HIGHLIGHTS
CHINA & THE AMERICAS
Blinken raises concerns over China’s trade policies and non-market economic practices
On 24 April, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken expressed concerns to his counterpart about China’s trade policies and non-market economic practices. This comes as Blinken undertakes a three-day trip to China to restore ties between the two sides. On 25 April, Blinken met Chinese Communist Secretary for Shanghai Chen Jining to discuss sensitive issues such as Russia, Taiwan, and Trade. On trade, Blinken calls for a “level playing field for US workers and firms operating in China.” Chen mentions the importance of US businesses in China and its role in the well-being of both sides. Blinken's visit comes after the US Biden announced a USD 8 billion aid package to Taiwan to counter the Chinese threat and the TikTok legislation bill banning TikTok in the United States. (“US top diplomat Blinken calls for ‘level playing field’ for firms in China,” Al-Jazeera, 24 April 2024)

CHINA & THE AMERICAS
US and Chinese navy chiefs hold talks at the 19th Western Pacific Naval Symposium in Qingdao, China
On 23 April, the US and Chinese navy chiefs hold talks at the 19th Western Pacific Naval Symposium in Qingdao, China. Commander of the US Pacific Fleet Admiral Stephen Koehler met the Political Commissar of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, Admiral Yuan Huazhi, in Qingdao. In the meeting, Admiral Koehler discussed the importance of maintaining open lines of communication, operational safety, and regional security concerns in the Indo-Pacific. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the symposium attended by 29 countries. The member countries passed the updated 3.0 version of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea. It is a non-binding multilateral agreement adopted in 2014. The forum started on 21 April and focused on establishing a research working group on unmanned systems” with China as the coordinating country. (Amber Wang, “South China Sea: amid tension, US and Chinese navy chiefs discuss ‘increasing security challenges in Indo-Pacific’,” South China Morning Post, 24 April 2024)

CHINA READER DAILY WIRE 
INTERNAL
Flood victims race to salvage property from muddy water in Southern China, reports The Straits Times
On 24 April, The Straits Times reported the victims racing to salvage their property from muddy waters amid the recent floods that hit Guangdong province in Southern China. The recent flooding has led to the forced evacuation of more than 100,000 people. The provincial authorities warn of more rains between April 24 to 26 rising to 240mm to 300mm. The province also witnesses rumours of price rises due to a shortage of essential commodities. Chief Hydrology Forecaster Yin Zhijie said the intensive climate change has led to heavy rains in the province. (“Victims of China floods race to salvage property,” The Straits Times, 24 April 2024)

Chinese Police arrest five people for stealing corn valued USD 3.45 million
On 22 April, police in Northern China detained five people for stealing up to 10,000 tonnes of corn valued at around 25 million yuan (USD3.45 million). The stealing continued over two years amid China’s food security plans. The state media CCTV reports of a grain dealer named Guo in Hebei province being accused of misrepresenting delivery data. The report said that Guo under-delivered corn between 2020 and 2022. The police mentioned that Guo admitted to dishonest delivery and stated that he had disputed with the grain company. According to CCTV’s documentary in January, more than 1,000 corruption cases in the agricultural sector have been filed since November 2023. (Mandy Zuo, “China’s food security push catches ‘grain-stealing mouse’ among 5 accused of US$3.45 million corn theft,” South China Morning Post, 25 April 2024)

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
EU raids Chinese security equipment supplier Nuctech over national security threats, reports Financial Times
On 25 April, European Union (EU) authorities raided Chinese security equipment supplier Nuctech over national security warnings. The raid comes as the supplier won 160 European public tenders, triggering security risks. The state-owned company supplies cargo, baggage, and human scanners, which are used in border checkpoints to seaports across Europe. The company has been suspected of having close ties with Beijing and is currently headed by former president Hu Jintao’s son, Hu Haifeng. The head of Belgian customs, Kristian Vanderwaeren, said that the company can access the internal customs data completely. The raids come as the EU targets Chinese companies unfairly benefitting from state subsidies over European companies. Financial Times mentions Nuctech company as a subsidiary of Tsinghua Tonfang, which China National Nuclear Corporation partly owns. (Laura Dubois, Alice Hancock, Henry Foy, and Joe Leahy, “From state contracts to a dawn raid: how Europe turned on China’s Nuctech,” Financial Times, 25 April 2024)

OUTER SPACE
China’s Shenzhou-18 mission to take off on 25 April
On 25 April, China plans to send its Shenzhou-18 mission to space crewed by three astronauts. The mission is set to take off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in North-west China. The mission will be led by Commander Ye Guangfu, a fighter pilot and astronaut who had previously taken part in the Shenzhou-13 crew in 2021. The astronauts will stay in orbit for six months to conduct experiments in gravity, physics, and life sciences. The Deputy Director-General of the China Manned Space Agency, Lin Xiqiang, said that the mission will conduct a “project on high-resolution global greenhouse gas detection.” The new mission will replace the Shenzhou-17 team, who were sent to orbit in 2023. This mission is part of China’s space dream led by President Xi Jinping. (“China to send fresh crew to Tiangong space station,” The Straits Times, 24 April 2024)

China’s military capabilities in space are developing at a “breathtaking pace,” says the US Space Command Chief 
On 24 April, the head of the US Space Command, General Stephen Whiting, said that China’s military capabilities in space are developing at a “breathtaking” pace. He mentions the pace at which China has tripled the number of intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance satellites in orbit within six years. He said that the recent space ambitions are part of its military reforms. The Straits Times mentions China’s announcement on 19 April on creating an information support force within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to better conduct cyber, information, logistics, and space operations. Whiting urged China to be more transparent about its civilian and military space capabilities. (“US commander sees ‘breathtaking’ development of China’s space power,” The Straits Times, 24 April 2024)

CHINA & EAST ASIA
China linked to North Korea’s arms transfer to Russia, reports Reuters
On 25 April, according to reports by Reuters based on satellite images, China is assisting a US-sanctioned Russian ship in North Korean arms transfer to Moscow. The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank said the Russian vessel Angara was docked at a Chinese shipyard in eastern Zhejiang province in February 2024 and is suspected of holding North Korean munitions. Reuters highlights the challenges faced by the US and its allies trying to block economic and military support to Russia. The US Department of State said that it had raised the issue of Angara with open-source reports with the Chinese authorities. According to RUSI reports, the Angara ship has conducted 11 deliveries between the North Korean Rajin port and Russian ports since August 2023. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had no information about this matter. (Michael Martina and David Brunnstrom, “China harbors ship tied to North Korea-Russia arms transfers, satellite images show,” Reuters, 25 April 2024)

CHINA & EUROPE
China and Russia to strengthen communications in intelligence and law enforcement
On 23 April, during a meeting, the head of the Communist Party’s Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, Chen Wenqing, told Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev that both sides aim to strengthen communications in intelligence and law enforcement. This comes after both sides aimed to strengthen their national security to counter Western suspicion. Chen also condemned the terrorist attack on Moscow in March. His remarks come on his nine-day trip to Russia on 20 April. He was invited to attend the 12th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues in St Petersburg. Amid the tensions with the West, the two sides have stepped up their strategic relations from energy trade to UN, SCO, and BRICS. (Laura Zhou, “China and Russia eye stronger intelligence and law enforcement ties as top security officials meet,” South China Morning Post, 24 April 2024)

EAST ASIA & THE PACIFIC READER
EAST ASIA
North Korea will maintain its military power despite US sanctions pressure, says Foreign Ministry
On 25 April, North Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the country will continue to maintain its military power despite US sanctions. It also said that the sanctions have only made the country stronger. KCNA reports that the sanctions imposed by Washington have prompted North Korea to conduct nuclear tests. On 24 April, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said that the country would continue with the military build-up amid the US-South Korean drills. The Ministry also said that the US military drills are aimed at launching a nuclear war against North Korea. (“North Korean official lambasts US over sanctions: State media,” The Straits Times, 25 April 2024)