Latest news with #LiuPengyu
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
China's early South American soybean buys squeeze US out of peak export window
China has moved early to lock in soybean supplies from Brazil for September and October, sidelining US exporters from what is traditionally their most lucrative selling period. The shift underscores Beijing's growing trade reliance on South America and comes amid renewed political and commercial tensions with Washington. According to market analysis from Brazil's Safras & Mercado, traders reported Chinese purchases of roughly 8 million tonnes of soybeans for September and 4 million tonnes for October, about half of the country's projected demand for the two months. All volumes are sourced from South America, with Brazil capturing the lion's share. The move effectively shortens the US 'window' for soybean shipments to China, which typically runs from September to January before the Brazilian harvest arrives. Last year, China imported 105 million tonnes of soybeans, 22.13 million of them from the US, illustrating how pivotal this early-season slot has been for American farmers. The decision to buy more soybeans from South America comes as Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures hover near five-year lows, with reduced Chinese buying expected to keep prices under pressure. When asked about the soybean purchases and their impact on US producers, Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, did not directly address the trade volumes. Instead, he said Bejing hoped 'the US side will work with China to implement the important common understandings reached by our heads of state' and called for dialogue 'on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit' to promote sustainable bilateral relations. The Chinese embassy in Brasilia did not respond to requests for comment. On Monday, US President Donald Trump publicly urged Beijing to quadruple its soybean purchases from the United States, a dramatic call just days before a tariff truce between the two countries was set to expire. Posting on social media, Trump claimed China was concerned about soybean shortages and said he expected 'quick' orders from Beijing. The remarks briefly sent Chicago futures higher, but market watchers quickly questioned whether such a deal was realistic. Meeting the request would require China to source most of its soybean imports from the United States, an unprecedented shift that would displace established Brazilian volumes. It remains unclear whether increased Chinese agricultural purchases would be a condition for a lasting trade deal between Beijing and Washington. In the meantime, China has not booked any US soybeans for the fourth quarter, and some feed manufacturers are reportedly testing alternative suppliers, including Argentina, to secure cheaper South American protein meals. In Brazil, the news of both the early Chinese commitments and Trump's gambit was met with quiet confidence among exporters. In a statement, the Brazilian Soybean Producers Association said on Monday that it was monitoring the impact of a potential trade deal on crops, but that the combination of strong September and October sales could be an opportunity to further cement Brazil's role as China's primary supplier. As the US risks losing ground in the Chinese market, Brazil and China are also working on longer-term trade integration. On Sunday, the Brazilian newspaper Folha de S. Paulo reported that officials from both countries were said to be drafting a bilateral protocol to recognise environmental certifications and traceability systems for key agricultural exports, particularly beef and soybeans. The plan would align methodologies for measuring emissions, land use and animal welfare, allowing Chinese authorities to formally recognise Brazilian sustainability seals such as 'Carbon Neutral Meat' and 'Low Carbon Soy'. Measures include integrated digital tracking, QR codes linking to environmental data and shared databases. The protocol aims to smooth trade flows, add value to certified products and pre-empt future non-tariff barriers. A Chinese technical delegation is expected in Brazil later this year to inspect systems on the ground before finalising the deal. The talks come against a backdrop of US tariff hikes on Brazilian goods and growing political friction between Washington and Brasília, even as China expands its list of authorised Brazilian exporters in other sectors, from coffee to processed foods. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
Saba Yemen
2 days ago
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
China Welcomes Cooperation Between Russia, United States
Washington - Saba: Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the United States, expressed China's welcome of cooperation between Moscow and Washington regarding bilateral relations and the resolution of the Ukrainian crisis. Commenting on the outcome of the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska, Pengyu said: 'China welcomes cooperation between Russia and the United States to improve bilateral relations and move forward toward a political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis. There are no easy solutions to complex issues.' He added: 'China supports all efforts that could lead to a peaceful resolution of the crisis.' He affirmed that, 'Regardless of how the situation develops, China will firmly maintain its position and remain committed to promoting peace and facilitating negotiations.' Putin and Trump held talks today, Saturday, in Alaska, where the two leaders met at the Elmendorf-Richardson military base in Anchorage in a meeting that lasted two hours and 45 minutes. The meeting was attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov. Representing the United States were Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the President's Special Representative Stephen Witkoff.
Miami Herald
11-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
US Allies in Europe Project Aircraft Carrier Power Near China
European NATO members have projected naval power into the Indo-Pacific through aircraft carrier deployments in recent years, as China—a European Union trading partner and U.S. rival—undergoes a military buildup, challenging Washington and its allies. Experts told Newsweek that by sending their largest and most capable warships, European countries—the United Kingdom, France and Italy—can assist the U.S. in keeping China in check while maintaining a naval presence at home, thereby contributing to Europe's security. Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., told Newsweek on Tuesday, "The growing military deployment by countries from outside the region is detrimental to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific." China has built the world's largest navy by hull count—surpassing the U.S. Navy—with more than 370 ships and submarines. In June, the Chinese military—for the first time ever—deployed two aircraft carriers to the broader western Pacific simultaneously, flexing its naval power. The expansion of China's naval presence comes as the U.S. is preoccupied with tensions in the Middle East, prompting the repositioning of a pair of aircraft carriers—USS Carl Vinson and USS Nimitz—earlier this year and leaving a naval power gap in the western Pacific. Meanwhile, the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is conducting an eight-month deployment in the Indo-Pacific. As of earlier this month, the Royal Navy warship—carrying stealth fighter jets—was en route to Australia for an exercise before continuing on to Japan. According to Krzysztof Sliwinski, an associate professor in the Department of Government and International Studies at Hong Kong Baptist University, nine NATO nations established the European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative in 2008, seeking to maintain a continuous presence in the Indo-Pacific through sequential deployments of aircraft carriers. In addition to the ongoing deployment of the Prince of Wales, the U.K. sent HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2021 for a seven-month mission that brought the aircraft carrier and its strike group—including a destroyer and fighter jets deployed by the U.S.—to the Indo-Pacific. In April, the French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle concluded a five-month Indo-Pacific mission. During its deployment, it linked up with aircraft carriers from the U.S. and Japanese navies in the broader western Pacific east of the Philippines. ITS Cavour, an Italian aircraft carrier, also led a strike group last year for a five-month deployment in the Indo-Pacific—a region outside the Italian navy's traditional area of responsibility. Sidharth Kaushal, a senior researcher at the Royal United Services Institute in the U.K., told Newsweek that the role of European aircraft carrier deployments is more diplomatic and strategic than strictly military—signaling, among other things, national commitments to engaging with regional partners and to principles such as freedom of navigation. Naval presence operations are designed to shape the perceptions and behavior of potential adversaries, said Emma Salisbury, a researcher at the Council on Geostrategy in the U.K., by helping to deter aggression and demonstrate resolve without resorting to conflict. The presence of the British aircraft carrier group in the Indo-Pacific "reflects not only a projection of military power and operational reach but also a commitment to international partnerships, regional stability, and the rules-based international order," Salisbury said. Trade is another factor behind British and Italian naval deployments, Sliwinski said. A significant portion of British trade with Asia depends on maritime routes that pass through Indo-Pacific choke points, while Italy—an advocate for a stable global order—also benefits from trade in the region, as its export-driven economy relies heavily on open sea lanes. With Pacific territories such as New Caledonia and French Polynesia, France seeks to safeguard its maritime interests and mitigate what Sliwinski described as the "negative impacts" of China's growing economic, political and military presence in the region. China's growing naval activities come as the East Asian power and its neighbors remain involved in territorial disputes over contested waters—including the East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea—which frequently lead to standoffs and clashes. Citing tensions across the Indo-Pacific—Washington's priority theater—U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously warned that China was increasingly willing to resort to force and called for enhanced joint defense cooperation to deter Chinese aggression. Aircraft carrier deployments in the Indo-Pacific show European countries taking on a "shared strategic responsibility," Sliwinski said, which enables the U.S. to allocate its resources on other vital areas while European naval forces help ensure regional stability. The deployment of multiple allied aircraft carriers amplifies deterrence against potential Chinese hostilities, he said. "A collective display of naval strength complicates China's ability to act aggressively, as it would encounter a unified response from various countries." "Exercises conducted during these deployments provide the practical experience and shared procedures necessary to improve joint operational effectiveness," Salisbury said, which ensures that allied forces are better prepared to respond to security challenges. However, Kaushal said European aircraft carriers played a largely "supporting role" in the western Pacific, as they had limited direct combat utility in the region—where they lacked the munitions and local logistics needed to operate near China, which he described as having "the world's most sophisticated anti-access/area denial bubble." According to the Pentagon, anti-access prevents an advancing enemy force from entering an operational area, while area denial restricts an enemy's freedom of action within that area. While Europe projects its naval power well beyond its region, the Trump administration is calling on NATO allies to take greater responsibility for European security as Washington refocuses its attention toward the Indo-Pacific, signaling a potential retreat from Europe. Given the pressing and ongoing need to deter and monitor Russia's navy, it would be understandable to assume that aircraft carrier deployments in the Indo-Pacific might be deprioritized, Salisbury said. However, the U.K.'s continued commitment to such missions underscores the importance it places on its role in supporting global security. "Since carrier deployments to the Pacific are a diplomatic instrument rather than the markers of a military commitment, they do not necessarily commit resources which would be needed in a European contingency to being employed against [China] in Asia," Kaushal said. Sliwinski said the U.K., France and Italy had allocated naval assets to Europe while also focusing on the Indo-Pacific—including addressing threats in the North Sea and the Mediterranean and supporting NATO's deterrence efforts in Eastern Europe. Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for China's Embassy in Washington, D.C., said: "Cold War mentality, bloc confrontation, and zero-sum thinking are out of touch with the times and lead nowhere. … China will firmly safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests and will continue to contribute to regional peace and stability through concrete actions." Sidharth Kaushal, a senior research fellow for sea power at the Royal United Services Institute in the U.K., said: "These deployments entail costs both financially and in terms of vessel and crew readiness, and their utility will have to be weighed against these costs as Europe takes on a greater share of its own defensive burdens." Emma Salisbury, a sea power research fellow at the Council on Geostrategy in the U.K., said: "The deployment of British and European allied carrier strike groups to the Indo-Pacific, rather than limiting engagement to smaller-scale missions, represents a deliberate and symbolically significant strategic choice." Krzysztof Sliwinski, an associate professor in the Department of Government and International Studies at Hong Kong Baptist University, said: "European carriers play a crucial role in maintaining open access to international waters, particularly in disputed regions such as the South China Sea. This effort challenges China's broad maritime claims and supports essential global trade routes that are important to both the U.S. and Europe." It remains to be seen which European aircraft carrier will be dispatched next for an Indo-Pacific mission following the conclusion of the Prince of Wales' deployment. Related Articles New US Aircraft Carrier Hit by Significant DelaysChina Sends Military on Combat Patrol Against US Ally: VideoUS Allies Plan To Flex Aircraft Carrier Muscles Near ChinaPhotos Show US Navy's Double Aircraft Carrier Operations in Atlantic 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
11-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
US Allies in Europe Project Aircraft Carrier Power Near China
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. European NATO members have projected naval power into the Indo-Pacific through aircraft carrier deployments in recent years, as China—a European Union trading partner and U.S. rival—undergoes a military buildup, challenging Washington and its allies. Experts told Newsweek that by sending their largest and most capable warships, European countries—the United Kingdom, France and Italy—can assist the U.S. in keeping China in check while maintaining a naval presence at home, thereby contributing to Europe's security. Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., told Newsweek on Tuesday, "The growing military deployment by countries from outside the region is detrimental to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific." Why It Matters China has built the world's largest navy by hull count—surpassing the U.S. Navy—with more than 370 ships and submarines. In June, the Chinese military—for the first time ever—deployed two aircraft carriers to the broader western Pacific simultaneously, flexing its naval power. The expansion of China's naval presence comes as the U.S. is preoccupied with tensions in the Middle East, prompting the repositioning of a pair of aircraft carriers—USS Carl Vinson and USS Nimitz—earlier this year and leaving a naval power gap in the western Pacific. Meanwhile, the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is conducting an eight-month deployment in the Indo-Pacific. As of earlier this month, the Royal Navy warship—carrying stealth fighter jets—was en route to Australia for an exercise before continuing on to Japan. The British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales docked at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre in Singapore on June 24. The British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales docked at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre in Singapore on June 24. ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images European Naval Initiative According to Krzysztof Sliwinski, an associate professor in the Department of Government and International Studies at Hong Kong Baptist University, nine NATO nations established the European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative in 2008, seeking to maintain a continuous presence in the Indo-Pacific through sequential deployments of aircraft carriers. In addition to the ongoing deployment of the Prince of Wales, the U.K. sent HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2021 for a seven-month mission that brought the aircraft carrier and its strike group—including a destroyer and fighter jets deployed by the U.S.—to the Indo-Pacific. In April, the French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle concluded a five-month Indo-Pacific mission. During its deployment, it linked up with aircraft carriers from the U.S. and Japanese navies in the broader western Pacific east of the Philippines. ITS Cavour, an Italian aircraft carrier, also led a strike group last year for a five-month deployment in the Indo-Pacific—a region outside the Italian navy's traditional area of responsibility. In this photo provided by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force on February 13, United States aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, front; Japanese aircraft carrier JS Kaga, middle; and French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle... In this photo provided by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force on February 13, United States aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, front; Japanese aircraft carrier JS Kaga, middle; and French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle sail in formation in the Philippine Sea during Exercise Pacific Steller. More Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rationales for Deployments Sidharth Kaushal, a senior researcher at the Royal United Services Institute in the U.K., told Newsweek that the role of European aircraft carrier deployments is more diplomatic and strategic than strictly military—signaling, among other things, national commitments to engaging with regional partners and to principles such as freedom of navigation. Naval presence operations are designed to shape the perceptions and behavior of potential adversaries, said Emma Salisbury, a researcher at the Council on Geostrategy in the U.K., by helping to deter aggression and demonstrate resolve without resorting to conflict. The presence of the British aircraft carrier group in the Indo-Pacific "reflects not only a projection of military power and operational reach but also a commitment to international partnerships, regional stability, and the rules-based international order," Salisbury said. Trade is another factor behind British and Italian naval deployments, Sliwinski said. A significant portion of British trade with Asia depends on maritime routes that pass through Indo-Pacific choke points, while Italy—an advocate for a stable global order—also benefits from trade in the region, as its export-driven economy relies heavily on open sea lanes. The Italian navy aircraft carrier ITS Cavour arriving at Naval Base Guam for a logistic stop on August 11, 2024, before proceeding to Japan. The Italian navy aircraft carrier ITS Cavour arriving at Naval Base Guam for a logistic stop on August 11, 2024, before proceeding to Japan. U.S. Navy With Pacific territories such as New Caledonia and French Polynesia, France seeks to safeguard its maritime interests and mitigate what Sliwinski described as the "negative impacts" of China's growing economic, political and military presence in the region. Confronting China's Threat China's growing naval activities come as the East Asian power and its neighbors remain involved in territorial disputes over contested waters—including the East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea—which frequently lead to standoffs and clashes. Citing tensions across the Indo-Pacific—Washington's priority theater—U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously warned that China was increasingly willing to resort to force and called for enhanced joint defense cooperation to deter Chinese aggression. Aircraft carrier deployments in the Indo-Pacific show European countries taking on a "shared strategic responsibility," Sliwinski said, which enables the U.S. to allocate its resources on other vital areas while European naval forces help ensure regional stability. The deployment of multiple allied aircraft carriers amplifies deterrence against potential Chinese hostilities, he said. "A collective display of naval strength complicates China's ability to act aggressively, as it would encounter a unified response from various countries." "Exercises conducted during these deployments provide the practical experience and shared procedures necessary to improve joint operational effectiveness," Salisbury said, which ensures that allied forces are better prepared to respond to security challenges. This photo released by the Xinhua News Agency shows Chinese aircraft carriers CNS Liaoning, right, and CNS Shandong carrying out a dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for the first time in the South China Sea... This photo released by the Xinhua News Agency shows Chinese aircraft carriers CNS Liaoning, right, and CNS Shandong carrying out a dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for the first time in the South China Sea in October 2024. More Chen Mengxi/Xinhua via AP However, Kaushal said European aircraft carriers played a largely "supporting role" in the western Pacific, as they had limited direct combat utility in the region—where they lacked the munitions and local logistics needed to operate near China, which he described as having "the world's most sophisticated anti-access/area denial bubble." According to the Pentagon, anti-access prevents an advancing enemy force from entering an operational area, while area denial restricts an enemy's freedom of action within that area. Balancing Commitments While Europe projects its naval power well beyond its region, the Trump administration is calling on NATO allies to take greater responsibility for European security as Washington refocuses its attention toward the Indo-Pacific, signaling a potential retreat from Europe. Given the pressing and ongoing need to deter and monitor Russia's navy, it would be understandable to assume that aircraft carrier deployments in the Indo-Pacific might be deprioritized, Salisbury said. However, the U.K.'s continued commitment to such missions underscores the importance it places on its role in supporting global security. "Since carrier deployments to the Pacific are a diplomatic instrument rather than the markers of a military commitment, they do not necessarily commit resources which would be needed in a European contingency to being employed against [China] in Asia," Kaushal said. Sliwinski said the U.K., France and Italy had allocated naval assets to Europe while also focusing on the Indo-Pacific—including addressing threats in the North Sea and the Mediterranean and supporting NATO's deterrence efforts in Eastern Europe. This photo provided by the Royal Navy on July 8 shows the British frigate HMS Iron Duke, front, monitoring a Russian warship, back, in the English Channel. This photo provided by the Royal Navy on July 8 shows the British frigate HMS Iron Duke, front, monitoring a Russian warship, back, in the English Channel. Royal Navy What People Are Saying Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for China's Embassy in Washington, D.C., said: "Cold War mentality, bloc confrontation, and zero-sum thinking are out of touch with the times and lead nowhere. … China will firmly safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests and will continue to contribute to regional peace and stability through concrete actions." Sidharth Kaushal, a senior research fellow for sea power at the Royal United Services Institute in the U.K., said: "These deployments entail costs both financially and in terms of vessel and crew readiness, and their utility will have to be weighed against these costs as Europe takes on a greater share of its own defensive burdens." Emma Salisbury, a sea power research fellow at the Council on Geostrategy in the U.K., said: "The deployment of British and European allied carrier strike groups to the Indo-Pacific, rather than limiting engagement to smaller-scale missions, represents a deliberate and symbolically significant strategic choice." Krzysztof Sliwinski, an associate professor in the Department of Government and International Studies at Hong Kong Baptist University, said: "European carriers play a crucial role in maintaining open access to international waters, particularly in disputed regions such as the South China Sea. This effort challenges China's broad maritime claims and supports essential global trade routes that are important to both the U.S. and Europe." What Happens Next It remains to be seen which European aircraft carrier will be dispatched next for an Indo-Pacific mission following the conclusion of the Prince of Wales' deployment.
Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
US scrutinises Chinese AI for ideological bias, memo shows
American officials have quietly been grading Chinese artificial intelligence programs on their ability to mold their output to the Chinese Communist Party's official line, according to a memo reviewed by Reuters. U.S. State and Commerce Department officials are working together on the effort, which operates by feeding the programs standardized lists of questions in Chinese and in English and scoring their output, the memo showed. The evaluations, which have not previously been reported, are another example of how the U.S. and China are competing over the deployment of large language models, sometimes described as artificial intelligence (AI). The integration of AI into daily life means that any ideological bias in these models could become widespread. One State Department official said their evaluations could eventually be made public in a bid to raise the alarm over ideologically slanted AI tools being deployed by America's chief geopolitical rival. The State and Commerce Departments did not immediately return messages seeking comment on the effort. In an email, Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu did not address the memo itself but noted that China was 'rapidly building an AI governance system with distinct national characteristics' which balanced 'development and security.' Beijing makes no secret of policing Chinese models' output to ensure they adhere to the one-party state's 'core socialist values.' In practice, that means ensuring the models do not inadvertently criticize the government or stray too far into sensitive subjects like China's 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protests at Tiananmen Square, or the subjugation of its minority Uyghur population. The memo reviewed by Reuters shows that U.S. officials have recently been testing models, including Alibaba's Qwen 3 and DeepSeek's R1, and then scoring the models according to whether they engaged with the questions or not, and how closely their answers aligned with Beijing's talking points when they did engage. According to the memo, the testing showed that Chinese AI tools were significantly more likely to align their answers with Beijing's talking points than their U.S. counterparts, for example by backing China's claims over the disputed islands in the South China Sea. DeepSeek's model, the memo said, frequently used boilerplate language praising Beijing's commitment to 'stability and social harmony' when asked about sensitive topics such as Tiananmen Square. The memo said each new iteration of Chinese models showed increased signs of censorship, suggesting that Chinese AI developers were increasingly focused on making sure their products toed Beijing's line. DeepSeek and Alibaba did not immediately return messages seeking comment. The ability of AI models' creators to tilt the ideological playing field of their chatbots has emerged as a key concern, and not just for Chinese AI models. When billionaire Elon Musk – who has frequently championed far-right causes – announced changes to his xAI chatbot, Grok, the model began endorsing Hitler and attacking Jews in conspiratorial and bigoted terms. In a statement posted to X, Musk's social media site, on Tuesday, Grok said it was 'actively working to remove the inappropriate posts.' On Wednesday, X's CEO Linda Yaccarino said she would step down from her role. No reason was given for the surprise departure.
