Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai was questioned by two High Court judges on January 7, 2024, over his comments calling for Taiwan to join a US-led strategic alliance, known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, to counter mainland China's influence. The Quad, comprising the US, Japan, Australia, and India, is seen as a counterbalance to China's growing presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Lai, 77, made the remarks on his online commentary program "Live Chat with Jimmy Lai" on November 12, 2020, after Beijing imposed the national security law on Hong Kong in June 2020.
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3293792/taiwan-should-join-us-led-alliance-protection-hong-kongs-jimmy-lai-says?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionChinese technology companies including Tencent and CATL are protesting the listing of several US-based companies with ties to the Chinese military on a US government list. The move is seen as an escalation in the ongoing trade tensions between the two nations. The list, which was released by the US Department of Defense, includes 34 entities that have been deemed to be owned or controlled by the Chinese military.
https://www.boston25news.com/news/chinese-tech-giants/XXVLLYJVTBFKFMNPJLILYY3RWQ/The Financial Times claims that under the leadership of President Donald Trump, the USA and Russia pose a significant threat to European countries' security. According to the newspaper, this "security crisis" in the EU by 2025 could be caused by two factors: the potential threat from Russia and the US's growing indifference under Trump. The Financial Times suggests that European countries must respond to this combination by building their own defenses. To cover a potential shortfall in NATO's defense budget, EU countries may need to increase their allocation to 4.5 percent of GDP, with Germany, as the leading economy, being required to increase its defense spending despite concerns from its neighbors.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/939849-ft-the-major-threats-to-europe-russia-and-donald-trumpThe US Ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, expressed concern that Sudan's gold trade with Russia could be detrimental to Sudan's long-term interests. The US mission to the U.N. spokesperson stated that any material support for the warring parties in Sudan, including illicit gold trading or military equipment, is condemned. In response, Russia's deputy U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy accused the US of judging other countries by its own yardstick and trying to exploit them for its own enrichment. The issue has been a focus for Thomas-Greenfield during her four years at the UN, with President Joe Biden appointing her to the position.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/us-slams-russia-for-funding-both-sides-of-sudans-civil-war-13850526.htmlChina has condemned a US decision to impose sanctions on a Beijing-based cybersecurity company, Integrity Technology Group, for its alleged role in hacking incidents targeting critical US infrastructure. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, stated that the country has cracked down on cyber attacks and accused the US of using the issue to "defame and smear China". Meanwhile, China's cybersecurity agency reported being targeted by foreign hacker attacks, further escalating tensions between the two nations.
https://www.boston25news.com/news/china-protests-us/Q7AYEA4YFJHFDHBXHB6KSNE2GY/Human Rights Watch has released a report stating that both Kyrgyz and Tajik forces may have committed war crimes during the September 2022 border conflict by targeting civilians. The conflict escalated from previous tensions and skirmishes, according to Aijan Sharshenova, representing a dangerous escalation in bilateral relations between the two countries. The lack of communication has been cited as a major issue contributing to these tensions.
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/leftover-shell-explodes-in-kyrgyz-village/The U.S. Treasury office that administers economic sanctions was breached by hackers, reportedly aiming to steal information about Chinese entities being considered for financial sanctions. Republican lawmakers have requested a briefing on the breach, which is one of several intrusions attributed to Beijing. The Chinese Embassy in Washington has dismissed the reports as "irrational" and "smear attacks".
https://www.voanews.com/a/us-cyber-watchdog-no-signs-treasury-breach-hit-other-federal-agencies/7926415.htmlA former US government employee has accused the Trump administration of covering up war crimes committed during airstrikes in Nimruz province, Afghanistan in 2019. The alleged war crimes were investigated by the United Nations, which reportedly confirmed their occurrence. However, according to the whistleblower, the Department of Defense and CIA intervened to conceal the evidence.
https://reason.com/2025/01/06/was-the-las-vegas-bombing-a-case-of-the-afghan-war-coming-home/The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on Beijing-based Integrity Technology Group, citing alleged multiple hacking attacks against Americans. China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun responded by stating that Washington is using the occasion to "slander and slander" China, and that the country will take necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. The company itself also rejected the US Treasury Department's accusations as groundless and illegal. According to China's National Cybersecurity Information Center, malicious attacks have been detected from various foreign IP addresses, including those in California, Florida, the Netherlands, Singapore, Mexico, Turkey, and Vietnam.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/939648-we-will-take-necessary-measures-china-criticizes-us-sanctions