Celia Hatton

The cable was then damaged and the Crew and the ship were then detained while the authorities tried to determine whether this was a marine accident, which is possible, or whether it's actually sabotage. Now, the reason the authorities think it could be related to sabotage is that, of course, this is the fifth time just since the start of the year.

And we've been seeing these incidents increasing over the past few years, since 2023.

And we've been seeing these incidents increasing over the past few years, since 2023.

That's right. We have to remember that Beijing believes that Taiwan is part of its territory, even though Taiwan is... Die Sendung wurde vom NDR live untertitelt. It's all designed to exhaust Taiwanese resources, to quote-unquote practice for warfare around Taiwan, a possible blockade of Taiwan, we believe. And also just to increase pressure on Taiwan and make it clear what China is capable of.

That's right. We have to remember that Beijing believes that Taiwan is part of its territory, even though Taiwan is... Die Sendung wurde vom NDR live untertitelt. It's all designed to exhaust Taiwanese resources, to quote-unquote practice for warfare around Taiwan, a possible blockade of Taiwan, we believe. And also just to increase pressure on Taiwan and make it clear what China is capable of.

Now, the Taiwanese authorities have not actually said what this incident, they're investigating this particular incident. And they've been reticent since the start of the year to really blame Beijing directly. I think they're trying to keep waters calm, so to speak. But, you know, underwater sea cables have been linked around the world to acts by Russia and or China in the Baltic Sea.

Now, the Taiwanese authorities have not actually said what this incident, they're investigating this particular incident. And they've been reticent since the start of the year to really blame Beijing directly. I think they're trying to keep waters calm, so to speak. But, you know, underwater sea cables have been linked around the world to acts by Russia and or China in the Baltic Sea.

We've seen some in the Red Sea linked to the Houthis in Yemen. And so this is becoming an increasing concern for many countries around the world.

We've seen some in the Red Sea linked to the Houthis in Yemen. And so this is becoming an increasing concern for many countries around the world.

The latest way that they're doing this is to discourage extravagant weddings and also high prices paid for bridal dowry is what's called the bride price. That price can reach up to 20 or even 30 thousand dollars, which is a huge amount. for some poorer families.

The latest way that they're doing this is to discourage extravagant weddings and also high prices paid for bridal dowry is what's called the bride price. That price can reach up to 20 or even 30 thousand dollars, which is a huge amount. for some poorer families.

And so the government thinks that if they cut down on those two things, that maybe the number of people who engage in marriage will increase.

And so the government thinks that if they cut down on those two things, that maybe the number of people who engage in marriage will increase.

They are. But I think a lot of people who are even thinking about the idea of marriage, it's how much marriage in general costs. So an apartment, raising children. Many younger people in China look at rising unemployment rates or really the lack of economic prospects inside China at the moment. And they just don't really feel like they want to make a legal commitment to another person.

They are. But I think a lot of people who are even thinking about the idea of marriage, it's how much marriage in general costs. So an apartment, raising children. Many younger people in China look at rising unemployment rates or really the lack of economic prospects inside China at the moment. And they just don't really feel like they want to make a legal commitment to another person.

We know even more women going into secondary education and higher education in China than men. They look at the idea of marriage and it has a lot of traditional gender roles still attached to it. This expectation that women will do most of the housework or that they might step away from their career. once they decide to go through with a marriage.

We know even more women going into secondary education and higher education in China than men. They look at the idea of marriage and it has a lot of traditional gender roles still attached to it. This expectation that women will do most of the housework or that they might step away from their career. once they decide to go through with a marriage.

And so some of the bigger reasons why young people aren't getting married aren't really being addressed by the Chinese authorities.

And so some of the bigger reasons why young people aren't getting married aren't really being addressed by the Chinese authorities.

In short order, they want more babies. They don't support children being born out of wedlock. The Chinese population is shrinking. It's aging rapidly. And they need more children, bluntly, because they need people to be able to pay taxes in 30 years to support this rapidly aging population. You know, marriage rates dropped 20% last year from the year before. Marriage rates are at a 40-year low.