AS U.S. TIGHTENS SANCTIONS, CHINESE FIRMS CURB RUSSIAN OIL IMPORTS
Following the sanctions levied on January 10th by the Biden administration on Russian oil producers Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz, PRC oil firms Sinopec and Zhenhua Oil have halted purchases altogether, while PetroChina and CNOOC have scaled back imports while "contemplating if there are ways to work around." Russia is China's largest oil supplier, providing up to 20% of the crude consumed by the world's top importer. The sanctioned Russian firms had cumulatively exported about 1.2 million metric tons of oil per month to China, and falling Russian sales are eating into Moscow's profits. (Reuters, March 14, 2025)
PRC HACKERS STOLE BELGIAN STATE SECURITY EMAILS
In what could be the largest breach ever recorded, PRC hackers stole vast amounts of correspondence from Belgian state security services and the country's prosecutor's office, police, a ministerial cabinet and other institutions, as well as personal data, between 2021 and 2023. The hackers exploited a vulnerability in the email system of U.S. software supplier Barracuda, which was being used by both Belgian intelligence and the Belgian Pipeline Organization, which monitors pipelines in the North Sea. An internal audit by Belgium's State Security Service found the hackers accessed the agency's external email server, but could not access classified information since it was on an internal server. (Politico, February 26, 2025)
NEW CHINESE QUANTUM CHIP IS 1 QUADRILLION TIMES FASTER
Chinese researchers have developed a quantum processing unit (QPU) that is 1 quadrillion (10¹⁵) times faster than the world's best supercomputers. The new prototype 105-qubit chip, the Zuchongzhi 3.0, represents a significant step forward in quantum computing. "Our work not only advances the frontiers of quantum computing, but also lays the groundwork for a new era where quantum processors play an essential role in tackling sophisticated real-world challenges," the chip's creators at the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, Anhui, have said. The improvements, which enhance accuracy and minimize contamination, were made possible due to better fabrication methods and a more efficient design. (Live Science, March 13,2025)
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT SUSPENDS ACCESS FOR HUAWEI LOBBYISTS
The European Parliament has banned lobbyists from Huawei after Belgian prosecutors detained several individuals accused of using bribes to benefit the Chinese telecom giant. "On March 14 the parliament decided, as a precautionary measure, to suspend the access to parliament of representatives attached to the Huawei company with immediate effect," confirms a spokesperson. The company responded that "Huawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing, and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times." (Reuters, March 14, 2025)
U.S. SANCTIONS THAI OFFICIALS FOR SENDING UYGHURS BACK TO CHINA
The U.S. State Department has sanctioned and imposed visa restrictions on an unknown number of current and former Thai officials for their role in deporting 40 Uyghur men to China last week. Washington made multiple offers to resettle the Uyghurs before Bangkok deported them back to China, where many fear they will face imprisonment or worse. "We are committed to combating China's efforts to pressure governments to forcibly return Uyghurs and other groups to China, where they are subject to torture and enforced disappearances," said Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The PRC Embassy in Bangkok said the 40 "Chinese nationals" were returned home to Xinjiang where they were "reunited with their families." (Associated Press, March 15, 2025)