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

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,…

Chinese President Xi Meets With US Executives as Investment Wanes

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…

US, China at Odds Over Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution

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    

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…

New Zealand Links Parliament Hacking to China State-Backed Group

New Zealand said Tuesday a Chinese state-sponsored hacking operation targeted New Zealand’s parliament in 2021, an allegation that came a day after the United States and Britain took actions in response to their own attacks by China-backed hacking groups. New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) said it linked malicious cyber activity against the country’s parliament to the group Advanced Persistent Threat 40, which the GCSB said is linked to China’s Ministry of State Security. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is…

US and UK Announce Sanctions Over China-Linked Hacks on Election Watchdog and Lawmakers

london —  The U.S. and British governments on Monday announced sanctions against a company and two people linked to the Chinese government over a string of malicious cyberactivity targeting the U.K.’s election watchdog and lawmakers in both countries. Officials said those sanctioned are responsible for a hack that may have gained access to information on tens of millions of U.K. voters held by the Electoral Commission, as well as for cyberespionage targeting lawmakers who have been outspoken about threats from China. The Foreign Office said the hack of the election…

German Industry Skeptical of China’s Vow to Treat Foreign Firms Equally 

FRANKFURT/BERLIN —  A fresh pledge by Beijing to treat foreign companies like domestic rivals drew a cool response from one of its biggest trading partners, Germany, where industries called for concrete actions rather than words to create a true level-playing field. Germany’s engagement in the world’s No.2 economy has been in focus, partly because China remains its biggest trading partner but also because Berlin has asked companies to diversify away from what it calls “partner, competitor and systemic rival.” Beijing’s efforts to make sure international companies stay engaged come as…

New Zealand Troops to Help Solomon Islands in Election

sydney —  New Zealand said on Monday it will dispatch defense personnel, helicopters and a naval ship to the Solomon Islands to assist in a national election due next month, where relations with China will be a key issue. The deployment is part of a $6.48 million support program for the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission announced in January and that will help transport election officers and materials around Pacific Island nations. New Zealand’s foreign ministry said the vessel HMNZS Canterbury will leave Auckland on Tuesday to transport two helicopters and…

North Korea, China Commit to Bolster Ties in High-Level Beijing Talks

SEOUL, South Korea —  North Korean and Chinese officials have met in Beijing and committed to further develop bilateral ties, North Korean media said on Sunday, as Pyongyang seeks to expand its diplomatic engagement after COVID-19 lockdowns. A North Korean delegation led by Kim Song Nam, head of the International Department of the ruling Workers’ Party Central Committee, was the among groups visiting countries in the region since last week that Pyongyang has maintained closer ties with. In a meeting Thursday, Wang Huning, China’s fourth-ranked leader, told Kim, “No matter…

Taiwan Calls for Return of Military Officer Rescued by China

Taipei, Taiwan —  Taiwan called Saturday for the swift return of one of its military officers who was rescued by Chinese authorities after losing contact during a fishing vacation. Two men from Taiwan’s outlying Kinmen island were found on March 18 by the coast guard of China’s Fujian province after the engine of their boat failed. Chinese authorities said one of the anglers, surnamed Hu, was an active member of Taiwan’s military, accusing him of intentionally concealing his identity. Taiwan’s defense ministry confirmed Saturday that Hu was part of the…