China’s real estate market is undergoing a crisis with sluggish sales and a slow economic recovery. Meanwhile, Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are rapidly gaining dominance in real estate sales, while private companies, including giants like Evergrande Group and Country Garden, face looming debt defaults. This power shift is raising questions concerning the Chinese regime’s intent to expand the SOEs and its implications for the broader economy. This phenomenon in the Chinese economy gave rise to the catchphrase, “The state enterprises advance, the private sectors retreat,” meaning that the SOEs are expanding and forcing out private companies. The regime would generally favor SOEs in policies and subsidies and, therefore, gradually eliminate competitors from the market. This trend signals that China’s real estate power landscape is facing a major reshuffling. Real estate contributes to around 30 percent of China’s GDP and is, therefore, critical to the stability of the country’s economy....Read more https://www.theepochtimes.com/china/chinas-state-owned-enterprises-rise-as-private-companies-face-collapse-in-real-estate-turmoil-5523667
U.S. and Chinese officials met in Washington this week to discuss nuclear nonproliferation and maintaining open lines of communication between the two nations. A delegation led by Assistant Secretary of State Mallory Stewart met with communist China’s Director-General of Arms Control Sun Xiaobo on Nov. 6, according to a State Department readout. The U.S. delegation included senior officials from the Departments of State, Defense, and Energy, and the National Security Council. The meeting follows an October report by the Pentagon which found that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) now possesses more than 500 nuclear weapons, meeting that target more than two years before U.S. military officials previously believed the regime would.... 
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has strongly supported the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) trade rules framework while rebuking the economic sanctions imposed by Beijing. On Nov. 5, the prime minister attended the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, where he delivered a speech about the relationship between the two countries and trade issues. Mr. Albanese stressed the importance of free trade and the role of government in ensuring a proper environment for businesses to develop and thrive. “Every country has a role to play in advancing trade that is both sustainable and inclusive,” he said. “There is, of course, also an important role for government to play in creating the right conditions for business to innovate and thrive and helping businesses take advantage of market opportunities....
Christians in China, who have faced constant persecution under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), have been meeting in underground churches for years since the state officially prohibited all churches outside the CCP-controlled “Three-Self Patriotic Movement” churches. Those who refuse to attend the state church continue to meet in private homes and other venues. According to ChinaAid, in 2022, the CCP’s persecution of underground Christians has been escalating day by day. The environment has become increasingly hostile to foreign missionaries since the CCP views their activities as “Western influence.” In July, China’s new Anti-Espionage Law defined “illegal religious activities” as espionage and foreign nationals can face lengthy jail terms under the new law....