U.S. Hunts Chinese Malware That Could Disrupt American Military Operations
What is WeChat and why does Elon Musk want to copy it? Chinese local governments roll out the red carpet for Big Tech firms
Welcome to this issue of The China Brief. Today is July 30, 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.
U.S. Hunts Chinese Malware That Could Disrupt American Military Operations
NY Times
The Biden administration is actively searching for malicious computer code believed to be hidden by China within networks controlling vital infrastructure in the United States and globally. The malware has been found in power grids, communications systems, and water supplies that feed military bases. Officials fear that the code, likely placed by Chinese hackers linked to the People's Liberation Army, could disrupt U.S. military operations in the event of a conflict, especially if China takes action against Taiwan.
The malware could potentially cut off power, water, and communications to U.S. military bases, impacting military deployments and resupply operations. Moreover, since the same infrastructure also supplies ordinary Americans' homes and businesses, the consequences could be far-reaching. The Chinese hacking efforts extend beyond telecommunications systems, and the U.S. government has been investigating and trying to eradicate the code for some time.
The discovery of the malware has prompted high-level meetings in the White House, where officials are working to understand the extent of the problem and devise a response. The administration has started briefing members of Congress, state governors, and utility companies about the findings.
There are debates within the administration regarding the primary objective of the operation, whether it aims to disrupt the military or affect civilian life more broadly in case of a conflict. The investigations have revealed that the Chinese efforts appear more widespread than initially thought, with the full extent of the code's presence in networks worldwide not yet known due to its sophisticated concealment.
The public disclosure of the malware operation comes amid rising tensions between the U.S. and China, with conflicts over issues like Taiwan and semiconductor sales. While China has previously been accused of major hacks and cyber espionage against the U.S., the recent attacks appear to be focused on disruption rather than surveillance. The situation has raised concerns about potential cyberattacks that could slow down the U.S. response in the event of a crisis.
What is WeChat and why does Elon Musk want to copy it?
BBC
Elon Musk has rebranded his social media platform, Twitter, to X as part of his plan to emulate the Chinese mega app WeChat. WeChat combines chat, dating, payments, and social media and is used by almost all of China's 1.4 billion people. Mr Musk has praised WeChat and said that creating something similar with Twitter would be an immense success. WeChat's features include messaging, voice and video calling, social media, food delivery, mobile payments, games, news, and even dating. However, the app has been criticised for its invasion of privacy and government censorship.
Rise of AI newsbots shakes up India's media landscape
Nikkei Asia
AI news anchors are gaining popularity in India, with broadcasters such as Odisha TV, India Today Group, and Power TV all using virtual presenters to deliver news updates and other content. The AI anchors are powered by machine-learning algorithms that analyse data from news articles and videos. They have the advantage of being able to deliver news in multiple languages and at high speeds. However, critics argue that the technology lacks the observational skills and experience of human journalists and risks undermining media credibility.
Chinese local governments roll out the red carpet for Big Tech firms
South China Morning Post
Chinese local governments are actively seeking partnerships with major tech companies in an effort to bolster the platform economy and drive growth. Qihoo 360, a Beijing-based company, has signed an agreement to establish a regional headquarters in Hangzhou, focusing on local innovation. NetEase, a mobile gaming giant, recently formed a partnership with the Hangzhou municipal government, while authorities in Beijing have promised support for companies including JD.com, Kuaishou Technology, and Xiaomi. Other cities, including Tianjin and Shenzhen, have also signed deals with Baidu to enhance the efficiency of local businesses using AI technology.
North Korean leader flanked by Russian, Chinese delegates at missile parade
The Sydney Morning Herald
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un displayed his most powerful nuclear-capable missiles during a military parade in Pyongyang marking a major war anniversary. The parade was attended by senior Russian and Chinese delegates, including Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chinese ruling party official Li Hongzhong. The event was a show of defiance against the United States and a move to deepen ties with Moscow. The parade showcased new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that have been flight-tested in recent months and have demonstrated the ability to reach deep into the US mainland. Some analysts suggest that the missiles are based on Russian designs or know-how. North Korean Defence Minister Kang Sun-nam condemned the US for its expanding military exercises with South Korea and for holding new rounds of nuclear contingency planning meetings with Seoul. The parade also marked the 70th anniversary of the armistice that stopped fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War.
As US-China ties fray, China and North Korea will show more unity: analysts
South China Morning Post
Chinese and Russian delegations visited North Korea last week to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, highlighting stronger ties between the three countries in response to rising US-China tensions. The visits by Chinese Politburo member Li Hongzhong and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu were the first by foreign guests since North Korea locked down due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year. The military parade showcased North Korea's most advanced intercontinental ballistic missiles, which are believed to have a range of 15,000 km (9,320 miles), capable of striking the US mainland.
Putin says African proposal could be basis for peace in Ukraine
Al Jazeera
Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that an initiative presented by African leaders could be the basis for peace in Ukraine, but claimed that attacks from Kyiv made a cessation of hostilities “virtually impossible”. The proposal reportedly includes steps to defuse the conflict, such as a Russian troop pullback, the removal of Russian tactical nuclear weapons from Belarus, and the suspension of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Putin. However, details of the proposal have not been made public. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously rejected the idea of a ceasefire that would leave Russia in control of part of Ukraine.
Putin suggests African or Chinese peace initiatives could help end Ukraine war
Telegraph
Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that African or Chinese peace initiatives could be used to end the conflict in Ukraine. However, he warned that it would be difficult to implement a ceasefire while the Ukrainian Army was on the offensive. Putin's comments come after African leaders urged him to support their plan to end the Ukraine conflict. He also revealed that Russia had carried out preventive strikes in response to a "terrorist attack" on the Crimean Bridge, which Moscow blamed on Ukraine. Putin criticised the West for hypocrisy and claimed that Ukraine had lost hundreds of tanks and armoured vehicles since early June.
Russia does not reject Ukraine peace talks - Putin
BBC
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed openness to peace talks on Ukraine, stating that an African peace initiative as well as a Chinese one could serve as a basis for negotiations. However, he also argued that it is difficult to implement a ceasefire when the Ukrainian army is on the offensive. Both Ukraine and Russia have previously stated that they will not come to the negotiating table without certain preconditions. Ukraine wants its borders to be reinstated as they were in 1991, while Moscow argues that negotiations can only take place if Ukraine accepts the "new territorial reality." Putin also defended the Kremlin's arrest of critical voices, claiming that some people were harming Russia from within.
Trump calls for conditioning Ukraine aid on congressional Biden probes
Washington Post
Former President Donald Trump has called on congressional Republicans to withhold military support for Ukraine until the Biden administration cooperates with their investigations into the president and his son Hunter Biden’s business dealings. Trump made the demand during a rally in Pennsylvania and threatened any Republican lawmakers who didn't join the effort with primary challenges. Republicans are investigating Hunter Biden's business dealings in China and Ukraine during the Obama administration, when his father was vice president. The White House has said Republicans have failed to present evidence of wrongdoing by President Biden.
China’s hottest AI app is a portrait generator charging US$1.40 for a digital avatar
South China Morning Post
A portrait generator app that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to create stylised portraits has become the hottest AI app in China. The app, called Miaoya, charges just CNY9.9 ($1.4) to produce a set of beautified avatars in different styles. The app has proven so popular that users have had to wait over 24 hours for their portrait. The app is one of many AI products to emerge in China amid the frenzy over San Francisco-based OpenAI's ChatGPT conversational bot.
Disquiet in EU ranks as ‘de-risking’ strategy for China pushes ahead
South China Morning Post
The European Union’s economic security communique and Germany’s first China strategy have the potential to cause serious ruptures in one of the world’s largest trading relationships. Both seek to recalibrate how European countries and companies trade with and invest in China. They want to keep cutting-edge technologies away from the Chinese military and reduce dependencies on China for goods and minerals that it is feared could be weaponised by Beijing. But each is also carefully vague on execution, reflecting the need to get the broad churches of Germany’s coalition government and an EU membership that ranges from Lithuania, a sworn adversary of China’s, to Hungary, a close ally, on board.
Joining China's Belt and Road was an 'atrocious' decision -Italy minister
Reuters
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has criticized Italy's decision to join China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) four years ago, calling it an "improvised and atrocious act." Crosetto stated that while the BRI resulted in an increase in China's exports to Italy, it did not have the same effect on Italian exports to China. He added that the challenge now is to find a way to withdraw from the BRI without damaging relations with Beijing. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced that her government will make a decision on the BRI by December and revealed plans to travel to Beijing soon.
French finance minister says decoupling from China is not possible
RFI
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has stated that the idea of decoupling the American, European, and Chinese economies is an illusion. While he defended France's ambition to become more economically independent in certain sectors, he emphasized that de-risking does not mean that China is a risk. Le Maire's remarks come as some Western countries, including Germany, seek to reduce their economic dependence on China. However, both the US and China have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of decoupling their economies. Le Maire is currently in China for high-level economic talks.
Northern China faces Doksuri floods as south mops up from storm
Reuters
China is dealing with floods in the north caused by Typhoon Doksuri, which has weakened but is still producing record rainfall. The National Meteorological Center has issued a red alert for rainstorms, with areas such as Beijing, Hebei, Shanxi and Henan expected to receive heavy rain. The storm has already affected 1.46 million people in Fujian, causing over CNY3.1bn ($430m) in economic losses. Meanwhile, forecasters have warned of another storm, Tropical Storm Khanun, which is expected to hit China's densely populated coast later this week.
Warning that Chinese electric car ‘invasion’ could paralyse Britain
Telegraph
Chinese electric cars entering the UK market could pose a security risk as they can be remotely controlled and potentially “paralyse” the country, according to Professor Jim Saker, president of the Institute of the Motor Industry. He warned that there is “no way” to prevent Chinese cars from falling under remote control. Regulators cannot feasibly test thousands of vehicles for security vulnerabilities, leaving the country vulnerable to potential attacks. Up to 30 Chinese electric vehicle brands are looking to enter the UK market, with the Chinese Communist Party aiming to create a significant export industry.
Tencent video-sharing service hits 800m users, overtakes rivals
Nikkei Asia
Tencent's video-sharing service, WeChat Channels, has amassed over 800 million users in just two years, surpassing rivals Douyin and Kuaishou in China's video-sharing market. WeChat Channels offers livestreaming in specialized areas such as book appreciation and tea culture. While the platform has a large user base, it still faces challenges in increasing revenue through advertising. S&P Global estimates that ad revenues from WeChat Channels totaled 4 billion yuan ($619 million) in 2022, about 10% of Kuaishou's revenues. Tencent may explore other revenue sources, such as user payment fees to video personalities.
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