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Geo-Strategic Trend

Indonesia Expels Chinese Coast Guard Vessel in Natuna Sea Waters Three Times

On October 21, Indonesia reported that China’s Coast Guard ship 5402 entered the northern waters of the Natuna Sea without permission on three occasions, disrupting seismic survey activities conducted by a unit under Indonesia’s state-owned oil and gas company in the area. Indonesian authorities communicated with the Chinese vessel via radio. The Chinese side insisted that the waters it entered were under Chinese jurisdiction. In the end, Indonesia deployed a patrol plane and patrol ship to expel the Chinese vessel.

The same Chinese vessel entered the waters again on October 23 and was expelled by Indonesia.

On October 24th, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded to the incidents, stating that the Chinese Coast Guard vessel was patrolling within waters under Chinese jurisdiction. Lin said that China is willing to strengthen communication and consultations with Indonesia through diplomatic channels to properly handle maritime issues between the two countries.

On the next day, October 25, the same Chinese vessel entered the waters again. And again, Indonesia expelled it.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao, October 27, 2024
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/sea/story20241027-5254193

Briefings | | |   @CS Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend

Lianhe Zaobao: Nokia Reportedly Laying off Nearly 2,000 Employees in China

Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao recently reported that, Finnish telecoms giant Nokia has laid off nearly 2,000 employees in China as part of the company’s cost-cutting plan announced last year. According to an internal report from Nokia, as of the end of 2023, the company employed approximately 10,400 employees in Greater China and 37,400 employees in Europe. Nokia’s layoffs in China account for about one-fifth of its workforce in the region.

China used to be Nokia’s second largest market, but in recent years, with the competition from China’s domestic communications manufacturers and the ban on Huawei in European and American countries, the number of contracts between Chinese telecom operators and Nokia and Ericsson has decreased. In 2019, approximately 27 percent of Nokia’s net sales came from Greater China. Now the company’s total share of the Chinese communications equipment market dropped to less than 5 percent.
Nokia also plans to cut 350 jobs in Europe as it continues to reduce costs. And Nokia’s rival Ericsson is also cutting costs (including layoffs) to combat sluggish sales.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao, October 18, 2024
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20241018-5180057

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend Information/Technology

European Parliament Condemns China’s Interpretation of UN Resolution 2758, Supports Taiwan’s International Participation

On October 24th, the European Parliament passed a resolution titled “ Misinterpretation of UN resolution 2758 by the People’s Republic of China and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan” with 432 votes in favor, 60 against, and 71 abstentions. The resolution offered the clearest stance to date on UN Resolution 2758, emphasizing that it does not take a position on Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations General Assembly. The resolution strongly opposes the People’s Republic of China’s misinterpretation of history and international rules, which it uses to block Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. It calls on the EU to use diplomatic and economic measures to counter China’s coercion. The resolution describes Taiwan as a key, like-minded partner for the EU in the Indo-Pacific region and encourages the EU and member states to deepen cooperation and exchanges with Taiwan in areas such as economic investment, the semiconductor supply chain, disaster relief, and civil defense. It also calls for continued support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).

The resolution condemns the military exercises and ongoing provocations by the People’s Liberation Army around the Taiwan Strait and commends the restraint shown by the Taiwanese government.

Source: Radio Free Asia, October 25, 2024
https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/htm/taiwan-european-parliament-china-united-nations-2758-10252024015324.html?encoding=simplified

Briefings | | |   @CS Geo-Strategic Trend Government/Politics

Xinhua Commentary: New Era of “Big BRICS” with China’s Strategic Vision

The 16th BRICS Leaders’ Summit was held from October 22 to 24, in Kazan, Russia. This was the first summit since the expansion of BRICS from five countries to nine, which China called it the “Big BRICS.”

Xinhua News Agency published several commentaries stressing the importance of the summit. One commentary said that China has left a significant mark on BRICS’ growth journey. From proposing the “BRICS Spirit” to initiating the “BRICS+” cooperation model, from launching the new “three-pillar” stages of cooperation (political security, economic and financial affairs, cultural exchange) to Xin Jinping’s new speech of five points on BRICS development (“Peaceful BRICS,” “Innovative BRICS,” “Green BRICS,” “Just BRICS,” and “Cultural BRICS”), China has provided a roadmap and direction to advance BRICS cooperation from a new starting point.

Another commentary said that global affairs should be handled through joint consultation, international rules should be formulated and observed by all countries together, and the benefits of governance should be shared by everyone. This is a common pursuit of many “Global South” countries. The BRICS cooperation mechanism is working to make the global governance system more balanced and more representative.

Source:
1. Xinhua, October 25, 2024
http://www.xinhuanet.com/world/20241025/eb0fb38f28404e13b76905c007758991/c.html
2. Xinhua, October 21, 2024
http://www.news.cn/world/20241021/d24e1181b5e24ad8a319993d6f94c621/c.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

China Commemorates 74th Anniversary of Chinese Army’s Participation in Korean War, North Korea Officials Absent From Celebration

Xinhua News Agency reported that October 25 was the 74th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Volunteers (CPV) entering the Korean War to resist U.S. aggression and aid Korea. On this day, the China’s Ambassador to North Korea, Wang Yajun, led embassy diplomats, representatives of Chinese enterprises in North Korea, media, overseas Chinese, and Chinese students in a wreath-laying ceremony at the China-North Korea Friendship Tower in Pyongyang, paying deep respect to the fallen CPV heroes. Also, on October 21, Wang, along with embassy diplomats and representatives of Chinese enterprises, media, and overseas Chinese, visited the CPV Martyrs’ Cemetery in Yangde County, South Pyongan Province, to honor the martyrs.

However, the report didn’t mention the participation of any North Korean officials.

Compared to a year ago, Chinese media reported that many North Korean officials attended the same event at the China-North Korea Friendship Tower, including Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly Kang Yun-sok, Deputy Minister of the International Department of the Workers’ Party of Korea Mun Song-guk, Deputy Minister of National Defense Kim Min-sok, Deputy Foreign Minister Pak Myong-ho, Deputy Minister of Foreign Economic Affairs Ryu Eun-hye, Deputy Minister of Culture Pak Kyong-chol, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and Chairman of the DPRK-China Friendship Association Pak Kyong-il, and Deputy Chairman of the Pyongyang City People’s Committee Hong Kim-chol. On the same day, ceremonies were held at the CPV Martyrs’ Cemeteries in Hoechang, Anju, and Kaesong, where local North Korean officials and residents laid wreaths.

Source:
1. Xinhua, October 25, 2024
http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/20241025/20526d8048d047e7a2910072aab88844/c.html
2. chinamartyrs.gov.cn, October 27, 2023
https://www.chinamartyrs.gov.cn/shengji_gzdt/shengjigjhz/202404/t20240412_411655.html

Briefings | | |   @CS Geo-Strategic Trend Government/Politics

Chinese Dairy Giant Feihe Faces Backlash Over Japanese Partnership Amid Rising Anti-Japanese Sentiment

Chinese dairy company Feihe faced significant social media backlash after announcing a technical cooperation agreement with Japanese biotech firm Kyowa Kirin on October 3rd. The controversy emerged amid heightened anti-Japanese sentiment in China following the tragic stabbing death of a Japanese schoolboy in Shenzhen on September 18th.

After the announcement of their joint innovation laboratory for developing fermented lactoferrin production technology, false claims began circulating on Chinese social media. These included allegations that Feihe was receiving Japanese investment and importing Japanese raw materials. Some netizens connected this to concerns about Japan’s nuclear wastewater release, leading to calls for boycotts and expressions of distrust regarding Japanese involvement in products for Chinese children.

As the misinformation spread and reached trending topics, Feihe issued a statement on WeChat on October 18th addressing these claims. The company clarified that the partnership was limited to technical exchange and did not involve raw material imports or formula usage. They also announced they had filed a police report and would pursue legal action against those spreading false information.

Feihe emphasized its status as a leading Chinese national enterprise, noting its establishment in Heilongjiang in 1962 and its position as China’s top infant formula manufacturer with 21.5% market share as of January 2023. The company stressed its patriotic alignment with consumers and explained that its collaborations with domestic and international research institutions aim to improve their products for Chinese babies.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), October 19, 2024
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202410190226.aspx

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

European Airlines Suspend China Flights Amid Rising Competition from Chinese Carriers

In mid-October, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, and LOT Polish Airlines successively announced the suspension of their flight operations to Beijing and Shanghai. This news comes after earlier suspension of flights to and from China by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

The reported reason was that Chinese airlines have a unique advantage due to the Russia-Ukraine War. Since the start of the war, Russia has closed its airspace to 36 countries and regions, including Europe, forcing European airlines to take longer detours when flying to China. However, China has a special relationship with Russia and thus Chinese airlines can continue flying over Russian airspace as usual. This allows Chinese airlines to have shorter flight times, less fuel consumption, and potentially lower ticket prices. Chinese airlines are expanding while the European airlines are retreating. Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and Hainan Airlines have all added new routes from China to Europe. (Note: this situation didn’t happen between the U.S. and China, since the U.S. insisted on the reciprocal rule: that Chinese airlines need to match the U.S. airlines’ operations.)

Some European airlines are dissatisfied with the situation and are asking their governments to take “non-market” special measures to curb Chinese competitors. In July of this year, Austria rejected China Eastern Airlines’ proposal to launch a Shanghai-Vienna route, saying that “Russia’s current airspace restrictions and China Eastern’s competitive advantage over the local Austrian Airlines would be against the overall economic interests.” Air France-KLM and Lufthansa are actively lobbying their governments to take action to address the imbalance in competition on China-Europe routes.

Source: Creaders.net, October 19, 2024
https://finance.creaders.net/2024/10/19/2786525.html

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources Geo-Strategic Trend

Xinhua Commentary: War Will Continue Between Hamas and Israel Though Israel Killed Sinwar

Xinhua News Agency published a commentary on Israel’s killing of Hamas Chief Yahya Sinwar, who planned and executed the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. It quoted several analysts who all predicted that the war between Hamas and Israel will continue. “Analysts believe that Sinwar’s death is unlikely to mark a turning point for peace in Gaza, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will continue, with the regional situation possibly worsening further.”

Yonatan Freeman, an international relations scholar at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, said that Sinwar’s death might weaken the fighting resolve of some Hamas militants, but Hamas as a whole will continue to fight against Israel.

Mohamed Elmasry, an expert from Doha Institute in Qatar, stated that unless the root causes of the Gaza war are addressed, the cycle of violence may persist. “As for the root causes, they are well known, including Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian land, the apartheid system established by Israel, and the blockade of Gaza, among others.”

A new bulletin jointly released by the International Labor Organization and the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics on October 17th shows that since the new round of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict began a year ago, the poverty rate in Gaza has reached nearly 100 percent. Ruba Jaradat, Regional Director of the ILO for Arab States, stated that the losses caused by the war in Gaza are not limited to casualties, severe humanitarian disasters, and material destruction, but have fundamentally altered Gaza’s socioeconomic structure, while also severely impacting the economy and labor market of the West Bank.

Source: Xinhua, October 18, 2024
http://www.news.cn/world/20241018/8f566136a685418ca20082323b268eb5/c.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend Government/Politics