Epoch Times September 23, 2024 News Roundup:
1.
Mainland China-Made Aircraft C919 Encounters Malfunction, Swaps for Airbus to Fly
Netizens shared videos showing that Air China’s flight CA1507, originally scheduled to use the C919 large aircraft, switched to an Airbus A320 due to a malfunction. This unusual event with the C919 has caught attention.
2.
Japanese Child Stabbed to Death, Sichuan Deputy County Chief Spreads Hate Speech Criticized
Recently, in Shenzhen, a 10-year-old Japanese student was stabbed to death on the way to school, shocking many. Following the incident, numerous mainland Chinese citizens went to the school involved to lay flowers in mourning. In response to the case, a deputy county chief in Sichuan spread hate speech online, saying, “What’s the big deal in killing a child? It’s not killing innocents, it’s killing little Japanese kids.” His remarks have sparked widespread attention and criticism.
3.
China’s Domestic Demand Weak, Former Senior Official Urges Borrowing 10 Trillion to Stimulate Economy
China’s domestic demand remains sluggish, and this year’s GDP growth target may be missed. Liu Shijin, former deputy director of the Development Research Center of the State Council of the CCP, called for the authorities to introduce a stimulus plan of at least 10 trillion RMB, mainly through issuing ultra-long-term special government bonds.
4.
Guo Hong Case on Trial, Former Shenyang Petitions Bureau Director’s Account Holds Over a Billion
Recently, the Guo Hong case in Shenyang went to trial. In court, the prosecution revealed that former Shenyang City Petitions Bureau Director Chen Guoqiang secretly opened an account with deposits exceeding one billion. Guo Hong’s whistleblowing was considered government coercion or incitement to disturb the peace during sentencing.
5.
India Refuses to Join RCEP, Accuses CCP of Untransparent Trade Behavior
India’s Minister of Commerce stated that India refused to join the China-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), insisting that signing a free trade agreement with the CCP does not align with India’s interests.
6.
Fed Cuts Interest Rates by 0.5%, How Will it Impact the Real Estate Market?
On Wednesday, September 18, the Federal Reserve finally cut interest rates by 0.5%, ending the debate among experts on the extent of the rate cut. Mortgage rates have also shown a trend of continuous decline in recent months, with thirty-year fixed rates approaching 6%. How will these rates affect the U.S. real estate market in the coming months?
7.
Fujian Putian Taoist Holy Site Lingyun Temple Burned Down, Cause of Fire Unknown
On September 22, a fire broke out at Lingyun Temple on Hugong Mountain in Putian, Fujian, resulting in the destruction of the building, leaving only a few pillars and statues inside it. According to public records, Lingyun Temple, originally known as “Lingyunyan Hermitage,” had thirty-six cliffs and eighteen courtyards.
8.
Mainland China Rumors of iPhone 16 Possibly “Remotely Exploding,” Apple Responds
Shortly after the iPhone 16 series was launched in mainland China, it became embroiled in conspiracy theories of being “remotely exploded,” causing consumer concerns. In response, Apple’s official website addressed the rumors.
9.
Collapse of Corridor in Jiangsu Changzhou Mall, Authorities Refuse to Disclose Casualties
On September 21, several netizens posted videos showing a collapse of a pedestrian corridor on the second floor of Zhuotai Futai Times Square in Zouqu, Changzhou, Jiangsu. When mainland media asked officials about casualties, they declined to disclose details.
10.
Gold Prize Winner: NTD Competition is a Precious Stage for Chinese Singers
“On a pleasant day, why bother to rush through the woods, instead, enjoy the leisurely pace with a light step. A bamboo stick and straw shoes outshine a horse, who fears? A light raincoat in smoke and rain, no matter where one goes, be it windy or rainy.” On September 21, at the Merkin Hall of Kaufman Music Center in Manhattan, New York, a song created a thousand years ago in the Song Dynasty was sung once again by a contestant from Germany on the stage of the NTD Vocal Competition.
11.
CCP Boasts About Indigenous Lithography Machine, Expert Analysis Reveals Reality
Recently, the CCP government announced significant progress made by domestic Chinese companies in developing advanced chip manufacturing equipment, claiming that the latest domestic lithography machine has a resolution of 65 nanometers. Experts believe that compared to global leaders like ASML in the Netherlands and companies like Canon and Nikon in Japan, China’s EVU lithography machine still has a considerable gap. The long-term blockade by the United States and its allies will undoubtedly weaken the CCP’s military and technological expansion capabilities.
12.
【Column by Notable Writer】Chinese Bond Market Rebound Reveals CCP’s Economic Dilemma
In recent years, Chinese investors have been gradually pouring money into government bonds. This investment behavior has driven up prices, effectively lowering yields to near historic lows. This move has made the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) uneasy and expressed great concerns about the rebound, especially the potential changes in China’s financial stability when banks start incurring losses.
13.
Difficult Employment, Chinese Master’s Students Apply for University Janitorial Jobs
As China’s economy continues to decline, unemployment rates keep rising, posing survival challenges for university graduates. Recently, three master’s students took up janitorial jobs at universities, attracting attention on social media.
14.
Tightened Policies in Australia, Canada, and the UK, Making it Harder for Chinese Students to Study Abroad?
Due to an influx of immigrants and exacerbated housing crises in major study destinations like Australia, the UK, and Canada, these English-speaking countries have begun limiting the intake of new international students. Coupled with previous concerns about the CCP authorities stealing intellectual property from the West, European and American countries have restricted visas for sensitive Chinese student programs, leading to uncertainties for Chinese students planning to study abroad in the future.
15.
Audience: True Bel Canto is Pure and Profoundly Penetrating
On the afternoon of September 21, 2024, the final round of the 9th NTD Global Chinese Bel Canto Singing Competition concluded at the Kaufman Music Center in Manhattan, New York. The final round that day was open to the public and live-streamed on various media platforms.