Day: July 28, 2023

Expats Say Hong Kong Chief Unwelcome in US

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WASHINGTON – Hong Kong expatriates are welcoming a reported decision by the U.S. government to bar Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee from attending an economic conference in the United States because of his role in crushing the city’s pro-democracy movement. The Biden administration’s decision was first reported by The Washington Post, which, citing unidentified U.S. officials, said he would be barred from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in San Francisco in November. Lee has been the subject of U.S. sanctions since 2020 for his role as Hong Kong’s top…

US bars Hong Kong leader John Lee from San Francisco Apec summit

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The United States will not invite Hong Kong’s chief executive, who faces US sanctions, to visit San Francisco during November’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. John Lee, Hong Kong’s top official, was placed under US sanctions in 2020 because of his role in implementing what Washington deems a “draconian” national security law when he was the city’s security secretary. Two congressional aides confirmed on Friday that the state department had notified members of Congress that Lee would not be invited, after the Washington Post reported on the decision on Thursday. In…

4 Missing After Australian Army Helicopter Ditched Off Coast

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BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA — Four air crew members were missing after an Australian army helicopter ditched into waters off the Queensland state coast during joint military exercises with the United States, officials said Saturday. The MRH-90 Taipan helicopter went down near Hamilton Island, a Great Barrier Reef tourist resort, about 10:30 p.m. Friday, Defense Minister Richard Marles said. A search was underway to find the crew, and their families had been notified, officials said. A rescue helicopter reported spotting debris Saturday morning near Dent Island in the Whitsunday Islands group. The…

US Sending Taiwan $345 Million in Security Assistance

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brisbane, australia —  The U.S. is sending Taiwan $345 million in security assistance as part of a long-awaited aid package meant to help the island defend itself from a potential invasion by China. The announcement from the White House on Friday said the aid, going to Taiwan as part of a drawdown from existing U.S. weapons stocks, will include “defense articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training.” Word of the drawdown came as U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and U.S. Secretary of State…

Chinese feminists flock to see ‘Barbie’

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Receive free Chinese society updates We’ll send you a myFT Daily Digest email rounding up the latest Chinese society news every morning. Beijing law student Feifei enjoyed the Barbie movie so much she went to see it twice this week, each time wearing a bright-pink baseball cap. Greta Gerwig’s Hollywood blockbuster — which tackles feminism, the patriarchy and fragile masculinity — touched and inspired her, said the 24-year-old, who asked to identified only by a nickname. “I grew up living under pressure to be good at everything,” Feifei said. “But…

US Report: Chinese Support Is ‘Critical’ to Russia’s War Effort

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A declassified report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released Thursday says that support from China is “critical” to Russia’s ability to continue waging its war against Ukraine. The report, which was requested by Congress, assesses how a range of actors, including the Chinese government, the Chinese Communist Party, state-owned Chinese companies and other Chinese entities, are supporting Russia’s economy and its military, nearly 18 months after the Kremlin’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine. “Beijing is pursuing a variety of economic support mechanisms for Russia that mitigate both…

US to provide Taiwan with weapons from its stockpiles for first time

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Receive free US-China relations updates We’ll send you a myFT Daily Digest email rounding up the latest US-China relations news every morning. The US will provide Taiwan with $345mn in weapons, marking the first time the Pentagon will send arms directly to the country to boost its defences amid rising concern about assertive Chinese military activity. The White House on Friday announced its plan to provide weapons from US stockpiles in the first tranche of an annual $1bn “presidential drawdown authority” Congress approved last year to support Taiwan. Successive US…

FBI Warns About China Theft of US AI Technology

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washington —  China is pilfering U.S.-developed artificial intelligence (AI) technology to enhance its own aspirations and to conduct foreign influence operations, senior FBI officials said Friday. The officials said China and other U.S. adversaries are targeting American businesses, universities and government research facilities to get their hands on cutting-edge AI research and products. “Nation-state adversaries, particularly China, pose a significant threat to American companies and national security by stealing our AI technology and data to advance their own AI programs and enable foreign influence campaigns,” a senior FBI official said…

Chinese coastguard ships sent on fisheries patrol mission to the northern Pacific

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The Qushan and the Haimen have frequently taken part in patrols in disputed waters in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. The two vessels were registered with the North Pacific Fisheries Commission as inspection vessels to have the power to board and inspect civilian ships on the high seas. Advertisement China has four coastguard vessels registered with the commission, with the other two being the Changshan and the Shicheng. In July 2021, the Qushan and the Haimen carried out the first such patrols by the Chinese coastguard.…

Biden to Host Leaders of Japan, South Korea at Camp David in August

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washington —  President Joe Biden will host the leaders of Japan and South Korea next month for a summit at Camp David, the White House announced Friday. The August 18 meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is the latest sign of warming relations between their nations as they move to set aside generations of tensions and mistrust while the United States deepens its commitment to Asia. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement that the leaders “will discuss expanding…