The Eighth China–U.S. Sister Cities Conference Held in San Francisco
The Eighth China–U.S. Sister Cities Conference was held in San Francisco on June 5 under the theme “Working Together to Promote High-Quality Development of China–U.S. Cities.”
People’s Daily described the event as an important bilateral dialogue following the recent meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping in Beijing. The conference brought together more than 150 representatives from 15 Chinese provincial-level regions and 12 cities, as well as 160 representatives from 21 U.S. states and 36 cities.
Participants exchanged views on green development and urban governance, culture and tourism, and education and youth engagement. During the conference, Chinese and U.S. cities signed five cooperation agreements and showcased 31 collaborative projects covering sister-city partnerships, cultural and tourism exchanges, and youth programs.
Analysts have been pointed out that the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front Work Department has used subnational exchange programs, including sister-city and sister-province relationships, to expand political influence and cultivate local networks within the United States.
Source: People’s Daily, June 8, 2026
https://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/pc/content/202606/08/content_30161744.html
China Hosts BRICS Industrial Forum, Promotes Manufacturing and AI Cooperation
Xinhua News Agency reported that the 2026 BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution Forum was held in Xiamen, Fujian Province, on May 27–28. Beijing used the event to showcase the country’s industrial capabilities, claiming that the combined value of China’s intelligent manufacturing equipment, industrial software, and related solutions industries has surpassed 4.5 trillion yuan (US$630 billion).
China established the BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution Innovation Center in Xiamen in 2020. Since then, the platform has facilitated 138 cooperation projects with total investment exceeding 62 billion yuan (US$8.6 billion).
The forum highlighted growing industrial and technology cooperation among BRICS countries. Indonesia promoted its “Making Indonesia 4.0” strategy focused on smart manufacturing, digital transformation, and green industry, while Chinese battery giant CATL showcased its nearly US$6 billion battery supply-chain project in Indonesia. Brazil’s Trade and Investment Promotion Agency became the first foreign government institution to establish a presence at Xiamen’s BRICS Overseas Expansion Service Center, creating a channel for Chinese companies seeking opportunities in Brazil.
Officials from Durban, South Africa, presented a five-year artificial intelligence strategy covering public services, infrastructure, tourism, and security, while Ethiopia promoted investment opportunities in its 29 industrial parks, many of which were built by Chinese companies.
Source: Xinhua, May 29, 2026
https://www.news.cn/world/20260529/7988a32bdb924b0090c846c319cb67db/c.html
PLA Expands Use of Civilian Resources for Logistics Support
People’s Daily reported that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is accelerating the integration of civilian resources into its logistics system, shifting away from a traditionally self-sufficient support model toward one that relies more heavily on government coordination, private-sector participation, and market-based services.
Under the reform effort, a growing range of civilian entities now support military logistics. Local supply chains are being used to deliver fresh food to remote military outposts, while uniforms and personal equipment are increasingly distributed through commercial logistics networks. Many military bases have also introduced civilian property-management services, and remote facilities are gradually being connected to municipal water, electricity, gas, and heating systems.
The PLA has also expanded cooperation with local hospitals, allowing service members and their families to access nearby public healthcare facilities. In addition, dedicated transportation channels for military personnel have been established at airports, railway stations, bus terminals, and ports nationwide. Chinese authorities said pilot programs involving commercial logistics, fuel supply, new-energy applications, and diversified transportation support are being rolled out across the military.
Source: People’s Daily, June 4, 2026
http://military.people.com.cn/n1/2026/0604/c1011-40733909.html
China’s State Media Reporter in Czech Republic Charged with Espionage-Related Offense
Yang Yiming, the Prague correspondent for Chinese state-run newspaper Guangming Daily, is set to stand trial after being detained for four months in the Czech Republic. Czech prosecutors accused Yang of working for Chinese intelligence services and charged him with “conducting unauthorized activities for a foreign power,” marking the first prosecution under the country’s espionage-related legislation. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison.
According to Czech authorities, Yang allegedly monitored and collected intelligence on political and academic figures in the Czech Republic, including pro-Taiwan politicians such as Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil and former Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová. Investigators said he sought to gather compromising information on these individuals on behalf of Chinese intelligence agencies.
Yang had reportedly operated in the Czech Republic for years under the identity of a journalist and had interviewed numerous Czech and Slovak political figures. Czech authorities had repeatedly renewed his press credentials and residency permits before the investigation was launched.
Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), June 3, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202606030328.aspx
Why Is Beijing Using Coast Guard Patrols Instead of Warships Near Taiwan?
On May 28, 2026, Japan and the Philippines announced the start of negotiations over the delimitation of their exclusive economic zones and continental shelves in waters east and southeast of Taiwan. On June 1, China’s Coast Guard announced that the Daishan vessel (2502) task group had conducted “law enforcement patrols” east of Taiwan, describing the operation as a response to the Japan–Philippines maritime negotiations.
Sources cited by The Epoch Times said the patrols were aimed less at military deterrence and more at increasing political and psychological pressure on Taiwan. One source close to the Chinese military claimed Beijing recognizes that such operations are unlikely to intimidate Taiwan’s government directly and is instead seeking to influence Taiwanese public opinion ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
Observers noted that China has increasingly relied on coast guard vessels, maritime surveillance ships, and so-called “law enforcement patrols” rather than traditional naval deployments around Taiwan. One scholar cited economic pressure as a major reason for the shift, arguing that coast guard operations are far less costly than military deployments while still allowing Beijing to create the perception of “encirclement” around Taiwan.
Analysts also said the strategy enables Beijing to frame its activities as administrative law enforcement or maritime management rather than overt military escalation. China hopes the regular presence of coast guard vessels will gradually normalize Beijing’s claims over waters currently regarded as part of international freedom of navigation zones.
Source: Epoch Times, June 4, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/6/3/n14781055.htm
IDC: China’s AI-Enabled ERP Market Nearly Doubled in 2025
Huanqiu Times reported that a recent IDC study showed China’s AI-enabled Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) market reached US$315.7 million in 2025, representing year-on-year growth of 96.1 percent.
IDC noted that the figure reflects enterprises’ additional investment in AI capabilities during ERP upgrades rather than the overall ERP software market. According to the report, the rapid growth signals a fundamental transformation in ERP systems rather than the simple addition of AI functions.
Companies are no longer satisfied with using ERP systems merely to record business activities. Instead, they increasingly expect ERP platforms to participate directly in business execution, shifting from a model in which users search for functions to one in which systems can understand user intent and proactively provide services.
Source: Huanqiu Times, June 5, 2026
https://tech.huanqiu.com/article/4Rr63uq5wM1
Meta AI’s Launch on Threads Revealed China as Meta’s Second-Largest Country in Advertising Revenue and Scam Ads
On May 28, Meta officially launched Meta AI on Threads. Instead of casual conversations, many users questioned the chatbot about Meta’s business practices, including scam advertisements, revenue sources, and the company’s financial ties to Chinese advertisers.
When asked why Meta continues to earn substantial revenue from China despite Facebook and Instagram being blocked in mainland China, Meta AI responded that Chinese companies heavily purchase Meta advertisements to market products to consumers in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
According to information cited by Meta AI from Meta’s financial reports, revenue from Chinese advertisers reached $18.35 billion in 2024, accounting for more than 11 percent of Meta’s total revenue and making China its second-largest source of advertising income after the United States. Chinese cross-border e-commerce companies such as Temu and Shein were identified as major advertising clients.
More controversially, Meta AI cited external reports claiming that a significant portion of China-linked advertisements involved scam, gambling, or adult-related content, potentially generating more than $3 billion in revenue for Meta. When users asked why Meta continued allowing such advertisements, Meta AI reportedly responded that scam ads remain highly profitable. The chatbot referenced claims that Meta balances anti-fraud enforcement against potential revenue losses and may limit crackdowns if advertising revenue declines beyond certain thresholds. According to the cited figures, scam-related advertisements generated approximately $16 billion in 2024, or about 10 percent of Meta’s total revenue.
Source: Aboluo, June 3, 2026
https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0603/2391203.html
Quad Launches Fiji Port Project to Counter China’s Growing Influence in the South Pacific
The foreign ministers of the United States, Australia, India, and Japan — the members of the Quad security dialogue — recently announced plans to jointly develop a major port project in Fiji valued at approximately $1.8 billion. Analysts said the move reflects the Quad’s evolution from a diplomatic dialogue platform toward a more concrete security framework aimed at countering China’s expanding influence in the South Pacific.
The announcement followed the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi on May 26. The Fiji port project will be the Quad’s first joint infrastructure initiative since the group’s establishment. The project has drawn attention because Suva, Fiji’s capital, hosts the country’s largest port and naval base and is regarded as a strategic transportation hub in the South Pacific.
Observers noted that around 100 Chinese fishing vessels currently operate from Suva Port, while the Chinese naval tracking ship Yuan Wang 7 has previously docked there. Analysts argued that the initiative reflects efforts to prevent Beijing from gaining control over critical infrastructure beyond the First Island Chain and into the broader Pacific region.
Fiji has accumulated significant debt to Chinese state-owned banks through earlier Belt and Road infrastructure projects, while analysts believe Beijing has used dual-use civilian infrastructure projects to gradually expand its strategic presence across Pacific island nations.
Source: Epoch Times, June 1, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/6/1/n14779721.htm