Geo-Strategic Trend - 4. page

The stabbing death of a Japanese schoolboy in Shenzhen sparked controversy in China. Two Chinese scholars, Zhao Hong and Chen Bi, published an article condemning violence under the guise of “patriotism” and urging people to speak up against such acts. However, their article was quickly deleted.

The scholars drew parallels to a similar attack on a Japanese school bus in Suzhou less than three months prior. They argued that attributing these killings to “frenzied populism” or “irrational hate education” does not justify or excuse such barbaric acts.

The article emphasized that defending savagery and brutality desecrates civilization and life. It called for severe punishment of violent crimes and criticized silence as tacit approval of violence and disregard for victims.

The authors expressed concern over the misuse of “patriotism” to justify crimes, from harassing people wearing kimonos to attacking innocent children. They stressed that remembering historical Japanese aggression should not lead to more killings and brutality.

The article advocated for not tolerating violent propaganda under the banner of patriotism and warned against using hatred to commemorate history. It urged people to maintain common sense and conscience as weapons to defend civilization.

The scholars noted the current hostile online environment in China towards Japan and the difficulty in expressing dissenting views. They concluded by stating that remaining silent in the face of such tragedy makes everyone complicit.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), September 23, 2024
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202409230197.aspx

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) uses its “Internet Army” to publish articles promoting its political positions. A recent article posted on Chinese platform Net Ease stated that a Chinese Frigate ship had recently intimidated Malaysia.

“There’s been another incident in the South China Sea, but this time it’s not the Philippines — it’s Malaysia.” The article stated that Malaysia had been “secretly engaged in ‘stealing oil’ in the South China Sea.”

“However, in Chinese waters, you can’t just do as you please,” the article said. “The People’s Liberation Army responded swiftly, dispatching a 1,000-ton 053H3-class frigate and Coast Guard vessels to the area, with the frigate’s main guns on display. This was China’s practical response: any actions that infringe on China’s rights in the South China Sea will be met with a strong counterattack.”

Source: Net Ease, September 19, 2024
https://www.163.com/dy/article/JCDVNPIR05568UZV.html

Primary Taiwanese news agency Central News Agency (CNA) recently reported that independent and non-partisan British think tank British Foreign Policy Group just released its poll results on China. Overall, the British public has clear doubts about China.

About 71 percent of the British public do not trust China as a responsible international actor, and 43 percent support reducing dependence on Chinese technology and resources. Only 13 percent of British people support allowing Chinese technology companies (such as TikTok) to operate in the UK, and only eight percent support China developing infrastructure in the UK, including nuclear power plants and 5G telecommunications. Last year, 15 percent of British people believed it was necessary to cooperate with China in the fields of technology and infrastructure. However, 25 percent of British people aged 18 to 25 support allowing Chinese technology companies to operate in the UK.

Regarding the areas to be given priority in UK-China interaction, the results show that the British people believe that “seeking to reduce dependence on China’s technology and resources” is the most important. The second most important item is “seeking cooperation in addressing common global challenges such as climate change”. The third is “challenging China’s human rights record.”

In addition, 56 percent of British people believe that the UK should reduce trade with China.

Source: CNA, September 21, 2024
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202409210003.aspx

Global Times recently reported that Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef said in a Hong Kong press interview that Saudi Arabia is “open to new ideas” including the use of Chinese currency RMB in cross-border crude oil transaction settlements, and is willing to cooperate with China to “try new things.” Alkhorayef also said that Saudi Arabia “welcomes Chinese companies to invest”, and “we try not to mix politics with business.”

Alkhorayef described Saudi Arabia’s “positive” view on using the “Petro-Yuan” instead of US dollar in transactions, but he did not give a specific timetable for the implementation. “From a commercial point of view, between suppliers and customers, I think such an arrangement can be realized according to the free will of both parties,” Alkhorayef continued, “this is not a problem that we look at from a policy point of view.” He looks forward to more cooperation with China, mainly in the form of Chinese investment, in areas such as metals, pharmaceuticals, smart cities, robotics and renewable energy. “We welcome Chinese companies to invest in electric vehicles too,” he added.

The Saudi industrial and mining delegation led by Alkhorayef visited China and Singapore from September 1st to 8th. Alkhorayef’s office said, “The goal of the delegation’s visit to China is to strengthen cooperation with China and make Saudi Arabia a key automotive center in the region.”

Source: Global Times, September 9, 2024
https://hqtime.huanqiu.com/article/4JN7P2H87FS

Chinese Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong announced plans to train 3,000 foreign law enforcement officers and “deploy police advisors and workstations to countries in need” over the next year. Wang’s announcement was made at the 2024 Global Public Security Cooperation Forum in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province.

This initiative by Beijing aims to “improve law enforcement capabilities abroad, guide joint patrols and investigations, and address border crimes.” China also pledged “continued financial and operational support” to Interpol and UN peacekeeping missions. The initiative follows China’s “police cooperation agreement” with the Solomon Islands in 2023, which upgraded the relationship between China and the Solomon Islands to one of “comprehensive strategic partnership.”

Wang emphasized China’s willingness to “deepen cooperation with other countries to promote a fairer, more rational, and more efficient global public security governance system.” The move is seen as part of China’s strategy to strengthen its overseas influence and build relationships with foreign countries.

The Global Public Security Cooperation Forum, in its third year, saw increased participation with over 2,000 attendees from 122 countries, regions, and international organizations. It featured 12 sub-forums covering topics such as tourism safety, traffic management, international police education, and urban public security.

A “Global Public Security Cooperation Concept Document” was released outlining ten “cooperation measures” including “the deepening of a multilateral security cooperation mechanisms, combating transnational crime, strengthening global anti-terrorism efforts, and addressing potential risks posed by artificial intelligence.”

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), September 10, 2024
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202409100063.aspx

Deutsche Welle Chinese Edition recently reported that the German military has so far maintained a low-key attitude regarding news that the German frigate Baden-Württemberg may transit the Taiwan Strait. The frigate Baden-Württemberg and the supply ship Frankfurt are performing patrol missions in the Pacific Ocean and are currently visiting South Korea. The two German warships have previously participated in United Nations supervision missions on the implementation of sanctions against North Korea. German Rear Admiral Axel Schulz said during a visit to South Korea’s Port of Incheon that safe and reliable maritime routes, especially from Southeast Asia to Europe and North America, are a prerequisite for economic prosperity for all countries. He said, “we are here to maintain freedom of navigation in international waters.” Schulz also emphasized that broadcasting the ship’s sailing plan would violated mission safety regulations. He said that he has “no reason to disclose the route of the voyage.”

The German fleet’s next stop is Manila. If the German frigate passes through the Taiwan Strait, it will be the first time since 2002 that a German warship has sailed through this narrow strait between mainland China and Taiwan. Earlier in May this year, Berlin stated that it would not rule out the possibility of a German naval frigate passing through the Taiwan Strait. Chinese Foreign Ministry said that China firmly opposes any country provoking or threatening China’s sovereignty and security in the name of freedom of navigation. Schulz also said in Incheon that, “the overall goal of this deployment is to reaffirm Germany’s commitment to upholding the rules-based international order.”

Source: DW Chinese, September 7, 2024
https://p.dw.com/p/4kO7B