Day: January 13, 2024

Indonesia’s Mount Marapi Erupts Again, Leading to Evacuations but No Reported Casualties

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AGAM, Indonesia —  Indonesia’s Mount Marapi erupted again on Sunday, spewing smoke and ash high into the air, but no casualties were reported. The Marapi Volcano Observation Post in West Sumatra province recorded an eruption with an ash column about 1,300 meters high from its peak, followed by ash rain. Sprays of ash from the eruption were seen blanketing roads and vehicles in nearby villages. At least 100 residents have been evacuated since Friday after Indonesian authorities raised the alert level of the volcano from Level 2 to Level 3,…

China’s Big Tech firms from Tencent to Alibaba cut external investments further in 2023 amid troubled economy

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China’s internet giants from Alibaba Group Holding to Tencent Holdings slashed external investments last year amid an economic slowdown, regulatory headwinds and geopolitical tensions, according to data compiled by a Chinese consultancy. Total investment deals made by Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu plunged by nearly 40 per cent to 102 in 2023, with Tencent – known for its expansive holdings in China’s internet sector – seeing the largest reduction in deals, data from ITJuzi showed. The social media and video gaming titan struck 39 investment contracts with 37 companies last year,…

China set to stay on neutral ground as a Red Sea storm brews over Ethiopia’s port deal with Somaliland

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This deal would make Ethiopia the first nation to recognise the breakaway state. China views Somaliland as part of Somalia’s territory and an internal matter. However, Beijing has been apprehensive of growing ties between Somaliland and Taiwan since 2020, when they set up representative offices. “China supports the federal government of Somalia in safeguarding national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Thursday. “Meanwhile, we hope that regional countries will handle regional affairs well through dialogue and achieve common development by having friendly cooperation.”…

After Years of Delay, Former New Zealand Prime Minister Ardern Weds

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WELLINGTON, New Zealand —  After almost five years of engagement and a postponement because of the coronavirus pandemic, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern married longtime partner Clarke Gayford in a private ceremony Saturday. Details of the event were closely held by the pair, but the ceremony is reported to have been staged at a luxury vineyard in the scenic Hawke’s Bay region, 325 kilometers from New Zealand’s capital, Wellington. It is believed only family, close friends and a few of the 43-year-old Ardern’s former lawmaker colleagues were invited,…

10 Dead, 6 Missing in China Mining Accident: State Media

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Beijing —  At least 10 people were killed and six are missing after an accident at a coal mine in central China’s Henan Province, state media said Saturday. The accident, a likely coal and gas explosion described as an “outburst,” happened around 2:55 p.m. (0655 GMT) Friday in Pingdingshan, state broadcaster CCTV said. Search and rescue efforts were continuing, CCTV said. State news agency Xinhua said 425 people were working underground when the blast took place. Those in charge of the mine have been taken into custody by authorities, Xinhua…

In Taiwan, Voters Choose President as China Tensions Loom

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The Taiwanese politician Lai Ching-te has for years been reviled by China’s Communist Party as a dangerous foe who, by its account, could drag the two sides into a war by pressing for full independence for his island democracy. Right up to Saturday, when millions of Taiwanese voted for their next president, an official Beijing news outlet warned that Mr. Lai could take Taiwan “on a path of no return.” Yet, despite China’s months of menacing warnings of a “war or peace” choice for Taiwan’s voters, Mr. Lai was elected…

As Israel-Gaza war drags on, China could rise as a peacemaker

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On his fifth visit to the Middle East since the outbreak of violence on October 7 last year, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attempted to keep the fighting in Gaza from growing into a regional conflagration. France, Germany and the United Kingdom have also sought ways to create a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza. China condemns all violence and attacks against civilians, believing that attacking civilians is wrong regardless of which side does it. Israel’s response should be more reasonable, measured and restrained. At the Doha Forum, which took place…

China’s visa-free deals with Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore could trigger Asean trade, investment boost

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“That would really trigger the demand for people to go to China and look for business opportunities,” said Kraisin Vongsurakrai, director secretary general of the Thailand-China Business Council. In the past when Thai businessmen wanted to visit exhibitions and trade fairs [in China], they had to plan aheadKraisin Vongsurakrai Businessmen are “quite excited” by the arrangement, he added, with China set to offer Thai visitors “some sort of happiness” by offering a reciprocal arrangement. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on January 2 that the mutual visa exemption policy,…

Taiwan elections: pro-sovereignty DPP party wins unprecedented third term – video

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Taiwan has elected former vice president Lai Ching-te as the country’s new leader, delivering the sovereignty Democratic Progressive party an unprecedented third term. Lai served alongside former president Tsai Ing-wen from 2020. In his victory speech, Lai told a gathering of supporters: ‘We are telling the international community that between democracy and authoritarianism we will stand on the side of democracy’ The Guardian

Taiwan election: Joe Biden says US does not support independence

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“We look forward to working with Dr. Lai and Taiwan’s leaders of all parties to advance our shared interests and values, and to further our long-standing unofficial relationship, consistent with the US one-China policy,“ Blinken said. “The United States is committed to maintaining cross-strait peace and stability, and the peaceful resolution of differences, free from coercion and pressure.” Blinken also gave a shout out to the democratic process that saw Lai of the independence-leaning DPP elected by 40 per cent compared to 33.5 per cent for his main rival Hou…