Tag Archives: TikTok

VIF Cyber Review: January 2023

NATIONAL

Government of India established three Grievances Appellate Committees based on IT Rules 2021.

On 28 January 2023, the Central Government set up three Grievances Appellate Committees (GACs) on the basis of Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021. Each Committee will have three members in it. During the extensive public consultations on the IT Rules, the Minister of State (MoS) for Electronics & Information Technology (E&IT) and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship— Rajeev Chandrasekhar had highlighted Government’s stand on— safety and trust of every Digital Nagrik, and robust grievance redressal system to ensure accountability of all Internet platforms offering a service or product, and that all grievances must be 100% addressed.

The Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) is a key piece of overall policy and legal framework to ensure that Internet in Bharat is open, safe & trusted and accountable. The need for GAC was created due to large numbers of grievances being left unaddressed or unsatisfactorily addressed by Internet Intermediaries. GAC is expected to create a culture of responsiveness amongst all Internet platforms and intermediaries towards their consumers. The GAC will be a platform that will operate only virtual/online— wherein the entire appeal process, from filing of appeal to the decision thereof, shall be conducted digitally.[1]

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting banned six YouTube channels for fake news

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B)’s PIB Fact Check Unit (FCU) cracked down six YouTube channels which were disseminating false information/news in Bharat. To counter the false information circulated by these channels, the FCU released six separate Twitter threads with more than 100 fact-checks. The six YouTube channels, which were discovered to be part of a coordinated disinformation network, had close to 20 lakh subscribers, and more than 51 crore people have watched the videos on these channels.

The banned YouTube channels— i) Nation TV, ii) Samvaad TV, iii) Sarokar Bharat, iv) Nation 24, v) Swarnim Bharat, and vi) Samvaad Samachar, spread news about elections in Bharat, and were part of fake news economy which thrives on monetisation of fake news. These channels used fake, and sensational thumbnail images of television news anchors of renowned TV channels to mislead viewers to believe that news was authentic and drive traffic to their respective channels to monetise the videos posted by them.[2]

SAMEER and Siemens Healthineers signed MoU on Bharat MRI Technology

On 27 January 2023, Bharat’s premier Research and Development (R&D) institute of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)— SAMEER (Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Siemens Healthineers in Bangalore, which will contribute towards the development of new, improved, and innovative technologies for advancing healthcare and diagnostic access in Bharat. SAMEER specialises in Radio Frequency (RF) Microwaves Radar and communication system, E3 testing and Medical Electronics a strategic partnership.

Emphasising on the “Digital India Programme”, the Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship— Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that “the MoU is a significant step in the direction of Digital India Programme. We [Bharat] are also supportive of R&D model based on co-development between global companies and Bharat’s vast network of academic institutions.” At present, SAMEER is developing IMRI (Indigenous Magnetic Resonance Imaging) technology under the Sushrut MRI (Indian MRI) system, said Shri Rajesh Harsh, who is coordinating the research in MRI and Industry ecosystem.[3]

CERT-In issued advisory on multiple vulnerabilities in Schneider Electric products

On 16 January 2023, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) issued an advisory— CIAD-2023-0002, pertains to the multiple vulnerabilities in Schneider Electric products. According to the advisory, the Schneider Electric products reported multiple vulnerabilities which could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code, disclose sensitive information, bypass security restrictions or cause denial of service condition on the target system. Schneider Electric’s affected products included— EcoStruxure Machine Expert, EcoStruxure Geo SCADA Expert and Operation, EcoStruxure Power SCADA, EcoStruxure Power Operation, EcoStruxure Control Expert, EcoStruxure Process Expert, and Modicon.[4]

MeitY requested comments from stakeholders and the general public on proposed changes to the IT Rules

On 19 January 2023, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) invited suggestions and comments from stakeholders and the general public on the proposed amendment to rule 3(1)(b)(v) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (“IT Rules”) with respect to obligations of social media and other intermediaries regarding sharing. This was done in order to fulfil the commitment to ensure an open, safe, trusted, and accountable Internet for citizens.
“The draft amendments to IT Rules are in pursuance of our commitment to an Open, Safe & Trusted and Accountable Internet. We have circulated amendments for consultation with stakeholders. As is the practice meticulously followed by Govt. these amendments will also be put through open consultations – to reflect, discuss and deliberate on these amendments or any other such effective means through which we can prevent misinformation/patently wrong information circulated on the Internet by State/Non-State actors,” said the Minister of State (MoS) for Electronics and Information Technology— Rajeev Chandrasekhar.[5]

CERT-In issued advisory on multiple vulnerabilities in Microsoft products.

On 11 January 2023, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) issued an advisory— CIAD-2023-0001, regarding multiple vulnerabilities in Microsoft products, including Windows, Office, SharePoint, and Azure. These vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to gain elevated privileges, obtain confidential/sensitive information, and conduct remote code execution attacks, conduct spoofing attacks, or cause denial of service conditions.[6]

CERT-In also suggested to apply appropriate security updates as provided at: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/releaseNote/2023-Jan

INTERNATIONAL

EU and US to sign first-of-its-kind AI agreement

The European Union (EU) and the United States (US) announced an agreement on January 27, 2023, to accelerate and improve the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve agriculture, healthcare, emergency response, climate forecasting, and the electric grid. According to a senior US administration official (on the basis of anonymity), earlier agreements on the same issue had been limited to specific areas such as enhancing privacy. AI modelling/Machine Learning (ML) algorithms which use data to make logical decisions could be used to improve the speed and efficiency of government operations and services. As per the agreement, all of the data would be harnessed into a common AI model that would produce better results for managers, grid operators and others depending on AI during emergency scenarios.[7]

Pakistan investigated if nationwide blackout was due to cyber-attack

Pakistani authorities conducted investigation on a possible cyber-attack causing a nationwide power blackout. On 24 January 2023, Pakistan’s Energy Minister— Khurram Dastgir informed that “there was a remote chance of the incident caused by hackers. The power across nation was fully restored within 24 hours. Also, a committee investigating what had caused the outage had been established by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.” Power outages have become a common occurrence in South-Asia in recent years.

“When the systems were turned on at 7:30am (PST) one by one, frequency variation was reported in the southern part of the country between Jamshoro and Dadu. There was a fluctuation in voltage and power generating units were shut down one by one due to cascading impact,” said Minister Dastgir.[8]

US Senator wants to ban TikTok nationwide

On 24 January 2023, Josh Hawley, a US Republican Senator, said that he would introduce a Bill to ban TikTok in the United States. TikTok a sister company of ByteDance already facing a ban that would stop federal employees from using or downloading TikTok on government-owned devices. However, Senator Hawley did not mention when the Bill would be introduced. “TikTok is China’s backdoor into Americans’ lives. It threatens our children’s privacy as well as their mental health. Now I will introduce legislation to ban it nationwide,” posted Senator Hawley on his Twitter account.[9]

“China can spy on us via smart bulbs and fridges”: report by OODA

According to a report prepared by former diplomat Charles Parton at the Washington-based consultancy firm OODA (Observe, Orientate, Decide, Act), China has the potential to spy on millions of people in the United Kingdom via microchips in cars, household appliances, and light-bulbs. According to the report, small modules, such as cellular IoTs (Internet of Things) gather data and transmit it via 5G networks, giving Chinese authorities intelligence and the ability to track people and businesses. Three Chinese companies, Quectel, Fibocom, and China Mobile, control 54% of the global smart device market. The UK government stated in 2020 that it would remove Huawei technology from Britain’s mobile infrastructure by 2027 due to spying concerns.[10]

Endnotes :

[1] “Three Grievance Appellate Committees (GACs) notified on the recently amended IT rule”, Press Information Bureau-Ministry of Electronics and IT, 28 January 2023. Accessed on 08 February 2023, available from: https://pib.gov.in/Pres sReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1894258
[2] “Ministry of I&B cracks down on fake news peddling YouTube channels”, Press Information Bureau- Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, 12 January 2023, accessed on 12 January 2023, available from: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1890650
[3] “MeitY’s R&D Institute SAMEER signs MoU with Siemens Healthineers on India MRI technology – a milestone in creating a Deeptech health care R&D and Supply Chain ecosystem”, 27 January 2023, accessed on 02 February 2023, available from: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1894162
[4] “CERT-In Advisory CIAD-2023-0002”, CERT-In, 16 January 2023, accessed on 18 January 2023, available from: https://www.cert-in.org.in/
[5] “MeitY invites comments from stakeholders and general public on amendment proposed to ‘IT Rules’”, Press Information Bureau-Ministry of Electronics and IT, 19 January 2023, accessed on 21 January 2023, available from: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1892241
[6] “CERT-In Advisory CIAD-2023-0001”, CERT-In, 11 January 2023, accessed on 13 January 2023, available from: https://www.cert-in.org.in
[7] Reuters. “US and EU to launch first-of-its-kind artificial intelligence agreement”, ET Telecom, 28 January 2023, accessed on 03 February 2023, available from: https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/us-and-eu-to-launch-first-of-its-kind-artificial-intelligence-agreement/97394092
[8]Martin, Alexander. “Pakistani authorities investigating if cyberattack caused nationwide blackout”, The Record, 24 January 2023, 03 February 2023, available from: https://therecord.media/pakistani-authorities-investigating-if-cyberattack-caused-nationwide-blackout/; Hussain, Abid. “Pakistan hit by nationwide power outage after grid failure”, al Jazeera, 24 January 2023, accessed on 04 February 2023, available from: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/23/pakistan-hit-by-nationwide-power-outage-after-grid
[9]Reuters. “US Senator Josh Hawley wants to ban TikTok nationwide”, Reuters, 25 January 2023, accessed on 04 February 2023, available from: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senator-josh-hawley-wants-ban-tiktok-nationwide-2023-01-24
[10]Busby, Dolly. “The new cold war? China could be spying on us through domestic appliances such as the fridge, report warns”, The Daily Mail, 23 January 2023, accessed on 04 February 2023, available from: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11668331/China-spying-domestic-appliances-fridge-report-warns.html

Science and Technology (S&T) Digest, 16-31 December 2022, Issue 4

In this Issue

I. Defence and Security
  1. Value of Indigenous Defence Production Increased in FY 2021-22
  2. Value of Defence Exports Increased to Rs 12,815 crores in FY 2021-22
  3. iDEX-DIO Signs 150th Contract for Defence Innovation
  4. Successful Firing of Extended Range Version of Brahmos Air Launched Missile
  5. Mormugao is Being Commissioned into the Indian Navy
II. STI in Space Sector
  1. Space Sector Emerging as a Major Foreign Exchange Earner
  2. India’s Maiden Human Space Flight “Gaganyaan” to be Launched in 2024
  3. ISRO Signs Four Cooperative Documents to Collaborate in Space Exploration
III. Emerging Technologies and Applications
  1. Start-up India Seed Fund Scheme Approved for Four Years
  2. Fifteen Start-ups Selected in First Cohort of NIRMAN Accelerator Programme
  3. Innovation and New Technologies in Farm Sector
  4. Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture
  5. Use of Drones in Agriculture Sector
  6. Rosatom offered a More Advanced Fuel Option to Kudankulam
  7. Building Semiconductor Ecosystem in India
  8. Technology Innovation Group Setup to Develop Roadmap & Action Plans for 6G
  9. Improved, Heavy Rare Earth-Free, Low-Cost Magnets for EVs Fabricated
  10. Public Consultation on Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2022
  11. Total IT/BPM Exports Increased to over $ 178 billion in FY 2021-22
  12. India Ranks 3rd in Global Scientific Publications
  13. National Conclave on Techneev@75 organized in Delhi
IV. International Cooperation
  1. Collaboration with International Institutions for Conducting Research in Science
  2. ASEAN India Grassroots Innovation Forum Held in Cambodia
  3. India-Russia Working Group on Modernization & Industrial Cooperation
  4. Netherlands Look to Deepen Technology Collaboration with India
V. Regional and Global Trends
  1. US House Bans the Chinese Video App TikTok on Official Devices
  2. Taiwan’s Government to Fine Foxconn for Unauthorized China Investment
  3. China Seeks Self-Reliance in Agricultural Technology

I. DEFENCE AND SECURITY

Value of Indigenous Defence Production Increased in FY 2021-22

The value of indigenous defence production for Financial Year 2021-2022 reached to Rs 94,846 crore. To achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ and realise the goal of ‘Make in India’, the Government has established two Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs) in the country, one in Uttar Pradesh and other in Tamil Nadu. It intends to develop defence manufacturing ecosystem having conducive conditions including supply chain for giving push to production and testing & certification to create economies of scale and facilitate development of internationally competitive enterprises in the country. For more information: Click here to read…

Value of Defence Exports Increased to Rs 12,815 crores in FY 2021-22

Based on the value of Export Authorization issued by Department of Defence Production (DDP) to Private companies and actual export/contract done by DPSUs/OFB, the export value during the last three years are: Rs 9,116 crores (2019-20); Rs 8,435 crores (2020-21) and Rs 12,815 crores (2021-22) respectively. To foster defence manufacturing ecosystem in the country, the Government has taken several policy initiatives in the past few years and brought in reforms to encourage indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence equipment, thereby promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing & technology in the country. It has brought in various reforms including ease of doing business to achieve the target of US $5 billion for defence exports by 2024-25 and to boost Defence exports. At present, the exports are being made to more than 75 countries all over the world. For more information: Click here to read…

iDEX-DIO Sign 150th Contract for Defence Innovation

Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the flagship initiative of DDP, has reached a milestone with the signing of its 150th contract with the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO). The contract relates to an Indian Navy project of the Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC 7) SPRINT edition. The challenge was titled ‘Expendable Mobile Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Training Target (EMATT) capable of simulating the sound and movement of a submarine’ and the winner was Altair Infrasec Pvt Ltd, Pune. The Challenge envisaged development of a training target capable of being deployed from P8I aircraft, MH60R helicopters, ships doing speed up to 10 knots and other Remotely Piloted Aircraft without undertaking any modification on the platform from which the EMATT is required to be launched. For more information: Click here to read…

Successful Firing of Extended Range Version of Brahmos Air Launched Missile

On 29 December 2022, Indian Air Force successfully fired the Extended Range Version of Brahmos Air Launched missile against a Ship Target from a SU-30MKI aircraft. The missile achieved the desired mission objectives in the Bay of Bengal region. With this, IAF has achieved a significant capability boost to carry out precision strikes from SU-30MKI aircraft against land/ sea targets over very long ranges. The extended range capability of the missile coupled with the high performance of the SU-30MKI aircraft gives the IAF a strategic reach and allows it to dominate the future battle fields. For more information: Click here to read…

Mormugao is Being Commissioned into the Indian Navy

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Mormugao (D67), second warship of the P15B class of stealth guided-missile destroyers, was commissioned in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai on 18 December 2022. The event marked the formal induction of the second of the four ‘Visakhapatnam’ class destroyers, indigenously designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house organisation Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai. The majestic ship measures 163m in length, 17 m in breadth with a displacement of 7400 tonnes and can rightfully be regarded as one of the most potent warships to have been constructed in India. For more information: Click here to read…

II. STI IN SPACE SECTOR

Space Sector Emerging as a Major Foreign Exchange Earner

The Minister of Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Space Sector in India is emerging as a major foreign exchange earner through the launch of a large number of foreign satellites. In an exclusive interview with SANSAD TV, Dr Singh informed that India has launched 385 foreign satellites so far, out of which 353 were launched in the last 8 years under this government, which is around 90 percent of all launches. The Minister also informed that out of total 220 million Euros earned by launch of foreign satellites, 187 million Euros generated in the last 8 years, which is around 85 percent of forex earned by launch of European Satellites. For more information: Click here to read…

India’s Maiden Human Space Flight “Gaganyaan” to be Launched in 2024

India’s maiden human space flight ‘H1’ mission is targeted to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2024, Dr Jitendra Singh said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on 21 December. In view of the paramount importance of crew safety, two Test Vehicle missions are planned before the ‘G1’ mission to demonstrate the performance of crew escape system and parachute-based deceleration system for different flight conditions. The uncrewed ‘G1’ mission is targeted to be launched in the last quarter of 2023 followed by the second uncrewed ‘G2’ mission in the second quarter of 2024, before the final human space flight ‘H1’ mission in the fourth quarter of 2024. For more information: Click here to read…

ISRO Signs Four Cooperative Documents to Collaborate in Space Exploration

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has signed four cooperative documents specifically to collaborate in space exploration in the last five years, Dr Jitendra Singh said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on 22 December. The agreement with the USA is for accommodating USA instruments in India’s Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3. The Minister informed that the agreement with Japan is to conduct feasibility study for a joint lunar polar exploration mission, while with UK for conducting feasibility study for collaboration in future space science missions. For more information: Click here to read…

III. EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS

Start-ups in India
Start-up India Seed Fund Scheme Approved for Four Years

The Start-up India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) has been approved for the period of four years starting from 2021-22. The Scheme aims to provide financial assistance to start-ups for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialization. It is implemented with effect from 1st April 2021 with a corpus of Rs. 945 crores. In this regard, 126 incubators have been approved and these incubators have selected 656 start-ups under the Scheme as on 30th November 2022. For more information: Click here to read…

Fifteen Start-ups Selected in First Cohort of NIRMAN Accelerator Programme

Fifteen Start-ups selected in the first-of-its-kind product accelerator programme for innovators developing sustainable solutions will soon start working towards solutions in the healthcare and agriculture domains. This is the first cohort of the NIRMAN Accelerator Programme launched by Start-ups Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) IIT Kanpur. The accelerator programme supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), through its NIDHI scheme portfolio, will help solve challenges in the product development journey of indigenous innovations. For more information: Click here to read…

S&T in Agriculture Sector
Innovation and New Technologies in Farm Sector

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)/ National Agricultural Research System (NARS) has taken initiatives for innovation/ development of new technologies in the farm sector across the country like Genetic enhancement of plants/ animals/ fish for higher productivity under increased intensity of biotic and abiotic stresses, productivity enhancement through sustainable intensification, productivity enhancement through mechanization of agriculture and food system, enhancing value, safety and income through food processing, development of energy efficient technologies, farming practices, and promoting technology transfer to the farmers and stake holders. For more information: Click here to read…

Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture

Various activities have been taken up by the government, using Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in agriculture. Some of the activities include: the DST is implementing a National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM-ICPS); and, Technology and Innovation Foundation in technology vertical of “Technologies for Agriculture and Water” set up at IIT, Ropar. The applications of AI and IoT in Agriculture are in the areas of Precision Farming, Agricultural Drones and Hopping systems, Livestock Monitoring, Monitor Climate Conditions, Smart Greenhouses, AI and IoT based Computer imaging etc. For more information: Click here to read…

Use of Drones in Agriculture Sector

Scientific studies are carried out and data supporting the drone application are generated. Pilot studies with different approaches like use of remote sensing technology including satellite data and drone based images especially for crop cutting experiments planning, direct yield estimation at Gram Panchayat level, risk mapping of district and for dispute/area discrepancy resolution etc. have been conducted through Mahalanobis National Crop Forecasting Centre (MNCFC). The use of drone in agriculture is helpful to farmers as it has some distinct advantages. For more information: Click here to read…

S&T in Energy Sector
Rosatom offered a More Advanced Fuel Option to Kudankulam

Russian State-owned nuclear energy corporation, Rosatom has offered a more advanced fuel option to Kudankulam Nuclear power plant, Dr Jitendra Singh said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on 21 December. The first lot of TVS-2M fuel assemblies has been received in May-June 2022 from Russian Federation and loaded in Unit-1 and they are performing satisfactorily. Use of TVS-2M fuel assemblies in KKNPP reactors will allow 18-month operating cycles as against 12-month operating cycle with UTVS Fuel Assemblies presently in use in Unit-2. For more information: Click here to read…

Emerging Technologies in Other Sectors
Building Semiconductor Ecosystem in India

The Government of India is very focused on its important objective of building the overall semiconductor ecosystem and ensure that, it in-turn catalyses India’s rapidly expanding electronics manufacturing and innovation ecosystem. It has approved the Semicon India programme with a total outlay of INR 76,000 crore for the development of semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in the country. The programme has further been modified in view of the aggressive incentives offered by countries already having established semiconductor ecosystem and limited number of companies owning the advanced node technologies. The modified programme aims to provide financial support to companies investing in semiconductors, display manufacturing and design ecosystem. For more information: Click here to read…

Technology Innovation Group Setup to Develop Roadmap & Action Plans for 6G

The Department of Telecommunications has constituted a Technology Innovation Group on 6G (TIG-6G) on 1st November 2021 with members from various Ministries/Departments, research and development institutions, academia, standardization bodies, Telecom Service Providers and industry to develop Vision, Mission and Goals for the 6G and also develop roadmap and action plans for 6G in India. The TIG-6G has constituted six Task Forces with industry, academia, R&D institutions and Government as members. For more information: Click here to read…

Improved, Heavy Rare Earth-Free, Low-Cost Magnets for EVs Fabricated

Scientists have fabricated improved low cost heavy rare earth-free high Nd-Fe-B magnets, which are in high demand for Electric Vehicles and can make them more affordable. More than 90 percent of EVs use brushless DC (BLDC) motors made up of rare earth Neodymium Iron Boron (Nd-Fe-B) magnets. The International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI) has ventured into setting up of pilot plant for manufacturing of near net shaped Nd-Fe-B magnets through a major project funded by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission. The new strategy could also be used for commercial production of Nd-Fe-B magnets in India, reducing imports that meet the major requirements of the automotive sector. For more information: Click here to read…

Public Consultation on Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2022

On 23 December, the Minister of State for E&IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar met over 200 stakeholders from various walks of life to discuss and deliberate on the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill 2022, public consultations for which are open till 2 January 2023. The attendees included representatives from industry, think-tanks, law firms, consumer and citizen rights group & discussed the crucial role that the provisions of the Bill are going to play for data protection. The stakeholders came up with various suggestions related to different clauses of the Bill including the penalty regime for data fiduciaries, regarding obtaining parental consent for children, cross border data flows and about consent managers and how the government intends on regulating them and many others. For more information: Click here to read…

Total IT/BPM Exports Increased to over $ 178 billion in FY 2021-22

As per National Association of Software & Services Companies (NASSCOM), total exports from Indian Information Technology/ Business Process Management (IT/ BPM) sector in the FY 2019-20 and FY 2020-21 stood at US $ 149 and US $ 152 respectively. It is estimated that total IT/BPM exports already reached at US $ 178 billion for FY 2021-2022. The Government has been undertaking steps to promote broad based growth across a wide range of high potential services sectors including Information Technology/Information Technology Enabled Services (IT/ITES). It had also launched Software Technology Park (STP) that is a 100 percent export-oriented scheme for the development and export of computer software using communication links or physical media and including export of professional services. For more information: Click here to read…

India Ranks 3rd in Global Scientific Publications

India has jumped from 7th to 3rd global ranking in scientific publications. Dr Jitendra Singh informed that as per the National Science Foundation (NSF)’s Science & Engineering Indicators 2022 report of the United States, India’s position globally in scientific publications, has improved from 7th position in 2010 to 3rd position in 2020. He added that India’s scholarly output increased from 60,555 papers in 2010 to 1,49,213 papers in 2020. For more information: Click here to read…

National Conclave on Techneev@75 organized in Delhi

The need to build on the strength of the community and customize the role of technology according to the systemic needs of the community for changing their life and livelihood was highlighted at the National Conclave on Techneev@75, organized in Delhi on 22 December. The National Conclave is the culmination of the yearlong Techneev@75 programme organised jointly by the DST, DBT, CSIR, and the MoES to bring together communities, societal change makers, and experts on one platform, showcased the significant outcomes and discussed key learnings and the way forward to explore how absorption of science and technology could be augmented at the _community level. It set a framework for strengthening the local innovation system in collaboration with the formal innovation System. For more information: Click here to read…

IV. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Collaboration with International Institutions for Conducting Research in Science

The Government of India has collaborated with a number of international institutions to facilitate Indian students for their research in science. The collaboration has been established with select institutions, viz. European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva; Brookhaven National Laboratory, USA; Elettra Sincrotrone, Trieste, Italy; Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), USA; Norwegian Polar Institute, Norway; Purdue University, USA; University of Alberta, Canada; Large Heavy Ion National Accelerator, France; Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions (FLNR), Joint Institute of Nuclear Research (JINR), Russia and Facility for Anti proton and Ion Research (FAIR), Germany. So far 363 research scholars pursued their research in science during the last three years in these institutions. For more information: Click here to read…

ASEAN India Grassroots Innovation Forum Held in Cambodia

The three-day 3rd ASEAN India Grassroots Innovation forum was held at Phnom Penh, Cambodia where Ms Shalini Kumari from India received first prize in the Grassroots Innovation Competition at the 3rd ASEAN India Grassroots Innovation forum for her innovation ‘Modified walker with adjustable legs’. The technology which was transferred to the industry, Vissco Rehabilitation Aids, a leading manufacturer of orthopaedic products in the country, is available for purchase through Brick and Mortar stores and also through marketplaces like Amazon India for purchase by common people of the country. For more information: Click here to read…

India-Russia Working Group on Modernization & Industrial Cooperation

The 9th Session of the India Russia Working Group on Modernization & Industrial Cooperation of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation was held in New Delhi on 23 December 2022. The Working Group reviewed the results of the eighth session of the working group in the focus sub-groups identified, namely modernization, mining and mineral fertilizers & chemicals. The two sides highlighted the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries and reiterated their commitment to deepen and strengthen mutual cooperation in several areas. For more information: Click here to read…

Netherlands Look to Deepen Technology Collaboration with India

As the next G20 Presidency, India has invited the Netherlands as a guest country. The Netherlands is looking towards India to deepen technology collaboration beyond the water, agriculture and health agenda. In an exclusive interaction with Financial Express Online, ambassador of the Netherlands in India Marten van den Berg said that “There is already a strong collaboration between the Netherlands and India in R&D… But now we are looking at space technologies, as we have a huge space ecosystem, and the European Space Agency is based in the Netherlands.” He added, “We are very much focusing also to connect start-ups here with our technology programmes.” For more information: Click here to read…

V. REGIONAL AND GLOBAL TRENDS

US House Bans the Chinese Video App TikTok on Official Devices

The popular Chinese video app TikTok has been banned from all U.S. House of Representatives-managed devices, according to the House’s administration arm, mimicking a law soon to go into effect banning the app from all U.S. government devices. The new rule follows a series of moves by U.S. state governments to ban TikTok, owned by Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd, from government devices. So far 19 states have at least partially blocked the app from state-managed devices over concerns that the Chinese government could use the app to track Americans and censor content. For more information: Click here to read…

Taiwan’s Government to Fine Foxconn for Unauthorized China Investment

Taiwan’s Government has said that it would fine Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics maker, for an unauthorized investment in a Chinese chip maker even after the Taiwanese firm said it would be selling the stake. Taiwan has turned a wary eye on China’s ambition to boost its semiconductor industry and is tightening legislation to prevent what it says is China stealing its chip technology. Foxconn, a major Apple Inc. supplier and iPhone maker, disclosed in July it was a shareholder of embattled Chinese chip conglomerate Tsinghua Unigroup. The company has been seeking to acquire chip plants globally as a worldwide chip shortage rattles producers of goods from cars to electronics. Taipei prohibits companies from building their most advanced foundries in China to ensure they do not site their best technology offshore. For more information: Click here to read…

China Seeks Self-Reliance in Agricultural Technology

President Xi Jinping wants China to accelerate efforts to achieve self-reliance in agricultural technology, identifying seed development and core equipment among areas to focus on. The central leadership had said in 2020 that the country’s seed industry was a weak link in the food chain and needed to make better use of science and technology to achieve a turnaround. “It is necessary to keep an eye on the frontiers of the world’s agricultural science and technology,” the official Xinhua news agency quoted Xi as saying at the central rural work conference held in Beijing. President Xi urged China’s agricultural sector to “vigourously improve” its science and technology, with more efficient innovation. For more information: Click here to read…

China Daily Scan, December 14, 2022

Senior CPC official calls for unswervingly advancing national reunification: Xinhuanet
December 13, 2022

A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has called for unswervingly advancing the cause of national reunification. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at the 11th national congress of Taiwan compatriots that opened in Beijing on Tuesday. Click here to read…

Chinese ambassador rebukes claims of “debt trap” in Africa: Xinhuanet
December 13, 2022

The Chinese ambassador to the United States on Tuesday pushed back against claims that China is creating a “debt trap” in Africa, saying that the continent should be a place for international cooperation, instead of an arena where major powers compete for geopolitical gains. Click here to read…

New executive committee of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce elected: Xinhuanet
December 13, 2022

The 13th national congress of the China Federation of Industry and Commerce concluded Monday, with the 13th executive committee of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) elected. Click here to read…

China-made robot does first knee replacement operation: Xinhuanet
December 13, 2022

A China independently developed robot has successfully carried out a knee replacement surgery, the first commercial use of a China-made robot for human surgery. Under the control of orthopedic surgeons, the robot performed the joint replacement on a 73-year-old patient at the West China Hospital of Sichuan University. Click here to read…

PLA spokesperson makes remarks on Chinese border troops’ routine patrol in Dongzhang area: China Military
December 13, 2022

Senior Colonel Long Shaohua, spokesperson for the Western Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), made remarks on Chinese border troops’ routine patrol in Dongzhang area on Tuesday. Click here to read…

Chinese defense minister delivers keynote speech at fifth defense forum between China, LAC countries: China Military
December 13, 2022

Under the theme of “Peace and Cooperation”, the Fifth Defense Forum China-Latin American and the Caribbean States was held via video link on December 13, 2022, in which leaders from the defense (security) departments and militaries of 24 Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries participated. Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe also attended the forum and delivered a keynote speech. Click here to read…

Urban innovation takes center stage in Guangzhou: China Daily
December 13, 2022

The Guangzhou Urban Innovation Award event has concentrated wisdom for urban innovation to help realize the sustainable development goals of the United Nations, the mayor of Guangzhou, Guangdong province, said on the 10th anniversary of the award. Click here to read…

Ministry calls for larger role of AI in education: China Daily
December 13, 2022

All countries should let teachers play a leading role in the digital transformation of the education sector and enable them to use technologies to improve the efficiency of their teaching, said Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng. Click here to read…

China ‘deeply shocked’ at Kabul hotel attack injuring five Chinese nationals, firmly opposes any terrorism: Global Times
December 13, 2022

China felt deeply shocked about the attack on a hotel in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul that wounded five Chinese nationals, and expressed strong opposition against any forms of terrorism. China has asked the Afghan authorities to make all-out efforts to search for and rescue Chinese nationals and punish the perpetrators, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at Tuesday’s press briefing, after the extremist militant group Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the terror attack. Click here to read…

China’s Li Qiang makes speech for the State Council, hinting at premier’s job ahead: South China Morning Post
December 13, 2022

In the clearest sign so far of a future role as premier, Li Qiang, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s right-hand man, has made his first public appearance representing the State Council, pledging support for the country’s private sector at a meeting on Sunday.
According to an official announcement in Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily on Monday, Li attended the opening ceremony of the 13th national congress of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and delivered a speech “on behalf of the Communist Party’s Central Committee and the State Council”. Click here to read…

Washington reportedly ropes in allies to corner Beijing’s semiconductor industry, while China fights back with WTO lawsuit: Global Times
December 13, 2022

As the US mounts efforts to intensify its crackdown on China’s chip industry, China strongly fought back by filing a lawsuit with the WTO over the US’ discriminatory measures, a move experts said is a smart action to solve a bilateral dispute under a multilateral mechanism and pave the way for further counterattacks. Click here to read…

China’s MIIT requires security assessment before data is sent overseas: Global Times
December 14, 2022

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued trial regulations for industrial and information data security on Tuesday, which require important data in key areas to undergo a safety assessment before being provided overseas. Click here to read…

U.S. to add over 30 Chinese companies to trade blacklist: Reuters
December 14, 2022

The Biden administration plans to place Chinese chip maker Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC) and 35 other Chinese firms on a trade blacklist that would prevent them from buying certain American components, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday. The U.S Department of Commerce will add the Chinese companies to a so-called Entity List as early as this week, the report said, citing a person familiar with the matter. Click here to read…

U.S. lawmakers unveil bipartisan bid to ban China’s TikTok: Reuters
December 14, 2022

Republican Senator Marco Rubio on Tuesday announced bipartisan legislation to ban China’s popular social media app TikTok, ratcheting up pressure on owner ByteDance Ltd amid U.S. fears the app could be used to spy on Americans and censor content. Click here to read…

China stops releasing asymptomatic COVID cases after easing: Kyodo
December 14, 2022

China on Wednesday stopped releasing data on asymptomatic COVID-19 cases, saying it is impossible to monitor them accurately, with many people no longer taking PCR tests after the government significantly eased its strict “zero-COVID” policy last week. The National Health Commission only reported about 2,200 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases with symptoms for the previous day. It began releasing data on asymptomatic cases in the spring of 2020, and those with no symptoms had been subject to quarantine at designated facilities under the zero-COVID policy. Click here to read…

India says China trying to change ‘status quo’ on Himalayan border: Taipei Times
December 14, 2022

Indian Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh yesterday accused China of trying to “unilaterally change the status quo” on their disputed Himalayan border last week when clashes left troops on both sides injured. Beijing said the situation was now calm and called on India to help China “together uphold the peace and tranquility of the … border region.” Click here to read…

Beijing hospitals battle staff shortage and patient influx after China’s sudden zero-Covid switch: South China Morning Post
December 14, 2022

Hospitals in China’s capital Beijing are battling staff shortages and struggling to keep their doors open amid a flood of Covid-19 cases a week after the country’s sudden switch from strict pandemic controls to living with the virus. The city reported only 1,027 infections on Tuesday morning but the true scale of cases is believed to be much greater, with residents no longer required to have PCR tests or report their antigen test results. Click here to read…

Chinese vice premier stresses need to ensure smooth transition of COVID-19 response phases: Xinhuanet
December 14, 2022

Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan on Tuesday stressed the importance of meticulously implementing various measures to optimize COVID-19 prevention and control, and ensuring the smooth transition of the country’s COVID-19 response phases. Click here to read…

China outlines central, local government roles in rural revitalization drive: Xinhuanet
December 14, 2022

China has specified the roles of related central authorities, as well as the roles of local governments, in promoting and steering the country’s campaign of revitalizing the countrysideClick here to read…

Chinese mainland reports 2,249 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases: Xinhuanet

December 14, 2022

The Chinese mainland on Tuesday reported 2,249 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, the National Health Commission said Wednesday. The nucleic acid testing is now conducted on a voluntary basis and many asymptomatic carriers would no longer take the testing, making it impossible to monitor the accurate statistics of such carriers, the commission said, adding that the number of asymptomatic carriers will no longer be published. A total of 3,357 COVID-19 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovery on the mainland on Tuesday, said the commission in its daily report. Click here to read…

Rural e-commerce development helps farmers expand into new markets” Qiushi
December 14, 2022

With the help of e-commerce platforms, a county in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province is now selling its famous jujubes nationwide, supplying a strong boost to the local agriculture sector. Click here to read…

Drive to modernize will boost prosperity: China Daily
December 14, 2022

China’s ambitious target of achieving socialist modernization for its 1.4 billion people against the odds of an aging population, when accomplished, will shift the world’s prosperity eastward, according to experts and various publications. Click here to read…

Indian front-line troops urged to show restraint: China Daily
December 14, 2022

China demanded on Tuesday that India strictly manage and restrain its front-line troops to jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border region following the latest clashes between the two countries’ troops. Click here to read…

China to roll out second booster shot among elderly, high risk and people with chronic diseases: Global Times
December 14, 2022

China’s top health body issued a plan to roll out second booster shot on Wednesday. High risk groups: elderly above 60 years and people with underlying diseases, weak immune system, who received the first boost shot, will be the first to receive the second booster. Click here to read…

China: Daily Scan, November 16, 2022

China’s ex-senior provincial legislator prosecuted: Xinhuanet
November 15, 2022

A public prosecution has been initiated against Sun Guoxiang, a former senior legislator of northeast China’s Liaoning Province, over suspected bribe-taking. The Langfang Municipal People’s Procuratorate in Hebei Province recently filed a lawsuit against Sun with the Intermediate People’s Court of Langfang, an official statement said Tuesday. Click here to read…

Key messages western media have missed in Xi-Biden summit: Xinhuanet
November 15, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart, Joe Biden, had their first face-to-face meeting on Monday since the latter assumed the American presidency. With translators providing simultaneous interpretation in a three-plus-hour meeting, the two leaders had a “candid, constructive and in-depth exchange of views” on a wide range of issues of strategic importance in China-U.S. relations and on major global and regional affairs. Click here to read…

China to promote green development of nonferrous metals industry: Xinhuanet
November 15, 2022

China has released a plan to advance the low-carbon development of its nonferrous metals industry, a key producer of industrial carbon emissions, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said on Tuesday. Click here to read…

State Council appoints official: Xinhuanet
November 15, 2022

China’s State Council announced the appointment of an official on Tuesday. Sun Weidong was appointed as vice minister of foreign affairs, according to the announcement. Click here to read…

China works to bolster employment prospects for college graduates: Xinhuanet
November 15, 2022

China is rolling out multiple measures as part of efforts to help 11.58 million graduates streaming out of colleges to enter the workforce or start their own businesses in 2023. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security jointly held an online video conference on Tuesday to further improve employment promotion policies and make arrangements for helping graduates find jobs or start businesses next year. Click here to read…

Chinese military issues trial provisions on promoting transparency in Party affairs: China Military
November 15, 2022

With the approval of China’s Central Military Commission (CMC), the CMC General Office recently issued trial provisions on promoting transparency in Party Affairs in Chinese military, which will come into force on January 1, 2023. Click here to read…

China’s ex-senior provincial legislator prosecuted: China Daily
November 15, 2022

A public prosecution has been initiated against Sun Guoxiang, a former senior legislator of Northeast China’s Liaoning province, over suspected bribe-taking. The Langfang Municipal People’s Procuratorate in Hebei province recently filed a lawsuit against Sun with the Intermediate People’s Court of Langfang, an official statement said Tuesday. Click here to read…

Chinese TCM drug Lianhua Qingwen sees booming market demand in Shijiazhuang: Global Times
November 15, 2022

Chinese drug producer Shijiazhuang Yiling Pharmaceutical (Yiling Pharmaceutical) has ramped up production amid the booming demand of the company’s popular Chinese herbal medicine Lianhua Qingwen in Shijiazhuang city, North China’s Hebei Province, where the company’s headquarter is located. Click here to read…

China’s defence minister tipped to lead talks with US military, but sanctions on likely successor may pose early challenge: South China Morning Post
November 15, 2022

China is expected to send the outgoing defence minister Wei Fenghe to represent it in the first talks with the United States military since Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan earlier this year prompted Beijing to freeze dialogue with the Americans. One major issue China wants to resolve in the talks with Wei’s US counterpart Lloyd Austin is the sanctions imposed in 2018 on Wei’s probable successor, Li Shangfu. Click here to read…

Chinese mainland reports 1,568 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases: Xinhuanet
November 16, 2022

The Chinese mainland on Tuesday reported 1,568 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, the National Health Commission said Wednesday. Altogether 18,491 local asymptomatic carriers were newly identified. Click here to read…

Xi’s proposals on global cooperation, development gain worldwide support: China Military
November 16, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called for collective actions and close cooperation to make global development more inclusive, beneficial to all, and more resilient, and stressed the importance of joint efforts to unclog industrial and supply chains and stabilize market prices to tackle food and energy crises. Click here to read…

Chinese customs intercept new insect species, possible carrier of disease-spreading germs: Global Times
November 16, 2022

Customs officers in South China’s Guangdong Province have found a new species of cockroach-like insects while examining logs imported from French Guiana. The new species could carry unknown pathogens that might cause diseases. Click here to read…

Xi’s intensive meetings with world leaders show charm of major-country diplomacy: Global Times
November 16, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping met a number of foreign leaders – including some from US allies and major developing economies – on the first day of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Bali, Indonesia, fully underscoring the strategic and guiding role of head-of-state diplomacy and implications of Chinese diplomacy following the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) as the world expects China-proposed solutions and its wisdom in handling issues of concern amid growing geopolitical uncertaintiesClick here to read…

U.S. FBI director says TikTok poses national security concerns: Reuters
November 16, 2022

The U.S. operations of Chinese-owned TikTok raise national security concerns, FBI Director Chris Wray said on Tuesday, flagging the risk that the Chinese government could harness the video-sharing app to influence users or control their devices. Risks include “the possibility that the Chinese government could use to control data collection on millions of users or control the recommendation algorithm, which could be used for influence operations,” Wray told U.S. lawmakers. Click here to read…

Big-power rivalry overshadows Biden-Xi cooperation pledge: Reuters
November 16, 2022

Their photo op looked good for U.S. and Chinese leaders Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, but the superpowers remain driven by geopolitical rivalry despite their pledge to cooperate on global issues like climate change and public health. Biden and Xi sought in their meeting in Bali this week to ease tensions between the United States and China, and some experts saw an improvement in the mood after relations atrophied to near historic lows this summer. Click here to read…

China, France seek respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity: Kyodo
November 16, 2022

French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted Tuesday that he and Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for respecting Ukrainian territorial integrity and sovereignty and stopping escalation of the war in Ukraine as they met in Indonesia’s Bali. Click here to read…

China COVID-19 cases rise despite less testing: Taipei Times
November 16, 2022

China’s COVID-19 cases rose further yesterday, including in the capital, Beijing, even as many cities scaled back routine testing after authorities last week announced measures aimed at easing the impact of the country’s heavy coronavirus curbs. Click here to read…

COVID-19 lockdowns spark protests in Guangzhou: Taipei Times
November 16, 2022

China’s tough COVID-19 lockdowns are fueling an increase in public anger, with some residents in Guangzhou, one of the country’s biggest cities, staging rare protests against the stringent rules. In videos circulating on social media, hundreds of protesters were seen marching in the street and pushing over police barriers in Haizhu district, which has been in lockdown since late last month. Click here to read…

How China’s language shifted after Xi-Biden meeting: Taipei Times
November 16, 2022

After Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke for more than three hours on Monday with US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the G20 summit, China’s readout of the meeting indicates the country’s approach to US ties is shifting. Click here to read…

Top US-China panel urges halt to normal trade relations if no WTO compliance: South China Morning Post
November 16, 2022

Congress should suspend normal trade relations with China if Washington determines Beijing has not complied with the World Trade Organization market access agreement it signed decades ago, the US government’s top advisory panel on China policy said on Tuesday. In a sweeping annual report comprising 39 recommendations and covering nearly every aspect of the bilateral relationship, the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission also called on US lawmakers to study the feasibility of blockading Chinese energy imports in the event of a military conflict involving Beijing, particularly those transiting the Strait of Malacca.
And in the latest sign of Washington’s growing alarm that Chinese leader Xi Jinping may attempt to invade Taiwan, the panel urged Congress to put more manpower into preparing for economic punishment and military resistance against Beijing if it were to attack the self-governed island. Click here to read…

Full text: Chinese FM briefs media on Xi-Biden meeting and answers questions: Xinhuanet
November 16, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart, Joe Biden, had a candid and in-depth exchange of views here on Monday on issues of strategic importance in China-U.S. relations and on major global and regional issues. After their meeting, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi briefed the media on the meeting and answered questions. Click here to read…

Full text of Xi’s remarks at Session I of G20 summit in Bali: Xinhuanet
November 16, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech titled “Working Together to Meet the Challenges of Our Times and Build a Better Future” here Tuesday at the first session of the 17th summit of the Group of 20 (G20).

The following is the full text of the speech: Click here to read…

VIF Cyber Review: July 2022

NATIONAL
Government of India issued a consultation paper on the “Need for a new legal framework governing Telecommunication in India”.

On 28 July 2022, the Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunications, Govt. of India, prepared a consultation paper on the requirement for a new legal framework governing the telecom sector in India. Various stakeholders have requested an evolution of the legal framework concerning the changing technology. The consultation paper can be accessed from: Click here to read…

The legal framework for telecommunications in India is governed by the laws enacted before the independence from colonial rule. In recent decades, technology has changed significantly. To keep pace with the dynamics of technology, many nations, including the United States (in 1996), Australia (1979), the United Kingdom (2003), Singapore (1999), South Africa (2000), and Brazil (1997) have advanced the telecommunication legislation.[1]

Indian Telecom Service Providers are likely to launch 5G mobile services during 2022-2023

In a notification dated 15 June 2022, the Department of Telecommunication (DoT), Ministry of Communication has initiated the process of auction of spectrum in 600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz, and 26 GHz Bands which includes the spectrum required for the launch of 5G Services in India. It is expected that the Indian Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) will launch 5G mobile services in India during 2022-2023.

To enable design-led production of 5G-related products in India, the DoT has modified the rules for the Production Linked Initiative (PLI) plan for manufacturing telecom and networking products. One of the amendments included a 01 per cent higher incentive for products qualifying the design-led criteria. [2]

Indian Air Force launched an Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence

Under the aegis of UDAAN (Unit for Digitisation, Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Application Networking), the Indian Air Force (IAF) launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for AI. The CoE was inaugurated by Air Marshal Sandeep Singh, Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS), on 10 July 2022 at Air Force Station Rajokri, New Delhi. A Big Data Analytics and AI platform for managing all aspects of Analytics, Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), Neural Networks, and Deep Learning algorithms has been commissioned in the IAF’s AI Centre. The newest servers powered by Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) would handle the high-end compute requirements.

“The IAF has taken proactive steps to embed Industry 4.0 and AI-based technologies in its war-fighting processes. The AI CoE with high-end compute and Big Data storage capabilities, coupled with full-spectrum AI Software suites, would substantially enhance operational capabilities of IAF,” said the VCAS while addressing the gathering.[3]

MeitY released the Draft “National Data Governance Framework” Policy for public consultation

On 27 July 2022, the Minister of State (MoS) for Electronics & Information Technology (E&IT)— Rajeev Chandrasekhar, informed the Lok Sabha (the Lower House of the Indian Parliament) that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) released the Draft “National Data Governance Framework” policy on 26 May 2022, for public consultation, and the draft policy is under finalisation. The policy aims to ensure that non-personal data and anonymised data from both government and private sector are safely accessible by Research and Innovation eco-system. It will also provide a framework for data/datasets/metadata rules, standards, guidelines, and protocols for sharing non-personal data sets while ensuring privacy, security, and integrity/trust.[4]

Government of India may introduce new law regarding IT and Data Protection

On 22 July 2022, the Minister of State (MoS) for Electronics and Information Technology (E&IT)— Rajeev Chandrasekhar, informed the Lok Sabha (the Lower House of the Indian Parliament) that government aims to ensure Open, Safe & Trusted, and Accountable Internet for all users. The Ministry continues to engage in discussions with various stakeholders, including industry, legal experts, and academicians, to achieve the objective of new legislation, amendments to the Rules, etcetera. The existing Information Technology (IT) Act was enacted in 2000, around 22 years ago. Since then, technology and the Internet have evolved at a fast pace.[5]

CERT-In issued an advisory about multiple vulnerabilities in Apple macOS

On 29 July 2022, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) issued an advisory highlighting the multiple vulnerabilities that have been reported in Apple macOS, which a remote attacker could further exploit to execute arbitrary code, bypass security restrictions, and cause a denial of service conditions on the targeted system.
The vulnerabilities exist in Apple macOS due to out-of-bounds read in Apple Script, SMB and Kernal; out-of-bounds write in audio, ICU, PS Normaliser, GPU drivers, SMB and WebKit; authorisation issue in AppleMobileFileIntegrity; information disclosure in Calendar and iCloud photo library; logic issue in File System Events, PluginKit, Windows Server and Automation. A remote attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by persuading a victim to visit maliciously crafted web content. The advisory also suggested applying appropriate patches as mentioned in the Apple Security Updates. [6]

INTERNATIONAL
Chinese government’s PR entity approached TikTok to open a “Stealth” propaganda account

According to news reported by Bloomberg, the Chinese government’s entity responsible for Public Relations attempted to open a “stealth” TikTok account targeting western audiences with propaganda. In response, TikTok executives pushed-back the attempt for the stealth account. The push-back highlighted the internal tensions ongoing within TikTok, owned by Beijing-based ByteDance Inc., as it has constantly attempted to distance itself from Chinese state propaganda and influence.

“Chinese government entity that’s interested in joining TikTok but would not want to be openly seen as a government account as the main purpose is for promoting content that showcases the best side of China (some sort of propaganda),” said a TikTok employee and colleague of Elizabeth Kanter, TikTok’s Head of government relations in the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, and Israel, via a message in April7 2020.[7]

Russia fined WhatsApp, Snapchat and others for storing user data outside the nation

On 28 July 2022, Moscow’s Tagansky District Court imposed a fine on Meta Platforms Inc’s— Meta, WhatsApp messenger, Snapchat owner— Snap Inc., and other firms, including Match Group, Hotels.com, and Spotify, for their alleged refusal to store the data of Russian users within the country. Amid the Russia-Ukraine armed conflict, Russia has clashed with big tech firms over content, censorship, data and local representation in escalated disputes.

Following a 04 million rouble fine in August 2021, WhatsApp was penalised 18 million roubles (roughly USD 301,255) by the Tagansky District Court for a repeat offence. The fine imposed on WhatsApp was higher than the 15 million roubles fine imposed in July 2022 for a repeat infraction on Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. The Court also fined “Tinder” owner— Match Group around 02 million roubles, Snap and Hotels.com, owned by Expedia Group Inc., 01 million roubles, and Spotify— a music streaming service, 500,000 roubles. “The five companies had not provided documents ensuring the storage and processing of Russian users’ data was taking place in Russia in time,” said the Communications Regulator— Roskomnadzor.[8]

China may transform the “Global Internet Conference” into an “International Internet Organisation”, claimed the Chinese State news agency

Since 2014, China’s Cyberspace Administration has been organising a World Internet Conference, where technology companies and government representatives of other nations convene to discuss the Internet and where China propagates its vision of State Internet control. Recently, according to a Chinese State news agency— Xinhua, “Beijing plans to transform the global internet conference into International Internet Organisation.” The organisation’s founding members include institutions, organisations, businesses, and individuals from nearly 20 countries. Some other State news agencies indicated that Afghanistan, Cambodia, North Korea, and Syria are among the member countries. On its successful transformation, Chinese-led International Internet Organisation could threaten global technology standards and the global Internet itself. [9]

A network of 11,000 phoney investments sites targeted Europe

Researchers at a cyber security firm— Group-IB, discovered a network of more than 11,000 domains engaged in promoting numerous fake investment schemes to users in Europe. As a modus operandi, the platforms show fabricated evidence of enrichment and falsified celebrity endorsements to create an image of legitimacy and lure many victims. In the phoney process, the user gets tricked into an opportunity for high-return investments and is convinced to deposit a minimum amount of EUR 250 (₹ 20,410) to sign up for the fake services. At the time of reporting, the countries targeted included the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, Norway, Sweden, and the Czech Republic.[10]

Endnotes :

[1] “Need for a new legal framework governing Telecommunications in India”, Ministry of Communications- Press Information Bureau, 28 July 2022, accessed on 06 August 2022, available from: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1845920
[2] “5G Networks”, Ministry of Communications, 27 July 2022, accessed on 06 August 2022, available from: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1845325
[3] “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) launched by IAF”, Ministry of Defence, 10 July 2022, accessed on 05 August 2022, available from: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1840695
[4] “National Data Governance Framework Policy”, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, 27 July 2022, accessed on 05 August 2022, available from: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1845318
[5] “New law relating to information technology and data protection”, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, 22 July 2022, accessed on 05 August 2022, available from: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1843845
[6] “CERT-In Vulnerability Note CIVN-2022-0313: Multiple Vulnerabilities in Apple macOS”, Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, 29 July 2022, accessed on 07 August 2022, available from: https://www.cert-in.org.in/
[7]Olivia Solon, “Chinese government asked TikTok for Stealth propaganda account”, Bloomberg, 29 July 2022, accessed on 06 August 2022, available from: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-29/chinese-government-asked-tiktok-for-stealth-propaganda-account
[8] “Russia fines WhatsApp, Snap and others for storing user data abroad”, Reuters, 28 July 2022, accessed on 06 August 2022, available from: https://www.reuters.com/technology/russia-fines-snapchat-owner-data-law-violation-ifax-2022-07-28
[9]Justin Sherman, “China’s New Organisation Could Threaten the Global Internet”, Slate, 29 July 2022, accessed on 06 August 2022, available from: https://slate.com/technology/2022/07/china-world-internet-conference-organization-standards.html
[10]Bill Toulas, “Huge network of 11,000 fake investment sites targets Europe”, Bleeping Computer, 31 July 2022, accessed on 08 August 2022, available from: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/huge-network-of-11-000-fake-investment-sites-targets-europe/

VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: March 28, 2022

Afghanistan
US Hopes for Reversal by Islamic Emirate on Girls’ Education: Tolo News

The US Special Representative for Afghanistan said on Saturday he is hopeful that there will be a reversal of the Islamic Emirate’s u-turn on girls’ education in the coming days.“I am hopeful that we will see a reversal of this decision in the coming days” Thomas West, US special representative for Afghanistan, said at the Doha Forum. Click here to read…

Mullah Baradar Calls for Afghan Self-Sufficiency: Tolo News

First Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar said that the aid provided by international donors will alleviate urgent needs for a short period of time, but said that the ministries must work toward self-sufficiencyClick here to read…

Qatar, Indonesia sign letter for providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan: The Khaama Press

Qatar has announced that they have signed a letter of content with Indonesia based on which both the countries will cooperate in providing humanitarian and development assistance to the people of Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Impoverished Afghan families; private schools, universities lose students: The Khaama Press

Owners of private schools and universities in the Afghan capital Kabul complain that they have lost 60% of their students as the new educational year has just begun across Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Bangladesh
It’s delightful to see achievements of Bangladesh- The Daily Star

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said he is willing to work with Bangladesh to push the China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation to new heights. Click here to read…

Voter list update begins on May 20- The Daily Star

The Election Commission (EC) will start updating the voter list from May 20 and this would be the last registration of prospective voters before the 12th parliamentary election. Click here to read…

Protesting price hike of daily essentials: LDA hartal in progress- The Daily Star

Half-day hartal, announced by Left Democratic Alliance (LDA) in protest of the price hike of daily essentials, has begun across the country. Click here to read…

Bridge lies with no approach roads- The Daily Star

People of several villages under two unions in Dhanbari upazila have been suffering immensely for long as the bridge over the Bangshi river does not have approach roads on either sideClick here to read…

A big leap in tech industry- The Daily Star

Bangabandhu Hi-Tech City likely to get $1.3b investment by 2025Click here to read…

Mass media employees bill to be placed at JS today- The Daily Star

Information Minister Hasan Mahmud will place the Mass Media Employees (services and conditions) Bill-2022 at JS today. Click here to read…

Bangladeshi exporters worry as global brands cancel Russian orders over Ukraine invasion- Benar News

Bangladeshi businesspeople are jittery about the future of bilateral trade with Russia, saying that international sanctions over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine are disrupting their exports of key products such as ready-made garments. Click here to read…

Bhutan
Taiwan-donated oxygen concentrators, face masks, arrived in Bhutan- Focus Taiwan

A total of 2,000 Taiwan-donated N95 respirators and 50 oxygen concentrators have arrived in Bhutan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Sunday, amid a sharp rise in COVID-19 infections in the Himalayan kingdom. Click here to read…

Expansionary fiscal policy pushes debt-to-GDP ratio to 138.8 percent- Kuensel

The country’s outstanding external debt increased to a record high of 138.8 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at the end of the fiscal year 2020-21 from the previous high of 121 percent. Click here to read…

Businesses to seek more relief measures- Kuensel

Most of the businesses would not be able to repay loans or operate if the relief or monetary measures are discontinued after June 2022, according to Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) President Tandy Wangchuk. Click here to read…

Chilies from southern districts to hit market by April end- Bhutan Times

Despite initial delay in plantation due to pest infection and cold waves, chilly growers in the south are hopeful that their chilies will hit the domestic market by April endClick here to read…

Govt. to recruit doctors from Myanmar- Bhutan Times

With critical shortage of health specialists and their services becoming even dearer in the country, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has initiated the process to recruit foreign doctors from Myanmar on a contract basis which will extend for two years. Click here to read…

Nepal
Chinese Minister Wang completes three-day visit, returns home- Himalayan

China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi returned home today after completing his three-day visit to Nepal. Click here to read…

Wang urged to get China border opened- Himalayan

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli and CPN-Maoist Centre Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal separately today. Click here to read…

Nepal to receive 11.4 billion rupees in Chinese aid- Himalayan

The government of the people’s republic of China will provide more than Rs 11.40 billion in grant assistance to the Government of Nepal under financial and technical assistance. Click here to read…

Tiktok: A tool to win elections- Kathmandu Post

TikTok has been misused by propagandists to spread the political narrative in Southeast Asia. Click here to read…

Main opposition harbours hope to defend pole position, through poll

alliances- Kathmandu Post

UML leaders put on bold faces but are looking deep for opportunities to fight upcoming local elections in collaboration with friends and foes. Click here to read…

(Opinion) Fixing the broken parts in Nepal-China ties: kanak Mani Dixit- Nepal Times

Foreign Minister Wang Yi must use his Kathmandu visit to clear the growing distrust between Beijing and Kathmandu, and seek to better understand Nepal, including its age-old links to Tibet. Click here to read…

Nepal Army Day marked in Kathmandu- Republica

Nepal Army organized a special ceremony to observe the Nepal Army Day and Maha Shivaratri festival at Tundikhel, Kathmandu on Tuesday. Click here to read…

China opposes attempt to engage Nepal in geopolitical games: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi- Nepal Live Today

“China believes that all countries are equal regardless of size, and respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries.” Click here to read…

Maldives
India-Maldives launch initiatives to expand security ties to protect S Indian Ocean: Economic Times

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a two-day trip to the Maldives, said on Sunday that “India and Maldives share a deep and abiding friendship. Click here to read…

Explained: What’s behind the new anti-India campaign in the Maldives?: Indian Express

The theme of the rally was “India Out”, a slogan coined two years ago by protesters who claimed that the MDP government led by President Ibrahim Solih had “sold out” the Maldives to India. Click here to read…

Myanmar
China And Pakistan Stepping Up Engagement with Myanmar, And That’s Bad News for India – Swarajyamarg

With global attention focused on the crisis in eastern Europe, China has surreptitiously stepped up its engagement with Myanmar’s junta and has also got Pakistan involved as its proxy to supply arms and munitions to the southeast Asian nation. Click here to read…

Myanmar’s crimes against the Rohingya warrant UN intervention – The Guardian

Now that the US has finally accepted that Myanmar’s ethnic cleansing and mass murder of Rohingya Muslims amounts to genocide (Rohingya refugees welcome US decision to call Myanmar atrocities a genocide, 22 March), the UN should enact its responsibility to prevent and respond to this most serious violation of international human rights and humanitarian law. Click here to read…

Myanmar army denies Rohingya genocide, says some individuals may have committed crimes – US News

Myanmar’s military did not commit genocide against minority Rohingya Muslims during 2017 operations in Rakhine state, but crimes may have been committed by personnel on an individual level, an army spokesman said on Thursday. Click here to read…

Myanmar military deliberately killed civilians after coup: Report – Aljazeera

Myanmar’s military and police deliberately killed civilians opposed to its rule in the six months following the coup in February 2021, in a policy that amounts to crimes against humanity, according to new research published on Thursday. Click here to read…

Armed Forces Day Spotlights Atrocities – Human Rights Watch

Myanmar’s Armed Forces Day on March 27, 2022, is an opportunity for foreign governments to take stronger action against the military’s widespread abuses, Human Rights Watch said today. Click here to read…

Massive Military Regime Convoy Arrives in Western Myanmar – The Irrawaddy

A Myanmar military convoy consisting of 80 vehicles including artillery and armored vehicles has arrived in Mindat in southern Chin State, according to the Chinland Defense Force (CDF), a local resistance group fighting the regime. Click here to read…

Drug use on rise in Rakhine under the current government – Narinjara

Rakhine State has been witnessing the increase of illegal drug uses, including WY stimulants, under the current administration of military backed government, allege locals. Ko Aung Chae, a resident of Buthidaung locality, claimed that the use of drugs among teenagers was on rise in their township, which is located in northern Rakhine. Click here to read…

Japan’s ‘Special Relationship’ With Myanmar Has Abetted Decades of Military Rule – The Irrawaddy

That “special relationship”—when it comes to aid, investment and involvement in the so-called peace process—has so far resulted in little more than making sure that the Myanmar military remains firmly entrenched in power. Click here to read…

Pakistan
PM Imran says ‘foreign-funded conspiracy’ out to topple his govt, claims to have evidence in writing: Dawn

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday claimed that the opposition’s no-trust move is part of an alleged “foreign-funded conspiracy” hatched against his government over his refusal to have Pakistan’s foreign policy be influenced from abroad. Click here to read…

NA to deliberate on no-trust move today: The Express Tribune

The much-anticipated session of the National Assembly to deliberate on the no-confidence motion filed against Prime Minister Imran Khan by the opposition parties will be held today (Monday). Click here to read…

Gas crisis to hit country in summer too: The News

After the Singapore based LNG trading company GUNVOR backed out of delivery of four LNG cargoes that were to be delivered in the remaining four months, in April, May and two in June of its five-year contract ending in July 2022, and the decision of Pakistan LNG Limited not to procure spot LNG cargo for April at the price of $34.677 per MMBTU offered by Vitol Bahrain in the bids opened on Friday, it seems the country would now experience a gas crisis even in the summer season. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka
India asks Sri Lanka to release fishermen, fishing boats from custody: Economic Times

India expressed its readiness to work together with Sri Lanka for joint research to enhance the productivity of the Palk Bay fisheries. Click here to read…

S Jaishankar Lands in Sri Lanka For Bilateral Talks, BIMSTEC Summit: NDTV

This is his first visit to the island nation since India extended an economic relief package to bail Sri Lanka out of the current economic crisis. Click here to read…

China: Daily Scan, March 11, 2022

Panchen Lama encourages Tibetan Buddhism followers to serve society, motherland: Xinhuanet
March 10, 2022

Monks, nuns and followers of Tibetan Buddhism should turn their religious belief into the driving force for building their hometowns, serving the society and the country, the 11th Panchen Lama, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, said during the annual “two sessions” held in Beijing. Click here to read more…

Documents to be put to vote at China’s annual legislative session: Xinhuanet
March 10, 2022

The presidium for the fifth session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s national legislature, has decided to put a raft of documents to vote at the session’s closing meeting on Friday. Li Zhanshu, an executive chairman of the presidium, presided over the third and fourth meetings of the presidium held Thursday. Click here to read more…

Growth target of around 5.5 pct to generate output equivalent to medium economy, says Chinese premier: Xinhuanet
March 11, 2022

A 5.5-percent increase on the basis of over 110-trillion-yuan (about 17.4 trillion U.S. dollars) GDP in China today would generate the same amount of output equivalent to the size of a medium economy, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Friday. Click here to read more…

Chinese FM exchanges views on Ukraine issue with French, Italian counterparts: Xinhuanet
March 11, 2022

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine respectively with his French and Italian counterparts via video link. When meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Wang said the major consensus reached by Chinese, French and German leaders during a virtual summit held on Tuesday should be well implemented. Click here to read more…

Chinese PLA cooperates with militaries of over 50 countries in COVID-19 fight: Xinhuanet
March 10, 2022

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has played an active role in the global fight against COVID-19 while fully supporting domestic epidemic containment, a military spokesperson said Wednesday. Click here to read more…

China to step up rural highway construction: Xinhuanet
March 10, 2022

China will promote rural highway construction and further improve the country’s rural highway network this year, according to the Ministry of Transport. Last year, the country’s total investment in rural highways reached about 410 billion yuan (about 65 billion U.S. dollars). More than 160,000 kilometers of rural roads were reconstructed, data from the ministry showed. Click here to read more…

China boosts funding to address weak links in social welfare: Xinhuanet
March 10, 2022

China has provided 3 billion yuan (about 475.4 million U.S. dollars) from the central government budget to shore up weak links in social welfare and ensure people’s well-being, the country’s top economic planner said Thursday. Click here to read more…

Digital platform improves legislators’ work efficiency: China Daily
March 11, 2022

A digital platform has been launched to facilitate the work of national legislators by moving the processing of motions online. The platform was officially put into operation on Saturday, when the fifth session of the 13th National People’s Congress kicked off. Click here to read more…

University Party secretary deposed after COVID-19 campus outbreak, sparks heated discussion: Global Times
March 10, 2022

The secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) committee at a university was sacked on Thursday after an outbreak of COVID-19 was detected in the campus. This has shocked Chinese social media and aroused a heated discussion. Click here to read more…

17 officials from E China’s city punished for severe loopholes in daily epidemic prevention: Global Times
March 11, 2022

A total of 17 officials from the pandemic-hit Laixi, a city in East China’s Shandong Province, were punished on Thursday for severe loopholes in daily epidemic prevention tasks, especially their low alert and negligent attitude against COVID-19 in populated places like schools. Both the secretary of the city’s Communist Party of China committee, Zhou Ke, and the mayor of Laixi, Liu Ying, were severely warned by the Party disciplinary body. Click here to read more…

China’s ‘reasonable, appropriate’ defense budget boost contributes to natl security, world peace: military delegation deputy: Global Times
March 10, 2022

China’s defense expenditure has kept a reasonable, appropriate increase, and will contribute to safeguarding national security and world peace, a Chinese legislator from military delegation told the Global Times in an exclusive interview on Thursday. Click here to read more…

China to take counter measures if US moves to sanction Chinese firms, individuals: Global Times
March 10, 2022

China will firmly respond with counter measures if the US moves to implement sanctions on Chinese companies or individuals under the pretext of the Russia-Ukraine military conflict, which some US government officials have threatened, China’s Foreign Ministry said. Click here to read more…

Chip proposals flourish at two sessions as China aims for technology self-sufficiency: Global Times
March 10, 2022

Integrated circuit (IC)-themed proposals and motions have been all the rage during the “two sessions”, as eagerness grows over China’s push for semiconductors self-sufficiency amid the US-led tech decoupling. Click here to read more…

China ranks first in world in terms of outstanding green loans: Quishi
March 11, 2022

China’s outstanding green loans in yuan and foreign currencies hit 15.9 trillion yuan (about $2.5 trillion) by the end of 2021, the largest in the world and jumping 33 percent from the previous year, according to the People’s Bank of China (PBOC). The country issued 600 billion yuan worth of green bonds domestically last year, up 180 percent year on year, with outstanding green bonds reaching 1.1 trillion yuan. Click here to read more…

China may warm to Japan to tackle economic slump, but faces hurdles: Kyodov

March 11, 2022

China may try to cozy up to Japan in the short run to curb a possible economic downturn, as President Xi Jinping has been keen to secure a controversial third term as leader at the ruling Communist Party’s twice-a-decade congress in fall. But Tokyo is unlikely to take a softer approach toward Beijing, with the two Asian powers recently at odds over China’s security challenges to Taiwan, its temporary detention of a Japanese diplomat and its unwillingness to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Click here to read more…

Matchmakers a turn-off, Chinese Web users say: Reuters
March 11, 2022

Proposals for matchmaking committees within unions and a drive to encourage more graduate students to have babies triggered a frosty reception on social media, as officials brainstormed ways to raise China’s plunging birthrate. Click here to read more…

China censors online Ukraine debate, bars calls for peace: Reuters
March 11, 2022

China’s censors, who quietly determine what can be discussed on the country’s buzzing social media platforms, are silencing views of citizens protesting against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In the days after Russia’s Feb. 24 attack, comments on Chinese social media platforms Weibo, WeChat and Douyin broadly backed Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Many posts challenging that, or even advocating peace, quickly disappeared from view. Click here to read more…

TikTok nears Oracle deal in bid to allay U.S. data concerns-sources: Reuters
March 11, 2022

TikTok is nearing a deal for Oracle Corp (ORCL.N) to store its U.S. users’ information without its Chinese parent ByteDance having access to it, hoping to address U.S. regulatory concerns over data integrity on the popular short video app, people familiar with the matter said. Click here to read more…

China’s disciplinary enforcers shift focus from corruption to poor performance: South China Morning Post
March 9, 2022

China’s President Xi Jinping is increasingly using the Communist Party’s disciplinary mechanisms, best known for tackling corruption, to punish poor performance, a study has found. It said the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) had shifted from being a “fear-inducing machine” primarily focused on corruption to becoming a “behaviour modification machine”. Click here to read more…

Familiar barriers put China’s women scientists a long way from the top: South China Morning Post
March 11, 2022

The theme for International Women’s Day 2022 is “Break the Bias”, which asks us to imagine a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. In the second of a series of stories about gender equality in China, Holly Chik looks at why there are so few women in China’s top science institutes, and recent measures meant to bridge the gender gap.
By most measures Zhong Xuefeng is a success story. After completing a PhD overseas, she is now a professor at China’s Anhui Medical University. But the price she paid for that success has left her guilt ridden. Click here to read more…