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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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In 2020, China’s Economic Espionage Cases Were Seven Times What They Were Five Years Ago

On August 30, Dong Jingwei, China’s Vice Minister of State Security (MSS), said that the number of espionage cases in the economic and financial sectors in 2020 were seven times what they were five years ago. At the same time, the MSS has “strengthened work in non-traditional areas such as bio-security, network security, and data security, and has achieved rich results.”

The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission held a press conference on August 30. Dong, who was once rumored to have defected and fled the country, made his public appearance and made the above statement in response to media questions.

Dong Jingwei said that the national security organs “organized and mobilized the whole society to fight the anti-espionage war.”

Dong mentioned that MSS has achieved comprehensive coverage of the National Security People’s Defense Line. After the activation of the national security reporting platform in 2018, the number of tips submitted by the public has continued to increase, reaching a total of more than 11,000. MSS has launched investigations based on many of the submissions.

Source: Central News Agency, August 30, 2021
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202108300301.asp

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

ETIM Stands between China and the Taliban

China held its first diplomatic talks with the Taliban on Wednesday August 25, establishing “effective communication” with the insurgent group in Afghanistan. However, the growing relationship between the two countries seems to be contingent on the Taliban’s ties with the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), a Uyghur militant group.

ETIM is an extremist group of native Uyghurs, which is a Muslim minority in China. The ETIM’s stated objective is to form a sovereign nation of East Turkestan. It is to be carved out from Xinjiang province.

In 2002, the United Nations and the US officially designated the ETIM as a terrorist group. “ETIM has a close financial relationship with al-Qaida and many of its members’ received terrorist training in Afghanistan, financed by al-Qaida and the Taliban. A statement from the US Treasury Department in 2002 said, “A number of ETIM and ETIM-linked militants were captured in Afghanistan last fall fighting alongside al-Qaida and the Taliban.”

On August 30, a Chinese government spokesperson for Xinjiang province said, “In the past, the ETIM gathered in Afghanistan, posing a direct threat to the security and stability of Xinjiang. It is hoped that the Afghan Taliban draw a clear line from ETIM and attack them resolutely and effectively.”

Days earlier, on August 27, Xi Jinping, the general secretary of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) said in a meeting in Beijing, “We must resolutely guard against major hidden dangers in the ethnic field. It is necessary to  …  eliminate ethnic divisions and religious extremes.” “We must strengthen international anti-terrorism cooperation.”

Source: Central News Agency, August 30, 2021
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202108300168.aspx

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

China to Regulate Algorithms behind Internet Platforms

On August 27, 2021, the Cyber Administration of China, the country’s top Internet regulator, issued a draft version of the “Internet Information Service Algorithmic Recommendation Management Provision.”

“The use of algorithmic recommendation technology … refers to the use of generative or synthetic–type, personalized recommendation–type, ranking and selection–type, search filter–type, dispatching and decision-making–type, and other such algorithmic technologies to provide information content to users.”

The draft version stated, “Algorithmic recommendation service providers shall uphold mainstream value orientations, optimize algorithmic recommendation service mechanisms, vigorously disseminate positive energy, and advance the use of algorithms upwards and in the direction of good.”

“Algorithmic recommendation service providers may not use algorithmic recommendation services to engage in activities harming national security, upsetting the economic order and the social order, infringing on the lawful rights and interests of other persons, and other such acts prohibited by laws and administrative regulations. They may not use algorithmic recommendation services to disseminate information prohibited by laws and administrative regulations.”

“Algorithmic recommendation service providers shall strengthen information content management; they shall establish and complete feature databases to be used to identify unlawful and harmful information”

“Where unlawful information is discovered, transmission shall cease immediately, measures such as deletion shall be adopted to handle it, information spread shall be prevented, and relevant records preserved; and a report shall be made to the cybersecurity and informationization department. Where harmful information is discovered, it shall be dealt with according to online information content ecology management-related regulations.”

“Algorithmic recommendation service providers shall … vigorously present information content conforming to mainstream value orientations in key segments such as front pages and main screens, hot search terms, selected topics, topic lists, pop-up windows, and more.” “The national cybersecurity and informationization department is to establish a categorized and graded management system, to implement categorized and graded management of algorithmic recommendation service providers on the basis of the public opinion properties of algorithmic recommendation services or their social mobilization capability, content categories, scale of users, the degree of sensitivity of data handled in algorithmic recommendation, the degree of interference in users’ activities, etc.”

“The providers of algorithmic recommendation services with public opinion properties or social mobilization capabilities shall conduct a security assessment according to relevant State regulations.”

“Algorithmic recommendation service providers shall cooperate with relevant competent departments carrying out security assessment, supervision, and inspection work according to the law, and provide the necessary technical, data, other data, and support and assistance.”

The Provision also specifies the punishment such as a fine between 5,000 and 30,000 yuan for violating the regulations. “Where an act violating public order management is constituted, public order management punishment is to be imposed according to the law; where a crime is constituted, criminal liability is to be prosecuted according to the law.”

Source: Cyber Administration of China, August 27, 2021
http://www.cac.gov.cn/2021-08/27/c_1631652502874117.htm

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

Falun Gong Scored a Win in HK Court

Falun Gong online site Minghui recently reported that Falun Gong practitioner Hong Ruifeng won a case in Hong Kong. In 2013, the Hong Kong government accused Hong of an “Illegal display of placards and posters on government land without written permission” and “Obstructing public officials.” On August 19, 2021, the court ruled that Hong Ruifeng was “not guilty” of either of these two counts.

Since 2013, Hong has been clarifying the truth about Falun Gong on the street in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) confiscated his banner board. The government later filed a lawsuit against him. Hong explained that there was video evidence showing that it was actually FEHD staff who prevented him from closing the small site. Hong said he was happy to win the case. He has been on the street clarifying the truth about Falun Gong for 21 years. He also insisted that, “The persecution (of Falun Gong) has not stopped, and the truth has to be clarified.” Hong expressed the belief that winning the case means that justice returned to Falun Gong practitioners. [Editor’s note: On July 20, 1999, The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a campaign to “eradicate” Falun Gong. Since then, Falun Gong practitioners Have been clarifying the truth about Falun Gong to enable people to undestand why the CCP’s decision was wrong.]

Source: Minghui, August 22, 2021
https://bit.ly/38xVO4t

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend Social Stability

LTN: U.S. Survey Showed Strong Support for Taiwan

Major Taiwanese news network Liberty Times Network (LTN) recently reported that the U.S. independent think tank, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, release its new survey report. The report showed that, if China invades Taiwan, more than half of Americans agree to provide U.S. military assistance to Taiwan and nearly 70 percent of the respondents support Taiwan’s independence. The report also showed that 65 percent of the individuals surveyed support Taiwan’s entry into international organizations; 57 percent support the signing of the US-Taiwan Free Trade Agreement; 53 percent support a formal alliance between the United States and Taiwan; 52 percent support sending US troops to defend Taiwan; and 46 percent support a clear commitment to defend Taiwan when China invades. This is the highest percentage recorded in the same survey since the think tank first raised these questions in 1982. The report indicated that 60 percent of Republicans, 50 percent of Democrats, and 49 percent of independents are in favor of sending U.S. troops to defend Taiwan.

Source: LTN, August 27, 2021
https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/3651933

 

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

STCN: U.S. Approved Huawei’s Purchase of Automotive Chips

China Security Times (SecuTimes or STCN) recently reported that U.S. officials have approved the blacklisted Chinese telecommunications company Huawei to purchase hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of chips for its growing auto parts business. In the meantime, the Office of the United States Trade Representative issued a statement saying that Katherine Chi Tai, the U.S. Trade Representative, held a video conference with senior officials of the American Chamber of Commerce China Center Advisory Committee and the US-China Business Council. Tai pointed out that the U.S. is conducting a comprehensive assessment of U.S.-China trade policies and reiterated the importance of U.S.-China trade relations. The Biden administration has granted Huawei suppliers licenses to sell chips used in auto parts such as video screens and sensors. These approvals came as Huawei shifts its business to projects that are not susceptible to the U.S. trade ban. Sources close to the U.S. licensing offices also revealed that the U.S. government is preparing to issue licenses for chips in other vehicles that may have components with 5G functionalities. A Huawei spokesperson declined to comment on these licenses.

Source: STCN, August 25, 2021
https://bit.ly/3kzkdMB

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology US-China Relations

Chinese Netizens on China and Afghanistan Alliance

On August 27, 2021, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said that the head of the Afghan Taliban made it clear to the Chinese side that the Afghan Taliban will never allow any force to use the Afghan territory to engage in acts that hurt China. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on August 16, “The situation in Afghanistan has undergone major changes. We respect the will and choice of the Afghan people.”

The following are examples of Chinese netizens’ responses on Chinese social platforms.

“I feel furious and shameful when I see some unscrupulous media whitewashing the Taliban! The Taliban villains who caused serious injuries and massacres of countless innocent women on September 11 should be executed! The enemy’s enemy will not be a friend! Those who do not have correct thoughts and morals are unpopular no matter where they are!”

“Who would have thought that in 2021, when civilization has developed to such a high level, a group of people is still cheering for the murderers.”

“Hua Chunying said that the Afghan people chose the Taliban, so I ask, does it [Hua] have a sense of humanity? Can it [Hua] choose the fate of being stoned to death on behalf of all the Afghan people who love equality, freedom, and civilization? Is Hua Chunying still a human being?”

“I think everyone must not believe certain Chinese official accounts that are whitewashing the floor. Last night, the Taliban’s press conference made it very clear that the protection of women’s rights is within the Islamic law and is no different from the previous Taliban’s ideology and beliefs. Can a brutal and extreme terrorist organization … become a Buddha overnight? Those in our country who deliberately play a praising tune don’t support the bandits. …”

“China should be worried. This miscalculation of the United States will not weaken its determination to participate in international affairs but will only reinforce its determination and strength to take action in the future. It seemed that the United States might be embarrassed when it evacuated from South Vietnam, but how decisive it was in conquering Grenada afterward, [and entering Panama and beating Iraq].”

“The regional geo-political situation has indeed worsened, and Afghanistan is close to Xinjiang. I am afraid that it will become a training base for terrorists and a rear output center. In a sense, the withdrawal of U.S. troops is a big loss for our country.”

“Now we need to worry about the question seriously: With the emergence of this extreme Islamic regime, will the sparsely populated Wakhan Corridor, which directly connects to western China, look different from now on?”

Sources:

1.) China’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, August 16 and 27, 2021
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/web/wjdt_674879/fyrbt_674889/t1902491.shtml
http://new.fmprc.gov.cn/web/fyrbt_673021/t1899761.shtml

2,) Radio France Internationale, August 21, 2021
https://tinyurl.com/ywwn5jac

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Bilateral Trade between China and Afghanistan Up 44 Percent In the First Half of 2021

According to CCTV, on August 26, during a regular press conference, the Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said that, in 2020, bilateral trade between China and Afghanistan reached 550 million U.S. dollars. From January to June this year, bilateral trade between China and Afghanistan reached US$310 million, up 44 percent year over year. By the end of June, China had invested US$430 million in Afghanistan.

Source: Sina, August 26, 2021
https://mil.news.sina.com.cn/2021-08-26/doc-ikqcfncc5135561.shtml

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend