China’s migrant workforce getting older as pay rises lag behind general population
Tech war: US to bar Huawei lab, other Chinese telecoms from certifying wireless equipment; Chinese tourists are travelling again, with Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and Indonesia benefiting
Welcome to this issue of The China Brief. Today is May 2, 2024. Here at The China Brief, we bring you the latest news on China's politics, economy, and society from global media sources, along with exclusive expert analysis. If you find our content helpful, please subscribe to our newsletter.
Chinese tourists are travelling again, with Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and Indonesia benefiting
South China Morning Post
Chinese tourists are traveling overseas for the extended May Labour Day holiday at near pre-pandemic levels, according to ForwardKeys. Outbound trips between April 27 to May 5 are just 7% below 2019 levels, while domestic ticketing has surpassed 2019 levels by 4%. The swift return of Chinese travelers is key to filling a big hole in the global travel industry, with China's outbound tourism spending making up 14% of global tourism revenue in 2019 before the pandemic. Bloomberg Intelligence expects international air travel from China to top 90% of 2019 levels by year-end.
China’s migrant workforce getting older as pay rises lag behind general population
South China Morning Post
China's migrant workers are getting older, with the average age rising to 43.1 in 2023 from 40.8 in 2019, according to a report by the National Bureau of Statistics. The report also found that the average monthly salary of migrant workers increased by 3.6% to CNY4,780 ($660) in 2023, lower than the 6.1% national average increase. The number of workers over the age of 50 increased from 24.6% to 30.6% over the same period, while the proportion aged between 16 and 30 decreased from 25.1% to 17.6%. The decline in the construction sector is one of the factors contributing to the changes.
South China Morning Post
Hong Kong police have arrested 142 people in an 11-day crackdown on triad-controlled drug, sex, and gambling businesses. The operation resulted in the closure of 18 vice establishments, seven gambling dens, and an unlicensed pub. The suspects, who included alleged triad members, gamblers, and individuals running illegal premises, were detained on suspicion of various offences, including drug trafficking, operating a gambling establishment, and managing a brothel. The police seized narcotics, cash, gambling paraphernalia, weapons, and liquor during the operation. The crackdown is part of the force’s efforts to combat triad gangs and violence-related crimes in Hong Kong.
US Law Firm Mayer Brown Poised to Split Off Its Hong Kong Office
Bloomberg
Chicago-based law firm Mayer Brown is reportedly planning to split off its Hong Kong office, making it an independent entity. The move comes as geopolitical tensions between the US and China continue to rise. Mayer Brown’s Hong Kong office was formerly Johnson Stokes & Master, which merged with Mayer Brown in 2008. The firm has more than 150 lawyers in Hong Kong, covering various industries including private equity and infrastructure. The split is also said to be influenced by financial hurdles facing international law firms in China, including the property industry slump. Other law firms have also reduced their presence in Asia in recent years.
US sanctions hundreds of individuals, firms over Russia’s war in Ukraine
Al Jazeera
The US has imposed new sanctions on over 280 individuals and firms linked to Russia's war in Ukraine, accusing Moscow of illegally using chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces. The measures target Chinese companies accused of exporting drone parts and supplying components found in Russian missile systems and UAVs. The sanctions also target individuals linked to the death of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny.
South China Sea: Philippines summons Chinese diplomat over water cannon attack
South China Morning Post
The Philippines has protested to China over the “harassment” of its vessels near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs said that Chinese coastguard and maritime militia vessels had conducted dangerous manoeuvres and used water cannons against its ships, causing damage. The Chinese embassy did not respond to requests for comment. China has long been embroiled in territorial disputes with the Philippines in the South China Sea.
Biden blames Japan, China and India's economic woes on 'xenophobia'
Japan Times
During a fundraising event, U.S. President Joe Biden stated that xenophobia in countries such as China, Japan, and India is hindering their economic growth. He argued that the U.S.'s economy is thriving because of its welcoming attitude towards immigrants. Biden cited China, Japan, Russia, and India as examples of countries that are struggling economically due to their reluctance to embrace immigrants. According to Biden, immigrants are what make the U.S. strong.
Tech war: US to bar Huawei lab, other Chinese telecoms from certifying wireless equipment
South China Morning Post
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is planning to prevent Huawei and other foreign companies deemed to pose US national security concerns from certifying wireless equipment in the US market. The FCC plans to vote on a proposal this month that will ensure that certification bodies and test labs are not influenced by companies posing security concerns. Last week, the FCC denied the ability of Huawei's test lab to participate in the equipment authorisation programme. The proposed rule would permanently prohibit Huawei and other entities on an FCC list of companies posing national security risks from participating in the programme. The FCC added Huawei and ZTE to a list of national security threats to communications networks in 2020.
Death toll in southern China highway collapse rises to 36
Al Jazeera
36 people have died and 30 have been injured in a highway collapse in southern China. The incident occurred on 1 May, during the country's major May holidays. Aerial photographs showed a 17.9-metre stretch of the S12 highway had collapsed, with 23 vehicles falling into the mud below. Witnesses reported hearing sounds of cars falling followed by a huge explosion. The collapse has been attributed to persistent heavy rain, which has triggered a series of extreme weather events in Guangdong province in recent weeks.
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