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Catch up with China
1. A global outage affecting Windows systems on Friday highlighted a contrasting situation in China, which remained relatively unscathed. Chinese enterprises typically rely on homegrown cybersecurity solutions rather than the CrowdStrike software implicated in the disruption. (CNBC)
2. Nvidia is reportedly developing a new flagship AI chip, designated as the B20, intended for the Chinese market. This initiative aims to comply with US export restrictions while tapping into China’s substantial tech demand. (Reuters $)
3. In a recent interview, Donald Trump criticized Taiwan for allegedly drawing the semiconductor industry away from the United States and suggested that Taiwan should contribute more towards American military expenses. (New York Times $)
4. Guo Wengui, a self-exiled Chinese businessman who has aligned himself with various right-wing groups in the United States, has been found guilty of defrauding more than $1 billion from his followers to maintain a lavish lifestyle. (Mother Jones)
5. In a notable development, China has opted out of the Top500 list, an international compilation of the fastest supercomputers globally. This decision adds a layer of secrecy regarding China’s advancements in supercomputing, complicating the efforts of external observers to gauge its progress. (Wall Street Journal $)
6. China’s aggressive production and sale of rare earth elements have resulted in a significant global price drop, with values plummeting by 20% over the past year due to oversupply. (Nikkei Asia $)
7. The complicated supply chain for fentanyl precursor materials in China comprises thousands of small chemical firms. Fierce competition in this sector has led these manufacturers to continue their sales to drug cartels in Mexico, disregarding potential repercussions. (Foreign Policy)
Lost in translation
This summer, China is grappling with extreme climatic challenges, marked by severe droughts and unprecedented flooding across various regions. The frequent occurrence of these extreme weather patterns this year has placed a significant strain on nonprofit organizations involved in disaster response and climate change initiatives, which are now facing critical funding shortages, as reported by the Chinese publication Phoenix New Media.
Despite initiatives by the government to provide disaster relief funds and resources, the increasing frequency and severity of weather-related disasters has overwhelmed organizations like the Shuguang Rescue Alliance. By July, Shuguang had exhausted 80% of its allocated budget for 2024. Additionally, fundraisers have noted a troubling trend of donor fatigue, as the public grows weary of repeated solicitations following consecutive disasters. Consequently, donations from both individual and corporate sources have dwindled to a mere tenth of previous levels, exacerbating the operational and funding difficulties for these organizations.
One more thing
In a new regulatory move, aspiring drivers in Beijing will now be required to complete an extensive day-long virtual reality driving course before they can take the wheel of an actual vehicle. This VR experience resembles an immersive arcade environment with realistic driving simulations, and it might just represent a progressive application of virtual reality technology in driver education.
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