Ethan Zhao
Senior Reporter
The Latest
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North Korea Warns of Forceful Retaliation Against South Korean Drone Infiltrations
North Korea has issued a stark warning to South Korea, accusing its southern neighbor of flying drones over Pyongyang to distribute anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets. In a heated statement released on Friday, North Korea's Foreign Ministry declared that if such actions continue, it will respond with "all means of attack" without hesitation. The accusations have further escalated the already high tensions between the two Koreas, raising concerns of a potential military clash in the region. 
North Korea has issued a stark warning to South Korea, accusing its southern neighbor of flying drones over Pyongyang to distribute anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets. In a heated statement released on Friday, North Korea's Foreign Ministry declared that if such actions continue, it will respond with "all means of attack" without hesitation. The accusations have further escalated the already high tensions between the two Koreas, raising concerns of a potential military clash in the region. -
Xi Jinping Dissenter Missing for 200 Weeks: Where Is China's 'Ink Girl'
Nearly six years after defacing a poster of Chinese President Xi Jinping in a bold act of protest, Dong Yaoqiong-widely known as the "Ink Girl"-remains missing, fueling growing concerns about her fate. Dong, who vanished following multiple detentions in psychiatric facilities, has not been seen or heard from since her last reported confinement in February 2021. Advocacy groups and human rights activists are calling for evidence that she is still alive, as fears mount that she may have met a grim fate. 
Nearly six years after defacing a poster of Chinese President Xi Jinping in a bold act of protest, Dong Yaoqiong-widely known as the "Ink Girl"-remains missing, fueling growing concerns about her fate. Dong, who vanished following multiple detentions in psychiatric facilities, has not been seen or heard from since her last reported confinement in February 2021. Advocacy groups and human rights activists are calling for evidence that she is still alive, as fears mount that she may have met a grim fate. -
Lai Ching-te Defends Taiwan’s Sovereignty, Sparks Beijing's Backlash
In a defiant National Day address, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te vowed to resist any attempts by China to annex the self-governing island, reaffirming his country's determination to uphold its sovereignty. Speaking to a large crowd in Taipei, Lai emphasized Taiwan's progress and its resolve to stand firm against Beijing's pressure, a stance that has already provoked a sharp reaction from China. 
In a defiant National Day address, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te vowed to resist any attempts by China to annex the self-governing island, reaffirming his country's determination to uphold its sovereignty. Speaking to a large crowd in Taipei, Lai emphasized Taiwan's progress and its resolve to stand firm against Beijing's pressure, a stance that has already provoked a sharp reaction from China. -
China’s Stock Market Suffers Worst Crash in 27 Years
Chinese stocks experienced their most significant drop in nearly three decades this week as investor hopes for a more aggressive economic stimulus from Beijing were dashed. The Shenzhen composite index fell by 8.2%, its largest one-day decline since May 1997, while the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the CSI 300 index recorded losses of 6.6% and 7.1% respectively. 
Chinese stocks experienced their most significant drop in nearly three decades this week as investor hopes for a more aggressive economic stimulus from Beijing were dashed. The Shenzhen composite index fell by 8.2%, its largest one-day decline since May 1997, while the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the CSI 300 index recorded losses of 6.6% and 7.1% respectively. -
Wu Bangguo, China's Former Top Legislator, Dies at 84
Wu Bangguo, the former chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee and one of the most influential figures in the Chinese political landscape, passed away at the age of 84. Wu died in Beijing at 4:36 a.m. on Tuesday after a prolonged illness. His death marks the end of an era for a key figure in China's leadership during the transformative years of the country's economic and political development. 
Wu Bangguo, the former chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee and one of the most influential figures in the Chinese political landscape, passed away at the age of 84. Wu died in Beijing at 4:36 a.m. on Tuesday after a prolonged illness. His death marks the end of an era for a key figure in China's leadership during the transformative years of the country's economic and political development. -
China Reaffirms Growth Goals but Holds Back on Major Stimulus Plans
China reaffirmed its confidence in meeting its economic growth targets this year but stopped short of introducing the large-scale fiscal stimulus that many investors had anticipated. The announcement, made by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on Tuesday, comes as the world's second-largest economy faces mounting pressures from a property market slump, weak consumer spending, and global trade tensions. 
China reaffirmed its confidence in meeting its economic growth targets this year but stopped short of introducing the large-scale fiscal stimulus that many investors had anticipated. The announcement, made by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on Tuesday, comes as the world's second-largest economy faces mounting pressures from a property market slump, weak consumer spending, and global trade tensions. -
TikTok Faces Legal Blitz from 13 States, Accused of Harming Children and Teens
TikTok is under intense legal scrutiny as 13 U.S. states and the District of Columbia filed lawsuits against the social media giant, accusing it of harming children and teens through addictive content and failing to protect its young users adequately. The series of lawsuits, filed on Tuesday, alleges that TikTok's design and algorithms intentionally exploit young people, promoting prolonged usage that has been linked to various mental health issues. 
TikTok is under intense legal scrutiny as 13 U.S. states and the District of Columbia filed lawsuits against the social media giant, accusing it of harming children and teens through addictive content and failing to protect its young users adequately. The series of lawsuits, filed on Tuesday, alleges that TikTok's design and algorithms intentionally exploit young people, promoting prolonged usage that has been linked to various mental health issues. -
China's Stock Rally Stumbles as Markets Lose Confidence in Stimulus Measures, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Plunges 9%
Chinese markets experienced a dramatic rise and fall on Tuesday as investors reacted to signals from Beijing about future economic stimulus. The initial optimism following the country's Golden Week holiday gave way to disappointment after China's National Development and Reform Commission failed to deliver concrete details on new stimulus measures. The mixed messaging sent shockwaves through global markets, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng index suffering its worst single-day loss since 2008. 
Chinese markets experienced a dramatic rise and fall on Tuesday as investors reacted to signals from Beijing about future economic stimulus. The initial optimism following the country's Golden Week holiday gave way to disappointment after China's National Development and Reform Commission failed to deliver concrete details on new stimulus measures. The mixed messaging sent shockwaves through global markets, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng index suffering its worst single-day loss since 2008. -
Chinese Workers Targeted in Deadly Karachi Airport Suicide Blast
In a grim escalation of violence against Chinese nationals in Pakistan, a suicide attack near Karachi's Jinnah International Airport claimed the lives of two Chinese citizens and injured at least eight others, including a third Chinese national. The attack, which occurred on Sunday evening, has been claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group notorious for its targeting of foreign investments and personnel in the region. 
In a grim escalation of violence against Chinese nationals in Pakistan, a suicide attack near Karachi's Jinnah International Airport claimed the lives of two Chinese citizens and injured at least eight others, including a third Chinese national. The attack, which occurred on Sunday evening, has been claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group notorious for its targeting of foreign investments and personnel in the region. -
EU Approves Tariffs on Chinese EVs, Exposing Internal Divisions and Trade Tensions with Beijing
The European Union (EU) has approved hefty tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), pressing ahead despite internal divisions within the bloc and fierce opposition from China. The EU's executive body announced the move on Friday, following a pivotal vote among member states. The tariffs, which could reach as high as 45%, are intended to counter what the EU views as unfair subsidies provided by the Chinese government to its domestic carmakers. The measures are set to take effect next month and will remain in place for five years. 
The European Union (EU) has approved hefty tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), pressing ahead despite internal divisions within the bloc and fierce opposition from China. The EU's executive body announced the move on Friday, following a pivotal vote among member states. The tariffs, which could reach as high as 45%, are intended to counter what the EU views as unfair subsidies provided by the Chinese government to its domestic carmakers. The measures are set to take effect next month and will remain in place for five years.
