North Korea has eliminated the idea of “one people” shared with South Korea from its media outlets, defining the South as a separate entity rather than the “same Koreans,” a shift experts said could rationalize the use of nuclear weapons in future conflicts with Seoul. North Korea’s leading propaganda website DPRK Today has removed its “reunification” section, as confirmed Thursday. Earlier this week, the section was still accessible. The website is operated under the supervision of North Korea’s United Front Department, with the primary aim of disseminating Pyongyang’s favored vision…
Day: January 10, 2024
US to Send Delegation After Taiwan Election
Ahead of the presidential and legislative election on Saturday in Taiwan, where cross-strait relations and how to deal with Beijing’s policy toward the self-ruled island are a central theme, Washington announced it will be sending a “high-level unofficial delegation” after the Taiwan election. The move is likely to provoke Chinese ire. Pre-empting a strong reaction from Beijing, a senior administration official told reporters in a briefing Wednesday that sending an unofficial delegation is consistent with Washington’s “One China policy, consistent with the status quo and timed after the election to…
Washington watchful of ‘unpredictable’ Beijing response to Taiwan election
“Beijing will be the provocateur should it choose to respond with additional military pressure or coercion,” she said. “It is no secret, I think, that Beijing has views on the outcome of the election and is trying to shape and coerce in various different ways.” Taiwanese officials and analysts have accused mainland China of deploying a broad range of tools in recent weeks to pressure voters into supporting candidates who favour unification, including balloon flights over the island, stepped up fighter jet and maritime exercises in the area, as well…
Alibaba’s Taobao and Tmall Group pushes new AI tools to boost merchants’ service to consumers in first major move after leadership reshuffle
The Taobao and Tmall Group (TTG) unveiled the new AI features, which are designed to improve services and attract new customers, at its “sellers’ conference” held on Tuesday in Hangzhou, capital of eastern Zhejiang province and home base of South China Morning Post owner Alibaba. TTG said AI models would be employed to transform Dianxiaomi, a customer service chatbot, to enhance seller-consumer interaction. That will include tasks such as pre- and post-sales service, data analysis and other online sales activities. The updated Dianxiaomi, which is currently undergoing tests with a…
Myanmar junta jails documentary filmmaker for life
Updated January 11, 2023, 1:53 p.m. ET The journalist and award-winning documentary filmmaker Shin Daewe was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday for violating Myanmar’s Anti-terrorism Law, her husband said, prompting an outcry from rights groups and members of the media who called for her immediate release. The ruling is the latest bid by the junta to stamp out criticism by using lengthy sentences to instill fear in opponents to its rule, observers said. Known for her work highlighting the challenges facing Myanmar’s environment and the impact of conflict…
Biden to send delegation to Taiwan after election
U.S. President Joe Biden will send an “unofficial” delegation of former officials to Taiwan following Saturday’s presidential election, a White House official said Wednesday, labeling the practice “nothing new.” The self-governing island of Taiwan, which is claimed by mainland China as its “inalienable” territory, this weekend heads to its 8th direct presidential election since it democratized in 1996, amid growing threats in recent years from Beijing of forceful “reunification.” Both Washington and Beijing are watching the result closely, with the island’s relationship with the mainland at the center of campaigning…
Algorithmic trading platforms poised to take a hit as China’s commodity bourses tweak trading rules
Chinese commodities exchanges are ending the refunds paid on some automated trades, as the authorities seek to reduce volatility in markets that help set the prices that the country pays for raw materials. Two of the nation’s four main bourses, the Dalian Commodity Exchange and the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange, will no longer give refunds this year to brokers on some of the programme trades executed by their customers, according to notices from the exchanges viewed by Bloomberg. Previously, they offered rebates that rose as trading volumes increased, and brokers passed…
Instead of criticising Hong Kong’s system, Taiwan should keep its options open
In response to Pelosi’s trip, Beijing launched military exercises to press home its point. The US claimed it was overreacting, although it must know full well Taiwan’s importance to Beijing. China’s State Council published a white paper soon after Pelosi’s visit, emphasising that the actions of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government, with active encouragement from external forces, had resulted in tensions that restricted the space for peaceful reunification. In the coming presidential election, it seems the DPP could well retain the presidency, after the opposition parties failed to put…
Cathay Pacific struggles to put its troubles behind it
Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. For an airline with the marketing slogan “Move Beyond”, Cathay Pacific is struggling to put its many troubles behind it. The Hong Kong flag carrier hoped 2024 would mark its return to full capacity and an upward trajectory in its fortunes after years of pandemic-related disruptions. In terms of profitability benchmarks, the airline is on track — Cathay expects its full-year results due to be announced in March will show…
China’s central government likely to pitch in as localities attempt to untangle debt knots
Wang Yiming, central bank adviser and former vice-president of the Development Research Centre of the State Council, said that China’s growth model, based on debt-fuelled investment and land sales, has become difficult to sustain. Wang estimated that over 10 per cent of LGFV debt is channelled into new projects, with the rest used to repay the principal and interest on existing debt. Going forward, Wang said, fiscal policy at the central government level will have to play a major role in buttressing the economy. We cannot rule out the resumption…