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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

☆ TikTok Moves to Limit Russian and Chinese Media’s Reach in Big Election Year
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Sapna Maheshwari | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

TikTok said on Thursday that it was introducing new measures to limit the spread of videos from state-affiliated media accounts, including Russian and Chinese outlets, as the company deflects criticism that it could be used as a propaganda tool in a major election year. The company in 2022 started labeling state-affiliated media accounts — like those from RT, the global Russian television network, and People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party. Social media platforms, including Meta, YouTube and X, are grappling with misinformation in a year when as much as half the global population will vote in major elections. Political news on TikTok, which is owned by a Chinese company, ByteDance, is under particular scrutiny after the passage of a law that would force ByteDance to sell the company or face a ban in the United States. Lawmakers and intelligence officials have said TikTok is a threat to national security, partly because of how the Chinese government could use it to spread propaganda.

Persons: TikTok, ” TikTok, ByteDance Organizations: Chinese Communist Party, Social, Meta, YouTube, United States, Lawmakers Locations: Russian, United

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

☆ Microsoft’s UAE deal could reportedly involve transfer of key U.S. chips and AI technology abroad
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. officials have said that AI systems could pose national security risks, for example by making it easier to engineer chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. The Biden administration in October required the makers of the largest AI systems to share details about them with the U.S. government. Microsoft executives said the agreement has safeguards to protect Microsoft's technology and prevent it from being used by Chinese entities to train AI systems. The Commerce Department already requires notifications and, in several regions, export licenses to send AI chips abroad. Microsoft executives said the company welcomes a debate on a new legal framework governing the transfer of AI technology and that the deal with G42 requires the UAE firm to comply with U.S. regulations as they evolve.

Persons: Brad Smith, Smith, Biden, Michael McCaul, we're Organizations: Microsoft, United Arab, Reuters, U.S ., U.S . Department of Commerce, U.S . House, Commerce Department Locations: Madrid, Spain, United Arab Emirates, U.S, UAE

☆ US lawmakers call for DOJ, IOC investigations into Chinese doping before Olympics
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A doping case involving 23 Chinese swimmers took a diplomatic twist on Wednesday after US lawmakers called on the US Department of Justice and the International Olympic Committee to launch inquiries into the controversy. The Chinese swimmers tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned performance-enhancing substance, several months before the Tokyo Olympics – a tournament at which they were allowed to compete in, and went on to win medals at, according to a report from the New York Times released in coordination with German public broadcaster ARD. In a statement released Wednesday, the lawmakers called for an assessment as to whether the alleged doping was “state-sponsored,” adding that could warrant further diplomatic measures by the United States and the international community. CNN has reached out to the Department of Justice, the IOC and WADA for comment. Trimetazidine has the potential to boost endurance and has been banned by WADA since 2014.

Persons: ”, Raja Krishnamoorthi, John Moolenaar, WADA, “, ” WADA, Sarah Hirshland, Witold Banka, …, Trimetazidine, CHINADA Organizations: CNN, US Department of Justice, International Olympic Committee, Tokyo, New York Times, ARD, Olympic, Chinese Communist Party, Doping Agency, Department of Justice, IOC, European Medicines Agency, EMA, Canadian Olympic Committee, Paralympic, ”, CHINADA, Xinhua Locations: People’s Republic of China, Russia, United States, Paris, China, ”, trimetazidine

☆ Fraud Trial to Begin for Chinese Billionaire Who Allied Himself With America’s Right
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Michael Forsythe | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Four years ago, Guo Wengui, a prominent Chinese property developer, announced the imminent end of Communist rule and the formation of the New Federal State of China. The setting wasn’t Beijing, or anywhere close to China, but a boat in New York Harbor. He was joined by Steve Bannon, the right-wing firebrand and former adviser to President Trump. Another Trump aide, Peter Navarro, would be declared the shadow government’s “international ambassador.”“From this day forward, the Communist Party is not the legal government of China!” he shouted in Mandarin. Mr. Guo, also known as Miles Kwok, had completed a remarkable transformation, from exiled Beijing billionaire to a player in America’s right-wing firmament.

Persons: Guo Wengui, Steve Bannon, President Trump, Trump, Peter Navarro, ”, Guo, Miles Kwok Organizations: New Federal, Communist Party Locations: New Federal State of China, Beijing, China, New York, America’s

Taipei CNN —Thousands of mostly young protesters surrounded Taiwan’s legislature late into the night on Tuesday, protesting a push by opposition parties to subject the island’s new leader and his administration to tighter scrutiny from a parliament controlled by lawmakers who favor closer ties to China. Meanwhile, the president would be required to deliver an annual address to the parliament on key policy issues. Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty ImagesOn Tuesday, as the parliament resumed its meeting to discuss the bill, protesters gathered outside the Legislative Yuan – Taiwan’s unicameral parliament – from morning until midnight, braving downpours in the afternoon. Lai, 64, a former doctor and vice president, was inaugurated Monday alongside new Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, who recently served as Taiwan’s top envoy to the United States. Both leaders and their party are openly loathed by Beijing for championing Taiwan’s sovereignty.

Persons: Lai Ching, TPP, Yasuyoshi Chiba, Yuan –, braving, Ricky Li, “ I’m, ”, Lai, Hsiao Bi, China’s Organizations: Taipei CNN, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan’s, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People’s Party, DPP, –, Communist Party Locations: Taipei, Taiwan’s, China, Beijing, Taiwan, AFP, United States

☆ China starts ‘punishment’ military drills around Taiwan days after island swears in new leader
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —China has launched two days of military drills surrounding Taiwan in what it called “punishment” for “separatist acts,” days after the self-ruling island swore in a new democratically elected leader. China’s ruling Communist Party says the self-ruling democracy is part of its territory, despite never having controlled it, and has vowed to take the island, by force if necessary. 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 at 7.45 a.m. on Thursday. 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. It expressed regret to “such irrational provocations and actions that undermine regional peace and stability.”

Persons: Lai Ching, China’s, Li Xi, ” Lai, Lai Organizations: CNN, Communist Party, Eastern Theater Command, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry Locations: China, Taiwan, Kinmen, Beijing

☆ Power Struggle in Vietnam Brings Third President in Less Than 2 Years
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A powerful security official was named president of Vietnam on Wednesday, the third person in the job in less than 18 months amid jostling ahead of a generational change in leadership. On Monday, lawmakers approved the nomination of Tran Thanh Man, 61, as the chairman of the National Assembly. Consequently, both General Lam and Mr. Man could be in the running to replace Nguyen Phu Trong, who has been the party chief for the past 13 years. Mr. Trong, 80, is serving an unprecedented third five-year term as leader after he was re-elected in 2021. The succession vacuum has led to an intense power struggle in Vietnam — which was once known for its stable and scripted politics — ahead of the next leadership transition in 2026.

Persons: Lam, Tran, General Lam, Nguyen, Trong Organizations: Vietnamese Communist Party, National Assembly Locations: Vietnam, Tran Thanh

☆ Chinese Firms Face Authoritarianism at Home and Hostility Abroad
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Li Yuan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

One April afternoon in 2018, Zhang Yiming, the founder of the Beijing-based online media company ByteDance, got a notice from Chinese regulators to shut down an app where people shared jokes and silly videos. He followed orders and expressed his deep remorse in a public apology. “I feel regretful because I have let down the guidance and expectations of the supervisory authorities all along,” he wrote. On top of the list: Build up the Communist Party’s presence at ByteDance and educate its employees to think from the perspectives of the party and the government. Now ByteDance, which owns TikTok, is facing a similar order from the U.S. government: It needs to divest the short video app or it will face a ban.

Persons: Zhang Yiming, “, ”, Zhang Organizations: U.S . Locations: Beijing, U.S

Lai, 64, a former doctor, was inaugurated alongside new Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, who recently served as Taiwan’s top envoy to the United States. Both leaders and their party are openly loathed by Beijing for championing Taiwan’s sovereignty. Lai takes up the mantle from DPP predecessor Tsai Ing-wen, who bolstered the island’s international standing and recognition during her eight years in office. He is also expected to project goodwill to China with a message of pursuing peace and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait. That deliberately nuanced stance mimics his outgoing predecessor Tsai, Taiwan’s first female president, who was unable to stand again because of term limits.

Persons: Taipei CNN — Lai Ching, te, Lai, Hsiao Bi, China’s, Tsai Ing, Tsai –, –, Xi Jinping, Tsai, Taiwan’s, rebuking Organizations: Taipei CNN, Democratic Progressive Party, Communist Party, CNN, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People’s Party, DPP, ” Locations: Taipei, China, United States, Beijing, Taiwan

☆ Xi’s Warm Embrace of Putin in China Is a Defiance of the West
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( David Pierson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Days after returning from a trip to Europe where he was lectured about the need to rein in Russia, China’s leader, Xi Jinping, used a summit with President Vladimir V. Putin to convey an uncomfortable reality to the West: His support for Mr. Putin remains steadfast. Mr. Xi’s talks with Mr. Putin this week were a show of solidarity between two autocrats battling Western pressure. The two leaders put out a lengthy statement that denounced what they saw as American interference and bullying and laid out their alignment on China’s claim to self-ruled Taiwan and Russia’s “legitimate security interests” in Ukraine. They pledged to expand economic and military ties, highlighted by Mr. Putin’s visit to a cutting-edge Chinese institute for defense research. Mr. Xi even initiated a cheek-to-cheek hug as he bade Mr. Putin farewell on Thursday after an evening stroll in the Chinese Communist Party leadership compound in Beijing.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Vladimir V, Putin, Xi’s, Mr, Russia’s, Putin’s, Xi Organizations: West, Chinese Communist Party Locations: Europe, Russia, Taiwan, Ukraine, Beijing

☆ In Beijing, Xi and Putin left no question of their close alignment in a divided world
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Putin’s two-day state visit comes as Western leaders have leant on Xi to ensure that soaring exports from his country aren’t propping up the Russian war effort – a claim Beijing denies. Putin also traveled to Beijing with top security officials who the Russian president said Thursday would join informal talks on Ukraine. Beijing, which says it is neutral on the war, has repeatedly defended its trade with Russia as part of normal bilateral relations. Xi, analysts say, is seeking to keep Putin as a close partner, while not stepping over Western red lines. For that reason, she added, “he’s okay with on-going dependency between Russia and China – and with inequality in this relationship.”

Persons: Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin’s, Xi, Putin, Putin’s, Andrey Belousov, Sergey Shoigu, “ Putin, he’s, Kurt Volker, “, ”, Alexandra Prokopenko Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, United, –, Israel, Hamas, Russian, Russian Security, Chinese Communist Party, Chinese Foreign Ministry, Observers, CNN, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, United States, Taiwan, Gaza, Russian, China, ”, Russia, North Korea, Ukraine, China’s Harbin, Siberia, Europe

☆ Housing market: China unveils sweeping measures to rescue its crisis-hit property sector
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —China has unveiled wide-ranging measures to rescue its property sector, including asking local governments across the country to buy unsold homes from beleagured developers and easing rules on purchases. In a coordinated move, the People’s China of China (PBOC) announced that it will set up a nationwide program to provide 300 billion yuan ($41.5 billion) in loans to fund state purchases of unsold homes. The 300 billion yuan provided by the central bank could eventually underpin 500 billion yuan ($69 billion) worth of credit to support such purchases, she estimated. Expectations that Beijing was preparing a plan to have local governments across the country buy millions of unsold homes have successfully buoyed China stocks. On Friday, He also urged local governments to buy back or directly purchase land that has been sold to developers but not yet used.

Persons: Lifeng, Tao Ling, Larry Hu, ”, Société Générale Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Communist, China Real Estate Business, Macquarie Group, Reuters, provident Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing

☆ 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

☆ China teases plan to buy unsold homes to fix property crisis. Markets are loving it
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The index has rallied nearly 30% from its January low, having entered a bull market earlier this month. Longfor Group, the ninth largest homebuilder in China, surged 11%, becoming the top performing stock on the Hang Seng Index. “We think this is a largely symbolic move to show support for the sector with a ‘national team’ for the housing market,” said Citi analysts. “We are cautiously optimistic about the ‘government-led buying on unsold units’ as it’s still being rolled out in more cities, “ said Jeff Zhang, an equity analyst at Morningstar. Nasdaq Golden China Index, which tracks Chinese companies listed on Wall Street, has gained 11% since the start of April.

Persons: ”, “, Jeff Zhang Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Longfor, China Holdings, National Development, Reform Commission, ’, Citi, ING Group, Morningstar, homebuyers, Communist Party, Nasdaq Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Hangzhou, Xi’an, Chengdu, Shanghai

☆ Congressman John Moolenaar on China tariff hike: This is simply 'leveling the playing field'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailCongressman John Moolenaar on China tariff hike: This is simply 'leveling the playing field'Congressmen John Moolenaar and Raja Krishnamoorthi join CNBC's 'Squawk Box' to discuss why the Biden administration's new China tariff hike should receive bipartisan support, how this move could protect American industries, why TikTok should not be controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, and more.

Persons: John Moolenaar, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Biden Organizations: Chinese Communist Party Locations: China

☆ Who is Robert Fico, the Slovakian Prime Minister?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Matthew Mpoke Bigg | More About Matthew Mpoke Bigg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Robert Fico, 59, has played a pivotal role in Slovakian politics in the years since it gained independence in 1993 and has served as prime minister longer than any other leader. The country gained independence amid the so-called Velvet Revolution, a series of popular and nonviolent protests against the Communist Party in what was at that time still Czechoslovakia. Mr. Fico, who had been a Communist Party member while it was in power, founded the Smer party in the late 1990s and began the first of his three terms as prime minister in 2006. The Smer party, which started out on the political left but has increasingly embraced right-wing views on immigration and cultural issues, has always governed as part of a coalition. Much of the international focus on Mr. Fico’s leadership in recent years has focused on his ties to President Vladimir Putin of Russia and to Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary, Slovakia’s southern neighbor.

Persons: Robert Fico, Fico, Vladimir Putin of, Viktor Orban of Hungary Organizations: Communist Party Locations: Czechoslovakia, Slovakia, Vladimir Putin of Russia

☆ Chinese asylum seekers in New York City live in limbo, caught between China and the US
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Tara John | Yong Xiong | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

It was his only day off from working 12-hour shifts at a Chinese restaurant in New York City. Evelio Contreras/CNNAfter arriving in New York, Ye spent a week in a Manhattan shelter. For Chinese asylum seekers like Ye, there is a well-trodden route to residency in the US. … It’s impossible for them to be spies.”But the rhetoric around the rise of undocumented Chinese migrants highlights growing tensions between the US and Chinese governments. He received permanent US residence a year later and has gone on to help Chinese migrants in Flushing.

Persons: Ye Chengxiang, “, ”, Ye, Evelio Contreras, Amy Hsin, Jiang Zhen, Yong Xiong, Xi Jinping, Biden, Mark Green of, Wan Yanhai, …, Jiang, “ It’s, I’m, Melanie Stetson Freeman, ’ Wan, Flushing . Li Jiada, Li Jiada, Jesus, Li Organizations: NY CNN, Central America, CNN, Queens College, Customs and, Embassy, Central, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China, Republicans, Republican, House Homeland Security Committee, Communist Party, Christian Science, Customs Enforcement, of, Yorker Locations: Flushing, NY, New York City, China, Communist, Ye, States, Colombia, Darien, South, Central, New York, Manhattan, Flushing’s, Sunset, Mexico, Central America, Queens, Hunan province, Guangdong, Chinatown, , Flushing , New York, San Francisco, Mark Green of Tennessee, Beijing, Flushing ., Flushing , Queens

☆ Shein's U.S. charm offensive and IPO could hinge on NRF membership. So far, it's been rejected
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Gabrielle Fonrouge | In Gabrielle-Fonrouge | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Open to allIt's unclear why the NRF rejected Shein's membership application, but according to one of the people familiar, someone with sway is strongly against the company's admittance. The NRF's board has a leadership team and an executive committee. An NRF membership application form that can be found online states: "Companies principally engaged in retailing are eligible for membership in the Federation." Two of the board members said they weren't aware of any instances where the NRF denied a retailer membership. "I don't think they are in the business of turning anyone down," one of the board members told CNBC.

Persons: Scott Olson, Matthew Shay, Courtney Reagan, CNBC Steve Dennis, Neiman, Sears, Dennis, Shein, John Furner, Bob Eddy, Mike George, Brian Cornell, Tony Spring, wasn't, Wang Ying, Ashley Sanchez, Joscelin Flores, Allen J, They've, Temu, it's Organizations: Getty, National Retail Federation, CNBC, Neiman Marcus, New York Stock Exchange, Shay, Walmart U.S, BJ's Wholesale, Qurate, QVC, Federation, Brands, Publicis Groupe, Coresight, Xinhua News Agency, Forum, World Retail, Los Angeles Times, Chinese Communist Party Locations: Whitestown , Indiana, New York City, America, U.S, New York, United States, Hamburg, Germany, Los Angeles, Paris, Davos, Switzerland, Las Vegas, Shoptalk, Fontana, Ontario Mills, Ontario

☆ The Rise and Fall of China’s Economic ‘Miracle’ - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Anne Stevenson-Yang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Not surprisingly, China’s leaders did not like what they heard, and they didn’t budge. Years of erratic and irresponsible policies, excessive Communist Party control and undelivered promises of reform have created a dead-end Chinese economy of weak domestic consumer demand and slowing growth. The only way that China’s leaders can see to pull themselves out of this hole is to fall back on pumping out exports. The tide of Chinese exports will continue, tensions with the United States and other trading partners will grow, China’s people will become increasingly unhappy with their gloomy economic prospects and anxious Communist Party leaders will respond with more repression. It is baked into China’s political system and has only worsened during President Xi Jinping’s decade in power.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Janet Yellen, that’s, Xi Organizations: Communist Party Locations: Beijing, United States

☆ China's consumer prices rise for 3rd month, factory deflation persists
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Citizens are shopping at a supermarket in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu province, on March 9, 2024. China's consumer prices rose in April for a third straight month, while producer prices extended declines, suggesting resilient domestic demand, despite a shaky economic recovery. The consumer price index (CPI) edged up 0.3% in April from a year earlier, accelerating from a rise of 0.1% in March, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed on Saturday. CPI rose 0.1% from the previous month, reversing a drop of 1% in March and above a decline of 0.1% predicted by economists. The producer price index (PPI) dropped 2.5% in April from a year earlier, easing from a slide of 2.8% the previous month and compared with a forecast decline of 2.3%.

Organizations: National Bureau of Statistics, Labour, Communist Party Locations: Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu, China

☆ US Pacific bases and aircraft are wildly vulnerable to Chinese missile barrages that could overwhelm defenses, lawmakers warn
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewUS bases and aircraft in the Pacific are facing intense threat from Chinese missiles, and the Pentagon isn't doing enough to counter that challenge, according to American lawmakers. In a Wednesday letter to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, 13 members of Congress pointed out glaring vulnerabilities in the Pacific region and demanded "immediate changes." A U.S. Air Force Rockwell B-1B Lancer (L) and a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker (R) sit on the tarmac at Andersen Air Force base on August 17, 2017, in Yigo, Guam. Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesIn the letter, lawmakers note that many of the US bases in the Pacific remain unhardened, leaving aircraft and assets vulnerable to missile strikes. Notably, none of the US shelters were in Guam — home to Andersen Air Force Base which routinely hosts American bombers.

Persons: —, Frank Kendall, Carlos Del Toro, John Moolenaar, Justin Sullivan, Tom Shugart, Timothy A, Walton, Andy Wong Organizations: Service, Pentagon, Air Force, Business, Department of Defense, Chinese Communist Party Rep, Commonwealth of, Pacific ., U.S . Air Force Rockwell, Boeing KC, Andersen Air Force, US, Center, New, New American Security, Hudson Institute, Andersen Air Force Base, American, People's Liberation Army Rocket Force, Lawmakers, Rocket Force, China's Locations: Pacific, China, Okinawa, Guam, Commonwealth, Northern Mariana, U.S, Yigo, New American, Shugart, Tiananmen, Beijing

☆ Big Chinese cities are making it easier to buy homes to boost depressed property market
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Last October it removed curbs in most districts, and in March loosened restrictions on purchases of second homes. Other cities have also taken major steps to make the process of buying property easier. Changsha, the capital city of Hunan province, has also lifted home purchase curbs since last month. “The April Politburo meeting set a more supportive tone for the property sector, prioritizing the reduction of existing home inventory,” they said. “This may suggest that more local governments may be allowed to purchase homes directly from the market for social housing purposes.”

Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Geely, Hangzhou Housing Security, Real, Administration, Getty Images, homebuyers, Communist Party, UBS Locations: China, Hong Kong, Hangzhou, Chengdu, China's, Sichuan, Getty Images Chengdu, Changsha, Hunan province, Evergrande, Beijing

☆ TikTok is taking the US government to court in a showdown of free speech vs. national security
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . And the knock-on effects extend beyond TikTok, impacting everything from President Joe Biden's reelection campaign to Apple and Tesla . AdvertisementTikTok, Tyler Le/BIThe TikTok-US government fight pits two pillars of American society against each other: free speech and national security. 3 things in businessDeliormanli/Getty, Olivier Verriest/Getty, Andrei Akushevich/Getty, Tyler Le/BIIn other newsAdvertisementWhat's happening todayToday's earnings: Airbnb, Uber, and other companies are reporting .

Persons: —, swiping, Tyler Le, ByteDance, Dan Whateley, Geoff Weiss, Joe Biden's, It'll, TikTok, hasn't, haven't, Fallon, Jane Fraser isn't, Fraser, Piper Sandler, Michael Kantrowitz, Josh Edelson, Isabel Fernandez, Mark Zuckerberg, Zuckerberg, Getty, Olivier Verriest, Andrei Akushevich, Dan DeFrancesco, Jordan Parker Erb, Hallam Bullock, George Glover Organizations: Business, Service, Apple, Chinese Communist Party, Big Tech, Getty, Pujol, Associated Press, Facebook Locations: France, China, Beijing, Citadel, Millennium, AFP, New York, London

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