Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will embark on a five-day personal visit to China on Monday to receive medical attention, marking his first foreign tour since returning from a four-year self-imposed exile in the UK in October 2023.
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British police have charged two men with providing prejudicial information to China, while German authorities have arrested three individuals suspected of handing over technology with potential military applications. The arrests highlight concerns over China’s alleged espionage activities, particularly in sensitive sectors such as defense and business.
In an interview with Euronews, former US Vice President Mike Pence discussed global threats, military support for Ukraine, and the importance of US leadership. Pence stressed the need for bipartisan support for Ukraine and highlighted the threat posed by China. He also addressed the rise of Republican isolationism and emphasized the importance of transatlantic relations.
In late April, torrential rainfall caused catastrophic flooding in southern China. As of Monday, over 83,000 people have been evacuated and 1.6 million are without electricity. The flooding has claimed the lives of at least four people, with 10 others still missing. The Pearl River Delta region has been particularly hard-hit, with floodwaters reaching the second story of buildings in some areas.
A bridge in China collapsed during severe flooding on Saturday, April 20, after several days of torrential rain and strong winds. The collapse, captured by a security camera, occurred in Guangdong province. Earlier-than-usual flooding has hit the southern region since Thursday, leading to evacuations and the search for 11 missing individuals.
China has successfully tested a new 130-ton-thrust reusable rocket engine, marking a significant milestone in the development of its reusable rocket program. The engine is expected to power the Long March 10 rocket, which is designed for human spaceflight missions, including future crewed missions to the moon.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) into China has declined in recent months due to new working models adopted by international companies and Beijing’s emphasis on self-reliance. According to data from the Ministry of Commerce, new actual utilized foreign investment in March fell 38% compared to the same month in 2023. This decline follows a trend of slower growth in foreign investment since the first quarter of the year.
China’s most promising industries are facing a growing threat of trade restrictions from Western governments, blurring the outlook for stocks that have the potential to fuel the nation’s market growth. The sectors under scrutiny include electric vehicles, wind and solar projects, medical devices, and chips. These industries are of strategic importance to President Xi Jinping’s bid for leadership in the global race toward green transition and high-tech development. The rising tensions come at an inopportune time, as stocks were starting to emerge from a multi-year slump.
Christopher Berry, of Witney, and Christopher Cash, of Whitechapel, were arrested in March 2021 in connection with the investigation. They are accused of breaching the Official Secrets Act and passing on information prejudicial to the safety or interests of the State. One of the men, Cash, was a Parliamentary pass holder at the time of the alleged offenses. Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has reminded MPs that they should not refer to the matter in the chamber due to the sub judice rule.
The U.S. and Philippines have commenced the 39th edition of Balikatan, their largest joint military exercise, involving 16,000 troops as tensions rise between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea. The exercise includes maritime operations, cyber training, and the sinking of a former Philippine Navy asset. China has expressed opposition to the presence of U.S. weapons systems in the region, while the Philippines and the U.S. emphasize the importance of mutual defense treaty obligations.