July 18, 2026

Southeast Asia Watch

These NATO Countries Are Deepening Their China Ties – RedState– redstate.com

pgnewser September 23, 2025 0

These NATO Countries Are Deepening Their China Ties – RedState– redstate.com
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Poland recently closed its border with Belarus in response to the Russian-Belarusian Zapad 2025 military exercise and Russian drone incursions. Caught in the crosshairs of this border closure is China, 90 percent of whose EU-bound rail freight travels across the Poland-Belarus border. Warsaw takes a clear-eyed view of China’s role in supporting Russian aggression, prioritizing national security over economic interests. In the long term, Polish leaders will have to rethink their economic relations with Beijing.

Other European governments have taken action to counter Beijing’s influence, such as Lithuania’s and the Czech Republic’s engagement with Taiwan and other U.S. allies in the Asia-Pacific, while Lithuania has also expelled Chinese diplomats.

In contrast, Hungary, Slovakia, and Turkey—NATO member states, two of which are in the EU—have been working against the U.S.’s interests by fueling the war in Ukraine through purchases of Russian oil and deepening their cooperation with China—Washington’s top foreign enemy—on economic and security matters. This is a concerning trajectory that requires swift action.

Thousands evacuated in Hong Kong after 1,000-pound WWII bomb discovered– www.foxnews.com

pgnewser September 22, 2025 0

Thousands evacuated in Hong Kong after 1,000-pound WWII bomb discovered– www.foxnews.com
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Thousands of people were forced to evacuate a bustling neighborhood of Hong Kong overnight while experts sweated through the delicate work of defusing an undetonated nearly 5-foot, 1,000-pound bomb left over from World War II.

The U.S.-made bomb was found at a construction site in Quarry Bay on Hong Kong’s west side overnight Friday, and it isn’t the first bomb from the war to be found on the island.

“We have confirmed this object to be a bomb dating back to World War II,” Andy Chan Tin-Chu, a police official, told reporters. He said because of “the exceptionally high risks associated with its disposal,” approximately 1,900 households involving 6,000 individuals were “urged to evacuate swiftly.”

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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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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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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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!

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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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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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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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.

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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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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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.

As the Serbian Government Cracks Down on Dissent, China Equips them to Spy on their Citizens

pgnewser August 14, 2025 0

The Chinese Communist Party has now been exposed for building an advanced nationwide digital surveillance system for the Serbian government that is currently being used to shut down the resistance to the regime. Citizens have been protesting since a November 2024 train station canopy collapse that killed 16 people.

The government led by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), led by President Alexsander Vucic, is being accused of being corrupt to the point of making Serbia a dangerous place to live due to mismanaged public works projects. Now, protestors are being met with pro-government counter-protestors, with the violence reportedly only increasing in these clashes.

Leaked Files Reveal Serbia’s Secret Expansion Of Chinese-Made Surveillance – rferl.org

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BELGRADE — The Serbian government is substantially expanding its advanced Chinese-made surveillance system, leaked documents reviewed by RFE/RL show, despite years of protests and backlash from the public over its use.

The documents seen by RFE/RL contain contacts with the Chinese technology giant Huawei.

They show large purchases of software and services necessary to increase the scale of a program called Safe City, a project first sold by Huawei in 2017 through a strategic partnership deal with Serbia’s Interior Ministry.

The program aims to provide facial and license-plate recognition and other surveillance capabilities integrated into a unified, citywide system.

Serbia’s police intervene as ruling party supporters face off against anti-government protesters – Yahoo News Canada–

pgnewser  August 14, 2025

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Months of protests in Serbia reached a new intensity Wednesday night as riot police intervened to separate rival demonstrations of anti-government protesters and supporters of President Aleksandar Vucic. The president once again accused unnamed foreign powers of orchestrating the protests, which first began after the deadly collapse of a subway station sparked accusations of widespread government corruption.

Supporters of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) threw flares and firecrackers at anti-government protesters in Novi Sad on Wednesday evening, prompting police to intervene to end the standoff, a major escalation of nine-month-long protests in Serbia.

The student-led protests in Serbia first started in November after a train station canopy collapsed in Novi Sad, killing 16 people and triggering accusations of corruption in state infrastructure projects.

Protests have since drawn hundreds of thousands of people, shaking President Aleksandar Vucic’s firm grip on power. His supporters have recently started organising counter-demonstrations, fuelling fears of possible violence.

Protesters block main state Serbian TV building as tensions soar ahead of a planned large rally – ABC News–

pgnewser  March 11, 2025

Protesters block main state Serbian TV building as tensions soar ahead of a planned large rally – ABC News
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Excerpt:

 Several hundred student protesters have blocked Serbia’s public television station building in Belgrade as tensions are soaring in the Balkan country days ahead of a planned large rally over the weekend billed as an endgame in months of anti-government demonstrations.

The students first blocked the TV building in central Belgrade, Serbia’s capital, late on Monday and several hundred gathered again early on Tuesday, after announcing that their blockade will last for at least 22 hours.

University students in Serbia are behind almost daily rallies that started after a concrete canopy crashed down in November at a railway station in the northern city of Novi Sad, killing 15 people. The protests have rocked populist rule of President Aleksandar Vucic and his firm grip on power.

Serbian farmers join striking university students’ 24-hour traffic blockade in Belgrade – The Associated Press

pgnewser  January 28, 2025

Serbian farmers join striking university students’ 24-hour traffic blockade in Belgrade – The Associated Press
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Excerpt:

  1. Serbian farmers join striking university students’ 24-hour traffic blockade in Belgrade  The Associated Press
  2. Serbian students block Belgrade road junction to increase pressure on Vučić  The Guardian
  3. A driver rams an anti-government rally in Serbia’s capital and injures one protester  The Washington Post

Serbia’s police intervene as ruling party supporters face off against anti-government protesters – Yahoo News Canada–

pgnewser August 14, 2025 1

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Months of protests in Serbia reached a new intensity Wednesday night as riot police intervened to separate rival demonstrations of anti-government protesters and supporters of President Aleksandar Vucic. The president once again accused unnamed foreign powers of orchestrating the protests, which first began after the deadly collapse of a subway station sparked accusations of widespread government corruption.

Supporters of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) threw flares and firecrackers at anti-government protesters in Novi Sad on Wednesday evening, prompting police to intervene to end the standoff, a major escalation of nine-month-long protests in Serbia.

The student-led protests in Serbia first started in November after a train station canopy collapsed in Novi Sad, killing 16 people and triggering accusations of corruption in state infrastructure projects.

Protests have since drawn hundreds of thousands of people, shaking President Aleksandar Vucic’s firm grip on power. His supporters have recently started organising counter-demonstrations, fuelling fears of possible violence.

The real reason the West is warmongering against China | International Trade– www.aljazeera.com

pgnewser August 4, 2025 0

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Over the past two decades, the posture of the United States towards China has evolved from economic cooperation to outright antagonism. US media outlets and politicians have engaged in persistent anti-China rhetoric, while the US government has imposed trade restrictions and sanctions on China and pursued military build-up close to Chinese territory. Washington wants people to believe that China poses a threat.

China’s rise indeed threatens US interests, but not in the way the US political elite seeks to frame it.

The US relationship with China needs to be understood in the context of the capitalist world system. Capital accumulation in the core states, often glossed as the “Global North”, depends on cheap labour and cheap resources from the periphery and semi-periphery, the so-called “Global South”.

This arrangement is crucial to ensuring high profits for the multinational firms that dominate global supply chains. The systematic price disparity between the core and periphery also enables the core to achieve a large net-appropriation of value from the periphery through unequal exchange in international trade.

Bad news for US and Taiwan as China’s largest aircraft carrier with J-15T, J-35 fighter planes to soon join C – India.Com

pgnewser August 4, 2025 0

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 In a significant development in the Indo-Pacific and and a matter of concern for India, US and East Asian Countries, China has intensified its maritime military capabilities by deploying its largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, Fujian, into the sea. As per media reports, the Fujian aircraft carrier is not only China’s most advanced but also its first fully domestically designed flat-deck supercarrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults. Here are all the details you need to know about the Fujian advanced aircraft carrier.

China’s Fujian aircraft carrier: Why India should be cautious?

Reportedly similar to the US Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class, the deployment of the aircraft carrier marks a significant step in Beijing’s naval modernization and signals its growing strategic ambitions from the Taiwan Strait to the Indian Ocean.

Why China’s Fujian aircraft carrier is dangerous?

As per media reports, the Fujian aircraft carrier was first deployed for sea trials in May 2024 and is expected to join service by the end of 2025. More importantly, the aircraft carrier has been equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system (EMALS), making China the only country in the world after US to use an electromagnetic catapult system (EMALS) to land fighter jets on a carrier.