Chinascope – Page 124

Chinese Newspaper Global Times: UK Government Unreasonably Suppressed Chinese Companies Again

Global Times, a Chinese newspaper under the People’s Daily, recently reported that the British government asked a number of departments to stop installing surveillance cameras related to China in sensitive buildings, citing security risks. The Cabinet Office of the British government stated in a written request submitted to Parliament that it was asking all departments under its jurisdiction to prohibit these installations, “given the threat to the UK, and the increasing capability and interoperability of these systems, we need additional controls.” The UK government’s new rules, which apply to surveillance camera equipment made by companies subject to Chinese security regulations, include instructing departments to disconnect such equipment from core computer networks and consider removing it entirely. This is not the first time the UK has cracked down on Chinese surveillance products. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press conference in response to this matter that China firmly opposes some people’s generalization of the concept of national security and their unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies. Ne also said that in addition, the Chinese government will firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.

Source: Global Times, November 25, 2022
https://world.huanqiu.com/article/4AcXuQ7XIFv

Briefings | | November 28, 2022 | Geo-Strategic Trend Information/Technology

RTI: U.S. Broadened Bans on New Chinese Communications Equipment Imports

Radio Taiwan International (RTI) recently reported that the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) just issued a broadened ban on new telecommunications equipment from Chinese companies such as Huawei and ZTE, citing “unacceptable risk” to US national security. The FCC said it had passed a final rule prohibiting the sale or import of equipment deemed to pose a national security risk to the United States. This is the latest blow to Chinese telecommunications equipment makers. Jessica Rosenworcel, chairwoman of the FCC, circulated the proposed measure to three other commissioners who will give their final approval next month. She said these new rules are an important part of our ongoing efforts to protect the American people from national security threats involving telecommunications. The FCC follows the requirements of the Safety Equipment Act of 2021, which was signed into law by President Biden last November. The following Chinese companies, Huawei, ZTE, Dahua Technology, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology, and Hytera Communications will all be impacted by this ban. The measures would effectively disallow these companies from selling new devices in the U.S. and will also expand and update the FCC’s “covered list” of prohibited products to prevent private entities from bringing products from these Chinese companies into the United States as well. Huawei declined to comment on this matter, while ZTE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Source: RTI, November 26, 2022
https://www.rti.org.tw/news/view/id/2151714

Briefings | | November 28, 2022 | Information/Technology US-China Relations

RFA Chinese: Tencent Launched another Round of Layoffs

Radio Free Asia, Chinese Edition, recently reported that sources said that Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings has begun a new round of layoffs in its video streaming, gaming and cloud computing divisions. This round of layoffs affects three of Tencent’s six business units. It is difficult to determine the size of the layoffs. China’s tech sector continues to feel the effects of regulatory crackdowns and the Zero Covid government policies that have slowed China’s economic growth. Earlier this year, Tencent had already cut staff along with other well-known tech companies such as the Alibaba Group. Tencent management said they were focused on cutting costs and have closed non-core businesses in some areas. The Shenzhen-based company is eyeing global expansion to offset slowing growth in China. Tencent is recalibrating its mergers and acquisitions strategy, focusing more on buying majority stakes in mostly overseas game companies. Market analysts expressed the belief that Tencent will report flat or slightly smaller revenue for its third quarter. Tencent declined to comment on the matter.

Source: RFA Chinese, November 15, 2022
https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/tencent-11152022065627.html

Briefings | | November 21, 2022 | Economy/Resources Information/Technology

Apple Factory in Shanghai Stopped Hiring Workers

Well-known Chinese news site Sina (NASDAQ: SINA) recently reported that Shanghai Pegatron, known as Apple’s second largest foundry (after Foxconn), issued an announcement on October 15th that it would suspend recruitment. Pegatron has always been the main force in manufacturing iPhone Plus models. The reporter visited Pegatron’s Shanghai Apple factory in person, and the recruitment interview office was empty. The security guard at the factory gate explained, “The factory is not that busy right now, and recruitment has stopped.” According to sources, Apple cut 70 percent and 90 percent respectively of the orders from two of its suppliers in China. At the same time Apple asked at least one component supplier to stop production immediately. The recent sharp reduction in working hours has caused dissatisfaction among many employees, since their income has been reduced substantially and they can only get a base salary. As the largest iPhone OEM, Zhengzhou Foxconn accounts for half of the world’s iPhone assembly work. Foxconn also lowered the company’s performance forecast for the fourth quarter, due to the Zero Covid government policy. Apple has been spreading its supply chain around the world to manage risk. This year, the number of factories from the United States and South Korea increased significantly. In particular, the number of American suppliers has increased from 54 to 85.

Source: Sina, November 15, 2022
https://finance.sina.cn/tech/csj/2022-11-15/detail-imqqsmrp6279086.d.html

Briefings | | November 21, 2022 | Information/Technology US-China Relations

Lianhe Zaobao: Moody’s Risk Management Unit Closed its China Operations

Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao recently reported that Moody’s has closed the risk management unit of its China operations, thus cutting about 100 jobs. People familiar with the matter said Moody’s Analytics closed its offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen after discussing operational efficiency and profitability. However, Moody’s credit rating business will continue. Wall Street is now grappling with China’s strict Zero Covid government policy, volatile markets and state intervention. Morningstar had cut its staff in China earlier this year too. In response to inquiries, a Moody’s spokesperson said that, as announced on the most recent earnings call, Moody’s is taking steps to align its global workforce with current and anticipated economic conditions. Moody’s continues to maintain a strong presence in China and make constructive contributions to China’s sustainable growth and the further development of the Chinese domestic market. As a rating agency, Moody’s said Beijing’s support for its domestic real estate sector is not enough to eliminate the pessimistic outlook.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao, November 18, 2022
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/china/story20221118-1334459

Briefings | | November 21, 2022 | Economy/Resources US-China Relations

Global Times: Let the World’s Top Scientists Be Proud that They received Award from China

On November 6, 2022, China held a World Laureates Forum in Shanghai. Chen Jining, Secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee, Wan Gang, Chairman of the China Association for Science and Technology, Shen Haixiong, Vice Minister of the Propaganda Department of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the China Central Radio and Television Station, and Roger Kornberg, Chairman of the World Top Scientists Association and winner of the 2006 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.

China’s state media Global Times published a commentary discussing the objectives of the forum. Below are the main points from the commentary:

“At the opening ceremony of the Fifth World’s Top Scientists Forum (World Laureates Forum) held in Shanghai, the first World Top Scientists Association Award (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Top Scientists Award’) was awarded. The World’s Top Scientists Association initiated the award and hosted the event along with the Shanghai World’s Top Scientists Development Foundation. The ‘Top Scientists Award is a science award for global scientists. It was officially announced at the 4th World’s Top Scientists Forum on November 1, 2021. The Top Scientist Award is awarded once a year. At present, two individual awards have been established, the ‘Intelligent Science or Mathematics Award’ and the ‘Life Science or Medicine Award.’ Ten million Chinese Yuan (~US$1.5 million) is given to each award winner. The same award can be given to and shared by up to 4 people. This award is also the highest bonus science and technology award established by China to date.”

“The establishment of the Top Scientist Award has a certain significance for the development of science and technology in China.”

“First of all, among the fiercely competitive world science and technology awards, large-scale investment in the establishment of international science and technology awards shows the determination and confidence of Chinese entrepreneurs and the scientific and technological circles to dare to participate in the competition for the world’s top science and technology awards.”

“Second, the international science and technology awards issued locally will help to increase the public attention given to science and technology, broaden the horizons of the scientific and technological circles and the public, and deepen the understanding of international scientific and technological progress and of global scientists.”

“Third, the Top Science and Technology Association Award is an international award led by non-governmental organizations and recommended by top scientists. It highlights its non-governmental, academic, and international nature, and is conducive to showing China’s more open international image in the field of science and technology and to promoting global academic exchanges and cooperation with scientific research to build a more open scientific community.”

Source:
1. Website for China Association for Science and Technology https://www.cast.org.cn/art/2022/11/6/art_79_201895.html

2. Global Times, November 14, 2022

https://opinion.huanqiu.com/article/4ATSDOeHlcp

Briefings | | November 18, 2022 | Government/Politics Opinion

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.