News that caught our eye / The week ending July 4, 2025

Chinese research team launches clinical trial for Invasive brain-computer interface / June 16, 2025

A Chinese research team has developed a brain-computer interface (BCI), implanting it in the brain of a Chinese quadriplegic man in March of this year.  The device is smaller, but similar to Elon Musk’s neuro-link device.  The researchers hope the device will bring mobility and increased function for many who suffer from spinal cord damage or paralyzing diseases like ALS (Chinese Academy of Sciences).

Doctors reveal why 8 year old in China vomited live worms for a month / June 29, 2025

Doctors discovered that an 8-year-old’s illness of vomiting up 1-centimeter larvae for a month was due to an infestation of “drain flies,” also known as “moth flies,” in the groundwater that the girl used, likely while brushing her teeth or using the bathroom.  The flies prefer concentrations of organic matter, like kitchen sink drains.  Proper hygiene usually prevents such infestations (NDTV World).

Flood-hit China expands social security net as extreme rain takes toll / June 27, 2025

China has expanded its social security net for flood-affected populations, offering direct central government compensation and payments for livestock losses. Revised rules now stipulate that the central government will bear 70% of compensation funds due to increasing extreme rainfall. This comes as China utilizes flood diversion areas more frequently, sometimes impacting populated regions (Reuters).

Record rainfall in central China leads to flooding and evacuations / July 1, 2025

Torrential summer rains have caused flooding in various parts of China this year, dropping a month’s worth of rain in twelve hours in Hubei province on Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of 18,000 people.  Forecasters blame global warming, flash-flood-prone rural areas, and the lack of good forecasting in rural areas for the loss of life (NBC News).

Deadline nears for Taiwan's Chinese immigrants to prove no China household registration / June 29, 2025

The pro-democracy administration of Taiwan recently enforced a 2004 law mandating Chinese immigrants living in Taiwan, sometimes for decades, to prove that they have no “household registration” in China in order to maintain their privilege to live in Taiwan.  The goal is to try to identify those who are in Taiwan to carry out espionage against Taiwan, but the hastiness of the mandate has many angry (NPR).

Taiwan to simulate Chinese invasion in major drill / June 30, 2025

Taiwan is conducting a major military drill simulating a Chinese invasion. These exercises, often including amphibious assault defense and cyber warfare scenarios, aim to bolster Taiwan's readiness and demonstrate its resolve to defend itself against potential aggression from Beijing (Reuters).

Hong Kong's last active democracy group says it will disband amid security crackdown / June 29, 2025

Hong Kong's last active pro-democracy group, the League of Social Democrats (LSD), disbanded on June 29, 2025. The group cited "immense political pressure" and safety concerns amid a crackdown under Beijing's national security law, effectively ending formal organized opposition in the city (Reuters).

Fiji says China military base not welcome as Pacific islands steer between superpowers / July 1, 2025

Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka stated his country would not welcome a Chinese military base in the Pacific, asserting China doesn't need one to project power. This position aims to keep the South Pacific an "ocean of peace" free from superpower rivalries, despite China's growing influence and existing security pacts in the region (Reuters).

China Reacts to Major Dalai Lama Announcement / July 2, 2025

Just ahead of his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama announced that his reincarnation into the next Dalai Lama after his death should only be identified by the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit he established in 2015.  China, however, says it holds the power and responsibility to choose the next Dalai Lama, suggesting the possibility of two Dalai Lamas (Newsweek).

China is quietly supplanting Russia as Cuba's main benefactor / June 30, 2025

China is increasingly replacing Russia as Cuba's primary benefactor amid Cuba's severe economic crisis. While Russia's aid projects have largely stalled, China is actively investing in and developing critical infrastructure, particularly in renewable energy and power grid modernization, through its Belt and Road Initiative, offering vital support to the island nation (Reuters).

Why is China building AI centers on the roof of the world? / June 28, 2025

China is building high-altitude AI computing centers, such as those in Tibet, as part of its "Eastern Data, Western Computing" strategy. These locations offer natural cooling and abundant renewable energy, lowering operational costs. These centers support AI training, autonomous driving, smart healthcare, and environmental monitoring (SCMP).

Commentary: China’s AI dragons risk choking each other / June 29, 2025

As of April this year, China has 3,700 generative AI platforms operating from within the country, with up to 300 new products being approved every month.  With such fierce competition, they will likely end up destroying one another or consolidate into a final few operations.  Known as “little dragons,” smaller AI companies have not been willing to give up the fight (CNA). 

US, China announce a trade agreement — again. Here's what it means / June 27, 2025

The US and China reached a trade agreement late last week, but details were few regarding what issues had been resolved.  The Trump administration is racing to complete a number of deals with major trading partners before a self-imposed deadline of July 8th.  Easing rare-earth restrictions for lower tariffs on Chinese imports into the US were among the details of the agreement (ABC News).

Beijing braces for US trade deals that seek to shut out China / July 1, 2025

Beijing is apprehensive over US efforts to forge trade deals, like one with Vietnam, aimed at excluding China from global supply chains. These deals push for restrictions on Chinese content and counter perceived unfair trade practices. China warns of countermeasures, concerned about isolation and hindered access to high-tech equipment (Bloomberg).

U.S. lifts chip software curbs on China in sign of trade truce / July 2, 2025

The US has lifted export restrictions on chip design software to China, as confirmed by companies like Synopsys. This move, part of a trade truce, allows major electronic design automation (EDA) software developers to resume sales to Chinese customers, easing tensions and impacting the semiconductor industry (CNBC).

‘A billion people backing you’: China transfixed as Musk turns against Trump / July 2, 2025

The Chinese people have always had an appreciation for tech innovators like Elon Musk, but now, as Musk’s bromance with US President Trump is on the rocks, Chinese social media is all abuzz about the fallout between the two, and their support is for Musk.  They’ve also had a long appreciation for Musk’s mother, Maye (The Guardian).

Ottawa orders Chinese tech firm to close Canadian operations over national security / June 25, 2025

The Canadian government has ordered a Chinese-based surveillance camera company, Hikvision, to close its Canadian operations and leave the country due to concerns over national security.  Company representatives claim geopolitical motives are behind the government’s order.  For some years, the company has faced sanctions due to claims its surveillance cameras were used in Xinjiang province in China to surveil Uyghur Muslims (Global News).

Two Chinese nationals arrested for spying on US Navy personnel and bases / July 1, 2024

Yuance Chen and Liren Lai, both Chinese nationals living in the US, were arrested last Friday for serving as agents of China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS), gathering information from US naval institutions, and attempting to recruit other agents to serve the MSS.  The two men have been active in the MSS since at least 2021 (Fox News).

BYD slows production, delays capacity expansion at China factories, sources say / June 25, 2025

Imagine buying an EV for under $8000. You can in China. But according to a Reuters report last week, the Chinese car giant — which earlier this year surpassed Tesla as the world’s top EV seller by revenue — has started slowing production in recent months. The pullback comes as BYD makes major gains outside of China. 

Ford's CEO says China's EV progress is 'the most humbling thing' he's ever seen / June 29, 2025

Jim Farley, the CEO of Ford Motor Company, has high praise for some of China’s largest EV manufacturers.  In fact, he even owns a Xiaomi SU7, the company’s first electric vehicle.  According to Farley, China’s EVs have superior in-vehicle technology, and claims that Chinese EVs are of better quality and price than American-made EVs (Yahoo Finance).

China’s Stimulus Outlook Clouded by Surprise Economic Strength / June 29, 2025

China’s PMI (purchasing managers’ index) was slightly stronger in June than in May, boosted by increased factory activity and construction, but other economic data still pointed to a struggling economy.  The positive PMI begs the question if the government will hold back on further stimulus measures (Yahoo Finance).

News that caught our eye / The week ending June 27, 2025

Six dead, thousands displaced as floods hit southwestern China / June 26, 2025

China is facing a summer of extreme weather events as a tropical depression flooded Guizhou province in southwestern China, killing at least six, and record heat in Beijing.  Another rain front made landfall in Hainan on Thursday and will wind its way to Guangdong province, which is heavily populated (Al Jazeera).

China strongly condemns U.S. attacks on Iran / June 22, 2025

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson strongly condemned the US bombings of Iranian nuclear facilities, saying the action violated UN charter and international law, as well as the safeguards under the International Atomic Energy Agency.  The representative also called on all parties, especially Israel, to reach a ceasefire as soon as possible (Xinhua News).

China’s response to Iran conflict more concerning if West loses, vs retribution for defeating its ally / June 21, 2025

With the dust still settling on the situation in Iran, speculation as to China’s response to the US targeting one of its allies was on the minds of many.  Chinese expert, Gordon Chang, expressed concern if the US failed in its goals to destroy Iran’s nuclear sites since that would show weakness and vulnerability in the US’s military capabilities.  Otherwise, however, President Xi has domestic issues that prohibit him from making rash decisions (Fox Business).

U.S. calls on China to prevent Iran from closing Strait of Hormuz / June 22, 2025

US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, called on China to encourage Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open after the US destroyed three nuclear sites in Iran.  Iranian officials had considered closing the Strait in response to the US bombings.  However, closing the Strait would also stop its revenue stream, and would cut off an oil supply that China relies on (CNBC).

As ceasefire looms, China's UN peace talk highlights limits of Beijing's influence / June 23, 2025

China’s call to de-escalate the conflict between Iran and the Israeli-US partnership in destroying Iran’s nuclear program was a low-key response from a country that usually wants to play a larger role in global politics.  Rather than enter the fray, China chose to sit this one out, concerned that any involvement could jeopardize other political issues, including the 90-day pause on US tariffs (ABC News-Australia).

The spy next door: Decrypting China's Ministry of State Security / June 22, 2025

The world’s largest spy agency, China’s Ministry of State Security, may have up to 800,000 employees surveilling both domestic citizens, ex-patriot citizens, and foreign governments, all to protect the security of the CCP, not the Chinese people or nation. It is estimated that the bureau has an operating budget of $20 billion (The Economic Times).

China’s Mosquito-Sized Microdrone: The Future of Covert Military Surveillance? / June 22, 2025

“The unveiling of China’s mosquito-sized microdrone is a chilling yet fascinating preview of the future of warfare. As micro-UAV technology matures, the battlefield will no longer be dominated by tanks or missiles alone—but also by silent, near-invisible machines capable of infiltrating without warning” (Don’tLeaveIt.com).

Mapped: How China Staged Double Aircraft Carrier Show of Force in Pacific / June 24, 2025

Japan reported that two Chinese aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong, had crossed the “first island chain” en route to the South China Sea and that the Liaoning went even further, crossing the “second island chain” earlier this month. The “first island chain” includes Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines; the “second” chain is another archipelago further east in the Pacific.  Crossing these natural boundaries demonstrated China’s increasing strength and boldness in naval operations (Newsweek).

How war-torn Myanmar plays a critical role in China’s rare earth dominance / June 24, 2025

More than ten years ago, the majority of rare-earth mineral mining was found in China, but as new environmental policies took effect in China, China looked elsewhere for the coveted deposits and found them in Myanmar.  Now, China gets over 50% of its rare-earth minerals from Myanmar, which is in the midst of a civil war, and a rebel group in northern Myanmar has seized some of the mines, threatening supplies (CNBC).

Trump says US, China framework 'signed' as Bessent targets Labor Day for key deals / June 27, 2025

President Trump announced yesterday that negotiations between the US and China have brought the two countries closer to an economic trade deal that could be solidified by Labor Day.  As tariff-pause deadlines loom closer, other countries are also working more with the US to avoid a spike in tariffs if the deadlines are crossed (Yahoo Finance).

China has millions of single men - could dating camp help them find love? / June 20, 2025

China’s one-child policy—ended in 2016—has left 30 million more males than females in China, so finding a wife and starting a family—still strongly held cultural expectations—is going to be impossible for most of them.  To make matters worse, many available Chinese women prefer AI-generated boyfriends who are nicer and more emotionally stable.  Many men born in the 90s were left with relatives by their parents, who headed off to the cities to find work (BBC).