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Monthly Archives: April 2026 - 4. page

China Faces Overcapacity in Waste Incineration

A recent commentary in People’s Daily highlights a growing imbalance in China’s waste incineration sector, where some regions are facing a shortage of waste to burn. Domestically, about 5 percent of incinerators operate at only half capacity, and in some areas facilities are competing for garbage. Globally, China accounts for roughly 60 percent of total waste incineration capacity—exceeding that of Europe, the United States, and Japan combined.

China has promoted waste incineration as a key component of its economic development strategy, achieving advances in equipment, temperature control, and emissions treatment. This has created a mature industry chain spanning waste collection, power generation, and byproduct reuse. However, rapid expansion has also caused the current overcapacity challenge.

To address the imbalance, the article suggests improving regional coordination (redistributing waste from surplus areas in the west to shortage areas in the east), integrating rural waste into urban disposal systems, and expanding overseas projects. China has already exported its incineration technology worldwide, with more than 100 projects abroad, combining waste management solutions with clean energy generation.

Source: People’s Daily, April 15, 2026
http://opinion.people.com.cn/n1/2026/0415/c436867-40702019.html

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

China’s “Transparent Ocean” Network Raises Concerns Over Its Surveillance on Opponents’ Submarines

A recent report highlights China’s efforts to develop a so-called “Transparent Ocean” system—a large-scale network of sensors, buoys, and underwater arrays designed to monitor ocean conditions and activity. First proposed around 2014 by Chinese scientists, the project aims to generate real-time data on temperature, salinity, and underwater movement, providing a detailed picture of key maritime environments.

Experts say the system carries clear military implications. By integrating ocean mapping with continuous monitoring, China could enhance its ability to detect and track submarines, including those of the United States, in both peacetime and conflict. The network has already been deployed in the South China Sea and expanded into the Pacific and Indian Oceans, with sensor arrays reportedly positioned near strategic areas such as waters east of Japan and the Philippines, around Guam, and along the Ninety East Ridge in the Indian Ocean.

The initiative also aligns with China’s broader naval modernization and “new domain” warfare capabilities, blending scientific research with military objectives. Analysts note that the data collected could support anti-submarine operations while improving China’s own submarine maneuverability in contested waters.

Additional surveys conducted by Chinese research vessels in regions such as Alaska and along Arctic access routes further suggest that these scientific activities are closely linked to long-term strategic goals. The placement of sensors near key chokepoints—such as the waters between Taiwan and the Philippines—has raised concerns that the network could be used to monitor or potentially restrict foreign naval movements in sensitive scenarios.

Source: Creader.net, March 29, 2026
https://news.creaders.net/china/2026/03/29/2987119.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend

China Launches “Space Refueling Station” Satellite

On March 16, China successfully launched the “Hunan University of Science and Technology No. 2” satellite aboard a Kuaizhou-11 rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The satellite entered its designated orbit and deployed its solar panels shortly after liftoff. It is China’s first spacecraft designed to extend the lifespan of other satellites by testing in-orbit refueling technologies.

The mission aims to demonstrate how to refuel satellites that have exhausted their fuel, addressing a growing challenge as the number of satellites—especially large constellations—continues to rise. Many satellites remain functional but are retired due to fuel depletion. The project seeks to reduce operational costs and improve the sustainability of space activities. Jointly developed by Hunan University of Science and Technology and a commercial aerospace company, the satellite is equipped with a flexible robotic arm capable of safely docking with target satellites for refueling. The arm mimics the movement of an elephant trunk or octopus tentacle, allowing for adaptable, low-impact contact that reduces the risk of collision.

In addition, the satellite carries an innovative “drag balloon” device designed to help mitigate space debris. The device inflates into a large, lightweight sphere, significantly increasing atmospheric drag and accelerating the reentry of any satellite that is at its final stage. This could shorten the deorbiting process from decades to about one year, offering a low-cost and scalable solution for disposing of defunct satellites and improving long-term orbital sustainability.

Source: People’s Daily, March 23, 2026
http://finance.people.com.cn/BIG5/n1/2026/0323/c1004-40686768.html

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

Ukraine Expert: Beijing Also Supplies Drones and Components to Ukraine, to Avoid a Quick Russian Victory

A discussion on the podcast ChinaTalk highlighted how Ukraine’s drone industry has expanded rapidly during the Russia–Ukraine War while gradually reducing reliance on Chinese imports. Ukrainian expert Cat Buchatskiy noted that at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine had only about 3,000 drones, with 99 percent imported as complete systems from China. By 2026, Ukraine has shifted to domestically assembling nearly all unmanned systems, with annual production reaching up to 5 million first-person-view (FPV) drones, along with other categories such as reconnaissance systems and loitering munitions.

A key transition has been from importing finished drones to importing components. By 2025, 99 percent of imports from China consisted of parts rather than complete systems, although Ukraine still relies heavily on Chinese components. Export restrictions imposed by China beginning in 2023 accelerated Ukraine’s efforts to diversify suppliers and localize production. As a result, the share of Chinese components in Ukrainian drones reportedly fell to around 38 percent by 2025.

The discussion suggested that China is pursuing a dual-track approach in the conflict. While Beijing does not want Russia to lose, it also seeks to avoid a Ukrainian defeat, thereby maintaining Russia’s dependence on China and preventing the United States from fully shifting its strategic focus to Asia. Despite publicly emphasizing close ties with Moscow, Chinese suppliers continue to provide drone systems and components to both Russia and Ukraine.

A Ukrainian drone industry executive described how, during a visit to a drone factory in southern China, suppliers carefully managed schedules to prevent Ukrainian and Russian clients from encountering each other, sometimes using separate entrances or rooms. “When the Russian delegation’s cars left, the Ukrainian delegation’s cars arrived,” he said. Buchatskiy added that Ukrainian companies generally do not expect Chinese factories to cut off supplies, as strong demand and large orders create incentives to continue fulfilling Ukrainian needs.

Source: Epoch Times, April 16, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/4/16/n14742481.htm

Briefings | | |   @CS Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend

SOHO China Founder Pan Shiyi Calls China’s Real Estate Market a ‘Ponzi Scheme’

Pan Shiyi, the prominent Chinese real estate entrepreneur and founder of SOHO China, who has kept a low profile for three years, recently published an article describing nearly three decades of mainland China’s property market development as resembling a “Ponzi scheme.”

In a post titled “My Reflections” on his personal WeChat public account, Pan recalled how in 1998, when China began developing commercial housing, developers traveled to Hong Kong to learn sales methods, picking up concepts like mortgages and pre-sales. He noted that the industry soon adopted a high-leverage, high-turnover model that quickly became distorted on the mainland.

Within just a few years, competition in the sector shifted away from building and selling quality homes, and instead became a race to acquire more land, secure financing faster, and expand more aggressively.

Pan described a deeply interconnected and fragile system: developers survived on pre-sale revenues, companies kept afloat by borrowing new money to repay old debts, local governments depended on land sales for income, and homebuyers believed property prices would rise indefinitely. “Tie these four things together,” he wrote, “and if any one of them breaks, the rest will collapse.”

He noted that for a considerable period, the practices of some property developers were no different from a Ponzi scheme. The losses caused now amount to trillions of yuan (hundreds of billions of U.S. dollars), bringing pain to countless families.

Pan concluded that while judicial authorities have identified the specific wrongdoings of certain developers, the crisis is the combined result of systemic, financial, fiscal, corporate, and social factors. He noted that China’s property market has been declining for 47 consecutive months, and that restoring confidence — built on integrity — is now the most critical task.

Pan, 62, relocated to the United States in 2014 after selling off large amounts of assets. The IP address of his post was traced to the U.S., though he has previously stated he retains Chinese citizenship.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), April 17, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202604170043.aspx

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

China and Turkmenistan Strengthen Ties Across Energy, Trade, and Culture

China and Turkmenistan signed a series of bilateral agreements during the seventh session of their intergovernmental cooperation committee, covering natural gas, artificial intelligence, and transportation and logistics. The Turkmen delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, while Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang headed the Chinese side. The meetings took place during Ding’s April 15–17 visit to Turkmenistan.

Both sides reaffirmed the strategic importance of their long-standing cooperation in the natural gas sector, particularly the operation of the China-Turkmenistan gas pipeline, and highlighted the significance of continued development of the Galkynysh gas field. Ding’s visit included attending the launch ceremony for the fourth phase of the Galkynysh field’s development.

On transportation, the two countries expressed their intent to develop international routes connecting China-Turkmenistan-Caspian Sea-Europe and Turkmenistan-China-Southeast Asia, signaling ambitions to deepen Turkmenistan’s role as a transit hub between East and West.

Among the documents signed was a five-year China-Turkmenistan Government Cooperation Plan covering 2026 to 2030, along with an agreement for the two countries to establish cultural centers in each other’s territory. During the Chinese delegation’s visit, opening ceremonies were also held for Turkmenistan’s first Luban Workshop — a Chinese vocational training initiative — as well as the first phase of a Traditional Chinese Medicine center in the country.

The meetings reflect a broadening of bilateral relations beyond energy, with both nations moving toward deeper collaboration in infrastructure, technology, and people-to-people exchange.

Source: Sputnik News, April 17, 2026
https://sputniknews.cn/20260417/1070834704.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

China’s Patient Capital and Full Supply Chain Strategy in New Technology Investment

At the Data Fusion 2026 conference held in Moscow on April 8–9, Liu Zhiqiang, Executive President of Digital International Limited, outlined two defining characteristics of China’s approach to investing in emerging technologies.

The first is what Liu described as “patient capital.” He noted that China has sustained large-scale investments in critical sectors over periods of up to a decade, even when returns remained low. The semiconductor industry serves as a prime example, where the entire Chinese economy has maintained consistent, long-term commitment to the sector.

The second characteristic, which Liu emphasized as uniquely Chinese in its investment logic, is the focus on full industrial chain investment rather than backing isolated technologies. Rather than placing bets on individual technological breakthroughs, China invests across the entire supply chain ecosystem surrounding a given industry.

Liu illustrated this with an example from his own company, which operates in the robotics sector in the Greater Bay Area. He described a phenomenon known as the “45-minute supply chain circle,” where any robotics company in the region can source over 95% of the components it needs within a 45-minute radius.

“Investment in an emerging industry is not just about specific technologies,” Liu said, “but about building out the entire supply chain and industrial ecosystem.”

Together, these two traits — the willingness to absorb prolonged low returns and the commitment to cultivating complete industrial ecosystems — reflect a distinctly Chinese model of strategic technology investment that sets it apart from approaches seen elsewhere in the world.

Source: Sputnik News, April 9, 2026
https://sputniknews.cn/20260409/1070696062.html

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Air China Suspends Beijing–Pyongyang Flights Again After Brief Resumption

Air China has once again suspended its direct flight route between Beijing and Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, after briefly resuming operations for a single flight.

The route, which had been suspended for six years, resumed service on March 30. However, the inaugural flight carried only slightly more than 10 passengers. The service had been scheduled to operate once weekly, with ticket prices starting at 2,040 yuan (about US$300).

According to Yonhap News Agency, Air China has not provided a specific reason for the suspension or a timeline for resumption. The airline stated that the round-trip flight scheduled for April 6 has been canceled, while flights planned for April 13, 20, and 27 remain uncertain. Although May flights have appeared in the booking system, tickets are currently unavailable. April flights, initially listed as unavailable, have now been confirmed as canceled, and the resumption timeline remains unclear.

Some analysts suggest that, amid rising global oil prices, Air China may find it difficult to sustain the Beijing–Pyongyang route given limited demand. The earlier resumption was seen largely as symbolic, and the renewed suspension highlights the challenges of maintaining the service.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao, April 4, 2026
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20260404-8841320

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend