A roundup of international headlines.
The United States is adding thirteen Chinese companies to its unverified trade list. The decision was made because American officials couldn’t visit the companies in person, to decide whether they could be trusted with American technology. China’s commerce ministry has to approve the inspection visits. If United States officials still cannot perform site checks after sixty days, these companies will be considered for Washington’s more restrictive “entity list.”
These Chinese companies include PNC systems in Jiangsu province, and Xinwei Transportation in the city of Guangzhou.
CCP Head Told Biden Beijing Would Take Taiwan: Media
The Chinese Communist Party leader has reportedly told President Joe Biden that Beijing would take Taiwan under control, but he hasn’t decided on the timing yet.
NBC News reported the conversation citing unnamed sources.
The conversation allegedly took place during the recent US-China summit in San Francisco.
Australia Convicts Refugee for Working for CCP
An Australian court convicted a Vietnamese refugee for working for the Chinese Communist Party. The refugee, Di Sanh Duong, is a local community leader in Melbourne. Prosecutors said he cultivated a relationship with then-minister Alan Tudge on behalf of Beijing and that Mr. Duong arranged for Mr. Tudge to receive over twenty-five thousand dollars in donations.
Mr. Duong has pleaded not guilty.
Japan Eyes Shipping Patriot Missiles to US: Report
Japanese media reports say Tokyo is making the final arrangements to export Patriot missiles to the United States at Washington’s request. The United States has been supplying Ukraine with these missiles, but its stockpile of them is running low.
The export would mark a significant policy change if it goes through as Japan currently does not allow exports of finished lethal military equipment.