April 30, 2026

Far East Watch

TikTok’s Algorithm Will Soon Be “Controlled By America” – Mother Jones– www.motherjones.com

pgnewser September 22, 2025 0

TikTok’s Algorithm Will Soon Be “Controlled By America” – Mother Jones– www.motherjones.com
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Excerpt:

After years of bipartisan warnings about TikTok’s potential national security risks, users may soon confront a different kind of threat, perhaps even worse: an algorithm “controlled by America.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the detail on Saturday, a key aspect of the emerging agreement announced by the Trump administration last week between the United States and China. The deal could finally settle TikTok’s fate in the US following months of uncertainty with a brief ban, reversal by the Trump administration, and shifting, self-imposed deadlines for an agreement.

“There will be seven seats on the board that controls the app in the US, and six of those seats will be Americans,” Leavitt told Fox News. “The data and privacy will be led by one of America’s greatest tech companies, Oracle, and the algorithm will also be controlled by America.”

It’s unclear what exactly a US-controlled algorithm will involve. Right-wing conspiracy theories? Charlie Kirk memorials? Coupons for MAGA swag? Nor did Leavitt specify which American individuals would be involved in determining an algorithm. We also have little details on how Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, a Trump loyalist, intends to approach the responsibility for managing TikTok’s data and security while the Trump administration weaponizes everything from voting data to confidential Social Security records.

China’s Gap Between Rhetoric and Action Perpetuates Status Quo in Gaza– chinadigitaltimes.net

pgnewser September 22, 2025 0

China’s Gap Between Rhetoric and Action Perpetuates Status Quo in Gaza– chinadigitaltimes.net
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Excerpt:

On Monday, Reuters reported on the story of a man who tried to flee Gaza by crossing the border into Egypt and then flying to China in order to seek asylum, only to be denied and sent back. As his case illustrates, China’s well-known rhetorical support for Gaza has in many ways not translated into concrete action. In fact, China has appeared to soften its stance towards Israel over the past year. Its criticism over what a U.N. Commission of Inquiry described this week as genocide is directed more at the U.S. and other Western states that undergird Israel’s campaign, rather than at Israel itself. This selectivity serves to undermine the U.S.’ standing relative to China in the eyes of some other countries, while preserving China’s interests in Israel. However, Israel’s increasingly aggressive actions—including recently bombing Qatar’s capital—risk finally pushing Beijing to adopt a more confrontational stance backed by material consequences.

As Youth Unemployment Hits New High, China Waxes Nostalgic for the “Boom Years”– chinadigitaltimes.net

pgnewser September 19, 2025 0

As Youth Unemployment Hits New High, China Waxes Nostalgic for the “Boom Years”– chinadigitaltimes.net
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Excerpt:

China’s National Bureau of Statistics published new data on Wednesday showing that urban youth unemployment rose to a two-year high last month. According to the data, the rate of unemployed youth aged 16 to 24 (excluding students) rose from 17.8 percent in June to 18.9 percent in August, nearing the historical peak of 21.3 percent in June 2023. This development underscores how even in a country that censors and “optimizes” negative data, a harsh economic landscape continues to frustrate millions of Chinese youth.

After the peak in 2023, government officials suspended the publication of youth unemployment data for several months and revised their methodology to yield lower figures. Articles discussing the state of the Chinese economy have also been censored online, including one on WeChat from March titled “Ten Questions About the Chinese Economy in 2025,” and a similar list of ten economic questions in 2023. A meme comparing masses of youth at a job fair to the Terracotta Warriors was likewise taken down from the internet in May. Upon hearing about the latest youth unemployment figures, Chinese netizens on Weibo and X joked about the sensitivity and unreliability of such statistics, as documented by CDT Chinese editors:

Stream2024: Great news! Another record high!

South Korean prosecutors seek arrest of ‘Moonies’ leader in bribery probe | Courts News– www.aljazeera.com

pgnewser September 18, 2025 0

South Korean prosecutors seek arrest of ‘Moonies’ leader in bribery probe | Courts News– www.aljazeera.com
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Excerpt:

The request on Thursday came a day after Han was questioned over her alleged role in bribing former first lady Kim Keon-hee and conservative lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong.

The charges came amid a drive to investigate Kim and her husband, former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was forced from office last year after imposing martial law.

“We have requested an arrest warrant for Han earlier today,” prosecutor Park Sang-jin said. “The charges against her include violation of political funds act, anti-graft law, incitement to destroy evidence and embezzlement.”

“We considered the risk of Han tampering with evidence to be very high, which led us to seek the warrant.”

South Korea's presidential candidates hold first heated debate ...

South Korea Goes Woke Protecting Resettled Defectors

pgnewser September 17, 2025 0

South Korea's presidential candidates hold first heated debate ...

Democrat-Run South Korea Lunges North in Latest Language War Action – Freedomist
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Excerpt:

The CCP-infiltrated Democrat Party that recently overcame a rightful counter-revolutionary coup is now looking to move the country towards reintegration in the de facto CCP empire. The regime is now changing the name for North Korean defectors who later resettled in the South to “promote social integration.”

China Is Determined to Hold Firm Against Trump's Pressure ...

Public Opinion Surveys Show Recent Gains for China’s Soft Power– chinadigitaltimes.net

pgnewser September 17, 2025 0

China Is Determined to Hold Firm Against Trump's Pressure ...

Public Opinion Surveys Show Recent Gains for China’s Soft Power– chinadigitaltimes.net
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Excerpt:

Several public opinion surveys published over the last few months paint a picture of China’s role in the world from the perspective of both Chinese and international respondents. These build on previous surveys from the past year that show how despite polarized views, global attitudes towards China have improved at the expense of the U.S., especially in the Global South. (Meanwhile, polls showing dissatisfaction within China have been censored online.)

One notable survey published this month by Dina Smeltz, Craig Kafura, Yawei Liu, Nick Zeller, and Sam Dong at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs tracked Chinese people’s confidence in China and their desire for their country to play a global leadership role. Conducted between April 25 and June 16, the survey found that a “key difference between Chinese views of Beijing’s role in the world compared to American views of Washington’s role is that China’s public support is widespread across all demographic groups, while the public in the United States is much more fragmented, especially by partisan affiliation.” Here is a summary of the main findings:

Nine in 10 Chinese support their country’s active participation in world affairs (90%).

Part of this enthusiasm stems from a sense that China is a leading power in the world: Large majorities say their country is in at least a somewhat strong position in the world (97%) and expect it to get at least somewhat stronger in the next five years (95%).

Seven in 10 Chinese respondents say China has a unique character that makes it the greatest country in the world (69%) versus three in 10 who say China is no greater than any other country (30%).

While a plurality prefer China play a shared leadership role in the world (48%), four in 10 say it should take a dominant one (41%). One in 10 feel China should play no leadership role (11%). [Source]

Signposts Toward the Future of Indian-Chinese Relations– warontherocks.com

pgnewser September 17, 2025 0

Signposts Toward the Future of Indian-Chinese Relations– warontherocks.com
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Excerpt:

On Aug. 31, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s annual summit in Tianjin — Modi’s first trip to China in seven years. The meeting highlighted improving relations between the two countries, following a period of intensified tensions during border clashes in 2020. This renewed engagement occurs at a time of unusually high U.S.–Indian tensions, raising concerns in Washington that New Delhi might be leaning more toward China. We asked three experts to identify key indicators that might signify the direction of Indian–Chinese relations over the next few

China accuses Philippines of ship collision near disputed shoal in South China Sea– www.cbsnews.com

pgnewser September 17, 2025 0

China accuses Philippines of ship collision near disputed shoal in South China Sea– www.cbsnews.com
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Excerpt:

China’s coast guard accused a Philippine ship of deliberately ramming one of its vessels on Tuesday near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The Philippines denied it, saying China’s forces used powerful water cannons that damaged its ship and injured a crew member.

A Chinese coast guard statement said more than 10 Philippine government ships coming from various directions entered the waters around the shoal, which is called Huangyan Island in Chinese. It said it deployed water cannons against the vessels.

The encounter came six days after China announced it was designating part of Scarborough Shoal as a national nature reserve. The Philippine government, which calls the shoal Bajo de Masinloc, filed a diplomatic protest.

China and the Philippines have clashed repeatedly around outcroppings in the South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety. The two countries are among several that have competing claims to territory in the waters, which are of strategic importance and home to valuable fishing grounds.

The Philippine coast guard said two Chinese coast guard ships hit a Filipino fisheries vessel, the BRP Datu Gumbay Piang, with powerful water cannons for nearly 30 minutes “resulting in significant damage,” including in the captain’s cabin and the bridge. A glass window was shattered and injured a personnel while the deluge of water caused a short circuit that affected electrical outlets and five outdoor air-conditioning units, it said.

Exclusive: How Taiwan is reinventing government

Taiwan Thumbs Nose at CCP

pgnewser September 16, 2025 0

Exclusive: How Taiwan is reinventing government

Taiwan leaders flaunt sovereignty amid warnings Chinese invasion– www.washingtonexaminer.com
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Excerpt:

Official communications from the government of Taiwan continue to use coded language regarding the island’s relationship with mainland China, but Taiwanese leaders are far less ambiguous behind closed doors.

The Washington Examiner traveled to Taipei, Taiwan, to speak with members of the island’s government about their increased push for independence, as well as conservative opposition leaders who fear such rhetoric is thrusting their homeland to the brink of war.

When asked by the Washington Examiner why the current Democratic Progressive Party government is now leaning into rhetoric about full separation from the People’s Republic of China, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said that it was simply the will of the people.

“There is a consensus in Taiwan that Taiwan is not part of the PRC and Taiwanese people will decide their own future because Taiwan is already a democratic country,” he told the Washington Examiner. “So of course, our people can be their own masters and decide their own future.”

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung speaks with members of the press from 13 countries at the ministry’s headquarters in Taipei (Photo by Timothy Nerozzi)

“And according to our opinion poll, in terms of identity, I can assure you that more than 80% of the Taiwanese people believe that they are Taiwanese [instead of Chinese],” Lin added.

Changsin Church, Seoul South Korea - Alcons Audio

‘This Is a Targeted Arrest’: South Korean Pastor Hasn’t Been Seen Since Entering Police Station– www.cbn.com

pgnewser September 16, 2025 0

Changsin Church, Seoul South Korea - Alcons Audio

‘This Is a Targeted Arrest’: South Korean Pastor Hasn’t Been Seen Since Entering Police Station– www.cbn.com
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Excerpt:

SEOUL – “If I am imprisoned, it will prove that Korea is no longer free.”  Reverend Hyun-bo Son made that statement just before entering the police station for a pre-trial hearing on September 8th. He hasn’t been seen since.

Charges against Pastor Son include violating election laws—specifically, for interviewing a candidate on issues the government interpreted as illegal campaigning. Authorities cited “risk of flight and destroying evidence” as the reasons for his detention.

Chance Son says the family only learned of his father’s arrest through the press. Since then, they have not been allowed to speak to Pastor Son, which they say violates his rights.

He said, “To a senior pastor who has served the same church for over 30 years, faithfully ministering to his congregation and the community, the court’s claim of flight risk makes no sense. I believe this is clearly political retaliation and religious oppression targeting Korean churches.”

Bucks sheriff and ICE collaboration is official - WHYY

Hyundai ICE Raid Triggers “Human Rights Violations” Accusations by South Korea

pgnewser September 15, 2025 0

Bucks sheriff and ICE collaboration is official - WHYY

South Korea Looks to Weaponize “Human Rights” over U.S. Export of its Citizens – Freedomist

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Excerpt:

The Democrat Party of South Korea, the new Ruling Party, has signaled its move away from the U.S. once again with an effort to use “human rights” allegations to fuel the American left resistance to ICE deportations. The country is alleging Trump “may have” violated the rights of its citizens after raiding a Hyundai plant and detaining more than 300 South Korean illegal aliens.

South Korea's Supreme Court now reviewing $243m Qualcomm fine ...

Ruling Party wants South Korean SCOTUS to Create Rebellion Courts

pgnewser September 15, 2025 0

South Korea's Supreme Court now reviewing $243m Qualcomm fine ...

South Korea’s Democrats Look to Eliminate Opposition with Insurrection Trial Division – Freedomist
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Excerpt:

The Democrat Party, with its ties to the CCP and North Korean friendly policies, is looking to cement its new power in South Korea through charges of insurrection. The party demanded the Supreme Court create an Insurrection Trial Division.

Censorship Smothers Criticism of Military Parade– chinadigitaltimes.net

pgnewser September 10, 2025 0

Censorship Smothers Criticism of Military Parade– chinadigitaltimes.net
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Excerpt:

A host of measures intended to stifle dissent allowed Beijing’s military parade last week to take place without any major disruptions. The following is a summary of some of these examples of censorship and control.

Some of these measures were implemented before the parade began. A recent censorship directive, leaked online and later translated by CDT, advised cyber-regulators to remain vigilant against a long list of “ideological risks” related to the upcoming military parade and other events during the third quarter of the year. Last week, Laura Bicker at the BBC detailed how Beijing tightened control in the lead-up to the parade:

Airport security scanners have been installed in some office entrances. All drones are banned and international journalists have been visited at home, some on multiple occasions, to ensure they get the message.

Guards have been stationed 24 hours a day at the entrances to overpasses and bridges to prevent any protests, some of them in army uniforms.

[…] People living near Chang’an Avenue, which leads to Tiananmen square, were told to stay off their balconies to ensure the rehearsals could be held in secrecy. [Source]

Developing world is awash in pesticides - does it have to be?

Chinese Mobs Using Pesticides to Attack America

pgnewser August 28, 2025 0

Chinese gangs are allegedly running illegal marijuana farms in Northern California through which they are smuggling in dangerous pesticides that threaten the flora and fauna of the region, including humans themselves. The intent behind it seems two-fold, to efficiently grow their cash crops and ruin the American ecosystem. Operations have also been reported in Maine, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.

Lt. John Nores Jr. of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said, “These criminal organizations use such a  deadly, potent, toxic chemical because it absolutely keeps everything off their cash crop.”

Chinese Orgs Smuggling Dangerous Pesticides Into US, Authorities Warn– dailycaller.com
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Excerpt:

Chinese criminal organizations have infiltrated California’s black-market marijuana industry, smuggling toxic pesticides that authorities warn could cause decades of environmental damage, NewsNation reported Sunday.

The illegal pesticides are killing wildlife and destroying ecosystems across northern California, where Chinese cartels operate large-scale marijuana growing operations using trafficked migrant workers, authorities told NewsNation.

“A lot of the chemicals that are being used are hazardous to humans,” Matt Kendall, Mendocino County Sheriff, stated.

Kendall confirmed authorities have identified a pattern of Chinese cartels controlling these operations and potentially using violence to protect their enterprises, the outlet reported. The criminal organizations allegedly rely on migrant workers trafficked into the United States specifically to cultivate black-market marijuana.

Challenging China’s Global Grip › American Greatness– amgreatness.com

pgnewser August 22, 2025 0

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Recent reports are urging President Trump to recognize Somaliland as an independent country. During his press conference with the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, where he discussed brokering their peace, a reporter also asked him about Somaliland. President Trump, positioning himself as a true dealmaker who brokers peace among longtime warring factions, has a significant opportunity to strengthen these fledgling nations.

East Turkistan is another country yearning for freedom, located to the east of Kazakhstan in Central Asia. Currently occupied by the People’s Republic of China and labeled the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, most of the world has never heard of this country because of the Chinese government’s ethnic cleansing and propaganda war of suppression and secrecy.

However, most people have heard of the Uyghurs.