China
US lends Taiwan $2 billion to buy American defense equipment
U.S. President Joe Biden may have made a Christmas gift to Taiwan by signing into law a defense bill, in which the U.S. is to loan the democratic island U.S.$2 billion to bolster its capabilities against threats from China.
Biden signed on Friday the Fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law allotting U.S. $816.7 billion to the Defense Department, the White House said in a statement.
The Act, known as H.R. 7776, authorizes “appropriations principally for Department of Defense programs and military construction,” as well as for the Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, Maritime Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, and the intelligence community.
On the same day, the House of Representatives also passed the Comprehensive Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2023 that had been passed by the Senate.
Under the NDAA, the U.S. State Department is authorized to provide Taiwan with up to U.S.$2 billion in accordance with the Foreign Military Finance grant and loan assistance program for purchasing U.S.-made weapons and defense equipment.
The loans come with a repayment period of 12 years, the Act stipulates.
The NDAA also includes a suggestion for Taiwan to officially participate in the upcoming Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) military exercise.
Taipei welcomes law
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the signing of the NDAA, saying it “highly demonstrates the firm stance of the United States to support the strengthening of all-round cooperation between Taiwan and the United States.”
It said in a statement that Taipei “will continue to communicate and discuss with the U.S. Congress and the executive branch in accordance with the overall national policy, and gradually promote the implementation of various friendship provisions with Taiwan at a steady pace.”
Yet one Taiwanese analyst said this “did not necessarily mean Taiwan would get all it desired.”
Lin Ying-yu, an assistant professor at Tamkang University’s Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies, was quoted by the official Central News Agency as saying that “any decision on what to sell and what not to sell ultimately rested with the U.S. Department of State and Department of Defense, which are required to preclear and prioritize defense articles sold to Taiwan.”
Meanwhile China reacted angrily to the passage of the NDAA, calling it “a serious political provocation against China.”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said: “China deplores and firmly opposes this U.S. move, and has made serious démarches to the U.S.”
China urged the U.S. to “abandon the Cold-War and zero-sum mentality and ideological bias” and not implement the act.
“China will take strong and resolute measures to firmly safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests,” the ministry said.
China considers Taiwan a Chinese province that will be reunited with the mainland, by force if needed, and resolutely protests against the “involvement in the Taiwan issue by external forces.”
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Business
China’s Travel Surge: Expanded Visa Exemptions Enhance Tourism and Business Prospects, Improving Access for Travelers and Strengthening Global Connectivity – Travel And Tour World
China has improved travel access by expanding visa exemptions, attracting millions of international visitors and fostering cultural exchanges, while enhancing global connectivity and positively shifting perceptions of the country.
The Shift in China’s Travel Landscape
China is experiencing a travel boom driven by a significant reduction in visa restrictions. Starting December 1, 2023, travelers from 38 countries, including major European nations, can visit visa-free for up to 30 days. This change reflects China’s commitment to enhance global mobility and revitalize its tourism industry post-pandemic. As a result, international arrivals increased to over 8.1 million by the third quarter of 2024, marking a 48.8% rise from the previous year.
Exploring Beyond Traditional Destinations
The new access has prompted travelers to seek immersive experiences, venturing beyond iconic sites like the Forbidden City. Tourists increasingly explore local cultures and markets, enhancing their understanding of daily life in China. Guides have adapted, offering tours that include cultural hotspots and local culinary experiences, thereby enriching the overall visitor journey and promoting authentic engagement.
Broader Implications for Global Connectivity
China’s visa-free initiatives foster greater international connectivity and cooperation in trade. As foreign travelers find it easier to engage with Chinese businesses, reciprocal visa easings may follow globally. The improved perceptions of safety and hospitality, highlighted through social media, contribute to a renewed interest in China’s diverse cultural landscape and its potential as a primary travel destination.
China
China-Denmark Trade and Investment: Key Developments and Emerging Opportunities
China’s investments in Denmark enhance collaboration in renewable energy, green technology, and digital infrastructure, aligning with both nations’ sustainable development goals. Their partnership, solidified by joint programs, underscores mutual economic interests and complementary strengths in green innovation and manufacturing.
As both countries share a commitment to sustainable development, China’s increasing investments in Denmark are driving innovation in renewable energy, green technology, and digital infrastructure. This partnership is further strengthened by Denmark’s expertise in wind energy and environmental solutions, aligning well with China’s goals to transition to a greener and more digitally advanced economy.
The growing trade and investment relationship between China and Denmark not only reflects mutual economic interests but also highlights the complementary strengths of each nation. Denmark’s high-tech manufacturing, environmental engineering, and green energy solutions are vital to meeting China’s evolving demands, while China’s large-scale market and industrial capacity offer vast opportunities for Danish enterprises. Together, these nations are paving the way for continued progress in sustainability, technological innovation, and economic growth.
In 2017, the two countries took a further step to solidify their relationship by establishing a Joint Work Programme for 2017-2020. The program acted as a blueprint for bilateral cooperation, encouraging strategic dialogues and joint ventures between the two nations in key areas such as trade, investment, environmental sustainability, and technology
The partnership was further reinforced in November 2021, when the Foreign Ministers of China and Denmark announced the commitment to a new phase of cooperation through the Green China-Denmark Joint Work Programme. The agreement emphasizes the acceleration of green technologies, renewable energy, positioning Denmark’s expertise in clean energy and green innovation as a crucial asset in China’s drive toward a greener economy.
Over the past five years, China’s exports to Denmark have shown consistent growth, further strengthening the economic ties between the two nations. This trend underscores their mutual commitment to expanding commercial relations and unlocking the potential for deeper cooperation.
China’s growing importance to Denmark, both as a market and as a supplier of production inputs, is evident in the economic integration over the last three decades. Today, China is Denmark’s fourth-largest export market, after the United States, Germany, and Sweden.
| This article was first published by China Briefing , which is produced by Dezan Shira & Associates. The firm assists foreign investors throughout Asia from offices across the world, including in in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, and India . Readers may write to info@dezshira.com for more support. |
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China
Joe Biden in Africa: US president has ignored the continent for his entire term – why he’s visiting Angola
Joe Biden, having largely overlooked Africa during his presidency, is visiting Angola to address key issues and strengthen diplomatic ties, signaling a renewed focus on the continent.
Joe Biden in Africa: US president has ignored the continent for his entire term – why he’s visiting Angola
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
- China’s Travel Surge: Expanded Visa Exemptions Enhance Tourism and Business Prospects, Improving Access for Travelers and Strengthening Global Connectivity – Travel And Tour World
- China-Denmark Trade and Investment: Key Developments and Emerging Opportunities
- Joe Biden in Africa: US president has ignored the continent for his entire term – why he’s visiting Angola
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