All posts by RWZ - 12. page

Deutsche Welle’s Chinese edition recently reported that in February, a Chinese vessel was convicted of allegedly cutting one of Taiwan’s undersea telecommunication cables. Such incidents are viewed as part of Beijing’s “gray-zone tactics,” aimed at draining Taiwan’s resources. In response, Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration has stepped up 24-hour surveillance in key waters and increased intelligence-sharing with allies.

The Taiwanese government has confirmed two suspected cases of cable sabotage involving Chinese vessels, including one in northern Taiwan. Precautionary measures were heightened after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and further reinforced following suspected undersea sabotage in the Baltic Sea. Since then, Taiwan has conducted continuous patrols, though the operations have placed heavy strain on Coast Guard resources. Authorities are also monitoring nearly 400 Chinese-affiliated vessels, including cargo ships believed to be convertible for military use.

In March, Chinese researchers unveiled a compact deep-sea cable-cutting device capable of severing even the most durable underwater communication and power lines at depths of up to 4,000 meters.

Source: DW Chinese, September 12, 2025
https://tinyurl.com/yb32ujpc

United Daily News (UDN), a major Taiwanese outlet, reported that the Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Québec and the Australian destroyer HMAS Brisbane sailed through the Taiwan Strait on September 6.

The vessels traveled north along the eastern side of the Strait’s median line, though their final destination remains unclear. China’s military claimed it was conducting “full surveillance” during the transit and asserted that the situation was “under control.”

The joint Canadian-Australian fleet had departed days earlier from the U.S. naval facility in Subic Bay, Philippines. The Ville de Québec recently joined a trilateral patrol with Philippine and Australian forces in nearby waters, an operation that already drew criticism from Beijing. The Canadian Ministry of National Defense has not confirmed the ship’s passage through the Strait.

Source: UDN, September 6, 2025
https://udn.com/news/story/7331/8987939

Taiwanese newspaper Commercial Times recently reported that Masan Group, the owner of the Vietnamese Nui Phao tungsten mine, is considering a sale of the asset. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that two Chinese buyers have recently contacted Masan Group, intending to use proxy bidding to avoid directly exposing their Chinese capital status.

Tungsten is a key strategic raw material for high-tech industries such as national defense, aerospace, semiconductors, and electronics. Data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) shows that China’s tungsten production accounted for 83 percent of the world’s total in 2024. The Vietnamese Nui Phao mine produces approximately 3,400 metric tons of tungsten annually, accounting for nearly all of Vietnam’s production, making Vietnam the world’s second-largest producer after China. Furthermore, the mine’s associated refinery has an annual production capacity of 6,500 metric tons, making it one of the largest tungsten processing facilities outside of China.

In April this year, China imposed export controls on tungsten and several rare earths in retaliation for the U.S.’s reciprocal tariff measures. U.S. diplomats and Western officials have recently visited the Nui Phao mine several times, not only showing support for Masan Group but also sending a signal of “preventing China from monopolizing the supply chain.”

Source: Commercial Times, August 28, 2025
https://www.ctee.com.tw/news/20250828700148-439901

Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao recently reported that according to people familiar with the matter, the Mexican government plans to raise import tariffs on Chinese goods in its proposed budget bill next month to protect domestic businesses and meet demands from U.S. President Donald Trump.

The proposed tariff increase, which covers Chinese goods such as cars, textiles and plastics, is intended to protect Mexican manufacturers from competition from subsidized Chinese products. Other Asian countries are also expected to face higher tariffs under this bill.

Since the beginning of the year, the U.S. Trump administration has been urging Mexico to follow the United States and raise tariffs on China. Mexican officials subsequently proposed the concept of a “Fortress North America” that would restrict goods from China while strengthening trade and manufacturing ties with Mexico and Canada.

The spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to media inquiries at a regular press conference, pointing out that Mexico is China’s second largest trading partner in Latin America, and China is Mexico’s third largest export destination. China “firmly opposes” any attempt to impose restrictions on China under any excuse by others, which undermines China’s legitimate rights and interests.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao, August 28, 2025
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/world/story20250828-7424641