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China and Thailand to Carry Out Joint Moon Exploration

On April 5th, China’s National Space Administration and Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation jointly signed a “Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation for Exploration and Peaceful Utilization of Outer Space” as well as a “Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation on an International Lunar Research Station.”

Xinhua reported that “China and Thailand will establish joint committees and working groups to strengthen cooperation in the fields of space exploration, space applications, building space capacity. This will be done through joint space projects, scientific exchange programs, personnel training plans, data and information exchange, and organization of joint thematic workshops and scientific seminars.”

“China’s Chang’e-7 mission [planned for 2026] will reportedly carry a ‘Global Space Weather Monitoring’ device developed by Thailand. This will be the first time a Thai scientific instrument enters deep space from Earth orbit. China’s Chang’e-8 mission [planned for 2028] provides opportunities for international collaboration, with the ability to carry payloads of 200 kilograms. Thailand has submitted several applications regarding lunar surface robots and scientific payloads. The applications are currently being processed.”

“China has already signed space cooperation agreements with more than 10 countries and international organizations.”

Source: Xinhua, April 5, 2024
http://www.xinhuanet.com/20240405/8b67999f500143a0825a9609a5283f91/c.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend Information/Technology

RFI: Taiwan Rejects China’s Relief Aid After Earthquake

Following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Taiwan on the morning of April 3rd, Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported that Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council quickly rejected aid offered by mainland China, saying it was not needed.

Analysts explained that Beijing’s aid always comes with conditions attached and is not a true gesture of goodwill. Some suggested that, instead of providing aid, it would be better for the mainland to stop interfering with the Taiwanese government’s disaster relief effort.

The report stated that “China has been unwilling to give up the threat of force to expand its control over Taiwan, and the Taiwanese people are naturally highly suspicious of China’s intentions.” The article mentioned that mainland China blocked the United Nations from providing much-needed assistance to Taiwan 25 years ago when it suffered “The Great 921 Earthquake.” In recent years, mainland aircraft and warships frequently disturb the areas surrounding Taiwan. This trend is only intensifying. Because of these ongoing military threats, people in Taiwan are highly suspicious of China’s intentions.

Some scholars expressed the belief that China may have anticipated Taiwan’s reaction. The argument is as follows: When Beijing made an offer that was very likely to be rejected, they were not actually trying to help; they were setting a trap to embarrass Taiwan for rejecting aid that appears to have been offered in goodwill.

Source: RFI, April 5, 2024
https://tinyurl.com/nhdmnk2s

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

CNA: China Changes Names of 30 Places Along Indian Border

Primary Taiwanese news agency Central News Agency (CNA) recently reported on the territorial dispute between China and India.

“The territorial dispute between China and India has intensified. After India recently reaffirmed its sovereignty over Arunachal Province in southern Tibet, the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs announced another batch of 30 names to be used for locations in southern Tibet.

Indian Prime Minister Modi visited Arunachal Pradesh, a province known in China as ‘South Tibet.’ He presided over the opening ceremony of the Sela Tunnel (the world’s longest bi-lane tunnel). This triggered dissatisfaction and protests in China.”

The Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs announced name changes in the Chinese and Tibetan languages for these 30 places. “It also listed the name category, administrative region, and longitude and latitude for each location. Most of these 30 locations are located on mountain peaks and rivers, and only 11 of them are residential areas.”

“Prior to this, China issued three batches of official name changes for locations in southern Tibet. … However, this batch made the most changes.”

The Indian government immediately issued a statement refusing to accept the name changes, emphasizing that the relevant areas were part of India’s “indivisible” territory. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson then responded that southern Tibet is part of China’s territory and that the name changes “are completely within the scope of China’s sovereignty.”

Source: CNA, March 30, 2024
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202403300217.aspx

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

CCP Uses Ma Ying-Jeou’s China Trip to Promote Its Agenda

Taiwan’s former President Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomingtang party is leading a group of Taiwanese youths to visit China. On April 4th they participated in a ceremony to commemorate the Yellow Emperor, an ancient Chinese cultural hero known as “the origin of Chinese people,” in the Yellow Emperor’s hometown in Shaanxi Province.

People’s Daily reported that Ma’s Taiwanese youth group had their hearts filled with “a sense of pride and admiration” through participating in various activities in mainland China. “From watching drone performances to test-driving the latest new-energy vehicles, from experiencing advanced artificial intelligence technology to witnessing century-spanning projects like the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, they have personally experienced the economic development and technological progress of the mainland.” The report said that “some Taiwanese youths proudly call themselves fans of China’s products.”

According to Taiwanese newspaper Liberty Times, sources have revealed that the anticipated meeting between Xi Jinping and Ma Ying-jeou will be deliberately postponed from April 8th to April 10th. This is being done in order to “counter” several meetings that will be held in the U.S. on April 10th-11th. On April 10th, U.S. President Biden will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington DC, with planned discussion on security, regional situations, and the importance of Taiwan Strait security. Philippine President Macapagal-Arroyo will arrive in the U.S. on April 11th, and the three parties will then engage in a US-Japan-Philippines trilateral summit, undoubtedly touching on issues regarding the South China Sea.

Senior national security officials in Taiwan pointed out that the CCP usually summons Ma whenever the global democratic community prepares to confront the CCP’s authoritarian regime. Ma’s recent talk of “One China” and “Taiwan is not a country” seem to have paved the way for the upcoming “Xi-Ma meeting.” Ma’s trip relates to Xi Jinping’s agenda of “unification” of Taiwan, as well as to the theme of supporting Chinese manufacturers that are under U.S. sanction.

According to Radio France International (RFI), Ma stated on January 9th (a few days before Taiwan’s last Presidential election) that “you must trust Xi Jinping” regarding cross-strait relations. He claimed that Xi has no intention of unification [of Taiwan and Mainland China]. He also said that the Taiwanese people would be able to accept unification [if it came to that]. RFI reported that Ma’s remark caused a wide range of public criticism, forcing the Kuomintang’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Hou Youyi and Zhao Shaokang, to quickly distance themselves from Ma.

Sources:
1. People’s Daily, April 6, 2024
http://tw.people.com.cn/n1/2024/0406/c14657-40210412.html
2. Liberty Times, April 6, 2024
https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4632782
3. Radio France International, January 12, 2024
https://www.rfi.fr/cn/台湾/20240112-台媒聚焦马英九回答-为何不要求中国放弃武统还要相信习近平

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend Government/Politics

China’s CRRC Drops Out of Bidding After EU Subsidy Probe

On February 16th, the European Union announced a subsidy investigation against China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC). CRRC Qingdao Sifang Locomotive & Rolling Stock Co., Ltd. was suspected of relying on state subsidies to submit a bid with an undue advantage in the tender for electric trains in Bulgaria. The Bulgarian tender was for the purchase of 20 electric trains and maintenance for the next 15 years, with a total value of approximately 610 million euros (660 million US dollars).

On March 26th, the European Commission stated that CRRC withdrew its bid, and that because of the CRRC’s withdrawal, the EU will terminate the investigation.

Thierry Breton, the EU’s Internal Market Commissioner, said “In just a few weeks, our first investigation under the Foreign Subsidy Regulations has already produced results.”

The European Union has recently intensified its scrutiny of Chinese companies that may receive state subsidies to gain bidding advantages. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced an investigation in September of last year into Chinese government subsidies potentially causing “artificially depressed” prices for Chinese electric vehicles hitting the European market.

Source: VOA, March 27, 2024
https://www.voachinese.com/a/china-withdraws-from-balgaria-tender-20240326/7543652.html

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources Geo-Strategic Trend

Xinhua Commentary: Pacific Island Countries Should Not be Anyone’s “Backyard”

Xinhua News Agency published a commentary regarding a statement by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Thomas-Greenfield made the following statement in an interview on April 1st:

“[The U.S. is] not trying to force countries to choose between us and China. What we’re doing is giving them a choice to make. Many countries will say we’re forced into these relationships because we don’t have other choices. We’re giving them those other choices. And those other choices mean having the U.S. have their backs, having the U.S. standing with them side by side as they address some of the challenges that China is forcing upon them.” [2]

Xinhua called the statement “not only illogical but also a misrepresentation of the facts.” It stated that the Pacific Island countries have the political wisdom to make their own decisions. Below are some translated excerpts from the commentary:

“In recent years, the U.S. has been aggressively promoting the “Indo-Pacific strategy,” from the AUKUS (security partnership among the US, UK, and Australia), to the QUAD (quadrilateral security dialogue among the US, Japan, India, and Australia), and further to the “Blue Pacific Partnerships” initiative (involving the US, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the UK). The United States has gone to great lengths in creating various “circles” to contain China, enticing and utilizing Pacific Island nations as a crucial part of its containment strategy. However, the United States underestimates the political wisdom of the Pacific Island countries in discerning the current situation, as well as their determination to pursue an independent and autonomous development path.”

“In April 2022, China signed a government-to-government security cooperation framework agreement with the Solomon Islands. In July 2023, China and the Solomon Islands formally established a comprehensive strategic partnership based on mutual respect and common development in the new era. During the 2024 Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, President Lionel Aingimea of Nauru stated that, as a Pacific Island nation and a developing country, Nauru supports “building bridges” rather than “erecting walls” and hopes to construct a more integrated and closely-connected world.”

“Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama recently stated that China’s assistance to Pacific Island nations has played an important role in regional development.”

“The various slanders and smears by the U.S. against China’s pragmatic cooperation with Pacific Island nations will only expose the U.S.’ domineering attitude of judging others by its own standards. Pacific Island nations are independent sovereign states and not anyone’s “backyard.”

Sources:

Xinhua, April 4, 2024
http://www.xinhuanet.com/world/20240404/7934d20bdc9c476c81c1035425ffdc4a/c.html

CSIS, April 1, 2024
https://www.csis.org/analysis/us-ambassador-united-nations-linda-thomas-greenfield-us-diplomacy-pacific-islands

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

Diaspora Groups Testify About Intimidation and Harassment by Home Countries at Canada’s Foreign Interference Hearings

Canada’s Foreign Interference Commission inquiry has recently entered the witness testimony phase. Representatives from diaspora communities originating from China, India, Russia, and Iran testified about their experiences of intimidation and coercion by their countries of origin.

Witnesses representing Canadian diaspora communities included Uyghur rights activist Mehmet Tohti, Winnie Ng from the Toronto Association for Democracy in China, Grace Dai Wollensak from the Falun Dafa Association of Canada, Jaskaran Sandhu from the Indian Sikh Alliance, Yuriy Novodvorskiy from the Russian-Canadian Democratic Solidarity group, and Iranian-Canadian Hamed Esmailion. Each recounted their personal experiences of harassment and threats from their home countries.

Long-time human rights activist Tohti said he has been unable to see his family since arriving in Canada in 1991. Initially, China denied him and his family permission to travel. In 2016, over 30 of his relatives were detained, severing all contact with Tohti. In early 2023, Chinese police called to say that his mother and two sisters had died, his brother was missing, and that an uncle had been hospitalized — these were threats that he should stop his activism lest more relatives face the same fate.

Wollensak broke down as she spoke about the plight of Falun Gong practitioners. She revealed that they have endured persecution by the Chinese government for over two decades, not only within China but also through the authorities’ transnational crackdown abroad. She added that Falun Gong practitioners living overseas are constantly subjected to intimidation, harassment, cyberattacks, and surveillance. “My account has been deleted, and my IP address has been blocked,” she said, “We are not allowed to express anything that contradicts the CCP’s policies. The ’50-cent party’ and the United Front agents are able to interfere with our lives on a daily basis.”

The witnesses noted the US takes far stronger action against foreign interference [than Canada does], levying charges and convictions. Meanwhile, Canada lacks even a foreign agents registry, leaving complaints unaddressed.

The hearings were sparked by Beijing’s alleged interference in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian elections. Federal Judge Marie-Josée Hogue will hear dozens of further witnesses, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Source: Radio Free Asia, March 28, 2024
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/junshiwaijiao/lf-03282024130615.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

RFA: Fiji Asks Chinese Police to Leave the Country

Radio Free Asia (RFA) recently reported that Beijing’s influence in the South Pacific is growing as China increases its investment and diplomatic relations in the region. This situation has caused concern in Fiji. Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka stated recently that he has asked the Chinese police stationed in his country to leave, and that he will review the police cooperation agreement signed with China. He said that the judicial systems and police investigation methods of the two countries are not the same, and that he is uneasy about China’s deployment of public security in the Fiji police force.

Fiji is retaining its police cooperation agreement with China for the time being, allowing senior police officers to continue to receive training in China. The agreement will be under review, however. Rabuka said Chinese diplomats have accepted his decision.

China’s recent investment in the Solomon Islands has attracted attention across the region, and leaders of many South Pacific Island countries are worried that China’s growing influence will lead to the erosion of their democracy and values. Rabuka reminded leaders of relevant countries to be vigilant and consider the price they will have to pay for accepting Chinese investment. Fiji’s decision will likely lead neighboring countries to examine their options in the geopolitical tussle between the United States and China. It appears that China’s policy of using economic aid to promote influence has begun to show cracks.

Source: RFA, March 29, 2024
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/junshiwaijiao/ec-03292024033831.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend