Xi Jinping set for North Korea visit next week, first since 2019 amid geopolitical strains
Beijing's latest diplomatic outreach to Pyongyang comes as North Korea balances ties with both China and Russia while expanding its nuclear capabilities.
Beijing's latest diplomatic outreach to Pyongyang comes as North Korea balances ties with both China and Russia while expanding its nuclear capabilities.
In China, the total number of accounts holding credit cards peaked at 807 million in September 2022, but it has reduced by nearly 15 per cent during a 14-straight-quarter decline.
A deadly gas explosion at a coal mine in China’s Shanxi Province has left 82 dead, prompting a massive rescue operation and an investigation ordered by Xi Jinping.
China and Russia projected deeper strategic unity in Beijing as Putin and Xi discussed BRICS expansion, global tensions and the future balance of world power.
China agreed to major US agricultural imports, Boeing aircraft purchases and rare earth cooperation following high-level talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Beijing.
"Given the serious economic slowdown we are currently facing," the economist said, "the day China surpasses the US is moving away, not coming closer."
Markedly, China ~ unlike the Kremlin ~ is yet to disclose its version of the summit which, according to the Kremlin, continued for an hour and a half. Mr Putin is said to have concurred with Mr Xi’s criticism of Western military activity in the Asia-Pacific region, exemplified by Australia’s deal to deploy nuclear-powered submarines with the support of America and Britain.
Besides economic muscle flexing, China has been militarily and strategically increasing its area of influence in the Asian region. Recent examples of Chinese posturing are frequent entry into Taiwanese air space, disputes in the East China Sea and forceful occupation of islands in the South China Sea, disputes with Asian neighbors including India and Asean countries.
Xi returns to Mao in his efforts to build a personality cult around himself. Since coming to power, he has cultivated the image of being “a man of the people” in a bid to make his authoritarianism more palpable to the masses. The new primary school textbooks emphasise Xi’s wisdom, friendliness and care for the children.
Chinese experts predict the Taiwan question will be a major topic of concern at the meeting, state media tabloid Global Times reported.
