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1. Tibetan tree rings link climate change and fall of major Chinese dynasties
Researchers have used tree rings to track rainfall patterns on the Tibetan Plateau over the course of almost 3,500 years and found a link between major changes and the downfall of some of the most powerful Chinese imperial dynasties.
2. US-China relations: Trump confirms talks with Xi since his inauguration
US President Donald Trump said that he has spoken to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping since his inauguration, signalling continued diplomatic engagement amid an escalating trade war. Trump confirmed the discussions in a Super Bowl interview broadcast on Monday evening by Fox News.
3. Can China’s bet on home-grown jumbo jets challenge the Airbus-Boeing duopoly?
China has long held ambitions of turning global aviation into an “ABC” market: breaking the duopoly of Airbus and Boeing with the entry of world-class Chinese jets. It is working to develop widebody planes, but its plans may hinge on cooperation from Western regulators and suppliers.