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Tensions between China and the United States have reached their highest level since countries normalized relations more than 40 years ago. And the order by the United States government to close the Chinese consulate in Houston is just one of the latest examples of deteriorating relations, writes The New York Times.
The Trump administration is considering banning the 92 million members of the Chinese Communist Party in the United States, possibly expelling party members who are already in the United States.
In that case, China would retaliate against the Americans.
Scanpix / SIPA Photo / Donald Short
This is what happened in recent years:
Coronavirus claims.
Trump and his subordinates blamed China for the spread of the coronavirus, which first appeared in the Chinese city of Wuhan. They called the terms of viruses considered by some observers as racist: Wuhan virus, Chinese virus, Kung flu (the word “flu” in English means flu).
VIDEO: The biggest conspiracy theories about the coronavirus
In July, Trump froze funds for the World Health Organization (WHO), which he accused of helping China cover up the spread of the virus. The United States Department of Justice announced this week that Chinese programmers were trying to steal COVID-19 investigative information.
For its part, China criticized the poor response of the Trump government to the outbreak in the United States. Chinese propagandists are spreading an unsubstantiated conspiracy theory that US soldiers who visited Wuhan last October spread the virus.
Trade war
After becoming president, Trump introduced tariffs on Chinese products multiple times, China replied, making the trade war last more than two years. A ceasefire was announced and a partial trade agreement was signed in January, but most tariffs have yet to be lifted.
Claims in the South China Sea
The Trump administration has challenged China’s claims of much of the sovereignty and control of the South China Sea, including critical shipping routes.
Photo by Scanpix / US and Singapore warships in the South China Sea
Recently, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who called China a major security threat, declared that most of China’s claims to the South China Sea are “completely illegal.” The New York Times writes that this has paved the way for possible military confrontations between Chinese and American forces in the Pacific.
The battle for technology.
Several US administrations in a row have accused China of stealing American technology. Under Trump’s leadership, Huawei, the largest technology company, was blacklisted by the UK last week, banning the purchase of 5G equipment from Huawei.
Restrictions on the work of journalists.
By accusing the Chinese state media of spreading propaganda, the Trump administration has severely restricted the number of Chinese citizens who can work for Chinese news organizations in the United States.
China responded by ordering the expulsion of journalists from US media such as The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal.
Reuters / Photo by Scanpix / Editorial by The New York Times
Repression against the Uighurs
This month, the Trump administration issued sanctions against Chinese officials, including a senior member of the Communist Party, for human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region against the Uighur Muslim minority.
ALSO READ: 15 minutes He explains: why China locked up a million Uighurs in reeducation camps?
Beijing has promised retaliation against US institutions and individuals for conduct related to Xinjiang affairs. In this part of China, officials have locked up a million Uighurs in forced labor camps, they are being closely monitored, The New York Times writes.
The Taiwan problem
For the Chinese government, any action by the United States based on the defense of the people living in China is perceived as an interference in internal politics.
In May, the Trump administration approved $ 180 million. dollar deal on arms sales to Taiwan. It is part of a broader arms sales deal that has angered China.
Taiwan – de facto an independent state, although it has never formally declared independence. Beijing considers Taiwan as part of the country.
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