I just fell off my chair reading this!!!!!!!!

Britain gives aid to China! really, how stupid of them.

I doubt the money is spent where it was intended.

 

 
 

The colossal aid sums were buried in the Department for International Development's annual report which was quietly put out this week as MPs go on their summer holiday

 

Chinese diplomats start burning documents after State Department orders immediate closure of Beijing's consulate in Houston 'to protect American intellectual property'  

 

The U.S. abruptly ordered the closure of China's consulate in Houston, Texas on Tuesday night - leading to Chinese diplomats burning documents and papers in trash cans in its courtyard

 

Australia makes a big move in its ongoing dispute with Beijing as it declares controversial islands AREN'T Chinese territory - just days after Aussie ships were confronted by China's navy in the hotly contested area

Australia filed a declaration at the United Nations in New York on Friday and rejected claims made by China to parts of the South China Sea (pictured). The move is likely to further inflame tensions with China, after Prime Minister Scott Morrison (bottom left) called for an inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus.

China rockets to Mars: Tianwen-1 launches on seven-month journey to the Red Planet in space race with US - three days after the UAE's first mission

The five-tonne Tianwen-1 spacecraft is expected to arrive at Mars in February 2021 after a seven-month, 34-million-mile voyage. Engineers and other employees cheered at the launch site on the southern island of Hainan as it lifted off into blue sky aboard a Long March 5 - China's biggest space rocket. Site commander Zhang Xueyu declared the mission a success on state broadcaster CCTV.

China escalates trade tension, threatening tariffs on Australian winemakers | ABC News''

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw9_6jSXnqs

 

China launches anti-dumping investigation into Australian wine exports

By foreign affairs reporter Stephen Dziedzic

Posted 8hhours ago, updated 3hhours agoSpace to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.WATCHDuration: 2 minutes 42 seconds2m 42s Trade Minister Simon Birmingham rejects allegations Australia is "dumping" wine in China.Share 

China has launched an anti-dumping investigation into Australian wine exports, as trade tensions between Beijing and Canberra continue to escalate.

Key points:China is investigating whether Australia is "dumping" wine at low pricesAustralian wine exports to China make up more than a third of total wine exportsShares in Treasury Wine Estates have plunged

Wine is the third Australian industry to be hit by China this year, with beef and barley exports already facing trade sanctions.

China's Government has also warned both tourists and students not to travel to Australia as the relationship between the two countries sours.

China's Ministry of Commerce announced the investigation this morning.

The ministry said it would look at whether Australian winemakers "dumped" bottles of wine at deliberately low prices in order to crowd out local producers and claim a bigger market share.

The move has already sent tremors through the industry.

Last year Australian wine exports to China were valued at $1.25 billion, more than a third of the whole wine export market.

Shares in Treasury Wine Estates are already in a trading halt after plunging almost 15 per cent this morning.

Fears of 'catastrophic' impact on wine industryLast year Australian wine exports to China were valued at $1.25 billion.(Penfolds: AAP)

In a statement, Treasury Wine Estates said it "would cooperate with any requests for information from Chinese and Australian authorities".

"TWE has had a long and respectful relationship with China over many years through its team, partners, customers and consumers," the statement said.

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said Chinese authorities also warned Australia they may launch a second investigation into whether the Australian wine exports were benefitting from government subsidies.

"This is a very disappointing and perplexing development," Senator Birmingham said.

"Australian wine is highly sought after in China because of its quality. Australian wine is not sold at below-market prices and exports are not subsidised."

Tensions between Australia and China have escalated this year.(Reuters: Jason Lee)

Industry sources have also scoffed at the suggestion that Australian wines were being dumped cheaply in China.

Victorian wine consultant James Hall said the average Australian bottle of wine being purchased in China was three times more expensive than a bottle of wine produced there.

"The value of Australian wines being imported into China has almost doubled in value in the last three years," he told ABC Statewide Drive Victoria.

"We have the second-highest prices per litre of any wine being imported into China.

"It's just crazy. It's a decision that seems to be political."

Jeffrey Wilson from the Perth USAsia Centre said a clear pattern of economic coercion was now emerging.

"China's probe against Australian wine follows the same logic as recent moves against barley — the use of seemingly 'technical' trade measures to disguise what is fundamentally a political sanction," he said.

"The Chinese ambassador to Australia publicly threatened such sanctions on wine in April, making it an extreme stretch of credulity to believe this is a routine trade policy investigation."

Mr Wilson also warned that the wine industry would be badly hurt if the Chinese Ministry of Commerce concluded it had been dumping, and imposed trade sanctions.

"With China buying just over a third of Australia's wine exports — the largest market by a wide margin — the effects of any duties would be potentially catastrophic for this large regional employer," Mr Wilson said.

Australian Grape and Wine chief executive Tony Battaglene said he was "surprised" by China's announcement today, and suggested the Ministry of Commerce had made the move to help local producers.

"We thought this had all calmed down, but we do know the Chinese industry that made the complaint has been struggling in a COVID world," Mr Battaglene said.

"We'll now be issued with questionnaires from the Chinese authorities directed at any companies they've identified as potentially dumping … China will then use that to investigate, one, if dumping has occurred and, secondly, if any damage to their industry has occurred."

China has already imposed trade sanctions on Australian barley and beef.(ABC Rural: Jo Prendergast)

Mr Battaglene said the industry expected the investigation to conclude in August next year.

The move is likely to arouse renewed suspicions in Canberra that China is using its economic heft to punish Australia.

The bilateral relationship has been battered by a series of disputes.

The Federal Government angered Beijing when it decided to lock the Chinese telco Huawei out of Australia's 5G network, while Australia has been deeply frustrated by intensifying cyber attacks emanating from China.

The Australian Government has also repeatedly criticised Beijing's militarisation of the South China Sea and its crackdown on Hong Kong.

China has denied that its move to impose tariffs on Australian barley and suspend imports from some Australian abattoirs are linked to broader political tensions.

But earlier this year China's ambassador to Australia, Cheng Jingye, warned that Chinese consumers might boycott Australian goods because of Canberra's push for an independent inquiry into the coronavirus outbreak

 

 

Australian wine: The next casualty of Aus-China tensions?

Economy

 

Samantha GoerlingMarkets Reporter[email protected]18 August 2020 16:04 Source: ABCThe Chinese Ministry of Commerce has launched an anti-dumping investigation into Australian wine exports in ChinaAustralian Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud, says the Australian government will work with the wine industry to fight the claimsThe investigation follows months of tension between Australia and China, along with increased tariffs lumped on Australian barley and beefAustralian wine company Treasury Wine Estate (TWE) said it will cooperate with any requests for information and will continue to pursue its relationships in the country

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has launched an anti-dumping investigation into Australian wine exports in China.

The probe will look into wine imported in two-litre or less containers in 2019, as well as any impact on its domestic industry between 2015 and 2016, according to Reuters.

Australian Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud, has rebutted the allegations of dumping and said the Australian government will work with the industry to fight the claims.

"Our farmers are amongst the most efficient and least subsidised producers in the world - recognised as second only to New Zealand in our levels of support," the minister said.

"While we respect the right of any nation to defend their domestic producers from unfair and uncompetitive practices, we reject any claim that Australian wine product has been 'dumped' into China," he continued.

"I note that this anti-dumping investigation will run for up to 12 months, and I am committed to working with the Australian wine industry to ensure that all necessary information is provided to refute any claim that Australian wine is being dumped."

The investigation also follows months of disputes over 5G provider Huawei and a COVID-19 investigation among other matters, which have punctuated the Australia-China relationship and seen Australia's largest trade partner increase tariffs on barley and beef.

Those industries, much like Australia's wine industry, are heavily weighted on exports to China. During the 2019 calendar year, wine exports totalled $2.91 million according to Wine Australia, $1.3 billion of which came from sales into China.

Australian wine producer Treasury Wine Estate (TWE) acknowledged the investigation today, stating it will cooperate with any requests for information and will continue to pursue its relationships in the country.

"TWE has had a long and respectful relationship with China over many years through its team, partners, customers and consumers."

"As an importer of high-quality, premium Australian wine, including brands such as Penfolds, TWE remains committed to China as a priority market and will continue to invest in its Chinese business and its relationships with customers and consumers."

"TWE’s focus will remain on building premium and luxury brands, investing in the local operating model and team, and working with partners to enhance the wine category and grow our contribution to China."

Investors have reeled on the news of the investigation, with Treasury Wine Estate's share price down 13.4 per cent today to $10.69 at 2:30 pm AEST.

Fellow ASX-listed wine company Australian Vintage's (AVG) shares were down 2.2 per cent to 44 cents at the same time.

 

Chinese military 'fires two missiles into South China Sea to warn the US' after Beijing accused American spy plane of entering its no-fly zone

The missiles, including an 'aircraft-carrier killer', were fired Wednesday in a bid to improve China's ability to deny other forces access to the disputed sea region, a source told So

 

China arrests group of Hong Kongers as they attempt to flee to Taiwan by boatThe boat was intercepted off the coast of China's Guangdong province. Source: AAP

Hong Kong media reports say 12 people from the former British colony have been arrested while sailing to Taiwan to apply for political asylum.

Chinese authorities have arrested at least 10 people after intercepting a boat off the coast of the southern province of Guangdong, the provincial Coast Guard Bureau says.

Hong Kong media, citing unidentified sources, said 12 people from the former British colony were arrested while sailing to Taiwan where they planned to apply for political asylum.

It was not clear what law they would be charged with violating but, if confirmed, it would be a rare instance of Chinese authorities arresting people from Hong Kong trying to leave the city.

'Every day I sleep, I also worry': Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong describes his constant fear of arrest

 The Guangdong Coast Guard said on its social media platform late on Wednesday the people on the boat were arrested on 23 August.

Two of the detained were surnamed Li and Tang, it said. It did not provide further details and could not be reached for comment.

Hong Kong media identified one of those on the vessel as Andy Li, who media said was recently arrested under a sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing on its freest city on 30 June.

Chris Tang, the Chinese-ruled city's police chief, said at a press conference he had not received any information from mainland authorities regarding the arrests.

 Pro-democracy opposition politicians arrested in Hong Kong over 2019 protests

 The security legislation, opposed by many in Hong Kong, punishes what Beijing broadly defines as subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison.

Taiwan has proved a popular destination for Hong Kong people aiming to leave their city as Beijing tightens its grip, with the self-ruled island's President Tsai Ing-wen pledging to help those who arrive.

Architect of Australia's trade deal with China says countries' relationship has 'never been better' despite Beijing using export bans to hold a gun to Scott Morrison's head over coronavirus

     

Andrew Robb, the former Liberal trade minister behind Australia's free trade deal with China, insists one aspect of the bilateral relationship is the best it has ever been. But he had a warning.

 

How the West was lost: JOHN MICKLETHWAIT and ADRIAN WOOLDRIDGE reveals coronavirus is making China all-powerful again after Europe and America stole its crown... and Britain only has itself to blame

JOHN MICKLETHWAIT: London has lost 6,000 people. In one four-week stretch in April, more Londoners died than during the worst four weeks of the Blitz. By contrast, in Seoul, barely 20 people have died of the virus. Korean politicians reacted far more quickly than Britain's - and far more smartly. Seoul soon returned to its normal bustling self while London remained - and remains - a ghost town. True, the Korean capital has recently experienced a spike in cases, but not deaths. The authorities quickly re-imposed some restrictions, closing public spaces and urging companies to reintroduce flexible working. Worried citizens in Seoul have recourse to an impressive Covid-fighting infrastructure: you can get tested in numerous booths in the main streets and get your temperature taken at bus stops. Pictured main, Troops prepare for a military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on October 1, 2019 in Beijing. Bottom right, Waterloo Station as London's streets and stations stayed empty despite shops back open on July 9. Bottom left, tanks marched in a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing in 2015. Bottom centre, US President Donald Trump meets with China's President Xi Jinping at the start of their bilateral meeting at the G20 leaders summit in Osaka, Japan, June 29, 2019

China, US dominate world renewables output 

According to the International Energy Agency’s Key World Energy Statistics report, just released China continues to be the world’s largest producer of renewable power from wind as well as solar photovoltaics.

The country accounts for 28.7 per cent of global wind production, supplied by an installed capacity of 184 gigawatts (GW), and 31.9 per cent of global solar production, from an installed base of 175GW.

The IEA’s Key World Energy Statistics report has used data from 2018 to compile its figures.

The United States is the world’s second largest producer of both wind and solar, IEA’s figures found.

The country accounts for 21.7 per cent of global wind production, from an installed capacity of 94.5GW.

The US accounts for 14.7 per cent of global solar production, supplied by an installed capacity of 62.5GW.

Germany is the world’s third largest wind producer, the statistics found, accounting for 8.6 per cent of the global total, from an installed capacity of 59GW.

India is the world’s fourth largest producer of wind-generated electricity, accounting for five per cent, generated by an installed base of 35GW.

Japan is the world’s third largest producer of solar PV electricity, the study found, accounting for 11.3 per cent of the global solar PV total, supplied by an installed base of 56GW.

The KWES report found Germany is the world’s fourth largest producer of solar PV electricity, accounting for 8.3 per cent, from an installed capacity of 45GW.

The United Kingdom is the world’s fifth largest producer of wind power, accounting for 4.5 per cent, and the seventh largest producer of solar electricity, accounting for 2.3 per cent.

China steps up its trade war with Australia by slapping a ban on the nation's biggest barley exporter - just a day after Aussie TV presenter was arrested in Beijing 

Australia's top grain exporter has been banned from sending barley to China after disputed claims pests were found in multiple shipments.

 

 

And it gets worse Incognito;  I must say I am surprised what are doing this  is pretty childish.

I expected better from their Leaders.

 

 

How China uses its trading clout to bully nations like Australia - and why this is set to get worse

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute has analysed how China bullies smaller nations like Australia, and predicts the Communist power's wolf warrior tactics are set to intensify.

Australia is far from the only nation China is bullying to get its way politically.

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute has analysed how the Communist superpower uses so-called wolf warrior diplomacy to silence its major trading partners.

Like two-thirds of the world, Australia has China as its biggest trading partner.

 

China has the world's largest Navy and aims to double its number of nuclear warheads, warns the US as Beijing continues its global power grab 

The Pentagon claimed on Tuesday in a report that China already achieved parity with - or even exceeded - the US in areas such as ship building and the development of missiles.