The United States has warned Pacific island nations about security threats posed by a Chinese company’s cut-price bid to build an undersea internet cable.
Huawei Marine, which was divested from Huawei and is now majority-owned by another Chinese firm, submitted bids along with French-headquartered Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), part of Finland’s Nokia, and Japan’s NEC, for the $72.6 million project backed by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB), the sources with direct knowledge of the project details said.
The project is designed to improve communications to the island nations of Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Kiribati.
China’s Huawei Marine bidding for the World Bank-backed East Micronesia cable project, raising concerns in the U.S.
Source: Reuters #Dec17
https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-china-pacific-exclusive-idUKKBN28R0L2
#OverseaCableProject #Huawei #China
Huawei Marine, which was divested from Huawei and is now majority-owned by another Chinese firm, submitted bids along with French-headquartered Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), part of Finland’s Nokia, and Japan’s NEC, for the $72.6 million project backed by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB), the sources with direct knowledge of the project details said.
The project is designed to improve communications to the island nations of Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Kiribati.
China’s Huawei Marine bidding for the World Bank-backed East Micronesia cable project, raising concerns in the U.S.
Source: Reuters #Dec17
https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-china-pacific-exclusive-idUKKBN28R0L2
#OverseaCableProject #Huawei #China
U.S. Navy Condemns China on its Lack of Integrity after China's Absent in the Military Meeting
Source: Apple Daily #Dec17
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Source: Apple Daily #Dec17
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U.S. Navy Condemns China on its Lack of Integrity after China's Absent in the Military Meeting
The U.S.-China relations continue to deteriorate. Senior military officials of the two countries originally scheduled a video conference on Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA) this week. However, China was absent unexpectedly for no reason. The U.S. criticised its absence as a reflection of its lack of integrity. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs counter-accuse the U.S. for the meeting's failure.
The meeting was scheduled for Dec 14-16 in a video conference format, but the absence of PLA representatives did not attend. The U.S. representatives Phil Davidson, the General of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, criticised the PLA as "another non-compliant example from China". At the same time, they also "remind all nations that they may pursue agreements with China in the future".
The U.S. military said that China and the U.S. have held a regular meeting since 1998 to conduct the MMCA dialogue. This year's talk was expected to address China's recent military actions in the South China Sea, but the Chinese representatives were absent without reason. General Davidson emphasised that the U.S. will strive to safeguard the MMCA and called on the PLA to hold the MMCA dialogue under the framework of MMCA.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin stated at a regular press conference on Thursday that "it is to our understanding that the responsibility of the failure in holding meetings regarding maritime safety lies solely in the hands of the U.S. The U.S. military's accusations are completely untenable and irresponsible." He prompted reporters to enquire with the Chinese Ministry of Defence.
#China #US #MMCA #PLA #USNavy #PhilDavidson #WangWenbin
Source: Apple Daily #Dec17
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20201217/4Z63VNH5BZGIRAHVM3WXV6XFFY/
The U.S.-China relations continue to deteriorate. Senior military officials of the two countries originally scheduled a video conference on Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA) this week. However, China was absent unexpectedly for no reason. The U.S. criticised its absence as a reflection of its lack of integrity. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs counter-accuse the U.S. for the meeting's failure.
The meeting was scheduled for Dec 14-16 in a video conference format, but the absence of PLA representatives did not attend. The U.S. representatives Phil Davidson, the General of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, criticised the PLA as "another non-compliant example from China". At the same time, they also "remind all nations that they may pursue agreements with China in the future".
The U.S. military said that China and the U.S. have held a regular meeting since 1998 to conduct the MMCA dialogue. This year's talk was expected to address China's recent military actions in the South China Sea, but the Chinese representatives were absent without reason. General Davidson emphasised that the U.S. will strive to safeguard the MMCA and called on the PLA to hold the MMCA dialogue under the framework of MMCA.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin stated at a regular press conference on Thursday that "it is to our understanding that the responsibility of the failure in holding meetings regarding maritime safety lies solely in the hands of the U.S. The U.S. military's accusations are completely untenable and irresponsible." He prompted reporters to enquire with the Chinese Ministry of Defence.
#China #US #MMCA #PLA #USNavy #PhilDavidson #WangWenbin
Source: Apple Daily #Dec17
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20201217/4Z63VNH5BZGIRAHVM3WXV6XFFY/
China’s Digital Silk Road Initiative: A Boon for Developing Countries or a Danger to Freedom?
Source: The Diplomat #Dec17
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Source: The Diplomat #Dec17
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China’s Digital Silk Road Initiative: A Boon for Developing Countries or a Danger to Freedom?
Beijing launched the Digital Silk Road (DSR) as part of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2015 with a loose mandate.
DSR offers supports Chinese exporters, including many well-known Chinese technology companies. The DSR assistance goes toward improving recipients’ telecommunications networks, artificial intelligence capabilities, cloud computing, e-commerce and mobile payment systems, surveillance technology, smart cities, and other high-tech areas.
Some democracies have raised serious concerns that China may use DSR to enable recipient countries to adopt its model of technology-enabled authoritarianism. Chinese technology companies have already helped governments in other countries develop surveillance capabilities and Beijing has provided training for interested DSR recipient countries on how to monitor and censor the internet.
Building 5G network with Chinese companies could risk espionage and coercion of other states’ politics if Beijing used data breaches to blackmail political elites in those states. DSR could also help recipient countries better control their internets through filtering, content moderation, data localization, and surveillance.
Source: The Diplomat #Dec17
https://thediplomat.com/2020/12/chinas-digital-silk-road-initiative-a-boon-for-developing-countries-or-a-danger-to-freedom/
#BRI #DSR #China #ChinaDigitalThreat #ChineseTechnologySurveillance
Beijing launched the Digital Silk Road (DSR) as part of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2015 with a loose mandate.
DSR offers supports Chinese exporters, including many well-known Chinese technology companies. The DSR assistance goes toward improving recipients’ telecommunications networks, artificial intelligence capabilities, cloud computing, e-commerce and mobile payment systems, surveillance technology, smart cities, and other high-tech areas.
Some democracies have raised serious concerns that China may use DSR to enable recipient countries to adopt its model of technology-enabled authoritarianism. Chinese technology companies have already helped governments in other countries develop surveillance capabilities and Beijing has provided training for interested DSR recipient countries on how to monitor and censor the internet.
Building 5G network with Chinese companies could risk espionage and coercion of other states’ politics if Beijing used data breaches to blackmail political elites in those states. DSR could also help recipient countries better control their internets through filtering, content moderation, data localization, and surveillance.
Source: The Diplomat #Dec17
https://thediplomat.com/2020/12/chinas-digital-silk-road-initiative-a-boon-for-developing-countries-or-a-danger-to-freedom/
#BRI #DSR #China #ChinaDigitalThreat #ChineseTechnologySurveillance
The Diplomat
China’s Digital Silk Road Initiative: A Boon for Developing Countries or a Danger to Freedom?
Some observers worry that it will equip authoritarian governments with next-generation surveillance technologies.
Canada-China Relations: Trudeau hopes for the release of two Canadian citizens before New Year; government sources have yet to receive any new information
Source: Apple Daily #Dec17
Read more
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Source: Apple Daily #Dec17
Read more
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Canada-China Relations: Trudeau hopes for the release of two Canadian citizens before New Year; government sources have yet to receive any new information
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday he hoped for good news soon about two citizens who have been detained in China for the last two years.
Canadian police picked up Huawei Technologies Co Ltd Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. warrant in December 2018. Shortly after, China arrested businessman Michael Spavor and former diplomat Michael Kovrig on espionage charges, which Canada has described as a case of hostage diplomacy.
Asked by Global News whether he thought there would be good news for the men’s families before the New Year, Trudeau replied: “I certainly hope so,” and said, “they are just an inspiration to me ... we’re doing everything we can, both directly with China and with allies.”
Canada has consistently said the return of the two men is its top foreign policy priority. However, sources said they had not heard of any recent developments.
#Canada #China #espionage #Huawei #Trudeau #diplomacy
Source: Apple Daily #Dec17
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20201217/YY5UVG2JAFBO7CX7C23576LMOU/
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday he hoped for good news soon about two citizens who have been detained in China for the last two years.
Canadian police picked up Huawei Technologies Co Ltd Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. warrant in December 2018. Shortly after, China arrested businessman Michael Spavor and former diplomat Michael Kovrig on espionage charges, which Canada has described as a case of hostage diplomacy.
Asked by Global News whether he thought there would be good news for the men’s families before the New Year, Trudeau replied: “I certainly hope so,” and said, “they are just an inspiration to me ... we’re doing everything we can, both directly with China and with allies.”
Canada has consistently said the return of the two men is its top foreign policy priority. However, sources said they had not heard of any recent developments.
#Canada #China #espionage #Huawei #Trudeau #diplomacy
Source: Apple Daily #Dec17
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20201217/YY5UVG2JAFBO7CX7C23576LMOU/
A message in Twitter from Miriam M Lexmann last year
It is time to rethink our relations with #China, ensuring a value-based & consistent approach towards the Chinese Communist Party. We must stand with those whose freedoms are violated everyday
My remarks during during today’s @Europarl_EN plenary session on #Uyghur forced labour
Source: Twitter #Dec17
https://twitter.com/miriammlex/status/1339525080183955456?s=21
It is time to rethink our relations with #China, ensuring a value-based & consistent approach towards the Chinese Communist Party. We must stand with those whose freedoms are violated everyday
My remarks during during today’s @Europarl_EN plenary session on #Uyghur forced labour
Source: Twitter #Dec17
https://twitter.com/miriammlex/status/1339525080183955456?s=21
A new policy for Hong Kong
It was welcome news that Joe Biden has considered creation of an “Asia tsar” for the White House to coordinate policy in the face of challenges posed by China. However, to fully signal to Beijing that its authoritarian expansionist aims must be halted and reversed, the new administration should consider devising a new foreign policy for Hong Kong.
When President Trump suspended the special treatment of Hong Kong as a trading entity different from the rest of China, the United States harmed its relations with the former British colony. But there is no indication that a new policy distinct from an overall China strategy will be created for Hong Kong. As an exiled dissident from the city, I believe a new policy is critical since it continues to serve American interests to have Hong Kong remain different in both character and politics from the rest of China.
Source: The Hill #Dec17
https://thehill.com/opinion/international/530534-a-new-policy-for-hong-kong
#Policy #HongKong #JoeBiden #WhiteHouse #China #Beijing #Trump
It was welcome news that Joe Biden has considered creation of an “Asia tsar” for the White House to coordinate policy in the face of challenges posed by China. However, to fully signal to Beijing that its authoritarian expansionist aims must be halted and reversed, the new administration should consider devising a new foreign policy for Hong Kong.
When President Trump suspended the special treatment of Hong Kong as a trading entity different from the rest of China, the United States harmed its relations with the former British colony. But there is no indication that a new policy distinct from an overall China strategy will be created for Hong Kong. As an exiled dissident from the city, I believe a new policy is critical since it continues to serve American interests to have Hong Kong remain different in both character and politics from the rest of China.
Source: The Hill #Dec17
https://thehill.com/opinion/international/530534-a-new-policy-for-hong-kong
#Policy #HongKong #JoeBiden #WhiteHouse #China #Beijing #Trump
TheHill
A new policy for Hong Kong
American leaders have to take swift action on this issue.
#CallforAction
#HongKongWatch: Elections in Hong Kong Do Not Represent the Vox Populi of #Hongkongers
Hong Kong Watch is organising a social media campaign to call for people's attention to Hong Kong political issues, which include the upcoming #LegCoElections on #Dec19 2021 and the 47 pro-democracy activists and legislators imprisoned or under trial due to the pro-democracy primaries in 2020.
The organisation called for people to upload photos onto social media with the hashtags #ReleaseMyCandidate and/or #釋放我的候選人, stating that it could not represent the vox populi of Hongkongers.
Shortly after the campaign, many activists and politicians have started their participation, including Lord Alton of Liverpool, MEP Engin Eroglu, human rights activist Laura Harth and Hong Kong artiste Joe Tay.
To learn more about the campaign: https://twitter.com/hk_watch/status/1470428393057488903?s=21
Source: Hong Kong Watch
#Dec17
#Campaign #LegCo #Election #Primaries #NSL
#HongKongWatch: Elections in Hong Kong Do Not Represent the Vox Populi of #Hongkongers
Hong Kong Watch is organising a social media campaign to call for people's attention to Hong Kong political issues, which include the upcoming #LegCoElections on #Dec19 2021 and the 47 pro-democracy activists and legislators imprisoned or under trial due to the pro-democracy primaries in 2020.
The organisation called for people to upload photos onto social media with the hashtags #ReleaseMyCandidate and/or #釋放我的候選人, stating that it could not represent the vox populi of Hongkongers.
Shortly after the campaign, many activists and politicians have started their participation, including Lord Alton of Liverpool, MEP Engin Eroglu, human rights activist Laura Harth and Hong Kong artiste Joe Tay.
To learn more about the campaign: https://twitter.com/hk_watch/status/1470428393057488903?s=21
Source: Hong Kong Watch
#Dec17
#Campaign #LegCo #Election #Primaries #NSL
#FailedState #CCP
HK Authorities Replace Hong Kong’s #Bauhinia Insignia with Chinese Emblem in #LegislativeCouncil
The change, ahead of the “patriots only” legislative election, is said in line with the National Flag and National Emblem Ordinance, which states that it must be displayed for the swearing-in of officials.
The oath-taking ceremony for new lawmakers is set to take place early 2022.
The main chamber of the Legislative complex is undergoing an expansion to accommodate 20 extra lawmakers destined to sit in the newly-expanded legislature.
Although more lawmakers will be sworn in, democratic representation was reduced by around half following the Beijing-led overhaul of the system in May 2021.
Source: Citizen News, HKFP; #Dec17
https://www.hkcnews.com/article/49208/%E7%AB%8B%E6%B3%95%E6%9C%83-%E5%9C%8B%E5%BE%BD-%E5%AE%A3%E8%AA%93%E5%B0%B1%E8%81%B7-49234/%E7%AB%8B%E6%B3%95%E6%9C%83%E6%9C%83%E8%AD%B0%E5%BB%B3%E6%94%B9%E6%8E%9B%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B%E5%9C%8B%E5%BE%BD
HK Authorities Replace Hong Kong’s #Bauhinia Insignia with Chinese Emblem in #LegislativeCouncil
The change, ahead of the “patriots only” legislative election, is said in line with the National Flag and National Emblem Ordinance, which states that it must be displayed for the swearing-in of officials.
The oath-taking ceremony for new lawmakers is set to take place early 2022.
The main chamber of the Legislative complex is undergoing an expansion to accommodate 20 extra lawmakers destined to sit in the newly-expanded legislature.
Although more lawmakers will be sworn in, democratic representation was reduced by around half following the Beijing-led overhaul of the system in May 2021.
Source: Citizen News, HKFP; #Dec17
https://www.hkcnews.com/article/49208/%E7%AB%8B%E6%B3%95%E6%9C%83-%E5%9C%8B%E5%BE%BD-%E5%AE%A3%E8%AA%93%E5%B0%B1%E8%81%B7-49234/%E7%AB%8B%E6%B3%95%E6%9C%83%E6%9C%83%E8%AD%B0%E5%BB%B3%E6%94%B9%E6%8E%9B%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B%E5%9C%8B%E5%BE%BD
#Court #Censorship
Hong Kong Court Asks Man to Change Mask With Suspected Protest Iconography
#CarolNg, former chairperson of Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (#HKCTU) and one of the “#NSL47”, has been remained under custody. She has requested bail on #Dec20, 2021 to the High Court, and the application was processed by Esther Toh Lye Ping, one of the designated judges for any #NationalSecurityLaw-related cases.
A court observer have worn a yellow and black mask with the #Bible verse (Amos 5:24), “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream,” embroidered on it.
He was denied entry by security and court personnel under orders of the judge, and demanded that he change his mask before he would be allowed entry. They have not explained their reasons behind this act.
The observer was disgruntled by the request, and questioned, “If my clothes were not allowed in court, do I have to take them off them too?”
A similar incident also happened on #Dec17, 2021, when former head of the English edition of Apple Daily #LoFung (Fung Wai-kwong) requested bail.
Before the hearing began, Toh, through her secretary and Bailiffs, required observers wearing yellow masks or wearing hoodies with yellow umbrella insignias to change into “more appropriate” clothing, or be led away from the courtroom.
Some observers have questioned the requirement, questioning that those were “unsuitable” clothing, to which the Chief Bailiff stated, “it is inappropriate,” without further explaination.
Source: InMedia #Dec20
https://bit.ly/3slkoAG
#Mask #Injustice #Save47
Hong Kong Court Asks Man to Change Mask With Suspected Protest Iconography
#CarolNg, former chairperson of Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (#HKCTU) and one of the “#NSL47”, has been remained under custody. She has requested bail on #Dec20, 2021 to the High Court, and the application was processed by Esther Toh Lye Ping, one of the designated judges for any #NationalSecurityLaw-related cases.
A court observer have worn a yellow and black mask with the #Bible verse (Amos 5:24), “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream,” embroidered on it.
He was denied entry by security and court personnel under orders of the judge, and demanded that he change his mask before he would be allowed entry. They have not explained their reasons behind this act.
The observer was disgruntled by the request, and questioned, “If my clothes were not allowed in court, do I have to take them off them too?”
A similar incident also happened on #Dec17, 2021, when former head of the English edition of Apple Daily #LoFung (Fung Wai-kwong) requested bail.
Before the hearing began, Toh, through her secretary and Bailiffs, required observers wearing yellow masks or wearing hoodies with yellow umbrella insignias to change into “more appropriate” clothing, or be led away from the courtroom.
Some observers have questioned the requirement, questioning that those were “unsuitable” clothing, to which the Chief Bailiff stated, “it is inappropriate,” without further explaination.
Source: InMedia #Dec20
https://bit.ly/3slkoAG
#Mask #Injustice #Save47
獨立媒體
旁聽人士戴《聖經》字句「公義」口罩被拒入庭 職員僅稱是法官指示 | 獨媒報導 | 獨立媒體
（獨媒報導）
#Propaganda
China Ordered #Amazon to Delete Reviews of #XiJinping’s Book
Source: Bloomberg; Reuters #Dec17
Read more
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China Ordered #Amazon to Delete Reviews of #XiJinping’s Book
Source: Bloomberg; Reuters #Dec17
Read more
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#Propaganda
China Ordered #Amazon to Delete Reviews of #XiJinping’s Book
//Amazon.com Inc.’s efforts to curry favor with the Chinese government included quieting criticism of President Xi Jinping’s book on its Chinese outlet, according to a Reuters report.
The Amazon.cn entry for Xi’s “The Governance of China” had its ratings, comments and reviews scrubbed and disabled roughly two years ago in response to an edict from Beijing, the report said. Triggering the request were reviews rating the work at less than the maximum five stars, according to one of the unidentified people familiar with the incident...
The experience recounted in the report mirrors that of Apple Inc., which has grown increasingly compliant with Beijing in recent years. Apple complied with 97% of requests from the Chinese government for user device information in 2019, up significantly from 65% in 2014.
Reviews for Xi’s book of speeches and writings are blocked only on Amazon’s Chinese website. One Amazon.com entry has received 74% five-star reviews.
Other U.S. firms, such as Yahoo! and Microsoft Corp.’s LinkedIn, have, by contrast, exited the Chinese market this year, citing an increasingly challenging business and legal environment in the country.//
Read Reuters' report:
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/amazon-partnered-with-china-propaganda-arm-win-beijings-favor-document-shows-2021-12-17/
Source: Bloomberg; Reuters #Dec17
#CCP #Censorship #Kowtow
China Ordered #Amazon to Delete Reviews of #XiJinping’s Book
//Amazon.com Inc.’s efforts to curry favor with the Chinese government included quieting criticism of President Xi Jinping’s book on its Chinese outlet, according to a Reuters report.
The Amazon.cn entry for Xi’s “The Governance of China” had its ratings, comments and reviews scrubbed and disabled roughly two years ago in response to an edict from Beijing, the report said. Triggering the request were reviews rating the work at less than the maximum five stars, according to one of the unidentified people familiar with the incident...
The experience recounted in the report mirrors that of Apple Inc., which has grown increasingly compliant with Beijing in recent years. Apple complied with 97% of requests from the Chinese government for user device information in 2019, up significantly from 65% in 2014.
Reviews for Xi’s book of speeches and writings are blocked only on Amazon’s Chinese website. One Amazon.com entry has received 74% five-star reviews.
Other U.S. firms, such as Yahoo! and Microsoft Corp.’s LinkedIn, have, by contrast, exited the Chinese market this year, citing an increasingly challenging business and legal environment in the country.//
Read Reuters' report:
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/amazon-partnered-with-china-propaganda-arm-win-beijings-favor-document-shows-2021-12-17/
Source: Bloomberg; Reuters #Dec17
#CCP #Censorship #Kowtow
Reuters
Amazon partnered with China propaganda arm
Amazon.com Inc was marketing a collection of President Xi Jinping's speeches and writings on its Chinese website about two years ago, when Beijing delivered an edict, according to two people familiar with the incident. The American e-commerce giant must stop…