Torbjørn Færøvik's Blog, page 38

These American mercenaries are revered in China. Their relatives are among the few US invitees to Xi’s WWII military parade

Consider this job offer:A one-year contract to live and work in China, flying, repairing and making airplanes. Pay is as much as $16,725 a month with 30 days off a year. Housing is included, and you’ll get an extra $700 a month for food. And there’s an extra $11,000 for every Japanese airplane you destroy – no limit.That’s the deal – in inflation-adjusted 2025 dollars – that a few hundred

China, Japan, and Shifting Narratives of War

The recent 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender at the end of World War II inspired multiple publications on how Japan remembers its wartime history.However, there has been less said about the countries that Japan fought and their historical narratives of the war, nor how these countries’ narratives align with Japan’s understanding of its wartime history. In particular, China’s understanding of

China’s parade political: academics

China’s planned military parade on Wednesday commemorating the end of World War II is a political move to project Beijing’s interests against the US-led alliance and to show Chinese President Xi Jinping’s supreme command over the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) amid the stagnant Chinese economy, academics told a symposium in Taipei yesterday.The meaning behind the parade is more political

North Korea leader Kim promises ‘beautiful life’ for families of ‘martyrs’ killed in Russia

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un promised “a beautiful life” for the families of “martyrs” who perished fighting for Russia in the war against Ukraine, state media said on Saturday, praising the bereaved for the heroism of their sons and husbands.Kim on Friday hosted the families of soldiers and expressed “grief at having failed to save the precious lives” of the fallen men who sacrificed their

Elephant-dragon tango: Modi’s visit to China signals improving ties — will the bonhomie last?

When Foxconn recalled hundreds of Chinese engineers from a factory in India last month, reportedly following Beijing’s directions to curb technology transfer to its neighbor, it was a reminder of the uneasy ties between two of Asia’s largest economies.But with both countries facing tariff heat from Washington, could economic challenges push Beijing and New Delhi toward reluctant cooperation,

Tibet was not ‘always part’ of China

When Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) stood in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa on Thursday last week, flanked by Chinese flags, synchronized schoolchildren and armed Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops, he was not just celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the “Tibet Autonomous Region,” he was making a calculated declaration: Tibet is China. It always has been.

PLA aims for blockade capability by 2035: MND report

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) intends to achieve the capability to impose a joint blockade of Taiwan by 2035, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said yesterday in its latest report on China’s military.The ministry submitted the report to the Legislative Yuan alongside the proposed defense budget and the military’s five-year force structure plan. The PLA aims to achieve

Rising risk to China’s covert Iran oil lifeline

What would happen if Iranian oil – a heavily sanctioned but vital supply for China – suddenly stopped flowing? US pressure and the possible “snapback” of UN sanctions could choke off Iran’s clandestine crude exports, testing Beijing’s energy security, raising costs for its industry and dealing a financial blow to Tehran in a high-stakes geopolitical showdown. Iran’s oil exports have

A global ‘ChIndia’ imbroglio

It’s much ado about something. The Indian shift away from the US could be a significant setback for America. Although nothing is set in stone, the United States could pay a price. (Marco Mayer interviews Francesco Sisci, first published in the Italian magazine Starmag)On the eve of a historic meeting in Beijing between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the

Should the US be worried? India’s Modi set for rare China trip after Trump’s tariff sting

A relationship frozen after a deadly clash high in the Himalayas five years ago appears to be thawing under the heat of US President Donald Trump’s economic pressure. For the first time since 2018, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to China this week to attend a summit hosted by Chinese leader Xi Jinping, a visit that comes after Trump imposed punishing 50% tariffs on imports