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Lianhe Zaobao: U.S. Plans to Restrict Imports of Chinese Drones and Heavy Vehicles

Singapore’s leading Chinese-language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao recently reported that the U.S. government is preparing new regulations to restrict – or even ban – the import of Chinese drones and medium- to heavy-duty vehicles.

Chinese products dominate the U.S. commercial drone market, with DJI alone accounting for more than half of all sales. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Chinese companies collectively control at least 75 percent of the market.

In December 2023, the Biden administration signed legislation prohibiting DJI and Shenzhen Autel from selling new drones in the United States. Yet in June 2024, three senior Republican lawmakers sent a letter to the Trump campaign, warning that DJI and Autel equipment still holds “a significant share of the U.S. market and is widely used.”

Washington has already placed heavy restrictions on Chinese auto imports. In September 2024, the Biden administration imposed a 100 percent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles, followed by rules finalized in January 2025 banning Chinese-made smart car software and hardware. However, vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds were exempted, enabling companies such as BYD to continue assembling electric buses in California.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao, September 6, 2025
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/finance/china/story20250906-7471969?ref=global-finance

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology US-China Relations

U.S. Cotton Exports to China Plunge 90 Percent

U.S. cotton exports to China dropped by nearly 90 percent year-over-year in the first half of this year, according to data from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). Meanwhile, exports to Pakistan and Turkey rose, and shipments to Vietnam nearly tripled.

The apparel industry has been steadily shifting production for the U.S. market from China to South and Southeast Asia, where labor costs are lower. This shift accelerated in the first half of the year, driven in part by U.S. tariffs. Washington is now closely watching for transshipment practices, where factories route goods through third countries to bypass higher tariffs. Facilities heavily dependent on Chinese inputs may be flagged as engaging in such practices.

With U.S.–China trade negotiations stalled, the apparel sector remains concerned about the risks of over-reliance on Chinese supply chains.

Source: AAStocks, September 3, 2025
https://www.aastocks.com/tc/usq/news/comment.aspx?source=AAFN&id=NOW.1468052&catg=4

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend US-China Relations

Chinese Foreign Ministry: China-Latin America Cooperation Not Targeting Third Parties, U.S. Should Stop Interference

In response to recent U.S. claims that China is “penetrating and seizing resources” in the Western Hemisphere, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated on August 25 that China-Latin America cooperation is not aimed at any third party and should not be interfered with by outside forces. Regional countries have the right to independently choose their development paths and partners.

“At the core, the U.S. statements are factually incorrect and repetitive, once again exposing the deeply entrenched Cold War mentality and confrontational mindset of some U.S. officials,” Guo said at a routine press briefing. He stated that the U.S. has long intervened in and sought to control Latin America and the Caribbean, with its hegemonic and bullying behavior laid bare.

“Latin America and the Caribbean are not anyone’s ‘backyard.’ China-Latin America cooperation is not directed at any third party and should not be interfered with. Regional countries have the right to independently choose their development paths and partners. The U.S. should stop sowing discord and stirring up trouble, and instead do something concrete to support the development of Latin American and Caribbean nations,” Guo said.

Source: People’s Daily, August 25, 2025
https://world.people.com.cn/n1/2025/0825/c1002-40549669.html

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

CCP Infiltration in Virginia: Expert Warns of Growing National Security Risks

China expert He Bin recently warned at a Virginia community event that the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) infiltration of Virginia is a serious national security concern. Given Virginia’s proximity to Washington, D.C., its role as home to the Pentagon, the CIA, the world’s largest naval base (Norfolk), and the only U.S. shipyard that builds nuclear carriers and submarines, CCP influence poses unique risks.

He outlined multiple examples of CCP penetration in Virginia, including:

  1. Media Control: Beijing secretly funded pro-CCP broadcasts on WCRW/WTSD radio (2011–2023).
  2. Corporate Takeover: China’s WH Group’s $4.7B acquisition of Smithfield Foods, giving China control over 25 percent of U.S. pork production and farmland.
  3. Confucius Institutes: They operated at George Mason University, William & Mary, and Old Dominion University. They have been criticized for undermining academic freedom.
  4. Education Infiltration: Thomas Jefferson High School, one of the best high schools in the U.S., received $3.6M from CCP-linked sources, raising IP transfer concerns.
  5. Chinese Student & Scholar Associations (CSSA): They strengthened surveillance and ideological influence over Chinese students.
  6. Virginia Tech: The university collaborated with Xi’an Electronic Science and Technology University, linked to China’s military.
  7. IP Theft: A Chinese researcher at UVA was charged with stealing trade secrets (case later dropped).
  8. Telecom Threats: China Telecom’s U.S. subsidiary, based in Herndon, was shut down by FCC over national security risks.
  9. NGOs: The Nature Conservancy in Arlington ran CCP-linked projects funded partly by U.S. government grants and Chinese firms.
  10. Port Security: Over 30 Chinese-made cranes at Hampton Roads port raised Pentagon concerns about surveillance.
  11. Espionage Cases: Chinese nationals and local residents in Virginia were prosecuted for spying or leaking defense secrets, including at Newport News Shipyard, the State Department, and even the Federal Reserve.

Source: Epoch Times, August 29, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/8/28/n14583195.htm

Briefings | | |   @CS US-China Relations

Chinese Local Governments Target 70+% Semiconductor Self-Sufficiency for AI Data Centers

Chinese local governments are implementing ambitious plans to reduce dependence on US semiconductors, with several regions setting targets to achieve over 70 percent self-sufficiency in chips used for artificial intelligence data centers, according to a recent report by Nikkei.

Beijing has set a more aggressive target, aiming for 100 percent semiconductor self-sufficiency by 2027. Shanghai plans to achieve over 70 percent domestic control in semiconductors used for AI data centers by the same year. Meanwhile, Guizhou Province’s Gui’an New Area requires approximately 90 percent of semiconductors in new AI-focused data centers to be domestically manufactured.

These local initiatives align with central government directives following a Chinese Communist Party Politburo collective study session on AI in late April, which emphasized support for domestic AI semiconductor development and production. The push comes as Chinese AI services from companies like DeepSeek and Alibaba Group continue expanding, yet remain heavily dependent on Nvidia chips.

China is attempting to transition from US Nvidia products to domestic alternatives like Huawei, but this shift faces significant technical hurdles. The Financial Times reported that DeepSeek’s new AI model development has been delayed due to malfunctions when using Huawei products, as encouraged by Chinese authorities. Additionally, the government is pressuring major private tech companies to adopt domestic semiconductors, with ByteDance reportedly considering Huawei products.

Semiconductor industry experts suggest that in sectors unrelated to economic security, China may continue importing Nvidia products to absorb advanced US technology while enhancing AI computing capabilities. Many analysts believe China will likely maintain a balance between Nvidia and domestic semiconductor sources in the near term, as the complete transition to domestic chips presents considerable technical and practical challenges.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), August 25, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202508250092.aspx

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

Texas Criminalizes Foreign Transnational Repression

On August 26, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed several bills aimed at protecting Texans from threats posed by foreign adversaries. The legislation included: House Bill 128, which prohibits any Texas government entity from establishing “sister city” relationships with foreign adversaries while encouraging cooperation with U.S. allies; Senate Bill 17, which bans individuals, organizations, and entities from certain countries from purchasing real estate in Texas; and Senate Bill 1349, which criminalizes acts of transnational repression and requires the establishment of new training programs for law enforcement.

In fact, as early as last November, Abbott had signed an executive order directing the Texas Department of Public Safety to take measures against cross-border coercion by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). At the time, he specifically cited the CCP’s “Fox Hunt” campaign of attempting to forcibly repatriate overseas dissidents back to China.

Analysts have noted that in recent years, China has increasingly engaged in “long-arm jurisdiction” against certain individuals abroad – using the People’s Liberation Army, public security officials, embassies, or agents – under the pretext of “safeguarding national interests,” thereby undermining other countries’ sovereignty.

Taiwanese media outlet Newtalk commented that by defining foreign “transnational repression” as a criminal offense, Texas has fired the first shot in American society against China. Sources:
1. NTDTV, August 28, 2025
https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2025/08/28/a104015125.html
2. Newtalk, August 27, 2025
https://newtalk.tw/news/view/2025-08-27/990303

Briefings | | |   @CS US-China Relations

Maduro Flaunts Xi’s Gifted Huawei Phone as China-Venezuela Ties Strengthen Amid U.S. Tensions

At Venezuela’s First Bolivarian Teachers’ Education Congress on August 14, President Nicolás Maduro showcased a new Huawei smartphone that he said was a personal gift from Xi Jinping. Maduro said he could use the phone for satellite communication with Xi and even greeted in Chinese in a mock phone call during his speech. CNN noted that while symbolic, the gesture highlights Maduro’s effort to emphasize close ties with China amid strained relations with the U.S.

A week later, on August 21, Maduro met with China’s ambassador to Venezuela, Lan Hu, and praised recent progress in bilateral cooperation, particularly in economic, technological, and artificial intelligence projects. He declared that China’s people-centered development model is shaping global trends.

On the same day, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning criticized the U.S. for deploying warships near Venezuela to stop drug trafficking, saying it violated the U.N. Charter, threatened Venezuela’s sovereignty, and undermined regional peace. She urged the U.S. to contribute positively to stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Source: Radio France International, August 24, 2025
https://www.rfi.fr/cn/美洲/20250824-美委关系紧张加剧-马杜罗秀习近平-亲赠-华为手机等对华示好

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend US-China Relations

DW Chinese: Beijing Refuses Trump’s Invitation to Participate in Nuclear Talks

Deutsche Welle Chinese Edition recently reported that U.S. President Trump once again proposed that China join the U.S.-Russia denuclearization negotiations, but was clearly rejected by Beijing.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said at a regular press conference that it is “neither reasonable nor realistic” to ask China to join the trilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations between China, the United States and Russia. He also said that “the nuclear forces of China and the United States are not at the same level at all, and the nuclear policies and strategic security environments of the two countries are completely different.” He stressed that China pursues a policy of no first use of nuclear weapons and adheres to a nuclear strategy of self-defense, and countries with the largest nuclear arsenals should earnestly fulfill their special and primary responsibility for nuclear disarmament.

In February this year, Trump proposed seeking negotiations with China and Russia on limiting their respective nuclear arsenals and proposed that the three countries agree to halve their military spending. During his first term, Trump failed to persuade China to participate in nuclear arms control negotiations. At the time, Russia and the United States were negotiating an extension of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.

China currently possesses at least 600 nuclear warheads, and its nuclear arsenal is growing at the fastest pace in the world.

Source: DW Chinese, August 27, 2025
https://tinyurl.com/3ewszmvu

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend US-China Relations