Xi Jinping claimed US wants China to attack Taiwan
Sinovac hits back over reported US campaign to discredit China’s Covid-19 vaccine
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Xi Jinping claimed US wants China to attack Taiwan
Financial Times
Chinese President Xi Jinping informed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that the US is attempting to provoke China into attacking Taiwan. This claim, also shared with his domestic officials, suggests Xi's concern over US actions perceived as incitements, such as arming Taiwan. Xi emphasized that he would not be misled into conflict, which he believes would hinder China’s long-term goals. This statement, made during a meeting in April 2023, is the first instance of Xi making such a claim to a foreign leader.
Experts interpret Xi's remarks as a reflection of his wariness and possible misinformation within his advisory circle. Tensions remain high, evidenced by China's military maneuvers following Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's inauguration. While the US supports Taiwan's self-defense, it does not endorse Taiwanese independence. Xi's comments could be a strategic move to drive a wedge between Europe and the US regarding Taiwan policy. However, some analysts believe Xi might genuinely perceive a US strategy aimed at provoking China.
https://www.ft.com/content/7d6ca06c-d098-4a48-818e-112b97a9497a
Sinovac hits back over reported US campaign to discredit China’s Covid-19 vaccine
South China Morning Post
Chinese biopharmaceutical company Sinovac has criticized the United States military for allegedly running a secret anti-vax program to discredit China's COVID-19 vaccine. A Reuters investigation found that in 2020, 300 Twitter accounts were created to disparage Chinese face masks, test kits, and the Sinovac vaccine. Sinovac has called the Pentagon's campaign a "wrong attack" that will have disastrous consequences, including reduced vaccination rates, disease outbreaks, and crises of confidence in science and public health. The US program reportedly began under former President Donald Trump's administration and continued into Joe Biden's presidency before being banned by the White House in 2021.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3266786/sinovac-hits-back-over-reported-us-campaign-discredit-chinas-covid-19-vaccine?utm_source=rss_feed
In Huawei’s home province, lychee farmers reap the benefits of China’s rural 5G push
South China Morning Post
Farmers in China are using 5G technology to boost sales. Yin Yaocheng, the marketing head of Donglin Fruit Farm, live streams from the orchard to advertise the operation's pick-your-own fruit offering. The improved 5G coverage allows him to live stream in areas of the farm with better quality. Yin said this has increased interaction with viewers and ultimately boosted sales conversion. Farmers are increasingly using live streaming to sell produce and have seen growth of 20%-30% a year since 2022 when live streaming was introduced.
https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3266726/huaweis-home-province-lychee-farmers-reap-benefits-chinas-rural-5g-push?utm_source=rss_feed
Passengers say fast sleeper trains from Beijing, Shanghai to Hong Kong like ‘hotel stay’
South China Morning Post
Mainland Chinese travellers have praised new high-speed overnight trains from Beijing and Shanghai to Hong Kong, which have cut travel times in half and allow passengers to start exploring the city as soon as they arrive. Passengers described the trains as being as nice as a hotel stay and said they would consider using them again. The services, which are aimed at integrating Hong Kong with mainland China, are operated by China Railway and will run from Friday to Sunday every week.
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3266792/passengers-praise-fast-sleepers-trains-going-beijing-shanghai-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed
China’s Li Qiang promises Australia more pandas: ‘pick a pair’
South China Morning Post
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has promised Australia a new breeding pair of giant pandas during his visit to the country. The visit focused on positive aspects of the bilateral relationship, including shared giant pandas and a rebounding wine trade. South Australia state has produced most of the Australian wine entering China since crippling tariffs were lifted in March. Li visited Adelaide Zoo, which has been home to China-born giant pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni since 2009, before heading for lunch at a restaurant at Adelaide winery Penfolds Magill Estate. He announced that the zoo would be loaned another two pandas after the pair are due to return to China in November. The visit marks an improvement in relations since Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s centre-left Labor Party was elected in 2022. China initiated a reset of the relationship after the previous conservative administration’s nine years in power ended. Relations collapsed over legislation that banned covert foreign interference in Australian politics, the exclusion of Chinese-owned telecommunications giant Huawei from rolling out the national 5G network due to security concerns, and Australia’s call for an independent investigation into the causes of and responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3266797/chinas-li-qiang-promises-australia-more-pandas-pick-pair?utm_source=rss_feed
Chinese Premier Li Qiang greeted by supporters and protestors in Canberra
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
China's Premier Li Qiang has arrived in Canberra to hold high-level talks with Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The visit comes after Li landed in Adelaide, where he confirmed that China would lend two new giant pandas to the city's zoo. The Australian government has vowed to discuss difficult issues with the Chinese leader, including the suspended death sentence handed to jailed Chinese-Australian academic Yang Hengjun and China's cyber attacks on Australia. During his visit, Li has been met with both supporters and protesters concerned about China's repression of religious minorities and its actions in Tibet, Xinjiang and Hong Kong.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-16/li-qiang-greeted-by-supporters-and-protestors-in-canberra/103984638
Extreme weather hits China, bringing drought to some areas and flooding further south
South China Morning Post
Drought in central and northern China and flooding in the south is affecting agriculture and infrastructure. Henan province, a major grain-producing area, has experienced little rain since April, causing water shortages that have affected farming and household supply. This drought has prevented the planting of at least 1.3 million hectares of farmland, according to state broadcaster CCTV, and has forced the municipal agricultural bureau to activate a level-four agricultural drought emergency response. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall has caused flooding in several southern provinces.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3266803/extreme-weather-hits-china-bringing-drought-some-areas-and-flooding-further-south?utm_source=rss_feed
China woman causes commotion by bringing pet sugar glider onto plane, leading to evacuation
South China Morning Post
A woman in Shanghai has been detained after bringing a sugar glider onto a plane, causing all other passengers to disembark. The incident took place on a China Eastern Airlines flight from Shanghai to Jinan. The pet marsupial escaped from its owner, leading to a delay as it was caught. The woman has been placed under administrative detention and could be punished for up to 15 days for violating safety rules. The incident has sparked outrage among Chinese netizens, with some calling for the woman to be banned from air travel. China's civil aviation authority prohibits passengers from bringing live animals into passenger cabins.
https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3266794/china-woman-causes-commotion-bringing-pet-sugar-glider-plane-leading-evacuation?utm_source=rss_feed
Hong Kong retail sector can expect ‘low double-digit decline’ in sales this year
South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's retail sector is expected to see sales decline by a percentage in the low double digits this year due to staff shortages, high operating costs and external factors such as currency pressures, according to Annie Tse Yau On-yee, chairwoman of the Hong Kong Retail Management Association. The sector has been struggling with issues including a lack of staff and high operating costs, and external factors such as a strong Hong Kong dollar and low duty-free shopping threshold for mainland Chinese tourists. Tse urged authorities to increase the duty-free limit and called for efforts to encourage local spending.
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3266798/hong-kong-retail-sector-can-expect-low-double-digit-decline-sales-year?utm_source=rss_feed
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