Analysts estimate China’s outstanding government debts surpassed 123 trillion yuan ($18 trillion) last year, of which nearly $10 trillion is so-called “hidden debt” owed by risky local government financing platforms that are backed by cities or provinces. CNN Business
Category: China
Messy Summit contrasts US, China hosting styles
“It’s fricking amateur hour,” Nicholas Cull, professor of public diplomacy at the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, said of overall US messaging around the summit. “It doesn’t seem like they prepared with image in mind. Chinese summits are a very different animal.” South China Morning Post
Why Chinese warplanes are ‘playing chicken’ with US allies
That is the view of analysts who warn increasingly aggressive maneuvers by Chinese fighter jets — accused of endangering both Canadian and Australian aircraft and crew in recent incidents — are a sign Beijing is pushing its territorial claims to a dangerous new level. CNN
China’s spies are not always as good as advertised
They are adept at hacking and harassing dissidents. But in other areas they have a lot to learn The Economist
What ‘Pro-Life’ Means in Communist China
From 2012 to 2016, members of the well-known Reformed congregation took to the streets of Sichuan’s capital on Children’s Day to advocate against abortion. Throughout the year, the church organized anti-abortion public lectures. But activists frequently faced government pushback; police often blocked speakers from leaving their homes or broke into the venue to halt events. Christianity Today
The Rising Costs of China’s Zero-COVID Policy
Since China began market reforms in the late 1970s, its ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has rooted its legitimacy in improving livelihoods. But over the last two years, President Xi Jinping has seized on China’s success conquering the virus as proof of the superiority of its political system over the West. MSN
China’s Covid Outbreak Wanes as Curbs Eased to Boost Economy
China reported the fewest new Covid-19 cases in almost three months, with the easing of outbreaks in Beijing and Shanghai emboldening authorities to relax some of the strictest virus controls of the pandemic and move to stimulate the country’s faltering economy. Bloomberg
China’s Lockdowns Prompt a Rethinking of Life Plans
For many Chinese who saw Shanghai as a magical place to pursue their dreams, the city’s two-month-long Covid-19 lockdown has been a wake-up call. WSJ
China to review Math textbooks deemed ugly, sexually suggestive
China has ordered a nationwide review of school textbooks after illustrations deemed ugly, sexually suggestive and secretly pro-American caused public uproar. CNN
Need to implement policies to stabilize economy
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday underlined the need to earnestly implement policies to stabilize the economy and support market entities, employment and people’s livelihoods. english.cctv.com