China’s top diplomat will travel to Washington for a three-day visit later this week, a trip that is part of the Biden administration’s continued effort to engage with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) diplomatically. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will arrive in Washington on Oct. 26, where he will hold meetings with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, senior Biden administration officials said on Monday. They did not confirm whether the Chinese diplomat would also meet with President Joe Biden. ‘Challenging Issues’ On Tuesday afternoon, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning confirmed Mr. Wang’s U.S. trip. According to China’s state-run media, Ms. Mao said the two sides will have “in-depth exchanges” on international and regional issues of common concern....Read more https://www.theepochtimes.com/china/chinas-top-diplomat-to-meet-blinken-sullivan-in-washington-5515749
China removed defense minister Li Shangfu from his position on Oct. 24, the latest sign of the opacity of the regime’s decision-making. Gen. Li was also dismissed as state councilor, a post outranking a minister, according to a brief statement issued by state media Xinhua. Gen. Li hasn’t been heard from publicly for nearly two months. His last public appearance was on Aug. 29, when he addressed a security forum and held talks with visiting defense ministers from Ghana, Zambia, and several other African countries. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has announced several abrupt changes to his top leadership in recent months. Mr. Xi removed his handpicked foreign minister, Qin Gang, from the post in July, just seven months after he gave Mr. Qin the job....
China’s ruling communists have launched tax and land-use probes into Foxconn, one of tech giant Apple’s largest suppliers, as the company’s Taiwanese founder runs as an independent for the presidency of the self-governing island. Observers believe that the sudden investigations into the company’s affairs may be politically motivated. Mainland Chinese media reported on Oct. 22 that Chinese authorities have recently audited Foxconn’s key subsidiaries in Guangdong, Jiangsu, and other provinces. Meanwhile, the natural resources department has launched on-site investigations on the land use of a number of Foxconn’s factories. After the news of the Foxconn audit was made public, the company, also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, released a statement saying that complying with the law was one of its “basic principles”....
Commentary What a surprise! A week before Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will visit Beijing, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) agreed to a review of its tariffs on Australian wine. It has also indicated that it will review the restrictions on wind towers under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) framework. Australia has already agreed to suspend its WTO dispute about wine while the Chinese review proceeds. In 2021, China imposed tariffs on Australian wine in response to criticism of its lack of transparency about the origins and spread of COVID-19. It also imposed tariffs on other items, including Australian barley; but not on resources it relied on, such as iron ore....