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Monthly Archives: April 2026 - 6. page

China Issues Rules to Govern AI Humanized Interaction Services

China has released new regulations targeting the fast-growing field of AI-powered humanized or personified interactive services online, with authorities citing mounting risks to national security, public welfare, and user well-being. The interim measures, jointly issued by five government bodies including the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the National Development and Reform Commission, and the Ministry of Public Security, will take effect on July 15.

According to Xinhua, the regulations are formally titled the “Interim Measures for the Administration of Artificial Intelligence Humanized Interactive Services.” A CAC official stated the rules aim to promote the healthy development of such services, safeguard national security and public interests, and protect the legal rights of citizens and organizations.

Officials noted that risks associated with AI humanized interactions have become increasingly apparent, including harm to the physical and mental health of minors, threats to information security, dangers to users’ physical safety, and the reinforcement of ethical biases.

The measures explicitly prohibit AI humanized interactive services from generating content that endangers national security, incites the overthrow of state power or the socialist system, or promotes the splitting of the country. Services are also barred from producing content that attempts to extract state secrets, trade secrets, or personal private information.

Further prohibitions cover content that encourages or glorifies self-harm or suicide, uses verbal violence, or could negatively influence minors by prompting unsafe behavior, extreme emotions, or unhealthy habits. AI services must not manipulate users into making unreasonable decisions that damage their lawful interests.

The regulations also introduce a tiered and categorized oversight framework, outline security management obligations for service providers, and establish protections specifically for minors and the elderly. Requirements for safety assessments, algorithm registration, and the development of AI safety service platforms are also included.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), April 10, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202604100306.aspx

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

China’s Surveillance State: Cameras Outnumber People in Major Cities

Recent data circulating on social media has reignited debate over the scale of China’s urban surveillance network. According to figures compiled by the X account @cuichenghao, Shanghai leads with approximately 15.06 million cameras, followed by Beijing with 11.16 million, Chongqing with 8.98 million, and Guangzhou with 7.35 million. The top ten cities combined account for nearly 80 million cameras, with national estimates placing China’s total surveillance camera count at over 700 million.

The camera-to-resident ratios in these cities are striking. Shanghai has roughly one camera for every 1.6 residents, Beijing one for every two, Guangzhou one for every 2.5, and Chongqing one for every 3.5. Residents interviewed described surveillance as a constant presence in daily life. A man surnamed Zheng in Shanghai, identified by authorities as a “key monitored individual,” said three or four cameras from different agencies — municipal police, district police, and local community management — are trained on his home, and that his movements are tracked the moment he steps outside without any need to report his whereabouts in advance.

A resident from Taixing, Jiangsu named Lu Jianrong said cameras are used primarily for two purposes: generating fines and maintaining social stability. He noted that people designated as “key personnel” can have multiple cameras installed directly outside their doors.

China’s surveillance infrastructure is built on two primary frameworks: the urban “Skynet” system, which connects cameras in roads and public spaces to public security bureaus, and the rural “Sharp Eyes” program, which extends the network into villages. A Beijing-based scholar told reporters that together, these systems have left almost no geographic blind spots across the country.

Despite the system’s vast reach, some residents say it offers little practical help. A man from Tengzhou, Shandong noted that cameras often fail to resolve everyday incidents like vehicle damage or theft — or even missing children.

Source: Radio Free Asia, April 8, 2026
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shehui/2026/04/08/china-cctv-surveillance-internet-stability-maintenance/

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

STCN: Chinese Textile Industry Facing Significant Supply Challenges on Synthetic Fibers

China Security Times (SecuTimes or STCN) recently reported that, China’s textile industry holds a leading position globally, and the price of synthetic fibers, a core raw material for the textile industry, is directly linked to crude oil prices. Since the outbreak of the US-Israel-Iran conflict, the production of China’s domestic chemical fiber companies are facing challenges.

As rising crude oil prices drive up synthetic fiber prices, the overall price of polyester has increased by more than 10 percent in the past month. The head of a chemical fiber company in Jiangsu Province, said that the factory is currently operating at full capacity, with orders booked for at least 30 days. Many companies stated that they will not just reduce production at present, firstly because downstream demand remains consistent, and secondly because restarting operations after a shutdown would result in greater losses. They are also hedging against price fluctuations through dynamic inventory management and adjusting price quotations in real time.

Synthetic fibers are the basic raw material for fabric production, accounting for more than 60 percent of the total cost of fabrics. Companies are facing supply shortages while raw material prices have recently risen. The impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East is gradually spreading from the energy sector to the chemical and high-end manufacturing supply chains.

Source: STCN, April 7, 2026
https://www.stcn.com/article/detail/3729133.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

FCC Plans to Ban Chinese Labs from Testing Electronic Devices Used in U.S.

Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao recently reported that, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) siad that it will vote this month on whether to ban all Chinese laboratories from providing testing services for electronic devices used in the United States, such as smartphones, cameras, and computers.

FCC stated that it banned laboratories owned or controlled by the Chinese government from testing U.S. electronic equipment last year, resulting in 23 laboratories being prohibited from conducting related operations. However, the agency claims that the vast majority of testing laboratories located in China are still testing U.S. electronic equipment. The new rule will prohibit the accreditation of testing laboratories and certification bodies from countries that have not signed reciprocal agreements with the United States.

Currently more than 75 percent of testing is being conducted in countries that have not committed to providing U.S. laboratories with reciprocal treatment and the FCC stated that it will initiate procedures to “end this unfair system.” The FCC’s latest proposal comes at a time of growing concern in Washington about the security of the global technology supply chain and efforts to prevent potential adversaries from using testing and certification to influence the U.S. market. The FCC stated that it will solicit public comment on the proposal before finalizing the rules.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao, April 9, 2026
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20260409-8864666

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology US-China Relations

Open-Source Giant Red Hat Laid Off Its Entire R&D Team in China

Well-known Chinese news site NetEase (NASDAQ: NTES) recently reported that open-source giant Red Hat has laid off all members of its China R&D team. The news was confirmed by an email sent to the China team by Red Hat’s CTO and Senior Vice President of Global Engineering.

As part of its “global site selection strategy”, Red Hat will cease engineering activities in China. Affected employees will no longer be responsible for their daily work duties, but their employment will be retained until July 31, 2026, when they will officially terminate their employment. This layoff involves approximately 419 people.

According to Red Hat China’s official website, Red Hat Greater China currently has over 700 employees, including more than 500 in R&D and service teams, with over 300 software developers and researchers at its Beijing R&D center alone. This means that Red Hat’s core R&D capabilities in China have been almost entirely eradicated, and its R&D functions will be transferred to other engineering hubs in the Asia-Pacific region.

Red Hat’s layoffs in China were not accidental. In August 2024, its parent company, IBM, had already decided to lay off most of its R&D and testing staff in China, affecting more than 1,800 people. In March 2025, IBM China Investment Co., Ltd. and all its branches ceased business operations and have completed the deregistration process.

Source: NetEase, April 10, 2026
https://www.163.com/dy/article/KQ65AV9D0511CPVM.html

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology US-China Relations

Xi Jinping Calls for Discipline and Anti-Corruption Awareness Among Senior PLA Officers

Amid a sweeping anti-corruption campaign within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Chinese Communist Party (CCP) General Secretary Xi Jinping addressed the opening ceremony of the PLA’s first senior cadre training program, held at the National Defense University. The session was presided over by Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Shengmin and attended by senior officers, heads of CMC departments, and military units stationed in Beijing, with additional sub-venues set up via video link at army-level units across the country.

Xi called on senior military officers to “understand laws and discipline, follow rules, and maintain reverence,” stressing that “no one is above regulations” and that compliance with military rules “admits no exceptions.” He framed the CCP and PLA as organizations that have grown stronger through “continuous struggle against erroneous ideologies and work styles.”

Xi urged intensified “revolutionary tempering” of the officer corps to preserve the “purity and honor of the people’s army,” and called for the military to present a renewed political image ahead of the PLA’s 100th founding anniversary. He demanded that officers study his political doctrine — officially termed “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” — and conduct ideological rectification campaigns to ensure “theoretical clarity” underpins “political steadfastness.”

He emphasized that senior officers must lead by example in inner-party political life, speak truthfully, and foster an atmosphere encouraging candid speech and principled struggle. Xi reiterated that the CCP represents “the fundamental interests of the broadest masses of the people” and has “no special interests of its own,” declaring that any corrupt thoughts or behavior are fundamentally incompatible with the party’s nature. Officers were urged to “shed official airs,” reconnect with the revolutionary military spirit, and cultivate a culture of integrity throughout the ranks.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), April 8, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202604080354.aspx

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

China Accelerates Push for New Energy System Amid Global Tensions

As the U.S.-Iran conflict raises concerns over global energy supplies, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported on April 7 that President Xi Jinping has called for accelerating the planning and construction of a new energy system to ensure the country’s energy security.

According to the report, building a new energy system is a major strategic decision that reflects global energy trends and deepens China’s new energy security strategy. Xi emphasized the need to coordinate hydropower development with ecological protection, pursue nuclear power in a safe and orderly manner, and strengthen the country’s energy production, supply, storage, and distribution infrastructure.

During a visit to Xiong’an New Area in Hebei province, Xi noted that energy is a strategic issue for development, saying China’s early investments in wind and solar power have proven to be forward-looking. He also stressed that coal-fired power remains a foundational energy source and must continue on a clean, low-carbon path.

As of the end of February this year, China’s total installed wind and solar capacity reached 1.88 billion kilowatts, up 28.8 percent year-on-year. Renewable energy generation has surpassed 4 trillion kilowatt-hours, accounting for roughly 40 percent of the country’s total power output.

China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) sets out ambitious targets, including a non-fossil fuel energy doubling initiative and an average annual addition of 200 million kilowatts of wind and solar capacity. By 2030, new energy power generation is expected to account for more than 50 percent of total installed capacity, while non-fossil fuels are projected to make up 25 percent of overall energy consumption — providing a strong foundation for both energy security and economic growth.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), April 7, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202604070056.aspx

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s Rare Public Appearance Sparks Speculation Over CCP Power Dynamics

Photos and videos of former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao recently circulated widely online, showing him appearing in public in Beijing. Wen was visiting the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Despite his white hair, he appeared energetic and walked briskly. Accompanied by several staff members, he made his way to his vehicle, repeatedly waving to onlookers, who greeted him with calls of “Hello, Premier.” He responded with frequent gestures of acknowledgment.

During the outing, the license plates of four accompanying vehicles were captured. The first vehicle was a black Audi A6L with a blue plate reading “京A50698.” The second was an Audi A6 with a white plate reading “VA02388.” The third vehicle, a Hongqi sedan, bore the blue plate “京C88018,” while the fourth carried the plate “VA02486.”

License plates beginning with “京A” are typically assigned to the Beijing municipal government or certain central government agencies. The “VA” plates on the second and fourth vehicles are associated with units directly under the Central Military Commission (CMC), with the letter “A” indicating the Joint Staff Department. Wen was reportedly traveling in the second vehicle, which is linked to the CMC’s Joint Staff Department.

In recent years, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has been wary of political influence from retired senior officials. Wen’s public appearance has drawn significant attention overseas, with some interpreting it as a potential signal of complex dynamics within China’s top leadership.

Source: NTDTV, March 31, 2026
https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2026/03/31/a104081670.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics