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

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

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BBC Chinese: Huawei Announces HarmonyOS 5, Declares Independence from Android

BBC Chinese reported that Chinese telecommunication giant Huawei just announced its HarmonyOS 5.0 mobile operating system which, according to Huawei, is completely and independently developed domestically. Huawei claimed this is the third largest mobile operating system in the world, after iOS by Apple and Android by Google.

In the context of U.S. technology sanctions, the announced of HarmonyOS 5.0 attracted attention from experts who wonder whether Huawei can truly remove its past reliance on Android and even challenge the huge market share of Apple’s iOS ecosystem. Analysts expressed the belief that it is still very difficult for the HarmonyOS system to gain favor in markets outside China, and its expected popularity in China will not be seen as a surprise, as any new products by Huawei are backed by the Chinese government’s support for the electronics and semiconductor industry to be “independent.”

Previous HarmonyOS versions had compatibility with Android apps. Starting 5.0, Harmony apps must be rewritten in Huawei’s own programming language ArkTS. The extent to which app authors will support the new system remains to be seen, as the entire HarmonyOS Chinese market share is only 17 percent. At the moment, the new operating system has only completed testing and is not yet officially available in the global retail market.

Source: BBC Chinese, October 24, 2024
https://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/business-69438203

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

European Parliament Condemns China’s Interpretation of UN Resolution 2758, Supports Taiwan’s International Participation

On October 24th, the European Parliament passed a resolution titled “ Misinterpretation of UN resolution 2758 by the People’s Republic of China and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan” with 432 votes in favor, 60 against, and 71 abstentions. The resolution offered the clearest stance to date on UN Resolution 2758, emphasizing that it does not take a position on Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations General Assembly. The resolution strongly opposes the People’s Republic of China’s misinterpretation of history and international rules, which it uses to block Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. It calls on the EU to use diplomatic and economic measures to counter China’s coercion. The resolution describes Taiwan as a key, like-minded partner for the EU in the Indo-Pacific region and encourages the EU and member states to deepen cooperation and exchanges with Taiwan in areas such as economic investment, the semiconductor supply chain, disaster relief, and civil defense. It also calls for continued support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).

The resolution condemns the military exercises and ongoing provocations by the People’s Liberation Army around the Taiwan Strait and commends the restraint shown by the Taiwanese government.

Source: Radio Free Asia, October 25, 2024
https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/htm/taiwan-european-parliament-china-united-nations-2758-10252024015324.html?encoding=simplified

Briefings | | |   @CS Geo-Strategic Trend Government/Politics

Xinhua Commentary: New Era of “Big BRICS” with China’s Strategic Vision

The 16th BRICS Leaders’ Summit was held from October 22 to 24, in Kazan, Russia. This was the first summit since the expansion of BRICS from five countries to nine, which China called it the “Big BRICS.”

Xinhua News Agency published several commentaries stressing the importance of the summit. One commentary said that China has left a significant mark on BRICS’ growth journey. From proposing the “BRICS Spirit” to initiating the “BRICS+” cooperation model, from launching the new “three-pillar” stages of cooperation (political security, economic and financial affairs, cultural exchange) to Xin Jinping’s new speech of five points on BRICS development (“Peaceful BRICS,” “Innovative BRICS,” “Green BRICS,” “Just BRICS,” and “Cultural BRICS”), China has provided a roadmap and direction to advance BRICS cooperation from a new starting point.

Another commentary said that global affairs should be handled through joint consultation, international rules should be formulated and observed by all countries together, and the benefits of governance should be shared by everyone. This is a common pursuit of many “Global South” countries. The BRICS cooperation mechanism is working to make the global governance system more balanced and more representative.

Source:
1. Xinhua, October 25, 2024
http://www.xinhuanet.com/world/20241025/eb0fb38f28404e13b76905c007758991/c.html
2. Xinhua, October 21, 2024
http://www.news.cn/world/20241021/d24e1181b5e24ad8a319993d6f94c621/c.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

China Commemorates 74th Anniversary of Chinese Army’s Participation in Korean War, North Korea Officials Absent From Celebration

Xinhua News Agency reported that October 25 was the 74th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Volunteers (CPV) entering the Korean War to resist U.S. aggression and aid Korea. On this day, the China’s Ambassador to North Korea, Wang Yajun, led embassy diplomats, representatives of Chinese enterprises in North Korea, media, overseas Chinese, and Chinese students in a wreath-laying ceremony at the China-North Korea Friendship Tower in Pyongyang, paying deep respect to the fallen CPV heroes. Also, on October 21, Wang, along with embassy diplomats and representatives of Chinese enterprises, media, and overseas Chinese, visited the CPV Martyrs’ Cemetery in Yangde County, South Pyongan Province, to honor the martyrs.

However, the report didn’t mention the participation of any North Korean officials.

Compared to a year ago, Chinese media reported that many North Korean officials attended the same event at the China-North Korea Friendship Tower, including Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly Kang Yun-sok, Deputy Minister of the International Department of the Workers’ Party of Korea Mun Song-guk, Deputy Minister of National Defense Kim Min-sok, Deputy Foreign Minister Pak Myong-ho, Deputy Minister of Foreign Economic Affairs Ryu Eun-hye, Deputy Minister of Culture Pak Kyong-chol, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and Chairman of the DPRK-China Friendship Association Pak Kyong-il, and Deputy Chairman of the Pyongyang City People’s Committee Hong Kim-chol. On the same day, ceremonies were held at the CPV Martyrs’ Cemeteries in Hoechang, Anju, and Kaesong, where local North Korean officials and residents laid wreaths.

Source:
1. Xinhua, October 25, 2024
http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/20241025/20526d8048d047e7a2910072aab88844/c.html
2. chinamartyrs.gov.cn, October 27, 2023
https://www.chinamartyrs.gov.cn/shengji_gzdt/shengjigjhz/202404/t20240412_411655.html

Briefings | | |   @CS Geo-Strategic Trend Government/Politics

Xi Jinping Inspects Rocket Force Unit, Emphasizes Combat Readiness and Party Leadership

Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, inspected a Rocket Force unit on the 17th, emphasizing the need to strengthen crisis awareness and combat readiness.

During his visit to a Rocket Force brigade in Hefei, Xi observed weapons equipment demonstrations and troop training exercises. In his remarks, Xi stressed maintaining absolute Party leadership over the military and ensuring troops follow orders from the Party Central Committee and Central Military Commission.

He also emphasized strengthening grass-roots Party organizations, investigating and dealing with corruption issues, enhancing combat preparedness and operational capabilities, and adapting to modern warfare changes by focusing on new equipment, skills, and tactics.

The visit came shortly after China’s “Joint Sword-2024B” military exercises near Taiwan on the 14th, and following Xi’s inspection of Dongshan Island in Fujian province, a location with historical military significance in cross-strait relations. Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia accompanied the inspection. The timing of these visits – to Dongshan Island and then the Rocket Force – appears significant given recent military activities in the region.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), October 19, 2024
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202410190145.aspx

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Freedom House: China’s Internet Freedom Ranks at the Bottom for Ten Consecutive Years

Radio Free Asia (RFA) Chinese Edition recently reported that, according to U.S. democracy research organization Freedom House, China has been ranked as the least-free country on the Internet for ten consecutive years, and that the rating has declined year by year. Internet freedom globally has declined for 14 consecutive years as well. China’s rating score has been at the bottom for the 10th consecutive year, falling from 12 in 2015 to 9 in 2024.

The report stated that the Chinese government continues to isolate the domestic Internet from the rest of the world, to restrict international traffic to some government websites, to impose heavy fines on people who use VPNs to circumvent the firewall, and to systematically suppress dissent. Whether people share news reports or talk about religious beliefs, they will be strictly controlled. After a decade of technological progress, the Chinese government’s censorship and surveillance technology has become increasingly effective. In addition, Xi Jinping’s government has established a new bureaucracy to tighten control over the Internet.

Freedom House evaluates the degree of Internet freedom in 72 countries around the world. Internet users in these regions account for approximately 80 percent of the world’s online population. The 2024 report shows that Iceland sits at the top to the ranking list and Taiwan ranks 7th in the world with a score of 79, the best in Asia.

Source: RFA Chinese, October 16, 2024
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/lu-cyber-freedom-in-china-10162024095604.html

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

Former Chinese Justice Minister Tang Yijun Arrested on Corruption Charges

Tang Yijun, China’s former Minister of Justice, has been arrested on suspicion of accepting bribes, according to Xinhua News Agency. The Supreme People’s Procuratorate has formally approved his arrest following an investigation by the National Supervision Commission.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and National Supervisory Commission previously revealed several allegations against Tang, including using his authority to help relatives secure financial business deals, improperly interfering in market economic activities and judicial proceedings, failing to properly supervise his spouse, using public power for personal gain through large-scale trading of power for money, and illegally accepting massive amounts of bribes in exchange for favors in business operations, company listings, promotions, and case handling.

Notably, Caixin Media reported that during Tang’s two-and-a-half-year tenure in Liaoning Province, he helped Evergrande Group acquire controlling stakes in Shengjing Bank, which led to substantial bad debts. Evergrande also made significant real estate investments in Liaoning, leaving behind unfinished buildings when its capital chain broke.

Tang’s career included extensive work in Zhejiang Province before becoming the Chairman of Ningbo CPPCC in 2011. He later served as Liaoning Province Governor and Minister of Justice (2020-2023). His last position was Chairman of the Jiangxi Provincial CPPCC before his dismissal from both the Party and public office. Sources indicate that most of the alleged violations occurred during his time in Ningbo and Liaoning.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), October 18, 2024
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202410180098.aspx

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Chinese Dairy Giant Feihe Faces Backlash Over Japanese Partnership Amid Rising Anti-Japanese Sentiment

Chinese dairy company Feihe faced significant social media backlash after announcing a technical cooperation agreement with Japanese biotech firm Kyowa Kirin on October 3rd. The controversy emerged amid heightened anti-Japanese sentiment in China following the tragic stabbing death of a Japanese schoolboy in Shenzhen on September 18th.

After the announcement of their joint innovation laboratory for developing fermented lactoferrin production technology, false claims began circulating on Chinese social media. These included allegations that Feihe was receiving Japanese investment and importing Japanese raw materials. Some netizens connected this to concerns about Japan’s nuclear wastewater release, leading to calls for boycotts and expressions of distrust regarding Japanese involvement in products for Chinese children.

As the misinformation spread and reached trending topics, Feihe issued a statement on WeChat on October 18th addressing these claims. The company clarified that the partnership was limited to technical exchange and did not involve raw material imports or formula usage. They also announced they had filed a police report and would pursue legal action against those spreading false information.

Feihe emphasized its status as a leading Chinese national enterprise, noting its establishment in Heilongjiang in 1962 and its position as China’s top infant formula manufacturer with 21.5% market share as of January 2023. The company stressed its patriotic alignment with consumers and explained that its collaborations with domestic and international research institutions aim to improve their products for Chinese babies.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), October 19, 2024
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202410190226.aspx

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend