Geo-Strategic Trend - 14. page

Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao recently reported that the British government has announced plans to remove Chinese-made surveillance equipment installed in sensitive locations by April 2025.

The UK is increasingly concerned about Chinese espionage. In November 2022, British authorities stated that surveillance systems produced by companies subject to China’s national intelligence laws should not be used in sensitive places such as British government buildings and military bases. About half of the Chinese-made surveillance equipment installed in some sensitive locations has been replaced, and progress is being made in removing Chinese-made surveillance equipment in the remaining locations. Deputy Finance Minister Alex Burghart said in a statement that the work of dismantling the remaining equipment is being stepped up, and that about 70 percent of the job will be completed by October this year. UK lawmakers have also called for a ban on the sale and use of security cameras made by China’s Hikvision and Dahua over privacy concerns.

Chinese spies are targeting British officials holding sensitive positions in politics, defense and business in an attempt to extract secrets from them. British police last week charged two men with spying for China, one of whom allegedly worked as a researcher for a prominent member of the British Parliament.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao, April 29, 2024
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/world/story20240429-3531404?amp

“Chilean salmon, Ecuadorian white shrimp, Peruvian blueberries, Argentine beef, coffee from Brazil and Colombia, …, are becoming common treats on Chinese dining tables,” reported People’s Daily.

The newspaper accredited the new development in Chinese culinary fare to the increasing maturity of transport routes linking China and Latin American countries. Sea freight routes between China and Latin America are mature, reported the article, covering most of the important ports in Latin American countries. Air freight routes have developed rapidly over the past five years, mainly in the two major Latin American cargo distribution centers in Mexico City, Mexico, and São Paulo, Brazil.

From 2000 to 2022, the total trade volume of goods between China and Latin America increased by a factor of 35, while the trade volume between Latin America and other parts of the world only increased by a factor of 4 during the same period. China remains the second largest trading partner of the Latin American region as well as the largest trading partner of several Latin American countries including Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay.

Source: People’s Daily, May 2, 2024
http://world.people.com.cn/n1/2024/0502/c1002-40227962.html

Well-known Chinese news site Sina (NASDAQ: SINA) recently reported that the European Commission raided the offices of Chinese companies in Europe on April 23, conducting inspections on the grounds that the companies have allegedly accepted foreign subsidies. This is the fifth subsidy investigation launched by EU since February 2024. All such subsidy investigations have targeted Chinese companies. This was the first time such an investigation has led to an on-site search.

The head of the Trade Remedy Bureau of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce told the press that the Chinese industrial community was shocked and was strongly dissatisfied with this move by the EU. He said the European Commission directly raided normal office premises and detained regular business operating equipment without prior warning or legal notice, violating the principles of due process. The Sina article stated that “In a series of recent investigations conducted by the EU, the purpose has been clear, the rules and procedures have been abused, and the investigation tools have been weaponized… China will pay close attention to the EU’s subsequent developments and take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.”

Source: Sina, April 24, 2024
https://news.sina.com.cn/c/2024-04-24/doc-inasxuyu8421014.shtml

North Korea’s official news agency KCNA (Korean Central News Agency) reported on April 24 that a North Korean delegation led by Yun Jong Ho, the North Korean Cabinet Minister of Foreign Economic Relations, was visiting Iran. Ho flew out of Pyongyang on April 23 for the visit. The official report provided no other details.

Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao wrote that it is very rare for KCNA to publicly report on this type of visit. The outside world widely believes that there are secret military ties between North Korea and Iran. The two countries have long been suspected of cooperating on the production of ballistic missiles, possibly exchanging technical expertise and cooperating to manufacture needed parts.

Western news reports say that Iran has been supplying Russia with a large number of ballistic missiles for use in the war in Ukraine. North Korea is also suspected of supplying missiles and artillery to Russia. Both countries deny these charges.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao, April 24, 2024
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/world/story20240424-3488224