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☆ The stealth F-22, the top US air superiority fighter, just got its first known air-to-air kill taking out a Chinese balloon.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-05 | by ( Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The F-22 secured its first air-to-air kill by downing the Chinese surveillance balloon on Saturday. The Raptor fired "one AIM-9X Sidewinder missile," bringing the balloon down off the South Carolina coast. "This was a PRC surveillance balloon. The F-22 fired the missile at an altitude of 58,000 feet while the surveillance balloon was between 60,000 and 65,000 feet, per the DOD. "F-15 Eagles flying from Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts, supported the F-22, as did tankers from multiple states," the Defense Department stated in its release.

☆ A second 'Chinese surveillance balloon' has been spotted over Latin America, according to Pentagon officials
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-04 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Pentagon officials on Thursday identified the balloon as a "Chinese surveillance" device. On Friday, a second surveillance balloon was identified flying above Latin America. "We now assess it is another Chinese surveillance balloon," AP reported Brigadier General Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said. Ryder declined to give additional details, such as where the second balloon was spotted. US Pentagon officials have declared the balloons surveillance devices.

☆ China's real estate crisis isn't over yet, IMF says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

China's real estate market has slumped in the last two years after Beijing cracked down on developers' high reliance on debt for growth. Future Publishing | Future Publishing | Getty ImagesBEIJING — China needs to do more in order to fix its real estate problems, the International Monetary Fund said Friday. Chinese authorities started to ease restrictions on financing for the sector over the last several months. Still, residential floor space sold in China dropped by nearly 27% last year, while real estate investment fell by 10%, according to official numbers. The IMF report pointed out that a significant portion of investors in Chinese developers' bonds have been affected.

☆ China admits the 'spy balloon' over the US belongs to it, but insists it wasn't for spying and ended up there by accident
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The US is tracking what it termed a Chinese spy balloon, which has been hovering over Montana. On Friday, China confirmed the balloon belonged to it but said it was not being used for spying. In an official statement, China's foreign ministry said the balloon is a civilian airship used mainly for "meteorological research." "Clearly, the intent of the balloon is first surveillance, and so the current flight path does carry it over a number of sensitive sites," the official said. This has alarmed some officials, including Montana Senator Steve Daines, who said the fact the balloon was occupying Montana airspace "creates significant concern."

☆ U.S. opens embassy in Solomon Islands to counter China
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An aerial view of ships and boats anchored at the harbour in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Gilmore Tana | iStock | Getty ImagesThe United States opened an embassy in the Solomon Islands on Thursday in its latest move to counter China's push into the Pacific. The embassy in the capital, Honiara, is starting small, with a chargé d'affaires, a couple of State Department staff and a handful of local employees. The U.S. State Department notified lawmakers early last year that China's growing influence in the region made reopening the Solomon Islands embassy a priority. The Solomon Islands switched allegiance from the self-ruled island of Taiwan to Beijing in 2019, threatening the close ties with the U.S. that date to World War II.

☆ US scrambles F-22s following reports of unidentified flying object over Montana believed to be a Chinese spy balloon
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Charles R. Davis | Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US is tracking a suspected Chinese spy balloon first spotted over Montana, per NBC News. The balloon has been hovering over the US "for the past few days," NBC reported Thursday. Video published by an NBC affiliate in Billings, Montana, shows a bright, unidentified object in the sky, which prompted flights to be diverted from the local airport on Wednesday. "It is not the first time that you've had a balloon of this nature cross over the continental United States," the official said. After the balloon was spotted, the US military responded by scrambling F-22 Raptors and other aircraft near Billings, prompting the civilian airport to be shuttered for some time.

☆ China's foreign ministry branch in Hong Kong urges British gov't to stop Hong Kong report
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, Jan 13 (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry in Hong Kong urged the British government to stop its "so-called half-yearly report on Hong Kong", state media reported on Friday. A spokesperson at the ministry branch said Britain's report "grossly interfered with Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs, and seriously trampled on international law". read moreIn a separate statement, the Hong Kong government said late on Thursday that it refuted the "slandering remarks and ill-intentioned political attacks" made in Britain's report. "The Hong Kong special administrative region is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China," the statement said, adding that the government urged Britain to "respect the basic norms governing international relations and stop interfering" in the city's affairs. Reporting by Liz Lee in Beijing and Farah Master in Hong Kong; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Gerry DoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

REUTERS/Joshua RobertsWASHINGTON, Jan 11 (Reuters) - The United States and Japan on Wednesday announced stepped-up security cooperation in the face of shared worries about China, and Washington strongly endorsed a major military buildup Tokyo announced last month. At the briefing, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced plans to introduce a Marine Littoral Regiment in Japan, which would bring significant capabilities, including anti-ship missiles. A senior administration official told Reuters that Biden and Kishida are expected to discuss security issues and the global economy and that their talks are likely to include control of semiconductor exports to China after Washington announced strict curbs last year. The large U.S. presence has fueled local resentment, with Okinawa's government asking other parts of Japan to host some of the force. In total, there are about 54,000 U.S. troops in Japan.

☆ Taiwan offers China help again to deal with COVID surge
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/StaffTAIPEI, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Taiwan has again offered to provide China with assistance to help it deal with a surge in COVID-19 cases but Chinese authorities have not yet responded, official Taiwan media reported late on Thursday. Victor Wang, Head of Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Centre, told the official Central News Agency it sent an email to Chinese authorities this week and asked how Taiwan could help with the surge of cases in China. Rising cases in China has sparked concerns from the World Health Organisation that Beijing was under-reporting virus deaths. Wang said Taiwan has also sent an email to China in early December to "remind" authorities there about an community outbreak and severe cases among children. Taiwan and China have repeatedly sparred over their respective measures to control the spread of COVID.

☆ Former NATO boss urges countries to show China consequences if it attacks Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen speaks to the media at a press event in Taipei, Taiwan, January 5, 2023. REUTERS/Ann WangTAIPEI, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Democratic countries should make it clear the "severe economic consequences" China would face should it move against self-governed Taiwan, the former NATO secretary-general said during a visit to the island on Thursday. China, which claims Taiwan as its own despite strong objections of the democratic island, has been ramping up pressure on Taiwan to assert its sovereignty claims, including almost daily Chinese air force missions near the island over the past three years. China reserves the right to use force to bring Taiwan under its control if necessary. "All those who believe in a democratic Taiwan and rule- based international order must work to ensure Ukraine prevails.

☆ U.S. warship sails through sensitive Taiwan Strait; China angered
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Hugh Gentry/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Jan 5 (Reuters) - A U.S. warship sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Thursday, part of what the U.S. military calls routine activity but which has riled China. "Chung-Hoon’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," the statement added. The narrow Taiwan Strait has been a frequent source of military tension since the defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with the communists, who established the People's Republic of China. The United States has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself. The close encounter followed what the United States has called a recent trend of increasingly dangerous behavior by Chinese military aircraft.

☆ U.S. warship sails through sensitive Taiwan Strait
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Hugh Gentry/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Jan 5 (Reuters) - A U.S. warship sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Thursday, part of what the U.S. military calls routine activity but which riles China. "Chung-Hoon’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," the statement added. The narrow Taiwan Strait has been a frequent source of military tension since the defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with the communists, who established the People's Republic of China. The United States has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself. The close encounter followed what the United States has called a recent trend of increasingly dangerous behavior by Chinese military aircraft.

☆ Canada to impose mandatory COVID tests for travelers from China
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 31 (Reuters) - Canada on Saturday said it will require travelers on Canadian-bound flights departing China to test negative for COVID-19. ET on Thursday, apply to all travelers two years of age and older arriving on flights in Canada originating from the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong or Macao. Travelers will be required to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result, taken no more than two days before departure, to the airline prior to boarding. South Korea, Spain and France on Friday joined a growing list of countries, including the United States and India, that have imposed COVID tests for travelers from China. Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Mark PorterOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Taiwan's remote islands are on the frontline with China — sometimes only a few hundred yards from Chinese troops
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Benjamin Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Taiwan is roughly 100 miles from mainland China, but some Taiwanese islands are much closer. Taiwan's outlying islands would stand little chance against China, but they wouldn't be easy to take. While celebrated, this year's anniversary was also a reminder of Taiwan's islands' growing vulnerability to Chinese attack. Taiwan's islands are much easier to reach. Tourists watch a Chinese military helicopter fly over Pingtan Island, one of mainland China's closest points to Taiwan, on August 4.

☆ U.S. weighs new COVID rules for travelers from China, U.S. officials say
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 27 (Reuters) - The U.S. government may impose new COVID-19 measures on travelers to the United States from China over concerns about the "lack of transparent data" coming from Beijing, U.S. officials said on Tuesday. The move comes after Japan, India and Malaysia announced stepped up rules on travelers from China in the last 24 hours, citing a rise in infections there. Japan has said it would require a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival for travelers from the China. Some hospitals and funeral homes in China have been overwhelmed as the virus spreads largely unchecked across the country of 1.4 billion people. Official statistics, however, showed only one COVID death in the seven days to Monday, fuelling doubts among health experts and residents about the government's data.

☆ Vivid new photos give you a rare look at the South China Sea islands that a top US commander says China has fully militarized
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Beijing has used both natural and artificial islands to build up its military capabilities in the area. Island airbasesAn airfield, buildings, and structures on the artificial island built by China at Subi Reef on October 25. Port for Chinese warshipsAn airfield, buildings, and structures on the artificial island at Fiery Cross Reef on October 25. More than 40 vessels of different types appear to be anchored near Fiery Cross, the Associated Press said in March. These islands have sports fieldsAn airfield, buildings, and recreational facilities on the artificial island at Fiery Cross Reef on October 25.

☆ State Department launches 'China House' amid rivalry with Beijing
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Dec 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department on Friday launched its long-planned "China House" unit, an internal reorganization to help expand and sharpen its policymaking toward its top geopolitical rival. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in May announced the creation of China House, calling it a department-wide, integrated team that would coordinate and implement U.S. policy across issues and regions. China House will bring together China experts from throughout the department to coordinate with "every regional bureau and experts in international security, economics, technology, multilateral diplomacy, and strategic communications," the statement quoted Blinken as saying. It will replace the department's China Desk, but will continue to be overseen by Rick Waters, the deputy assistant secretary of state for China, Taiwan and Mongolia in the Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs, according to an official. President Joe Biden's administration has laid out a strategy to compete with China focused on investing in U.S. competitiveness and aligning with allies and partners.

☆ Delisting risk eases for Alibaba and other US-listed Chinese companies after American officials get audit access
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Carla Mozée | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Alibaba and other US-listed Chinese firms face a lower risk of delisting after officials got access to audit data. Inspectors conducted on-site work in Hong Kong but have yet to gain access to mainland China. The work lessens the potential that roughly 200 Chinese companies will be booted from American exchanges. Chinese officials have cited national security concerns for shutting down inspection demands. The watchdog said it's continuing to demand complete access in mainland China and Hong Kong and is already planning for regular inspections starting in early 2023.

☆ China, Saudi Arabia stress importance of oil market stability as Xi visits Riyadh
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Chinese President, Xi Jinping (L) is welcomed by Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (R) at the Palace of Yamamah in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 8, 2022. China and Saudi Arabia stressed the importance of global oil market stability and Riyadh's role in achieving this balance, following a three-day Saudi visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping. China is the world's largest crude oil importer, while Saudi Arabia is the greatest exporter of such resources and chairs the influential OPEC+ producers' alliance. Xi met both King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud and his heir, Crown Prince and Saudi Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, according to Chinese official news agency Xinhua. The Chinese head of state has extended an invitation for King Salman to visit China "at a mutually convenient time," the statement said.

Elon Musk's Twitter profile is seen on a smartphone placed on printed Twitter logos in this picture illustration taken April 28, 2022. Taibbi has an exclusive podcast deal with Musk's friend and Twitter investor David Sacks via his podcasting platform, Callin. Taibbi and Weiss both write newsletters on Substack, which is partly funded by Andreessen Horowitz, a co-investor in Twitter with Musk. Musk has even gone so far as to say that Twitter, which he now owns and leads, interfered with U.S. elections. During a Twitter Spaces discussion, Musk suggested more files would be released regarding how Twitter handled the 2020 presidential election, the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol and the Covid-19 pandemic.

☆ Eye of the storm: Taiwan at the centre of Sino-U.S. tensions
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

China likewise views Tsai as a separatist for refusing to accept Beijing's long-standing position that China and Taiwan both belong to "one China". Since Pelosi's visit, China has continued with its military activities near Taiwan, though on a reduced scale. WHY IT MATTERSA newspaper front page reporting about U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi is pictured in Taipei, Taiwan, August 2, 2022. The United States has long stuck to a policy of "strategic ambiguity" and not making clear whether it would respond militarily to an attack on Taiwan. Anti-China sentiment continues to build in the United States, and in its newly Republican-controlled House, along with support for Taiwan.

☆ U.S.-listed Chinese stocks rally as investors turn bullish on reopening shift
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Shares of Chinese companies listed in the U.S. jumped Monday after China loosened more Covid restrictions to accelerate the reopening of the economy. The index holds 65 companies whose common stocks are publicly traded in the U.S. The rally came as some big cities including Beijing and Shenzhen are taking steps to ease Covid testing requirements and quarantine rules amid an economic slowdown and public unrest. Morgan Stanley upgraded Chinese stocks to an overweight rating in light of the change in policy. The Hang Seng Tech Index, which represents the 30 largest technology companies listed in Hong Kong, surged 9.3% in Asia trading hours.

☆ NATO concerned about China's 'opaque' military buildup -Blinken
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken looks on during a news conference at the NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Bucharest, Romania, November 30, 2022. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov/File PhotoBUCHAREST, Nov 30 (Reuters) - NATO allies are concerned about China's rapid and opaque military buildup and its cooperation with Russia, and discussed concrete ways to address the challenges posed by Beijing on Wednesday, said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. "The members of our alliance remain concerned by the PRC's (People's Republic of China) coercive policies, by its use of disinformation, by its rapid, opaque military buildup, including its cooperation with Russia," Blinken told a news conference after a two-day meeting of foreign ministers from the Western defense alliance. While NATO continues to be focused on maintaining unified support for Ukraine, members also want to boost the alliance's resilience by considering new challenges, including those posed by China, Blinken said. "But there's also a recognition that wherever possible, we have to find ways to cooperate on the really big issues."

☆ Obituary: China's Jiang Zemin confounded doubters, mended U.S. ties
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

[1/5] A security guard stands next to a portrait of China's former President Jiang Zemin at an exhibition to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing, China, July 7, 2011. Under Jiang, China weathered the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis, joined the World Trade Organisation in 2001 and won the bid to host the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. "Jiang Zemin was more ready to be natural, even though sometimes it could be perceived as vulgar, not very sophisticated." At celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the People's Republic in 1999, floats carried giant portraits of Mao, Deng and Jiang past Tiananmen Square. Jiang, like Mao, wore his trousers well above his waist and brushed his hair straight back.

☆ China wants US not to interfere in ties with India - Pentagon
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Krishna N. Das | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW DELHI, Nov 30 (Reuters) - China has warned the United States to not interfere in its relationship with India following deadly border skirmishes between the Asian giants in 2020, the Pentagon said in a report. Ties between India and China have nosedived since the worst border clashes between them in 45 years killed 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers. India is part of the so-called Quad alliance with the United States, Japan and Australia that aims to keep China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region in check. "The PRC seeks to prevent border tensions from causing India to partner more closely with the United States. PRC officials have warned U.S. officials to not interfere with the PRC’s relationship with India."

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