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CHINA READER DAILY WIRE
In Brief
INTERNAL
China issues warning against foreign cyber espionage
On 16 February, according to the Chinese Ministry of State Security, overseas cyber spies targeted critical Chinese departments and companies to acquire sensitive data. It said, "Cyber spies outside China often scan exposed network security flaws in large batches. Once they discover unpatched vulnerabilities on important units, they launch targeted attacks to steal data.” The agency said that such cyber security breaches harmed the development of military equipment and technology and threatened the country’s military and technological security. The agency added that foreign spies attacked the operator’s computer using open-source intelligence to obtain internal emails and other critical information. (Holly Chik, “China spy agency renews foreign cyber intelligence warning after data breaches,” South China Morning Post, 16 February 2024
ECONOMY
Labour protests increase amid slowing Chinese economy
On 16 February, according to an editorial in the VOA titled “As China's Economy Slows, Labor Protests Pick Up,” by Evie Steele, China witnessed increased labour protests during the Lunar New Year holidays. According to data collected by Freedom House’s China Dissent Monitor, labour protests more than tripled in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 due to poor working conditions and China’s ongoing economic crisis. The China Dissent Monitor recorded 777 labour protests in China between September and December 2023, compared to 245 in 2022. Independent data from the Hong Kong-based China Labour Bulletin recorded 183 protests between 01 January and 03 February, including 40 in Guangdong province alone. Kevin Slaten, head of the China Dissent Monitor, said worker protests are often linked to wage disputes and occupational safety, leading to poor enforcement of labour protections and a complete lack of independent and effective labour unions. Construction workers are likely to protest in large numbers due to the ongoing real estate crisis and the bankruptcy of major property developer Evergrande Group. (Evie Steele, “As China's Economy Slows, Labor Protests Pick Up,” VOA, 16 February 2024)
EXTERNAL
China, Russia and Cambodia top the chart in targeting critics abroad, Opinion
On 16 February, an opinion in The Guardian titled “China, Russia and Cambodia top list of regimes targeting critics in exile,” by Mark Townsend, data from US-based Freedom House in 2023 reveals that the governments of Russia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Turkmenistan, and China were the biggest five perpetrators of transnational repression. Michael Abramowitz, the president of Freedom House, said that the transnational suppression of dissents will not end soon, and democracies need to do more to protect their sovereignty and fundamental values. As per the analysis, more than a fifth of the countries worldwide forcibly silenced their critics abroad. For example, Russia alone contributed to 18 documented instances of transnational repression in 2023, followed by the Cambodian government targeting Thailand and Iran in London. Through its data, Freedom House said that between 2014 and 2013, China accounted for a quarter of all transnational repressions. (Mark Townsend, “China, Russia and Cambodia top list of regimes targeting critics in exile,” The Guardian, 16 February 2024)
CHINA & EAST ASIA
Philippines seen as US proxy against China in South China Sea, says SCMP
On 17 February 2024, according to an editorial in the South China Morning Post titled “Is the Philippines becoming a US ‘proxy’ against Beijing in the South China Sea?,” by Alan Robles, concerns grew among some sections within the country as Philippines close ties with the US is making the nation a proxy of American interests against China. Thousands of US and Philippine military soldiers took part in bilateral drills in 2023 and are continuing in 2024 to prevent China’s expansionist claims in the South China Sea. The Philippines has allowed the US forces to expand its military bases since President Marcos took office in 2022 via the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). The agreement will allow the US troops to stay inside Philippine bases rotationally, including at the northernmost Luzon Island, which is very close to Taiwan. However, the country’s defence budget remains low, over USD 7 billion, compared to its ASEAN member countries. The US, through the mutual defence treaty, is ready to aid the Philippines in case of any attack by an adversary. (Alan Robles, “Is the Philippines becoming a US ‘proxy’ against Beijing in the South China Sea?,” South China Morning Post, 17 February 2024)
CHINA & SOUTHEAST ASIA
China concerned about newly elected Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto
On 16 February, according to an editorial in the South China Morning Post titled “China not expected to let past overshadow relations with Indonesia’s new leader Prabowo Subianto,” by Dewey Sim, the past of the Indonesian leader Prabowo Subianto raised questions in Chinese social media about his stance on Beijing . Prabowo, was the former defence minister of Indonesia, and was allegedly involved in anti-Chinese riots that broke out across the country. According to the polls, Prabowo continues to lead over his two opponents. Wang Yiwei, a professor of international relations at Renmin University, said that despite the controversial past, China is forward-looking toward Indonesia by building more infrastructure projects in the country, such as a high-speed railway linking Java. China remains the largest trading partner for Indonesia as it contributed USD 3.6 billion in FDI in 2022 alone. ( Dewey Sim, “China not expected to let past overshadow relations with Indonesia’s new leader Prabowo Subianto,” South China Morning Post, 16 February 2024
CHINA & SOUTH ASIA
India becomes the leading source of cyber security threat in China, says SCMP
On 16 February, according to an editorial in the South China Morning Post titled “India has become a major source of cybersecurity threats in China: security expert,” by Zhang Tong, Chinese cybersecurity firms highlighted a series of cyberattacks originating from India targeting China and Pakistan. Chinese company Qihoo 360 named the threat “Manlinghua,” and the American company called it “Bitter” in 2016. They suspect that bitter’s origin can be traced back to India and has close links with Patchwork, SideWinder, and others. Foreign Ministries of both countries have not commented on this issue. According to some Chinese firms, Bitters' customized varied approaches proved effective as its primary operations lie in intelligence gathering. According to disclosures by cybersecurity firms, including Anheng, QiAnXin, Intezer, and Secuinfra, seven attacks in 2022 and eight in 2023 were closely linked to Bitter, targeting Pakistan, Bangladesh, Mongolia, and China. (Zhang Tong, “India has become a major source of cybersecurity threats in China: security expert,” South China Morning Post, 16 February 2024)
CHINA & SOUTHEAST
Pokhara airport is becoming the next Hambantota, an opinion in Deccan Herald
On 15 February, an opinion in Deccan Herald titled, “Pokhara airport creates an air pocket in Nepal-China ties,” by Gunjan Singh stated that the Chinese-built Pokhara International Airport had led to social protests in Nepal, raising concerns that China may place its military at the airport on non-repayment of loans. Singh outlines that to date, the dream project of Nepal has not recorded any pass of major international flights. It is becoming difficult for Nepal to pay off the debt incurred from the PIA, as there are increasing losses and inadequate construction. As opposed to what some in the Nepalese government had anticipated, the Pokhara airport appears on the same page as Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka. (Gunjan Singh, “Pokhara airport creates an air pocket in Nepal-China ties,” Deccan Herald, 15 February 2024)
CHINA & THE AMERICAS
“Frank, substantial and constructive,” Wang Yi and Blinken’s meeting
On 17 February, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China released a statement saying that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Wang Yi had a meeting with the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Munich Security Conference. The discussion largely circled around lifting sanctions on Chinese companies and their views on the Ukraine crisis and the Korean Peninsula. Wang said that actions such as de-China and decoupling from China will only backfire on the U.S. itself, according to the statement. (“China's Wang Yi held 'constructive' talks with Blinken in Munich - Chinese foreign ministry,” Reuters, 17 February 2024)
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EAST ASIA & THE PACIFIC READER
EAST ASIA
Taiwan signs MoU with India on migrant workers
On 16 February, the Ministry of Labour of Taiwan stated that the Memorandum of Understanding had been signed between Taiwan and India to bring Indian migrant workers to Taiwan as labour. The demand for workers in Taiwan is expanding because of the ageing population, which Taiwan is struggling to fulfil by itself, said the ministry. So, Taiwan seeks Indian labourers who are hardworking, stable and well-considered, the ministry added. Still, the details of the implementation of the MoU need to be worked out. (“Taiwan agrees to bring in Indian migrant workers to ease labour crunch,” The Straits Times, 16 February 2024)
South Korean doctors protest against increased admission of medical students
On 16 February, over 150 trainee doctors resigned from their jobs to protest against a government plan to increase in admission of students by 2000 to medical schools for the 2025 academic year. The Ministry of Health and Welfare of South Korea issued a back-to-work order with the warning that refusing to obey will result in punishment. The protesting doctors say that increasing the number of doctors would lead to the overuse of medical services and degrade the national health insurance plan’s financial situation. The government states that doctors’ collective action is unlawful and it will take severe action to strikes and refusal to work. According to public polls, the government promised to carry out the plan to increase doctors. (“South Korea trainee doctors resign to protest against plan to add more physicians,” The Straits Times, 16 February 2024)
Ukraine seeks investment from Japan for EV production
On 16 February, the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal in an exclusive interview with Nikkei Asia said that Ukraine is looking forward to Japanese investments to recover a wide range of sectors from the damages by Russia and one of the promising sectors will be the local electric-vehicle production. On 19 February, Shmyhal will attend the Japan-Ukraine Conference for the Promotion of Economic Reconstruction along with a delegation of over 100 business representatives. The objective of the meeting is to sign 17 plus government documents with Japan. Considering the large lithium deposits in Ukraine, Shmyhal is trying to draw Japanese automakers to build EV production plants in Ukraine. Shmyhal also targets Japanese companies that can invest in infrastructure and agriculture. (Shigeru Seno, “Ukraine prime minister seeks Japanese investment in EVs and beyond,” Nikkei Asia, 17 February 2024)
The PACIFIC
Australia plans to invest in local clean energy to join the subsidy race
On 16 February, according to the Australian Financial Review report, Australia plans to introduce financial incentives to encourage participation in the regional renewable energy market as a response to the clean energy incentives in the United States 430 billion USD Inflation Reduction Act and the European Commission’s Green Deal Industrial Plan. The Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese said that if Australia wants to become a renewable energy superpower, the government has to be a partner over an observer in the incentive plans. (“Australia set to join global clean energy subsidy race with new green fund,” The Straits Times, 16 February 2024)
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