Tag: china

Asian countries denounce ‘real threat’ of global trade war

  by Martin Abbugao Agence France Presse Singapore (AFP) — Asian countries have voiced concern about the potentially devastating impact of a US-China trade war, with ministers calling for the acceleration of talks for a gigantic Beijing-backed free-trade deal that excludes the United States. Fear that a simmering trade spat between the world’s top two economies could spiral into a full-blown trade war — with painful consequences for China’s neighbours — was among topics dominating […]

China, SE Asian states hold simulated naval drill

SINGAPORE, Singapore (AFP) — China and Southeast Asian states held simulated naval exercises this week for the first time, Singapore said Friday, as they seek to lower long-running tensions in disputed waters. The “table-top” exercises at a Singapore naval base came ahead of the first naval drills between the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Beijing, scheduled for October. Four ASEAN states — Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam — […]

Asian markets swing after bruising week with trade center stage

  HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Asian equities were mixed on Friday after another painful week as fears of an all-out trade war between Beijing and Washington keep investors on edge, while China’s stock market was toppled by Japan as the world’s number two. While Apple provided a boost for Wall Street after hitting the $1 trillion market capitalization mark, the prospect of the world’s top two economies exchanging painful tariffs on hundreds of billions […]

China wants military drills with ASEAN in disputed sea, excluding US

  by Martin Abbugao / Ayee Macaraig Agence France Presse SINGAPORE, Singapore (AFP) — China wants military exercises and energy exploration with Southeast Asian nations in disputed waters, according to a draft document, but insists on outside countries being excluded in what analysts said was a bid to diminish US influence. Beijing’s suggestions are part of efforts to expand its influence in the South China Sea, which it claims almost entirely, and push back at […]

Starbucks joins with Alibaba for China coffee deliveries

SHANGHAI, China (AFP)–Starbucks on Thursday announced a partnership with e-commerce giant Alibaba that will give the US coffee giant greater access to China’s growing food-delivery market as it faces increased competition from local firms. The move comes as Seattle-based Starbucks faces a challenge from upstart Chinese company Luckin Coffee, which has expanded aggressively on a strategy based largely on satisfying delivery orders placed by mobile app users. “We truly believe that this enduring partnership will […]

Trump threatens to ramp up tariffs on Chinese goods

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – The United States may jack up the tariff rate on the next $200 billion in Chinese imports it plans to target as it pressures Beijing to reform its trade practices, US officials said Wednesday. President Donald Trump asked the US Trade Representative to consider increasing the proposed tariffs to 25 percent from the planned 10 percent, USTR Robert Lighthizer said. “We have been very clear about the specific changes China […]

Hontiveros lashes out at DFA for proposing joint exploration with China in West PHL Sea

(Eagle News) — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday, Aug. 1, lashed out at the Department of Foreign Affairs after it made the suggestion for the Philippines to conduct a joint exploration with China in the West Philippine Sea. In a statement, Hontiveros said the suggested 60-40 joint exploration was “preposterous and treacherous,” and “reverses our historic victory at The Hague and signs away Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.” According to Hontiveros, the Permanent […]

Huawei tops Apple in tightening smartphone market: IDC

SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) – China-based Huawei took the second-place spot from Apple in a tightening global smartphone during the second quarter of this year, according to figures released Tuesday by International Data Corporation. South Korean consumer electronics titan Samsung remained the top smartphone maker, shipping 71.5 million handsets, but Huawei moved into second position with shipments of 54.2 million, according to IDC Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. Silicon Valley-based Apple shipped 41.3 million […]

China’s former internet czar charged with taking bribes

BEIJING, China (AFP) — China’s former internet czar, who oversaw a tightening of online censorship during his tenure, has been charged with taking bribes, state media said Monday. Throughout his career, Lu Wei used his political offices to benefit himself including “illegally receiving a huge amount of property,” according to the official Xinhua news agency, quoting a statement by the office of the country’s top prosecutor. It said Lu is alleged to have used his […]

China donates four patrol boats, firearms and ammunition to PHL

(Eagle News)–China has donated four patrol boats to the Philippines. A press release issued by the Philippine Navy said apart from the boats, it received 30 Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers (40MM), each with  ammunition, in the third week of July. The donation was received in the Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters. Philippine Navy spokesperson Commander Jonathan Zata said personnel who would be trained for the operation of the boats would be trained. Under […]

China launches nationwide vaccine sector inspection after scandal

  BEIJING, China (AFP) — China’s drug regulator said it has launched a nationwide inspection of vaccine production as authorities step up the response to a fraud case that has re-ignited public fears over the safety of the country’s medicines. The State Drug Administration (SDA) said in an announcement issued late Wednesday that it had dispatched inspection teams “to thoroughly investigate the whole process and entire chain of vaccine production of all vaccine producers”. The […]

Hong Kong, US airlines bend to China pressure over Taiwan listing

  by Yan Zhao Agence France Presse HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong’s flag carrier Cathay Pacific and major American airlines moved to comply Wednesday with Beijing’s demand that they list Taiwan as part of China, sparking anger on the self-governed island. Taiwan condemned what it called the “insolent actions” of Beijing which it said was wielding its political and economic clout to pressure international firms. “Taiwan’s existence in the international community is an […]