China news roundup / Nachrichten 2024-11-11

10 days ago

China roads blocked by thousands of cyclists in night quest for dumplings

"It began with four university students who cycled for 50km (30 miles) from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng in June to try guantangbao, a type of soup dumpling.
"You don't get a second chance at youth, so you must go for a spontaneous trip with friends," one of the four had told local media.
That message struck a chord with other young people in the city of 12.6 million - China's young have increasingly been complaining of burnout from an overly-competitive and grinding job market.
Thus was born the social media trend “Night Ride to Kaifeng".
State media initially praised it as a demonstration of young people's "passion". And local government saw it as an opportunity to recreate the instant fame that the town of Zibo enjoyed last year as millions arrived to sample its barbecues.
Before Friday night's gridlock Kaifeng's officials even announced discounts and events targeting college students. They also put in place additional traffic control measures to protect the cyclists.
[...] many of those who made it to Kaifeng didn't seem to have enjoyed the experience.
"I really regret going," said one viral post from a student, who rode more than seven hours. They couldn't get a taxi or a hotel room as the demand was overwhelming."

--- Another example of the herd mentality prevalent in China. Don't mistake that for a mass movement against the government, though. Some people seem to spread the idea that this is a big protest. It is not.
But, as it is herd mentality, from something like this, a protest can actually evolve. & that's why the CCP is so afraid of mass phenomena like this. Hence, the expected reaction followed:

"Multiple social media posts suggest some universities in Zhengzhou have asked students to return to their dormitories and imposed restrictions on them leaving the campus.
Traffic police in both Zhengzhou and Kaifeng closed off some of the main cycling lanes between the two cities on Saturday and Sunday.
It is not surprising to see officials in both cities pushing back because Chinese authorities have always cracked down on large gatherings, which they fear can lead to protests or any form of political expression."

--- By the way, the bikes most of these night riders used are the cheap rental bikes you see everywhere in China. It's really no fun to ride these, particularly for 50km or more.

Singles’ Day shopping festival loses its shine under China’s lagging economy

"the prices offered on e-commerce platforms during Singles’ Day are not necessarily cheaper than usual. “They’re all tricks and we’ve seen through it over the years,”
[...] some merchants tend to raise the usual prices before offering a discount, giving consumers the illusion they are getting a deal."

--- Not only, but particularly in China.

China ‘concerned’ about Trump’s climate impact, says Beijing envoy

"“Everybody’s concerned about next steps … whether after the U.S. election, U.S. climate policy will or won’t change,” said Liu. “But most colleagues [here at COP] still feel that regardless if a country’s climate policy changes or doesn’t change, international multilateral climate cooperation should continue.""

--- A bit rich, coming from a country that regularly blocks decisions on international conferences for environmental protection.

Satellite images show China working on nuclear reactor for new warship

"Contracts for steam generators and turbine pumps indicate the project involves a pressurised water reactor with a secondary circuit — a profile that is consistent with naval propulsion reactors, the researchers say.
“Nuclear Power Development Project most certainly refers to a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier development effort,”"

--- Which probably shows that China plans to deploy carriers worldwide. They wouldn't need nuclear reactors for territorial defence only.

China's J-35A stealth fighter is 'black box' despite splashy debut

"The J-35A is superficially similar to the Lockheed Martin F-35, whose shape - from fuselage to control surfaces - is designed to minimise how large it appears on radar."

--- Superficially similar. It's almost a carbon copy. Only it's not so bulky because it is missing some hovering capability or so (IIRC).

Indonesia says it has no overlapping South China Sea claims with China, despite deal

"Indonesia’s foreign ministry has repeatedly said the country is a non-claimant state in the South China Sea and has no overlapping jurisdiction with China.
On Monday, the ministry said its position was unchanged and the agreement would have no impact on its sovereign rights.
“Indonesia reiterates its position that those (Chinese) claims have no international legal basis,” it said.
“The partnership does not impact sovereignty, sovereign rights or Indonesia’s jurisdiction in the North Natuna Sea.”"

--- As expected, the claims that Indonesia would accept China's 9-dash-line were premature.

Specter of China hovers over U.S. colleges

Palau’s president secures 2nd term amid attempt to navigate US-China competition

Hong Kong ‘upgrades’ lamppost that matched Tiananmen massacre date

--- China Uncensored: "Taiwan Needs More Than a Strong Military to Survive"

--- Spectator: "Will China stop North Korea fighting in Ukraine?"

--- CNBC: China's $1.4 trillion stimulus disappoints

--- CNBC: Weaker consumer sentiment weighs on China's singles day

Internet-Trend in China: Polizei geht gegen abendliche Massen-Radtouren vor

"Am Samstag erklärte die Polizei der Provinz Henan, die Straße sei am Sonntag von 16.00 Uhr bis Mitternacht "für nicht motorisierte Fahrzeuge gesperrt", um Verkehrsbehinderungen durch Leihfahrräder zu verhindern.
Die Behörden verweisen auch auf Sicherheitsgefahren: Die Stadtverwaltung von Kaifeng äußerte sich besorgt, dass Radfahrer stürzen und sich verletzen oder Rettungswagen behindern könnten. Drei große Anbieter von Leihrädern in Zhengzhou kündigten inzwischen an, alle Fahrräder zu sperren, die aus dem Stadtgebiet entfernt werden."

--- Weil Kaiser Xi panische Angst vor Menschenmassen hat, die nicht von der KPCh organisiert wurden.

"Mehr Flexibilität und Ausdauer": China baut atombetriebenes Kriegsschiff

"Zhao von der Carnegie-Stiftung sagte, nuklear angetriebene Flugzeugträger böten dem chinesischen Militär "mehr Flexibilität und Ausdauer, um an strategischen Brennpunkten zu operieren". Das betreffe das Südchinesische Meer, das China fast vollständig für sich beansprucht, aber auch das demokratisch regierte Taiwan, das die Führung in Peking als Nichtstaat betrachtet und gegebenenfalls mit Gewalt unter seine Herrschaft zu zwingen gedenkt."

--- Quark. Dafür braucht man keinen Atomantrieb. Der ist eher dafür gedacht, einen weltweiten Einsatz der Flugzeugträger zu vereinfachen. Was zeigt, daß China seine Marine auch tatsächlich weltweit einsetzen will.