China

2024 - 10 - 16

Will China’s New Pandas Distract Us From Their Military Shenanigans?

China - Economic Stimulus - Military Maneuvers - Panda Diplomacy - Philippines - South China Sea - Taiwan

As pandas arrive in the US, tensions rise with China’s military moves around Taiwan! 🐼⚔️

As tensions linger in Southeast Asia, a rather unusual tale emerges from China and the Philippines. On October 11, a Chinese militia ship decidedly sideswiped a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel, just a day after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. voiced his concerns about the West Philippine Sea (WPS) with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Not only does this incident cast a shadow over diplomatic relations, but it also raises eyebrows about China's aggressive tactics in the region, akin to a bear pushing around a bunch of bees trying to pollinate in its garden.

In lighter news, the U.S recently welcomed two new pandas, an act that some are interpreting as elaborate ‘panda diplomacy’ from China. The cuddly bears are set to stay at the National Zoo in Washington D.C. for ten years. With the military maneuvers around Taiwan and Chinese scholar concerns on the horizon, the juxtaposition of this adorable news against the backdrop of tensions seems almost too surreal, like a rom-com featuring a villain—a villain that just happens to have its own squishy but political version of a teddy bear!

On the military front, the scenario grows even more tense as China slammed the Philippines over its sovereignty claims in the South China Sea. China's foreign ministry accused a Philippine ship of encroaching upon what it claims as its jurisdiction, a bold assertion that could send waves of anxiety rippling through regional observers. Meanwhile, Taiwan faced its own challenges as 153 military aircraft were deployed in what was described as a warning against ‘separatist acts.’ So while furry friends may enjoy a life of leisure in D.C., military maneuvers back home paint a stark contrast.

It seems that China is embroiled in a multitude of scenarios—pandas, planes, and potential peril. As the region braces itself for more wartime drills and aggressive diplomatic tactics, the question remains: how do they plan to balance their image of cute diplomacy with their growing militaristic presence? Fun fact: while pandas are currently beloved symbols of peace and conservation, many critics argue that the message may easily get overshadowed by their aggressive territorial claims. Also, did you know China previously held a record for the largest air force, which it continues to expand? As the tension grows, one can only hope that humor and diplomacy will prevail alongside their fluffy black and white mascots!

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Image courtesy of "INQUIRER.net"

China strikes again: Militia ship sideswipes BFAR vessel (INQUIRER.net)

A Chinese militia ship “deliberately sideswiped” a BFAR vessel on Oct. 11, a day after Marcos raised WPS issue with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

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Image courtesy of "Breaking Defense"

China's military maneuvers around Taiwan meant to send signal ... (Breaking Defense)

China "likely sent higher numbers of military aircraft and ships to ensure that Lai gets the message that Beijing strongly opposes what they view as his ...

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Image courtesy of "Harvard Gazette"

Is China headed toward instability? (Harvard Gazette)

Yuhua Wang (pictured) speaking during the event. “I think it's almost certain that [Xi Jinping] will choose a weak … successor,” said Yuhua Wang (right) during ...

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Excitement as two new pandas arrive in US from China (Aljazeera.com)

The bears, part of China's 'panda diplomacy', will stay in DC's National Zoo under a 10-year agreement.

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Takeaways from China's latest war games around Taiwan (Reuters)

China said its day of war games around democratically governed Taiwan on Monday was a warning against "separatist acts" and threatened more could be in the ...

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Taiwan reports surrounded by 153 Chinese military aircraft during ... (Aljazeera.com)

Exercises raise regional tension warns Taipei; US slams war games as it launches drills with Philippines.

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Image courtesy of "Daily Sabah"

China, Philippines' clash over South China Sea sovereignty (Daily Sabah)

The islands and reefs such as Huangyan Island, Ren'ai Reef and Xianbin Reef, over which the Philippines has challenged China's sovereignty, are currently under ...

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Image courtesy of "The Conversation AU"

Why China now wants to put some limits on its 'no limits' friendship ... (The Conversation AU)

Once censored, Chinese scholars are increasingly voicing their concerns over a partnership they see as limited and costly for Beijing.

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Image courtesy of "Foreign Policy"

China's Economy Needs More Than Fiscal Stimulus (Foreign Policy)

Welcome to Foreign Policy's China Brief. The highlights this week: China announces further fiscal stimulus measures but still struggles with consumer confidence ...

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Image courtesy of "Philstar.com"

How Philippine bravery foiled China's cornerstone strategy (Philstar.com)

"Kill the chicken to scare the monkey” is among China's cornerstone strategies to fulfill its hegemonic ambitions in the Indo-Pacific.

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Image courtesy of "Voice of America"

China says it will not renounce use of force over Taiwan (Voice of America)

FILE - Taiwanese Coast Guard personnel work on a vessel off the coast of Nangan Township, in the Matsu Islands on October 15, 2024, a day after China conducted ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

'Hi my sweetheart': China's love-heart propaganda labelled creepy ... (The Guardian)

Image dispersed during Monday's military drills likened to sexual harassment or abusive partner.

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Taiwan condemns China war games as 'unreasonable provocation ... (CNN)

Taiwan has condemned the latest round of Chinese military drills around the island as an “unreasonable provocation” after Beijing deployed warships and ...

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Image courtesy of "ABS-CBN News"

Beijing claims Philippines 'seriously threatened' Chinese fishing boat (ABS-CBN News)

China's foreign ministry on Tuesday (October 15) accused a Philippine ship of sailing "dangerously in waters under China's jurisdiction” and that it “

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

China won't renounce use of force over Taiwan; Xi visits frontline ... (Reuters)

China will never commit to renouncing the use of force over Taiwan, the government in Beijing said on Wednesday after another bout of war games and a visit ...

MAC dismisses China's criticism of Lai's National Day address ... (Focus Taiwan News Channel)

The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), Taiwan's top agency handling cross-Taiwan Strait affairs, has rejected China's criticism of President Lai Ching-te's ...

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Image courtesy of "CNA"

China says it will not renounce use of force over Taiwan (CNA)

BEIJING: China will not promise to renounce the use of force over Taiwan but this is aimed at external interference and a small minority of separatists, ...

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Image courtesy of "Atlantic Council"

How the US and the Philippines should counter Beijing's aggression ... (Atlantic Council)

Washington, Manila, and their Indo-Pacific allies must work together to counter China's maritime aggression in Philippine waters.

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Image courtesy of "Kyodo News Plus"

New pair of giant pandas from China arrive at Washington zoo (Kyodo News Plus)

Two giant panda bears from China arrive at the U.S. national zoo in Washington, less than a year after Americans bid a fond farewell to three of the rare ...

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Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

Why China still needs to boost consumption (The Washington Post)

Opinion. Why China still needs to boost consumption. A new stimulus package won't stem its deflationary spiral. There is only one solution.

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Image courtesy of "The Conversation AU"

China's government is about to spend big on stimulus – can it turn ... (The Conversation AU)

Mounting pressure has forced the Chinese government to step in. Over the past month, Beijing has put forward a set of significant economic stimulus measures ...

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Image courtesy of "Financial Times"

How big is 'big enough' for China's stimulus? (Financial Times)

When the stimulus was first announced, we argued that for this rally to have legs, the Chinese government would need to incentivise consumer spending and put ...

China Policy Support Eases Growth Risks, Highlights Fiscal ... (Fitch Ratings)

Fitch Ratings-Hong Kong/London-16 October 2024: A slate of economic policy announcements by the Chinese authorities should reduce downside risks to grow.

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

China's leader makes rare visit to province facing Taiwan following ... (ABC News)

China's President Xi Jinping has made a rare visit to a province facing Taiwan, following military exercises mobilizing China's navy, air force, ...

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

With Jets and Ships, China is Honing Its Ability to Choke Taiwan ... (The New York Times)

The Chinese warplanes, deployed in record numbers, crossed an informal boundary between China and Taiwan. Chinese Coast Guard boats joined naval ships in ...

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Image courtesy of "Business Standard"

Will not renounce use of force over Taiwan, says China after recent ... (Business Standard)

Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims, saying only the island's people can decide their future.

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Image courtesy of "Voice of America"

China says unidentified foreign company conducted illegal mapping ... (Voice of America)

China's state security ministry said that a foreign company had been found to have illegally conducted geographic mapping activities in the country under ...

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Image courtesy of "Financial Times"

China's investors are counting on fiscal stimulus (Financial Times)

Recent market rally will peter out without decisive policy action to boost the economy.

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Image courtesy of "Nikkei Asia"

Key China stock index logs first consecutive daily drop since ... (Nikkei Asia)

HONG KONG -- China's benchmark CSI 300 index fell for the second straight day on Wednesday, marking its first consecutive decline since authorities sp.

Xi urges Fujian to play pioneering role in China's modernization drive (The State Council of the People's Republic of China)

President Xi Jinping has urged east China's Fujian Province to play a pioneering role in the country's modernization drive by staying committed to its ...

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Image courtesy of "Nikkei Asia"

China's budget-friendly food chains sweep across Southeast Asia (Nikkei Asia)

BANGKOK/HANOI/SHANGHAI -- Affordable Chinese food and beverage chains like Mixue and Haidilao are strengthening their positions in Southeast Asia, pul.

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Image courtesy of "INQUIRER.net"

Norway: China, PH should abide by 2016 arbitral ruling (INQUIRER.net)

Norway has reiterated its position that conflicts in the South China Sea should be resolved with due regard to applicable international law.

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Image courtesy of "Financial Times"

World's biggest gambling hub rolls dice on new China-backed leader (Financial Times)

Former top judge Sam Hou Fai has criticised 'wild' expansion of Macau's gaming sector.

In China, the price of vegetables has rocketed. The culprit: climate ... (NPR)

According to official statistics, the average price of fresh vegetables in China rose nearly 20% in August. A visit to the crops in China's northeast helps ...

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Image courtesy of "INQUIRER.net"

China says 'expelled' Japanese ship from waters near disputed ... (INQUIRER.net)

China's coast guard said Thursday it had "expelled" a Japanese ship that ventured into waters around disputed islands.

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

China accuses Japanese vessel of 'illegally' entering disputed waters (Aljazeera.com)

The incident is the latest between China and Japan around disputed islands in the East China Sea.

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Image courtesy of "Financial Times"

China to boost lending for stalled property projects to $560bn (Financial Times)

Simply sign up to the Chinese economy myFT Digest -- delivered directly to your inbox. China plans to almost double credit support for a selected group of ...

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

China pumps half a trillion dollars into beleaguered property sector ... (CNN)

Chinese property shares tanked on Thursday, after measures announced by officials to bolster the flagging real estate market were deemed by investors and ...

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Image courtesy of "CNBC"

China pledges more financial support for 'whitelist' real estate projects (CNBC)

Ni Hong, China's minister of housing and urban-rural development, made the announcement at a press conference on Thursday.

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Image courtesy of "Yahoo Finance"

China's $562 Billion Loan Push for Unfinished Homes Disappoints (Yahoo Finance)

(Bloomberg) -- China's pledge to nearly double the loan quota for unfinished residential projects to 4 trillion yuan ($562 billion) fell short of market ...

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

China says Japanese fishing boat 'illegally' entered territorial waters (Reuters)

China's coast guard said a Japanese fishing vessel "illegally entered" China's territorial waters around Diaoyu Islands on Oct. 15-16 and was warned to ...

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

China boosts funds for housing projects to support embattled sector (Reuters)

China will expand a "white list" of housing projects eligible for financing and increase bank lending for such developments to 4 trillion yuan ($562 ...

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Image courtesy of "Nikkei Asia"

China's financing to property sector to top $562 billion, officials say (Nikkei Asia)

HONG KONG -- China will extend 4 trillion yuan ($562 billion) in financing to property developers through banks by the end of the year, in its latest.

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Image courtesy of "Yahoo News"

China to almost double support for unfinished housing projects (Yahoo News)

China said Thursday it would boost credit available for unfinished housing projects to more than $500 billion as it unveiled another round of measures to ...

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Image courtesy of "Bloomberg"

China Boosts Support for Unfinished Properties to $562 Billion (Bloomberg)

Thank you for joining us. Here are the key takeaways from the briefing in China on the property market, by speakers including Housing Minister Ni Hong:.

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