China
Indian health and public sector workers strike; Chinese courier drivers protest over unpaid wages; hospital workers and nurses threaten strikes in Australia, New Zealand and Solomon Islands
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
30 October 2020
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Amid tense India-China border stand-off, US and India boost military-security partnership
By Deepal Jayasekera and Keith Jones, 29 October 2020
India’s BJP government has exploited the ongoing military border standoff with China to integrate India still more fully into American imperialism’s incendiary military-strategic offensive against Beijing.
In interview with Radio Free Asia, Sison announces
Communist Party of the Philippines targets Chinese firms blacklisted by Washington
By John Malvar, 19 October 2020
The leadership of the CPP explained it would be targeting Chinese firms in interviews with Radio Free Asia, an official organ of US government propaganda directed against China.
Taipei and Washington continue to challenge Beijing’s redline over Taiwan
By Ben McGrath, 13 October 2020
Taiwan is being made the frontlines of a potential US-led war against the Chinese mainland.
A discussion with a young member of the Chinese Communist Party
The Chinese Communist Party is “an organisation with a deep, deep level of bureaucratisation”
By Peter Symonds, 12 October 2020
“From Marx to Lenin to Trotsky, an unbroken string runs through and connects them… Trotskyism inherited the scientific principles of Marxism.”
US secretary of state lashes out against China at Quad meeting
By Peter Symonds, 8 October 2020
The US has been pushing for the transformation of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue involving Japan, India and Australia into a formal military alliance as part of its escalating war drive against China.
Opposition parties seize power in Kyrgyzstan amid growing geopolitical rivalry in the region
By Jason Melanovski and Clara Weiss, 8 October 2020
The current seizure of power marks the third removal of a sitting president since 1991 in a poverty-stricken country that is dominated by oligarchic politics and geopolitical rivalries.
Chinese students support historian Joseph Scalice against Stalinist slanders
By Our correspondents, 3 October 2020
We urge our readers, including in China, to come to the defence of Dr. Scalice, including by sending statements of support to the WSWS opposing the slanderous attack on him by the CPP and sharing his lecture widely.
Indian and Chinese militaries dig in for prolonged border standoff, as “de-escalation” efforts flounder
By Rohantha De Silva and Keith Jones, 30 September 2020
Encouraged by Washington, India has taken an increasingly belligerent and provocative stance in its tense five-month-long border confrontation with China.
Federal district judge blocks President Trump’s TikTok download ban
By Kevin Reed, 29 September 2020
A US district court judge blocked Trump’s emergency ban of the video sharing app on Sunday, saying it violates the exchange of “information and informational materials” protected by the constitution.
US hits leading Chinese chip maker
By Nick Beams, 28 September 2020
The latest decision instigated by the Pentagon is aimed at crippling China’s ability to make high-tech advances.
Washington continues to ramp up tensions with Beijing over Taiwan
By Ben McGrath, 26 September 2020
The US has sent another high-ranking government official to Taiwan—a thinly-veiled challenge to the “One China” policy—while also planning a $7 billion military package to Taipei.
Controversy over Mulan film used to further Washington’s anti-China agenda
By Ben McGrath, 23 September 2020
US accusations of human right violations in Xinjiang are highly selective, meant to further US imperialist interests and to provide a pretext for military aggression.
President Trump gives preliminary approval to takeover of TikTok by Oracle and Walmart
By Kevin Reed, 21 September 2020
In an unprecedented act of imperialist piracy, the assets of Chinese-owned video sharing app TikTok are being handed over to Oracle, Walmart and group of private investors.
Trump’s China tariffs ruled illegal by World Trade Organisation
By Nick Beams, 17 September 2020
The WTO decision will not see any relaxation of the US trade war against China but rather its intensification.
India-China border conflict remains on knife’s edge
By Jordan Shilton and Keith Jones, 12 September 2020
US support for India and efforts by major European powers to boost their military-strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific could cascade the border crisis into a catastrophic war.
Australian raids on Chinese journalists mark escalation of US-led witch hunt
By Mike Head, 12 September 2020
The timeline of this affair points to an intensifying anti-China propaganda campaign, instigated by Washington and the intelligence apparatus.
Hong Kong police carry out mass arrest of protesters
By Ben McGrath, 11 September 2020
The conditions for the heightened attack on democratic and social rights have been created by the pro-capitalist opposition pan-democrat bloc.
Solomon Islands’ renegade province threatens separatist split over China diplomatic recognition
By Patrick O’Connor, 11 September 2020
The threat is the latest in a series of provocations by the Malaitan leader, who is being backed by US and Australian imperialism.
India-China border tensions flare anew, posing threat of catastrophic military conflict
By Deepal Jayasekera, 5 September 2020
India’s increasingly aggressive stance against China is being stoked by Washington.
US-China conflict over TikTok intensifies as Trump’s forced divestiture deadline approaches
By Kevin Reed, 2 September 2020
The drive to force the Chinese-owned video sharing app to be sold to a US company was countered by Beijing’s imposition of export restrictions on software components of the platform.
Hong Kong authorities arrest opposition legislators in further crackdown
By Ben McGrath, 1 September 2020
Behind the string of detentions, the real fear motivating the authorities is a united movement of the entire Chinese working class.
Bipartisan Australian move to ban agreements with China
By Mike Head, 29 August 2020
The bill was announced amid bellicose anti-China speeches by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and an accompanying media witch hunt.
China launches missiles into South China Sea in response to US provocations
By Ben McGrath, 29 August 2020
The ultimate responsibility for the dangerous escalation of tensions rests with Washington, which is continuing to try to provoke China.
Forced home demolitions fuel discontent in China’s Shandong Province
By a correspondent, 28 August 2020
Many local governments implemented “demolition first, then resettlement” policies, causing villagers to lose their homes.
TikTok files federal lawsuit against the Trump administration
By Kevin Reed, 27 August 2020
TikTok, the massively popular social media platform owned by China-based ByteDance, has filed a lawsuit seeking to block President Trump’s executive order banning the app and forcing its sale to a US owner.
Australian media stokes fears over Papua New Guinea-China links
By John Braddock, 27 August 2020
The Australian media is working hand-in-hand with the government to undermine China’s presence in its former colonial possession.
Chinese academic expelled for denouncing President Xi
By Peter Symonds, 20 August 2020
Xi’s consolidation of power is not a sign of strength but reflects the fragile and fractured character of the CCP, which has no progressive answer to the developing social and economic crisis or to Washington’s war drive.
Chinese prime minister: 600 million people earn less than $145 a month
By Lily Zhao, 19 August 2020
While almost half of its population earns less than $145 a month, China recorded 373 billionaires in 2020, the second highest figure in the world.
US steps up war against Huawei
By Nick Beams, 19 August 2020
The latest US bans against the Chinese telecom giant have been described by one financial analyst as a “death sentence” for its global operations.
Responding to US provocations, Chinese officials appeal for “peaceful coexistence”
By Peter Symonds, 18 August 2020
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang warned that relations between the US and Beijing were facing “the gravest challenge since the establishment of diplomatic ties” in the 1970s.”
US-backed opposition in Solomon Islands opposes ties to Beijing
By Patrick O’Connor, 17 August 2020
A provincial administration in Malaita insists that it has the right to maintain its own relations with Taiwan and refuses to recognise Beijing.
Top US health official makes provocative trip to Taiwan
By Peter Symonds, 11 August 2020
With the visit by US Secretary of Health Alex Azar to Taiwan, the Trump administration is taking another step towards overturning the “One China” policy and breaking US diplomatic relations with China.
President Trump signs executive orders banning Chinese social media apps TikTok and WeChat
By Kevin Reed, 8 August 2020
On Thursday, the US president signed two executive orders that will ban the operation of TikTok and WeChat in the US unless they are acquired by US-based companies within 45 days.
US moves to delist Chinese companies from stock exchanges
By Nick Beams, 8 August 2020
The move has been couched in terms of protecting “investor safety,” but it is another component of the economic warfare being carried out by Washington.
Former Australian PM: Beware the Guns of August in Asia
By Peter Symonds, 8 August 2020
Kevin Rudd argues that the danger of war between the US and China is greater than at any time since the 1950s and warns the risk “will be especially high” in the lead-up to the US presidential election.
US imposes new sanctions on China over alleged Uyghur abuses
By Peter Symonds, 5 August 2020
US propaganda now includes allegations of Uyghur “genocide,” based on sensational accounts of forced birth control and the sterilization of Uyghur women in Xinjiang province.
White House engineering a takeover of TikTok by Microsoft
By Kevin Reed, 3 August 2020
Under the White House’s direction, Microsoft is preparing to acquire the video-sharing app TikTok in a forced-divestiture from its China-based company ByteDance.
Hong Kong delays legislative elections amid crackdown on democratic rights
By Ben McGrath, 3 August 2020
Beijing is driven above all by fears that renewed protests in Hong Kong could spread to the mainland.
Japan raising tensions with Beijing in the East China Sea
By Ben McGrath, 31 July 2020
The US and Japan bear primary responsibility for upending the status quo in the East China Sea and fueling the dangerous stand-off over the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands.
New Zealand suspends extradition treaty with Hong Kong
By John Braddock, 31 July 2020
The diplomatic rift, underpinned by a domestic anti-China propaganda campaign, echoes Washington’s increasingly aggressive operations against Beijing.
US adopts policy of regime-change in Beijing
By Peter Symonds, 29 July 2020
By declaring the defeat of Chinese “tyranny” the aim of American foreign policy, the Trump administration has greatly intensified confrontation with China, with an all-but explicit call for regime-change.
Australian government echoes aggressive US shift on South China Sea
By Mike Head, 28 July 2020
Australia suddenly abandoned its previous policy of formal neutrality on the competing territorial claims, just 10 days after a similar declaration by the US.
US secretary of state sets out case for conflict with China
By Peter Symonds, 25 July 2020
By ruling out a return to the policy of “containment,” Pompeo’s speech marks a strategy aimed at regime change in Beijing.
US demands even greater support from Australia in confrontation with China
By Mike Head, 25 July 2020
Despite the intensifying COVID-19 danger in the US, Australia’s foreign and defence ministers will personally attend the annual AUSMIN talks in Washington next week.
US indicts Chinese nationals on trumped-up hacking charges
By Jacob Crosse, 22 July 2020
Li Xiaoyu and Dong Jiazhi are accused by the US government of hacking private computer networks with assistance from the Chinese government in order to steal intellectual property, including COVID-19 research.
Letter from a student in China on the COVID-19 pandemic
By a correspondent, 22 July 2020
“People are worried that on top of the hardship they have already gone through, they would face more unknown, long-term, and negative consequences from the pandemic.”
Driver plunges bus into a Chinese reservoir, killing 21
By Lily Zhao, 20 July 2020
The tragedy is a product of the social crisis confronting millions of workers throughout the country.
US escalates economic warfare against Russia and China
By Nick Beams, 18 July 2020
After securing a decision by the UK government to ban the Chinese firm Huawei from its 5G rollout, the US is pressuring the Merkel government in Germany to take the same decision.
US moving to ban China-based TikTok social media app
By Kevin Reed, 18 July 2020
There is bipartisan support in Congress for the Trump administration’s aggressive efforts against the Chinese app.
Facing mounting crisis, US lashes out against China
By Peter Symonds, 17 July 2020
Confronted with an economic and social crisis at home and his own worsening election prospects, Trump is aggressively confronting China across a whole range of potentially explosive issues.
UK excluding Huawei from 5G network
By Thomas Scripps, 16 July 2020
US President Donald Trump was quick to boast of his administration’s responsibility for the UK’s volte face.
US secretary of state denounces China over South China Sea
By Peter Symonds, 15 July 2020
The Trump administration formally adopts the 2016 Hague ruling against Chinese claims in the sensitive, strategic waters, as it ramps up US naval provocations there.
US takes punitive measures against China over Hong Kong
By Peter Symonds, 11 July 2020
Washington’s increasingly shrill campaign is part of a US confrontation across the full range of issues—diplomatic, economic and military—that are leading to war.
New Zealand boosts preparations to join US war against China
By Tom Peters, 11 July 2020
The Labour Party-led government is spending billions on new naval vessels and armoured vehicles, while praising the Australian military build-up against China.
UK set to ban Huawei from 5G network
By Nick Beams, 8 July 2020
The key factor in the decision was the move by the Trump administration in May to ban the use of US software in Huawei’s operating systems.
India takes economic reprisals against China as border frictions continue
By Deepal Jayasekera and Keith Jones, 8 July 2020
Although several rounds of talks have been held, both New Delhi and Beijing continue to maintain an enhanced military presence along their disputed border.
US war drive against China accelerates
By Peter Symonds, 8 July 2020
Confronting crisis at home, with growing opposition among workers to the reckless back-to-work drive, Trump is seeking to divert these immense social tensions outward at an external enemy.
Two US aircraft carriers in war games in South China Sea
By Peter Symonds, 6 July 2020
The “high-end” exercises sought to test US naval capabilities in a conflict with China involving both offensive operations using war planes and the defence of the ships from any counter-attack.
Australian government seeks to place country on war footing
By Mike Head, 4 July 2020
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has identified the Indo-Pacific as the likely arena for another world war, directed against China.
US anti-China campaign intensifies factional conflicts within Canada’s ruling elite
By Roger Jordan, 3 July 2020
Terming China “a real threat to Canada,” former Tory Prime Minister Brian Mulroney has called for the striking of a “blue-ribbon” committee to redefine Canada’s China policy.
British government ramps up campaign against China
By Jean Shaoul, 3 July 2020
The Tories’ aim is to open another front in US imperialism’s economic, diplomatic, and military-strategic offensive that threatens military war against the world’s second largest economy.
Beijing passes anti-democratic security law for Hong Kong
By Ben McGrath, 2 July 2020
While Beijing has concerns about imperialist intrigues in Hong Kong, its chief fear is that unrest in the city over democratic and social rights will spill over the border into the rest of China.
Tens of thousands of Chinese citizens stranded overseas
By Lily Zhao, 2 July 2020
Beijing has offered little or no assistance to the thousands of Chinese students, scholars and tourists trapped overseas by COVID-19 travel bans.
India’s opposition parties back Modi’s bellicose stand in border conflict with China
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 30 June 2020
The Congress Party and Stalinist CPI and CPM have extolled the military for “defending” India’s borders and pledged their support for the BJP government in confronting Beijing.
Australian Labor Party intent on ousting MP from parliament over “Chinese agent” claims
By Mike Head, 29 June 2020
Labor wants to remove Shaoquett Moselmane despite his denunciation of his “political lynching.”
India-China conflict threatens to undermine Russian foreign policy
By Clara Weiss, 23 June 2020
While the US has intervened aggressively on the side of India, Russia sees the clash as a challenge to its geo-strategy and is seeking to negotiate a resolution to the conflict.
India and China rush troops, weaponry to disputed border region
By Keith Jones, 22 June 2020
India has placed on the “highest alert” the 300,000 troops it has arrayed along its 3,500-kilometer border with China.
COVID-19 flares again in China
By Peter Symonds, 22 June 2020
While still relatively small, the outbreak is a warning that the highly infectious coronavirus can rapidly re-emerge if restrictions are removed.
US stokes India-China conflict, blames Chinese “aggression” for border clash
By Keith Jones, 20 June 2020
Senior US official David Stilwell provocatively told a press briefing that the Chinese army had “invaded” the “contested area” between India and China.
India and China remain on knife edge as war tensions continue
By Shuvu Batta and Keith Jones, 19 June 2020
While proclaiming they want to de-escalate, India and China are each demanding the other stand down and pouring additional troops and weapons into their border regions.
Australian government alleges cyber-attack to ramp-up provocations against China
By Oscar Grenfell, 19 June 2020
Prime Minister Scott Morrison failed to provide any evidence of a cyber-attack, but the media rushed to proclaim that China was responsible.
Dozens die in India-China border clash
By Keith Jones, 17 June 2020
It is the enmeshing of the India-China rivalry with the strategic confrontation between China and US imperialism that makes the border dispute so combustible and incendiary.
US Navy deploys three aircraft carriers to Pacific against China
By Peter Symonds, 13 June 2020
The deployments underscore the strategic shift by the Pentagon from the so-called “war on terror” to great power competition that heightens the danger of conflict between nuclear-armed powers.
Washington steps up strategic bomber flights threatening Russia, China
By Alex Lantier, 12 June 2020
As social anger grows over police brutality and the COVID-19 pandemic, the danger that the ruling elite will try to suppress class conflict with external wars is rising.
Johnson government falls in behind Washington’s economic war with China
By Jean Shaoul, 9 June 2020
The “Get Brexit Done/Global Britain” perspective has been exposed as a chimera.
Chinese doctor’s death rekindles anger over health system
By a correspondent, 9 June 2020
Wuhan City Central Hospital’s website published nothing about Hu Weifeng’s death from COVID-19 and his colleagues were barred from being interviewed by the media.
Trump confers with Modi over explosive India-China border dispute
By Shuvu Batta and Keith Jones, 8 June 2020
Intensifying the US strategic offensive against China, the Trump administration has publicly sided with India, and is goading New Delhi on in its border standoff with Beijing.
Zambia’s bid for IMF rescue deal thwarted by Washington’s anti-China campaign
By Jean Shaoul and Stephan McCoy, 5 June 2020
Zambia has been caught in the crosshairs of US President Donald Trump’s reckless campaign to undermine China, which he views as a threat to US global dominance.
Trump escalates anti-China campaign
By Peter Symonds, 30 May 2020
US President Trump dramatically escalated his reckless anti-China campaign yesterday, making clear that a dangerous confrontation between the two countries is all but inevitable.
White House considers expelling Chinese graduate students and researchers
By Shuvu Batta, 29 May 2020
The Trump administration is reportedly planning to expel some three to five thousand Chinese graduate students and researchers.
Trump intrudes in China-India border standoff
By Keith Jones, 29 May 2020
US President Donald Trump intruded into the tense border standoff between China and India Wednesday with a spurious offer to mediate and even “arbitrate” “their now raging border dispute.”
US sets stage for anti-China sanctions over Hong Kong
By Peter Symonds, 28 May 2020
The determination by the US secretary of state that Hong Kong is not autonomous from Beijing is a further step in the Trump administration’s accelerating anti-China campaign.
Canadian court rules extradition trial of top Huawei executive can proceed
By Roger Jordan, 28 May 2020
Yesterday’s ruling strengthens Washington and Ottawa in their virulent anti-China campaign, which has been ratcheted up still further with mendacious claims that Beijing is responsible for the coronavirus pandemic.
US exploits Hong Kong protests for anti-China campaign
By Peter Symonds, 27 May 2020
Once again, US imperialism is using the banner of “human rights” to advance its economic and strategic interests.
US threatens to “disconnect” Australia if it strays from conflict with China
By Mike Head, 26 May 2020
Pompeo’s bullying intervention is part of an intensifying campaign by Washington to confront China economically and militarily.
Chinese leadership drops economic growth target
By Nick Beams, 25 May 2020
Premier Li Keqiang said the government had refrained from setting a GDP target because foreign markets were so uncertain.
Washington incites India in tense border dispute with China
By Keith Jones, 22 May 2020
Washington’s vocal support for New Delhi is in marked contrast with its stance during the 2017 Indo-China border dispute, and is part of a dramatic escalation of its anti-China offensive.
New Zealand government stokes tensions with China
By Tom Peters, 22 May 2020
New Zealand, a de facto American ally and member of the US-led Five Eyes intelligence network, is integrated into the anti-China build-up.
No to the anti-China campaign! For international solidarity against the pandemic and capitalism!
By Joseph Kishore—Socialist Equality Party candidate for president, 22 May 2020
The SEP rejects the chauvinistic attacks by the Trump administration and Democrats aimed at shifting responsibility for the mass death due to the coronavirus pandemic from the American ruling class.
The Trump administration makes Taiwan latest front in anti-China campaign
By Peter Symonds, 21 May 2020
The US has provocatively hailed the re-election of Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen and pressed Taiwan’s case at the annual World Health Organisation (WHO) ministerial assembly.
Canada’s official opposition attacks Trudeau for “appeasing” China
By Roger Jordan, 21 May 2020
Conservative leader Scheer’s inflammatory comment, likening the Liberal government’s policy towards Beijing to British imperialism’s attempt to reach an accommodation with Nazi Germany, marks a new high point in the Canadian elite’s frenzied anti-China campaign.
US steps up witch hunt against Chinese scientists
By Shuvu Batta, 19 May 2020
The US federal government has arrested researchers and scientists of Chinese descent as part of an accelerated crackdown on alleged participants of China’s “Thousand Talents” program.
As death toll mounts, White House steps up efforts to scapegoat China for pandemic
By Peter Symonds, 18 May 2020
Blaming China not only deflects attention from the Trump administration’s responsibility for the horrific US death toll, but feeds into its anti-China trade war measures.
Australian government heightens trade conflict with China
By Mike Head, 18 May 2020
Successive Australian governments have been in the forefront of imposing tariffs and other restrictions on imports from China.
“They don’t care about the safety of the workers”
As assembly plants reopen US autoworkers speak on premature rush to restart production
By our reporters, 18 May 2020
As workers returned to auto assembly plants across North America workers are speaking out against the premature return to work in the midst of the COVI-19 pandemic and the totally inadequate safety measures in place.
Trump threatens to cut all ties with China
By Peter Symonds, 16 May 2020
The US president’s phony allegations—that China failed to prevent COVID-19 becoming a global pandemic—have been integrated into Washington’s trade war measures.
The drums of economic nationalism are beating louder
By Nick Beams, 15 May 2020
A series of comments published in the New York Times in recent days points to the rise of economic nationalism within the US political establishment the logic of which is war against China.
US agencies drum up allegations of Chinese hacking of vaccine research
By Peter Symonds, 13 May 2020
The claims of Chinese hacking of vaccine research are not only part of the Trump’s anti-China propaganda war but will be used to justify US cyber warfare against Beijing.
Australian intelligence sources alarmed by US “Wuhan lab” claim
By Mike Head, 11 May 2020
The primary fear in these ruling circles is that the assertions are so unreliable that they discredit the US confrontation with China, in which Australia is on the frontline.
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