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China

138 posts

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.

Australian minister heads to China seeking ‘unimpeded’ trade

Australia’s trade minister has traveled to Beijing with the aim of removing all import barriers imposed by China. The meeting between Trade Minister Don Farrell and China’s commerce minister is seen as a significant breakthrough in rebuilding the strained relationship. China had previously imposed tariffs and restrictions on Australian exports in response to political disagreements. The visit signals a potential thaw in relations as Australia seeks to balance its economic ties with China and its alliances in the South Pacific region.

Hong Kong bans foreign lawyers from national security cases

Hong Kong has passed an amendment barring foreign lawyers from working on national security cases, with exceptions allowed only if approved by the city’s leader. This change is part of China’s efforts to suppress dissent in Hong Kong following the 2019 pro-democracy protests. Under the national security law, the participation of foreign lawyers is considered a “potential risk” to national security. The amendment arose from attempts to prevent prominent British rights lawyer Tim Owen from defending media tycoon Jimmy Lai, a democracy activist facing charges under the security law.

Taiwan holds first training for women reservists

Taiwan conducted its first-ever reservist training for women as part of efforts to strengthen its defenses against China. Soldiers, equipped with gas masks, participated in mock defense exercises, showcasing their dedication to protecting the country. Military analysts have emphasized the need for Taiwan to bolster its reservists and prepare the civilian population for potential conflicts. Tensions between Taipei and Beijing have escalated, with China conducting military exercises and Taiwan taking measures to enhance its security.