Translation : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA
News on CCP, Myanmar, Thailand, North Korea, Russia, Ukraine, U.S.
News (1) to (11) / Editor: Fang Xun / Source: Epoch Times / https://www.aboluowang.com/2024/1120/2132760.html
News (1)
Gambling king She Zhijiang was tortured in Bangkok prison
Image : Photo of She Zhijiang. (Provided by an insider)
The "gambling king" She Zhijiang is said to be a legendary figure. While the people of Asia Pacific City in Shuigou Valley, Myanmar, are praying for his safe return, the Thai government is preparing to start his repatriation process to CCP China. The latest news shows that he was beaten again in a Bangkok prison.
Fu Yifeng, a Chinese dissident who recently fled Southeast Asia, told Epoch Times reporters on 18 November 2024 that he learned about She Zhijiang's beating at night of 17 November 2024. He is in a very bad condition now and was transferred to the death row on 9 October 2024. Human rights lawyers have asked the prison to provide videos but the prison refused to provide them and explain the reasons.
News (2)
Prison guards of the Thai Central Prison torture She Zhijiang for no reason
According to the official condemnation statement issued by Asia Pacific Group on 30 October 2024, on the morning of 29 October 2024, more than a dozen prison guards in the death row of the Thai Central Prison provoked and beat Asia Pacific Group founder She Zhijiang for no reason, causing him to be seriously injured, breathing difficulties, and paralyzed. He can only sit on a wheelchair and can no longer take care of himself. He was not examined and treated in time. For such deliberate injury, the group strongly condemned and was extremely indignant about the vicious incident, and lodged a solemn protest to the Thai government.
News (3)
Asia Pacific Group requests Cambodia government to intervene in She Zhijiang's abuse
On 8 November 2024, the Asia Pacific Group officially requested the Cambodian government for attention and emergency rescue (She joined Cambodian nationality in 2017). The letter accused the Thai authorities of obeying the CCP's manipulation, unreasonably depriving She Zhijiang of his right to bail, and causing him to be abused in prison. She was beaten and abused by prison guards twice during the more than two years of illegal detention, and escaped an assassination and a poisoning.
The letter stated that as a person awaiting trial in an extradition case, She still enjoys freedom of speech and freedom of the press under international law.
The reporter wrote to the Thai Ministry of Justice seeking comment on She's abuse in the Central Prison, but no response was received as of press time.
News (4)
She Zhijiang regrets joining the CCP National Security
In September 2024, She Zhijiang accepted the Al Jazeera "East 101" (East 101) interview through the video visitation system provided by the Thai prison. 101) program. This was his first media interview since he was imprisoned, revealing some shocking inside stories. He had previously spoken to the media through a spokesperson.
She Zhijiang said that he felt very regretful after joining the Chinese National Security Bureau. China (CCP) just wanted colonies, and he just wanted to do business.
News (5)
She Zhijiang was first recruited in the Philippines as a spy for CCP
She revealed that he was recruited by a man ("East 101" did not disclose his name) in the Philippines at the end of 2016. The other party held a wanted warrant with his name on it and promised to help him close the case (he was accused of operating an online gaming platform targeting Chinese people) and arrange for him to return home safely. The condition for the exchange was that he had to become a spy for the Chinese Ministry of State Security.
According to reports, She Zhijiang visited China many times in a high-profile manner from 2017 to 2019. He said that people from the National Security Bureau took him to northern Myanmar, Karen State, and Cambodia for inspection, and the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese helped him sign the "Belt and Road" Asia-Pacific New City project. His inclusive withdrawal from Chinese nationality in 2017 was also arranged by the Chinese National Security Bureau.
In 2019, She Zhijiang served as the executive vice president of the All-China Federation of Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs. He was interviewed by Chinese media at the time and became the cover figure of Chinese overseas Chinese entrepreneurs. She admitted that he was a little flattered at the time. The CPPCC commended him as a model, and a series of Chinese companies and organizations with political connections lined up to cooperate with the Asia-Pacific Group.
By 2020, She Zhijiang had built Asia-Pacific New City. "East 101" reporters have visited the Thai-Myanmar border many times to visit the Asia-Pacific New City, which is called the "Myanmar version of Las Vegas or Macau". The population of Shuigou Valley has surged by tens of thousands in just six years, and many people have fled here from the war-torn areas of Myanmar.
Previously, Fu Yifeng was the first person to publicly explore the Asia-Pacific New City. He also filmed a large number of videos to show the prosperous scene in the city.
News (6)
She Zhijiang: The CCP is not trustworthy. Tell the truth to the world
According to "East 101", She Zhijiang said that he was a former spy of the CCP and was punished for knowing too much. He was exposed to many secrets of the Ministry of State Security of the CCP and the "Belt and Road Initiative", and some things were related to "the top person". If he was sent back to CCP China, he would definitely be silenced.
She's friend Wang Fugui said that She left a lot of files to be declassified, involving the list of national security personnel. At present, according to authorization, only part of the content has been declassified.
News (7)
She Zhijiang's files prove Alice Guo is not Filipina but a fugitive from Jinjiang
In the list, Guo Huaping's file attracted the attention of the "East 101" reporter. Guo Huaping (Alice Guo) is the former Chinese mayor of Bamban City, Tarlac Province, Philippines. She was dismissed in 2022 for serious dereliction of duty. She was accused of corruption, participation in illegal gambling activities, money laundering and other crimes. On 6 September 2024, Guo Huaping was extradited from Indonesia to the Philippines. She was also accused of being a CCP spy.
She revealed in the interview that he used his boss's cell phone to talk to Guo, who had asked him to fund her political campaign. She did not want to offend the Philippine government, so he did not give her money.
Guo Huaping repeatedly insisted that she was born in the Philippines, a prerequisite for holding public office in the country but the files held by She Zhijiang show that Guo was born in CCP China and her household registration address is in the city of Jinjiang, Quanzhou, Fujian Province. "East 101" reporters even went to Guo's hometown in Fujian, and residents of nearby villages recognized her as the daughter of a local person, who was born there and did not leave until the end of 2002.
She Zhijiang even shouted to Guo Huaping, "China (CCP) is not trustworthy. Look at the end of his life for the national security. If you don't want to be silenced, tell the truth to the world."
News (8)
She Zhijiang is prosecuted by CCP in Thai prison for knowing too many secrets of the National Security
Fu Yifeng told the Epoch Times that She Zhijiang has been detained for about two years and three or four months, and he has never violated Thai law. She was persecuted by the CCP and was completely targeted by the CCP government. Although he revealed some things, the CCP used too much power.
He said, "She Zhijiang is the boss of Asia Pacific Group. If the CCP wants to get rid of She, it must first ruin his reputation and put the hat of KK fraud park on his head, which is a capital crime, get rid of his money and get rid of him. A big-name figure like She who is rich, powerful and influential, the CCP can get rid of you at will. It wants to convey such a message to the outside world.
"And She knows too many secrets of the National Security. She used to make a fortune in the Philippines. She knew many big-name figures infiltrated by the CCP in the Philippines, including the Guo Huaping incident that has been fermenting recently. "
Fu Yifeng told the Epoch Times reporter that this was not the first time that She was targeted by the CCP. In September 2023, when he went to Myanmar to investigate and expose the KK Park, She sent a video from the prison (a statement not to commit suicide) and handed it to media such as Radio Free Asia. After that, the CCP instructed the Thai government to transfer all the Chinese detained with She and put She under strict supervision.
News (9)
CCP transfers She Zhijiang to the death row prison
He said that this time She Zhijiang accepted an interview with Al Jazeera in prison and exposed the CCP's female spy Guo Huaping in the Philippines, which brought some bad influence to the CCP. So, the CCP bribed some people in the Thai government and prison to transfer She to the death row prison. The CCP hates She very much."
Fu Yifeng questioned that She Zhijiang was beaten because She Zhijiang accepted an interview with Al Jazeera and because Ma Dongli, the person in charge of the CCP's Belt and Road project in Southeast Asia, went to the prison this summer to persuade She Zhijiang to return, hoping that She would cooperate with the CCP to "voluntarily" repatriate to China, but She refused him.
News (10)
She Zhijiang's mastermind behind Asia Pacific New City, Ma Dongli, plans to colonise Shuigou Valley, the land of Myanmar bordering Thailand
According to an insider, Ma Dongli is a second-generation red and a member of the CCP's national security system. The Epoch Times previously reported that it was Ma Dongli who recruited She. After She became an agent of the Ministry of State Security of the Communist Party of China, many people from the Ministry of State Security gathered around him. In 2017, in Yangon, Asia Pacific International Holdings Group reached a development agreement with the local government, and the Chinese Communist Embassy was considered to have played a key role in it. The project was described as a special economic zone costing $15 billion.
Ma Dongli was the company's vice president and executive director at the time. In an interview with CCTV's "Chinatown" program in January 2020, he said that the future Hainan is separated from Thailand by a river in Shuigou Valley, and plans to open a route from Mae Sot Airport to the country. However, in the program, Ma Dongli's public identity is a businessman.
News (11)
CCP wants to take over scam site in Myanmar
According to insiders, because the Chinese Communist Party wanted to take over Asia Pacific City, She Zhijiang wanted to develop in Taiwan, which became the starting point of the conflict between the two sides. She had a good relationship with the local warlord Sochi Du. He had money, land, and troops, and was considered difficult to control, so the National Security began to plan to get rid of She Zhijiang.
In August 2022, She Zhijiang was arrested while attending a banquet in Bangkok, Thailand. Royal Thai Police Advisor Kamalin told "East 101" that their move was based on the red warrant issued by Interpol at the request of China, on the charge of the crime of Running a casino. At the same time, the Chinese Communist Embassy in Myanmar issued a statement saying that Myanmar Asia Pacific New City was a third-country investment and had nothing to do with the "Belt and Road Initiative". Kamalin believes that under pressure from the Chinese (CCP) government, She will be extradited back to CCP China at the end of this year.
In September 2023, She Zhijiang recorded a video in a Thai prison, publicly admitting that he was a former member of the Ministry of State Security of the CCP, framed and persecuted by the CCP, and declared that he would never commit suicide.
News (12) to (15) / Editor : Fang Xun / Source : Epoch Times / https://www.aboluowang.com/2024/1120/2132657.html
News (12)
Xi’s “brother” was sentenced in the United States! He was summoned by Xi three times in 10 years to implement the CCP’s “big goal”
Image : Chen Jun (left, below) and Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping. (Court Photo)
On 19 November 2024, John Chen, a 72-year-old pro-CCP "overseas Chinese leader" in California, was sentenced to 20 months in prison in the Southern District of New York Federal Court for acting as an unregistered agent of the Chinese Communist government and bribing a U.S. official. Chen pleaded guilty on 24 July 2024.
The indictment alleges that from January to May 2023, Chen and his bodyguard Lin Feng acted in the United States under the direction of the Chinese Communist government to further the CCP's plan to suppress and harass Falun Gong practitioners. They participated in manipulating the IRS's whistleblower program to attempt to revoke the tax-exempt status of the Shen Yun Performing Arts Company, which is run by Falun Gong practitioners, and paid a bribe to an FBI undercover agent (posing as an IRS official) and promised to further divide the bonus after the success.
Chen made it clear in the call that the purpose of the bribe was to achieve the CCP's goal of "overthrowing Falun Gong." According to judicially authorized telephone intercept records, Chen and Lin discussed receiving instructions from a Chinese Communist government official-1 to delete evidence to avoid detection, and mentioned that the official needed to "send an alarm" if the plan failed. The official was confirmed to be the person in charge of the bribery operation. Finally, the two were arrested in May last year.
News (13)
Prosecutor: The defendant "corrupted the American system to fight Falun Gong"
Before sentencing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Dennis Lockard recommended that Chen Jun be sentenced to 30 months in prison. He emphasized that based on the seriousness of his crime and the need to prevent recidivism, it is necessary to sentence him according to the highest sentencing guidelines (24 to 30 months). From the perspective of the victim, this is also an appropriate sentence.
Lockard pointed out that the CCP poses a national security threat to the United States, and the defendant voluntarily cooperates with the CCP. Chen Jun is a partner of the CCP. He "voluntarily and happily" cooperates with the CCP and is "ideologically consistent" with the CCP. He used to serve in the Chinese army and hold government positions. He boasted that he "climbed to this position step by step and was summoned by Xi Jinping three times in ten years" and called the leaders of the CCP "brothers."
Lockard said that the CCP regards Falun Gong as one of the five major threats, on par with Taiwan and Tibet. The CCP targets Falun Gong in the United States because the CCP regards it as a threat. Chen Jun is well aware of the "power struggle" between the CCP and Falun Gong and regards it as his mission.
In addition, Chen Jun attempted to "corrupt the U.S. system against Falun Gong" through bribery, intending to revoke Falun Gong's tax-exempt status, and the bribe amount was as high as $50,000. Lockard pointed out that "the defendant chose this amount" and the undercover officer did not ask for a specific amount.
Lockard further pointed out that Chen Jun lived in the United States while maintaining business interests in China and frequently traveled to China to hold honorary positions there. He enjoyed freedom in the United States, but tried to "use these freedoms to undermine the basic freedoms of American Falun Gong practitioners."
Although Chen Jun's co-defendant Lin Feng was only sentenced to 16 months in prison, Lockard pointed out that there were substantial differences between the two roles. Chen Jun recruited Lin Feng and provided funds, while Lin Feng had no deep relationship with the leaders of the Chinese Communist Party.
News (14)
Chen Jun did not express remorse
Chen Jun's defense attorney Julie Rendelman argued that Chen Jun had pleaded guilty and had no criminal record, the crimes occurred in a short period of time, and he was old, and asked to be sentenced only for time served. She also said that other cases cited by the prosecutors that were sentenced to 30 months were different and did not apply to Chen Jun. For example, one defendant is significantly younger and his criminal behavior lasted for more than ten years.
Judge Nelson Stephen Roman pointed out in the discussion that Chen Jun was the mastermind and responsible for decision-making, and his role was different from Lin Feng, so he should bear a higher criminal responsibility.
The defense lawyer admitted that Chen Jun played an important role in the case, but insisted that Chen Jun was already old and the current sentence was enough. The judge pointed out that being older should mean being wiser and more knowledgeable, and should be more discerning than young people, but Rendelman used Chen Jun's declining ability as a defense.
Before sentencing, the judge allowed the defendant to make a final statement. Usually, the guilty pleader would express remorse or confess his crime. However, Chen Jun's speech was limited to: "I thank the court and the US government. I am deeply sorry for causing you a lot of trouble."
In addition, Chen Jun claimed in court: "I want to make it clear that I have no organizational relationship with the CCP (Chinese Communist Party). I withdrew from the CCP in 1990." His lawyer also stated during the sentencing discussion that Chen Jun is not currently a member of the CCP and has not been a member for more than 20 years. She explained to the judge that she had asked the Chinese Communist Party to provide relevant certification documents, but failed to obtain them.
However, Chen Jun's statements in court showed obvious contradictions with his past words and deeds and related evidence. For example, Chen Jun had organized a high-profile red song party in Los Angeles in 2016 to "commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Long March of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army". In 2021, he published a signed article "The Communist Party of China is the pride of overseas Chinese children" on the official website of the United Front Work Department of the Tianjin Municipal Party Committee, clearly stating that he would "always follow the party". In addition, after his arrest, law enforcement officers found the cover of his application for joining the party, the letter of approval from the Communist Party of China, photos of participating in the centenary celebration of the founding of the Communist Party of China in 2021, and photos with the leader of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping, etc. in his electronic devices, highlighting his close connection with the Communist Party.
In the end, the judge sentenced Chen Jun to 20 months in prison for each charge (to be served concurrently), plus 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $50,000. Chen Jun has served 16 months in prison and needs to serve another 4 months.
News (15)
Prosecutor: The judicial system will hold transnational oppressors accountable
Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, issued a statement on the 19th saying: "Chen Jun is consistent with the Chinese Communist government and its goal of harassing and intimidating Falun Gong. We will not tolerate such actions to suppress freedom of speech by targeting CCP critics in the United States. Today's verdict is a clear warning against these evil deeds. The U.S. judicial system will hold accountable those who attempt to engage in malicious transnational oppression in the United States."
News (16)
The matter has become a big deal! North Korean soldiers "sexually assaulted Russian female teacher"
Editor : Li Hua / Source: ETtoday / https://www.aboluowang.com/2024/1120/2132916.html
In October 2024, North Korea sent more than 10,000 elite troops to Russia to assist the Russian army in the battle between the Kursk region and the Ukrainian army. These North Korean soldiers were sent to various military bases for training, and the Russian army also sent interpreters to assist the two sides in communication. At this time, a Russian female teacher accused the North Korean soldiers who trained her of "taking turns to sexually assault" her and she estimated that at least 4 or 5 people have sexually assaulted her. Considering the friendship between the two countries, it was difficult for her to directly resist the soldiers' arrogance.
According to the Ukrainian media "Dilova Stolytsya", as part of the plan to help North Korean soldiers adapt to the Russian combat environment, Anna (pseudonym), a 28-year-old female teacher at the People's Friendship University of Russia, went to the village of Kromskibiki in Kursk Oblast, 15 km away from the conflict zone between the Russian and Ukrainian armies, to help North Korean soldiers adapt to the local language, culture and daily life in Russia.
The adaptation plan was jointly initiated by the Russian Ministry of Defense and the Language Institute of the People's Friendship University of Russia.
In the early morning of 12 November 2024, teacher Anna suddenly felt an inexplicable suffocation in her sleep and woke up. Unexpectedly, she found that her mouth and nose were sealed with tape, and her hands were tied. At this time, the North Korean soldiers who spoke Korean began to take off Anna's clothes, not only humiliating her with dirty words, but also began to beat Anna.
In the end, this group of North Korean soldiers even raped Anna forcibly. It is estimated that there were at least 4 or 5 people who vented their primitive desires as men to Anna.
Telegram exposed a clip of Anna's interview. Anna sobbed and recalled the process of being sexually assaulted. She said that because these North Korean soldiers looked too similar, she could not recall how many North Koreans had sexually assaulted her. "I couldn't resist! This is terrible... I don't know how to live now."
Anna revealed that after two hours of sexual assault and violent abuse by North Korean soldiers, she finally managed to escape, while the North Korean soldiers continued to look for vodka.
Image : North Korean soldiers training in Russia.
Anna said she was worried that the group of sexual offenders might be deported back to North Korea, which would damage the friendly relations between Russia and North Korea.
News (17)
Giving in? Reuters: Putin is open to a ceasefire agreement with Trump
Editor-in-Chief: Chu Tian / Source: United Daily News / https://www.aboluowang.com/2024/1120/2132984.html / Image : Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) is said to be open to discussing a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. (AP)
Reuters quoted five people familiar with the Kremlin's thinking as saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin was open to discussing a ceasefire agreement with U.S. President-elect Trump in Ukraine, but ruled out any major territorial concessions and insisted that Kyiv abandon joining. NATO ambitions.
When it comes to what conditions Putin would accept in any deal brokered by Trump, five sources said the Kremlin was likely to broadly agree to a freeze on the frontline conflict.
Three of the people familiar with the matter said that there may be room for negotiation on the exact division of the four eastern regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporozhye and Kherson.
Russia may also be willing to withdraw its troops from relatively small territories in the Kharkiv and Nikolaev regions in northern and southern Ukraine, two sources said. But Biden's permission for Ukraine to use U.S.-made missiles to strike deep into Russia could complicate and delay any resolution, saying Russia will continue to fight if a ceasefire is not reached.
News (18)
Trump team steps up search for new FBI director, Vance deletes post
Reporter : Wang Duruo / Editor : Zhongkang / https://www.aboluowang.com/2024/1120/2132811.html
The Wall Street Journal reported that Donald Trump's transition team plans to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray before the end of his term, paving the way for future FBI reforms. Wray was appointed by Trump in 2017, but his relationship with Trump has gradually deteriorated. Republicans accuse the FBI of targeting conservatives, and Trump's allies, including former White House adviser Kash Patel and former Congressman Mike Rogers, have been discussed as successors.
On Tuesday, Vice President-elect JD Vance said on social media that they were looking for a candidate who could "dismantle the deep government" and then deleted the post. Trump allies suggested giving the Justice Department more power and reducing the independence of the FBI.
Wray served in the George W. Bush administration, but Republicans criticized the FBI's approach and believed it was biased against Trump. The FBI's previous search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate exacerbated tensions. The Trump team is actively looking for candidates who are loyal to them to promote major changes in the FBI.
News (19) to (23) / Editor : Zhongkang / Source: Voice of America / https://www.aboluowang.com/2024/1120/2132908.html
News (19)
USCC: Revoke China's permanent normal trade relations status
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) submitted its 2024 annual report to Congress on Tuesday (November 19), proposing a series of policy recommendations that could radically change the landscape of U.S.-China economic and technological competition, including the first recommendation to cancel China's permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) and launch an artificial intelligence (AI) research and development project similar to the "Manhattan Project".
News (20)
Cancel PNTR status: Re-evaluate the cornerstone of U.S.-China trade
For the first time, the USCC explicitly recommended that Congress cancel China's PNTR status since it joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001. This policy has long been regarded as the cornerstone of U.S.-China trade relations, but the commission believes that China has failed to fulfill its commitment to open markets and fair competition, and has undermined the international trade system through market access restrictions, intellectual property theft, state subsidies, economic coercion and other behaviors.
"For decades, we have adopted a 'whack-a-mole' policy, trying to deal with China's increasing and increasingly bold behavior of circumventing laws or exploiting trade loopholes through international organizations and rules-based frameworks," said Robin Cleveland, chairman of the committee, quoted by The Washington Post.
"The change of our government should not give China any opportunity to take advantage of it, nor should it cast any doubt on the consensus that China is the most significant economic threat of our time."
If Congress adopts the proposal, Chinese goods will face significantly higher tariffs, its trade status will be reduced to the same level as countries such as North Korea, Cuba and Russia, and the US Congress will restart its annual review of China's trade practices.
Just last week, the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (hereinafter referred to as the "Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party") proposed to renegotiate China's trade status. The chairman of the committee, Republican Congressman John Moolenaar of Michigan, introduced a bill on November 14 to abolish China's PNTR status. According to the bill, once this trade status is abolished, Chinese goods will be subject to a 35% base tariff, and there is a possibility that this rate will be raised to 100%.
President-elect Donald Trump has promised to raise tariffs on Chinese goods to 60% during his campaign.
News (21)
AI "Manhattan Project", racing to develop general artificial intelligence (AGI)
The report recommends that Congress launch a "Manhattan Project-like" initiative to provide funding for the first development of general artificial intelligence (AGI) to make the United States a superpower in the field of artificial intelligence to cope with the growing competition with China in the field of cutting-edge technology.
AGI refers to AI systems that are as smart as or smarter than humans, "whose performance will outperform the most acute human intelligence in every task." The report said.
According to Amazon Web Services (AWS), AGI "is a theoretical field of artificial intelligence research that studies how to develop software with human-like intelligence and self-learning capabilities. Its goal is to enable software to perform tasks beyond what it was trained or developed for."
"Current AI technologies all rely on a set of predetermined parameters to operate...As a theoretical study, AGI aims to develop artificial intelligence systems with autonomous self-control, reasonable self-understanding, and the ability to learn new skills...AGI with human capabilities is still only a theoretical concept and research goal."
Artificial intelligence is seen as a key technology field for global competition in the 21st century. The United States currently leads in AI technology overall, but China is rapidly narrowing the gap and even leading the United States in certain specific areas through huge government-led investments, huge data resources, and military-civilian integration policies.
"China is making rapid progress in AI capabilities and making eye-catching investments. China is developing AI not only to promote its economic growth more broadly, but also for military purposes, such as autonomous unmanned systems, data processing, decision support, and applications in cognitive warfare," the report said.
The report emphasizes that promoting the development of AGI requires cooperation between the public and private sectors, but the report does not provide any specific investment strategies.
The Manhattan Project was a massive collaboration between the U.S. government and the private sector during World War II that led to the development of the atomic bomb.
"History tells us that countries that are able to take advantage of periods of rapid technological change first are often able to have a significant impact on the global balance of power," Jacob Helberg, a USCC committee member and senior adviser to the CEO of Palantir, told Reuters. "China is sprinting towards AGI... We must take this threat very seriously."
Helberg told The Washington Post that AGI would bring about a "complete systemic shift" in military capabilities.
The committee urged Congress to instruct the Pentagon to give AI development projects a "DX rating" status, giving them the highest priority in funding and resource allocation.
"DX Rating" (Defense Priorities and Allocations System DX Rating) is a priority classification of the U.S. Department of Defense used to ensure that key defense projects have the highest priority in resource allocation and supply chain, and is usually applied to projects that are critical to national security.
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) submitted its 2024 annual report to Congress on Tuesday (November 19)
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) submitted its 2024 annual report to Congress on Tuesday (November 19)
Other key policy recommendations
Randy Shriver, a member of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, said at the release of the commission's annual report to Congress on Tuesday that since becoming president and general secretary, Xi Jinping has strengthened internal control and promoted export-oriented growth externally, which has triggered global concerns about "China Shock 2.0". In addition, he said that China has also invested resources in developing advanced technologies in order to dominate future technologies and increase external dependence on China while also reducing dependence on U.S. and allied technologies. While seeking to improve its military capabilities, China has expanded its investment and accelerated progress in multiple fields, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technology and biotechnology.
Schriver pointed out that it was based on these developments that they made recommendations in many key policy areas, including how to strengthen export controls on information and communications technology, foreign investment reviews, and strategic coordination with partners.
"We hope that our bipartisan efforts can provide a reference for our future discussions and provide some guidance and suggestions to Congress on how to deal with this ongoing challenge from the People's Republic of China and the Communist Party of China." He said.
In addition to the above two widely watched propositions, the report also made the following important recommendations:
News (22)
Abolish the "small exemption" policy
The committee urged Congress to cancel the tariff exemption for Chinese goods with a retail value of less than $800. The report pointed out that this policy, known as "small exemption" (de minimis), provides an unfair competitive advantage for Chinese e-commerce products. In addition to tariff exemptions, the small exemption policy also exempts these goods from strict inspections by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Washington Post reported that critics believe that this policy may also make it easier for illegal items, including fentanyl, to bypass customs inspections.
The Joe Biden administration took action in September this year to reduce the scope of goods eligible for this duty-free condition. Over the past decade, the number of goods entering the United States through "small exemptions" has surged from 140 million pieces per year to more than 1 billion pieces, most of which come from China. Biden's senior administration officials revealed earlier this month that Biden plans to release a proposal to reform the "small exemption" policy by the end of the year.
News (23)
Tighten U.S.-China cooperation in the field of biotechnology
The report recommends strict review of China's investment and cooperation in the U.S. biotechnology field to protect sensitive technologies. The report recommends that such approval and supervision should be conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in consultation with other relevant government agencies.
The report recommends that Congress support the federal government to make significant investments in the field of U.S. biotechnology and work with U.S. entities to cover every stage of the technology development cycle and all links in the supply chain, including from basic research to product development and market deployment. The report pointed out that these investments should include investment in intermediate service capabilities and equipment manufacturing capabilities.
"China's goal is to use biotechnology to reduce its dependence on U.S. agriculture while embedding Chinese companies into U.S. food production and supply chains through genomics, pharmaceuticals and other biotechnologies," the report said. "The major research activities of Chinese genomics and biotechnology service companies and their presence in the US market provide opportunities for these companies to obtain key technologies and data."
The 793-page USCC report, which contains 32 recommendations, covers almost every aspect of US-China relations. In addition to economic, trade and technological competition, the report also involves issues between the United States and China in geo-security, diplomacy and human rights. There are special chapters discussing the Taiwan and Hong Kong issues and China's growing influence in the Middle East. The report also mentions China's human rights issues and China's growing military threats and anti-access capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region.
The US Congress established the USCC in October 2000 to independently report to members of Congress on the impact of US-China trade and economic relations on US national security. The report pointed out that the content and recommendations came from six hearings held in the past year, involving 59 experts from government, business and research institutions. The USCC has a total of 12 members, all appointed by Congress.
News (24)
Li Keqiang's classmate exposed the CCP's falsified statistics
Editor : Wen Bin / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2024/11/20/a103931075.html / Image : Li Keqiang's classmate Tao Jingzhou, who recently served as an arbitrator in several international organizations, pointed out that the CCP's statistics lack credibility. Schematic diagram: Shanghai's Lujiazui Financial District is shrouded in clouds. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)
The CCP's falsified statistics scandal has been exposed again. Tao Jingzhou, a classmate of the late former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and a former arbitrator in several international organizations, recently published an article in foreign media, pointing out that the CCP's statistics lack credibility. He said that a misleading data requires more other data to follow up, and then falls into a self-perpetuating cycle of false information.
Tao Jingzhou is a 1977 student of the Law Department of Peking University and a classmate of Li Keqiang. He recently wrote in the Financial Times that many observers suspect that the official Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data of the Chinese Communist Party in the past few years have been exaggerated, and local Chinese Communist Party officials often believe that reaching GDP targets is not only to keep their jobs, but also a necessary condition for promotion.
Tao Jingzhou said that the official statistics of the Chinese Communist Party, especially the annual GDP data, have long been subject to "strict scrutiny" by the authorities, and mentioned that Li Keqiang also publicly pointed out in 2007 that these data are unreliable and proposed three alternative indicators to assess economic performance: railway freight volume, electricity consumption and bank loans. These indicators were later called the "Li Keqiang Index" when Li Keqiang was not yet the Premier of the Chinese Communist Party.
In recent years, the Chinese Communist Party has increasingly suppressed the voices of doubt about economic data from the public. For example, in August 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China banned social media from publishing articles that "distorted interpretations" of macroeconomic data, and proposed to focus on cracking down on 8 types of violations, including not "badmouthing" China's financial markets and economy.
Tao Jingzhou pointed out that the "rules" set by the Chinese Communist Party have silenced China's major economists, and some banks and research institutions are reluctant to release forecasts that are lower than official data; in some cases, economists have even been told not to criticize official data.
He believes that this silencing will have a counterproductive effect because "in private conversations, jokes about GDP data are more common than ever before" and "if basic statistics such as GDP, consumer index and unemployment rate lose credibility, investors will be forced to prepare for the worst."
In 2023, after releasing youth unemployment data at a record high for several consecutive months, the National Bureau of Statistics of China stopped disclosing such information. The new indicators released later excluded students from the statistics, but the new unemployment indicators remained high.
In December of the same year, the Ministry of State Security of the Communist Party of China warned major commentators on social media to stop criticizing the economy and spreading false information. At that time, foreign media reported that Zhu Hengpeng, a senior economist at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, a top think tank of the Communist Party of China, disappeared after making remarks that disparaged the Chinese economy in a private WeChat group.
"These disturbing developments have heightened suspicion about China's economic reality, creating the so-called 'Tacitus Trap,'" Tao said. Named after the Roman historian Tacitus, the theory holds that when public trust in the government declines, citizens will assume that all information released by the government - regardless of its authenticity - is likely to be false. "
Some netizens even joked that China's recent economic success is due to the National Bureau of Statistics, the Central Propaganda Department and the Cyberspace Administration of China. Tao said, "This new status quo is neither sustainable nor conducive to long-term growth, because information distortions will form a counter-cycle that undermines development. One misleading data needs to be followed up by other misleading data to maintain the narrative, thus falling into a self-perpetuating cycle of misinformation. "
Tao concluded that transparency, the rule of law and objective economic analysis can help the business community make wise decisions, and the Beijing authorities should not only allow experts to conduct open and critical analysis, but also encourage experts to conduct open and critical analysis, which will contribute to sustainable economic development.
News (25)
Cohen: "Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party" should be included in the American student education system
——Mike Cohen, a senior international media person
Publisher : Global Quitting the Party Service Center / Editor: Liu Mingxiang / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2024/11/20/a103931130.html / Image : On 3 November 2024 (Sunday), the Global Service Center for Quitting the Party held a rally in Flushing, New York, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the publication of the Epoch Times series of editorials "Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party" and celebrate the 438 million people who have quit the CCP, the League, and the Young Pioneers (Three Quits) organizations. Mike K. Cohen, a senior international media person, political expert, and producer of the "Mike of New York" podcast, spoke at the meeting and was interviewed. (Global Service Center for Quitting the Party)
On 3 November 2024 (Sunday), the Global Service Center for Quitting the Party held a rally in Flushing, New York, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the publication of the Epoch Times series of editorials "Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party" and celebrate the 438 million people who have quit the CCP, the League, and the Young Pioneers (Three Quits) organizations. Mike K. Cohen, a senior international media person, political expert, and producer of the "Mike of New York" podcast, spoke at the conference and was interviewed, calling for an end to the CCP's oppression of freedom and democracy.
Even a blind person knows that the CCP must end. Mike Cohen opened with this sentence, which resonated with the audience. He talked about his experience as a journalist in Asia and pointed out that his family had early contact with the CCP's violence and oppression. His father was born in Shanghai and witnessed the cruelty of the CCP regime since he was a child.
"Today, I am not wearing an anti-CCP hat because I want the people in the Chinese consulate to see my face and tell them that there are Americans who will fight you for freedom and democracy around the world. Even those of us who can't see know that you exist and that your end is coming." Cohen expressed his position on the CCP in this blunt way.
He emphasized that today is Sunday, a day of worship for Christians. "If in China, we say 'May God bless you', if we don't get permission from the state, all of us, including myself, could be at risk of arrest. We can't even gather to worship God because the party won't allow it. They don't want people to worship anything other than them."
Cohen pointed out that what the CCP worships in Beijing is profit and money, and they pretend to be communists, but in fact they are not at all. He also mentioned that he suffered from glaucoma and his eyesight was no longer as good as before, but this did not stop his determination to expose the atrocities of the CCP.
In his speech, Cohen specifically mentioned the seventh commentary of "Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party", which exposed the CCP's death policy. He mentioned that not far from New York, there are doctors working for the CCP who sell organs from political prisoners, Falun Gong practitioners, and others, even including blood, skin, and eyes. He called the CCP a "death party" because it only pursues death and profit. "If I had no conscience, I could even go somewhere to buy eyes to replace the eyes I can't use now. But I won't do that because I don't want to see my compatriots suffer."
Cohen also talked about the ninth commentary of "Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party", which revealed the CCP's support for drug crimes. He mentioned that the CCP profits from selling drugs-making chemicals, which has led to drug abuse in American families. His exchanges with U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents showed that at least $30 of every $100 of organized crime proceeds flows to China and into the CCP's coffers, making it the world's largest criminal organization.
"Even those of us who are blind need to realize that some invisible things can be discovered as long as we are willing to look for them. Even people without eyes can see a free future without the CCP." Cohen called on the audience to keep their faith and believe that the day of ending the CCP will surely come.
He also encouraged people to bravely report the "snakeheads" who extort money from illegal immigrants, pointing out that in the United States, people have not only freedom of speech, but also freedom of action. He said: "We can end the CCP together. May God bless Flushing, may God bless the Chinese people, may God bless the United States of America, and may God bless all of you."
In an interview, Cohen talked about what inspired him to attend the rally. He said that in addition to being invited to participate, it was more important to reveal the truth about what is happening in Flushing. He pointed out that many Americans think these things only happen in China, but in fact they are also happening on Roosevelt Island in New York, including thousands of Chinese women and girls being trafficked to the United States for sex work, and it is members of the Chinese Communist Party who profit from it.
Cohen also pointed out that New York officials, including the mayor, council members and governor, are under investigation for accepting bribes from the Chinese Communist Party. He emphasized that the Chinese Communist Party has not only corrupted China, but also the rest of the world, which is why it must be ended. He called for educating the public, especially young people, to understand the evil of the Chinese Communist Party and stop worshipping the symbols of the Chinese Communist Party, just as they opposed the Nazi symbol. Perhaps it can start with private schools, asking them to include the "Nine Commentaries" in the curriculum and let children learn, and then promote it to a larger scale.
Regarding the significance of the 20th anniversary of the publication of the "Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party", Cohen said that as an American, he can speak freely, but in China, this freedom does not exist. He emphasized that people need to speak for those who cannot speak, especially those who are trapped in China and cannot make their voices heard.
Through this speech and interview, Cohen conveyed a clear message to the world: the CCP's oppression is not limited to China, it poses a threat to freedom and democracy around the world, and ending this threat requires everyone's participation and efforts.
News (26) to (30) / Reporters : Ning Haizhong and Luo Ya / Editor : Li Renhe / https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/24/11/20/n14374764.htm / Image : Trump (second from left), vice presidential candidate Vance (first from left) and Trump’s family celebrate winning the 2024 U.S. presidential election. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
News (26)
The CCP cannot get close to the Trump team and is accused of having "wrong thinking"
U.S. President-elect Trump will take office in early 2025. Trump has successively announced key White House officials and cabinet members who have taken a tough stance on China issues. According to sources, despite their efforts, Chinese officials have been unable to secure appointments with potential officials in the Trump administration. Experts explain the various reasons why CCP officials cannot get close to Trump’s team. They believe that no one is sure what Trump will do in the future, but the CCP’s thinking of building relations with the U.S. government is essentially wrong.
News (27)
The CCP is unable to build relations with the Trump team
The Financial Times quoted people familiar with the matter as saying on the 19th that CCP officials were running around Washington and New York, hoping to find connections with Trump, but they were at a disadvantage. China has been unsuccessful in securing meetings with potential officials in the Trump administration. The core question Beijing wants to know is "what Trump wants."
According to people familiar with the matter, Xie Feng, the Chinese ambassador to the United States, has stepped up outreach activities in recent months and hosted dozens of former U.S. officials and China experts at his home. But Chinese Communist Party officials have "bad luck." Many people, including those on Capitol Hill, view meetings with Chinese Communist Party officials as "unconstructive."
Ye Yaoyuan, chair professor of international studies at the University of St. Thomas in the United States, told The Epoch Times that when the CCP observes U.S. diplomacy, it has always believed that Trump is a transactional negotiator. Beijing itself believes that anything can be exchanged, as long as it is beneficial to both parties, it will exchange it with you. In the past, the CCP also used this method to travel around the United States and influence American policies. However, regardless of whether the Democratic Party or the Republican Party in the United States, there is still a core Values exist.
"If Trump is elected president, his most important thing is not to enhance personal wealth or personal interests, but for the well-being of the country. His core national interest now is to maintain the hegemony of the United States. So the CCP's thinking It is essentially wrong. Trump is unlikely to sacrifice the interests of the United States for personal gain or a relationship with someone.”
He believes that this is the reason why Chinese Communist Party officials are blocked from entering and cannot have any dialogue mechanism with the Trump team.
Chen Shimin, associate professor of the Department of Political Science at National Taiwan University, said in an interview with an Epoch Times reporter that countries around the world want to communicate with Trump and his future government officials and understand Trump’s future policy direction.
He explained that Trump’s most important policies are tariffs, tax cuts and immigration. The most important thing about tariffs is targeting China, because China and the United States have a huge trade deficit. Officials of the Chinese Communist Party also want to know what policies Trump and his government will adopt on the Taiwan issue, and whether they can make some concessions or compromises on the Taiwan issue.
Chen Shimin said that now it seems that whether before the election or after the election, the CCP’s efforts to contact the Trump team have been very unsuccessful. The main reason is the tariff issue. Originally, the main target was the CCP. Of course, the Trump team will not What do you want to talk about with the CCP?
On the other hand, Chen Shimin believes that Trump’s policies are uncertain. Even if Chinese Communist Party officials can find important officials nominated by Trump, these officials will not be able to express their opinions. For Trump, tariffs are just a policy tool to exert maximum pressure, not the final real purpose.
"For Trump, he wants to reduce the trade deficit between the United States and China and convince China not to block the return of American manufacturing so that American people can find jobs. Trump's real purpose is this."
News (28)
Trump wins the election and the CCP is caught off guard
Evan Medeiros, the former senior White House official for Asia affairs, met with Xie Feng before the US election. He told the Financial Times that Trump’s victory caught the CCP “off guard.”
Ye Yaoyuan said that the first reason why the CCP was caught off guard was because the original observation poll showed that Trump’s chances of being elected were at least not that high. Second, regarding Trump’s election, it is not that the CCP was caught off guard, but that it simply did not know how to face Trump. Pu, what tricks does it have to deal with it.
"For example, once Trump imposes 60% tariffs on China, the CCP will not know how to resist it. How Trump will deal with China next, so far no one has a clue."
Chen Shimin said that he believed that the CCP was well prepared for Trump’s victory. However, after Trump was elected, the CCP was still very worried and eager to know what Trump wanted to do because it had never been able to obtain an accurate message. You may feel caught off guard.
News (29)
The U.S.-China tariff war is an uncertain outcome
Christopher Johnson, a former senior China analyst at the CIA, said that Chinese Communist Party officials pay close attention to U.S. economic policies. "Their three major priorities are tariffs, tariffs, and tariffs."
During his presidential campaign this year, Trump said that if elected, he would increase tariffs on China to 60% to narrow the U.S.-China trade deficit.
Ye Yaoyuan said that Trump's move is very lethal to the CCP, and even the CCP itself cannot predict what kind of impact it will have on the entire country. Of course, people often say that they will be injured when imposing tariff barriers, but Trump believes that the U.S. market is basically able to bear it. In the past few years, the U.S. market has been relatively more suitable to deal with this through the shift of the global economic production chain. After all, the United States and China are also in the process of decoupling.
Chen Shimin said that China's economy has slowed down, unemployment has increased, people's income has decreased, and public dissatisfaction has increased significantly. Under this situation, if Trump really implements 60% tariffs, China may have to reduce its economic growth rate by 2% a year. , the impact is huge, and the economy and society may be in greater turmoil.
However, Chen Shimin believes that it is still unclear how many taxes Trump will impose on China. Trump may start with 20% of the tax. If the CCP is still unwilling to change and buy American agricultural products, he may directly raise the tax to 40% or 60%. "As for the Taiwan issue, I believe Trump's officials themselves don't know what Trump is planning to do."
News (30)
The new Trump administration is full of hawks and a new storm in U.S.-China relations is inevitable
In addition to tariffs, Trump has nominated China hawks to key positions in his new administration, including nominating Mike Waltz as national security adviser and Marco Rubio as secretary of state. This is an ominous sign for Beijing.
Rubio was sanctioned twice by the Chinese Communist Party in 2020 due to his tough stance on Xinjiang and Hong Kong issues. Waltz is regarded as one of the toughest "hawkish" representatives on China in the U.S. Congress. He is a member of the House of Representatives' "China Affairs Working Group" and has called on everyone not to buy products made in China. He also criticized the Biden administration for "not being prepared quickly enough on the Taiwan issue."
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) stated in its 2024 annual report on the 19th that canceling the most-favored-nation status granted to China by the United States in 2000 can change the CCP’s unfair trade practices and will enable the United States to resolve the CCP’s unfair trade practices. Behavioral aspects have more leverage.
This is the first time that a special agency of the US Congress has explicitly called for the termination of relevant bills. Currently, it is mainly Republican members of Congress who are making this claim.
The U.S. think tank China Economic and Strategy Initiative (CESI) released a report titled "Defeating the CCP: A Running Start" in November, providing guidance for President-elect Trump. Propose a comprehensive economic governance strategy. The core of the report focuses on seven presidential action initiatives aimed at countering the new Cold War threat from the Chinese Communist Party and safeguarding U.S. economic interests and freedoms.
The authors of the report are mostly China policy hawks during the Trump administration, including former State Department and national security officials.
On 16 November 2024, Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping met with U.S. President Biden. The White House statement continued to emphasize "responsibly managing competition" and preventing conflicts. Xi said, "If we regard each other as a rival or an enemy, engage in vicious competition, and hurt each other, China-US relations will encounter setbacks or even setbacks."
Commentator Zhong Yuan wrote in The Epoch Times that it would be difficult for the leader of the Communist Party of China to directly contact U.S. President-elect Trump, so he had to use his last meeting with Biden to speak to Trump from a distance. Although Trump has not yet taken office, the direction of diplomacy has begun to take shape. The leader of the Chinese Communist Party’s pretentious remarks may indicate that a new storm in Sino-U.S. relations is inevitable.
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