China Quote
“Protection of personal information is just a pretext, and the new system is actually aimed at restricting individuals’ opinions announced on the internet,” – Anonymous Online User on the new proposed Cyber ID’s by the Ministry of Public Security.
De/Cypher Data Dive📈
In China, a total of 202,000 foreclosed homes were listed for sale in the first six months of this year (2024).
Asia View🌏
Pew Survey of Asian Americans
More than 24 million Asian Americans lived in the United States as of 2022, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. They accounted for 7% of the nation’s population that year and are the fastest-growing major racial or ethnic group in the country. Asian Americans trace their roots to more than 20 countries in East and Southeast Asia, as well as the Indian subcontinent. But the large majority – 77% – have origins in just six countries: China, India, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea and Vietnam.
Immigrants account for a narrow majority of Asian Americans (54%), while a slightly smaller share are U.S. born (46%). Geographically, California is home to more than 7 million Asian Americans, far more than any other state. New York and Texas are each home to about 2 million Asians.
The median income among Asian American households was $100,000 in 2022. This means that half of households headed by an Asian person earned more than that and half earned less. Asian origin groups in the U.S. vary widely in their economic status. In fact, Asian Americans are among the most economically divided racial or ethnic groups today.
About 4.7 million Chinese Americans lived in the United States as of 2022, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. They account for 19% of the nation’s total Asian American population.
Six-in-ten Chinese Americans are immigrants, while four-in-ten are U.S. born. Two states – California and New York – are home to about half of all Chinese Americans.
The median income among Chinese American households was $98,400 in 2022, meaning that half of households headed by a Chinese American person earned more than that and half earned less. This is similar to the median household income among Asian Americans overall that year ($100,000).
Here’s a closer look at Chinese Americans’ attitudes on a range of topics, including how they describe their own identities, how they view the U.S. and China, and how they feel about achieving the American dream.
These findings are based on a nationally representative Pew Research Center survey of 7,006 Asian adults in the U.S. – including 1,617 Chinese American adults – conducted in 2022 and 2023.
Identity
Chinese Americans describe their identity in many ways, as is the case among Asian Americans overall. About half of Chinese Americans (53%) say they most often describe themselves as “Chinese” or “Chinese American.” About a third (34%) typically describe themselves as “Asian American” or “Asian,” while 8% call themselves “American.”
Some Chinese Americans say they’ve hidden a part of their heritage – such as cultural or religious practices – from people who are not Asian. In our survey, 19% say they have done this.
Views of the U.S. and China
Chinese Americans have a broadly positive opinion of the U.S.: 72% see the U.S. very or somewhat favorably.
By comparison, just 41% of Chinese Americans see China favorably. In fact, Chinese Americans are the only major Asian origin group in the U.S. in which a majority of adults do not have a favorable opinion of their own ancestral homeland.
Most Chinese Americans say they would not move to China; just 16% say they would. Among those who would move to China, 27% say the main reason is to be closer to their friends or family and 24% say it’s because they’re more familiar with the culture.
Achieving the American dream
Most Chinese Americans feel that they’re on their way to achieving the American dream or have already achieved it. Around half (51%) say they’re on their way, while a quarter say they’ve already achieved it. However, 23% of Chinese Americans say the American dream is out of reach for them.
Politics
A majority of Chinese American registered voters (56%) identify with or lean to the Democratic Party. Another 39% are Republicans or lean Republican. By comparison, among Asian American registered voters overall, 62% are Democratic or Democratic-leaning and 34% are Republican or lean to the GOP.
As of 2022, about 2.7 million Chinese Americans – or 58% – were eligible to vote, according to Census Bureau data. That means they were at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen through birth or naturalization.
Religion
Chinese Americans are among the most likely Asian origin groups to be religiously unaffiliated. More than half of Chinese Americans (57%) are not affiliated with any religion, compared with 32% of Asian Americans overall.
Another 22% of Chinese Americans identify as Christian, including 12% who identify as evangelical Protestants and 5% who are nonevangelical Protestants. (Pew Charitable Trust)
Quick China: Unmissable Stories 📜
China’s Loan Drop Stokes Recession Fears
China’s first bank loan contraction in nearly two decades has fanned fears the world’s No. 2 economy is careening toward a “balance sheet recession” as Japan did decades ago.
A plunge in new corporate borrowing combined with households preferring to repay debt saw bank loans shrink last month for the first time since July 2005. That deepened China’s years-long battle with weak credit demand, as a property slump spurs caution on buying homes and expanding investment.
Determination among consumers and businesses to pay down debt following real estate collapse is seen as a hallmark of Japan’s stumble into decades of deflation in the 1990s. (Bloomberg)
Chinese Traders Are Buying Bonds to Evade Regulatory Oversight
Chinese traders are paying a premium for government bonds to evade regulators seeking to tame an unprecedented rally, people familiar with the matter said.
Traders from non-bank financial firms, including insurers, are specifying in their orders to brokers that they don’t want to buy from any of the big state banks since regulators have told the nation’s largest lenders to keep records of their counterparties, according to the people, who asked not to be named discussing a private matter.
Investors are seeking out mainly 7- and 10-year notes and willing to pay above the asking price of big banks, as reflected in lower yields of 0.1 basis points to 0.25 basis points, two of the people said. The impact on the market isn’t clear yet. (Bloomberg)
Can BYD Overtake VinFast in Vietnam?
BYD launched in Vietnam on July 18 after months of anticipation and speculation over how the world’s top EV maker would fare in a market where VinFast is well entrenched and owns most of the charging points. BYD has nearly half the EV market in Southeast Asia, wooing customers in major markets, such as Thailand and Malaysia, with its attractive pricing and lineup. But Vietnam is a tougher market to crack, Abhik Mukherjee, an auto analyst at Counterpoint Research, told Rest of World.
“BYD faces significant challenges entering the Vietnamese market, primarily due to VinFast’s near-monopoly on the country’s EV charging infrastructure,” he said. “Additionally, the long-standing anti-China sentiment in Vietnam could pose a significant hurdle for BYD, potentially affecting consumer perception and acceptance.”
VinFast, a unit of Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest private conglomerate, set up its first manufacturing facility in the country in 2017. Two years later, it launched its first three models. Since then, it has cornered the lion’s share of Vietnam’s EV market and built a massive network of more than 150,000 charging ports that only VinFast vehicles can access. Ahead of BYD’s launch, VinFast told its customers they could charge their EVs at any of its charging stations for free for a year. (Rest of World)
China Media Project Measures Media Priority
With the approach of the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the CCP, June was a time to emphasize the importance of maintaining the party’s superior status and preserving its leading role. One important theme, therefore, was the supposed popularity of the party’s rule, and it’s fundamental groundedness in the interests of the people — the reason for the CCP’s necessity. Terms in this vein included “common prosperity” (共同富裕) [CMP Dictionary], “the Chinese Dream” (中国梦), and “people as the core” (以人民为中心), which were all boosted for the month.
Another key theme ahead of the party’s 103rd anniversary, as mentioned in the section above on the rule of the military, was discipline within the CCP, also regarded as essential to legitimacy. The stress placed on discipline led to stronger performance for terms associated with “party discipline” in June. These terms included “comprehensive strict governance of the Party” (全面从严治党), “self-revolution” (自我革命) — the dubious claim that the party’s strength lies in its ability to remake itself, without public scrutiny — “institutional advantages” (制度优势), and the “eight-point decision” (八项规定), a formula for defining disciplinary do’s and don’ts. Another strong performer was the “Four Malfeasances” (四风), a short list of dangers, including bureaucratism and formalism.
Lastly, terms associated with science and technology innovation were also on the rise, for the reasons discussed earlier in this report. One such term was “independent innovation” (自主创新) — just as it sounds, a claim to the invention and application of technology free from the constraints of global competitors. (China Media Project)
China’s Great Wall of Villages
Qionglin New Village sits deep in the Himalayas, just three miles from a region where a heavy military buildup and confrontations between Chinese and Indian troops have brought fears of a border war. The land was once an empty valley, more than 10,000 feet above the sea, traversed only by local hunters. Then Chinese officials built Qionglin, a village of cookie-cutter homes and finely paved roads, and paid people to move there from other settlements.
China’s leader, Xi Jinping, calls such people “border guardians.” Qionglin’s villagers are essentially sentries on the front line of China’s claim to Arunachal Pradesh, India’s easternmost state, which Beijing insists is part of Chinese-ruled Tibet. Many villages like Qionglin have sprung up. In China’s west, they give its sovereignty a new, undeniable permanence along boundaries contested by India, Bhutan and Nepal. In its north, the settlements bolster security and promote trade with Central Asia. In the south, they guard against the flow of drugs and crime from Southeast Asia.
The buildup is the clearest sign that Mr. Xi is using civilian settlements to quietly solidify China’s control in far-flung frontiers, just as he has with fishing militias and islands in the disputed South China Sea. The New York Times mapped and analyzed settlements along China’s border to create the first detailed visual representation of how the country has reshaped its frontiers with strategic civilian outposts, in just eight years.
Working with the artificial intelligence company RAIC Labs, which scanned satellite images of China’s entire land border captured by Planet Labs, The Times identified the locations of new villages and checked them against historical images, state media, social media posts and public records. The mapping reveals that China has put at least one village near every accessible Himalayan pass that borders India, as well as on most of the passes bordering Bhutan and Nepal, according to Matthew Akester, an independent researcher on Tibet, and Robert Barnett, a professor from SOAS University of London. Mr. Akester and Mr. Barnett, who have studied Tibet’s border villages for years, reviewed The Times’s findings. (NYT)
China’s AI Video Rush is Warning for The World
Chinese tech companies are racing ahead with artificial intelligence tools that can turn text into short videos. The public release of a handful of AI video generators from big companies and start-ups aims to show how the country is narrowing the gap with the US when it comes to the technology. But they are simultaneously opening a Pandora’s Box, allowing anyone to create short clips from almost any prompt they can imagine. (Bloomberg)
Chinese Economy is Not Responding to Stimuli
China’s factory output slowed for a third straight month in July, showing the recovery in the world’s second-largest economy was losing steam, although the battered consumer sector perked up slightly as stimulus targeting households took effect. A mixed batch of data on Thursday pointed to a patchy start to the second half for the $19 trillion economy and gave policymakers continued cause for concern following dismal export, prices and bank lending indicators earlier this month.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed industrial output grew 5.1% from a year earlier, slowing from the 5.3% pace in June and below analysts’ forecasts for a 5.2% increase. In contrast, retail sales rose 2.7% in July, quickening from a 2.0% increase in June and beating expectations for growth of 2.6%.Overall, analysts say the data steps up the urgency for policymakers to roll out more support measures aimed at consumers instead of pouring funds into infrastructure.” Economic momentum appears to have stabilised somewhat last month, with a pick-up in consumer spending and servicing activity largely offsetting a slowdown in investment and industrial production,” said Julian Evans-Pritchard, head of China economics at Capital Economics.” With the government ramping up policy support, we think a modest recovery could take hold over the coming months.” (Reuters)
Young People No Longer Want to Pay for Love in China
During China’s go-go years, young couples holding enormous bouquets of roses were a familiar sight during the Qixi Festival, an ancient holiday celebrating love and loyalty. People would flock to social media to show off brand-new iPhones and Louis Vuitton handbags gifted by their partners, as well as photos of dinners at fancy restaurants, during the Chinese version of Valentine’s Day, which typically falls in July or August each year.
That was when China’s economic growth was the envy of the world. This year’s festival was on Saturday, and it was a very different story. People went online to complain about the lack of gift giving and festive spirit, citing a sluggish economy and tough job market. The hashtag “consumption plummets on Chinese Valentine’s Day. Are young people unwilling to pay the love tax?” became the No 1 trending topic on the Weibo platform on Saturday, drawing 200 million views. (CNN)
The Chinese Bots Are Coming for Australia
The “Green Cicada Network”, uncovered by Canberra-based CyberCX, mostly aims to muddy wedge US political issues as the country gears up for its presidential election in November. The cybersecurity firm said it also picked up some Australia-focused activity, with the network spouting divisive content about nuclear energy, the embattled CFMEU and the government’s immigration policies. Though the situation is far graver, according to the intelligence source, who has intimate knowledge of foreign interference activities in Australia. “They use a network of private companies,” the source said. “Just like Wagner are technically killers-for-hire but really under Russian control, these are CCP proxies under Beijing’s thumb.” They said the CCP “are masters of non-attribution”, meaning it operates in ways that allow it to deflect and deny responsibility. A strategy of “plausible deniability.”
“They can just say these are private companies doing this. They’re patriots,” the source said. But it goes “beyond meddling.” The end goal is not only to “control the narrative”, but “control the infrastructure” – the means through which political discourse takes place. “China’s goal is to subjugate Australia cognitively, to control the narrative and control the way [Australians] think,” they said. CyberCX said most of the Green Cicada Network accounts are inactive, concluding “the network is likely an information operation capability in a development or experimental phase”. “If ramped up to full capacity, the Green Cicada Network could be used to conduct largescale disinformation operations, amplify polarising content to sow division, and undermine trust in civil and government institutions,” the firm said.
It did not draw direct ties to the Chinese government but said the network is linked to Beijing’s Tsinghua University and Chinese AI company Zhipu AI. Chief strategy officer Alastair MacGibbon said the find “is one of the largest ever documented networks of inauthentic accounts discovered on a social media platform and could be the first significant China-related information operation run by generative AI.” This is Beijing’s modus operandi, according to Jorge Conde, Cognitive Warfare Scientist at the Australian National University, who specialises in Chinese counter-interference and information warfare. (The Australian)
China’s Youth Unemployment Climbs for First Time Since February
China’s youth unemployment rate rose for the first time in five months as an influx of graduates entered the labor market at a time when the economy is struggling to find a firm footing.
Joblessness among people aged 16 to 24 climbed to 17.1% in July, according to data released Friday by the National Bureau of Statistics. That’s a significant increase from 13.2% in June and is more than three times the overall unemployment rate. (Bloomberg)
Beyond The Great Wall 🧱
Exploring News About China in Depth
Economy
China’s Factory Output Disappoints, Dashing Hopes for Speedy Recovery
Reuters reports that China’s factory output growth slowed to 5.1% in July, missing expectations and signalling ongoing economic struggles despite recent government support. Retail sales showed some improvement, rising 2.7%, but analysts warn that more stimulus measures will be necessary. The broader outlook remains challenging, with calls for growth-boosting efforts to shift focus towards consumer spending rather than infrastructure.
Alibaba Shares Dip 3% in Premarket After Earnings Miss Expectations Despite Cloud Acceleration
CNBC reports that Alibaba shares fell by 3.49% in premarket trading after the company missed top and bottom-line expectations for Q2 2024. Despite a 32% year-on-year growth in international e-commerce, Alibaba’s core China e-commerce sales fell 1%, reflecting challenges from rising competition and cautious consumer behaviour. The company continues efforts to stabilize its core business.
China to Restrict Exports of Critical Mineral Antimony, Citing National Security
South China Morning Post reports that China will impose export controls on antimony, a critical mineral used in semiconductors and other applications, effective September 15. The move, aimed at safeguarding national security, allows exports only if regulations are met. Analysts see this as a retaliatory signal amid ongoing US-China trade tensions.
‘Ghost’ Railway Stations Prompt Questions on China’s Rapid Expansion of High-Speed Network
CNA reports that China’s rapid expansion of its high-speed railway network has led to the creation of 26 “ghost” stations, abandoned due to remote locations and low passenger volume. These decommissioned stations raise concerns about over-investment in infrastructure. Experts suggest focusing on productive portions of the network and cutting unproductive ones to maintain sustainability amidst economic challenges.
China’s Latest Blockbuster Casts Rare, Harsh Light on Gig Economy
Reuters reports that “Upstream,” a new Chinese film, tackles the harsh realities of the gig economy, depicting the struggles of delivery drivers in China’s uncertain job market. Directed by Xu Zheng, the film has resonated with audiences by focusing on economic challenges rather than the typical genres of Chinese cinema. The movie highlights the intense competition and dangerous working conditions faced by millions of gig workers.
Internal Politics 🏛️
China Proposes Law to Make It Easier to Register Marriages, Harder to Divorce
Reuters reports that China has introduced a revised draft law aimed at simplifying marriage registration while making divorces more difficult, which has sparked significant online debate. The proposed law, focused on promoting a “family-friendly society,” includes a 30-day cooling-off period for divorces and removes regional restrictions for marriage registration.
Beijing to Boost Financial Support for Military Personnel and Veterans
South China Morning Post reports that Beijing has revised regulations to increase financial support for military personnel and veterans, effective October 1. The Central Military Commission and State Council announced that the central government will now bear the primary responsibility for funding, easing the burden on local governments. The revisions aim to improve benefits for military families and veterans and foster greater societal respect for military service.
China And The World🌐
China to Monitor Arrivals of People, Goods for Mpox Virus
Reuters reports that China will monitor people and goods entering the country for mpox over the next six months after the WHO declared the virus a global health emergency again. Travellers from mpox-affected areas must report to customs if they have been in contact with cases or show symptoms. Vehicles and goods from these areas will also require sanitisation.
China’s Foreign Minister Meets with Myanmar’s Military Boss as Civil War Strains Relations
AP News reports that China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Myanmar and met with its military leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, as instability from Myanmar’s civil war raises concerns in Beijing. The meeting comes amid allegations of foreign support for ethnic militias, including suspicions directed at China. The discussions focused on border stability, cybercrime, and bilateral relations.
Xi Says China Ready to Work with Brazil to Promote Building of China-Brazil Community with Shared Future
Xinhua reports that Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed China’s readiness to strengthen ties with Brazil, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations as a new starting point. Xi highlighted the stable and strategic relationship between the two nations and emphasized cooperation in various fields to build a shared future. Brazilian President Lula echoed the importance of bilateral ties for global stability and governance.
Wang Yi Calls for High-Quality China-Cambodia Cooperation
CGTN reports that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the importance of high-quality cooperation between China and Cambodia during his meeting with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok Chenda Sophea in Thailand. Wang highlighted the strong bilateral relationship and urged deeper collaboration in law enforcement, security, and combating cross-border crime. He also emphasized the role of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation in promoting regional development and revitalization.
Vietnam’s Top Leader To Lam to Visit China from Aug. 18 to 20
Xinhua reports that Vietnamese President and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam will visit China from August 18 to 20, at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The visit marks the first international trip by Lam since assuming office, emphasizing the importance of China-Vietnam relations. The two leaders, along with other high-ranking officials, will discuss furthering the China-Vietnam community with a shared future and cooperation on their socialist modernization paths.
China Supports Iran in Defending Security, Says Foreign Minister
VOA News reports that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed China’s support for Iran in defending its sovereignty and security during a phone call with Iran’s acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani. Wang condemned the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, attributing it to Israel and warning that it undermines regional stability.
Fiji and China Rebuild the Partnership
Beijing is expected to seek to deepen security ties and restore trust with Fiji when Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka visits China this week. The 10-day visit comes just months after a review of a controversial policing agreement signed in 2011 that allowed Chinese police officers to be stationed in Fiji. At the time of the review, Rabuka – who ousted long-time leader Frank Bainimarama in the 2022 election – said he saw “no need” for the deal.
China to Hold Air Force Drills with Thailand as It Bolsters Southeast Asia Defence Ties
South China Morning Post reports that China and Thailand will begin their annual joint air force drill, Falcon Strike 2024, on August 18. This exercise, held at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, is part of China’s efforts to strengthen defence ties in Southeast Asia. The drills come amid a decline in Thailand-US military relations, allowing China to increase its influence through arms deals and expanded military cooperation.
Jia Bei Zhu, Owner of Secret Chinese-Run California Lab, Faces New US Charges
South China Morning Post reports that Jia Bei Zhu, the owner of a secret Chinese-run lab in California, faces new charges after a US federal grand jury handed down a 12-count superseding indictment. Zhu and his partner allegedly imported misbranded Covid-19 test kits from China, falsely claiming they were US-made, leading to charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, and distribution of adulterated medical devices.
US Lawmakers Urge Probe of WiFi Router Maker TP-Link Over Fears of Chinese Cyber Attacks
U.S. News & World Report reports that U.S. lawmakers have requested the Biden administration to investigate China’s TP-Link Technology Co. for potential national security risks, fearing that its WiFi routers could be used in cyber attacks against the U.S.
US Army Analyst Pleads Guilty to Charges of Selling US Secrets to China
VOA reports that a US Army intelligence analyst on Tuesday pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to sell military secrets to China, the US Department of Justice said. Korbein Schultz was charged in March with conspiracy to disclose national defence information, exporting defence articles and technical data without a licence, and bribery of a public official.
German Firms Increase Investments in China
China Daily reports that German companies are significantly increasing their investments in China, with direct investments reaching €7.3 billion in the first half of 2024, surpassing the total for 2023. Despite geopolitical risks and warnings from the German government, major firms like Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Zeiss continue to expand operations in China, driven by strong market potential and a strategy of regional supply chain localization.
Tech🧑💻 in China
Tech War: China Pumps Up State Subsidies for Chip Industry to Counter US Sanctions
South China Morning Post reports that government subsidies for China’s semiconductor industry surged in 2023, with leading companies like Huawei, SMIC, and BYD receiving substantial support. This increase reflects Beijing’s push for technological self-sufficiency amid escalating tensions with Washington. The total subsidies reached 20.53 billion yuan, a 35% increase from the previous year, as China aims to counter US tech sanctions.
China’s autonomous vehicle startup WeRide seeks US IPO at $5B valuation
Rebecca Bellan writes in TechCrunch that WeRide, a Chinese autonomous vehicle company, is preparing for a US public debut with an expected valuation of up to $5.02 billion. The company aims to raise approximately $96 million from the IPO, with potential additional funds from private placements, including $97 million from Alliance Ventures. WeRide operates autonomously in China, the UAE, and Singapore, and is testing in California. The IPO proceeds will be directed towards R&D, commercialization, and capital expenditures.
News From Asia
Friday
- The daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra, the divisive former leader, was nominated and endorsed Friday to become the new prime minister in a vote two days after the previous one was removed by a court for violating ethics. (AP)
- Indonesia’s president-elect Prabowo Subianto has secured a parliamentary majority after the party that supported his rival in the February elections announced its decision to join his broad coalition. (Arab News)
- The Saudi Royal Family is estimated to be worth more than $1.4 trillion, but the Pentagon has been pursuing the kingdom for $15 million in debt for American assistance during the Saudi war in Yemen for several years. (The Intercept)
- A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck 34 km off Taiwan’s eastern city of Hualien on Friday (Aug 16), according to the weather service. There were no immediate reports of damage from the second strong tremor to hit the island in less than a day. (CNA)
Thursday
- Thailand’s ruling Pheu Thai Party will nominate 37-year-old leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra for prime minister when parliament votes on a replacement for Srettha Thavisin, who was dismissed by the Constitutional Court, on Friday. (Nikkei)
- Sri Lanka’s elections commission approved applications on Thursday from a record 39 candidates to compete in next month’s presidential election, which will determine the trajectory of the country’s financial reforms to weather an unprecedented economic crisis. (AP)
- Israel’s spy chief will meet with his US and Egyptian counterparts, as well as Qatar’s prime minister, on Thursday in the Qatari capital Doha for a new round of Gaza ceasefire talks. (Reuters)
- Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump used a rally on Wednesday to renew personal attacks on Democratic rival Kamala Harris, as his campaign hoped for a comeback now that his poll lead has vanished. (Yahoo)
Wednesday
- Mohammad Javad Zarif has resigned from his new position as Iranian vice president for strategic affairs and head of the Center for Strategic Studies, just ten days after being appointed. (Xinhua)
- Thailand’s legislature will meet on Friday to elect a new prime minister, after the Constitutional Court removed Srettha Thavisin from office on Wednesday, ruling that he violated ethics by knowingly appointing a cabinet member with a criminal record. (RFA)
- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced on Wednesday that he will resign in September, capping a three-year tenure marred by political scandals, rising prices, and public dissatisfaction. (Strat News)
- Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister, called for an investigation into those responsible for the deaths of students and others during weeks of violent protests that led to her ouster on Tuesday from her self-imposed exile in India. (Yahoo)
Tuesday
- The United States played no role in toppling Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who just resigned and fled the South Asian country, the White House said on Monday, dismissing charges of US meddling as “simply false.” (Reuters)
- Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security has announced that it is looking into 32 wind power projects linked to charges of abuse of power at the Ministry of Industry and Trade. (The Star)
- Dengue fever cases in South Asia are increasing as a result of global warming and unchecked urbanization, transforming what was once a seasonal issue into a year-round problem. Experts warn that if current trends continue, dengue may become a global pandemic. (CNA)
- South Korea has deployed a bedbug sniffer dog to keep the tiny bugs from entering the country as athletes and fans return from the Paris Olympics. (Politico)
