Taiwan’s president has said China is unlikely to attempt an invasion any time soon because it is “overwhelmed” by domestic problems. Tsai Ing-wen made the remarks in an interview at the New York Times Dealbook Summit. Beijing considers Taiwan to be a province of China, and has vowed to annex it under what it terms “reunification”. Xi has repeatedly said he hopes for a peaceful takeover, but has not ruled out the use of force. Taiwan’s government and population overwhelmingly reject the prospect of Chinese rule. Asked about Xi’s hopes…
Day: November 29, 2023
Henry Kissinger: giant of diplomacy remembered for ‘unwavering commitment’ to US-China ties
Henry Kissinger will be remembered for his “continued sage advice about China and US-China relations”, says one of the most prominent proponents of US-China engagement. Kissinger, renowned for his historic role in opening China up to the US, was a pivotal figure in shaping US-China relations. 02:20 US diplomatic veteran Henry Kissinger visits Beijing ‘as a friend of China’ US diplomatic veteran Henry Kissinger visits Beijing ‘as a friend of China’ His role as the executive vice-chairman of the National Committee on US-China Relations “demonstrated his unwavering commitment to fostering…
China sells quantum chips to Middle East and Western countries in show of growing influence in sector
China’s quantum computing capabilities have made a leap with the first delivery of a domestically developed superconducting quantum chip to an unnamed scientific research institute in the Middle East, according to a state media report. The sale by SpinQ, a pioneering company based in Shenzhen, comes soon after Chinese quantum chips were sold to the United States and its allies. It showcases China’s growing influence in the quantum computing sector, underscoring its role in fostering global collaboration within the industry. 01:50 Chinese researchers claim brain-computer interface breakthrough using monkey brain…
Kim Jong Un’s sister hints nuke weapons are non-negotiable
Kim Jong Un’s influential sister ramped up Pyongyang’s pressure campaign against the United States, indicating that she would not put the country’s nuclear weapons in negotiations with Washington. “The sovereignty of a sovereign state can never be a subject of negotiation, and therefore, we will not sit down with the United States due to this issue,” Kim Yo Jong said in a statement, according to North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency Thursday. North Korea has long linked its nuclear weapons program to its state identity of self-reliance – Juche…
Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger dies at 100
Henry Kissinger, who served under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford died Wednesday at the age of 100, his consulting firm said. A controversial figure, who played a pivotal role in the United States’s withdrawal from Vietnam and helped build bridges with China, Kissinger continued to be involved in foreign policy up to his later years, albeit in an unofficial capacity, meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in July when he was hailed as an “old friend.” Kissinger won a Nobel Peace Prize but was heavily criticized for his policies on…
Charming, controversial Henry Kissinger steered establishment of US-China ties
His negotiations with premier Zhou Enlai – over what remains the most fraught issue in US-China relations, Taiwan – paved the way for Nixon’s historic trip. The major sticking points – US military support for the self-governing island and whether the United Nations would recognise Beijing or Taipei – were ultimately finessed with a series of communiques, assurances and laws. 05:10 Nixon in China: How a US presidential trip made history 50 years ago Nixon in China: How a US presidential trip made history 50 years ago Kissinger initially argued…
China manufacturing: tech can keep supply chain risks in check, expo panellists say
China is seeking to leverage its technical advancements, especially in strategic industries such as new energy and smart agriculture, to solidify its position in the global supply chain and counter the West’s plans for de-risking, global executives and industry experts said. Panellists discussed the topic in detail at forums held on Tuesday as part of the inaugural China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, a state-backed event affirming the country’s role as a destination for global manufacturers. Efforts to attract foreign investors back to the country – and keep those…
Chinese factory activity contracts in sign of economy losing momentum
Stay informed with free updates Simply sign up to the Chinese economy myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox. China’s manufacturing activity contracted for the second month in November, indicating weakening momentum in the world’s second-largest economy despite increased government efforts to boost growth. The country’s official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index came in at 49.4 this month, worse than a median forecast of 49.7 in a Reuters poll and slightly below a reading of 49.5 in October. A reading below 50 marks contraction from the previous month. The decline…
US activists mark year since White Paper protests
Uyghur, Tibetan, Chinese and Hong Konger activists gathered in frigid temperatures outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday evening to mark a year since China’s “White Paper” protests that briefly threatened to grow into a movement for a change of government. The protests began in response to a Nov. 22, 2022, fire in Urumqi, the capital of the far-west Xinjiang region, which officially killed 10 people, but residents alleged that it caused 44 deaths. Many blame the country’s harsh zero-COVID lockdown measures. Wielding blank sheets of paper, protesters across China initially…
China’s manufacturing activity remains in contraction in November, as economic gloom mounts
China’s manufacturing activity remained in contraction for the second straight month in November, signalling a rockier path ahead for the world’s second-largest economy. The official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) stood at 49.4, compared to 49.5 in October, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Thursday. The manufacturing PMI reading was lower than market expectations, with Bloomberg predicting slight growth to 49.8. It is the lowest reading since 49.3 in July. A PMI reading higher than 50 typically indicates expansion of activity, while a reading below denotes a contraction.…