Latest news with #Mandarin-speaking
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump's CIA director details strategy using Mandarin videos to tap Chinese dissent for intelligence gains
CIA Director John Ratcliffe detailed the reasoning behind the agency's strategy of releasing two Mandarin-language videos aimed at encouraging Chinese nationals to reach out through the dark web, part of a broader effort to gather intelligence from inside America's top adversary. In an interview on "My View with Lara Trump," Ratcliffe said the initiative was designed to tap into dissatisfaction among Chinese citizens and collect key information on the Chinese Communist Party [CCP] and its operations. "We released two Mandarin-speaking videos to the Chinese people, inviting them to contact us through the dark web because a lot of the people in China are not happy with what's happening," he shared on Saturday. Cia Videos Aim To Turn Chinese Officials And 'Steal Secrets' "They can be great sources of intelligence for us." The campaign was part of a larger strategy to counter threats from foreign and domestic adversaries and bolster U.S. leverage in high-stakes negotiations, including President Donald Trump's efforts to secure deals with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Read On The Fox News App Cia Director Says China Is #1 Priority, Poses Biggest Challenge From Adversary In Us History Ratcliffe also emphasized his commitment to depoliticizing the CIA and returning the agency to its core mission of intelligence-gathering – not political interference. He cited the use of the Steele dossier and attitudes that dismissed the Hunter Biden laptop as "Russian disinformation" as evidence. "Those were the types of politicization that really tarnish what the intelligence community is supposed to do," he said. "We're supposed to be apolitical, and that's what President Trump wants me to be. We're going to be better. We're gonna get back to what made the CIA great."Original article source: Trump's CIA director details strategy using Mandarin videos to tap Chinese dissent for intelligence gains
New Straits Times
02-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
#NSTviral: Mandarin-speaking customer helps durian seller serve Chinese tourists
KEPALA BATAS: A durian seller who previously relied on Google Translate got unexpected help from a Mandarin-speaking customer to serve Chinese tourists at his stall. Mohamad Amin Rosli, 34, said he was grateful for the assistance, which made the transaction smoother as the tourists could not understand English. The heartwarming encounter gained attention after Mohamad Amin shared a TikTok video showing the woman conversing fluently in Mandarin, which has since garnered over 1.5 million views. Sharing his experience, he said the video was recorded last Saturday. "At the time, a group of Chinese tourists arrived, and coincidentally, the woman was also at my stall. "I didn't ask for her help, but she willingly assisted me, and that was when I realised she could speak Mandarin. "As a trader, I was very grateful because she indirectly helped me handle the transaction, as the tourists couldn't understand or speak English," he told Harian Metro. Mohamad Amin said he posted the video on TikTok simply as a memory. "After sharing the video, I didn't check TikTok until yesterday. "I was surprised to see it had gone viral and received many comments. "I see it as a blessing, especially since I had intended to promote my stall during durian season. I'll be operating until the end of July. "I hope more people will visit, as I only run the stall once a year due to my full-time job as a bank officer," he said.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pacific Bridge Media and Consulting (Japan) and Business Next Media (Taiwan) announce cross-border content exchange to spotlight Asian innovation
Partnership between leading startup media from Japan and Taiwan strengthens Asian innovation coverage TOKYO, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Bridge Media and Consulting (PBMC), the Tokyo-based producer of the solutions-focused JStories media platform, and Business Next Media (BNext Media), publisher of Taiwan's leading startup and technology news website Meet Global, are pleased to announce the launch of a cross-border content exchange initiative beginning in June 2025. Under this new arrangement, selected content will be shared and co-published between PBMC's JStories ( an English-language platform showcasing impact-driven innovation from Japan and across Asia, and BNext Media's Meet Global ( which reports on startup trends and entrepreneurship throughout Greater China and Asia. This partnership aims to broaden access to high-quality, locally sourced coverage of the fast-evolving Asian startup and innovation scene — helping founders, investors, and business professionals discover new ideas, cross-border opportunities, and success stories from both Japan and Taiwan, as well as the wider Asia-Pacific region. About Pacific Bridge Media and Consulting (PBMC)Based in Tokyo, PBMC is a multilingual media and communications firm specializing in international business storytelling, corporate communications, and event production. PBMC operates JStories, a global-facing media outlet that spotlights Japanese and Asian innovators solving pressing social issues, and produces branded content for clients ranging from government agencies to global corporations. About JStoriesJStories ( is PBMC's flagship English-language platform focused on "solutions journalism" — covering entrepreneurs, researchers, and change-makers from Japan and Asia who are tackling social, environmental, and business challenges through technology and creativity. JStories features original interviews, analysis, and video content for a global audience. About Business Next Media (BNext Media)Founded in Taipei, BNext Media is Taiwan's premier media company covering technology, startups, and digital innovation. The company publishes Business Next, a leading business magazine, and operates several digital news brands including Meet Global, which provides in-depth news, analysis, and startup resources for the Mandarin-speaking world and international readers. About Meet GlobalMeet Global ( is an English news platform focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment trends across Asia, with an emphasis on the Greater China region. Under the same brand, Meet operates additional language-specific channels, including Meet Startup ( its Mandarin-language platform, and Meet Japan ( its Japanese-language counterpart. Meet Startup is also Taiwan's largest startup community platform. It organizes business networking events and Meet Taipei, a major startup festival. Potential Benefits of the Partnership: Broader Global Reach: Both JStories and Meet Global readers will gain access to a more diverse and regionally balanced stream of innovation stories, helping startups and founders boost their visibility across Asia and beyond. Knowledge Exchange: Cross-publication of content will enable richer, locally informed perspectives on trends, challenges, and opportunities in the Asian startup landscape. Ecosystem Building: By sharing news, interviews, and features, the partnership will foster new connections among startups, investors, and supporters in both markets. Bilingual Impact: With content translated and adapted for local and global audiences, the initiative will help bridge language barriers and promote wider international understanding. For media inquiries, please contact:Pacific Bridge Media and Consulting (Japan)Email: info@ Business Next Media (Taiwan)Email: meet@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE PACIFIC BRIDGE MEDIA AND CONSULTING Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pacific Bridge Media and Consulting (Japan) and Business Next Media (Taiwan) announce cross-border content exchange to spotlight Asian innovation
Partnership between leading startup media from Japan and Taiwan strengthens Asian innovation coverage TOKYO, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Bridge Media and Consulting (PBMC), the Tokyo-based producer of the solutions-focused JStories media platform, and Business Next Media (BNext Media), publisher of Taiwan's leading startup and technology news website Meet Global, are pleased to announce the launch of a cross-border content exchange initiative beginning in June 2025. Under this new arrangement, selected content will be shared and co-published between PBMC's JStories ( an English-language platform showcasing impact-driven innovation from Japan and across Asia, and BNext Media's Meet Global ( which reports on startup trends and entrepreneurship throughout Greater China and Asia. This partnership aims to broaden access to high-quality, locally sourced coverage of the fast-evolving Asian startup and innovation scene — helping founders, investors, and business professionals discover new ideas, cross-border opportunities, and success stories from both Japan and Taiwan, as well as the wider Asia-Pacific region. About Pacific Bridge Media and Consulting (PBMC)Based in Tokyo, PBMC is a multilingual media and communications firm specializing in international business storytelling, corporate communications, and event production. PBMC operates JStories, a global-facing media outlet that spotlights Japanese and Asian innovators solving pressing social issues, and produces branded content for clients ranging from government agencies to global corporations. About JStoriesJStories ( is PBMC's flagship English-language platform focused on "solutions journalism" — covering entrepreneurs, researchers, and change-makers from Japan and Asia who are tackling social, environmental, and business challenges through technology and creativity. JStories features original interviews, analysis, and video content for a global audience. About Business Next Media (BNext Media)Founded in Taipei, BNext Media is Taiwan's premier media company covering technology, startups, and digital innovation. The company publishes Business Next, a leading business magazine, and operates several digital news brands including Meet Global, which provides in-depth news, analysis, and startup resources for the Mandarin-speaking world and international readers. About Meet GlobalMeet Global ( is an English news platform focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment trends across Asia, with an emphasis on the Greater China region. Under the same brand, Meet operates additional language-specific channels, including Meet Startup ( its Mandarin-language platform, and Meet Japan ( its Japanese-language counterpart. Meet Startup is also Taiwan's largest startup community platform. It organizes business networking events and Meet Taipei, a major startup festival. Potential Benefits of the Partnership: Broader Global Reach: Both JStories and Meet Global readers will gain access to a more diverse and regionally balanced stream of innovation stories, helping startups and founders boost their visibility across Asia and beyond. Knowledge Exchange: Cross-publication of content will enable richer, locally informed perspectives on trends, challenges, and opportunities in the Asian startup landscape. Ecosystem Building: By sharing news, interviews, and features, the partnership will foster new connections among startups, investors, and supporters in both markets. Bilingual Impact: With content translated and adapted for local and global audiences, the initiative will help bridge language barriers and promote wider international understanding. For media inquiries, please contact:Pacific Bridge Media and Consulting (Japan)Email: info@ Business Next Media (Taiwan)Email: meet@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE PACIFIC BRIDGE MEDIA AND CONSULTING Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Online Citizen
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Online Citizen
Yeoh Lian Chuan questions if PM Wong will repudiate foreign blogger's racial remarks
Singapore law practitioner Yeoh Lian Chuan has publicly urged Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to take a definitive stand against controversial remarks made by Polish blogger Michael Petraeus, also known as 'Critical Spectator'. In a Facebook post published on 22 May 2025, Yeoh questioned whether Wong and his People's Action Party (PAP) Government would repudiate Petraeus's statements, which have been widely criticised as racially and religiously insensitive. Petraeus, a foreign commentator with a significant online following in Singapore, published a post commenting on the Workers' Party's (WP) recent Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) appointments. He alleged that WP had 'abandoned' Muslim voters in favour of appealing to Mandarin-speaking constituents. The blogger pointed specifically to the appointment of Eileen Chong, a new party member who joined WP in December 2024, as an NCMP following the 2025 General Election. Petraeus claimed that this strategic shift was influenced by Terry Xu of The Online Citizen (TOC), who had previously advocated for greater outreach to older Chinese-speaking voters and new citizens from China. In his op-ed, Xu argued that the WP would benefit more from appointing Chong as an NCMP, given the current lack of a strong Mandarin speaker among the party's parliamentary representatives and the opportunity to further its efforts toward gender diversity. Adding to the controversy, Petraeus's post attracted a 'like' from Ho Ching, spouse of former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, further amplifying its reach and raising eyebrows. Yeoh challenges Government's silence on foreign interference Yeoh, in his own Facebook post, directly challenged the Government's position. 'Will the PAP Government stand for this?' he asked, referring to the apparent use of race and religion in Petraeus's analysis. Yeoh expressed dissatisfaction with Wong's earlier remarks on the matter, made during a press conference on 26 April. Wong had emphasised the importance of rejecting identity politics and keeping race and religion out of Singapore's political discourse. He added that while foreigners are allowed to write about elections, taking sides on local issues—particularly those involving race and religion—crosses a line. 'Our rules are clear. The principle is that the outcome of elections are for Singaporeans only to decide… We have laws to uphold this principle,' Wong stated. 'When foreigners take a position on an issue or a candidate—especially when it is about race and religion—that crosses the line,' he added. Despite these statements, Yeoh argued that Wong's response lacked clarity and conviction. He also revealed that his comment on Wong's Facebook page, asking for a clearer stance, was hidden. Furthering his case, Yeoh said he had written to his Group Representation Constituency (GRC) Member of Parliament, Minister of State Alvin Tan, urging the Government to adopt a 'principled and consistent stance.' 'I have written to an MP in my GRC, MOS Alvin Tan, as a resident of the GRC, to invite the PAP Government to take a principled and consistent stance and to make clear that political comments clearly aimed at Singaporeans by CS, and favouring or disfavouring one political party, are not welcome,' Yeoh wrote. Online backlash over racially charged claims Petraeus's comments have also sparked criticism online. On Critical Spectator's Facebook post, several netizens criticised the article for sowing division along racial lines and undermining social cohesion. One Facebook user tagged the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Law, and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, calling attention to Petraeus's remarks and signalling a call for governmental oversight. While some defended the WP's decision, arguing that political representation should not be reduced to ethnic tokens, others accused Petraeus of using the 'race card' irresponsibly. Netizens also pointed to the broader issue of identity politics, noting that the GRC system itself necessitates considerations of race in electoral strategy. One user wrote: 'WP can represent Muslims as a party, not just Faisal. It's a move for the future.' Others defended WP's choice, arguing that Chong's bilingualism and Mandarin fluency filled a strategic gap. Petraeus, for his part, doubled down on his position, stating that the WP had effectively removed a seasoned Malay leader from Parliament in favour of less experienced candidates. He described the newly appointed Malay MPs as 'token' representatives, lacking significant party standing or track records. Petraeus argued that instead of elevating a prominent Muslim leader, WP had chosen 'a girl who joined the party six months ago and her main asset is Mandarin fluency.' Singaporean commentator denounces Petraeus as 'imported propaganda' Notably, an earlier Facebook post by Singaporean commentator Adrian Ang, which was widely shared online, sharply criticised Petraeus. Ang described him as 'imported propaganda,' accusing him of posing as a neutral observer while consistently defending the ruling PAP and mocking Singaporeans. Ang alleged that Petraeus invalidates the lived struggles of local citizens—particularly regarding the cost of living—through the use of insensitive and racially charged rhetoric. He further claimed that despite having no genuine stake in Singapore, Petraeus is amplified by influential figures such as Ho Ching and shielded from the scrutiny typically faced by local activists. Ang also questioned why Petraeus is regarded as 'foreign talent,' arguing that he offers no meaningful contribution to the lives of ordinary Singaporeans. Ang denounced him as a mouthpiece for the powerful, unworthy of the platform he continues to occupy. No action taken after reports of alleged foreign interference by Petraeus during GE2020 In July 2020, TOC editor Terry Xu filed a police report against Critical Spectator over posts allegedly constituting foreign interference during the 2020 General Election. Xu argued that Petraeus, as a foreigner, should not be permitted to influence Singapore's political discourse—particularly by publishing content that praised the ruling PAP while attacking opposition parties. He cited Section 83(1)(d) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, which states: 'No person who is not a citizen of Singapore shall take part in any election activity.' Xu also referenced an Elections Department (ELD) advisory issued on 20 April 2020, which instructed political parties to 'lodge a police report immediately' and inform the ELD if they detected any signs of foreign interference in the election. Separately, a Singaporean named Ng raised similar concerns to the ELD, questioning whether Petraeus' activities breached election rules. While the ELD acknowledged that foreigners are prohibited from engaging in election activities and stated that it would look into the matter, no public action was subsequently taken in response to the complaints against Petraeus. His Facebook page was briefly taken down in July 2020 but was later reinstated following the conclusion of the General Election.
