China
Taiwan’s defense ministry said China sent 71 warplanes and seven naval vessels on “strike drills” — rehearsals for conflict — into its air-defense zones.
There has been a widening gulf between the official numbers and anecdotal evidence of spiraling infections on the ground.
“There is a problem with people thinking the pullback of Covid-zero measures is equivalent to the economy reopening, which it is not.” says Leland Miller, CEO of research firm China Beige Book.
John Phipps has noticed more unsettling problems for the second-largest nation to the point that despite their skills and accomplishment, he thinks China is heading for trouble. He explains why in John’s World.
The top official in charge of China’s COVID-19 response told health officials Wednesday that the country faced a “new stage and mission” in pandemic controls.
China moved to close parks, malls and museums on Tues. as COVID-19 cases hit near-record levels. Lockdowns follow reports that, days before COP27, Xi sent policy and business advisers to New York to meet U.S. executives.
“We need to find the right direction for the bilateral relationship going forward and elevate the relationship,” Xi said, while Biden stressed that the two countries can compete without it turning into a conflict.
Chinese leaders are considering steps toward reopening after nearly three years of tough pandemic restrictions. The news comes as China’s imports and exports slow on rising risks of a global recession.
China’s economy has been slowing the past several months due to continued COVID lockdowns. Since the Chinese election, however, stories have been flip flopping on a possible change in policy.
“In the last 2,500 years, every Chinese government that has fallen, has fallen over food,” says Kuehl, Armada chief economist. “They need those import markets—be it from the U.S, Canada, Brazil or Australia.”