Xi Jinping nearly faints, his major crisis, Sun Wen's arrest a good warning

 Research, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

News on CCP, China-Africa Cooperation Forum, Eswatini, Taiwan, the U.S., Russia

News (1)

Xi's authority is damaged and a major crisis is coming 

Editor : Zhongkang / Source : RFA / https://www.aboluowang.com/2024/0904/2098837.html

After the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, Chinese Communist leader Xi Jinping disappeared from the public eye for nearly a month. It is worth noting that under the strict control of the CPC, various rumors on WeChat in China spread rapidly. Senior national security personnel in Taiwan analyzed that this shows that the CPC is facing internal and external challenges, Xi Jinping's leadership authority is damaged, and China "is about to face a big crisis."

Senior national security personnel in Taiwan analyzed in an internal briefing that after the visit of US President's National Security Advisor Sullivan to China, the CPC actively wore the mask of "peace messenger" on the Ukraine and Palestinian issues; on the other hand, the CPC promoted a series of military and political pressure operations in the East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.

However, in the long run, he believes that the U.S.-CCP competition situation will not change, and it is not limited to confrontation with the United States, but facing the Western world with the United States as the core. No matter who is the U.S. President or the Prime Minister of Japan, it will not change. Such a form of competition will not be an immediate military conflict, but will be reflected in the economy and technology. Facing sanctions from the Western world, CCP China's dumping has caused a world counterattack, not only led by the United States, but also by the European Union, Brazil and other countries. This is a global phenomenon.

At the same time, Xi Jinping experienced the pressure of rumours flying all over the sky after the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, accompanied by the increasingly serious economic problems in China. The senior national security official believes that "a big crisis is coming." Therefore, he reminded that we should be wary of the CCP taking advantage of the political vacuum of the US and Japanese elections to seek a strategic breakthrough and try to divert domestic conflicts through tough actions abroad.

Is Xi Jinping's regime stable?

The recent personnel changes in the PLA's top leadership have attracted great attention from the outside world. Taiwan has noticed that during his visit to China, in addition to meeting with Xi Jinping, Sullivan also met with Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, which is a rare move. The senior national security official described it as "Something must be wrong." Another national security official added, "This is more like controlling China's risks."

In addition, the senior national security official pointed out that there are many unusual things in the Chinese military after the Third Plenary Session. First of all, in terms of personnel, Defense Minister Dong Jun did not enter the Central Military Commission, and the commanders of three military regions were suddenly replaced in five military regions. What is even more special is that, with Xi Jinping holding all the power, the PLA Daily suddenly published an article titled "We must adhere to collective leadership", but no senior officials were punished.

All these signs have led to speculation and concern. He reminded Xi Jinping that he has been purging high-ranking generals in the name of anti-corruption since he took office. Although this may cause unrest and vacillation within the military and weaken the military's loyalty to him, Xi Jinping is not good at economics but is quite good at political struggles. Not doing so will make Xi Jinping more uneasy.

In this case, he said that the outside world will worry about who is behind every move Beijing makes next. For example, Chinese military aircraft and warships have invaded Japanese airspace and territorial waters for two consecutive days. Was it Xi Jinping's instruction or the military's independent action? "I don't know the answer, but the atmosphere between Xi Jinping and the military is definitely not good." The senior national security official further explained, "However, a bad relationship is one thing, and producing immediate consequences is another, and there is still a distance."

What is the so-called "big crisis" in China? The senior national security official analyzed that the deterioration of China's local finances not only impacts people's daily lives, including basic services such as transportation and medical care, but also affects military spending. In particular, local governments bear about 40% of the expenditure on salary subsidies for central-level civil servants and soldiers, but some regions are no longer able to pay this amount. Another national security official believes that "at present, the Chinese Communist government still has the influence to maintain internal stability. Although there are risks, it is still under control."

In response to reporters' questions, is Xi Jinping's regime stable? Taiwan's senior national security official responded, "The elements of instability are increasing, but it is not yet about to collapse. To be precise, it should be the authority that is damaged." He emphasized that the collapse of authoritarian regimes is often a gradual process. For example, the recent "throwing eggs" incident, local media's challenge to official media, and the retreat of the "housing pension" policy, the accumulation of local crises, show that Xi Jinping's authority is not as good as before.

He said that after the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, Xi Jinping disappeared for 20 to 30 days, and unusual events occurred one after another. Even if the rumors were false, there were traces of someone behind them, which was an indicator of Xi Jinping's damaged authority.

It is unusual for rumours to spread from China

International relations commentator Wang Hao pointed out that there are two differences between the rumors about Xi Jinping and the past. First, in the past, most rumors came from overseas, but this time they all came from China, which he had not seen in the past ten years. Secondly, there are many versions of rumors, which is also rare. Especially on WeChat, forwarding various news about Xi Jinping is a big political risk, but people still spread it recklessly.

Although it was finally confirmed that they were all rumors, the process of spreading reflects the people's hearts and minds. "It reflects that all social classes in China are very dissatisfied with Xi Jinping. It's not that they really believe these rumors, but they want to see these rumors as a way to express their dissatisfaction with Xi Jinping, so I think this phenomenon is worthy of attention."

He reminded that such a phenomenon is dangerous to the stability of Xi Jinping's rule, otherwise Xi Jinping would not have to rush to show up in the past two weeks, constantly showing his presence to dispel rumors, showing that Xi Jinping feels the threat of rumors to his position.

"In the CCP or the system, people with certain ranks or vested interests dare not speak out against Xi Jinping's overall performance." Xia Ming, a professor of political science and international affairs at the College of Staten Island, City University of New York, analyzed that from a civilian perspective, if people do not have much interest, because they have nothing to lose, they are not afraid of government punishment, and such rumours may spread among the people.

As for whether this may be a deliberate release of information by relevant domestic departments to lure snakes out of their holes? Xia Ming believes that the CCP governs the country with lies, so some people overseas advocate using lies to fight lies, but the recent news about Xi Jinping's health problems is less real than unreal. The only weapon for criticizing the CCP overseas is to stick to the truth, grasp the development logic of China's internal reality, and not lose credibility.

News (2) to (5) / Editor : Fang Xun / Source: People's Daily / https://www.aboluowang.com/2024/0905/2099230.html

News (2)

Xi Jinping's status has declined! They suddenly began to be on an equal footing with Xi 

Beijing is currently hosting the China-Africa Cooperation Forum. Some current affairs commentators say that there are signs that China's political situation has undergone amazing changes, and Xi Jinping's status has declined! Collective leadership is being restored.

The China-Africa Cooperation Forum was held in Beijing from 4 to 6 September 2024, and the Communist Party of China solemnly welcomed 25 national leaders from Africa. Xi Jinping met with these African "friends" one by one, and the handshake photos occupied the front pages of many party media for a while. It seems that Xi Jinping is in great glory, but current affairs commentator Chen Pokong pointed out that he saw strong signals that Xi Jinping is no longer a leader of the Communist Party of China.

News (3)

Rumour has it that Xi is no longer the only leader and the CCP has resumed collective leadership

Chen Pokong said in the program that the China-Africa Cooperation Forum exposed an astonishing phenomenon. The members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China suddenly began to be on an equal footing with Xi Jinping. For example, Xi Jinping met with the President of Djibouti, and Cai Qi also met with the President of Djibouti. In addition, in addition to Xi Jinping's photos and news, the front page headlines of the People's Daily now also have news about other members of the Standing Committee; in addition to Xi Jinping, all other members of the Standing Committee also appeared on the News Broadcast. The situation is very different from the past.

Chen Pokong believes that this almost strongly implies that the Communist Party of China has returned to the collective leadership system to some extent. It also shows that Xi Jinping is no longer the only one, and other members of the Standing Committee have roles, and it shows that without Xi Jinping, China-Africa relations will continue to develop.

Chen Pokong believes that these abnormal phenomena show that Xi Jinping's status has declined and he is no longer the leader of the Communist Party of China. The collective leadership system is being restored.

News (4)

The African leaders take advantage of CCP's wealth

In addition, the Communist Party of China spent a huge amount of money to hold the China-Africa Forum. Xi Jinping acted like a big brother, but the party media did not give him face. Instead, they used high-level black methods to mock him in the report, saying "China-Africa cooperation enriches the 'food bag' and 'money bag' of the African people." It almost said that China is Africa's food bag and money bag, and directly satirized Xi Jinping's big money.

News (5)

Xi shows a sick face and nearly faints at the African Forum

YouTube celebrity "Su Xiaohe" also revealed in his program on 4 September 2024 that Xi Jinping's real power has been weakened and he almost fainted at the African Forum.

"Su Xiaohe" said that according to the news sent by domestic friends, Xi Jinping has recently returned to the public eye and no longer speaks on the economy, diplomacy, and military. What he does is nothing more than meeting foreign guests and saying some empty words. One is that Xi is still ill and needs to recuperate. The second is that Xi Jinping's real power is in a decentralized state. Now the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China is "upholding the collective leadership of the party and each taking care of its own affairs."

On 4 September 2024, Xi Jinping almost fainted because of a painful expression while attending the African Forum and delivering a speech, which frightened the African leaders present. They said that we have held a press conference and shouted "Taiwan is part of China and supports the Communist Party of China to unify Taiwan." The forum can end early. As long as the Communist Party of China pays money, they will return home today.

Sources in Beijing pointed out that the CCP changed the original $50 billion gift to 50 billion RMB because it is short of money. Of course, these African friends will not accept it. They came all the way from Africa for $50 billion.

Xi Jinping even asked African leaders to buy Chinese goods; but the South African president made a statement to narrow the trade gap with China, which embarrassed Xi Jinping.

Perhaps because of poor health, embarrassment and pressure, Xi Jinping was physically exhausted and showed a sick face, leaking top secrets.

News (6) to (8) / Editor : Fang Xun / Source: RFA / https://www.aboluowang.com/2024/0906/2099434.html

News (6)

Xi Jinping downplayed the "big money" of free aid in his speech, and changed the U.S. Dollar to RMB

Even if China's economy is in a downturn and the unemployment rate is rising, it will not stop Chinese President Xi Jinping from "big money" to Africa. He announced at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation on Thursday (5 September) that he would provide Africa with 1 billion yuan (RMB, the same below) of free military aid, and 360 billion yuan of financial support in the next three years to promote the modernization of the "Ten Partners Action", but he downplayed the "free aid" in his speech, and all of it was in RMB instead of U.S. Dollar.

At the 2018 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Xi Jinping said that China is willing to provide $60 billion in support to Africa through government assistance, financial institutions and corporate investment and financing, including $15 billion in free aid, interest-free loans and preferential loans, but immediately attracted a lot of negative comments of "tribute to Africa". After the public opinion exploded, the message area of ​​the relevant news was changed to prohibit comments.

News (7)

Xi encourages and supports African countries to issue "Panda bonds" in China

In Xi Jinping's speech announcing aid to Africa on Thursday, except for 1 billion yuan of free military aid, other aid has downplayed the "free aid" and changed to RMB instead of the previous US dollars.

Xi Jinping said that China and Africa account for one-third of the world's total population, "without China-Africa modernization, there will be no world modernization." In the next three years, China is willing to work with Africa to promote modernization in the "Ten Partner Actions", including mutual learning of civilizations, trade prosperity, industrial chain cooperation, interconnection, green development, and security.

At the same time, China will take the initiative to unilaterally expand market opening, grant zero tariff treatment to 100% of tariff items of all least developed countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, including 33 African countries, and implement 30 infrastructure interconnection projects in Africa to jointly build the "Belt and Road", and provide Africa with 1 billion yuan in emergency food aid and send 500 agricultural experts to Africa; China also encourages and supports African countries to issue "Panda bonds" in China, providing strong support for practical cooperation between China and Africa in various fields.

News (8)

Chinese endless lament on financially supporting Africans

Chinese netizens lamented that "it turns out that the Chinese people's endless unpaid overtime and high mortgage loans are all for the happiness of the African people", and some left messages saying "Wouldn't it be better to use the money to improve people's livelihood?" and "No matter how poor we are, we can't make Africa poor."

Reuters reported that China intends to change its past practice of assisting large-scale infrastructure and sell advanced technologies such as green energy to developing countries, which is one of the "new quality productivity" emphasized by Xi Jinping.

Editor: Fang Xun Source: RFA Please indicate the author and source for reprinting and keep it complete.

News (9) to (11) / Reporter : Mei Lingshuang / Editor : Fang Xun / https://www.aboluowang.com/2024/0905/2099228.html

News (9)

Xi dominates the screen and accidentally leaks abnormal signals

- Cai Qi did not accompany Xi to meet African guests, etc., which was unusual 

Beijing has been very lively recently because many presidents and prime ministers of African countries have come to attend the Beijing Summit of the China-Africa Forum. Naturally, the Chinese authorities entertained them with good food and drink, and they took away new gifts from the Chinese Communist Party before leaving. Such a scene had appeared in the same period in 2018.

News (10)

Something must have happened to the top leaders of CCP

However, after the various "rumours" about the party leader at the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee in July this year, more and more abnormal and unusual information appeared within the CPC, all proving that the judgment that "something must have happened to the top leaders of the CPC" was not groundless. Similarly, although the Chinese Communist Party media has been reporting the meetings between the party leader and leaders of various countries in recent days, and the party leader has dominated the screen again, it has revealed abnormal signals intentionally or unintentionally.

According to reports from the official Chinese Communist Party media, when Xi Jinping met with leaders of many African countries, the only senior official who attended each meeting was State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. In September 2018, when Xi met with many African leaders, the basic standard configuration was Ding Xuexiang, then Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the General Office, Yang Jiechi, State Councilor in charge of foreign affairs, Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and He Lifeng, Director of the National Development and Reform Commission. Sometimes Peng Liyuan and other senior officials were added.

Currently, Cai Qi is the Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the General Office. He also became a member of the Political Bureau Standing Committee at the 20th National Congress of the CPC with Xi's support. Because of Qin Gang's dismissal, Wang Yi, who is already a State Councilor, concurrently serves as Foreign Minister. In addition, the current Director of the National Development and Reform Commission is Zheng Zhajie.

News (11)

Cai Qi did not accompany Xi to meet the African guests, he met them himself

It is normal for Wang Yi to accompany Xi to attend various diplomatic meetings, but it is a bit abnormal that Cai Qi, who is always good at flattery and is the Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, did not accompany Xi to meet. The CPC report stated that Cai Qi met with Chadian President Mohamed, Mauritanian President Ghazwani, Djibouti President Guelleh, Seychelles President Ramkalawan, and Mozambique President Nyusi alone, including the one Xi just met. Is this director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee not competent enough?

Not only did Cai Qi meet with several African presidents individually, but other Standing Committee members Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Vice Chairman Han Zheng, who just went to Russia, also met with African leaders and leaders of international organizations. However, the same was true in 2018. Therefore, it is Cai Qi who is abnormal.

Some people may say that the two Standing Committee members meeting with the presidents of other countries is a bit high, but from Cai Qi's previous diplomatic activities, many of them accompanied Xi to meet, serving in front and behind, and fulfilling the duties of the director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee. Take the Central Asia Summit held in Xi'an in 2023 as an example. When Xi met with the presidents of the five Central Asian countries separately, Cai Qi, Wang Yi and Qin Gang attended every time. The three of them are obviously Xi's followers.

So, is the abnormality this time to highlight his status as a member of the Standing Committee, rather than the identity of the director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee? If Xi is in power, would Cai Qi prefer to be a follower and participate in Xi's meetings with presidents of other countries, or meet alone? Obviously, the inside story is not simple.

In addition, when Xi met with African presidents, he lacked the cordial words from the perspective of "I" that he used to use when meeting foreign guests to get closer. For example, he mentioned his previous visits and visits, his own impressions, etc., and his words were basically very official. Why is this?

The above phenomenon may still confirm that after the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, for some reason, Xi's power has indeed been weakened, and the "collective leadership of the Party Central Committee" is replacing the position of the one. As for Xi's dominance of the screen, it is very likely to cover up something that has not yet been decided within the CPC.

News (12)

Zheng Jiajie for the National Development and Reform Commission of the CPC did not meet African leaders

The fact that the director of the National Development and Reform Commission of the CPC did not attend all the meetings like he did during the China-Africa discussion forum in 2018 may also indicate that the CPC's policy towards Africa has changed in some ways. One of the functions of the National Development and Reform Commission is to "propose strategies, plans, total balance and structural optimization policies for the use of foreign capital and overseas investment. Take the lead in promoting the implementation of the 'Belt and Road' construction. Undertake overall coordination and coordination of going out. Propose a negative list for foreign investment access in conjunction with relevant departments. Be responsible for the total control, structural optimization and monitoring of all-caliber foreign debts."

The director of the National Development and Reform Commission did not participate as in the past. Does it mean that the CCP's investment in Africa will be reduced when its own economy is facing huge difficulties?

News (13)

Ding Xuexiang met with UN Secretary-General

Another thing worth noting is that on 4 September 2024, the day before the discussion board was held, Ding Xuexiang, the current member of the Political Bureau Standing Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, met with UN Secretary-General Guterres who came to attend the discussion board. In 2018, it was Xi Jinping who met with Guterres the day before the discussion board was held. In the past two years, Xi has met with Guterres several times.

On 4 July 2024, Xi Jinping met with Guterres during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Astana. On 18 October 2023, Xi Jinping met with Guterres who came to CCP China to attend the third "Belt and Road" International Cooperation Summit Discussion. On 5 February 2022, Xi met with Guterres who attended the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics...

At least on the surface, Xi and Guterres are "old friends" and the two sides are very familiar with each other. Guterres has also spoken for the CCP many times at the United Nations. So, is it that Xi simply does not have time to meet old friends this time?

During the meeting between Ding Xuexiang and Guterres, Ding mentioned that Xi's three major initiatives are consistent with the principles and ideas of the United Nations, and "provide a Chinese (Communist) solution to solve the common problems facing mankind." He stated that "China firmly maintains the international system with the United Nations at its core, and is willing to further deepen cooperation with the United Nations, practice true multilateralism, jointly promote world peace and development, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind."

This is different from Xi's previous instructions to the United Nations, saying "support the United Nations to play a core role in international affairs", "support the United Nations to play a leading role in promoting the reform of the international financial architecture and the global governance of artificial intelligence", and "show a big picture and big responsibility". At least it puts itself in the position it should be, that is, a cooperative relationship with the United Nations.

Did Ding Xuexiang replace Xi in the meeting with Guterres to downplay the previous "pointing fingers"? It is still somewhat abnormal.

Again, because something big happened inside the CCP, the abnormalities inside the CCP can no longer be completely covered up, and as time goes by, there will be more and more, which will cause more doubts.

News (14)

Providing 360 billion to Africa, what is Xi Jinping's intention? 

Editor: Fang Xun / Source: RFA / https://www.aboluowang.com/2024/0906/2099534.html

On 5 September 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced at the opening ceremony of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing that 360 billion yuan of financial support would be provided to African countries in the next three years. The 9th Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is being held. Chinese Communist President Xi Jinping announced on Thursday (5 September) that 360 billion yuan of financial support would be provided to African countries in the next three years. Data show that China's loans to Africa have dropped sharply in recent years. What is the purpose of China's re-injection of large amounts of funds into Africa this time?

On the second day of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony that 360 billion yuan of financial support would be provided to African countries in the next three years.

However, data show that China has significantly cut its loans to Africa in recent years; at the same time, China's previous large loans to African countries through the "Belt and Road Initiative" have repeatedly caused debates in the international community about whether China has put African countries into a "debt trap." Xi Jinping's announcement of the 360 ​​billion yuan in aid to Africa at this time has aroused widespread attention and doubts from the outside world.

Reinvesting heavily

According to Bloomberg, the latest data from Boston University's Global Development Policy Center shows that China's traditional loans to Africa through its state-owned policy banks surged from nearly $100 million in 2000 to $28.8 billion in 2016, making it Africa's largest bilateral creditor; but this figure subsequently declined, especially during the pandemic, falling to only about $1 billion in 2022, and then rebounding to $4.6 billion in 2023.

Dr. David Hamilton Shinn, a former U.S. diplomat who was stationed in Africa for a long time and an adjunct professor at George Washington University, analyzed to this station that these data show that in recent years, China and African countries are moving away from economic cooperation based on traditional loans.

However, Xi Jinping mentioned at the opening ceremony that the total amount of 360 billion yuan in aid to Africa includes 210 billion yuan in credit, 80 billion yuan in various types of aid, and Chinese companies' investment in Africa of no less than 70 billion yuan. This amount of funds has increased significantly compared with previous years.

Regarding China's renewed investment in Africa, Dr. Phiwokuhle Mnyandu, deputy director of the African Studies Center at Howard University in the United States, believes that this may be mainly due to the pressure of international competition. "China's reduction in loans or aid to Africa in the past few years has actually left a vacuum of influence that was quickly occupied by other countries. This move by China can be seen as their desire to regain their position in Africa and continue to maintain relations with these African countries." He mentioned that the competition China faces in Africa comes not only from Western countries, but also from new forces such as India and Turkey.

Image : On 5 September 2024, Xi Jinping attended the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit with African leaders in Beijing. (Reuters)

New ways of cooperation

In addition to still relying on traditional loans and aid, the outside world has noticed that China's cooperation with African countries is shifting to a new model of "government-social capital cooperation".

Just before the China-Africa Cooperation Forum was held, the Office of the Leading Group for the Belt and Road Initiative of the State Council released the "China-Africa Development Report on the Belt and Road Initiative" on August 29, which mentioned that Chinese companies have implemented a number of interconnection projects in Africa through government-private partnership (PPP) and trilateral and multilateral cooperation models, achieving good economic and social benefits.

Bloomberg mentioned this trend in its report, but pointed out that this form of cooperation allows African governments to borrow money from China without increasing sovereign debt. The report mentioned the Simandou iron ore mine in Guinea, where China Baowu Steel Group and Aluminum Corporation of China controlled 40% of the shares. But both companies are wholly owned by Chinese state-owned enterprises.

Professor Sheen is skeptical about this form of cooperation. He analyzed that the so-called government-private partnership is to allow private capital to enter these public projects, but the proportion of funds they account for is not large, and the role they can play remains to be seen. He emphasized that this form of public-private partnership has certain experience in China, and the Chinese government may mainly want to replicate this experience in other countries.

On the other hand, according to Bloomberg, in this new cooperation mode, Chinese partners can use copper and other mineral deposits in African countries as collateral for later payments of the project, and these cooperation terms are often opaque and difficult for the outside world to know the details.

Dr. Fewokulbo analyzed that this cooperation mode is actually not new. It reminded him of the similar mode in the early cooperation between African countries and Western companies, and mineral resources were often used as compensation in the end. "This mode of public and private capital cooperation is often less monitored than cooperation between nation-states. In this case, African countries often make more concessions because they are dealing with private institutions (banks)."

Reuters pointed out in a report at the end of May that the government-private partnership (PPP) mode has not yet gained significant appeal in Africa.

Responses from African countries

The China-Africa Cooperation Forum was attended by heads of state, government or heads of delegation of 53 African countries. So far, many of these countries have signed new cooperation agreements with China.

Nigeria and China jointly announced cooperation in the construction of "transportation, ports and free trade zones" in the field of infrastructure. China promised Tanzanian President Hassan a railway project with Zambia. Xi Jinping also promised Kenya to open the Chinese market to its agricultural products. The international debate that China has trapped African countries in a debt trap through the Belt and Road Initiative does not seem to have hindered the achievement of these cooperation intentions at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Fewokulbo pointed out that the relationship between China and African countries must be analyzed in detail in the bilateral relationship between each African country and China, because African countries are quite different. "Poor countries will not regard these debts with China as traps, because you can't get development funds from heaven, the money must come from somewhere, and China seems to be the only country that can give money at some point." He gave the example that countries such as Burundi and the Republic of Congo can be classified into this category.

However, African countries with relatively good economic conditions and more dealings with Western countries may have different views. For example, countries like South Africa may be more in line with the West's proposal to establish cooperation based on shared values.

News (15) to (24) / Reporter : Han Jiang / Editor : Sun Yun / https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/24/9/5/n14324445.htm

News (15)

Forum on CCP China-Africa: What has the CCP’s 24 years of management left to Africa?

Image : On 5 September 2024, before the opening ceremony of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, the leader of the Communist Party of China took a group photo with the leaders of African countries. (Andy Wong/POOL/AFP)

The Chinese Communist Party welcomed more than 50 African leaders to Beijing for the summit with a grand occasion, in order to compete with the United States and Europe for the strategic high ground in Africa. However, the CCP has been operating in Africa for 24 years, and its opaque loan contracts have caused the debt of African countries to soar, and many of its "Belt and Road" projects have been unfinished. This situation may be a new opportunity for Africa, Europe and the United States.

News (16)

CCP China becomes Africa's largest trading partner; South Africa's president complains about trade imbalance

From 4 to 6 September 2024, the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit was held in Beijing. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was established in October 2000. After that, the CCP quickly emerged as Africa’s largest trading partner, replacing Europe and the United States.

During and after the Cold War, American companies dominated African markets. However, according to a research report by the Atlantic Association, China's merchandise trade with Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) increased by 1,864% from 2001 to 2020, exceeding Sub-Saharan Africa's trade volume with the United States and the European Union. In other words, from 2001 to 2020, China's share of sub-Saharan Africa's total merchandise trade increased from 4% to 25.6%, while the share of the United States and the European Union in sub-Saharan Africa's total trade dropped by 10 percentage points each during the same period. and 8 percentage points.

However, China-Africa trade is not balanced. Two days before the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping that he wanted to reduce South Africa's trade deficit with Beijing.

CCP China is South Africa's largest trading partner in the world, but South Africa's imports from China far exceeded its exports last year. The CCP has not fulfilled its commitment to purchase US$300 billion in products at the 2021 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit.

The United States believes that the CCP is challenging the international order. In August 2022, the Biden administration stated in the "U.S. Africa Strategy" that "the governments, institutions and people of sub-Saharan Africa will play a key role in solving global challenges", while the CCP regards Africa as "a challenge to rule-based It is an important arena for the international order based on which it is based, advancing its narrow commercial and geopolitical interests, undermining transparency and openness, and weakening relations with the United States.”

News (17)

24 years after the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Africa’s debt has increased sharply

China-Africa cooperation has brought not only trade imbalances to Africa, but also soaring debt.

From 2000 to 2022, 39 Chinese lenders provided 1,243 loans to 49 African governments and seven regional agencies, according to the latest estimates from the Chinese Lending to Africa (CLA) database managed by Boston University’s Center for Global Development Policy. , amounting to US$170.08 billion, mainly providing funds for infrastructure projects related to the Chinese Communist Party’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative.

In 2022, Africa's public debt soared to a staggering US$1.8 trillion, an increase of 183% from 2010. What is even more worrying is that this rate is nearly 300% higher than Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate during the same period.

According to data from the DSSI (Debt Service Suspension Initiative), among seven low-income African countries with serious debt problems, the foreign debt held by the CCP currently accounts for more than 25% of the total foreign debt of these countries. They are: Angola, Cameroon, and the Republic of Congo. , Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Zambia.

For example, Kenya owes CCP China more than $6 billion. Much of the debt was used to finance the Chinese-built 700km Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) between Mombasa and Nairobi. Chinese designers initially promised the railway would pay for itself, but that promise never materialized, leaving the government saddled with debt.

Combined with funds owed to the World Bank and other multilateral lending institutions, Kenya's debt will be equivalent to 67% of its gross domestic product (GDP) by 2024, according to Kenya's National Treasury. This is about 50% higher than when Kenya signed up to China’s Belt and Road Initiative ten years ago.

In addition, Djibouti owes China about $1.4 billion in debt, equivalent to about 45% of the country's GDP.

Angola owes more than $19 billion in debt to China, accounting for 49% of outstanding government debt.

Ethiopia has signed nearly $14 billion in loan agreements with Chinese lenders. The country owes China $8.7 billion in outstanding debt, accounting for 32% of the country's total public debt.

The Republic of Congo's loans from China account for 45% of the country's external debt.

News (18)

Opaque and onerous loan agreements between CCP China and Africa

However, the soaring debt of African countries has a lot to do with the CCP’s opaque and harsh loan agreements.

These agreements typically allow loans to mature in as little as 10 years, compared with World Bank loan terms of up to 35 years. Interest rates are also generally higher. For example, the Export-Import Bank of China charged full commercial interest rates for Djibouti’s loan to build the Ethiopia-Djibouti metro rail line, which was higher than the loan interest rates of multinational lending institutions such as the World Bank.

Chinese loan agreements also often require loan recipients to provide business to Chinese contractors without competitive bidding. For example, the Export-Import Bank of China's contract with Kenya to finance a standard gauge railway connecting the port city of Mombasa to the Great Rift Valley stipulates that most construction materials will be purchased from China. Kenya's Court of Appeal found that "the project's design was manipulated to drive up costs, while construction and supervision costs were also overpriced."

Such agreements have helped Chinese construction companies dominate the continent. A study by the University of London found that of the 32 major international contracting companies carrying out major construction projects in Ethiopia in 2017, 80% were Chinese contractors.

China’s loan agreements are also often opaque, leaving the public unaware of the loan terms and unable to monitor them. In some cases, these opaque agreements and unethical business practices may encourage corruption.

For example, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China financed a dam project in Angola but ignored various potential red flags, including the involvement of the daughter of Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos. The World Bank lists Angola as one of seven African countries at high risk of debt distress in 2020.

News (19)

China’s loans to Africa plummet from 2016 to 2022

"Many African countries are trapped in a debt quagmire and find it difficult to invest in sustainable development." United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit on Thursday (5th), Inadequate access to debt relief and resource scarcity in African countries is a source of social unrest.

News (20)

Zambia and Djibouti suspend debt repayments to CCP

Excessive debt leads to default. Zambia, China's main debtor, became the first African country to default during the covid pandemic in late 2020. In January 2023, Djibouti also suspended its debt repayments to China.

At the same time, the COVID-19 epidemic has also dealt a blow to China's economy. In an effort to salvage continued weakness in the real estate sector, a depreciating yuan and falling exports, China has deployed the China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China - the two institutions that provide the majority of loans to Africa - to support the domestic economy.

As a result, Chinese state-owned bank lending to Africa has plummeted over the past few years.

In 2016, China’s traditional loans to Africa through state-owned policy banks amounted to US$28.4 billion. However, in 2020, loans fell to $2.9 billion, in 2021, to $1.6 billion, and in 2022, to $1 billion.

In 2023, China approved $4.61 billion in loans to Africa, the first annual increase since 2016 but well below the peak of $28.4 billion in loans to Africa in 2016.

News (21)

Xi’s promise to spend a lot of money this year but it is doubtful whether it can be fulfilled

At the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation on 5 September 2024, Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping promised to provide $50.7 billion in financial support to Africa in the next three years and promised to create at least 1 million jobs.

However, amid China's economic slowdown, whether the CCP can fulfill this promise remains a question.

Chen Shimin, associate professor of the Department of Political Science at National Taiwan University in Taipei, told VOA that although the amount of loans and financial aid promised by the CCP around six years ago seems to be little different, China's own economy is currently weak, and its economic growth rate has dropped from 7% to 5% in a row. % are very reluctant. Whether the promise can be fulfilled is probably worth watching.

The broken capital chain has led to a large number of unfinished projects in Africa.

News (22)

Rail development funding by CCP in Kenya ends abruptly, Kenya goes self-reliant

In Kenya, where the ultrafast rail line from the port of Mombasa to Uganda ends abruptly in the countryside 468 kilometers from the border, Kenya is now completing the route by revamping tracks built during the British colonial period in the 19th century.

In Cameroon, construction of a $450 million highway linking the capital Yaounde with the economic center Douala started in 2012 but stalled in 2019 when the Export-Import Bank of China stopped disbursing loans.

An $823 million light rail project in Nigeria's capital Abuja appears to have been abandoned. Nigeria spends $50 million annually to repay the loan for the project. When Bloomberg reporters visited rail facilities, they saw locked train cars, cavernous stations empty and VIP lounges filled with bats and guano.

News (23)

Angola urges CCP China to increase its financing to the country

On 3 September 2024, Angolan Finance Minister Daves said that if the CCP wants Angola to buy more Chinese-made products from solar panels to electric vehicles, the CCP needs to increase its financing for Angola. The former OPEC member is considering letting Beijing and Europe compete for the bid.

Daves added that Beijing not only needs further financing to help Angola reduce high inflation and increase employment opportunities in the short term, but also to ensure that the country has strong industries that it can rely on in the future, otherwise, China may lose out to European competition. Europe is willing to provide financing to Angola in exchange for Angola buying their products.

Last year, the Angolan government awarded the construction contract for 260 kilometers of railway to a Portuguese-Brazilian joint venture entity rather than a Chinese company.

News (24)

Reducing financial support to Africa may be an opportunity for Africa, the United States and Europe

Charles Ray, a member of the Board of Directors of the Foreign Policy Institute and Chairman of the Africa Program, wrote: "China (Chinese Communist Party) has reduced financial support for African infrastructure, opening the door for the United States and Western Europe to fill the gap."

News (25)

King of Eswatini, Taiwan’s diplomatic ally, absent from Forum on China-Africa Cooperation

Reporter : Wu Xianglian / Editor : Li Lin / https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/24/9/5/n14325003.htm / Image : Currently, only Eswatini in Africa has not established diplomatic relations with the CCP and still maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan. The picture shows then-Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen visiting Swaziland, having bilateral talks with King Mswati III (right), accepting awards and signing a joint communique. (Provided by Taiwan Presidential Office)

On Thursday (5 September 2024), the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation opened. This is the core activity of the CCP’s diplomacy with Africa. At the summit, Beijing expected to see King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Eswatini but he did not come.

Swaziland is the last African country that still recognizes the Republic of China rather than China under the rule of the Communist Party of China. It is also one of the only dozen remaining diplomatic countries with Taiwan. Its land area is similar to that of New Jersey in the United States, with a population of about 1.2 million. It is a landlocked country located between Mozambique and South Africa.

Beijing has been working hard to turn Africa into a "Taiwan-free" region for more than seventy years. However, Eswatini still insists on diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which obviously angers Beijing.

On Wednesday (4 September), Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters: "Eswatini's development of official relations with Taiwan is not in Eswatini's own interests. We believe that Eswatini will recognize the international trend sooner or later, make the right decision in line with the historical trend.”

Bloomberg reported on Thursday that a Taiwanese official, who requested anonymity, said Taiwan was confident in maintaining diplomatic ties with Swaziland and described King Mswati III as Taiwan’s staunch ally.

This week, Mswati III opened a Taiwan pavilion at a trade show in his home country, while staying away from China's Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

In May 2024, he visited Taiwan to attend the inauguration ceremony of Taiwan's new President Lai Ching-te. In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the move was a "serious provocation" to the one-China principle and China's sovereignty.

He said: "China (CCP) firmly opposes this. The people of Eswatini have never received much benefit, and Eswatini's national construction has not achieved much development."

Eswatini seems relieved to not be involved in China’s development in Africa, which so far has centered on large-scale infrastructure construction and loans.

According to the International Monetary Fund, Eswatini's debt-to-gross domestic product ratio is about 40%, while the ratio in sub-Saharan Africa is about 60%. The debt ratio is significantly higher than Eswatini.

Taiwan's aid to Eswatini is mainly in the form of subsidies. Neil Reikenburg, the country's finance minister, said in a media interview in May: "I am sure that our relationship with Taiwan has been in the past 10 years really paid off.”

News (26)

U.S. congressmen pay attention to Sun Wen case: "The CCP is like a cancer and must be eliminated"

Reporter : Lin Yan / Editor : Lin Yan / https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/24/9/5/n14324991.htm /  Image : In mid-January 2023, Sun Wen (right) issued a New York State certificate of congratulations to Huang Ping, the Consul General of the Chinese Consulate in New York, without authorization. (Courtesy of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York)

Members of the U.S. Congress are paying attention to the case of Sun Wen, the former deputy chief of staff to the governor of New York, who was accused of being an agent of the Chinese Communist Party. Some congressmen said that the CCP is like a cancer infiltrating the United States and must be eliminated.

Rep. John Moolenaar, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Chinese Communist Party, said that the facts disclosed in the Sun Wen case are shocking, and this happened at the highest level of state government.

"The Chinese Communist Party is not just on our side of the sea (referring to operating within China), they are now also working on our side of the sea (referring to within the United States) to undermine the United States." Murroll said.

In September 2024, Sun Wen was arrested on suspicion of acting as a foreign agent of the Chinese Communist Party and charged with eight federal crimes, including conspiracy to act as an illegal foreign agent, visa fraud, and conspiracy to launder money.

In return, she received millions of dollars in proceeds from the Chinese Communist government, which she used to buy mansions and luxury cars. She never declared such income, as is required of a government employee, nor did she register as a foreign agent.

According to the indictment, Sun Wen used her position to change the two governors’ “thinking about the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party,” reduce or even block interactions between the governor’s office and representatives of the Taiwanese government, and provide unauthorized invitations to the governor’s office to It is easier for Chinese government officials to obtain visas and travel to the United States, as well as attempts to arrange visits to China for New York State’s top officials. She also stepped in and removed content from the governor’s speech that focused on Beijing’s persecution of the Uyghurs.

New York Rep. Nicole Malliotakis said in an interview with Fox News that the incident showed the extent to which Communist China monitors and influences U.S. policy.

She said the facts revealed against Sun Wen were "serious and disturbing."

"Whether it's infiltrating American universities, opening police stations to spy on Chinese Americans fleeing China, buying American farmland, or flying spy balloons over our military bases, these actions must be met with determination and urgency, not weakness and appeasement." she emphasized.

Texas Rep. Brian Babin posted on social media, ""The Chinese Communist Party is infiltrating America like a deep-rooted cancer. It must be removed."

The Wall Street Journal editorial board published an article on Thursday saying that if there are any U.S. officials who have not noticed Beijing’s influence operations, they should read the indictment in Sun Wen’s case released this week.

"The details of the indictment are shocking. While working in Albany, Sun Wen remained in close contact with the consulate in Beijing, including her work to prevent Taiwan from contacting state leaders."

"Our message to Albany and other state capitals is to be wary of gifts from the Chinese (Chinese Communist Party)." the editorial article said.

News (27) to (29) / Reporter : Shi Ping / Editor : Chen Minqi / https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/24/9/5/n14324470.htm

News (27)

New York Chinese talk about the Sun Wen case: A good warning to those who are pro-communist

Image : In the afternoon of 3 September 2024, Sun Wen, the former deputy chief of staff of the Governor of New York, was charged with being an agent of the Chinese Communist Party and was released on bail of $1.5 million. (Huang Xiaotang/The Epoch Times)

The arrest of Sun Wen, the former Chinese deputy chief of staff of the New York governor and former deputy director of the state Department of Labour, and her husband, including Taiwanese in New York It sparked heated discussions in the Chinese community, including China. The Taiwanese people suddenly understood the reason why New York state officials had been indifferent to Taiwanese government officials for so many years. They "found the answer to the question" and said that "the legal system has been restored." Some Chinese people also believe that this case shows the rampant infiltration of the Chinese Communist Party into the United States.

News (28)

Taiwan Community: That’s it! The Law is restored!

According to the indictment, Sun Wen once prevented then New York Governor Cuomo from attending Tsai Ing-wen’s banquet in Manhattan when former Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen visited New York City in 2019; she has been obstructing the relationship between the Taiwan Cultural Office and the New York State Government.

After Sun Wen's case was exposed, her alleged role as an agent of the Chinese Communist Party made many Taiwanese people suddenly realize what has happened in recent years.

Yang Yushu, former president of the Greater New York Hakka Association, said on social media, "No wonder Taiwan and New York State have never interacted, such as the dinner to welcome President Tsai Ing-wen... It turns out that it is not Taiwan's diplomats who are incompetent... but the representatives of the Chinese Communist Party who are taking the lead. It’s blocking. It’s so abominable!” she wrote, “God is wise and the law will be restored!”

Jiang Junlin, former president of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce in New York, recalled that during the epidemic, he donated a lot of masks to New York State on behalf of the chamber of commerce. Although the starting point was just to help others and did not care whether there was news or not, in retrospect, New York State received masks. No one reported this good deed.

"Wouldn't the governor know that she blocked this news?" Jiang Junlin said, "If the Communist Party really instructs Sun Wen to do that kind of thing, it would be really wicked!"

Xu Bocheng, vice president of the Taiwanese Association of Greater New York, also expressed the same feeling to this newspaper: Before the Vice President of Taiwan came to the United States, Xu Bocheng had the opportunity to meet the deputy governor at a parliamentary event. He told the deputy governor An invitation was sent to attend a dinner hosted by the Vice President of Taiwan, but in the end the matter fell through.

Image : Xu Bocheng, vice president of the Taiwanese Association of Greater New York. (Li Yixin/The Epoch Times)

"We have always seen that various units of the New York government have almost no interaction with Taiwan." He said, "Now seeing this news may solve the questions we have had for many years."

Hsu Bo-cheng said that not only the state government in New York, but also the city government was very cold towards Taiwan. He recalled that during the epidemic, he donated masks to Brooklyn, but the other party did not accept it! "They don't even accept masks," he said.

After hearing the news of Sun Wen's arrest, Xu Boxeng felt "very happy, very happy." He said this sentiment was shared by the Taiwanese community and that he felt the case was "significant."

"I think these people are persecuting democracy and freedom under the banner of freedom and democracy... (This case) is a warning to those who are colluding with the Communist Party of China." He said, and he personally saw Sun Wen protesting "during working hours" Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the United States is "so bold and so arrogant", "I hope they will be sentenced severely", "I also hope that many people will be involved and their network will be captured from within."

News (29)

Chinese community: Sun Wen and others were arrested because of the "CCP", not because of "Chinese"

This case has shocked the entire Chinese community in Taiwan, New York and even the United States. Many people believe that more and more Chinese are currently being arrested and prosecuted by the U.S. government. They are victims of the "deterioration of Sino-US relations"; some are also targeting "racism" Damn, I think the U.S. government is targeting the Chinese; others say, what’s wrong with the Chinese being so close to the “motherland”?

In this regard, Chen Chuangchuang, a Chinese lawyer in New York, said that it is normal to return to China and even have contact with CCP officials, but it is not normal for you to obey the CCP to suppress Taiwan and work for the CCP in the New York government.

Image : Lawyer Chen Chuangchuang. (Hongda/The Epoch Times)

"As the accusation says: Who do you belong to? You are an American and an official in New York. How can you accept the instructions of the Chinese Communist Party? Isn't this very clear? President Tsai Ing-wen will meet with the Governor of New York when she comes. , or the governor of New York goes to Washington, and Taiwan’s diplomats want to contact him or her, what right do you have to report this to the Chinese Embassy? This is obviously wrong,” Chen Chuangchuang said.

"In addition, when you go to China, all the expenses and travel expenses are paid for by the CCP; the presidents of the hometown associations of CCP agents help your husband do business, and they also help CCP officials issue fake invitations... these are all Is it something that a U.S. civil servant can do? Aren’t you just acting as an agent of the CCP and benefiting from it? This is the key to the problem. It’s not that the contact is abnormal, but that you work for the CCP.”

Qin Peng, a Chinese political commentator, said that there is another important conceptual issue here: that is, the Chinese community has not yet been able to distinguish between the concepts of "CCP" and "China."

Image : Current affairs commentator Qin Peng. (Provided by Qin Peng)

"U.S. citizens should abide by U.S. laws and protect U.S. interests," he said. "What she did was not for 'China', but for the 'CCP'." "If (the CCP) is doing it for As for China, then go and take back the territory occupied by Russia... In fact, the CCP is doing things under the banner of "motherland". It wants to occupy Taiwan, or spread money around the world, etc., so you do these things It has nothing to do with (China’s) ‘national interests’.”

He said that confusing "CCP" and "China" has always been the focus of the CCP's brainwashing of the Chinese people.

Huang Youxing, an education advocate for the Chinese community in Queens, said that "the United States targets Chinese people", "Those who say 'racism' are all people with the same disease and unclean bodies. Otherwise, how could they say such boring things as the FBI is 'racism'" ? Do you think the FBI is bored and has nothing to do to investigate you?"

Chen Chuangchuang believes that Sun Wen cannot be said to be a "victim" of the "deterioration of Sino-US relations" because the naive days when Americans thought "trade can change the CCP" are "gone forever."

“It is now clear to both parties in the United States that the CCP is the number one threat to the United States and an enemy that undermines the international order and harms U.S. interests.” He said, “The relationship between the United States and the CCP and the so-called ‘People’s Republic of China’ is impossible. Improvement, this is really not a good time for people who eat both ends."

Chen Chuangchuang said that this news is a slap in the face for people who are pro-CCP in the Chinese community; it is good news for people who understand the nature of the CCP. "I feel very gratified and praise the U.S. government's actions." The movement is still very fast."

News (30) to (34) / Reporters : Ning Haizhong, Luo Ya / Editor : Li Renhe / https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/24/9/5/n14324669.htm

News (30)

Wang Juntao: It is of great significance to catch the CCP agents hiding in the New York government

Image : In the afternoon of 3 September 2024, Sun Wen (right) was released on bail for US$1.5 million, and Hu (left) was released on bail for US$500,000. Their next court appearance is on 25 September 2024. (Huang Xiaotang/The Epoch Times)

Sun Wen, the former deputy chief of staff to the governor of New York, was accused of acting as an agent of the Chinese Communist Party, and she and her husband Hu Xiao were arrested on Tuesday (3 September). After the incident, Huang Ping, the Chinese Consul General in New York, resigned on 4 September 2024. Some details about Sun Wen’s secret collusion with the CCP were revealed. In an interview with The Epoch Times, Wang Juntao, a political scientist living in the United States, pointed out that the arrest of Sun Wen is of great significance, but we should be vigilant because the problem of being exploited in mainstream American society is not limited to New York State.

News (31)

Details of Sun Wen’s case: CCP officials sent Nanjing salted duck cooked by a private chef to her home

On Tuesday (3 September 2024), Kathy Hochul’s former deputy chief of staff Linda Sun and Sun Wen’s husband Chris Hu were arrested by the FBI in their Long Island mansion and were arrested that afternoon. Charged with acting as agents of the Chinese Communist Party, Sun Wen and Hu Xiao pleaded not guilty to all charges in federal court. Sun's bail is set at $1.5 million and Hu Xiao's bail is set at $500,000.

Sun Wen was born in Nanjing and came to the United States with her parents when she was 5 years old. She worked in the state government for about 15 years. In 2009, she served as the chief of staff of the then New York State Assemblyman Meng Zhaowen (now a member of the House of Representatives). In 2012, she joined served as Governor Cuomo's New York State Administration and later served as Hochul's deputy chief of staff.

An indictment was unsealed in Brooklyn federal court charging Sun Wen with violating and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling and money laundering conspiracy.

According to the indictment, since 2016, Sun Wen, at the request of the Chinese Consulate, has tried to reduce interactions between Taiwanese government officials and the governor’s office. On 12 July 2019, she personally participated in a public event in Manhattan organized by pro-communist overseas leaders to protest against the Taiwanese President's visit to New York.

In one example, in March 2020, New York state officials held a private conference call to discuss the COVID-19 response and hate crimes against Asian Americans. Sun Wen secretly put a Chinese government official into an internal conference call. Sun also sent a message during the conference call to remind Chinese officials to "please mute your cell phone." After listening to the 32-minute conference call, the Chinese official sent a letter to Sun Wen saying: "It is very useful."

As a secret agent for the Chinese government, Sun Wen enjoys a luxurious life, including owning an apartment with a sea view and a luxury car. Once, a CCP official gave Sun Wen’s parents Nanjing salted duck cooked by a private chef.

News (32)

The Sun Wen case is of great significance and the West is encircling the CCP

Wang Juntao, chairman of the National Committee of the China Democratic Party, told The Epoch Times that it is of great significance for the United States to arrest a CCP agent who once hid in high-level positions in New York State.

"I'm very excited after hearing about this case. (The United States) is really cracking down on the CCP's agents. I have been telling the FBI that you are on the right track. You want to crack down on the CCP's forces, and you need to be solid when it comes to catching specific cases. The biggest threat to the democratic movement. Because we are on the streets every day, wherever Xi Jinping is and wherever the Communist Party is, we are the first to bear the brunt. From our perspective, Falun Gong is also the first to be affected. Those who are punished are those who take the lead in beating people on the streets, followed by those who speak for the Communist Party and act as agents in the US government, and those who should be punished the most."

The West has successively taken actions to counter the CCP’s infiltration, and Australia, New Zealand, and Europe are already in operation. What does the U.S. action represent this time?

Wang Juntao believes that the United States may have the most people like Sun Wen among other countries, because the CCP attaches great importance to the United States.

Wang Juntao said that when some people in the United States first studied China, they studied it from the perspective of opposing the Communist Party. As a result, once they went to China, they became the so-called Panda sect when they came back. "They still hate China in their hearts, but their interests are tied together."

He believes that the United States opened up the anti-CCP agent situation when Trump was president, and then President Biden systematized it. After that, the entire West has formed a situation of encirclement of the CCP.

 Image : File photo of Wang Juntao, Chairman of the National Committee of the China Democratic Party. (Lin Leyu/The Epoch Times)

News (33)

The Chinese Consulate knew it was under surveillance and Beijing was behind the secret front

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul said at a press conference on Wednesday (4 September 2024) that Huang Ping, the Chinese Consul General in New York, is no longer in office after former deputy chief of staff Sun Wen was accused of acting as an agent of the Chinese Communist government. .

Huo Chu said she expressed her desire to expel the Chinese consul general in New York to a senior State Department official. U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said at the briefing that the consul general had not been expelled, but had completed a regular rotation.

Wang Juntao said that in fact, for the CCP’s overseas agents, the Chinese consulates are not the most important. Behind the scenes, Beijing operates directly through the United Front Work Department. Therefore, the FBI in the United States has put a lot of effort into it, but sometimes it is difficult to find evidence.

He gave an example: The front-line thugs sent by the CCP all go to Beijing to participate in some activities of the United Front Work Department and the Federation of Overseas Chinese to make deals. Of course, the Chinese Consulate also does business with some American entrepreneurs, but the Chinese Consulate is too conspicuous. It will attend some overseas Chinese group activities, but the real layout is not theirs.

Wang Juntao said that the CCP has placed people like ghosts all over the United States, which are difficult to detect. "The center of the Communist Party's secret front is in Beijing. They have many single-line contacts and will not let others know. The Chinese Consulate itself I also know that they are actually being monitored by the United States.”

News (34)

It should be noted that the CCP’s real foreign propaganda is “American”

Wang Juntao said that under the malicious infiltration of the CCP, the CCP’s external propaganda that really works is not the Overseas Chinese Newspaper, China Daily, or Chinese-language media, but the mainstream media in the United States. These media themselves may not directly serve the CCP, but on some topics, some people will be used by the CCP.

"Mainstream American society has been exploited. It is not a problem of the New York government at all. Other mainstream media and mainstream institutions have been deeply penetrated by the Communist Party. It is not that the Communist Party can control them, but that the Communist Party can cleverly use some (When) their views are consistent with the CCP on a matter-of-fact basis, (the CCP) uses them because some words are more attractive to them than what the CCP says.”

As an example, he said that one result of this infiltration was that during the local protests when Xi Jinping came to the United States last year, the people who were beaten with deadly weapons were actually carried out by pro-communist groups, but the police at the scene were obviously biased towards them. "They beat our people, and several of our people were arrested, but none of their people were arrested. So not only New York State, but also California has been infiltrated and it is more difficult to investigate."

Wang Juntao said, "It's not that Wall Street doesn't know that the Communist Party is bad. When you read newspapers like the New York Times, they scold their own leaders every day, even for trivial matters, but they still have an attitude of appreciation for the CCP's huge crimes - look at China. They all know that this is a benefit but now that the CCP has developed its strength with the help of the United States, they are all panicking."

He said that now the American people as a whole are awakening because the CCP has threatened the United States.

News (35)

Lai Ching-te exposed that China invaded Taiwan to achieve hegemony. The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council jumped in and said "it's a bunch of nonsense"

Reporter : Chen Yufu / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4791598 / Image : Lai Ching-te recently accepted a TV interview and bluntly stated that the purpose of China's invasion of Taiwan was not "territory" but to become a world hegemon. (File photo)

[Reporter Chen Yufu/Taipei Report] President Lai Ching-te said in an interview on the 100th day of his inauguration that China did not want to invade Taiwan because of territorial relations. The real purpose was to change the rules-based world order in order to achieve hegemony. It is absolutely impossible to accept one-China The 1992 consensus on principles. Chen Binhua, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, said that the nonsense was simply a matter of changing concepts and confusing right and wrong.

Lai Ching-te emphasized in a recent speech that "China's intention to attack and annex Taiwan is not because of anything said or done by any person or political party in Taiwan. China's annexation of Taiwan is not for territorial integrity. If it is for territorial integrity, why not take back the " The Treaty of Aihun and Russia is now at its weakest?"

Lai Ching-te pointed out, "The purpose of China's invasion of Taiwan is to change the rules-based world order and to achieve its hegemony in the Western Pacific or internationally."

He emphasized that it is absolutely impossible to accept the 1992 Consensus of the one-China principle. Once accepted, it would be equivalent to the transfer of Taiwan's sovereignty. If the sovereignty of the Republic of China or Taiwan is not present, everything is in vain.

In this regard, Chen Binhua, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that Lai Ching-te continued to carry out provocations for Taiwan independence, exaggerated the so-called "China threat", refused to accept the "1992 Consensus", tried his best to cater to the anti-CCP arguments of external forces, and engaged in "seeking independence by force" and "Relying on foreign countries to seek independence" completely serves Taiwan's independence position and its separatist plot.

Chen Binhua alleged that his nonsense was a complete replacement of concepts and confusion of right and wrong, which fully exposed his sinister intentions of seeking Taiwan independence, splitting the country and undermining peace across the Taiwan Strait.

The Mainland Affairs Council said earlier that President Lai pointed out that the "Aihun Treaty" invaded Chinese land. This was pointing out a historical fact. The "Aihun Treaty" and the later "Beijing Treaty" ceded about 1 million square kilometers of land, which is 28 times, or even close to 30 times the size of Taiwan. If it is really necessary, why not ask Russia for this land? 

The Mainland Affairs Council pointed out that Chinese Vice Chairman Han Zheng was recently seen going to Vladivostok to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This is quite ironic, because Vladivostok is the land occupied by Russia just mentioned, so President Lai just pointed out the attitude of the Chinese Communist Party, that has one attitude towards Taiwan, and another when facing Russia. There is still some hypocrisy in the middle.

News (36) to (38) / Reporter : Luo Tingting / Editor: Wen Hui / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2024/09/05/a103910989.html

News (36)

Putin meets Han Zheng, Vladivostok territorial dispute draws attention again

Image : On 4 September 2024, Russian President Putin (right) met with Han Zheng, Vice Chairman of the Communist Party of China, in Vladivostok, and the Vladivostok territorial dispute drew attention again. (Kristina Kormilitsyna/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

On 4 September 2024, Russian President Putin met with Han Zheng, Vice Chairman of the Communist Party of China, in Vladivostok. Putin called on Chinese tourists to come to Vladivostok to consume and boost the local economy. The Vladivostok territorial dispute has attracted attention again.

According to the Russian Satellite News Agency, Han Zheng went to Vladivostok to attend the "Eastern Economic Forum". Vladimir Putin invited Han Zheng to visit Vladivostok and told Han Zheng that he hoped Vladivostok (called Vladivostok in China) would become the "center of gravity" for cultural exchanges between China and Russia and attract Chinese tourists.

Han Zheng said that China actively supports and participates in the development cooperation in Russia's Far East.

Putin called on Chinese tourists to consume in Vladivostok to boost the local economy, which once again attracted attention to the territorial dispute in Vladivostok.

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Lai Ching-te revealed the purpose of the CCP's invasion of Taiwan, triggering the territorial dispute between China and Russia

Vladivostok (called Vladivostok in Russia) originally belonged to China and was ceded to Russia by the Qing government in 1860. In July 2001, Jiang Zemin, the former leader of the CCP, signed the "Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation" with Russia, giving up 1.5 million square kilometers of territory occupied by Russia, including Vladivostok.

Recently, President Lai Ching-te of the Republic of China pointed out in an exclusive interview with Taiwanese media that the real purpose of the CCP's plot to seize Taiwan is not for "territorial integrity", otherwise why doesn't the CCP ask Russia for the large amount of territory lost in the late Qing Dynasty?

Lai Ching-te said: "China (CCP) wants to annex Taiwan, but it is not for territorial integrity. If it is really for territorial integrity, why doesn't it take back the land occupied by Russia in the Treaty of Aihui?"

He said, "The Treaty of Aihui signed during the Qing Dynasty, you (CCP) can now ask Russia for it, but you don't have it, so it is obvious that it is not because of territorial issues that you want to invade Taiwan."

Lai Ching-te pointed out that the purpose of the CCP's invasion of Taiwan is to change this "rules-based world order".

Lai Ching-te's remarks sparked heated discussions among Chinese people at home and abroad, but embarrassed the CCP authorities and made them dare not respond.

Veteran media person Tang Hao said in the program "World Crossroads" that Lai Ching-te's remarks can be said to be very sharp, but they also hit the CCP's key points and pain points very accurately. Why does the CCP keep saying that it wants to "reunify the motherland" and "recover lost territory", but dares only threaten small Taiwan with force every day, but dares not ask Russia for the large area of ​​territory occupied by Tsarist Russia and the former Soviet Union? The total area of ​​those lost territories is equivalent to 42 Taiwans!

The CCP has been slow to respond to Lai Ching-te's speech, while the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has publicly stated that Russia signed the "Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation" with the CCP in July 2001, and the then CCP leader Jiang Zemin clearly gave up the territory occupied by Russia.

Tang Hao said that Russia pointed out that it was the CCP that clearly gave up 1.5 million square kilometers of lost territory. To put it another way, the CCP is selling out the country and clearly giving Chinese territory to Russia.

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More and more Chinese aware about the Chinese ownership of Vladivostok through tourism

Due to the CCP's deliberate cover-up, many Chinese people are not aware of the territorial dispute in Vladivostok but in recent years, as more and more Chinese people travel abroad and learn the real information, the ownership of Vladivostok has attracted the attention of the Chinese people.

Recently, many videos of Chinese tourists traveling in Vladivostok and visiting the Qing Dynasty boundary monuments have been leaked on the Chinese Internet.

The video above shows a group of Chinese tourists carefully looking at a stone tablet. The person who filmed the video said: "You must see this tablet when you come to Russia. It was erected by our Qing Dynasty, proving that this land originally belonged to our Qing Dynasty. Behind it is the Russian War Museum, which is quite ironic. All the characters on it are written by our Qing Dynasty. Remember to check in when you come, which proves that this was originally our China."

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Xi'an college students shouted in class: I don't like the Communist Party

Editor : Li Qian / Interview : Chang Chun / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2024/09/01/a103909972.html

Recently, a video was circulated online. In the classroom of Northwest University in Shaanxi, students loudly protested that they did not like the Communist Party and were tired of learning things like "Principles of Marxism". Commentators believe that the CCP continues to strengthen political brainwashing but its ideology has long been bankrupt and cannot escape the fate of disintegration and collapse.

A video recently circulated online shows that in the "Principles of Marxism" class at Northwest University in Xi'an, Shaanxi on 27 August 2024, some students were looking at their phones and chatting. During the class, a male student suddenly protested loudly.

Video: "I am not a Communist, I do not believe in communism, and I do not like the Communist Party!"

Chinese historian Li Yuanhua: "These courses are actually meant to make you submit, whether you believe it or not, to the tyranny of the Communist Party. In fact, many people are very annoyed. In the past, they just dealt with the job. Then the students in this video actually said the truth that everyone dared not say."

Since the Communist Party seized power in China in 1949, mainland Chinese people have been forced to accept the political brainwashing of the Communist Party since birth. Political courses have become a compulsory course for students. In recent years, under the numerous crises at home and abroad, the Communist Party has become more and more aggressive in order to maintain its rule, and has continuously strengthened the so-called ideological and political education for the people.

In August last year, the Communist Party authorities added the so-called ideological overview of its leader Xi Jinping to the textbooks from primary school to university nationwide, increasing the textbooks of students' political courses from the original 4 to 5, which made students overwhelmed and even more annoyed.

Li Yuanhua: "More and more people do not believe in the CCP, which actually makes the CCP feel that it is very dangerous and precarious, so it forces the education system to strengthen or enhance this aspect of the course."

Last September, a WeChat group chat record was widely circulated online. In it, a female student from a vocational secondary school in Fujian complained to the teacher that she had to recite a lot of political course materials, which led to a near mental breakdown.

She wrote: "I couldn't sleep all night, I was reciting all night. Didn't you tell us to pay attention to spiritual health? I tell you! Since I took your 'moral education class', my mind has never been healthy!"

Xing Tianxing: "The ideological propaganda of the CCP, especially the so-called education of Marxism (principles) for college students, has actually been bankrupt. Even 20 or 30 years ago, students were very disgusted with this kind of political education. Because of this kind of political education, the older people will find that reality is completely out of touch with the so-called teaching."

Xing Tianxing, a current affairs commentator living in the United States, said that among today's college students, a small number dare to openly oppose the Communist Party, and a small number deliberately cater to the Communist Party. The majority of the rest are in the middle state, that is, they do not agree with the Communist Party in their hearts, but remain silent under the pressure of the tyranny. In fact, the CCP's ideology has long been bankrupt, and now the CCP is hated by the people and is heading towards disintegration.

Xing Tianxing: "The CCP is a living organism. For example, when we talk about the autumn and severe cold season, of course, it will not live long. That is to say, when the climate reaches that level, it will naturally disintegrate. This is related to the will of the people and the changes in the overall world pattern."

The video of the Northwest University class has attracted attention online. Many netizens praised the courage of the student and despised the CCP's forced brainwashing.

One netizen wrote: The student is right. He does not believe in the Communist Party. If the mainland insists on putting a person who has nothing to do with the CCP into the Marxist course arranged by the CCP, it is the same as the Taliban and ISIS.

Li Yuanhua: "It is like forcibly brainwashing you like these terrorists. For the CCP, the core of its party culture is lies and violence. Its lies are actually systematic. In the education system, its so-called ideological and political courses are actually part of its systematic lies."

In recent years, with the spread of the truth, especially after the publication of "Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party" in 2004, which fully exposed the evil nature of the CCP, Chinese people have awakened one after another. Hundreds of millions of people have published statements on the global quitting party website to quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations. The CCP has entered a dead end and is only waiting for its final disintegration.

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From the Land Rover protest girl to the female college students mobilizing the peasants, the end of the CCP is near

— From economic struggle to political struggle, from local confrontation to widespread war

Report by: Yan Chungou / Editor : Li Anda / Source : Facebook / https://www.aboluowang.com/2024/0906/2099536.html

Two social events have occurred in mainland China recently, showing that the struggle of the people against the CCP is undergoing some fundamental changes.

One is the Land Rover girl beating incident in Qingdao. Afterwards, the Land Rover girl was only detained for ten days and fined 1,000 yuan but public opinion was in an uproar. Veterans from all over the country went to Qingdao to support the victims. When I was writing, I heard that Qingdao had implemented martial law.

Another incident that did not attract widespread attention was on the afternoon of 30 August 2024, in Renze Village, Dama Township, Airport District, Shanxi Province, where two college girls distributed leaflets in the village, calling on villagers to resist unreasonable demolitions. They were detained by village committee staff and reported to the police. Upon hearing the news, the villagers surrounded the village committee and the police, and a conflict broke out. In the early morning of the next day, the police were forced to release the two girls.

The former incident means that a local, short-term, and inconspicuous social event may lead to a major event on a national scale. The latter incident means that China's intellectual elite class has begun to seek a path to establish an alliance with the grassroots workers and peasants.

For many years, China's civil resistance has been scattered and individual, without the opportunity to receive a broad social response. Each of them has its own way and is prone to rise and fall. Some were settled with money and broke up peacefully, while others were suppressed by force and disappeared without a trace. Many years ago, the peasant protest in Wukan, Guangdong, was once very lively, but unfortunately it did not receive widespread support and was eventually suppressed by the government. Zheng Yanxiong, the secretary of the Shanwei Municipal Party Committee who led the protest, is now the director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong.

Civilian protests have always been caused by economic interests, involving a small number of people and a limited scale of events. The Communist Party of China has accumulated a set of means to deal with social crises over the years of maintaining stability. It has done both civil and military work, and all serious accidents have been handled in a short period of time to prevent the situation from deteriorating and expanding. The so-called stability maintenance means that the government has the ability to control the situation, has money and weapons, and is not afraid of a small number of people rebelling.

The grassroots people in China have a superficial understanding of their situation. They oppose corrupt officials, but believe in honest officials. They oppose local officials, but believe in the central government. Their level of understanding has never reached the level of questioning the system. Therefore, they only ask about interests, not ideas, in everything. This is also the basic reason why social resistance movements cannot ferment.

The nature of the two events this time has begun to change. Veterans were insulted and beaten, not because of monetary interests, but because of the arrogance and viciousness of the Land Rover girl, who trampled on universal justice. The fact that she was easily let off also shows that the political forces behind her are not small. Veterans across the country gathered for this. Twenty-one buses full of veterans from Dalian went to Qingdao to show their support. Not only will they not have any economic benefits, but they will even have to pay for transportation, food and accommodation at their own expense. Their only purpose is to seek justice for their comrades.

First, the scale is quite large and is still expanding; second, the target of the struggle is the political and business black forces behind the Land Rover girl; third, as veterans, they are more confident than ordinary people, and the government is also a little afraid of them. Because there are major hidden dangers in veterans making trouble, the CCP has to set up a special veterans department to deal with it; fourth, veterans have had several protests, but they were all for their own interests. This time it involves political demands, and the consequences may be big or small. How this matter ends remains to be seen. The transformation of economic struggle into political struggle is a new sign that can shake the CCP system.

The second incident is also an unprecedented phenomenon. In the past, civil protests occurred mostly in factories and rural areas, and also in cities, but mostly at the grassroots level. When an unfair incident occurs in a certain place, the stakeholders involved gather to make noise, sit in protest, and some even go to the village to beg for mercy. These are habitual actions.

Usually, the protesters go to protest on their own, while those who are not involved in the loss of interests stand aside and watch it happen, watching it break up and disband, not caring about it, and never having college students take the initiative to go to the countryside to mobilize farmers for collective protests.

Originally, rural demolition and college students had no interests intersecting, and they did not need to take risks, expose their political identities, and even affect their future. But this time, the two female college students went directly to the grassroots level to participate in and organize the farmers' protests without any hesitation, which was a sign of a profound change in the nature of the incident.

The political struggle of China's intellectual elites has a long history. From the college students in June 4, 1989, to the suppression of a large number of public intellectuals, to the annihilation of human rights lawyers, to Peng Zaizhou's call for freedom and democracy, and the brave call of the White Paper Movement, China's intellectual elites have never stopped "advocating and calling" for freedom and democracy. However, to date, the struggle of the intellectual elites is still out of touch with the grassroots.

The grassroots people's struggle is scattered, short-term, easy to rise and fall, and lacks organization. The workers and peasants lack a deep understanding of politics. They are short-sighted and cannot see that the shortcomings of the system are the root cause of depriving them of their survival opportunities. The struggle at this level of understanding can never fundamentally solve the problem.

The strengths of intellectuals are precisely their political insights. Their thoughts, vision, argumentative ability and organizational ability can make up for the shortcomings of the workers and peasants. The workers and peasants are numerous, and the intellectual elites have historical insights. With the complementarity of both sides, the struggle can be larger, more lasting and more in-depth. This is a new trend worthy of our attention in the future.

The above two events show that the anti-communist wave on the mainland is moving towards a new stage. Political affairs are always inseparable from the word "trend". Good and evil are a struggle of ideas, success or failure is a balance of power, and victory or failure depends on the change in the balance of power, which depends on the trend. Today's trend is not comparable to the past. To see the transformation of future trends, we must think from this kind of new signs.