HONG KONG INSTALLS THOUSANDS OF SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS
Police in Hong Kong have launched a campaign to install thousands of cameras equipped with facial recognition and AI technology. This year, the force plans to install 2000 new surveillance cameras, with even more to be added in subsequent years. Although Hong Kong is considered one of the safest cities in the world, law enforcement authorities argue that the new cameras are necessary to combat crime. Eight of the ten most surveilled cities in the world, when measured per capita, are in China, where facial recognition technology has become a part of daily life. "I think it's fair to anticipate that the use of CCTV and facial recognition technology in Hong Kong will begin to look a lot like those in mainland China over time," says Samantha Hoffman of the National Bureau of Asian Research. (CNN, October 5, 2024)
TEACHERS AND PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS MUST HAND IN THEIR PASSPORTS
Beijing has initiated a nationwide passport collection drive that enables local authorities to control and monitor international travel. Public sector employees, including most staff at schools, universities, local governments, and state-owned enterprises, are required to surrender their passports. In March, teachers in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, were instructed to submit their passports and register their names with the public security bureau's border control unit. To travel abroad, teachers must apply through their schools and are limited to one trip per year lasting less than 20 days. Those who refuse to surrender their passports or travel without permission may face "criticism and education," be referred to anti-corruption authorities, or receive a 2-5 year travel ban. Workers in state-owned companies must now gain approval from nine different departments before taking an overseas vacation. (Daily Mail, October 7, 2024)
BEIJING GIVES LOCAL GOVERNMENTS $28 BILLION TO MEET TARGETS
The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has announced a 200 billion yuan ($28 billion) stimulus package to assist local governments struggling with significant debt — 100 billion yuan from the central government's budget and another 100 billion yuan for investment projects. Officials have acknowledged "new situations and problems" in the economy and pledged to boost fiscal spending, stabilize the property market, and improve job opportunities for recent graduates and migrant workers. "The NDRC provided a clear message today that policymakers will continue with a pro-growth stance. Nevertheless, investors were disappointed," said Fred Neumann, chief Asia economist for HSBC. (CNN, October 8, 2024)
BALOCH SUICIDE BOMBER KILLS 2 CHINESE NEAR KARACHI AIRPORT
The Baloch Liberation Army, a Pakistani separatist group, has claimed responsibility for bombing a convoy of Chinese nationals outside Karachi airport, resulting in the deaths of two Chinese workers and injuries to eight others. Among the wounded were the police officers who were escorting the convoy. A spokesman for the group stated that their suicide bomber specifically targeted the convoy of Chinese engineers and investors as they left the airport. The outlawed group, which has long waged an insurgency for independence, has repeatedly threatened and attacked Chinese workers in Balochistan. The incidents are raising concerns about the ability of Pakistani forces to keep foreigners secure in the country, just a week before Islamabad is set to host the latest summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. (Associated Press, October 7, 2024)
CHINA'S CHERY ASSEMBLES CARS IN RUSSIAN PLANTS VACATED BY WESTERN RIVALS
Chinese carmaker Chery has begun assembling cars at Russian factories previously operated by Volkswagen, Mercedes, and Nissan. Since most Western manufacturers withdrew following Moscow's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Chinese carmakers have captured over half of the Russian car market. In addition to importing finished vehicles, Chery, which accounts for nearly a fifth of Russia's passenger car sales, is bringing in nearly finished cars and completing their assembly in three Russian factories in St. Petersburg, a strategy the company calls "semi knocked down." (Reuters, October 10, 2024)