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☆ China's Xi pledges over $50 billion in financial aid to Africa to deepen ties
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-05 | by ( Anniek Bao | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

China's President Xi Jinping (C) and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photograph with leaders from African nations ahead of a dinner reception during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on September 4, 2024. Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday that China will provide 360 billion yuan (more than $50 billion) in financial support to Africa over the next three years. Xi spoke on the second day of the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit, which is expected to deliver new policies and cooperation agreements that will set the stage for China-Africa relations in the next three years. "The China-Africa relationship is now at its best in history," Xi said, according to an official translation of his Mandarin-language remarks. "China is ready to deepen cooperation with Africa in industry, agriculture, infrastructure, trade and investment," Xi said, urging both sides to jointly advance modernization that is "open and win-win."

Persons: Xi Jinping, Peng Liyuan, Xi, Cyril Ramaphosa, William Ruto — Organizations: Africa Cooperation, of, People, Africa Cooperation Summit, West Locations: African, China, Beijing, Africa, South

☆ China detains artist for scathing Mao works created more than a decade ago, family says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-03 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

At the height of their careers, the Gao Brothers created provocative sculptures of Mao in a country notoriously sensitive about its former ruler’s legacy. Due to the “deteriorating environment” in China, Gao Zhen relocated to New York two years ago when his son, an American citizen born in the US, reached school age, Gao Qiang said. “Before he set off, his friends and family — myself included — had all reminded him to consider whether it was safe to go,” Gao Qiang said. “Our father’s death was a devastating disaster for our family.” Gao Zhen told the Southern People Weekly, a once-outspoken news outlet, in 2010. Gao Zhen’s detention shows that freedom of expression in China has shrunk significantly compared to a decade ago, Gao Qiang said.

Persons: Mao Zedong, Gao Zhen, China’s, ”, Gao Qiang, Gao Brothers, Mao, Xi Jinping, “ Miss Mao, ’, Du Yinghong, —, “, ” Gao Qiang, Gao Zhen’s, ‘ Miss Mao, Gao, David Gray, Yue Minjun, “ uglifying, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, CNN Sunday, Chinese Communist Party, CNN, ”, Police, Reuters, Communist Party, Southern People, Ukraine, Centre Pompidou, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Locations: Hong Kong, China, Beijing, New York, Hebei province’s Sanhe, American, Yanjiao, Hebei, Sanhe, India, “, Paris , New York, Moscow, Berlin, Paris

☆ Chinese farmers across 14 towns are spraying industrial sulfur on wolfberries so they'll be 'red and beautiful': state media
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-03 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

In a report aired on Sunday, the broadcaster spoke to wolfberry farmers and merchants in a region spanning 14 towns in Jingyuan County, Gansu Province. Sodium metabisulfite is sometimes used in food preservation but is prohibited in the local wolfberry industry, state media reported. The practice had become so common that workers spoke of it as an industry standard, the outlet reported. Since his early days as China's top leader, Xi Jinping has promised to crack down on food safety breaches, saying they're central to how people perceive the government. Allegations of excessive sulfur fumigation in the Chinese traditional-medicine industry have surfaced before, leading retailers to often sell wolfberries and other products as "sulfite-free."

Persons: —, wolfberries, That's, Xi Jinping Organizations: Service, Business, CCTV, Food, Committee, Beijing Locations: Jingyuan County, Gansu Province, Golmud, Qinghai Province, West, China, Jingyuan, —

☆ Glory days for automakers like Ford, General Motors in China are over
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-03 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

London CNN —Foreign automakers have dominated China’s car market for decades, selling millions of vehicles and raking in enormous profits. Ford (F) and General Motors (GM) are also among firms seeing sales and market share vanish in China as local consumers spurn overseas brands to buy Chinese instead. The American automaker’s sales in China have halved from a peak of above 4 million in 2017 to 2.1 million last year. Last year, BYD sold a record 3.02 million vehicles globally, including plug-in hybrids, up 62% from 2022. Months later, Stellantis (STLA), which makes Citroen, Fiat, and Peugeot cars, bought a 20% stake in Chinese EV maker Leapmotor for about €1.5 billion ($1.7 billion).

Persons: Arno Antlitz, GM’s, Mary Barra, ”, Michael Dunne, Dunne, Xi Jinping’s, Tesla, Yilei Sun, Reuters Tesla, Li, Tu Le, Le, BYD, ” Dunne, Raul Bravo, Stellantis, “ Organizations: London CNN — Foreign, Volkswagen, Wolfsburg, Toyota, General Motors, China Passenger Car Association, Foreign, Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Ford, GM, EV, Tesla, Yilei, Reuters, International Energy Agency, “, CNN, Visitors, Automotive, Xinhua, Shutterstock, Auto, “ Global, UBS, Port, Citroen, Fiat, Peugeot, Leapmotor, Hedin Locations: China, London, Germany, Europe, American, Shanghai, Tesla's Shanghai, Beijing, EVs, Japan, North America, San Antonio, Chile, Chilean, AFP, Xpeng, Thailand, Hungary

☆ China slams U.S. for adding firms to export control list over alleged support for Russian military
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-26 | by ( Sheila Chiang | In Sheilachiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping before a meeting during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' week in Woodside, California, Nov. 15, 2023. China on Sunday said it "resolutely opposes" the U.S. decision to add multiple Chinese entities to its export control list in a bid to further curb Russia's access to advanced U.S. technology required for its weapons. The U.S. on Friday said it is tightening export controls to "further restrict the supply of both U.S.-origin and 'U.S. A total of 123 entities were added to the list, including 42 located in China, 63 from Russia and 14 in Türkiye, Iran, and Cyprus. Firms on the "Entity List" are subjected to export restrictions and licensing requirements for certain technologies and goods.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Alan Estevez Organizations: Economic Cooperation, Xinhua, China's Ministry of Commerce, Firms, Commerce, Industry Locations: Asia, Woodside , California, China, Beijing, U.S, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Türkiye, Iran, Cyprus

☆ Harris' foreign policy record suggests focus on China, Indo-Pacific, CFR political scientist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-21 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., along with their partners, meet at the Vice President's residence in Washington, DC, U.S., on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesVice President Kamala Harris would likely prioritize countering China and strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region if she were to win the White House, according to American political scientist Rush Doshi. watch nowOn Sunday, the DNC released the 2024 policy platform document ahead of its convention. For insight into Harris' position on the Indo-Pacific, Doshi instead suggested taking into account the policymaker's past work there. Those leaders include now Taiwanese President William Lai in January while he was still vice president and Chinese President Xi Jinping later that same year.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Rush Doshi, Harris, Doshi, shouldn't, Joe Biden, William Lai, Xi Jinping, Fumio Kishida, Mike Johnson, Win Mcnamee Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, White, Democratic, Committee, Europe, China Strategy Initiative, Council, Foreign Relations, DNC, Biden, U.S, Capitol Locations: Philippines, Washington , DC, China, Pacific, Europe, Asia, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Philippine, Australia, United Kingdom, India, Japan

☆ With ‘Cancer Moonshot’ announcement, Biden turns to causes most important to him in final months in office
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Kayla Tausche | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

On Tuesday, Biden highlighted $150 million in new research awards to eight organizations, including $23 million to Tulane University, the backdrop for the announcement. I know we can, but it’s not just personal — it’s about what’s possible,” Biden said Tuesday. And the White House will also look to ramp up its diplomatic engagement with India, an ally that has become a critical partner to the US in countering China’s aggression in the region. “We want to create a more prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific and the world,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. Implementation awaitsDomestically, the White House remains focused, first and foremost, on getting money out the door and shovels in the ground on Biden’s signature legislative measures.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Beau Biden’s, Biden, “, it’s, ” Biden, Kamala Harris –, Harris, Moonshot, Beau Biden he’d, ’, you’ll, ”, –, Jeff Zients, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Xi, Karine Jean, Pierre said, Zients, Natalie Quillian, Tom Vilsack, ” Vilsack, CNN’s Samantha Waldenberg Organizations: CNN, Tulane University, Biden, CBS News, White, US, Infrastructure Investment, Jobs, The Commerce Department, Treasury Department, Agriculture, Department of Agriculture Locations: Pennsylvania, North Carolina, United States, Brazil, India

☆ Why China’s and Russia’s Militaries Are Training Together
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( David Pierson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

China and Russia have pressed an informal political and economic alliance against the West. Now they are stepping up the cooperation between their militaries with increasingly provocative joint war games. Days earlier, the countries held live-fire naval drills in the hotly contested South China Sea for the first time in eight years. China has been frustrated by American trade restrictions and Washington’s building of security alliances in Asia. It has pushed back by trying to court European countries with trade and building its influence among poorer countries with investments.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Vladimir V, Putin Organizations: China Locations: China, Russia, Alaska, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, America, United States, Asia

☆ China economy: Young people in China aren’t spending on romance. That’s a problem
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Chris Lau | Hassan Tayir | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“The Qixi Festival is not as robust as previous years. Couples attend a kissing contest during the traditional Qixi festival in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning province, on August 13, 2013. “The only part of the world where consumer confidence remains very low is China,” L’Oreal CEO Nicolas Hieronimus told analysts on an earnings call late last month. Lower-than-expected growth in the global beauty sector this year is largely a consequence of low consumer confidence in China, he added. People take photos at a bus stop decorated with flowers during Qixi Festival, or Chinese Valentine's Day, on August 22, 2023 in Chongqing, China.

Persons: China’s, Louis Vuitton, ”, forlornly, Huang Jinkun, Alfred Wu, Lee, “, Yeap Jun Rong, Xi Jinping, Peng Liyuan, Stringer, De Beers, That’s, Niulang, Nicolas Hieronimus, Joanne Wilson, didn’t, ” Mercedes, Ola Kaellenius Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Weibo, CNN, Qixi, Lee Kuan Yew, of Public, National University of Singapore, Volkswagen, Ministry of Civil Affairs, Getty, Diamond, State Administration of Foreign Exchange, Global, WPP, China News Service, Mercedes, ” Mercedes Benz Locations: China, Hong Kong, Shenyang, Liaoning province, Beijing, China's Liaoning province, AFP, Chongqing

☆ ‘Sponge’ cities combat urban flooding by letting nature do the work
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Christy Choi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Turenscape/Courtesy The Cultural Landscape FoundationYu’s proposal is this: Create areas with porous earth where local plants can thrive with little or no maintenance. But whether this latest flooding crisis demonstrates the limitations of China’s sponge cities, or supports the case to expand them, is a matter of debate. Turenscape/Courtesy The Cultural Landscape FoundationTurenscape planted 5,600 seedlings of 360 local species, including rare trees indigenous to Thailand’s central river basin. Turenscape/Courtesy The Cultural Landscape FoundationThis may be another reason Yu’s services have been sought outside China. Last year, The Cultural Landscape Foundation awarded Yu the $100,000 Oberlander Prize in recognition of his pioneering work.

Persons: Kongjian Yu, Yu, ” Yu, Turenscape, Xi Jinping, Faith Chan, ”, Chan, Elizabeth Mossop, ” Mossop, “ Organizations: CNN, redwoods, UK’s University of Leeds, Research, Global Times, University of Nottingham, Thai, Arsomsilp, Environmental, Landscape Foundation, University of Technology Sydney’s School of Design Locations: Nanchang, China's Jiangxi, China, Qinghuandao, China's Hebei province, Wuhan, Hainan, Sanya, China's, Guangdong, Turenscape, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, ”, Bangkok

PARIS — Everywhere you looked at the 2024 Paris Games, Americans dominated. On the final day of the Games, China is leading Team USA in the medal table, with 39 golds to America’s 38. Its two golds here included the 4x100-meter medley, the first time in Olympic history that anyone had beaten the U.S. Though Russia, a longtime dominant force in the sport, was excluded from these Games, China still achieved a score that far outstripped any competitors. China has also been quick to embrace some of the newer Olympic sports including sport climbing, skateboarding, surfing and breaking.

Persons: Snoop, Lady Gaga, ”, Fang Zheng, “, it’s, ” Chen Yiwen, Oli Scarff, Zhanle, Hunter Armstrong, Caeleb Dressel, Zheng Qinwen, Jacklyn Luu, Deng Yawen, Zheng Haohao, Paris —, Ma Long, Wang Chuqin, Lintao Zhang, Erriyon Knighton, Xu Shixiao, Lindsey Wasson, Mao Zedong, Richard Nixon, Deng Xiaoping, Li Fabin, Miguel Medina, Xi Jinping, Li Xiang, ” Li Organizations: Games, . Team USA, USA, China, U.S, Doping Agency, WADA, New York Times, NBC, USA’s, Soviet Union, China’s, Association, Asian Studies, Asia, Helsinki Games, China wouldn’t, International Olympic Committee, IOC, Getty, Global Times Locations: United States, China, Paris, France, AFP, U.S, Spain, Russia, Beijing, India, USA, Soviet, Michigan, Western, Taiwan, Los Angeles, Taipei, ” Beijing

☆ Flags banned, signs ripped up: Why you can’t mention Taiwan at the Olympics
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-10 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Alex-Smith-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Alexander Smith | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

At Paris 2024, Taiwan’s red and blue flag is banned, as is the name “Taiwan” and its anthem. Security staff confiscated a "Taiwan" towel from a fan during the men's doubles badminton semi-final last week. Taiwan is a self-governing democracy that competes as “Chinese Taipei,” an attempt to participate in the Olympics without angering mainland China. That included the women’s team table tennis quarterfinal between Chinese Taipei and China that NBC News attended Wednesday. “Taiwan Independence, go to die.”“Motherland will retake Taiwan tomorrow, okay?” said another, referring to China.

Persons: Taiwan’s Lee Yang, Wang Chi, Liang Weikeng, Wang Chang, “ Let’s, Arun Sankar, Taiwan ”, Taiwan’s Chou Tien Chen, India’s Lakshya Sen, ”, Ann Wang, “, Xi Jinping, Aytac Unal, Mark Adams, Mao Zedong’s, China’s Wang Manyu, Chien Tung, chuan, Wang Zhao, Chiang, Yu Tsing Lin, Chen Szu, Lee Yang Organizations: PARIS, Security, Getty, Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Olympics, Chinese Foreign Ministry, Games, Olympic, Chinese Communist Party, International Olympic Committee, NBC News, IOC, Anadolu, Nationalist, Mao Zedong’s Communists, Taiwan, Paris Games, Taipei women’s, Weibo, Taipei House Locations: Taiwan, Beijing, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Tokyo, Paris, China, Taipei, U.S, Republic of China, Formosa, AFP, London, Taiwan Independence

☆ China’s Great Wall of Villages
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-10 | by ( Muyi Xiao | Agnes Chang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +14 min

China’s Great Wall of Villages China has moved thousands of people to new settlements on its frontiers. Mr. Akester and Mr. Barnett, who have studied Tibet’s border villages for years, reviewed The Times’s findings. In neighboring Xinjiang and Yunnan, The Times identified six new and 59 expanded border villages. (China says there are hundreds of villages like them, but few details are available and many appear to be mere upgrades of existing villages.) A Times investigation found 12 villages in disputed areas Disputed areas Villages in disputed areas Other villages CHINA CHINA TIBET Arunachal Pradesh Controlled by India Claimed by China BHUTAN INDIA MYANMAR 50 miles CHINA CHINA TIBET Arunachal Pradesh Controlled by India Claimed by China BHUTAN MYANMAR INDIA 75 miles Source: RAIC Labs and The Times analysis of Planet Labs satellite imageryChina makes clear that the villages are there for security.

Persons: ”, Xi Jinping, Bhutan Gyalaphug, Tian Shan Wang, Matthew Akester, Robert Barnett, Akester, Barnett, India Demchok, ” Mr, Xi’s, Brahma Chellaney, Mr, Chellaney, Liu Pengyu, Brian Hart, India Migyitun, Jing Qian, Tenzin, “ Organizations: Daily, New York Times, RAIC Labs, Planet Labs, The Times, SOAS University of London, India, China United Front News Network, Times, ”, Embassy, Local, Planet Labs India, China Power, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Maxar, Center for, Asia Society, Communist Party, Human Rights Watch Locations: China, India, Beijing, Arunachal Pradesh, Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Tajikistan Fumin, Aimin, Vietnam, Luozha county, Shannan, Tibet Autonomous, Fumin, Xinjiang, Yunnan, China’s, CHINA CHINA TIBET Arunachal Pradesh, China BHUTAN INDIA MYANMAR, China BHUTAN MYANMAR INDIA, New Delhi, South China, Washington, ” India, Ladakh, Times, ”, Center for China, Central Asians, Dokha

☆ Why Apple should buy Warner Bros. Discovery. No, seriously.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-10 | by ( Peter Kafka | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

So I've got a not-so modest proposal: Time for Apple to jump in with both feet, and buy HBO — along with the rest of Warner Bros. I know, I know: "Apple should buy X, Y or Z" is a long-running piece of techworld fanfic. But now I think Apple should spend real money and buy WBD. And then, boom: Apple's services business — the part of the company Apple needs to keep growing while its hardware business slows — instantly grows by nearly 50%. AdvertisementIt's one thing for a tech company to buy a minor studio and 50% of the James Bond franchise.

Persons: —, I've, that's, Maxes, Warner, James Bond, hoover, It's, Tim Cook, Steve Jobs, Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, WBD Organizations: Service, Apple, HBO, Warner Bros, Business, Warner Bros . Studios, CNN, Warner mergred, Microsoft, Activision, Big Tech, Comcast, Paramount, Warners Locations: writedowns

☆ Brazil targeting gold in a third Olympic final against the USWNT – but will Marta be a factor?
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( Jack Lang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

Right-back Antonia played the final stages of the Spain game on a broken leg. Brazil women’s 2024 Olympics has been a tale of two tournaments (Marcio Machado/Getty Images)Brazil had been passive in the group meeting, abdicating possession throughout. AdvertisementFor one thing, Brazil have an atrocious record against the USWNT, winning just four of the 42 meetings between the countries in women’s football. Famously, they are still searching for their first Olympic or World Cup title in women’s football. We have a really strong sense of unity here.”As for his hopes for the final, Elias is allowing himself to dream.

Persons: Rafaelle, Antonia, Marta, Olga Carmona, Juan Manuel Serrano Arce, “, Gabi Portilho, Arthur Elias, ”, Angelina, Marcio Machado, Elias, Cata Coll’s, Irene Paredes, Portilho, Adriana, Arthur, Kerolin, Elias ’ mettle, Elias ’, Pia Sundhage, ” Elias, Alex Livesey Organizations: Olympic, Nigeria, Japan, Spain’s, Getty, Spain, Globo Locations: Paris, Brazil, Spain, Australia, France, Parc, Marseille, United States, Eurasia

☆ The Olympics have been a coronation for USWNT’s Naomi Girma and her defensive work
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( Meg Linehan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

PARIS — Last summer, Naomi Girma introduced herself to the world at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. She was the only field player to play every minute of last summer’s World Cup, too. — Sydney Leroux (@sydneyleroux) August 7, 2024Girma has deflected jokes about being named Secretary of Defense and questions about last year’s World Cup exit. “Last year, a lot of us were transitioning in, and now we’ve been on the national team,” Girma said in Lyon. Born a year after the 1999 World Cup, Girma has been following in the footsteps of quiet center-back leaders from Carla Overbeck to Becky Sauerbrunn, while forging her path.

Persons: Naomi Girma, Girma’s, —, They’re, “, I’ve, Emma Hayes, Hayes, Girma, “ She’s, Sophia Smith, Smith, ” Naomi Girma, Sydney Leroux, @sydneyleroux, ” Girma, “ We’ve, it’s, Carla Overbeck, Becky Sauerbrunn, Megan Rapinoe, ” Rapinoe, She’s, Daniela Porcelli, Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman, Jeff Rueter, Rodman, Swanson, Sauerbrunn, Alyssa Naeher, Becky, Lindsey Horan, It’s, Katie Meyer, San Diego —, ” Naeher, she’s, ” Rodman, “ It’s, John Todd, Dan Goldfarb Organizations: PARIS, Paris, Germany, Stanford, Defense, Getty, Ethiopian, Golden Boot Academy, San Diego Wave, Brazil Locations: Australia, New Zealand, France, ” U.S, Lyon, Tokyo, Girma, San Diego, Paris

Hong Kong CNN —Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ running mate has a decades-long connection with China. “I remember waking up and seeing the news on June 4 that the unthinkable had happened,” Walz told Voice of America in an interview in 2014. The newlyweds spent their honeymoon taking students on two-week tours in China for sightseeing and classes on culture, education and history. In Chinese nationalist circles, which have an outsized voice on policy debates in China, there are no rosy illusions about Walz. The hashtag “Harris’ VP pick once taught in China” racked up 15 million views on microblogging site Weibo.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Kamala Harris ’, Tim Walz, Walz, ”, Dalai Lama, Joshua Wong, Shen Dingli, ” Shen, ’ Walz, “, Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, ” Walz, Gwen, Cara Roemhildt, ” Roemhildt, Jeff Widener, ’ ”, Liu Dongshu, Liu Xiaobo, Lobsang Sangay, ” Tim Walz, X, Hong Kong’s, Wong, ” Jeffrey Ngo, “ Walz, ” Ngo, ” Shen Yi, “ We’re, ” Stephen Roach, Morgan Stanley Asia, Harris, Eric Fish, Hong Kong's, Joshua Wang, George H, Bush, Bush’s, there’s, Liu, “ Harris, China ”, –, Xi Jinping, “ Heh, I’ve, they’re Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Democratic, United States ’, Republican, Communist Party, Star, Herald, CNN, Harvard University, Paramount, America, “, of, People, Associated, Congressional, Commission, City University of Hong, Hong, Hong Kong Human Rights, Democracy, White Locations: Hong Kong, China, Beijing, Minnesota, Tiananmen, Nebraska, Shanghai, Foshan, Guangdong, America, Congress, City University of Hong Kong, Tibet, Dalai, Washington, “, South China, Weibo

☆ How ‘special forces travelers’ are making – and then breaking – Chinese tourism destinations
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-06 | by ( Chris Lau | Hassan Tayir | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The previously nondescript city in the eastern Chinese province of Shandong became one of China’s hottest spots for domestic tourism last year thanks to its affordable and juicy skewered meat. They’re known as “special forces travelers” because, like soldiers, they move from one checkpoint to another under incredibly tight schedules, often over weekends or short holidays. For the first half of this year, 29.22 million foreign nationals entered and exited, according to the latest figures. But the flash-mob-style approach of “special forces travelers” – switching from one community to the next – has called into question whether that type of domestic tourism is sustainable in the long term. Pan Wenbo, also from Beijing, said his favorite spots included Xi’an, home of the Terracotta Warriors, and Datong, a northern Chinese city known for ancient Buddhist architecture - both offering more affordable accommodation and food.

Persons: ” Zibo, Cici Li Yuetong, “, ”, Li, ” Li, Pan Wenbo, Jiumei, Yang ”, Yang, Mimi Li Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, National Immigration Administration, University, Cici, Warriors, China News Service, CNN, Labor, Hong Kong Polytechnic University Locations: Hong Kong, Zibo, Shandong, Beijing, China, Datong, Gansu, Tianshui City, Gansu Province, Weibo, Hong

☆ USWNT 1 Germany 0: Sophia Smith’s goal earns U.S. spot in first Olympic gold medal match since 2012
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-06 | by ( Jeff Rueter | Steph Yang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +10 min

The Olympic sendoff friendlies seemed to clue at an early theory: park the bus, play defense-first soccer and frustrate the United States until you find a chance to try an attack. Although having Coffey back from suspension helped toward that end, the United States was still thin in central areas. Berger and Naeher were both instrumental in keeping the score 0-0 throughout regulation, Berger moreso given the United States’ stronger attacking presence. Tournament Naeher is a different beast from any other level of her play. The United States heads to its first Olympic women’s gold medal match since the 2012 London Games.

Persons: Sophia Smith, Smith, Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, ” Smith, “, Mal, Emma Hayes, Tierna Davidson, Sam Coffey, Davidson, Emily Sonnett, Rose Lavelle, Lynn Williams, Alyssa Naeher’s, ” Jeff Rueter, Steph Yang, Ann, Katrin Berger’s stolid, Berger, Swanson, Rodman, Williams, you’d, Naomi Girma, Becky Sauerbrunn, Naomi Girma’s, Girma, shouldn’t, —, Jeff Rueter, Hayes, we’ve, Hayes ’ USWNT, Costa Rica wasn’t, Lindsey Horan, Coffey, hasn’t, they’ll, Naeher, Laura Freigang’s, it’s, she’s, Alyssa Naeher, Gv5tkEhLP0 — CJ, John Todd, Getty Organizations: U.S, women’s, Olympic, NBC, ”, Japan, Germany, United Locations: Germany, U.S, Swanson, Lyon, United States, Hayes ’, Mexico, Costa Rica, Spain, Brazil, States

Former President Donald Trump on Monday continued a streak of appearances with controversial influencers, this time in a 90-minute livestream with Adin Ross. During the interview, Trump told Ross that his sons introduced the idea of the collaboration to him, touting how “big” of an influencer he was. In December 2022, Jewish and anti-hate organizations spoke out against Ross’ plans to interview Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West. Ross canceled the interview after a phone call with Ye, during which Ross said that Ye made anti-Jewish comments. Gavin Newsom, who Trump called “New-scum,” and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., whose “spark” Trump praised and Ross referred to as "Alexandra Cortez."

Persons: Donald Trump, Adin Ross, Trump, Ross, YouTuber Logan Paul, JD, influencers, Kamala Harris ’, Kick’s, Ross ’, Ye, Kanye West, influencer Andrew Tate, Paul, Kim Jong, Xi, Gavin Newsom, Alexandria Ocasio, Alexandra Cortez, Elon Musk, ”, Joe Biden Organizations: Mar, YouTube, Nelk Boys, Republican, National Association of Black Journalists, Kanye, California Gov, “, X, Rolex Locations: Venezuela, Romania, North, Alexandria, Cortez, ”

☆ Taiwan under pressure to bolster its defense as Trump-Harris presidential race stokes policy concerns
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te claps while he visits a military camp in Taoyuan, Taiwan May 23, 2024. While Biden has, on several occasions, stated the U.S. would come to Taiwan's defense, Trump has opted for "strategic ambiguity," Naggy added. According to analysts, she is expected to remain somewhat consistent with Biden's agenda and foreign policy. As vice president, Harris has expressed support for Taiwan and met with the island's new leader, Lai Ching-te, in 2022. However, she would come into office with significantly less foreign policy experience than President Biden.

Persons: Lai Ching, Ann Wang, Lin Chia, Donald Trump, Trump, Trump's, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Biden, Stephen Naggy, Naggy, Xi Jinping, Lu, Chung Weng, Muhammad Faizal, Richard Heydarian, Harris, Tina Fordham, CNBC's, Dewardric McNeal, McNeal, Lai, Ava Shen, Tsai Ing Organizations: Reuters, International Christian University, Sam Houston State University, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, Trump, CNBC, University of the, Fordham Global Foresight, Longview Global, Biden, Eurasia Group, Democratic Progressive Party Locations: Taiwan, Taoyuan, Reuters Taiwan, China, Taipei, Tokyo, Japan, U.S, Singapore, University of the Philippines, Beijing, Washington

☆ China moon samples reveal water molecules in groundbreaking discovery, scientists say
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

NASA and Indian spacecraft have spotted what they believe to be water on the moon’s surface, and Chinese scientists last year found water trapped in glass beads strewn across the moon. But people didn’t always know there was water on the moon, though scientists theorized about its existence for hundreds of years. “I think it has lots of potential, this new finding that we can extract molecular water directly from lunar soils,” Qian said. After the latest study, many Weibo users raised the possibility of growing plants or crops on the moon using the molecular water found in soil. “We can’t work behind closed doors – it would be best to attract all of their scientists to China,” one wrote.

Persons: China’s Chang’e, ”, David A, Ren Junchuan, Yuqi Qian, didn’t, NASA’s, Luna, Qian, ” Qian, “, Xi Jinping’s, it’s, ” Kring, hasn’t, Bill Nelson, Weibo Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, NASA, Indian, Planetary Institute, University of Hong, China National Space Administration, Xinhua, CNN, “, International Space, Weibo Locations: China, Hong Kong, ULM, Texas, Xinhua, University of Hong Kong, Soviet, SOFIA, United States

☆ Taiwan is making a TV show about a Chinese invasion. And it’s hitting close to home
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-04 | by ( Nectar Gan | Eric Cheung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

The 17-minute trailer hit close to home in Taiwan, making headlines in local media and garnering more than a million views on YouTube. But Hsin-mei Cheng, the showrunner of “Zero Day,” worried that her fellow Taiwan citizens have grown “too numb” to the danger of an impending conflict. Hsin-mei Cheng, the showrunner of "Zero Day," says she hopes the show can serve as a wakeup call to the people of Taiwan. Cheng also assembled a team of 10 directors, each responsible for an episode in “Zero Day” that tells an independent story. In “Zero Day,” Chinese infiltration and cognitive warfare takes on many forms – from the lure of money and power to the threat of violence.

Persons: ”, China’s, Xi Jinping, Cheng, “, Mei Cheng, Nancy Pelosi’s, Robert Tsao, Lo Ging, Howard Yu, ” Cheng, Lo, Chapman, Hong Kong’s, –, livestreaming, influencers, Beijing’s, Howard Yu Su Tzu, yun, Lee Yen, China – Organizations: Taipei CNN, China’s People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Communist Party, YouTube, CNN, Presidential, Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture, Netflix, Chinese Communist Party, Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research, Kuomintang Locations: Hong Kong, Taipei, Taiwan, dramatize, China, Ukraine, Beijing, Kinmen

The same Chinese brokers who were laundering fentanyl proceeds were now heavily involved in marijuana trafficking across the U.S. as well. Over the past decade, Chinese organized crime groups in the U.S. quietly became the dominant money launderers for Mexican cartels. Since 2023, federal prosecutors have charged at least 31 people linked to Chinese groups accused of laundering cartel drug money. In the ensuing months, the team began to understand for the first time how the Chinese became the Mexican cartels’ go-to money launderers. The Chinese money brokers then arrange for the cartels to receive the equivalent amount in pesos or cryptocurrency in Mexico.

Persons: Ray Donovan, Joaquin “ El Chapo ” Guzman, Guzman, Donovan, ”, Michael Mezner, ‘, I’ve, El Chapo, ” Donovan, “, Christopher Urben, “ They’ve, Dennis Wilder, ” Wilder, Urben, ” Urben, Bill Bodner, Vanda Felbab, Brown, ’, They’re, Xi Jinping Organizations: Attorney’s, Central, Central District of, U.S, Division, CIA, Ministry of State Security, U.S ., National Intelligence, National Security Council, Los, Singapore —, Brookings Institution, Operations Division, DEA, Citibank Locations: U.S, East, China, El, Sinaloa, Pasadena, Calif, Central District, Central District of California, Virginia, United States, CJNG, propping, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York, Asia, Australia, Singapore, New York, Chicago, Miami, Mexico, Los Angeles County . U.S, Guangzhou, America

☆ In Xi’s China, Politics Eventually Catches Up With Everyone
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Li Yuan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In 1996, when Peter Hessler taught at a small college in Sichuan Province, 90 percent of his students came from villages. Mr. Hessler, 5 feet 9 inches, towered over them by about half a head. Mr. Hessler returned to China in 2019 to teach at Sichuan University-Pittsburgh Institute. This time, all his nonfiction writing students came from cities, and some of the women in his class were even taller than him. But the political system that defined society had not changed one bit, Mr. Hessler writes in his new book, “Other Rivers: A Chinese Education.”

Persons: Peter Hessler, Hessler, ” Organizations: Chicago Bulls, Sichuan University, Pittsburgh Institute, World Bank Locations: Sichuan Province, China

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