China in Quotes
“At present, some significant problems urgently in need of solutions still exist in China’s S&T domain. In particular, relative to the new missions and new requirements laid down by the 19th Party Congress, there exist a great many deficiencies in China’s S&T, in areas such as the structure of our vision, our capacity for innovation, our resource allocation, and our structure and policies. The shortcomings of China’s basic scientific research are still obvious. Industry gives short shrift to basic research. We lack major original achievements.” Xi Jinping on Building Independent Innovation in China
Quick China Fact 📊
Timeline: News From Asia
Friday
The hearings on South Africa’s petition accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza are due to begin Thursday at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. South Africa will be the first to argue its case. Israel is expected on Friday to present its rebuttal of any plausibility of committing genocide in Gaza following Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israeli border communities. Approximately 1,200 people were killed and roughly 250 others were taken hostage to Gaza in the Hamas assault. (Reuters)
An oil tanker once at the center of a crisis between Iran and the United States was boarded in the Gulf of Oman by “unauthorized” men in military uniforms early on Thursday morning, an advisory group run by the British military and a private security firm warned. (Bloomberg)
China’s exports saw another modest uptick in December, underlining its fluctuating recovery in 2023 that could continue into the new year as a potential global slowdown threatens to weigh on trade throughout the next 12 months. Exports rose by 2.3 per cent from a year earlier last month to US$303.6 billion, according to customs data released on Friday, better than expected 2.1 per cent increase predicted by Chinese data provider Wind after it rose by 0.5 per cent in November. (SCMP)
Foreign investors have offloaded Taiwanese stocks this year, turning more risk-averse ahead of the island’s presidential election. Foreign investors, including those from mainland China, sold a net 27.15 billion New Taiwan dollars ($878.56 million) worth of Taiwanese equities in the first eight trading days of the year, according to Taiwan Stock Exchange data. (Nikkei Asia)
The United States and Britain launched airstrikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen, aimed at disrupting the group’s ability to attack ships in the Red Sea. Several countries including Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands supported the operation, while the U.S. emphasizes no intention to escalate tensions. The strikes are a response to the Houthis’ attacks on ships and are part of efforts to restore the free flow of trade in a vital shipping route between Europe and Asia. (Reuters)
Thursday
The Nikkei Stock Average rose for a fourth straight day in the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Thursday morning, hovering above the 35,000 yen mark, the highest level since February 1990. Tokyo shares were buoyed by the weak yen and gains in high-tech stocks in the U.S. stock market on Wednesday. (Nikkei Asia)
A leaked, unverified recording purportedly of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and a ruling party legislator discussing an apparent divide within the organisation has been dismissed by the lawmaker as interference by “foreign forces”. Taiwan-based Chung T’ien Television, which supports the opposition, quoted a commentator as saying the recording pointed to factional fighting within the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). (Reuters)
After more than a decade of research and teaching in the United States, Chinese-born maths star Sun Song has joined a university in eastern China as a full-time professor. The 36-year-old geometer started his role as a permanent faculty member at the Institute for Advanced Study in Mathematics (IASM) at Zhejiang University earlier this month, according to the university’s official WeChat account. Before the new appointment, Sun was a professor in the department of mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley. He has received multiple awards for his work, such as the Oswald Veblen Prize in Geometry and the New Horizons in Mathematics Prize. (SCMP)
Israel has continued its strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon amid mounting fears of a war on the border.Hezbollah also struck back against targets in Israel despite warnings from Israeli officials. Reports in local Lebanese and Israeli media say that Israel’s provocative targeting of Hezbollah could lure the group into all-out conflict. (Arab News)
Wednesday
India’s finance ministry has scrapped a 50 billion rupee ($602 million) plan to top up the nation’s strategic crude oil reserves, given market volatility and the prospect of a further decline in prices. (Bloomberg)
China’s enhanced “proactive position” in Afghanistan over the past decade has helped to safeguard security in the northwestern Chinese region that borders its troubled neighbour, according to Beijing’s special envoy for Afghan affairs.Yue Xiaoyong said China had “accurately grasped” the issue’s general trend. Beijing has also defused various risks and maintained the strategic security of China’s northwest periphery, he added. (SCMP)
Taiwan’s presidential office said it did not consider the launch of a Chinese satellite whose rocket flew over southern Taiwan an attempt at election interference ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections on Saturday (Jan 13). (CNA)
China will start building this year its own version of StarLink, a satellite internet constellation using low Earth orbit, with plans of launching some 26,000 satellites to cover the entire world led by military-affiliated companies. (Nikkei Asia)
Tuesday
South Korea’s spy agency confirmed Monday that Palestinian militant group Hamas has been using North Korean-made weapons in its conflict with Israel, amid a report of new photos showing weapons etched with Korean characters retrieved in the conflict.The National intelligence Service (NIS) made the confirmation in response to VOA’s Korean Service report published Friday showing new photos of North Korean F-7 rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) with Korean letters inscribed on them used by Hamas, South Korean Yonhap News Agency reported Monday. (Nikkei Asia)
The prospect of Saudi Arabia procuring France’s Dassault Aviation’s Rafale jets is fading. The potential deal was stated as a reason for President Macron’s planned visit to Riyadh, but with Berlin having recently lifted the embargo on Eurofighter’s Typhoon exports, the kingdom now seems to favour London instead. (Intelligence Online)
A Beijing-skeptical candidate running in Taiwan’s presidential election said on Tuesday that while China has attempted to intervene in every vote on the island, this year’s meddling has been the “most serious ever.” Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party said Beijing has resorted to tactics such as “military threats, economic coercion, cognitive warfare [and] misinformation.” (Nikkei Asia)
The outcome of Bangladesh’s national election on Sunday — an easy victory for incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party — was widely considered a foregone conclusion, especially with the main opposition boycotting. Much less certain, analysts say, is what happens next, especially when it comes to Dhaka’s increasingly strained relations with the West. While the U.S. took a sharply critical view in the run-up to the election, China and Russia have been quick to throw their weight behind Hasina’s win. (Nikkei Asia)
Beyond The Great Wall
Exploring News About China in Depth
Accelerated US Starlink threatens space security: Chinese military scientist
SpaceX successfully launched 21 Starlink satellites using the Falcon 9 rocket on January 3. Six of them have “direct-to-cell” capability. After enabling direct-to-cell service, the next-generation Starlink satellites can provide cellphones with direct broadband connectivity, supporting text, voice, and data transmission. Once this service is widely adopted, the Starlink system will connect to a large number of communication devices and realize seamless global communication.
“星链”是由美太空探索技术公司打造的巨型低轨卫星星座，由4.2万颗低成本小卫星组成，目的是在低地球轨道上创建一个全覆盖的卫星宽带网络。“星链”计划于2015年推出，目前有5491颗在轨卫星，初步实现全球组网，并依托体系能力加速布局。
Starlink is a massive low Earth orbit satellite constellation created by SpaceX. It consists of 42,000 low-cost small satellites and aims to create a fully covered satellite broadband network in low Earth orbit. Launched in 2015, Starlink currently has 5,491 satellites in orbit and has achieved preliminary global networking. It is accelerating its deployment capabilities through its network.
“星链”是由美太空探索技术公司打造的巨型低轨卫星星座，由4.2万颗低成本小卫星组成，目的是在低地球轨道上创建一个全覆盖的卫星宽带网络。“星链”计划于2015年推出，目前有5491颗在轨卫星，初步实现全球组网，并依托体系能力加速布局。
Since it was launched, the Starlink project has maintained high deployment efficiency. Data shows that since the end of 2019, the project has been deploying 44 satellites per month. With the introduction of second-generation Starlink satellites, it is pushing deployment at a pace of producing six satellites and thousands of user terminals per day. With the use of the Starship super-heavy rocket, the second-generation Starlink satellites are expected to be deployed on a larger scale with higher efficiency.
“星链”计划自启动以来，始终保持较高的部署效率。数据显示，2019年底以来，“星链”计划以每月发射44颗卫星的速度进行部署，二代“星链”卫星出现后，该计划以每天生产6颗卫星和数千个用户终端的速度推动部署。在“星—舰”超重型火箭投入使用后，二代“星链”卫星预计将以更高效率进行大规模部署。
In regional conflicts, Starlink satellites help establish a strike chain to support ground forces in combat thanks to its advantages such as rapid deployment, flexible networking, and reliability. Additionally, SpaceX announced plans to launch 15,000 Starshield satellites to support the establishment of a rapid closed kill chain by the US military.
在地区冲突中，“星链”卫星凭借快速部署、灵活组网、稳定可靠等优势，协助建立打击链，支持地面部队作战。另外，美太空探索技术公司宣布将发射1.5万颗“星盾”卫星，用于支持美军建立快速闭合杀伤链。
Read more: China Military Online
Decypher Opinion: As two opposing political ideologies are converging in the world, In China we might understand why?
By Barry Richards & Decypher Research
The merging of authoritarianism and libertarianism presents a puzzle within modern politics. Although on the surface authoritarianism, with its emphasis on centralized power and deference to rulers, seems to be completely opposed libertarianism, which champions personal liberty and limited governmental reach, contemporary events have showcased scenarios where these opposing ideologies intertwine. We examine this with a focus on China.
Barry Richards, a professor at Bournemouth University, offers a psychological interpretation of why authoritarianism and libertarianism might merge, attributing it to the ‘vulnerability of the modern self.‘ People today often feel powerless and disconnected due to the complexities of modern life. To combat these feelings, some individuals turn to authoritarian leaders for a false sense of security and community. In contrast, libertarianism appeals to those seeking autonomy and freedom from authoritative control. Both ideologies essentially function as psychological defenses against existential anxieties fostered by a society that can feel unpredictable and unreliable.
Consider the case of Donald Trump’s political movement, Trumpism, which illustrates the merger of authoritarian leadership with libertarian ideals. Trump’s persona embodies the aspirations of individualistic freedom, while his leadership style fosters a strong, almost cult-like following that seeks to idealize him as the ultimate authority figure. The paradoxical blend was evident during the January 6 Capitol attack where individuals displayed both a desire to install Trump as an autocratic leader and an individualistic assertion of their rights.
Chinese supporters of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) often align with authoritarian measures, endorsing state control and collective values, while also pursuing libertarian economic strategies. These “Red Entrepreneurs” and similarly positioned citizens participate in China’s liberalized market, capitalizing on opportunities for individual wealth and enterprise. This ideological blend suggests a pragmatic adaptation where strict political control coexists with and may even facilitate economic freedom, propelling growth and innovation. The synthesis of authoritarian stability with economic dynamism addresses a dual public need: the desire for order and predictability alongside aspirations for personal financial autonomy and success. Further, this phenomenon illustrates a broader psychological response to societal pressures, where individuals seek a balance between the comfort offered by strong leadership and the empowerment found in self-directed economic activity. In contexts like the Philippines and Malaysia, this pattern repeats, with leaders enacting stern governance policies while stimulating economic liberalization to invigorate investment and business engagement, thereby sustaining authority while promoting prosperity.
However, this fusion poses significant challenges for coherent governance and social cohesion. The amalgamation of libertarian and authoritarian elements can lead to unpredictable political dynamics that may undermine the stability of democratic institutions and the rule of law. In Hong Kong, pro-democracy protests have been met with an authoritarian response that contradicts the region’s history of economic liberty. Singapore’s economic prosperity coexists with a strong central authority, and Japan’s recent nationalist surge aligns with a push for economic individualism.
In essence, the merger of authoritarianism and libertarianism suggests a broader societal trend towards ideological flexibility, where the lines between collective authority and individual autonomy are increasingly blurred. The question that looms large in this debate is to what extent can the vulnerabilities of the modern self be addressed within the political sphere without compromising the core tenets of freedom and authority.
China’s Game in Gaza
by Mark Leonard, Published in Foreign Affairs
China is leveraging the conflict in Gaza to strengthen its international influence, particularly among countries in the Global South, according to a recent analysis by Mark Leonard of the European Council on Foreign Relations. Amid Israel’s offensive in Gaza, which has received backing from the Biden administration, Arab nations are turning to Beijing as an alternative diplomatic partner. This shift is reflected in the preference of Arab publics for China over the United States, as shown in opinion polls.
China’s strategic engagement is evidenced by its hosting of Arab foreign ministers ahead of their visits to France, the UK, and the US, and by orchestrating a BRICS summit on the Gaza issue that was aimed more at demonstrating solidarity than delivering actionable outcomes. Beijing’s stance on the conflict aligns with the sentiments prevalent across the Global South, contrasting the U.S. endorsement of Israel’s campaign in Gaza.
Public opinion from Brazil to Türkiye resonates with China’s non-confrontational approach, as the nation espouses a perspective of championing a “multicivilizational world.” This perception enables China to present itself as a partner offering development and sovereignty without necessitating a choice between East and West—a stark contrast to the U.S. insistence on alignment with its own policies.
Mr. Leonard’s analysis suggests that with every step the U.S. takes in supporting Israel, it seemingly undermines its credibility in advocating for a rules-based order in the eyes of the Global South, which could affect alignments concerning future events such as any conflict over Taiwan. China’s relative isolation, with North Korea as its sole treaty ally, allows it to navigate Middle Eastern partnerships with agility and capitalize on global public opinion—a long-term strategy that may reshape global allegiances and challenge the current international order. Read more: Foreign Affairs
Xi, Biden and the $10 Trillion Cost of War Over Taiwan
A war over Taiwan could cost around $10 trillion, equivalent to about 10% of global GDP, surpassing the impact of the war in Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Global Financial Crisis, according to Bloomberg Economics. Read more: Bloomberg
China set to lose crown as top U.S. exporter after 17 years
China likely lost its status as the top U.S. exporter to Mexico in 2023, marking the first time since 2006, as strained U.S.-China relations reshaped supply chains. American goods imports from China dropped over 20%, and Mexico is expected to lead, reflecting broader diversification efforts by the U.S. and the impact of tensions between the two major economies. Read more: Nikkei Asia
China Is Fast Losing Its Place as Must-Have in Global Portfolios
China is losing appeal in global portfolios as major funds, including U.S. pension funds, distance themselves from the risk-ridden market. Over 14 U.S. pension funds analysed reduced their holdings in Chinese stocks since 2020, reflecting concerns over Beijing’s long-term economic agenda, a prolonged property crisis, and strategic competition with the U.S., leading to a potential structural shift in global investment strategies. Read more: Bloomberg
Maldives president meets Xi, woos Chinese tourists amid India spat
The president of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, expressing interest in more investment and tourists from China amid a strained relationship with India. Read more: Nikkei Asia
China slams US chip export control, supressing China’s semiconductor industry
China accuses the US of economic bullying by intensifying control over chip exports to China, hindering the semiconductor industry under the pretext of national security, violating international trade principles, and causing global industrial and supply chain instability, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning. Read more: China Daily
China Pitches Its Own C-17 Globemaster To Nigeria; Comes After Talks Of Stealth Fighter Deal With Pakistan
China is offering its Y-20 E multi-role transport aircraft, nicknamed “Chubby Girl,” to Nigeria, making it the third country with a domestically developed military-grade multi-role transport aircraft, akin to the US C-17 Globemaster. This move follows reports of China planning to sell its stealth J-31 fighters to Pakistan, showcasing China’s efforts to expand its military influence globally. Read more: The Eurasian Times
Chinese Billionaire Is Second-Biggest Foreign Owner of US Land
A Chinese national who made his fortune from online gaming has emerged as one of the most significant non-American holders of land in the US. Chen Tianqiao owns 198,000 acres of Oregon timberland, making him the country’s 82nd-largest property owner, according to the Land Report’s latest ranking. Read more: Ground News
Xi’s Chief of Staff Is Quietly Amassing Even More Power in China
Cai Qi, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s chief of staff, is reportedly gaining significant political influence, breaking traditional party norms by accompanying Xi on foreign visits and taking an expanded role in national security, placing him almost at par with China’s second-in-command, Premier Li Qiang. Read more: Bloomberg
Corrupt Cops, Baijiu Bribes Feature in Latest State-Backed Corruption Doc
A top provincial cop receiving 22 cardboard boxes full of cash, a fire official paid off in gold bars and booze, and a night of lavish drinking that led to the death of an official are all stories featured in latest documentary series from China’s top graft watchdog, which spotlights officials who abused their authority to enrich themselves and those in their orbit. The series, produced by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), China’s top graft watchdog, alongside state broadcaster CCTV, has become an annual event in China and screened this week as the CCDI convenes in Beijing for a key plenary meeting. Beijing is increasingly tapping the docudrama format to buttress support for a wide-ranging corruption crackdown that has also included televised confessions by suspects and spawned multiple police procedurals. Read more: Caixin Global
China’s top diplomat summarizes six highlights of China’s diplomacy in 2023
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday said the year 2023 has been a year of exploration and harvest for China’s diplomacy, summarizing six highlights. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when addressing the symposium on the international situation and China’s foreign relations in 2023. He said firstly, China’s head-of-state diplomacy has been immensely successful, achieving new milestones in major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. Secondly, solid progress has been made in building a community with a shared future for mankind, lending new impetus to efforts to build a brighter future for humanity. Thirdly, the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was successfully held, taking Belt and Road cooperation to a new stage of high-quality development. Fourthly, the BRICS mechanism achieved a historic expansion, adding new strength to unity and cooperation in the developing world. Fifthly, a successful China-Central Asia Summit was held, creating a new platform for good-neighbourliness and friendly cooperation in the region. Sixthly, China facilitated the historic reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, setting a new example of political settlement of hotspot issues. Read more: Xinhua
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