Hangzhou readies for Xi at Asian Games opening ceremony; U.S. finalizes rules to keep chip funds out of China
A court in China sentences a famed Uyghur scholar to life in prison, foundation says；Malaysian PM says China gave reassurance after new sea map sparked anger
Welcome to this issue of The China Brief. Today is September 23, 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.
A court in China sentences a famed Uyghur scholar to life in prison, foundation says
The Toronto Star
Rahile Dawut, a prominent Uyghur scholar specializing in the study of her people’s folklore and traditions, has been sentenced to life in prison. Dawut was convicted on charges of endangering state security in December 2018 and her conviction was upheld after she appealed. Dawut was a professor at Xinjiang University and founder of the school's Ethnic Minorities Folklore Research Center. She is one of over 400 prominent academics, writers, performers and artists detained in Xinjiang as part of the Chinese government's crackdown on Uyghurs. Critics say the government has targeted intellectuals as a way to dilute Uyghur culture and identity.
China, resource-rich East Timor upgrade bilateral ties
Nikkei Asia
China and East Timor have upgraded their bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The move is seen as giving China more influence in the region, as well as satisfying East Timor's desire for stronger ties with major economies. The two countries have agreed to cooperate under China's Belt and Road Initiative, potentially opening the way for investment in infrastructure. They also plan to strengthen energy policy exchange and explore possibilities for joint exploration for oil and gas.
Malaysian PM says China gave reassurance after new sea map sparked anger
South China Morning Post
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has stated that China has assured him it will continue negotiations with Southeast Asian countries over territorial disputes in the South China Sea and will avoid actions that risk escalation. Anwar's comments followed the release of a map by Beijing last month that appeared to expand its claims in the disputed waters. Several Southeast Asian countries, including Malaysia, have rejected the map. Anwar also addressed concerns over his commitment to democratic reforms, stating that he would not interfere in decisions made by the country's attorney general. However, he reiterated that Malaysia would not accept LGBTQ rights.
US-China decoupling would harm AI governance: Henry Kissinger
South China Morning Post
Henry Kissinger, former US Secretary of State, has warned against a decoupling between the US and China, stating that it would harm both countries' ability to manage the emerging field of artificial intelligence (AI). Kissinger emphasized the importance of learning from each other and called for cooperation in regulating the use of AI, without one side attempting to achieve domination. He also highlighted the ethical issues posed by unregulated AI products, such as the creation of disinformation and the replacement of human labor. Kissinger urged dialogue and a mindset that avoids unilateral advantage in AI regulation.
‘Getting out of hand’: Taiwan raises concerns about situation with China drills
The Sydney Morning Herald
Taiwan's defense minister has expressed concern that the increasing frequency of Chinese military activities near the island could lead to an accidental clash. Over the past two weeks, Taiwan has observed dozens of Chinese fighters, drones, bombers, warships, and aircraft carriers operating in the vicinity. China has been conducting such drills to assert its sovereignty claims over Taiwan and put pressure on Taipei. The defense minister warned that the risk of accidental incidents sparking a broader conflict would increase as the activities of both sides intensify.
Hangzhou readies for Xi at Asian Games opening ceremony
Reuters
Security measures have been heightened in Hangzhou as the city prepares to host the opening ceremony of the Asian Games. Roads have been blocked off, a metro station has been closed, and certain areas have been sealed off. The opening ceremony is expected to be "mesmerizing" and will be attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Games, which were delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be China's biggest sporting event in over a decade, with over 12,000 athletes from 45 nations participating in 40 sports. The organisers hope that a high-tech opening ceremony will generate excitement for the Games, which have received muted interest at home due to economic concerns and questions about the cost of hosting the event.
U.S. finalizes rules to keep chip funds out of China
Japan Times
The US Department of Commerce has proposed new rules to prevent chip makers from using new US subsidies to benefit China. The rules aim to protect the US semiconductor industry from unfair competition and ensure that China does not gain access to advanced US technology. The rules take into account the industry's perspective and aim to strike a balance between protecting US interests and promoting fair competition.
EU trade chief Dombrovskis says bloc doesn’t intend to decouple from China
South China Morning Post
The European Union (EU) has no intention of decoupling from China, according to European Commission Executive Vice-President and trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis. Speaking ahead of a high-level dialogue with Chinese leaders, Dombrovskis reassured China that the EU aims to strengthen ties and manage trade issues. However, he also stressed that the EU should minimise dependencies on a select number of strategic products and protect itself when its openness is abused. Two-way trade between the EU and China dropped 7.8% in US dollar terms in the first eight months of this year.
Police officer put on leave over racist slur against Chinese-American neighbour
South China Morning Post
A Seattle police officer has been placed on administrative leave after making racist and sexist comments to his Chinese-American neighbour. The officer used derogatory terms for women and Asian people, repeatedly calling the woman “dumb” and “stupid”. The incident was recorded by the neighbour, who submitted a complaint with the city’s Office of Police Accountability (OPA). The case is under investigation and the police chief has ordered a review of the officer’s arrest and investigation history. Earlier this week, another Seattle police officer was recommended for unpaid leave for making callous remarks about the death of an Indian woman.
Taiwan is developing another, bigger and more lethal suicide drone
South China Morning Post
Taiwan is developing a suicide drone, named the "Loitering Missile II", capable of manual and autonomous attacks. It is an upgraded version of the Loitering Unmanned Aircraft Type 1, which was inspired by the US Switchblade 300 drone that was used effectively in the war in Ukraine. The Type 2 drone is equipped with built-in warheads, can change or abort its attack missions mid-flight, and can be launched from various platforms. According to the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, the drone will be 10 times more lethal than its predecessor. The Type 2 is designed for attacking large-scale targets or major facilities. The development of suicide drones is becoming an international trend, such as in Ukraine's war against Russia, and could be a useful addition to Taiwan's military strategy against China. The drone can stage suicide attacks on Chinese targets and cause serious damage, even if it cannot destroy an entire PLA warship. Taiwan is developing anti-drone systems and working with civilian companies to build a strong drone force.
US tells India it’s ‘important’ to work with Canada on Sikh murder probe
South China Morning Post
The United States has called on India to cooperate with Canada in the investigation into the possible involvement of Indian agents in the murder of a Canadian citizen, Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that it was important for India to work with Canada and ensure accountability. The US is the latest country to express concern over the allegations, with political analysts suggesting that major players such as the US view India as a counterweight to China's growing influence. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also called on the Indian government to cooperate.
China Evergrande halts creditor meetings in risk to US$20 billion debt workout
South China Morning Post
China Evergrande Group has cancelled creditor meetings scheduled for next week as home sales slump and lawsuits mount. The company is seeking to reorganise $20bn of defaulted debt and claims in the largest ongoing workout by a Chinese company. The developer offered new bonds, convertible debt and stakes in its property management and car-making units to appease creditors. Evergrande said the "imposition of criminal coercive measures" against its personnel will not affect its operations.
Taiwan defense chief says China drills risk 'getting out of hand'
Japan Times
Recent military activities by China in the vicinity of Taiwan have raised concerns about the possibility of an accidental clash between the two countries. The increased frequency of China's military actions in the region has heightened tensions and raised the risk of a potential conflict.
Asian Games highlights Chinese startups behind the scenes
Nikkei Asia
The 19th Asian Games, held in Hangzhou, China, is showcasing the latest technology from local entrepreneurs. Chinese startups, including AR smart eyewear maker Rokid, are featured at the event, which takes place every four years. Rokid's AR glasses are being used by security and maintenance personnel at the games, allowing real-time communication with operators and access to internet of things data. Another startup, Deep Robotics, has deployed robot dogs in underground electric supply facilities at the games. The event is expected to involve 12,000 athletes from 45 countries and territories competing in 40 sports over 61 disciplines.
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