The United States Pentagon ran secret anti-vax campaign to undermine China during pandemic, Reuters investigation finds
Huawei’s Harmony OS unseats Apple’s iOS to become China’s No 2 mobile operating platform; China wants to fine-tune personal data protection, but doors to government access remain open
Welcome to this issue of The China Brief. Today is June 15, 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.
Huawei’s HarmonyOS unseats Apple’s iOS to become China’s No 2 mobile operating platform
South China Morning Post
Huawei’s mobile platform, HarmonyOS, has become the second-largest mobile operating system in mainland China, surpassing Apple’s iOS for the first time, according to Counterpoint Research. In the first quarter, HarmonyOS accounted for a 17% share, while iOS fell slightly behind with a 16% share. Google’s Android continues to dominate the market with a 68% share. Huawei’s HarmonyOS is expected to continue growing as the company focuses on localising its supply chain. Globally, Android and iOS remain the top two operating systems with shares of 77% and 19% respectively.
https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3266747/huaweis-harmonyos-unseats-apples-ios-become-chinas-no-2-mobile-operating-platform?utm_source=rss_feed
Doping regulator knew of previous positive tests by Chinese swimmers
Japan Times
A secret report reviewed by The New York Times reveals that three of the 23 elite Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned substance before the last Summer Olympic Games had previously tested positive for a different performance-enhancing drug. China and the global anti-doping authority, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), defended their decisions to allow the swimmers to compete in the Games, claiming that they had unknowingly ingested the banned substances. However, these claims have been met with skepticism by some anti-doping experts. The incidents have further fueled suspicions among rival athletes about Chinese doping and the perceived inability of WADA to address the issue.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/olympics/2024/06/15/chinese-swimmers-previous-positive-tests/
‘Lying flat’, ‘difficult to work with’: Gen Zers on some wrong ideas about young people
South China Morning Post
The Covid-19 pandemic has led to an increase in postgraduate applications in the UK, as students seek to gain further qualifications and delay entering the job market. The term "panic masters" has emerged to describe those who decide at the last minute to study for a master's degree in an attempt to delay adulthood. However, not all students are choosing this route, with many still having ambitious academic and career goals. Generation Z employees value flexibility and work-life balance more than previous generations, and there is a growing trend in China of young people rejecting societal pressures to overwork and overachieve in favor of a more low-key lifestyle.
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3266439/lying-flat-difficult-work-gen-zers-some-wrong-ideas-about-young-people?utm_source=rss_feed
Chinese customers sold on 'elixir of youth' despite expert warnings
Nikkei Asia
Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) has become a popular health and anti-aging supplement in China, despite lacking breakthroughs in human clinical trials. NMN, a molecule naturally produced by the human body, is a precursor to a coenzyme that contributes to cellular metabolism. Its levels decrease with age. NMN gained fame in the US in the early 2010s after research indicated it extended the lifespan of mice. Chinese consumers have jumped on the trend in recent years, with NMN topping sales on cross-border e-commerce platforms. However, NMN products have not been approved for sale as food or drugs in China and have not undergone human clinical trials. Industry experts are cautioning consumers about the varying quality of products and are calling for a standardized regulatory environment. There is a lack of scientific data on human clinical trials of NMN and the risks associated with long-term or excessive use.
NMN, a naturally occurring molecule in all life forms, is a driving force in the body's production of NAD+, a coenzyme that plays a crucial role in supporting cellular metabolism. Research has shown that human NAD+ levels decrease with age. In 2013, research indicated that increasing cellular NAD+ levels with NMN in mice extended their lifespan by 30% after one week. Subsequent research has suggested that supplementing NMN may be an effective anti-aging intervention. The appeal of NMN spans generations, with both middle-aged and elderly consumers seeking its benefits. However, some medical experts suggest that younger people already have high levels of NAD+ in their bodies, making supplementation unnecessary.
NMN products are available for purchase on cross-border e-commerce platforms in China, but they have not been approved for sale as food or drugs in the country. The lack of formal approval processes has made it difficult to ensure product quality and maintain standardized marketing practices. There is a call for the industry to undergo standardization to reduce market chaos and promote healthy market development. The challenge for researchers in the field of anti-aging is translating findings from animal models into human applications due to biological, economic, and ethical challenges. Some researchers are also using artificial intelligence to accelerate drug development and identify more effective candidates.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Caixin/Chinese-customers-sold-on-elixir-of-youth-despite-expert-warnings
The United States Pentagon ran secret anti-vax campaign to undermine China during pandemic, report says
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The US military launched a secret campaign to counter China's influence in the Philippines by spreading anti-vaccine propaganda, according to a Reuters investigation. The operation, which was launched at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, aimed to sow doubt about the safety and efficacy of Chinese vaccines and other aid being supplied to the Philippines. Through fake social media accounts, the military's propaganda efforts developed into an anti-vax campaign, with posts criticizing the quality of face masks, test kits, and China's Sinovac vaccine. The campaign also sought to amplify the contention that vaccines containing pork gelatine were forbidden under Islamic law, which risked undermining public trust in government health initiatives.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-15/pentagon-ran-secret-anti-vax-campaign-to-undermine-china-during-/103982430
G7 leaders accuse China of ‘enabling’ Russia war on Ukraine in stark warning
CNN
China’s support for Russia is enabling its war in Ukraine, leaders of the G7 stated in a warning against Beijing, threatening further sanctions against actors that support Moscow’s military-industrial complex. The US is stepping up diplomatic efforts to convince Europe to adopt a tougher stance on China over its role in aiding Russia. "China’s ongoing support for Russia’s defence industrial base is enabling Russia to maintain its illegal war in Ukraine and has significant and broad-based security implications," the G7 leaders stated in the communique. The leaders also threatened further actions, including sanctions, to punish Chinese entities that they say are helping Russia circumvent Western embargoes.
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/06/14/china/g7-accuses-china-enabling-russia-war-ukraine-intl-hnk/index.html
China wants to fine-tune personal data protection, but doors to government access remain open
South China Morning Post
China has released draft guidelines for revising its rules on identifying sensitive personal information. The guidelines aim to provide a reference point for organisations on the processing, cross-border transfer, and protection of sensitive personal information. The move comes as China seeks to develop its digital economy while addressing rising national security concerns. The benefits of the guidelines include clarifying the rules and improving personal data protection for individuals, which could enhance trust in online financial and health services. However, there are still loopholes in the guidelines. For example, China does not consider political opinions as sensitive data. The guidelines are largely aimed at regulating tech giants like Tencent and Microsoft and do not place clear checks on the government's power to regulate data. The guidelines are not binding laws, so their impact ultimately depends on how well companies and authorities can enforce them. Experts call for more resources, talent, monitoring, and regulation to ensure effective implementation.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3266667/china-wants-fine-tune-personal-data-protection-doors-government-access-remain-open?utm_source=rss_feed
China Coast Guard's new 60-day detention rules take effect
Japan Times
China has implemented new regulations that allow its Coast Guard to detain foreign nationals suspected of trespassing in waters it claims for up to 60 days. The regulations, which expand on China's 2021 coast guard law, provide procedural guidelines for cracking down on what China defines as illegal activities within "waters under China's jurisdiction." These regulations have raised concerns about escalating tensions in the disputed South and East China Seas. Foreign nationals suspected of violating Chinese immigration regulations or jeopardizing national security interests can be detained for 30 days, or up to 60 days in complicated cases.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/06/15/asia-pacific/china-coast-guard-law-arrest/
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