March 2025 – Chinascope

Lianhe Zaobao: Philippine Authorities Arrest Six Foreigners for Espionage

According to Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao, the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation has arrested six foreigners in Subic Bay in the central and western Luzon on suspicion of espionage. These foreigners were disguised as fishermen and used high-tech drones to monitor the movements of the Philippine Navy and the U.S. military.

The Bureau arrested seven people (six foreigners and one Filipino) on Grande Island, Subic Bay, on March 19. Grand Island is a strategic location. The Bureau has been monitoring the island since last year and has discovered the above suspects through investigation and witness information. During the arrest operation, many photos and video materials including U.S. warships, naval combat bases and cargo ships were found, and a note in Chinese was also found that recorded information on the ships entering and leaving Subic Bay. The Filipino who was arrested is believed to be a bodyguard hired by the foreigners.

Subic Bay is close to the South China Sea and was once the largest overseas military base of the U.S. military. Manila is considering demarcating Grande Island and nearby Chiquita as a military reserve.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao, March 27, 2025
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/sea/story20250327-6080144

Briefings | | March 31, 2025 | Geo-Strategic Trend

Nikkei Chinese: U.S. Car Tariffs May Hit Japan with A 13-Trillion-Yen Loss

Nikkei Chinese Edition recently ran a report on the expected impact on Japan’s automobile industry of the 25 percent tariff that the U.S. is planning to impose on imported cars. The Japanese auto industry accounts for nearly 30 percent of Japan’s total exports to the United States.

With declining auto exports, Japan’s domestic production is also expected to decline, forecasted to impact the Japanese economy by an estimated 13 trillion yen (about US$86.631 billion) – more than 2 percent of Japan’s nominal GDP. “If these tariffs take effect, it will have a huge impact on the Japanese economy, which relies heavily on the automobile industry.” According to data from the Japan Automobile Industry Association, Japan’s domestic automobile production in 2024 was 8.23 million vehicles. Japan’s 2024 automobile exports to the United States were close to 1.37 million vehicles, and Japan’s exports to the United States were the largest in terms of destination countries.

The new tariffs will also affect related industries such as steel and logistics, impacting employment of around 5.58 million people. By May 3, the United States will impose a 25 percent tariff on key components such as engines and transmissions. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary said at a press conference that he was “extremely regretful” and clearly indicated that he had requested Japan be excluded from the scope of the reciprocal tariffs.

Source: Nikkei Chinese, March 28, 2025
https://cn.nikkei.com/industry/icar/58418-2025-03-28-09-30-53.html?start=1

Briefings | | March 30, 2025 | Geo-Strategic Trend

People’s Daily: Humanoid Robot Innovation Will Come From the Orient

CCP mouthpiece People’s Daily recently published an article saying that China is a leading force in the innovation of the humanoid robots:

“According to data from Morgan Stanley’s report Humanoid Robot 100: Mapping the Humanoid Robot Value Chain, China has led the world in humanoid robot-related patent applications over the past five years, with a total of 5,688 patents. The United States, Japan, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) each recorded over 1,000 applications, with 1,483, 1,195, and 1,123 patents, respectively.

“The report also highlights that among the 100 publicly listed companies involved in humanoid robot manufacturing, 73 percent are based in Asia, with China alone accounting for 56 percent.

“Chinese humanoid robot companies follow a development strategy of ‘whole-machine integration and in-house research and development of key components,’ enabling rapid product iteration and industry growth. As a result, new products are emerging rapidly, and there is no significant generational gap in technology compared to foreign counterparts.

“In November 2023, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued the Guiding Opinions on Innovative Development of Humanoid Robots, outlining clear development goals. By 2025, the country aims to establish a preliminary innovation system for humanoid robots, achieve breakthroughs in key technologies, and ensure the secure and effective supply of core components. The plan also includes fostering 2–3 globally influential ecosystem enterprises and a group of specialized small and medium-sized enterprises while creating 2–3 industrial clusters. By 2027, China aims to significantly enhance its humanoid robot technology innovation capabilities, establish a secure and reliable industrial supply chain, and build an internationally competitive industrial ecosystem, reaching an advanced global level in overall strength.”

Source: People’s Daily, March 19, 2025
http://world.people.com.cn/n1/2025/0319/c1002-40442021.html

Briefings | | March 30, 2025 | Information/Technology

People’s Daily on China’s International Vocational Education Program

CCP mouthpiece People’s Daily recently reported that Chinese vocational colleges are actively engaging in “internationalization” through a dual approach. The following are key points from that article.

On one hand, Chinese vocational colleges focus on “bringing in” (i.e. attracting and training) international students and conducting various global exchange activities. On the other hand, they pursue high-quality “going out” initiatives such as establishing overseas educational collaborations and creating international education brands including the Luban Workshop, the Chinese Language Workshop, and the Modern Craftsman Academy. “The ‘Chinese + Vocational Skills’ model not only enhances foreign learners’ employability and cross-cultural communication skills but also supports deeper international industrial cooperation and the integration of industry and education.” Training qualified faculty is seen as a key factor.

On one hand, the teachers should have effective Chinese language teaching skills and the ability to promote Chinese culture. Currently, Beijing has established 19 international Chinese language teacher training centers in China to enhance teachers’ professional competence and teaching abilities. These centers primarily train Chinese teachers and volunteers from vocational schools.

On the other hand, vocational skills training for overseas faculty is also a priority. In November 2020, the first national “Chinese + Vocational Skills” International Promotion Base was launched by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation under China’s Ministry of Education and Nanjing Vocational University of Industry Technology. To date, the base has conducted over 20 overseas teacher training programs, training more than 4,000 local (foreign) educators in countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

In addition to training programs, the base also released the bilingual textbook series – New Silk Road “Chinese + Vocational Skills” – in December 2023. Covering six disciplines, including mechatronics, automotive service engineering, and network engineering, the series consists of 19 volumes spanning beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. The textbooks were developed based on on-site research into the use of Chinese in 15 job categories in the ASEAN countries. Language teachers and technical experts collaborated through mutual training and joint discussions, presenting typical work tasks and scenarios in progressively structured and easily understandable Chinese, supplemented with English explanations.

Source: People’s Daily, March 21, 2025
http://edu.people.com.cn/n1/2025/0321/c1006-40443517.html

Briefings | | March 30, 2025 | @CS Economy/Resources Government/Politics

Japan Rebuts Claim by Beijing Regarding Statement by Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba on Taiwan-China Reunification

Following a meeting in Tokyo on March 21, 2025, between Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a clarification contradicting a claim by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had published text on its website stating that Ishiba had said he “respects China’s stated position” on China-Taiwan reunification; the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied that Ishiba had made such a statement.

The disputed text on the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website stated “The Japanese side fully recognizes the importance of the four political documents between Japan and China, respects China’s stated position, and is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China to promote the development of bilateral relations, bringing greater benefits to the people of both countries.” Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that “Prime Minister Ishiba did not make such a statement” in regard to the phrase “respects China’s stated position.” The Japanese Ministry has lodged a protest with Beijing.

As of this writing, China’s Foreign Ministry website has not removed the text that was inserted into Ishiba’s statement. Instead, China’s Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that Japan should “adhere to the four China-Japan political documents” at a press conference on March 24, 2025. At the conference, a reporter for the China Review News Agency asked Guo for China’s position on the “four China-Japan political documents.” Guo said that those documents, including the 1972 China-Japan Joint Statement and the 1978 China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, “constitute legally binding guidelines for bilateral relations.“ He further stated, “The historical context and legal basis clearly demonstrate that adhering to the One-China principle is a solemn political commitment and an international legal obligation that Japan must uphold.” “The rhetoric such as ‘a Taiwan contingency is a Japan contingency’ and claims that the China-Japan Joint Statement lacks legal binding force’ severely undermine the political foundation of China-Japan relations are not only completely wrong but also extremely dangerous. We urge Japan to honor its commitments, handle the Taiwan issue prudently, and take concrete actions to sustain the momentum of improving China-Japan relations.”

Sources:
1. China News Agency (Taiwan), March 22, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202503220243.aspx
2. China’s Foreign Affairs’ Ministry website, March 21, 2025
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/web/wjb_673085/zzjg_673183/xws_674681/xgxw_674683/202503/t20250321_11580043.shtml

3. China’s Foreign Affairs’ Ministry website, March 24, 2025
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/web/fyrbt_673021/202503/t20250324_11580936.shtml

Briefings | | March 26, 2025 | @CS Geo-Strategic Trend Government/Politics

CCP Mouthpiece Ta Kung Pao Warns of Legal Action Against Hutchison Whampoa’s Sale of Overseas Port Rights to U.S. Firm

Ta Kung Pao, the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) mouthpiece newspaper in Hong Kong, published an article on March 13, scolding Hong Kong businessman Li Ka-shing’s plan to sell the operating rights of 43 overseas ports, including two key ports in the Panama Canal, to the U.S. investment firm BlackRock {see https://chinascope.org/archives/36960}.

On March 21, Ta Kung Pao once again commented on the plan, threatening legal action:

“In recent years, the United States has labeled China as its ‘primary competitor’ and ‘most significant geopolitical challenge,’ employing measures such as technology blockades, trade wars, and supply chain decoupling to hinder China’s peaceful rise. Controlling global critical infrastructure is a key U.S. strategy, with ports being a primary target. The Panama Canal is a crucial maritime chokepoint, handling approximately 6 percent of global trade annually and serving as a key trade route between China and the Americas, making it highly significant to China’s national interests.

“This transaction is not merely an ‘ordinary commercial deal’ between enterprises but rather a perfect alignment with the U.S. strategy to contain China. If the ports in question are transferred to U.S. ownership, it could directly increase logistics costs for Chinese companies, weaken their international competitiveness, pose long-term threats to China’s manufacturing and foreign trade, and even impact the advancement of the Belt and Road Initiative.

“The Hong Kong law has this statement: ‘The highest principle of the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ policy (in Hong Kong) is to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests.’ It is a legally binding provision. This transaction’s consequences – damaging China’s national security and development interests – directly violate this fundamental legal principle. Violating such a legal principle is, in itself, a violation of the law.

“Both the central government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region have legal mechanisms to address so-called ‘legal transactions’ that harm national interests.

“For entities and individuals who disregard the law and engage in activities detrimental to national security and development interests, their path will only become increasingly narrow.”

Meanwhile, despite scolding by Ta Kung Pao, it appears that Li Ka-shing has not entirely fallen out of grace with the CCP. Sound of Hope recently reported that Richard Li, Li Ka-shing’s younger son, was invited to attend the recent China Development Forum held in Beijing on March 23 and 24. As one of the representatives of the Chinese business community, Richard Li was photographed with Chinese Premier Li Qiang following a speech delivered by Li Qiang. The photo was released by national broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV), featuring Li Qiang in the center of the front row and Richard Li standing in the back row.

Source:
1. Ta Kung Pao, March 21, 2025
https://www.takungpao.com/opinion/233119/2025/0321/1070411.html
2. Sound of Hope, March 24, 2025
https://www.soundofhope.org/post/877436

Briefings | | March 26, 2025 | @CS US-China Relations

Monthly Archives: March 2025