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Russian PM arrives in China for talks with Xi, business forum

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin arrived in China for a visit, where he will meet President Xi Jinping and sign agreements on infrastructure and trade. China has become Russia’s top energy customer, strengthening their economic cooperation. While China remains neutral in the Ukraine conflict, its influence over Russia is growing as Moscow faces international isolation.

TikTok sues to stop ban in US state of Montana

TikTok has filed a lawsuit in US federal court to prevent Montana from implementing a ban on the video-sharing app, citing a violation of free speech rights. The unprecedented ban, set to start in 2024, is seen as an infringement on constitutional protections. TikTok users and the company argue that the ban exceeds the state’s authority and interferes with national security matters. The legal cases are expected to progress quickly as they revolve around points of law rather than extensive evidence gathering.

Papua New Guinea, US to sign security pact with eye on China

Papua New Guinea is set to sign a defense pact with the United States, as it hosts talks with the US Secretary of State and the Indian Prime Minister. The discussions will center around China’s growing influence in the region, with concerns about its attempts to entice small nations with diplomatic and financial incentives. The defense pact will grant US troops access to Papua New Guinea’s ports and airports, aiming to enhance security cooperation and stability in the region. This move highlights the increasing engagement of the United States and India in the Pacific to counter China’s presence.

Taiwan president vows to keep ‘status quo’ on cross-strait relations

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen reassured the nation that war is not an option in response to China’s increasing military pressure. She emphasized Taiwan’s determination to defend itself while maintaining calm and rationality. As Taiwan prepares for the next presidential election, the Democratic Progressive Party’s candidate, Vice President William Lai, advocates for independence, while the opposition party’s candidate, Mayor Hou Yu-ih, stresses the importance of dialogue and stability in the region. Beijing has warned against any move towards independence by Taiwan, threatening military action.

Library books should not have ‘unhealthy ideas’: Hong Kong leader

Hong Kong’s leader, John Lee, stated that the city should not recommend books with “unhealthy ideas” following the removal of library books on politically sensitive topics. The move is seen as part of the broader crackdown on dissent after the imposition of the national security law. Hong Kong’s autonomy has diminished, and expressions of political differences have been stifled, including the banning of the annual Tiananmen Square vigil. Lee did not clarify what constitutes “unhealthy ideas.”

Case filed against French fashion groups over Uyghur labour

Rights groups in France, including Sherpa and the Ethique sur l’etiquette collective, have filed a new complaint against clothing giants Uniqlo and Inditex, alleging that they profited from the forced labor of the Uyghur minority in China. The complaint includes charges of crimes against humanity, genocide, and human trafficking. The groups aim to shed light on the responsibility of multinational clothing companies that benefit from Uyghur forced labor, particularly in the production of cotton items. Previous accusations against Uniqlo France, Inditex, and other brands were dropped in April.

TikTok parent to ‘vigorously’ fight former US exec allegations

Chinese company ByteDance, owner of TikTok, plans to fight allegations that it fired an executive for exposing its “culture of lawlessness.” Yintao Yu filed a lawsuit claiming ByteDance stole videos from rival platforms, but the company denies the allegations. Critics argue that TikTok allows Beijing to collect user data and manipulate opinions, a claim ByteDance refutes. The issue of data access has raised concerns among US authorities, but TikTok insists that user data is stored only on US-based servers.

China jails US citizen for life on espionage charges

China has sentenced a 78-year-old US citizen to life in prison for espionage, further straining relations with Washington. The heavy sentence is rare for foreign citizens in China, and the court statement provided no details on the charges. The jailing comes after China broadened its anti-espionage law, and it follows several other cases of foreigners being detained in recent years.

‘Hostile’ US policies on China risk dividing world: Stiglitz

Nobel-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz expressed concern that “hostile” US policies towards China could lead to a split in the world into two blocs. Stiglitz urged the West, particularly the US, to offer investment instead of lectures to developing countries. He warned that the competition between Democrats and Republicans to appear tough on China could undermine global cooperation on issues like climate change. Stiglitz also criticized the limited investment by the West in developing economies compared to China’s efforts through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative.

Taiwan publishers warn against visiting China as editor held

Publishers in Taiwan cautioned against visiting mainland China and Hong Kong after the detention of editor Li Yanhe, who went missing and is now suspected of national security crimes. The incident has created a chilling effect on Taiwan’s literary community, with concerns extending to media professionals and even individuals critical of China on social media. Activists and journalists have expressed alarm over the situation, calling for Li’s release and decrying China’s crackdown on freedoms.