Beijing, China | AFP | Chinese President Xi Jinping and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron oversaw the signing Tuesday of business deals worth billions of dollars, seeking better trade ties even as France’s finance minister boasted of rejecting those investments he likened to “pillaging”. The two sides signed deals in the …
Read More »Macron visits Forbidden City before China deals, Xi talks
Beijing, China | AFP | French President Emmanuel Macron toured Beijing’s sprawling Forbidden City on Tuesday before a day of business deals and talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping as the two rising global leaders seek closer ties. Macron, who has positioned himself as the leading voice of the European …
Read More »‘Don’t fear death’: China’s Xi urges blunt call to PLA
Shanghai, China | AFP | President Xi Jinping has issued a blunt call for China’s military to be ready for war and unafraid to die defending the country, as geopolitical tensions mount in Asia. Xi’s exhortation to the world’s largest fighting force, parts of which were revealed only late Thursday, …
Read More »Chinese leasing firm orders 50 Airbus jets in $5.42 bn deal
Hong Kong, China | AFP | A Chinese aircraft leasing company said on Thursday it will buy 50 Airbus A320neo jets for $5.42 billion as part of a drive to capitalise on ever-growing demand for air travel in China. Hong Kong-listed China Aircraft Leasing Group (CALC) will take delivery of …
Read More »World’s largest amphibious aircraft takes off in China
Beijing, China | AFP | China’s home-grown AG600, the world’s largest amphibious aircraft in production, took to the skies on Sunday for its maiden flight. The plane, codenamed “Kunlong” according to state news agency Xinhua, took off from the southern city of Zhuhai and landed after roughly an hour-long flight. …
Read More »Hamleys opens its largest toy store in Beijing amid Christmas debate
Beijing, China | AFP | British toy retailer Hamleys opened its largest store in the world in Beijing on Saturday, just two days before Christmas as debate played out over whether the holiday should be banned in the Communist country. Christmas elves, a teddy bear parade and a curiously slender …
Read More »At least 10,000 killed in 1989 Tiananmen crackdown: British cable
Beijing, China | AFP | At least 10,000 people were killed in the Chinese army’s crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in June 1989, according to a newly released British diplomatic cable that recounts the bloodshed in gruesome detail. The document, made public more than 28 years after …
Read More »UN weighs new N.Korea sanctions, vote expected Friday
United Nations, United States | AFP | The United States on Thursday presented a draft UN Security Council resolution ramping up sanctions on North Korea by cutting oil supplies vital for Pyongyang’s military programs, according to the text obtained by AFP. The council is expected to vote on the new sanctions …
Read More »China opens major economic conference
Beijing, China | AFP | China opened a major economic planning conference on Monday as the country tries to pivot away from its no-holds-barred growth model. The annual Central Economic Work Conference gives leaders the opportunity to review past economic policy and plan for 2018. The pursuit of high growth propelled …
Read More »GLOBAL COMMENT: China factor in Kenya, Zimbabwe
Weighing economic, political ties and future relationships that could prove decisive for Africa COMMENT | HANNAH RYDER | Ask anyone with a basic knowledge of Africa which country is more poised for success – Zimbabwe or Kenya – and he or she will undoubtedly answer “Kenya.” Events of the last week …
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