Daily fresh information for you! Happy reading ABC Chinese “Headline” from Monday to Friday! Today is Thursday, April 13th.
Today’s news feed:
The vice foreign ministers of Australia and China held a meeting to discuss trade, human rights, Ukraine and other issues
The Chinese Vice Foreign Minister who is visiting AustraliaMa Zhaoxu met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Canberra on Wednesday (April 12)Jan Adams。
The two sides discussed a wide range of issues, reaffirming theThe importance of a stable relationshipalso discussed topics on which the two countries rarely agree, including human rights and strategic competition.
DFAT in one copystatement“The talks covered a range of bilateral and international topics, includingTrade, Consularity, Human Rights, Strategic Competition, and Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine。”
Ansjie emphasized, “Keep goingstabilize bilateral relationspath ofin the mutual interest of Australia and China”。
The Chinese Foreign Ministry also issued a statement on the meetingstatementsaid in the statement, Ma Zhaoxu stressed that the currentThere is a momentum of improvement and development in China-Australia relations, which is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples. China is willing to work with Australia to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, enhance mutual trust, properly handle differences, and promote the sustained, healthy and stable development of China-Australia relations.
Ma ZhaoxuNo meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wongfrom bothpublic statementlook,There also seems to be no discussion of Australian Prime Minister Albanese’s visit to China.。
Ma Zhaoxu used to be the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He served as the Chinese ambassador to Australia from 2013 to 2016. He was just promoted to the deputy minister of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in charge of daily business work in January this year.
James Laurenceson, director of the Australia-China Relations Institute (Australia-China Relations Institute) at the University of Technology Sydney, said,Ma Zhaoxu is the first senior Chinese government official to visit Australia in more than six yearsthe two sides discussed a wide range of controversial topics, and these high-leveldiscussion is importantbecause it is these officials who are responsible for solving specific problems.
On the day Ma Zhaoxu arrived in Australia on Tuesday, Australian Foreign Minister Huang Yingxian and Trade Minister Don Farrell (Don Farrell) jointly announced that Australia hasAgrees to suspend its complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO) over Chinese government tariffs on Australian barleythe two countries will attempt to negotiate a settlement.
Huang Yingxian said that China has agreed toBarley tariff issue revisited in next three monthswhich is also forSimilar approach to wine tariff disputesopened the door.
Ma Zhaoxu’s visit to Fiji may be related to the Taiwan issue, attracting attention
Ma Zhaoxu will end his visit to Australia today and depart for Fiji, a Pacific island country.
The timing of Ma Zhaoxu’s visit to Fiji is also intriguing.because inlast monthFiji changed the name of the Taiwan Representative Office in Fiji from “Taipei Business Office in Fiji” to“Republic of China (Taiwan) Business Mission to Fiji”,And enjoy diplomatic privileges.
Fiji saw its first regime change in 16 years in December,Depend onmore pro western campSitiveni Rabuka of the 1990s as president.
Fiji established diplomatic relations with Beijing in 1975.One of the earliest Pacific island countries to establish diplomatic relations with China。
China’s Wanda plans sale of Australian cinema chain Hoyts
Australia’s second largest cinema company Hoytsto the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)confirmed,ThatParent company Dalian Wanda Group plans to sell Hoyts theater chain。
Dalian WandaAcquired in 2015Hoyts, estimatedThe purchase price at that time was more than one billion Australian dollars。
The Hoyts are currently in Australia, according to Screen Australia 2022 figures.There are 46 theaters with a total of 412 screens. It also owns Val Morgan, Australia’s largest cinema advertising company.
Wanda Cinemas is China’s largest cinema operatorwhich has commissioned two firms, including Nomura, to handle the sale of Hoyts.
It is understood that if potential buyers do not have sufficient funds, bidders can resort to the “staple financing loan” option (an agreed financing line arranged by a bank).The first bid deadline is set for early May, with final offers to be submitted by the end of June。
Financial documents show that Hoyts businessSuffered very badly during the COVID-19 pandemic, but is now recovering strongly。
Hoyts Group revenue fell from $593 million in 2019 to $211 million in 2020 before recovering to $335 million in 2021 and $550 million in 2022. Revenue is expected to hit A$638 million this year.
Hoyts was founded in 1909, operating conditions have fluctuated for a long time.arriveIn 2000, the company became the seventh largest cinema company in the world, which has overseas operations in the United States and New Zealand, is also a listed company, and was later acquired by Australian media giant and former richest man Kerry Packer. It was later sold to private equity firm Pacific Equity Partners.
In 2014, Hoyts was planning to go public,Acquired by Sun Xishuang, chairman of Dalian Yifang Group Co., Ltd., and his investment company ID Leisure Ventures.soon afterwas handed over toDalian Wanda Real Estate and Hotel Group’sWanda Cinemas. Wanda Cinemas was later reintegrated into Wanda’s Shenzhen-listed Wanda Film subsidiary.
Hoyts said their current focus remained on delivering a great movie experience and maintaining the company’s strong position in the Australian cinema market.
Macron’s remarks in Taiwan were accused of “flattering Beijing” Can the German Foreign Minister’s visit to China “clean up the aftermath”?
French President Emmanuel Macron’s remarks on Taiwan during his recent visit to Chinadrew strong criticism from Europe and the United Stateshe said,France’s stance on Taiwan unchanged, backs ‘status quo’。
What did Macron say?
During his visit to China last Friday (April 7), Macron made an astonishing statement on the Taiwan issue in an interview with Politico and Les Echos on the plane from Beijing to Guangzhou.Said Taiwan’s security is not a European problem, don’t be drawn into a Taiwan Strait crisis driven by “American rhythm and Chinese overreaction”。
Afterwards, on the way to and after his visit to China, he againexpressed a similar position several times，Calls for “Europe not to be a vassal of the United States” and should realize “strategic autonomy” to avoid getting involved in the Taiwan Strait war。
Public outcry on both sides of the Atlantic
Macron’s speech seemedBreaking the long-term unanimous foreign position of Europe and the United States on the Taiwan issue, causing an uproar in public opinion。
former us presidentTrump accuses Macron of ‘kissing up to Beijing’. Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida blasted Macron: “Does Macron speak for the whole of Europe, is Macron the leader of Europe now?Because if he is, we have to make some changes. “
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Jakub Morawiecki said on Tuesday (April 11): “the alliance with the united states is the absolute foundation of our security。”
In China, Macron has also been accused. Wu Zhizhong, Taiwan’s representative in France, said,French public opinion “overwhelms” in support of Taiwan。
Wu Zhizhong posted five exclamations on Facebook: “It may be hard for everyone to imagine! The whole of France is discussing Taiwan! All public opinion is overwhelmingly supporting Taiwan! This is a very powerful force! I really say that Taiwan has never There is no such strong exposure and support!”
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang WenbinNoting that President Macron’s view that Europe should insist on strategic autonomy and avoid getting involved in group confrontations has attracted some criticism, “we are not surprised“.He said,Some countries do not want to see other countries become independent, Always want to coerce other countries to obey their will. Wang Wenbin also said that insisting on strategic independence will win more respect and more friends, while coercion and pressure will only result in more resistance and opposition.
During Macron’s visit to ChinaPutting pressure on Chinese leader Xi Jinping，Ask Beijing to limit support for Russia in Ukraine warand therefore alsoSome analysts believeMacron’s speech mayIn exchange for China’s good offices and mediation in the war between Russia and Ukraine。
Can the German Foreign Minister’s visit to China “clean up the aftermath”?
In the face of condemnation and criticism from Europe and the United States, FranceElysee PalaceEmphasized on Tuesday that France “is not at an equal distance from the United States and China,America is our ally with shared values”。
macronAlso at a press conference during a state visit to the Netherlandsclarifyroad:”The French and European positions on Taiwan are aligned.we favor the status quo. This policy is constant and has not changed. “
Macron’s remarkssparked fears of a split in Europe’s stance on Taiwan,along withGerman foreign ministerAnnalena BaerbockStart your three-day visit to China from today,manyEU members hope that Germany will take this opportunity to clarify and unify the EU’s position on China。
“It is now largelyconduct damage control…but Macron’s visitvery cloudyit’s still not clear how the balance will end up,” Alicja Bachulska, a fellow on EU-China relations at the European Council on Foreign Relations in Warsaw, told Reuters in an interview.
Several departments in Taiwan responded to the investigation of anti-trade barriers initiated by the Ministry of Commerce of China
China’s Ministry of Commerce yesterday (April 12)Announce,WillConducted trade barrier investigations on 2,455 products in Taiwan, mainly including agricultural products, mineral and chemical products, textiles, etc.。
According to the announcement, the Ministry of Commerce received the application for trade barrier investigation formally submitted by the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Animals, China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Minerals and Chemicals, and China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles on March 17 this year, requesting that the Taiwan region trade with China. Restrictive measures are investigated for trade barriers.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, the applicant involved 2,455 products when filing the application, mainly including agricultural products, mineral and chemical products, and textiles.
The Commerce Department said the trade barriers investigation wouldFrom April 12, 2023, should end by October 12, 2023which can be extended to January 12, 2024 under special circumstances.
For this investigation similar to the “301” in the United States, multiple agencies in Taiwan responded.
- The Bureau of International Trade of the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Taiwan stated thatTaiwan is stillNo official notification from China has been received. According to reports, Article 14 of China’s foreign trade barriers investigation rules stipulates that the party under investigation should be notified after the announcement. The Taiwan International Trade Bureau also stated: “The economic and trade interaction between the two sides of the strait is mutually beneficial and complementary…China should not complicate and instrumentalize trade issues and interfere with global economic development.”
- The Taiwan Council of Agriculture isits official websiteexpress,Both sides of the strait are WTO members. Any disputes over agricultural trade between the two sides can be discussed through bilateral channels first.. The Council of Agriculture emphasized that it will cooperate with the Mainland Affairs Council, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and other ministries and commissions to take relevant countermeasures to ensure farmers’ income.
Taiwan’s Central News Agency quoted scholars’ analysis that the results of the survey on China’s trade barriers just ended in October this year, or may be extended to January next year.It happens to be the hottest period of Taiwan’s presidential election, and the timing is sensitiveIn addition, China has not directly announced the termination of the “Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement” (ECFA), it cannot be ruled out thatChina puts pressure on Taiwan first with trade barrier probepossibility.
WHO: World’s first death from H3N8 bird flu in China
A Chinese woman has become the first person to die from a type of bird flu that is rare in humans but the strainDoes not appear to spread from person to person。
The WHO said in a statement on Tuesday (April 11) that theA 56-year-old man from Guangdong ProvinceHe is the third person known to be infected with the H3N8 subtype of avian influenza.
All cases of H3N8 subtype bird flu are in Chinathe first two cases were reported last year.
The Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported a third infection late last month, but gave no details of the woman’s death.
WHO stated,The patient has multiple underlying medical conditions and a history of exposure to live poultry。
Sporadic human avian influenza infections are common in China because the virus circulates between domestic and wild birds.
The WHO said the fatal case visited a farmers market before becoming ill.Samples collected at the farmers market tested positive for influenza A(H3) virus, suggesting this may have been the source of the infection。
Although the H3N8 subtype of bird flu is rare in humans, it is common in birds and rarely causes illness in birds. The H3N8 subtype of avian influenza has also infected other mammals.
No other cases of the virus have been detected among close contacts of infected women, the WHO said.Does not appear to have the ability to spread easily among people, and the risk of human-to-human transmission is not high。
Basketball superstar Michael Jordan’s sneakers fetch $2.2 million at auction
Sotheby’s auction house in New York announces a pair of sneakers worn by American NBA superstar Michael JordanSold for US$2.2 million (A$3.3 million), setting an auction record for sporting shoes。The previous record was also a pair of sneakers worn by Jordansold at auction in September 2021 for $2.25 million.
One expert said,Nostalgia drives Jordan memorabilia pandemic。
These shoes are from Jordan“Bred” Air Jordan 13s worn in Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals.that year jordan got himSixth and final NBA title。
The A$3.3 million price, including fees and commission, was slightly above Sotheby’s pre-auction low estimate of A$3 million, but well below the high estimate of A$6 million.
The auction house said,Jordan signed the shoe and gave it to a ball boy after the game。
Sotheby’sDoes not identify the sellerbut express thisNot the original guy who was lucky enough to get this sneaker.the auction houseThe buyer of the shoes was not named either.。
The auction was sold online, and this record auction price also cementsJordan most valuable athlete auctioned off as sporting goods memorabiliastatus.
last year, hisA jersey sold for A$15.1 millionthe highest auction price ever paid for any sports fan collectible.
After two years, the rodent problem in southeastern Australia may come back again
Two years ago, large parts of southeastern Australia were severely affected by rodent infestation.Two years later, rodent infestation appears to be back with a recent spike in farmers reporting rodent infestation。
David Fahey, owner of the Morundah Hotel in the Riverina region of NSW, said the town’s rat infestationIt lasted about three months and is starting to ease now。
Mr Fahey said: “A month ago, we300 to 400 can be caught every day[老鼠]in addition to using the mousetrap, we had to heavily cast[灭鼠]bait. “
heHope colder weather will slow rat population。
“Hopefully we won’t be like a few years ago with millions of rats around.”
Rat infestation in 2021 cost millions of dollars。
Xavier Martin of the NSW Farmers Association said that fromQueensland to Victoriaand westward toadelaideof farmers have recently reported signs of rodent infestation.
He said no substantial economic impact reports had yet been obtained.
“One can see that the mice have eaten up the winter crop left over from the harvest after the summer floods, and they’ve started looking for other food sources,” Martin said.
“If we get it under control, the rat infestation won’t break out in the spring, let’s hope.”
“Targeted and premeditated”, ostrich chicks stolen from Victorian farm
The person in charge of the (Hastings Ostrich Farm) in the small town of Winchelsea (Winchelsea), Victoria, implored the insider to provide information, and the retrieval may be on the evening of April 9 (last Sunday) or April 10 ( Stolen in the early hours of this Monday)20 ostrich chicks。
Farm superintendent Michael Hastings said: “This appears to have been a planned, targeted theft and as it was the Easter break,The chicks could easily be moved to other states。”
“If not properly cared for, these chicks willin serious existential danger。”
Hastings Ostrich Farm is Australia’s nationalOne of the few ostrich farms with over 3000 ostriches supplying 99% of Australia’s ostrich chicksone aspect aspetsold, on the other hand to worldwidezoosell.
According to reports, these ostrich chicks were stolen from the hatchery.
Mr Hastings said police were still investigating but he believed the thieves werefor commercial purposes。
“This was clearly premeditated, as the thieves were prevented from taking other tools and items.”
If anyone can provide information to solve the case, please contactCrime Stoppers: 1800 333 000。
ABC Chinese “Headline” is still being updated, so stay tuned.
Loading
