Dear Focus Reader,

As the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate this week, and President Biden completed a trip to the region, the Chinese foreign ministry released a new statement on Friday stating that Beijing and Moscow plan to work together to cool the situation and help establish a two-state solution.

"China and Russia have the same position on the Palestine question, and China is ready to maintain communication and coordination with Russia to promote de-escalation of the situation," said Zhai Jun, China's special envoy to the Middle East.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration recently imposed new restrictions on advanced chip exports to China, which prompted a sharp response from Beijing. The move is seen as an attempt to close loopholes that became clear after an initial wave of chip controls last October. But the Chinese foreign ministry has said that the curbs "violate the principles of the market economy and fair competition."

Stay up to date on the global developments by catching up on our latest Focus content, including topics covering recent summits around the world, the global impact of U.S.-China relations, China's Belt and Road Initiative, and more.

We're also excited to announce that CUSEF will be hosting the upcoming Hong Kong Forum on U.S.-China Relations this November 9-10th. This event will convene leaders from government, business, and civil society to discuss critical issues impacting the bilateral relationship and beyond, and solutions to create a more peaceful world. We're thrilled to welcome guest speakers including Charlene Barshekfsy, Max Baucus, Stephen Roach, and more. Learn more at hkforum.com.

Have a good weekend!

Team Focus