【Epoch Times News April 9, 2025】Epoch Times provides readers with essential articles to read every day:
1.
【Exclusive Interview】Hospitals and Crematoriums in Various Parts of China Bursting at the Seams
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, residents in different regions of mainland China have continued to report a significant increase in the local death rate, leading to overcrowded hospitals and crematoriums. Residents are deeply concerned about the link between the cause of death and vaccines. Several people interviewed recently by Epoch Times expressed their understanding of a significant number of fatalities. A resident of Fujian believes that the death toll in China in recent years may reach hundreds of millions.
2.
US Defense Secretary Visits Panama: “Taking Back” the Panama Canal from the CCP
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated during his visit to the Central American country of Panama on Tuesday, April 8, that the United States will regain influence over the Panama Canal from the Chinese Communist Party.
3.
Escaped Black Bear in Handan; Zoo Staff Involved Claimed Unpaid for 2 Months
Recently, the escape of a black bear from the Foshan Wildlife Park in Handan, Hebei Province has sparked attention online. Many netizens criticized the park for a deteriorating experience compared to before. A zoo employee revealed that many staff had not received their salaries for two months, leading some to consider resigning.
4.
Householder from the Yu Family Mansion Reveals Dark Human Rights Situation in Shanghai
Shanghai is the showcase city of China, but in recent years, attention has been drawn to the human rights situation in the city, from the lockdown of Shanghai to exposure of black jails. An elderly Shanghainese shared their family’s experience with a reporter, unveiling the true human rights conditions in Shanghai.
5.
Two Villas in Hangzhou Revealed as Surrogacy Sites Involving Illegal Egg Retrieval and Embryo Cultivation
On April 8, renowned online child abduction activist, Shang Guanzheng, reported to mainland media that after field visits based on tips from netizens, illegal surrogate motherhood organizations were found hidden within two villas in the Xihu District and Gongshu District of Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.
6.
Beijing Abandons Red Line; Renminbi Exchange Rate Breaks 7.4 for the First Time in a Year and a Half
Amid the escalation of the US-China trade war, Beijing has for the first time in 19 months loosened its strict control over the renminbi exchange rate, allowing the offshore renminbi to drop to a historic low of 7.4 on Tuesday, April 8.
7.
Responding to Communist Infiltration: Taiwan’s National Security Bureau Director Calls for Swift Investigation and Severe Punishment of Spies
With a steady stream of espionage cases in Taiwan, National Security Bureau Director Cai Ming Yan stated today that evidence gathering against possible spies is underway, aiming to swiftly investigate and severely punish offenders. The National Security Bureau and Ministry of Justice are actively discussing legal amendments to strengthen national security legislation.
8.
Taiwan National Security Bureau: CCP Facing Severe Internal Situation but Still Militarily Assertive
The National Security Bureau of the Republic of China states that the economic and social situation within the CCP is severe. Despite economic difficulties, the central defense budget this year exceeds 1.78 trillion RMB (approximately 0.25 trillion USD), highlighting the militaristic nature of the CCP.
9.
Top Executives in the Financial System Fall from Grace in the First Quarter, Including Two Central-Level Cadres
In the first quarter of 2025, according to incomplete statistics from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, at least 19 individuals in the mainland’s financial system were investigated, including two central-level cadres, 10 cadres at the central level of the CCP and state organs, state-owned enterprises, and financial institutions, and seven provincial-level cadres. The central-level cadres include former Jilin provincial governor Jiang Chaoliang.
10.
Li Yanming: Signs of Xi Jinping Losing Power? Deputy Ministerial Female Official in Trouble
On April 4, 2025, three officials, including the chairwoman of the China Dancers Association under the Chinese Literary Federation, and the deputy party secretary were investigated. Just a month earlier, there was a change in the party secretary of the Chinese Literary Federation, and two weeks ago, the deputy ministerial female official and chairwoman of the China Dancers Association, Tien Ning, stepped down unusually from her position. At the end of 2024, the Chinese Literary Federation and the China Dancers Association were inspected by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CCP.
11.
Wang He: Why is the CCP Engaging in a Tariff War with the US?
On April 8, a White House spokesman confirmed that at 12:01 a.m. ET on the 9th, the additional 50% tariff imposed by Trump on Chinese imported goods would officially take effect. At that time, the overall tariff rate imposed by the current Trump administration on China would reach an astonishing 104%.
12.
In a Quagmire in the Tariff War? CCP Holds “Peripheral Work Conference”
As the US-China tariff war escalates, Trump increased tariffs on Chinese imported goods to 104% after the CCP retaliated. The CCP suddenly called for a “Central Peripheral Work Conference.” Analysts believe that while the CCP is countering the US, there is a lack of response or support from surrounding countries, leading Xi Jinping to realize he is in a tight spot and attempting to strengthen diplomatic efforts, which may prove ineffective.
13.
White House: Starting Wednesday, 104% Tariffs Implemented on Chinese Goods
On Tuesday, April 8, the White House announced that starting at 12:01 a.m. ET on Wednesday, the US would impose a 104% tariff on Chinese imported goods. This decision was made as Beijing failed to cancel retaliatory tariffs on American goods before the deadline set by President Trump at noon on Tuesday.
14.
Hong Kong’s Former Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s Younger Daughter Suddenly Passes Away at the Age of 33
On the evening of April 8, Hong Kong’s former Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s younger daughter, Leung Tsai-shin, passed away suddenly at the age of 33. Leung Chun-ying described his daughter’s death as “very sudden” and mentioned that she had received a flu vaccine just a few days prior.
15.
US Intelligence Agencies Warn: CCP Setting Traps to Recruit American Officials
On Tuesday, April 8, the National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) in the US warned that CCP intelligence agencies are exploiting false job opportunities and social platforms to recruit current and former US government employees in an attempt to obtain sensitive information.