China in Quotes
“The short duration of Joint Sword-2024A highlights that the United States and Japan [could] not have time to intervene. The northern exercise area threatens important political, economic and military targets in Taipei and New Taipei. The eastern and southeastern exercise areas counter the preservation of combat power in Hualien Jiashan and Taitung Jian’an. The southwest exercise area focuses on Zuoying.” -Lu Li-shih, former instructor at the Taiwanese naval academy in Kaohsiung.
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Analyzing Lai Ching-te’s Inaugural Address: More Continuity Than Difference
Written by Rush Doshi and David Sacks; Published in Council on Foreign Relations
Summarized by Priyanka Garodia, Geopolitical Research Analyst – South Asia
Analyzing Lai Ching-te’s Inaugural Address: More Continuity Than Difference Lai Ching-te took office as president of Taiwan on May 20 and made an inaugural speech that was closely watched in Beijing, Washington, and other major cities across the globe.
The following section highlights some of the key points addressed in the speech:
- Lai signaled broad continuity with Tsai and committed to maintain the status quo. He also called for dialogue with Beijing and demonstrated an openness to resuming cross-strait tourism and student exchanges.
- Lai regularly returned to the language of continuity and stability. “Peace is the only option,” he stressed, “and prosperity, gained through lasting peace and stability, is our objective.” He spoke of providing “stable and principled cross-strait leadership.” and encouraged China to “choose dialogue over confrontation”.
- Lai specifically referenced Tsai’s “Four Commitments”—her unique formulation on cross-strait policy. Beijing likely sees the framework’s first-ever appearance in an inaugural address as escalatory.
- Remarkably, Lai did not hesitate to criticize China and certain PRC provocations directly, while Tsai avoided doing so in her previous inaugural addresses. He instead declared that “China’s military actions and gray-zone coercion are considered the greatest strategic challenges to global peace and stability.”
- Beijing denounced Lai’s speech, reflecting disappointment that Lai departed in some places from Tsai. The TAO’s spokesman accused Lao of “flagrantly promoting separatist fallacies and inciting cross-strait confrontation,” using heated language that represents a notable escalation compared with how Chinese authorities reacted to Tsai’s past inaugural addresses. The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stuck to standard talking points on Taiwan, stating that “anyone who attempts to challenge the one-China principle will inevitably fail”.
- Lai faces an array of challenges that will test his team, including the risk of a vicious cycle of escalation between Beijing and Taipei, with China being an active aggressor. He also faces a challenging environment at home. His 40 percent vote share was the lowest of any winning candidate since 2000, which similarly saw a three-way race.
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China Holds Biggest Military Drills in a Year Around Taiwan
China started its most expansive military drills in a year around Taiwan, ramping up pressure on Lai Ching-te just days after he took over as the island’s new president.
The drills on Thursday were intended to “serve as a strong punishment for the separatist acts of ‘Taiwan independence’ forces and a stern warning against the interference and provocation by external forces,” China’s Xinhua News Agency reported, citing a military spokesman. The “external forces” line is likely a reference to the US, which is Taiwan’s main military backer. (Bloomberg)
Two Taiwanese Presidency’s Day 1 Contrasted
Taiwan’s new president, William Lai Ching-te, made a major pivot from his predecessor in his inauguration speech on Monday by not referring to the 1992 consensus. When Lai’s predecessor Tsai Ing-wen first took office in 2016, she pledged “respect” to the “historical fact” of a tacit understanding made between her opposition party with the mainland, although she did not formally recognise it – and later rejected it. The consensus is a tacit agreement between the two sides that there is one China but each side of the Taiwan Strait can have their own interpretation of what constitutes “China”. Beijing views it as endorsing its “one-China principle”. It is also Beijing’s precondition for cross-strait dialogue and Taiwan’s involvement in international organisations. “In 1992, the two institutions representing each side across the strait, through communication and negotiations, arrived at various joint acknowledgements and understandings,” Tsai said in her inauguration speech. “It was done in a spirit of mutual understanding and a political attitude of seeking common ground while setting aside differences. I respect this historical fact.” She also hailed the “dialogue and communication” between the two sides, which she said both should “value and preserve”. (Hayley Wong, SCMP)
Xinhua commentary – “Playing with Fire Leads to Self-Destruction: A Review of the Taiwan Regional Leader’s “May 20″ Speech”.
Excerpt:
Before the election, he vehemently denied being a “prominent advocate of Taiwan independence,” but his true colors were revealed upon taking office. This person is Taiwan’s new leader, Lai Ching-te. On May 20, he delivered an inaugural speech filled with deceitful political lies, aggressively promoting the separatist ideology of “Taiwan independence,” maliciously inciting cross-strait antagonism, and advocating for independence through reliance on foreign support and military means. His speech, brimming with separatist malice, ambition, provocation, and scheming, is a blatant “confession of Taiwan independence,” exposing his true nature as a troublemaker willing to endanger peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait for power. (Bill Bishop, Sinocism)
China Adds Two US Firms to Unreliable Entity List
” China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Monday the inclusion of some companies on its unreliable entities list as they sold arms to China’s Taiwan region.”
The companies include General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, General Dynamics Land Systems, and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. They will be barred from engaging in China-related import or export activities, and are forbidden to make new investments in China, according to the announcement. Senior executives of the companies are prohibited from entering China, while their work permits will be revoked, along with their visitor and residential status, and the related applications they submit will not be approved, said the announcement. (Xinhua)
U.S. Fears Undersea Cables Are Vulnerable to Espionage From Chinese Repair Ships
U.S. officials are privately delivering an unusual warning to telecommunications companies: Undersea cables that ferry internet traffic across the Pacific Ocean could be vulnerable to tampering by Chinese repair ships.
State Department officials said a state-controlled Chinese company that helps repair international cables, S.B. Submarine Systems, appeared to be hiding its vessels’ locations from radio and satellite tracking services, which the officials and others said defied easy explanation.
The warnings highlight an overlooked security risk to undersea fiber-optic cables, according to these officials: Silicon Valley giants, such as Google and Meta Platforms, partially own many cables and are investing in more. But they rely on specialized construction and repair companies, including some with foreign ownership that U.S. officials fear could endanger the security of commercial and military data.
The Biden administration’s focus on the repair ships is part of a wide-ranging effort to address China’s maritime activities in the western Pacific. Beijing has taken steps in recent decades to counter U.S. military power in the region, often by seeking ways to stymie the Pentagon’s communications and other technological advantages in case of a clash over Taiwan or another flashpoint, officials say. (Volz, FitzGerald, Champelli, & Brown, WSJ)
Can China Fight?
Bloomberg had published a piece in November 2023 by Peter Martin it points out that the Chinese war machine looks big, and menacing. It is not a conflict winning force yet. Interviews with dozens of current and former US and Chinese officials, as well as publications by the People’s Liberation Army and criticisms leveled by Xi, paint a common picture: While China has made extraordinarily rapid progress in military hardware, building everything from aircraft carriers to hypersonic missiles, its ability to translate that into effective combat operations remains a major weakness — especially if any warfighting has to be sustained.
“They have a lot of inherent lethality that’s hard to negate,” said John Culver, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council who spent 35 years as a CIA analyst specializing in China’s military. Yet “judging by China’s own assessments, they believe they’ve made progress, but they’re not where they want to be.”
Although a US-China war over Taiwan is unlikely soon, the possibility of a conflict that devastates the global economy is already shaping everything from military procurement to investment decisions. Billionaire Warren Buffett this year slashed his holdings of chip giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. over geopolitical risks, Japan is ramping up defense spending and the US is accelerating weapons deliveries to the island — with Biden saying repeatedly that America would intervene if China invades.
The Israel-Hamas conflict has raised concerns that Washington is getting overstretched in its military commitments, but Biden and his aides have raced to reassure allies and rivals alike that the US can confront all its threats at once. And while many Republicans increasingly question US support for Ukraine, backing for Israel and Taiwan is strong in both parties.
China’s immense firepower ensures that any war would be extremely costly — in lives and dollars. Referring to a pivotal World War II battle between the US and Japan over another Pacific island, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Nov. 8 that “attacking Taiwan is not like doing Iwo Jima, and Iwo Jima was bloody enough.” (Bloomberg)
Beijing severs last of European Earth observation ties
Following on from China’s other satellite imagery leaders, 21AT has cut loose from its European partnerships and is now using exclusively Chinese technology.
Beyond The Great Wall 🧱
Exploring News About China in Depth
Economy
China’s overcapacity presents ‘opportunity’ for British service firms as businesses go global
The British Chamber of Commerce in China highlighted that China’s industrial overcapacity could offer partnership opportunities for UK service firms as Chinese companies expand globally. Although the business environment for British companies in China has improved, overall sentiment remains pessimistic, with ongoing concerns about market access and regulatory reforms. British firms, in contrast to their Western counterparts, see potential mutual benefits, particularly in services like insurance, law, and accounting, despite the challenging geopolitical landscape and the need for improved communication with the Chinese government. Read more: SCMP
Moonshot AI’s New Valuation Is $3 billion, With Tencent Joining in
Moonshot AI’s valuation reached $3 billion, with Tencent joining as a new investor alongside Gaorong Ventures and others. This new financing round, initiated after a previous $800 million round involving Alibaba and Capital Today, highlights significant investor interest despite Tencent’s recent caution towards new investments. Tencent’s involvement suggests strategic intentions to bolster its AI capabilities and potentially integrate Moonshot AI’s technologies with its platforms like WeChat. Read more: Pandaily
Internal Politics 🏛️
Xi inspects Rizhao in east China’s Shandong Province
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspected Rizhao in Shandong Province on May 22. He visited Rizhao Port and a coastal greenway to learn about local efforts in smart and green port development, ecological protection, coastline restoration, and enhancing the quality of life for residents. This visit is consistent with his strategy of getting closer to grassroots politics to ensure effective administration at all levels of government. Read more: Xinhua
China probes agriculture minister for suspected law violations
China’s agriculture minister, Tang Renjian, is under investigation by the country’s anti-graft watchdog for suspected violations of law and discipline, including serious corruption allegations. Despite the investigation, Tang has not been removed from his post, which is uncommon for an official of his rank. Tang, 61, previously served as the governor of Gansu province before assuming the role of agriculture minister. Read more: Nikkei
Extremely heavy rainstorm hits South China’s Guangxi, leaving multiple cities waterlogged
An extremely heavy rainstorm has caused severe flooding in South China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region since Saturday, with multiple cities, including Nanning, Qinzhou, and Fangcheng, experiencing record-breaking rainfall. The local meteorological authority reported significant waterlogging, with some areas seeing over 600 millimeters of rain in 24 hours. The rainstorm has affected over 35,000 people, leading to the relocation of more than 500 residents. Read more: Global Times
China And The World🌐
TSMC and ASML can remotely disable chip-making equipment if mainland China invades Taiwan
TSMC and ASML have developed methods to remotely disable their sophisticated chip-making equipment in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. This safeguard addresses concerns from the US government about potential Chinese control over Taiwan’s semiconductor production, which constitutes a significant portion of the world’s advanced chips. ASML’s EUV machines, critical for producing the smallest microchip transistors, can be remotely shut off, ensuring they cannot be utilized if seized. Read more: SCMP
Beijing imposes sanctions on ex-US lawmaker
China imposed sanctions on former US congressman Mike Gallagher, freezing his property in China and prohibiting transactions and entry into the country. The Foreign Ministry stated that Gallagher, a Wisconsin Republican and former chairman of the House select committee on Chinese competition, has repeatedly interfered in China’s internal affairs and infringed on its interests. The sanctions were enacted under China’s Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law. Gallagher has been known for proposing numerous China-related bills and pushing back against the Chinese government, including efforts to block Chinese companies from purchasing land near US military bases and proposing sanctions on Chinese military firms supporting Russia. Read more: China Daily
India sends ships to South China Sea as it builds naval strength
India has increased its naval presence in the South China Sea, demonstrating its commitment to maritime strength as tensions with China rise. Indian warships made port calls in Manila, Philippines, following similar visits to Southeast Asian nations, with the goal of forging alliances against China’s territorial assertiveness. Despite having a smaller fleet than China, India is expanding its naval capabilities, with over five dozen ships under construction and plans to have 200 by 2050, indicating its desire to become a formidable maritime power. Read more: Gzero
Wang Yi meets with Iranian deputy FM Safari at SCO meeting on bilateral ties
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mahdi Safari at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Astana. Wang expressed condolences for the recent deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash, reaffirming China’s support for Iran. He emphasized China’s commitment to strengthening strategic cooperation with Iran. Safari thanked China for its support and condolences, reaffirming Iran’s dedication to its domestic and foreign policies, and its commitment to enhancing cooperation with China and improving regional relations, particularly with Saudi Arabia. Read more: China Daily
Wang Yi’s Kazakhstan visit to ‘bring new momentum to cooperation’
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Kazakhstan to enhance cooperation and attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Astana. Wang met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and discussed broadening ties, including electric vehicle production and rare-earth minerals development. Kazakhstan reaffirmed its support for the one-China principle. Both nations aim to deepen political trust and mutual support. Read more: Global Times
U.K. investigates death of man charged with spying for Hong Kong
British police are investigating the unexplained death of Matthew Trickett, a man charged with assisting Hong Kong’s foreign intelligence service. Trickett, a former Royal Marine, was found dead in Maidenhead, England, days after being granted bail for charges under the National Security Act. His death has intensified diplomatic tensions between Britain and China, with Britain summoning the Chinese ambassador to denounce espionage activities, while the Chinese Embassy in London accused Britain of fabricating charges and interfering in Hong Kong’s affairs. Read more: Nikkei
U.K. Says China Supplying Russia With ‘Lethal Aid’
Grant Shapps, British Defense Secretary, claimed that China is supplying or preparing to supply “lethal aid” to Russia in its war against Ukraine. This statement was made at a defense conference in London, shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Beijing. Shapps cited intelligence from US and British sources, pointing to a significant increase in Russian-Chinese trade since the war began. Despite Beijing’s neutral stance and its proposed peace plan, which has been rejected by Western governments, Shapps’ claim suggests increased military cooperation between China and Russia. There was no immediate response from China’s embassy in London. Read more: Moscow Times
China increasingly forcing rural Tibetans to move: report
Human Rights Watch reported that China has intensified efforts to forcefully relocate rural Tibetans, with over 930,000 relocations since 2000, and 76% occurring since 2016. These relocations, often framed by the Chinese government as voluntary and beneficial, are criticized as violating international human rights laws due to coercive tactics and threats against non-compliant residents. The relocations are seen as an erosion of Tibetan culture, with forced demolitions of former homes to prevent return. Read more: Nikkei
Kenyan president’s historic US visit: Haiti mission, trade, and China top agenda
Kenyan President William Ruto’s historic visit to the United States is focused on trade, security, and Kenya’s UN-backed mission to aid Haiti. Despite legal challenges, Kenya intends to send troops to Haiti with US support. Ruto wants to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act and advance talks on a free trade agreement with the United States. The visit also aims to counter China’s influence in Kenya, the country’s main exporter. Read more: Gzero
Banned Chinese supplier with forced labour ties used to import cars to US by BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, Volkswagen: Senate report
A US Senate investigation revealed that carmakers BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, and Volkswagen utilized components from a Chinese supplier banned in the US due to alleged forced labor ties. The report found that BMW and Jaguar Land Rover imported vehicles with parts likely produced with forced labor, while Volkswagen had ongoing business ties to manufacturing in China’s Xinjiang region. Read more: SCMP
TikTok Ban Is Popular With Voters as AI Stirs Privacy Fears, Poll Shows
A recent Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll found that swing-state voters are concerned about AI reducing privacy and job opportunities, while also seeing potential benefits in health and education. The poll also found that 51% of voters supported a ban on TikTok if its parent company, ByteDance Ltd., did not divest due to concerns about data privacy and foreign manipulation. Despite this, many TikTok users opposed the ban, citing concerns about the app’s impact on mental health and youth. Read more: Bloomberg
Chinese Tycoon Faces US Trial Over $1 Billion Investor Swindle
The trial of exiled Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui began in New York, where he is accused of defrauding investors of over $1 billion through various schemes. Guo, who has been in jail since his arrest in March 2023, faces 11 charges and maintains his innocence. The trial will feature an anonymous jury to protect them from potential threats, as Guo has been a vocal critic of the Chinese Communist Party. Read more: Bloomberg
Chinese companies look to Qatar as Middle East entry point, alternative to fickle West
Chinese businesses are increasingly seeing Qatar as a strategic entry point into the Middle East and Africa, seeking alternatives to Western markets that have become less welcoming. Over 20 Chinese companies have expressed interest in the Qatar Science and Technology Park, including electric vehicle manufacturer Davinci Motor, which plans to set up a research and development center there. Read more: SCMP
The Recent Instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has historically been embroiled in a complex web of challenges, with political unrest, armed conflicts, and dire humanitarian conditions. The colonial legacy of the Great Lakes region in Africa has led to the emergence of several ethnic and political challenges. These challenges have contemporary manifestations and the complicated regional dynamics, including Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and the DRC, are proof. The state lines drawn after the end of colonialism have led to the scattering of ethnic populations across these states. Coupled with rich natural resources, the DRC has emerged as a challenging country where ethnic differences has led to fighting for access to land, water and power. The recent instability in the DRC has been discussed below.
The Role of Mining in Fueling Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
The mining landscape in the DRC contributes significantly to the ongoing conflict and exacerbates the humanitarian crisis. The resurgence of armed groups such as the M23 rebels, who control key mining areas such as Rubaya, a coltan-rich town, has heightened tensions and intensified natural resource extraction. Allegations that neighboring Rwanda helped rebel groups steal DRC minerals have strained relations and escalated the conflict. Last month, Congo’s government lawyers expressed concern to Apple Inc. that the company was indirectly purchasing stolen minerals through Rwanda for its products.
The mineral-rich eastern region, which contains globally significant deposits of minerals such as copper, cobalt, tin, tantalum, and gold, has become a battleground for control of these precious resources. Armed groups use the mines to fund their operations, causing widespread displacement, human rights violations, and deplorable living conditions for millions of Congolese civilians. The situation is exacerbated by the failure of tracing mechanisms designed to regulate mineral trade, which allows armed groups to profit from illegal mining and smuggling.
China’s Involvement
Beyond regional dynamics, international actors have a significant impact on the DRC’s mining landscape. China, in particular, has emerged as a major player in the nation’s mining industry. Chinese companies dominate the DRC’s mining industry, with investments ranging from copper and cobalt to tantalum and tin. This presence is aided by China’s economic interests and strategic approach to securing access to critical minerals for industrial purposes.
China’s involvement in the DRC mining sector has both positive and negative consequences for the ongoing conflict. On the one hand, Chinese investments help to develop infrastructure and drive economic growth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, potentially creating jobs and alleviating poverty. Concerns have been raised, however, about the lack of transparency and accountability in Chinese-led mining operations, as well as their potential role in environmental degradation and social unrest.
Coup Attempt
Against this backdrop, a recent coup attempt in Kinshasa has heightened tensions and highlighted the country’s political instability. Armed attackers led by Christian Malanga, a Congolese-American politician and former military officer, stormed the homes of key political figures in Kinshasa, killing three people and arresting several others. According to reports, the assailants, who included three American citizens, intended to overthrow the government and revive the defunct Zaire regime. International condemnation followed, with the African Union and individual countries condemning the coup attempt.
International Support
International intervention, while inconsistent, remains a contentious issue. While efforts have been made to deploy peacekeeping forces, such as South African Development Community (SADC) troops, questions about their effectiveness remain. The decision by the United Nations Security Council to extend the mandate of the UN Stabilization Mission (MONUSCO) reflects ongoing concerns about the security situation and the need for continued international support. Efforts to improve transparency, accountability, and responsible investment practices are critical to ensuring that mining activities benefit local communities and contribute to the DRC’s long-term prosperity, rather than fueling conflict and worsening humanitarian crises.
Hawkish Biases in U.S. Trade Policy and Global Trade
Written By Farheen
President Biden has announced significant tariff increases on Chinese imports, including electric vehicles (25% to 100%), lithium batteries (7.5% to 25%), and solar cells (25% to 50%). Steel and aluminium products face potential hikes to 25%. These tariffs sustain high levels set during the Trump administration, even after a 2020 deal that failed to lower them. Such measures, as discussed by Prof. Humboldt from the University of Hamburg reflect broader U.S. trade policies that are confrontational and influenced by hawkish biases that draw heavily on populist sentiments, nationalistic rhetoric, and a propensity to view trade as a zero-sum game where one nation’s gain is inherently another’s loss rather than purely economic rationale.
With trade tensions mounting and the 2024 election drawing near, both Biden and Trump are projecting a strong stance against China, heightening the chances of a trade war in response to these policies, particularly as China warns of retaliatory actions. For increasing tariffs, the U.S. cites China’s large subsidies as an unfair trade advantage, prompting the increase in tariffs under the Biden administration on goods like green tech, which the U.S. also subsidizes but to a lesser extent according to the Kiel Institute. Normally, such subsidy disputes would be addressed by the World Trade Organization (WTO), but with the U.S. stalling new judge appointments, the organization’s capacity to resolve conflicts is compromised.
A potential trade conflict is on the horizon since the World Trade Organization (WTO) may not be able to settle the latest tariff disputes. Although immediate repercussions may not be evident, the imposition of these tariffs could result in a gradual shift within global supply chains, as evidenced by Taiwan surpassing China in terms of exports to the U.S. Over time, these changes may encourage a broader relocation of manufacturing from China to alternative countries.
News From
Friday
- South Korea announced a $19 billion support package for its chip industry, aiming to bolster its competitiveness in chip design and manufacturing amid fierce global competition. Read more: Bloomberg
- Various groups in Malaysia are pressuring the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) to sever ties with BlackRock due to the latter’s involvement in a consortium managing Malaysian airports and BlackRock’s alleged complicity in Israeli war crimes. Read more: Malaysia Now
- Segantii Capital Management Ltd.’s hedge fund faced nearly $1 billion in withdrawal requests before its decision to shut down, following an insider trading charge in Hong Kong. Read more: Bloomberg
- South Korea, Japan, and China announced their first trilateral summit in nearly five years, set to take place in Seoul. Read more: CNA
Thursday
- President Emmanuel Macron arrived in New Caledonia on May 23, following deadly riots that killed six people and injured hundreds. Macron’s visit aimed to defuse the ongoing crisis. Read more: France 24
- Norway, Ireland, and Spain recognized a Palestinian state, further isolating Israel amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Read more: AP
- Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim defended his engagement with Hamas, citing his long-standing relationship with the group as beneficial to Middle East peace efforts. Read more: SCMP
- Tens of thousands of Iranians gathered in Tehran on May 22 for the funeral of President Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage, who were killed in a helicopter crash on May 19. Read more: Arab News
Wednesday
- To Lam, Vietnam’s former public security minister, was appointed as the country’s president, consolidating power for the official leading a vigorous anti-corruption campaign. Read more: FT
- One passenger tragically died and approximately 30 others were injured when severe turbulence hit an SIA flight traveling from London to Singapore. Read more: The Star
- Taiwan’s parliament erupted in heated arguments at the start of Lai Ching-te’s presidency, with DPP lawmakers opposing Bills to expand legislative powers. Read more: CNA
- As temperatures soared to 47.4 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit) in Delhi, Indian authorities ordered the early closure of schools due to a “severe heatwave.” Read more: Arab News
Tuesday
- The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and senior Hamas officials for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the 7 October attack and ensuing war in Gaza. Read more: The Guardian
- Iran is mourning the death of President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials in a helicopter crash in East Azerbaijan province. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, has declared five days of mourning. Read more: Arab News
- Indian police arrested four Sri Lankans in Ahmedabad for suspected Islamic State links. The suspects, were detained following a tip-off and were found with IS-related materials, including flags and loaded pistols. Read more: The Strait Times
- Samsung Electronics appointed Young Hyun Jun as the new chief of its semiconductor division to address a “chip crisis” and enhance its position in the AI chip market. Read more: Nikkei
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