| CHINA ISSUES NEW CENTRALIZED VIRTUAL INTERNET ID China is issuing a centralized virtual ID that will allow users to sign in across different social media apps and websites. According to its published rules, the new system – which was released in late May and will be implemented in mid-July – aims to "protect citizens' information, and support the healthy and orderly development of the digital economy." Although the new internet ID is "voluntary," Beijing is encouraging its uptake and hundreds of apps have already started using it on a trial basis. "This is a state-led, unified identity system capable of real-time monitoring and blocking of users. It can directly erase voices it doesn't like from the internet, so it's more than just a surveillance tool – it is an infrastructure of digital totalitarianism," says Xiao Qiang of the University of California, Berkeley. (CNN, June 20, 2025) CHINA-AFRICA TRADE, DEFICITS SOAR According to official PRC data, China's trade with African countries hit a record high in the first five months of this year. China-Africa trade increased 12.4 percent year-on-year in the January-May period to $134 billion (963.21 billion yuan), accounting for 5.4 percent of the country's total foreign trade. China's exports to Africa rose 20.2 percent to $83 billion (599.57 billion yuan) in the same time period, while its imports grew 1.6 percent, to $50 billion (363.64 billion yuan). (People's Daily, June 9, 2025) NIGER'S JUNTA EXPELS PRC OIL EXECUTIVES Early this year, China lent Niger's military junta $400 million to be repaid over 12 months via oil shipments. That, however, did not stop Niger from expelling three Chinese oil executives in March over wage disparities between expatriate staff and local workers, as well as revoking the license of a Chinese-owned hotel in Niamey citing "discriminatory practices and administrative violations." Last month, Niger ordered the Soraz oil refinery, which is operated by China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), to terminate expatriate employees with more than four years of service. Last year, rebel attacks around the oil pipeline halted flows, causing big losses for CNPC. (South China Morning Post, June 10, 2025) CHINA SELLS FIGHTER JETS AND WEAPONS TO PAKISTAN AND AZERBAIJAN China is selling Pakistan and Azerbaijan high-tech fighter jets, missile shields, and surveillance aircraft. Pakistan confirmed China's offer of 40 fifth-generation Shenyang J-35 stealth fighters, KJ-500 AEW&C aircraft and HQ-19 air defense systems. Pakistan's J-35 aircraft, which debuted last year as a rival to the U.S. F-35 Lightning II, are set to arrive in coming months. In a separate $4.6 billion deal, Azerbaijan will buy 40 JF-17 fighter jets produced jointly by the Chengdu Aircraft Corp. and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex. The JF-17 is a substantial upgrade over Azerbaijan's Soviet-era MiG-29 jets. (Asia Times, June 12, 2025) [EDITOR'S NOTE: The KJ-500 provides 360-degree radar coverage, and is capable of tracking up to 100 targets over a 470 km range while coordinating air operations through advanced electronic intelligence. The J-35 fighter is armed with PL-17 missiles and has a range of over 400 km, enabling Pakistan to target high-value Indian aerial assets from beyond visual range. The HQ-19 system, also known as "China's THAAD," can intercept high-altitude and hypersonic missiles.] CONGRESS INVESTIGATES BILLIONAIRE'S CPC LINKS The Senate Committee on the Judiciary is looking into Neville Roy Singham's links to the CPC. Singham is being called to testify regarding his funding of radical anti-Israel and Marxist groups, including the Party for Liberation and Socialism. In April, the Senate Judiciary Committee urged the Department of Justice to investigate the anti-war group Code Pink and The People's Forum, both of which are leftist activist groups affiliated with Singham and his wife Jodie Evans, who co-founded the former and sits on the latter's board. "Evidence suggests that The People's Forum and Code Pink have engaged in political activities that directly advance the communist Chinese government's political and policy interests," Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has said. (New York Post, June 11, 2025) |
|
Copyright (c) 2025, American Foreign Policy Council. All rights reserved.
