China’s population shrank for the first time in decades last year as its birthrate plunged, official figures showed Tuesday, adding to pressure on leaders to keep the economy growing despite an aging workforce and at a time of rising tension with the U.S.
New study by Center for Strategic and International Studies simulates war between China and the U.S. over Taiwan, reveals both sides would suffer heavy losses but U.S. and allies would ultimately defeat China.
Since Beijing announced it is reopening China’s borders, Hong Kong announced that beginning on Dec. 29, most of the pandemic measures will be lifted but the mask mandate will remain in effect.
China is expanding its nuclear force and is on pace to nearly quadruple the number of warheads it has by 2035, rapidly closing its gap with the United States, the Pentagon said in a report released Tuesday.
Anti-government protesters in communist China flipped over and destroyed a COVID testing tent in the city of Guangzhou on Monday, prompting police in hazmat suits to flood the streets and disperse the crowds.
Vice President Kamala Harris spoke briefly with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Saturday in another step toward keeping lines of communication open between the two biggest economies.