Torbjørn Færøvik's Blog, page 282

China internet censors scramble as lockdown frustration sparks ‘creative’ wave of dissent

China’s strict system of censorship is struggling against the onslaught of complaints from Shanghai, as residents find creative ways to get around bans on words, hashtags and even lyrics from the national anthem. As the weeks-long lockdown in the city of 25 million prompted widespread food shortages, delivery failures and fatal healthcare disruptions, the government has urged residents to harness

The deal that shocked the world: inside the China-Solomons security pact

The rumours started in August. Chatter surfaced among the political class in Honiara that China and Solomon Islands were negotiating a security agreement which could allow Beijing to send military and police personnel to its new Pacific ally, and base naval vessels on the islands.If the rumours proved to be true, it would be the first known bilateral security agreement between China and a country

Hong Kong jails pro-democracy activist and former DJ for ‘uttering seditious words’

A Hong Kong court has sentenced a former radio DJ and political party official charged with “seditious” verbal crimes to 40 months in jail. Tam Tak-chi, also known by his radio name Fast Beat, was also fined $5,000 after he was found guilty on 11 of 14 charges against him last month, including seven counts of “uttering seditious words”. He was acquitted of two counts of “disorderly conduct in a

Chinese Invasion of Taiwan Could Undermine Global Semiconductor Market

Semiconductors are foundational to modern life, enabling everything from our phones to the energy grid. But increased offshore demand for semiconductors, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has resulted in a global shortage—affecting virtually every industry. Some predict that the chip shortage will continue into 2023. On top of an already stressed supply chain, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has

China Fumes as Taiwan Cites Russia-Ukraine War to Urge Stronger U.S. Ties

China expressed opposition on Friday in response to comments from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who cited the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine as a reason for ties to the U.S. On Friday morning, several U.S. lawmakers, including Senators Lindsey Graham, Richard Burr, Robert Portman, Benjamin Sasse and Robert Menendez, traveled to Taiwan to meet with Tsai and Taiwan's minister of defense

China War With U.S. on the Horizon, Chief Propagandist Says

One of China's most well-know state media personalities has called for a sea change in the public's attitude on war with the United States, a prospect he believes is increasingly likely over Taiwan. In a commentary published on Saturday, Hu Xijin, the former editor of nationalistictabloid the Global Times, describes a "real sense of crisis in Taiwan," where he says the public is more

Taiwan Says China's Military Threats Will Encourage More U.S. Support

China's continuing threats to use force against Taiwan will only increase support from the United States and others, Taipei said this week after Beijing launched a pointed military exercise to protest a visit by members of Congress. The congressional delegation, or CODEL, led by Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina triggered vocal remonstration before and after they met Taiwan's

Remote island ramps up defenses as tensions rise between Japan and China

On most days, fisherman Kazushi Kinjo leaves port on the Japanese island of Yonaguni to catch deep sea red snapper in waters to the north. There, fish are plentiful -- and increasingly, so are Chinese Coast Guard ships. Chinese ships patrol the sea around the Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands, an uninhabited island chain also claimed by China and Taiwan, near where Kinjo lives. The islands,

China's economy had a good first quarter. Lockdowns leave it 'in distress'

China's economy made a solid start to the year, recording first quarter growth that surpassed expectations. But a recent slump in consumer spending and rising unemployment suggest much tougher months ahead with dozens of cities still under Covid lockdowns. China's gross domestic product grew 4.8% in the three months to March 31, compared with the same period last year, according to the National

Shanghai reports first official Covid deaths in weeks-long lockdown

Shanghai reported three Covid-19 deaths Monday, the first officially announced fatalities from a raging Omicron outbreak that has infected hundreds of thousands of people despite a government-enforced city-wide lockdown. Three elderly people aged between 89 and 91 died from Covid on Sunday, after their condition deteriorated in hospital, the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission said in a