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DC5m United States china in english 47 articles, created at 2016-12-16 17:03 articles set mostly positive rate 1.8

1 2.1 Is Beijing preparing for WAR in South China Sea? Nation holds its first ever live-fire drills with its aircraft carrier (3.31/4) amid tensions over military base on artificial islands Up to 10 vessels and 10 aircraft engaged in combat training and fired guided missiles in the northeastern Bohai Sea close to Korea. 2016-12-16 05:13 3KB www.dailymail.co.uk

2 2.7 Vintage plane rally along Africa's length comes to an end PLETTENBERG BAY, South Africa (AP) — Nearly a dozen vintage biplanes have (3.12/4) completed a month-long journey down the length of Africa and landed near the South African city of Cape Town. ... 2016-12-16 08:30 688Bytes article.wn.com

3 1.7 China suggests it has placed weapons on disputed Spratly islands

(3.10/4) BEIJING — China signaled on Thursday that it had placed weapons on disputed South China Sea islands and would use them like a “slingshot” to repel threats, compounding an already tense relationship with the incoming Trump administration. The Chinese message, in a Defense Ministry statement, was... 2016-12-16 00:24 8KB www.post- gazette.com

4 0.3 Taiwan Eyes Trump's China Policy With Mix of Hope and Fear

(2.15/4) As Taiwan becomes a contentious issue between China and U. S. President-elect Donald Trump, Taiwanese are hoping it will lead to closer ties with Washington but are wary of becoming a bargaining chip between the world's two largest economies. Trump's Dec. 2 phone call with Taiwanese... 2016-12-16 05:13 7KB abcnews.go.com

5 4.3 Australian police arrest Chinese nationals and impound boat over drug suspicions (2.10/4) Crew of vessel spotted in international waters to be questioned over suspicions of large-scale drug smuggling 2016-12-16 03:05 2KB www.theguardian.com

6 1.5 PH calls for restraint in South China Sea The Philippines on Friday expressed concern for the reported Chinese installation of

(2.08/4) weapons on artificial islands it had created in the South China Sea, calling on all parties to desist from undertaking provocative acts in the disputed waters. 2016-12-16 00:00 3KB globalnation.inquirer.net 7 1.8 Tibetan leader urges Trump to confront China on rights

(1.09/4) By Sanjeev Miglani NEW DELHI, Dec 16 (Reuters) - The head of the Tibetan government-in-exile said on Friday he was encouraged by U. S. President-elect Donald... 2016-12-16 08:11 5KB www.dailymail.co.uk

8 3.2 8 former Premier League stars seeking their fortunes in China (1.08/4) Chelsea playmaker Oscar is on the verge of a lucrative switch to Shanghai SIPG, who are reportedly set to pay the Blues £52million for the Brazilian's services. 2016-12-16 08:41 4KB www.independent.ie

9 3.2 China regulator gives go ahead for first agricultural options

(1.07/4) BEIJING, Dec 16 (Reuters) - China's securities regulator said on Friday it had approved the launch of options contracts for white sugar and soymeal, which wi... 2016-12-16 07:17 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk

10 4.8 China aims for breakthroughs in state-owned enterprise reforms - Xinhua

(1.06/4) BEIJING, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Mixed-ownership reform is where China's state-owned enterprises (SOE) can make breakthroughs on reforms, a top level economic wor... 2016-12-16 06:46 1KB www.dailymail.co.uk

11 1.8 Hong Kong stocks post biggest weekly fall in 6 months

(1.05/4) Dec 16 (Reuters) - Hong Kong stocks slipped to a 4-1/2-month low on Friday, and posted their biggest weekly fall in half a year, as investors braced for a fa... 2016-12-16 04:17 1KB www.dailymail.co.uk

12 0.0 China vows to contain asset bubbles, avert financial risk in 2017 (1.04/4) BEIJING, Dec 16 (Reuters) - China will stem the growth of asset bubbles in 2017 and place greater importance on the prevention of financial risk, while keepi... 2016-12-16 08:22 4KB www.dailymail.co.uk

13 0.9 China protests Prez's meeting with Dalai, warns of disturbance to ties BEIJING: China on Friday took strong exception to Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai (1.04/4) Lama's meeting with President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan during a children's summit, saying India must respect China's "core interests" to avoid "any disturbance" to the bilateral... 2016-12-16 06:25 1013Bytes article.wn.com 14 0.9 Boeing: 150,000 American aviation jobs depend on China (1.03/4) With its China business under threat from president-elect Donald Trump, Boeing is touting its importance to American workers. 2016-12-16 08:51 2KB rss.cnn.com

15 0.0 Hong Kong 'Snowden refugees' dream of better life Like many four year olds, Sethumdi says she dreams of meeting Father Christmas. But her future is uncertain as her refugee parents fight for a new life abroad after they (1.03/4) sheltered fugitive whistleblower Edward Snowden in Hong Kong. 2016-12-16 03:30 5KB www.digitaljournal.com

16 1.2 Why buying China bonds and stocks is looking dicey (1.03/4) China's markets, long considered insulated from global ructions by strict capital controls, took a hit this week from the U. S. rate hike. 2016-12-16 02:23 5KB www.cnbc.com

17 3.2 Hong Kong to hold individuals to account with new financial rules

(1.00/4) By Michelle Price and Sumeet Chatterjee HONG KONG, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's financial firms must register managers responsible for the day-to-day runni... 2016-12-16 07:54 3KB www.dailymail.co.uk

18 2.2 China box office falters ahead of key Hollywood talks

(1.00/4) By Lisa Richwine and Adam Jourdan LOS ANGELES/SHANGHAI, Dec 16 (Reuters) - China's box office is set for its smallest growth in a decade in 2016 with viewers... 2016-12-16 07:10 4KB www.dailymail.co.uk

19 3.3 China, Philippine coast guards meet despite sea row The Chinese and Philippine coast guards met for the first time on Friday and agreed to

(0.03/4) move forward on maritime cooperation, officials said, as relations bet... 2016-12-16 06:50 3KB www.dailymail.co.uk

20 0.0 China wants 23 northern cities put on red alert for smog

(0.01/4) BEIJING, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Environmental authorities in China have advised 23 northern cities to issue red alerts, the highest possible air pollution warnin... 2016-12-16 05:47 3KB www.dailymail.co.uk 21 1.0 A simple act of kindness that touches thousands: Bus driver carries elderly passenger off the vehicle after seeing him too frail to walk When an old man tried to exit a bus in Guangzhou, China the driver, Zhang Jianwen, noticed the passenger’s legs were trembling. Mr Zhang hopped off the vehicle to help the elderly man. 2016-12-16 08:59 3KB www.dailymail.co.uk

22 2.2 This is war! Residents of two Chinese villages stage fierce battle using FIRECRACKERS after failing to agree on where to build a road A smoke-filled firework battle was caught on camera in south-east China. Two villages had a disagreement turn violent over where a road was going to be constructed. 2016-12-16 08:29 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk

23 3.2 Bollore, Chinese and U. S. firms bid for Spain's Mediapro - sources By Andrés González MADRID, Dec 16 (Reuters) - French media tycoon Vincent Bollore is bidding for a stake in Spain's largest sports broadcasting rights firm a... 2016-12-16 08:10 4KB www.dailymail.co.uk

24 3.2 China's Wanxiang gets approval to produce Karma electric cars By Norihiko Shirouzu and Catherine Cadell BEIJING, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Wanxiang Group, a major Chinese auto parts supplier which almost three years ago bought... 2016-12-16 08:02 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk

25 2.8 The milk gambit: Australian udder to Chinese glass in three days: Russell By Clyde Russell LAUNCESTON, Australia, Dec 16 (Reuters) - How much would you pay to ensure your milk was fresh and safe? A Chinese businessman is betting th... 2016-12-16 08:00 5KB www.dailymail.co.uk

26 3.8 China alarmed as chili "conspiracy" heats up Indonesians JAKARTA, Dec 16 (Reuters) - China's embassy in Indonesia has expressed alarm at media reports accusing China of using a 2016-12-16 07:36 3KB www.dailymail.co.uk

27 1.2 Weak yuan means China cedes top US creditor crown to Japan — RT Business The monthly US Treasury Department report shows Japan has overtaken China as America’s top foreign creditor. Chinese Treasuries holdings declined to the lowest in more than six years as the country uses currency reserves to support the yuan. 2016-12-16 06:45 2KB www.rt.com 28 1.9 Chinese groom wears wedding dress because his fiancée thinks it makes her look fat Ou Qian (right) from China was self-conscious about looking fat in her wedding gown. To show his love and support, her fiancée, Wu Shuai, wore her dress to their ceremony. 2016-12-16 06:40 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk

29 2.8 Aboriginal woman Ms Dhu died in custody in South Headland, WA, police station. CCTV shows Aboriginal woman Ms Dhu dragged to a police van to go to a WA hospital where she died an hour later, after spending three days locked in a police station for $3,622 in unpaid fines. 2016-12-16 06:27 4KB www.dailymail.co.uk

30 3.1 France’s Bodega Films Acquires Ricardo Darin Starrer ‘Captain Koblic’ MADRID — Paris-based Bodega Films has acquired French rights to ‘70s thriller “Captain Koblic,” which re-teams “Chinese Take-Out” director Sebastian Borensztein with Argentina’s Ricardo Darin… 2016-12-16 06:25 3KB variety.com

31 1.5 Heroic naked man chases after bike thieves in Darwin The very revealing CCTV footage shows the bare-bottomed man charging after four burglars who were making off with his brother-in-law's bikes after breaking into the home in Darwin. 2016-12-16 06:24 1KB www.dailymail.co.uk

32 1.1 Chinese legal activist missing after police say they released him - lawyer BEIJING, Dec 16 (Reuters) - The family of prominent Chinese legal activist Jiang Tianyong is unable to locate him despite police saying that he had been rele... 2016-12-16 06:17 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk

33 2.3 DOJ starts preliminary probe on nabbed illegal online gambling workers The Department of Justice (DOJ) has started its preliminary investigation on the Chinese workers arrested at Fontana Leisure Park owned by gambling tycoon Jack Lam. 2016-12-16 00:00 1KB globalnation.inquirer.net

34 1.4 Pellegrini wants Sanchez to join him in China Former Manchester City coach Manuel Pellegrini has risked infuriating Arsenal by offering fellow Chilean Alexis Sanchez a lucrative move to the Chinese club... 2016-12-16 06:10 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk 35 0.6 China is no longer the biggest foreign holder of U. S. debt China's huge holdings of U. S. government debt have dropped to their lowest level in more than six years as the country sells dollars to prop up its own currency. 2016-12-16 05:35 3KB rss.cnn.com

36 1.0 Chinese leaders set 2017 economy plans amid trade pressure BEIJING — Chinese leaders have met to set economic goals for 2017 amid pressure from US President-elect Donald Trump and European governments over trade and market access. The government of 2016-12-16 00:00 3KB business.inquirer.net

37 1.9 Chinese leaders pledge stable currency, less financial risk China's leaders have pledged to keep its currency stable and reduce financial risks as they wrapped up an annual planning meeting. 2016-12-16 05:21 1KB www.heraldonline.com

38 2.6 Duterte economic team to negotiate infra projects with AIIB Economic managers will visit Beijing in January to firm up transportation projects to be funded by the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in line with the Duterte administration’s pivot to China, officials said. 2016-12-16 00:00 4KB business.inquirer.net

39 0.7 Yodel delivery driver dumps children's Christmas presents in the BIN when no one answers the door Anthony Thomas, from Caerphilly, posted CCTV stills of the delivery man, who was wearing a hi-vis jacket, putting the two brown parcels in his green household waste bin while the family were out. 2016-12-16 04:02 1KB www.dailymail.co.uk

40 1.2 China to build yet ANOTHER terrifying sky-high glass bridge in the 'Avatar' mountains - and this time it's 'invisible' The £4million bridge is designed to blend perfectly into its surroundings in China's Hunan province. The transparent bridge is in the mountains that inspired the Hollywood film Avatar. 2016-12-16 03:56 3KB www.dailymail.co.uk

41 1.0 Iraq boosts oil sales to China, U. S., India before OPEC supply cuts bite - sources By Florence Tan and Chen Aizhu SINGAPORE/BEIJING, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Iraq is selling more crude oil to its biggest customer, China's Unipec, people familiar... 2016-12-16 02:36 3KB www.dailymail.co.uk 42 5.5 Ms Dhu death in custody: CCTV footage shows 'inhumane' police treatment – video The Western Australian coroner has criticised the conduct of police officers charged with the care of an Indigenous woman 2016-12-16 02:15 1KB www.theguardian.com

43 1.5 Chinese media outlet calls for 'use of force' over Taiwan Contact WND (CNBC) Why Trump’s foreign policy is on a collision course in the South China Sea A Chinese newspaper is calling on the country to consider force as a means to conquer Taiwan, following an apparent shift in U. S. policy. The Global Times,... 2016-12-16 02:01 1KB www.wnd.com

44 3.6 China police confirm detention of human rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong The activist’s family are still waiting to hear from him despite officials saying he was released more than two weeks ago 2016-12-16 01:12 3KB www.theguardian.com

45 1.9 Natalie Portman dresses her baby bump in floor length gown at Huading Awards The 35-year-old actress, who is currently on the campaign trail to promote her new biographical film Jackie, looked glamorous in her gorgeous floor-length gown at the Chinese awards show. 2016-12-16 01:08 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk

46 2.9 Teenage entrepreneur plans to turn Christmas holidays into a $100,000 opportunity A 15-year-old boy from Toowoomba in Queensland is set to turn his Christmas holidays into $100k. Will Deeth imports toys from China and sells them in a pop-up store over December. 2016-12-16 00:35 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk

47 4.3 Ex-nurse Megan Haines sentenced to 36 years in jail for murder by insulin overdose Former nurse Megan Haines has been jailed for 36 years for murdering two residents at Ballina's St Andrews Village aged-care facility by injecting them with lethal doses of insulin. 2016-12-16 00:09 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk Articles

DC5m United States china in english 47 articles, created at 2016-12-16 17:03

1 /47 2.1 Is Beijing preparing for WAR in South China Sea? Nation holds its first ever live-fire drills with its aircraft carrier amid tensions over military base on artificial islands (3.31/4) Beijing has staged its first ever live-fire drills using an aircraft carrier and fighter jets amid tensions over a military base on artificial islands in the South China Sea. Up to 10 vessels and 10 aircraft engaged in combat training and fired guided missiles in the northeastern Bohai Sea close to Korea. China's growing military presence in the disputed South China Sea has fuelled concern, with the US criticising its militarisation of maritime outposts and holding regular air and naval patrols to ensure freedom of navigation. No other country has claims in China's busy waterway of the Bohai Sea, but the drills come amid new tension over self-ruled Taiwan, following US President- elect Donald Trump's recent telephone call with the island's president that upset Beijing. Warships and jets engaged in air-to-air, air-to-sea and sea-to-air combat drills that featured guided missiles, state broadcaster Chinese Central Television reported late on Thursday. 'This is the first time an aircraft carrier squadron has performed drills with live ammunition and real troops,' it said. China's Soviet-built Liaoning aircraft carrier and a formation of warships carried out aerial interception, anti-aircraft and anti-missile drills, in which Shenyang J-15 fighter jets carrying live missiles also participated, CCTV said. It broadcast images of fighter jets taking off from the carrier, firing missiles and destroying a target at sea. The Liaoning has participated in previous military exercises, including some in the South China Sea, but the country is still years off from perfecting carrier operations similar to those the United States has practiced for decades. On Wednesday, a US think tank said China had been installing anti-aircraft and anti- missile systems on artificial islands in the South China Sea, prompting China to defend its right to install military hardware there. China's exercises aim to test the equipment and troop training levels, an unidentified navy official told the official China News Service. Last December the Defence Ministry confirmed China was building a second aircraft carrier to go with the existing vessel, but its launch date is unclear. China keeps its aircraft carrier programme a state secret, and CCTV blurred images showing the cockpit instrument panel of one aircraft involved in the Bohai Sea drills. Beijing could build multiple aircraft carriers over the next 15 years, the Pentagon said in a report last year. China's successful operation of the Liaoning is the first step in what state media and some military experts believe will be the deployment of domestically built carriers by 2020. China's 1st aircraft carrier China’s 1st aircraft carrier China's aircraft carrier China aircraft carrier group carries out live-fire exercise carries out live-fire exercise conducts live-fire drill conducts first live-fire drills article.wn.com article.wn.com cnn.com dailymail.co.uk

China live-fires aircraft China holds first live-fire carrier group amid Taiwan drills with aircraft carrier, tensions with US warships theguardian.com dailymail.co.uk

2016-12-16 05:13 Julian Robinson www.dailymail.co.uk

2 /47 2.7 Vintage plane rally along Africa's length comes to an end (3.12/4) PLETTENBERG BAY, South Africa (AP) — Nearly a dozen vintage biplanes have completed a month-long journey down the length of Africa and landed near the South African city of Cape Town. ...

Vintage plane rally along Africa's length swoops to an end charlotteobserver.com

Vintage Plane Rally Along Vintage plane rally over Africa's Length Swoops to Africa comes to an end an End independent.ie abcnews.go.com

2016-12-16 08:30 system article.wn.com

3 /47 3 /47 1.7 China suggests it has placed weapons on disputed Spratly islands (3.10/4) BEIJING — China signaled on Thursday that it had placed weapons on disputed South China Sea islands and would use them like a “slingshot” to repel threats, compounding an already tense relationship with the incoming Trump administration.

The Chinese message, in a Defense Ministry statement, was viewed as suggesting that China was deviating further from a pledge made by its president, Xi Jinping, to not militarize the islands.

Known as the Spratlys, the islands dot some of the world’s busiest commercial maritime routes. China’s plan to strengthen its claims over the islands with permanent outposts has raised tensions with neighbors and the United States over freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. The Chinese have accused the U. S. in recent weeks of “provocative” moves by sending warships near some of these islands.

The Chinese have been artificially enlarging their Spratly outposts, creating harbors, runways and reinforced hangars big enough for military aircraft. But new satellite images made public this week appeared to reveal weapons emplacements for the first time.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, which released the images through its Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, said they showed “large antiaircraft guns and probable close-in weapons systems,” which can theoretically thwart cruise missile attacks.

The Defense Ministry statement, posted on its website in response to the images, did not specify what kinds of weapons they showed but said any military hardware on the islands was reasonable. It repeated China’s contention that activities on the islands are civilian in nature.

“As for necessary military facilities, they are primarily for defense and self-protection, and this is proper and legitimate,” the Defense Ministry said. “For instance, if someone was at the door of your home, cocky and swaggering, how could it be that you wouldn’t prepare a slingshot?”

There was no immediate comment from President-elect Donald Trump or his transition team. But the statement was seen as intended in part to further stoke China’s already testy relationship with the incoming administration.

Mr. Trump recently angered Chinese officials by holding a phone conversation with Tsai Ing- wen, the president of Taiwan, an island that Beijing deems a breakaway province of China. It had been nearly four decades since a U. S. president or president-elect had such direct contact with a Taiwanese leader.

In an interview broadcast on Sunday, Mr. Trump also criticized China over its trade imbalance with America, its military activities in the South China Sea and its ties to North Korea. China was “building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea, which they shouldn’t be doing,” he said in the interview on Fox News.

During his campaign, Mr. Trump dwelled on accusations that China had systematically sapped American industrial might, and he has indicated that trade issues will be a priority in dealings with Beijing. But the latest disclosures suggest how seemingly remote islands in the South China Sea could become a source of serious tensions, even military strife. The Spratlys, which China calls the Nansha Islands, are the subject of an especially volatile mix of competing claims. Parts of the archipelago are also claimed by the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan. And the possibility of undersea oil and gas deposits has exacerbated the rivalries.

President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines has moved in recent months to ease tensions with China, and to distance his country from Washington. Even so, the Philippines keeps defense treaties with the U. S. However, the U. S. said Thursday it is deferring a decision on a major aid package to the Philippines and is deeply troubled by a boast from the nation’s leader that he used to drive around looking for criminals to kill — and, indeed, kill them.

But China, with the world’s second-biggest economy and a swelling military budget, has established an intimidating dominance across much of the South China Sea. And the latest satellite images appeared to confirm its deepening military grip on the Spratlys.

The steps “show that Beijing is serious about defense of its artificial islands in case of an armed contingency in the South China Sea,” the Asia Maritime Defense Initiative said in its report about the images.

“Among other things, they would be the last line of defense against cruise missiles launched by the U. S. or others against” air bases that may soon go into operation on the islands, it said.

The images showed that the facilities were in place before Mr. Trump’s comments.

The Obama administration sought to play down both the images and the Chinese Defense Ministry’s response. “We watch Chinese naval developments very carefully, and we urge all parties in the South China Sea to avoid actions that raise tensions,” said Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman.

The images elicited a far more contentious response from hawkish Republicans, who do not necessarily share Mr. Trump’s views on China trade policy but see Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea as an aggressive challenge to the U. S.

Sen. John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the images confirmed “what has long been evident: China is militarizing the South China Sea, its leaders continue to lie about that fact, and Beijing is paying little to no price for its behavior.”

Some American military officials suggested privately that the antiaircraft emplacements were purely defensive in nature, with a limited range, useful only if the outposts were under attack.

Of greater concern, they said, was the possibility that China could one day install more advanced antiaircraft missile systems on the islands, which can fire at targets hundreds of miles away.

Adm. Harry Harris, head of the U. S. Pacific Command, said on Wednesday that America would not abandon its military presence across the Asia-Pacific region. He indicated that American naval ships would continue passing through the South China Sea to show that the U. S. “will not allow the shared domains to be closed down unilaterally, no matter how many bases are built on artificial features in the South China Sea.”

The latest images raised new doubts about the intent of comments made by China’s president, Mr. Xi, after he met President Obama in the White House in September last year. The Obama administration has said it does not take a position on who has sovereignty over the disputed islands across the South China Sea, but it wants to protect freedom of navigation there and defuse conflict.

With Mr. Obama at his side, Mr. Xi told reporters that “China does not intend to pursue militarization” of the islands.

Previous satellite pictures of the islands, released by the Asia Maritime Defense Initiative in August, already indicated that China was building military facilities there. Those images appeared to show reinforced aircraft hangars at the Fiery Cross, Subi and Mischief Reefs, all part of the disputed parts of the archipelago.

A spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday that his government had been entitled to take such steps and said they did not count as “militarization.”

The spokesman, Geng Shuang, said he could not confirm the precise findings from the latest satellite images but disputed they indicated any change on China’s part.

“If China constructing normal facilities on its own islands and deploying necessary territorial defense facilities counts as ‘militarization,’ ” he said, “then what about sending fleets through the South China Sea?”

Report: Beijing adds Beijing admits it has Philippines says won't weapons to South China installed weapons on islands protest China actions in Sea islands in the South China Sea Spratly Islands article.wn.com upi.com dailymail.co.uk

2016-12-16 00:24 By Chris www.post-gazette.com

4 /47 0.3 Taiwan Eyes Trump's China Policy With Mix of Hope and Fear (2.15/4) As Taiwan becomes a contentious issue between China and U. S. President-elect Donald Trump, Taiwanese are hoping it will lead to closer ties with Washington but are wary of becoming a bargaining chip between the world's two largest economies.

Trump's Dec. 2 phone call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen raised expectations that he will upgrade relations with the self-governing island with which Washington has only had unofficial ties since recognizing the Communist government on the Chinese mainland in 1979. Trump followed up the call with tweets and comments criticizing Chinese trade and foreign policy, stoking speculation about a major change in American policy toward the nearly 70-year-old regional rivalry.

But the euphoria has been tempered by worry about what might happen to Taiwan if Trump uses it to press Beijing on trade, China's territorial expansion in the South China Sea or its ties with North Korea .

"On the surface, it looks like this means America is getting closer to Taiwan," said Jonathan Wang, a civil engineering student at National Taiwan University in Taipei.

"But Trump is a businessman, so he has own considerations," Wang said. "If Taiwan becomes a bargaining chip in negotiations with China... (Trump) might give up the goodwill. "

The mix of excitement and fear poses a tricky challenge for Taiwan's government. Despite being shunned by Beijing for her pro-independence stance, Tsai has repeated over the past two weeks that she values ties with both China and the U. S.

China and Taiwan separated during a civil war in 1949 and Beijing continues to view the island as its territory, to be unified with by force if deemed necessary.

China suspended dialogue with Tsai's government shortly after her inauguration over her refusal to endorse its principle that the two sides are part of a single Chinese nation.

China already uses its diplomatic and economic heft to prevent Taiwan from making formal contacts with most other countries or joining international organizations such as the United Nations that require statehood as a prerequisite.

Since Tsai's May inauguration, Beijing has sought to increase the pressure by discouraging Chinese tourists from visiting Taiwan and blocking its participation in some international forums. As a further step, China could use its influence to win away Taiwan's remaining 22 diplomatic allies.

An indication of Trump's approach to the issue may come as soon as next month when Tsai is due to transit in the U. S. on her way to visiting allies in Central America. A Taiwanese foreign ministry official declined to say whether Tsai might meet Trump transition team members during the transit stop, something that has been hinted at by both sides.

Many Taiwanese expect a new relationship with Washington to bring economic advantages for their export-dependent half trillion-dollar economy, long-term access to senior U. S. officials and more sales of advanced U. S. weapons to defend against China.

Washington has been Taipei's staunchest ally and chief arms supplier since the break in diplomatic ties, despite occasional protests from Beijing. The United States approved a $6.4 billion arms package for Taiwan in 2010 and a $1.83 billion one in 2015.

"Trump is a businessman, and he always thinks about making money so he's probably thinking of Taiwan as a good source of buying U. S. arms in the future," said Shane Lee, a political scientist at Chang Jung Christian University in Taiwan.

Taiwan could also use stronger U. S. relations to build confidence in negotiating with China, said Lai I-chung, the former head of China policy for Tsai's political party.

Regardless of the outcome, the Taiwanese public has warmed to Trump following his outreach to the island's government, said Lee Chun-yi, a legislator from a southern Taiwan city where distrust of China runs high.

"Before the election people were kind of down on Trump, and now they're really keen on him," Lee said. "The public sees Taiwan as a sovereign country. We hope there can be more contact. "

A stronger relationship with the United States could help Taiwan make contacts in India and countries in Southeast Asia, part of Tsai's strategy of reducing economic reliance on mainland China, said Douglas Hsu, deputy director-general of North American affairs with the foreign ministry.

Yet people on the island are also bracing themselves for a backlash from Beijing or some form of a grand bargain between China and the U. S., analysts say. Taiwanese have long been inured to Beijing's hostility and the international isolation it seeks to impose.

"Most of my colleagues are really, really worried about that, because Taiwan would serve as a pawn between major powers," said Nathan Liu, an international affairs and diplomacy professor at Ming Chuan University in Taiwan.

The major risk, Liu says, is that Trump might trade support for Taiwan to gain economic concessions from the mainland. "Taiwan will be virtually abandoned by the United States because it's that bargaining chip," he said.

China considers recognition of Taiwan to be non-negotiable and lodged a diplomatic protest after the Trump-Tsai phone call. Faced with Beijing's hard-line position, some Taiwanese question whether Trump has the diplomatic chops to negotiate the tricky trilateral relationship.

"Trump is an economic success but on politics he lacks the foresight of ( Hillary) Clinton ," said retired Taiwanese high school teacher Chao Chiu-chin, referring to Trump's Democratic Party rival and former U. S. secretary of state. "We can't predict. But Trump is strong and (Chinese President) Xi Jinping is strong. That won't be good for the experience of Taiwan. "

Ultimately, Trump's approach is seen as shaking up established U. S. policy toward Taiwan, for better or for worse.

"This is a crisis as well as an opportunity," Taiwan legislator Lo Chih-cheng said.

Taiwan eyes Trump's China As Trump riles China, As Trump riles China, policy with mix of hope and Taiwan tallies defense costs Taiwan tallies defence costs fear article.wn.com dailymail.co.uk dailymail.co.uk

2016-12-16 05:13 By abcnews.go.com

5 /47 4.3 Australian police arrest Chinese nationals and impound boat over drug suspicions (2.10/4) Ten Chinese nationals have been arrested in Hobart and their boat impounded amid suspicion of large-scale drug smuggling. The foreign commercial vessel was spotted circling in international waters off Australia’s west coast and escorted to the southern capital on Friday by the navy’s HMAS Adelaide after a lengthy maritime monitoring mission.

Swarming with uniformed police, accompanied by a water police speedboat and backed by a tug, the 50m, low-lying boat – showing no name or flag – travelled up the city’s Derwent river.

The Australian Border Force confirmed that authorities, including specially assigned naval vessels and RAAF aircraft, had been following it for “some time” and went aboard on Monday.

“The behaviour of the vessel was unusual in that it was circling in an area outside the economic zone, more than 200 nautical miles off the southern coast of Australia,” the border force regional commander, James Watson, told reporters. “As a result of that behaviour, a decision was made to board the vessel.

“On Monday … personnel from HMAS Adelaide intercepted the vessel and boarded it on the basis of that vessel’s suspected involvement in illicit drug smuggling.”

They allegedly found drugs, believed to be just a sample of a much larger quantity. Authorities would not confirm the amount or type of drugs or comment on reports that 160kg of cocaine were on board.

“All I can say is that we believe there’s a significant quantity of illegal substances on board,” Watson said.

The crew will be questioned while the vessel remains in a maritime exclusion zone for examination.

“It’s a former research vessel … it’s not an Australian-registered vessel,” Watson said. “The circumstances of what this vessel was doing, its capability and where it was going is going to be the subject of an ongoing inquiry.”

The boat was noticed during routine aerial surveillance off Western Australia and has been tracked as part of a cross-agency operation. Australian police: Suspected Australian Police: Suspected drug smuggling ship Drug Smuggling Ship intercepted Intercepted article.wn.com abcnews.go.com

2016-12-16 03:05 Australian Associated www.theguardian.com

6 /47 (2.08/4) 1.5 PH calls for restraint in South China Sea The Philippines on Friday expressed concern for the reported Chinese installation of weapons on artificial islands it had created in the South China Sea, calling on all parties to desist from undertaking provocative acts in the disputed waters.

In a statement, Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, the Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, said the Philippines was confirming the report that China has installed weapons on seven islands it had reclaimed in the contested waters— yet another step in its continuing militarization of the sea.

READ: Report: Beijing adds weapons to South China Sea islands

“We are verifying the report independently. But if the report is true, then it is a cause for serious concern, because it tends to raise tension and undermine peace and stability in the region,” Jose said when asked for comment yesterday.

“We, thus, renew our call on all parties concerned to refrain from taking any action that would raise tension in the region and further complicate the situation. Concerned parties should instead work together to promote peace, security and stability in the South China Sea,” he told the Inquirer in a text message.

China stepped up its persistent militarization of the disputed waters as it ignored the United Nations arbitral tribunal’s landmark July 2016 ruling that invalidated its nine-dash line claim over almost all of the waters.

The ruling, the result of a case earnestly pursued by the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III, favored the Philippines complaint against Chinese incursions into its exclusive economic zone.

READ: Philippines wins arbitration case vs. China over South China Sea It also ruled that Beijing may not stop any other nation from fishing in the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal within the Philippines’ EEZ off Masinloc, Zambales, an area China had seized in April 2012.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who has expressed the intent to establish closer ties with China, has appeared to have been tiptoeing around the South China Sea disputes in his international engagements, most recently avoiding the topic in his state visit to Cambodia, a known ally to the Chinese.

Cambodia, a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations like the Philippines, had earlier blocked moves to include the UN tribunal’s ruling in an Asean statement.

Beijing admits it has Report: Beijing adds installed weapons on islands weapons to South China in the South China Sea Sea islands upi.com article.wn.com

2016-12-16 00:00 Tarra Quismundo globalnation.inquirer.net

7 /47 1.8 Tibetan leader urges Trump to confront China on rights

(1.09/4) By Sanjeev Miglani NEW DELHI, Dec 16 (Reuters) - The head of the Tibetan government-in-exile said on Friday he was encouraged by U. S. President-elect Donald Trump's tough stand on China and urged him to ditch backdoor diplomacy on furthering the Tibetan cause and be more confrontational. The United States and its European allies have sought to engage China over allegations of repression since Washington reached out to Beijing back in the 1970s, effectively driving the Tibetan issue out of public forums, Lobsang Sangay said. But that approach had not worked and human rights abuses had only worsened, the Harvard-educated legal scholar told Reuters in an interview. Beijing had grown even more assertive, from threatening neighbours over the South China Sea dispute to repressing dissent in Hong Kong, he said. "There is negligible or rather zero result as far as this 'quiet backroom dialogue' is concerned," Sangay said in the Tibetan bureau office in New Delhi. "It's time for an open discourse where we press the Chinese government. We are not saying put sanctions, but that we be forthright, be frank on what's going on in Tibet and in China in general and to raise the issue. "And publicly share what's going on what has happened, because we have to make the Chinese government accountable," he said in remarks ahead of the release of a report on what activists see as the erosion of Tibetans' ethnic and religious identity and the degradation of their environment. China denies accusations by exiles and rights groups of rights abuses in Tibetan parts of the country and insists it allows freedom of religion, blaming the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama for promoting unrest. Trump has signalled a more "upfront and assertive policy" towards China, and Tibetans - who number about 6 million in their home region and 150,000 abroad - are waiting to see how it translates with regard to their struggle, Sangay said. Trump took a phone call from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen this month and said the United States did not necessarily have to stick to its long-held stance that Taiwan is part of "one China", triggering a diplomatic protest from China. Trump plans to nominate a long- standing friend of Beijing, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, as the next U. S. ambassador to China. But he is also considering John Bolton, a former Bush administration official who has urged a tougher line on Beijing, for the deputy job at the U. S. State Department, according to a source familiar with the matter. Sangay said Trump's "bold" statement on Taiwan had been consistent with what the U. S. president-elect had been saying for years and it was rooted in a realistic view of China. "If you really want to understand China, you have to know the Tibetan narrative. What happened to Tibet is vital to understanding what China is capable of. So the fact that he is indicating some realistic views about China, in that sense, it is a positive indication. " Beijing denounces the Dalai Lama as a dangerous separatist who wants an independent Tibet. He denies espousing violence and says he only wants genuine autonomy for his Himalayan homeland. The Dalai Lama fled into exile in India in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule and established the Central Tibetan Administration in the northern hill town of Dharamsala. SETTLEMENT Sangay said he hoped the United States and other democratic countries including Japan and India would lead an effort to call out China for its repressive policies in Tibet and press for a settlement. "We just think there has to be coordinated process from all like- minded countries on the issue of Tibet, and then press China to resolve the issues peacefully through dialogue. " He said the Tibetan movement had not formally approached the Trump camp but would do so soon as the president-elect assembles his cabinet team. Sangay said Tibetans expected Trump to meet the Dalai Lama when he travels to the United States next year as had his predecessors, Barack Obama and George W. Bush. China expressed dissatisfaction on Friday over Indian President Pranab Mukherjee meeting the Dalai Lama this month, saying it hoped India would recognise the Nobel Peace Prize winning monk as a separatist in religious guise. The Indian government had ignored China's "strong opposition and insisted" on arranging for the Dalai Lama to share the stage with Mukherjee, and meet him, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a daily news briefing in the Chinese capital. Sangay said the first public meeting between the Indian president and the Dalai Lama sent a powerful message to the rest of the world and to Beijing. (Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in BEIJING; Editing by Robert Birsel)

As Trump riles China, As Trump riles China, Taiwan tallies defense costs Taiwan tallies defence costs article.wn.com dailymail.co.uk

2016-12-16 08:11 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk

8 /47 3.2 8 former Premier League stars seeking their fortunes in China (1.08/4) Chelsea playmaker Oscar is on the verge of a lucrative switch to Shanghai SIPG, who are reportedly set to pay the Blues £52million for the Brazilian's services.

The Chinese Super League is proving ever more popular due to the seemingly vast riches on offer, with Oscar's team-mate and Chelsea captain John Terry and Arsenal talisman Alexis Sanchez also recently linked with moves there. Here, Press Association Sport looks at a few former Premier League players and coaches that have tried their luck in the Far East.

DEMBA BA

Joined Shanghai Shenhua, for whom Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka had also played, 18 months ago from Besiktas on a three- year deal with an annual salary reported to be worth more than £5million. The former Newcastle and Chelsea striker scored 14 times in 18 matches this year before suffering a horrible leg break in July which has ruled him out of action ever since.

PAULINHO

Did not leave much of a mark in his two seasons at Tottenham, who offloaded the midfielder to Guangzhou Evergrande for a fee approaching £10million in June 2015, but the Brazil midfielder has since rejuvenated his career under former international manager Luiz Felipe Scolari. Paulinho played a starring role as Guangzhou lifted the Chinese Super League title this year and his form has seen him recalled to the national side.

RAMIRES

Joined Jiangsu Suning from Chelsea in January earlier this year in a deal believed to be worth £25million - a Chinese Super League record that would be broken twice in the following 10 days. The Brazilian midfielder was sent off on his debut but helped his new club finish runner-up to Guangzhou Evergrande in the league.

GERVINHO

The former Arsenal forward often flattered to deceive in north London but he raised his profile in two and a half seasons at Roma before moving on to Hebei China Fortune in January. He told L'Equipe he moved for the money, saying: "Earning £47,000 to play just one match is unimaginable in Europe, even at a club like Real Madrid. But here it's the case. "

GRAZIANO PELLE

Swapped Southampton for Shandong Luneng in July for a fee of around £12million, with the Italian reportedly earning more than £13million per season, which at the time made him the fifth highest paid player in the world. He has made a moderate start to life in China with five goals in 13 appearances.

SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON

The former England and Manchester City coach is something of a veteran in China, first taking charge of Guangzhou R&F in June 2013 on a deal reported to be worth £2million a year. The Swede departed for Shanghai SIPG in November 2014 and led the club into the AFC Champions League for the first time the following year but was replaced by former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas last month. Eriksson has since taken the hot seat at second tier Shenzhen FC.

MANUEL PELLEGRINI

Did not dwell on his exit from Manchester City for too long as he was appointed Hebei China Fortune boss in August - less than four months after his last match at the helm of the Premier League giants. However, the honeymoon period is definitely over for the Chilean, who has won just one of his seven matches in charge at Hebei, with four defeats.

GUS POYET

Lasted barely six months in spells at AEK Athens and most recently Real Betis, having been sacked by Sunderland in March last year after a poor season. But the Uruguayan has been given the chance to turn his managerial career round at Shanghai Shenhua, where he can count Ba and former Newcastle and Birmingham striker Obafemi Martins among his players.

Chelsea midfielder Oscar Why Chelsea should be How Chelsea have become will become world's highest happy at the top of the Premier League's in-form paid player on £400,000 per Premier League tree side with 10 wins on the week dailymail.co.uk spin dailymail.co.uk dailymail.co.uk

2016-12-16 08:41 Press Association www.independent.ie

9 /47 3.2 China regulator gives go ahead for first agricultural options (1.07/4) BEIJING, Dec 16 (Reuters) - China's securities regulator said on Friday it had approved the launch of options contracts for white sugar and soymeal, which will be the first agricultural derivatives products in the world's biggest commodity market. The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) said in a statement it had given the go ahead for the Dalian Commodity Exchange to list soymeal options and for the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange to have white sugar options. Options give the holder the right to buy or sell a commodity at a particular strike price and are widely used in Europe and the United States by investors across commodities. Users range from commercial hedgers such as farmers and oil drillers to institutional and speculative investors. No launch dates were given, but the watchdog said preparation work would take about three months. Both exchanges posted draft specifications of the contracts, including proposed lot sizes of 10 tonnes, and said they were seeking feedback from the industry. For sugar, the expiry months will be January, March, May, July, September and November. Dalian already has oil and oilseed futures, including soybean, soybean meal, soybean oil and palm oil, and these account for just under half of the trading volume in China's agricultural futures. (Reporting by Beijing newsroom and Josephine Mason. Editing by Jane Merriman and David Evans) China upset as Dalai Lama China jails brother of former China to rein in property China treasury yields ease meets Indian president aide to retired president for bubbles, damp price after calming c.bank liquidity dailymail.co.uk graft volatility -Xinhua injection dailymail.co.uk dailymail.co.uk dailymail.co.uk

Regulator tells China bond China regulator gives go market makers to keep ahead for sugar, soymeal trading despite liquidity options crunch - sources dailymail.co.uk dailymail.co.uk

2016-12-16 07:17 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk

10 /47 4.8 China aims for breakthroughs in state-owned enterprise reforms - Xinhua (1.06/4) BEIJING, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Mixed-ownership reform is where China's state-owned enterprises (SOE) can make breakthroughs on reforms, a top level economic work conference said, as reported by the official Xinhua news agency on Friday. China will take substantial steps in mixed- ownership reform in electricity, oil, natural gas, railway, civil aviation, telecommunications and military industries, Xinhua said, citing a statement issued upon the conclusion of the Central Economic Work Conference. Mixed- ownership reform could result in companies being partially privatised. Beijing has made reform of its huge, uncompetitive SOEs a priority as weak global demand weighs on economic growth and excess capacity and idle workers bleed what precious resources companies have at their disposal. China will also step up protection of property rights, Xinhua said. The country's top leaders started the annual conference to map out economic and reform plans on Wednesday. The conference is keenly watched by investors for clues on policy priorities and economic targets for the year ahead. (Reporting by Beijing Monitoring Desk; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

China to push forward China to strictly limit China to rein in property China will continue prudent supply-side reform in 2017 - property speculation in 2017 bubbles, damp price and neutral monetary policy Xinhua - Xinhua volatility -Xinhua in 2017 - Xinhua dailymail.co.uk dailymail.co.uk dailymail.co.uk dailymail.co.uk China will step up protection China's $8.6 bln P2P fraud of property rights - Xinhua trial starts - Xinhua dailymail.co.uk dailymail.co.uk

2016-12-16 06:46 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk

11 /47 1.8 Hong Kong stocks post biggest weekly fall in 6 months

(1.05/4) Dec 16 (Reuters) - Hong Kong stocks slipped to a 4-1/2-month low on Friday, and posted their biggest weekly fall in half a year, as investors braced for a faster pace of U. S. interest rate rises. The Hang Seng index fell 0.2 percent, to 22,020.75 points, while the China Enterprises Index lost 0.1 percent, to 9,470.33 points. For the week, the benchmark lost 3.3 percent. On Thursday, the market slumped in the wake of the Federal Reserve's quarter-point rate hike. Although the move had been fully priced in, investors were spooked after the Fed projected three hikes next year, up from two previously, indicating a hawkish policy stance. Although the jitters eased on Friday, investors remained circumspect as the dollar hovered around its 14-year high against major currencies, threatening the appeal of emerging market assets. Most sectors lost ground, with telecommunication and raw material shares leading the decline. (Reporting by Jackie Cai and John Ruwitch; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

Cathay Dragon to replace 23 China stocks edge up, but China, Hong Kong stocks Airbus narrowbody jets key index posts worst week stabilise after sell-off dailymail.co.uk in 8 months dailymail.co.uk dailymail.co.uk

2016-12-16 04:17 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk

12 /47 0.0 China vows to contain asset bubbles, avert financial risk in 2017 (1.04/4) BEIJING, Dec 16 (Reuters) - China will stem the growth of asset bubbles in 2017 and place greater importance on the prevention of financial risk, while keeping the economy on a path of stable and healthy growth, media said, citing leaders at an economic planning meeting. China has seen growth stabilise this year, but corporate leverage and credit continue to expand, increasing risks to the world's second-largest economy as it looks to push forward structural reforms. The annual meeting is attended by China's top leaders and is closely watched by investors for clues on policy priorities and main economic targets for the year ahead. Monetary policy will be kept "prudent and neutral" in 2017, leaders attending the Central Economic Work Conference said in a statement, as reported by the official Xinhua news agency on Friday. "Monetary policy will be kept prudent and neutral, adapt to new changes in money supply... and strive to smooth monetary policy transmission channels and improve mechanism to help maintain liquidity basically stable," they said. The People's Bank of China has maintained a prudent monetary policy since 2011, raising or cutting interest rates in line with shifts in the economy. The pro-active fiscal policy has been in place since the depths of the global crisis. The property market will be a focus of risk control, as authorities will restrain property bubbles and prevent price volatility, they said. The leaders called for a strict limit on credit flowing into speculative buying in the property market and for a boost in the supply of land for cities where housing prices face stiff upward pressure. "Houses are for people to live in, not for people to speculate," Xinhua said, citing the statement. Another top priority in 2017 is to lower high corporate leverage ratios, including using more debt-to-equity swaps, as the country looks to reign in debt that has risen to 250 percent of gross domestic product. "Monetary policy may get tighter," said Wen Bin, a senior researcher at Minsheng Bank in Beijing. "The spill-over effect of the Fed's policy has created some pressure and domestic inflation is picking up as the economy stabilises. " China will keep the yuan basically stable while strengthening flexibility of the currency, and will ensure market liquidity is basically stable, the statement said. The yuan hit fresh 8-1/2 year lows on Friday, with expectations for further depreciation rising after the U. S. Federal Reserve increased interest rates on Wednesday. The leaders pledged to push forward supply-side reform, expand aggregate demand and take a more proactive fiscal policy approach, while continuing with coal and steel capacity reduction efforts. The government will also continue to work on clearing a property glut in third and fourth-tier cities. Mixed-ownership reform is where China's state-owned enterprises can make breakthroughs on reforms, the statement said, as China looks to improve competitiveness and productivity of its huge state sector. China's economy grew 6.7 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier and looks set to achieve the government's full-year forecast of 6.5-7 percent, buoyed by higher government spending, a housing boom and record bank lending. However, growing debt and concern about property bubbles have touched off an internal debate about whether China should tolerate slower growth in 2017 to allow more room for painful reforms aimed at reducing industrial overcapacity and indebtedness. (Reporting by Beijing Monitoring Desk, Kevin Yao, and Yawen Chen; writing by Elias Glenn; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore, Robert Birsel)

China sees steady foreign China to push forward China to strictly limit China to rein in property investment inflows in 2017 supply-side reform in 2017 - property speculation in 2017 bubbles, damp price dailymail.co.uk Xinhua - Xinhua volatility -Xinhua dailymail.co.uk dailymail.co.uk dailymail.co.uk China will continue prudent and neutral monetary policy in 2017 - Xinhua dailymail.co.uk

2016-12-16 08:22 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk

13 /47 0.9 China protests Prez's meeting with Dalai, warns of disturbance to ties (1.04/4) BEIJING: China on Friday took strong exception to Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama 's meeting with President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan during a children's summit, saying India must respect China's "core interests" to

China upset as Dalai Lama meets Indian president dailymail.co.uk

2016-12-16 06:25 system article.wn.com

14 /47 0.9 Boeing: 150,000 American aviation jobs depend on China (1.03/4) The answer is 150,000, according to Boeing vice chairman Ray Conner, who touted the figure at an event held by the National Committee on U. S.-China Relations.

The group, which promotes cooperation between China and the United States, tweeted Conner's comments on Thursday evening. Conner also said that he expects the number of jobs to continue growing.

Boeing ( BA ) did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Raymond Conner: The Chinese aviation market supports 150,000 American jobs #NCUSCR50

President-elect Donald Trump last week criticized the cost of Air Force One, which is a Boeing product.

But company executives are more worried about his antagonism of Beijing. If a trade spat results, Boeing's business in China could be in jeopardy.

Boeing delivered nearly 500 737 jets in 2015 and one quarter of them went to Chinese airlines, which are serving a growing middle class that's already as large as the U. S. population.

The market could be worth a trillion dollars over the next 20 years.

Boeing's factories are filled with colorful jets for Chinese airlines: Xiamen, 9 air, Donghai, Ruili, Hainan, Hebei, Shandong and Shenzhen.

Related: Boeing eyes China focus with new sales chief

Trump has already upended decades of U. S. foreign policy by taking an unexpected congratulatory phone call from the president of Taiwan. Beijing, which considers Taiwan to be a "rogue province," lodged a protest with the U. S.

Increased antagonism toward China on trade, or an even closer diplomatic posture toward Taiwan, may have consequences for U. S. businesses - and Boeing has a lot to lose.

Related: China to spend $1 trillion on 6,810 new aircraft

Boeing's position in the U. S. economy is without parallel. It has no competitors in the U. S., and it often touts the number of American jobs supported by its deals.

Traditionally, the president of the U. S. has been Boeing's biggest booster at home and abroad.

"I deserve a gold watch, because I'm selling this stuff all the time," President Obama told Boeing workers in 2012. "I will go anywhere in the world to open up new markets for American products. "

China has bet roughly equally on new airliners from Europe and the U. S. to build its airlines. At the same time, China is cultivating its own commercial airliner industry to one day compete with Boeing and Airbus ( EADSF ).

Taiwan eyes Trump's China policy with mix of hope and fear dailymail.co.uk 2016-12-16 08:51 Charles Riley rss.cnn.com

15 /47 0.0 Hong Kong 'Snowden refugees' dream of better life

(1.03/4) Like many four year olds, Sethumdi says she dreams of meeting Father Christmas.

But her future is uncertain as her refugee parents fight for a new life abroad after they sheltered fugitive whistleblower Edward Snowden in Hong Kong.

The story of how impoverished refugees helped Snowden evade authorities in 2013 only emerged in September, propelling them into the media spotlight.

Former National Security Agency contractor Snowden hid out in Hong Kong where he initiated one of the largest data leaks in US history, fuelling a firestorm over mass surveillance.

After leaving his initial hotel bolthole, he went underground, fed and looked after by some of the city's 11,000 marginalised refugees.

Snowden now lives in exile in Russia where he has sought asylum.

The refugees remain in Hong Kong, desperately hoping for resettlement elsewhere.

- 'Treated like animals' -

Sethumdi is Sri Lankan and lives in a flat measuring just 14 square metres (150 square feet) with her father Supun Thilina Kellapatha, mother Nadeeka and baby brother Danath.

They hope the awareness raised by the Snowden story might lead to a better life. The family wants to go to Canada, which has a track record of taking in refugees.

Supun, 32, says he is proud to have helped Snowden and happy their case has gone public.

"Before, we just tried to survive day by day. Now I have hope," he says.

Hong Kong is not a signatory to the UN's refugee convention and does not grant asylum.

However, it is bound by the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) and considers claims for protection based on those grounds. It also considers claims based on risk of persecution.

Like Snowden's hosts, many refugees spend years in limbo, hoping the government will support their claims. After government screening, claimants found to be at risk of persecution are referred to UNHCR, which can try to resettle them to a safe third country.

But with fewer than one percent of cases successfully substantiated by Hong Kong authorities, most refugees live in fear of deportation.

Supun and Nadeeka, 33, are awaiting a decision on their claim and say their lives would be in danger if they returned to Sri Lanka.

Nadeeka fled after she was repeatedly raped, Supun after he was a target of politically motivated violence, according to their protection claim.

They are banned from working because they have no official status and receive government handouts they say do not meet their basic needs.

Nadeeka says she has been quizzed about Snowden by the Hong Kong branch of NGO International Social Service (ISS) -- contracted by the government to take care of refugees.

She also says her case worker recommended she have an abortion when she was three months' pregnant with Danath.

ISSHK told AFP it "completely denies" that allegation, and has rejected assertions by the refugees and their lawyer Robert Tibbo that it has breached its obligation to provide them sufficient humanitarian assistance.

But Supun feels refugees in Hong Kong are treated "like animals".

"Give them more food, give them more money. We want to work, let us work," he says.

- Fighting for rights -

The refugees initially had little idea of who Snowden was and Tibbo has been criticised for involving them. He played a key role in protecting Snowden in Hong Kong and asked his refugee clients to take him in.

Tibbo defends the move.

"They just saw a man who was distressed and in need. They wanted to help," he says.

Tibbo feels he owes them a "moral debt" and is determined to get them resettled abroad.

"But for these heroic families, I'm not sure Mr Snowden would have made it out," says Tibbo.

Vanessa Rodel from the Philippines says she has no regrets about taking Snowden in.

She is also battling ISSHK over what she and Tibbo say has been inadequate support for her family: four-year-old daughter Keana, and elderly mother Rosalina.

Rodel, 46, says she hopes her case will lead to wider improvements for refugees in Hong Kong.

She too dreams of a new home in Canada -- as does Ajith Pushpakumara, a former Sri Lankan soldier, who also sheltered Snowden. In the meantime, Vanessa says her family will enjoy Christmas as best they can.

She has decorated a tree at home. Keana says she is hoping for a toy pony.

"Next year my dream is to go to another country, for my safety, for my freedom," says Rodel.

"I want to do good things for my daughter, and stand by myself. "

China, Hong Kong stocks stabilise after sell-off dailymail.co.uk

2016-12-16 03:30 www.digitaljournal.com

16 /47 1.2 Why buying China bonds and stocks is looking dicey

(1.03/4) China's markets, long considered insulated from global ructions due to strict capital controls, took a hit this week from the U. S. rate hike.

Despite the mainland's capital controls, its bond market joined the global market ructions on Thursday after the U. S. Federal Reserve surprised by saying it expected to hike interest rates three times next year, rather than the previously forecast two hikes. The Fed also hiked its benchmark rate by 25 basis points, as was widely expected, to a target range of 0.5 to 0.75 percent, only its second rate hike in a decade.

Analysts expected the bond yields were only headed even higher, despite the controls.

"The capital controls make China's financial markets the least exposed [in Asia] to selling pressure emanating from the U. S. Treasury market, but they're not completely closed off," noted Tim Condon, head of research for Asia at ING.

He expected that a combination of the recent drop in China's currency against the dollar, overall liquidity tightness and the mainland's stronger economic data would send bond yields higher.

China's bond yields climbed, with the benchmark 10-year yield rising as high as 3.346 percent on Friday from 3.233 percent on Thursday. That's up from levels just below 3 percent at the beginning of December. Bond yields move inversely to prices. Trade in futures for the five-year and 10-year bonds were reportedly halted twice on Thursday – once in the morning session and again in the afternoon – after they fell far enough to breach the 2 percent trading limit.

"I don't think the worst is behind. Yields are going higher," Condon said. "The 10-year has been trading below 3 percent for much of this year. We will look back on that as a deflation trade in same lines as negative yields in Germany and Japan were deflation trades. "

Inflation expectations have picked up globally, especially as the U. S. was expected to engage in more fiscal spending. China's producer price index jumped 3.3 percent on-year in November, the fastest pace in five years, while the consumer price index rose 2.3 percent on-year.

Others also expected China's bond yields to rise.

Frances Cheung, head of rates strategy for Asia ex-Japan at Societe Generale, said on Friday that the market was "quite bearish. "

While she expected that bond yields might not fall too much near term as managers would need to allocate some funds to cash bonds, swaps and futures would likely remain under pressure.

"On a multi-month horizon, cash bonds will play catch up and yields will rise," she said.

But not everyone expected higher China bond yields were here to stay.

Julian Evans-Pritchard, a China economist at Capital Economics, said on Friday that he was sceptical that China's inflation would pick up much from here as the rise in producer prices was due to a rebound in commodity prices, which may not be sustainable.

"I'm sceptical that the People's Bank will really tighten conditions as much as people are expecting," he said. "The bond rout looks like it's gone a bit too far for me. "

Analysts pointed to a multiple reasons for the selloff in China's bond market. For one, the stronger dollar has weighed on China's yuan as higher U. S. interest rates spur outflows from the currency. On Friday, the PBOC set the yuan's midpoint at 6.9508, the Chinese currency's lowest level in eight-and-a-half years; China's central bank lets the yuan spot rate rise or fall a maximum of 2 percent against the dollar relative to the official fixing rate.

Additionally, liquidity had tightened on the mainland; Reuters reported, citing financial magazine Caixin, which reported that the PBOC stepped in on Thursday to urge commercial banks, which had turned cautious, to lend to non-bank financial companies.

At the same time, regulators on the mainland told banks to stop extending financial support to companies breaching the government's capacity reduction plans, Reuters reported.

Some noted that the bond market turmoil could spill over to China's stock markets.

"Some hybrid funds may consider selling their stock investments for fund redemption due to weak liquidity for their bond investments following the bond market and money market crash," analysts at Credit Suisse said in a note dated Friday. It noted that the hybrid mutual fund market size was around 1.9 trillion yuan ($273.5 billion), with around 10 percent of that invested in the stock market.

It expected that companies with high financial leverage and refinancing demand would take a hit, tipping five stocks as especially vulnerable: China Eastern Airlines , China Southern Airlines , Yanzhou Coal , Huadian Power and Huaneng Power .

But it noted that insurers would likely benefit, in part as they will get higher yields on reinvesting funds. Banks were also likely to benefit as effective loan rates would generally increase, it said.

Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook .

China, Hong Kong stocks stabilise after sell-off dailymail.co.uk

2016-12-16 02:23 Leslie Shaffer www.cnbc.com

17 /47 3.2 Hong Kong to hold individuals to account with new financial rules (1.00/4) By Michelle Price and Sumeet Chatterjee HONG KONG, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's financial firms must register managers responsible for the day-to-day running of regulated activities in an effort to make individuals more accountable, its securities regulator said on Friday. People with overall management oversight and those in charge of key functions would need approval to act as "responsible officers", the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) said. Its new "managers in charge" regime, which will significantly increase scrutiny of executives in Hong Kong's finance industry and increase their accountability, is part of a global push by regulators to raise conduct standards in the scandal-ridden financial industry. The SFC is the first Asia-Pacific regulator to adopt such a regime after Britain's Financial Conduct Authority introduced similar rules following more than two years of consultation. It privately briefed banks and funds but opted not to issue a public consultation, sparking concern among industry participants who fear it is being rushed in. Firms will need to review and possibly overhaul and re-document all reporting lines, governance structures and job descriptions. Many unlicensed managers, even those overseas, may also need to become directly licensed and accredited by the SFC. Reuters reported last month the new regime will extend far beyond the front-line staff directly licensed by the watchdog to those in support functions including IT, operations, compliance and risk management. "Senior managers... should be well aware of the obligations currently imposed on them as well as their potential liability if they fail to discharge their responsibilities," SFC CEO Ashley Alder said in a statement. From April 18, 2017, firms will have to submit up-to-date management structure information and organisational charts to the SFC. All existing licensed corporations should submit the required information by July 17, the SFC said. The "managers in charge" of the overall management oversight and key business line functions, who are not already responsible officers, should apply for the watchdog's approval to become so by Oct. 16, the SFC said. The new rules will also encompass executives involved in the day-to-day running of SFC-regulated activities who are based overseas as the SFC is concerned that it does not know the identities of many of those with crucial responsibilities at the 2,000 or so companies it regulates, market participants said. (Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Alexander Smith) UBS slashing nearly two dozen jobs in Asia in cost- cutting push -sources dailymail.co.uk

2016-12-16 07:54 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk

18 /47 2.2 China box office falters ahead of key Hollywood talks

(1.00/4) By Lisa Richwine and Adam Jourdan LOS ANGELES/SHANGHAI, Dec 16 (Reuters) - China's box office is set for its smallest growth in a decade in 2016 with viewers spending less as the economy slows, clouding the outlook at a time when Hollywood is pushing for a higher number of foreign films to be screened in Chinese theatres. Beijing allows 34 foreign films into the country each year under a revenue-sharing deal. That quota - which Hollywood wants to increase - is scheduled to be reviewed in 2017. China accounted for 18.8 percent of worldwide movie ticket sales last year, versus 7.5 percent in 2012, according to research firm comScore. But U. S.-based studios currently account for just a quarter of Chinese sales, versus the roughly 40 percent average in other international markets. While a recent drop in ticket sales in China could muddy the outlook for foreign movies in the country, Sanford Panitch, president of Sony Corp's Columbia Pictures, shrugged it off, saying: "Even a slower China is critical. It's still an incredible story of a big growth market. " Over January to November, tickets worth 41.4 billion yuan ($5.97 billion) were sold in China, data from industry tracker EntGroup shows, up 4.4 percent on 2015 - sharply slower than last year's 50 percent growth and on track for the slowest annual growth in a decade. But given the potential of the Chinese market, the Motion Picture Association of America remains eager for Beijing to open its doors wider to Hollywood. Box office experts say China will overtake the United States and Canada within the next few years. An MPAA official said it was "very encouraging" that U. S. and Chinese officials had agreed in recent talks to address issues including increasing the annual film quota and the share of revenue foreign studios receive. For now, co-productions are helping bring the two sides together. On Friday, Chinese theatres are debuting "The Great Wall", starring Matt Damon and produced by Legendary Entertainment - the Hollywood studio purchased by China's Dalian Wanda - along with China Film Group and others. The movie was partly filmed at Wanda's new studio in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao. But the focus is on getting a better deal for fully U. S.-produced films, no easy task as China juggles its desire to welcome U. S. films, its investments in Hollywood and efforts to protect its industry. "Culturally, they are very (suspicious) of having too many American imports flood their country. They want their citizens to see homegrown hits and Chinese stories," said Jonathan Papish, analyst for China Film Insider. HEADWINDS: TRUMP EFFECT, IMPROVING LOCAL FARE Adding to the uncertainty of China's relationship with Hollywood is the election of Donald Trump in the United States. President-elect Trump has recently stoked tensions with China by speaking to the president of Taiwan and suggesting the "one China" principle was up for negotiation. U. S.-based media executives had been hoping for improved relations with China in 2017, said Matt Lieberman, a director at PwC and a consultant to major Hollywood studios. "That question is now up in the air. " Trump's transition team did not respond to a request for comment. China's cinemagoers may also make it harder for Hollywood imports to succeed, with many pointing to improving local fare. "Before, local cinema was really low-end and poorly made," said Wang Ziyi, 27, a consultant in Shanghai. "But I'm starting to change my mind. " (Reporting by Adam Jourdan; Editing by Himani Sarkar)

China's yuan steadies from 8-1/2-year lows, liquidity injection eases nerves dailymail.co.uk

2016-12-16 07:10 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk

19 /47 3.3 China, Philippine coast guards meet despite sea row

(0.03/4) The Chinese and Philippine coast guards met for the first time on Friday and agreed to move forward on maritime cooperation, officials said, as relations between Beijing and Manila warm under Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. The two-day meeting in Manila on establishing a Joint Coast Guard Committee (JCGC) came just days after new images showed China had apparently installed defensive weapons on artificial islands in the hotly contested South China Sea. In a joint statement, the coast guards said possible areas for cooperation included fighting drug trafficking and other maritime crimes, environmental protection and search and rescue. "This is a milestone because it opened the communication lines between the two agencies involved in the (South China Sea)," Philippine coast guard spokesman Armand Balilo told AFP. China claims most of the strategic South China Sea -- despite partial counter-claims by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam -- and Chinese coast guard vessels have become an ever-growing presence in the waterway. Balilo said territorial issues were not discussed, but the meeting was a "confidence-building measure" resulting from Duterte's trip to China in October. Duterte, 71, has pivoted his nation's foreign policy away from traditional ally the United States towards China and Russia. His predecessor, Benigno Aquino, had angered China by asking a UN-backed tribunal to outlaw Beijing's claims to most of the South China Sea. A July ruling gave Manila a sweeping victory but Duterte vowed not to "taunt or flaunt" it as he sought to improve economic relations, while praising China's support for his deadly drug war. Philippine ambassador to China Jose Santiago Santa Romana said "sensitive" issues would be tackled separately. "It will be discussed using quiet diplomacy as well as high-level diplomacy," Santa Romana told ABS- CBN television. The meeting took place after a US think tank released images Wednesday that appeared to show China had installed "significant" defensive weapons on artificial islands it had controversially built over contested reefs. Philippine Defence Minister Delfin Lorenzana said Manila was trying to verify the report but if true, it was a "big concern" for the international community as it would mean China was "militarising" the area. The Philippines will host the inaugural meeting of the JCGC in February.

Philippines says won't protest China actions in Spratly Islands dailymail.co.uk

2016-12-16 06:50 Afp www.dailymail.co.uk

20 /47 0.0 China wants 23 northern cities put on red alert for smog (0.01/4) BEIJING, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Environmental authorities in China have advised 23 northern cities to issue red alerts, the highest possible air pollution warning, on Friday evening, against the "worst" smog the country has experienced since autumn, state media said. China issued its first ever red alert for smog in Beijing, the capital, last December, after adopting a colour-graded warning system in a crackdown on environmental degradation left by decades of breakneck economic growth. Officials in Beijing issued a red alert on Thursday after the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) warned of a smog build-up across China's north, saying the alert was expected to run until Dec. 21. The ministry has also advised 22 more cities reeling under pollution to issue the red alert warning, the official China Daily said on Friday. Nine cities, including Jinan in the province of Shangdong were advised to issue the lower-status orange alert, Liu Bingjing, the ministry's head of air quality management, told the paper. The notification will be the third joint warning by city governments this month, Liu added. Regular episodes of smog blanketing northern China this year stem from a combination of local emissions, unfavourable weather and pollutants wafted in from elsewhere, Bai Qiuyong, head of China's Environmental Monitoring Center, told the paper. Environmental authorities in Hebei province, which borders capital city Beijing, asked for a level one emergency response from major cities in the region to begin from Friday, according to a post on its official microblog account on China's Twitter-like Weibo service late on Thursday. The order requires the large number of heavy polluting industries in these cities, including Tangshan, China's steel capital, to cut back or halt production until Wednesday. Environmental group Greenpeace urged the government in a statement on Friday to "strictly punish" factories and plants in Hebei that flout regulations, as it said they have often done during past alerts. Red alerts are issued in Beijing when the air quality index, a measure of pollutants, is forecast to break 200 for more than four days in succession, surpass 300 for more than two days or overshoot 500 for at least 24 hours. At each level, the colour-graded warning system prescribes advisories for schools, hospitals and businesses, as well as possible curbs on traffic and construction. Thresholds for the issue of alerts vary among cities, as do the cautionary measures urged on local residents and businesses at each stage. Residents of smaller cities near Beijing have previously complained that local government bodies failed to issue warnings when pollution was just as severe as in the capital. (Reporting by Christian Shepherd; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Tom Hogue)

Some China steelmakers to cut output in wake of smog alerts dailymail.co.uk

2016-12-16 05:47 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk

21 /47 1.0 A simple act of kindness that touches thousands: Bus driver carries elderly passenger off the vehicle after seeing him too frail to walk A compassionate bus driver left his seat at a bus stop to carry an elderly man safely off the vehicle. When an old man tried to exit a bus in Guangzhou, China on December 8, the driver, Zhang Jianwen, noticed the passenger's legs were trembling. Mr Zhang hopped off the vehicle to help the man who was in his seventies. Mr Zhang said he was driving the 429 bus at around 1.30pm on that day when the senior boarded his bus. The struggling man had difficulty moving his legs to get on the bus at a station in Baiyun district. The man slowly walked to his seat and told the driver that he wanted to exit at the Luochongwei Passenger Transport Station. Mr Zhang stopped the bus and noticed in the rear view mirror that the old man was gripping the railing and his legs were trembling. He could not take the steps to get down the stairs. The driver left his seat to offer a helping hand but the man still feared falling out of the bus. Mr Zhang told People's Daily Online he thought: 'He could not walk properly. I can't let him fall as the Chinese New Year is approaching.' Mr Zhang then hugged and lifted him carefully off the bus. He asked whether he needed to send the senior man to hospital but he said he was fine. Mr Zhang kept driving the bus after watching the elderly man walking stably for a bit. The driver said his act of kindness is not anything special and he does it from time to time with other passengers. One person on the bus at the time, surnamed Zeng, was impressed by Mr Zhang. 'The driver's treating the elderly man as if he's a parent. He is kind-hearted.' People were moved by the kind gesture on Facebook. Maria Ramos commented on the video: 'This is how we change the world. With one act of kindness.' Facebook user Shirley Heath said: 'I hope the other passengers applauded him as he came back on board.' On the Chinese social media Weibo, people were also moved by the kind gesture. One person said: 'I have seen incidents like this several times. Drivers drove only until the elderly passengers had settled on the bus.' Another mentioned: 'It’s good to watching heart-warming video during winter time.' 'I really wish that the entire Chinese society was like this.' One user pointed out how the bus design is not ideal: 'The stair on the bus is too high. Young passengers also struggled to pull luggage onto the bus.'

2016-12-16 08:59 Kaileen Gaul www.dailymail.co.uk

22 /47 2.2 This is war! Residents of two Chinese villages stage fierce battle using FIRECRACKERS after failing to agree on where to build a road Footage from a smokey battle field shows territorial villagers facing-off with firecrackers after a disagreement over where to build a road. On December 12, the battle broke out between two Chinese villages in Lanshan county of Hunan province. Dongtou villagers planned to construct a road connecting the S322 highway in Hunan province. According to the plan, it would be built across several farmlands owned by Ma Niao village. Thepaper.cn reports Dongtou villagers grew impatient and started trying to build the road. Ma Niao villagers rushed to the site to stop them from building which led to the violent dispute. At the beginning of the video, a man on the left, wearing a helmet, stands with a trolley filled with fireworks. He throws stones and fireworks to the villagers on the other side. A man, at the centre of the scene, picks up and throws objects from a bucket. Villagers on the other side throw fireworks, that loudly explode and make the battle field smokey. A photo shows a police officer with a head injury. Another photo shows a team of police armed with helmets and shields. The Lanshan county officials said they are investigating the dispute. They are collecting evidence and the involved villagers would be penalised according to law.

2016-12-16 08:29 Kaileen Gaul www.dailymail.co.uk

23 /47 3.2 Bollore, Chinese and U. S. firms bid for Spain's Mediapro - sources By Andrés González MADRID, Dec 16 (Reuters) - French media tycoon Vincent Bollore is bidding for a stake in Spain's largest sports broadcasting rights firm at the same time as facing off with former Italian president Silvio Berlusconi for control of Mediaset. Bollore's Vivendi is one of 10 bidders, alongside a number of Chinese and U. S. investors, hoping to land either a 30 percent or 51 percent stake in Spain's Imagina, two sources with knowledge of the matter said. The race for Imagina epitomises the broader trends in the media industry: deep-pocketed Chinese investors are snapping up sports and entertainment assets abroad while European and U. S. media giants are on the hunt for ever more content. Besides a string of acquisitions by Chinese investors, Vivendi took a 20 percent stake in Italian broadcaster Mediaset this week and Twenty-First Century Fox struck a deal to buy European pay-TV firm Sky. Imagina, usually just known as Mediapro after the name of one of its subsidiaries, has the rights to distribute the La Liga soccer championship around the world and also produces movies and television series. "Bidders sent their non-binding offers on Monday. They are from Asia, Europe and the U. S.," said one of the sources directly involved in the deal. A second source said there were about 10 offers, including from Vivendi, Alibaba's Alisports, China's Citic Private Equity Funds management, Chinese real estate and entertainment firm Dalian Wanda Group Co Wanda, U. S. media company Liberty Media and private equity fund Advent. Imagina, Vivendi, Wanda, Citic PE and Advent declined to comment. Liberty did not respond to requests for comment and a spokeswoman for Alisports said it had not placed a bid. CONTROLLING PREMIUM The deal could mark a milestone in the global offensive by Chinese companies to secure some of the best sports and entertainment assets as it could value the Spanish company at more than 2.5 billion euros ($2.6 billion), twice as much as any other European sports firm bought to date. Wanda bought Swiss sports marketing firm Infront Sports & Media AG for $1 billion in 2015. It had previously taken a 20 percent stake in Spanish soccer club Atletico de Madrid, whose new stadium will be called Wanda Metropolitano. Earlier this year, Chinese brokerage Everbright Securities and internet entertainment company Beijing Baofeng Technology bought a 65 percent stake in Italian sports media rights company MP & Silva for about $700 million. Potential Mediapro suitors must now send binding proposals for up to 51 percent of the company to Mediapro advisors Citigroup and Lazard, the sources said. The banks have told bidders they would like two offers - one for 30 percent of the company and another for 51 percent - so that they can assess the premium bidders are willing to pay to take control of the firm, the sources said. A stake in Mediapro is up for sale because Spanish private equity firm Torreal has signalled its intention to sell its 23 percent holding. Besides Torreal, WPP L>, the worlds biggest advertising company, also has a 23 percent stake, Televisa owns 19 percent and directors Tatxo Benet, Jaume Roures and Gerard Romy each hold 12 percent. The three founders would all sell a small stake of about 2 percent each, the sources said, but other shareholders could also divest shares if the bidders were ready to pay an attractive price for 51 percent of the company. Mediapro is expected to close 2016 with core profit of 170 million euros. Based on the valuations of the MP & Silva deal earlier this year, Mediapro could be valued at between 2.5 billion and 3 billion euros. (Additional reporting by Pamela Barbaglia in London, Mathieu Rosemain in Paris and Matthew Miller and Cate Cadell in Beijing; editing by Julien Toyer and David Clarke)

2016-12-16 08:10 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk

24 /47 3.2 China's Wanxiang gets approval to produce Karma electric cars By Norihiko Shirouzu and Catherine Cadell BEIJING, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Wanxiang Group, a major Chinese auto parts supplier which almost three years ago bought the assets of defunct California-based plug-in hybrid carmaker Fisker Automotive, has received approval from local regulators to produce electric vehicles in China. According to a notice on Friday on the website of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China's top economic and industrial planner, Wanxiang has the green light to build a factory with capacity to produce 50,000 electric cars a year. The move means the former Fisker Automotive, which was founded in part with a U. S. government loan and ceased production of its $100,000 plug-in electric hybrid sports cars in 2012 after a series of technical glitches and cost overruns, continues to survive under Chinese ownership after Wanxiang gave it a second life. Wanxiang later changed Fisker's name to Karma Automotive. Wanxiang, a Hangzhou- based company which in 2012 also acquired U. S. lithium-ion battery maker A123, became the sixth company to be allowed to produce new-energy vehicles in China. More companies are currently being encouraged to enter the automotive industry in China but only if they are willing to produce so-called new-energy cars, mostly all-electric battery cars and heavily electrified plug-in hybrids. China has been making a push for electrically-propelled cars by offering incentives to buyers, forcing global automakers to share their technology, and opening its market to tech firms and others to produce electric vehicles. Beijing wants such vehicles to serve the mass market, and hopes the technology will help its auto industry close a competitive gap with global rivals which have a century's head-start in traditional combustion engines. Aside from Wanxiang, NDRC has approved five companies to produce new-energy vehicles, including Ch-Auto's Qiantu Motor, and Changjiang Auto. More companies such as WM Motor, Future Mobility, Singulato Motors are seeking approval. (Reporting by Norihiko Shirouzu and Catherine Cadell; Editing by Mark Potter)

2016-12-16 08:02 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk

25 /47 2.8 The milk gambit: Australian udder to Chinese glass in three days: Russell By Clyde Russell LAUNCESTON, Australia, Dec 16 (Reuters) - How much would you pay to ensure your milk was fresh and safe? A Chinese businessman is betting the answer is that his countrymen will fork out up to 15 times what Australians pay for a litre of the dairy product. Lu Xianfeng paid A$280 million ($209 million) earlier this year to buy Van Dieman's Land Co (VDL), Australia's largest dairy, located on the windswept northwest coast of the southern island state of Tasmania. This was viewed as a top price for the 17,000 hectare property, but Lu, who built his fortune after founding sun-shade textile maker Ningbo Xianfeng New Material Co, had a bigger vision for the company beyond merely being a supplier of milk to local processors to make cheese and other dairy products. That vision became a little clearer on Nov. 25 when Lu's company announced plans to airfreight 50,000 litres of fresh milk a week from Tasmania's major city Hobart straight to Ningbo, the second-largest city in China's populous Zhejiang province. The initial plan is to use a Qantas Boeing 767 aircraft for the flights, slated to start in the first half of 2017. But Lu is hoping that this is just the beginning, with company officials saying the ultimate aim is for several flights a week using a bigger Boeing 747 freighter that will carry not only milk, but also other fresh Tasmanian products such as salmon and abalone. It's a bold vision and one that gives some practical impetus to the much talked about "mining to dining" boom, in which Australia ramps up its agricultural exports to China to at least partially compensate for the winding down of the boom in demand for minerals and energy that has driven the economy for the past 15 years. There are still a few regulatory hurdles to clear and a few practical limitations as well. Hobart airport still needs to extend its runway to accommodate larger planes such as 747s. But, by June Chinese consumers in Ningbo should be able to purchase fresh milk from a Chinese-owned dairy in Australia. THE PRICE OF FRESHNESS David Beca, the chief executive officer of VDL Farms, the dairy operating company, said it will be possible for milk to travel from the cow's udder in Tasmania to a glass in Ningbo within three days - comparable to the time it would take to reach an Australian supermarket shelf. The plan is for the milk to be trucked for about seven hours from VDL to a processing plant near Hobart, where it will be treated and packaged, and then placed on the aircraft for the 10 to 11 hour flight to China. Once there, subject to clearance by the Chinese authorities, the milk will be distributed to retail outlets. None of this will come cheaply for the Chinese consumers, with Beca estimating that the price per litre in Ningbo will be between A$10 and A$15 a litre. Milk in Tasmanian supermarkets currently sells for about A$1 (75 U. S. cents) a litre, meaning Chinese consumers are paying a hefty premium for a guarantee of quality and freshness. There is little doubt about the quality of the product, with the northwest tip of Tasmania enjoying the cleanest air in the world and a recent visit to VDL Farms showed lush pastures and healthy herds. However, for Lu's investment to make high returns the more wealthy Chinese middle class will have to be convinced that local dairy products are still of significantly inferior quality and safety to imported milk. Certainly, the Chinese dairy industry did itself no favours through scandals in recent years, including one in 2008 when as many as 300,000 people became ill and six infants died as a result of renal problems caused by drinking milk laced with melamine, added in a bid to boost apparent protein content. Certainly, the Chinese authorities are trying to boost the domestic industry, with Agriculture Minister Han Changfu telling a conference in August that 99.3 percent of domestic fresh milk and 99.5 percent of milk products had passed quality inspections in 2015. The main risk for Lu's company, now named VAN Dairy, is that Beijing backs up its desire to promote the local dairy industry by making it harder for imports to enter the country. But for now, dairy lovers in Ningbo can look forward to seeing if they can indeed taste the fresh air and the green grass of Tasmania in their milk, even they will have to pay handsomely for the privilege. (Editing by Richard Pullin)

2016-12-16 08:00 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk

26 /47 3.8 China alarmed as chili "conspiracy" heats up Indonesians JAKARTA, Dec 16 (Reuters) - China's embassy in Indonesia has expressed alarm at media reports accusing China of using a "biological weapon" against Indonesia, after four Chinese nationals were arrested for planting imported chili seeds contaminated with a bacteria. The headlines splashed across Indonesian media have sparked a wave of anti-Chinese sentiment on social media in a country with a history of simmering resentment towards its giant neighbour and a minority ethnic Chinese community. Indonesian authorities said the imported chili seeds confiscated on a farm about 60 km (37 miles) south of the capital, Jakarta, contained the bacteria erwinia chrysanthemi, which is harmless to humans but can cause failure in crops. It was the first time the bacteria had been detected in Indonesia, the state-owned news agency Antara quoted the head of the country's quarantine body as saying. Indonesians are among the most avid users of social media in the world, and conspiracy theories about the intentions of the four Chinese nationals running the farm quickly spread. "Haven't people realized that Chinese attacks on this country are real in many ways. From drugs, illegal workers, now chili bacteria", said a twitter user with the handle @BoengParno. Authorities burned the chili seeds and destroyed the crop sowed by the Chinese men and 30 Indonesian workers on a leased plot of land near the city of Bogor. The Chinese embassy in a statement said accusations of a plot to use "biological weapons to destroy the economy of Indonesia" carried no basis in facts and were "very worrying". "We hope that the bilateral relations and friendship between the people of China and Indonesia will not be affected by this matter". Indonesia's maritime affairs minister Luhut Panjaitan criticised some of the outbursts on social media. "Whether it's true or not, some people over react," he said. "'Oh, the Chinese invade Indonesia'. Come on. This is the problem with social media... Without checking, they just spread the rumours. " Indonesia has suffered bouts of anti-Chinese and anti-communist sentiment over its history, and recently. President Joko Widodo was falsely identified as having ethnic Chinese ancestry and being an agent of influence for Beijing during a 2014 election campaign he narrowly won. There has also been a recent spike on social media of hostility over China's territorial ambitions in the South China Sea as well during the re-election campaign of Jakarta governor Basuki Purnama, an ethnic Chinese Christian. Hundreds of thousands of Indonesians attended rallies in the past six weeks denouncing Purnama, who is facing trial for blasphemy after criticizing people who had cited the Koran to argue that Muslims should not vote for non-Muslims. On average, ethnic Chinese are far wealthier than other groups in Indonesia and stereotypes persist that they are less patriotic than other Indonesians. During riots after the fall of President Suharto in May 1998, ethnic Chinese were targeted, making up a disproportionate number of the 1,000 people who were killed in the violence. (Reporting by Bernadette Christina Munthe and Agustinus Beo Da Costa; Editing by Robert Birsel)

2016-12-16 07:36 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk

27 /47 1.2 Weak yuan means China cedes top US creditor crown to Japan — RT Business Japan’s holdings previously eclipsed China’s in February 2015, the first time since the 2008-2009 global financial crisis.

According to the figures released by Washington on Thursday, Beijing held $1.12 trillion in US government bonds, notes, and bills in October, down $41.3 billion from the previous month. That is the lowest investment since July 2010.

Tokyo has also cut its US Treasuries stake, but by a far smaller amount of about $4.5 billion, to $1.132 trillion in October. Its holdings have fallen by about $17.3 billion from a year earlier.

The two countries account for about 37 percent of America’s foreign debt holdings. The reserves fell $45.7 billion to $3.12 trillion in October.

Figures for November and December will be released next year and will show Beijing's stance after Donald Trump won the US presidential election on November 8. Analysts believe China won’t dump US Treasuries in response to Trump's attacks over its trade and currency policies.

“Dumping the US debt is a bad idea. It will not be among retaliatory measures to be considered by the government,” an unnamed Chinese government policy adviser was cited as saying by Reuters.

China's foreign exchange reserves had their biggest fall this year in October to the lowest level in over five years. The reasons were a stronger dollar and continuing capital outflows from the world’s second-largest economy.

The Central Bank of China has been selling US dollars to soften the effect of a depreciating domestic currency. In October, the yuan lost over 1.5 percent against the greenback, its steepest decline since a devaluation in August 2015 that caused market turmoil.

"China has been selling dollars to keep the yuan steady while Japan is very happy to let the yen depreciate,” said Chester Liaw, an economist at Forecast PTE.

Experts say the reduction of Treasury holdings by China have helped it avoid some massive losses.

China should use its foreign reserves to help maintain market confidence in the yuan, as expectations of further depreciation have led the exchange rate to weaken too far against the US dollar, according to a Chinese central bank adviser.

2016-12-16 06:45 www.rt.com

28 /47 1.9 Chinese groom wears wedding dress because his fiancée thinks it makes her look fat Many brides have a dream wedding dress, but most don't ask their groom wear it to their wedding. Ou Qian from China was self-conscious about looking fat in her wedding gown. To show his love and support, her fiancée, Wu Shuai, wore her dress to their ceremony. The unconventional wedding was held in at hotel in the Shunqing district of Nanchong city on December 10. At the ceremony the bride, walked on stage handsomely dressed in a black tuxedo and sunglasses. Her father had died and she didn't want anyone else to walk her down the aisle. Then the emcee introduced the groom who strutted out wearing a wedding gown and bridal makeup. The guests roared with laughter at his unusually feminine appearance and serious demeanor. When Mr Wu was asked why he would go through with wearing a wedding gown to the ceremony, he told People's Daily Online : ‘She thinks she is too chubby now and she won’t look good in a wedding dress. So she suggested me wear the dress whereas she will be in suit.' 'On such a special occasion, I wish to express our willingness to put ourselves into each other’s shoes by exchanging the roles, it’s the correct attitude in marriage.' 'I wish that we can consider each other’s point of view for the rest of our lives.' The couple met in 2011. When they first fell in love, Ou Xi only weighed 88lbs. Mr Wu was concerned that she was too skinny and helped her gain weight. A friend of the groom said: ‘The 187 lb-man is courageous enough to wear a wedding dress. It’s very surprising.’ Mr Wu struggled to squeeze into a dress and had to get it specially tailored for the ceremony.

2016-12-16 06:40 Kaileen Gaul www.dailymail.co.uk

29 /47 2.8 Aboriginal woman Ms Dhu died in custody in South Headland, WA, police station. An Aboriginal woman who died while she was locked up for $3,622 in unpaid fines was treated inhumanely by police in custody, a coroner found. Ms Dhu, 22, died in 2014 of septicaemia and pneumonia caused by a broken rib after being held for three days in the South Headland, WA, police station. Coroner Ros Fogliani said police were 'unprofessional and inhumane' in their treatment of her, in the findings of a long-running inquest in Perth. Shocking CCTV footage released on Friday with the findings shows Ms Dhu's limp body being dragged from her cell to a police van by two officers an hour before she was declared dead. One of the officers first picks her up with one hand from the mattress she lay on before dropping her, sending her head slamming into the concrete floor. An officer who came to help told the inquest she heard her colleague whisper 'you are a f***ing junkie… you will f***ing sit this out. We will take you to hospital but you are faking it' in Ms Dhu's ear. At 12.33pm on August 4, 2014, Ms Dhu was handcuffed, grabbed by her armpits and dragged backwards out of the cell where a second officer took hold of her ankles to carry her away while her 'eyes were popping out of her head'. She was the loaded into the back of the van and driven to South Headland Hospital, either dying in transit or soon after she arrived. Ms Dhu, whose first name is not used for cultural reasons, was declared dead at 1.38pm after doctors spent 53 minutes trying to save her. Footage not released at the request for her father Robert, but played at the inquest, showed her being loaded into a wheelchair and pushed into the hospital either dead or almost dead. Other video released showed Ms Dhu lying in her cell moaning in intense pain while police berated her for not asking for help sooner and said she was 'not helping herself'. She died on her third visit to hospital with her symptoms being attributed to withdrawal from drugs, which she admitted to taking before her arrest, or 'behavioural gain'. Police repeatedly referred to her as a 'junkie', assuming she was coming down from drugs and faking her pain, numbness and other symptoms for attention. They even told doctors she was 'faking it' when really she was in cardiac arrest and near death as a result of a golf ball-sized lump of pus growing near her broken rib. Ms Fogliani said when delivering her finding that Ms Dhu's death could have been prevented with proper medical treatment and police conduct was 'well below the standards that should ordinarily be expected'. 'Officers disregarded her welfare and right to treatment,' she said. 'The majority of the persons responsible for Ms Dhu's care formed the view that she was exaggerating or feigning symptoms of being unwell.' The coroner made 11 recommendations in her report but did not call for any charges or disciplinary action against anyone involved. Outside court after the findings, Ms Dhu's family said they were disappointed with the findings because 'no one was held accountable'. They vowed to press for criminal charges despite internal investigations and by the Corruption and Crime Commission finding no criminality. 'Her birthday is in 10 days’ time. We are supposed to celebrate Christmas but we can’t because there’s one missing in my family. I have to go to the cemetery, that’s my Christmas,' her grandmother Carol Rose said. 'There's still no justice for our family.' Ms Dhu was arrested along with her 41-year-old boyfriend Deon Ruffin after police were tipped off that he had breached a restraining order she had taken against him. She had fled their allegedly abusive relationship in Geraldton, WA, but he followed her and they fought - which was how she broke her rib. Ms Dhu had accrued seven fines for minor offences dating back to when she was a minor, but could not afford to pay them. One of Ms Fogliani's recommendations was to stop locking up people who fail to pay fines.

2016-12-16 06:27 Nic White www.dailymail.co.uk

30 /47 3.1 France’s Bodega Films Acquires Ricardo Darin Starrer ‘Captain Koblic’ MADRID — Paris-based Bodega Films has acquired French rights to ‘70s thriller “Captain Koblic,” which re-teams “Chinese Take-Out” director Sebastian Borensztein with Argentina’s Ricardo Darin (“The Secret in Their Eyes,” “ Wild Tales ”), the most bankable of Latin American actors who has never made movies in Hollywood.

Bodega Films will release “Captain Koblic” in theaters across France in early 2017, said Guido Rud at Buenos Aires’ FilmSharks Intl, the movie’s sales agent.

Disney has picked up Latin American rights to the title. Pablo Bossi (“Francis: Pray For Me”), the producer of “Nine Queens,” one of Darin’s international breakthroughs, produces with Juan Pablo Buscarini, Jose Ibanez, Spain’s Atresmedia Cine and Viacom’s newly-bought Telefe, Argentina’s No. 1 broadcast network.

The deal roles off negotiations between Bodega and “Koblic” sales agent FilmSharks Intl. at this month’s Ventana Sur market.

Set during Argentina’s Dirty War, Darin plays a navy captain who, having flown one mission, refuses to take part in any more death flights where Junta detainees were pushed out of planes, still alive, to drown in the sea.

Koblic escapes to a hamlet on the coast, attempts to build a new life, falling for a local woman, But, introducing Western overtones to the film, the local police commissioner, played by Venice best actor winner Oscar Martinez (“The Distinguished Citizen”), begins to suspect his true identity – as government security agents close in.

World premiering at October’s Busan Festival, “Captain Koblic” has wracked up a roster of major territory deals including the U. S. with Somos Distribution, a deal which takes in broadcast on Somos TV and its VOD system. Japan (Only Hearts), Australia/New Zealand (Bonsai) and Spain (DeAPlaneta) have also closed, of cornerstone international markets.

“Captain Koblic” sold a respectable 350,000 tickets (about $1.8 million) in Argentina. Buoyed by its cast and political background which, as critics have noticed, turns Koblic’s backwoods’ village into an allegory for paranoia under a regime ready to obliterate any potential source of dissent, it is on track to sell widely abroad.

In further deals, Cinecolor Films clinched Colombia, Filmarti took Turkey , Paris Filmes Brazil, Palmera International picked up Central America and Seven Films rights to Greece.

“The film has all the perfect crossover elements to play internationally and Ricardo Darin assures an audience,” said Rud, adding that expected to lock the whole world by end of play at the 2017 Berlin Festival.

A boutique distributor, Bodega has scored some of its biggest box office hits with Latin America movies, such as Cannes Camera d’Or winner “Las Acacias” and, way back in 2003 just after it launched, Carlos Reygadas’ feature debut “Japon.”

2016-12-16 06:25 John Hopewell variety.com

31 /47 1.5 Heroic naked man chases after bike thieves in Darwin A bare-bottomed man has chased after a gang of thieves who were raiding his brother- in-law's home, dashing after them and retrieving two stoles bicycles. The very revealing CCTV footage shows the man charging after four burglars who were making off with his brother-in-law's bikes after breaking into the home in Darwin. The footage shows one of the offenders creeping out of the property with a bicycle - appearing to get away with the theft at around 2am on Friday. But moments later three of his accomplices charge past - closely followed by the naked hero. The nude man, who did not wish to be named, chased the startled men out into the street and manage to reclaim two of the bicycles and one of the thieves' backpacks. The burglars got away with two of the bikes. The brave man told 9 News that he did not realise he was naked until he was out under the glare of the streetlights. 'I've never pursued people butt naked before,' he said, while not wearing a shirt. 'That's an uncomfortable situation to be in when you're chasing a young man and you're not wearing anything.' No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is urged to contact Northern Territory Police.

2016-12-16 06:24 Ollie Gillman www.dailymail.co.uk

32 /47 1.1 Chinese legal activist missing after police say they released him - lawyer BEIJING, Dec 16 (Reuters) - The family of prominent Chinese legal activist Jiang Tianyong is unable to locate him despite police saying that he had been released on Dec. 1 after spending nine days in detention, his family's lawyer said on Friday. Disbarred lawyer Jiang, 45, has spoken out about a government crackdown on legal defenders and has been involved in high-profile cases of dissidents who have angered authorities, including blind activist Chen Guangcheng, who left China after he fled to the U. S. embassy in 2012. Jiang's wife, Jin Bianling, told Reuters in November that she and his friends had been unable to contact him since Nov. 21 after he travelled to Changsha in Hunan province to visit relatives of an arrested human rights lawyer, Xie Yang. Philip Alston, the U. N. Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, said in a statement last week that he feared Jiang's disappearance was in part a reprisal for a meeting the two had during Alston's August visit to China. Jiang may be at risk of torture, the United Nations said. When asked about Jiang at a daily briefing on Friday, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said he "did not understand the situation". Officers at a police station in Changsha told Jiang's parents on Thursday they had released Jiang on Dec. 1 after nine days of detention, according to family lawyer Qin Chengshou. "The local station did not provide any form of written proof of his detention or his release, and as we still cannot contact him, we suspect that he has either not been released or has been transferred to another police station," Qin said. Qin said police told him that Jiang was detained for nine days after attempting to use an identification card that was not his to buy train tickets. "At this time, we have no way of confirming whether what they said is correct," Qin said. An officer at the police station who answered the telephone on Friday said the issue had "nothing to do with us". He did not elaborate. Since 2015, dozens of people linked to a Beijing law firm have been detained or prosecuted by the authorities in a crackdown on dissent. China consistently rejects criticism of its human rights record and says it is a country ruled by law. (Reporting by Christian Shepherd; Editing by Robert Birsel)

2016-12-16 06:17 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk

33 /47 2.3 DOJ starts preliminary probe on nabbed illegal online gambling workers The Department of Justice (DOJ) has started its preliminary investigation on the Chinese workers arrested at Fontana Leisure Park owned by gambling tycoon Jack Lam.

Of the 43, only 39 of the Chinese nationals appeared before the DOJ.

They are facing a complaint for violation of Presidential Decree 1602 or Prescribing Stiffer Penalties on Illegal Gambling in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

The respondents obtained copies of the complaint filed against them as well as the evidence.

They were given up to January 13, 2017 to submit their counter-affidavit. RAM 2016-12-16 00:00 Tetch Torres globalnation.inquirer.net

34 /47 1.4 Pellegrini wants Sanchez to join him in China Former Manchester City coach Manuel Pellegrini has risked infuriating Arsenal by offering fellow Chilean Alexis Sanchez a lucrative move to the Chinese club he now manages. Sanchez, who along with German World Cup winner Mesut Ozil has been in protracted discussions with Arsenal over a new contract, could reportedly earn as much as £500,000 ($620,000, 595,000 euros) a week at Hebei China Fortune. Argentine star Ezequiel Lavezzi is on just under that at the ambitious Chinese club. "If Alexis wants to come, we have a club for him right now," Pellegrini, who also has former Arsenal winger Gervinho at the club, told The Sun newspaper. "He can come to join us in China immediately. " The forward Sanchez, Arsenal's outstanding player this season, is reported to be unhappy with Arsenal's financial offer and also wants assurances about manager Arsene Wenger's future. "Step by step Alexis has led a career with a lot of intelligence," said the 63- year-old Pellegrini, who guided Manchester City to the 2014 Premier League title but was told midway through last term he would be replaced by Pep Guardiola. "He started in South America always playing for big clubs. After that he played in Italy, Spain (for Barcelona) and now in the Premier League, which is the most powerful in the world. "Alexis has always done things the right way. Chinese football is growing every day and the interest in going there is increasing all the time. " Sanchez, 27, is the third high-profile South American to be linked with a big-money move to China inside a week. Chelsea's out-of-favour Brazilian midfielder Oscar has been linked with a £60m move to Shanghai SIPG and veteran Argentine striker Carlos Tevez is reported to be in talks with Shanghai Shenhua.

2016-12-16 06:10 Afp www.dailymail.co.uk

35 /47 0.6 China is no longer the biggest foreign holder of U. S. debt Beijing has been dumping U. S. government debt to prop up its currency. China uses the dollars it gets from selling U. S. Treasuries to buy the yuan, which has sunk to an 8-year low as the world's second largest economy slows.

China's huge holdings of U. S. debt fell to $1.12 trillion at the end of October, their lowest level in more than six years, according to U. S. Treasury Department data. Japan held $1.13 trillion.

Both countries offloaded Treasuries during the month, but China dumped far more: its holdings dropped by $41.3 billion, while Japan's fell by just $4.5 billion.

Related: Trump attacks China on trade but misses the mark

China's willingness to lend vast sums to the U. S. government has drawn a lot of attention in recent years. Since September 2008, the Treasury Department has ranked it as the biggest foreign creditor to the U. S., with the exception of one month in early 2015 and again with its latest update.

The situation has raised concerns about Beijing's leverage over the United States. President- elect Donald Trump has claimed the opposite, suggesting it gives the United States "a lot of power" over China.

Experts say the reality is more complicated, arguing that the debt relationship binds the world's two largest economies closely together. Trump has suggested he will take a more confrontational stance toward China on trade , threatening to slap tariffs of as much as 45% on Chinese goods.

Related: 8 reasons why starting a trade war with China is a bad idea

For years, China spent trillions of yuan buying Treasuries as a way of stopping its currency from getting too strong even as its economy grew rapidly. That made China's exports more competitive, but it also helped to keep interest rates in the U. S. lower than they would have been.

But as China's economy has slowed in recent years, huge sums of money have been flowing out of the country, putting downward pressure on the yuan. The surge in the dollar since Trump's election victory has piled on the pressure.

Related: Who owns America's debt?

Beijing has been selling some of its enormous stockpile of foreign exchange reserves, much of it U. S. government debt, in order to buy yuan. It wants to avoid a repeat of the sudden plunges in the currency that panicked markets in August 2015 and January 2016.

China's foreign currency war chest fell to its lowest level in more than five years in November.

Japan isn't the biggest single holder of U. S. debt. At the last count, the Federal Reserve had about $2.5 trillion.

2016-12-16 05:35 Jethro Mullen rss.cnn.com

36 /47 1.0 Chinese leaders set 2017 economy plans amid trade pressure BEIJING — Chinese leaders have met to set economic goals for 2017 amid pressure from US President- elect Donald Trump and European governments over trade and market access.

The government of President Xi Jinping has promised to make the world’s second-largest economy more competitive and productive by giving market forces a bigger role, but reform advocates complain Beijing is failing to reduce the dominance of state companies. Foreign companies say regulators are trying to squeeze them out of technology and other promising fields.

The Economic Work Conference, attended by Xi and other Communist Party leaders, is a throwback to China’s era of central planning but still plays a key role in directing economic development.

This year’s gathering, which began Wednesday, comes as Beijing faces complaints it is hampering access to its markets and subsidizing exports in violation of its free-trade commitments.

Trump, who takes office Jan. 20, has vowed to press Beijing by imposing 45 percent tariffs on Chinese goods. Few economists expect Trump to go that far but any sanctions could hurt Chinese export industries that support millions of jobs.

For their part, European governments face complaints by steelworkers and others that a flood of low-cost Chinese exports is threatening their jobs.

European business leaders express frustration that Beijing blocks foreign purchases of most Chinese assets while its own companies are on a global buying spree to acquire technology and brands.

China’s ruling party has emphasized its intention to tighten political control over major companies, which its trading partners say runs counter to pledges to promote competition. Official development plans call for Chinese companies to dominate fields including information technology, electric cars and other emerging industries.

“The world will listen whether the conference will send credible signals of further opening and reform,” said Germany’s ambassador to Beijing, Michael Clauss, in a statement on his embassy’s website.

“The signals so far are mixed at best,” said Clauss. “The keywords seem to be stability, security and unified thinking, not bold reform, equal competition and liberated thinking.”

Chinese economic growth held steady at 6.7 percent over a year earlier in the quarter ending in September, shored up by twin booms in credit and real estate sales. Forecasters expect growth to weaken as regulators tighten lending controls and try to cool housing costs.

Communist leaders insist they are comfortable with slower growth after the last decade’s explosive double-digit expansion but face pressure to avoid a spike in job losses. –Joe McDonald/AP

2016-12-16 00:00 Associated Press business.inquirer.net

37 /47 1.9 Chinese leaders pledge stable currency, less financial risk China's leaders have pledged to keep its currency stable and reduce financial risks as they wrapped up an annual planning meeting.

A brief dispatch by the official Xinhua News Agency on Friday said leaders agreed 2017 is an "important year" for economic reform but it gave no details of planned changes.

Beijing faces pressure from U. S. President-elect Donald Trump and European governments for more access to its markets.

Xinhua said Chinese leaders promised to ensure the "basic stability" of the yuan, which has weakened against the dollar, prompting concern it might be allowed to fall further.

They also pledged to make a priority of preventing financial risks. Rising debt levels have fueled concern about possible threats to China's financial system.

2016-12-16 05:21 The Associated www.heraldonline.com

38 /47 2.6 Duterte economic team to negotiate infra projects with AIIB Economic managers will visit Beijing in January to firm up transportation projects to be funded by the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in line with the Duterte administration’s pivot to China, officials said. On its website, the AIIB said its president Jin Liqun visited Manila last Dec. 12-14, during which he met with President Rodrigo Duterte, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III, among other government officials.

“It was a great pleasure to meet President Duterte of the Philippines, the most recent country to ratify the AIIB’s articles of agreement. The bank looks forward to supporting the Philippines in its endeavor to develop world-class infrastructure, including in the transportation sector,” Jin was quoted by the AIIB as saying in a statement.

Last Dec. 5, the Senate voted 20-1 to ratify the Philippines’ membership in the Beijing-headquartered AIIB, ahead of the Dec. 31 deadline for submission of prospective members’ instruments of ratification.

In a speech before members of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry last Dec. 13, Diokno disclosed that during Duterte’s meeting with Jin, they “[fleshed out] major infrastructure projects [that were] shovel-ready and ready for financing by the AIIB.”

“Next month, just before the Chinese New Year, Secretary Dominguez, [Socioeconomic Planning] Secretary [Ernesto M.] Pernia and I will go to Beijing to negotiate specific projects with AIIB,” Diokno said.

The Budget chief said “the new administration understands the importance of improved relations with China.”

“The President’s state visit to China last October, in which many of you joined, promises many positive outcomes. It promises greater trade with China, which right now is already our country’s second-biggest trading partner. It promises to double or triple agricultural exports to China. It promises more than one million Chinese tourists to the Philippines, and it promises fresh infrastructure financing for us,” he added.

READ: Itemized list of PH projects covered by China’s $15-B investment pledges to Duterte

The Department of Finance said early this week that the government was planning to borrow up to $500 million from the AIIB next year to fund ready-to-implement projects.

READ: PH eyes $300M to $500 million from China-led AIIB in 2017

National Treasurer Roberto B. Tan had said membership in the AIIB would allow co-financing with the Manila-based multilateral lender Asian Development Bank of the EDSA bus rapid transit (BRT) project, as well as with the World Bank for the Metro Manila flood control project.

The Philippines had been required to contribute to the AIIB a total of $200 million or about P9.3 billion in paid-in capital, payable in five tranches until 2019. The AIIB’s total capitalization was $100 billion.

The initial tranche of paid-in capital worth $40 million or almost P2 billion will be sourced from budgetary savings and must be remitted before yearend.

The second and third installment payments worth P3.72 billion were already included in the P3.35-trillion 2017 national budget.

The country will have a total voting power of 12,821 votes or 1.1 percent of the total voting power across all members, as well as join the proposed constituency comprised of Bangladesh, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal and Thailand.

The Duterte administration plans to spend P860.7 billion or 5.4 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) on hard infrastructure next year, en route to bringing the infrastructure spending- to-GDP ratio to 7.2 percent by 2022.

2016-12-16 00:00 Ben O business.inquirer.net

39 /47 0.7 Yodel delivery driver dumps children's Christmas presents in the BIN when no one answers the door A father was left furious after a Yodel delivery driver 'dumped' his children's Christmas presents in a bin when no one answered the door. Anthony Thomas, from Caerphilly, posted CCTV stills of the delivery man, who was wearing a hi-vis jacket, putting the two brown parcels in his green household waste bin while the family were out. In the pictures the brown parcels are dumped on top of the family's recycling rubbish. The delivery driver then left a delivery note, and in the section titled 'I have left your parcel in a safe location' he wrote: 'In green bin. (No answer at neighbours).' Mr Thomas posted the images in a 'Yodel - Unofficial complaints' Facebook page. He said: 'The items were for my children which are now being collected tomorrow as after being in a bin they won't be having [them], there is black units in the garden which would have been more suitable.' Another member of the group wrote: 'Same happened to me a few weeks back!! They didn't even leave a card, so it was lucky I opened up my recycling bin and noticed an odd box inside!' MailOnline has contacted Yodel for comment.

2016-12-16 04:02 Keiligh Baker www.dailymail.co.uk

40 /47 1.2 China to build yet ANOTHER terrifying sky-high glass bridge in the 'Avatar' mountains - and this time it's 'invisible' Thrill seekers rejoice - China is building yet another terrifying glass-bottomed bridge in its 'Avatar' mountains. It was only in August that the Chinese unveiled the world's longest and highest glass bridge in the mountain range that inspired the film Avatar, in the Hunan province, but now architects have gone one further. They've designed an 'invisible' bridge that's spectacular and scary in equal measure. Scroll down for videos The incredible structure is designed to blend in with the landscape of the mountains of Zhangjiajie. The transparent footbridge, suspended high between two mountain-tops, will cost over £4million to build and has been created by Martin Duplantier Architectes (MDA) and Daqian Landscape Architects, who won a design competition. It will be built using mirrored stainless steel and the floor will be made of black stone that becomes reflective when wet, according to Designboom.com. The idea is that the structure mirrors the environment and gives the optical illusion of blending into thin air -definitely making it unsuitable for those scared of heights. The bridge will be made up of two layers, however, so there are some options for nervous visitors. The upper level that connects the two rock faces is in the shape of an elliptical disk and doesn't have a see-through floor. A winding black stone path leads intrepid explorers from one peak to the other. Surrounding the path is a layer of water two centimetres thick, which is sprayed onto it every seven minutes by nozzles creating a temporary cloud and mist between the mountains. The lower level is where things start to get seriously scary however. The floor is 100 per cent glass, allowing brave visitors to gaze at the void below. As well as walking across the hair-raising bridge you can also sleep in one of three pavilions that will also be built on nearby rocky outcrops. The pavilions, stacked on top of each other, all offer incredible views but none so much as the rooftop, with its 360-degree panorama. A café is positioned at the middle level and below that are exclusive VIP suites that allow select guests to spend the night overlooking the picturesque landscape. Zhangjiajie is already home to the world's longest and tallest glass bridge so the spot is quickly becoming a destination for adrenaline junkies.

2016-12-16 03:56 Giulia Crouch www.dailymail.co.uk

41 /47 1.0 Iraq boosts oil sales to China, U. S., India before OPEC supply cuts bite - sources By Florence Tan and Chen Aizhu SINGAPORE/BEIJING, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Iraq is selling more crude oil to its biggest customer, China's Unipec, people familiar with the matter say, digging a deeper foothold in the global supply market just before production cuts agreed with OPEC and other producers are scheduled to kick in. With new deals with Indian and U. S. refiners also coming on stream, the expanded contract with the trading arm of Asia's largest refiner Sinopec means Baghdad will have to reduce supply to other clients to honour its commitment to cut output by 210,000 barrels per day (bpd) from 2017. Three people with knowledge of the matter said the Unipec contract was signed just before the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), of which Iraq is a member, agreed with other producers led by Russia to cut output by as much as 1.8 million bpd in an effort to reduce a global fuel supply overhang and prop up prices. Speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorised to speak to media, the people said Iraq's Oil Marketing Company (SOMO) has boosted Basra crude forward export sales to Unipec by 3 percent to a total of 40 million-60 million barrels each quarter - 435,000-652,000 bpd - for 2017. "If Iraq increases its sales to China while others have to cut back or just hold their volumes steady, Iraq will inevitably gain market share in what is arguably the most important oil market," said a trader who specialises in sending crude to China but is not allowed to speak publicly. Iraq is OPEC's second-biggest producer behind Saudi Arabia and now ranks third among crude suppliers to China - after Russia and Saudi Arabia - having recorded a 15 percent year-on-year jump to about 723,000 bpd between January and October. As part of the expanded Chinese deal, one of the people said, Unipec is expected to load 2 million barrels of Basra Heavy crude every quarter. "Basra is now an established grade with stable quality and reliable supplies," said another trader, who buys Iraqi crude but isn't authorised to speak to the media. Unipec said it doesn't comment on specific deals. SOMO will also supply Basra Heavy crude under new term contracts to Exxon Mobil, Chevron Corp and Indian refiner Essar Oil for 2017, according to a person close to the matter and a preliminary January loading schedule for the oil. The contracts contribute to an expected jump in Basra exports to 3.53 million bpd in January 2017, the highest volume since June, the loading schedule showed. SOMO did not reply to an e-mail from Reuters seeking comment. Exxon and Chevron said they don't comment on operational matters, and Essar declined to comment. In India, crude imports from Iraq rose 24 percent in the first 10 months this year to 784,000 bpd, making Iraq the second-largest crude supplier after Saudi Arabia. Iraqi crude exports to the United States have more than doubled in the first nine months of 2016 from the same period a year ago to nearly 350,000 bpd as Venezuelan supplies declined, data from the Energy Information Administration showed. (Reporting by Florence Tan in SINGAPORE, Chen Aizhu in BEIJING and Rania El-Gamal in DUBAI; Additional reporting by Nidhi Verma and Sudarshan Varadhan in NEW DELHI; Editing by Henning Gloystein and Kenneth Maxwell)

2016-12-16 02:36 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk

42 /47 5.5 Ms Dhu death in custody: CCTV footage shows 'inhumane' police treatment – video Warning: this video contains footage that may be distressing to some viewers The Western Australian coroner has criticised the ‘unprofessional and inhumane’ conduct of police officers charged with the care of an Indigenous woman, Ms Dhu, who died in custody in Port Hedland on 4 August 2014. An hour before she died, police constables Shelly Burgess and Christopher Matier handcuffed and dragged her from her cell to take her to hospital. Her family asked for the footage to be released to show how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are treated in police custody • Ms Dhu endured ‘inhumane treatment’ by police before death in custody – coroner

2016-12-16 02:15 theguardian.com www.theguardian.com

43 /47 1.5 Chinese media outlet calls for 'use of force' over Taiwan Contact WND (CNBC) Why Trump’s foreign policy is on a collision course in the South China Sea

A Chinese newspaper is calling on the country to consider force as a means to conquer Taiwan, following an apparent shift in U. S. policy.

The Global Times, considered a provocative mouthpiece for Beijing, penned an editorial column on Wednesday which suggested it was time China took a less passive approach.

“It might be time for the Chinese mainland to reformulate its Taiwan policy, make the use of force as a main option and carefully prepare for it,” it read.

2016-12-16 02:01 www.wnd.com

44 /47 3.6 China police confirm detention of human rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong Police in China have confirmed that a respected human rights attorney was detained, his lawyer said, nearly a month after he disappeared under mysterious circumstances amid a widening crackdown on lawyers and activists.

But despite a police claim that Jiang Tianyong has since been released, he has not contacted his family or lawyer, and they doubt claims made by officials.

Jiang was last heard from as he prepared to board a train on the night of 21 November and friends and family worried he was held in secret custody because of his work defending Tibetan protesters, fellow human rights lawyers and Falun Gong practitioners.

The 45-year-old Christian lawyer has been detained on many occasions, with rights lawyers becoming increasingly targeted since the so-called “709 crackdown” - a police offensive against Chinese civil rights lawyers that began in July 2015.

Almost one and a half years after that “war on law” began, several of China’s most admired human rights lawyers, including the crusading attorneys Li Heping and Wang Quanzhang , remain behind bars.

Police in the central city of Changsha told Jiang’s lawyer that they detained him for nine days starting on 21 November, accusing him of using IDs belonging to someone else to buy train tickets. Police said he was then released, according to his lawyer Qin Chenshou.

“Jiang Tianyong was a highly experienced attorney, he would not do things that violate the law,” Qin said, adding he was “extremely doubtful” of what the police said.

Police refused to give Jiang’s father a written notice of his son’s detention, an unusual step usually reserved for political cases. Qin suspects Jiang is still being held by security forces but has no idea where.

Police searched two places in Beijing including his younger brother’s home, where Jiang sometimes stayed, and confiscated items, according to another friend who asked not to be named.

A panel of United Nations experts earlier this month called on the Chinese government to investigate Jiang’s situation, despite suspected involvement of the security forces.

“We fear that Jiang’s disappearance may be directly linked to his advocacy and he may be at risk of torture,” the UN panel said.

“We cannot rule out the possibility that Jiang may have been disappeared by the state agents because of his human rights work,” the experts added. “Over the past years, we have received information that Jiang has been arrested, detained, and beaten by the police and state security officers on multiple occasions as a result of his human rights work.”

Jiang’s disappearance and detention may be a reprisal for meeting with UN rights officials in August, according to Philip Alston, the UN special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights and a member of the expert panel.

When he first disappeared, Jiang’s wife said she feared for her husband’s safety.

“I am very worried about him. I am worried about his health. I am worried he might be tortured while in jail,” Jin Bianling said.

2016-12-16 01:12 Benjamin Haas www.theguardian.com

45 /47 1.9 Natalie Portman dresses her baby bump in floor length gown at Huading Awards She is the epitome of style. And Natalie Portman put her best maternity fashion foot forward on Thursday night at China's Huading Awards in Los Angeles. The 35-year-old looked gorgeous in a glamorous floor length gown as she proudly displayed her baby bump at the event celebrating global film. The actress is currently on the campaign trail to promote her new biographical film Jackie. Portman just nabbed a nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for Jackie by the Screen Actors Guild Awards. The veteran actress offered one of the classiest responses as she thanked those she worked with. 'I am very grateful for the recognition of my peers with this morning’s SAG nomination,' she pregnant star started. 'I loved making JACKIE so much, in large part due to the incredible actors our great director Pablo Larrain assembled.' 'Greta Gerwig, Peter Sarsgaard, Billy Crudup, John Hurt, John Carroll Lynch, Richard Grant, just to name a few, brought such inventiveness and honesty to every moment,' she added. 'Pablo gave us so much freedom and inspiration to play. And that combination allowed us to show Jackie through the many different relationships she had, in many different lights.' It's the second time that the Huading Awards, created in 2007, have been held in Los Angeles. The award winners are voted for by Chinese audiences voting online through the Huading website and major third party platforms such as Sina.com, according to Variety . 'Los Angeles is where film culture originated from. So being here helps us to build the authority of the Huading Awards,' said awards founder Wang Haige. Hilary Swank also showed up for the event with her mom Judy as her date. She wore a full-length nude strapless gown with her hair up in a stylish chignon. The Boys Don't Cry and Million Dollar Baby Oscar winner added a matching clutch and a dark red pedicure. On hand, too, was Entourage's Jeremy Piven in a shiny black tuxedo with open- necked black shirt.

2016-12-16 01:08 Dailymail.com www.dailymail.co.uk

46 /47 2.9 Teenage entrepreneur plans to turn Christmas holidays into a $100,000 opportunity A 15-year-old entrepreneur who has dedicated countless weekends and school holidays to success is set to make over 100k this Christmas period. Will Deeth from Toowoomba in Queensland has started his own importing business – bringing cool new toys from China to Australia – and selling them in his pop-up stores. The teenager should have $75,000 in the bank heading into the new year. His mother Lisa has supported his dreams and even traveled to China to help him pick out the toys for his stores. 'He is naturally business minded, since he was a young fellow he has been trying to work out how to make money,' Mrs Deeth said. The teenager is on track to owning his own home by April, according to his mother. 'All he wants to do is buy his first property, 'she said. 'That is what he has been working so hard for.' Mr Deeth had a pop up store last year and manage to make a few thousand dollars which he saved to re-invest in this year's stock. But because his dreams were so big he also took a loan of $20,000 from his parents so he could buy more stock to sell. 'Once you take away the $25,000 he started with the prophet will be around $75,000,' she said. 'We will be heading back to China again in April to buy more stock for his online store and pop-up businesses. 'Will has also given his 17-year-old sister a job.' Will's parents own an importing company of his own but the youngster has been wanting to start his own brand for years – so his mother finally gave in. 'I keep having to hold him back if anything, and let him know I still need to work as well,' she said. Mr Deeth will have 20 different items for sale in his store after spending a week trying out new toys in some of China's busiest factories.

2016-12-16 00:35 Belinda Cleary www.dailymail.co.uk

47 /47 4.3 Ex-nurse Megan Haines sentenced to 36 years in jail for murder by insulin overdose A former nurse has been jailed for at least 27 years for murdering two residents at a northern NSW aged-care facility by injecting them with lethal doses of insulin. Megan Haines, 49, was found to have murdered Marie Darragh, 82, and Isabella Spencer, 77, in May 2014 at Ballina's St Andrews Village, after learning they had made complaints about her. In the NSW Supreme Court on Friday, Justice Peter Garling described the murders as 'particularly serious', noting the vulnerability of the victims and the registered nurse's significant breach of trust. Scroll down for video During the two-and-a-half week murder trial, the court heard that Haines had boasted about knowing how to kill a person while she watched an episode of CSI with her ex-boyfriend in 2009. 'It's easy - inject them with insulin,' she allegedly said. 'Because the body continues to metabolise insulin, so it looks like natural causes.' Haines had previously been suspended after complaints about her in Victoria and had only recently started work at Ballina while she was subject to reporting conditions. The judge said Ms Darragh had complained about Haines refusing to give her a cream to soothe an itch, while Ms Spencer said she had refused to help her reach the toilet. Hours after learning of the complaints, Haines went into the medication room between midnight and 1am, removed two syringes, drew up two injections of insulin, and administered them to the women, probably as they slept. In jailing her for a maximum of 36 years, the judge described her offences as 'deliberate and calculating', and a flagrant abuse of her power. Outside court, Ms Spencer's brother Donald said he was 'over the moon' about the sentence. 'I knew I would lose my sister sooner or later, but not in those circumstances,' he said.

2016-12-16 00:09 Australian Associated www.dailymail.co.uk Total 47 articles.

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Created at 2016-12-16 17:03