The CHN/ China thread

[Jimbuna]

China's nuclear carrier ambitions set to shift global naval power

China is consistently strengthening its navy. The plan to build a large nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is getting closer to realisation. Satellite images reveal that a prototype reactor is already ready.

Only two countries in the world currently operate nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. The United States has 11 such carriers (Nimitz-class, gradually being replaced by the Gerald R. Ford class), and France has one, the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.

Construction of the successor to the latter – the aircraft carrier provisionally named PANG (porte-avions de nouvelle génération, French for new-generation aircraft carrier) – has already begun.

The American and French aircraft carriers, apart from being equipped with nuclear power plants, are also CATOBAR class vessels – where planes launch from them using catapults and land with the help of arresting cables. This solution provides aircraft carriers with the largest combat capabilities.

China currently operates three aircraft carriers – Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian (which is undergoing sea trials). The newest and largest, displacing about 89,000 tonnes, Fujian is also a CATOBAR class vessel, but – unlike the American and French counterparts – has conventional propulsion.

Beijing's plan anticipates that only the fourth, currently under construction, 004 carrier, will have nuclear propulsion.

Information about this vessel began to surface around 2018. The China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, responsible for its construction, revealed at that time that the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier would join the list of ships built by this company, and one of the industry services reported on the commencement of steel cutting for the hull of the new large vessel.

According to publicly available information, the new aircraft carrier is expected to displace over 123,000 tonnes – slightly more than American supercarriers, which will give the Chinese vessel the first place among the largest warships in the world.

For years, work on the 004 type aircraft carrier – due to the lack of specific, official information – was the basis for numerous guesses and speculations. It seems that the situation has changed due to a recent discovery made by a team from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world...1fe4bd68&ei=69

[Jimbuna]

Xi Jinping lays out four red lines US must not challenge in meeting with Joe Biden

Xi Jinping used his final meeting with outgoing president Joe Biden to lay out four “red lines” that Washington must not cross and warned Donald Trump against pushing on the guardrails of US-China relations.

In the final chapter of their diplomatic engagement, the Chinese president and his American counterpart held a two-hour meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Lima, Peru.

Extending an olive branch to the incoming president, Mr Xi said China stood committed to continued dialogue and cooperation to sustain the “hardwon” stability in bilateral relations but warned against a “new Cold War”.

A lengthy readout of the meeting in Lima didn’t mention Mr Trump by name, but spelled out Beijing’s approach to dealing with his administration.

“The Taiwan question, democracy and human rights, China’s path and system, and China’s development right are four red lines for China,” it quoted Mr Xi as saying.

“They must not be challenged. These are the most important guardrails and safety nets for China-US relations.”
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world...c0f3706f&ei=20

[Jimbuna]

China slams US for blocking Gaza ceasefire resolution at UN Security Council

China has lashed out at the US for vetoing the latest UN ceasefire effort for Gaza, accusing Washington of bringing global governance to an “all-time low”.
The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday failed to adopt a draft resolution that called for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza as well as the release of all hostages. It was put forward by the 10 elected members of the body: Algeria, Ecuador, Guyana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Switzerland.
Despite securing 14 votes in favour, the resolution was blocked by the United States, which cast the sole veto. It was the fourth time the US – holder of a permanent seat on the 15-member Security Council – has used its veto power since Israel’s war with Hamas militants in Gaza began more than 13 months ago.

Speaking to the American delegation and representatives of other countries after the vote, Fu Cong, Beijing’s top envoy to the UN, said China was “very disappointed” with the result.
“The repeated use of veto by the United States has reduced the authority of the Security Council and international law to an all-time low,” he said.

The senior Chinese diplomat also slammed the US for having “shattered the Gazan people’s hope for survival and pushed them further into darkness and desperation”.

“Now, nearly 44,000 people have been killed in Gaza, and the US still does not hesitate to use its veto,” Fu said.

“This is not just a number. Behind it could be a child, a nursing mother, or a breadwinner of a family.”

A day earlier, China, Saudi Arabia and Iran had collectively called for “an immediate end” to Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon during a meeting of the three nations in the Saudi capital city of Riyadh.

Meanwhile, fighting and strife persist in the Middle East.

The Israeli military bombed at least five crowded homes in northern Gaza early on Thursday, leading to many casualties, according to local health officials.

Israel said on Wednesday that one of its commandos was killed during a battle in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said on Wednesday that his group had given feedback on a US truce proposal. The leader of the Lebanese armed group and political party added that a deal to halt hostilities now depended on Israel’s response and the seriousness of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

However, Hamas’ acting Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya said in an interview televised on Wednesday that there would be no hostages-for-prisoners swap deal with Israel without an end to the war in the Palestinian enclave.

Explaining the country’s veto at the Security Council meeting, US deputy ambassador Robert Wood said Washington “could not support an unconditional ceasefire that failed to release the hostages”.

He said that a “durable” end to the war must come with the release of the hostages, stating that the two goals were “inextricably linked”.

“Simply put, this resolution would have sent a dangerous message to Hamas: there’s no need to come back to the negotiating table,” he said, adding that there were still seven American citizens in the hands of the group.

Fu pushed back against those comments, saying that “all hostages must be released. An immediate and unconditional ceasefire must be established. Both are important.”

“There should be no preconditions attached, and the two things should not be linked to each other.”

He warned that in the future, people would find it hard to “believe” or “understand” America’s move and would “surely feel indignant”.

“It is never too late to recognise and correct the mistakes. We call on the US to take its responsibilities as a permanent member of the council seriously, stop being passive and evasive, and stop the deliberate procrastination,” Fu added.

China and Russia in March vetoed a US-drafted ceasefire resolution linked to a hostage deal, which Beijing described as “very unbalanced”.

Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the US, characterised the latest draft resolution as “a road map to more terror, more suffering and more bloodshed”.

In a social media post on Wednesday, he also thanked the US for vetoing the resolution, adding that “we will continue the fight until all the hostages are released”.

Majed Bamya, the Palestinian deputy permanent observer to the UN, said that a ceasefire “doesn’t resolve everything, but it is the first step to resolving anything”.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/dipl...pgtype=article

[Jimbuna]

China blames US policy on Taiwan for defence leaders not meeting

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's defence ministry blamed the United States' stance on Taiwan for its minister not meeting his U.S. counterpart during a gathering this week in Laos.

Defence Minister Dong Jun turned down the U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's request to meet during a gathering of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) defense ministers, U.S. officials said on Wednesday.

"The U.S. side cannot undermine China's core interests on the Taiwan issue while engaging with the Chinese military as if nothing is wrong," a ministry spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday.

The remarks raised questions over whether only a change in U.S. policy towards the island can restore military-to-military talks at the defense minister level between the two countries.

The failure to meet is "entirely the responsibility" of the U.S., the Chinese spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also urged the U.S. to "immediately correct its mistakes" and strive to create favourable conditions for high-level military exchanges between the two sides.

China views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory, a claim that Taiwan's government rejects.

The U.S. is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic recognition.

Austin told reporters on Wednesday that the fact his Chinese counterpart declined to meet did not have any implications for the future.

"I just think that it's something that they chose to do at this point in time and only they can explain why they chose to not take advantage of a good opportunity," he added.

Austin met China's defense minister on the sidelines of a Singapore conference earlier this year, reiterating their differences on Taiwan and other issues but emphasizing the need to keep military-to-military communications open.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world...9405fe35&ei=55

[Jimbuna]

China opens door to dialogue as Trump plans steep tariffs

Chinese authorities express their willingness to engage in active dialogue with the United States on the principles of mutual respect, aiming to develop bilateral economic and trade relations, Vice Minister of Commerce, Wang Shouwen, said on Friday, as reported by Reuters.

Wang, who also serves as China's International Trade Representative, emphasised the readiness to manage external shocks in response to questions about potential tariffs that the future U.S. president, Donald Trump, may impose.

Wang expressed confidence that China and the United States will be able to maintain stable, healthy, and sustainable economic and trade relations. He added that Beijing is ready to expand areas of cooperation and manage differences with the United States.

Reuters interviewed economists who predict that the United States might impose tariffs on Chinese imports reaching nearly 40% early next year, which could lower China's economic growth by 1 percentage point.

Fentanyl and Beijing
However, there is something that the Chinese can do as a goodwill gesture. According to the United States, the Chinese government is accused of taking conscious actions to spark an epidemic of the synthetic opioid, fentanyl, within the United States. These actions are said to involve subsidising the production of substances needed to manufacture the drug.

Investigators working for the commission discovered that Chinese producers of so-called fentanyl precursors can benefit from tax breaks if they decide to sell their products outside of China. This information was obtained through access to a government portal in Beijing used for filing such tax relief requests.

However, as the "Wall Street Journal" writes, three days after Donald Trump won the presidential election, China announced that, in cooperation with American intelligence, it had arrested a suspect involved in the long-term production of chemicals used to produce fentanyl. It was seen as a symbolic gesture of goodwill by Beijing, taken as a result of intense pressure from Washington to tighten actions.

However, as noted by the "WSJ," when Trump takes office, he promises to adopt an aggressive stance against China regarding their role in the fentanyl crisis, abandoning attempts at diplomacy and compromises made by the Biden administration. During his campaign, Trump announced that he would impose harsh tariffs on China if they do not help stop the influx of illegal drugs to the United States, reports the American journal.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world...b5d3f84&ei=114

[Jimbuna]

[Jimbuna]

'No one will win a trade war,' China says after Trump tariff threat

Neither the United States nor China would win a trade war, the Chinese Embassy in Washington said on Monday, after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatened to slap an additional 10% tariff on all Chinese imports when he takes office on Jan. 20.
"About the issue of US tariffs on China, China believes that China-US economic and trade cooperation is mutually beneficial in nature," Chinese Embassy Spokesperson Liu Pengyu said in a statement.

"No one will win a trade war or a tariff war," Liu said.
Trump said he would impose the tariffs until China stops the flow of illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the United States.
In the statement, Liu said China had taken steps to combat drug trafficking after an agreement was reached last year between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
"The Chinese side has notified the US side of the progress made in US-related law enforcement operations against narcotics," Liu said.

"All these prove that the idea of China knowingly allowing fentanyl precursors to flow into the United States runs completely counter to facts and reality," Liu said.
There has been incremental but visible progress in co-operation over shutting down illicit traffic in chemicals used to produce deadly fentanyl after Xi and Biden agreed to resume joint efforts last year.
The United States, where fentanyl abuse has been a major cause of death, has pushed China for tougher law enforcement, including tackling illicit finance and clamping further controls on the chemicals.
In June, China's top prosecutor urged its law enforcement officials to focus on combating drug trafficking, as Beijing and Washington unveiled a rare joint investigation into drugs.
In August, days after a meeting of a joint counternarcotics working group, China said it would tighten controls on three chemicals essential for making fentanyl.
https://www.reuters.com/world/no-one...at-2024-11-26/

[Jimbuna]

China defence minister placed under investigation for corruption, FT reports

BEIJING (Reuters) - China Defence Minister Dong Jun has been placed under investigation as part of a wide-ranging anti-corruption probe that has reached the top ranks of the People's Liberation Army, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

Dong is the third consecutive serving or former Chinese defence minister to be investigated for alleged corruption, the FT reported, citing current and former U.S. officials.

His predecessor, Li Shangfu, was removed after seven months into the job.

Reuters has sought comment from the Foreign Ministry.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world...f93b9cfb&ei=22

[Jimbuna]

Shocking image reveals Chinese ship suspected of sabotage in 'NATO lake'

Ashocking new image has been released appearing to show a Chinese ship which has been accused of sabotage in what has been dubbed the "NATO lake" as tensions with the bloc intensify.

A recently released satellite image seems to show the Yi Peng 3, which has been linked to the recent damage to two undersea cables in the Baltic Sea, as Swedish authorities invite the vessel to approach the waters off Stockholm.

The image, shared on the social media platform Bluesky and attributed to the US Landsat satellites, appears to show the Chinese-flagged ship approximately 45 miles off the coast of Helsingborg, a city in southern Sweden.

Two vessels, one German and one Danish, can be seen near the Chinese bulk carrier, according to an open-source intelligence account.

A spokesperson for the Danish military reiterated previous statements, saying that they are "present in the area near the Chinese vessel Yi Peng 3," but declined to comment further.

Between November 17 and 18, two undersea cables were damaged in the Baltic Sea within a 24-hour period. One cable connected Finland to Germany, while the other linked Sweden and Lithuania.

All four countries are NATO members and border the Baltic Sea, which is largely surrounded by NATO member states, with Russia's Kaliningrad exclave situated between Poland and Lithuania.

The incidents, which occurred in quick succession, have raised concerns about potential sabotage. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated shortly after the incidents that "no one believes that these cables were cut accidentally."

The enigma of the Nord Stream pipelines' destruction, which severed Russia's gas link to Germany via the Baltic Sea in fall 2022, persists, as does the mystery behind the damage to an undersea cable connecting Sweden to Estonia in October 2023.

A gas pipeline uniting Estonia with Finland also suffered damage in the same month, with fingers later pointed at a Chinese vessel for dragging its anchor.

Reports have surfaced indicating that the Yi Peng 3 was in proximity to both compromised cables around the time they were severed earlier this month.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson disclosed to journalists on Tuesday that Sweden had initiated "contact with the ship" and engaged with Chinese officials, urging the vessel to "move towards Swedish waters."

Mr Kristersson emphasised that while investigators are not casting blame, they are intent on achieving "clarity on what has happened."

On the same day, Mao Ning, speaking for China's Foreign Ministry, confirmed that China is actively "maintains communication with relevant parties, including Denmark, through diplomatic channels."
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world...5cf8b4c2&ei=19

[Jimbuna]

Major WW3 scare as Russian and Chinese military jets enter UK ally's air defense zone

South Korea scrambled fighter jets as six Russian military and five Chinese aircraft flew through its air defense zone, the country's military has said.

Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a news release that the Chinese and Russian planes entered and exited the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) in the East Sea and South Sea from 9.35am (00.35 GMT) to 1.53pm on Friday.

Air defense identification zones are a broader area than a country's airspace, and countries seek the identification, location, and control of aircraft that pass through them to protect national security.

However, unlike airspace, ADIZs aren't defined in any international treaty. The JCS noted that the planes enterted the KADIZ "without violating South Korean airspace".

Seoul's military said it identified the jets before they entered the zone and "deployed Air Force fighter jets to take tactical measures in preparation for any contingencies," as per the statement.

The Chinese defense ministry said on social media that the flights were their "ninth joint strategic patrol," and took place above the Sea of Japan.

The department said the flights were held today "according to the annual cooperation plan between the Chinese and Russian militaries."

In recent years, Chinese and Russian aircraft have often entered the South Korean air defence zone without incident. Neither country recognises the South Korean air defence zone.

Chinese military aircraft flew towards the small Dokdo islands off South Korea's eastern coast, South Korean military officials said, reports CBS News.

They're then said to have passed between the Korean peninsula and Japan close to Ieodo.

Russian planes are also said to have flown south in the direction of the Dokdo islets.

Officials said the two nations' planes flew together over the sea south of Dokdo before leaving.

In response South Korea's defense ministry "expressed regret" to Beijing and Moscow for entering the KADIZ and "flying for an extended period without prior notice."

It asked that "appropriate measures be taken to prevent a recurrence", adding that further incidents would "unnecessarily heighten tensions in the region."

China and Russia have deepened their military and defense ties since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.

Both countries have been traditional allies of North Korea, South Korea's arch-foe, with thousands of North Korean soldiers reportedly in Russia to fight for Putin.

Meanwhile, Soeul has close ties with the United States and Europe, including the UK.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world...d54d28c1&ei=23

[Jimbuna]

War has no winners, Taiwan president says in visit to Hawaii

TAIPEI, Dec 1 (Reuters) - War has no winners and peace is priceless, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Saturday in Hawaii after visiting a memorial to the attack on Pearl Harbor on a trip to the United States that has angered Beijing.
Lai is making a sensitive two-day trip to Hawaii that is officially only a stopover on the way to three Pacific island nations that maintain formal ties with Taiwan, which China claims as its territory.

Speaking to members of the overseas Taiwan community and Hawaii politicians, including members of Congress Ed Case and Jill Tokuda, Lai referred to his visit to the USS Arizona Memorial earlier in the day and laid a wreath in memory of those who died in the 1941 Japanese attack.
"Our visit to the memorial today in particular reminds us of the importance of ensuring peace. Peace is priceless and war has no winner. We have to fight - fight together - to prevent war," Lai said in English, in a speech carried live on television in Taiwan.

As Lai was attending the event, China said it had complained to Washington for arranging for his transit through U.S. territory, while vowing "resolute countermeasures" against a potential arms sale to Taiwan that the U.S. announced hours before Lai started his trip.
China's foreign ministry lodged "stern representations" over the transit, China's Taiwan Affairs Office said in a statement.
"We are firmly opposed to official exchanges between the United States and Taiwan, and we are firmly opposed to the 'transit' of leaders of the Taiwan region to the United States under any name and for any reason," it said.

Security sources have told Reuters that China could launch a new round of war games around Taiwan in response to his visit, his first overseas trip since assuming office in May, having won election in January.
China has staged two rounds of major war games around Taiwan so far this year.
In his speech Lai switched to Taiwanese, also known as Hokkien, and said that by uniting together, all difficulties could be overcome. "Taiwan's democracy can become a model for the international community," he said.
Lai and his government reject Beijing's sovereignty claims and say they have a right to visit other countries.
After Hawaii, Lai will go to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, with another stopover in the U.S. territory of Guam. Hawaii and Guam are home to large U.S. military bases.
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...ii-2024-12-01/

[Jimbuna]

China bans export of critical minerals to US as trade tensions escalate

China on Tuesday banned exports to the United States of the critical minerals gallium, germanium and antimony that have widespread military applications, escalating trade tensions the day after Washington's latest crackdown on China's chip sector.
The curbs strengthen enforcement of existing limits on critical minerals exports that Beijing began rolling out last year, but apply only to the U.S. market, in the latest escalation of trade tensions between the world's two largest economies ahead of President-elect Donald Trump taking office next month.

A Chinese Commerce Ministry directive on dual-use items with both military and civilian applications cited national security concerns. The order, which takes immediate effect, also requires stricter review of end-usage for graphite items shipped to the U.S.
"In principle, the export of gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials to the United States shall not be permitted," the ministry said.
https://www.reuters.com/markets/comm...us-2024-12-03/

[Jimbuna]

Russian gas supplies to China hit new daily record - Bloomberg

Russian pipeline gas exports to China have reached a new daily record, even surpassing Russia’s maximum contractual obligations, according to Bloomberg.

Gazprom announced that daily flows through the “Power of Siberia” pipeline exceeded Russia’s maximum contractual commitments, though exact figures were not disclosed.

The outlet noted that starting December 1, Gazprom increased supplies to the equivalent of 38 billion cubic meters per year, matching the design capacity of the Power of Siberia pipeline.

Given this, Bloomberg speculates that China may become Russia’s largest market for pipeline gas this year, as Gazprom grows increasingly dependent on China as a buyer after most of its European customers rejected Russian supplies following the invasion of Ukraine.

Breaking ties with Gazprom

At the end of last month, Austria ended a five-decade-long relationship with Gazprom, prompted by the seizure of Russian gas.

The Austrian company OMV won an arbitration case in Germany against Gazprom for 230 million euros over irregular supplies to its German subsidiary. OMV also announced it would take steps for immediate enforcement of this claim against Gazprom’s invoices.

Later, Bloomberg observed that OMV’s decision to halt payments to Gazprom could set a precedent for other countries, as they also aim to reduce their dependence on the Russian gas monopoly.

[Jimbuna]

China eyes negotiations as Trump threatens new tariffs

BEIJING, Dec 13 (Reuters) - As Donald Trump steps up his tariff threats against China, Beijing is moving to beat the next U.S. president to the punch with its own restrictions and get Washington to the negotiating table ahead of a full-blown trade war, analysts say.
Armed with the lessons of the last trade war during Trump's first term, China is seeking to amass bargaining chips to kick off talks with a new U.S. administration on contentious aspects of bilateral ties, including trade and investment, and science and technology. It is also concerned about the harmful effects of additional tariffs on its already fragile economy.

This week, China launched a probe into U.S. chip giant Nvidia (NVDA.O), opens new tab over what it claimed were suspected antitrust violations, which follows its ban on U.S.-bound exports of rare minerals.
"We have to look at this as the opening bid in what will likely ultimately turn into a negotiation with the U.S. rather than just an imposition of tariffs and everyone walks away," HSBC's Chief Asia Economist Fred Neumann said.
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/...fs-2024-12-13/

[Jimbuna]