CHINA TO LAUNCH STATE-OWNED RIDE-HAILING PLATFORM
In response to "disorderly expansion and data security problems" in the transportation sector, China is launching Qiangguo Jiaotong, which means "Strong Country Transportation," a state-owned transportation platform that includes ride-hailing and flight services. The system has completed internal testing and will soon launch its ride-hailing service for the public. It was established by the Ministry of Transport and Xuexi Qiangguo, a mobile platform set up to disseminate Xi Jinping's philosophy. Qiangguo Jiaotong has consolidated the services of dozens of ride-hailing companies and will eventually control more than 90% of the market. It is unclear if the platform will only consolidate private apps or will also introduce its own ride-hailing services. (Nikkei Asia, January 18, 2023)
CHINA'S INTERNET CENSORS GEAR UP DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR
The Cyberspace Administration of China has launched a monthlong "Spring Festival internet environment rectification" campaign to crack down on online "misbehavior." Censors have been ordered to "increase the rectification of pandemic-related online rumors" by deleting "gloomy emotions" and any content that "causes social panic," "spreads anxiety" and "plays up the dark side of society." Posts that "fabricate pandemic trends," spread "fictitious patient experiences," or show ostentatious displays of wealth, factories closing, or excessive celebrity gossip, will also to be scrubbed. (Quartz, January 19, 2023)
CHINESE, LOCAL WORKERS CLASH AT INDONESIA NICKEL SMELTER
Chinese and local workers have clashed at a nickel smelter in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, leaving two people dead and part of the facility burned down. Police said the violence-which broke out at a subsidiary of China's Jiangsu Delong Nickel Industry Co.-involved the use of pipes and rocks. When striking Indonesian workers entered the smelter, they were attacked by Chinese workers. The locals then forced their way into the facility and set the mess halls, dozens of rooms and heavy machinery on fire. Tensions at the site began last month after two Indonesian workers burned to death in a workplace accident. The clashes occurred after the labor union called for a strike over unaddressed safety issues and unfair pay practices. (Wall Street Journal, January 16, 2023)
DRC PRESIDENT DEMANDS MORE FROM CHINA DEAL
Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi has criticized his country's $6.2 billion minerals-for-infrastructure contract with China at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. "The Chinese, they've made a lot of money and made a lot of profit from this contract. Now our need is simply to re-balance things in a way that it becomes win-win. We're happy to be friends with the Chinese, but the contract was badly drawn up, very badly. Today, the DRC has derived no benefit from it. There's nothing tangible, no positive impact, I'd say, for our population. You know, the Chinese are the champions of marathon discussions. They're known worldwide for it. We're undergoing this experience now," Tshisekedi said. The contract renegotiation is part of the DRC's effort to get more for its resources and to push Beijing to release millions in promised infrastructure financing. (Bloomberg, January 19, 2023)
FBI SEEKS VICTIMS OF CHINA'S OVERSEAS PRESSURE CAMPAIGN
Beijing's "transnational repression" targets dissidents in the Chinese diaspora, including pro-democracy activists and members of minority groups persecuted in China. In response, the FBI has purchased Mandarin-language Facebook ads asking anyone who has faced cyberstalking, physical or online harassment, assault or extortion to contact the Bureau's Philadelphia field office. "You may be a victim of transnational repression by the Chinese government," the ads read. The FBI said it "addresses transnational threat issues in many ways, to include social media ads, threat intimidation guides in multiple different languages, and on our website at fbi.gov. Many victims are not aware transnational repression is illegal. As a result, the FBI strives to educate communities about TNR, the methods used, and how to report to the FBI." It's unclear why the ads target Philadelphia. (Axios, January 11, 2023)
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