China is holding an event that happens once every five years – and it’s going to have big consequences

Published

2 years ago

October 22, 2022

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When President Xi Jinping came to power 10 years ago, he had a very clear vision for China.

He would return the country to its former glory, he would be unapologetic about its ascendant place in the world order, and he would make it strong, rich and stable.

A lot of what he set out has indeed been realised. But while many at the time hoped this would be done via liberal reforms, it has – at least in part – been delivered via increased controls on his people.

This weekend, the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of China will conclude. It is a once-in-a-five-year event with the main aim of choosing the senior leaders who will take China forward to the next five years.

It is almost certain President Xi will be appointed to a precedent-breaking third term, meaning he could, in theory, become leader for life.

It means his vision for China and his way of implementing it increasingly has an air of permanence.

This matters hugely for those who have experienced the worst of the crackdowns.

In Istanbul, many miles away from China, a young woman called Abudukel tearfully shows me pictures of her parents and her brother. She has no idea where they are.

She is a Uyghur Muslim from the far western Chinese province of Xinjiang.

Following a number of terror attacks early on in Xi’s leadership, he pursued a large-scale crackdown against the Uyghurs.

It’s estimated a million people have at some point been detained in camps, many have reportedly been tortured, an entire culture quashed.

Abudukel’s father was arrested in 2017, she says following pressure from the authorities to force her to return to China from her studies abroad.

A year or so later her brother and mother also disappeared. She is now utterly alone on the other side of the world, haunted by the last message her brother sent her.

“My brother’s voice message was, ‘sister, sister, are you there?'” she says, breaking down into tears.

“He might have left that message when they came and arrested my mother.

“It is evident that as long Xi Jinping stays one more day, we will continue to suffer more.

“Our homeland is like an open-air prison now, on the surface, it looks as if it is open, but everything is controlled.”

The Chinese government says the Uyghurs are in voluntary “re-education camps” and that this action was necessary to keep people safe.

But in the eyes of much of the world, this is one of the worst examples of President Xi’s China – a place where dissent is now almost impossible.

As well as journalists, lawyers and human rights groups having been largely silenced, people here know they are watched and monitored; their faces and voices tracked by technology, social media censored and sanitised.

An example of this came just last week. In a very rare and very brave act of protest, a lone man lit a small fire on a bridge in Beijing and hung banners calling President Xi a dictator.

But the impact was almost immediately stifled. China’s army of censors ensured the images were scrubbed from social media, those who shared them were banned from platforms.

For those outside China, they say this all leads to an incredible amount of self-censorship.

Ma Jian hasn’t been home for many years. He is an author and artist and his books have been banned in China.

He took part in the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, and says the type of activism seen then just wouldn’t be possible now.

“Before, I was able to go back to China.” he explains, “Police would talk to me, follow me and tell me who I could meet and couldn’t meet. But now, they block me out of China totally.

“If anyone says one word about Hong Kong, Tibet, Xinjiang on WeChat or the pages of a manuscript – they will be disappeared or put in prison or silenced.

“So there is a huge fear now that envelopes society and this is the plan, this is what Xi Jinping had in mind when he took control. It’s his first step of the ‘China dream’. The first step is to control all thought.”

President Xi will close the Communist Party’s Congress this weekend, his rule almost certainly extended.

His China is challenging the world, challenging him is now harder than ever.

World

Canadian PM criticises Trump over tariffs – and sends bold message to Americans

Published

2 hours ago

March 5, 2025

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Canadian PM criticises Trump over tariffs - and sends bold message to Americans

Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau has labelled new tariffs imposed by US president Donald Trump as a “dumb thing to do”.

It was confirmed overnight that tariffs on goods coming into the US from Mexico, Canada and China had come into effect.

Mr Trump’s expansion of tariffs to cover the top three trading partners of the United States has been met with promises of retaliation and a retreat in stock market values globally.

Mr Trudeau, speaking in a press conference on Tuesday, said his government would file a legal challenge against the US at the World Trade Organisation, and that Canada was considering its options.

“Today the United States has launched a trade war against Canada, its closest partner and ally, its closest friend,” he said.

“They have chosen to sabotage their agenda. There is absolutely no justification or need for these tariffs today.”

He also described the tariffs as a “dumb thing to do” and that it undermined his understanding of an agreement he made with Mr Trump over fentanyl production.

Mr Trudeau also warned it would impact American workplaces and add to inflation in the US.

Addressing the American public, he said: “We don’t want this… but your government has chosen to do this to you.”

The new tariffs will be felt heavily by all exporters in those countries, but also by US companies which rely on supplies from them.

Mexico and Canada face tariffs of 25%, with 10% for Canadian energy. Tariffs on Chinese imports have doubled, raising them from 10% to 20%.

Canada announced it would retaliate immediately, imposing 25% tariffs on US imports worth C$30bn (£16.3bn).

It added that the tariffs would be extended in 21 days to cover more US goods entering the country without a climbdown.

Mr Trump responded by saying that he would match any Canadian tariffs immediately through higher duties.

At a news conference, outgoing prime minister Justin Trudeau described the tariffs as “dumb” and said Canadian companies would be given government support that would even extend to protections against takeover interest caused by the trade war.

Mexico threatened both reciprocal tariffs along with non-tariff measures.

China also vowed to retaliate and reiterated its stance that the Trump administration was trying to “shift the blame” and
“bully” Beijing over fentanyl flows.

Stock markets were down sharply across the world on Tuesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the broader S&P 500 on course for big falls for a second day.

The Nasdaq later entered positive territory.

Share prices for carmakers were among the worst performers generally.

Companies including General Motors, VW and Mercedes saw sharp falls as each has factories in Mexico which sell into the US.

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European stock markets had achieved record levels on Monday on the back of higher defence spending pledges.

But the German DAX closed more than 3.5% off. Its leading faller was Continental, the car parts manufacturer best known for its tyres, which saw an 11% decline.

The CAC in Paris was down by almost 2% while the FTSE 100 closed 1.3% lower as fears of an expanded trade spat overcame global growth hopes.

The implications were playing out more widely.

Oil costs were down by 1.5%, with Brent crude trading at six-month low of $70 a barrel.

Cryptocurrencies were hit too amid the flight from risk. Bitcoin was trading at $83,170 – far below the $100k+ witnessed when Mr Trump took office.

There was also evidence that investors saw the tariffs as an own goal because the US dollar – usually a safe haven in times of market woes – came under pressure.

The pound was trading at its highest level versus the dollar since mid-December at just shy of $1.28.

The main threat to the US is that higher import costs, caused by tariffs, push up inflation as those costs are passed on.

Consumers in the US could see price hikes within days, one expert said.

Gustavo Flores-Macias, a public policy professor at Cornell University, New York, said “the automobile sector, in particular, is likely to see considerable negative consequences”.

This is due to supply chains that “crisscross the three countries in the manufacturing process” and ” because of the expected increase in the price of vehicles, which can dampen demand,” he added.

The Trump administration is gearing up to bring in other tariffs in the coming weeks.

On 2 April, reciprocal tariffs will take effect on all countries that impose duties on US products.

He is also considering 25% tariffs on goods from the EU “very soon” after claiming the bloc was created to “screw the United States”.

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Zelenskyy is ‘untrustworthy crook and punk’, says ex-Trump aide

Published

2 hours ago

March 5, 2025

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Zelenskyy is 'untrustworthy crook and punk', says ex-Trump aide

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been called a “crook” and a “punk” by a former top aide to Donald Trump.

Steve Bannon also told Sky’s Ali Fortescue he thinks the US president should pull out of a planned minerals deal with Ukraine.

In a wide-ranging interview on the Politics Hub, the ex-chief strategist said Mr Trump’s efforts to improve relations with Russia is a “brilliant” move.

Mr Bannon said the UK and Europe need to “wake up” and realise they do not have to be worried about Russia invading the rest of Europe, as they do not have the army to do it.

“The rapprochement of the United States with Russia breaks the control of the Chinese Community Party… it’s a brilliant stroke.”

Follow latest: Zelenskyy’s olive branch to Trump

He added the EU “will come along with it” and insisted Mr Trump is “going out of his way to be a peacemaker”.

But he was clear about whether the leader should agree to sign a deal with Ukraine‘s president for rare minerals, which was supposed to happen on Friday until the pair had a heated row in the Oval Office.

“Absolutely not. He [Zelenskyy] had his shot. Zelenskyy is untrustworthy. He’s a crook and a punk. And he showed what a punk he was in the Oval Office the other day,” said Mr Bannon.

He suggested the row was prompted by Mr Zelenskyy trying to get security guarantees from the US, something the American public would not accept.

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Minerals deal a ‘gift’ to Ukraine

“They told him, time and time and time again, do not bring up security guarantees. A security guarantee means… American troops and that will never happen,” said Mr Bannon.

He also said the deal was unnecessary and only a “very general framework” anyway, which risked tying the US to the “future reconstruction of the country”.

“We don’t need a rare earth deal. The United States doesn’t need rare earths from Ukraine. That was a total gift to him and the Ukrainian people.”

However, sources have told the Reuters news agency that Mr Trump is planning to announce the US and Ukraine’s minerals agreement during his address to Congress on Tuesday.

Mr Trump has paused military aid to Kyiv in the most dramatic step yet in his pivot towards closer ties with Russia.

‘Let EU underwrite Ukraine security’

Mr Bannon also took aim at European nations, saying defence spending was insufficient: “Let them [the EU] step up and let them underwrite the security of Ukraine.”

In particular he described the UK’s commitment to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence as “nothing”. He also criticised Britain’s combat capabilities saying the economy “can’t afford it”, adding the “bond market already turfed out Liz Truss“.

He said the “reality” is that much of NATO did not spend enough on defence, has “faked” for decades its capability to take on Russia, and the military alliance would struggle to put up “two combat divisions”.

Mr Bannon also accused “much of the British establishment” of being in business with the Chinese Communist Party.

In terms of UK politics, he says he is “a Nigel Farage guy and believes in Reform“.

Mr Farage is close to the US president but has had to be slightly more reserved in his praise of him of late – knowing British public opinion is very much behind Mr Zelenskyy and Ukraine.

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Zelenskyy says Ukraine ‘ready to come to negotiating table’ – after US pauses military aid

Published

2 hours ago

March 5, 2025

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Zelenskyy says Ukraine 'ready to come to negotiating table' - after US pauses military aid

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine is “ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible” in the search for a “lasting” peace with Russia.

The Ukrainian president made the statement on social media hours after Donald Trump’s White House announced it was pausing US military aid to Kyiv.

He also said he was “ready to sign” a deal giving the US access to minerals in Ukraine – which has been a sticking point between the countries in the last week, with Kyiv seeking security guarantees in return.

It comes after vice president JD Vance said a potential European peacekeeping force in Ukraine would be “20,000 troops from some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years” – sparking anger from a number of UK politicians.

Ukraine war latest: White House meeting ‘regrettable’, says Zelenskyy

The Ukrainian president stopped short of saying sorry in the statement, but outlined how the first stages of a possible peace deal might work.

He also reiterated how grateful he was for American support for Ukraine, after Mr Vance criticised him, claiming he had not shown enough gratitude during his explosive White House visit.

Mr Zelenskyy added: “Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be.

“It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right.

“We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.”

Trump ‘focused on peace’ – but attacks Zelenskyy again

Earlier, a White House official, speaking anonymously, said: “President [Trump] has been clear that he is focused on peace.

“We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution.”

There was no indication about the possible length of the pause, and there’s been no comment so far from Ukraine.

It comes after the astonishing clash between the two leaders – as well as Mr Vance – in the Oval Office on Friday.

Mr Trump‘s berating of Mr Zelenskyy was condemned by many and has led to a show of support from European leaders as they try to formulate their own way forward.

The US president attacked the Ukrainian leader again on Monday, telling reporters he should be “more appreciative”.

Writing on Truth Social, Mr Trump also said Mr Zelenskyy had made “the worst statement that could have been made” after he commented that peace was still “very, very far away”.

“America will not put up with it for much longer!” he posted.

“It is what I was saying, this guy doesn’t want there to be peace as long as he has America’s backing,” the president added.

Mr Zelenskyy then posted on X that Ukraine was “working together with America and our European partners and very much hope on US support on the path to peace”.

“Peace is needed as soon as possible,” he said.

‘Music to the ears of Putin’

By David Blevins, US correspondent

President Trump’s decision to pause military aid to Ukraine marks a significant shift in US foreign policy, one previously considered unthinkable.

This blow to Ukraine’s defences in the face of Russian aggression will be music to the ears of President Putin. US military aid has kept Ukraine in this David and Goliath battle for three years.

It has funded what military analysts simplify as “the big stuff” of battle – artillery, anti-tank weapons, rockets and armoured vehicles. Trump’s decision to push pause disregards efforts by Keir Starmer and other European leaders to devise a peace plan.

Those already questioning Europe’s reliance on the US for defence will conclude they have been given the answer.

But the decision sets President Trump up for a potential confrontation with Republicans, who had approved the funding, in Congress.

White House sources say he wants President Zelenskyy to go on TV and apologise for the jaw-dropping showdown last Friday. But the Ukrainian president feels he has no apology to make for expressing his doubt about Russia’s commitment to peace.

Earlier, Trump side-stepped a question about a Kremlin diplomat claiming the US administration and Moscow were now aligned on foreign policy.

This weakening of Ukraine’s defence capability moves that question front and centre as he prepares to address Congress on Tuesday.

Despite the diplomatic crisis, Mr Trump has said a deal is still possible.

An agreement giving the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth metals was meant to have been signed by the two presidents on Friday.

It was billed as an important step in a future peace deal – and part payback for aid already received.

However, the dramatic falling out has thrown that into jeopardy.

Mr Zelenskyy wants the metals deal to include guarantees on halting Russia should it break the terms of any peace agreement.

Zelenskyy showed ‘lack of respect’

Mr Vance suggested on Monday that the metals pact was the best way to secure a lasting end to the war.

“If you want real security guarantees, if you want to actually ensure that Vladimir Putin does not invade Ukraine again, the very best security guarantee is to give Americans economic upside in the future of Ukraine,” Mr Vance told Fox News.

“That is a way better security guarantee than 20,000 troops from some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years,” he added.

Mr Vance said Mr Zelenskyy had shown a “lack of respect” and “a certain sense of entitlement” in Friday’s trip to Washington.

He repeated that the door was still open if he altered his approach, but told Fox News he “still isn’t there”.

European and world leaders – who met Mr Zelenskyy at the weekend – have discussed a potential “coalition of the willing” to deploy peacekeepers and deter further Russian aggression.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Britain was prepared to put “boots on the ground and planes in the air” under the plan – but it’s unclear who else might participate.

He told MPs on Monday that Britain must “lead from the front” on supporting Ukraine and the “security of our continent, the security of our country”.

However, the prime minister believes any international deployment of troops must have a US “backstop” deterrent to be taken seriously by Russia.

America has given around €64bn (£53bn) of military aid to Ukraine, compared with €62bn (£51.3bn) from European nations (including Britain).

The overall US total is €114bn (£94bn) and the European one €132bn (£109bn). This includes humanitarian aid and other financial assistance to keep the country running.

Following the weekend summit, the UK also pledged £1.6bn in finance for Ukraine to buy another 5,000 air defence missiles.