Wang Yi at United Nations promotes multilateralism as US seems headed in other direction

中国外长王毅周二呼吁加强全球治理,并为乌克兰和中东的和平做出新的努力。这是中国担任联合国安理会轮值主席国期间的重要表态。王毅强调,中国支持一切有利于和平谈判的努力,并指出加沙和西岸不应成为政治交易的筹码。

王毅在纽约联合国总部的访问,旨在强调北京对多边主义的支持,这也是中国担任安理会轮值主席国的一个关键主题。他此番言论与近日在欧洲的讲话相呼应,将中国的“基于共识”的方式与美国在特朗普第二任期下对“美国优先”的关注形成对比。王毅表示,各国相互依存,命运与共,任何国家都不能单打独斗,“我们绝不允许以强凌弱,更不能回到丛林法则”。

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Will Trump’s bureaucracy overhaul free up resources for US to compete with China?

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a key tool of Washington's soft power for six decades, is facing a potential shutdown following an order from President Trump. This move would halt billions of dollars in global financial aid, impacting 177 countries and potentially shrinking the market for American exports.

The dismantling of USAID is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce federal bureaucracy, with many civil servants being urged to resign. This also includes reviews and potential staff layoffs at top research agencies. Furthermore, the US has withdrawn from international agreements and organizations, signaling a shift away from multilateral cooperation and towards prioritizing American interests.

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How DeepSeek’s disruption could finally burst the US stock bubble

DeepSeek's open-source AI program challenges the assumption that a few major US tech companies ("hyperscalers") will dominate the AI market and profit immensely. This Chinese company's move allows businesses to develop their own AI applications independently, potentially undermining the projected revenue streams of these hyperscalers and their dominance in the AI landscape.

The US stock market's high valuation, heavily influenced by tech stocks, relies on the belief that American AI companies will lead the world in AI development. This is based on the idea that the global economy will become dependent on AI, allowing the US to extract significant economic benefits. However, the effectiveness and potential of current AI models (LLMs) are debatable, and their impact on overall productivity remains uncertain, casting doubt on the long-term sustainability of these valuations.

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China condemns Trump’s ‘tariff shocks’ at WTO, warns of possible global recession

中国在世界贸易组织会议上谴责了美国总统特朗普发起或威胁发起的关税,警告称这种“关税冲击”威胁到全球贸易体系,并可能导致全球经济衰退。中国常驻世贸组织大使李成钢表示,美国的单边主义威胁要颠覆基于规则的多边贸易体系。

特朗普宣布对所有中国进口商品征收10%的全面关税,促使北京方面采取报复性关税,并向世贸组织提起针对华盛顿的争端。此次世贸组织讨论是贸易摩擦首次正式被列入该机构最高决策机构——总理事会的议程。其他国家,包括尚未在日内瓦设立贸易大使的美国,如何回应尚不清楚。

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Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs, Vatican says

教皇方济各被诊断出患有双侧肺炎。梵蒂冈周二表示,这位88岁的教皇病情复杂,此前他已因呼吸道感染住院一周多。最新的诊断结果表明,他的健康状况进一步恶化,治疗难度加大。

双侧肺炎是一种严重的感染,会使双肺发炎和留下疤痕,导致呼吸更加困难。梵蒂冈的声明称,教皇接受了胸部CT扫描,结果显示出现了双侧肺炎,需要进一步的药物治疗。声明还提到,教皇的实验室检查、胸部X光以及临床状况呈现出复杂的局面,他患有“多微生物感染”,需要皮质类固醇和抗生素治疗,这使得治疗更具挑战性。尽管如此,教皇方济各仍然保持着良好的精神状态。

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Ukraine’s Zelensky postpones Saudi visit to not give ‘legitimacy’ to US-Russia meeting

乌克兰总统泽连斯基推迟了对沙特阿拉伯的访问,以避免为周二在利雅得举行的美俄官员会晤赋予“合法性”。原定于周三进行的访问被推迟至3月10日,泽连斯基表示不希望出现“任何巧合”。

消息人士称,乌克兰不希望其访问在客观上为利雅得会晤提供任何形式的认可。泽连斯基在安卡拉表示,他没有被邀请参加美俄官员的会晤,并强调任何关于结束乌克兰战争的决定都不能在没有乌克兰参与的情况下做出。美国和俄罗斯在会谈后表示,他们已同意继续努力结束乌克兰战争。

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UK couple charged with spying in Iran, admit they ignored travel warnings

一对英国夫妇在伊朗被指控从事间谍活动,他们承认曾忽略了不要前往该国的警告。这对夫妇名为克雷格和林赛·福尔曼,他们表示当时正在进行一次“有点疯狂”的环球摩托车旅行,今年早些时候在伊朗东南部被捕。

伊朗司法部门发言人表示,这对夫妇“冒充游客”进入伊朗,并在克尔曼省被捕前收集情报。据报道,这对夫妇50多岁,在被捕前曾在社交媒体上分享沿途的风景照片和视频,他们的环球旅行已经跨越了包括意大利、阿尔巴尼亚、希腊和土耳其在内的13个国家。

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Gaza truce: Hamas to hand over 6 living hostages and 4 bodies, including Bibas children

哈马斯领导人表示,该组织将于周六释放六名活着的以色列人质,并于周四交还另外四人的遗体。 这一意外增加显然是为了换取以色列允许移动房屋和建筑设备进入遭受重创的加沙地带。

这六人是停火第一阶段中最后一批被释放的活着的人质。交战双方尚未就第二阶段进行谈判,哈马斯表示,在第二阶段,他们将释放更多人质,以换取永久停火和以色列撤军。哈马斯领导人哈利勒·哈亚表示,“比巴斯一家”将包括在四具遗体的移交中,显然指的是希里·比巴斯和她的两个年幼的儿子,阿里埃尔和克菲尔,他们对许多以色列人来说,代表了被俘者的困境。以色列尚未证实他们的死亡,总理办公室敦促公众不要传播“照片、姓名和谣言”。

以色列表示,严重关切比巴斯一家,而哈马斯表示,他们在战争初期的一次以色列空袭中丧生。丈夫兼父亲亚登·比巴斯被单独绑架,并于本月获释。九个月大的克菲尔是哈马斯2023年10月7日袭击中被劫持的最年轻的人质,该袭击引发了战争。一段绑架视频显示,希里用毯子裹着她红头发的儿子们,被武装人员带走。

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Beijing’s schmoozing of China’s private sector a strategic move, analysts say

By Luna Sun

Beijing is repositioning the private sector as the cornerstone of China’s global competitiveness and technological edge in the face of growing geopolitical and economic headwinds, according to analysts’ assessments following President Xi Jinping’s meeting with prominent entrepreneurs.

Observers also emphasised the importance of more stimulus and policy reforms to get the ball rolling.

The first gathering of its kind since 2018, Monday’s symposium saw Xi vow leadership’s steadfast and unwavering support for the private sector while calling on entrepreneurs to “showcase their talents and make significant contributions”.

“It’s a calculated move to restore confidence and rebuild trust” after years of economic slowdown, regulatory tightening, and bureaucratic interference at multiple levels, according to Jing Qian, a managing director with the Centre for China Analysis (CCA) at the Asia Society Policy Institute, adding that the meeting reflects how private entrepreneurs are considered indispensable in China’s efforts to compete globally and to maximise the country’s technological edge.

The most conspicuous attendee was Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba Group, who has largely stayed out of the public limelight since 2020 when Beijing halted the initial public offering of his fintech company, Ant Group, as leadership tightened controls over the tech sector. Ma gave up control of Ant in 2023. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.

The meeting signalled Beijing’s shift from rectification to revitalisation, and that China has concluded its regulatory-tightening cycle, according to economists led by Robin Xing, chief China economist at Morgan Stanley.

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HKMA mandates name-matching for transfers above HK$1,000 to combat scams

香港金融管理局(HKMA)要求银行在实时转账中对客户进行强制性的姓名匹配,以打击诈骗。 这项新规是香港金融管理局为打击金融诈骗而采取的最新举措,旨在进一步保障市民的资金安全。

根据香港金融管理局周二发布的声明,金融机构已被敦促对其快速支付系统(FPS)和银行内部资金系统等即时资金转账系统采取“优化措施”。对于超过1000港元(128美元)或等值其他货币的交易,银行现在必须实时检查客户姓名。银行需要在5月底前遵守这项措施。此前,香港金融管理局在2021年宣布,要求银行对10000港元或以上的实时转账进行强制性姓名匹配。

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Senior Hong Kong police officer assaulted woman in station 3 times, court told

香港一名警司陈健毅被控在七个月内四次猥亵和袭击一名女子,其中三次发生在青衣警署内。 这名42岁的警司周二在沙田裁判法院出庭,面临一项非礼罪和三项普通袭击罪的指控。受害人身份未公开。

据称,陈健毅于2024年5月14日至15日在旺角La La Bar酒吧非礼该女子。另外三次袭击据称发生在青衣警署内,时间分别在8月至9月以及11月。陈健毅表示不认罪,获准以5000港元保释,但被限制离境和接触控方证人。他将于周四在粉岭裁判法院进行答辩。

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Hong Kong puts Islamic finance experts, accountants on immigration fast track

香港将从下个月起为具有伊斯兰市场经验的金融专业人士和会计师提供快速移民通道,以解决本地人才短缺问题。此举是政府更广泛的人才引进计划的一部分,旨在促进香港经济的高附加值和多元化发展。

劳工及福利局周二宣布,在人才清单中新增九个专业,目前该清单涵盖了香港最需要的60种职位。金融服务及库务局发言人表示,希望借助具有相关经验的金融专业人士,进一步开拓伊斯兰债券市场,吸引熟悉伊斯兰教法(禁止收取或支付利息,并限制投资于酒精和猪肉产品)的金融人才。会计师的加入则是因为香港注册会计师协会(HKICPA)的一项研究显示,该行业存在严重的人力短缺。

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Hong Kong lawmakers raise concerns over AI safeguards for copyrighted works

香港立法会议员对政府提议的“退出”机制表示怀疑,该机制旨在保护受版权保护的作品免受训练人工智能 (AI) 模型的影响。一位议员表示,此举可能会削弱该技术的发展。议员们主要关注的是该机制的可行性以及对香港人工智能发展的潜在影响。

政府官员为周二的提案辩护,称其“合理”,将有助于促进香港的人工智能发展。在就《版权条例》修正案进行公众咨询后,立法会议员审查了拟议的保障措施。政府在修正案的公众咨询过程中收到了 62 份书面意见,其中 24 份来自版权所有者或其组织。官员们表示,虽然他们认为没有必要为人工智能生成的作品实施特定的版权保护,但他们将继续推进在条例中引入“文本和数据挖掘 (TDM) 例外”。如果获得通过,该例外将允许“合理使用”受版权保护的作品,用于训练人工智能模型中使用的计算数据和分析处理。

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China follows up fast on Xi’s pledge for private sector support

China is rolling out new measures to support its private sector, signaling a strong commitment from Beijing to prioritize the stable growth of privately owned firms. This move follows a high-profile symposium hosted by President Xi Jinping, where he explicitly backed the private sector, and coincides with the upcoming second review of legislation aimed at promoting the private economy.

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced that the government will expedite updates to the country's "negative list," which outlines sectors restricted to foreign and private investment. Deputy head of the NDRC, Zheng Bei, emphasized the favorable political, economic, and social environments for the private economy. The government also plans to encourage private companies to participate in trade-in programs and large-scale projects, ensuring fair competition between private and public firms for infrastructure contracts.

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Ukraine peace talks, China’s durable bamboo: SCMP daily highlights

China has expressed support for upcoming peace talks initiated by the US to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war, emphasizing the need for participation from all involved parties. This stance reflects China's ongoing interest in playing a role in international conflict resolution.

Meanwhile, Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, despite facing Western scrutiny, is seen as holding significant promise for the Global South. Additionally, Chinese scientists are developing advanced bamboo-based materials for large-scale infrastructure, potentially solidifying China's leadership in eco-friendly industries by leveraging bamboo's rapid growth and strength.

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China’s Xinhua seeks cooperation with Japan’s Kyodo News amid push to boost views on ties

中国官方通讯社新华社表示,将深化与日本共同社的合作,旨在为中日关系创造“有利的舆论环境”。新华社社长傅华在东京会见了共同社社长水谷亨,表达了北京加强两家通讯社之间交流与合作的意愿,尤其是在新媒体和技术领域。

傅华表示,作为中日两国的重要媒体机构,双方见证并参与了两国关系的发展。他希望双方共同努力,促进人文交流,增进互信,为中日关系的稳定和长期发展做出贡献。共同社的水谷亨也赞扬了两家媒体机构之间的友好交流历史,并表示希望加强合作,继续改善交流,促进双边合作,以取得更丰硕的成果。值得一提的是,截至周二下午,共同社尚未以英文或中文报道此次会面。

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If AI, geopolitics shift the ground beneath you, you’re in the right place

The Munich Security Conference highlighted growing rifts in transatlantic relations, particularly regarding the Ukraine crisis and differing views on democracy and immigration. US Vice-President J.D. Vance's speech, which criticized European countries for departing from democratic principles and allowing an influx of immigrants, underscored the divide between the Trump administration's priorities and those of its traditional allies in Europe.

The conference, traditionally a platform for US-Europe-NATO security discussions, saw the US seemingly sidelining Europe and Ukraine in peace talks with Russia. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi advocated for inclusive peace talks involving all stakeholders, including the EU, positioning Beijing as a proponent of broader engagement in resolving the conflict.

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China could be the steady counterweight to Trump’s Pax Americana

Donald Trump is aiming to fundamentally reshape the US and global order, pushing boundaries and norms in ways unseen during his first term. He's empowering figures like Elon Musk to challenge the federal bureaucracy and openly considering redrawing international boundaries, including acquiring Greenland and potentially annexing Canada.

This approach involves disregarding established rules and diplomatic protocols, with limited opposition from within the US government. Congress seems resigned, public servants are hesitant to speak out, leaving the judiciary as the primary check on his power. This behavior, coupled with the weaponization of tariffs and technology to assert US dominance, has led some to warn of a potential shift towards American authoritarianism and a resurgence of US expansionism.

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Hong Kong father accused of killing daughter had history of violence, court hears

一名香港男子被指控摇晃死三岁的女儿,被控犯有过失杀人罪。法庭获悉,他有家庭暴力史,并曾因女儿没有学会足够的英语词汇而罚她跪下。

死者梁雅诗的母亲梁女士在高等法院作证时说,被告刘启平(42岁)在教育女儿时很严厉。梁女士说,刘启平会让她女儿学习更多的英语词汇或强迫她唱更多的英文歌曲。如果女儿拒绝,刘启平会责骂她,让她面壁罚站,甚至让她跪在神坛前。在女儿两岁半左右的时候,他们一家三口和刘启平的父母住了一个月,期间,这对夫妇经常因为刘启平的管教方式而争吵。

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Chinese scientists make brain-computer co-evolution possible for the first time

Chinese researchers have developed the world's first two-way adaptive brain-computer interface (BCI), significantly improving efficiency and bringing the technology closer to practical applications. This innovative system allows the brain and the device to learn from each other, leading to stable performance over time, a major advancement over traditional one-directional BCIs.

The new BCI, detailed in a Nature Electronics study, integrates brain signals with a device capable of providing feedback, enabling the brain to adjust and improve control. This "brain-computer co-evolution" marks a step towards mutual adaptation between biological and machine intelligence. Unlike existing BCIs that primarily decode brain signals, this two-way system could be integrated into portable and wearable devices for consumer and medical use, overcoming the limitations of performance decline seen in extended use of current BCI technology.

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