# China
Last month
September 2023
Syria's Assad visits China in first official trip in decades to seek funds
The Arab leader is looking for support to rebuild his devastated country.
Putin accepts invitation to visit China in October
Putin said that the two countries are “integrating” their ideas of creating a large Eurasian space.
Apple to update iPhone 12 in France over radiation concerns from regulators
France had ordered a halt to sales of the device this week after finding that the phone emitted more electromagnetic waves than permitted.
Westminster’s alleged Chinese spy says he is ‘completely innocent’
The man said he had spent his career highlighting the “challenge and threats presented by the Chinese Communist Party”.
Hong Kong flooded by heaviest rainfall in 140 years
On Thursday, the city recorded its highest ever rainfall since records began in 1884.
TikTok to begin storing European user data in Dublin
The video platform has been treated with Western governments over how it handles user data
August
August 2023
US, Indonesia and five other nations hold war drills amid concerns over Chinese aggression
Soldiers from the UK, France, Australia, Japan and Singapore will also join in the training exercises.
Death toll from record-breaking rain in China hits 78 as new storm approaches
Storm Doksuri has brought on the most severe rainfall since records began 140 years ago.
33 people dead and 18 others still missing after Beijing's heaviest rains on record
The recent downpours have damaged infrastructure and deluged swathes of the city’s suburbs and surrounding areas.
Philippines summons China ambassador over water cannoning of boats
China said it had taken “necessary controls” against Philippines boats that had “illegally” entered its waters.
At least 30 dead after heavy flooding in northern China
Officials reported the deaths in Baoding, about 150 kilometres from Beijing, adding that 18 people were missing.
Three critically endangered red panda cubs born at Fota Wildlife Park in Cork
The park’s new arrivals bring continued hope for the species, which is under threat due to human interference,
Beijing records heaviest rainfall in 140 years
The amount of rain recorded in just 40 hours neared the average rainfall for the entire month of July.
Revived England attack crushes China to set up Nigeria tie
Lauren James had two goals and three assists in a revived England attack, with another goal chalked off following a VAR check.
At least 11 dead in Beijing as heavy rain causes floods and forces evacuations
The level of rainfall is highly unusual for the city, which enjoys a moderate, dry climate.
July
July 2023
Tens of thousands of people evacuated from Beijing as typhoon hits
Typhoon Doksuri lashed China’s capital with heavy rain today.
Russian and Chinese officials join Kim Jong Un at a North Korean military parade
At least four new North Korean military drones were towed on trailers through Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung square.
China and Russia send officials to North Korea for Korean War commemorations
The visits suggest North Korea is further opening up after years of pandemic isolation.
Chinese foreign minister removed from office months after disappearing from the public eye
The minister’s absence sparked a storm of speculation that the confidant of President Xi Jinping had fallen from grace.
The era of climate change denial is mostly gone, Micheál Martin says
Severe heatwaves have gripped southern Europe, parts of the United States, Mexico and China this month.
Russia urged to avert global food crisis at UN after pulling out of Black Sea grain deal
Moscow was criticised by China as well as Western nations over the decision, with some warning that it could have “catastrophic consequences”.
Hundreds of thousands evacuated in China and Vietnam as Typhoon Talim makes landfall
Talim “might be one of the biggest to hit the Gulf of Tonkin in recent years”, Vietnam’s top disaster response committee said.
UN nuclear watchdog tries to allay fears surrounding water discharge at Fukushima nuclear plant
The release is expected to begin this summer but is opposed by locals and some regional neighbours.
At least 15 people killed by floods in south-western China
The Chongqing floods appear to be China’s deadliest amid deluges in other parts of the country.
China in the grip of extreme weather after flooding and 10 straight days of 35 degree heat
Beijing reported 9.8 straight days when the temperature exceeded 35 degrees Celsius.
June
June 2023
People urged to stay indoors as Beijing and parts of northern China sizzles amid 40C heatwave
The mercury topped 40C in the Chinese capital for the third consecutive day, experts said.
Biden voices confidence he will meet Xi Jinping soon despite 'dictators' jab
US President Joe Biden rejected “this theory that the relationship with China is collapsing”
Restaurant explosion kills 31 in northwest China
Nine people including the restaurant’s owner and staff are being held by police, local media said.
Blinken in Beijing on high-stakes mission to cool soaring US-China tensions
The US Secretary of State began by meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang for an extended discussion, to be followed by a working dinner.
Latest World Bank report offers dim outlook for global economy in 2023
The bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report, which it issued today, marks an upgrade from its previous forecast in January.
'Unsafe' action by China near American ship in Taiwan Strait, says US military
China says others are “intentionally creating trouble” in the Taiwan Strait.
May
May 2023
China becomes third country to put civilians into space
China is the third country to put humans in orbit.
Russia strikes Ukraine medical facility, killing at least two people
A video distributed by officials showed a blaze ripping through a two-storey building in Dnipro.
Zelenskyy arrives at G7 after winning access to US fighter jets
The Ukrainian President had previously been expected to only appear at the summit via video call.
Irish embassy in Beijing to keep displays of support for Ukraine, despite Chinese govt orders
A note was circulated that asked embassies to “respect Chinese laws and regulations”.
Embassies in Beijing told to stop displaying ‘propaganda’ on their buildings
Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s government says it is neutral in Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Liz Truss calls for 'economic Nato' to counter China's influence
China warned that Truss should stop defending Taiwanese independence or else she would ‘further expose herself as a failed politician’.
China jails US citizen (78) for life on espionage charges
Such heavy sentences are relatively rare for foreign citizens in China.
Microsoft-owned LinkedIn to cut over 700 jobs and close China app
LinkedIn was one of the few US technology companies to successfully operate a social media site in China, where the internet is heavily regulated.
