China on Brink of Deflation, Germany Stirs Taiwan Tensions, and Hong Kong’s Social Workers Face New Security Rules: A Day of Rising Concerns

Daily News Quick Read: September 10, 2024

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Global News in Brief

Every Monday to Friday evening, East Asia time, we bring you a curated selection of recent news worth reading. Today’s title picture comes from AP photojournalist Muhammad Sajjad, featuring health workers vaccinating children against polio in a school in Peshawar, Pakistan.

Top Stories

1. China’s Deflation Risk Intensifies

China’s National Bureau of Statistics released economic data for August, showing a 0.6% year-on-year increase in the national consumer price index (CPI). However, the core CPI in August was only 0.3%, lower than the 0.4% in July, hitting the lowest level in three and a half years. Former Central Bank of China Governor Yi Gang warned that China is facing weak domestic demand and should focus on resisting deflationary pressure.

2. German Warship to Transit Taiwan Strait

A German warship will pass through the Taiwan Strait for the first time in 22 years, according to a report by Germany’s Der Spiegel. The move is seen as a challenge to China’s claims of sovereignty over the strait. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the move, stating that the Taiwan Strait is international waters and ships of any country can sail freely through it.

3. Hong Kong Social Workers Code to Add National Security Clauses

The Hong Kong Social Workers Registration Board has proposed adding provisions on safeguarding national security to the social worker work code. The move has sparked concerns among social workers, who fear it could lead to censorship and restrictions on their work.

4. Zou Xingtong Files Judicial Review Over Prison Clothing Policy

Zou Xingtong, a former Vice Chairman of the Stake Alliance, has filed a judicial review in the High Court, challenging the policy that women in prison or on remand must wear long pants in summer. The complaint argues that the policy is discriminatory and unconstitutional.

5. Qin Gang Assigned to Publishing House

China’s former Foreign Minister Qin Gang has been assigned to serve in the World Knowledge Publishing House under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to a report by The Washington Post. The move is seen as a demotion for Qin, who has not appeared in public since June 2023.

6. New Poll Shows Harris and Trump “Evenly Matched”

A latest poll from the New York Times shows that Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Republican presidential candidate Trump are “evenly matched.” The poll found that Trump leads Harris 48% to 47%, but the polling error is within 3 percentage points.

7. UN Human Rights Chief Condemns Afghan Taliban’s Repressive Control

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has condemned the Afghan Taliban’s repressive control over women, saying it is unprecedented in today’s world and amounts to systematic gender persecution. Türk called on the Taliban to take decisive measures to comply with human rights laws.