Chinascope – Page 10

China’s J-10C Fighter Jet Struggles in International Market Despite Low Price

China’s domestically developed J-10C fighter jet is underperforming in international sales, with even close allies like Serbia opting to purchase other jets such as the French Rafale fighters instead. South Korean media analysis suggests that, compared to the American-made F-16 and the French Rafale, the J-10C has a lower weapons payload capacity and less reliable jet engines, making it less attractive despite costing only a quarter of the price.

Serbia, considered China’s “iron friend” and a buyer of Chinese weapons, recently signed a €2.7 billion contract for 12 Rafale fighters. This decision by Serbian military leadership came after China’s attempt at selling J-10C jets to Serbia. The Korean media report suggested that, while the J-10C features modern equipment like AESA radar, it lacks combat experience and has a lower weapons payload compared to its competitors.

The J-10C’s Chinese-made WS-10 engine still faces issues with sustained power output and fuel efficiency. Political factors may have also influenced Serbia’s decision, as the country is now seeking to align more closely with the EU.

Thailand, which routinely conducts joint air force exercises with China, chose the Swedish JAS-39 Gripen fighters over the J-10C.

Currently, Pakistan is the only confirmed international customer for the J-10C, having ordered 36 aircraft. Recent reports suggest that Egypt may become the second international buyer of the J-10C.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), September 9, 2024
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202409090194.aspx

Briefings | | September 11, 2024 | Defense/Military

Xinhua: Starlink Helps US Navy Increase Internet Speed Twentyfold

Xinhua recently reported that the U.S. Navy will soon begin the full-scale deployment of SpaceX’s Starlink satellites. This will provide high-speed internet connections to all its bases and ships. Satellite internet connectivity is expected to facilitate naval operational improvements. Currently the U.S. Navy uses Department of Defense satellites for connectivity. However, the six geostationary satellites for Internet access provide slow connection speeds. To achieve faster speeds, the U.S. Navy recently began using Starlink and Britain’s Eutelsat OneWeb. Low-Earth orbit satellites can improve the Navy’s connectivity capabilities, with on-ship speeds expected to reach about 1Gbps. This new capability is called Sailor Edge Afloat and Ashore (SEA2) by the U.S. Department of Defense. SEA2 operates 20 times faster than any other satellite before. It’s worth noting that SEA2 received the cybersecurity certification that has never been issued to such services before. Rob Wolborsky, Chief Engineer at U.S. Information Warfare Systems Command, stated that “this is a once-in-a-lifetime transition, and we’re working to deliver it to the fleets as quickly and aggressively as possible.”

During the COVID-19 period, the U.S. Navy recognized the need for increased connectivity. Due to pandemic-era restrictions, ships were not allowed to dock in many ports across the globe, cutting them off from the rest of the world. The U.S. Navy is likely to receive Starlink access through the StarShield program, which was established under a contract signed last year between the Department of Defense and SpaceX to provide satellite Internet connections to the U.S. Armed Forces.

Source: Xinhua, September 5, 2024
http://www.xinhuanet.com/milpro/20240905/dc67d657e8ba43bd80fb5955475ffd5e/c.html

Briefings | | September 11, 2024 | Defense/Military Information/Technology US-China Relations

DW Chinese: German Warships Might Traverse Taiwan Strait

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

Briefings | | September 11, 2024 | Geo-Strategic Trend

Nikkei Chinese: Around 60 Percent of Japanese Companies in China Lowered Expectations

Nikkei Chinese Edition recently reported that the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in China has released the results of a business climate questionnaire survey given to member companies. Regarding China’s economic outlook for 2024, around 60 percent of the member companies responded that they expected it to be “worse” or “slightly worse” compared with the previous year, an increase of ten percent compared to the last survey (50 percent) conducted in May. The number of companies that answered “about the same” accounted for 29 percent, a decrease of five percentage points from the previous survey. The number of companies that answered “improved’” was one percent, the same as last time. The number of companies that answered “slightly improved” was ten percent, a decrease of four percentage points. Respondents in the automotive, steel, non-ferrous metals, and materials were more likely to give pessimistic forecasts regarding China’s 2024 outlook. Regarding the level of investment in 2024, about 45 percent of the respondents said that they would “reduce investment” or “make no investment this year.” Some companies saw very fierce price reductions in sales, saying it is difficult to make a profit. Some also expressed concern over uncertainty in exports, as the United States is tightening trade controls against China.

Source: Nikkei Chinese, September 2, 2024
https://cn.nikkei.com/industry/management-strategy/56574-2024-09-02-09-39-47.html

Briefings | | September 11, 2024 | Economy/Resources Geo-Strategic Trend

Chinese Electric Vehicle Sales in Europe Decline After EU Imposes New Tariffs

According to statistics from the data platform Dataforce, Chinese Electric Vehicle (EV) brands such as BYD and SAIC Motor’s “MG” registered sales of fewer than 14,000 vehicles in Europe in July, a 64 percent drop from the over 23,000 vehicles sold during June. The July figures represent a 9.7 percent year-on-year decrease (compared with July of the previous year). The share of Chinese EV registrations in the European market dropped from 10.2 percent in July last year to 9.9 percent this year.

Global automotive industry data analytics provider Jato Dynamics showed a similar trend of decline. SAIC’s EV registrations in Europe fell by 38 percent year-on-year in July, with a significant month-on-month decline of 60 percent. BYD’s EV sales in Europe in July doubled year-on-year and were down 5.5 percent compared with the previous month.

The European Union has introduced additional provisional tariffs of up to 38 percent on Chinese EVs starting July 5. It is still negotiating with Beijing, with permanent tariffs set to take effect in November.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao, August 30, 2024
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/finance/china/story20240830-4582064

Briefings | | September 9, 2024 | Economy/Resources Geo-Strategic Trend

Tibetan Leaders Criticize CCP’s Tibet Policy Following CCP Media Report

On August 28, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) mouth-pieces CCTV and Xinhua News Agency released a nearly-3-minute video showcasing the “achievements of the 30th Anniversary of Paired Assistance (from Provinces and Institutions) to Tibet.” The end of the video included a quote from Xi Jinping regarding four “as long as” conditions regarding Tibet: “As long as we work together, as long as we promote ethnic unity, as long as we follow the CCP, and as long as we adhere to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, we will surely achieve the glorious goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation as planned.”

Comments from Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and from Kelsang Gyaltsen, the Central Tibetan Administration’s representative in Taiwan, outlined a critical view of the CCP’s policies for governing Tibet during Xi’s era, summarizing four main goals of the CCP:

Completely remove the influence of the 14th Dalai Lama from the subconscious of Tibetans by searching their homes and personal phones.
Treat Tibetan religious language and culture as a “tumor,” close privately run Tibetan language schools, and arrest intellectual elites who attempt to preserve Tibetan culture.
Force Tibetan children to attend boarding school, leaving behind their parents and their culture. Compel the children to study Mandarin Chinese and Han Chinese culture under the framework of “forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.”
Fully implement the “Sinicization of religion” (i.e. the modification and watering down of religion to meet the requirements of the Chinese Communist Party)

Source: Radio Free Asia, August 29, 2024
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/shaoshuminzu/hx2-xi-jinping-tibet-08292024072621.html

Briefings | | September 5, 2024 | @CS Government/Politics

Chinese Ship Repeatedly Rams Philippine Ship at Sabina Shoal, Third Such Clash in Two Weeks

There has been another collision between a Chinese ship and a Philippine vessel at the disputed Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea, the third such collision in less than two weeks. Drone footage released by the Philippine government showed multiple Chinese Coast Guard ships surrounding a Philippine Coast Guard ship, with one of the Chinese vessels repeatedly ramming the Philippine vessel.

Initially, the China Coast Guard charged that, on August 31, Philippine Coast Guard ship 9701 (called the Magbanua) had “illegally remained” at Sabina Shoal, dropped anchor, and continued to maneuver provocatively within the lagoon. The coast guard further alleged that the Philippine vessel had intentionally collided with a Chinese Coast Guard ship in an “unprofessional and dangerous manner,” placing full responsibility for the collision on the Philippines.

The Philippine Coast Guard, in a video press conference held on the same day, released drone footage of the collision. The footage showed that China had deployed multiple government and militia vessels to surround the Philippine Magbanua, that Chinese Coast Guard ship 5205 had rammed into the left side of the Philippine ship, and that the Chinese vessel then made several turns to further ram the Philippine ship, causing damage to Magbanua. The Philippine ship ended up with multiple holes in its side. No injuries were reported by the Philippines.

The Philippines reported that the Magbanua had been stationed so as to to prevent China from taking over the Sabina Shoal. The Philippine government expressed that it would not withdraw the boat.

This marks at least the third collision incident between China and the Philippines at Sabina Shoal in less than two weeks. When asked if the Philippine Navy would seek assistance from other countries, the Philippine National Maritime Committee stated that the Philippine Coast Guard would manage the issue and that the Philippine Navy would not be involved.

Course: Radio France International, August 31, 2024
https://www.rfi.fr/cn/中国/20240831-中菲船舰南海2周3次碰撞-菲律宾-不因中方-霸凌-撤离

Briefings | | September 5, 2024 | Geo-Strategic Trend

Wu Guoguang: Xi Jinping’s Reversal of the Course, Will China’s Transition be Peaceful or Marked with Bloodshed?

Cheng Xiaonong: U.S.-China Strategic Relations Have Crystallized

Xinhua Commentaries: “Exposing the Three Major Political Deficits of the U.S.”

The CCP’s Performing Arts Troupes in the U.S.