Torbjørn Færøvik's Blog, page 304

EXPLAINER: How plausible is Chinese military aid for Russia?

The U.S. says Russia has asked China to provide military assistance for its war in Ukraine, and that China has responded affirmatively. Both Moscow and Beijing have denied the allegation, with a Chinese spokesperson dismissing it as “disinformation.” Still, the claims have generated conjecture over how far Beijing would be willing to go in backing its “most important strategic partner,” as

Vaccine Skeptics Fear Communist Party As Much as Side Effects in Hong Kong

All but COVID-free for two years, Hong Kong is experiencing a deadly outbreak that has spilled over its land borders into China—and the central government in Beijing may be partly to blame.Before the city's Omicron surge began in late December 2021, its daily infections rarely reached double digits. With nearly 700,000 cases and 4,300 deaths in a matter of weeks, Hong Kong is now reporting the

China, After Years Mocking U.S. Over COVID, Has World's Deadliest Hotspot

China on Tuesday reported new COVID-19 infection cases in the country had doubled on Monday from the prior day, which resulted in a two-year high. The news dealt a blow to Hong Kong's frequent touting of its tough COVID measures as well as to its frequent criticism of the United States' response to the pandemic.China's National Health Commission reported a total of 3,507 new domestically

How much can — and will — China help Russia as its economy crumbles?

Sanctions, asset freezes and withdrawals of international companies are hammering the Russian economy in response to President Vladimir Putin's military assault on Ukraine, leaving Moscow with only one ally powerful enough to rely on as a source of potential support: China."I think that our partnership with China will still allow us to maintain the cooperation that we have achieved, and not only

Can China’s SWIFT Alternative Give Russia a Lifeline?

“Apply this economic, peaceful, silent, deadly remedy and there will be no need for force.” Following World War I and the subsequent creation of the League of Nations, President Woodrow Wilson used these words to describe the impact of sanctions. Certainly, times have changed.Following the 2014 invasion and annexation of the Crimean Peninsula, Russia was the target of many such sanctions. And now

While the sky over Ukraine is covered by smoke and fire, the atmosphere in Taiwan is the exact opposite.

While the sky over Ukraine is covered by smoke and fire, the atmosphere in Taiwan is the exact opposite. For weeks, big crowds took the streets every night to watch fireworks and fascinating drone shows in celebration of the Lantern Festival – and Taiwan’s recent diplomatic success. Over Kaohsiung, the southern port city, more than 1,500 lighting drones displayed an unambiguous political message:

War censorship exposes Putin’s leaky internet controls

Long before waging war on Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin was working to make Russia’s internet a powerful tool of surveillance and social control akin to China’s so-called Great Firewall.So when Western tech companies began cutting ties with Russia following its invasion, Russian investigative journalist Andrei Soldatov was alarmed. He’d spent years exposing Russian censorship and feared that

India unsure of Russian arms to meet China, Pakistan threats

India is exploring ways to avoid a major disruption in its supply of Russian-made weaponry amid U.S. sanctions following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tightrope walk could become more difficult due to a continuing border standoff with China.Experts say up to 60% of Indian defense equipment comes from Russia, and New Delhi finds itself in a bind at a time when it

Philippines summons Chinese envoy to protest naval intrusion

The Philippine government on Monday summoned the Chinese ambassador to protest what it said was the “illegal incursion” of a Chinese navy ship into the country’s waters and to demand that Beijing order its ships to respect the country’s territory and follow international law, officials said.The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila said a reconnaissance ship of China’s People’s Liberation Army

UK rights group threatened under China sweeping security law

Britain’s foreign secretary on Monday accused Chinese authorities of trying to silence free speech after a U.K.-based human rights group said Hong Kong police threatened it with a prison sentence and fines for allegedly violating China’s national security law. Hong Kong Watch said it received a formal warning from Hong Kong police accusing it of “seriously interfering” in Hong Kong affairs and