Torbjørn Færøvik's Blog, page 274

Xi and Putin to speak via video as grinding Ukraine war tests China-Russia partnership

Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin are scheduled to speak Friday via video conference, the Kremlin said – with analysts watching for any sign of a softening in the Chinese leader’s support for his Russian counterpart as the war in Ukraine drags on and as China faces an unprecedented Covid outbreak. The two leaders will primarily discuss bilateral relations between their countries, and exchange views

Why did China relax its Covid policy – and should we be worried?

Experts have argued such restrictions will make little difference to the number of new cases in countries where Covid infection levels are already high. However, if positive samples from such testing are sequenced, the approach could shed light on the variants at play in China.But experts have warned that the use of border restrictions to keep out new variants has not previously worked well when

Zero-Covid was supposed to prove China’s supremacy. How did it all go so wrong for Xi Jinping?

2022 was supposed to be a triumphant year for China and its leader Xi Jinping, as he began his second decade in power with a pledge to restore the nation to greatness. Instead, China had its most difficult year under Xi’s rule as it reeled from his costly zero-Covid policy – from months of overzealous enforcement that crushed the economy and stoked historic public discontent, to a wholesale

Biden administration approves $180 million arms sale to Taiwan

The Biden administration has approved a potential $180 million arms sale to Taiwan amid ongoing tensions between the island and Beijing, the State Department announced Wednesday. The administration informed Congress Wednesday of its approval of the possible sale of vehicle-launched anti-tank munition-laying systems, and related equipment, to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office

AMID ARRESTS, A4 PROTESTERS SHOW RESOLVE, SEEK SOLIDARITY ABROAD

In the month since China erupted in a series of nationwide public protests, incited by a deadly fire in Urumqi and fueled by anger towards harsh “zero-COVID” policies, those involved in the protest movement have taken stock of their progress and setbacks. The CCP has silently retaliated against many who took part in the demonstrations, but the rare opportunity for collective action has already

In China’s Diaspora, Visions of a Different Homeland

At the beginning, there were songs. It’s the Monday after Thanksgiving. In the storied New England town, over a hundred of us had gathered for the candlelight vigil. After a fire claimed at least ten lives in a locked-down building in Urumchi, and thousands across China took to the streets to protest against the government’s draconian zero-COVID policy, solidarity rallies have blossomed in the

How Well Is China Advancing Its Interests in Southeast Asia?

Xi Jinping traveled to Southeast Asia last month to attend the G20 summit in Bali before moving on to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ meeting in Bangkok. The meetings came on the heels of Premier Li Keqiang’s appearance at the ASEAN summit, where he repeatedly underscored the “shared future” of Southeast Asia and China. But what does that shared future look like?

India v China: Is becoming the most populous country a boon or curse?

In mid-April, India is forecast to surpass China as the world's most populous country. The Asian giants already have more than 1.4 billion people each, and for over 70 years have accounted for more than a third of the global population.China's population is likely to begin shrinking next year. Last year, 10.6 million people were born, a little more than the number of deaths, thanks to a rapid

China’s cities fall quiet amid warning of three Covid waves over winter

Chinese authorities have warned of successive waves of Covid infections over the coming months, as cases continue to surge after the lifting of restrictions earlier this month. Across major cities people appear to be staying inside, either with the virus or in fear of contracting it, but authorities have pushed on with the reopening. There are also mounting questions over the full impact of the

China rushes to boost intensive care beds, doctors and stocks of medicine as Covid surges

Chinese authorities are rushing to boost the number of intensive care beds and health workers and increase medication supplies as Covid-19 surges through the country. Since the abrupt dismantling of the stringent zero-Covid regime, cases have skyrocketed in China. A full picture of the impact is difficult to gauge. Authorities have conceded it is “impossible” for the testing system to keep track,