10 h. ago How China is stepping up Africa charm offensive to boost cultural ties, deepen influence

China is rolling out hundreds of activities across Africa, including study trips and AI competitions, as part of what experts have described as a “soft power” charm offensive designed to deepen its influence across the continent. In moving beyond its traditional focus on infrastructure and high-level finance, Beijing is expanding its engagement through the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges – an initiative dedicated to cultural and social diplomacy. Announced by Chinese Foreign...

Politics

10 h. ago How China is ramping up Africa charm offensive to boost cultural ties, influence

How China is ramping up Africa charm offensive to boost cultural ties, influence  South China Morning Post

Politics

44 h. ago In Japan, fears of China’s antibiotics dominance spur calls for self

Medical professionals in Japan are concerned that China could dramatically ramp up trade pressure on Tokyo by adding antibiotics and ingredients for medicines to its list of exports subject to restrictions. Despite efforts over the last three years to increase domestic production of a range of commonly used medicines in Japan, the domestic medical sector still relies heavily on imports from China and restricting or halting imports would cause “huge trouble”, according to the experts. “Japan...

Politics

3 d. ago China targets wealthy influencers with audits, fines as fiscal pressures rise

China has ramped up audits involving online influencers and high-wage earners, as part of broader efforts to expand tax revenue and refine the taxation system. The State Taxation Administration on Wednesday spotlighted two fresh cases involving influencers in the centrally administered city of Chongqing and in Gansu province. In Chongqing, authorities ordered an influencer surnamed Peng – who has 30 million followers and works in online video production and commercial advertising – to pay 4.15...

Events

5 d. ago Driverless Delivery Vans in China Are Rampaging Through Cities Like Grand Theft Auto

Driverless Delivery Vans in China Are Rampaging Through Cities Like Grand Theft Auto  Yahoo News New Zealand

Politics

8 d. ago Taiwan to fortify critical facilities and ramp up ammunition output to ward off PLA pressure

Taiwan will double down on strengthening key facilities, including defences against drones, and ramp up ammunition production to withstand growing pressure from the mainland, according to senior officials on the island. Taiwanese Vice-Premier Cheng Li-chiun said on Thursday that the government would continue to reinforce critical infrastructure and defences against unmanned aerial vehicles. “Taiwan must be more fully prepared, especially in the face of the possibility of various new forms of...

Events

9 d. ago Hopes Beijing may lift soft ban on South Korea pop culture as ties thaw

Hopes Beijing may lift soft ban on South Korea pop culture as ties thaw  Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Politics

1 week ago Lee, Xi agree to thaw cultural ties with gradual reopening: Cheong Wa Dae

Lee, Xi agree to thaw cultural ties with gradual reopening: Cheong Wa Dae  The Korea Herald

Politics

2 w. ago Nvidia asks chipmaker TSMC to ramp up H200 production as China demand jumps, sources say

Nvidia is scrambling to meet strong demand for its H200 artificial intelligence chips from Chinese technology companies and has approached contract manufacturer Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) to ramp up production, sources said. Chinese tech companies have placed orders for more than 2 million H200 chips for 2026, while Nvidia currently holds just 700,000 units in stock, two of the people said. The exact additional volume Nvidia intends to order from TSMC remains unclear, they...

Politics

2 w. ago Nvidia asks chipmaker TSMC to ramp up H200 production amid China demand: sources

Nvidia asks chipmaker TSMC to ramp up H200 production amid China demand: sources  South China Morning Post

Politics

2 w. ago China Ramps Up Semiconductor Independence Push With New Supply Chain Rules

China Ramps Up Semiconductor Independence Push With New Supply Chain Rules  TipRanks

Politics

3 w. ago Taiwan ramps up security measures for coming holidays after deadly stabbings

Taiwan has bolstered security ahead of the coming holidays to pre-empt potential copycat attacks following a deadly mass stabbing that has left the island on edge. The island’s Ministry of the Interior and National Police Agency (NPA) ordered tighter deployments at transport hubs and major events, increased monitoring of online threats and accelerated reviews of police resources and command procedures. Announced in separate statements on Tuesday, the measures came after last week’s violence...

Events

4 w. ago GLOBALink | From "cold resources" to hot industry: China's ski pole hub ramps up production

GLOBALink | From "cold resources" to hot industry: China's ski pole hub ramps up production  Xinhua

Politics

last month Need for speed: Alibaba ramps up China instant commerce push with Cainiao and Tmall tie

Alibaba Group’s logistics arm Cainiao and online grocery business Tmall Supermarket are teaming up to expand fulfilment infrastructure and speed up deliveries, as the Chinese e-commerce giant ramps up its efforts in China’s fast-growing instant commerce battle to fend off rivals such as JD.com and Meituan. Cainiao will launch new or expand instant commerce warehouses for Tmall Supermarket across 31 mainland Chinese cities by the end of January 2026, it said in a statement on Thursday. Alibaba...

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