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Category: China

  • Satellite pics show new Chinese settlement near Pangong Lake

    Satellite pics show new Chinese settlement near Pangong Lake

    The satellite images, captured on October 9 by US-based Maxar Technologies, show rapid construction over an area of about 17 hectares….reports Asian Lite News

    As India and China continue diplomatic efforts to ease tensions along the border, recent satellite imagery reviewed by India Today reveals the ongoing construction of a large Chinese settlement near the north bank of Pangong Tso Lake.

    The settlement is located approximately 38 kilometres east of one of the 2020 standoff points between Indian and Chinese forces, though it lies outside India’s territorial claims. Pangong Tso, the world’s highest saltwater lake, straddles India, China-administered Tibet, and the disputed border between them.

    The satellite images, captured on October 9 by US-based Maxar Technologies, show rapid construction over an area of about 17 hectares. Situated near Yemagou Road at an elevation of 4,347 meters, the site is bustling with construction and earth-moving machinery. According to Y Nithiyanandam, Professor & Head of the Geospatial Research Programme at the Takshashila Institution, “More than 100 buildings, including residential structures and larger administrative buildings, are being built. Open spaces and flattened land suggest possible future use for parks or sports facilities.”

    He also pointed out a 150-meter-long rectangular strip in the southeast corner, speculating it could be prepared for helicopter operations.

    Analysis of open-source satellite imagery indicates that construction began in early April 2024 on a riverbed sloping towards the lake. The settlement appears to be divided into two parts, possibly distinguishing between administrative and operational zones, according to military sources.

    Shadow analysis of the structures reveals a mix of single and double-story buildings, with smaller hutments nearby, likely accommodating six to eight people each. Two larger structures may serve as administration and storage facilities. The layout, designed in staggered rows rather than straight lines, suggests an intention to reduce vulnerability to long-range attacks.

    The settlement’s location behind high peaks further enhances its strategic advantage, limiting visibility from nearby areas. “The surrounding high peaks obscure the site from land-based surveillance equipment,” Nithiyanandam noted. Military sources speculate that if used for military purposes, the settlement could function as an “ad-hoc forward base,” reducing reaction times for Chinese forces.

    Nature Desai, an observer of the Indo-Tibetan frontier, offers another interpretation. He suggests that the settlement could be intended for Tibetan nomads, identifying the site as Changzun Nuru, a historic campsite mentioned in Swedish geographer Sven Hedin’s Central Asia Atlas: Memoir on Maps. Desai argues that the design is more consistent with the style of permanent housing built for Tibetan nomads by the Chinese government over the past two decades, rather than typical Xiaokang-style border defence villages.

    If so, this would be the first such settlement close in the area, reflecting China’s ongoing efforts to settle Tibetan nomads permanently. China could frame this development as “a long-awaited gift to its loyal nomads along the Indian frontier,” Desai noted.

    Nithiyanandam pointed out that while the proximity to a water source likely resolves water supply issues, the settlement’s energy needs will likely rely on renewable sources. The rapid pace of construction suggests that residential buildings are nearing completion, and significant progress has been made over the past six months. However, the settlement’s completion timeline could be impacted by extreme weather conditions in the coming months.

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  • China initiates trade barrier investigation against Taiwan

    China initiates trade barrier investigation against Taiwan

    The spokesperson asserted that Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities failed to take concrete actions to lift trade restrictions …reports Asian Lite News

    China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Saturday that it may take additional measures against Taiwan following an investigation revealing Taiwan’s trade-restrictive measures against the nation violate fair trade practices, according to a report by Xinhua.

    China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOC) spokesperson made the remarks following the trade probe into Taiwan’s restrictive measures, which concluded in December last year.

    The spokesperson asserted that Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities failed to take concrete actions to lift trade restrictions against the Chinese mainland, despite the release of investigation results.

    China’s MOC said that Taiwan’s restrictions on importing more than 2,000 Chinese products are indeed trade barriers. The ministry further said that this determination was made in December 2023, following a thorough investigation. It added that the MOC called for the removal of these restrictions, but so far, Taipei has not made any effort to do so.

    An investigation was launched, following concerns from Chinese chambers of commerce. The investigation probed whether Taiwan’s import bans on 2,455 Chinese products (as of April) breach fair trade practices.

    Notably, Taiwan had imposed bans on several products from China, and the range of restricted imports continued to expand in recent years, according to the investigation results. By the end of November 2023, the imports of 2,509 items of products from China were prohibited.

    Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) protested China’s “economic oppression” on Saturday, responding to Beijing’s threat of countermeasures over Taiwan’s alleged trade barriers.

    In a statement, the MAC, the top government agency in Taiwan that supervises exchanges across Taiwan Strait, expressed regret over any such measures but said the government will continue its efforts to minimise any adverse effects they may cause, according to a report by Focus Taiwan.

    Chinese activity near Taiwan ADIZ

    The Ministry of National Defence of Taiwan has reported the detection of 11 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels, and 1 official Chinese ship operating near Taiwan as of 6 am today.

    Of the detected aircraft, 9 crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, south-western, and eastern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). In response, Taiwanese forces monitored the situation closely and took appropriate action.

    In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Ministry of National Defence, ROC (Taiwan) stated, “11 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 am (UTC+8) today. 9 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded.”

    This incursion is part of ongoing tension between Taiwan and China, with frequent military activity by Beijing around the island.

    According to Taiwan News, China has deployed 56 military aircraft and 22 naval vessels around Taiwan this month alone. Since September 2020, Beijing has been ramping up its gray zone tactics, which include a gradual increase in the presence of Chinese military aircraft and naval ships in areas close to Taiwan. These tactics are designed to pressure Taiwan without engaging in direct military conflict.

    China’s latest military manoeuvres around Taiwan are seen as part of a broader pattern of provocations that have intensified in recent months. The Chinese government has carried out regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ, as well as military exercises close to the island.

    Gray zone tactics are defined as actions that fall short of full-scale warfare but are aimed at achieving security objectives through persistent, low-level activities. These tactics are intended to wear down Taiwan’s defences without triggering a large-scale conflict.

    The median line of the Taiwan Strait has long served as a de facto border between China and Taiwan. However, since the visit of former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan in August 2022, China has increasingly sent military aircraft, warships, and drones across the line. This has escalated tensions between the two sides.

    Taiwan, which split from China following the civil war in 1949, continues to govern itself independently. However, China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve unification.

    Beijing’s interest in Taiwan is also driven by the island’s technology-driven economy. Despite this, Taiwan maintains its autonomy and remains vigilant amid ongoing Chinese military activities. (ANI)

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  • US Congressmen Demand Telecom Briefing Over CCP Cyberattack Reports

    US Congressmen Demand Telecom Briefing Over CCP Cyberattack Reports

    Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party Chairman Rep John Moolenaar and Ranking Member Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi requested that Verizon, ATT, & lumentechco brief the committee following reports of a CCP-sponsored cyber attack against the companies.

    US Representative John Moolenaar and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi have called for a briefing from telecom giants Verizon, AT&T, and LumenTech after reports of a Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-sponsored cyber attack against the firms.

    In a post on X, the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party stated, “Chairman Rep Moolenaar and Ranking Member Congressman Raja requested that Verizon, ATT, & lumentechco brief the committee following reports of a CCP-sponsored cyber attack against the companies.”

    In response to alarming reports of a cyber attack allegedly linked to the CCP, US House Select Committee Chairman John Moolenaar and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi have formally requested a closed-door briefing from representatives of Verizon, AT&T, and LumenTech.

    This follows an October 5 report by the Wall Street Journal indicating that the attack penetrated the networks of several U.S. broadband providers, potentially compromising systems used for court-authorized wiretapping requests.

    According to The Wall Street Journal report, hackers may have had prolonged access to critical network infrastructure, raising significant national security concerns.

    A senior US intelligence official quoted in The Washington Post stated, “This enables the CCP to understand exactly who the U.S. government is interested in and to either undermine the government’s intelligence collection efforts or to feed the United States disinformation.”

    Representatives John Moolenaar and Raja Krishnamoorthi

    The letter underscores that the hacking group believed to be behind this breach is Salt Typhoon, which is closely associated with China’s Ministry of State Security.

    Earlier this year, the Select Committee addressed similar threats posed by another Chinese hacking unit, Volt Typhoon, which successfully compromised US critical infrastructure.

    The Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was established to address the challenges posed by the CCP to the United States and its allies. It investigates the CCP’s activities related to espionage, trade, technology theft, and human rights abuses while overseeing US government policies to ensure they align with national security interests.

    The committee promotes transparency regarding the CCP’s influence across various sectors, recommends legislation to counter this influence, and engages with stakeholders through hearings and briefings.

    In light of these developments, the committee is calling for urgent enhancements to the US’ cybersecurity strategies to counteract these unprecedented threats. (ANI)

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  • Taiwan ready to collaborate with China on global issues, says Lai

    Taiwan ready to collaborate with China on global issues, says Lai

    Lai urged China to contribute to regional and global peace and security, leveraging its influence to help end conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East…reports Asian Lite News

    President Lai Ching-te, in his National Day address on Thursday, reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait while also expressing the nation’s readiness to collaborate with China to address global issues, as reported by Taiwan News.

    Emphasizing the importance of dialogue based on equality and dignity, President Lai highlighted Taiwan’s dedication to bolstering resilience through the Four Pillars of Peace action plan.

    “Under the Four Pillars of Peace action plan,” he said at the event marking the 113th National Day of the Republic of China, “we will bolster national defence and protect the well-being of the Taiwanese.”

    To address global challenges, including climate change and authoritarian expansion, three new committees have been established: the National Climate Change Committee, the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee, and the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee.

    “These three committees are interconnected and closely related to national resilience,” Lai said. The aim is to develop better responses to challenges and foster closer cooperation with the international community.

    “Taiwan is also continuing to diversify green energy sources and develop energy technologies to achieve the global goal of net zero by 2050,” Lai added.

    While highlighting cross-strait relations, he affirmed that “Taiwan is determined to uphold peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” adding that “Taipei’s commitments to dialogue in the Taiwan Strait based on equality and dignity are unchanged.”

    “The nation is also ready to collaborate with China to address global issues and ensure regional security for the benefit of people on both sides of the strait,” he said.

    Further, Lai urged China to contribute to regional and global peace and security, leveraging its influence to help end conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

    “China can use its influence to help end the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East,” he said. “Amid these turbulent times, Taiwan will remain confident and resilient and be a force for peace and prosperity in the region.”

    According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this year’s National Day celebration drew approximately 183 distinguished foreign guests, including 14 official delegations and 91 representatives of diplomatic missions in Taiwan from allied and non-allied countries.

    On the same day, China launched satellites from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, with the flight path over central Taiwan and heading toward the Western Pacific.

    Taiwan Ministry of Defence shared a post on X and stated, “At 10:50 p.m. (UTC+8), China launched satellites from #XSLC, with the flight path over central Taiwan and heading toward the Western Pacific. The altitude is beyond the atmosphere and poses no threat. #ROCArmedForces monitored the process and stand ready to respond if needed.” (ANI)

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  • Beijing threatens dissidents living in Japan

    Beijing threatens dissidents living in Japan

    The government forces the diaspora from these areas to not organise protests against the government or engage in events deemed politically sensitive by the Chinese government….reports Asian Lite News

    The Chinese authorities are making attempts to threaten people from China living within Japan who remain critical of the Chinese government. The government’s harassment of people from China includes people belonging to East Turkistan, Tibet, and Inner Mongolia.

    The government forces the diaspora from these areas to not organise protests against the government or engage in events deemed politically sensitive by the Chinese government.

    Additionally, these people are also forced to provide information on others in Japan, a statement by Human Rights Watch (HRW) claimed.

    Teppei Kasai, Asia program officer at Human Rights Watch, while commenting on the issue stated, “Chinese authorities appear to have few scruples about silencing people from China living in Japan who criticise Beijing’s abuses. The Japanese government should make clear to Beijing it won’t tolerate the long arm of China’s transnational repression in Japan.”

    According to the same statement, the HRW between June and August 2024 interviewed 25 people from Hong Kong, Mainland China, East Turkistan, Tibet, and Inner Mongolia who were living in Japan and were involved in peaceful activities that were deemed unfavourable or threatening to one-party rule. These events included holding public events to raise awareness about crimes against humanity in Xinjiang, promoting Tibetan culture, or having reading clubs to discuss a book by an activist from Inner Mongolia.

    The interviewed individuals claimed that the Chinese police had contacted them or their relatives back home, pressuring them to end their activities in Japan; moreover, several of the interviewees provided logs of messages from the Chinese social media platform WeChat, recordings of video calls, and CCTV footage that corroborated their accounts.

    One such individual claimed that they had stopped participating in any politically sensitive in-person and online activities after receiving a call from Chinese authorities in 2024. Another individual who had agreed to participate in the interview later declined due to the fear that Chinese authorities would retaliate.

    Several Uyghur communities from Xinjiang stated that Chinese authorities had contacted them through their relatives back home in East Turkistan. The Chinese police called them through WeChat, telling them to either stop their anti-Chinese government activities in Japan or press them to share information about Japan’s Uyghur community, including the members of the advocacy group Japan Uyghur Association.

    A person from Tibet who promotes Tibetan culture in Japan said that when they went to the Chinese embassy in Tokyo to renew their passport, embassy officials told them they needed to return to Tibet to do so. A person from Taiwan previously involved in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy activism in a third country said the Chinese embassy sent them multiple invitations to “retrieve important documents.” Both people said they rejected the embassy’s recommendations, fearing they would be detained or face punishment.

    Chinese authorities have violated the rights of Chinese nationals who return home. In 2023, Hong Kong police arbitrarily arrested a 23-year-old Hong Kong woman upon her return to the city for pro-democracy comments she posted online while studying in Japan.

    Several people said they did not seek help from the Japanese police as they did not believe Japanese authorities could provide any remedy or feared reprisals or making the situation worse for themselves and their relatives back home. (ANI)

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  • China ramps up surveillance in Hong Kong

    China ramps up surveillance in Hong Kong

    Hong Kong police had previously set a target of installing 2,000 new surveillance cameras this year, and eventually increasing the number over the years….reports Asian Lite News

    Hong Kong city’s police have started a campaign under which the authorities would install thousands of cameras in the city to elevate their surveillance capabilities.

    Despite consistently being ranked among the world’s safest big cities, police in Hong Kong have cited crime as the reason for deeper penetration of CCTVs in the city which critics believe have the possibility of being equipped with powerful facial recognition and artificial intelligence tools, CNN reported.

    Hong Kong police had previously set a target of installing 2,000 new surveillance cameras this year, and eventually increasing the number over the years.

    CNN noted that the police in Hong Kong aim to eventually introduce facial recognition to these cameras, security chief Chris Tang told local media in July – adding that police could use AI in the future to track down suspects.

    In a statement to CNN, the Hong Kong Police Force said it was studying how police in other countries use surveillance cameras, including how they use AI. But it’s not clear how many of the new cameras may have facial recognition capabilities, or whether there’s a timeline for when the tech will be introduced.

    Hong Kong held disruptive protests in 2019 to complain about the Chinese mainland government interfering with the freedoms of the city and tightening measures under the garb of national security. The new laws brought in place have been used to jail activists, journalists and political opponents, and target civil society groups and outspoken media outlets.

    Fears of mainland-style surveillance and policing caused notable angst during the 2019 protests, which broadened to encompass many Hong Kongers’ fears that the central Chinese government would encroach on the city’s limited autonomy.

    Justifying the attempt to increase surveillance in Hong Kong, the local newspapers said that Hong Kong saw 3 per cent increase in crime in the country. In their statement, police told CNN the new cameras would only monitor public places and delete footage after 31 days. They will follow existing personal data privacy laws, as well as “comprehensive and robust internal guidelines,” police said, without elaborating on what those guidelines entailed.

    Chinese government is known for its surveillance actions that have often been used to disrupt critics of the Chinese Communist Party.

    Despite thThe e CCP routinely assuring that technology will not be misused, it has been time and again seen to be used in more repressive ways, with Xinjiang, a Muslim-majority Uyghur population area of China being routinely surveyed with invasive technologies. (ANI)

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  • Taiwan unveils upgraded T112 assault rifle

    Taiwan unveils upgraded T112 assault rifle

    Indigenous T112 Assault rifles have improvements to the trigger and grip. They also feature a new shell ejection deflection…reports Asian Lite News

    Amid rising tensions with China, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense’s (MND) Armanenets Bureau on Wednesday unveiled updated T112 assault rifles and redesigned bullet-resistant panels, Taipei Times reported.

    Indigenous T112 Assault rifles have improvements to the trigger and grip. They also feature a new shell ejection deflection, MND said.

    As per Taipei Times, the bullet resistant panels have recieved significant updates, as they can now withstand 5.8mm steel core bullets, researcher Hsu Yen-wei with the Materiel Production Center’s 205th Arsenal in Kaohsiung said at a media event.

    Even though Taiwan’s military could not obtain the 5.8mm bullets, which are used by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, for testing, they emulated them by changing the velocity of 5.56mm bullets, Hsu said.

    The current bullet resistant panels used by Taiwan security forces can only withstand regular 7.62mm bullets. However, the new panels weigh slightly more (2.2kg) than the current panels (1.9 kg), Taipei Times reported.

    Bureau informed that about 60,000 units are to be produced in the first batch set for delivery next year.

    On the other hand, the T112 assault rifles have recieved enhancement based on the feedback since it was first unveiled at the Taipei International Aerospace and Defense Industry Exhibition in September last year under the name XT112, the MND said.

    Apart from the better trigger and grip the sling of T112 has a quick detach system that allows for more configurations based on operational needs.

    The gun’s close-quarters combat capabilities have been enhanced due to its “dual-sided design,” the MND said.

    The range of the rifles has also been extended from 400m to 600m, and the barrel lifespan has been extended from 6,000 to 10,000 rounds, as reported by Taipei Times.

    The T112 rifle’s “three-round burst” mode has been changed to a “two-round burst” based on US battlefield experience, the MND said. (ANI)

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  • US ex-NSA cautions India over China forming powerful axis

    US ex-NSA cautions India over China forming powerful axis

    Bolton, a seasoned security expert, believes that how things will play out in future depends on where China sees its opportunity to gain maximum advantage….report Asian Lite News

    Asserting that the bilateral situation between India and China is a reflection of China’s larger “hegemonic ambitions” all along its Indo-Pacific periphery, former US National Security Adviser (NSA) John Bolton has warned that Beijing is forming an increasingly powerful axis in the region.

    “We see the pressure, most visibly now in East Asia – against Taiwan and against the Senkaku Islands that is a Japanese territory in the South China Sea. But, along China’s land border, obviously, its last big conflict was with Vietnam in the late 1970s, but there have been a number of incursions and conflicts along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China. And I think, if I understand the perceptions in China, in the Indian military correctly, they see China as the major threat to India. And I think I think that’s correct,” Bolton, the US National Security Adviser (NSA) to former President Donald Trump from 2018-2019 and a former US Ambassador to the United Nations, told IANS in an exclusive interview.

    As the Chinese side attempted to transgress the LAC along the India-China border areas following the violent Galwan Valley face-off in June 2020, the two sides have been engaged in discussions through established diplomatic and military channels to address the situation which continues till date.

    Even as India and China continue to narrow down the differences and find early resolution of the outstanding issues, both countries have decided to jointly uphold peace and tranquillity on the ground in border areas in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements, protocols and understandings reached between the two governments.

    Bolton, a seasoned security expert, believes that how things will play out in future depends on where China sees its opportunity to gain maximum advantage.

    “This is one of the complexities India is going to have to face, given the historical relationship with Russia and the Soviet Union before that. And, the dependance India has had on Russia, the Soviet Union, particularly for sophisticated weapons systems.

    But now Russia is selling those same weapons systems to China. So, India’s biggest potential adversary is getting exactly the same weapons from Russia, with which Beijing is forming an increasingly powerful axis. That could leave India at a real disadvantage. And I think how this Russia China axis develops, obviously, at this time, unlike the Cold War, China is the dominant partner, is going to be a significant issue for the Indian national security policy for the next quarter century, at least,” Bolton told IANS.

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be travelling to Laos on Thursday to attend the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit. Interestingly, Chinese Premier Li Qiang will also be in Vientiane for ASEAN events.

    “As is normal and usual on the margins of international conferences and meetings, the Prime Minister will have bilateral meetings with a number of leaders. These are all in the works and you will get to hear of them as they happen,” Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday while responding to a question on the possibility of any India-China bilateral meeting taking place in the southeast Asian country over the next two days.

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  • Rapid increase in mental depression among Chinese youth and teenagers

    Rapid increase in mental depression among Chinese youth and teenagers

    Many in China blamed the excesses by the government during the Zero Covid programme for deteriorating mental health conditions. The youth was particularly affected due to the loss of jobs, writes Dr Rajeev Kumar Sharma

    The ongoing demographic crisis in China due to the fast-ageing population is set to become more severe in the near future. Almost a quarter of youth are reported to be suffering from mental depression in China. To make matters worse, such cases are also rising among adolescents as well. While the communist government in Beijing may be seen harping on a prosperous future, the young Chinese feel pessimistic about their own future. This does not spell good news for the country’s economic and social fortunes.

    There are several reasons for the mental problems among youth. The rising level of unemployment is a major one. “Plenty of young Chinese people are now having psychological problems due to the bad economy, but many don’t show it outwardly. They choose to ‘lie flat’ or become cynical instead,” said a software development professional from Beijing.  Notably, the viewership of mental-health-related videos on Bilibili, China’s equivalent of YouTube, grew by 83 percent in 2023 and the searches for solutions to anxiety, depression and pressure by 224 percent.  

    Under Xi Jinping, China’s economy has become stagnant while the repression of people has reportedly grown. The economic slowdown especially after the Covid pandemic has caused disillusion among the Chinese youth. Mei, a young former investment banker, lost her voice due to stress after she was sacked. “I think many young Chinese people are now becoming disillusioned — they are not getting what they were promised by the country in their youth,” she said.

    Nancy Qian, professor of economics at Northwestern University, said the reasons for the youth depression are beyond the increasing joblessness and economic sluggishness. “The rise of youth depression has been decades in the making, and owes much to China’s rigid education system, past fertility policies and tight migration restrictions,” she said.

    The controversial ‘996’ work culture is also to be blamed for the rising mental distress among the Chinese youth. While this was liked by employers and those seeking to become billionaires, the general population who want to spend time with family and friends or pursue some hobbies found it frustrating.

    Young people in China pointed to the political repression, economic woes and workplace discrimination as well. Shanghai resident Zhao Di is one such individual who is facing mental health difficulties. “Not a single person I know has told me they’re happy. People of our generation living [in today’s China] are trapped in a general state of depression,” she said.

    (Xinhua/Zhao Yingquan/IANS)

    There has been a surge in suicides committed by people with depression in China. This includes children of age between 5 and 14. Even a successful singer named Coco Lee killed herself as she suffered from depression. It sparked mental health discussion on Chinese social media. There has been a surge in demand for mental health professionals. However, the Beijing government regards it as an imported form of Western-influenced bourgeois decadence.

    Many in China blamed the excesses by the government during the Zero Covid programme for deteriorating mental health conditions. The youth was particularly affected due to the loss of jobs. “Mental health issues occurred during the pandemic. Trouble with people’s income, trouble to find a job – people’s anxiety has always been there, and is even increasing,” said Dr Jia Miao, assistant professor of sociology at Shanghai New York University.

    Things are getting worse for teenagers in China since they do not seek help for mental health problems, unlike adults, said Unicef. “Children in China are facing increasing stress and competition at school, high parental expectations, and rapidly changing socio-economic conditions. Mental health conditions are a major burden of disease for adolescents in China,” it said. Institute of Psychology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences revealed that about 25 percent of children in the country showed depressive symptoms while 7.4 percent were at severe risk of getting major depression.

    Xiang Biao, Director at Germany-based Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology, said Chinese society struggled to keep up with the economic progress, leaving the youth to cope with mental stress that was not witnessed in the past 40 years. “The previous pressure that stemmed from hopes for work, and the current pressure arising from a fear of being eliminated from the competition due to a lack of work opportunities,” he said.

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  • International journalists’ body slams Hong Kong scribe’s sentencing

    International journalists’ body slams Hong Kong scribe’s sentencing

    This case marks a significant moment in Hong Kong’s media landscape, representing the first trial and national security-related conviction of a media outlet..reports Asian Lite News

    The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned the prosecution of journalist Chung Pui-Kuen and called on Hong Kong authorities to uphold their commitment to press freedom.

    Chung, the former editor of the now-defunct independent news website Stand News, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for sedition on September 26. Former acting editor-in-chief Patrick Lam was also found guilty but was released on health grounds.

    On September 26, Wan Chai District Court Judge Kwok Wai-kin sentenced Chung and Lam, former editors of Stand News, to 21 and 11 months in prison, respectively, after they were convicted of sedition on August 29. Lam was released immediately due to medical reasons and for time already served during the two-year trial.

    In response, the IFJ stated, “The recent sentencing of Chung Pui-Kuen and Patrick Lam underscores the alarming decline of press freedom in Hong Kong since 2020. Journalists and media workers must be able to perform their duties without fear of retribution. This decision will only serve to encourage further self-censorship among the city’s embattled media community.”

    The trial, which began in October 2022 and was originally scheduled for 20 days, ultimately lasted 22 months. On August 29, 2024, Judge Kwok determined that 11 out of 17 articles published by Stand News were ‘seditious’ and that the outlet posed a danger to national security. Both journalists were convicted of conspiracy to publish and reproduce seditious materials under sections 10 (1)(c), 159A, and 159C of the Crimes Ordinance.

    This case marks a significant moment in Hong Kong’s media landscape, representing the first trial and national security-related conviction of a media outlet and individual journalists since the territory’s handover from the United Kingdom to the People’s Republic of China in 1997.

    Stand News, a non-profit digital news outlet, ceased operations in December 2021 after its newsroom was raided by over 200 national security officers, leading to the deletion of its website.

    As a result of such acts of suppression, Hong Kong’s international press freedom ranking has plummeted in recent years, falling to 135th place in the Reporters Without Borders rankings for 2024, down from 18th place in 2002. (ANI)

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