Foreign investors in China seek new catalysts as stock rally fizzles;2 Chinese tourists killed in Malaysia bus crash
Ex-Boston Celtics player Vonleh calls China team ‘worst’ ever, says still owed salary, bonus
Welcome to this issue of The China Brief. Today is June 29, 2024. Here at The China Brief, we bring you the latest news on China's politics, economy, and society from global media sources, along with exclusive expert analysis. If you find our content helpful, please subscribe to our newsletter.
China drops controversial ‘hurt feelings’ clause from law in move praised by legal experts
South China Morning Post
China has removed a controversial clause from its draft amendment to the Public Security Administration Punishments Law. The clause would have punished anyone found guilty of "hurting the feelings of the Chinese nation". The proposed law also contained clauses that would have punished anyone wearing clothing or symbols that were deemed harmful to the spirit or feelings of the Chinese nation. The deadline for public submissions on the draft amendment is 27 July.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3268508/china-drops-controversial-hurt-feelings-clause-law-move-praised-legal-experts?utm_source=rss_feed
Foreign investors in China seek new catalysts as stock rally fizzles
Nikkei Asia
Foreign investors sold a net $6.1bn of Chinese stocks in June after four consecutive months of net buying. This marks the seventh largest amount since the Connect scheme opened in mid-November 2014, and suggests fading enthusiasm over the Chinese government's $41bn rescue package for the struggling property sector. Barclays Hong Kong suggests that the Chinese government may have exhausted its options on the property front and that a broad focus on supply-side reforms at the Communist Party's third plenum in July will be more of the same and largely a non-event for markets.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Markets/Foreign-investors-in-China-seek-new-catalysts-as-stock-rally-fizzles
2 Chinese tourists killed in Malaysia bus crash
South China Morning Post
A tour bus carrying 21 people overturned in Malaysia, resulting in the deaths of two Chinese nationals. The bus was descending from Genting Highlands when the accident occurred. Among the passengers, three are locals and the rest are Chinese nationals. The bus was owned by a third-party operator and was carrying 18 tourists from Yunnan, China. Genting Malaysia Berhad expressed their condolences and wished a swift recovery to those injured. Genting Highlands is a popular entertainment and tourist destination in Malaysia.
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3268568/2-chinese-tourists-killed-malaysia-bus-crash?utm_source=rss_feed
Ex-Boston Celtics player Vonleh calls China team ‘worst’ ever, says still owed salary, bonus
South China Morning Post
Noah Vonleh, a former NBA player who briefly played for the Shanghai Sharks in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), has claimed that he was not paid by the team and that officials from the Sharks attempted to break into his hotel room during the league’s All-Star break. Vonleh criticized the Sharks on social media, calling them the “worst organization” he had ever played for. He also alleged that the team had wrongfully terminated his contract and tried to rush him back from injury. Vonleh has not received a response from the Sharks or the CBA regarding his claims.
https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3268567/ex-boston-celtics-player-vonleh-calls-china-team-worst-ever-says-still-owed-salary-bonus?utm_source=rss_feed
Chinese scientists create robot with brain made from human stem cells
South China Morning Post
Scientists in China have developed a robot with a lab-grown artificial brain that can be taught to perform various tasks. The technology developed by researchers at Tianjin University and the Southern University of Science and Technology combines a brain organoid – a tissue derived from human stem cells – with a neural interface chip to power the robot and teach it to avoid obstacles and grip objects. The technology is an emerging branch of brain-computer interfaces (BCI), which aims to combine the brain’s electrical signals with external computing power and which China has made a priority.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3268304/chinese-scientists-create-robot-brain-made-human-stem-cells?utm_source=rss_feed
As North Korean and Chinese threats rise, US looks to lock in defense partnerships with Asian allies
Associated Press
The United States, Japan, and South Korea have concluded a three-day joint military exercise in the East China Sea. The Freedom Edge exercise was designed to increase the sophistication of previous exercises, focusing on areas such as ballistic-missile defense, anti-submarine warfare, and surveillance, as well as improving the countries' abilities to share missile warnings. The aim of the exercise is to strengthen US security partnerships with Japan and South Korea in the face of growing threats from North Korea and China. It also aims to improve the interoperability between the three countries' armed forces so that they can operate together more effectively. The exercise comes at a time of escalating tensions in the region, with North Korea testing a multi-warhead missile and China increasing its military presence. The US has been seeking to increase cooperation between Japan and South Korea and to solidify its alliances in the face of these threats.
https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-china-navy-aircraft-carrier-exercise-8efda0f84ab856912faf2e0d9c9dbf56
The brutal killing of a Detroit man in 1982 inspires decades of Asian American activism nationwide
Associated Press
Vincent Chin's murder in 1982, by two white autoworkers during his bachelor party in Detroit, not only inspired Asian Americans to unite across ethnic and cultural lines but also continues to be a source of inspiration for activists fighting for racial justice and equality. Although the two autoworkers pleaded guilty to manslaughter, Judge Charles Kaufman reasoned that they were not the kind of men to send to jail and sentenced them to three years' probation. The injustice of the sentence spurred Asian Americans to protest and push for a federal civil rights prosecution. Today, activists still fight to ensure that Chin is not forgotten and his story continues to inspire advocacy nationwide.
The release of a 602-page file by the FBI last month on Chin's death revealed previously unseen witness interviews with descriptions of his final moments and the anti-Asian slurs his attackers used, among other details. Advocates say that, despite the progress made in fighting anti-Asian hate crimes, there is still considerable work to be done. There is no comprehensive history of Asian Americans in core K-12 curricula and Asian Americans are still stereotyped as perpetual foreigners, which damages their job opportunities and limits their access to housing. Advocates argue that it is important to maintain visibility and continue to educate people about the Asian American experience by telling stories like Vincent Chin's.
https://apnews.com/article/vincent-chin-asian-americans-activism-9431d684cde3d12e77c6cbd0f959b6ae
‘Drones change everything’: China showcases UAV competitive edge in military export market
South China Morning Post
Chinese military drones are becoming increasingly attractive to developing countries, with China's main arms contractor, North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco), looking to expand into new markets. Norinco showcased miniature versions of its land-based weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at the Eurosatory expo in Paris last week, displaying various rotary and fixed-wing UAVs, including the Z-6B unmanned helicopter system. This drone is suitable for large naval platforms and features improvements in stealth, surveillance, targeting support, and attack capabilities. Drones have been a major source of growth for China's arms exports, with China exporting over 280 combat drones over the past decade, primarily to the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. The low cost and high efficiency of military UAVs have made them increasingly important in modern warfare. However, it is unlikely that Chinese military drones will find many inroads in Europe due to issues of interoperability, security, reliability, and dependence on China. Instead, Chinese units are seen as attractive options for developing countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3268149/drones-change-everything-china-showcases-uav-competitive-edge-military-export-market?utm_source=rss_feed
Singaporeans snap up cheap Russian goods as Ukraine war anger ebbs
South China Morning Post
Singaporean shoppers are snapping up heavily discounted Russian-made products, including hair products and chocolate, despite the country's invasion of Ukraine. Visitors to Alibaba's Singapore Lazada and Redmart sites can buy 120g jars of salmon roe for SGD11 ($8) and 460ml bottles of hair conditioner for SGD2.49. There are no prohibition against selling Russian groceries in the country and, globally, there are no sanctions on Russian food exports.
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3268555/singaporeans-snap-cheap-russian-goods-ukraine-war-anger-ebbs?utm_source=rss_feed
China parenting KOL’s rough and ready physical training regime for toddler son sparks criticism
South China Morning Post
A Chinese parenting expert has been criticised for his methods of training his baby son. Duan, who runs a Douyin account, has uploaded videos showing his son being placed in potentially dangerous situations, including on a climbing net, on a rolling skateboard and on a tree. Duan claims these activities build courage, balance and a sense of security in his son. However, his methods have been criticised online for not having a scientific basis, and for potentially putting the child in danger. Duan has been banned from posting on Douyin due to multiple complaints.
https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3265324/china-parenting-kols-rough-and-ready-physical-training-regime-toddler-son-sparks-criticism?utm_source=rss_feed
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