Huawei's HarmonyOS Next is set to rival iOS and Android in China
U.S. Warns China About Its Exports and Support for Russia; Philippines flags ‘harassment’ by Chinese vessels ahead of Japan, US drills
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Huawei's HarmonyOS Next is set to rival iOS and Android in China
Nikkei Asia
Huawei is making progress with its HarmonyOS operating system, with the company aiming to sever its links with Android by the end of this year, according to insiders. Huawei unveiled HarmonyOS Next in January as a new version of its proprietary operating system, signalling a move away from previous Android-compatible versions. The company has been working with app developers to create HarmonyOS-specific applications and has trained over 380,000 developers thus far. Huawei is aiming to train 100,000 developers a month through online videos and other means. The company has estimated that the creation of apps for HarmonyOS will generate at least 3 million jobs. Huawei has also been pushing major domestic companies to develop apps for HarmonyOS, with video platform Bilibili, digital payment app Alipay, and game developers NetEase and miHoYo among those announcing agreements with the company.
U.S. Warns China About Its Exports and Support for Russia
NY Times
Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen has expressed concerns to her Chinese counterpart about China's increasing exports of cheap electric vehicles and other green energy goods, stating that they pose a threat to American jobs. Yellen also warned that Chinese companies could face consequences if they supported Russia's war on Ukraine. The discussions were part of an effort to address trade and geopolitical disputes between the two countries and to stabilize their relationship. The US and China have agreed to hold further talks on curbing money laundering and fostering balanced growth. The surge of subsidized green technology exports from China has been a focus of Yellen's trip to the country.
Philippines flags ‘harassment’ by Chinese vessels ahead of Japan, US drills
Al Jazeera
The Philippines has accused two Chinese coastguard ships of "harassing" Filipino fishing vessels within its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including the disputed area. The Philippines has been deepening ties with its allies, including the US, Japan, and Australia, to counter China's growing assertiveness in the region. Joint naval and air drills involving the Philippines, the US, Japan, and Australia are set to take place in the disputed area. US officials have reiterated their commitment to defending the Philippines against an armed attack in the South China Sea.
Taiwan earthquake: Hundreds still awaiting rescue, death toll rises to 13
CNN
Around 400 people are still stranded and awaiting rescue in Taiwan after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck this week, the island’s fire department said Saturday. Authorities have said those listed as stranded are considered safe, but are cut off by landslides and other blockages on rural roads near the island’s hard-hit east coast.
Japanese leader visits new chip factory, stressing ties with Taiwan and support for key technology
Associated Press
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited a new semiconductor plant on the island of Kyushu, which is majority-owned by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC). The Japanese government has pledged over $7 billion in support for the plant to secure a steady supply of chips. The plant is part of Japan's efforts to regain a presence in the computer chips industry and reduce dependence on imports. The project is expected to create 3,400 high-tech jobs and is seen as a way for Kishida to boost his popularity amid a corruption scandal.
Some states are seeking to restrict TikTok. That doesn’t mean their governors aren’t using it
Associated Press
Politicians in the US are using TikTok, even as legislative efforts to ban the app gather steam in states like Pennsylvania. The target is primarily the youth vote, which makes up the majority of the app's 170 million American users. Governors and state agencies, along with President Joe Biden, are using the platform to promote their initiatives and appeal to young voters. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, is already a prolific poster, while other governors, all Democrats, are using TikTok accounts, even in states that have banned the app from state devices and networks.
Chinese auto giants to sell hybrid, EV pickup trucks in Thailand
Nikkei Asia
Chinese automakers are set to challenge Japanese dominance in Thailand's pickup truck market by introducing hybrid and electric models. Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor (GWM) is preparing to launch the first hybrid pickup truck in the Thai market as early as May, while Zhejiang Geely Holding Group is planning to introduce electric pickups. Japanese automakers Toyota and Isuzu currently hold nearly 90% of Thailand's pickup truck market. However, the move toward electrification is encouraging other players to enter the market and could threaten the position of Japanese brands in the country.
What U.S.-Japan defense shakeup will involve and why
Japan Times
The United States and Japan are set to upgrade their defense ties at an upcoming summit between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The leaders are expected to discuss plans to reform the U.S. military command in Japan to improve coordination with Japanese forces in a crisis, as well as steps to allow for more joint development and potentially co-production of military and defense equipment. The upgrade in defense ties is motivated by a range of threats that both countries face, including China's growing military, North Korea's nuclear and missile arsenal, and shared concerns about Russia and the fallout from conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Beneath the calm, Hong Kong’s new security law drives deeper, quieter changes
Associated Press
Residents of Hong Kong are quietly adapting to life under the national security law which was implemented on March 23. Thousands of protesters took to the streets in 2020 when the law was introduced, but this time, there were no arrests and no newsroom raids. However, the law has prompted many to consider emigrating to other countries, with inquiries about moving abroad rising 40% from last year’s immigration expo, with more than half of those asking citing the new law as a reason. The law has curtailed many civil liberties, such as free speech and a free press, leading to the arrest, silencing or exile of many pro-democracy activists. Many civil society groups and outspoken media outlets have also been disbanded or shut down. Under the law, sedition offences can carry a sentence of up to seven years, or up to 10 years if a person is convicted of working with foreign governments or organisations to carry out activities.
India Seeks $100 Billion a Year in FDI as It Woos China Hedgers
Bloomberg
India is aiming to attract at least $100bn in foreign direct investment (FDI) per year, as it seeks to lure investors looking to diversify away from China. The country plans to average at least $100bn in FDI over the next five years, according to Rajesh Kumar Singh, secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, which compares with an average of more than $70bn in FDI in the previous five years. FDI in India would be boosted by higher inflation and interest rates in developed countries, geopolitical conflicts and risk perception in emerging markets, Singh said.
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