the incident in collaboration with the local traffic police department, the company said in a statement released on its WeChat and Weibo public social media accounts on Sunday. Three people, including a two-year old boy, died after a Huawei-backed Aito M7 SUV burst into flames following a crash with a truck on a highway in the Chinese city of Yuncheng in the northern province of Shanxi, state media said. Aito Automobile, a Huawei-backed new energy vehicle brand, is investigating the accident along with traffic police, the company said on its WeChat and Weibo public social media accounts on Sunday. Video on social media showed bystanders trying to break the window and door of the SUV as it was lodged under the truck with the front of the vehicle engulfed in flames. The Aito M7, made by Huawei in partnership with Seres Group , was launched in 2022, with Huawei providing technology for the vehicle and help with marketing.

Persons: Aito Organizations: AITO, Huawei, Aito, Seres Group Locations: Yuncheng, Shanxi

☆ Elon Musk will face intense competition if he tries to bring Tesla's full self-driving technology to China
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Tom Carter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Elon Musk has moved closer to getting full self-driving technology approved in China, reports suggest. One local EV boss welcomed the move, saying regulators should "let a hundred flowers bloom." Tesla has moved closer to securing approval to operate its full self-driving technology in China, according to multiple reports, after CEO Elon Musk made a surprise visit to the country over the weekend. Getting FSD approved for China would be a massive win for Musk, who has bet Tesla's future on self-driving cars and robotaxis. AdvertisementMany of Tesla's local rivals are rolling out their own versions of Tesla's Autopilot, which is available in China, and full self-driving technology as competition rages in the country's EV market.

Persons: Elon Musk, Tesla, —, Elon, Musk, XPeng's, William Li, Xiaopeng, EVs, Warren Organizations: EV, Service, Huawei, Xiaomi, Weibo, Bloomberg Locations: China, Guangzhou

☆ Chinese train station design draws mixed reviews online
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Martha Zhou | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —A shiny new high-speed railway station is usually a highly anticipated affair in China – but this one is causing controversy online thanks to its eye-catching design. According to a report in Chinese state media, construction on the upcoming Nanjing North Railway Station will begin in the first half of this year. The report cites officials as saying the design was inspired by the Yangtze River, which flows through the city, and by blooming flowers. Many commenters on Chinese social media site Weibo didn’t see a plum blossom in the design. “Nanjing North Station modeling renderings resemble sanitary pad.

Persons: ” Organizations: CNN, Nanjing North Railway, Weibo, Wings Locations: China, Nanjing, Jiangsu

☆ Tesla slides 3% in premarket, Li Auto sinks 8% as EV makers slash prices amid fierce competition
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Tesla shares sank in premarket trading on Monday, while China's Li Auto plummeted to an 11-month low, after both companies slashed prices of their electric vehicles in various markets amid intense competition. U.S. EV giant Tesla cut the starting price of its Model 3 in China to 231,900 yuan ($32,000) on Sunday, a reduction of 14,000 yuan, as reported by Reuters. The report also said it had slashed prices in other major markets, like Germany. Meanwhile, Li Auto cut prices for its models, including the L7, L8, L9, and the newly launched MEGA SUV, it said on its Weibo account on Monday. Checks by CNBC of both Tesla and Li Auto websites on Monday showed their vehicles were listed at the updated prices.

Persons: Li, Tesla Organizations: U.S, EV, Tesla, Reuters, Li Auto, CNBC Locations: China, Germany

☆ China’s youth are staging a rebellion with ‘gross’ work outfits in new video trend
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Christy Choi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —There’s a new kind of “get ready with me” video trending in mainland China — one of “gross” work outfits. The hashtag “grossoutfitforwork” has attracted more than 140 million views and tens of thousands of discussions on Chinese social media platform Weibo alone. In late February, a post by Douyin (China’s version of TikTok) user Kendou S, claiming she was chastised by her boss about her “gross” outfits which said she wore to battle the cold weather, went viral. DouyinWhile the examples that have gone viral on social media are more extreme, Qiu said he believes casual dressing for work has always been popular in China and will continue. And as temperatures rise, some have started to share their gross outfits for the spring.

Persons: CNN —, they’re, ”, Kendou, “, ” “ Gross, Gen Z, Bohan Qiu, ’ ”, Qiu, it’s Organizations: CNN, Workers Locations: China, Weibo, balaclava, Shanghai, Seoul, Hong Kong

☆ Huawei just gave Tim Cook a new headache in China
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Hasan Chowdhury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementTim Cook would like you to think everything is going swimmingly for Apple in China. It's already won over some consumers since launching the Mate 60 Pro series last year. The Huawei Mate 60 rivals the latest iPhone. They expect another decline in iPhone sales in the region in Apple's quarterly earnings on May 2. Cook might be putting on a brave face, but iPhone sales in China may keep sliding if Huawei has its way.

Persons: —, Tim Cook, Cook, there's, It's, They're, Wang Gang, Ivan Lam, Apple Organizations: Apple, Huawei, Service, Bund, Counterpoint Research, Publishing, Washington, Reuters Locations: China, Shanghai's Jing'an, Cook, iPhones, Greater China

☆ Baidu releases new AI tools to promote application development
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Baidu's newly announced AI tools allow people with no coding knowledge to create generative AI-powered chatbots for specific functions, which can then be integrated in a website, Baidu search engine results or other online portals. watch nowThe basic Baidu tools are generally available to try for free, up until a certain usage limit, similar to some of Google's cloud and AI functions. Baidu this week also announced three new versions of its Ernie AI model — called "Speed," "Lite" and "Tiny" — that coders can selectively access, based on the complexity of the task. In a demonstration hall, Baidu business departments showed off how the AI tools could be integrated with virtual people doing livestreams, or directing search engine traffic to an AI-based interactive buying guide. Also on display was a humanoid robot developed by Shenzhen-based UBTech Robotics that used Baidu's Ernie AI model for understanding commands and reading written words.

Persons: Robin Li, Ernie bot, OpenAI, Ernie, Bo Du, Baidu, Buysmart.AI, Andy Qiu, That's, Qiu Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty Images, Baidu, CNBC, WestSummit Capital Management, Robotics Locations: Shenzhen, China, Getty Images SHENZHEN, Weibo, U.S

☆ Chinese runner’s win invites suspicion after rivals appear to step aside
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Andrew Mcnicol | Hassan Tayir | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —Chinese runner He Jie’s victory Sunday in the Beijing Half Marathon is facing a probe after his win was called into question by Chinese internet users because a trio of African runners appeared to deliberately slow down to let him win. The Chinese runner crossed the finish line in 1:03:44 to claim the $5,500 first prize, with the African trio just one second behind in joint-second place. The video clip shows the African runners applauding He’s win and patting him on the back, though the Asian Games marathon champion appears less enthused despite winning his first ever competitive half marathon. Some Chinese internet users called for an investigation into the race, while others demanded action from organizers. He is ranked 77th in the world in men’s marathon by World Athletics and is expected to lead the way for Asian runners in the upcoming Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.

Persons: Kenya’s Willy Mnangat, Robert Keter, Ethiopia’s, He’s, patting, “, ”, ” Xstep, It’s, Mark Dreyer, That’s, “ It’s, Jie, ” Dreyer Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Asian Games, Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau, Chinese Athletics Association, CNN, Sporting, World Athletics Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, Kenya, Weibo, China’s Ningxia

☆ Blizzard, NetEase deal: ‘World of Warcraft’ and other hit games return to China as dispute ends
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Diksha Madhok | Wayne Chang | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —China’s gaming giant NetEase will bring back the iconic “World of Warcraft” and other popular video games by Microsoft’s Blizzard Entertainment to the country, the companies said in a joint statement Wednesday. California-based Blizzard and Hangzhou-based NetEase had ceased their 15-year relationship in 2023 after an acrimonious fallout, leaving millions of fans in China heartbroken. “After a year of negotiations, Blizzard and NetEase are pleased to align on a path forward to once again serve players in mainland China,” the companies said in a post on NetEase Games’ official Weibo account. The new deal will see the return of “World of Warcraft” and “Hearthstone” games to China, as well as other titles in the Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo and StarCraft universes, according to the statement. Foreign publishers must work with local partners to offer video games in China.

Persons: NetEase, “, ”, we’ve, William Ding, ’, Phil Spencer Organizations: CNN, Microsoft’s Blizzard Entertainment, Blizzard, Games, Weibo, Microsoft Gaming, Xbox, Microsoft, Activision, Big Locations: China, California, Hangzhou, Beijing, Big Tech

☆ Everything you want to know about Janet Yellen’s China visit; Russia, chopsticks, oversupply
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

“China is now simply too large for the rest of the world to absorb this enormous capacity,” Yellen told reporters Monday. US intelligence has warned that China is providing technology and equipment to Russia that is important to Moscow’s war in Ukraine. During her last visit to Beijing, Yellen dramatically boosted business for a Yunnan restaurant chain and its mushroom dish after her delegation was spotted dining there. “As a US official, Yellen needs to know more about China than just its food. Only by understanding China better, can she correct the US worldview and its views of China and China-US relations.”

Persons: Janet Yellen, Yellen, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, ”, China Nicholas Burns, Pedro Pardo, Li Qiang, ” Yellen, Li, Biden, “, Mao Ning, Xi, CNN’s Marc Stewart, we’ve, Andy Wong, “ Yellen, Tao Tao Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Russia, China's, Getty, Vice, Foreign Ministry, Treasury Department ., Ukraine, China’s, Ministry, “ Locations: China, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Beijing, United States, AFP, Washington, Xinhua, Russia, Ukraine, Treasury Department . China, San Fransisco, “, Yunnan, Weibo

☆ China's internet is filled with well-wishes for earthquake-stricken Taiwan — and veiled references that the PLA can help
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Taiwan's 7.2-magnitude earthquake has drawn seemingly friendly messages on China's social media. But they're also indicative of China's ambitions for Taiwan, and what Chinese people think of the island. AdvertisementA 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit Taiwan on Wednesday morning prompted a wave of concerned messages on mainland China's social media, diverting from the usual hostile rhetoric toward the self-governed island. Like many of China's social media platforms, Weibo is heavily censored and moderated. However, kinetic conflict is still widely viewed on social media as only one of several options for unification.

Persons: they're, —, Fabian Hamacher, Xi Jinping, Zhang Yongjin, Xi Organizations: Service, Wednesday, Reuters, REUTERS, Business, Taiwan, People's Liberation Army, PLA, Getty, Observers Locations: Taiwan, Hualien, New Taipei City, Weibo, Beijing, China, Shiyuan Township, Jishishan County, Gansu Province, Xinhua, Sichuan, Taipei

☆ 3 people died after being ripped from their high-rise apartments by freak wind storms in China, local reports say
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewThree people died on Sunday in China's Jiangxi province after being torn from their high-rise apartments by heavy winds, local media reported. A neighborhood chat group message published by Jimu News and other regional media identified three of the deceased as a 64-year-old woman, her 11-year-old grandson, and another 60-year-old woman. Reporters from both outlets published photos of the neighborhood that showed apartments with missing glass facades and only mangled frames remaining. AdvertisementThe affected high-rise neighborhood in Nanchang was completed in 2015, per property listings of the area.

Persons: —, Wan, Liu, Xu, Li Mengping, Li Organizations: Service, Jimu, Business, CCTV, Red Star News, Nanchang Emergency Management Bureau, Weibo Locations: China's Jiangxi, Nanchang, Hubei, Beijing, Weibo, Chengdu, China

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