Torbjørn Færøvik's Blog, page 192

Teen Tibetan monk takes own life after being forced to leave monastery

A 17-year-old Tibetan Buddhist monk who was forced to leave his monastery and join a government-run school committed suicide after authorities said he could no longer wear his maroon robes, three sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Radio Free Asia. Kunzang Longyang died in mid-April in Qinghai province’s Drakkar County, the sources said on condition of anonymity, citing safety

2024 Global Forecast: The China Challenge

While there is rampant speculation aboutwhether Chinese president Xi Jinpingwill take military action against Taiwanby 2027, there is 100 percent certainty he will useeconomic coercion against unsuspecting governmentsand private companies. Over the past 15 years,China has used economic coercion against 18 countriesand over 400 companies, causing tens of billionsof dollars in damage,

The Chinese Communist Party: A 100-Year Trajectory

The small grouping of intellectuals who gathered in July 1921 in the French concession of Shanghai has magnified into one of the largest and most formidable political parties in history. Created with fewer than 60 members, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) now numbers more than 95 million. From a revolutionary party that emerged in the aftermath of the collapse of the Chinese Empire and World War

US 'deeply concerned' over China military drills in Taiwan Strait, State Dept says

The U.S. State Department said on Saturday that the United States was "deeply concerned" over China's military drills in the Taiwan Strait and around Taiwan, and strongly urged it to act with restraint. "Using a normal, routine, and democratic transition as an excuse for military provocations risks escalation and erodes longstanding norms that for decades have maintained peace and stability

In China, a Major Battle Between Publishers and Big Tech

China’s big tech companies have long held enormous leverage over the publishing industry, as e-commerce accounts for an estimated 88% of book sales in the country. This has enabled platforms like JD.com to force publishers to offer heavy discounts on their titles in order to take part in major online shopping events.But many publishers appear to have drawn the line ahead of “618” — China’s

Chinese Universities Introduce Weight Loss Classes for Unfit Students

As China grows increasingly concerned about the nation’s ballooning obesity rate, some universities are introducing intense new “weight loss classes” that assess students directly based on how many kilograms they can shed. Several colleges, including Beijing’s prestigious Peking University, have introduced weight loss courses, which count for college credit and in some cases are hugely

EU-China relations: De-risking or de-coupling − the future of the EU strategy towards China

To evaluate the European Union’s (EU) policy framework towards China, this study analyses the varied facets of bilateral relations and the EU’s approach towards China, including its policy of de-risking, together with issues relating to China’s domestic politics and foreign policy. It highlights the need for the EU to adopt a coherent vision and a comprehensive and consistent long-term China

Lessons from Tiananmen for Today’s University Presidents

Thirty-five years ago, in April 1989, Chinese students from Beijing’s elite universities began their occupation of Tiananmen Square. Their issues were different from those of American students today. Chinese demonstrators voiced concerns about corruption, inflation, the effects of on-going market reforms, and lack of free press and participatory governance. Today’s students at Columbia, NYU,

Taiwan's steely leader rewrote the book on how to deal with China

In Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan found an unlikely champion. During her two terms, she carefully yet confidently reset the relationship with Beijing, which has claimed the independently governed island as its own for 75 years. She stood up to an increasingly authoritarian and aggressive China under Xi Jinping; she held on to a vital US alliance under Donald Trump and buttressed it under Joe Biden. At home

Fearing war with China, civilians in Taiwan prepare for disaster

A missile has struck Taiwan's capital and wreaked devastation on an otherwise peaceful park. Moments earlier, pedestrians were strolling along paved streets lined with brick and stone buildings with slanted, tiled roofs that dot this hilly location. Now, torn limbs are scattered across blood-soaked cobblestones, and everywhere, the dying and the wounded are writhing on the ground, screaming in