The Latest Breaking News from Beijing

‘He is my best friend’: 10 years of strengthening ties between Putin and Xi

The Russian and Chinese leaders have met more than 40 times in recent years, fortifying personal and formal relations

The Guardian - UK · Mar 21, 2023

China capital Beijing experiences first population decline since 2003

The death rate in China's capital Beijing surpassed its birth rate in 2022, official data showed on Tuesday, pushing its natural population growth into negative territory for the first time since 2003.

Reuters · Mar 21, 2023

Putin Says Chinese Proposal Could Be Basis for Peace in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin said after talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Tuesday that Chinese proposals could be used as the basis of a peace settlement in Ukraine, but that the West and Kyiv were not yet ready. In a joint statement issued at the end of Xi's state…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 21, 2023

Ignoring experts, China's sudden zero-COVID exit cost lives

Health experts proposed detailed plans for a gradual end to anti-virus controls, but the Chinese government rebuffed them and dropped restrictions in December with no preparations to cope with the chaotic aftermath, The Associated Press has found

The Independent UK · Mar 21, 2023

US calls Tsai transit 'nothing new', urges China to not react aggressively

Expected U.S. stopovers in coming weeks by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen are standard practice and China should not use them as a pretext for aggressive action toward the democratically governed island, a senior U.S. administration official said.

Reuters · Mar 21, 2023

US tells China not to overread likely Taiwan president visit

The Biden administration has been stressing to Beijing that an expected unofficial visit to the United States by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen should not be used as pretext by Beijing to step up aggressive activity in the Taiwan Strait

The Independent UK · Mar 21, 2023

China welcomes former Taiwan president’s plan to visit

Ma Ying-jeou will become the first former or current leader of Taiwan to visit China since 1949.

Al Jazeera · Mar 21, 2023

Putin tells Xi he’ll discuss China’s blueprint for Ukraine

Vladimir Putin said Russia is ready to discuss China’s initiative for ending the conflict in Ukraine, welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping for a three-day visit that underlines Beijing’s support for Moscow.

Tribune News Service · Mar 21, 2023

‘Dear friends’ Putin and Xi meet in Moscow

The US has denounced a visit to Russia by Chinese leader Xi Jinping as providing cover for Vladamir Putin to commit war crimes in Ukraine.

The New Daily · Mar 20, 2023

Putin, Xi pledge friendship but talks yield no Ukraine breakthrough

Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin emerged from two days of talks on Tuesday with warm words of friendship between China and Russia and joint criticism of the West, but no sign of a diplomatic breakthrough over Ukraine.

Reuters · Mar 20, 2023