China, US resume talks on fentanyl, showing negotiation is the way out
China, US resume talks on fentanyl, showing negotiation is the way out
China and the US reportedly resumed talks in Beijing Tuesday on jointly stemming the production of ingredients for the drug fentanyl. The shift from blaming China to seeking cooperation signifies a significant change in the US approach toward the issue, highlighting that negotiation and cooperation are the way forward for the two countries to solve their problems, experts said.
While some experts suggest that the Biden administration may use the meeting’s potential outcome to woo voters, there is a consensus that it has the potential to demonstrate to Washington politicians that the zero-sum game between the two countries can be overcome. This cooperation could also alleviate some potential impact from the US presidential election, according to these experts.
Tuesday’s meeting included high-level US officials from the State Department, Treasury, Department of Homeland Security and Justice Department, Washington has said, per AFP report.
The US says it will “provide a platform to facilitate ongoing coordination designed to tackle the illicit production, financing, and distribution of illicit drugs,” according to media report.
Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong met with US Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Homeland Security Advisor Jen Daskal and a delegation of US counternarcotics team, and the two sides announced the inauguration of the China-US Counternarcotics Working Group in Beijing on Tuesday.
Multiple Cities Adjust Property Purchase Restrictions: Suzhou Lifts Restrictions, Shanghai Eases Single Homeownership Limitations
On January 31, two major cities in China have recently adjusted their housing purchase policies. Suzhou has announced the complete cancellation of property purchase restrictions, effectively removing limitations on the number of houses individuals can buy. Following suit, Shanghai has also announced its support for unmarried individuals without local household registration to purchase houses. Specifically, Individuals who have paid social insurance or personal income tax for five years or more will be able to purchase one home in areas outside the outer ring road of the city (excluding Chongming District).
The positive adjustments to restrictive policies such as purchase restrictions and sales limitations are essential tools for current real estate regulation. Yan Yuejin, the research director of the Shanghai E-House Real Estate Research Institute, pointed out that this adjustment is based on the new situation and requirements of the real estate market, optimizing and adjusting overly strict policies during the overheated period, and supporting the housing demand of individuals who are stably employed in Shanghai.
The adjustments made by Suzhou and Shanghai in their housing purchase policies reflect the ongoing efforts of local governments to balance the real estate market and meet the diverse housing needs of their residents. By easing restrictions and providing more flexibility in homeownership, these cities aim to create a more inclusive and sustainable housing market. It remains to be seen how these policy adjustments will impact the real estate markets in Suzhou and Shanghai in the long term.
10 Major Criminal Suspects in Northern Myanmar Successfully Transferred Back to China
On January 30, Myanmar police handed over to Chinese authorities ten key figures (six wanted individuals and four other major crime suspects) from major criminal groups responsible for telecoms fraud in northern Myanmar. The transfer was carried out when a chartered flight landed at Kunming Changshui International Airport in Yunnan province, China.
Over a long period of time, these criminal groups had been orchestrating large-scale fraud against Chinese citizens. Their operations included setting up fraudulent call centres and employing armed personnel to carry out the scams. The criminal activities included telecommunications fraud resulting in substantial financial losses, as well as serious crimes such as homicide, intentional injury and illegal detention. These criminal activities have caused great harm to society and have been strongly condemned by the public.
Authorities have expressed their determination to eradicate the “cancer” of telecommunications fraud in northern Myanmar. As a result of their relentless efforts, over 44,000 telecommunications fraud suspects have been extradited to China, including 171 key members of criminal organizations, as well as the arrest of 2,908 fugitives. The Ministry of Public Security of China, in collaboration with the Myanmar police, will continue to strengthen law enforcement and security cooperation.