Tag: China News

Yellen Warns She’ll Confront China on Its Energy Subsidies

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washington —  U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Wednesday that Chinese subsidies for clean energy industries create unfair competition that “hurts American firms and workers, as well as firms and workers around the world.” Yellen said that during a visit she has scheduled to China, she intends to warn China its national underwriting for energy and other companies is creating oversupply and market distortion, among other problems. “I intend to talk to the Chinese when I visit about overcapacity in some of these industries, and make sure that they understand…

Analysts: Former Taiwan President’s China Trip Could Shed Light on Xi’s Intentions

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WASHINGTON —  Taiwan’s former President Ma Ying-jeou is scheduled to make an 11-day trip to China in early April. The trip will include stops in the southern city of Guangdong, the northwestern province of Shaanxi, and the capital Beijing, where Ma, according to reports, may meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Some experts say that if the meeting happens, not only can Xi use it to send signals to Taiwan and the United States, but it could help Washington learn more about Xi’s intentions toward the island. Earlier this week,…

China Says ‘Deeply Rooted’ Ties with Pakistan Unaffected by Terror Attack

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ISLAMABAD —  China said Wednesday it had asked Pakistan to “speed up the hunt” for those behind the previous day’s terrorist attack that killed five Chinese workers and their local driver. The foreign ministry spokesman told a news conference in Beijing that both countries were working closely to ensure “effective steps” were taken to protect the safety and security of Chinese personnel in Pakistan. Lin Jian said that Islamabad “promised to thoroughly investigate the incident, provide timely updates on the progress of the investigation, (and) strengthen security measures for Chinese…

Chinese President Xi Meets With US Executives as Investment Wanes

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BEIJING —  China’s President Xi Jinping met American business leaders at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday, as the government tries to woo back foreign investors and international firms seeking reassurance about the impact of new regulations. Beijing wants to boost growth of the world’s second-largest economy after foreign direct investment shrank 8% in 2023 amid heightened investor concern over an anti-espionage law, exit bans, and raids on consultancies and due diligence firms. Xi’s increasing focus on national security has left many companies uncertain where they…

Taiwan’s VP-Elect Reaffirms Ties With Europe in Diplomatic Tour

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Taipei, Taiwan —  Taiwanese Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim wrapped up a whirlwind diplomatic tour to Europe last week, triggering Beijing as she made stops in three countries and Brussels and met with dozens of politicians. Analysts and some who attended the meetings say the trip was an example of the type of high-level engagement Hsiao wants to continue after being officially sworn into office in May along with President-elect Lai Ching-te. Hsiao met with parliamentary leaders in the Czech Republic, Poland and Lithuania. She also engaged with more than 30…

Chinese Leader to Dutch PM: Restricting Technology Access Won’t Stop China’s Advance

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BEIJING —  Chinese leader Xi Jinping told visiting Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Wednesday that attempts to restrict China’s access to technology will not stop the country’s advance. The Netherlands imposed export licensing requirements in 2023 on the sale of machinery that can make advanced processor chips. The move came after the United States blocked Chinese access to advanced chips and the equipment to make them, citing security concerns, and urged its allies to follow suit. An online report from state broadcaster CCTV did not mention the chip machinery,…

Critics Slam Apple CEO Tim Cook for Laudatory Remarks in China

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Washington —  Tim Cook, CEO of the American technology giant Apple, is facing criticism at home over laudatory remarks he made about China during a recent visit to try to boost sagging iPhone sales in the lucrative market. Cook was in Shanghai for the opening of China’s largest Apple retail store on Friday and met with Chinese political and business people. He praised China for being “so vibrant and so dynamic,” in remarks widely quoted by state media and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying. The new Apple store took seven…

US, China at Odds Over Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution

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The United States and China, both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, disagree on the status of Monday’s resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza during the final two weeks of Ramadan. The U.S. abstained from voting, while all other UNSC members supported Resolution 2728, which also calls for the immediate release of hostages and the removal of obstacles hindering humanitarian access. “It’s nonbinding,” Mathew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, told reporters on Tuesday. Miller said the resolution “does not impose any new obligations on…

China Files WTO Dispute Against US Over ‘Discriminatory’ EV Subsidies    

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China began dispute settlement proceedings against the United States at the World Trade Organization on Tuesday, accusing Washington of “discriminatory” electric vehicle subsidies. The subsidies, starting this year under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, render U.S. car buyers ineligible for tax credits ranging from $3,750 to $7,500 if certain battery components were made by Chinese, Russian, North Korean or Iranian manufacturers. China’s permanent mission to the WTO said the policies are “under the disguise of responding to climate change,” but are “in fact contingent upon the purchase and use of…

Suicide Bombing Kills 5 Chinese Nationals in Pakistan

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Police in northern Pakistan said Tuesday that at least five Chinese nationals and their local driver were killed when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into their convoy. The attack occurred on the main highway linking Pakistan to China. Local police officer Bakht Zahir told VOA an investigation into the “suicide blast” was underway. No group immediately claimed responsibility for one of the deadliest attacks on Chinese nationals in recent years. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack and conveyed his condolences to the victims’ families and the…