THREAD: chinese balloon

MICROSOFT’S Bold AI Move: Copilot Chat Unleashed

16 January 2025 — Microsoft has launched Copilot Chat, a new service designed to increase AI use among businesses. This pay-as-you-go chat tool uses OpenAI’s GPT-4 to create AI agents for tasks like market research and strategy document creation. It supports multiple languages, including English and Mandarin, making it accessible to many users.

BUSINESSES WORRY OVER TRUMP POLICIES AS HE RETURNS TO POWER

A Federal Reserve survey shows U.S. businesses are worried about possible price hikes under President-elect Donald Trump’s policies. Even with moderate economic growth and more jobs at the end of 2024, concerns remain about Trump’s return to the White House next week. The survey includes feedback from business contacts across the Fed’s 12 regional banks as of January 6th.

BUFFETT CAUTIONS AGAINST COPYING HIS INVESTMENT MOVES BLINDLY

Warren Buffett warns against blindly following his investment strategies without understanding them fully. He points out that Berkshire Hathaway often buys entire businesses, not just stocks, requiring deep analysis and long-term planning. Buffett notes that unique advantages like Berkshire’s insurance “free float” significantly influence their investment choices.

CHINA’S SHOCKING TikTok Move: Will Musk Take Over?

15 January 2025 — Chinese officials are thinking about selling TikTok’s US operations to Elon Musk. This idea comes as the app faces a possible ban in the United States. The talks highlight ongoing worries about national security risks linked to TikTok, owned by ByteDance.

The potential sale of TikTok’s US operations shows the tension between the United States and China over data privacy issues. Regulatory scrutiny is growing, with technology and foreign investments at the heart of these global challenges.

Elon Musk’s involvement could change how TikTok operates in America if a sale happens. This development marks an important moment in US-China relations regarding technology and data privacy concerns.

CHINA’S Record Trade Surplus Sparks Global Alarm

14 January 2025 — In December 2024, CHINA reached a record trade surplus of $104.8 billion. This was due to a surge in exports before President-elect Donald Trump could impose tariffs. The New York Times reported that China’s export boom is causing friction with many trade partners, not just the United States. Several nations are now erecting tariff barriers against Chinese products to protect their markets.

China’s export success has been an economic boon, creating millions of jobs in sectors like manufacturing and engineering. The nation dominates industries such as solar panels and is becoming self-sufficient in areas like commercial jets. However, China still struggles with energy independence outside solar power.

The automobile industry showcases China’s manufacturing strength, evolving from a major importer to the world’s largest car exporter in two decades. Critics argue that China’s overcapacity and government subsidies distort global auto markets by flooding them with cheap vehicles amid declining local demand.

While record exports might seem beneficial for China, they could lead to financial strain if companies face bankruptcy due to low prices and excess inventory as tariff barriers persist globally. The auto industry may have peaked, facing strong resistance from politically influential foreign markets protecting their own electric vehicle sectors through tariffs and subsidies.

DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE Rocks China: Tragedy Strikes Remote Region

07 January 2025 — A powerful earthquake hit Tibet, China, on January 7, 2025. The disaster resulted in at least 53 fatalities and extensive damage across towns and rural areas.

Emergency services are conducting rescue operations as local authorities mobilize resources to help affected communities. Residents have been warned about potential aftershocks and advised to avoid damaged structures.

This earthquake adds to China’s ongoing challenges with natural disasters, raising concerns about the region’s readiness for seismic events. Past criticisms of government response strategies linger in public discourse.

Authorities will continue providing updates as rescue efforts progress and damage assessments are made. International aid may soon be offered to support recovery efforts in the devastated region.

NBA’S SHOCKING Return to China: Millions at Stake After Controversial Ban Lifted

06 December 2024 — The Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns will play two preseason games in China. This follows the reinstatement of the NBA’s broadcast deal, worth millions. The league was banned in 2019 after a controversial tweet by Rockets executive Daryl Morey supporting Hong Kong protesters.

Chinese authorities demanded Morey be fired, but NBA Commissioner Adam Silver refused. Instead, Silver publicly criticized Morey, leading to his apology and retraction of support for the pro-democracy movement. Despite this, China suspended NBA broadcasts until now.

Morey’s tweet read: “Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong.” His apology aimed to mend relations with Chinese fans and sponsors offended by his stance. He stressed that his views were personal and not representative of the Rockets or the NBA as a whole.

The return of NBA games to Chinese screens marks a significant financial move for both parties involved. It highlights ongoing tensions between business interests and political stances within international sports diplomacy.

WORLD’S Largest Gold Discovery: China’s $83 Billion Treasure Unearthed

02 December 2024 — Geologists in China have uncovered what is being called the largest gold deposit in the world. The find, located in Pingjiang County, Hunan Province, is valued at $83 billion. This discovery was made about 12 miles beneath the surface and includes 40 gold ore veins with a total of 300.2 tons of gold resources.

The Hunan Academy of Geology suggests there could be over 1,000 tons of gold reserves at depths beyond 3,000 meters. This major find highlights China’s position as the world’s top gold producer, contributing around 10% to global output in 2023.

This discovery comes amid rising bullion prices and growing interest in gold investments worldwide. As markets react to this news, it could heavily influence global economic strategies and investment trends.

RUBBER DUCK Race Delights Families, Supports Children’S Charity

27 July 2024 — Thousands of rubber ducks raced down a central London canal on July 25 to support Cosmic Charity, which aids babies and children in intensive care. Staff on paddle boards helped propel the ducks along a 100-meter stretch to the finish line.

Around 3,000 rubber ducks participated in the event, raising money for Cosmic Charity. “It’s a lovely community event...everybody just loves this event because it’s such a good, fun family event,” said Lynsey Carrington, Acting Chief Executive of Cosmic Charity.

Revelers could sponsor a duck to join the race, with all proceeds going to support the charity’s vital work. This unique and entertaining fundraiser brought together families and community members for a worthy cause.

CHINA’S Moon Landing: A Bold Step in Space Race

04 June 2024 — China’s space program reached a major milestone by landing a module on the moon’s far side. The lander touched down at 6:23 a.m. Beijing time in the South Pole-Aitken Basin, according to the China National Space Administration. This mission is China’s sixth in its moon exploration program, aiming to compete with the United States, Japan, and India.

The mission involves using a mechanical arm and drill to gather up to 2 kilograms of surface and underground material over two days. An ascender will then transfer these samples to another module orbiting the moon, which will return them to Earth by June 25. The samples are expected to land in China’s Inner Mongolia region.

Landing on the far side of the moon presents unique challenges due to lack of direct communication and difficult terrain. Neil Melville-Kenney from the European Space Agency noted that automation is particularly challenging at high latitudes because long shadows can confuse landers. Despite these difficulties, China continues its ambitious plans with an eye on putting a person on the moon by 2030, making it only the second country after America to achieve this feat.

CHINA’S Failed Nicaragua Canal: A Symbol of Lost Ambitions

10 May 2024 — The Interoceanic Grand Canal, also known as the Nicaragua Canal, was a bold initiative intended to link the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans via Central America’s largest lake. Daniel Ortega’s government in Nicaragua promoted this $50 billion project as a competitor to the Panama Canal. It also risked boosting China’s influence in the region with a 50-year lease given to HKND Group, led by Chinese tycoon Wang Jing.

Despite breaking ground in December 2014 amid much celebration, no substantial progress ensued. Wang Jing saw his wealth plummet by 85% shortly thereafter. By 2021, he and his company were ousted from the Shanghai Stock Exchange due to unethical practices, signaling a sharp fall from their lofty ambitions.

Following these setbacks, Nicaragua’s National Assembly enacted legal reforms at Ortega’s behest. They annulled previous laws that had granted canal concessions and declared these changes essential for “strengthening” Nicaragua’s legal framework for improved national governance. Critics suggest these actions were mere attempts to recover dignity following an embarrassing failure

In sum, while initially seen as a strategic geopolitical move and economic boon for Nicaragua, the failed canal project has instead become emblematic of overreach and mismanagement under Ortega’s rule.

AUSTRALIAN Activist’s SHOCKING Sentence in China Sparks Global Outrage

05 February 2024 — Yang Hengjun, an Australian pro-democracy activist and former Chinese government worker, faces a surprising sentence in China. Born as Yang Jun in 1965, he served the Chinese government before moving to Australia in 2002. He also spent time as a visiting scholar at Columbia University.

Yang was arrested during a family trip to China in 2019. His arrest happened during the height of the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement and amidst tense relations between Australia and China. The Australian government and human rights groups have consistently condemned his detention, calling him a political prisoner.

The trial has been slammed for its secrecy, with claims of torture and forced confessions emerging. Yang reportedly faced a secret trial on vague espionage charges three years ago. In August 2023, he voiced fears of dying from an untreated kidney cyst while waiting for his verdict

The sentencing has ignited international outrage with Australia condemning it as an “appalling” obstacle to better relations with China. Human Rights Watch Asia Director Elaine Pearson labelled Yang’s treatment as making a mockery of legal proceedings.

TIME to STOP Iran’s Terror Funding: The Unholy Alliance Exposed

31 January 2024 — The current geopolitical landscape has raised serious concerns, according to a recent statement by Lawler. He drew attention to an emerging alliance between China, Russia, and Iran that is becoming increasingly visible. Notably, he identified China as the largest consumer of Iranian petroleum. These sales are providing financial support for dangerous terrorist groups.

Lawler stressed the need for immediate action against Iran in response to over 150 attacks on U.S. military bases and personnel since October 7. Tragically, these assaults have resulted in three servicemembers losing their lives. He called on the administration for a decisive response against Iran.

A bipartisan bill designed to curb illegal funds supporting terrorism was approved in the House after October 7 but has hit a roadblock in the Senate. Lawler urged both Senate and administration officials to advance this bill as part of a comprehensive strategy against these threats.

Lawler believes that an effective response should not only be military or diplomatic but also economic: cutting off funding at its roots. This multi-pronged approach is essential for effectively fighting terrorism.

NASA’S Moon Landing POSTPONED While China Races Ahead: A New Space Race?

10 January 2024 — NASA has revised its moon landing timeline. The pioneer astronauts are now slated to touch down near the moon’s south pole with Artemis III in September 2026, a delay from the initial plan of December 2025.

On the other hand, China pursues its deep space exploration dreams without hindrance, targeting a manned Moon landing by 2030. This could potentially place China ahead of the US in this renewed space race.

Artemis IV, NASA’s inaugural mission to the Gateway lunar space station, is still set for 2028. NASA is currently addressing some safety concerns including a battery glitch and an issue with a circuitry component that controls air ventilation and temperature regulation.

Despite these hurdles, NASA emphasizes that “safety is our top priority.” With America’s space agency wrestling with technical challenges, it remains uncertain how this postponement will affect America’s position in global space exploration.

PROJECT DYNAMO Gears Up for Heroic Rescues in Taiwan and China Amid Rising Tensions

01 January 2024 — Project Dynamo, a nonprofit dedicated to saving endangered Americans overseas, is gearing up for possible rescue missions in Taiwan and mainland China. The move comes as worries intensify over Beijing’s military upgrades, nuclear growth, and aggressive stance towards Taiwan. China regards Taiwan as a rebellious province and has made threats of forceful annexation.

Established by former U.S. military and intelligence officers in August 2021, Project Dynamo initially concentrated on rescuing Americans stranded in Afghanistan after the U.S. military pullout. Since then, the organization has broadened its reach globally to assist Americans who were not part of the U.S. military’s rescue plan.

Bryan Stern, a combat veteran and founder of Project Dynamo conveyed that while it’s unclear if they’ll conduct rescue operations in both mainland China and Taiwan, they are ready for any scenario. Stern stressed that there are more Americans living in China than Taiwan, making their safety just as crucial.

Project Dynamo has named potential rescues in Taiwan and China “Marco Polo”. Operating solely on donations without government support, the group has saved over 6,000 people from various worldwide crises within less than three years of operation.

TIKTOK’S SHADOW BAN: Suppressing Content Critical of Chinese Communist Party?

28 December 2023 — A recent investigation by Rutgers University’s Network Contagion Research Institute has unveiled unsettling details about TikTok’s content guidelines. The popular social media platform, notorious for its data collection and sharing with its parent company in China, now stands accused of stifling content that criticizes the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The research team found a stark contrast in the number of posts featuring contentious hashtags such as China’s conflict with India over Kashmir, the Tiananmen Square massacre, and the Uyghur genocide on TikTok compared to other platforms like Instagram. For instance, there were 206 Instagram posts tagged #HongKongProtests for every single one on TikTok. Similar ratios were observed for #StandWithKashmir, #FreeUyghurs, and #DalaiLama.

The report suggests that there is a high likelihood that TikTok either boosts or suppresses content depending on how it aligns with the Chinese government’s interests. This is worrisome since many Generation Z users rely on TikTok as their primary news source — interestingly enough, this is also the only generation reported not to take pride in being American.

TikTok cannot deny these findings as they mirror the methodology used by them last month to prove their platform was not biased against Israel. This revelation raises serious questions about

ELF BAR Exposed: The Shocking Truth Behind the World’s Top E-Cigarette and Its Billion-Dollar TAX Scam

19 December 2023 — In just two years, Elf Bar, a flashy vaping gadget, has skyrocketed to global prominence as the leading disposable e-cigarette. Not only has it raked in billions in sales, but it has also become a favorite among underage American teens who vape. Last week saw the first public confiscation of Elf Bar products by U.S. authorities during an operation that seized 1.4 million illegal flavored e-cigarettes from China.

The confiscated goods were worth $18 million and included brands beyond Elf Bar. However, public records and court documents disclose that Chinese e-cigarette manufacturers have smuggled in products valued at hundreds of millions while adeptly circumventing customs duties and import fees. These firms frequently mislabel their shipments as “battery chargers’ or ”flashlights', thereby hampering efforts to control teen vaping in America.

Eric Lindblom, a former FDA official, lambasted regulatory approaches towards disposables as “very weak”, allowing this issue to spiral out of control. Meanwhile, fruit-and-candy-flavored disposables have flooded into America following China’s ban on vaping flavors last year under the pretense of safeguard

Bipartisan Committee CALLS for END of China’s Trade Status: A Potential Jolt to US Economy

12 December 2023 — A bipartisan committee, led by Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), has been studying the economic effects of China on the US for a year. The investigation centered on job market changes, manufacturing shifts, and national security concerns since China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001.

The committee released a report this Tuesday recommending President Joe Biden’s administration and Congress to implement nearly 150 policies to counteract China’s economic influence. One significant suggestion is to cancel China’s permanent normal trade relations status (PNTR) with the U.S., a status endorsed by former President George W. Bush in 2001.

The report argues that granting PNTR to China did not bring anticipated benefits for the US or trigger expected reforms in China. It asserts that this has led to a loss of vital U.S. economic leverage and inflicted damage on U.S industry, workers, and manufacturers due to unfair trade practices.

The committee proposes shifting China into a new tariff category that reinstates U.S economic leverage while reducing dependence on Chinese

ITALY’S Bold Exit from China’s Belt and Road Initiative: A Triumph for Western Independence

06 December 2023 — Italy recently declared its departure from China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), signifying a major shift in Western attitudes towards Beijing’s economic clout. After four years of involvement, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani noted that nations not participating in the initiative have seen superior results.

The official withdrawal notice was issued by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration this week, well before the initial agreement expires next year. This decision sets the stage for an upcoming summit hosted by China with European Union leaders who have lately adopted a more wary stance towards Beijing.

In response to mounting skepticism, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi advocated for mutually beneficial relationships between Europe and China to boost global development. However, such views are increasingly met with suspicion in Europe as Western societies strive to steer clear of economic connections that might give Beijing an upper hand during political upheavals.

Stefano Stefanini, former Italian Ambassador, underscored an official G7 policy termed “de-risking”, spotlighting U.S.'s opposition against Italy’s participation in BRI. Despite U.S warnings labeling it as a “predatory” lending scheme aimed at controlling strategic infrastructure, Italy joined the initiative back in 2019.

EXPOSED: BIDEN and Elites’ Unsettling Alliance with China

22 November 2023 — President Joe Biden’s recent actions have stirred up a storm of controversy. His apparent dismissal of the idea of “decoupling” from China is causing concern among conservatives. These revelations come from a new book, Controligarchs: Exposing the Billionaire Class, Their Secret Deals, and the Globalist Plot to Dominate Your Life.

The book suggests that global elites and politicians like Biden and California Governor Gavin Newsom are actively pushing for a closer resemblance between the U.S. and its Communist adversary. It alleges that these individuals view Beijing’s elites not as threats or rivals but as business partners.

Among those named in these claims are influential figures such as BlackRock’s Larry Fink, Apple’s Tim Cook, and Blackstone’s Stephen Schwarzman. These business leaders were reportedly present at a dinner honoring Chinese Communist Party Leader Xi Jinping where they stood in applause for Chairman Xi.

This revelation comes at a time when concerns over China’s influence on global politics are growing. It highlights the urgent need for transparency in dealings between American leaders and foreign powers.

BIDEN-XI Summit: A Bold Leap or a Blunder in US-China Diplomacy?

16 November 2023 — President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping have committed to keeping direct lines of communication open. This decision follows their lengthy four-hour discussion at the 2023 APEC summit in San Francisco. The leaders unveiled an initial agreement aimed at halting the influx of fentanyl precursors into the U.S. They also plan to restore military communications, which were cut off after China’s disagreement with the Pentagon following Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in 2022.

Despite rising tensions, Biden made efforts during Wednesday’s meeting to strengthen U.S.-China relations. He also vowed to persistently challenge Xi on human rights issues, arguing that frank discussions are “critical” for successful diplomacy.

Biden voiced positivity about his rapport with Xi, a relationship that began during their vice-presidential terms. However, uncertainty looms as a congressional investigation into COVID-19 origins threatens US-China relations.

It is unclear whether this renewed dialogue will result in substantial progress or further complications.