“China’s PLA Tests ICBM, Evolving Nuclear Capabilities, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s UN Visit”

This edition of China De/Cypher features the top stories from China, alongside an in-depth analysis of the PRC’s advancing strategic nuclear capabilities and the measures the US is considering to address this evolving dynamic.
The PLA Rocket Force launches an intercontinental ballistic missile on Wednesday in China’s first known ICBM test in 44 years. Photo: AFP / Chinese People’s Liberation Army News and Communication Centre

China Quote

“China is preparing for a fortress economy, with export-driven growth fueled by high-tech. Science and technology are especially important for achieving self-reliance, now a mainstay and central pillar of China’s efforts across the board.“ -Antonia Hmaidi, China Tech Observatory.


De/Cypher Data Dive📈

In August 2024, the urban unemployment rate for Chinese individuals aged 16 to 24, excluding students, reached its highest level since the initiation of this data series in January. The rate, recently released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), came in at 18.8%, surpassing July’s 17.1%. (Caixin)


Quick China: Unmissable Stories 📜

ByteDance to Sign $10.8 Billion Corporate Loan in Asian Record

ByteDance Ltd., the Chinese owner of TikTok, is set to sign a $10.8 billion loan in what would be the largest-ever dollar-denominated corporate facility in Asia ex-Japan, according to people familiar with the matter. About 20 lenders — comprising international and Chinese banks, including some branches — will fund the deal, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private matters. (Bloomberg)

Xi Holds Surprise Politburo Meeting to Discuss China’s Economy

Source: Bloomberg

Suddenly, a lot of people are placing a lot of trust in the Communist Party of China. On Thursday, the Politburo, headed by President Xi Jinping, held an unscheduled meeting and then made an announcement that effectively amplified the monetary policy stimulus announced by the central bank earlier this week. On markets, at least, the leadership’s intervention had a big impact, and it got bigger the closer you were to China. The CSI-300, an index of the biggest mainland A-shares traded in Shanghai and Shenzhen, has rallied by more than 10% this week, and it’s nearly back to its high for the year. (Bloomberg)

China’s PLA conducts first public test launch of intercontinental ballistic missile

The PLA Rocket Force launches an intercontinental ballistic missile on Wednesday in China’s first known ICBM test in 44 years. Photo: AFP / Chinese People’s Liberation Army News and Communication Centre

China publicly conducted its first test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean, marking a significant moment in its military capabilities. The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force stated that the missile, equipped with a dummy warhead, was part of a routine training exercise and not aimed at any specific target. This launch raises international concerns over China’s nuclear arsenal, which is rapidly expanding, with estimates of over 1,000 warheads by 2030. The Pentagon highlights China’s increasing missile readiness and its ongoing modernization efforts to counter U.S. military advancements. Taiwan reported heightened military activity from China, including the detection of multiple military aircraft near its airspace. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia joins anti-corruption meeting in Beijing

A Saudi delegation led by Mazin Al-Kahmous, president of the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, is attending the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities meeting in Beijing from September 24 to 27. Al-Kahmous expressed gratitude to China for hosting and highlighted the network’s role in combating evolving corruption crimes, including money laundering and the misuse of virtual currency. He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to enhancing cooperation in transnational corruption and tracking illicit funds. The GlobE Network, initiated by Saudi Arabia at the 2020 G20 Summit and officially adopted by the UN in 2021, facilitates collaboration and information exchange among member countries. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised Saudi Arabia’s efforts in establishing the network during a special session against corruption. (Arab News)

Dialogue Between Hu Shuli and Heng Swee Keat on Tackling Global Challenges

Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat has called on Asian nations to join hands in sustaining economic growth and tackling challenges including climate change, epidemic diseases and aging populations, as the global community endures “a stressful time” in the face of growing protectionism.
Speaking Wednesday in Singapore at the Asia New Vision Forum 2024, an international business leadership summit organized by Caixin, Heng suggested that governments in the region launch policies to address the problem of greying populations and rethink their educational systems to help the young adapt to rapid technological innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.
Heng gave the opening keynote speech at the three-day forum, whose theme this year is “Global Challenges, Asian Solutions.” (Caixin)

Japanese Firms Offer to Move Staff out of China After Deadly Stabbing

Several Japanese companies are relocating employees from China following the fatal stabbing of a 10-year-old boy in Shenzhen, which heightened safety concerns. This incident adds to a series of attacks on foreigners, undermining efforts to attract foreign businesses. A recent survey indicated that 60% of Japanese firms in China feel less confident about their prospects. Panasonic is among the companies offering to send employees and their families back to Japan temporarily. Other firms are also exploring similar measures to ensure the safety of their personnel. (Caixin)

China’s Record Class of College Graduates Faces Final Test in Shrinking Job Market

China’s record class of 2024 college graduates – 11.8 million students strong – are entering the weakest job market the country has endured in years as the former growth sectors of internet companies, education employers and real estate developers reduce their payrolls.
Amid the shifting economic landscape – in which the emerging industries of new energy vehicles, semiconductors and carbon neutrality have yet to pick up the slack – the unemployment rate for 16- to 24-year-olds in urban areas jumped to 18.8% in August, the highest this year. (Caixin)

Miniso Tumbles On Plan to Buy Yonghui Stake, Grow China Foothold

People walk past a store of Chinese retailer MINISO Group in Beijing, China September 13, 2021. Photo: REUTERS/Tingshu Wang

Miniso Group Holding Ltd. announced a surprise bid to acquire a majority stake in struggling mega-supermarket Yonghui Superstores Co. for 6.27 billion yuan ($889 million).

Ye Guofu’s fortune tumbled $593 million, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, after the move spooked investors and sent its New York-listed stock down a record 17% Monday and a further 2.3% on Tuesday. That came even as markets on the mainland and in Hong Kong soared on massive stimulus announced by Chinese officials.

“The Chinese economy and the Chinese consumer isn’t exactly on the front foot,” said Neil Saunders, an analyst at GlobalData. “So I think there’s just a lot of doubts swirling about exactly how they’re gonna generate a return over this.” (Bloomberg

China’s Investment Banking Shakeout Resembles the Swiss Model

China’s merger of Guotai Junan and Haitong Securities, resembling Switzerland’s UBS-Credit Suisse merger, is likely a bailout. Haitong, weakened by overseas debt defaults and risky investments, mirrors Credit Suisse’s downfall. Despite the creation of a large brokerage, the merger lacks synergies and faces challenges, especially with Haitong’s financial assets and international arm. The deal appears to mask billion-dollar losses, raising concerns about its long-term viability. (Bloomberg)

Chinese LLMs + Weight-loss drugs + Chinese telcos build AI models

China’s large language models (LLMs) initially fell behind US counterparts like OpenAI due to strict regulations, with the first eight approved models released in August 2023. The landscape has since expanded to 117 approved models, driven by significant investments from major firms like Alibaba, Tencent, and ByteDance. While competitive, especially in Chinese-language tasks, China’s progress faces challenges from US export controls and potential restrictions on open-source frameworks. However, geopolitical tensions may favor Chinese firms as US companies limit access to their services.

MERICS analyst Wendy Chang stated: “China was off to a slow start in building large language models but has made much progress since. What happens next is as much about tech as about geopolitics.” (Merics)

$23.7 Billion In 2024! The Black Market For Crypto Is Thriving In China

Despite severe government crackdowns, China’s underground crypto market is booming, with transactions via over-the-counter desks reaching $23.7 billion in 2024. This growth reflects the strong demand for digital assets among investors looking to diversify and safeguard their wealth. Over-the-counter trading offers discretion, allowing participants to bypass restrictions, while decentralized platforms and VPNs help conceal their activities. However, the underground nature of this market poses risks, including fraud and legal penalties. Chinese investors continue to demonstrate resilience and innovation in navigating these challenges. (Cointribune)


Beyond The Great Wall 🧱

Exploring News About China in Depth

PRC’s evolving strategic nuclear capabilities

Adapting US strategy to account for China’s transformation into a peer nuclear power

By David O. Shullman, John K. Culver, Kitsch Liao, and Samantha Wong, Published in the Atlantic Council, with insights from Bill Bishop, Sinocism.

Since the PLA launched its major internal command and service restructuring in 2015, previous doctrinal and teaching publications acquired and exploited by Western analysts are out of date and likely declining in relevance. By extension, much of the Western analysis of PLA plans, operations, and concepts of deterrence and escalation control are also likely to be out of date.

China’s rapidly improving nuclear capabilities and expanding nuclear arsenal underpin its recent rise as a nuclear peer power. For the United States and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region, the uncertainty of China’s intentions behind this nuclear expansion poses a major challenge. It necessitates a revisit of the fundamental assumptions underpinning US and allied planning and preparation for a potential conflict with China…

China’s rapid expansion of strategic warfighting capabilities (i.e., nuclear forces, space/counterspace systems, and cyber/information operations) represents tremendous discontinuity in the pace, scope, and scale of the PLA’s transformation, necessitating a major US reassessment of Chinese strategy, doctrine, and warfighting operations. The commonly accepted notion that deliberate Chinese nuclear force modernization is characterized as “running faster to stay in the same place” to sustain a minimal retaliatory posture is assessed to have evolved. China now has a higher likelihood of using its newfound nuclear power to more actively deter or compel its opponents and safeguard its core interests. This includes perceived external threats that could negatively impact domestic political interests.

As a step in this reassessment, this project reevaluated China’s strategy, doctrine, and warfighting concepts in light of its ongoing rapid transformation into a peer nuclear power, examined implications of this assessment for future US contingencies in the Indo-Pacific region, and produced several actionable findings and recommendations for US government decision-makers that can be addressed in the next five- to ten-year horizon…

Currently flawed US institutional assumptions regarding China’s strategic decision-making calculus must be checked, particularly on Beijing’s likely approach to a perceived zero-sum, near-existential threat to Xi’s reign. A failed PRC invasion of Taiwan, without a credible off-ramp for China to claim victory, could threaten Xi’s reign, even if the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its rule over China persist under difficult conditions. The need to prevent such failure would likely justify the use of any and all measures, including nuclear employment, once the invasion is underway. Therefore, under a hypothetical 2032 Taiwan invasion scenario, it is plausible that Xi and the CCP leadership9 might plan for the potential of nuclear employment, both to deter continued US and allied intervention and to reverse a conventional overmatch for the PLA if necessary.
Reminder from the July Third Plenum Resolution:
(55) Deepening reform of joint operations systems
We will refine the functions of the CMC command center for joint operations, enhance its command functions in major security fields, and establish mechanisms for facilitating its coordination with central Party and state departments. We will optimize the composition of the command centers for joint theater operations and improve the configuration of commands for joint taskforce operations. We will better coordinate the development and application of the network information system. To develop a new framework of services and arms, we will speed up the development of strategic deterrence forces and strive to develop new-domain forces with new combat capabilities, while making coordinated efforts to strengthen traditional combat forces [构建新型军兵种结构布局,加快发展战略威慑力量,大力发展新域新质作战力量,统筹加强传统作战力量建设]. The composition of the armed police force will be improved. (Atlantic Council/Sinocism)


Economy

China’s Market Marred by Glitches as Frenzy Grips Stocks

Bloomberg reports that China’s stock market faced trading delays and glitches on Friday due to a surge in trading volume following the announcement of new stimulus measures. The Shanghai Stock Exchange experienced an hour-long delay as trading turnover reached 710 billion yuan in the first hour. The surge in stock trading followed the Chinese government’s efforts to stabilize the property market and boost economic growth, sparking investor frenzy.

China Announces New Measures to Arrest Housing Slump and Boost Growth

Phillip Inman writes in The Guardian that China has introduced new measures to revive its struggling housing market and stimulate economic growth. The Politburo announced plans to increase benefits for low-income households and grant local authorities more power to intervene in real estate markets, with £213 billion in extra borrowing capacity. The government will also provide monthly allowances for households with multiple children and consider injecting up to 1 trillion yuan into state banks. The moves follow central bank measures to cut interest rates and ease lending restrictions.

China Weighs Injecting $142 Billion of Capital Into Top Banks

The Star reports that China is considering injecting up to 1 trillion yuan ($142 billion) into its major state banks to boost their capacity to support the struggling economy. The move would involve the issuance of new sovereign bonds, marking the first major capital injection since the 2008 financial crisis. China’s banks have been pressured to provide cheaper loans despite shrinking profits and rising bad debts.

China Mulls Stock Stability Fund, Unlocks $113 Billion From PBOC

Bloomberg reports that China is allowing institutional investors to access central bank funding to purchase stocks, a move that triggered a significant rally in the stock market, with the CSI 300 Index rising 4.3%. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) will establish swap facilities to provide liquidity support amounting to approximately $113 billion. This includes a 500 billion yuan swap facility and a 300 billion yuan re-lending facility aimed at enabling listed companies and major shareholders to buy back shares. Analysts are cautious about the long-term effectiveness of these measures amid ongoing economic challenges. The new initiatives follow earlier attempts to stabilize the market, reflecting a commitment to bolster investor confidence.

Yuan Strengthens on Weaker Dollar, China Stimulus

Caixin reports that the offshore yuan strengthened past the 7 mark (link in Chinese) against the U.S. dollar for the first time since May 2023 on Wednesday. The dollar has broadly weakened as expectations have grown for the Federal Reserve to make another 0.5-percentage-point interest rate cut in November due to a decline in consumer confidence. China’s new stimulus package aimed at boosting the economy also lent strength to the yuan.  

Country Garden Services to Sell Stake in Zhuhai Wanda for $446 Million

A drone view of an under-construction residential development by Country Garden in Shanghai, China February 29, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Xihao Jiang

Reuters reports that Country Garden Services, the property services arm of Chinese developer Country Garden, has agreed to sell its 1.49% stake in Zhuhai Wanda Commercial Management for 3.14 billion yuan ($446.54 million). This move is part of the company’s strategy to streamline its investments and refocus on core operations, as it navigates an ongoing debt restructuring after defaulting on $11 billion offshore bonds last year.


Internal Politics 🏛️

China to Enforce Strict Arable Land Protection

China Daily reports that China has issued guidelines to enforce the strictest arable land protection system, with a goal to prevent the conversion of farmland for non-agricultural uses. The government aims to maintain a minimum of 124.33 million hectares of arable land and 103 million hectares of permanent basic farmland. Strict accountability measures, such as a “one-vote veto” punishment for officials, will ensure compliance with these protections to secure national food security.

Chinese Vice Premier Stresses Stronger Food Safety Supervision

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, speaks at the main event of the 2024 national food safety awareness activity in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 25, 2024. Photo: Xinhua

Xinhua reports that Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing highlighted the need for stricter food safety supervision and harsh penalties for violations. Speaking at the 2024 national food safety awareness event in Beijing, Zhang called for improved standards, risk prevention, and swift responses to public concerns. He also urged for the establishment of a robust food safety traceability system and emphasized rigorous legal actions against food safety crimes.


China And The World🌐

Blinken to Meet Chinese Counterpart Amid Concerns Over China’s Drone Supply to Russia

Nike Ching writes in VOA News that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the U.N. General Assembly in New York, amid growing U.S. concerns over Chinese companies supplying drones and chips to aid Russia’s war in Ukraine. U.S. officials have warned that China’s material support comes from “the very top,” and discussions aim to manage tensions while preventing U.S.-China relations from escalating into conflict.

China and Brazil at UN Seek to Revive Plan to End Ukraine War Through Mediation

Igor Patrick reports in South China Morning Post that China and Brazil are set to advance their long-running mediation proposal to end the Ukraine war during a meeting at the UN General Assembly. Their six-point framework includes humanitarian aid and prisoner exchanges. However, Ukraine, the US, and the EU have rejected the plan, viewing it as favourable to Russia. Ukrainian President Zelensky has expressed strong criticism of the initiative.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian Meets with Chinese FM Wang Yi

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New York, United States, September 24, 2024. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China

CGTN reports that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New York to discuss strategic cooperation. Wang emphasised China’s support for Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, while opposing external interference. The meeting highlighted shared commitments to multilateralism and global justice. Pezeshkian affirmed Iran’s adherence to the one-China principle and expressed willingness to cooperate on the Belt and Road Initiative, calling for stronger China-Iran collaboration to uphold international fairness and justice.

Chinese FM Tells Germany Not to Politicize Trade Disputes with China

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in New York, U.S., September 24, 2024. Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry

China Daily reports that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Germany and the EU not to politicize economic and trade issues during a meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. The meeting took place amid tensions over potential EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Wang called for dialogue and cooperation to resolve disputes, emphasizing the mutual benefits of China-EU economic ties. Baerbock affirmed Germany’s commitment to fair trade and open dialogue.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic Meets with Chinese FM Wang Yi

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New York, United States, September 24, 2024. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China

CGTN reports that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New York, reaffirming their strong bilateral relationship. Wang praised the “ironclad friendship” between China and Serbia, emphasising cooperation on international fairness and justice. China pledged support for Serbia’s sovereignty, particularly on the Kosovo issue. Vucic expressed gratitude for China’s assistance and reaffirmed Serbia’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties and promoting shared development.

China Tells NZ to Avoid Sowing Discord

Yang Zekun writes in China Daily that China’s Ministry of State Security has condemned New Zealand for exaggerating the “Chinese intelligence threat” and mistreating Chinese citizens in the country. China urges New Zealand to take a rational approach, emphasizing that inflaming tensions will harm bilateral relations. This follows New Zealand’s intelligence report accusing China of foreign interference, which has reportedly led to harassment of Chinese expatriates.

Peng Liyuan Attends China-U.S. Youth Cultural, Sports Exchange Activity in Beijing

Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, shakes hands with students at Beijing No. 8 High School during a sports and culture event on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua

Xinhua reports that Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, attended a China-U.S. youth cultural and sports exchange event at Beijing No. 8 High School. Peng engaged with students from Washington state, emphasizing the importance of youth in strengthening China-U.S. relations. She watched a friendly basketball match between Chinese and American students, presented commemorative medals, and expressed hope for deeper mutual understanding and lasting friendships between the two nations’ young people.

China Urges ‘Active’ Role by Mercedes-Benz in Auto Sector Cooperation

Reuters reports that China’s National Development and Reform Commission head Zheng Shanjie met with Ola Kallenius, chairman of Mercedes-Benz, urging the automaker to actively facilitate cooperation between China and the European Union in the auto sector. The meeting, which occurred amid EU’s investigation into Chinese electric vehicles, also addressed trade protectionism concerns.

China Cracks Down on North Korean Defectors with Biometric Surveillance

Ju-min Park and Eduardo Baptista write in Japan Times that China has intensified its efforts to identify and deport North Korean defectors using biometric surveillance, smart cameras, and stricter monitoring. Border police in China’s northeast have been given quotas for undocumented migrants, making escape increasingly difficult for defectors. Rights groups report an increase in deportations, with some critics suggesting China is using this to leverage diplomatic ties with North Korea.

Former Canadian Envoy Michael Kovrig Accuses China of “Psychological Torture” During Imprisonment

Michael Kovrig, seen here shortly after his release in 2021, says he was kept in solitary confinement for months. Photo: REUTERS

Nick Marsh writes in BBC News that Michael Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat, has accused Chinese authorities of inflicting “psychological torture” during his 1,000-day imprisonment. Kovrig, detained in 2018 on espionage charges after the arrest of Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou, described his ordeal of solitary confinement, relentless interrogation, and harsh conditions. China denies the accusations, maintaining that Kovrig’s case was handled lawfully. Kovrig’s and Meng’s releases in 2021 eased tensions in a diplomatic spat between China and Canada.

Russia Has Secret War Drones Project in China, Intel Sources Say

Reuters reports that Russia has launched a secret weapons program in China to develop long-range drones for the war in Ukraine. The Russian arms firm IEMZ Kupol is producing these drones in a Chinese factory with the help of local experts. Despite Chinese denials of involvement, intelligence sources and documents indicate China-made drones have been delivered to Russia for further testing and deployment in the conflict.

Taiwan and U.S. work to counter China’s drone dominance

Chris Buckley and Amy Chang Chien write in The Japan Times that Taiwan and U.S. companies are collaborating to counter China’s lead in drone manufacturing, which poses a significant security threat. A U.S. trade mission in Taiwan discussed partnerships to boost Taiwan’s drone production capabilities, enhancing defense cooperation. However, concerns remain about Taiwan’s ability to scale up manufacturing and security risks, as Chinese drones, led by DJI, dominate global markets. Taiwanese firms seek to play a bigger role in the international drone supply chain despite challenges.

Uber, Chinese Self-Driving Tech Startup Announce Partnership to Launch Robotaxis in UAE

Reuters reports that Uber and Chinese self-driving technology company WeRide have announced a partnership to introduce robotaxis in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This marks WeRide’s first collaboration with a global ride-hailing platform, starting in Abu Dhabi later this year. WeRide, which holds UAE’s only national license for self-driving vehicles, aims to expand its reach beyond China, while Uber continues to incorporate autonomous vehicles into its services.

US Proposes Banning Chinese Software and Components in Vehicles

Felicia Schwartz writes in Financial Times that the US Commerce Department has proposed banning Chinese software and hardware in internet-connected vehicles due to concerns over national security risks. The rule would target data collection and hacking threats from Chinese vehicles, following tariffs on Chinese imports. The hardware ban could take effect by 2030, while the software ban could begin in 2027.

Finland Zoo Will Return Its Giant Pandas to China, Blaming Inflation

Giant panda Pyry plays in the snow during official opening of Ahtari Zoo Snow Panda House in Ahtari in Finland. Photo: LEHTIKUVA/Reuters

The Guardian reports that Finland’s Ahtari Zoo will return two giant pandas to China, citing rising inflation and upkeep costs. The pandas, Lumi and Pyry, brought to Finland in 2018 under a 15-year agreement, will now return eight years early. The zoo, which invested €8m in the pandas’ facility, faced annual upkeep costs of €1.5m and accumulated debts during the pandemic. Despite negotiations and China’s assistance, the decision was made to return the pandas after three years of discussions.


Tech🧑‍💻 in China

China Proposes New Regulation on Labeling AI-Generated Content

A staff member introduces the use of AIGC technology in ancient book restoration to a visitor during the 2024 World AI Conference in Shanghai, East China, July 6, 2024. Photo: Xinhua

China Daily reports that China’s Cyberspace Administration has proposed a regulation requiring internet service providers to label AI-generated content clearly. The draft, open for public feedback until October 14, 2024, mandates that platforms offering AI-generated text, images, audio, or video must embed explicit labels and ensure users disclose AI involvement. This move aims to protect national security and public interests, encouraging transparency in the use of artificial intelligence technologies.

China Is Churning Out AI Research but ‘Decoupled’ from Global Networks, Report Finds

Ling Xin writes in South China Morning Post that China’s AI research output is rapidly increasing, with six of the top 10 “rising institutions” in AI being Chinese. However, a Nature Index report highlights China’s relative isolation from global collaboration networks, particularly compared to the US, Britain, and Germany. Experts suggest this “decoupling” may be linked to lower research quality, as international collaboration often correlates with higher-quality publications. Nonetheless, China’s influence in AI research continues to grow.

China Launches Commercial Lijian-1 Y4 Carrier Rocket

The Lijian-1 Y4 commercial carrier rocket carrying five satellites blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Sept. 25, 2024. The rocket blasted off at 7:33 a.m. (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China and sent a group of satellites, including the Jilin-1 SAR01A satellite and Yunyao-1 21-22 satellites, into their planned orbits. Photo: Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua

Xinhua reports that China successfully launched the Lijian-1 Y4 commercial carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on September 25, 2024. The rocket carried five satellites, including the Jilin-1 SAR01A and Yunyao-1 21-22 satellites, into their designated orbits. The launch, conducted at 7:33 a.m. Beijing time, marks another step in China’s growing commercial space capabilities.

China to Launch Two More Lunar Station Missions, First in 2026

CGTN reports that China will launch two more lunar missions following the Chang’e-6 mission, aiming to establish a foundation for an international lunar research station (ILRS). The Chang’e-7 mission, set for 2026, will explore the lunar south pole, while the Chang’e-8 mission in 2028 will focus on utilizing lunar resources. A basic station model will be constructed by 2035, with the full-scale lunar station network expected by 2050.

World’s oldest cheese found on 3500-year-old Chinese mummies

A mummy from the Xiaohe cemetery in China with dairy remains scattered around the neck. Photo: LI Wenying/Xinjiang Cultural Relics and Archaeology Institute

James Woodford writes in New Scientist that a mysterious white substance found on Bronze Age mummies in China has proven to be the world’s oldest cheese.
The cheese remnants were first found about two decades ago, smeared on the heads and necks of mummies found in the Xiaohe cemetery in Xinjiang province, which date from around 3500 years ago.


Rest of World

HEADLINES

Friday

  1. Shigeru Ishiba, former defense minister, will become Japan’s new prime minister after winning his party’s leadership contest on Friday, ending a crowded race that required a runoff vote. (CNA)
Shigeru Ishiba speaks before a runoff election at the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) leadership election, Friday, Sep 27, 2024, in Tokyo. Photo: Hiro Komae/Pool via REUTERS
  1. Israel rejected global calls for a ceasefire with the Hezbollah movement on Thursday, defying its biggest ally in Washington and pressing ahead with strikes that have killed hundreds in Lebanon and heightened fears of an all-out regional war. (Dubai Eye)
  2. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday after having criticized him on the U.S. campaign trail and expressed doubts the U.S. ally can win its war with Russia. (Reuters)
  3. Armenia’s prime minister said that peace with Azerbaijan was “within reach,” appealing to his neighbor to sign a treaty to turn the page on decades of conflict. (Andalou Agency)

Thursday

  1. OpenAI is reportedly pushing ahead with plans to become a for-profit company, after more senior figures left the ChatGPT developer following the surprise exit of its chief technology officer, Mira Murati. (The Guardian)
  2. The UK and Australia are to begin discussions on a formal treaty between the two countries as part of their own nuclear submarine programme. (Morning Star)
  3. A Japanese court found an 88-year-old former boxer not guilty on Thursday after a retrial for a 1966 quadruple murder, reversing a decision that made him the world’s longest-serving death row inmate. (Arab News)
Eighty-eight-year-old former boxer Iwao Hakamada visits a temple in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka prefecture, on Sept. 26, 2024, as his retrial, which was granted a decade ago after a long campaign by supporters, went ahead in the nearby city of Shizuoka. Photo: AFP
  1. The Philippines is planning for its first nuclear facility to be operational by 2032 and aims to add at least 1,200 megawatts of atomic power to the country’s grid, the Department of Energy has announced. (The Strait Times)

Wednesday

  1. Iran has brokered ongoing secret talks between Russia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels to transfer anti-ship missiles to the militant group, three Western and regional sources said, a development that highlights Tehran’s deepening ties to Moscow. (Reuters)
  2. The Israeli military said it was conducting “extensive” air strikes in south Lebanon and the eastern Beqaa Valley after Hezbollah launched a ballistic missile that hit Tel Aviv. (Arab News)
  3. French President Emmanuel Macron pressed Iran’s new president to use his influence to dial down soaring tensions in Lebanon, where Israel is striking Tehran-backed Hezbollah. (RFI)
French president Emmanuel Macron (L) meets with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters in New York City on September 24, 2024. Photo: AFP
  1. Indonesian President Joko Widodo and President-elect Prabowo Subianto have approved the formation of a new Cyber Force, which will serve as the fourth branch of the Indonesian Military (TNI), allowing the country to “respond effectively to cyber attacks from abroad”. (CNA)

Tuesday

  1. Sri Lanka’s new president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has dissolved the parliament effective midnight Tuesday and called for early elections. He framed this decision as part of efforts to combat corruption and to renegotiate a $3 billion bailout from the IMF. (Bloomberg)
  2. Sri Lanka’s new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake swore in an opposition lawmaker as Prime Minister, making her the country’s first female leader in 24 years. (Express Tribune)
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya is seen during her swearing-in ceremony, at the Presidential Secretariat, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, September 24, 2024. Photo: REUTERS
  1. The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed on Tuesday to strengthen the country’s nuclear weapons capability and take other steps to protest the recent arrival of a nuclear-powered US submarine in South Korea. (AP)
  2. Pope Francis has offered to give refuge on Vatican territory to Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi. (Arab News)

Monday

  1. Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been declared the winner of the island nation’s presidential election, according to the Election Commission of Sri Lanka. (Al Jazeera)
Sri Lanka’s president-elect Anura Kumara Dissanayake gestures upon his arrival at the Election Commission office in Colombo. Photo: Ishara S Kodikara/AFP

2. Russia appears to have suffered a “catastrophic failure” in a test of its Sarmat missile, a key weapon in the modernisation of its nuclear arsenal, according to experts. (The Guardian)

3. Lt. Gen. Asim Malik, a senior army general was tapped as Pakistan’s new spy chief, state-run media reported on Monday. (AP)

4. A United Nations team of investigators on Myanmar is closely monitoring reports that executions in the country could be imminent. (Reuters)

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“China’s Research Crackdown, Hong Kong’s AI Regulation, and Advances in Chip-Making”

“China’s Research Crackdown, Hong Kong’s AI Regulation, and Advances in Chip-Making”

In this edition of China De/Cypher, we explore China's tightening stance on

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“China’s Services Slow, Xi Warns of ‘Rough Seas,’ CIA Targets Informants in East Asia”

“China’s Services Slow, Xi Warns of ‘Rough Seas,’ CIA Targets Informants in East Asia”

This edition of China De/Cypher covers top global stories involving China, along

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We are pleased to bring to you the new edition of the Decypher Journal. Decypher was started keeping in mind, the critical role that informed discourse plays in shaping our understanding of Asia’s evolving landscape. Our Journal is conceived as a bridge, linking local insights from Asia with a global audience keen on nuanced perspectives.
Decypher Journal: (Em)Powered? Authority in a Fragmented World
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We are pleased to bring to you the new edition of the Decypher Journal. Decypher was started keeping in mind, the critical role that informed discourse plays in shaping our understanding of Asia’s evolving landscape. Our Journal is conceived as a bridge, linking local insights from Asia with a global audience keen on nuanced perspectives.
Decypher Journal: (Em)Powered? Authority in a Fragmented World
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.