News that caught our eye / The week ending July 12, 2024
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NOTE: The news reports below are not in chronological order. There is often a time lag in their reaching the US and in gaining our attention. These reports reflect the opinions of a variety of news sources.
Curated by James Getka.
Commentary: China can’t stop Russia. It likely won’t even try / July 9, 2024
China has the economic clout over Russia to force it to negotiate peace with Ukraine, but China has no reason to do so. The conflict does not threaten China’s interests, and China would fare better strategically if it had a strong Russia at its side. Additionally, Russia’s war on NATO’s steps, along with simmering trouble in the Middle East, spreads the US’ military elasticity to a point where it may have trouble dealing with an Asian conflict—Taiwan (CNA).
Hungary’s Orban meets China’s Xi in mission to end Russia-Ukraine war / July 9, 2024
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban recently began his “rotational term” as President of the EU by making unofficial trips to Ukraine, Russia, and China in an effort to promote peace talks and resolve the war in Ukraine. Orban has stronger relationships with Russia and China than most other EU nations, but many of his counterparts in the EU disliked the mixed message Orban made with these trips (Al Jazeera).
China slams NATO’s ‘provocations, lies, smears’ over its Russia ties / July 11, 2024
NATO accused China of enabling Russia’s war effort in Ukraine by supporting Russia’s economy and supplying Russia with dual-use parts that can be used in the production of military supplies, sparking a strong reaction from China. China accused NATO of being full of “cold war mentality” and said its own position is to promote peace talks (Al Jazeera).
Chinese developers scramble as OpenAI blocks access in China / July 8, 2024
AI frontrunner OpenAI recently announced that its services would no longer be available in China beginning on July 9th but did not go into detail regarding the reasons for such a move. The gap that was made, however, opened the door for Chinese domestic AI companies to scramble for new customers, and forces those companies to accelerate their product development to meet what OpenAI once held there (The Guardian).
China leads the world in adoption of generative AI, survey shows / July 9, 2024
In a global survey of 1600 industry representatives, China took the lead in the percentage of industries that have adopted the use of generative AI, clocking in at 83% as compared to 65% for the US and 54% for the global average. China also leads the world in its use of “continuous automated monitoring” (CAM), a controversial form of surveillance (Reuters).
A driverless car hits a person crossing against the light in China / July 9, 2024
An autonomous “robotaxi” lightly struck a pedestrian in the city of Wuhan last Sunday but caused no obvious external injuries. The pedestrian apparently was walking against the light, so while the fault falls on the pedestrian, the situation raises questions about how autonomous vehicles should respond to unusual circumstances, such as when people violate the law, such as in this case (ABC News).
China’s consumers up travel interest despite worries / July 11, 2024
A survey of Chinese young adults and middle-aged citizens showed that at least half of them plan to spend more money on travel, food, and clothing, although they are still concerned about the economy and may “reverse travel,” that is, they will avoid high-profile tourist destinations in favor of lesser-known and cheaper places (SCMP).
Across China, more than 50 sprawling ghost cities sit eerily abandoned / July 9, 2024
The effect of China’s housing market bust and the struggling economy can be seen in over 50 “ghost cities” all across China where complete city structures—apartment and condo complexes, skyscraper business towers, shopping malls, and in some places, meticulously planned neighborhoods—all stand empty and crumbling. The sobering spectacle becomes disheartening when one realizes the economic loss so many Chinese citizens are enduring (news.com.au).
Man caught smuggling 100 snakes in his trousers / July 9, 2024
A man was caught trying to smuggle 104 snakes of different types kept in plastic bags in his pants as he passed through customs between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China. China is “one of the world’s biggest animal trafficking hubs” in the world (BBC).
China launches high-level probe after paper says fuel tankers used to carry cooking oil / July 9, 2024
Numerous Chinese government agencies, Chinese agro-businesses, and food transportation companies are involved in an investigation to determine if some chemical tankers were used to transport cooking oil and other foods after a media report was published revealing it had happened. Similar incidents occurred in 2005 and 2015 (SCMP).
Multiple Chinese warships spotted near Alaska, U.S. Coast Guard says / July 11, 2024
Four Chinese ships—three on Saturday and one on Sunday—were spotted in the US Exclusive Economic Zone off the coast of Alaska and were monitored by a US Coast Guard cutter until they left the area. The Chinese ships reported that they were in the area for “freedom of navigation operations.” Similar situations have occurred for the last three years, as well (CBS News).
Japan navy destroyer enters Chinese waters near Taiwan, Beijing complains / July 11, 2024
A Japanese navy destroyer entered Chinese waters north of Taiwan on the 4th of July without notifying China, causing China to lodge a complaint. The ship sailed within twelve nautical miles of the Chinese coast for about 20 minutes. Japan excused the ship’s route as a “technical error” (Reuters).