Two former Chinese defence ministers were given suspended death sentences for bribery on Thursday, after being convicted by China’s military court, in some of the most severe punishments to be handed down in a years-long purge of the military. Chinese state media Xinhua announced on Thursday that Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe were both sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve, meaning that their sentences will probably be commuted to life imprisonment if Li and Wei demonstrate good behaviour. Xinhua said that no further parole would be allowed, and that…
Day: May 7, 2026
Was China’s ‘fireworks capital’ rushing its July 4 orders when deadly blast hit?
When a deadly blast rocked a small town in central China this week, killing 26 and injuring 61, hundreds of fireworks factories in the surrounding area were in peak production season for overseas orders, including for the 250th anniversary of American independence on July 4, industry insiders said. They added that fireworks producers in Liuyang, Hunan province – often called the “fireworks capital of the world” – were rushing to fill orders before a mandatory production ban from June to August due to heat-related safety risks. “For our American clients,…
Lula won’t sideline China or anyone in rare earths, tells Trump refining stays in Brazil
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told US President Donald Trump on Thursday that his country’s rare earth reserves are open to investment from China and any other nation willing to process the minerals on Brazilian soil, resisting pressure to side with Washington in its contest with Beijing over critical mineral supply chains. “We have no preference. What we want is to share with whoever wants to invest in Brazil,” Lula said at a press conference at the Brazilian embassy in Washington after a three-hour meeting with Trump that…
In Hungary, Voters Exposed the Limits of China’s Ties to Orban
The gigantic Chinese lithium battery factory under construction for three years on the edge of Hungary’s second biggest city hasn’t started production yet. But it has already contributed to a political earthquake. As the biggest Chinese investment in Europe, the $8.5 billion project in the eastern city of Debrecen had been hailed by Hungary’s outgoing prime minister, Viktor Orban, as proof of the economic benefits of his close relations with China. Instead, the factory helped bring about his downfall. In the April 12 election, Mr. Orban’s Fidesz party lost all…
White House inviting Nvidia, Apple CEOs on Trump’s China trip, report says
The Trump administration is inviting CEOs from Nvidia, Apple, Exxon, Boeing and other big companies to accompany the president on his trip to China next week, Semafor reported on Thursday. Executives from Qualcomm, Blackstone, Citigroup and Visa are also on the invitation list, according to the report. A person familiar with the matter confirmed that Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser was invited. Qualcomm confirmed the invitation but declined to comment further. Advertisement Reuters was not able to confirm the full list of companies invited. The White House, Visa, Nvidia, Apple and…
Why China’s warning over military blocs is finding listeners in Asia
When the United States and the Philippines opened this year’s Balikatan exercises, the message travelled far beyond the parade ground. More than 17,000 troops are taking part in drills set to run until May 8. What matters is where the drills unfold, who has joined and what kind of regional habit they are helping to normalise. Japan took part in its first Balitakan live-fire exercises. Australia, Canada, France and New Zealand were also active participants. Then the exercises moved closer to sensitive waters. The US and Philippine forces staged counter-landing…
US targets Cuba nickel operation in move with implications for China-linked supply chains
The Trump administration has expanded its pressure campaign against Cuba into the critical minerals sector, sanctioning a nickel joint venture tied to Canadian miner Sherritt International in a move that could reverberate through China-linked battery supply chains. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions on Thursday against Moa Nickel SA, a joint venture between Sherritt and Cuba’s state-owned General Nickel Company, as part of a broader effort targeting Havana’s military-controlled economy. Hours earlier, Sherritt said it had suspended its direct participation in joint-venture activities in Cuba “effective immediately” and had…
China’s use of propaganda may outwit US if Taiwan conflict arises, experts warn
Beijing’s study of the wars in Iran and Ukraine could sharpen its ability to wage information warfare against Americans during a Taiwan Strait conflict, exposing vulnerabilities in US preparedness, experts said on Wednesday. S. Clinton Hinote, a retired US Lieutenant General, said he was “impressed” with the propaganda coming out of Iran since the outbreak of the war in February, warning that Beijing would deploy similar tactics if conflict erupts over Taiwan. “That’s coming,” he told a discussion in Washington hosted by the Special Competitive Studies Project think tank. Advertisement…
Norwegian police arrest Chinese woman on spying allegations
Authorities in Norway arrested a Chinese citizen on espionage allegations on Thursday in connection with a purported effort to set up a receiver to collect sensitive satellite data, the country’s domestic intelligence service said. Norwegian security officials also searched two premises in connection with the arrest, including one on an island in northern Norway that is home to Andoya Spaceport, which is part of Europe’s efforts to expand its presence in space. The other search took place in Innlandet, in southern Norway. Police launched their operation on the suspicion that…
Two men first in British history to be found guilty of spying for China
A UK Border Force officer and Hong Kong trade official based in London have been found guilty of spying for China and surveilling dissidents through a “shadow policing” operation. Chi Leung “Peter” Wai, 38, and Chung Biu Yuen, 65, also known as Bill, were found guilty at the Old Bailey of assisting a foreign intelligence service, making them the first people in British history to be convicted of spying for China. Wai, who worked for Border Force at Heathrow airport and volunteered as a City of London special constable, was…