Be alert: China enlists the public in push back at US spying efforts; Why China’s ban on Japanese seafood because of Fukushima water could backfire
China’s former Winter Olympics delegation chief under investigation for corruption; BRICS: The West reacts to plans for enlargement; How Saudi Arabia's mediation efforts heap pressure on Russia
Welcome to this issue of The China Brief. Today is August 26, 2023. 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.
Be alert: China enlists the public in push back at US spying efforts
South China Morning Post
China's Ministry of State Security has taken the unusual step of accusing the CIA of attempting to recruit Chinese informants, in a push to enlist public support for counter-intelligence efforts. The move coincides with the broadening of the Counter-Espionage Law, which extends the definition of espionage to include any document, data, or information "related to national security and interests". Observers have expressed concerns that the law and public campaign will add to the uncertainty faced by foreign businesses operating in the country and blur the lines of national security. Reports suggest that the US has been successful in rebuilding its spy network in China in recent years. Meanwhile, local police forces have been using social media platforms to recruit support, including offering rewards for information on spies.
Why China’s ban on Japanese seafood because of Fukushima water could backfire
South China Morning Post
China's decision to ban Japanese aquatic products in response to the discharge of Fukushima nuclear waste water could backfire, according to analysts. The move could have a negative impact on China's own seafood sector and further worsen the countries' bilateral trade relationship. However, China's ban on seafood imports is not expected to be deeply impactful against Japan. China sources most aquatic products from Ecuador, followed by Russia, Vietnam, and India.
BRICS: The West reacts to plans for enlargement
Deutsche Welle
The US does not see the BRICS bloc as a geopolitical rival because their interests are too different, said US national security advisor Jake Sullivan. The White House has downplayed the bloc's intentions to bring in Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Argentina as political strategy. The US is instead focusing on the upcoming G20 summit in New Delhi, where the five BRICS countries will be represented along with potential new members, Argentina and Saudi Arabia, but not the UAE, Egypt or Ethiopia. Iran will also not be present.
How Saudi Arabia's mediation efforts heap pressure on Russia
Nikkei Asia
Peace talks held in Saudi Arabia between senior officials from around 40 countries and regions have offered hope for achieving a ceasefire in Ukraine. Although no concrete blueprint for peace has been hashed out, the talks were unexpectedly productive. The number of participants was a great achievement, with the previous talks in Denmark attracting only a dozen or so countries and regions. China's presence at the talks also made a significant difference. China declined an invitation to the previous talks due to concerns about damaging ties with Russia, but Saudi Arabia strongly urged China to attend the conference through behind-the-scenes lobbying. The talks have been a meaningful step toward putting more pressure on Russia. It may be possible to urge Russia to the peace table by using the principles reaffirmed at the meeting, like respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, to work out a broader international consensus. The talks have also set a new model for tackling global challenges, showing that emerging powers such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and India can play key roles in mediating conflicts.
US condemns Hong Kong’s ‘harassment’ of pro-democracy activists’ family members
CNN
The US State Department has strongly condemned the harassment of family members of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong by authorities. The department expressed particular concern over recent cases involving activists Nathan Law, Joshua Wong, and Elmer Yuen, whose family members and acquaintances have been detained and questioned by Hong Kong police. The US called on Hong Kong authorities to cease all harassment of democracy activists' family members, stating that such actions are a further erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong and a form of transnational repression. The Hong Kong government has denied that the national security law imposed by Beijing suppresses freedoms and insists that it restored stability to the city after pro-democracy protests.
China’s former Winter Olympics delegation chief under investigation for corruption
South China Morning Post
The former chief of China's Winter Olympic delegation, Ni Huizhong, is being investigated for suspected corruption. Ni, who most recently headed the country's winter sports management office, is "suspected of serious violations of discipline and law," according to the General Administration of Sport. This investigation is part of a broader crackdown on corruption in the sports sector by the Chinese government. Several other sports officials, including former national football coach Li Tie, have also come under scrutiny in recent months. Chinese President Xi Jinping has been leading an anti-corruption campaign since coming to power. Critics argue that the campaign is used to purge political rivals.
Somali content creators express discontent over TikTok, Telegram ban
Al Jazeera
The Somali government has ordered a ban on access to numerous social media sites including TikTok, Telegram and 1xBet, citing security and moral concerns. The decision has been met with anger by many young content creators in the country, with one TikTok user saying that the government should address the concerns by taking action against individual users rather than enacting collective punishment. The ban is part of a wider attempt by the Somali government to regulate the internet, and follows similar attempts in Kenya and other countries. The government has accused the sites of being used by terrorist groups and disseminating “horrific content and misinformation”. TikTok has said that it has launched a safety campaign in collaboration with Somalia’s National Communications Authority and is “hopeful about reaching a compromise soon”. The Somali government has been urged to work with social media companies to regulate content rather than banning access outright.
A trade deal with India would destroy forever the case for rejoining the EU
Telegraph
UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak's legacy could be a trade deal with India that cements Britain's pivot towards the East and prevents the country from re-joining the EU, according to an op-ed in The Telegraph. The writer argues that a trade deal with India is the biggest short-term prize of Brexit, as the EU is shrinking and stifles growth and innovation. A deal with India would allow the UK to embed itself into Asia's commercial infrastructure and steer India towards the Western trading system, preventing the UK from re-joining the EU.
Ukraine latest: Putin orders Wagner fighters to sign oath
Nikkei Asia
Ukraine's GUR military intelligence agency claims that a Ukrainian drone attack hit a Russian military base in annexed Crimea. The attack allegedly struck Russia's 126th Coastal Defence Brigade based in Perevalnoye, a town more than 200 kilometers from Ukraine-controlled territory. Russia reported one of the largest coordinated Ukrainian air raids yet over Russian-controlled territory, but said that air defense systems had downed all 42 drones attacking Crimea before they could hit their targets. Meanwhile, the flight recorders from the plane believed to have been carrying Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the Wagner mercenary group, have been recovered and work is underway to identify the 10 victims of the crash. The US has seen no information to suggest that the plane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile.
In Japan, residents of Fukushima cautious after start of water release
South China Morning Post
The release of treated and diluted radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean has led to a fall in fish auction prices at a port south of Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Prices of flounder, Fukushima’s signature fish known as Joban-mono, were 10% lower at the first auction since the wastewater release began. China has banned imports of seafood from Japan in response to the release. The Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (Tepco), the plant’s operator, have said the release is necessary to prevent accidental leaks of insufficiently treated water. Much of the water still contains radioactive materials in excess of releasable levels. Some water is recycled for use as coolant, while the rest is stored in 1,000 tanks that are filled to 98% of capacity. Factors including accidental and intentional releases of contaminated water from the plant in the early stages of the disaster mean that trust in the government and Tepco is low in Fukushima, particularly in the fishing community. Fishing groups fear the release will further damage the reputation of Fukushima seafood.
The US is revelling in China’s troubles at its own peril
South China Morning Post
The Western world's delight in emphasising China's economic problems is unwise and could lead to confrontation, according to Anthony Rowley, a veteran journalist specialising in Asian economic and financial affairs. While some Western politicians, analysts, and media outlets are seizing on evidence of trouble in China with a smug "we told you so" satisfaction, others have adopted a more balanced view. Rowley argues that the pessimism surrounding China is overdone and that the world should avoid engaging in economic criticism and conflict, as it could lead to physical confrontation.
Stay informed about the latest news, analysis, and policy briefs from across the globe related to China with the China brief. Our team aggregates, synthesizes, and summarizes the most important information from various sources, including media outlets, think tanks, government agencies, and industry experts.
Our mission is to provide you with easily accessible and critically valuable information tailored to your specific field of interest. We understand the significance of staying up-to-date on developments related to China and aim to make this information comprehensible for our readers.
Join the conversation and stay informed about the latest news and developments related to China by visiting our website at www.6dobrief.com