China Archives - WPTF-AM

A new pair of giant pandas gifted by Beijing arrives in Hong Kong

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong has welcomed a new pair of giant pandas gifted by Beijing, raising hopes for a boost to the city’s tourism. An An and Ke Ke are the third pair of giant pandas to be sent to the city from mainland China since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997. Their arrival came after their new neighbor Ying Ying gave birth to twins last month and became the world’s oldest first-time panda mother on record. Along with the twins’ father and the newcomers, Hong Kong’s Ocean Park zoo and aquarium now has six pandas. Pandas are China’s unofficial mascot.… Continue Reading

Stock market today: Wall Street drifts to more records after Chinese stocks soar

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are hanging near their records after Chinese stocks soared following a slew of moves by the Chinese central bank to prop up the world’s second-largest economy. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% in midday trading Tuesday, a day after setting a record for the 40th time this year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 46 points and was likewise coming off a record. The Nasdaq composite gained 0.6%. Treasury yields erased earlier gains following a weaker-than-expected data on U.S. consumer confidence. Prices for commodities rallied following China’s moves to support its flagging economy.… Continue Reading

TikTok and the U.S. face off in court over law that could lead to a ban on the popular platform

WASHINGTON (AP) – TikTok faced off with the U.S. government in federal court on Monday, arguing a law that could ban the platform in a few short months was unconstitutional. But the Justice Department said during the hearing the measure is critical to eliminate a national security risk posed by the popular social media company. Attorneys for the two sides – and content creators – appeared before a panel of three judges at a federal appeals court in Washington. TikTok and its China-based parent company, ByteDance, are challenging the law that is forcing them to break ties by mid-January or lose one of their biggest markets in the world.… Continue Reading

An American pastor detained in China for nearly 20 years has been released

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Christian pastor from California has been freed from China after nearly 20 years behind bars and is back home in the U.S., the State Department said. Advocacy groups say the 68-year-old David Lin was detained after he entered China in 2006, convicted of contract fraud and sentenced to life in prison. One group says that charge is frequently used against leaders in the house church movement, which operates outside state-sponsored faith groups. Lin’s sentence had been reduced and he had been due for release in April 2030. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom noted in 2019 that there were reports Lin was in declining health.… Continue Reading