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Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
After DeepSeek, China's JC10 moment
The writer heads the independent Centre for Research and Security Studies, Islamabad. He is currently a visiting Research Fellow at Fudan University, Shanghai Listen to article Amidst the intricate tapestry of Chinese intellectual and academic circles, a distinct sense of pride permeates the nation's achievements. The recent, albeit perilous, Indo-Pak confrontation (May 7-10) serves as a catalyst for this sentiment. As the ongoing war of information and propaganda intensifies, Chinese intellectuals eagerly celebrate the groundbreaking milestones achieved through their technological advancements, particularly in the domains of AI-driven satellites, jet fighters and missiles, in collaboration with the Pakistan Air Force. They find amusement in the spotlight that has been bestowed upon their defence hardware, which emerged triumphant after four days of engagement. Following the DeepSeek, Beijing and Shanghai have experienced a collective sense of triumph akin to the JC10-PL15 Moment for most academics. This moment is fueled by the successful demonstration of their technology, which has garnered widespread attention. An excerpt from The National Interest elucidates the recriminations between the Indian and French governments over access to source codes for the Rafale jets. These events have engendered both anger in India and amusement in Beijing. Chinese social media platforms have been abuzz with these developments, as they find amusement in the circumstances. After all, why should they not? Chinese weapons and warplanes exceeded expectations during the conflict. When news emerged of India's inability to access Dassault's source code, coinciding with India's capture of an intact Chinese PL-15 missile, one of Beijing's "wolf warrior", diplomats took to X to mock New Delhi: "India invested $288 million per Rafale, yet they lack access to the source code. Furthermore, they assert their ability to 'extract the software' from the wreckage of a PL-15 missile. However, they are unable to access the fundamental functions of their own Rafale jets." While exuberance is understandable, it should not be construed as complacency. The Indo-Pak confrontation has only served as a catalyst for further pursuit of excellence through meticulous deliberation and strategic planning, both domestically and internationally. Discussions at universities, think tanks and official quarters continue to be influenced by the recent four-day conflict between nuclear rivals, India and Pakistan. The episode appears to have energised Chinese academia to engage in forward planning and explore options for enhanced and more effective cooperation with partner countries, particularly Pakistan. Why is this the case? Consistency is ensured by the Communist Party, which underpins China's entire political economy and the intellectual growth led by a dedicated leadership that ascends the political ladder through a rigorous accountability process. Only those with the utmost integrity and demonstrated commitment to the party and the people are successful in this process. What unites these individuals is an unwavering faith in the well-being of citizens and the belief that investment in human resources is essential for progress. Whether it is the iconic Great Wall in Beijing or Shanghai, Yiwu or Guangzhou, China's defence hi-tech capabilities, dozens of high-altitude glass bridges, or Shanghai's Global Finance Center, they all convey the same message: unwavering policy consistency, honesty and visionary leadership, coupled with absolute focus on the welfare and education of the people. These factors have transformed China and propelled it to a position where it is now asserting itself even against the United States. While President Trump's bullying tactics were met with resistance, China agreed to engage in diplomatic discussions but refused to yield. The recent grand summit in Kuala Lumpur, which involved China, ASEAN and the GCC, provided a glimpse of Beijing's unwavering commitment to peaceful engagement and win-win cooperation rather than coercive diplomacy. While President Biden's Build Back Better World initiative has seemingly lost momentum, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) continues to thrive and attract an increasing number of countries. Since Xi Jinping assumed the presidency in 2012, China has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in research and capacity building. Notably, the Chinese military has undergone a significant reduction in personnel, with nearly 300,000 personnel being eliminated. Additionally, the generals have been instructed to prioritise their professional duties and future challenges rather than engaging in commercial ventures. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) must maintain its focus on excellence and avoid any involvement in commercial activities. Both the PLA and the Communist Party have endured severe purges of high-ranking officials for corruption, inefficiency and betrayal of their responsibilities. The driving force behind China's current success lies in an ecosystem anchored in solid planning, facilitated knowledge and skill development, and the pursuit of excellence. This system operates on merit and celebrates knowledge and skills. Coincidentally, as I was concluding this article, a public service text message arrived on my mobile device, reminding us that May 30th is the 9th National Science and Technology Workers' Day and coincides with the 25th National Science and Technology Activity Week. "We extend our utmost respect to all science and technology workers. Let us harness innovation as our guiding principle and hard work as our propulsion, collectively constructing the vision of a robust nation through science and technology," said the message from the ministry. This inspiring message serves as a testament to the recognition of science and technology as the indispensable key to self-sufficiency and competitiveness, positioning China at a significant advantage over other nations. It is unsurprising that China is experiencing a surge of technological achievements that few countries can boast of - something that instills a sense of confidence and fosters national pride.
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
More cards to play: scholar sees Trump moving beyond tariffs as tactic with China
Beijing should be ready for Washington to adopt alternative pressure tactics in future tariff negotiations, according to a renowned Chinese scholar who noted that the Trump administration had recognised the limitations of imposing heavy tariffs. Wu Xinbo , dean of the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, said that while US President Donald Trump might continue using tariffs as a negotiating tool, he was likely to show more restraint after seeing their mixed results. 'Trump came to understand that while tariffs had limited impact on China, they carried significant side effects for the US. Although he would continue to use tariffs, he would definitely exercise more restraint going forward, avoiding the extremes seen in the first phase,' Wu said in an interview. 'That's why we also need to be alert to the possibility that he may play other cards – because once he saw the limitations of the tariff card, he could start considering alternative cards,' he said. 05:19 How are Chinese citizens feeling the effects of the US-China tariff war? How are Chinese citizens feeling the effects of the US-China tariff war? Such measures could relate to science, diplomacy and security, Wu said.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Donald Trump steals Xi Jinping's favourite foreign policy
FOR AN ECONOMIC and military giant, China is strangely drawn to pint-size diplomacy. Though it is a bully in its backyard, China is cautious farther from home. In such hotspots as the Middle East, it is transactional, self-interested and focused on business deals. China often acts like a middle power, as if competing in the same league as Turkey or the United Arab Emirates. This approach has survived the rise of Xi Jinping, the most powerful Communist Party chief in decades. At home Mr Xi talks of returning China to global pre-eminence and of building world-class armies to smash any foe. To foreigners Mr Xi frames his country as a peace-loving giant. When Chinese trade missions set off down the ancient Silk Road, they did not seek to conquer new lands, Mr Xi declared in 2023. He was addressing trade partners gathered to mark the first decade of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a big Chinese lending and infrastructure scheme. Chinese travellers 'are remembered as friendly emissaries leading camel caravans and sailing ships loaded with goods', said Mr Xi. Even in regions stalked by sectarian violence, ethnic hatred and religious extremism, Chinese leaders propose prosperity as a cure-all. In 2016 Mr Xi told the Arab League: 'Turmoil in the Middle East stems from the lack of development, and the ultimate solution will depend on development.' The use of force has brought disaster to the region, Mr Xi went on. Happily, he said, China could offer trade, technology and infrastructure to help Arab governments pursue reforms without jeopardising stability. Scholars in China praise this as 'Chinese wisdom' and a source of diplomatic strength. Because China is all about business, they aver, their country can sign energy and construction contracts with opposing sides in a civil war, as happened some years ago in Libya. Pragmatic China can play mediator between such foes as Iran and Saudi Arabia, which restored diplomatic relations after China-hosted meetings in 2023. A new book, 'China's Changing Role in the Middle East. Filling a Power Vacuum?' by Chuchu Zhang of Fudan University, offers a useful survey. At times it is boosterish, for instance when it glosses over the large role that Iraq and Oman played in brokering that Saudi-Iranian rapprochement. But it is commendably frank about narrow interests that sometimes guide Chinese diplomacy. In the book a former Chinese ambassador explains why, just over a decade ago, his country vetoed several UN Security Council resolutions to impose sanctions on Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria for the alleged use of chemical weapons against its people and other acts. In the ambassador's telling, China vetoed Western-drafted resolutions so it would be taken seriously in the region, arguing: 'If we hadn't, China would have been excluded from any negotiations concerning Syria or other Middle Eastern issues'. Ms Zhang reports that 'as an inward-looking power' China's 'biggest interest' in Syria's civil war was the presence of hundreds, possibly thousands, of Uyghur militants from China's far-western region of Xinjiang, fighting alongside Islamist rebels. Praising Mr Assad for combating terrorism, Chinese officials called on outside powers to 'abandon the fantasy of regime change' in Syria. China's default response to hard problems is to call for mediation, and to suggest that meddling by an arrogant, hegemonic West is the root cause. Chinese envoys blame American sanctions for the death of civilians, for instance in Iran during the covid-19 pandemic. Time and again they condemn outside powers for trying to impose Western-style democracy. Officials boast that Chinese investments and deals come without political conditions. Sceptics would add that China favours opaque contracts that allow rulers to enrich themselves. It is a stingy aid donor, pledging $2m in 2023 to UNRWA, the UN agency that assists Palestinians—less than the contribution from Iceland (population 400,000). Now, though, Chinese leaders face an American president as transactional as they are, and just as scornful of overseas aid. If anything, Mr Trump sounds more contemptuous of predecessors who toppled dictators in freedom's name. In Saudi Arabia on May 13th Donald Trump praised Gulf Arab rulers for 'forging a future where the Middle East is defined by commerce, not chaos; where it exports technology, not terrorism.' This progress was achieved without lectures from Westerners, Mr Trump went on. 'In the end the so-called nation-builders wrecked far more nations than they built, and the interventionalists were intervening in complex societies that they did not even understand themselves,' he said. Transactional China meets its match In February Mr Trump halted graft investigations under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, blaming the law for erecting 'excessive barriers to American commerce'. Though Mr Trump loves economic coercion, his special envoy, Ric Grenell, has claimed that his boss frets that 'sanctions penalise American companies'. Mr Trump's challenge comes at a painful time for China. Its economy is slowing, leaving less money to invest overseas. BRI lending peaked a decade ago and debts are now coming due across the developing world. As a security provider, China is an also-ran in the Middle East. America makes advanced weapons and world-beating semiconductors and airliners, selling billions of dollars-worth during Mr Trump's visit. China is not out of the game. It remains a huge energy buyer. It has green technologies to sell. It offers an alternative for leaders eager to hedge their bets. Bluntly, though, its values-free foreign policy has been swiped by a richer rival. Its response will be revealing. If China's commitment to peace through development is sincere then it can stick with pragmatism and deal-cutting. If China's real aim is to shove America aside, then watch out. Mr Trump has given China cause to amp up the ideology, and push harder. Get 360° coverage—from daily headlines to 100 year archives.
Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Jim Nowlan: With the Chinese outpacing our tech advances, has our ‘Sputnik moment' come and gone?
In 1957, my high school science teacher stopped me in the corridor between classes. 'Do you know what just happened, Jim? Russia has sent a satellite into orbit around the earth!' He was shaken, and so was America. The haunting beeps emanating from Sputnik echoed around the globe — America's supremacy in military technology had been eclipsed by our rival. Response was quick and substantial. Funding for the relatively new National Science Foundation was more than doubled. American education doubled down on science and technology. In a few years, America had landed a rocket on the moon. The competition for tech supremacy continues. In recent months, Chinese tech company DeepSeek released an artificial intelligence model that is apparently faster and cheaper and uses much less electricity than our own technology. Once again, we should be shaken — but this time not surprised. In the early 2000s, I became a visiting professor at Fudan University in Shanghai, one of China's best. On the morning after my arrival, a Saturday, I came out of my 'foreign expert' guest quarters to stroll the leafy street outside. I saw several neatly uniformed youngsters on the sidewalks. When I saw my host professor on Monday, I asked about this. 'Oh, our children go to school on Saturdays, until noon,' she responded. And, I might add, during the school week, students have at least one more hour of instruction per day than in the U.S. and go to school for up to 245 days each year, versus our 175 to 180. Not surprisingly, Shanghai youngsters fare much better on math achievement than do American youngsters, as well as do students in most developed nations. I sense that if Shanghai parents were told their children could not go to school on Saturdays, there would be riots in the streets. And that if American parents were told their children had to go to school on Saturdays — and for another hour each weekday — there would be riots in the streets. The short American school day and year are still basically rooted in the 19th century agrarian needs to have the kids available to work the farm in the summers. In 1983, alarmed by stagnant and weak educational achievement, educators issued the 'A Nation at Risk' report, aimed at spurring student achievement. Four decades later, a Stanford University analysis by Margaret Raymond, founder and director of the Center for Research on Education Outcomes, notes that American student learning is still stagnant or in decline. So, I am amazed to read that many school districts have gone to or are contemplating a four-day school week. Alas. We need more time on task, not less. With four times the U.S. population, China has more high honor students than we have students. In the early 2000s, there were about 10 million Chinese enrolled in higher education in that country, while 20 million Americans studied at colleges and universities. Today, there are more than 50 million Chinese enrolled in higher education, a fivefold increase, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, whereas in America, our numbers have declined to about 19 million. Again, back to my teaching at Fudan. I recall walking around the campus one early morning with Gu Yu, my assistant teacher; it was 6:30 or 7. We came upon a gaggle of young people standing in front of the entrance to a major building. 'What's going on there?' I asked Gu Yu. 'Oh, those are students, waiting for the library to open.' China's paramount leader, Xi Jinping, has the goal of achieving supremacy in science and technology for his country. Operating by central planning, Xi can, certainly in the short term, devote to high education all the resources he deems necessary. An August 2024 article in Scientific American by Saima Iqbal chronicled dangerous decline in American research, 'while Chinese research surges.' President Donald Trump's blocking of billions in research grants for our major universities is like cutting off his nose to spite his face. I heard from Chinese friends that Xi, who twice visited Iowa in his younger years to study American farm practices, considers our nation decadent. And that he aspires to repay the West for the humiliations we visited upon his country and their revered Empress Dowager Cixi in the 19th century, as Western nations carved up a technologically inferior China for commercial purposes. What to do? America's strengths include: one, our tradition of cutting-edge research, largely at our major universities, and two, the opportunity America provides for people to achieve. On a recent Amtrak trip, my seatmate, a young Korean who grew up in Turkey and now studies artificial intelligence in Minnesota, assured me the American Dream is still alive in the minds of young people around the world. There are not enough smart Americans alone to remain supreme in scientific research. Right now, two-thirds of the workers in Silicon Valley are foreign-born, according to a recent report in the Mercury News, the Valley's newspaper. We need to expand and leverage our research capacities and, combined with the lure of American opportunity, attract the absolute best and brightest (the top 1%) to our shores — and retain them here. We sure could use another Sputnik moment.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
New Infrared Contacts Let You See in the Dark
Humans have a new way of seeing infrared light, without the need for clunky night-vision goggles. Researchers have made the first contact lenses to convey infrared vision — and the devices work even when people have their eyes closed. The team behind the invention, led by scientists at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in Hefei, gave the lenses their power by infusing them with nanoparticles that convert near-infrared light in the 800–1,600-nanometre range into shorter-wavelength, visible light that humans can see, in the 400–700-nanometre range. The researchers estimate that the lenses cost around US$200 per pair to make. The technology, which was detailed in Cell on 22 May, 'is incredibly cool, just like something out of a science-fiction movie', says Xiaomin Li, a chemist at Fudan University in Shanghai, China. It opens up 'new possibilities for understanding the world around us', he adds. [Sign up for Today in Science, a free daily newsletter] Near-infrared light sits just outside the range of wavelengths that humans can normally detect. Some animals can sense infrared light, although probably not well enough to form images. Night-vision goggles enable humans to see infrared radiation, but they are bulky and require a power source to work. The new lenses avoid these limitations while also offering richer, multi-coloured infrared images that night-vision goggles, which operate on a monochrome green scale, typically do not. However, the lenses do have their own shortcomings. Because the embedded nanoparticles scatter light, the images the lenses create are blurry. The team partially corrected this by putting the technology into glasses with additional lenses that redirect the light. Moreover, unlike night-vision goggles, which amplify light to detect low-level infrared signals, the lenses allow users to see only intense infrared signals, such as those emitted by light-emitting diodes (LEDs). For these reasons, some critics don't think the lenses will prove useful. 'I cannot think of any application that would not be fundamentally simpler with infrared goggles,' says Glen Jeffery, a neuroscientist at University College London who specializes in eye health. 'Evolution has avoided this for a good reason.' Nevertheless, the authors think that their lenses can be further optimized and foresee several possible uses for the invention. For instance, wearers would be able to read anti-counterfeit marks that emit infrared wavelengths but are otherwise invisible to the human eye, says co-author Yuqian Ma, a neuroscientist at the USTC. Li, who was not involved in the work, offers another possibility: the lenses might be worn by doctors conducting near-infrared fluorescence surgery, to directly detect and remove cancerous lesions 'without relying on bulky traditional equipment'. To create the contact lenses, the scientists built on previous research in which they gave mice infrared vision by injecting nanoparticles into the animals' retinas. This time, they took a less invasive approach and added nanoparticles made of rare-earth metals including ytterbium and erbium to a soup of polymer building blocks to form the soft lenses, and then tested them for safety. The main challenge, Ma says, was to pack enough nanoparticles into the lenses to convert sufficient infrared light into detectable visible light, while not otherwise altering the lenses' optical properties, including their transparency. Tests in mice showed that animals wearing the lenses tended to choose a dark box that was considered 'safe' over one lit up by infrared light, whereas mice without the lenses showed no preference for either box. Humans wearing the lenses could see flickering infrared light from an LED well enough to both pick up Morse code signals and sense which direction the signals were coming from. The lenses' performance even improved when participants closed their eyes, because near-infrared light easily penetrates the eyelids, whereas visible light, which could have interfered with image formation, does so to a lesser degree. 'Witnessing people wearing contact lenses and successfully seeing infrared flashes was undoubtedly an exhilarating moment,' Ma says. The team now plans to find ways to cram more nanoparticles into the lenses and hopes to develop particles that can convert light with higher efficiency, to improve the technology's sensitivity. 'We have overcome the physiological limitations of human vision, as if opening a brand-new window onto the world,' Ma says. This article is reproduced with permission and was first published on May 22, 2025.
