Torbjørn Færøvik's Blog, page 71

Watch: Chinese Ship Blasts US Ally's Boat With Water Cannon

The Philippines on Thursday released footage of a confrontation between two government vessels and the Chinese coast guard in the South China Sea's hotly contested Spratly Islands. The Chinese cutter can be seen conducting close-quarter maneuvers that Manila said caused a collision, damaging the smaller Philippine vessel and putting its occupants' lives "at risk."The incident occurred

China Issues New Warning Over US Tech War

China may impose sanctions on companies that comply with U.S. restrictions on its homegrown technology, the Chinese government said on Wednesday. The Chinese Commerce Ministry said in a statement that the latest U.S. industry guidance—warning of possible penalties for American businesses that trade or use Chinese-made integrated circuits—was an "attempt to ban Chinese advanced-computing chips

China and North Korea's Militaries Don't Trust Each Other: US Intel

North Korea's deepening security ties with Russia are likely part of Kim Jong Un's effort to "counterbalance" China, according to the latest U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency report. Pyongyang's "blood-cemented alliance" with Beijing, by contrast, dates back decades but does not extend to meaningful military cooperation. This suggests the two sides "do not trust each other on military issues,"

How China's Online Army Helped Beijing Fight US Tariff War

A social network analysis firm says it has uncovered an operation involving over 1,000 fake accounts working to shape online discourse surrounding the United States-China trade war in Beijing's favor. The 90-day ceasefire reached in Geneva, Switzerland, by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng reduced duties on imported Chinese and U.S. goods by 145 and 125

The islanders facing China's menacing presence on their horizon

At just 37 hectares, the Philippines-controlled island of Pagasa – or "hope" – is barely big enough to live on. There is almost nothing there. The 300 or so inhabitants live in a cluster of small, wooden houses. They fish in the clear, turquoise waters, and grow what vegetables they can in the sandy ground. But they are not alone in these disputed waters: just off shore, to the west, lies an

India’s caste system is controversial and discriminatory. So why is it being included in the next census?

For millions across India, a rigid caste system thousands of years old still dictates much of daily life – from social circles to dating pools to job opportunities and schooling. The Indian government has long insisted that the social hierarchy has no place in the world’s most populous nation, which banned caste discrimination in 1950. So, it came as a surprise when Prime Minister Narendra

Kim Jong Un’s fury after watching North Korea’s new navy destroyer crippled in botched launch

North Korea’s newest warship was severely damaged during a launch ceremony Wednesday, with leader Kim Jong Un, who witnessed the accident, saying it brought shame to the nation’s prestige and vowing to punish those found responsible, state media reported.In a rare admission of failure, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said a malfunction in the launch mechanism caused the stern of

Home Comfort: China’s New Building Code Puts Livability First

The revised national standard for residential projects aims to boost quality and market growth, but could pile more pressure on developers.Decades ago, the biggest concern for a homebuyer in China was the price of the property, and whether they could truly afford it. Today, the focus has shifted to quality.Yet, in the country’s fast-growing urban neighborhoods, residents in apartment blocks have

China Bans Alcohol and Lavish Banquets Among Government Staff

No alcohol or cigarettes at dining tables, no lavish banquets, no luxury fittings or interiors in official vehicles, and no ornamental plants or backdrops at work meetings — these are among the new guidelines issued by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council to rein in bureaucratic excess and promote frugality.The guidelines, originally introduced in 2013 to curb extravagance, were

South Africa downgrades Taiwan status, signaling more China influence, say experts

In a sign of China’s expanding international influence, South Africa has downgraded the status of Taiwan’s liaison office in the country, further diminishing the democratic island’s diplomatic footprint, experts say. South Africa severed formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1997 and recognized Beijing as the government of China. But in the nearly three decades since, it has retained