The following report is from the Trends Journal:
Widespread power outages across China, the worst in more than a decade, forced the first contraction in the country’s manufacturing center last month since February 2020.
The government has imposed power quotas on many factories, forcing them to operate part-time as Beijing seeks to manage short supplies of electricity while also cutting back its infamous smog-causing emissions, The Wall Street Journal said.
By 29 September, 22 of China’s 34 provincial administrations had seen at least some degree of power cutbacks, the WSJ reported.
As of 1 October, factories in the manufacturing hub of Guangdong will be charged up to 25% more for electricity they use during peak hours.
The shortages are affecting areas known to be hubs for semiconductor manufacturing, a commodity already in critically short supply among the world’s factories.
China’s manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI), the country’s official measure of factory activity, slid to 49.6 last month.
Rankings below 50 indicate contraction.
China has long struggled to meet its growing power demands.
Demand for China’s manufactured goods soared through 2020 and continues today, though at a slightly lower pace, challenging the country’s electric grid to its limits.
Also, the price of coal has risen in the midst of domestic production shortfalls and reductions of imports from Australia and Mongolia.
Beijing stopped importing coal from Australia earlier this year when Australia’s government backed the idea of an independent commission to look into the origins of the COVID virus.
Imported coal had made up about 10% of China’s annual supply.
At the same time, demand for coal expanded by as much as 20% earlier this year, though now has settled into single-digit growth.
Although coal prices have soared, the government tightly controls electricity prices and many coal-fired generating stations have cut power output rather than operate at a financial loss, the BBC reported.
Worsening the shortage, the hydropower-producing province of Yunnan has been dealing with a drought and winds have been quiet in the normally breezy northeastern part of the country, curtailing wind power production.
“The power supply shock in the world’s second biggest economy and biggest manufacturer will ripple through and impact global markets,” Ting Lu, Nomura’s chief China economist, told the FT, “very likely” resulting in inadequate stocks of holiday gifts in stores this November and December, he said.
Power cuts worsened an already weakening economy, beset by troubles in China’s real estate sector, scattered shutdowns amid outbreaks of the Delta virus, and harsher government controls over the construction, financial, and tech industries, as we reported in “China’s Economy Slowing?” (28 Sep 2021).
The sub-50 PMI should sound an “alarm” among government officials, Zhiwei Zhang, chief economist for Pinpoint Asset Management, said in comments quoted by the Financial Times.
Economic growth in the fourth quarter likely will slow further without a change of government policies.
China’s power troubles could increase retail prices of Chinese-made consumer goods in the West by as much as 15 percent by next spring, according to Michael Beckham, CEO of Oklahoma-based manufacturer Simple Modern.
China’s economic planning agency has pledged to boost coal imports and domestic production, produce more natural gas, and pass higher costs through to end-users, at least in part.
Meanwhile, Han Zheng, China’s vice-premier, has ordered officials to control amounts of energy consumed by heavy users such as steel plants and cement factories.
China’s energy crisis has led Beckham to consider returning production to the U.S. because doing business in China has become less dependable.
The [Communist] party in China always prioritizes its objectives.
As an outsider, it’s often hard to understand their motives.
TREND FORECAST: China’s domestic energy crisis is mirrored around the world, as oil prices passed $80 a barrel and the cost of natural gas in Europe now costs five times what it did a year ago, CNBC has reported.
The global energy crisis, coupled with China’s internal shortages and rising power costs, is slowing the country’s economic expansion as much as government crackdowns and overleveraged companies.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
Proverbs 14:8
I mention that verse because the vast majority of America, and the world, have not the foggiest idea as to just how wrecked the economies of the world are – a point I have emphasized many times on The WinePress.
I had actually planned to do a report on these outages this morning, but the Trends Journal’s was better: so here we are.
Be not deceived: these outages and the ever crumbling supply chains are purposeful. The puppet masters are deliberately ruining the supply chains on purpose, to weaken many other nations in the process: America especially. Moreover, these “outages” are just more scripted events, in my book.
Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Etc., All Facing Scripted Outages And Glitches Worldwide
Internet Shutdowns Are The New Weapons Of Choice For Control
Remember that whole Suez Canal debacle earlier this year? I’ve mentioned this before, but it was totally deliberate, and probably one of the biggest “trollings” in nautical piloting ever:
As I have reported before, supply chains are going to get worse, along with inflation. So, act wisely and accordingly.
Buckle Up For A New Wave Of Higher Inflation
American And Canadian Business Cannot Pay Their Rents, Demonstrating Wrecked Economies
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
The WinePress needs your support! If God has laid it on your heart to want to contribute, please prayerfully consider donating to this ministry. If you cannot gift a monetary donation, then please donate your fervent prayers to keep this ministry going! Thank you and may God bless you.
How very Catholic of Kamala Harris to be concerned about everybody being able to buy their Christmas presents. Christmas was outlawed in this country at one time, when this was a true Christian nation. December 25 is a pagan Baal holiday as is the entire season….the Roman Saturnalia. I do not observe this, especially now that my parents are gone and my remaining family has taken the jab. Even before they took the jab, the last thing on my mind is celebrating a pagan holiday with family that are still pagan in outlook and deed. If that time of the year is when the Pope Is in his glory, why are we celebrating it. Is not the 2nd advent of our Lord a lot more important to be looking forward to? There’s nothing wrong in acknowledging His birth, but that can be done at any time of the year, especially when we really do not know the time of year when He was born, even though it was probably not in December. Someone once pointed out that when the two prophets of end time Israel are killed by the antiChrist, wicked people are happy and celebrating and exchanging gifts…..perhaps like they would otherwise be doing because of the Christmas holiday. Something to ponder, anyway.
Thanks Liz, You made some good truthful points to think on. God Bless
I am more than well aware of the issue. I am just trying to make a point.
Romans 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
Romans 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
I personally lean towards the “every day alike” stance. People need to stop belly-aching and dividing over these issues, and have charity on the matter. I plan to do a detailed scriptural study on the issue at some point. Of course, I know that will probably divide a bunch of people who are still spiritual babes. (I’m not saying you are, I’m just speaking the broad sense).
1 Corinthians 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
1 Corinthians 8:4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
1 Corinthians 8:7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
1 Corinthians 8:8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
1 Corinthians 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
The first reference to a national Christmas tree was President Tyler in the 1840s. Twenty years later we have a civil war, an assassination of a president, and the start of Catholics taking over the country. Scripture does not have good things to say about decorating trees and it also says Our Lord is a jealous God. I’ve heard the mention of green and red colors around a celestial throne, but maybe God doesn’t like them associated with a pagan tree and some bloke in a Santa Claus suit stealing His thunder. The blur, because of this December 25th date, is even more confusing to the majority biblically illiterate. At the least, it’s bad etiquette.
By the way, I only bring this up because of the increasing pagan practices I have seen in the Babel buildings when Dec. 25th rolls around. And the fruits of this season are not really all that great….increased suicide rates; increased drunkenness and the sorrow that comes with that; manger scenes creeping into IFB churches which isn’t even historically accurate, not to mention graven images; having the Pope’s yearly pagan ritual from Rome televised to the entire world. The bad etiquette comes in when we celebrate our Lord’s birthday, knowing that we do not really know when He was born, on a day more specifically earmarked for the eventual birth and rebirth of a Sun God antiChrist. That’s like being forced to celebrate your birthday on a day your worst enemy celebrates his. Same kind of thing when churchy people substitute Halloween celebrations with their own version of the annual Sugarfest but never acknowledging this was the day Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to that church door and paved the way for us to even have access to our King James Bible. My point is, why are we following along with any kind of Romish, Popish device when God calls that institution a Whore? As far as one man esteeming one day over another, I thought that was referencing the Sabbath. So yes, we need some great minds to really dissect what I think the Puritans already took into account.
I agree it’s staging & showtime for the sheep….what is real was still planned. I just read an article minutes before reading this one saying that Germany’s experiencing blackouts because they ‘rely on Russian coal & good weather’ for a large portion of the power production!! Sounds like Texas. Sounds like a pattern & a plan. Another facet of their covid change (takeover) the world gem.
–
Christmas is a bittersweet thing for me. I still remember biblically influenced America, & before the per-versions caught on. The season had a quietness & holiness about it still that lent itself to the convicting of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel, & it figured into my own conviction & yearning for something whole, real, true & pure: bigger than me or man or merchandising.
–
I already knew I was a sinner & hopeless, but it took longer to abandon the world’s false hope in the ‘experts/nicolaitans’ & the confusion of Augustinian eschatology which feeds that.
–
As I learned more, & the world’s powers squeezed out anything witnessing Christ & the Gospel with the biblical distinctives, it saddened me not to be able to even find Bible pics & verses in the Christmas paraphernalia….and Jesus being the ‘reason for the season’ began ringing flat. I had always majored on practical gifts & such anyways, but finally quit on family celebration Christmas because it became a bust, bondage & burden…..with no witness possible to the self-righteous ‘new’ spiritual crowd who thought themselves too smart & evolved to be ‘bound by words’ and all those archaic things.
–
I wept the year I could find NO Christian ANYTHING in the stores….even at Christmastime. People thought I was crazy & I couldn’t express the horror of it. Especially to folks still plugged in to the programming & situational ethics demoralizer ‘entertainment’ trainers who’d been leavened & leveled.
–
I found that confusing, because one of the major things about the world that drove me to Christ & the word was its emptiness, lack of stability, uncertainty, hopelessness, falsity, lack of truth or logic even ….everything relative and conditional. I used to think to myself that there was something sterile & lifeless about it all….now I realize that wasn’t far off! And the new spirituality crowd has just traded that for gmo ‘life’….spiritually (and literally!) speaking. Anyways, I love our Rock that is not as their rock, even our enemies being judges. No sin is worth losing that life & sanity, assurance….the blessed hope they don’t have for all their frantic ‘enjoyment’, so-called ‘liberation’ (2 Peter 2 writ large), and chasing of experience & missional penance.
–
They have no peace & must exhaust, drug, numb, distract, work themselves constantly to avoid coming face to face with that….and flesh & the devil have a lot of help these days.
–
I don’t believe it’s a sin to celebrate Christmas, or that it’s in line with Romans 13 to outlaw Christmas which was one of the stupider & most Romish-Babylonian things that the State church Puritan Roundheads, the Protestant & Reformed….certain of the Methodist sinless perfection, restorationist & holiness folks got into. Men convinced against their will are of the same opinion still, and it only made unnecessary offense & hay for the liberals. Backfires like Prohibition etc.
–
However, I DO believe that the errors of Rome should be taught & exposed from the King James Bible…..including why they changed the date of Christ’s birth & invented the saints & feastdays to coincide with those of indigenous gods of the various peoples, the root of that thing going back to Babel. By looking at the Hebrew feasts & calendar, the cycle of priests that David&Solomon established….and the accounts in Luke of Zecharias, of the course of Abia; the conceiving of John the Baptist; and Mary’s visit to her cousin Elisabeth….that you can come very close to nailing down the time of Christ’s birth to September or so.
–
But we are free of law in those matters as Colossians & Galatians clearly teach, & we are warned to beware biting & devouring one another….called to warn a heretick once or twice, peaceful separation & plain marking so others are warned. Freedom of speech is definitely biblical. Pagans believe in lying peace, not separated peace….or open public preaching & ‘proselytizing’ which is too much salt & light to carry on their facade & pretense. (The point I think Ruckman was getting at in Black is Beautiful, about how they were using new definitions of right & wrong, racism etc to ‘merge’ the righteous & unrighteous, dark & light, good & evil, religions, perversions etc ….and to blaspheme God & slander, marginalize or leaven his people. To make biblical Christianity illegal through back-handed, crafty means. Craft. )
We differ on the pillar & ground of the truth a bit since I don’t understand how you can go to a person privately over an offense, then take it before the church before progressing to discipline or separation unless there’s a local independent body of the Timothy & Titus sort to go to. The issue seems to be that every institution men are involved in tend to take on a life of their own, hardening into complacency, tradition, politics, over-reacting into legalism even after legitimate revival, and so forth! Whether folks are meeting in a barn, field, home, or any other place.
–
The corporate & denominational models are the absolute worst for that, followed by the loose unions that tend to harden into formal political corporate arrangements….or the behind-the-scenes ‘good-ol-boy’ agreements.
–
We know that some of the things men picked up from Rome in ignorance were definitely rooted in paganism…pagan craft & temples, statues, symbols, etc carried in. I believe the key to that is for men who do find out about these things to share them….like marking any heresy….so they can be repented of or separated from, avoided etc. That’s why I appreciate ministries & forums like this & the Denlinger’s. Thank you.