Saudi Arabia and Iran have agreed to reestablish diplomatic ties and reopen embassies after seven years of hostility, mediated by China and attended by representatives from both countries and China's top diplomat. It is hoped that the agreement will help to de-escalate the conflict in Yemen and bring peace to the region, as well as further cooperation between the two countries.
Posts tagged as “Chinese”
Xi Jinping has been reappointed as president of Communist China for a third five-year term, solidifying his control and making him the longest-serving head of state since 1949. His reappointment was largely seen as a formality, after he secured a norm-shattering third term as head of the Chinese Communist Party in October. His move to stay in power for life has been seen as a sign of increasing authoritarianism, but his leadership has been credited with bringing stability and economic growth to the country.
At a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, Avril Haines and Christopher Wray discussed the risks posed by China, including the potential for the Chinese government to use TikTok to control data and shape public opinion in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Haines noted that Beijing still believes it benefits from a more stable relationship with the U.S., despite recent tensions.
The US is planning to relax Covid-19 testing restrictions for travelers from China on Friday, following a surge in cases and lack of transparency from Chinese officials. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had previously announced a requirement for travelers to prove they had tested negative for the virus before flying to the US from China, Hong Kong, and Macau. This decision is part of an effort to protect US citizens from the spread of the virus, though it is unclear if the US will continue to require negative tests in the future.
A bipartisan group of senators have introduced the RESTRICT Act, which would give the executive branch new powers to take action against tech companies with ties to foreign adversaries. This comes in response to concerns about the data collection and algorithm control of Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok. If passed, the bill would be the first major piece of legislation to address the security risks posed by foreign-owned tech companies.
China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang warned of "catastrophic consequences" if the US does not change its current course, accusing the US of taking a "reckless gamble" in how it treats its fellow superpower. He urged the US to recognize China's "core interests" and "major concerns" and to respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Tensions between the two countries remain high, with the US accusing China of unfair trade practices and human rights abuses, and the two countries yet to reach a comprehensive trade deal.
Key takeaways: The Biden administration has been alarmed by initial U.S. intelligence suggesting that China is considering supplying lethal aid to Russia for its war…
The U.S. has been urged to respect science and facts in its investigation into the origins of the coronavirus. FBI Director Christopher Wray suggested that Covid-19 may have originated from a potential lab incident in Wuhan, China, and the Chinese government has interfered with the FBI's ongoing probe. The World Health Organization has called for more international cooperation and collaboration to help uncover the source of the virus.