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).