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☆ Taiwan urges progress on EU investment deal as bloc courts chip firms
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Taiwan National Development Council Minister Kung Ming-hsin poses during an interview with Reuters in Taipei, Taiwan, April 23, 2021. Taiwan has repeatedly pushed for the conclusion of a Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) with the EU, saying it would help encourage more Taiwanese investment, especially from chip companies. The EU identified Taiwan as a candidate for a BIA in 2015, but no talks have taken place on the issue. "On the basis of this mutual trust... can you tell EU headquarters, on the BIA, can it start, effectively moving it forward?" A Taiwanese government official said last month that Taiwan is seeking other trade agreements with the EU given the BIA is a "long shot".

Persons: Taiwan National Development Council Minister Kung Ming, hsin, Ben Blanchard, Development Council Minister Kung Ming, Tsai Ing, Tsai, John Stonestreet Organizations: Taiwan National Development Council Minister, Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, European Union, BIA, European, EU, Development Council Minister, Trade Organisation, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp, chipmaker, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Taipei, Rights TAIPEI, EU, Europe, Asia, China, Beijing, Germany

☆ Taiwan Sets up Task Force to Study Israel-Hamas War
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

Chiu, asked by reporters at parliament about what lessons Taiwan has learned from Israel's conflict with Palestinian Hamas militants, said the ministry had set up a task force to monitor the situation. Taiwan holds presidential and parliamentary elections in January, which the main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), has cast as a choice between war and peace. The KMT has accused the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of taking Taiwan to the brink of war by intentionally provoking China, which it strongly denies. Senior DPP lawmaker Wang Ting-yu, responding on his Facebook page, criticised the KMT for not condemning China and its threats against Taiwan. Israel is an even smaller nation than Taiwan and likewise lives under constant threat," he told an audience that included Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu.

Persons: Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, Chiu Kuo, cheng, heightening, Chiu, Tsai Ing, Eric Chu, Chu, Wang Ting, Wang, Tsai, Scott Morrison, Joseph Wu, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Defence, Taiwan, Kuomintang, KMT, Democratic Progressive Party, Sunday, Beijing, Taiwan Foreign, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Locations: Ben Blanchard TAIPEI, Taiwan, Israel, China, Beijing, Hamas, Palestinian, Australian, Taipei, Stockholm

☆ Peltz's Trian up 3% this year even as Disney bet soured
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Svea Herbst-Bayliss | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NEW YORK, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Nelson Peltz's Trian Fund Management returned nearly 3% in the first nine months of the year, investors said on Tuesday, as his bet on Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) contributed to the activist hedge fund lagging its peers' returns. Disney's stock price has tumbled roughly 30% since February, when Peltz ended a battle for a board seat but kept Trian invested in the stock. Some blue-chip activist investors, including Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Capital Management and Jeff Smith's Starboard Value, are posting better numbers. The average activist investor gained nearly 7% through the end of September, according to Hedge Fund Research data. At the end of June, the average activist investor was up 11.5% while Trian was up roughly 6%, HFR data and investors said.

Persons: Nelson, Peltz, Trian, Janus Henderson, Trian's, Bill Ackman's, Jeff Smith's, Svea Herbst, Bayliss, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Fund Management, Walt Disney Co, Disney, Reuters, Janus Henderson Group, Ferguson, Bill Ackman's Pershing, Capital Management, Pershing, Fund Research, Svea, Thomson Locations: Boston

☆ Armed with a heavyweight torpedo made to 'break ships in half,' Taiwan's first homemade submarine represents a new threat to China's navy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The vessel's ability to carry a powerful heavyweight torpedo capable of defeating ships and submarines — the US-made Mark 48, or Mk-48 — is a real eye-catching feature. The vessel — its English name "Narwhal" and Mandarin name "Hai Kun" — is the first sub of the island's Indigenous Defense Submarine program, a top priority in Taipei. AdvertisementAdvertisementTaiwan President Tsai Ing-wen receiving a submarine model in front of Taiwan's first locally built submarine, "Narwhal," during the vessel's unveiling ceremony at the CSBC Corporation shipbuilding company in Kaohsiung in September. US Navy/MC1 Michael B ZingaroOriginally designed in the late 1960s and deployed in the late 1980s, the Mk-48 torpedo was intended to counter advances in Soviet submarine technology. These considerations make the Mk-48 torpedo key.

Persons: —, Tom Shugart, who's, they're, Tsai Ing, Bryan Clark, Clark, Donald Trump, Michael B, It's, Shugart, MCSN Jaimar Carson, Huang Shu, kuang, they've, Philip Davidson, Michael B Zingaro, it's, Huang, wouldn't Organizations: China, Service, US, Center, New, New American Security, Indigenous Defense, CSBC Corporation, SAM, Getty, US Navy, Hudson Institute, Army, Pacific Command, Tomahawk, Maritime Locations: Taiwan, bulking, New American, Kaohsiung, Taipei, AFP, Los Angeles, Columbia, Soviet, Jefferson City, Beijing, China, Ukraine

☆ Armed with a heavyweight torpedo made to 'break ships in half,' Taiwan's first homemade submarine will represent a new threat to China's navy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

TAIPEI, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Taiwan seeks "peaceful coexistence" with China with free and unrestricted interaction but the island will be democratic for generations to come, President Tsai Ing-wen said in her last national day speech on Tuesday. Speaking in front of the presidential office, Tsai said the strength of international support for Taiwan had reached an "unprecedented height". There was no immediate response from China's Taiwan Affairs Office. Beijing says Taiwan's government must accept that both China and Taiwan belong to "one China", which Tsai has refused to do. The Republic of China remains Taiwan's formal name, though the government tends to stylise it as the Republic of China, Taiwan, to distinguish it from the government in Beijing.

Persons: Tsai Ing, heightening, Tsai, Scott Morrison, China's, Mao Zedong's, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Taiwan, China's Taiwan Affairs Office Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, China, Beijing, Taiwan Strait, United States, Taipei, Asia, Republic of China, People's Republic of China, The Republic of China, Lincoln

☆ Taiwan elects its own leaders so is already independent: presidential frontrunner
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Taiwan's Vice President William Lai announces his "National Project of Hope" ahead of the upcoming presidential election in Taipei, Taiwan September 6, 2023. In an interview with Japanese media, a transcript of which his campaign team released on Friday, Lai was asked on his position on Taiwan independence. Taiwan regularly elects leaders at all levels of government, right from the grassroots up to the president, Lai said. Therefore, there is no need to declare Taiwan's independence again," he added. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen cannot stand again after two terms in office.

Persons: William Lai, Ann Wang, Lai, Tsai Ing, Mao Zedong's, Ben Blanchard, Lincoln Organizations: of, REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan Affairs Office, Kuomintang, Thomson Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Beijing, Republic of China, People's Republic of China

☆ Taiwan Elects Its Own Leaders So Is Already Independent: Presidential Frontrunner
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

In an interview with Japanese media, a transcript of which his campaign team released on Friday, Lai was asked on his position on Taiwan independence. Taiwan regularly elects leaders at all levels of government, right from the grassroots up to the president, Lai said. If it is not sovereign and independent, how can there be a presidential election? Therefore, there is no need to declare Taiwan's independence again," he added. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen cannot stand again after two terms in office.

Persons: William Lai, Lai, Tsai Ing, Mao Zedong's, Ben Blanchard, Lincoln Organizations: Taiwan Affairs Office, Kuomintang Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, China, Beijing, Republic of China, People's Republic of China

☆ RSV vaccine: There’s one for older adults, pregnant people and infants
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Katia Hetter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —For the first time, adults 60 and older are eligible to receive a vaccine against the respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. Since this is the first time an RSV vaccine has been made widely available, some older people may be wondering why it might be needed. Is RSV a major problem in adults, especially older adults? Tragically, around 10,000 to 13,000 older adults annually die from this infection. I also do not recommend that people who have decided to get the RSV vaccine to wait.

Persons: Abrysvo, Leana Wen, —, Wen Organizations: CNN, Food and Drug Administration, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, US Centers for Disease Control, CNN Wellness, George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, CDC, FDA Locations: United States, It’s

REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Oct 2 (Reuters) - McDonald's (MCD.N) and Wendy's (WEN.O) have defeated a lawsuit accusing them of deceiving hungry diners by exaggerating the size of their burgers. Chimienti, a resident of Long Island's Suffolk County, said McDonald's and Wendy's ads depicted undercooked beef patties because meat shrinks 25% when cooked. The complaint quoted a food stylist who said she had worked for McDonald's and Wendy's, and preferred undercooked patties because fully-cooked burgers looked "less appetizing." He said McDonald's and Wendy's were not legally obligated to sell burgers by advertising them, and that their websites provided "prominent, objective information" about the burgers' weight and caloric content. McDonald's, Wendy's and their lawyers did not immediately respond to similar requests.

Persons: Joshua Roberts, Hector Gonzalez, Justin Chimienti, Wendy's Bourbon Bacon Cheeseburger, McDonald's, Chimienti, Wendy's, Gonzalez, Burger King, Taco Bell, Jonathan Stempel, David Gregorio 私たち Organizations: McDonald's Corp, REUTERS, District, Mac, McDonald's, Burger, Restaurant Brands, Yum Brands, Wendy's, Court, Eastern District of Locations: Arlington , Virginia, U.S, Brooklyn, Long Island's Suffolk County, Miami, Eastern District, Eastern District of New York, New York

☆ Taiwan investigating accusation submarine program details leaked
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO-Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen attends the launching ceremony of Narwhal, its first domestically built submarine, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan September 28, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Taiwan prosecutors said on Monday they are investigating accusations that people tried to interfere in the island's submarine program and that details about it were leaked, in what would be a serious breach of security. Taiwan unveiled its first domestically developed submarine on Thursday, a major step in a project aimed at strengthening the island's defence and deterrence against the Chinese navy, though it won't enter service for two years. Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, has made the indigenous submarine program a key part of an ambitious project to modernise its armed forces as Beijing stages almost daily military exercises to assert its sovereignty claims. The submarine program has drawn on expertise and technology from several countries - a breakthrough for diplomatically isolated Taiwan.

Persons: Tsai Ing, Narwhal, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Huang Shu, kuang, Ben Blanchard, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan's, Prosecutors Office, Thomson Locations: Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Beijing

☆ In election year, Taiwan's national day becomes polarising celebration
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou speaks to guests as he attends an event at Asia Society in New York, U.S. March 1, 2017. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou said on Monday he would boycott official celebrations for the island's national day this year after accusing the government of turning it into an overt attempt at pushing independence ahead of an election. Taiwan celebrates Oct. 10 as its national day, marking an uprising in 1911 that ended China's last imperial dynasty and ushered in the Republic of China. Taiwan Premier Chen Chien-jen, a DPP member himself, dismissed Ma's criticism, saying Ma had attended festivities previously when the English translation was Taiwan National Day. Taiwan's president, Tsai Ing-wen, will give a major speech on national day, and there will also be a military parade in front of the presidential office.

Persons: Ma Ying, Eduardo Munoz, jeou, China's, Mao Zedong's, Hou Yu, Ma, William Lai, Taiwan Premier Chen Chien, Chen, Tsai Ing, Tsai, Lai, Ben Blanchard, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Taiwan, Asia Society, REUTERS, Rights, Facebook, Kuomintang, KMT, Democratic Progressive Party, ih, Thomson Locations: New York, U.S, Rights TAIPEI, Taiwan, China, Republic of China, People's Republic of China, The Republic of China, Taiwan Premier, Beijing

☆ 'Narwhal' ship: Taiwan unveils first domestically built submarine as China threat grows
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Eric Cheung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“It is also important equipment for our naval forces in developing asymmetric warfare strategies.”“In the past, many people thought building an indigenous submarine would be an impossible task. Taiwan's president gives a speech at the launch ceremony of Taiwan's first domestically built submarine, in Kaohsiung on September 28. Tsai said the indigenous submarine project was “a top priority” of her administration. Video Ad Feedback Taiwan's military is preparing in case China attacks. But Taiwan’s indigenous military procurement program remains a lynchpin of its defense strategy, particularly when it comes to systems like anti-ship missiles that could defend against a potential invasion.

Persons: Tsai Ing, Kun, ” Tsai, “, Tsai, Taiwan's, Eric Cheung, Sandra Oudkirk, Washington’s, Admiral Huang Shu, kuang, Huang, ” Huang, Collin Koh, ”, Admiral Huang, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, Nancy Pelosi, Lee Teng Organizations: Taiwan CNN, Taiwan, CNN, National Security Council, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, PLA Navy, Party, US Pacific Fleet Locations: Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Taipei, Beijing, China, ”, Philippines, Japan, Singapore, Philippine, United States, Taiwan Strait, South Korea, India

☆ Is it cold, the flu or Covid-19? A doctor helps sort it out
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Katia Hetter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN: What should people do if they develop cold-like symptoms? Those individuals should take antiviral treatment if they test positive to reduce their risk of hospitalization and death. Most do not allow kids to return to school if they have a fever or severe viral symptoms such as vomiting. Wen: Most people will not need to see their health care provider for cold-like viral illnesses. Those vulnerable should have a plan in advance about accessing antiviral treatment to both Covid-19 and influenza.

Persons: Leana Wen, Wen, It’s, Luis Alvarez, — Organizations: CNN, George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health Locations: Covid

KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Taiwan unveiled its first domestically developed submarine on Thursday, a major step in a years-long project aimed at strengthening the island's defence and deterrence against the Chinese navy. Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has made the indigenous submarine program a key part of an ambitious project to modernise its armed forces as Beijing stages almost daily military exercises to assert its sovereignty. "In the past, a domestically developed submarine was considered an impossible task. The programme has drawn on expertise and technology from several countries - a breakthrough for diplomatically isolated Taiwan. Taiwan hopes to deploy at least two such domestically developed submarines by 2027, and possibly equip later models with missiles, the head of the program said this month.

Persons: Tsai Ing, Tsai, Lockheed Martin, Admiral Huang Shu, Carlos Garcia, Walid Berrazeg, Sarah Wu, Ben Blanchard Organizations: Lockheed, Lockheed Martin Corp, Thomson Locations: KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan, China, Beijing, Kaohsiung

☆ Australian man who faked his own kidnapping to meet mistress ordered to pay police
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —An Australian man who faked his own kidnapping to spend time with his mistress on New Year’s Eve has been ordered to pay back the cost of the police operation to find him. Paul Iera appeared at Wollongong Local Court in New South Wales on Tuesday and was told he’d have to pay the state government around $10,000 for 200 hours worth of police work after his partner reported him missing. The 35-year-old tradesman went to meet his mistress on December 31, but lied to his partner about meeting with his “financial guy,” CNN affiliate 9 News reported. Iera’s worried partner reported the matter to the police minutes before midnight, prompting officers to investigate, 9 news reported. Iera’s lawyer Abbas Soukie issued a statement on his behalf, saying that his client was “pleased to have avoided” a jail sentence.

Persons: Paul Iera, he’d, Paul, Iera’s, Iera, Michael Ong, Ong, Abbas Soukie, Mr Iera, “ Mr Iera, ” Organizations: CNN, Wollongong Local Locations: Australian, Wollongong, New South Wales

☆ Taiwan lobbies Australian lawmakers on supporting its bid for Pacific trade pact
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TAIPEI, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Tuesday called on Australia to support its bid to join a pan-Pacific free trade pact during a meeting with a group of visiting Australian lawmakers. The CPTPP is a landmark trade pact agreed upon in 2018 by 11 countries including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. "We look forward to the continued strengthening of economic and trade cooperation between Taiwan and Australia," Tsai said in comments released by her office. "We also hope that the Australian government and parliament will support Taiwan's accession to the CPTPP to jointly promote economic growth and sustainable development of the Indo-Pacific region." "Protecting the free and open Indo-Pacific region is the common goal of Taiwan and Australia."

Persons: Tsai Ing, Tsai, Don Farrell, Ben Blanchard, Kirsty Needham, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Trans, Pacific, Taiwan, Australian Trade, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, Australia, China, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam, Britain, Taipei, Sydney

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen attends a ceremony for the start of construction of a new submarine fleet in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, November 24, 2020. Admiral Huang Shu-kuang, Tsai's security adviser, who is leading the program, said a fleet of 10 submarines - which includes two Dutch-made submarines commissioned in the 1980s - will make it harder for the Chinese navy to project power into the Pacific. He called the submarines a "strategic deterrent" to Chinese warships crossing the Miyako Strait near southwestern Japan or the Bashi Channel that separates Taiwan from the Philippines. "If Taiwan is taken, Japan will definitely not be safe, South Korea will definitely not be safe." Eastern Taiwan is where planners have long envisioned the island's military regrouping and preserving its forces during a conflict.

Persons: Tsai Ing, Ann Wang, Admiral Huang Shu, Huang, Lockheed Martin, Chieh Chung, doesn't, Britain's, Yimou Lee, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Lockheed, Lockheed Martin Corp, U.S ., Shandong, Foundation, Taiwan, Britain's Royal Navy, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Kaohsiung, Rights TAIPEI, China, Beijing, U.S, Japan, Philippines, Borneo, South Korea, Eastern Taiwan, United States, India, Britain, Gibraltar

☆ Taiwan Expects to Deploy Two New Submarines by 2027 -Security Adviser
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

By Yimou LeeTAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan hopes to deploy at least two new, domestically developed submarines by 2027, and possibly equip later models with missiles, to strengthen deterrence against the Chinese navy and protect key supply lines, the head of the program said. Admiral Huang Shu-kuang, Tsai's security adviser, who is leading the program, said a fleet of 10 submarines - which includes two Dutch-made submarines commissioned in the 1980s - will make it harder for the Chinese navy to project power into the Pacific. He called the submarines a "strategic deterrent" to Chinese warships crossing the Miyako Strait near southwestern Japan or the Bashi Channel that separates Taiwan from the Philippines. "If Taiwan is taken, Japan will definitely not be safe, South Korea will definitely not be safe." Eastern Taiwan is where planners have long envisioned the island's military regrouping and preserving its forces during a conflict.

Persons: Yimou Lee, Tsai Ing, Admiral Huang Shu, Huang, Lockheed Martin, Chieh Chung, doesn't, Britain's, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Reuters, Lockheed, Lockheed Martin Corp, U.S ., Shandong, Foundation, Taiwan, Britain's Royal Navy Locations: Yimou Lee TAIPEI, Taiwan, China, Beijing, U.S, Japan, Philippines, Borneo, South Korea, Eastern Taiwan, United States, India, Britain, Gibraltar

☆ Doctor shares advice on how to prevent food poisoning
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Katia Hetter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

All of this has led me to look into foodborne illnesses and how people can improve food safety practices. And, crucially, how can people prevent foodborne illnesses? Wen: Norovirus is the most frequent pathogen implicated in foodborne infections in the United States. Wen: Most foodborne illnesses can be treated at home and will resolve on their own. Bring plenty of plates and utensils, and make sure you clearly separate the ones used to touch raw meat from other items.

Persons: Leana Wen, Wen, vulnificus Organizations: CNN, American Foods Group, Green, US Department of Agriculture, US Centers for Disease Control, George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health Locations: The Wisconsin, Baltimore, United States, Shiga

☆ Singapore’s birth rate is at a record low — but ‘throwing money’ at the problem won’t solve it
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Charmaine Jacob | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Mai Yo | Klaud9 | Getty ImagesSINGAPORE — Almost two decades ago, Loh and her husband made a decision not to have children. Singapore's birth rate hit a record low in 2022, after years of decline. "There is a sense of instability is dragging people further away from having children," Zheng told CNBC. Shrinking labor forceA declining birth rate, coupled with an aging population, will have repercussions on Singapore's labor force. "Having fewer children means you have a smaller workforce that can contribute to the economy.

Persons: Mai Yo, Loh, Jaya Dass, " Dass, Wen Wei Tan, EIU's Tan, Tan, Mu Zheng, Zheng, Tan Poh Lin, Lee, Carlina, Dass Organizations: Institute of Policy Studies, Getty, SINGAPORE, CNBC, Singapore Department of Statistics, Ranstad's, Women, Getty Images Government, Economist Intelligence Unit, EIU, National University of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, of Public Locations: Singapore, Jaya, Jaya Dass Asia, Pacific, Covid, Ranstad's Asia, —, New York City, Singapore's

Rahm Emanuel, Washington's outspoken ambassador to Japan, wrote in a post on X: "1st: Defense Minister Li Shangfu hasn't been seen or heard from in 3 weeks. China's defence ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. On the trip, Wat met with China's navy commander, Dong Jun and other navy leaders, Singapore's defence ministry said on its website. Singapore's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Military observers and diplomats are closely watching whether China will go ahead with plans to hold the Beijing Xiangshan Forum - an annual international security summit normally hosted by China's defence minister - in late October.

Persons: Li Shangfu, Li, Rahm Emanuel, Washington's, Li Shangfu hasn't, Mao Ning, Qin Gang, Qin, Emanuel, Barack Obama, Matthew Miller, Sean Wat, Wat, Dong Jun, Lloyd Austin, Yew Lun Tian, Laurie Chen, Martin Pollard, Yukiko Toyoda, Xinghui, John Geddie, Neil Fullick, Lincoln, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Defence, Financial Times, U.S, Street Journal, Defense, Navy, Liberation, Rocket Force, . State Department, Reuters, Military, Beijing Xiangshan, U.S . Defence, Australian National University, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, TOKYO, U.S, Beijing, Japan, Vietnam, Tokyo, States, China, Singapore, United States, Xinghui Kok

☆ China cuts banks' reserve ratio for second time in 2023 to aid recovery
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The headquarters of the People's Bank of China, the central bank, is pictured in Beijing, China, February 3, 2020. The People's Bank of China (PBOC) said it would cut the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) for all banks, except those that have implemented a 5% reserve ratio, by 25 basis points from Sept. 15. The central bank said the weighted average reserve requirement ratio (RRR) for financial institutions stood at around 7.4% after the cut. Dan Wang, chief economist at Hang Seng Bank China, cautioned to watch for a cut in Medium-term Lending Facility (MLF) on Friday off the back of the RRR cut. "That would be more significant than the RRR cut and suggest central bank is up to something," said Wang.

Persons: Jason Lee, Wen Bin, Xu Tianchen, Dan Wang, Wang, Liangping Gao, Joe Cash, Ellen Zhang, Kevin Yao, Kevin Liffey, Alison Williams, Christina Fincher Organizations: People's Bank of China, REUTERS, Rights, Minsheng Bank, Xinhua, Economist Intelligence Unit, Hang Seng Bank China, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING

☆ China’s growth is buried under great wall of debt
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Yawen Chen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Most of these 3,000-plus entities were created by local governments during the 2008 crisis to skirt a central government ban on direct state borrowing. These vehicles had already accumulated 80 trillion yuan of liabilities at the end of 2022, according to analysts at Guosheng Securities. At a more optimistic 30% discount, the proceeds would jump to 55 trillion yuan, which would cover all outstanding interest-bearing debt. S&P analysts calculate that about 20 trillion yuan of LGFVs’ loans may be at risk of restructuring. If Xi won't boost property wholeheartedly and is not able to count on consumers, his efforts to revive China’s growth have to focus on smashing the great wall of local debt.

Persons: Wen Jiabao, Xi Jinping, Wen, Xi, Peter Thal Larsen, Sharon Lam, Aditya Sriwatsav Organizations: Reuters, HK, Guosheng Securities, Citi, Finance, Reuters Graphics, Financial Times, Investment, Oxford Economics, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Shanghai, New York, China's Southwestern Guizhou, United States

☆ Taiwan says China bolstering air power along coastline facing island
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Taiwanese flags are seen at the Ministry of National Defence of Taiwan in Taipei, Taiwan, December 26, 2022. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Sept 12 (Reuters) - China is bolstering its air power along the coast facing Taiwan with a permanent deployment of new fighters and drones at expanded air bases, Taiwan's defence ministry said on Tuesday in its biennial report. China staged war games around Taiwan in August of last year and again in April, and its forces operate around the island almost daily. In its National Defence Report, the ministry said China uses "realistic combat training and exercises to strengthen its preparedness against Taiwan". China's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Persons: Ann Wang, Joe Biden, Huang Wen, Ben Blanchard, Yimou Lee, Miral Fahmy, Michael Perry Organizations: Ministry of National Defence, REUTERS, Rights, Beijing, National Defence, Taiwan, Democratic, Taiwan's, Staff, Intelligence, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Taipei, Rights TAIPEI, China, United States, Beijing

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