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China’s Reaction to Trump’s Election Win

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Xinhua Commentary Series: Spotlight on the U.S. Presidential Election

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

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

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World Press Freedom Index: Where Countries Ranked

Major Taiwanese news group Eastern Media International recently reported that, not long ago, Reporters Without Borders released the rankings for the 2022 World Press Freedom Index. Taiwan rose from 43rd last year to 38th. It is now ahead of Japan, South Korea and the United States. Hong Kong fell all the way from 80th last year to 148th this year. China ranked 175th out of 180 countries. The Index showed that Nordic countries are still at the top, with Norway and Denmark taking the top two places Both have high ratings of over 90. The five countries sitting at the bottom are North Korea (180th), Eritrea (179th), Iran (178th), Myanmar (176th), and China (175th). The United States ranked 42. The Reporters Without Borders report pointed out that the authoritarian regimes, which strictly control the media, used their asymmetrical position to launch propaganda wars against democracy, intensifying the confrontations with the democratic nations. Every year, Reporters Without

Borders ranks 180 countries and territories on the degree of freedom for journalists.

The situation is classified as “very bad” in a record number of 28 countries in this year’s Index, while 12 countries, including Belarus (153rd) and Russia (155th), are on the Index’s red list (indicating “very bad” press freedom situations) on the map. The world’s 10 worst countries for press freedom include Myanmar (176th), where the February 2021 coup d’état set press freedom back by 10 years, as well as China, Turkmenistan (177th), Iran (178th), Eritrea (179th) and North Korea (180th).

Source: ETToday, May 3, 2022
https://www.ettoday.net/news/20220503/2243194.htm
https://rsf.org/en/rsfs-2022-world-press-freedom-index-new-era-polarisation

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend Social Stability

RFI Chinese: China Abruptly Removed Coal Import Tariffs

Radio France Internationale (RFI) Chinese Edition recently reported that China announced not long ago that it would remove tariffs on its coal imports. As the world’s most populous country, China pledged in 2020 to start reducing carbon emissions by 2030. However, 56 percent of its energy consumption is still based on coal, which has been considered to be an energy source particularly harmful to the climate. In the announcement of China’s General Administration of Customs, the removal of import duties on coal lasts from May 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023. China currently imposes tariffs of three to six percent on imported coal. The General Administration of Customs said the measure was taken to “further secure the country’s energy supply” and development. Faced with last year’s power shortage, China has decided to boost its coal production and the government has ordered Chinese mines to “produce as much coal as possible.” In addition, in 2021, large-scale coal-fired power plant projects were also launched. Coal consumption in China, the world’s second-largest economy, rose 4.9 percent last year.

Source: RFI Chinese, April 28, 2022
https://bit.ly/3FnIOxT

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

CCP’s Warning to Japan: Don’t Be the “Leading-Way-Party” for “Asia-Pacification of NATO”

On May 6, Global Times, an official media of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), published an editorial in Chinese (an English version was published on the next day), warning Japan, “Don’t Be the ‘Leading-Way-Party (Traitor)’ for the ‘Asia-Pacification of NATO.'” The article stated, “Japan shouldn’t be a promoter for NATO’s Asia-Pacific expansion.”

The editorial said, the Ukraine crisis and the geopolitical tragedy it has triggered are not enough to kill the hunger of the U.S. and some Western countries to reap political profits from the situation. Visiting Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his British counterpart Boris Johnson agreed in principle on May 5 on a reciprocal access agreement between the Japanese Self-defense Forces and the British military. Johnson called the move “a landmark” that will strengthen “Britain’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.” Meanwhile, Kishida made sensational remarks. He stated that “Ukraine may be tomorrow’s East Asia,” saying that now is the time for the G7 leading nations to solidify their unity.

All these showy remarks reveal a dangerous tendency: NATO is trying to apply the tricks of “bloc politics” and “confrontation between camps” to the Asia-Pacific region. For a long time, the United Kingdom has propagated the following on several occasions, “the globalization of NATO” and the “need to preempt threats in the Indo-Pacific” and to ensure Taiwan “is able to defend itself.” Within the Asia-Pacific region, Japan is abnormally active in catering to such a scheme. It seems Tokyo wants to be the “traitorous guide” for NATO’s expansion in the Asia-Pacific region.

The United States is undoubtedly the main force behind this trend. In recent years, Washington has pushed its allies to coordinate with its strategy to look eastward. London aims to recover its declining influence by “exploring the way” for Washington. Japan wants to take advantage of the U.S. connivance to break the “shackles” of the pacifist constitution and resurrect its militarism. The Ukraine crisis is a “good dish” for some politicians who have constantly escalated their voice and who move to create regional tensions.

This editorial also expresses Beijing’s judgment on NATO. NATO makes divisions in Europe and creates crises and wars in the world. The NATO-style bloc confrontation mechanism forcibly divides regional countries into countries within the alliance and countries outside the alliance, which can only create more insecurity and cause countries to plunge into the paradox and trap of being vigilant and hostile against each other. It is definitely a poison not an antidote for easing the security anxiety and tension of regional countries. The European security “crash” proves the US-led NATO system doesn’t fit in the current era.

Now, some people want to cooperate with the United States and the West to forcibly introduce the “security model” into the Asia-Pacific region, which has proved to be a failure in Europe and has led to serious consequences. Isn’t that an intent to undermine regional peace and stability? Those countries who talk about “Ukraine may be tomorrow’s East Asia” are filled with self-interest and are serious about replicating one or more Ukrainian crises in other regions. Asian countries must remain on high alert to that.

The good situation in Asia must not be destroyed by the “new cold war.” Also. the vigilance and rejection of the “Asia-Pacification of NATO” should become a strong consensus and collective consciousness of all countries in the region.

Finally, the editorial emphasizes in particular is that Japan should not undermine the overall environment for peace and development in the region. Such an act of “inviting the wolf into the room” will harm others and harm itself.

Source: Global Times, May 06, 2022
https://opinion.huanqiu.com/article/47tzr9st2EQ, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202205/1264992.shtml

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

China’s Social Media Platform Mandated to Display Region of User IP

In October of last year, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) released a draft copy of the “Internet User Account Information Management Regulations.” The draft copy specified that social media platforms should prominently display the region of the IP address of the user. Domestic users would show the province (or city) of the IP address and foreign users would display the country where the IP address belongs.

According to media in China, Weibo, WeChat, Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok), Kuaishou, Xiaohongshu, Toutiao, and Zhihu have recently enabled this mandatory function to display the province or the country where the user’s IP is located. The user cannot turn off function.

More than a majority of Chinese netizens think that the mandatory display of IP region targets overseas users. Many criticized the move as an infringement on privacy and fear that it may fuel conflicts between users from different regions. Others expressed support, saying it could effectively block foreign forces.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), April 29, 2022
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202204290361.aspx

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

Communist Youth League: State Pays High Attention to “Lying Flat”

The term “lying flat” became trendy in 2021. It refers to a lifestyle that calls for “not buying a house, not buying a car, not getting married, not having a baby, not consuming,” and “maintaining a minimum standard of living. It means refusing to become a machine for others to make money and a slave to be exploited.” “Lying flat” reflects the reality of over competition in Chinese society to such an extent that many young people no longer believe that hard work results in a better life. Right after this movement gained in popularity, the state media published articles criticizing ithis view. Since 2021, the term “lying flat” has become popular among young Chinese people. Recently, the chief administrative body of the central government State Council released a white paper on “China’s Youth in a New Era” and held a press conference.

He Junke, the first secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League (CYL), said, “The state attaches great importance to the deep-rooted problems reflected in the ‘lying flat’ movement. The pressure of work, study and of life that the young generation faces are serious and realistic.” The Communist Youth League is a Chinese communist organization for young people between the ages of 14 and 28.

He also quoted Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, who said, “Happiness comes out of struggle, and struggle itself is a kind of happiness.”

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), April 21, 2022
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202204210223.aspx

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

CCP Urges All Units to Use Domestic Computers Uniformly

On May 5, 2022, the Epoch Times reported that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is implementing a “Safety and Reliability Alliance Program.” The authorities urged all government, state-owned enterprises and institutions to hand over all of their current computers and replace them with domestic computers and systems. The reason is to “prevent foreign forces from stealing China’s data.”

On May 4, some Chinese netizens posted that their working units were urged to turn in their old computers after May 1 and replace them with new computers and systems made in China. Since that system is not compatible with Windows software, a Windows emulator has to be installed. That will result in a 10-year regression in office efficiency.

A netizen from a city in western Henan Province responded that his city has already replaced their computers with all Hikvision computers, which cost more than 9,000 yuan (RMB, or $1,360) each. The new computers are very difficult to use and have very little software. In addition, the authorities require that all units in China finish the replacement within two years.

Hikvision is a Chinese video surveillance equipment manufacturer. The British Financial Times reported on May 4 that the United States is moving to impose sanctions on Hikvision. The U.S. accused it of facilitating the CCP’s internal crackdown.

Concerning the CCP’s authorities forcing enterprises and institutions to use domestic computers, some netizens said it might be related to the ” Safety and Reliability Alliance,” and is probably because of its fear of U.S. sanctions.

According to public information, the predecessor of the “Safety and Reliability Alliance” was the “Working Committee on Information Technology Application and Innovation,” which was established in 2016. On January 9, 2019, it was officially changed to the China Electronics Industry Standardization Technology Association — Safety and Reliability Working Committee, that includes 14 categories of members, with a total of 180 member units. It’s aim is to “nationalize and automatize control.”

The CCP is promoting the “Safety and Reliability Alliance” to prevent possible sanctions from the United States and Europe. The authorities require some special enterprises to realize “nationalized substitution” in 2022. In particular, all provincial governments, important municipal governments, the financial sector, and the military sector are gradually making replacements with nationalized facilities.

The “Safety and Reliability Alliance” is considered a trillion-dollar market that involves a huge industrial chain. It is expected that 40 million computers will be replaced domestically in China.

 

Source: Epoch Times, May 5, 2022.                                                                                                                                                                                           https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/22/5/4/n13727288.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Chair of European Union Chamber of Commerce in China: China’s Leadership Is Prisoner of Its Own Narrative

Joerg Wuttke, the President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, when talking to the media, recently stated, “They (China’s leadership) are prisoners of their own narrative … China was the first to get into the pandemic and it is the last to get out. In the meantime, they’ve been telling the whole world that they’re the best.”

Wuttke said the above words on April 27, 2022, during an in-depth interview with NZZ Mediengruppe, the German media The Market NZZ. “All over China, entrepreneurs look to Shanghai and have to deal with the scenario that the same thing could happen in their city. So, until further notice, they hit the pause button and froze almost all investment plans.”

“The stimulus measures (in China) are like a band-aid for an amputation. The People’s Bank of China pumps some liquidity into the system, money flows into infrastructure projects and state-owned enterprises receive support. However, that doesn’t get private companies and foreign corporations to invest again.” Wuttke predicted that China’s GDP growth will be below 4 percent this year.

On behalf of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, Wuttke sent a letter to Hu Chunhua, the  Vice Premier of China, requesting a change in the official dynamic Zero-Covid policy, but he received no formal response.

He pointed out, “The president (Xi Jinping) has maneuvered himself into two dead ends at once. He can’t change his Covid policy, and he can’t change anything about his friendship with Vladimir Putin.”

“All signs indicate that the politicians do not want to solve the problem, but only to limit it. I don’t see any vaccination campaign, no information campaign, no imports of mRNA vaccines, and I don’t see the population being told that society can live with it. So I have to assume that Zero Covid will result in locking down this city and then that city on a monthly basis, at least until the Party Congress.”

“Perhaps there will be a rethink when the domestic economy hits rock bottom.  Perhaps they will realize in Beijing that they need foreign companies after all. Perhaps they will then open their doors wider again. However today, of course, we are not there yet.”

Source: The Market NZZ, April 27, 2022
https://themarkeZt.ch/Cinterview/chinas-leadership-is-prisoner-of-its-own-narrative-ld.6545

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

LTN: S&P Boosted Taiwan’s Sovereign Rating to AA+

Major Taiwanese news network Liberty Times Network (LTN) recently reported that S&P Global just upgraded Taiwan’s sovereign credit rating to AA+ with a “stable” outlook, thanks to the strong performance of Taiwan’s economy. After 21 years, Taiwan’s sovereign rating once again reached AA+. S&P explained that strong demand for Taiwan’s electronics exports drove the strong economic performance despite the pressure from rising geopolitical tensions. S&P expressed the belief that the Taiwan Strait issue will not seriously undermine Taiwan’s economic stability in the next three to five years. The rating will remain fairly balanced in the next year, and the structural demand for Taiwan’s semiconductor exports may offset the risks related to geopolitical tensions. However, geopolitical challenges still pose headwinds to Taiwan’s export-reliant economy. S&P did not believe this negative would be significant enough to derail Taiwan’s competitive manufacturing growth. Covid-19 has been driving the global acceleration of digital development, boosting Taiwan’s semiconductor exports. S&P also pointed out that Taiwan’s inflation rate has remained one of the lowest in Asia for quite a long time. This new rating adjustment was after S&P upgraded Taiwan’s sovereign rating from AA- to AA in April last year.

Source: LTN, April 29, 2022
https://ec.ltn.com.tw/article/breakingnews/3909967

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend