भारतीय रोज़ नई ख़बरें – Page 24 – भारतीय रोज़ न्यूज़ भारत की सबसे अधिकारपूर्ण, समय पर और विश्वसनीय समाचार सलाहकार वेबसाइट है

‘Historical records 100 percent support China’s claims in the South China Sea,’ says British scholar

A view of China’s Nansha Qundao Photo: VCG

Editor’s Note:

Recently, the situation in the South China Sea has been escalating. The Philippines has been frequently infringing on maritime rights, provoking incidents and spreading false information to mislead the international community’s understanding of the South China Sea issue. How do historical records support China’s sovereignty claims in the South China Sea? How to interpret the Philippines’ false narrative? In response to these questions, Global Times (GT) reporters Qian Jiayin and Bai Yunyi interviewed Mark Hoskin (Hoskin), professor of the Department of English and International Affairs at China Foreign Affairs University and member of the London Court of International Arbitration. He told reporters that based on his research, historical records 100 percent support China’s claims in the South China Sea.

GT: Based on your research on the history of the South China Sea, how do you think historical records support China’s claims in the South China Sea?

Hoskin: I think historical records support China’s claims in the South China Sea 100 percent. If you look at the surveying records of the East India Company and the Royal Navy, all they show is that Chinese fishermen were living on those islands. And these people [voyagers from the West] know about those islands and who they’re communicating with, typically using interpreters from China’s Hainan.

You can also see confirmation of this in the transliterations of that time, which are used today, like Hongxiu Island (Namyit Island) and some of the other islands that allow you to locate where the people actually came from through those transliterations. In the case of Namyit, most likely the name was given by the people of Putian, a city in Fujian Province. In Putian, there are 18 places that include “yit” which means “habitable island.”So when you look at these kinds of things and how they can be found on the Chinese mainland, like the use of stilt houses in flood areas, you see that the record is durable of people living there and that they were using construction techniques and behaviors that are norms of Chinese society at the time.

GT: Currently, there is a viewpoint that the South China Sea disputes are due to China becoming more powerful and starting to make new territorial claims against other countries. What is your take on this?

Hoskin: I do not agree with this view. China’s claim in the South China Sea predates the People’s Republic of China, it even predates the Republic of China. The first Western-style sovereignty claim over the Xisha Islands was made by Admiral Li Zhun in 1909. While rescues by Chinese gunboats occurred much earlier, such as that of 55 passengers and crew from the British SS Paladin by the Sui Ching vessel’s commander Wei Zhensheng in November 1882, this incident was widely reported in Britain at the time.

These historical records, including British, French and German survey records, all show that the people active in the region at that time were Chinese, and China’s sovereignty claims over the South China Sea are not a modern issue, nor are they directly related to the rise of contemporary China.

So part of the reason for generating this idea is the ignorance of history by Western narrators. Another major reason is that they see China’s rise as a threat, and they believe that the Chinese navy only truly became a blue-water fleet after the 1990s. Some Western scholars, especially those who do not understand this period of history, regard China’s claim as baseless, which shows their ignorance.

GT: You once wrote an article expressing issues with the Philippine view of its territory. From a legal perspective, what do you think are the issues with the Philippines’ claims?

Hoskin: They have no basis. The Philippines has been very clever in using and developing laws to suit their own purposes and to suit their claims.

For example, Huangyan Dao (also known as Huangyan Island), whether based on the Philippine Constitution or a series of international treaties defining the territorial boundaries of the Philippines, is not within the territorial boundaries of the Philippines. For a considerable period of time, the Philippines did not assert sovereignty over Huangyan Dao. Also, before its independence, its colonizer, the US, did not assert sovereignty over Huangyan Dao. It was not until the 1990s that then-Philippine president Fidel Ramos claimed that Huangyan Dao is located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

The West Philippine Sea, which is a renaming and a portion of the South China Sea, has no historical basis. In fact, in history, it was always known as the “China Sea.” It was only later that it was called, in English, the South China Sea, because that was the sea that Europeans sailed through to get to China. In fact, if Philippine scholars carefully study history, they will be able to discover these truths. However, they do not want to do this because once they do, they will find that their narratives have no legal, historical or factual basis, which will bring them domestic political problems.

GT: Recently, the US, Japan, Australia and the Philippines held their first official joint naval exercise in the South China Sea. How do you think this action, based on strategic considerations rather than legal perspectives, will impact the South China Sea disputes?

Hoskin: It allows the governments of all of those countries to say: Look what we’re doing. Our naval forces and our militaries need more funding from the taxpayers to continue this “defense” of the so-called international rules-based order. That’s particularly important if you look at Japan, because they want to change the status quo in terms of their pacifist constitution and also the Japanese Self-Defense Forces ability in terms of equipment and posture.

One of the problems that I think is occurring right now in the Philippines is the continued development of military installations. And they want to do so on Ren’ai Jiao (also known as Ren’ai Reef) in terms of turning that old US-supplied warship into something more permanent. They hope to achieve this before the signing of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea in order to establish a certain status quo. Therefore, they often say that we need to enforce laws related to maritime trade in the past and use the so-called freedom of navigation to accuse and suppress China’s maritime activities, which is unfounded. The “freedom of navigation” claimed by the US is not the concept of “freedom of the seas” and the freedom of navigation under international law.

Undoubtedly, the Philippines has received support from the US. The US has not ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and it has emphasized that it is not bound by the procedures of the UNCLOS. However, it has now turned the Convention into a tool to suppress other countries. From an American perspective, they are trying to maintain the global status quo. And that relates not to the trade but to the prominence of their navy and its ability to sail wherever they want, whenever they want. This is part of the idea of the US being the world’s policemen. No one asked them to take on this role. It’s something they took upon themselves to do. That’s where the idea of “freedom of navigation” came from; it didn’t come from “freedom of the seas.”

Interestingly, during the late 1940s and early 1950s, Australia stated several times that they did not want the Philippines to occupy any of the islands in the South China Sea. But now, Australia has signed up with the US and UK to form AUKUS, committing to conducting joint patrols and spending Australian taxpayers’ money on activities they don’t actually need to conduct. The narrative is that we need to defend “freedom of navigation” in this area and be involved in it. It’s a narrative that allows these countries to develop a military that they don’t need for their own defense; it doesn’t actually benefit their own populations to any large extent.

Falling in love with China’s rural vibrancy

Illustration: Liu Xiangya/Global Times

In China’s “Village Super League” (VSL) soccer tournament in Rongjiang county, Southwest China’s Guizhou Province, a soccer team of international students from Guizhou University played against the Jiangxi Rice Noodle team from Shangrao, East China’s Jiangxi Province, attracting numerous spectators who cheered on the young players.

The Jiangxi team ultimately clinched victory with a 4-2 win.

The team, a choir composed of international students from different countries studying in China, performed the song “Road of Our Dreams,” an original piece about the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Narrating moving stories of young people from various countries forming deep friendships and growing while studying in China, the song expressed the international youths’ hopeful anticipation for the initiative’s cultural exchanges and mutual learning, resonating strongly with the audience.

With Chinese culture’s increasing popularity abroad, an increasing number of young people from overseas are coming to study in China to experience the profoundness of the country’s culture and modernization.

Several students participating in the cultural events told the Global Times that they came to China to learn from the country’s advanced experience, which they want to bring back to their home countries to build bridges between China and their countries.

For example, the vibrant and joyful VSL, a grassroots soccer league that has gained huge popularity in China, attracted enthusiasts from various countries to experience the charm of soccer on Saturday.

In a display of cultural pride, 118 international students from 37 countries and regions brought various international dishes and performances, including folk songs and dances, to the event, creating a cultural feast for the audience and players.

Altima Mezui, the 31-year-old goalkeeper from Gabon on Guizhou University’s international student soccer team, described the game as an enjoyable experience at the birthplace of the VSL.

After the match, he candidly stated, “We Africans also have a deep passion for soccer like villagers in Rongjiang. It constantly brings surprises, fosters friendships, and introduces us to new acquaintances. If given the chance, we’ll strive to perform even better in the next season of the VSL.”

In June 2023, long before the friendly match, Guizhou attracted 40 international students from 24 countries and regions studying at 24 universities in China to experience rural development and cultural exchange events.

Divided into two groups, they began their journey from Guiyang to Luodian county and the Sandu Shui autonomous county, which is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and diversity.

Yulia Ipatenkova from Russia is a doctoral student in comparative education at the Faculty of Education, Northeast Normal University.

She told the Global Times that while she has experience with the rural areas near her university, she still does not have a deep understanding of them. Fortunately, the event in Guizhou helped deepen her understanding of Chinese rural areas.

The rural schools in Guizhou left a deep impression on her. She immersed herself in singing and dancing with the students and introduced the culture of her own country. In her words, this was the “happiest memory” among all those she gained while participating in this activity.

“The simplicity and loveliness of the students, as well as their tolerance for different cultures, have deepened the understanding of China among the international students participating in the activity. I hope to share the beauty of Chinese rural culture with more people,” she said.

Visiting landmarks such as Pingtang Bridge in Pingtang county, with a span of 2,135 meters, left a deep impression on South Korean student Shin Moon-sub.

He told the Global Times that he learned that the mountainous Guizhou was once difficult to access by road, but world-class bridges like the Baling River Bridge and Pingtang Bridge have made transportation far more convenient, which has not only promoted local economic development, but also made the life of the people better.

“The bridge is very spectacular. Behind it is the scientific and technological innovation of bridge construction,” he said.

He added that staff introduced during the visit that these world-class bridges have overcome many technical problems, which not only reflects the strength of China’s infrastructure technology, but also shows the achievements of China’s scientific and technological development.

The trips to the Guizhou countryside by international students studying in China is just a microcosm of many similar cultural exchange events.

These young students travel to various parts of China, get to know local history and culture, experience the new face of the Chinese countryside, and gain a more comprehensive and authentic understanding of China.

They hope to understand China through these journeys, leverage their strengths to tell Chinese stories, and strengthen friendship through education.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. [email protected]

World Bank raises forecast for UAE’s real GDP growth to 3.9% in 2024; 4.1% in 2025

Photo: WAM

The World Bank has raised its forecast for the UAE’s real GDP growth to 3.9% in 2024, compared to its previous forecast in January of 3.7%.

In an economic update published today on the latest economic developments in the Middle East and North Africa region, the World Bank said it had raised its forecast for the UAE’s economic growth to 4.1% in 2025 from its previous forecast of 3.8%.

The report also indicated that the UAE’s current account surplus is estimated to rise to 8.4% in 2024 and 8.3% in 2025, and that the country will achieve a surplus of 5.1% in its fiscal balance by the end of this year and 4.8% next year.

For MENA, the World Bank said that the region is forecasted to grow 2.7 percent in 2024, which represents a return to the low growth in the decade before the global pandemic. For 2025, the report said that the MENA region is expected to grow at 4.2 percent. In the GCC economies, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, growth will improve to 2.8 percent in 2024 and 4.7 percent in 2025. The pickup in growth is mainly driven by higher oil output due to the phasing out of oil production cuts and robust growth in the non-oil sector linked to diversification efforts and reforms.

MENA’s GDP per capita is expected to grow a modest 1.3 percent in 2024, according to the bank, which is an improvement from the 0.5 percent rate in 2023. This increase is driven almost entirely by GCC economies, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, whose GDP per capita growth in 2024 is projected to be 1.0 percent, a significant improvement from the 0.9 percent decline in GDP per capita in 2023.

GT Voice: Protectionism can’t solve EU’s weak competitiveness in solar

Illustration: Liu Xiangya/Global Times

European governments appear to be ready to move to support their solar power manufacturers this week, but Europe’s solar industry is in trouble – not just due to a lack of policy support but also because of flawed competitiveness.

Swiss solar panel maker Meyer Burger is packing up a German factory to send production to the US, joining a growing list of European renewable-energy factories shutting down or relocating, Reuters reported on Monday.

In contrast to Europe, the US government does provide attractive subsidies and policy support for green sectors. Yet, if Meyer Burger wants to succeed in the competitive US market, it still needs to rely on its own strength, not just policy support.

The solar panel maker’s choice is just one example of the serious challenges facing the European solar industry, which is at a relative disadvantage in the global photovoltaic (PV) market. China has taken a dominant position, with its companies accounting for 80 percent of the world’s solar manufacturing capacity and with low costs.

Meanwhile, US subsidies announced as part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act allow some renewable-energy manufacturers and project developers to claim tax credits, intensifying the competitive pressure on European companies.

Nevertheless, the woes facing Europe’s solar industry are not solely due to a lack of policy support, as there is obvious weakness in the competitiveness of European industry. Despite having a well-established solar supply chain, European companies face challenges in terms of technological innovation, investment in research and development, optimized production procedures and cost reducing.

On the one hand, they have not achieved economies of scale in manufacturing. On the other hand, while Chinese companies are actively exploring next-generation PV technologies, the progress by their European peers is relatively slow.

It is exactly under such circumstances that some in the EU have been quick to point a finger at China for the EU’s diminishing competitiveness, resulting in a worrying rise in the risk of trade friction. For instance, in early April, the EU launched two probes into Chinese solar panel makers suspected of using government subsidies, according to media reports.

However, the EU cannot simply attribute its competitive setbacks to China’s “unfair competition.” The global demand for renewable energy necessitates fair competition to drive technological advancements and industrial efficiency. China’s success in the PV industry results largely from its own competitive edges through its consistent investment in technology, scale, cost controls and innovation.

If Europe aims to enhance the competitiveness of its solar industry, it must address its own technological and cost challenges rather than relying solely on trade protection measures.

The significant expansion of China’s solar panel capacity is a welcome development for European companies and consumers seeking to develop their own PV systems. The transition to green energy is costly, and inflation is already high enough. China’s help in lowering such costs is undeniably conducive to the EU’s ambitious energy transition plan.

The EU’s anxiety about protecting its own industry is understandable, but the root cause lies in the long-term decline in the bloc’s competitiveness, not in its competitors. The financial crisis, euro crisis, Russia-Ukraine conflict and bureaucratic reactions may have all played a part.

Furthermore, misleading policy trends, such as hype about “de-risking” from China, have also hindered the progress and development of the EU’s PV industry.

The EU’s ability to sustain and improve its competitiveness hinges on whether it takes the proper measures to effectively address these enduring challenges. Embracing a more open-minded and globalized approach, rather than being overly ideological and protectionist, may offer a viable solution.

More Americans embrace prepping lifestyle, reflecting deeper anxieties linked to political polarization, social divide

Editor’s Note:

Preppers are a group of people who believe a catastrophe or emergency might happen in the future and take steps to prepare in advance. They often hoard water and food, build shelters, and even stockpile ammunition and construct underground bunkers.

In recent years, the American doomsday prepper community has grown larger and more diverse, with increasingly extreme preparatory measures.

The old stereotype of doomsday preppers being “conspiracy theorists and paranoid uncles” living on the fringes of society is gradually changing.

According to Fox News, more Americans are beginning to plan for future disasters. Survival-themed reality shows are frequently featured on streaming platforms. On social media, disaster preparation bloggers have amassed millions of followers across various platforms.

Analysts from both the US and Europe suggest that the rising number of preppers and the extreme nature of their preparations reflect widespread anxiety in American society, closely related to political polarization, racial issues, and class divisions.

The entrance of American billionaire Larry Hall’s underground mansion to survive the apocalypse, pictured on April 20, 2022. Photos: VCG

Enlarging community

Helena, a student from China studying in Atlanta, initially thought the “doomsday prep kits” she saw at her local Costco were incredibly novel. However, as she adapted to life in the US over the years, she came to understand the necessity and ubiquity of these products.

“Doomsday kits are very practical in the US, especially during emergencies like the 2021 Texas power outage,” she told the Global Times. “A small generator is also essential. I personally own a small solar panel, though it can only power a fan.”

On Costco’s website, a large tub of instant noodles that serves 150 people is available for $100, providing about 25,000 calories and a shelf life of 25 years. Additionally, affordable doomsday tool kits are also available on Temu, and they are currently on sale.

“This is a totally new market,” said a survival skills instructor with 20 years of experience, quoted by The Wall Street Journal. Initially, the instructor’s outdoor survival courses attracted only hardcore outdoor enthusiasts, but since the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, he has received more calls from clients.

According to The Wall Street Journal, many companies selling survival toolkits and other doomsday preparation products have emerged in recent years.

A report released by Zion Market Research in March this year shows that the global survival tools market is expected to reach $2.46 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of over 7 percent from 2023 to 2030.

The report indicates that sales of survival toolkits have risen, showing that Americans are more inclined to have emergency supplies on hand than in previous years.

For instance, Preppi Emergency Kits, which resemble classic doctor’s medical kits, saw a 29 percent increase in sales in 2023 compared to 2022. The Ready Set Judy kits, which are bright orange, doubled in sales in June 2023 when wildfires occurred in the Northeast US. Both brands’ kits include a hand-crank radio, masks, non-perishable food, first aid supplies, and other equipment.

Food stocked in the luxury underground bunker of Larry Hall

Moreover, NBC reported that what was once a fringe idea among doomsday preppers is now becoming popular among celebrities and the wealthy.

In December 2023, reports emerged that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was constructing a 4,000-square-foot underground shelter at his Hawaiian home. Kim Kardashian, Tom Cruise, and Shaquille O’Neal have also built bunkers or safe rooms. Open AI founder and CEO Samuel Harris Altman is also among the doomsday preppers.

Data released in April 2023 by the US research website Finder showed that the percentage of people in the US spending on emergency preparedness increased from 20 percent in 2020 to 29 percent in 2023, with a total expenditure of about $11 billion over the last 12 months.

Political and radical

However, as the prepper community expands, its internal atmosphere is also changing.

A YouTuber, who focuses on doomsday preparation, told the Global Times that she has left the prepper community and now discusses saving money and investing instead. In her view, the prepper community has become increasingly “radical and political,” even to the extent that her personal safety has been threatened.

In a video clip, she stated that she has observed an emerging mentality of comparison and competition within the community, with many boasting about their equipment and resources, claiming to be better and more prepared than others.

“But you don’t need 20 different guns and 50,000 bullets; you don’t need special tactics and combat training to survive,” she said, advocating for a more practical and simple preparation method focused on satisfying quality of life and emotional needs, opposing the view of preparation as an extreme or luxurious activity.

According to the Business Insider website, there is a community called “Riverbed Ranch” in the western Utah desert, which is actually a land cooperative consisting of 135 shareholders, living a “self-sufficient” life. According to the community, many residents are doomsday preppers, some are conspiracy theorists, while others just want to retire. Most residents at “Riverbed Ranch” believe that their community is distinctly different from the stereotype of “armed doomsday preppers.”

A bed room in Larry Hall’s underground mansion

A resident named Priscilla Hart mentioned that many people, like them, moved there because they hoped to reduce their dependence on political, economic, and social structures, with the main reason being “the instability and ambiguity of society.” “The more you can learn to take care of yourself and not rely on the government, the better,” she said.

A 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center showed that only 16 percent of respondents believe the government will do the right thing, marking a historic low. Meanwhile, 79 percent of people said that Americans have “too little” or “very little” trust in each other.

USA Today reported that more and more Americans are preparing for “impending disasters” before major elections. Overall, doomsday preparation activities seem to reflect the deep uncertainties many Americans feel.

A poll conducted by USA Today and Suffolk University at the end of 2023 found that 67 percent of Americans believe the country is facing bigger problems than usual or is in the worst state they have ever seen.

A world of political polarization

US political commentator and journalist Caleb Maupin told the Global Times that the rise of the “doomsday preparation” movement reflects not only widespread anxiety in US society but also exposes a declining trust in the government and public institutions. From urban to rural areas, from left to right, a general sense of social pessimism is spreading across all strata.

Maupin explained that since the 1950s, the US has had the subculture of “preparation actions” associated with doomsday scenarios, often linked to far-right militias and more fanatical Christian sects.

In recent years, this culture has seen a noticeable uptrend due to national political polarization and economic downturns. Pessimistic media coverage has intensified people’s unease and fear, causing survivalist ideas to gradually permeate mainstream society. The sense of national identity that Americans once held is fading, replaced by a widespread pessimism about the country’s future and fears of civil war and economic disasters, Maupin noted.

According to Maupin, race and class issues in the US have a profound impact on doomsday preparation culture. While some media content on survival culture features wealthy individuals building luxurious “panic rooms” and installing complex security systems, a broader range of survivalist media targets the working class in economically depressed areas who distrust national institutions.

A living room in Larry Hall’s 15-story underground mansion

He specifically mentioned that in low-income Black communities, there has long been a perception that the government is attempting racial cleansing, a sentiment that has also led to a high rate of vaccine refusal. Meanwhile, more and more people in rural and suburban white areas feel that the country is heading toward collapse.

US political commentator and journalist Bradley Blankenship recently wrote in the Global Times, analyzing that the doomsday preparation subculture, originally present among far-right groups, has gradually infiltrated mainstream US culture.

The occurrences of recent years, including the surge of civil unrest sparked by movements such as Black Lives Matter, have laid bare the deep-seated fault lines running through American society. This polarization transcends mere ideological and policy disagreements, encompassing fundamental questions regarding the role of government, the essence of democracy and the legitimacy of societal institutions, according to Blankenship.

This political polarization is also affecting Europe, where people have become more enthusiastic about stockpiling food in recent years.

Christian Wagner, a European issues expert from Germany currently based in Beijing, told the Global Times that although Europe does not have as strong a doomsday prepper culture as the US, concerns and unease about the future are also growing in society. Wagner believes that this anxiety primarily stems from concerns about climate change and recent political polarization in Europe.

Wagner said that in Europe, the Green Party has consistently tried to influence public sentiment on the issue of climate change, describing the climate crisis as a looming doomsday disaster and using this emotional narrative to attract support. Wagner observed that since around 2015, this fear of impending disaster has taken a place in public consciousness, leading to a general feeling that the world is on the brink of collapse.

Although not digging fortresses in their backyards like Americans, Europeans are also stockpiling supplies in their apartments like “hamsters,” Wagner told the Global Times.

However, this phenomenon is occurring alongside significant price increases and energy shortages. “Everything in Germany is becoming more expensive. Even though people want to be prepared and purchase a heat pump for heating or stock up on more food, they can’t, because they can’t afford it,” Wagner lamented.

Wagner reflected that history seems to be repeating itself, with Europe experiencing a period similar to the 1920s and 1930s, which followed a “golden age” with an economic crisis and social instability, eventually leading to the rise of fascism and World War II.

Wagner said ordinary people increasingly adopt a defensive mindset, focusing more on self-protection and preparing for potentially extreme situations such as war or a global apocalypse.

China’s scientific literacy rate reaches 14.14%, with an upward trend

China’s scientific literacy is on the rise, according to a survey released by the China Association for Science and Technology on Tuesday.

The 13th China Citizens’ Scientific Literacy Survey reveals a significant jump in the proportion of citizens with a strong grasp of science, reaching 14.14 percent in 2023. This marks a 1.21-percentage-point increase from 2022 and reflects an accelerating upward trend.

The survey data paints a promising picture, highlighting a nationwide improvement in scientific literacy balance. For the first time, the gap between eastern, central and western regions has narrowed. Women are demonstrating impressive gains, with their scientific literacy levels rising rapidly and contributing to a shrinking gender gap.

Additionally, rural residents are catching up, with their scientific literacy growing faster than their urban counterparts, leading to a further reduction in the urban-rural disparity.

China sees a scientific literacy rate of at least 10 percent as a hallmark of a nation’s innovative scientific and technological workforce. The rate reached 10.56 percent in 2020.

The growth in 2023 is particularly noteworthy considering China’s status as a large developing country. It signifies a solid foundation for China’s entry into the ranks of innovative nations.

However, there’s still room for improvement. Compared to major developed countries, where scientific literacy rates range from 20 to 30 percent, China needs to maintain its efforts to close the gap.

(Cover via CFP.)

U.S. awards Samsung $6.4 billion in grants to boost Texas chip output

The Biden administration will award up to $6.4 billion in grants to South Korea’s Samsung, to expand its chip production in central Texas as part of a broader effort to boost U.S. chipmaking, the Department of Commerce said on Monday.

The funding from the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act will support two chip production facilities, a research center and a packaging facility, in Taylor, Texas, the agency said.

It will also enable Samsung to expand its Austin, Texas, semiconductor facility, Commerce Department Secretary Gina Raimondo added, while boosting chip output for the aerospace, defense and auto industries and bolstering national security, administration officials told reporters.

“(These investments) will allow the U.S. to once again lead the world, not just in semiconductor design, which is where we do now lead, but also in manufacturing, advanced packaging, and research and development,” Raimondo said.

Samsung Electronics Co-CEO Kyung Kye Hyun said: “To meet the expected surge in demand from U.S. customers, for future products like AI chips, our fabs will be equipped for cutting-edge process technologies and help bring security to the U.S. semiconductor supply chain.”

Samsung said it expects to begin production in 2026. Analysts have estimated Samsung is likely to begin making 4-nanometer chips at its pilot production line and eventually expand to 2-nanometer chips.

The announcement, which made Samsung the third-largest Chips Act award recipient, is the latest move by the U.S. Biden administration to build out the chipmaking industry in the United States.

The U.S. share of global semiconductor manufacturing capacity has fallen from 37 percent in 1990 to 12 percent in 2020, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

“By investing in leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing, we are helping secure this vulnerable supply chain, boosting our national security and global competitiveness, and creating new jobs for Texans,” said John Cornyn, a Republican senator from Texas who cosponsored the original legislation.

Samsung is expected to invest roughly $45 billion in building and expanding its Texas facilities through the end of the decade, said senior administration officials.

“We applaud Samsung for investing boldly in U.S.-based manufacturing and salute the U.S. Commerce Department for making significant headway in implementing the CHIPS Act’s manufacturing incentives and R&D programs,” SIA said in a statement.

Intel won $8.5 billion in grants last month while Taiwan’s TSMC clinched $6.6 billion in April to build out its American production.

(Cover image via CFP)

Source(s): Reuters

Tomás Saraceno exhibition focuses on environmental concepts

03:28

Argentine artist Tomás Saraceno’s solo exhibition “Complementarities” is currently underway at the Red Brick Art Museum in Beijing, showcasing nearly a hundred of his works. It has been his largest solo exhibition in Asia in recent years.

Saraceno has long been interested in ecological issues. With each of the artworks in the exhibition, participants are invited to notice things around them – spiders, dust, sound, vibrations, movement – in a way they may not have been attuned to before.

Hong Kong marks key education day on safeguarding national security

The opening ceremony of the 2024 National Security Education Day is held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center in Hong Kong, April 15, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

HONG KONG — The Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Monday kicked off the opening ceremony of the 2024 National Security Education Day at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the promulgation of a holistic approach to national security, also the theme of this year’s event, which saw the participation of more than 1,400 people from across Hong Kong.

Xia Baolong, head of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, addressed the opening ceremony via video link.

He noted that earlier on March 19, the Legislative Council (LegCo) of the HKSAR unanimously passed the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. It was a milestone event in the practice of “one country, two systems,” marking that Hong Kong has forged a strong legal shield to safeguard national security, Xia said.

At the new starting point, it has become the greatest consensus and expectation of Hong Kong society to build a better Hong Kong, promote Hong Kong’s shift from stability to prosperity, and enable the general public to live a better life, he said.

John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, addresses the opening ceremony of the 2024 National Security Education Day at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center in Hong Kong, April 15, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

To shift from stability to prosperity, Xia said it is necessary to keep in mind the bottom line of national security to escort Hong Kong’s quality development; it is necessary to further strengthen the “one country, two systems” and give full play to the fundamental role of “one country, two systems” in safeguarding Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability; it is necessary to consolidate and give full play to Hong Kong’s unique status and strengths to reinforce Hong Kong’s golden brand.

It is also necessary to better integrate Hong Kong into the overall development of the country, inject strong momentum into Hong Kong, and provide greater business opportunities; it is necessary to actively adapt to the new situation and new challenges, demonstrate new responsibilities, and achieve a new leap in Hong Kong through actions, innovation and creation, he added, voicing hope for new legends of Hong Kong’s development.

The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, which took effect on March 23, consolidated the security guarantee for Hong Kong, so that Hong Kong can proceed at full speed to achieve economic development and ensure people’s well-being, said John Lee, chief executive of the HKSAR.

Hong Kong will make new progress and contribute to national rejuvenation, he said.

Early Monday, the Security Bureau of the HKSAR government and the disciplined services it oversees jointly held a flag-raising ceremony at the Hong Kong Police College to mark the National Security Education Day.

Cutting-edge technologies on display at Haikou expo

A visitor wearing a headset tries the satellite image service products at the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo in Haikou, South China’s Hainan province, on April 14, 2024. [Photo/VCG]

Visitors at the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo can experience cutting-edge technology with a variety of interactive experiences.

Featuring more than 4,000 brands from 71 countries and regions, the six-day expo in Haikou, Hainan province, showcases new and special consumer products, offering high-quality goods and services from domestic and international markets.