Chinese Markets Plunge as Economic Woes Deepen
• Chinese stock markets have fallen sharply to start 2024, with indexes dropping 6-12% amid economic troubles and foreign investor sell-offs.
• Property prices and investment continue sliding; new home sales fell 34% in 2022, further dampening economic outlook.
• Former U.S. President Trump suggested the U.S. should not defend Taiwan militarily, despite many supporters seeing him as tough on China.
• The Hugo Awards are embroiled in a censorship scandal after documents showed works by Chinese diaspora authors were arbitrarily excluded.
• China has been quiet on the U.S. campaign against Houthi piracy in the Red Sea, not wanting to endorse U.S. military action but condemning the attacks.