Thẻ: politics

All Railroads Lead to China: China’s Borderlands Strategy of Integration in Laos

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

Laos shift from landlocked to land-linked by lowering transport costs, boosting trade, attracting investment and tourism

Stepping onto the Laos-China Railway (LCR) in Luang Prabang, the picturesque former royal capital in Northern Laos, brings a rush of aesthetic familiarity to anyone who has ridden the high-speed rail in China. From the train station massage chairs to the voice over the loudspeaker and the advertisements on seatbacks, the experience is decidedly Chinese. The result is both comforting and disorienting: riders feel they are not quite in China, but not quite all the way out of it either. China’s borderlands strategy of integration through connectivity results in borders that are blurred and shifted. The LCR is a physical manifestation of this new kind of borderland.

Opened in December 2021, the LCR is celebrated by China and Laos as a major accomplishment. President Xi Jinping called the LCR a “landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.”1 The railway connects the Yunnan provincial capital of Kunming to Laos’s national capital of Vientiane, covering one thousand kilometers in less than ten hours—a trip that previously took days.2 It is a marvel of modern engineering, traversing the mountain jungle terrain of southern Yunnan and northern Laos with a long series of tunnels and bridges. It is the first leg constructed of China’s vision for a pan-Asia railway system connecting Kunming to Singapore via three trunks: Myanmar in the west, Laos and Thailand in the center, and Vietnam and Cambodia in the east.

The Laos-China Railway in Luang Prabang, Laos. By author, September 2025.

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In 2000, China’s president, Jiang Zemin, sat down for a rare interview with American television broadcast

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

CBSnews.com On the eve of his visit to the United States, China’s president, Jiang Zemin, sat down for a rare interview with Mike Wallace.

In a wide-ranging and surprisingly frank interview, Jiang talked about many topics, including relations between the United States and China, Tiananmen Square and American morals.

Britainnica.com

Jiang Zemin (born August 17, 1926, Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, China—died November 30, 2022, Shanghai, China) was a Chinese official who was general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP; 1989–2002) and president of China (1993–2003).

Jiang joined the CCP in 1946 and graduated from Shanghai Jiao Tong University the following year with a degree in electrical engineering. He worked in several factories as an engineer before receiving further technical training in the Soviet Union about 1955. He subsequently headed technological research institutes in various parts of China. In 1980 Jiang became vice minister of the state commission on imports and exports. Two years later he became vice minister of the electronics industry and from 1983 to 1985 was its minister. He had meanwhile become a member of the Central Committee of the CCP in 1982. Named mayor of Shanghai in 1985, he joined the Political Bureau in 1987.

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Iran’s Hormuz shipping disruptions raise risks for energy, fertilizers and vulnerable economies

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Global Agriculutre

13 March 2026, London: Military tensions in West Asia are beginning to disrupt maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, raising serious concerns for global energy markets, fertilizer supplies and vulnerable economies. In a rapid assessment titled “Strait of Hormuz disruptions: Implications for global trade and development,” UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has highlighted the potential risks posed by interruptions in one of the world’s most critical trade corridors.

The Strait of Hormuz carries nearly one quarter of global seaborne oil trade, along with large volumes of liquefied natural gas and fertilizers. Any disruption in this narrow passage therefore has immediate consequences for global energy prices, maritime transport costs and agricultural input supply chains.

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Findings from 18 years of a Global Study with Girls from Birth to Adulthood – Landmark study shows global gains for girls, but threats to progress loom

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reliefweb.int 26 Feb 2026

Studied Countries: Vietnam, Benin, Brazil, Cambodia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, the Philippines, Togo, Uganda

Groundbreaking research from Plan International that has documented girls from birth for eighteen years reveals that globally, girls’ lives have improved significantly over the past two decades but identifies these gains are now at risk with the next wave of challenges approaching.

With improved access to education, girls are dreaming bigger and new laws protecting them from child marriage means they have broader choices in shaping their futures. But significant barriers – including widespread gender-based violence and the ever-worsening impacts of climate change – still stand in the way of equality.

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China and Russia challenge the Arctic order

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But understanding how means looking beyond their partnership

DIIS.dk DIIS Policy Brief 9 July 2025

Sino-Russian Arctic cooperation is real but limited – and should not distract from the broader strategic challenges each country poses individually. While the partnership merits attention, some aspects are more symbolic than substantive, with Russia ultimately controlling the pace and direction.

Media narratives often highlight the growing alignment between China and Russia in the Arctic and the potential threat this poses to other states. Yet the partnership remains constrained by diverging priorities, Russia’s wariness of Chinese influence, and China’s reluctance to expose itself to sanctions or engage in risky ventures.

At the same time Russia’s increasing dependence on China since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has given Beijing opportunities to pursue deeper access to the Russian Arctic on its own terms and in areas that align with its long-term objectives. Rather than engaging broadly, China is selective in how and where it invests or participates – a dynamic that could intensify underlying frictions between the two even as global geopolitical shifts continue to draw them closer in the region.

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Dark fleet tankers: Estonia’s case study warning for Southeast Asia

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The increasing number of false-flagged and stateless tankers is reshaping maritime security challenges across the world’s sea lanes.

imarest.org

There are tankers that exploit gaps in international law by fraudulently registering under flags of convenience or assuming false identities to avoid enforcement. Indeed, approximately 100+ false-flagged tankers now operate with limited scrutiny in critical regions like the Indian Ocean and South China Sea, bringing new impetus to the questions for coastal states: do they have the legal right to act, and should they exercise that right? 

Estonia’s recent boarding of the tanker Kiwala has put these questions in the spotlight. Acting within its territorial sea, the Estonian Navy relied on the powers granted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to intervene when a vessel’s passage is no longer ‘innocent’. The vessel was known to be operating under a false flag — a clear violation of international shipping norms. 

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Europe’s youth have more realistic view of China

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

chinadaily.com By Kerry Brown,Zhang Li and Ivona Rajevac | China Daily | Updated: 2026-02-09 07:32

MA XUEJING/CHINA DAILY

Editor’s note: The Institute of European Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences released a survey report in Beijing on Feb 4 examining European youth’s perceptions of China and China-EU relations. The report is based on a large-scale survey of nearly 20,000 respondents conducted across 36 European countries. Scholars and policy experts discussed the findings at the briefing. Below are excerpts of the remarks by three of the experts.

Opening their eyes to the real China

Europe stands at a critical juncture in evaluating its stance toward China, especially as the global geopolitical landscape grows increasingly complex in 2026. The survey findings reveal a nuanced mosaic of attitudes. Young Europeans, in particular, are engaging with China not merely through an ideological lens but by examining its tangible economic, technological and social footprint. This growing sophistication reflects both the accessibility of information through digital platforms and the lived realities of globalization, where China’s influence touches supply chains, consumer goods, education and technology.

The perception of China as a significant player in global technology is gaining traction. For European youth, understanding China is no longer a simple matter of curiosity; it is increasingly about engaging with a country that is transforming before their eyes. Long-held notions of China as a technologically backward or peripheral actor are rapidly fading. China’s investments in research and development now far exceed those of the United Kingdom, many European countries, and even the European Union in aggregate. In the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, China is set to strengthen its capabilities in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and other critical sectors.

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The 10 Worst and best U.S. Foreign Policy Decisions Ever until 2016 – According to Historians

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Cfr.org

From violent westward expansion to interwar isolationism to ruinous military interventions, discover which U.S. foreign policy decisions left the most tarnished legacies.

From securing America’s sovereignty to expanding its continental reach to creating the post-World War II institutions that ushered in unprecedented peace and prosperity, discover which U.S. foreign policy decisions left the most positive legacies.

List of 10 Worst Policy Decisions

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Chinese organized crime networks moved $16 billion in crypto in 2025. Southeast Asia has become a base for these networks as China tightens enforcement.

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

CNBC.com Published Sun, Feb 1 2026

Key Points

  • Chinese-language crypto networks moved $16.1 billion in illicit funds, about 20% of the global crypto crime market.
  • Telegram “guarantee” platforms act as key hubs linking launderers, criminals and sanctioned actors.
  • Southeast Asia has become a base for these networks as China tightens enforcement.
SIHANOUKVILLE, CAMBODIA - JANUARY 18: Amber Casino and former scam center, owned by Chen Zhi, a Chinese businessman who was deported to China, is seen in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, on January 18, 2026. Casinos and scam centres shape life in Cambodiaâs Sihanoukville. Wealth is concentrated among finantial elite while poorer people work in harsh conditions for the rich, with reports of kidnappings, forced labour and torture, particularly involving workers in scam centres; tuk-tuks are fitted with curtains to c

Amber Casino and former scam center, owned by Chen Zhi, a Chinese businessman who was deported to China, is seen in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, on Jan. 18, 2026.

Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images

Chinese-language money laundering networks funneled an estimated $16.1 billion in illicit funds through cryptocurrency transactions in 2025, according to a report released Tuesday by blockchain data analysis firm Chainalysis.

These networks, known as CLMNs, accounted for roughly one-fifth of the illicit cryptocurrency ecosystem in 2025, which Chainalysis valued at over $82 billion.

The criminal networks primarily operate through various channels and chat groups on the messaging platform Telegram, where launderers advertise their services to prospective customers. These postings often include pictures showing heaps of cash and public testimonials as proof of liquidity and service quality, according to the report.

These Telegram-based channels, known as “guarantee” platforms, function as marketing hubs or informal escrow services that connect vendors with prospective clients. While the platforms do not control the underlying transactions, Chainalysis said they are the main conduits through which illicit deals are arranged.

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Top 10 Ship Building Countries In The World (Vietnam is on the list)

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China, South Korea, Japan, Italy, USA, Germany, France, The Netherlands, The Philippines, Vietnam

marineinsight.com ByZahra AhmedFebruary 11, 2025

The shipbuilding industry is growing at a tremendous rate, with its market size expected to increase from USD 155.58 billion in 2025 to 203.76 billion in 2033, owing to greater container and dry bulk trade and the opening of new markets, per Straits Research. Around 85% of shipbuilding activities are concentrated in China, Japan, and South Korea, which are the top shipbuilding countries in the world.

Shipbuilding, which involves the construction of large seagoing vessels, manufacturing marine equipment, and refurbishing old vessels is a lucrative industry, propelled by the rising sea trade between countries, as the world population increases amidst rising consumer demands worldwide.

Apart from commercial vessels, naval vessels are also witnessing an increased demand with several navies like the Chinese and American, building new ships to showcase naval prowess.

ship building countries

In this article, we will mention the top 10 shipbuilding countries in the world, the majority of which are in Asia, Europe and the Americas, leading through their technological breakthroughs, and strategic investments in port infrastructure and ship equipment.

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Thailand, the sick man of Southeast Asia?

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eastasiaforum.org Published: 22 December 2025

In Brief

Thailand is confronting a convergence of economic and political pressures that threaten to lock in prolonged stagnation caused by weak growth, demographic decline and low productivity. Decades of political instability, repeated intervention by unelected ‘tutelary’ powers and the blocking of reformist forces have undermined policy continuity, discouraged investment and diverted spending away from long-term growth drivers like education and public investment. Renewed border tensions with Cambodia and looming elections now compound these structural weaknesses, leaving Thailand trapped in a cycle of political uncertainty and economic underperformance that erodes its regional standing.

With growth barely above 2 per cent, a looming demographic crisis and an immigration regime unsuited to offsetting future workforce challenges, Thailand is in urgent need of pro-growth, pro-productivity reforms and public investment despite its strained public finances. These challenges are par for the course in any rich post-industrial country — but for a middle-income country in today’s international environment, they’re all the more daunting.

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Nuclear Deterrence in the 21st Century

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chatthamhouse.org Research paper Published 20 April 2020 ISBN: 978 1 78413 391 7

Royal Navy Vanguard Class submarine HMS Vigilant returning to HMNB Clyde after extended deployment. The four Vanguard-class submarines form the UK's strategic nuclear deterrent force. Photo: Ministry of Defence.

Royal Navy Vanguard Class submarine HMS Vigilant returning to HMNB Clyde after extended deployment. The four Vanguard-class submarines form the UK’s strategic nuclear deterrent force. Photo: Ministry of Defence.21st century. Researchers at Chatham House have worked with eight experts to produce this collection of essays examining four contested themes in contemporary policymaking on deterrence.

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International Atomic Energy Agency reviews Viet Nam’s nuclear power infrastructure development

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IAEA.org 12 December 2025 Ninh Thuan Province, Viet Nam

Viet Nam has taken important actions towards adding nuclear power to its energy mix, including in developing the necessary infrastructure for a safe and sustainable nuclear power programme, according to an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) review mission.

An IAEA team of experts yesterday concluded an 11-day mission to Viet Nam to review its infrastructure development for the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project, which had been stopped in 2016. In 2024, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam decided to restart the project and the National Assembly of Viet Nam authorized the Government to allocate the necessary resources for its implementation.

The establishment of nuclear power is an objective of the Revised National Power Development Plan for the period 2021-2030, which considers nuclear power as key for diversifying the national energy mix and strengthening energy security amidst Viet Nam’s steadily rising energy demand and economic growth in recent years.  The plan envisages the commissioning of two nuclear power plants, Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2, during the 2030–2035 period, with a total capacity of 4,000–6,400 MW.

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China unveils ‘world’s first’ autonomous drone that can hunt submarines: is it all hype?

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The Wing Loong X debuts as China’s first long-endurance UAV designed for independent ASW missions.

IE.com Nov 22, 2025 06:14 AM EST

Wing Loong II
Image of a Wing Loong II at the Dubai Air Show, circa 2017.Mztourist/Wikimedia Commons

China has officially unveiled its latest large autonomous drone, the Wing Loong X, at the Dubai Airshow 2025. Ostensibly the same as its predecessor, Wing Loong drone siblings, this new drone is reportedly the first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the world capable of fully independent anti-submarine warfare (ASW).

If true, this is a big deal, as anti-submarine missions are widely considered the most difficult of all maritime military aviation operations. The new drone is huge, with a reported wingspan of well over 65.6 feet, or 20 meters (that’s roughly the same size as a small business jet).

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China’s “artificial sun” just broke a fusion limit scientists thought was unbreakable

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Sciencedaily.com Date:January 4, 2026

Source:Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters

Summary: Researchers using China’s “artificial sun” fusion reactor have broken through a long-standing density barrier in fusion plasma. The experiment confirmed that plasma can remain stable even at extreme densities if its interaction with the reactor walls is carefully controlled. This finding removes a major obstacle that has slowed progress toward fusion ignition. The advance could help future fusion reactors produce more power

Fusion Breakthrough Shatters Density Limits
China’s “artificial sun” fusion reactor has crossed a critical plasma density threshold that scientists once thought was unreachable. The result brings fusion ignition closer than ever. Credit: Shutterstock

Scientists working with China’s fully superconducting Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) have successfully reached a long-theorized “density-free regime” in fusion plasma experiments. In this state, the plasma remains stable even when its density rises far beyond traditional limits. The results, published in Science Advances on January 1, shed new light on how one of fusion energy’s most stubborn physical barriers might finally be overcome on the road to ignition.

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