Browsing Category

China

873 posts

China FM warns of ‘dangerous consequences’ of Taiwan criticism

China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang warned against criticising China over Taiwan, claiming that it will have dangerous consequences, as he emphasised China’s peaceful intentions and its role as a “growing force for peace and justice” in a keynote speech at a forum on Chinese modernisation. Qin argued that claims of China changing the status quo across the Taiwan Strait were absurd and dangerous, and warned against playing with fire, stating that the Taiwan question is the core interest of China. Qin also reiterated China’s positioning of itself as a mediator in the Ukraine war and pointed out China’s role in helping to bring about a recent reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Probe under way after Beijing hospital fire kills 21

A fire at Beijing Changfeng Hospital in China on Tuesday has left 21 people dead, and an investigation into the cause of the blaze is underway. Emergency teams evacuated 71 patients from the building, and social media posts showed some people jumping from the building as the fire took hold. It is not known if all the occupants were evacuated. Many family members are reported to have lost contact with patients, particularly elderly people with mobility issues. Deadly fires are not unusual in China, with weak safety standards and lax enforcement common causes.

US arrests two over Chinese ‘police station’ in New York

Two men have been arrested in New York for setting up a Chinese “police station” to monitor and harass US-based dissidents. The arrests of Harry Lu Jianwang and Chen Jinping are the first anywhere over a suspected campaign by China to establish surreptitious police posts in countries around the world.

Montana lawmakers vote to ban TikTok in US state

Lawmakers in Montana voted in favour of a total ban on TikTok due to accusations that the app is a tool of the Chinese Communist Party. The bill would require Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores and impose daily fines of US$10,000 for violations. The proposed ban would take effect in 2024 and faces almost certain legal challenges, given its unprecedented nature in the United States. This bill is the latest conflict in the ongoing feud between TikTok and several Western governments.

Chinese netizens express outrage as murder case involving official’s son finally goes to court one year after the crime

The murder of a male journalist by a colleague in Guiyang City, China, has caused outrage among Chinese social media users. The suspect, Zeng Yang, who is allegedly the son of a retired police officer, was only brought to trial more than a year after the incident, during which time he has denied his guilt. The victim’s mother, Ao Linchan, took to social media to expose the crime online, having allegedly been rejected multiple times by local authorities when petitioning the matter to various departments. The victim, Ni Qingqing, was locked in an office and brutally killed by Zeng Yang with a knife and chainsaw after an argument about work-related issues. Zeng Yang calmly filmed a video afterward and bragged about the killing on his social media account. In court, Zeng Yang pleaded not guilty, committed contempt of court behaviors, and even threatened the victim’s family. Weibo users expressed shock that the incident had been hidden from the outside world for over a year and questioned whether justice would be served in a country where people with money and power can kill someone without being punished. The mother of the victim has asserted that she will not accept civil compensation and only requests that Zeng Yang be sentenced to death and executed immediately.

Tibet govt-in-exile defends Dalai Lama’s “innocent grandfatherly affectionate demeanor”, accuses “pro-Chinese sources” for viral video

Penpa Tsering, the Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration, has defended the Dalai Lama against allegations of impropriety stemming from a viral video showing him kissing a young boy on the lips and asking him to “suck his tongue”. Tsering claimed that the clip had been “tailored” and misinterpreted, and that the spiritual leader had been unfairly labelled with hurtful names. The incident took place in late February at the Dalai Lama’s temple in Dharamshala, India, where he met with over 100 young students who had just graduated from the Indian M3M Foundation. The viral video has drawn criticism from many people who consider the behavior to be inappropriate and contradictory to the Dalai Lama’s image as a revered spiritual leader.

Employee wins 365 days of paid leave in lucky draw at company’s annual dinner in Shenzhen

A Chinese man, reportedly holding a managerial position, won the grand prize of 365 days of paid leave at a company’s annual dinner held in Shenzhen, China. Only one grand prize was offered, and even the boss was surprised that someone eventually won it. The winner’s prize will either be encashed or utilized as paid leave, and the decision will be left to the employee.

Taiwan ruling party picks VP William Lai as presidential candidate

Taiwan’s ruling party nominated Vice President William Lai as its candidate for the 2024 presidential elections, a candidate who has been more outspoken on independence than incumbent Tsai Ing-wen.

Macron praised in China for ‘brilliant’ Taiwan comments

French President Emmanuel Macron’s call for “strategic autonomy” in Taiwan is being praised in China as a “brilliant decision” that is “relatively objective, rational and in line with Europe’s own interests.” While some Chinese social media users laud Macron’s independence, others are skeptical about France’s willingness to side with China over the US.

Auntie in Sichuan, China, driven to work every day in Bentley for dishwashing job

In Sichuan, China, an ordinary-looking aunt who works as a dishwasher at a hotel, has impressed many netizens by arriving at and leaving work every day in a luxurious car. This story, which has been widely shared on Chinese social media, has garnered admiration for the “hidden rich” aunt who chooses to work as a dishwasher out of interest.