Syria-Xinjiang link: China warns leaders in Damascus not to threaten security elsewhere
By Zhao Ziwen
A top Chinese envoy has warned Damascus’s new government not to support terrorism as a Syria-based Islamic militant group sent messages to Muslims in China’s Xinjiang region, urging them to wage attacks.
“The Syrian territory must not be used to support terrorism or threaten the security of other countries,” Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said on Tuesday.
Addressing the UN briefing on Syria, Geng said China “attaches high importance” to Syria’s drastic changes, and called on all parties concerned in Syria to exercise calm and restraint, refrain from actions that might escalate the situation, and prevent new conflicts.
“It is imperative to stabilise the security situation,” he said.
But the ambassador reiterated China’s long-pursued non-interference policy in Syria’s internal affairs, saying Beijing respected the choices made by the Syrian people.
Earlier on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a symposium that China opposed terrorist forces taking advantage of the situation in Syria to create chaos, and would help Syria “safeguard its sovereignty and restore stability”.
Geng’s comment came days after the Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP) published a propaganda video encouraging Muslims in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region to wage jihad, or holy war, in China.
The video, published by Islam Awazi, the group’s official propaganda outlet, urged Muslims across the world to wage jihad “to elevate Allah’s religion and to live under Islamic justice”.
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By Zhao Ziwen
A top Chinese envoy has warned Damascus’s new government not to support terrorism as a Syria-based Islamic militant group sent messages to Muslims in China’s Xinjiang region, urging them to wage attacks.
“The Syrian territory must not be used to support terrorism or threaten the security of other countries,” Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said on Tuesday.
Addressing the UN briefing on Syria, Geng said China “attaches high importance” to Syria’s drastic changes, and called on all parties concerned in Syria to exercise calm and restraint, refrain from actions that might escalate the situation, and prevent new conflicts.
“It is imperative to stabilise the security situation,” he said.
But the ambassador reiterated China’s long-pursued non-interference policy in Syria’s internal affairs, saying Beijing respected the choices made by the Syrian people.
Earlier on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a symposium that China opposed terrorist forces taking advantage of the situation in Syria to create chaos, and would help Syria “safeguard its sovereignty and restore stability”.
Geng’s comment came days after the Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP) published a propaganda video encouraging Muslims in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region to wage jihad, or holy war, in China.
The video, published by Islam Awazi, the group’s official propaganda outlet, urged Muslims across the world to wage jihad “to elevate Allah’s religion and to live under Islamic justice”.
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Hong Kong police arrest 25 people in 3 years over university entry fraud cases
By William Yiu
Hong Kong police arrested 25 people in almost three years for allegedly defrauding universities with bogus academic qualifications, leading to three convictions among the eight charged.
The Security Bureau said on Wednesday police had also forwarded the information of 14 suspicious agencies and intermediaries to mainland Chinese authorities as of Thursday last week. The bureau said joint law enforcement actions would be carried out in due course.
Acting security minister Michael Cheuk Hau-yip told legislators 25 people had been arrested on suspicion of using false academic qualifications to apply for spots in Hong Kong tertiary institutions since January 2022.
Eight of them were charged. Three of those facing prosecution were found guilty. Cheuk said the five others facing charges were released on bail pending their trials.
The maximum penalty handed down in the cases was 17 weeks in jail.
The cases of 17 other suspects are still pending.
Cheuk said immigration authorities had taken action against those convicted.
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By William Yiu
Hong Kong police arrested 25 people in almost three years for allegedly defrauding universities with bogus academic qualifications, leading to three convictions among the eight charged.
The Security Bureau said on Wednesday police had also forwarded the information of 14 suspicious agencies and intermediaries to mainland Chinese authorities as of Thursday last week. The bureau said joint law enforcement actions would be carried out in due course.
Acting security minister Michael Cheuk Hau-yip told legislators 25 people had been arrested on suspicion of using false academic qualifications to apply for spots in Hong Kong tertiary institutions since January 2022.
Eight of them were charged. Three of those facing prosecution were found guilty. Cheuk said the five others facing charges were released on bail pending their trials.
The maximum penalty handed down in the cases was 17 weeks in jail.
The cases of 17 other suspects are still pending.
Cheuk said immigration authorities had taken action against those convicted.
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Priyanka Gandhi’s bag expressing support for Palestine kicks off political furore in India
By Biman Mukherji
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, scion of India’s powerful Nehru-Gandhi family, has set off a political firestorm by carrying a bag to parliament expressing support for Palestine, drawing criticism from members of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who accuse her of trying to appease Muslims.
Gandhi’s bag had the word Palestine emblazoned on it and featured a watermelon, a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians. She previously made social media comments condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza as a “horrific genocide”.
Authorities in Gaza reported that, as of Monday, more than 45,000 people have been killed by Israel’s attacks on the enclave in the last 14 months, most of whom were civilians.
Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer, Charge D’Affaires at the Palestinian Embassy in India, recently met with Gandhi to congratulate her on her election win in Wayanad, southern India, which allowed her to make her parliamentary debut in the ongoing winter session.
Manoj Tewari, a member of parliament from the BJP, slammed Gandhi’s gesture as “appeasement” of Muslim minorities.
“They don’t do anything good for the Muslim community. They use different agendas to get votes. Now, the people of the country know this trick,” he was quoted as saying by local media.
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By Biman Mukherji
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, scion of India’s powerful Nehru-Gandhi family, has set off a political firestorm by carrying a bag to parliament expressing support for Palestine, drawing criticism from members of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who accuse her of trying to appease Muslims.
Gandhi’s bag had the word Palestine emblazoned on it and featured a watermelon, a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians. She previously made social media comments condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza as a “horrific genocide”.
Authorities in Gaza reported that, as of Monday, more than 45,000 people have been killed by Israel’s attacks on the enclave in the last 14 months, most of whom were civilians.
Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer, Charge D’Affaires at the Palestinian Embassy in India, recently met with Gandhi to congratulate her on her election win in Wayanad, southern India, which allowed her to make her parliamentary debut in the ongoing winter session.
Manoj Tewari, a member of parliament from the BJP, slammed Gandhi’s gesture as “appeasement” of Muslim minorities.
“They don’t do anything good for the Muslim community. They use different agendas to get votes. Now, the people of the country know this trick,” he was quoted as saying by local media.
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Malaysian influencer Kim Seri says she’s ready to face jail over South Korea travel fiasco
By The Star
Malaysian social media influencer Kim Seri has issued a public apology and promised to refund customers affected by issues arising from her South Korea travel packages, pledging to settle the matter by or before February 1, 2025.
Kim Seri took to Instagram to express that she is doing her best to resolve the situation.
She said that documents would be provided to all customers who had previously made bookings.
“First of all, I would like to sincerely apologise for all the concerns and difficulties I have caused.
“I ask for your understanding that, at this moment, I am unable to issue refunds in one go.
“However, I assure you that I will resolve this issue through a repayment plan, where all outstanding amounts will be paid by or before February 1, 2025,” she said.
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By The Star
Malaysian social media influencer Kim Seri has issued a public apology and promised to refund customers affected by issues arising from her South Korea travel packages, pledging to settle the matter by or before February 1, 2025.
Kim Seri took to Instagram to express that she is doing her best to resolve the situation.
She said that documents would be provided to all customers who had previously made bookings.
“First of all, I would like to sincerely apologise for all the concerns and difficulties I have caused.
“I ask for your understanding that, at this moment, I am unable to issue refunds in one go.
“However, I assure you that I will resolve this issue through a repayment plan, where all outstanding amounts will be paid by or before February 1, 2025,” she said.
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China’s food delivery platforms enforce breaks for riders clocking more gig economy hours
By Wency Chen
China’s two major on-demand delivery service providers, Meituan and Ele.me, have introduced new features that alert or forcibly log out couriers who work excessively long hours, aiming to prevent rider fatigue.
In a similar system imposed on China’s long-haul truck drivers, Meituan has been piloting a “fatigue management” system in select cities. This system detects prolonged working hours through the courier app, prompting riders to take a break after a certain amount of time, typically longer than 12 hours, one Meituan worker told the Post. If the suggestion is ignored, the app will eventually require the rider to go offline.
Its competitor Ele.me, owned by Alibaba Group Holding, has also adopted a “fatigue reminder” and warning system for its riders. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.
The platforms are introducing the alert system as food delivery crew, along with Uber-style taxi drivers, bear the brunt of China’s economic slowdown and weakened consumer spending, forcing them to work extremely long hours to make ends meet.
The Meituan employee with knowledge of the matter, who asked not to be named because the details are not public, said once a rider reaches 12 hours, staff can “send reminders, force logouts, or stop assigning orders”.
“Meituan is listening to feedback from all parties, including riders, and continues to explore and improve our fatigue prevention mechanisms,” the company said in a statement to the Post.
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By Wency Chen
China’s two major on-demand delivery service providers, Meituan and Ele.me, have introduced new features that alert or forcibly log out couriers who work excessively long hours, aiming to prevent rider fatigue.
In a similar system imposed on China’s long-haul truck drivers, Meituan has been piloting a “fatigue management” system in select cities. This system detects prolonged working hours through the courier app, prompting riders to take a break after a certain amount of time, typically longer than 12 hours, one Meituan worker told the Post. If the suggestion is ignored, the app will eventually require the rider to go offline.
Its competitor Ele.me, owned by Alibaba Group Holding, has also adopted a “fatigue reminder” and warning system for its riders. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.
The platforms are introducing the alert system as food delivery crew, along with Uber-style taxi drivers, bear the brunt of China’s economic slowdown and weakened consumer spending, forcing them to work extremely long hours to make ends meet.
The Meituan employee with knowledge of the matter, who asked not to be named because the details are not public, said once a rider reaches 12 hours, staff can “send reminders, force logouts, or stop assigning orders”.
“Meituan is listening to feedback from all parties, including riders, and continues to explore and improve our fatigue prevention mechanisms,” the company said in a statement to the Post.
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Owners of Hong Kong properties with illegal additions cannot ‘buy their way out’
By Edith Lin
Hong Kong’s development minister has warned that property owners cannot “buy their way out” of taking down large-scale illegal structures, such as basements and enclosed rooftops, by making payments or getting safety certifications.
Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho issued the warning as she briefed a meeting of the Legislative Council’s development panel on Wednesday about proposed amendments to the Buildings Ordinance.
“I do not want the next generation to think that they can buy their way out of the law,” she said. “The unauthorised structures are not necessarily safe after an inspection either.”
In September of last year, record-breaking rainfall revealed how some of the city’s wealthiest residents living at Redhill Peninsula had expanded their homes through unauthorised add-ons.
The discovery prompted authorities to propose amendments to the ordinance to clamp down on the illegal practice.
Suggestions from the Development Bureau include raising the maximum penalty to HK$300,000 (US$38,600) and two years in prison for owners who refuse to comply with removal orders issued for “serious” unauthorised structures.
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By Edith Lin
Hong Kong’s development minister has warned that property owners cannot “buy their way out” of taking down large-scale illegal structures, such as basements and enclosed rooftops, by making payments or getting safety certifications.
Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho issued the warning as she briefed a meeting of the Legislative Council’s development panel on Wednesday about proposed amendments to the Buildings Ordinance.
“I do not want the next generation to think that they can buy their way out of the law,” she said. “The unauthorised structures are not necessarily safe after an inspection either.”
In September of last year, record-breaking rainfall revealed how some of the city’s wealthiest residents living at Redhill Peninsula had expanded their homes through unauthorised add-ons.
The discovery prompted authorities to propose amendments to the ordinance to clamp down on the illegal practice.
Suggestions from the Development Bureau include raising the maximum penalty to HK$300,000 (US$38,600) and two years in prison for owners who refuse to comply with removal orders issued for “serious” unauthorised structures.
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Philippines and India hold first maritime talks – are territorial rows with China at play?
By Sam Beltran
The Philippines and India have agreed to explore naval collaborations during their inaugural maritime dialogue, with both countries reaffirming their commitment to a rules-based international order amid their ongoing territorial disputes with China.
Analysts view the talks as part of Manila’s push to expand its defence partnerships beyond its traditional allies and New Delhi’s desire to increase its regional clout as it manages its border dispute with Beijing.
On Friday, Philippine and Indian officials concluded their inaugural Track 1 maritime dialogue in Manila, which followed a series of engagements between both sides to strengthen maritime cooperation, including the fifth India-Philippines Joint Defence Cooperation Committee in September.
India and the Philippines reaffirmed their commitment to “multilateralism and the rules-based international order” and “exchanged perspectives on prevailing maritime challenges and discussed ways to enhance maritime cooperation in furthering a conducive environment for mutual growth and global well-being,” the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The statement also notes that both parties “reached an understanding to look further into navy and coastguard cooperation”.
On the legal front, both countries agreed to uphold the importance of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in settling maritime disputes among countries and the 2016 arbitration award at The Hague, which ruled in favour of the Philippines in its territorial dispute against China and deemed Beijing’s historical nine-dash-line claim over nearly the entire South China Sea as invalid.
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By Sam Beltran
The Philippines and India have agreed to explore naval collaborations during their inaugural maritime dialogue, with both countries reaffirming their commitment to a rules-based international order amid their ongoing territorial disputes with China.
Analysts view the talks as part of Manila’s push to expand its defence partnerships beyond its traditional allies and New Delhi’s desire to increase its regional clout as it manages its border dispute with Beijing.
On Friday, Philippine and Indian officials concluded their inaugural Track 1 maritime dialogue in Manila, which followed a series of engagements between both sides to strengthen maritime cooperation, including the fifth India-Philippines Joint Defence Cooperation Committee in September.
India and the Philippines reaffirmed their commitment to “multilateralism and the rules-based international order” and “exchanged perspectives on prevailing maritime challenges and discussed ways to enhance maritime cooperation in furthering a conducive environment for mutual growth and global well-being,” the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The statement also notes that both parties “reached an understanding to look further into navy and coastguard cooperation”.
On the legal front, both countries agreed to uphold the importance of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in settling maritime disputes among countries and the 2016 arbitration award at The Hague, which ruled in favour of the Philippines in its territorial dispute against China and deemed Beijing’s historical nine-dash-line claim over nearly the entire South China Sea as invalid.
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China’s dominance in global shipbuilding strengthens amid surging global demand
By Ralph JenningsFrank Chen
China, the world’s largest shipbuilder by market share, is expected to receive a raft of new orders as the global industry enters a renaissance, analysts said.
Demand for new ships is expected to surge over the next few years, as shipping companies have a “pressing need” to replace ageing vessels and comply with new environmental regulations, according to Min Joo Kang and Rico Luman, economists at the financial firm ING.
And China is set to be the main beneficiary of this market upswing, with its primary competitor South Korea likely to take a more “cautious” approach by focusing on profitable and reliable orders, the economists said in a research note released on Monday.
“Over the past two years, we have seen some previously closed shipyards in China reopen and start picking up orders again,” the analysis said. “The largest fraction of the fleet eligible for replacement consists of bulk carriers, which are predominantly built by Chinese shipyards.
“This could drive a stronger need for investment expansion in China.”
London and Shanghai-based industrial consultancy Hartland Shipping Services has also predicted sustained growth for the entire sector, with the prospects particularly bright for Chinese shipyards.
In October, market demand for new-build container ships reached its highest level since the second quarter of 2021, the peak of the last wave of global shipbuilding, the company said in a report published that month.
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By Ralph JenningsFrank Chen
China, the world’s largest shipbuilder by market share, is expected to receive a raft of new orders as the global industry enters a renaissance, analysts said.
Demand for new ships is expected to surge over the next few years, as shipping companies have a “pressing need” to replace ageing vessels and comply with new environmental regulations, according to Min Joo Kang and Rico Luman, economists at the financial firm ING.
And China is set to be the main beneficiary of this market upswing, with its primary competitor South Korea likely to take a more “cautious” approach by focusing on profitable and reliable orders, the economists said in a research note released on Monday.
“Over the past two years, we have seen some previously closed shipyards in China reopen and start picking up orders again,” the analysis said. “The largest fraction of the fleet eligible for replacement consists of bulk carriers, which are predominantly built by Chinese shipyards.
“This could drive a stronger need for investment expansion in China.”
London and Shanghai-based industrial consultancy Hartland Shipping Services has also predicted sustained growth for the entire sector, with the prospects particularly bright for Chinese shipyards.
In October, market demand for new-build container ships reached its highest level since the second quarter of 2021, the peak of the last wave of global shipbuilding, the company said in a report published that month.
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2 firms to work with Hong Kong’s PolyU on new drone take-off forecast tool
By Jiang Chuqin
Two companies have signed a memorandum with Hong Kong Polytechnic University to release a drone take-off probability forecast tool next year and develop anti-jamming technology for the devices, following the cancellation of two highly anticipated shows over the National Day holiday due to meteorological factors.
The Drone Takeoff Reliability Index, which will consider multiple factors including weather, drone status and the operating environment, is designed to provide a standardised indicator of the success rate for scheduled drone shows.
“It is like a weather forecast and we can tell the public in advance about what the chances are to see a successful drone show,” Wen Weisong, assistant professor at PolyU’s department of aeronautical and aviation engineering, said at a memorandum signing ceremony on Wednesday to mark the collaboration.
Under the memorandum, Wen and other researchers in his department will work with two drone companies to examine the potential factors that can affect drone safety and develop an algorithm to forecast take-off probability.
The team will also explore new technologies to enhance the reliability of drone shows, including methods to improve the anti-jamming capacity of drones, so they can receive satellite signals amid interference.
Local drone show operator X Social Group and another major industry player, Shenzhen Damoda Intelligent Control Technology, will share their data and experimental results with the researchers.
Samuel Lam Hon-yuen, CEO of X Social Group, said that a similar measure already existed within the industry for reference. However, with the support of PolyU, the new index will be more robust and authoritative, enabling organisers to make informed decisions about whether a show needs to be cancelled in advance.
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By Jiang Chuqin
Two companies have signed a memorandum with Hong Kong Polytechnic University to release a drone take-off probability forecast tool next year and develop anti-jamming technology for the devices, following the cancellation of two highly anticipated shows over the National Day holiday due to meteorological factors.
The Drone Takeoff Reliability Index, which will consider multiple factors including weather, drone status and the operating environment, is designed to provide a standardised indicator of the success rate for scheduled drone shows.
“It is like a weather forecast and we can tell the public in advance about what the chances are to see a successful drone show,” Wen Weisong, assistant professor at PolyU’s department of aeronautical and aviation engineering, said at a memorandum signing ceremony on Wednesday to mark the collaboration.
Under the memorandum, Wen and other researchers in his department will work with two drone companies to examine the potential factors that can affect drone safety and develop an algorithm to forecast take-off probability.
The team will also explore new technologies to enhance the reliability of drone shows, including methods to improve the anti-jamming capacity of drones, so they can receive satellite signals amid interference.
Local drone show operator X Social Group and another major industry player, Shenzhen Damoda Intelligent Control Technology, will share their data and experimental results with the researchers.
Samuel Lam Hon-yuen, CEO of X Social Group, said that a similar measure already existed within the industry for reference. However, with the support of PolyU, the new index will be more robust and authoritative, enabling organisers to make informed decisions about whether a show needs to be cancelled in advance.
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Hong Kong group urges rigorous investigation into worker’s death at barracks
By Winnie Wong
A workers’ rights concern group in Hong Kong has urged the government to be rigorous in its investigation into a fatal industrial accident involving a labourer who was found on the roof of a building at Shek Kong Barracks.
Fay Siu Sin-man, chief executive of the Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims, said on Wednesday the employer and the venue bore responsibility.
She also called for better communication between companies and their staff. The female worker, 67, was reportedly only found on Tuesday after her daughter declared her missing.
“Why can’t there be closer communication between employers and employees?” Siu said. “It is far from ideal to have family members involved in searching for fellow family members.”
The Labour Department has said it is aware of the case and has launched an investigation.
Siu urged authorities to be thorough in their investigation and to disclose more information about the case.
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By Winnie Wong
A workers’ rights concern group in Hong Kong has urged the government to be rigorous in its investigation into a fatal industrial accident involving a labourer who was found on the roof of a building at Shek Kong Barracks.
Fay Siu Sin-man, chief executive of the Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims, said on Wednesday the employer and the venue bore responsibility.
She also called for better communication between companies and their staff. The female worker, 67, was reportedly only found on Tuesday after her daughter declared her missing.
“Why can’t there be closer communication between employers and employees?” Siu said. “It is far from ideal to have family members involved in searching for fellow family members.”
The Labour Department has said it is aware of the case and has launched an investigation.
Siu urged authorities to be thorough in their investigation and to disclose more information about the case.
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China’s ‘Food Silk Road’ holds key to thwarting Trump tariffs
By Genevieve Donnellon-May
As US president-elect Donald Trump threatens heavy tariffs on Chinese goods, China – the world’s largest food producer and importer – is struggling to secure its food supply. Grappling with volatile global markets, a crucial question arises: can China ensure food security given its growing reliance on food imports?
The answer lies in Beijing’s ambitious “Food Silk Road”. This ongoing strategy aims to diversify food and fertiliser imports through four aspects: overseas agricultural investment and acquisitions, infrastructure development, technology transfers and policy coordination. By diversifying import sources and strengthening strategic partnerships, it aims to safeguard China’s long-term food security by reducing the country’s vulnerability to risks such as trade disruptions.
Food security has long been a concern for the Chinese authorities. Amid changing geopolitical dynamics, climate change, trade disruptions and domestic challenges, China has prioritised food security and boosting local agricultural production.
Driven by the increasingly complex and fractured geopolitical environment, the strategy’s importance has soared in recent years. China has adopted a dual strategy for food security: maintaining self-sufficiency in staples (such as rice) and key protein (such as pork) through local production while relying on global markets for non-staples (such as soybeans).
Despite efforts to increase local output, significant issues including arable land and water constraints make it an uphill battle. Adding to concerns, China’s food self-sufficiency ratio has plummeted, from 93.6 per cent in 2000 to 65.8 per cent in 2020. In 2004, China moved from being a net exporter to a net importer and is expected to remain one.
Food import reliance has come at a steep price. Policymakers in Beijing remain concerned about supply chain vulnerabilities and the weaponisation of imported food supplies. Their worries are well-founded. During Trump’s first term, Washington imposed tariffs on US$370 billion worth of Chinese goods. Beijing’s retaliation of tariffs of up to 25 per cent on key agricultural exports from the United States such as soybeans further highlighted the risks of such dependency.
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By Genevieve Donnellon-May
As US president-elect Donald Trump threatens heavy tariffs on Chinese goods, China – the world’s largest food producer and importer – is struggling to secure its food supply. Grappling with volatile global markets, a crucial question arises: can China ensure food security given its growing reliance on food imports?
The answer lies in Beijing’s ambitious “Food Silk Road”. This ongoing strategy aims to diversify food and fertiliser imports through four aspects: overseas agricultural investment and acquisitions, infrastructure development, technology transfers and policy coordination. By diversifying import sources and strengthening strategic partnerships, it aims to safeguard China’s long-term food security by reducing the country’s vulnerability to risks such as trade disruptions.
Food security has long been a concern for the Chinese authorities. Amid changing geopolitical dynamics, climate change, trade disruptions and domestic challenges, China has prioritised food security and boosting local agricultural production.
Driven by the increasingly complex and fractured geopolitical environment, the strategy’s importance has soared in recent years. China has adopted a dual strategy for food security: maintaining self-sufficiency in staples (such as rice) and key protein (such as pork) through local production while relying on global markets for non-staples (such as soybeans).
Despite efforts to increase local output, significant issues including arable land and water constraints make it an uphill battle. Adding to concerns, China’s food self-sufficiency ratio has plummeted, from 93.6 per cent in 2000 to 65.8 per cent in 2020. In 2004, China moved from being a net exporter to a net importer and is expected to remain one.
Food import reliance has come at a steep price. Policymakers in Beijing remain concerned about supply chain vulnerabilities and the weaponisation of imported food supplies. Their worries are well-founded. During Trump’s first term, Washington imposed tariffs on US$370 billion worth of Chinese goods. Beijing’s retaliation of tariffs of up to 25 per cent on key agricultural exports from the United States such as soybeans further highlighted the risks of such dependency.
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Outrage as scholar asks how can China make women ‘obediently, submissively have children’
By Phoebe Zhang
A Chinese professor has sparked a public backlash after he asked a visiting Kazakh diplomat how to make Chinese women “have children obediently, early and in large numbers” at a think tank event.
Wang Xianju, a professor at Renmin University and a former counsellor at the Chinese embassy in Belarus, was speaking to Erlan Qarin, the state counsellor of Kazakhstan, who visited the university in November.
Qarin had given a speech on Kazakhstan’s domestic reforms and relations between the two countries at an event hosted by the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, a think tank based at the university.
The institute published Wang’s remarks on its WeChat account in November but the article only gained online traction – and criticism – this week. It has since been deleted.
During the question-and-answer period, Wang said he was surprised to find there were many children when he visited Kazakhstan.
He said Kazakhstan apparently had effective policies encouraging births, and he wondered how that might be possible, given that Chinese women did not want to get married and have children, and would not listen to their parents or supervisors.
“I even heard that women in Kazakhstan immediately have children after they graduate college, they have children one after another,” Wang said in a now-deleted WeChat article by the think tank.
“How could they listen to you and obediently, submissively have children, have children early and have lots of children?”
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By Phoebe Zhang
A Chinese professor has sparked a public backlash after he asked a visiting Kazakh diplomat how to make Chinese women “have children obediently, early and in large numbers” at a think tank event.
Wang Xianju, a professor at Renmin University and a former counsellor at the Chinese embassy in Belarus, was speaking to Erlan Qarin, the state counsellor of Kazakhstan, who visited the university in November.
Qarin had given a speech on Kazakhstan’s domestic reforms and relations between the two countries at an event hosted by the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, a think tank based at the university.
The institute published Wang’s remarks on its WeChat account in November but the article only gained online traction – and criticism – this week. It has since been deleted.
During the question-and-answer period, Wang said he was surprised to find there were many children when he visited Kazakhstan.
He said Kazakhstan apparently had effective policies encouraging births, and he wondered how that might be possible, given that Chinese women did not want to get married and have children, and would not listen to their parents or supervisors.
“I even heard that women in Kazakhstan immediately have children after they graduate college, they have children one after another,” Wang said in a now-deleted WeChat article by the think tank.
“How could they listen to you and obediently, submissively have children, have children early and have lots of children?”
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Hong Kong ombudsman urges authorities to digitalise after-death services
By Lo Hoi-ying
Hong Kong’s ombudsman has urged authorities to digitalise after-death arrangements and provide a one-stop online platform for the bereaved, as demand for such services in the city is expected to grow with an ageing population.
Ombudsman Jack Chan Jick-chi on Wednesday called on government agencies such as the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Immigration Department, the Department of Health, and the Hospital Authority to collaborate to create a website for grieving residents to make after-death arrangements.
These include digitising and simplifying the death registration processes and applying for mortuary services, cremation, and coffin burial services, he said.
Chan said that the platform could “significantly reduce” the pressure and emotional stress on the bereaved in dealing with the formalities of after-death arrangements.
“The bereaved are already grieving, and the platform will reduce the need for them to personally go down to different government departments to handle the paperwork, which will double their pain during these difficult times,” he said.
The watchdog cited an example of the Immigration Department’s website, which the watchdog said was challenging to navigate for those needing information on how to register deaths.
“Nine application forms relating to births and deaths registration and other services are available when they click on ‘Forms related to deaths registration’,” the ombudsman said in its report.
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By Lo Hoi-ying
Hong Kong’s ombudsman has urged authorities to digitalise after-death arrangements and provide a one-stop online platform for the bereaved, as demand for such services in the city is expected to grow with an ageing population.
Ombudsman Jack Chan Jick-chi on Wednesday called on government agencies such as the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Immigration Department, the Department of Health, and the Hospital Authority to collaborate to create a website for grieving residents to make after-death arrangements.
These include digitising and simplifying the death registration processes and applying for mortuary services, cremation, and coffin burial services, he said.
Chan said that the platform could “significantly reduce” the pressure and emotional stress on the bereaved in dealing with the formalities of after-death arrangements.
“The bereaved are already grieving, and the platform will reduce the need for them to personally go down to different government departments to handle the paperwork, which will double their pain during these difficult times,” he said.
The watchdog cited an example of the Immigration Department’s website, which the watchdog said was challenging to navigate for those needing information on how to register deaths.
“Nine application forms relating to births and deaths registration and other services are available when they click on ‘Forms related to deaths registration’,” the ombudsman said in its report.
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Indonesia’s ‘eternal snow’ on Puncak Jaya may melt away before 2026 due to climate change
By Resty Woro Yuniar
Indonesia’s only tropical glaciers, long revered as the “eternal snow” of Papua’s Jayawijaya Mountains, could face disappearance within two years as climate change accelerates their melting, threatening the unique ecosystem and sacred cultural sites.
The glaciers, perched atop Puncak Jaya – also known as the Carstensz Pyramid, the highest point in Oceania at nearly 4,900 metres above sea level – and the neighbouring Sumantri Peak have already thinned at a pace that scientists say is unprecedented.
Indonesia’s National Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said this month that the ice’s thickness had shrunk to four metres, down from six metres last December and a steep drop from the 32 metres recorded when measuring instruments were first installed in 2010.
“It’s worrying, we’ve predicted this since 2019. With the presence of El Niño, it can accelerate the melting of the ice. At that time we predicted that maybe before 2026 the ice would disappear,” Donaldi Sukma Permana, coordinator of climatology instrument standardisation at the BMKG, told This Week in Asia.
El Niño refers to the warming of the ocean surface that periodically occurs in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. The climate phenomenon can cause extreme weather events such as extreme heat, droughts and flooding.
Donaldi said that the shrinkage showed that climate change “is real and happening in Indonesia”.
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By Resty Woro Yuniar
Indonesia’s only tropical glaciers, long revered as the “eternal snow” of Papua’s Jayawijaya Mountains, could face disappearance within two years as climate change accelerates their melting, threatening the unique ecosystem and sacred cultural sites.
The glaciers, perched atop Puncak Jaya – also known as the Carstensz Pyramid, the highest point in Oceania at nearly 4,900 metres above sea level – and the neighbouring Sumantri Peak have already thinned at a pace that scientists say is unprecedented.
Indonesia’s National Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said this month that the ice’s thickness had shrunk to four metres, down from six metres last December and a steep drop from the 32 metres recorded when measuring instruments were first installed in 2010.
“It’s worrying, we’ve predicted this since 2019. With the presence of El Niño, it can accelerate the melting of the ice. At that time we predicted that maybe before 2026 the ice would disappear,” Donaldi Sukma Permana, coordinator of climatology instrument standardisation at the BMKG, told This Week in Asia.
El Niño refers to the warming of the ocean surface that periodically occurs in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. The climate phenomenon can cause extreme weather events such as extreme heat, droughts and flooding.
Donaldi said that the shrinkage showed that climate change “is real and happening in Indonesia”.
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Hong Kong boy band Mirror among stars to perform at Kai Tak Sports Park test event
By Wynna Wong
Hong Kong Cantopop boy band Mirror will join a raft of stars performing to a crowd of 5,500 people at Kai Tak Sports Park on Friday for a test event to gauge how smoothly staff can disperse concert crowds and the impact on the local neighbourhood.
The “FWD Presents: Chill Music Festival” will take place at the indoor Kai Tak Arena and feature a star-studded line-up that includes Mirror, Cantopop girl group Collar, and various Thai performers such as Scrubb, Serious Bacon, Atlas, D Gerrard, 4Eve, Jeff Satur and Bowkylion.
Commissioner for Sports George Tsoi Kin-pan said on Wednesday that 5,500 spectators would take part in the coming test event. The arena has seating space for up to 10,000 people.
“The overall configuration between sports events and concert events is completely different,” he said. “For concert events, it involves more set-ups, the stage arrangement, which we did not have during the sports events, there are also rehearsals we are going to test for the concert events.”
“Apart from the above, the spectators’ arrival and dispersal patterns of concert events are quite different from typical sports events,” Tsoi said.
He added that the concert, which will start at 6.30pm, would open venue doors at 4.30pm.
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By Wynna Wong
Hong Kong Cantopop boy band Mirror will join a raft of stars performing to a crowd of 5,500 people at Kai Tak Sports Park on Friday for a test event to gauge how smoothly staff can disperse concert crowds and the impact on the local neighbourhood.
The “FWD Presents: Chill Music Festival” will take place at the indoor Kai Tak Arena and feature a star-studded line-up that includes Mirror, Cantopop girl group Collar, and various Thai performers such as Scrubb, Serious Bacon, Atlas, D Gerrard, 4Eve, Jeff Satur and Bowkylion.
Commissioner for Sports George Tsoi Kin-pan said on Wednesday that 5,500 spectators would take part in the coming test event. The arena has seating space for up to 10,000 people.
“The overall configuration between sports events and concert events is completely different,” he said. “For concert events, it involves more set-ups, the stage arrangement, which we did not have during the sports events, there are also rehearsals we are going to test for the concert events.”
“Apart from the above, the spectators’ arrival and dispersal patterns of concert events are quite different from typical sports events,” Tsoi said.
He added that the concert, which will start at 6.30pm, would open venue doors at 4.30pm.
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