Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan notes that the US’s latest moves against TikTok are getting a response from TikTok as well as its users. Will TikTok survive the latest onslaught and will the Chinese government back the company?
Spying
Politics
Mutual mistrust and fear between China and foreign countries is mounting, especially amid the self-imposed travel restrictions on both sides for high-level executives. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Han Yong Hong assesses that such developments are accelerating the decoupling between China and foreign countries, with little hope for reversal.
Politics
Wei Da points out that the Wagner rebellion could only have happened because of the “two-faced people” in Putin's inner circle. Such people often emerge from the woodwork at critical moments, taking risks and rebelling. China and other countries may sit up and take notice: whether or not these rebellions work, they are usually fatal blows to authoritarian regimes.
Technology
With recent reports of a China-based state-sponsored hacking group targeting US critical infrastructure, RSIS academic Eugene Tan examines some common modes of cyberattacks around the world and the latest furore around alleged China-based hacking groups such as Volt Typhoon and Storm-0558.
Politics
A recent raid by Chinese authorities on a Chinese consultancy firm relating to national security sends a signal to the entire industry to be more aware of national security issues, and to take necessary measures to prevent possible espionage. But could the revised anti-espionage law and focus on national security issues become a convenient excuse for serving Beijing’s needs, such as its diplomatic needs and so on?
Politics
Former Zaobao editor Lim Jim Koon believes that the balloon saga between China and the US in February gives much food for thought around the role of political leaders and mass media in sensationalising the trivial incidents.
Politics
The US House Committee on Foreign Affairs has advanced a bill in Congress potentially giving the Biden administration power to ban TikTok in the US. Zaobao’s China Desk weighs up the various opinions discussing the issue.
Politics
Even as China and the US continue to bicker over the Chinese balloon that was shot down after entering US airspace, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi’s visit to Europe is on track, including his attendance at the Munich Security Conference in Germany and a possible meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Zaobao’s correspondent Yang Danxu looks at whether this trip could finally turn the page on the matter and refocus US-China priorities.
Politics
Japanese academic Masaaki Yatsuzuka finds China’s explanations and criticism of the US in the aftermath of the balloon incident unpersuasive, more so in light of its military-civilian fusion strategy.