Category: China

The Mystery of the Disappearing van Gogh

After a painting by the Dutch artist sold at auction, a movie producer claimed to be the owner. It later vanished from sight, with a trail leading to Caribbean tax havens and a jailed Chinese billionaire.
Cathay Pacific Struggles With Aftermath of Covid, and China Crackdown

Pandemic lockdowns, on the heels of the turmoil of pro-democracy protests, hurt an airline that relied on Hong Kong as a vibrant gateway to Asia.
Nanchang, Once a Symbol of China’s Growth, Signals a Housing Crisis

Nanchang’s skyscrapers represented urban transformation, but the city added apartments faster than its population grew. The result: vacant homes and offices.
China Ramps Up Culture Crackdown, Canceling Music and Comedy Shows

Performances across the country were canceled last week after Beijing began investigating a stand-up comedian.
Australia Tries to Break Its Dependence on China for Lithium Mining

Half of the world’s supply of the critical battery ingredient is mined in Australia, which ships virtually all of it to China. The government and business are betting they can change that.
China Escalates U.S. Tech War With Micron Ban

A Chinese government block on Micron Technology’s memory chips marks how far apart the two economic powers are drifting on tech policy.
China Bans Some Chip Sales of Micron, the US Company

Many analysts see the move as retaliation for Washington’s efforts to cut off China’s access to high-end chips.
Inside the Barbecue City That Is China’s Hottest Tourist Destination

Zibo has become a social media star for its distinctive barbecue style. Now the city is overrun with visitors.
The U.S. Needs Minerals for Electric Cars. Everyone Else Wants Them Too.

The United States is entering an array of agreements to secure the critical minerals necessary for the energy transition, but it’s not clear which of the arrangements can succeed.
Alibaba, Baidu and Tencent Signal First Steps in Bumpy Recovery

The economy is open again, helping Alibaba, Baidu and Tencent claw back in the first quarter from a miserable 2022, though they will likely face continuing skepticism from investors.
China’s Youth Unemployment Crisis: 1 in 5 Are Out of Work

The youth unemployment rate, which spiked during the pandemic, reached a record high this week, showing the perils of China’s uneven economic recovery.
Biden Team to Counter Tech Espionage Unveils Cases Involving China and Russia

A new division set up by the government to pursue sanctions evasion and technology espionage announced arrests of individuals with ties to foreign governments.