U.S. and China curry favor in the Indo-Pacific, and the Czech Republic won’t bury its head in the sand on China

News briefing for February 1, 2023

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III walks past military guards during arrival honors at the Department of National Defense in Camp Aguinaldo military camp, Philippines, February 2, 2023. Rolex dela Pena/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo.

Here’s what you need to know about China today:

The U.S. is wooing nations in the Indo-Pacific to counter China by reopening its embassy in the Solomon Islands and expanding its military presence in the Philippines. Washington’s moves come after both Indo-Pacific nations last year signaled stronger security ties with Beijing, stoking Western anxieties that China was winning influence in the region. Meanwhile, the U.S. and China both have their eyes set on Indonesia.

China moved to lure in business from the Philippines and Indonesia with plans for two new industrial zones in Fujian Province. Companies run by ethnic Chinese will get government help with buying land, customs support, and more, in a bid to deepen economic ties with ASEAN members and build supply chain resilience from U.S. sanctions.

Kenya wants to tap the U.S. to expand a joint counterterrorism base, and Washington is nervous that the East African country will turn to China if it refuses the request.

The Czech Republic “will no longer behave like an ostrich” when dealing with China, according to Czech President-Elect Petr Pavel, fresh off his cordial phone call with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文 Cài Yīngwén), the latest sign that Central and Eastern European governments are losing trust in Beijing.

Hong Kong’s kindergartens are closing due to the low birth rate, COVID, and emigration: A survey of 230 kindergartens found that half-day and full-time enrollments for 2023 have dropped by nearly a quarter.