NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
In Brief
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
China launches world’s first floating bamboo solar farm
On 27 August, SCMP reported that China launched the world’s first 100-kilowatt floating solar farm built with bamboo frames off the coast of Shandong province. This offers a highly sustainable approach to offshore clean energy production. The innovative platform named Jilin-2 is constructed using specially engineered, fibre-reinforced "sea bamboo" composite pipes. It was developed by the CIMC Offshore Engineering Research Institute, CIMC Raffles’ research arm, as well as China Forestry Group Corporation and Beijing Forestry University, to resist extreme marine environments, including high humidity, harsh salt spray, ultraviolet radiation, and constant corrosion. This eco-friendly design significantly reduces the marine pollution typically caused by traditional high-density plastic or steel frameworks. Currently deployed at a demonstration base near Yantai, Jilin-2 supplies power directly to an integrated industrial facility producing hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol. Beyond immediate green energy generation, the project serves as a critical testbed to monitor how well these renewable wood-bamboo composites handle long-term ocean wear, structural fatigue, and environmental adaptability. Successful testing will provide the necessary technical foundation to scale up to massive megawatt-level projects. This initiative closely aligns with China’s broader national goals, including replacing industrial plastics with bamboo, achieving peak carbon emissions by 2030, and hitting total carbon neutrality by 2060. It also states that this durable material could eventually power future marine ranches for sustainable seafood production and anchor shifting sand to halt northern desertification.
(“China launches world’s first 100kW bamboo-built floating solar farm off Shandong coast,” SCMP, 27 August 2026)
https://sc.mp/u5v06?utm_source=copy-link&utm_campaign=3365347&utm_medium=share_widget
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
China Media Group launches AI initiatives to accelerate digital transformation
On 26 August, CGTN reported that China Media Group (CMG) has partnered with major telecom operators and tech giants to launch two artificial intelligence initiatives aimed at accelerating digital transformation. The initiative brings China Telecom, China Unicom, China Mobile, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, Huawei, Alibaba Cloud, and Inspur Group together. CMG stated that the collaboration pools computing power and exclusive data to build a media-specific AI system that automates workflows across content planning, editing, review and distribution, with an emphasis on full-media ultra-high-definition content, multimodal generation and intelligent production tools. Participating companies stated they would contribute by providing cloud computing and high-performance chips to security systems and intelligent agents.
(“China Media Group launches AI ecosystem and large model initiatives,” CGTN, 26 August 2026)
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-08-26/China-Media-Group-launches-AI-ecosystem-and-large-model-initiatives-1PVnXGn3oCk/p.html
Nvidia resumes China chip shipments amid record global AI demand
On 27 August, SCMP reported that Nvidia has resumed shipping its H200 data-centre processors to China under a new US licensing scheme. These sales accounted for less than 1 per cent of its record USD 89 billion quarterly data-centre revenue. Driven by massive global demand that outpaces supply, the company reported an overall second-quarter revenue of USD 96.2 billion, a 106 per cent year-on-year increase and expanded its partnership with Amazon Web Services to deploy 2 million additional GPUs. To accelerate infrastructure deployment, Nvidia is bypassing traditional loans to instead invest nearly USD 50 billion in frontier AI laboratories and recently partnered with Apollo, BlackRock, Blackstone, Brookfield, KKR and Goldman Sachs on revenue-sharing platforms designed to mobilise USD 500 billion in third-party capital. The company has also begun shipping its next-generation Vera Rubin platform to every major hyperscaler, AI cloud provider, and system manufacturer, positioning it as the fastest product ramp-up in company history despite anticipated short-term margin pressures from rising memory costs.
(“Nvidia ships first H200 chips to China, but forecasts no data-centre computing revenue,” SCMP, 27 August 2026)
https://sc.mp/z9uyj?utm_source=copy-link&utm_campaign=3365383&utm_medium=share_widget
CHINA AND SPACE
Commercial space company debuts turnkey satellite export to Thailand
On 28 August, SCMP reported that Chinese company GalaxySpace initiated China's first turnkey satellite export to Southeast Asia. The company launched the Lingzhi-09 Thailand CubeSat on a Long March-6C rocket; it was developed for Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) to collect remote-sensing data for land, agriculture, and ecological applications, along with six other satellites. The CubeSat is developed for Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) to collect remote-sensing data for land, agriculture, and ecological applications, and also support practical training for Thai university students. GalaxySpace is China's first commercial space sector startup valued at USD 1 billion or more. The company stated that this marks the first time a Chinese commercial space company has developed, launched, and deployed a complete satellite in orbit for a Southeast Asian customer as a packaged solution.
("China’s commercial space sector expands global footprint with Thailand deal," SCMP, 28 August 2026)
https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3365534/chinas-commercial-space-sector-expands-global-footprint-thailand-deal?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article
NUCLEAR
Extreme weather less likely to slow China’s nuclear power industry expansion, says SCMP
On 27 August, an article published in SCMP stated that extreme weather is less likely to slow down China’s nuclear power industry expansion. World Nuclear Association China Director stated that the fact that China's nuclear power plants are constructed along the coast and employ open seawater for cooling makes it less vulnerable to droughts and heatwaves. Considering typhoons and earthquakes, a comprehensive early-warning and emergency-response system is being incorporated into the site design of upcoming plants. China Director said: "In addition to engineering safeguards and emergency preparedness, China’s technological advances could help its nuclear expansion better withstand the effects of climate change – and eventually lay the groundwork for inland reactors." He added that plans for next-generation reactor designs that require less water and are safer are in motion, and the country currently leads in fourth-generation high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, which do not use water as their main coolant.
("Why climate extremes will not stop expansion of China’s nuclear power industry," SCMP, 27 August 2026)
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3365421/why-climate-extremes-will-not-stop-expansion-chinas-nuclear-power-industry?module=latest_china_science&pgtype=topic
CHINA AND TAIWAN
Taiwan passes USD 7.6 billion drone budget to counter China’s increasing naval presence
On 27 August, Wion News reported that China has continued to increase its naval and coast guard activities around Taiwan in July. Per Taiwan Coast Guard data, they have monitored and detected 1,247 ships around Taiwan and several of its outer islands since May. Taiwan’s Senior Coast Guard officials stated that the "situation is becoming increasingly severe,” and that China “has never ruled Taiwan for even a single day; without sovereignty over land, it has no right to claim economic zones at sea.” Taiwan has also passed its long-awaited drone budget, worth around USD 7.6 billion, and has increased its military spending as part of the wider US effort to have its allies increase their expenditure. The US has also pressured Taiwan to pass its long-stalled drone budget, with US Republican lawmaker Young Kim stating that “Time is short. The wars over Ukraine and Iran show that Taiwan needs to buy and build drones at a huge scale.”
(“China intensifies pressure around Taiwan with record ship presence; Taipei approves $7.6 billion drone budget,” Wion News, 27 August 2026)
https://www.wionews.com/world/china-intensifies-pressure-around-taiwan-with-record-ship-presence-taipei-approves-7-6-billion-drone-budget-1787827802877
CHINA AND EAST ASIA
Beijing says normalisation of ties with Japan will happen if Tokyo revises its Taiwan position
On 27 August, The Japan Times reported that China would only seek normalisation if Japan revises its Taiwan policy after a cross-party Parliamentarian delegation visited Beijing. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in November, stated that Japan will militarily intervene in the case of a ‘Taiwan crisis.’ The comments have angered China, and Sino-Japanese relations are currently strained. The delegation sought the early release of Japanese detainees in China, and the lifting of the rare earth mineral export controls to Japan. The Deputy Head of the Chinese Communist Party Lu Kang stated that Japan must “honestly and earnestly handle the Taiwan issue in accordance with the one-China principle.” Shinichi Isa, a Centrist Reform Alliance representative in the delegation, stated that the meeting with Chinese officials was “a difficult exchange of views.”
(“No ties reset until Japan revises Taiwan position, Chinese official tells delegation,” The Japan Times, 27 August 2026)
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/08/27/japan/politics/japanese-lawmakers-visit-china/
CHINA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA
Chinese buyers cut back on Thailand’s condominium real estate market
On 28 August, The Business Times reported that Chinese buyers cut back spending by 27.7 per cent in Thailand’s condominium market. Chinese buyers are traditionally the largest foreign purchasers of Thai condos. Condominium refers to an ownership scheme where a building or a group of buildings is divided into multiple units that are either separately owned or collectively owned. Per the Real Estate Information Centre, foreign buyers took ownership of 6,533 units from January to June, down 8.8 per cent from the previous year, and the value of transfers fell 1.5 per cent to USD 860 million.
(“China pullback leads drop in Thailand’s foreign condo demand,” The Business Times, 28 August 2026)
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/property/china-pullback-leads-drop-thailands-foreign-condo-demand
CHINA AND SOUTH ASIA
China resumes rescue efforts after monitoring lake conditions
On 28 August, Reuters reported that China resumed rescue operations after assessing the risk from the glacier collapse. Dam debris formed an overflowing lake, posing a new risk of flooding in the Himalayas. China is now trying to mitigate the chances of more flooding along the border crossing linking its Tibet region to Nepal. An aerial survey conducted by the engineering team suggests that three million cubic meters of water will flow into the lake with no outlet, creating a high risk of breach.
("China resumes rescue work after assessing upstream lake conditions," Reuters, 28 August 2026)
https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/china-rushes-minimise-risk-mountain-barrier-lake-near-border-with-nepal-2026-08-28/
Beijing and Dhaka assess the Teesta River Project and begin work on Special Economic Zone in Chattogram and the Mongla Port
On 27 August, The Business Standard reported that Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said Beijing and Dhaka are assessing the feasibility of implementing the Teesta River project. He added that Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman's recent visit to China created a "historic opportunity" to expand comprehensive cooperation between Dhaka and Beijing. He stated that construction of the Chinese Special Economic Zone in Chattogram and the Mongla Port project have begun. Additionally, he expressed China's interest in supporting Bangladesh in expanding trade, developing infrastructure, generating renewable energy, promoting language education, and building skilled human resources.
("China assessing feasibility of Teesta project with Bangladesh: Yao," The Business Standard, 27 August 2026)
https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/china-assessing-feasibility-teesta-project-bangladesh-yao-1526041
CHINA AND AFRICA
Beijing issues travel warnings to its citizens amidst tensions with Eswatini
On 26 August, the BBC reported that China’s Foreign Ministry has issued a security advisory warning to its citizens to evacuate Eswatini immediately, citing risks like cyber fraud and illegal gambling. It urged nationals to relocate to safer areas like South Africa. The advisory is followed by Eswatini's police raids targeting illegal online gambling operations, leading to the arrest and subsequent legal dispute over the re-detention of 40 Chinese nationals. Beyond law enforcement issues, the move is also reflective of escalating diplomatic friction. Eswatini is Taiwan’s sole remaining African ally. Beijing, which opposes Taiwan's foreign ties, had previously attempted to disrupt Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s visit to Eswatini and excluded the kingdom from its pan-African zero-tariff policy.
(“China advises its citizens to leave Taiwan ally Eswatini over 'security risks',” BBC, 26 August 2026)
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3rel9rgnx5o
CHINA AND EUROPE
German firms urge Berlin to take a harder stance on ‘unfair’ Chinese trade practices
On 28 August, Reuters reported that German business groups are escalating pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz to confront Beijing over non-competitive trade practices. This marks a notable shift from their historically cautious, anti-tariff stance. Facing a record EUR 89.3 billion trade deficit with China, German manufacturers and automotive giants like Volkswagen are being severely undercut by Chinese rivals benefiting from substantial state subsidies and an undervalued yuan. In response, major industry bodies including the BDI, DIHK, and the Mittelstand association are urging Berlin and the European Union to accelerate trade defence mechanisms, implement anti-subsidy safeguards, and consider local content quotas. While German automakers remain wary of Chinese retaliation given their extensive investments in China, industry leaders warn that inaction now poses an even greater economic risk. Consequently, Chancellor Merz has tasked his cabinet with preparing measures to rebalance trade, signalling potential German support for broader EU-wide actions if upcoming negotiations with Beijing in October fail.
(“German industry presses Merz for tougher China policy,” Reuters, 26 August 2026)
https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/german-industry-presses-merz-tougher-china-policy-2026-08-28/
EU issues warnings to Beijing over escalating trade deficit
On 28 August, Euronews reported that the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has issued a firm warning to Beijing, asserting that the European Union is prepared to deploy all available trade defence tools if negotiations fail to rectify severe economic imbalances by the October deadline. Speaking to French business organisation Medef, von der Leyen highlighted that the EU's trade deficit with China has escalated to EUR 1 billion per day, driven by a 45 per cent surge in cheap Chinese imports over the last five years.
To combat market-distorting practices such as suspected product dumping, the Commission has ramped up enforcement, launching 30 trade defence investigations over the past year, nearly triple the historical average. While reiterating that the EU seeks "de-risking without breaking ties," von der Leyen emphasised that maintaining a partnership cannot mean accepting permanent trade deficits, which now affect every single EU member state. If ongoing talks yield no breakthrough, the EU could trigger its powerful "anti-coercion instrument," anti-subsidy, colloquially as the "trade bazooka"; this mechanism allows Brussels to impose severe restrictions on public procurement access or revoke intellectual property rights. However, activating it requires majority approval from member states, several of which remain cautious due to bilateral trade and investment ties with China.
signalling Leyen turns up pressure on China over trade deficit,” Euronews, 28 August 2026)
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/08/27/von-der-leyen-turns-up-pressure-on-china-over-trade-deficit
CHINA AND THE AMERICAS
China’s FM meets US officials; Seeks to “overcome obstacles” ahead of Trump-Xi summit
On 27 August, ABC News reported that China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with US Ambassador David Perdue to urge both nations to overcome obstacles, manage differences, and clear the path for a planned high-level summit between the US President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping. Despite a trade truce during their previous meeting, tensions have escalated through mutual economic restrictions, including bans on Chinese humanoid robots, reciprocal commercial bans by Beijing, and ongoing disputes over labour and industrial capacity, with Washington weighing a new 7.5 per cent tariff; Beijing has criticised market-distorting politicisation while maintaining diplomatic communication to stabilise bilateral relations before the leaders meet.
(“Chinese FM calls for US, China to 'overcome obstacles' ahead of presidential summit,” ABC News, 28 August 2026)
https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/chineemphasised-minister-calls-us-china-overcome-obstacles-135996445