China - capitaltimesnews.com

CapitalTimesNews / 1 week

2 min read

The Edo State Government and the Federal Republic of China have embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration aimed at deepening knowledge exchange across education, culture, and technology. Governor Monday Okpebholo received a high-level delegation from Fujian Jiangxia University, China, led by the President of the institution, Mr. Ling Qzdan, during a courtesy visit to Government House, Benin City. Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Fred Itua, in a statement, disclosed that the partnership would facilitate institutional collaboration between Edo State and China. Fred Itua said the agreement between Fujian Jiangxia University and Ambrose Alli University (AAU) is of immense value to the state. “We are delighted to welcome you to Benin City; one of the oldest cities in Africa and the world, rich in cultural heritage and history,” Governor Okpebholo stated during the visit. Governor Okpebholo emphasized that meaningful partnerships with nations like China are critical for sustainable knowledge transfer and capacity development. “This partnership presents an opportunity to exchange knowledge across education, culture, science, and technology,” he added. Fred Itua further noted that the governor expressed optimism that China would benefit from Edo State’s rich cultural heritage. The President of Fujian Jiangxia University, Mr. Ling Qzdan, explained that the purpose of the visit was to formalize cooperation and strengthen institutional ties in education, culture, technology, and scientific research. “We believe that through joint initiatives and leadership dialogue, we can significantly deepen collaboration and foster academic excellence,” Qzdan stated. The Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, described the partnership as a strategic milestone that will reshape the future of education in the state. “By September, we will begin finalizing the documentation to initiate a technical agreement between Fujian Jiangxia University and our own Ambrose Alli University,” Iyamu disclosed. Dr. Iyamu reaffirmed the Governor’s commitment to ensuring every Edo child is equipped to compete globally. The visit marks a significant step toward international academic and cultural cooperation, reflecting Edo State’s commitment to global engagement in education and human capital development.

GLOBAL ALARMS RISE AS CHINA’S CRITICAL MINERAL EXPORT CURBS TAKE HOLD

CapitalTimesNews / 3 weeks
0
2 min read

Alarm over China’s stranglehold on critical minerals has intensified as global automakers, including German and Indian manufacturers, warn that restrictions on exports of rare earth alloys, mixtures, and magnets could cause production delays and outages. China’s decision in April to suspend exports of these essential materials has disrupted supply chains for automakers, aerospace manufacturers, semiconductor companies, and military contractors worldwide. The move is seen as leverage by China in its ongoing trade war with US President Donald Trump, who has imposed steep tariffs on Chinese imports in an attempt to narrow the US trade deficit and revive domestic manufacturing. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss the export ban this week, with the White House actively monitoring China’s compliance with the Geneva trade agreement. “If the situation is not changed quickly, production delays and even production outages can no longer be ruled out,” said Hildegard Mueller, head of Germany’s auto lobby. Shipments of magnets have been halted at Chinese ports while license applications are processed, sparking anxiety among officials and corporate leaders. Frank Fannon, a minerals industry consultant and former US assistant secretary of state for energy resources, believes the global disruptions are not surprising. “We have a production challenge in the US and we need to leverage our whole of government approach to secure resources and ramp up domestic capability as soon as possible. The time horizon to do this was yesterday,” Fannon said. Diplomats and executives from India, Japan, and Europe are seeking meetings with Beijing officials to push for faster approval of rare earth magnet exports. A Japanese business delegation will visit Beijing in early June, while India is organizing a trip for auto executives in the next two to three weeks. Major automakers, including General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Hyundai, have expressed concerns about the impact of the export restrictions on their production. “Without reliable access to these elements and magnets, automotive suppliers will be unable to produce critical automotive components, including automatic transmissions, throttle bodies, alternators, various motors, sensors, seat belts, speakers, lights, motors, power steering, and cameras,” the Alliance for Automotive Innovation wrote in a letter to the Trump administration.

GABONESE FOOTBALLER AARON BOUPENDZA DIES IN TRAGIC FALL IN CHINA

CapitalTimesNews / 2 months

1 min read

Tragedy has struck the football world with the news of the death of Gabonese footballer Aaron Boupendza, who fell to his death from the 11th floor of a building in China. The 28-year-old striker was known for his impressive performances in the Turkish Süper Lig, where he once emerged top scorer, and for his standout role in Gabon’s campaign at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Boupendza began his career in Moanda, Gabon, and rose through the ranks at CF Mounana before joining Bordeaux in France in 2016. His success in Turkey and strong performances for the national team earned him recognition as one of Africa’s top young forwards. The Gabonese Football Federation paid tribute to his contributions to the sport, calling him a striker who left a lasting impression at AFCON. “He was a talented player who made a significant impact on the team,” the federation noted. Tributes have since poured in from across the football world, mourning the loss of a talented and promising player. Boupendza’s death has sent shockwaves through the football community, with many fans and fellow players expressing their condolences.

CHINA RETALIATES WITH TARIFFS, ANTITRUST PROBE AGAINST GOOGLE, AND EXPORT CONTROLS ON CRITICAL MINERALS

Nicolas Adekeye / 5 months

2 min read

China has announced retaliatory tariffs on select American imports and an antitrust investigation into Google, just minutes after a sweeping levy on Chinese products imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump took effect. The tariffs include a 15% levy on coal and liquefied natural gas products, as well as a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, and large-engine cars imported from the U.S. The State Council Tariff Commission stated that “the U.S.’s unilateral tariff increase seriously violates the rules of the World Trade Organization…it is not only unhelpful in solving its own problems, but also damages normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the U.S.” China also announced export controls on several critical minerals, including tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum, and indium, which are essential to U.S. economic or national security. Philip Luck, an economist at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted that “they have a much more developed export control regime…we depend on them for a lot of critical minerals…they could put some significant harm on our economy.” Additionally, China placed two American companies, PVH Group and Illumina, on an unreliable entities list, which could bar them from engaging in China-related import or export activities and from making new investments in the country. George Chen, managing director for The Asia Group, stated that “it’s almost like telling American companies, what your government is doing is bad, you need to tell the government that if you add more tariffs or hurt U.S.-China relations at the end of the day it’ll backfire on American companies.” The move comes as Trump plans to talk with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the next few days, amidst an escalating trade war between the two countries. Analysts believe that China is better prepared this time, with a slew of measures that go beyond tariffs and cut across different sectors of the U.S. economy.

BREAKING: SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS FEDERAL LAW BANNING TIKTOK UNLESS SOLD BY CHINESE PARENT COMPANY

Nicolas Adekeye / 5 months

2 min read

In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court has upheld a federal law banning TikTok in the United States unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells the app. The law, which takes effect on Sunday, prohibits app stores from offering TikTok and internet hosting services from hosting the app unless a sale is made to an approved buyer. The decision comes amid concerns over national security risks posed by TikTok’s ties to China. The US government has expressed concerns that TikTok collects vast amounts of user data, including sensitive information on viewing habits, that could fall into the hands of the Chinese government through coercion. TikTok has denied that it could be used as a tool of Beijing, and pointed out that the US has not presented evidence that China has attempted to manipulate content on its US platform or gather American user data through TikTok. The law was passed by bipartisan majorities in Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden in April. A three-judge panel upheld the law in December, prompting TikTok’s quick appeal to the Supreme Court. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar defended the law at the Supreme Court, saying that having the law take effect “might be just the jolt” ByteDance needs to reconsider its position. ByteDance has said it won’t sell, but some investors, including Trump’s former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and billionaire businessman Frank McCourt, have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s US assets. The decision has significant implications for TikTok’s 170 million users in the US, who will no longer be able to download the app or receive updates once the law takes effect. However, experts say that existing users will still be able to use the app, at least for now. SOURCE: AP

IRAN PUSHES TO RECOVER 25 MILLION BARRELS OF OIL STRANDED IN CHINA

Nicolas Adekeye / 6 months

2 min read

Iran is making a concerted effort to recover 25 million barrels of oil worth $1.75 billion that have been stuck in Chinese ports for six years due to sanctions imposed by former US President Donald Trump. The oil, which was documented as Iranian oil when delivered to Chinese ports in 2018, never found buyers or cleared Chinese customs after Trump scrapped waivers in early 2019. According to sources familiar with the matter, Iran’s national oil company NIOC stored the oil in the ports of Dalian and Zhoushan in east China, leasing tanks from PDA Energy and private storage operator CGPC. However, PDA Energy is now asking Iran to pay over $450 million in storage fees accumulated since 2018. The talks between Iranian officials and Chinese storage operators have taken on added urgency due to concerns that Trump, who is set to return to power on January 20, may tighten sanctions again on Iranian oil exports. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Beijing in December and made some progress on the issue of stranded oil, but details of the discussions remain scarce. To recover the stranded oil, Iran would need to reload it from tanks into ships, make a ship-to-ship transfer at sea, and redocument it to circumvent Chinese customs. This complex process highlights the challenges Iran faces in selling oil even in China, despite Beijing’s willingness to buy Iranian oil at discounted prices.

POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE HITS CHINA AND NEPAL, KILLING AT LEAST 95 PEOPLE

Nicolas Adekeye / 6 months

2 min read

A devastating earthquake struck a remote, high-altitude region of western China and Nepal on Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction and death in its wake. The quake, which measured 7.1 in magnitude, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, killed at least 95 people in Tibet and injured over 130 others. The earthquake’s epicenter was located in Tibet’s Tingri county, a seismically active area where the India and Eurasia plates clash. The region is home to some of the world’s tallest peaks in the Himalayan mountains. Rescue workers were quickly deployed to the affected areas, where they searched for survivors amidst the rubble. “It is a big earthquake,” a woman was heard saying in a video posted online. “People are all shaking.” Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for “all-out efforts” to rescue those trapped, minimize casualties, and resettle those whose homes were damaged. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing was dispatched to the area to guide the relief efforts, and the government allocated 100 million yuan ($13.6 million) for disaster relief. The earthquake also affected neighboring Nepal, where people in the northeastern part of the country felt the tremors strongly. However, there were no initial reports of injuries or damage. The quake’s impact was felt as far away as Mount Everest, about 75 kilometers (50 miles) southwest of the epicenter. The area was largely empty due to the harsh winter conditions, but the earthquake still caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure. As the rescue efforts continue, officials warn that the death toll may rise. The Chinese government has promised to do everything in its power to support those affected by the disaster. SOURCE: AP News

FORMER KWARA STATE GOVERNOR,...

US MILITARY STRIKES ON...

NIGERIA-BRAZIL STRATEGIC DIALOGUE A...

GOVERNOR OKPEBHOLO’S ADMINISTRATION GUARANTEES...

EDO GOVT DISSOLVES BENDEL...

ISRAEL-IRAN CEASEFIRE HOLDS FOR...

FORMER KWARA STATE GOVERNOR,...

US MILITARY STRIKES ON...

NIGERIA-BRAZIL STRATEGIC DIALOGUE A...

GOVERNOR OKPEBHOLO’S ADMINISTRATION GUARANTEES...

EDO GOVT DISSOLVES BENDEL...

ISRAEL-IRAN CEASEFIRE HOLDS FOR...

EDO STATE GOVERNMENT AND CHINA TO COMMENCE EXCHANGE PROGRAMME FOR AAU STUDENTS

GLOBAL ALARMS RISE AS CHINA’S CRITICAL MINERAL EXPORT CURBS TAKE HOLD

GABONESE FOOTBALLER AARON BOUPENDZA DIES IN TRAGIC FALL IN CHINA

CHINA RETALIATES WITH TARIFFS, ANTITRUST PROBE AGAINST GOOGLE, AND EXPORT CONTROLS ON CRITICAL MINERALS

BREAKING: SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS FEDERAL LAW BANNING TIKTOK UNLESS SOLD BY CHINESE PARENT COMPANY

IRAN PUSHES TO RECOVER 25 MILLION BARRELS OF OIL STRANDED IN CHINA

POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE HITS CHINA AND NEPAL, KILLING AT LEAST 95 PEOPLE

GOVERNOR OKPEBHOLO’S ADMINISTRATION GUARANTEES N100BN CREDIT.

EDO GOVT DISSOLVES BENDEL INSURANCE FC.

ISRAEL-IRAN CEASEFIRE HOLDS FOR SECOND DAY.

FORMER KWARA STATE GOVERNOR, CORNELIUS OLATUNJI.

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