NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : South China Morning Post
HIGHLIGHTS
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Huawei’s new Pura 70 series to take over iPhone sales in China, reports SCMP
On 19 April, the South China Morning Post reported on Huawei’s new Pura 70 phone series affecting iPhone sales in China. The new model of the Huawei phone is expected to take on the biggest smartphone market in the world. The Pura 70 model is set to generate 10.4 million from global shipments. The new model is set to be the only key competitor to Apple’s iPhone. TechInsights predicts that the Pura 70 model will ship over 50 million smartphones and will regain the No.1 spot. Huawei’s Pura 70 Pro and Ultra would cost USD 1,400. IDC Asia-Pacific research manager Will Wong informed that the new series has seen good initial demand which is not surprising for Huawei. Wong said: “There’s a good chance [to be back in the top five], especially since Huawei has a more well-rounded 5G product portfolio now, ranging from the flagship series to the Nova series.” (Iris Deng, “Huawei’s new Pura 70 series smartphone poses a threat to iPhone sales in China, say analysts,” South China Morning Post, 19 April 2024)
INTERNATIONAL
G7 countries to put pressure on China from supporting the Russian defence industry
On 19 April, G7 member countries meeting the Capri Island discussed the concerns regarding China transferring material to Russia that would be used for weapons and military. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged his counterparts that they need to further push China to stop this and create pressure. The US believes that China is supporting the Russian cause in the war regardless of what it says. Blinken said that China’s exports are fueling the biggest threat to Europe since the Cold War, and that: “We see China sharing machine tools, semiconductors, other dual-use items that have helped Russia rebuild the defence industrial base.” He said that this enables Russia to constitute and revitalize the defence industrial base, which poses a threat to not only Ukraine but the international security. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said: “If China openly pursues an ever-closer partnership with Russia, which is waging an illegal war against Ukraine, … we cannot accept this.” (“G7 countries slam Chinese firms’ support for Russia’s defence industry,” Al Jazeera, 19 April 2024)
CHINA READER DAILY WIRE
INTERNAL
Controversial Chinese marathon winners stripped of their medals
On 19 April, BBC reported that all three top finishers of the Chinese Half Marathon are now stripped of their medals and prices after the controversial race. This comes after a video on Chinese social media went viral showing three African-origin runners pushing and signing the Chinese runner, He Ji to move ahead as they reach the finish line. The race was called fixed and caused a major backlash against the Chinese Athletics Association. During the probe, one of the African athletes claimed that they participated in this race as “pacemakers” and not as competitors therefore justifying their actions. CCTV, the Chinese state broadcaster reported that all four athletes have been punished and the results have been cancelled. The Chinese Athletics Association said: “In general, the overall operation of road running events has been smooth, “But problems in the organisation and management of the events have also been exposed, which has aroused widespread concern.” He Ji the controversial winner was the 2023 Asian Games gold medal winner and held the country record in the full marathon. (“Beijing half marathon: Top three stripped of medals after investigation,” BBC, 19 April 2024)
“Without a hi-tech, high-quality service sector..there would be no advanced manufacturing,” says former Chief of China’s Central Bank
On 20 April, the South China Morning Post reported on the former Chief of China’s Central Bank Sheng Songcheng, emphasising the need for a modern service sector in the push for a new productive force. He said as China seeks to develop its manufacturing sector and move away from service-centric growth, Sheng called for the need to refocus and to have more enhanced R&D product services. And that “My view is, we cannot simply categorise the service sector as the ‘virtual economy’.” Sheng asserted that the Chinese service sector is China’s largest source of employment providing 54.6 per cent of the GDP. The current economic agenda focuses on cutting down the support for what is the real economy with which Sheng disagrees. Sheng warned against the division of real and virtual economy, as elements of manufacturing also require producer services. Sheng said: “Without a hi-tech, high-quality service sector – particularly producer services – there would be no advanced manufacturing.” (Frank Chen, “Former China central bank official warns against miscategorising ‘virtual economy’,” South China Morning Post, 20 April 2024)
CHINA & EUROPE
EU to investigate Chinese subsidies and the procurement of medical devices
On 19 April, Reuters reported that the European Union is set to start the investigation into the Chinese procurement of medical devices. Additionally, they plan to probe into whether Chinese green and clean tech are not dumping subsidies goods on the market and are the Chinese companies unfairly benefiting from these subsidies. The European Commission stated that it aims to prevent any kind of unfair competition and market distortion. The investigation will look into whether any third countries' domestic policies are favouring suppliers and it will also look into the wind park development in various countries by Chinese firms. (“EU probes on Chinese subsidies and imports,” Reuters, 19 April 2024)
CHINA & THE AMERICAS
FBI on trump era China Initiative
On 20 April, the South China Morning Post reported that the FBI did not plan to have a “negative impact” on the Chinese Asian-American community, addressing Committee of 100. The initiative was brought under Donald Trump's administration where they prosecuted Chinese researchers. The people criticized the initiative stemmed from China’s espionage threats and the Asian-American communities complained that they were punished harshly for minor paperwork violations. Though the China initiative was disbanded in 2022, due to the ongoing threat of espionage it considered that it was observed and followed. (Mark Magnier, “FBI ‘did not intend negative impact’ of prosecuting Chinese academics with ties to Beijing under Trump-era China Initiative,” South China Morning Post, 20 April 2024)
Chinese Ambassador to Canada return to China as tensions rise
On 20 April, the South China Morning Post reported that China’s ambassador to Canada returned to its homeland after being posted for five years in Canada. The return to China of Amb Cong Peiwu comes as Canada and China see rising tensions. The representative of Global Affairs Canada informed of this return. The relationship between the two countries has been souring in the previous years, the recent investigation ongoing on the Chinese interference in the Canadian elections and the involvement of the Chinese consulate led to this move. Canada probed into the interference and even made top Canadian leaders including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testify. (“China’s ambassador to Canada Cong Peiwu leaves post amid tensions,” South China Morning Post, 20 April 2024)
FBI director warns of Chinese hacker's infiltration into critical American firms
On 18 April, FBI director Christopher Wray informed that the Chinese hackers had stationed themselves in the critical US infrastructure and were just waiting for the right moment to deal a devastating blow. During his speech at Vanderbilt University, he informed that the Chinese hacking campaign the Volt Typhoon has hacked into a number of American companies in all sectors of telecommunication, energy and water among others. Wray said it has the: “ability to physically wreak havoc on our critical infrastructure at a time of its choosing,” and that “It plans to land low blows against civilian infrastructure to try to induce panic.” Wray informed that the Chinese hackers operate through a series of compromised personal computers and servers around the globe to conceal their malicious intent and activities. (“FBI chief says Chinese hackers have infiltrated critical US infrastructure,” The Guardian, 18 April 2022)
EAST ASIA & THE PACIFIC READER
EAST ASIA
North Korea tests warhead test of cruise missile
On 20 April, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) informed that North Korea had successfully conducted cruise missile warhead testing of the new anti-aircraft missile. They conducted a test for the super-large warhead made for the “Hwasal-1-Ra-3,” a strategic missile and another new type of aircraft missile the “Oyoljji-1-2.” KCNA informed that both test were part of the regular activities for North Korea’s administration that is affiliated with the defence science institute. And that it aims for: “rapid development of technologies in various aspects such as tactical and technical performance and operation of new-type weapon systems.” (“North Korea conducts cruise missile warhead test on April 19: KCNA,” The Straits Times, 20 April 2024)