中國追求科技“自力更生”，增加全球不安 (1/2)

Recently Yahoo News on-line reported the following:

China pursues tech 'self-reliance,' fueling global unease (1/2)

JOE McDONALD

Mon, December 27, 2021, 7:27 PM PST

BEIJING (AP) — To help make China a self-reliant “technology superpower,” the ruling Communist Party is pushing the world's biggest e-commerce company to take on the tricky, expensive business of designing its own processor chips — a business unlike anything Alibaba Group has done before.

Its 3-year-old chip unit, T-Head, unveiled its third processor in October, the Yitian 710 for Alibaba's cloud computing business. Alibaba says for now, it has no plans to sell the chip to outsiders.

Other rookie chip developers including Tencent, a games and social media giant, and smartphone brand Xiaomi are pledging billions of dollars in line with official plans to create computing, clean energy and other technology that can build China’s wealth and global influence.

Processor chips play an increasingly critical role in products from smartphones and cars to medical devices and home appliances. Shortages due to the coronavirus pandemic are disrupting global manufacturing and adding to worries about supplies.

Chips are a top priority in the ruling Communist Party's marathon campaign to end China's reliance on technology from the United States, Japan and other suppliers Beijing sees as potential economic and strategic rivals. If it succeeds, business and political leaders warn that might slow down innovation, disrupt global trade and make the world poorer.

“Self-reliance is the foundation for the Chinese nation,” President Xi Jinping said in a speech released in March. He called for China to become a “technology superpower” to safeguard “national economic security.”

“We must strive to become the world’s main center of science and the high ground of innovation,” Xi said.

Beijing might be chasing a costly disappointment. Even with huge official investments, businesspeople and analysts say chipmakers and other companies will struggle to compete if they detach from global suppliers of advanced components and technology — a goal no other country is pursuing.

“It’s hard to imagine any one country rebuilding all of that and having the best technology,” said Peter Hanbury, who follows the industry for Bain & Co.

Beijing’s campaign is adding to tension with Washington and Europe, which see China as a strategic competitor and complain it steals technology. They limit access to tools needed to improve its industries.

If the world were to decouple, or split into markets with incompatible standards and products, U.S.- or European-made parts might not work in Chinese computers or cars. Smartphone makers who have a single dominant global operating system and two network standards might need to make unique versions for different markets. That could slow down development.

Washington and Beijing need to “avoid that the world becomes separated,” U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told The Associated Press in September.

China's factories assemble the world’s smartphones and tablet computers but need components from the United States, Europe, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. Chips are China’s biggest import, ahead of crude oil, at more than $300 billion last year.

Official urgency over that grew after Huawei Technologies Ltd., China’s first global tech brand, lost access to U.S. chips and other technology in 2018 under sanctions imposed by the White House.

That crippled the telecom equipment maker’s ambition to be a leader in next-generation smartphones. American officials say Huawei is a security risk and might aid Chinese spying, an accusation the company denies.

Huawei and some Chinese rivals are close to matching Intel Corp., Qualcomm Inc., South Korea’s Samsung Electronics and Britain’s Arm Ltd. at being able to design “bleeding edge” logic chips for smartphones, according to industry analysts.

But when it comes to making them, foundries such as state-owned SMIC in Shanghai are up to a decade behind industry leaders including TSMC, or Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp., which produces chips for Apple Inc. and other global brands.

(to be continued)

Translation

北京（美聯社）- 為了幫助中國成為一個自力更生的“技術超級大國”，執政共產黨正在推動世界上最大的電子商務公司承擔設計自己的處理器芯片的棘手、昂貴的業務 - 這是一項阿里巴巴集團以前從未做過的類似的業務。

擁有 3 年歷史的阿里巴巴芯片部門 平头哥 (T-Head) 於 10 月推出了它的第三款處理器，即用於阿里巴巴雲計算業務的倚天 710。阿里巴巴表示，目前沒有向外界出售該芯片的計劃。

其他新秀芯片開發商，包括遊戲和社交媒體巨頭騰訊，以及智能手機品牌小米，都承諾投入數十億美元，以配合官方計劃，開發計算、清潔能源, 和其他能夠建立中國財富和世界影響力的技術能力。

從智能手機和汽車到醫療設備和家用電器的產品中, 芯片處理器發揮著越來越重要的作用。冠狀病毒大流行造成的短缺正在擾亂全球製造業，並加劇了對供應的擔憂。

芯片是執政共產黨馬拉松式運動的重中之重，旨在結束中國對美國、日本和其他被北京視為潛在經濟和戰略競爭對手的供應商的技術的依賴。如果成功，商界和政界領袖警告說，這可能會減緩創新、擾亂全球貿易並使世界變得更窮。

習近平主席在3月份發表的講話中說: “自力更生是中華民族的根本” 。他呼籲中國成為“技術超級大國”，以維護“國家經濟安全”。

習近平說: “我們要努力成為世界主要的科學中心和創新高地” 。

北京可能正在追求代價高昂的失望。即使有大量官方投資，商界人士和分析師表示，如果芯片製造商和其他公司脫離先進組件和技術的全球供應商，它們將難以競爭 - 這是其他國家沒有追求的目標。

幫助 Bain & Co. 關注該行業的 Peter Hanbury 說: “很難想像有哪個國家能夠重建所有這些並擁有最好的技術” 。

北京的活動加劇了與華盛頓和歐洲的緊張關係，後者將中國視為戰略競爭對手並抱怨中國竊取技術。他們限中國制進接對改善其行業所需的工具。

如果世界脫鉤或分裂而使標準產品不兼容的市場，美國或歐洲製造的零件可能無法在中國的計算機或汽車中使用。擁有單一主導全球操作系統和兩種網絡標準的智能手機製造商可能需要為不同的市場製作獨特的版本。這可能會減緩發展。

聯合國秘書長安東尼奧·古特雷斯 (Antonio Guterres) 在 9 月對美聯社說，華盛頓和北京需要“避免世界分離”。

中國的工廠組裝了全世界的智能手機和平板電腦，但需要來自美國、歐洲、日本、台灣和韓國的零部件。芯片是中國最大的進口商品，僅次於原油，去年進口額超過 3000 億美元。

在中國首個全球科技品牌華為技術有限公司於 2018 年因白宮實施制裁而無法獲得美國芯片和其他技術之後，中國官方對此的緊迫感有所增加。

這削弱了華為電信設備製造商成為下一代智能手機領導者的雄心。美國官員稱華為存在安全風險，可能會幫助中國從事間諜活動，但該公司否認了這一指控。

行業分析師表示，在能夠為智能手機設計 “bleeding edge” 邏輯芯片方面，華為和一些中國競爭對手已接近能與英特爾、高通、韓國三星電子和英國 Arm 公司匹敵。

但在製造方面，上海的國有中芯國際等代工廠落後於包括台積電 (TSMC) 在內的行業領導者長達十年之久，台積電為蘋果公司和其他全球品牌生產芯片。

（未完待續）

日本的目標是在 2020 年代後期將人送上月球

Recently Yahoo News on-line reported the following:

Japan aims to put a person on the moon by late 2020s

Fumio Kishida

Mon, December 27, 2021, 9:45 PM PST

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan revised the schedule of its space exploration plans on Tuesday, aiming to put a Japanese person on the moon by the latter half of the 2020s.

"Not only is space a frontier that gives people hopes and dreams but it also provides a crucial foundation to our economic society with respect to our economic security," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told a meeting to finalize the plan.

According to the draft schedule of the plan, Japan aims to put the first non-American on the moon as part of the Artemis program, a U.S.-led initiative that aims to return astronauts to the moon.

The plan also spells out Japan's aspirations to launch a probe to explore Mars in 2024, as well as to find ways to generate solar electricity in space.

Neighboring China also aims to become a major spacefaring power by 2030, and it too plans to put astronauts on the moon, raising the prospect of an Asian space race.

In May, China became the second country to put a rover on Mars, two years after landing the first spacecraft on the far side of the moon.

Japan's announcement of its space exploration targets comes a week after Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa returned to earth after spending 12 days aboard the International Space Station, becoming the first space tourist to travel to the ISS in more than a decade.

(Reporting by Sakura Murakami; Editing by Robert Birsel)

Translation

東京（路透社）- 日本週二修改了太空探索計劃的時間表，目標是在 2020 年代後半期將一名日本人送上月球。

岸田文雄首相在一次會議上敲定計劃說： “太空不僅是給人們希望和夢想的疆界，而且還為我們的經濟社會提供了在經濟安全方面的重要基礎” 。

根據該計劃的草案時間表，日本的目標是將第一位非美國人送上月球。作為 Artemis 計劃的一部分，這是一項由美國主導的旨在讓宇航員重返月球的計劃。

該計劃還闡明了日本希望在 2024 年發射探測火星的探測器，並尋找在太空中產生太陽電能的方法。

鄰國中國還計劃到2030年成為航天大國，併計劃將宇航員送上月球，從而提高了亞洲的太空競賽前景。

今年 5 月，中國在第一艘航天器登陸月球背面兩年後，成為第二個將火星車送上火星的國家。

日本太空探索目標, 是在日本億萬富翁前澤友作 (Yusaku Maezawa) 在國際空間站上度過 12 天後返回地球之後一周宣布，他成為十多年來第一位前往國際空間站的太空遊客。

       So, as Japan’s neighbor China is also aiming to become a major spacefaring power by 2030 and also planning to put astronauts on the moon, the prospect of an Asian space race seems unavoidable.

Saudi Arabia manufactures its own ballistic missile with the support of China - revealed by US intelligence and satellite images

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

サウジ、中国支援で自前の弾道ミサイル製造　米諜報と衛星画像で判明

2021.12.24 Fri posted at 10:53 JST

CNN EXCLUSIVE

ワシントン（ＣＮＮ） 米情報機関がサウジアラビアについて、中国の支援で自前の弾道ミサイルの製造を進めていると分析していることが分かった。この動きは中東全域に重大な影響を及ぼし、サウジの地域最大のライバル、イランの核開発の野心を抑え込もうとするバイデン政権の取り組みを複雑化させる可能性がある。

サウジは過去に中国から弾道ミサイルを購入したことが知られているものの、最新の諜報（ちょうほう）に詳しい情報筋３人によると、これまで自国生産には至っていなかった。ＣＮＮが入手した衛星画像でも、サウジが少なくとも１カ所で弾道ミサイル製造を進めていることが示唆されている。

国家安全保障会議（ＮＳＣ）などの米当局者はここ数カ月の機密情報ブリーフィングで、中国・サウジ間で弾道ミサイル関連の機微技術の大規模移転が複数回行われたとの説明を受けたという。事情に詳しい情報筋２人が明らかにした。

バイデン政権はいま、サウジの弾道ミサイルの進展が地域の勢力関係を大きく変化させる可能性について差し迫った問いに直面している。欧米やイスラエル、湾岸諸国はイラン核合意の条件を拡張してイランのミサイル技術を制限する目標を掲げているが、こうした取り組みが複雑化する可能性もある。

イランとサウジは敵対関係にあるため、サウジが自前のミサイル製造に着手した場合、イランが弾道ミサイル開発の中止に応じる可能性は低い。

また、中国への外交的配慮によって米国の対応が複雑化する可能性もある。バイデン政権は気候や貿易、新型コロナウイルスの流行など、他の優先度の高い政策で中国との再関与を試みている。

米国家安全保障会議と中央情報局（ＣＩＡ）はコメントを控えた。

中国外務省報道官はＣＮＮへの声明で、サウジとの間で弾道ミサイル関連の機微技術移転が最近行われたかとの質問に対し、両国は「包括的な戦略パートナー」であり、「軍事貿易を含む全分野で友好的な協力を維持してきた」と説明。「こうした協力は国際法に違反しておらず、大量破壊兵器の拡散も行われていない」としている。

専門家や情報筋によると、ＣＮＮが入手した新たな衛星画像からは、中国の支援で以前建設された施設でサウジがすでに弾道ミサイル製造を進めていることがうかがえる。

ミドルベリー国際問題研究所の研究者らによると、商業衛星画像企業プラネットが１０月２６～１１月９日に撮影した画像には、サウジのダワドミ付近の施設で燃焼運転が行われた様子が捉えられている。研究者らはＣＮＮに対し、この写真は「施設がミサイル製造を目的に稼働している初の明白な証拠だ」と指摘した。

米ミドルベリー国際問題研究所の教授を務める兵器の専門家、ジェフリー・ルイス氏は「イランの大規模な弾道ミサイル計画には大きな注目が集まっているが、サウジによる弾道ミサイルの開発と生産はそこまでの精査は受けていなかった」と指摘する。

Translation

2021.12.24 Fri posted at 10:53 JST

Washington (CNN) - It ​​was understood that the US intelligence agency had analyzed Saudi Arabia’s course of producing its own ballistic missiles with the support of China. Saudi’s move could have significant implications across the Middle East and could complicate the Biden administration's effort to curb Iran's nuclear development ambitions as Saudi Arabia's largest rival.

Although Saudi Arabia was known to have purchased ballistic missiles from China in the past, it had not been produced in-house so far, according to three people familiar with the latest intelligence. Satellite images obtained by CNN also suggested that Saudi Arabia was making ballistic missiles in at least at one location.

U.S. officials such as the National Security Council (NSC) had been briefed in recent months in a briefing on sensitive information about multiple large-scale transfers of ballistic missile-related sensitive technology between China and Saudi. Two people familiar with the situation revealed this.

The Biden administration was now facing urgent questions about the potential of the development of Saudi ballistic missiles in significantly changing the power relations in the region. Western countries, Israel, and the Gulf countries had set goals to extend the terms of the Iran nuclear agreement to limit Iran's missile technology, but these efforts could be complicated.

Due to the hostile relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia, it was unlikely that Iran could respond to the suspension of ballistic missile development if Saudi Arabia embarked on its own missile production.

Also, diplomatic consideration for China could complicate the US response. The Biden administration was trying to re-engage with China on other high-priority policies such as climate, trade and the new coronavirus epidemic.

The US National Security Council and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) declined to comment.

When asked if there was a recent transfer of ballistic missile-related sensitive technology to Saudi, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman said in a statement to CNN said that the two countries were "comprehensive strategic partners" and, "have maintained friendly cooperation in all areas, including military trade", and supposed that "such cooperation does not violate international law and has not spread weapons of mass destruction."

According to experts and sources, looking at the new satellite images obtained by CNN, it could be seen that Saudi was already building ballistic missiles at a previously made facility constructed with Chinese support.

According to researchers at the Middlebury Institute for International Affairs, images taken by commercial satellite imagery company Planet from October 26th to November 9th showed a burning operation at a facility near Dawadmi in Saudi.  Researchers told CNN that the photo was "the first clear evidence that the facility was operating for missile manufacturing purposes."

Weapons expert Jeffrey Lewis, a professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Affairs, said, "Iran's large-scale ballistic missile program is receiving a lot of attention, but Saudi's ballistic missile development and production hadn't been scrutinized up to this point. "

              So, China is exporting missile building technology to win friend and influence in the Middle East. It is interesting to know that China also has been a friend of Iran for quite a long time.

日美擬定應對台灣緊急情況的計劃 - 共同社

Recently Yahoo News on-line reported the following:

Japan, U.S. draw up plan for any Taiwan emergency -Kyodo

Thu, December 23, 2021, 3:29 AM

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese and U.S. armed forces have drawn up a draft plan for a joint operation for a possible Taiwan emergency, Japan's Kyodo news agency said on Thursday, citing unnamed Japanese government sources, amid increased tensions between the island and China.

China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own "sacred" territory and in the past two years has stepped up military and diplomatic pressure to assert its sovereignty claims, fuelling anger in Taipei and deep concern in Washington.

Taiwan's government says it wants peace, but will defend itself if needed.

Under the plan, the U.S. Marine Corps will set up temporary bases on the Nansei island chain stretching from Kyushu, one of the four main islands of Japan, to Taiwan, at the initial stage of a Taiwan emergency, and will deploy troops, Kyodo said.

Japanese armed forces will provide logistical support in such areas as ammunition and fuel supplies, it said.

Japan, former colonial ruler of Taiwan, and the United States would likely reach an agreement to start formulating an official plan at a "2+2" meeting of foreign and defense ministers early next year, the news agency said.

Japanese defense ministry officials were not immediately available for comment.

In October, Japan's government signaled a more assertive position on China's aggressive posture towards self-ruled Taiwan, suggesting it would consider options and prepare for "various scenarios", while reaffirming close U.S. ties.

Earlier this month, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that Japan and the United States could not stand by if China attacked Taiwan.

U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, have long said that given the tens of thousands of troops the U.S. has in Japan and its proximity to Taiwan, Japan would likely have to play an important role in any Taiwan emergency.

Japan is host to major U.S. military bases, including on the southern island of Okinawa, a short flight from Taiwan, which would be crucial for any U.S. support during a Chinese attack.

China views democratic Taiwan as a wayward province, awaiting the day the island can be brought under its control - peacefully or militarily - with no right to state-to-state relations.

The United States, like most countries in the world, recognizes China over Taiwan, in line with Beijing's "one China" policy. But Washington is the island's biggest arms supplier and ally and is obliged by law to help it defend itself.

(Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Alison Williams, Nick Macfie and Dan Grebler)

Translation

東京（路透社）- 在台灣與中國之間的緊張局勢加在加劇之際, 日本共同社週四援引未具名的日本政府消息人士的話稱，日本和美國武裝部隊已經制定了一項聯合行動計劃草案，以應對可能出現的台灣緊急情況。

中國聲稱由民主方式治理的台灣是自己的“神聖”領土，並在過去兩年加大了軍事和外交壓力，以維護其聲稱的主權主張，激起台北的憤怒和華盛頓的深切關注。

台灣政府表示，它想要和平，但在必要時會自衛。

共同社稱，根據該計劃，美國海軍陸戰隊將在台灣緊急狀態初期，在從日本四大島嶼之一的九州到台灣的南西島鏈上設立臨時基地，並將部署軍隊。

它說, 日本武裝部隊將在彈藥和燃料供應等領域提供後勤支持。

該通訊社稱，台灣前殖民統治者日本和美國可能會在明年初舉行的“2+2”外長和防長會議上達成協議，開始製定官方計劃。

現無法立即聯繫到日本防衛省官員發表評論。

在 10 月，日本政府對中國向自治台灣的侵略姿態表明了更自信的立場，暗示它將考慮各種選擇並為“各種情況”做好準備，同時重申與美國的密切關係。

本月早些時候，日本前首相安倍晉三表示，如果中國襲擊台灣，日本和美國不能袖手旁觀。

不願透露姓名的美國官員長期以來一直表示，鑑於美國在日本擁有數万名士兵，而且靠近台灣，日本可能不得不在任何台灣緊急情況中發揮重要作用。

日本是美國主要軍事基地的所在地，包括位於南部島嶼沖繩島，距離台灣只有很短的航程，這對中國發動襲擊期間, 給美國提供任何支持都至關重要。

中國將民主的台灣視為一個任性的省份, 它無權建立國家間的關係, 並等待和平或地軍事地控制該島的那一天 。

與世界上大多數國家一樣，美國在台灣承認中國，符合北京的“一個中國”政策。但華盛頓是島上最大的武器供應商和盟友，法律有義務幫助它自衛。

       So, Japanese and U.S. armed forces have drawn up a draft plan for a joint operation for a possible Taiwan emergency. Under the plan, the U.S. Marine Corps will set up temporary bases on the Nansei island chain stretching from Kyushu to Taiwan at the initial stage of a Taiwan emergency.

中國將需要世界糧食來滿足本土肉類的野心

Recently Yahoo News on-line reported the following:

China Will Need World’s Grains to Feed Home-Grown Meat Ambitions

Bloomberg News

Wed, December 22, 2021, 7:52 PM

(Bloomberg) -- China’s reaffirmation of a long-term goal to be almost entirely self-sufficient in pork production means it will keep scooping up global grain supplies to feed the world’s largest pig herd.

The country, which consumes half of the world’s pork, will maintain a target to produce 95% of the protein at home through 2025. It wants to be self sufficient in poultry and egg, 85% for beef and mutton, and 70% for dairy, the agriculture ministry said, adding that they form part of China’s food security goals.

The targets will likely bolster overseas purchases of soybeans and feed grains needed to fatten hogs, cattle and poultry. China is already the top importer of soybeans and corn, and has purchased unprecedented amounts in the past two years to feed a hog herd recovering from African swine fever. The buying binge sparked a global price rally as investors were also worried about supply.

“Imports of feed grain are likely to remain high for the foreseeable future as China begins to prioritize domestic production of meat and dairy,” said Darin Friedrichs, co-founder and market research director of Sitonia Consulting, a China-based agriculture information service provider.

The self-sufficiency goals, which were flagged since 2020 at least, come as the deadly African swine fever outbreak about three years ago destroyed roughly half of China’s hog population and spurred a surge in meat imports and record pork prices. It accelerated a push to modernize hog production and cut costs.

Today the national herd has recovered to a six-year high and is 17% bigger than before the disease struck. Futures in Dalian are down about 50% this year, underscoring the boom-bust cycle China’s pig farming industry is notorious for.

The self-sufficiency targets are part of a series of measures to ensure stable meat supplies and prices. The ministry said China’s consumption of livestock products will continue to grow but there will be gaps in feed grain supply and demand. It also noted that China is “heavily reliant” on imports for soybeans.

Translation

（彭博社）- 中國重申了豬肉生產幾乎完全自給自足的長期目標，這意味著它將繼續獲取全球糧食供應來養活世界上最大的豬群。

這個消耗世界一半豬肉的國家將維持一個目標，即到 2025 年在國內生產 95% 的蛋白質。農業部表示它希望家禽和雞蛋自給自足，牛肉和羊肉85%自給自足，乳製品70%自給自足，並補充說它們構成了中國糧食安全目標的一部分。

這些目標可能會支撐海外購買大豆和飼料穀物，以飼養豬、牛和家禽。中國已經是大豆和玉米的最大進口國，並且在過去兩年中購買了前所未有的數量，以餵養從非洲豬瘟中恢復過來的豬群。由於投資者也擔心供應，購買狂潮引發了全球價格上漲。

中國農業信息服務提供商 Sitonia Consulting 的聯合創始人兼市場研究總監 Darin Friedrichs 表示： “在可預見的未來，隨著中國開始優先考慮國內生產肉類和奶製品，飼料穀物的進口量可能會保持高位。

至少 由2020 年開始，自給自足的目標就出現了，因為大約三年前致命的非洲豬瘟爆發摧毀了中國大約一半的生豬群，刺激了肉類進口激增及創下紀錄的豬肉價格。它加快了生豬生產現代化和削減成本的步伐。

今天，全國畜群已經恢復到六年來的最高水平，比疾病爆發前增加了 17%。今年大連的期貨價格下跌了約 50%，凸顯了中國養豬業臭名昭著的繁榮 - 蕭條週期。

自給自足目標是確保肉類供應和價格穩定的一系列措施的一部分。農業部表示，中國的畜產品消費將繼續增長，但飼料糧供需將出現缺口。它還指出，中國 “嚴重依賴”大豆進口。

       So, China will increase its overseas purchases of soybeans and feed grains needed to fatten hogs, cattle and poultry. The buying spree will probably spark a global price increase and this is good news for agricultural countries such as Canada and the US.

緬甸尋求通過人民幣貿易項目加強與中國的聯繫

Recently Yahoo News on-line reported the following:

Myanmar seeks closer China ties with Renminbi trade project

Wed, December 22, 2021, 2:22 AM

By John Geddie

(Reuters) - Myanmar will start accepting Renminbi as an official settlement currency next year for trade with China, it said on Wednesday, as it looks to restart several joint projects and forge closer economic ties with Beijing.

Myanmar's junta, which seized power in a Feb. 1 coup, said in a statement it enjoyed a special "kinship" with China, which has supported it financially and with COVID-19 vaccines.

The statement issued by the ministries of information and investment also identified infrastructure projects with China that it said were a "major priority" for its economic revival, including plans for railways and ports.

Chinese state media outlet Global Times previously reported Myanmar's Renminbi plans, saying the move aimed to address the country's shortage of U.S. dollars and other foreign currencies during a period of economic turmoil.

The military coup in Myanmar and an ensuing crackdown on protesters in which hundreds have been killed has been widely criticized in the West and prompted international sanctions on military officials and military-linked businesses.

Analysts have said that Myanmar's increasing international isolation could push it closer to China, which has not been publicly critical of the coup but has repeatedly urged different parties in Myanmar to "bridge their differences" and "advance the democratic transition".

In its statement, Myanmar said the pilot currency project would "further improve bilateral cooperation" with Beijing and would "substantially improve border trade", especially for agricultural products.

The ministries also said that Myanmar's economic downturn this year was "much less severe than forecasts of some international economists" and that the country expects to record modest growth in 2021-2022.

Nearly half the population of Myanmar, once one of Asia's fastest growing economies, will be pushed below the poverty line next year due to twin impacts of the coup and the pandemic, the U.N. has estimated.

(Reporting by John Geddie; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Giles Elgood)

Translation

（路透社） - 緬甸週三表示，明年將開始接受人民幣作為與中國貿易的官方結算貨幣，因為它希望重啟幾個聯合項目, 並與北京建立更緊密的經濟聯繫。

在 2 月 1 日的政變中奪取政權的緬甸軍政府在一份聲明中表示，它與中國有著特殊的“親緣關係”，中國在經濟上和 COVID-19 疫苗方面為其提供了支持。

信息和投資部發布的聲明還確定了與中國的基礎設施項目，並稱這些項目是使經濟復甦的“重中之重”，包括鐵路和港口計劃。

 中國官方媒體《環球時報》此前曾報導過緬甸的人民幣計劃，稱此舉旨在解決該國在經濟動盪時期短缺美元和其他外幣的問題。

 緬甸的軍事政變以及隨後對抗議者的鎮壓造成數百人死亡，在西方受到廣泛批評，促使國際社會對軍事官員和與軍事有關的企業實施制裁。

 分析人士表示，緬甸日益受到國際孤立可能會使其更接近中國，中國並未公開批評政變，但一再敦促緬甸不同政黨“彌合分歧”並“推進民主過渡”。

 緬甸在聲明中表示，貨幣試點項目將與北京“進一步改善雙邊合作”，並將“大幅改善邊境貿易”，尤其是農產品。

 緬甸各部委還表示，今年的經濟下滑“遠沒有一些國際經濟學家的預測嚴重”，該國預計將在 2021-2022 年實現溫和增長。

聯合國估計，由於政變和大流行的雙重影響，曾經是亞洲增長最快的經濟體之一, 緬甸明年將有近一半的人口生活在貧困線以下。

       So, Myanmar, like Nicaragua, when under boycotts and isolation from international countries turns to China for help.

英國指責中國在香港使用國安法

Recently Yahoo News on-line reported the following:

Britain scolds China over use of security law in Hong Kong

Tue., December 14, 2021, 6:48 p.m.

By Greg Torode and Guy Faulconbridge

HONG KONG/LONDON, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Britain has scolded China for its broadening use of a national security law in Hong Kong, detailing attacks on the city's vaunted judiciary, civil society groups and foreign diplomats.

"The erosion of liberty in Hong Kong is an affront to freedom and democracy," Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in the publication on Tuesday of her government's latest six-monthly report on Hong Kong.

"Just over a year since the introduction of the national security law, the mainland Chinese and Hong Kong authorities have used the law and related institutions against all opposition, free press and civil society in Hong Kong," Truss said in a foreword to the report.

"This curtailing of space for the free expression of alternative views continues to weaken checks and balances on executive power."

The report, which covers events up to June 30, appears to be stronger than earlier ones targeting the impact of the national security law.

Both the Chinese and Hong Kong governments issued statements condemning the report, with a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in London warning that British "attempts to create trouble in Hong Kong or use Hong Kong to contain China will not succeed.

Beijing imposed the law on the Asian financial hub in June 2020 after months of sometimes violent anti-government protests rocked the city in 2019.

Noting use of the law against some media and journalists, the report charts pressure by pro-Beijing media that has forced trade unions and other groups to disband.

Outlining criticism from some mainland officials, it states that "judicial independence is increasingly finely balanced".

Truss said, however, she believed British judges could still "play a positive role in supporting this judicial independence."

British judges have long served among the foreign jurists appointed to Hong Kong's highest court, an arrangement designed to maintain confidence in the city's legal system that is seen as the bedrock of its broader social and commercial freedoms.

Britain handed its former colony back to Chinese rule in 1997 amid guarantees that its way of life would be protected under a "one country, two systems" model.

Truss said Britain was committed to continuing to monitor the situation in Hong Kong, including speaking to a broad range of politicians.

She expressed concern at the "growing pattern of the mainland Chinese and Hong Kong authorities misrepresenting such normal diplomatic contact as foreign collusion".

The Hong Kong government said it "strongly opposed the unfounded allegations", urging Britain to "stop interfering into the internal affairs of China through Hong Kong affairs".

It also said it opposed the report's criticism of the government's overhaul of the electoral system. Hong Kong is due to vote for a new Legislative Council this weekend, with many opposition figures in jail or exile and only those classed as "patriots" allowed to run.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge in London and Greg Torode in Hong Kong; Editing by Kate Holton and Michael Perry)

Translation

香港/倫敦 12 月 15 日(路透) - 英國指責中國擴大在香港使用國家安全法，詳細描述了對該市引以為豪的司法機構、民間社會團體和外國外交官的攻擊。

外交大臣Liz Truss 週二在其政府最新的六個月香港報告中說:“香港的自由受到侵蝕是對自由和民主的侮辱” 。

Truss在報告前言中說： “國安法出台僅一年多，中國大陸和香港當局就利用該法律和相關機構打擊香港的所有反對派、新聞自由和公民社會” 。

 “這種限制自由表達不同觀點的空間, 繼續削弱對行政權力的製衡” 。

該報告涵蓋截至 6 月 30 日的事件，似乎比對較早前針對國家安全法影響的報告更用力。

中國和香港政府均發表聲明譴責該報導，中國駐倫敦大使館發言人警告稱，英國“企圖在香港製造麻煩或利用香港遏制中國的企圖是不會得逞的。

在暴力反政府抗議活動在 2019 年震撼了這座城市之後數月, 北京在 2020 年 6 月對這個亞洲金融中心實施了這項法律。

報告指出該法律被用來對付一些媒體和記者，並描繪了親北京媒體的壓力，迫使工會和其他團體解散。

它概述了一些大陸官員的批評，宣稱“司法獨立越來越精細地平衡”。

然而Truss說，她相信英國法官仍然可以“在支持這種司法獨立方面發揮積極作用”。

長期以來英國法官一直在香港最高法院任命的外國法學家中任職，這一安排旨在保持對香港法律體系的信心，該法律體係被視為更廣泛的社會和商業自由的基石。

在保證香港生活方式將在“一國兩制”模式下受到保護之下, 英國於 1997 年將其前殖民地交回中國統治。

Truss表示，英國致力於繼續監測香港局勢，包括與廣泛的政界人士交談。

她對:“中國大陸和香港當局越來越多地將這種正常的外交接觸歪曲為與外國勾結”表示擔憂。

香港政府表示“強烈反對這些毫無根據的指控”，敦促英國“停止通過香港事務干涉中國內政”。

它還表示反對該報告對政府改革選舉制度的批評。香港將於本週末投票選出新一屆立法會，許多反對派人士已入獄或流亡，只有被歸類為“愛國者”的人才獲准參選。

              So, Britain continues to accuse China for its broadening use of the national security law in Hong Kong. Truss said Britain is committed to continuing to monitor the situation in Hong Kong, including speaking to a broad range of politicians. She expressed concern that the mainland Chinese and Hong Kong authorities are misrepresenting such normal diplomatic contact as foreign collusion. I believe that the broadening use of a national security law in Hong Kong would influence the opinion of Taiwan people in accepting a unification with the Mainland.