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Philippine Mayor Alice Guo Suspended Amid Allegation of Being Chinese Spy

Alice Guo (Guo Huaping), the 35-year-old mayor of Bamban City in Tarlac Province, Philippines, has been suspended from work after being accused of being a Chinese spy and of involvement in a scam operation. Alice Guo’s background is quite mysterious. In 2021, she suddenly emerged and registered to run for mayor of Bamban City. She won the election smoothly.

The dynamics of Chinese influence over Philippine politics have changed, as relations between the Philippines and China worsened in recent years.

There are many immigrants from Fujian Province, China, in the Philippines, and Fujianese leaders have significant influence there. During presidential elections in the Philippines, the Chinese diaspora leaders and businessmen spend significant amounts of money financing the campaigns of their preferred politicians, as having their preferred president in office results in several years of prosperity for their businesses. They maintain close ties with the Chinese Communist Party’s Department of United Front Works as well as with China’s diplomatic and intelligence departments; in the past these Fujianese diaspora leaders and businessmen have played key roles in the Philippines during moments that Beijing considers critical.

In March of last year, the Philippine police raided a location in Bamban which was disguised as a POGO site (a local term for an offshore gambling venue). The venue was actually a scam center; the police rescued nearly 700 individuals, including 202 Chinese nationals and 73 people from other countries, who had been forced into “online romance scams.” Alice Guo was found to own half of the land involved in the POGO operation, which was located right behind her office. Alice Guo owns a helicopter and a Ford Expedition SUV.

Source: Creaders.net, June 4, 2024
https://news.creaders.net/world/2024/06/04/2739029.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend Government/Politics

Henan Province Massively Cuts Government Jobs

As China’s fiscal pressure remains unabated, local governments are seeking ways to reduce the number of “iron rice bowl” positions (secure government jobs).

In 2023, all Chinese provinces and municipalities (except Fujian Province) recorded budget deficits. Henan Province had an income of 451 billion yuan (US$ 62 billion) while its recorded expenditures reached 1.106 trillion yuan (US$ 152 billion), resulting in a deficit of 655 billion yuan (US$ 90 billion). The province has cut over 5,600 government positions in the past few years and will continue its efforts to cut more positions going forward.

Henan Province announced that, with the exception of schools and hospitals, it is planning to cut or consolidate at least 50 percent of government units, 30% of staffing positions, and 10 percent of fiscal funding for staffing positions. In principle, the government will no longer retain work units at the division level and below if they have fewer than 16 staff positions.

Source: Epoch Times, May 5, 2024
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/24/5/5/n14241546.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Xinhua Report: Middle East Battlefield Notes: Iraqi KFC Attacked

Xinhua published a report from the middle east named “Middle East Battlefield Notes: KFC in Iraq Attacked.” The following are the excerpts from the report.

Recently, attacks on American businesses have been occurring frequently in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. On May 26, an explosive device was thrown at a KFC on Palestine Street. The next day, a group of masked men armed with guns and clubs vandalized a KFC in the Karada district. On the same day, another American restaurant, Chili House and Lee’s, was also attacked. In the early hours of May 30, a flashbang attack targeted a Caterpillar store in Baghdad. On the evening of June 3, angry protesters stormed the KFC on Palestine Street and vandalized another Chili House and Lee’s restaurant in a different district.

Analysts believe these American businesses have become targets of attacks because of the U.S.’ biased stance towards Israel in the latest round of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The U.S. has consistently supported Israel, refusing to adjust its policy or to acknowledge that Israel has crossed a “red line.”

“Since the outbreak of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the U.S. has been indulging Israel, continuously sending arms, and ignoring the fact that Gaza has become a hell on earth. How many more innocent lives must be lost before the US stops?” said Baghdad resident Ali emotionally to the (Chinese) reporter.

Since the outbreak of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict last October, large and small anti-American protests have been frequently occurring in Baghdad. Iraqi Islamic resistance organizations have launched hundreds of attacks on U.S. military bases in Iraq and Syria as well as on Israeli targets. There have been constant demands from the Iraqi government, militia forces, and the public for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. After Israel attacked the Rafah refugee camp, Iraqi Shia religious leader Muqtada al-Sadr called for the closure of the U.S. embassy in Iraq and the expulsion of the U.S. ambassador.

The Iraqis’ anti-American sentiment is as hot as the current 45-degree Celsius heat in Baghdad. The KFC restaurants, instead of welcoming a bustling crowd of customers, have faced wave after wave of attacks by “protesters.” The U.S. government’s unjust stance has forced its businesses to pay the price.

Source: Xinhua, June 5, 2024
http://www.news.cn/world/20240605/22261cb6770b4c34954df0b15e1c8ce1/c.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend US-China Relations

China to Accelerate Cross-Border e-Commerce Activity

Beijing aims to increase activity by cross-border e-commerce merchants in an attempt to buoy China’s economy by expanding the country’s exports.

China’s Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong stated on May 30th that the Ministry is working to finalize a policy titled “Opinions on Expanding Cross-Border E-Commerce Exports and Promoting the Construction of Overseas Warehouses.” The policy’s goal will be to accelerate the development of cross-border e-commerce.

In the first quarter of 2024, China’s total import and export volume for cross-border e-commerce reached 577.6 billion yuan (US$80 billion), an increase of 9.6 percent. Of this volume, exports accounted for 448 billion yuan, a 14 percent increase. Preliminary statistics from various regions indicate that China has over 120,000 cross-border e-commerce entities, more than 1,000 cross-border e-commerce industrial parks, and over 2,500 overseas warehouses with over 30 million square meters of storage.

Source: Xinhua, May 31, 2024
http://www.xinhuanet.com/tech/20240531/1426a7a71be64b72a79ee7fa467ef159/c.html

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources Geo-Strategic Trend

Xinhua Denounces Lai Ching-te’s Statement on “Three Chains”

Xinhua News Agency published an article suggesting that the “three chains” statement in the inaugural speech by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te was a blatant attempt to “seek (Taiwanese) independence” and “sell Taiwan’s interests to the United States.” In his speech, Lai Ching-te said that Taiwan holds a “strategic position in the ‘first island chain'” and is a “highlight of the ‘world democratic chain'” as well as “a key part of the global democratic supply chain.”

The recent Xinhua article stated that the “island chain” is an anti-China concept used to “contain China.” According to the article, the concept of a “world democratic chain” is a joke, as Lai Ching-te is the person least qualified to talk about democracy. The “global democratic supply chain” will drive Taiwan’s economy to a dead end; supply chains have never been about democracy but are rather about efficiency.

The article went on to say that Lai’s “three chains” statement completely exposes Lai Ching-te’s evil intentions of “seeking independence by relying on external forces” and “using democracy to seek independence.” It reveals his sycophantic attitude, acting as a pawn for external forces and aligning with the so-called “democratic camp.” It shows Lai Ching-te’s willingness to sacrifice Taiwan’s interests for American hegemony.

Source: Xinhua, June 5, 2024
http://www.news.cn/tw/20240605/0af665bf39b4403fb5bd3d944b4693db/c.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend US-China Relations

Guangming Daily: EU Commission Delays Decision on EV Tariffs, EU Motives Differ From US

Guangming Daily published an article analyzing why the E.U. has delayed its decisions regarding tariffs on Chinese new energy vehicles (electric vehicles). The decision was originally scheduled to be announced on June 5. The E.U. first announced an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese new energy vehicles last September. The U.S. imposed a 100 percent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles in May.

The Guangming Daily article analyzed U.S.-based and E.U.-based media articles related to electric vehicle tariffs, saying that the U.S. and the E.U. have focused on the issue from different angles. Guangming Daily first analyzed reports on Chinese new energy vehicles by two E.U.-based media outlets, Euractiv and POLITICO Europe, finding that their reports from the past month used keywords such as “vehicles,” “sector,” “companies,” and “manufacturing.” In contrast, U.S. media reports on the same topic emphasize keywords related to diplomatic relations such as “tensions,” “relations,” “conflict,” and “politics.”

According to Guangming Daily, the U.S. is particularly concerned with future leadership, while Europe is purely for interests and ideas. In reports on Chinese new energy vehicles, the most frequently co-occurring words in U.S. media are “leadership,” “dominance,” and “foreign.” In European media, the words most frequently associated with “competition” are “fairness,” “domestic,” and “autonomy.”

The article additionally commented that Europe needs to support its domestic enterprises, which in turn relies on the assistance of the Chinese market and Chinese investment. For Europe’s large automobile manufacturers, China remains their largest single market, with Germany being a typical example. Moreover, Chinese new energy vehicle companies establishing factories in Germany have introduced new technological collaborations in areas such as intelligent battery swapping, smart transportation, and autonomous driving. Automotive manufacturers in France, Spain, and other EU countries are also replicating the “German model” by cooperating with China.

Source: Guangming, June 5, 2024
https://world.gmw.cn/2024-06/05/content_37363429.htm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources Geo-Strategic Trend US-China Relations

To Pressure Taiwan, China Suspends Tariff Concessions on 134 Taiwanese Products

On May 31, the Customs Tariff Commission of China’s State Council announced the suspension of tariff concessions on the second batch of products listed under the “Cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement.” Starting from June 15, preferential tariff rates under the agreement will no longer apply to 134 lines of products exported from Taiwan to China. These include certain auto parts, textiles, and petrochemical products.

Scholars believe this move is part of Beijing’s continued efforts to exert economic pressure on Taiwan. At the same time, most of the affected products are those for which China has overcapacity, meaning that Beijing can afford to reduce Taiwanese imports of those products. The move could be detrimental to cross-strait relations and may accelerate Taiwan’s decoupling from China.

Source: VOA, June 1, 2024
https://www.voachinese.com/a/china-suspends-ecfa-tariff-concessions-on-another-134-items-for-taiwan-20240531/7637639.html

Briefings | | |   @CS Economy/Resources Geo-Strategic Trend

CCP Claims 115 Million Children Affiliated Communist Young Pioneers Organization

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) released data on the number of children in its affiliated Communist Young Pioneers organization. According to the National Young Pioneers Work Committee, as of December 31, 2023, there were 114.807 million Young Pioneers nationwide. There are a total of 276,000 grassroots-level Young Pioneers Committees across the country, including 190,000 in primary and secondary schools, 83,000 in townships (streets) and villages (communities), and 3,000 in youth centers.

The CCP has three communist organizations: the CCP is for adults, the Communist Youth League is for youths (ages 14 to 28), and Communist Young Pioneers is for children (ages 6 to 14). According to China’s National Bureau of Statistics there were 159 million children in the 6-to-14 age range in 2020. If these numbers are correct, then the CCP has made the majority of China’s youth join its Young Pioneers organization.

Sources:
1. People’s Daily, June 2, 2024
http://cpc.people.com.cn/n1/2024/0602/c64387-40248399.html
2. National Bureau of Statistics website
https://www.stats.gov.cn/zs/tjwh/tjkw/tjzl/202304/P020230419425666818737.pdf

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics