How China is becoming the Saudi Arabia of renewables;US study finds China’s tech innovation ‘much stronger’ than previously understood
Welcome to this issue of The China Brief. Today is September 19, 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.
How China is becoming the Saudi Arabia of renewables
South China Morning Post
China's fossil fuel consumption is declining due to increased electric vehicle use and renewable energy capacity. While petrol consumption increased slightly, diesel consumption fell by 3.52%, and crude imports dropped by 3.1%. The rise in new-energy vehicles, which are cheaper to maintain, is influencing this shift, with 20.4 million such vehicles now in China. Solar and wind power capacity is surging, prompting a reduction in coal and oil usage. This trend could lead to greater energy independence for China and shift global energy dynamics, promoting economic development in the Global South through renewable energy solutions.
https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3278889/how-china-becoming-saudi-arabia-renewables?utm_source=rss_feed
US study finds China’s tech innovation ‘much stronger’ than previously understood
South China Morning Post
A recent investigation by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) into 44 Chinese firms reveals that China is making significant strides in technological innovation, posing a serious challenge to the US. While China has not yet surpassed the US in overall innovation, it has outperformed American firms in key areas such as nuclear power, electric vehicles, and batteries. The report indicates that by 2030, China could lead in nuclear power generation and is already manufacturing 62% of the world's electric vehicles. In semiconductors, China remains 2 to 5 years behind global leaders but has made recent advancements despite US sanctions. Analysts warn that China's innovation is not solely based on technology theft but rather on its commitment to R&D and infrastructure. The US, recognizing the competitive threat, has implemented export controls and tariffs to curb China's tech growth. As China continues to excel in various technological fields, it is expected to turn this innovation into economic and geopolitical power, raising concerns about the US's ability to maintain its technological supremacy.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3279054/us-study-finds-chinas-tech-innovation-much-stronger-previously-understood?utm_source=rss_feed
The US led on nuclear fusion for decades. Now China is in position to win the race
CNN
Shanghai's thriving tech scene, known for its spectacular light shows, is home to innovative companies like Energy Singularity, which is focusing on nuclear fusion energy. As the US faces concerns over losing its lead in fusion technology, China's government is heavily investing between $1 billion and $1.5 billion annually in fusion research, surpassing the US's $800 million. Nuclear fusion, which promises vast amounts of clean energy, remains a challenging goal, with countries struggling to sustain fusion reactions long enough for practical use. Energy Singularity has received over $112 million in private funding and developed a tokamak, a key device for fusion, using advanced superconducting magnets. While the US was a pioneer in fusion research, it now relies on aging facilities and international collaborations. China's rapid advancements include a surge in fusion patents and the development of new tokamaks that mimic American designs. Although the US has achieved notable milestones with laser technology, China's investments could soon outpace US efforts, potentially reshaping the global energy landscape and positioning China as a leader in fusion energy.
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/19/climate/nuclear-fusion-clean-energy-china-us/index.html
Respected mathematician Kenji Fukaya leaves US to teach at China’s Tsinghua University
South China Morning Post
Kenji Fukaya, a notable Japanese mathematician, has transitioned from Stony Brook University in the US to Tsinghua University in China as a full-time professor. He recently delivered his first lecture at Tsinghua and launched an open course on symplectic geometry, attracting significant interest from students and faculty. Fukaya noted that Chinese students exhibit a strong dedication to mathematics, reminiscent of his own experiences in Japan, and expressed optimism about the growth of a skilled community of mathematicians in China as more researchers return to teach there.
Fukaya, affiliated with Tsinghua's Yau Mathematical Sciences Centre and the Beijing Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Applications, has made significant contributions to Riemannian and symplectic geometry, impacting fields like low-dimensional topology and mirror symmetry. He holds a PhD from the University of Tokyo and has received various prestigious awards throughout his career, including the Geometry Prize from the Mathematical Society of Japan and being a member of the Japan Academy. Fukaya emphasizes the creative and aesthetic aspects of mathematics, viewing it as a blend of imagination and logical reasoning.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3279101/respected-mathematician-kenji-fukaya-leaves-us-teach-chinas-tsinghua-university?utm_source=rss_feed
US missile system to remain in Philippines to give China ‘sleepless nights’
South China Morning Post
The U.S. has no plans to withdraw its Typhon missile system from the Philippines, despite Chinese objections. Deployed for joint exercises, the system can launch missiles targeting China and is crucial for U.S. military strategy in the region. Ongoing training with the Typhon suggests it may remain in the country to enhance readiness for potential conflicts, particularly in light of rising tensions over the South China Sea. China and Russia criticize the deployment, claiming it escalates regional tensions, while the Philippines asserts it poses no threat to China.
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3279123/us-missile-system-remain-philippines-give-china-sleepless-nights?utm_source=rss_feed
China would love a domestic Nvidia rival — but that's proving quite the challenge
CNBC
Chinese companies are ramping up efforts to produce a viable alternative to Nvidia's chips that power artificial intelligence as Beijing continues its efforts to wean itself off American technology.
U.S. sanctions slapped on China over the past few years, along with Nvidia 's dominance in the space, have provided big challenges for Bejing's efforts, at least in the short term, analysts told CNBC.
Nvidia's well-documented boom has been driven by large cloud computing players buying its server products which contain its graphics processing units, or GPUs. These chips are enabling companies, such as ChatGPT maker OpenAI, to train their huge AI models on massive amounts of data.
These AI models are fundamental to applications like chatbots and other emerging AI applications.
The U.S. government has restricted the export of Nvidia's most advanced chips to China since 2022, with restrictions tightening last year.
Such semiconductors are key to China's ambitions to become a leading AI player.
CNBC spoke to analysts who identified some of China's leading contenders that are looking to challenge Nvidia, including technology giants Huawei, Alibaba and Baidu and startups such as Biren Technology and Enflame.
The overarching view is that they are lagging behind Nvidia at this point.
"These companies have made notable progress in developing AI chips tailored to specific applications (ASICs)," Wei Sun, a senior analyst at Counterpoint Research, told CNBC.
"However, competing with Nvidia still presents substantial challenges in technological gaps, especially in general-purpose GPU. Matching Nvidia in short-term is unlikely."
Chinese firms have a "lack of technology expertise", according to Sun, highlighting one of the challenges.
However, it's the U.S. sanctions and their knock-on effects that pose the biggest roadblocks to China's ambitions.
Some of China's leading Nvidia challengers have been placed on the U.S. Entity List, a blacklist which restricts their access to American technology. Meanwhile, a number of U.S. curbs have restricted key AI-related semiconductors and machinery from being exported to China.
China's GPU players all design chips and rely on a manufacturing company to produce their chips. For a while, this would have been Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. , or TSMC. But U.S. restrictions mean many of these firms cannot access the chips made by TSMC.
They therefore have to turn to SMIC , China's biggest chipmaker, whose technology remains generations behind TSMC. Part of the reason why it's lagging behind, is because Washington has restricted SMIC's access to a key piece of machinery from Dutch firm ASML , which is required to manufacture the most advance chips.
Meanwhile, Huawei has been pushing development of more advanced chips for its smartphones and AI chips, which is taking up capacity at SMIC, according to Paul Triolo, a partner at consulting firm Albright Stonebridge.
"The key bottleneck will be domestic foundry leader SMIC, which will have a complex problem of dividing limited resources for its advanced node production between Huawei, which is taking up the lion's share currently, the GPU startups, and many other Chinese design firms which have been or may be cutoff from using global foundry leader TSMC to manufacture their advanced designs," Triolo told CNBC.
Nvidia has found success due to its advanced semiconductors, but also with its CUDA software platform that allows developers to create applications to run on the U.S. chipmaker's hardware. This has led to the development of a so-called ecosystem around Nvidia's products that others might find hard to replicate.
"This is the key, it is not just about the hardware, but about the overall ecosystem, tools for developers, and the ability to continue to evolve this ecosystem going forward as the technology advances," Triolo said.
Triolo identified Huawei as one of the leaders in China with its Ascend series of data center processors.
The firm's current generation of chip is called the Ascend 910B, and the company is gearing up to launch the Ascend 910C, which could be on par with Nvidia's H100 product, according to a Wall Street Journal report in August.
In its annual report earlier this year, Nvidia explicitly identified Huawei, among other companies, as a competitor in areas such as chips, software for AI and networking products.
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/19/china-looks-for-domestic-nvidia-rival-but-thats-proving-challenging.html
Autos take driver’s seat in China’s new economy
Reuters BreakingViews
China is implementing policies that require car manufacturers to reserve overseas factories for the final assembly of vehicles. This approach aims to slow down technology transfers that have previously helped China advance in the automotive industry. The move is influenced by a slowdown in GDP growth, prompting China to become more protective of its companies as they expand internationally.
Despite declining domestic demand, the automotive sector is thriving, with China becoming the world's largest vehicle exporter last year. The industry's contribution to GDP remains steady at around 10%, while the real estate sector has significantly decreased. Recruitment in the automotive sector also increased in 2023.
China is concerned about maintaining its competitive edge as companies like BYD and Nio expand globally. The country excels in electric vehicle production, supported by extensive supply chains and key suppliers. Previous collaborations with foreign companies have significantly improved the quality of Chinese car brands.
The government is encouraging domestic manufacturers to establish offshore assembly plants, ensuring that parts are still produced in China while retaining expertise and jobs. However, as foreign governments push for greater investment from Chinese carmakers in local markets, there is a risk that China's economic challenges could lead to tighter controls over how its companies approach international expansion.
https://www.breakingviews.com/considered-view/autos-take-drivers-seat-in-chinas-new-economy/
ByteDance denies reported plan to make self-designed chips and cut reliance on Nvidia
South China Morning Post
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has refuted claims that it plans to design and produce semiconductors to reduce its reliance on Nvidia by 2026. The company stated that its semiconductor initiatives are still in early stages, primarily focusing on optimizing costs for its business operations, and that all projects comply with trade regulations. This denial follows a report suggesting ByteDance would collaborate with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to produce 5-nanometre chips to mitigate the impact of US export controls on Nvidia's advanced graphics processing units. Although ByteDance has invested significantly in Nvidia’s alternative products and has been exploring AI chip opportunities since 2021, it has clarified that its current semiconductor efforts are not aimed at mass production. The company has also been actively hiring AI experts and has seen success with its AI applications, indicating a strong push towards enhancing its AI capabilities.
https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-war/article/3279136/bytedance-denies-reported-plan-make-self-designed-chips-and-cut-reliance-nvidia?utm_source=rss_feed
Shark Tank’s Mark Cuban wants to take out Chinese knockoffs, says Kamala Harris agrees
South China Morning Post
Billionaire investor Mark Cuban is collaborating with Vice-President Kamala Harris' campaign to address the issue of Chinese knockoffs affecting American companies. In a recent social media post, Cuban highlighted the detrimental impact of counterfeit products on small businesses, which he claims costs them over $200 billion annually and results in significant job losses. He suggested that marketplace platforms should be required to vet foreign manufacturers to better protect American consumers. Cuban, who has previously shown support for Harris' economic policies, emphasized her commitment to supporting American businesses and fostering entrepreneurship. He encouraged feedback on potential strategies to combat counterfeiting.
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3279140/shark-tanks-mark-cuban-wants-take-out-chinese-knockoffs-says-kamala-harris-agrees?utm_source=rss_feed
China's Alibaba launches over 100 new open-source AI models, releases text-to-video generation tool
CNBC
Alibaba on Thursday released more than 100 open-source artificial intelligence models and boosted the capabilities of its proprietary technology as it looks to ramp up competition with rivals.
The newly-released models, known as Qwen 2.5, are designed for use in applications and sectors ranging from automobiles to gaming and science research, Alibaba said. They have more advanced capabilities in math and coding, it added.
The Hangzhou-headquartered firm is looking to increase competition with domestic rivals such as Baidu and Huawei, as well as U.S. titans like Microsoft and OpenAI.
AI models are trained on huge amounts of data. Alibaba says its models have the abiltiy to understand prompts and generate texts and images.
Open-source means that anyone — including researchers, academics and companies — around the world can use the models to create their own generative AI apps without needing to train their own systems, saving time and expense. By open sourcing the models, Alibaba hopes more users will use its AI.
The Chinese e-commerce giant first launched its Tongyi Qianwen, or Qwen, model last year. Since then, it has released improved versions and says that, to date, its open source models have been downloaded 40 million times.
The company also said that it upgraded its proprietary flagship model called Qwen-Max, which is not open-source. Instead, Alibaba sells its capabilites through its cloud computing products to businesses. Alibaba said that Qwen Max 2.5-Max surpassed rivals such as Meta 's Llama and OpenAI's GPT4 in several areas inclduing reasoning and language comprehension.
Alibaba also launched a new text-to-video tool based on its AI models. This allows users to input a prompt and the AI will create a video based on it. This is similar to OpenAI's Sora.
"Alibaba Cloud is investing, with unprecedented intensity, in the research and development of AI technology and the building of its global infrastructure," Eddie Wu, CEO of Alibaba, said in a statement.
Wu, who took over the role of CEO at Alibaba last year amid a historic reshuffle, has been trying to reinvigorate growth at the tech giant, as it faces headwinds including rising competition and a sluggish Chinese consumer.
Alibaba is one of the biggest cloud computing players in China, but internationally, it trails the likes of Amazon and Microsoft. The company is hoping that its latest AI offerings may tempt customers inside and outside of China to sign up to its cloud services, boosting a division which has been sluggish but showed early sign of an acceleration in the June quarter.
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/19/alibaba-launches-over-100-new-ai-models-releases-text-to-video-generation.html
First person convicted under Hong Kong’s new security law is sentenced to 14 months in prison
Associated Press
Chu Kai-pong, 27, became the first person convicted under Hong Kong's national security law, receiving a 14-month prison sentence for wearing a T-shirt with a protest slogan on June 12. The slogan, "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times," is associated with the 2019 protests against the government. Authorities claim it implies separating Hong Kong from China, prompting his conviction for seditious acts. Chu had previously served three months in jail for a similar offense. Critics argue the law stifles freedom of expression, while the government maintains it is essential for stability.
https://apnews.com/article/hong-kong-security-law-first-sentence-9982e169f570251d5e30d82724d6fd5a
Ray Dalio calls upcoming U.S. election the most consequential of his lifetime
CNBC
Ray Dalio said the 2024 U.S. elections will likely be the most important of his lifetime and he thinks the country needs a "strong leader of the middle."
Speaking to CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on Thursday, the founder of Bridgewater Associates explained that the U.S. should aim to reach "broad-based prosperity" and the presidential election highlights challenges to society's ability to function smoothly.
"As far as the election goes, it's going to be the most consequential election of my lifetime because we now have irreconcilable differences between the two sides," he said. "The first question we'll ask is: will we have an orderly transition of power? We have the question- the fact that it is possible — that election results may not be accepted — that's quite something."
On Wednesday, Dalio had named the elections as a major force shaping the global economy, calling it an "issue of internal order and disorder."
He told CNBC on Thursday that there's a larger problem with a "win-at-all-cost mentality," as it presents "challenges to being able to compromise and make decisions in a way that is conducive to our democracy working effectively."
Republicans and Democrats are sharply divided on a number of issues, such as abortion access, immigration and climate change. Top concerns for voters across the spectrum, however, include inflation and the high cost of living, according to nationwide polls.
When asked about who he supported in the presidential race, Dalio said "neither is what the country needs."
"What the country needs is the moderates coming together to be able to work together and make great reform," he said. "What the country needs is broad-based prosperity."
While Dalio expressed optimism about certain parts of American society, like the universities and culture for innovation, he said that those exceptional elements benefit only a small percentage of the population.
He explained that broad-based prosperity creates a society where there is both order and opportunity, pointing to Singapore as an example. The Southeast Asian nation is frequently lauded for its high level of education and availability of public housing.
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/19/ray-dalio-calls-upcoming-us-election-the-most-consequential-of-his-lifetime.html
India and China use illegal funds and disinformation to sway politicians, CSIS report says
The Globe and Mail
A CSIS report presented during a public inquiry into foreign interference reveals that both China and India are actively attempting to influence Canadian politics through illicit funding and disinformation campaigns. The report highlights India's efforts to undermine support for the Khalistan movement, which advocates for an independent Sikh state in Punjab, by supporting pro-Indian candidates and potentially providing them with clandestine financial backing. It also mentions that Indian agents may intimidate individuals supporting Khalistani separatism, viewing them as threats to India’s stability. The inquiry has also addressed China's extensive foreign interference, particularly its attempts to sway elections and intimidate diaspora communities. The report underscores that countries like Russia, Iran, and Pakistan engage in various foreign interference tactics in Canada. Testimonies from MPs reveal that many have been targeted by these foreign influence operations, and there are calls for greater accountability and transparency regarding politicians' involvement with foreign governments. The inquiry emphasizes the urgent need for Canada to strengthen its defenses against foreign interference, with recommendations for improved communication about threats to parliamentarians.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-india-and-china-use-illegal-funds-and-disinformation-to-sway/
A student stabbed near Japanese school in China has died, Japanese officials say
Associated Press
A 10-year-old student at a Japanese school in Shenzhen, southern China, has died following a stabbing incident. Japanese officials are urging Beijing to provide details of the attack and implement preventive measures. The suspect has been arrested, but the motive remains unclear. Japan's Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa expressed her condolences and emphasized the need for enhanced safety, particularly around the anniversary of Japan's invasion of China. Japanese authorities are reviewing safety protocols for schools in China and have advised citizens to remain vigilant due to recent knife attacks, including a previous incident in Suzhou that resulted in one death and injuries.
https://apnews.com/article/japan-china-school-stabbing-died-2745667627c0241edef217585755f252
‘It breaks us deeply’: anguish as China closes door to foreign adoptions
Guardian
Lauren and Harrison Smith, a couple from the U.S., have been in the process of adopting a Chinese boy named Benaiah since 2019. They faced significant delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and were still waiting for permission to travel to China to complete the adoption when, on September 4, 2024, Chinese authorities announced the end of international adoptions after 35 years. This decision has left many American families, who were midway through the adoption process, devastated, as it effectively halted their hopes of bringing their children home and left many children in orphanages without prospects for adoption.
The announcement has stirred emotions among Chinese adoptees and advocates. While some adoptees express relief that fewer children may face the trauma of being adopted away from their culture, many also feel sadness knowing that children with disabilities and special needs, who often make up a large portion of international adoptions, are at risk of being left in orphanages. Observers highlight that the domestic adoption system in China is still not fully equipped to handle the needs of these vulnerable children, putting their futures in jeopardy.
As the Smiths and other families like them grapple with the implications of this ban, they worry about the impact on the children they had hoped to adopt. The Smiths have not been able to communicate with Benaiah for over a year, and they fear he may not understand why his prospective parents have been unable to come for him. The situation remains uncertain for many families and children caught in limbo, as it is unclear how the Chinese government plans to address the needs of those already matched for adoption.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/19/china-ends-adoptions-international-foreign-intercountry
Japan protests over ‘unacceptable’ route taken by China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier
South China Morning Post
Tokyo has expressed its concerns to Beijing after a Chinese aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, along with two guided-missile destroyers, took a new route into the Pacific Ocean that brought them close to Japanese islands and Taiwan. The ships sailed from the East China Sea through Japan's contiguous zones, specifically between Yonaguni and Iriomote Islands, which are Japan's southernmost islands. This route is significant as Yonaguni is near Taiwan’s coast and close to the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu islands. Japan's government criticized the incident as a security concern, especially following a prior occurrence where a Chinese intelligence-gathering aircraft entered Japanese airspace. The Chinese foreign ministry defended the naval passage as compliant with national and international laws, stating it was a routine operation. Historically, Chinese naval vessels have used the Miyako Strait for such journeys, which is considered less controversial. The situation reflects ongoing tensions regarding Taiwan and territorial disputes in the region.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3279033/japan-protests-over-unacceptable-route-taken-chinas-liaoning-aircraft-carrier?utm_source=rss_feed
The challenges posed by China exceed those of the Cold War, U.S. says
Japan Times
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell stated that the challenges posed by China are greater than those experienced during the Cold War, particularly highlighting Beijing's support for Russia's defense industry. While the Biden administration is not aiming for a cold war with China, there is a growing sentiment among analysts and U.S. Congress members that the escalating competition resembles a new form of cold war. Campbell emphasized the need for a bipartisan approach to address the challenges from China and called for increased naval shipbuilding and enhancement of the U.S. defense manufacturing capacity.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/09/19/world/politics/us-china-cold-war/
FBI disrupts second Chinese hacking group, director says
Japan Times
U.S. law enforcement has disrupted a significant Chinese hacking group known as 'Flax Typhoon,' which is managed by the Integrity Technology Group, a company posing as an IT firm while conducting intelligence operations for Chinese government agencies. FBI Director Christopher Wray announced this development at a cybersecurity conference, revealing that thousands of compromised devices have been reclaimed from the group. In a joint advisory, cyber officials from the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand also implicated Integrity Technology Group, stating it had compromised over 250,000 devices globally as of June.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/09/19/world/us-fbi-chinese-hacking-group/
Huawei’s Mate XT tri-fold smartphone sparks frenzy, prompting scalpers to raise prices
South China Morning Post
The strong demand for Huawei's Mate XT tri-fold smartphone, which has a price tag of 19,999 yuan (US$2,800), has led to a significant increase in resale prices by scalpers in Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei market, with listings ranging from 60,000 to 70,000 yuan. This surge in interest is partly due to the device being touted as the world's first commercial tri-fold smartphone, resulting in over 6.3 million reservations on Huawei's Vmall platform. However, these reservations do not guarantee immediate availability due to limited supply. The high grey-market prices reflect Huawei's strategic positioning against Apple, coinciding with the launch of the iPhone 16 series, which has seen price cuts on online platforms in anticipation of consumer interest. The competition between Huawei and Apple is intensifying, especially as Huawei's smartphone business is recovering amid challenges for Apple in the Chinese market.
https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3279026/huaweis-mate-xt-tri-fold-smartphone-sparks-frenzy-prompting-scalpers-raise-prices?utm_source=rss_feed
Hong Kong cuts base rate by half point in lockstep with US Fed’s aggressive bid on economy
South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's Monetary Authority cut its base interest rate by 50 basis points to 5.25%, marking the first reduction in four years, in line with the US Federal Reserve's unexpected cut. The Fed lowered its target rate by a half-point to address economic growth concerns amid softening labor market conditions. This move aims to support struggling businesses and homeowners in Hong Kong, where high rates have driven consumers to mainland China. As interest rates decline, it may boost confidence in the property market and improve the overall economic environment.
https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3278874/hong-kong-cuts-base-rate-half-point-lockstep-us-feds-aggressive-bid-economy?utm_source=rss_feed
US falling rapidly behind China in preparing for next war, two congressional panels hear
South China Morning Post
The US is lagging behind China in military readiness due to outdated Pentagon processes and a reactive public mindset, according to congressional hearings. Lawmakers from both parties support President Biden's initiatives, like the Aukus partnership with Britain and Australia, but criticize the slow technology transfer processes that hinder these collaborations. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul highlighted the bureaucratic delays in transferring advanced technologies, which risks undermining US alliances and emboldening China. The hearings reflected broader concerns over the US military's ability to confront simultaneous threats from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Experts called for a significant overhaul of the military procurement system, which is seen as archaic and inefficient. They urged for a more integrated approach to defense and a focus on advanced technology capabilities, emphasizing that the current national defense strategy is outdated. The committee also noted the need for increased defense spending, despite some lawmakers questioning if more funds would resolve systemic inefficiencies. The overall sentiment suggests an urgent need for the US to adapt its military strategies and processes to remain competitive globally.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3279059/us-falling-rapidly-behind-china-preparing-next-war-two-congressional-panels-hear?utm_source=rss_feed
Families of Americans detained in China share their pain and urge US to get them home
Associated Press
Families of four Americans detained in China for over eight years urged the U.S. government to take action during a Congressional hearing. They highlighted the physical and mental suffering of their loved ones, emphasizing their deteriorating conditions. Lawmakers criticized China's legal practices and accused it of hostage diplomacy, while the Chinese Embassy maintained that its judicial system is fair. The U.S. State Department advises caution for Americans traveling to China due to risks of wrongful detentions. Advocates call for increased pressure on the Biden administration to secure the release of these detainees.
https://apnews.com/article/china-detained-americans-congress-294b10f51d76c89af8c49f76b967ae00
China’s ageing population: an economic and social conundrum
Guardian
China is raising retirement ages as its current rates are among the lowest globally, despite increased life expectancy. Men will retire at 63 and women between 55 and 58, phased in over 15 years. The country faces demographic challenges with fewer young workers supporting an aging population, exacerbated by the one-child policy. The government encourages higher birth rates, but young couples remain reluctant. High youth unemployment and economic uncertainty leave many skeptical about pension contributions. The changes are politically sensitive, addressing both demographic and economic challenges that could impact social stability.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/sep/18/the-guardian-view-on-chinas-ageing-population-an-economic-and-social-conundrum
US Navy chief unveils plan to be ready for possible war with China by 2027
South China Morning Post
The US Navy is enhancing its combat readiness in preparation for potential conflict with China, particularly regarding Taiwan. Drawing lessons from recent engagements in the Red Sea and Ukraine's strategies in the Black Sea, the Navy aims to improve training, recruiting, and maintenance to achieve a combat-ready force. Admiral Lisa Franchetti outlined seven priority goals, emphasizing the integration of unmanned systems and innovative tactics. Despite financial constraints compared to China, the Navy focuses on collaboration with other military branches and timely ship maintenance to ensure operational readiness.
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3279048/us-navy-chief-unveils-plan-be-ready-possible-war-china-2027?utm_source=rss_feed
Beijing sanctions nine Pentagon contractors after US arms deal for Taiwan
South China Morning Post
China's foreign ministry imposed sanctions on nine US defense contractors in response to the US approving arms sales to Taiwan, claiming it violated the one-China principle and threatened China's sovereignty. The sanctioned companies include Sierra Nevada Corporation and Cubic Corporation, which will have their assets frozen in China, and individuals in China are barred from transactions with them. The US recently approved a $228 million military package for Taiwan, which Beijing opposes. This follows previous sanctions on other US firms related to arms sales to Taiwan, and escalates tensions between the US and China over the Taiwan issue.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3279041/china-sanctions-nine-pentagon-contractors-after-us-arms-deal-taiwan?utm_source=rss_feed
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