Geo-Strategic Trend - 11. page

Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao recently reported that, more than two years after imports of Japanese seafood were completely suspended by the Chinese government due to the Fukushima nuclear power plant’s wastewater discharge into the ocean, imports from Japan have been permitted to resume. However, only a small number of Japanese exporters are currently authorized to export seafood to China, while hundreds more are still awaiting approval.

In August 2023, the Japanese government approved Tokyo Electric Power Company’s decision to dump treated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the near sea. China, citing safety concerns, imposed a comprehensive ban on Japanese seafood. Following a summit meeting between the two countries’ leaders, China announced in June of this year that it would allow the resumption of seafood imports from 37 Japanese regions. However, agricultural and seafood products from ten other regions, including Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures, remain banned.

However, after China announced the lifting of restrictions in June, 697 Japanese companies submitted applications for registration and provided test samples. As of now, only three Japanese companies had passed the tests for tritium and other radioactive substances.

Before the Chinese ban, China was Japan’s largest export market for seafood, accounting for 22.5 percent of Japan’s total seafood exports. If Hong Kong’s 19.5 percent is included, the export volume to China reaches 42 percent.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao, November 7, 2025, 2025
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/world/story20251107-7786359

Several African countries have begun converting their dollar-denominated debt into Chinese yuan, a shift that both eases financial pressure on heavily indebted nations and helps China expand the global reach of its currency. According to Les Échos, Ethiopia and Kenya have already taken steps toward yuan-based restructuring, with others preparing to follow.

Kenya finalized the conversion of three Chinese loans—worth roughly $3.5 billion—last month. The loans originally funded a modern railway linking the port of Mombasa to a station near Naivasha in Rift Valley Province. Ethiopia is now negotiating with Beijing to convert at least part of its $5.38 billion in Chinese debt into yuan-denominated loans. Zambia’s finance minister says the government is closely watching Kenya’s deal, while Sri Lanka has also signaled interest.

The savings are significant. Yuan loans generally carry preferential interest rates of around 3 percent, compared with more than 7 percent for dollar borrowing. Kenya’s finance minister John Mbadi estimates that switching to yuan-based loans will save the country about $215 million annually.

For China, the conversions strengthen the yuan’s role in African sovereign debt markets, advancing Beijing’s long-term goal of currency internationalization. Economist Julien Marcilly notes this also reflects a broader reevaluation of the U.S. dollar’s safe-haven status, pointing to Panama and Colombia recently issuing debt in Swiss francs.

Dollar borrowing has become increasingly costly: the U.S. currency has fallen roughly 10 percent since early this year under the Trump administration, while U.S. interest rates have climbed from 1 percent in early 2021 to around 4.15 percent today.

Despite a slowdown in new lending, China remains the world’s largest bilateral creditor. Between 2008 and 2024, its development and export-import banks committed more than $472 billion. Across Asia, the Gulf, and Africa, governments are now seeking to reduce reliance on the dollar, diversify reserves, and shield themselves from Washington’s sanctions and policy swings—while China moves to expand its influence through the rise of the yuan.

Source: Radio France International, November 7, 2025
https://rfi.my/CAG2

Russia and China have signed a memorandum to jointly train specialists for navigation in polar waters, Russia’s Ministry of Transport announced on November 3. The agreement was formalized in Hangzhou during Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s visit to China, with Russian Transport Minister Vitaly Savelyev highlighting the initiative as part of the delegation’s broader cooperation agenda.

Under the plan, Chinese trainees will study at two leading Russian maritime institutions—Admiral Nevelskoy Maritime State University and Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping. The program will follow international standards and combine classroom instruction with hands-on training, including the use of specialized simulators designed for polar conditions. The goal is to ensure graduates can operate safely and effectively in the harsh Arctic environment.

Savelyev noted that the memorandum aims to strengthen navigation safety in Arctic waters, protect seafarers’ lives, and safeguard fragile marine ecosystems in ice-covered regions. The cooperation reflects both countries’ growing interest in Arctic shipping and the strategic importance of the Northern Sea Route for global trade. As climate change opens new polar routes, demand for skilled personnel capable of navigating extreme conditions continues to rise. The partnership signals Russia and China’s intent to expand their expertise in polar navigation.

Source: Sputnik News, November 4, 2025
https://sputniknews.cn/20251104/1068206184.html

South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance announced on November 3 that the Bank of Korea and the People’s Bank of China renewed their bilateral currency swap agreement on November 1. The deal, worth 70 trillion won (approximately 400 billion yuan or about $56 billion), will remain in effect for five years.

The renewal was finalized on the sidelines of a summit between the two countries’ leaders in Gyeongju on November 1. According to the South Korean government, the agreement aims to promote bilateral trade, stabilize financial markets, and provide liquidity support for financial institutions operating in each other’s markets. Officials expressed confidence that the renewed pact will enhance trade cooperation and strengthen regional financial stability.

A currency swap arrangement enables central banks to exchange their currencies, offering a financial safety net during periods of market stress or exchange rate volatility. Such mechanisms play a key role in supporting economic cooperation and maintaining stability between major trading partners.

The five-year extension underscores both countries’ commitment to sustained financial collaboration and their shared interest in ensuring economic stability, even amid potential political or diplomatic challenges.

Source: Yonhap News Agency (Korea), November 3, 2025
https://cn.yna.co.kr/view/ACK20251103002400881

Eleven schools from Japan and China, spanning junior and senior high school levels, signed agreements on the 15th to establish sister school partnerships at a ceremony held at the residence of the Japanese Ambassador to China. The initiative aims to increase personnel exchanges in the education sector.

Japanese Ambassador to China Kanji Kanasugi attended the signing ceremony. According to Yoshikazu Yoshimura, chairman of the Japan-China New Century Association, which facilitates educational exchanges between the two nations, there has been significant interest from Chinese schools wanting to form sister school relationships. He indicated that the organization plans to continue promoting such partnerships in response to this demand.

During the signing ceremony, specific agreements were formalized between schools from both countries. Koei Veritas Junior and Senior High School from Chiba Prefecture signed agreements with two Chinese schools, while four schools from Tokyo each paired with four Chinese counterpart institutions.

Source: Kyodo News, October 16, 2025
https://china.kyodonews.net/news/2025/10/8a4df690a97d-11.html

Shanghai-based Chinese online news site Guancha recently reported that the U.S. government just announced sanctions against Russia’s two largest oil companies—Lukoil and Rosneft. Numerous reports indicated that Indian refiners are preparing to drastically reduce their imports of Russian oil to “near zero” in order to comply with new U.S. sanctions against Russia.

Several Indian refineries have indeed suspended purchases of Russian crude oil, including state-owned Mangalore Refining & Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL), HPCL-Mittal Energy Limited, and Reliance Industries, the world’s largest operator of refining complexes. Also, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), India’s largest oil refiner, cancelled seven or eight orders for Russian crude oil.

However, IOC has purchased five shipments of Russian crude oil, totaling approximately 3.5 million barrels, from a non-sanctioned Russian entity via the East Siberia-Pacific Ocean (ESPO) pipeline. The transaction price was roughly in line with Dubai crude oil prices, and the cargo is scheduled to arrive at a port in eastern India in December. IOC’s CFO, Anuj Jain, stated that the company will continue to purchase Russian crude oil as long as it complies with sanctions regulations. He stated explicitly that the company “will absolutely not stop” purchasing compliant Russian crude oil.

Executives of Indian refiners say that, state-owned refineries have not yet received clear instructions from the government. Unsanctioned smaller Russian producers such as Tatneft PJSC and Sakhalin Energy remain options. Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal recently said, “We will not reach an agreement with time limits or with a gun pointed at our heads.”

Source: Guancha, October 31, 2025
https://www.guancha.cn/internation/2025_10_31_795309.shtml

South Korean authorities have launched an investigation into the alleged leak of proprietary display technology from LG Display to Chinese companies, according to reports from Yonhap News Agency on October 13.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Industrial Technology Security Investigation Unit conducted a search and seizure operation at LG Display’s Paju factory on October 2, following a tip-off about possible technology theft. Two employees at the facility are suspected of leaking confidential technical information to Chinese firms and are being investigated for violating the Industrial Technology Protection Act.

During the raid, investigators reportedly found that one suspect had photographed hundreds of pages of internal company documents, suggesting a coordinated attempt to extract sensitive material.

The case reflects a broader pattern of industrial espionage targeting South Korean high-tech industries. Police data show 27 technology theft cases uncovered last year and eight more in the first half of this year—25 of which involved China as the destination for the stolen technology. The figures highlight Beijing’s particular interest in South Korea’s advanced industrial know-how.

The incident has heightened concerns in Seoul over the protection of strategic technologies, especially in the display sector, where South Korea remains a global leader. LG Display, one of the world’s top producers of LCD and OLED panels, could face serious competitive risks if its proprietary technologies are compromised.

Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the full extent of the leak and whether additional individuals or companies were involved in the alleged transfer of technology.

Source: Yonhap News Agency, October 13, 2025
https://cn.yna.co.kr/view/ACK20251013001800881