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Comrade Elon: Musk Joins CEOs in Sucking up to China

Elon Musk and other CEOs from leading companies are converging in San Francisco for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, aiming to strengthen their ties with communist China.

The Financial Post reports that San Francisco is currently the center of a major gathering of global business leaders, including Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit begins. This gathering of CEOs from companies like Microsoft, Citigroup, and Exxon Mobil occurs against the backdrop of a tense and complex U.S.-China trade environment.

The main agenda for these corporate leaders is clear: strengthening business ties with communist China. This goal is particularly pressing given the current trade challenges, marked by U.S. efforts to restrict China’s access to high-end computer chips and Beijing’s countermeasures, such as boosting its chip industry and promoting local products. The summit provides a rare opportunity for these executives to directly engage with China’s Xi Jinping, presenting a chance to discuss concerns and ambitions in a more personal setting.

Elon Musk is among the high-profile attendees. Musk’s participation highlights the significance of this event, as his companies have substantial interests in China. This summit is not just a meeting of minds but also an opportunity for direct dialogue with Chinese leadership, a major focus as business leaders attempt to navigate the regulations, tariffs, and export controls that currently define U.S.-China trade relations. (Read more from “Comrade Elon: Musk Joins CEOs in Sucking up to China” HERE)

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California Biolab Owner Arrested with Alleged Ties to Chinese Military Organizations

The recently-arrested owner of a California biolab allegedly has ties to the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and a program related to its military, the House Select Committee on the CCP announced Wednesday.

Jia Bei Zhu, 62, allegedly served as a “corporate officer” within Chinese “military-civil fusion organizations,” according to materials shared by the Select Committee on the CCP. Zhu was arrested in October for “manufacturing and distributing misbranded medical devices in violation of the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) and for making false statements to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).”

“Zhu is a PRC citizen who served as a corporate officer on military-civil fusion organizations within the PRC and private organizations affiliated with or partially controlled by the PRC government,” the committee’s film stated.

Military-Civil Fusion (MCF) is a CCP “strategy to develop the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) into a ‘world class military’ by 2049,” according to the State Department. “The CCP’s MCF strategy allows a growing number of civilian enterprises and entities to undertake classified military R&D and weapons production.”

Zhu also served as an executive at several “PRC government-controlled and directed companies,” according to the committee’s report. (Read more from “California Biolab Owner Arrested with Alleged Ties to Chinese Military Organizations” HERE)

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Talking to Biden, Preparing for War — U.S. Panel Sees Xi Bracing China for Conflict to Come

Chinese President Xi Jinping is preparing his military forces for war and directing the rest of the country to prepare for economic hardships that conflict would bring, according to the latest annual report from a congressional commission on China.

The Chinese leader, who also heads the ruling Communist Party and is scheduled to have his first face-to-face meeting in a year with President Biden on Wednesday, has called on government officials and the population to prepare for “worst-case” and “extreme” scenarios as a result of heightened tensions with the United States and its allies in the region.

The 753-page report to Congress by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission includes an alarming list of indicators that Beijing is preparing for war with the United States.

“Throughout 2023, China accelerated its political, military, economic and information pressure against Taiwan, raising further concerns of potential military action,” Commission co-Chair Carolyn Bartholomew said in releasing the report from the influential advisory body.

On the eve of the meeting with Mr. Biden, the panel said Washington had little to show for a flurry of meetings between senior leaders in recent months trying to moderate Beijing’s policies. (Read more from “Talking to Biden, Preparing for War — U.S. Panel Sees Xi Bracing China for Conflict to Come” HERE)

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Congressional Report Highlights China’s Evasion of Biden’s Semiconductor Sanctions, Gaining Access to Advanced Technology

President Joe Biden’s semiconductor sanctions are not sufficiently preventing China from gaining access to the advanced technology, a Tuesday congressional report asserts.

Chinese firms have been procuring American chip manufacturing machinery to produce cutting-edge semiconductors, which are used in artificial intelligence (AI), according to the report by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. Biden administration sanctions have aimed at impeding China’s progress in the semiconductor sector, but it has successfully found ways to circumvent them through dubious claims, self-reliance and other countries.

Chinese “importers are often able to purchase the equipment if they claim it is being used on an older production line, and with limited capacity for end-use inspections it is difficult to verify the equipment is not being used to produce more advanced chips,” the report found.

Biden’s 2022 CHIPS and Science Act is designed to advance America’s semiconductor industry while also taking on China, according to a White House fact sheet. The funds provided in the act prohibit constructing certain factories in China. (Read more from “Congressional Report Highlights China’s Evasion of Biden’s Semiconductor Sanctions, Gaining Access to Advanced Technology” HERE)

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Philippines Drops China’s Belt and Road as Tensions Flare

The Philippines in late October became the latest country to back out of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with Transport Minister Jaime Bautista telling reporters the sudden withdrawal came after Beijing did not respond to funding requests on railway projects.

China had pledged almost $5 billion (€4.7 billion) to build three rail lines — two in Luzon and one in Mindanao — under the BRI, a keystone of Beijing’s foreign policy offering Chinese-backed loans for major infrastructure projects mostly in developing parts of the world.

However, China and the Philippines have been locked in a years-long dispute over maritime territory in the South China Sea, which China has claimed in its entirety.

In the most recent incident, a Chinese coast guard ship rammed a Philippine fishing vessel in contested waters near Second Thomas Shoal.

However, Philippine officials did not mention territorial tension as the reason behind the pull out. (Read more from “Philippines Drops China’s Belt and Road as Tensions Flare” HERE)

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Joe Biden’s Office Allegedly Helped Coordinate Hunter Biden’s China Trips During Vice Presidency, Emails Show

Then-Vice President Joe Biden’s office appeared to offer assistance to Hunter Biden with coordinating his business trips to China, newly released emails show.

Donald Cloud, an advisor to then-VP Biden, reached out to Hunter Biden’s assistant, Katie Dodge, and suggested she communicate with the U.S. Embassy in Beijing to connect with then-U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus about Hunter Biden’s travels to China, according to emails released on Oct. 26 by the America First Legal Foundation (AFL).

“The reason I’m emailing you is that I received a call from Embassy Beijing this morning, and as I understand it, they (specifically Ambassador Max Baucus) has heard that Hunter Biden is in China. He would like to connect with Hunter (either himself or a member of his Embassy staff) to offer any support he may need during his travels,” Cloud wrote, according to the emails.

Cloud apparently sent Dodge contact information for Baucus’ special assistant and his personal phone number. Baucus’ phone number is redacted in the batch of emails AFL released. Dodge reached out to Baucus’ assistant and suggested a meeting with Baucus the next time Hunter Biden was in China because Baucus was not in China at the time, according to the emails. (Read more from “Joe Biden’s Office Allegedly Helped Coordinate Hunter Biden’s China Trips During Vice Presidency, Emails Show” HERE)

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China Wipes Israel From Digital Map

Chinese companies Baidu and Alibaba removed the name of the state of Israel from their digital maps Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.

Although Baidu’s map demarcates the internationally recognized borders of Israel, including key cities and the Palestinian territories, Israel is not listed by name, the outlet reported. Alibaba’s map identifies less recognizable countries like Luxembourg while excluding a label for Israel.

While social media users recently noticed the absence of Israel on Chinese maps, it is unknown whether this is a new development, according to the outlet. However, China has been diplomatically ambiguous in the region amid Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks against Israel. . .

China’s foreign ministry responded to a question from a Reuters reporter during a press conference Tuesday inquiring whether they played a part in removing the label of Israel from the companies’ maps.

“I believe you are aware that China and Israel have a normal diplomatic relationship,” ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said. “The relevant country is clearly marked on the standard maps issued by the Chinese competent authorities, which you may refer to,” Wenbin said. (Read more from “China Wipes Israel From Digital Map” HERE)

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Chinese Generals Rattle Sabers at U.S. On War Over Taiwan

Chinese generals took aim at the U.S. military on Monday with blunt warnings that foreign forces in a war to take Taiwan will be crushed, but they also held out the prospect of ending a lengthy boycott on direct military-to-military talks with the Pentagon.

People’s Liberation Army Gen. Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, said Monday in Beijing that the PLA will “show no mercy” in dealing with attempts by the U.S. or Taiwanese forces to seek independence from the mainland.

“No matter who wishes to separate Taiwan from China in any way, the Chinese military will never agree to it,” Gen. Zhang said. In a veiled reference to the United States, he said “some countries” are working to subvert the Chinese system.

Gen. Zhang also hinted that the PLA might end its 15-month refusal to engage in talks and exchanges with the U.S. military. The boycott was sparked by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s high-profile visit to Taiwan in the summer of 2022.

A second PLA general, Lt. Gen. He Lei, told state media at the conference that a PLA war on Taiwan would be “legitimate” and “just.” (Read more from “Chinese Generals Rattle Sabers at U.S. On War Over Taiwan” HERE)

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WATCH: Gavin Newsom Knocks Down Small Child While Playing Basketball in China

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) had a particularly awkward moment during his trip to China, wherein he was filmed knocking over a young child during a game of basketball.

The moment occurred during a visit to a school in Beijing last Friday. After Newsom fell to the ground with the boy, the governor laughed it off as he patted him on the back several times. The boy seemed largely unfazed, with no injuries. Prior to the fall, Newsom tried for a few photo-op moments by spinning the ball on his finger and driving to the basket for a layup. Needless to say, the moment inspired heavy commentary on social media:

“It was a cringey moment for the Democratic governor but didn’t cause injuries. Newsom, in dress shoes, a white shirt, and slacks, proceeded to play with the 9- and 10-year-old children for several more minutes, spinning the basketball on his fingertip and swishing a few times,” noted the Los Angeles Times. (Read more from “WATCH: Gavin Newsom Knocks Down Small Child While Playing Basketball in China” HERE)

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Biden’s New ‘Rule’ Would Force Government Thought on Millions

China is well known for dictating what people think. Or at least what they say they think. A statement of a wrong belief can bring on trouble quickly.

Now Joe Biden’s administration is preparing to take a major step in the same direction, with a plan by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to dictate how transgenderism and abortion are addressed in the workplace.

Through its rule-making process, the EEOC is preparing to identify the simple “voicing of opposition to abortion or contraception as policy matters” as “workplace harassment.” . . .

A report in Decision Magazine explains how Biden’s strategy is to force all workplaces to become “woke,” or adopt the leftist social ideologies that Biden’s administration chooses to endorse.

The report explains that conservative and faith-based groups are alarmed at the prospect Biden’s plans will violate their free speech rights, and offend their business management plans. (Read more from “Biden’s New ‘Rule’ Would Force Government Thought on Millions” HERE)

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