A simmering diplomatic feud prompted by China’s detention of two Canadian citizens has been reopened after one of the men claimed he was arrested for unknowingly passing on intelligence to Canada and its allies. The Globe and Mail reported Michael Spavor is seeking a multi-million dollar settlement from Canada’s federal government, alleging he “unwittingly” provided intelligence on North Korea to fellow Canadian Michael Kovrig, who then shared that information with Canada and Five Eyes allies. The two men were arrested in 2018 shortly after Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was detained…
Tag: Americas
One shared dream of China and America | Letter
It is symbolic that the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit took place in San Francisco, a place of significance in the history of US-China relations and both nations’ narratives (‘Planet Earth is big enough for two’: Biden and Xi meet for first time in a year, 15 November). From 1848, San Francisco became the first Chinatown, the de facto capital of the Chinese in America. This was the time of the conquest of the west, when, just annexed from Mexico, California became a symbol of the American dream, helped by…
Countries in Crisis Top Recipients of Chinese Aid
Islamabad — Russia, Venezuela and Pakistan are the top three recipients of Chinese development funding in the past two decades, but the crisis-riddled countries may be losing attraction for Beijing. China is moving to protect its global investments under the Belt and Road Initiative, according to a study released this week by AidData, a research lab at the U.S. university, William and Mary. The research shows that China gave $1.34 trillion dollars in grants and loans for more than 20,000 projects to 165 low-income and middle-income countries between 2000 and…
Countries in Crisis Top Recipients of Chinese Funds
Islamabad — Russia, Venezuela and Pakistan are the top three recipients of Chinese development funding in the past two decades, but the crisis-riddled countries may be losing attraction for Beijing. China is moving to protect its global investments under the Belt and Road Initiative, according to a study released this week by AidData, a research lab at the U.S. university, William and Mary. The research shows that China gave $1.34 trillion dollars in grants and loans for more than 20,000 projects to 165 low-income and middle-income countries between 2000 and…
Canadian Navy Makes Waves in Western Pacific
Halifax, Canada — A dangerous encounter between a Chinese jet fighter and a Canadian helicopter over the South China Sea has called attention to Canada’s heightened interest in the Western Pacific, including participation in patrols through the disputed Taiwan Strait. In the October 29 incident, first reported by CNN, a helicopter was flying off the deck of the frigate HMCS Ottawa over international waters east of the Paracel Islands when the Chinese warplane began circling the helicopter, firing flares and at one point passing within about 30 meters of the…
Weather Tracker: unseasonal cold air brings widespread snowfall to China
Low pressure developed across eastern China on Sunday, tracking across the northern coast of the sea of Japan on Monday. On the west side of this low, an unseasonably cold air mass was drawn south across north-eastern China, resulting in a broad area of significant snowfall. More than 30cm of snow is expected across higher parts of the Chinese provinces of Inner Mongolia, Jilin, and Heilongjiang. Clear skies accompanying the widespread snow cover will lead to temperatures significantly below normal on Tuesday. For example, Shenyang is expected to experience subzero…
Canada Slams China Over Second ‘Unsafe’ Aircraft Intercept in Two Weeks
ottawa, ontario — Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair on Friday slammed Chinese fighter jets’ second “significantly unsafe” intercept in two weeks of Canadian aircraft patrolling the Pacific. Blair said at a news conference that a Chinese fighter jet on October 29 twice flew close to a Canadian Cyclone helicopter near the Paracel Islands, in the South China Sea, and on the second flyby fired flares “directly in front” of the helicopter. There was “little separation” between the fighter jet and the helicopter, he said. “The actions of the People’s Republic…
Analysts Call Massa’s Surprise Win in Argentina Good News for China
washington — No candidate won Argentina’s recent presidential election by an outright majority, but analysts say the surprise front-runner is most inclined to ensure that strong ties with China continue their current trajectory. After placing third in an August primary, ruling Peronist coalition candidate and current economy chief Sergio Massa captured nearly 37% of the vote over the weekend, defeating two other contenders both of whom questioned their nation’s ties with Beijing. Argentina’s battered economy was a key focus in the race in a country that has seen poverty rise…
Colombian President to Visit China This Week
Beijing — Colombian President Gustavo Petro will visit China this week, Beijing’s foreign ministry said Monday, with the leftist leader seeking to strengthen ties with the world’s second-largest economy. Petro’s visit comes at the invitation of President Xi Jinping and will take place from Tuesday to Thursday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said. He will meet with Xi on Wednesday, Colombia’s presidency said. The two will discuss progress on construction of the subway system in Bogota — which is being overseen by a Chinese firm, it added. China’s foreign…
Canada accuses China fighter jets of ‘reckless’ interception of military plane
Canada’s defence minister has accused China fighter jets of carrying out a “dangerous and reckless” interception of a Canadian military plane over international waters. Bill Blair spoke after Canada’s Global News said a Chinese jet had come within five meters (16ft) of a Canadian surveillance plane taking part in a UN operation to enforce sanctions against North Korea. The incident took place in international waters off the coast of China, said Global, which had a crew on the plane. Blair said that while the Chinese air force regularly interacted with…