The shipping traffic and factories never stop in China's port city of Ningbo, but the local housing market has crashed and nearby restaurants sit empty
The leaders of China and the U.K. were meeting Thursday as the two nations try to improve relations after several years of acrimony. Keir Starmer, the first British prime minister to visit in eight years, was holding talks with China's leader Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing. The two countries are expected to sign a number of agreements later in the day. Starmer, who became prime minister in July 2024, is trying to expand opportunities for British companies at a time when the economy at home is slow. More than 50 top business executives have joined him on the trip, along with the leaders of some cultural organizations. The U.K. leader earlier met Zhao Leji, the chairman of China's legislature, the National People's Congress. Relations deteriorated in recent years over growing concern about Chinese spying activity in Great Britain, China's support for Russia in the Ukraine war, and the crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong, the former British colony that wa
"Like it or not, China matters to the UK," is the message British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is taking on his visit to Beijing on Wednesday, accompanied by a 60-strong business and cultural delegation. Downing Street said the visit, which will also cover Shanghai, reflects the UK's "clear-eyed and realistic" approach to China in terms of opportunities and challenges they pose by continuing to pursue cooperation while "maintaining guardrails" when it comes to the country's national security. The Labour Party government is keen to highlight its re-engagement with China with this first visit in eight years, coming close on the heels of a ministerial go-ahead for its controversial new "mega embassy" in London. "For years, our approach to China has been dogged by inconsistency blowing hot and cold, from Golden Age to Ice Age. But like it or not, China matters for the UK," Starmer said in a pre-visit statement. "As one of the world's biggest economic players, a strategic and consistent
Zhang was the highest-ranking uniformed officer in China and reported directly to President Xi Jinping
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is heading to China, seeking a thaw in relations with Beijing at a time of strained ties with the United States. He's hoping for an economic boost to Britain, but risks the wrath of China hawks at home and of US President Donald Trump, who's already heaping tariffs and criticism on America's closest allies. Starmer is due to meet China's President Xi Jinping during the visit that starts Wednesday, the first by a UK leader since 2018. He is expected to be accompanied by UK Business Secretary Peter Kyle and dozens of corporate chiefs as Britain seeks Chinese technology and investment, alongside greater access to the world's second-largest economy for UK financial services, cars and Scotch whisky. "China is no longer just the world's factory; it is also becoming a global market," said Zhao Minghao, a professor in the Institute of International Studies at Shanghai's Fudan University. From golden era to big chill ----------------------------- Kerry Brow
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Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said they have monitored the situation and responded
From Washington to Beijing, global leaders congratulated India on its 77th Republic Day, with messages from Donald Trump and Xi Jinping reflecting democratic values, regional cooperation
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China made a major announcement over the weekend, saying it was investigating the army's top general for suspected serious violations of discipline and law. No details have been revealed, but the action is a highly radical move: The general was the highest military member just below President Xi Jinping. The Defence Ministry said on Saturday that authorities were investigating two generals: Gen. Zhang Youxia, the senior of the two vice chairs of the powerful Central Military Commission, China's top military body, and Gen. Liu Zhenli, a lower member of the commission who was in charge of the military's Joint Staff Department. The move shakes up virtually the entire commission, chaired by Xi, leaving only one of its six members intact. "Xi Jinping has completed one of the biggest purges of China's military leadership in the history of the People's Republic," said Neil Thomas, a fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute's Centre for China Analysis. For the army and China in general,
General Zhang's downfall marks the most drastic step yet in Xi's years-long campaign to purge alleged corruption and disloyalty from the Chinese military's top ranks
The Shanghai exchange unveiled an internationalisation plan last May, which included a proposal to allow overseas investors to post foreign exchange as collateral for yuan-denominated trades
China's Defence Ministry on Saturday announced that two top military officers have been placed under investigation for serious violations of Communist Party discipline and national laws
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Sunday his country has no intention of pursuing a free trade deal with China. He was responding to US President Donald Trump's threat to impose a 100% tariff on goods imported from Canada if America's northern neighbour went ahead with a trade deal with Beijing. Carney said his recent agreement with China merely cuts tariffs on a few sectors that were recently hit with tariffs. Trump claims otherwise, posting that "China is successfully and completely taking over the once Great Country of Canada. So sad to see it happen. I only hope they leave Ice Hockey alone! President DJT" The prime minister said under the free trade agreement with the US and Mexico there are commitments not to pursue free trade agreements with non-market economies without prior notification. "We have no intention of doing that with China or any other non-market economy," Carney said. "What we have done with China is to rectify some issues that developed in the last coup
Two senior Chinese military officials, including the highest-ranking PLA official Gen Zhang Youxia, were placed under investigation for serious violations of the ruling Communist Party's discipline and laws, the Defence Ministry here said on Saturday. Gen Zhang is the first-ranking Vice Chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), the overall high command of the Chinese military headed by President Xi Jinping. Zhang's position on the CMC makes him the highest-ranking uniformed officer in the Chinese military. The other senior official under investigation is General Liu Zhenli, a CMC member who serves as its chief of staff of the Joint Staff Department. "After deliberation by the CPC Central Committee, it was decided to initiate an investigation into Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli," the Ministry of Defence said in a brief press release. The probe against them, especially Zhang, the highest-ranking military official, has sent shockwaves through the Chinese military ...
Trump's outburst comes amid escalating tensions between the US and its northern neighbour, following recent remarks by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the WEF