UDN: Panama President Ordered Takeover of Two Ports Operated by CK Hutchison Holdings
United Daily News (UDN), one of the primary Taiwanese news groups, recently reported that Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino has ordered a temporary takeover of two ports operated in Panama by a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings. Last month, the Panamanian Constitutional Court ruled CK Hutchison’s port concession contracts invalid.
Mulino said in a statement that the management and operation of the two ports located in the strategic Panama Canal have now been transferred to the National Maritime Authority in order to “ensure the ports operate continuously, safely and efficiently.” He stated that the takeover applies to movable equipment within the port and “does not mean a loss of ownership.” He indicated that once the cause of the takeover ceases to exist, the government will return the assets, including the cranes, to their rightful owners. Panama will pay appropriate compensation unless the equipment is sold to a new buyer.
CK Hutchison’s subsidiary in Panama stated that the takeover was illegal. CK Hutchison Holdings is a conglomerate founded by Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing. In January, Panama’s Supreme Court revoked CK Hutchison’s port operating concession. The ruling was praised by Washington but drew criticism from Beijing.
Source: UDN, February 24, 2026
https://udn.com/news/story/6809/9341089
First time in 30 years, US Imports from Taiwan Surpassed Those from China
Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao recently reported that, the latest import and export data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce showed that U.S. imports from Taiwan in December increased by approximately 144 percent year-over-year, reaching US$24.7 billion; while imports from mainland China decreased by nearly 44 percent year-over-year, falling to US$21.1 billion. This marks the first time in over three decades that U.S. imports from Taiwan have exceeded imports from mainland China.
Looking at the full-year data, the U.S. trade deficit with China decreased by nearly 32 percent to US$202.1 billion last year, the lowest level since 2005. Specifically, U.S. imports from China fell by nearly 30 percent to US$308.4 billion, the lowest since 2010; while exports to China decreased by nearly 26 percent to US$106.3 billion.
In the meantime, the U.S. trade deficit with Taiwan reached US$146.8 billion last year, an increase of 98 percent. Of this, U.S. imports from Taiwan increased by 73 percent to US$201.4 billion, while exports to Taiwan increased by 28 percent to US$54.6 billion.
After nearly 10 months of negotiations, Taiwan and the United States signed a reciprocal trade agreement on February 12. The significant growth in the supply of AI chips and servers is the reason for the surge in Taiwan’s exports to the United States.
Source: Lianhe Zaobao, February 20, 2026
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20260220-8602991
CNA: Chinese Tech Firm Released Satellite Images Showing US Military Deployments Ahead of US-Israeli Attack on Iran
Primary Taiwanese news agency Central News Agency (CNA) recently reported that, ahead of the joint US-Israel attack on Iran, a Chinese commercial satellite company Mizar Vision released a series of satellite images for multiple days showing U.S. military deployments, including images of 11 U.S. F-22 stealth fighters deployed in Israel.
The F-22 stealth fighter is the first U.S. military fighter jet with supersonic cruise capability. Due to its classified technology, the United States prohibits the sale of this fighter jet to other countries. The deployment of the F-22 stealth fighter jet represents a decisive round in the Middle East situation.
Defence Security Asia published an article pointing out that the exposure of 11 US F-22 stealth fighters by a Chinese commercial satellite company is an important turning point in the transparency of military deployments in the Middle East, showing that the competition in military intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) is intensifying. By publicly revealing U.S. military deployments, China is demonstrating its surveillance capabilities to the outside world, making Washington’s operations more complex in terms of secrecy.
Source: CNA, February 28, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202602280205.aspx
EU Tightens Checks on Chinese Baby Formula Ingredient After Contamination Confirmed
The European Union announced on Wednesday (February 25) that it is imposing stricter inspections on a baby formula ingredient imported from China, after confirming that cereulide toxin is the source of contamination in infant formula products.
Cereulide, which can cause nausea and diarrhea, was first detected in December last year in formula containing arachidonic acid oil. Following the discovery, European giants including Nestlé, Danone, and Lactalis launched recalls of infant formula products across more than 60 countries. Ireland’s Food Safety Authority has since stated that the recalls were triggered by the possible presence of cereulide in the affected products.
Arachidonic acid oil, the ingredient in which the toxin was detected, is strictly regulated in Europe and is used in some infant formulas as a source of Omega-6 fatty acids.
Since December, three infant deaths in France have been suspected to be linked to the recalled formula. French authorities are investigating, though they have emphasized that no causal relationship between the deaths and the formula has been established. Nestlé has said it will cooperate with the investigation and that there is currently “no evidence” linking its products to the deaths.
In its Wednesday statement, the European Commission said it was “necessary to strengthen controls on arachidonic acid oil imported from China” under special conditions. Shipments entering the EU from China will now require an official certificate confirming the absence of cereulide, and for the next two months, 50 percent of physical shipments will be subject to random sampling checks.
The Commission explained that investigations have shown Chinese-sourced arachidonic acid oil used in formula production “constitutes the source of contamination,” posing a potential serious risk to human health. While no company was named by the EU, Chinese firm Cabio Biotech — a major global producer of arachidonic acid oil supplying brands such as Nestlé and Danone — is reportedly under investigation for allegedly supplying the contaminated ingredient.
Source: Deutsche Welle, February 25, 2026
https://p.dw.com/p/59Onh
Zimbabwe Bans Raw Lithium Exports to Force Local Processing
Zimbabwe, Africa’s largest lithium producer with reserves among the world’s highest, has announced an immediate and indefinite ban on all exports of raw ore and lithium concentrate. The ban, declared by the country’s Ministry of Mines on Wednesday, February 26, takes effect ten months ahead of the previously scheduled January 2027 deadline. Zimbabwe had already banned raw ore exports in 2022, and the new measure now extends that restriction to lithium concentrate as well.
The policy reflects a broader ambition to refine lithium domestically, increase the mineral’s added value, generate greater government revenue, and create local jobs. This approach is gaining traction across Africa, with numerous countries at February’s Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town expressing a desire to capture more economic benefit from their mineral wealth, which is critical to the global energy transition.
Several Chinese-backed companies are already responding. Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe, majority-owned by China’s Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, is investing $400 million to build a lithium refinery expected to begin production within weeks, making it Africa’s first facility producing lithium sulfate. Zimbabwe’s state-backed Mutapa Energy Minerals plans to begin construction of a similar plant by mid-June, backed by $270 million in Chinese funding, with an annual capacity to process 600,000 tonnes of raw ore. Meanwhile, Sinomine Resources Group, owner of Zimbabwe’s largest lithium mine, Bikita Minerals, is conducting feasibility studies for a $500 million lithium sulfate plant it hopes to build in phases starting December.
Despite the optimism, critics argue the government is moving too slowly and lacks adequate oversight of Chinese-controlled mines, making it difficult to accurately track export volumes. Some economists urge Zimbabwe to build a complete value chain from mine to finished product and to follow the examples of Norway, Botswana, and Kuwait in implementing strategic, forward-looking resource policies.
Source: Radio France International, February 26, 2026
https://rfi.my/CTiE
Bomb Threat at Australian Prime Minister’s Residence Linked to Shen Yun Performances
A bomb threat targeting the official residence of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was triggered by written warnings directed at Shen Yun Performing Arts, a dance and music troupe banned in China.
According to emails obtained by local Australian media and the BBC, Shen Yun performers received threats demanding they cancel their upcoming shows in Australia, or explosives would be detonated at The Lodge, the Prime Minister’s official residence in Canberra. One email, written in Chinese, claimed that large quantities of nitroglycerin had been placed around the property, warning: “If you insist on performing, The Lodge will be reduced to rubble and blood will flow like a river.”
Albanese was evacuated from the residence at 6:00 PM local time on Tuesday, February 24, and relocated for several hours. Authorities confirmed they responded to an “alleged security incident” at The Lodge but said “no suspicious items were found.” The Australian Federal Police declined to comment on the specific emails.
Shen Yun, founded by the Falun Gong spiritual movement — which has been banned in China since 1999 — said it would proceed with its Australian performances as scheduled and urged the Australian government to conduct a thorough investigation. The group also noted it had faced dozens of threats during global performances over the past two years.
The incident follows a similar threat in the United States before, which led to the evacuation of the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., also reportedly targeting a Shen Yun performance.
On Wednesday morning, Albanese posted on social media thanking police and well-wishers, sharing a photo of his dog Toto at the door, writing: “Toto is on guard, but all is well.”
Source: BBC Chinese, February 26, 2026
https://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/articles/c8egxg8p5g6o/simp
A Call for a “Coalition of the Willing” to Salvage the Global Trading System
French international trade expert and president of export promotion think tank Alain Bentéjac published a signed column in Le Monde on Friday, calling for a “coalition of the willing” to defend the international trading system against the twin pressures of American unilateralism and Chinese dominance.
Bentéjac draws on Canadian Prime Minister Carney’s speech at Davos this year, where Carney proposed a coalition of middle powers as the only viable counterweight to great-power hegemony — an idea modeled on the coalition supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression. Bentéjac argues that international trade urgently needs the same approach.
In his view, the current trade crisis stems from the fact that the two dominant players in the global system — the United States and China — have each, in their own way, stepped outside the multilateral framework. The U.S. has long undermined the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism, and under President Trump, tariffs have become a pure instrument of coercion, used to threaten allies who oppose his positions on Greenland or peace initiatives, and even Canada if it reaches any agreement with China. Bentéjac finds this strategically contradictory: if China is America’s chief systemic rival, why alienate potential allies like the EU rather than building a united front?
China, meanwhile, benefits from Western divisions. While publicly professing respect for WTO rules, Chinese exports continue to flood global markets. In 2025, China’s trade surplus hit a record $1.2 trillion. Its share of global exports has grown from 4 percent when it joined the WTO in 2001 to roughly 20 percent today. In 2024, China filed 1.8 million patent applications, compared to 501,000 for the United States and just 135,000 for Germany — a sign that China’s industrial rise now reflects genuine innovation, not merely subsidies and dumping.
Bentéjac concludes that conventional trade defense tools are no longer sufficient. The EU, as the world’s largest trading power, must take the lead in forming a coalition of countries still committed to shared rules, and work to rewrite the framework for a new era of globalization.
Source: Radio France International, February 21, 2026
https://rfi.my/CSkg
South Korea Falls Further Behind China in Core Technology Race
South Korea’s technological gap with China has widened across key strategic sectors, according to a new government assessment, with Beijing now surpassing Seoul even in the one field where South Korea had previously held a clear advantage.
The findings come from a 2024 Technology Level Assessment report submitted by South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT to the National Science and Technology Advisory Council. The evaluation covered 136 core technologies across 11 fields, drawing on quantitative analysis of papers and patents from the U.S., EU, China, Japan, and South Korea, as well as qualitative surveys from 1,180 experts.
Using the United States as the global benchmark at 100 percent, the overall technology levels were ranked as follows: the EU at 93.8 percent, China at 86.8 percent, Japan at 86.2 percent, and South Korea at 82.8 percent. In terms of the time gap with the U.S., South Korea trails by 2.8 years and China by 2.1 years — meaning China now leads South Korea by 0.7 years, up from a 0.2-year gap when China first overtook South Korea in 2022.
The divergence is even sharper in the 50 national strategic technologies. South Korea’s gap with the U.S. narrowed by 0.4 years since 2022 to 2.6 years, but China closed its gap by a faster 0.8 years, now trailing the U.S. by just 1.4 years.
Perhaps most striking is the reversal in secondary batteries — rechargeable cells used in electric vehicles and electronics. South Korea had led China by 0.9 years in 2022, but by 2024, China has taken first place, with South Korea now falling 0.2 years behind. In semiconductors and displays, another South Korean stronghold, China has also edged ahead, with a technology level of 91.5 percent versus South Korea’s 91.2 percent.
Source: Yonhap News Agency, February 22, 2026
https://cn.yna.co.kr/view/ACK20260222000300881