Current Events

[Randy W]

Beijing Shoots Itself in Foot with ’10-Dash Line’ Map
Tone-deaf timing of map’s publication a slap in the face of neighboring nations, G-20

from AsiaSentinel

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The map has effectively revealed where China stands vis-à-vis the dispute: it sees even more of the entire sea as its own, and it extends its hegemony into Indian territory as well.

The map not only rejects the 2016 international court ruling that its so-called ‘nine-dash line’ was without merit and superseded by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) but extends it unto new territory. In effect, the message Beijing has sent is this: China does not respect a rules-based international order. The message becomes even clearer considering its timing. In July, China and the ASEAN states reached agreement on guidelines to accelerate negotiations for developing and implementing a new Code of Conduct on the South China Sea. While efforts for such a code remain underway, the map shows Beijing’s active attempts at presenting the relevant states with a fait accompli and its refusal to respect other states’ interests.

This shift is thus a complete contrast to Wang Yi’s recent message to his Thai counterpart that Beijing supports the Code of Conduct and is willing to “make effective and meaningful regional rules that can make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation”. More than ever, however, the South China Sea is for China only, as the latter called the map an “exercise of sovereignty.”

 

 

 

[Randy W]

On 9/5/2023 at 9:10 PM, Randy W said:

A new baijiu-flavored latte from Kweichou Moutai and Luckin Coffee is making waves on Chinese social media. Response to the drink, which debuted Monday and costs $5.20, has been sharply divided, with some saying it makes them want to vomit. After a few drinkers questioned whether the product might lead to an uptick in drunken driving, Luckin released a statement claiming it contains just 0.5% alcohol by volume.

from the Sixth Tone on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/sixthtone/posts/pfbid02MhYosxUBb3UGyS1jcFTkTUAFZu9yMchPDTtwPP6ka79G2QrPCxfLQgHzkWkitiwYl

 

 

Because, well . . . why not??

MOUTAI and Luckin Coffee launched the Baijiu-flavored coffee and that's been a huge hit in China. Now MOUTAI and Dove Chocolate are coming up with Baijiu-flavored chocolate. What new thing do you think it will come up with? 
#Moutai #Dove #baijiu

https://www.facebook.com/groups/chineseculturelab/permalink/636916245158438/?mibextid=Nif5oz

[Randy W]

Young Chinese are increasingly using Tinder to hunt for potential job openings. The difficulty in accessing the dating app is actually one of the reasons why some young Chinese consider it an ideal networking platform. The user base is skewed toward people who have studied overseas or work for international companies.

Read more: https://ow.ly/HF3o50PMCfH

from the Sixth Tone on Facebook
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Swipe Right to Hire Me: How Tinder Became China’s Hottest Networking App
Young Chinese are increasingly using the dating app to hunt for potential job openings amid soaring graduate unemployment. But the trend is sparking concern among the platform’s users — and inside Tinder itself.

Songsong’s Tinder posts advertising herself to potential employers. Courtesy of Songsong

[Randy W]

Beijing says it uncovered US National Security Agency operatives behind cyberattack on Chinese university

• ‘Second Date’ software used in Northwestern Polytechnical University attack is potent cyber espionage tool developed by US agency, says state media
• After global tracing, Chinese team reportedly found ‘thousands of network devices’ across the country still infected by the spyware and its derivatives

from the SCMP

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State-run CCTV said on Thursday that China’s National Computer Virus Emergency Response Centre, with help from Chinese antivirus company 360 Total Security, had discovered the identity of the National Security Agency (NSA) operative or operatives – the broadcaster did not specify how many or name them – after it extracted “multiple samples” of a spyware called “Second Date”.

It said the spyware was used in the cyberattack on Northwestern Polytechnical University in Shaanxi province.

 . . .

The report said technical analysis showed that Second Date was a cyberespionage weapon developed by the NSA to sniff out and hijack network traffic and insert malicious codes.

Quoting senior engineer at the National Computer Virus Emergency Response Centre Du Zhenhua, it said software was a potent cyberespionage tool that enabled attackers to take control of target network devices and the data traffic flowing through them, and use them as a “forward base” for the next stage of attacks. It could run on various operating systems and was compatible with multiple architectures.

 

 

[Randy W]

From making requests for their owner’s funeral attire to sharing their plans in the afterlife, pet psychics in China are making pets’ voices heard — and making big bucks while doing it.

 Though there is no scientific evidence that pet psychics can communicate with animals, several pet owners told Sixth Tone the service has helped them get over the deaths of their beloved pets.

Read more: https://ow.ly/s8or50PN9ow

from the Sixth Tone on Facebook 
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In China, Pet Psychics and Their True Believers
From making requests for their owner’s funeral attire to sharing their plans in the afterlife, pet psychics in China are making pets’ voices heard — and making big bucks while doing it.

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Hugely popular in Taiwan, the service has been growing in popularity on the Chinese mainland in recent months, with state media Xinhua News Agency profiling a Taiwanese entrepreneur on her booming pet psychic business in China in June.

 . . .

These psychics claim to be able to “communicate” with a pet using simply a photo and a name. During Bei’s session with Fu, conducted over the phone, Bei told Fu that Bobby did not want to be part of their family in another life, because he wants to live his own life.

“That’s exactly what Bobby would say,” said Fu, explaining that he was raised in a factory and was often alone. Bei also told Fu that Bobby wanted her to wear a purple sweater at his funeral — which she just so happened to own. 

“I’ve actually had many pets before and some of them died suddenly … This kind of service provides a better way for us to accept the cruel reality,” Fu said. 

 

 

[Randy W]

India protests after 3 athletes unable to enter China for Asian Games

• Martial arts athletes are from India’s northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, a region that is claimed by China
• They were reportedly approved to take part but could not download their accreditation cards, which act as visas

from the SCMP

The Chinese city of Hangzhou is hosting the Asian Games until October 8. Photo: Kyodo
 

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A Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman on Friday said the country welcomed athletes from all countries “with valid legal documents”, suggesting Beijing did not recognise the Indian passports.

“The Chinese government has never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh, and the Zangnan region is part of Chinese territory,” spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular press conference in Beijing.

Meanwhile, a senior Olympic Council of Asia official denied the three athletes had been barred, saying they had been issued visas for the Hangzhou Asian Games.

“These Indian athletes already got a visa to enter China. China didn’t refuse any visa,” OCA honorary life vice-president Wei Jizhong, who is from China, told reporters in Hangzhou. “But unfortunately these athletes didn’t accept the visa.”

In previous cases involving Indian athletes travelling to sports events in China, a “stapled visa” on a separate piece of paper has been issued to those originating from Arunachal Pradesh to avoid stamping their passports issued by the Indian government.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has previously issued travel warnings to Indian citizens, saying that China’s alternative paper visas were not valid at the time of exiting India.

 

 

 

[Randy W]

Chinese TV series “I am Nobody” has attracted much attention since its launch in August due to the involvement of virtual actor “Lili,” who is created using AI. The crew previously revealed it would have taken one month to create the character using traditional special effects, but with the use of a “virtual actor,” the process only took one week. Impressed netizens have been surprised to learn that Lili is not a real actor.
Check out more Daily Tones: https://ow.ly/Kk8H50PPvS1

from the Sixth Tone on Facebook
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[I Am Nobody] EP19 | College Boy Got Superpower | Peng Yuchang / Hou Minghao / Wang Yinglu | YOUKU

[I Am Nobody 异人之下] Zhang Chulan (starring Peng Yuchang), an ordinary young man, gets entangled in an unprecedented world of "outsiders" when his grandfather's body mysteriously disappears. Facing unexpected pursuit from the Sinister Pleasure, a relentless organization, and the sudden appearance of an enigmatic girl Feng Baobao (starring Wang Yinglu), Zhang Chulan decides to no longer hide his superpower. As Zhang delves into his grandfather's past, he gradually becomes part of the world of outsiders, where the mysteries of history start to unravel. Behind it all lies a shocking secret, and Feng's mysterious origins seem to hold the key to the truth. The young outsiders fight shoulder to shoulder to overcome the challenges and become friends who have each other's back. On their journey of growth, each one searches for their sense of righteousness, while a battle between good and evil looms on the horizon...

★Starring: Peng Yuchang / Hou Minghao / Wang Yinglu / Wang Xueqi / Bi Wenjun / Jiang Peiyao / Wang Yizhe / Wanyan Luorong / Daisy / Zhang Qi / Jing Yanjun / Liu Renyu / Xu Yue / Zhang Chenxiao / Xu Hao / Hao Shaowen / Kang Kang/Niu Chao/Shen Baoping/Xiu Qing/Li Ming/Wang Kuirong/Yang Enyou/Mi Er/Zhu Zijie
★27 Episodes

[I Am Nobody] EP19 | College Boy Got Superpower | Peng Yuchang / Hou Minghao / Wang Yinglu | YOUKU

[Randy W]

Chinese artists boycott big social media platform over AI-generated images

A screen shot shows AI boycott messages by artists on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu.

from CNN

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The controversy began in August when an illustrator who goes by the name Snow Fish accused the privately owned social media site Xiaohongshu of using her work to train its AI tool, Trik AI, without her knowledge or permission.

Trik AI specializes in generating digital art in the style of traditional Chinese paintings; it is still undergoing testing and has not yet been formally launched.

Snow Fish, whom CNN is identifying by her Xiaohongshu username for privacy reasons, said she first became aware of the issue when friends sent her posts of artwork from the platform that looked strikingly similar to her own style: sweeping brush-like strokes, bright pops of red and orange, and depictions of natural scenery.

 

 

[Randy W]

Once seen as dirty and disorganized, wet markets are now drawing the attention of young Chinese travelers, signaling a growing appreciation for authentic local experiences.

from the Sixth Tone on Facebook 
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Old Markets, New Appeal: Young Chinese Rediscover Wet Markets
Amid renewed interest, wet markets in China are evolving too, merging modern amenities with traditional charm to cater to younger, experience-driven tourists.

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From the central Henan province, Zhang says she’s always been drawn to exploring these bustling markets, which offer a vast array of fresh products at bargain prices. “Eating breakfast in the wet market is the best way to truly understand regional eating habits and observe local life,” she told Sixth Tone on Sunday. 

For Zhang, exploring wet markets isn’t just a fleeting interest — it’s a travel ritual. Over the past two years, she’s ventured to more than a dozen wet markets in various cities across the country. From the fresh seafood of eastern Zhejiang to the heady mix of spices in northwestern Xinjiang, each market offers unique allure that often tempts her to stay longer.

 

 

[Randy W]

Another typhoon passing by

Hong Kong drenched and battered by weakening Typhoon Koinu
Schools closed as city issues second ‘black’ rain warning – its highest – in a month amid torrential rain, strong winds.

from Al Jazeera

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The Hong Kong Observatory issued a “black” rainstorm warning – its highest – for about six hours before it was downgraded at 10.30am (02:30 GMT), a month after the city was paralysed by the worst floods in 140 years.

While Koinu, which killed one person in Taiwan last week, had weakened into a severe tropical storm, it still brought significant disruption.

Schools and childcare centres were ordered to shut and the morning session at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange was suspended. Trade was expected to resume at 2pm (06:00 GMT).

Hundreds of passengers were stranded at Hong Kong’s airport overnight and underground metro stations as Koinu disrupted flights and transport, public broadcaster RTHK reported.

 

 

 

 

Edited October 10, 2023 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

As Chinese families cut costs, studying abroad goes on the chopping block

• Popularity of overseas education wanes as incomes tighten and domestic institutions continue to improve
• Fierce competition for jobs, higher tuitions reduce potential benefit, but some students continue to pursue opportunities internationally

from the SCMP

Shiyu Bao, centre, and her fellow classmates who are international students from China, get ready to take pictures in their graduation gowns around campus at the University of Sydney on July 4, 2020. Families are rethinking sending their students to study abroad amid changed economic circumstances. Photo: Reuters

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“I had never done this type of physical labour before,” said the 21-year-old, who came to Finland last year to pursue an undergraduate degree in international business.

But now she is able to plant up to 800 saplings per day. Each one will earn her 0.11 euros (12 US cents).

The summer job is essential for Wang to continue her studies. Her parents’ business back in China, an overseas study agency, was on the decline during the coronavirus pandemic and eventually went bankrupt before the zero-Covid policy was abandoned at the end of last year.

Many Chinese students studying overseas have encountered similar financial issues. The country’s total cohort of outbound students reached a record high of 703,500 in 2019, but plunged to 450,900 in 2020 before recovering and hitting 662,100 last year, according to data from the Chinese Ministry of Education.

The three-year pandemic dealt a heavy blow to the Chinese economy in general, plunging its annual growth from 6.0 per cent in 2019 to the average of 5.2 per cent in the past two years. But small businesses were among those which were hit the hardest, and their post-Covid recovery has been slow.

“Owners of small and medium enterprises and middle-class families are often the main force behind studying abroad,” said Chen Jianwei, an associate researcher at the Beijing-based University of International Business and Economics.

 

 

[Randy W]

Replace ‘Tibet’ with ‘Xizang’ on product translations, Chinese e-commerce platform warns its online retailers

• Weidian advises millions of merchants to stop using ‘Tibet’ in English product descriptions, or face removal
• Notice follows a foreign ministry readout which used ‘Xizang’ as the official Chinese translation for the autonomous region

from the SCMP 

An order to overhaul the English translations of all product names and details referring to “Tibet” appeared in a notice issued by the e-commerce platform Weidian on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua
 

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Weidian, China’s version of Shopify, enables small and midsized entrepreneurs to set up online stores. According to its official website, Weidian operates more than 90 million online retail outlets with a trading volume of 100 billion yuan (US$13.7 billion).

The platform warned merchants their products would be removed if they displayed the word “Tibet”. No deadline for the transition was mentioned.

The announcement cited a foreign ministry English readout of an address by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a regional forum in Tibet on October 5, which used “Xizang” as the official translation for Tibet.

 

 

[Randy W]

IN A MINUTE: Australian journalist ‘fragile’ after release from China detention #shorts

 

An Australian business television anchor for CGTN

 

[Randy W]

Armed with beefy venture capital investments, Chinese fast-food brands are winning over consumers with a combination of aggressive price cuts and patriotic marketing tactics.

Read more: https://ow.ly/gKPK50PYU2A

from the Sixth Tone on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/sixthtone/posts/pfbid024WPqhdR4gQDGzjdcgSvwMH33szg9YmerQtZ7Xk2fsnzSPooJymzJcFWHie97TBUl

 

 

The Chinese Burger Startups Vying to Take a Bite Out of KFC

Armed with beefy venture capital investments, Chinese fast-food brands are winning over consumers with a combination of aggressive price cuts and patriotic marketing tactics.

 
Armed with beefy venture capital investments, Chinese fast-food brands are winning over consumers with a combination of aggressive price cuts and patriotic marketing tactics.

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To win over Chinese consumers, the companies have mostly adopted a tried-and-tested strategy: combining aggressive price cuts with patriotic marketing tactics designed to appeal to China’s growing love of local consumer brands.

Tastien has leaned heavily on this approach. Its hand-rolled burger buns, the company says, are made using traditional Chinese pastry making techniques. Its menus are stuffed with fusion burgers containing fillings such as Peking duck, mapo tofu, and fish-fragrant pork slices.

 . . .

According to Canyan Data, the average Tastien customer spends just 19 yuan per visit, far less than that spent by consumers at McDonald’s (27 yuan) and KFC (34 yuan). During online promotions, Tastien often drops its prices to as low as 7 yuan per burger.

 . . .

Some remain skeptical about whether the “Chinese burger” trend will prove anything more than a passing fad. At the Tastien outlet in Shanghai, one cashier sheepishly admits that their best selling item is a Western-style spicy fried chicken burger, rather than any of their locally inspired offerings.

 

 

Edited October 20, 2023 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

Europe looking to fight flood of Chinese electric vehicles

from Japan Today

Passengers wait near a hybrid luxury SUV from China automaker Lynk&co displayed at the train station in Hangzhou in eastern China's Zhejiang province on July 3.  Photo: AP/Ng Han Gua

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When Laima Springe-Janssen was looking to replace her French-made gasoline-powered SUV with an electric car, she considered models from Volvo and Nissan.

The Volvo extras she wanted would have busted her budget, while the Nissan lacked the “wow factor.” The Copenhagen, Denmark, resident ended up buying a compact SUV from China’s BYD.

“I really, really love the car,” Springe-Janssen said. For the equivalent of about $50,000, the Atto 3 SUV came with “all these goodies” like a 360-degree dash cam, two years of free charging and an extra set of winter tires.

Her husband likes it so much he’s considering buying another BYD to replace their other car, from Volkswagen’s Skoda brand.

“I’m sorry, Europe. Go home,” she said. “China has a better offer.”

 . . .

Chinese EV makers are drawn to Europe because auto import tariffs are just 10% versus 27.5% in the U.S., independent auto analyst Matthias Schmidt said. Europe also has the world’s second-biggest EV battery market after China.

Nevermind the geopolitics. Climate-conscious car buyers in Europe who are grappling with an increased cost of living rave about how Chinese EVs are affordable yet packed with features and stylish design. Concerns about the threat to local carmakers and jobs just aren’t a factor for them.

 . . .

MG — owned by SAIC Motor, China’s biggest automaker — is the largest Chinese EV player in Europe. BYD, backed by billionaire investor Warren Buffett, is growing fast. There’s also Geely, which owns Sweden’s Volvo and a stable of EV brands including Polestar, Lynk & Co. and British sportscar maker Lotus.

Behind them are a slew of startups, like NIO and Xpeng.

Their combined sales are a sliver of the 9.2 million vehicles sold in Europe every year, but they have been gobbling up a piece of the smaller EV market at an astonishing pace.

 . . .

The surge is stoking fears about Europe’s automotive industry, an economic powerhouse centered in France and Germany that employs millions of workers, staying competitive as it transitions from fossil fuels to electricity.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says “global markets are now flooded with cheaper Chinese electric cars,” with prices “kept artificially low by huge state subsidies.”

The commission, the EU’s executive arm, formally opened its investigation this month, saying it would take up to 13 months and could result in import duties.

Beijing voiced “strong dissatisfaction” and vowed to “firmly safeguard“ Chinese companies’ rights. The Chinese Commerce Ministry said the EU probe is based on “subjective assumptions,” lacks enough evidence and goes against World Trade Organization rules.

Complicating matters, global automakers build vehicles in China and have exported 164,300 this year to Europe, including BMW’s iX3 SUV made in northeastern Shenyang and Tesla’s Model 3 and Y produced in Shanghai, according to Schmidt’s data. That means one in every five EVs sold in Europe is a Chinese import.

A commission spokesman said the investigation is looking at China’s EV exports “regardless of the brand.”

 

 

 

Edited October 22, 2023 by Randy W (see edit history)