China's manufacturing activity shrinks as exports drag, S&P PMI shows
"The S&P Global China General Manufacturing PMI fell to 49.5 in July from 50.4 in June, undershooting analysts' expectations of 50.4 in a Reuters poll. The 50-mark separates growth from contraction.The reading, combined with Thursday's official survey, bodes ill for growth momentum at the start of the third quarter, following robust growth in the first half of the year."
--- Growth momentum. Robust growth. Yeah, right. Even if you believe all these PMI's, there was at best stagnation, but not 'robust' growth.
China Is Choking Supply of Critical Minerals to Western Defense Companies
"The squeeze on critical minerals highlights how dependent the U.S. military is on China for much of its supply chain"
--- Moronic. How can you give your biggest adversary such power? Stupid politicians & greedy corporations...
"While companies have tried to find alternative sources of these minerals in recent years, some of the elements are so niche that they can’t be economically produced in the West, say industry executives"
--- Bullshit. If it is essential for national security, 'economically' producing it shouldn't be an issue.
"One Western company that supplies Chinese-made rare-earth magnets to both civilian and defense companies says its requests for imported magnets have recently been approved for many civilian purposes—but rejected or delayed for defense and aerospace."
--- & if you believe this is not long-planned, but simply the result of Trump's tariffs, I have some more bridges to sell to you.
"Earlier this year, one U.S. defense supplier, the United States Antimony Corporation, tried to ship 55 metric tons of antimony mined in Australia to its smelter in Mexico. The load transited via the Chinese port city of Ningbo—until recently a routine practice.But in April, while the shipment was being transloaded in Ningbo, China customs detained it for three months, prompting United States Antimony to ask the State Department and White House for helpThe Chinese released the shipment in July, on the condition that it be sent back to Australia and not to the U.S. When it arrived in Australia, United States Antimony learned that product seals had been broken."
--- Morons.
Knifeman rampages through primary school in China
"A knifeman went on a rampage at a primary school in southern China, leaving children on the floor in pools of blood."
--- One of many such attacks in China this year. Rarely make the news in the West. & usually completely ignored by mainstream news, just like this one.
Philippines, India conduct joint exercises in South China Sea
"A spokesperson for China’s military on Monday said that Chinese ships had conducted patrols in the South China Sea during the same period as the joint exercises. The spokesperson said those patrols were “routine,” but said that the joint exercises “disrupted regional peace and stability.”"
--- Unlike when eternally peaceful China & Russia do it, of course: Russian and Chinese navies carry out artillery and anti-submarine drills in Sea of Japan
UK academics studying topics sensitive to China face harassment
"Academics working on topics that are politically sensitive to the Chinese Communist party (CCP) reported instances of harassment from colleagues and pressure from university administrators related to the financial consequences of damaging relations with China. One academic involved in sensitive research stopped teaching after experiencing harassment from a visiting scholar from China, who whispered “we’re watching you” in one case and interrogated the academic about their personal history at another event. Another scholar experienced a severe campaign of online harassment."
--- Nothing new, but at least in some countries they start to take this more seriously.
"A Chinese embassy spokesperson said: “The relevant report is completely groundless and absurd. China has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs, and respects freedom of speech and academic freedom in the UK and other countries. China consistently requires its citizens, including overseas students, to abide by local laws and regulations."
Hackers, secret cables and security fears: The explosive fight over China's new embassy in the UK
"There are also worries, among some dissidents, that its location - very near London's financial district - could be an espionage risk."
--- Among some dissidents? Is there anyone who believes that the CCP would not use the embassy for espionage purposes?
"The Chinese embassy told the BBC it "is committed to promoting understanding and the friendship between the Chinese and British peoples and the development of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. Building the new embassy would help us better perform such responsibilities"."
"China's first planning application to develop the site was rejected by Tower Hamlets council in 2022 over safety and security concerns - and fears protests and security measures could damage tourism. Rather than amend the plan or appeal, China waited, then resubmitted an identical application in August 2024, one month after Labour came to power."
--- You wonder why.
Chinese space debris lands near Tubbataha, Palawan
The surprising story of the Chinese spy eavesdropping on Airbus and Thales satellites in the countryside
--- China Uncensored: "The most corrupt Shaolin monk of all time"
--- Telegraph: China’s military (2/3): Its three major flaws and how Xi is trying to fix them (audio only)
"Made in Germany" statt "Made in China"
"Man wolle "aus Europa für Europa" produzieren, sagt Technologievorstand Timo Berger. Der Anstoß dafür kam während der Corona-Pandemie, als Waren in China feststeckten, weil Fabriken und Häfen im Lockdown waren."
--- Es geht also. Aber andere sind einfach nicht lernwillig:
Intersport: Warum Deutschlands größter Sportartikelhändler die Produktion zurück nach China verlagern will
"Während die Konkurrenz woanders an Kapazitätsgrenzen stößt, könnte Intersport flexibler reagieren und genau dort zuschlagen, wo plötzlich Überkapazitäten und Preisvorteile entstehen."
--- Hauptsache billig. So ist China überhaupt erst so mächtig geworden.
Spannungen mit China: Erste gemeinsame See-Patrouille Indiens und der Philippinen
