Torbjørn Færøvik's Blog, page 106

Why China wants EU to be involved in Ukraine peace talks

The message from China at the UN Security Council on Tuesday was clear. "China welcomes all efforts dedicated to peace, including the recent agreement reached by the United States and Russia to start peace talks," China's UN ambassador, Fu Cong, told a briefing."China hopes all relevant parties and stakeholders involved in the Ukraine crisis will engage in the peace talks process. As the conflict

Trump’s Europe Shock Creates an Opening for China

The Biden administration spent four years building a united front with Europe to counter China. A month into President Donald Trump’s second term, that united front is becoming collateral damage as the new administration dramatically upends former President Joe Biden’s approach, befriending Russia and alienating Europe.In the wake of Trump’s wrecking ball, China is now probing opportunities to

Beijing police detain petitioners ahead of annual parliament

Police in Beijing have been raiding suburban neighborhoods where out-of-town petitioners stay while they lodge lengthy complaints against their local governments, petitioners told Radio Free Asia. The raids appear to be part of “stability maintenance” measures ahead of the annual parliamentary sessions.As delegates get ready to attend the annual sessions of the Chinese People’s Political

Apple, facing tariffs on Chinese imports, says it will invest $500 billion in US facilities

Apple said Monday it will invest $500 billion on expanding US facilities over the next four years, a move that could help it avoid new tariffs on goods imported from China. Apple said the investment will create 20,000 jobs.Earlier this month, President Donald Trump announced tariffs of 10% on all imports from China, from which Apple imports many products, including most of its iPhones. Trump

Trump fired the latest tariff shot at China. Is Beijing prepared to make it a trade war?

President Donald Trump has finally made good on a campaign promise to raise tariffs on Chinese imports – announcing on Saturday duties of 10% on all Chinese goods coming in the country as part of sweeping trade measures that also targeted Mexico and Canada. Now the question for Chinese leaders is how strongly to retaliate.In the wake of the announcement, Chinese officials – who were hit by

Xi tells Putin that China is pleased with Russia’s efforts to end Ukraine war

China’s President Xi Jinping had a call with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Monday and said he was pleased with Moscow’s efforts to hold a summit with the U.S. toward ending the war in Ukraine, state broadcaster reported. Putin updated Xi on the latest contacts with the U.S., according to CCTV, which didn’t give further details.Xi said that “China is pleased to see that Russia and relevant

Here’s why Chinese warships near Australia and New Zealand have prompted alarm

Leaders in Australia and New Zealand say China should have given them more warning before its navy conducted an unusual series of live fire exercises in the seas between the two countries, forcing flights to divert on short notice. The drills by three naval ships happened in international waters beneath a busy commercial flight path over the Tasman Sea on Friday and Saturday, and at least once

China's hopes to be Ukraine peacemaker collide with its goals on Trump, trade

For the last three years, China has repeatedly signalled a willingness to act as a peacemaker in the war in Ukraine. There were rounds of shuttle diplomacy by Beijing's envoy to countries from South Africa to Indonesia. A peace plan with Brazil. A group of "friends for peace" with developing nations. And even a proposal to send Chinese peacekeepers to Europe.But when Russian and U.S. officials

Trump orders use of CFIUS to restrict Chinese investments in strategic areas

President Donald Trump signed a memorandum on Friday that directs the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to restrict Chinese investments in strategic areas, a White House official said. The national security memorandum is aimed at promoting foreign investment while protecting U.S. national security interests from threats posed by foreign adversaries like China, the official

Trump’s freeze on foreign aid could give China an opening on the world stage

President Donald Trump’s restrictions on foreign aid and targeting of a key agency funding programs around the world may be offering an opening to America’s biggest adversary — China. From the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development to quitting international groups, Trump’s drastic “America First” moves have raised concerns among some lawmakers and experts about whether the