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ETIM Stands between China and the Taliban

China held its first diplomatic talks with the Taliban on Wednesday August 25, establishing “effective communication” with the insurgent group in Afghanistan. However, the growing relationship between the two countries seems to be contingent on the Taliban’s ties with the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), a Uyghur militant group.

ETIM is an extremist group of native Uyghurs, which is a Muslim minority in China. The ETIM’s stated objective is to form a sovereign nation of East Turkestan. It is to be carved out from Xinjiang province.

In 2002, the United Nations and the US officially designated the ETIM as a terrorist group. “ETIM has a close financial relationship with al-Qaida and many of its members’ received terrorist training in Afghanistan, financed by al-Qaida and the Taliban. A statement from the US Treasury Department in 2002 said, “A number of ETIM and ETIM-linked militants were captured in Afghanistan last fall fighting alongside al-Qaida and the Taliban.”

On August 30, a Chinese government spokesperson for Xinjiang province said, “In the past, the ETIM gathered in Afghanistan, posing a direct threat to the security and stability of Xinjiang. It is hoped that the Afghan Taliban draw a clear line from ETIM and attack them resolutely and effectively.”

Days earlier, on August 27, Xi Jinping, the general secretary of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) said in a meeting in Beijing, “We must resolutely guard against major hidden dangers in the ethnic field. It is necessary to  …  eliminate ethnic divisions and religious extremes.” “We must strengthen international anti-terrorism cooperation.”

Source: Central News Agency, August 30, 2021
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202108300168.aspx

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

China to Regulate Algorithms behind Internet Platforms

On August 27, 2021, the Cyber Administration of China, the country’s top Internet regulator, issued a draft version of the “Internet Information Service Algorithmic Recommendation Management Provision.”

“The use of algorithmic recommendation technology … refers to the use of generative or synthetic–type, personalized recommendation–type, ranking and selection–type, search filter–type, dispatching and decision-making–type, and other such algorithmic technologies to provide information content to users.”

The draft version stated, “Algorithmic recommendation service providers shall uphold mainstream value orientations, optimize algorithmic recommendation service mechanisms, vigorously disseminate positive energy, and advance the use of algorithms upwards and in the direction of good.”

“Algorithmic recommendation service providers may not use algorithmic recommendation services to engage in activities harming national security, upsetting the economic order and the social order, infringing on the lawful rights and interests of other persons, and other such acts prohibited by laws and administrative regulations. They may not use algorithmic recommendation services to disseminate information prohibited by laws and administrative regulations.”

“Algorithmic recommendation service providers shall strengthen information content management; they shall establish and complete feature databases to be used to identify unlawful and harmful information”

“Where unlawful information is discovered, transmission shall cease immediately, measures such as deletion shall be adopted to handle it, information spread shall be prevented, and relevant records preserved; and a report shall be made to the cybersecurity and informationization department. Where harmful information is discovered, it shall be dealt with according to online information content ecology management-related regulations.”

“Algorithmic recommendation service providers shall … vigorously present information content conforming to mainstream value orientations in key segments such as front pages and main screens, hot search terms, selected topics, topic lists, pop-up windows, and more.” “The national cybersecurity and informationization department is to establish a categorized and graded management system, to implement categorized and graded management of algorithmic recommendation service providers on the basis of the public opinion properties of algorithmic recommendation services or their social mobilization capability, content categories, scale of users, the degree of sensitivity of data handled in algorithmic recommendation, the degree of interference in users’ activities, etc.”

“The providers of algorithmic recommendation services with public opinion properties or social mobilization capabilities shall conduct a security assessment according to relevant State regulations.”

“Algorithmic recommendation service providers shall cooperate with relevant competent departments carrying out security assessment, supervision, and inspection work according to the law, and provide the necessary technical, data, other data, and support and assistance.”

The Provision also specifies the punishment such as a fine between 5,000 and 30,000 yuan for violating the regulations. “Where an act violating public order management is constituted, public order management punishment is to be imposed according to the law; where a crime is constituted, criminal liability is to be prosecuted according to the law.”

Source: Cyber Administration of China, August 27, 2021
http://www.cac.gov.cn/2021-08/27/c_1631652502874117.htm

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

China’s New Regulation: Security Assessment Required for Sending Important Auto Data Overseas

China’s car sharing company Didi Chunxing was subject to a state security audit after its Initial Public Offering (IPO) in the United States in late June. Recently, Beijing issued new regulations requiring that important car data be stored within the country and that a security assessment be implemented before any data leaves China.

According to China’s state media such as Xinhua News Agency, the “automobile data security management regulations (for trial implementation),” effective October 1, 2021, were jointly promulgated by the State Internet Information Office of China, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Transportation.

The regulations state that, if there is a need to provide important data outside the country for business purposes, the auto data operator should implement a security assessment and should not let the data leave the country in violation of the security assessment. The operators are required to report such data activities in their annual report.

The regulations point out that the auto data carrier, when conducting important data processing activities, should follow the provisions of the risk assessment, and submit the security risk assessment report to local authorities. The national cyber authorities will spot-check the security assessment. Car data processors are supposed to cooperate.

Source: Central News Agency, August 20, 2021
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202108200133.aspx

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

China-Africa Cyberspace Development and Cooperation Forum

According to China’s state media People’s Daily, on August 24, the State Internet Information Office of China, also known as the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) hosted a Forum on China-Africa Cyberspace Development and Cooperation. The Forum was held online.

Zhuang Rongwen, the head of CAC, China’s top regulator of cyberspace, proposed to promote the development of the digital economy and deepen tolerance and mutual trust with African countries. The initiative also included strengthening cyberspace governance, and a deepening of cooperation in the development of cyberspace. Zhuang explained that China has launched the “China-Africa Initiative on Building a Community of Common Destiny in Cyberspace” and welcomed the support and participation of African countries. In the coming three years, China will work with the African side to design practical cooperation initiatives in the digital field.

China’s National Computer Network Emergency Response Center (CNCERT) also signed a memorandum of cooperation with the National Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRT) of the Benin Republic.

Source: People’s Daily, August 25, 2021
http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/html/2021-08/25/nw.D110000renmrb_20210825_10-03.htm

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Chip Shortage Will Impact China’s Production of 2 Million Cars

According to media based in China, the resurgence of the COVID-19 epidemic in Malaysia has led to the closure of several semiconductor factories and chip production has come to a halt. The industry estimates that up to 2 million units of vehicle production in China will be affected in August and September.

For example, Bosch, one of the world’s largest auto parts suppliers, has affected the production of nearly 900,000 vehicles in China in August because the company’s chip supply was cut off.

It is estimated that the impact on China’s GDP could be on a scale of trillions of Yuan, or hundreds of billions of U.S. dollars. Such a chip shortage may continue until next spring.

According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), China’s vehicle production in July was down by 1.863 million units, which is 15.5 percent below the same month last year. Chen Shihua, deputy secretary-general of CAAM said, “The shortage of chips has been affecting the domestic car market since June. As a result, domestic passenger car production and sales have fallen for three months in a row.”

Source: Central News Agency, August 20, 2021
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/firstnews/202108200292.aspx

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

China Built Zambia’s Largest Hydropower Plant

The first generator for the Kafue Gorge Lower Hydropower Station, an infrastructure project in Zambia, which Chinese companies built, was recently put into operation. The power plant is the largest single infrastructure project in Zambia. It is also the largest hydropower plant in the country.

Zambia has been tackling power shortages for a long time. Only about 25 percent of the urban population and 3 percent of the rural population have a stable electricity supply. According to China’s state media, People’s Daily, the Kafue Gorge Lower Hydropower Station, Power Construction Corp of China, or Power China, plans to install five turbine power generating units, with a total installed capacity of 750 megawatts. Once the five generating units go into full operation, the country’s power supply will see an increase of 38 percent.

Source: People’s Daily, August 12, 2021
http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/html/2021-08/12/nw.D110000renmrb_20210812_3-17.htm

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

A Bill to Create a China and Russian Translation and Analysis Center

In July, a group of Republican and Democratic congressmen introduced the Open Translation and Analysis Center Authorization Act. This legislation establishes a new Federally Funded Research and Development Center called the Open Translation and Analysis Center (OTAC).

OTAC would be charged with translating important open source foreign-language material from the People’s Republic of China, Russia, and other countries of strategic interest into English. The translated material would be available on a public website, serving as a key resource for the U.S. and allied governments, media outlets, and academicians and analysts around the world.

The bill was introduced by Democratic congressmen Joaquin Castro and Bill Keating, and Republican congressmen Mike Gallagher and Brian Fitzpatrick. “By translating foreign-language materials into English and making them publicly available, the Open Translation and Analysis Center will enhance America and its allies’ ability to compete on the world stage, while also serving as a tremendous resource for academicians, journalists, and other members of civil society,” said Rep. Castro.

OTAC got its idea from the Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS), which was created during World War II to intercept, translate, and publish broadcasts from the axis powers. The documents were regularly distributed to war agencies.

Ryan Fedasiuk, an analyst from Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), told Radio Free Asia, “Many Chinese companies, non-profit organizations and government agencies deliberately hide information, assuming that foreigners do not know Chinese.”

In May Fedasiuk co-authored a report titled “China’s Foreign Technology Wish List,” which analyzed the 642 reports filed by the S&T directorates of Chinese embassies and consulates from 2015 to 2020. He noted, “These are Chinese language materials. The Chinese government or some agencies can talk openly and freely in Chinese about topics that they would never dare to discuss in English.”

Source: Radio Free Asia, August 16, 2021
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/junshiwaijiao/xx-08162021102203.html

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

Taiwan’s Language Learning Centers to Land in the U.S.

Many countries around the world have expressed concern about China’s growing influence on international academic campuses. Beijing’s Confucius Institutes, by investing heavily overseas to promote the study of the Chinese language and culture, are viewed as China’s move to increase its soft power.” According to the National Association of Scholars (NAS), there were 103 Confucius Institutes in the U.S. in 2017. As of July 9, the number had dropped to 41, with several schools set to close later this year or next.

This year, Taiwan started to explore the international Chinese language teaching market more actively. The Overseas Community Affairs Council under the Executive Yuan of Taiwan announced in June that it would set up 20 “Taiwan Chinese Language Learning Centers” in the U.S., U.K., Germany, France and other countries in the hope of promoting the Chinese language. Seventeen of these will be in the U.S.

Since last year. the U.S. has been seeking to expand the platform for learning Chinese. Last December, the U.S. and Taiwan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on international education cooperation and launched the “U.S.-Taiwan Education Initiative.”

In March of this year, twenty-one Republican members of the U.S. Congress wrote a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Education to consider using a program with Taiwan to offer “censorship-free alternatives” to the China-backed Confucius Institutes on many U.S. college campuses.

Taiwan’s representative in the U.S., Hsiao Bi-khim, said in an interview, “The learning environment in Taiwan (Centers) is different from that in the Confucius Institutes. The biggest difference is that we are in a free space. There will be no government to influence or challenge personal freedom in this regard due to the issue of speech.”

Source: BBC Chinese, August 13, 2021
https://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/world-58170293

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend