Day: February 26, 2024

Chinese scientists identify Milky Way origin for ultra-high energy cosmic rays

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Scientists at an observatory in southwestern China say they have identified a super cosmic ray accelerator – a discovery that could fundamentally change understanding of the origin and source of cosmic rays in our galaxy. The existence of a bubblelike structure – around 10 million times larger than our solar system – could explain how ultra-high energy gamma rays may have originated within the Milky Way, in contrast to previous theories about their origins, they said. According to a paper published on Monday by the peer-reviewed Science Bulletin, the structure…

China props up renminbi ahead of leadership summit in March

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Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. Chinese regulators are taking measures to keep the renminbi’s dollar exchange rate stable as Beijing seeks to bolster confidence in the country’s currency and economy ahead of a key leadership summit. The moves from authorities — such as holding off on cuts to short-term interest rates and keeping the currency’s dollar trading band firm despite the spot price pushing towards its official floor — have helped to stave off further…

China narrowly ahead of US in global diplomatic presence – but this may not translate into greater influence

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It said China overtook the US in the number of diplomatic missions in 2019 and Washington had not caught up despite opening more missions since then. Diplomatic observers cautioned that this would not necessarily translate into greater power and influence for Beijing. “The number of diplomatic posts just means better representation on the ground. That may but does not have to translate into better relations or greater effectiveness in getting what a state wants,” said Chong Ja Ian, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore.…

2 Exiled Chinese Bloggers Warn of Police Interrogating Their Followers

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SHANGHAI —  Two prominent Chinese bloggers in exile said that police were investigating their millions of followers on international social media platforms, in an escalation of Beijing’s attempts to clamp down on critical speech even outside of the country’s borders. Former state broadcaster CCTV journalist Wang Zhi’an and artist-turned-dissident Li Ying, both Chinese citizens known for posting uncensored Chinese news, said in separate posts Sunday that police were interrogating people who followed them on social media, and urged followers to take precautions such as unfollowing their accounts, changing their usernames,…

Wife of jailed free speech activist Wang Aizhong on ‘no fly’ list

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Wang Henan, the wife of jailed press freedom activist Wang Aizhong, says her employer is trying to get her to quit her job due to her husband’s status as a political prisoner, and has barred her from working further shifts as a flight attendant. She says the move means she is effectively being punished by association with her husband, a tactic that is commonly used by the authorities as a retaliatory measure against dissidents and peaceful critics of the regime. Last May, Wang Aizhong was handed a three-year sentence by…

China’s C919 Jet Displayed at Singapore Air Show, But It’s Not Ready to Compete 

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singapore —  China’s C919 single-aisle jet made its international debut at the Singapore Airshow, attracting masses of visitors and hundreds of orders, but analysts say it still has a long way to go before it can compete with aircraft from market leaders Boeing and Airbus. The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) has received over 1,000 orders for the jet, mostly from Chinese airlines. A lack of international certification means the aircraft cannot operate commercially in most countries unless they recognize certifications by China’s civil aviation regulator. During last week’s…

Adani answers Modi’s call to arms

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Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. India’s arms industry passed a milestone in January with the unveiling of the country’s first intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance drone, which was made by the defence arm of the Adani conglomerate in a joint venture with Israeli military producer Elbit.  The Drishti-10 Starliner is named after the Hindi word for “vision”, and India has a lot to keep its eye on — its land and maritime borders with 11 nations…

Adani answers Modi’s call to boost India’s weapons manufacturing

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Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. India’s arms industry passed a milestone in January with the unveiling of the country’s first intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance drone, which was made by the defence arm of the Adani conglomerate in a joint venture with Israeli military producer Elbit.  The Drishti-10 Starliner is named after the Hindi word for “vision”, and India has a lot to keep its eye on — its land and maritime borders with 11 nations…

China jobs: returning migrant workers battling low salaries, lack of openings as economic realities hit home

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“I can accept a waiter job of about 4,500 yuan (US$650) or 5,000 yuan since production line workers are expected to earn about the same this year,” he said. Factories are not struggling to recruit workers this yearJustin Xu Thirty-something Xu Chao was also hoping to find a job in a car parts factory in Jiangsu. “I’ve been in Guangdong for a few days. The wages are not as good as I thought. There are more electric car companies in the Yangtze River Delta, the opportunities and salaries there may…