NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
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In Brief
CHINA AND SPACE
Cislunar space is emerging as a future military arena say Chinese scientists
On 07 September, Moneycontrol reported that Cislunar space, the region between Earth and the Moon, is emerging as a potential arena for military competition as global powers expand their lunar missions. Recent research from Northwestern Polytechnical University in Xi’an, China, led by aerospace scientists, highlights that future space conflicts may focus on controlling strategic "choke points.” These are fuel-efficient pathways where a spacecraft could block rivals and force them into costly detours. The study was published in the Journal of Command and Control in July. Stated that by exploiting the combined gravity of Earth and the Moon, vehicles can also fly unpredictable routes to evade tracking and interception. This strategic manoeuvring is observed to be drawing intense military interest. While NASA pushes forward with its Artemis programme and the 2027 Gateway station launch, the US Space Force is actively developing plans to expand its defensive operations deeper into this critical zone.
(“The next space battlefield could be 384,000 km from Earth, China study warns,” Moneycontrol, 07 September 2026)
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/the-next-space-battlefield-could-be-384-000-km-from-earth-china-study-warns-14024596.html
NUCLEAR
China begins construction of Generation III Hualong One reactor
On 06 September, Global Times reported that construction on Unit 2 of the Zhaoyuan nuclear power station in Shandong Province has officially begun. This marked the launch of the project's first phase featuring China's indigenous Generation III Hualong One reactors. China is the fourth country to master indigenous Generation III nuclear power technology following the US, France, and Russia. This specific phase is notable as China's first Hualong One design to use massive 203-meter-tall cooling towers to release heat into the atmosphere rather than the sea. Once all six planned units are fully operational, the site is expected to generate 50 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, which is estimated to be enough to power 5 million people and cut carbon emissions by 46.2 million tons. However, it also provides clean nuclear heating to the regional network. This expansion highlights China's rapid low-carbon energy transition, solidifying its position as the country with the world's largest nuclear pipeline, with 120 units operational, under construction, or approved.
(“China’s first Hualong-One nuclear power station fitted with cooling towers starts construction in Shandong Province,” Global Times, 06 September 2026)
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202609/1369910.shtml
CHINA AND EAST ASIA
China imposes anti-dumping measures on Japanese imports of chip chemicals
On 08 September, The Japan Times reported that China’s Commerce Ministry had imposed anti-dumping measures on Japanese shipments of dichlorosilane, a chemical required to process silicon wafers into chips. Chinese companies importing the chemical from Japan must provide cash deposits of up to 99.8 per cent to authorities. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated that they are reviewing China’s measures and assessing its impact. The measure is the latest in a series of diplomatic feuds between Japan and China, where Beijing has restricted exports of rare earth minerals to Japan, which is the 2nd largest producer of dual-use permanent magnets. China has increased its shipments of ultra-high purity dichlorosilane from South Korea, becoming its largest supplier in 2025.
(“China hits Japan with anti-dumping measures on chip chemical,” The Japan Times, 08 September 2026)
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/09/08/economy/china-japan-imports-anti-dumping/
Japan scrambled its military jets in response to Chinese spy aircraft over East China Sea
On 07 September, Anadolu Agency reported that Japan had scrambled its military jets for four days after a Chinese aircraft allegedly flew over the East China Sea. Per a statement released by the Japanese Joint Staff, China had deployed a Y-9 reconnaissance aircraft, which was detected off the Danjo Islands and off Okinawa’s main island in the East China Sea. The statement also clarified that the aircraft did not intrude into Japan’s airspace.
(“Japan says it scrambled military jets for 4 days after Chinese spy aircraft fly over East China Sea,” Anadolu Agency, 07 September 2026)
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/japan-says-it-scrambled-military-jets-for-4-days-after-chinese-spy-aircraft-fly-over-east-china-sea/4049427
CHINA AND PACIFIC
Australia nears agreement on defence treaty with Solomon Islands
On 08 September, SCMP reported that Australia has reached an “in-principle” treaty agreement with the Solomon Islands per Australian media reports, and the signing is expected to happen in the coming weeks. The deal is widely seen as part of Australia’s efforts to bring the Solomon Islands and the other Pacific island countries under its sphere of influence to deter China. Per leaked texts from Australia’s Ambassador to the Solomon Islands, Australia has also apparently pledged USD 708 million in aid and assistance to the country. Solomon Islands’ Prime Minister Matthew Wale is a stringent critic of the previous Manasseh Sogavare administration’s 2022 security pact with China, and is seeking to reverse the policy. The signing, if it materialises, would make the Solomon Islands the fifth formal defence treaty ally of Australia, and the fourth Pacific Island country after Fiji, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.
(“Australia nears treaty with Solomon Islands in bid to limit China’s influence,” SCMP, 08 September 2026)
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3366702/australia-nears-treaty-solomon-islands-bid-limit-chinas-influence
CHINA AND SOUTH ASIA
China’s meteorological early-warning system supports Pakistan’s response to extreme weather
On 04 September, Xinhua reported that China’s meteorological cooperation with Pakistan is helping strengthen the country’s capacity to forecast and respond to extreme weather. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has been using China’s MAZU, an AI-powered meteorological early-warning system, for about a year and a half. The platform integrates observational data, numerical weather-prediction models, satellite information and AI to help meteorologists produce faster forecasts and warnings. The report cited Pakistani officials who said the cooperation has improved access to international forecasting models and strengthened the country’s ability to issue timely alerts. Pakistani meteorologists have also received training at Chinese universities, while Pakistani scientists participated in the system’s co-development. The technology is being used to support communities vulnerable to floods and weather-dependent agriculture. One farmer cited by Xinhua said following PMD advisories helped him avoid losses during the harvest, while another resident evacuated his family after receiving an early flood warning. The cooperation illustrates China’s growing role in providing meteorological technology and technical capacity-building to climate-vulnerable South Asian countries.
(“China's meteorological early warning system helps Pakistan protect lives, livelihoods from extreme weather,” Xinhua, 4 September 2026) https://english.news.cn/asiapacific/20260904/42a8b114a0b44bf597bd8277659fd371/c.html
Nepal-Tibet disaster becomes subject of China’s “Clean Internet” campaign
On 08 September, The Guardian reported that Chinese authorities have used the “Clean Internet 2026” campaign to restrict unofficial information and online discussion surrounding the devastating floods along the Nepal-Tibet border. The campaign, formally presented as an effort to combat misinformation and cybercrime, has increasingly been used to remove what authorities describe as “rumours” about the disaster. The report said Chinese social-media users saw posts about the floods removed or restricted, while some accounts were punished for sharing unofficial estimates of casualties and missing people. The report noted that Chinese authorities have officially reported 43 deaths in Tibet, while some unofficial accounts have claimed that more than 1,000 people were swept away. On 30 August, Tibetan police announced 10 cases under the Clean Internet campaign related to alleged rumours about the disaster. Critics and Tibetan advocacy groups have accused Beijing of withholding information about the scale of the disaster. The episode highlights how disaster reporting in Tibet intersects with China’s wider approach to controlling online information and shaping official narratives during crises.
(“How the Nepal-Tibet disaster became the latest victim of China’s ‘Clean Internet’ campaign,” The Guardian, 8 September 2026)
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/08/nepal-tibet-flood-disaster-china-clean-internet-media-censorship-suppression
CHINA AND MIDDLE EAST
China pledges deeper Qatar cooperation on energy, AI, and Middle East de-escalation
On 07 September, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that Chinese Premier Li Qiang pledged to deepen cooperation with Qatar in energy, investment, artificial intelligence (AI), and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate Middle East tensions. Li made the remarks during a meeting in Beijing with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, on an official two-day visit aimed at bolstering bilateral ties. The visit came as Beijing and Doha sought to navigate regional security tensions and ensure navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for China's energy imports and Qatar's LNG exports, which supply nearly a third of China's LNG demand. Iran separately said talks with Oman on temporary safe passage through the strait were in their final stage, expected to be registered with the International Maritime Organisation soon, confirming a Qatari delegation's Sunday visit was part of regional de-escalation efforts.
("China vows deeper cooperation with Qatar in energy, AI and Middle East de-escalation," South China Morning Post, 07 September 2026)
https://share.google/JqWjs7bjR9819dIob
CHINA AND AFRICA
China-Egypt air drills conclude with simulated strikes and joint manoeuvres
On 07 September, Business Insider Africa reported that the “Eagles of Civilisation 2026” joint air training between Egypt and China concluded, following over two weeks of exercises that began on 22 August. Multi-role fighter jets from both countries operated across several Egyptian air bases, with the training opening with theoretical sessions to standardise tactics before progressing to simulated offensive strikes, defensive manoeuvres, and aerial refuelling operations. According to Egypt Today, the exercise demonstrated strong coordination between the two air forces in executing joint operations. The drills form part of Egypt’s broader effort to deepen military ties with international partners, marking a significant exercise between Africa’s strongest military and the world’s third most powerful military.
(“Africa’s strongest military concludes air war exercise with China featuring simulated enemy strikes and acrobatic fighter jet manoeuvres,” Business Insider Africa, 07 September 2026)
https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/markets/africas-strongest-military-concludes-air-war-exercise-with-china-featuring-simulated/mvsm4d8
CHINA AND RUSSIA
Investigation finds China secretly supplied Russia with drone-making components
On 06 September, The Telegraph reported that a Chinese state-owned company supplied Russia with materials to build hundreds of kamikaze drones, according to an investigation conducted jointly with Politico. Internal Russian documents showed Jilin Chemical Fibre Group exported 46 tonnes of carbon fibre chemicals to Alabuga-Volokno, a sanctioned subsidiary of Russian state firm Rosatom that builds components for Geran drones used in attacks on Ukraine, including one that killed at least 16 people at a shopping mall. The shipment was disguised under a customs code typically used for civilian synthetic fibres, according to documents reviewed by the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Centre and shared with Western governments. Weapons expert David Albright estimated the shipment could produce carbon fibre for up to 1,300 kamikaze drones. China’s embassy in Washington denied providing lethal weapons to any party in the conflict, though former US officials said such shipments could not occur without Beijing’s knowledge. The findings emerged ahead of a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping later this month.
(“China secretly supplied Russia with components for killer drones,” The Telegraph, 06 September 2026)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/06/china-secretly-supplied-russia-components-killer-drones/
CHINA AND EUROPE
EU to meet CEOs from Europe to discuss cutting supply chain reliance on China
On 07 September, Politico reported that EU Trade Chief Maroš Šefčovič is scheduled to meet with CEOs from Europe on 18 September. This meeting is taking place to gather industry feedback on a proposed "diversification tool" designed to reduce critical supply chain reliance on China. The mechanism would push companies within the machinery, electrical components, automotive, and chemical sectors to source key imports like raw materials from at least three different suppliers. The EU seeks to curb its Euro 1 billion-a-day trade deficit and protect its industrial base from possible overcapacity from China. The Commission first wants to gauge industry buy-in and assess how far businesses are willing to go given the high costs of shifting supply chains. This meeting will be followed by high-level diplomatic talks, including a mid-September call and an October trip to Beijing. These are said to happen before EU national leaders evaluate new trade measures at their mid-October summit.
(“EU trade chief to meet CEOs over China strategy,” Politico, 07 September 2026)
https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-trade-chief-maros-sefcovic-meet-eu-ceos-over-china-strategy/
CHINA AND THE AMERICAS
Blacklisted firm from China bypasses US sanctions using Silicon Valley subsidiary reports The Indian Express
On 07 September, The Indian Express reported that Inspur, a server manufacturer from China, despite being blacklisted by the US in 2023 for aiding military supercomputing, has successfully bypassed trade restrictions through its Silicon Valley subsidiary, Aivres. Operating out of the same offices with the same staff, Aivres exported at least USD 5.6 billion in advanced US technology to Southeast Asia, including over USD 3 billion in computers equipped with cutting-edge Nvidia Blackwell chips. Because US law contains loopholes regarding remote access, giants from China like Alibaba and ByteDance can legally utilise these Southeast Asian data hubs to power their artificial intelligence industries. Furthermore, Inspur's network routed high-priced, unlabeled servers through an electronics manufacturer in Malaysia to a newly formed China-based company called Maginfra. It then funnelled over USD 700 million of this hardware directly to universities and state-owned firms IN China. Although federal officials are looking into Aivres, the appetite for enforcement inside the Commerce Department has stalled, marking a 10-month stretch without adding any new firms to the entity list despite critics warning that the administration's slow response has allowed China firms to narrow the AI performance gap with the US.
(“How a blacklisted Chinese tech giant kept buying America’s best AI chips,” The Indian Express, 07 September 2026)
https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/how-a-blacklisted-chinese-tech-giant-kept-buying-americas-best-ai-chips-10866468/