China’s online censors target short videos, artificial intelligence and ‘pessimism’ in latest crackdown

China’s online censors target short videos, artificial intelligence and ‘pessimism’ in latest crackdown

The country’s top censorship body has been running an annual online crackdown known as Qing Lang, which means clear and bright, since 2020. It said this year’s crackdown would benefit people’s mental health and create a healthy space for competition that would help the short video industry develop. The country’s best known short video platform … Read more

Mainland China urged to be ‘realistic’ and open communications with Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party

Mainland China urged to be ‘realistic’ and open communications with Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party

“China cut off communication channels with the DPP when Tsai Ing-wen was elected [as president in 2016] … I think that was an unrealistic stance. I wish China would moderate that stance and be willing to open channels, informal or formal,” said Douglas Paal, the head of the American Institute in Taiwan – the de … Read more

US political moves, war planning risk destabilising Taiwan Strait, analysts say

US political moves, war planning risk destabilising Taiwan Strait, analysts say

“More broadly, we need to think about how we can, and what tools we need, to help maintain the status quo.” 02:36 Mainland China launches military drill near Taiwan in ‘severe warning to separatist forces’ Mainland China launches military drill near Taiwan in ‘severe warning to separatist forces’ “I don’t think … that [Chinese President] … Read more

Chinese police arrest man for spreading stock market rumours amid prolonged equities slump

Chinese police arrest man for spreading stock market rumours amid prolonged equities slump

A man in the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan has been arrested for spreading rumours about the stock market amid a crackdown by law enforcement on acts that undermine the country’s fragile economic recovery. A 30-year-old man in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan and a commercial hub, was detained over suspicions he used news about … Read more

Taiwanese opposition parties remain deadlocked over joint ticket as election deadline looms

Taiwanese opposition parties remain deadlocked over joint ticket as election deadline looms

On Tuesday, Hou Yu-ih, the KMT’s presidential candidate and New Taipei mayor, proposed that the two sides each appoint their own pollsters to compare the polling, but this was rejected by TPP chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je. “There was no consensus at that time [Saturday] … and what’s the point of having more talks … Read more

China rolls out product carbon footprint directive in bid to meet global standards, wary of steep foreign taxes

China rolls out product carbon footprint directive in bid to meet global standards, wary of steep foreign taxes

The National Development and Reform Commission ( NDRC), China’s top economic planner, unveiled a directive on its website on Wednesday on building the country’s product carbon footprint system. The document is aimed at developing an internationally recognised system for counting the full life cycle of a product’s carbon footprint, which includes measuring the total greenhouse … Read more

China cracks down on theft of geographic data, warning of national security threat

China cracks down on theft of geographic data, warning of national security threat

“Some of the data is important and sensitive, and even involves state secrets, posing a serious threat to our national security,” it said, without naming specific GIS software. Cyber dangers threaten China’s infrastructure, state security chief warns The ministry noted that as information technology advances, GIS data is both “an important strategic data resource” and … Read more

Taiwanese pilot planned to defect to mainland China with US-made army helicopter, court told

Taiwanese pilot planned to defect to mainland China with US-made army helicopter, court told

A Taiwanese army pilot was offered US$15 million to defect by landing an US-made transport helicopter on a People’s Liberation Army Navy aircraft carrier during a military drill near the island, according to prosecutors. But the scheme fell through after the officer was arrested in August for allegedly spying for Beijing, a Taiwan court has … Read more

Ex-Xinjiang official under investigation by China’s top anti-corruption watchdog

Ex-Xinjiang official under investigation by China’s top anti-corruption watchdog

Xinjiang’s former education chief Li Pengxin has been detained by China’s top anti-corruption watchdog. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) said on its website on Monday that Li, 63, the former deputy secretary of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region’s party committee and secretary of the region’s education work committee, was being investigated for “suspected … Read more

Exiled China Aids activist Gao Yaojie has died in New York, aged 95

Exiled China Aids activist Gao Yaojie has died in New York, aged 95

Despite her declining health, Gao devoted her years in New York – where she lived in a one-bedroom Manhattan flat – to writing books about China’s handling of the Aids crisis. Gao lost part of her stomach during the Cultural Revolution and could hardly eat anything but noodles and buns. Her hearing was also impaired … Read more