THE PLA HIRES WESTERN PILOTS AND EXPERTS AS TRAINERS
The PLA is recruiting fighter pilots, flight engineers, and technical experts familiar with Western military tactics, techniques, and procedures to train its air force personnel. The program, which targets current and retired military officers from NATO countries and other Western states, uses clandestine companies based in South Africa and China to recruit prospects through friends, emails, and professional networking. Disguising their ties to Beijing, they offer lucrative pay and the chance to fly exotic aircraft. The intelligence agencies of the "Five Eyes" countries – the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand – have warned their respective militaries that training PLA pilots would "put their colleagues at risk." "Poaching Western military expertise enables the PLA to advance its air capabilities, improve planning for future operations, and better counter Western military strategies, all to the detriment of the U.S., its partners and allies and their service members," their joint report found. (Washington Times, June 5, 2024)
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Former Marine Corps pilot Daniel Duggan is facing extradition to the U.S. from Australia on charges he illegally trained PLA pilots to land on aircraft carriers. In 2022, the UK warned its military personnel not to train PLA pilots at the South African flight training academy where Duggan, who has renounced his U.S. citizenship, once worked.]
MSS LAUNCHES "ZERO TOLERANCE" CRACKDOWN ON FAKE OFFICIALS
The Ministry of Public Security has called on government agencies to target scammers who dupe people by impersonating officials from government ministries or state-owned companies. Last week, the ministry launched a nationwide "zero tolerance" crackdown on those who impersonate officials to defraud investors and/or sell fake official seals. The racket has "severely damaged the image of the CPC and the government and disrupted social and economic order," the ministry said. To maintain a "good business environment," law enforcement should uncover illegal fundraising, contract fraud, and illegal deposits. In November, more than 20 ministries, agencies and state-owned enterprises issued "fraud prevention statements" warning the public about impostors. In one case in Dezhou, Shandong, criminals claiming to have "government backing" defrauded 286 victims of almost 29 million yuan ($4 million). Fraudsters are using technologies such as AI and facial and voice recognition to create realistic simulations for scams. (South China Morning Post, June 7, 2024)
CHINA, PAKISTAN UPGRADE THEIR ECONOMIC CORRIDOR
Xi Jinping has agreed with visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to upgrade the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the road and rail system linking Xinjiang to Pakistan's Gwadar Port. Xi called on Sharif to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and projects in Pakistan. During his five-day visit, Sharif offered his condolences for the deaths of five Chinese workers in a suicide bombing in Pakistan in March and guaranteed their future security in Pakistan. Sharif is making his first trip to China since his election in March. (Associated Press, June 7, 2024)
ARMS SALES SHOWS U.S. "COMMITMENT TO DEFENSE" AGAINST CHINA – TAIPEI
The U.S. has approved the sale of $300 million in equipment and spare parts to Taiwan for its F-16 fighter jets. The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced the approvals, which it said would help Taiwan "meet the needs of defense operations," adding that: "Military intimidation will not contribute to regional peace and we call on the CCP to stop all kinds of irrational behaviors against Taiwan." Taiwan's defense ministry expressed gratitude for the parts, which it expects to receive next month. (Defense Post, June 7, 2024)
CHINA BUILDS FLOATING NUCLEAR REACTORS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA
China is building a series of floating nuclear power stations, or mobile "power banks," in the contested South China Sea. Placed on ships, the reactors, which operate at about 25% the capacity of a standard land-based nuclear power station, will power vessels, military infrastructure, airports and other facilities on China's artificial islands. "Anything that supports their military presence in those islands is technically a threat to our national security," said Philippine General Jonathan Malaya. China began constructing 20 floating nuclear reactors in 2016, but in May 2023 claimed that it had suspended construction. (Newsweek, June 11, 2024)