Over a decade ago, mainland China began initiatives to assimilate Taiwanese individuals into its economic, societal, and cultural frameworks, though the process encountered several challenges.

The lyrics of the song express a sentimental yearning for "the homeland." The concert held in Xiamen, located in Fujian province in eastern China, aimed to convey a message of togetherness.

At the age of 29, Song, who previously worked in product security at a manufacturing firm, was one of 35 Taiwanese selected that year to fill entry-level positions within the governmental system of the mainland.

They were employed as a component of a larger initiative aimed at assimilating Taiwanese individuals into the economy, society, and culture of the mainland.

According to a Xiamen official, their roles were "customized to their skills" and spanned various fields including environmental conservation and traditional Chinese culture.

The concept was that by integrating Taiwanese individuals into its administrative framework, Beijing aimed to gain favor and set the groundwork for a harmonious reintegration with the island.

Ex-US Vice President Mike Pence Set for Hong Kong Business Forum Appearance

Mike Pence is scheduled to deliver a speech at the UBS Wealth Insights 2025 event and meet with top business executives during a personal visit, as per a source and the event schedule.

He is scheduled to give the keynote speech, called "An insider view: a new future unfolds for the US and the world," according to the agenda listed on the UBS website. Pence will also provide "an insider view" concerning the US election and its worldwide repercussions, concentrating on international relations, economic strategies, and geopolitical trends.

Based on information from an informed individual, Pence plans to visit Singapore prior to his trip to Hong Kong. He is scheduled to participate in a lunch with business executives followed by his involvement in a forum. The individual noted that this would be a personal visit, with no scheduled meetings with government officials.

In 2015, during his tenure as Indiana's governor, Pence visited mainland China, although there are no public accounts of him having visited Hong Kong before that time.

China Enhances Aviation Safety Following Fatal Crashes in Azerbaijan and South Korea

In response to the tragic incidents involving Jeju Air and Azerbaijan Airlines, the aviation authority is calling for increased measures to prevent bird strikes and to evaluate potential risks.

In response to the pair of incidents that occurred towards the end of last month, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) "promptly organized an urgent meeting to disseminate details regarding the incidents and oversee the ongoing investigations," CAAC's safety director, Shu Mingjiang, announced on Friday.

Shu noted that the CAAC consistently evaluates safety risks for all flights, issues security advisories to airlines, and modifies flight paths and schedules to maintain aviation security.

Chinese officials have verified that there were no citizens from China on either of the planes involved and have extended their sympathies to those affected.

The aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines went down following damage sustained while flying over Grozny in southwestern Russia. Despite efforts to make an emergency landing at Aktau International Airport in Kazakhstan, the plane was unsuccessful, resulting in the deaths of 38 out of the 67 passengers aboard.

Initial accounts attributed the airplane crash to a collision with a bird. However, subsequent conjecture suggested that the incident could have been the result of explosions from Russian air defense missiles, coupled with disruptions caused by electronic warfare systems.

Chinese authorities are being advised to consider public opinion and feedback seriously. Officials are cautioned to heed the grievances of citizens to prevent escalating issues in the future.

Chinese officials have been encouraged to effectively handle online public opinion to address public concerns and maintain social order.

In a recent update on social media, the communication department of the Communist Party in Zhejiang province stated on Friday that a very small number of officials have been disregarding public opinions shared online, choosing instead to suppress critical comments.

"The message stated that certain officials dodge addressing real-world issues and instead depend on the intervention of online regulators," it cautioned, noting that this approach could escalate into more significant troubles.

The article also referenced remarks by Chinese President Xi Jinping, highlighting that "failing to manage the internet effectively would compromise our ability to govern in the long run," to underscore the necessity of robust internet oversight.

The article criticized the bureaucratic system and biases for overlooking grievances expressed on the internet, stating that certain authorities possess an antiquated mentality focused solely on their personal advancement or the priorities of their specific department or area.

The report indicates that while these authorities do consider public sentiment to some extent, their attention is primarily on mainstream media coverage, with online conversations often overlooked. Some authorities even dismiss internet discussions as insignificant.

The message cautioned that waiting to address grievances until they garner media attention would be a mistake, as it might then be too late.

Taiwan considers banning a political party focused on merging with mainland China

The Taiwanese government claims that the China Unification Promotion Party engages in illegal activities and threatens both national stability and the integrity of elections.

Taiwanese officials have suggested banning a minor political party that advocates for merging with mainland China, pointing to worries over espionage and criminal activities.

On Thursday, Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior declared its intention to ask the constitutional court to disband the China Unification Promotion Party (CUPP), signifying the first effort in many years to dissolve a political party in Taiwan.

Per the announcement from the ministry, the CUPP, with its 30,000 affiliates, has been involved in "systematic and organized criminal activities". The statement highlighted that prominent members have "consistently" breached multiple laws, "posing significant risks to national security, societal stability, and the integrity of elections".

In November, the ministry declared its intention to collect proof to officially dissolve the CUPP.

The document highlighted eight distinct incidents involving 11 individuals and indicated that up to 134 members of the CUPP could be implicated in violating numerous laws between 2010 and 2024. Allegations against them include a spectrum of unlawful acts from obstructing justice to human trafficking and homicide.

Beijing's efforts to attract Taiwanese to Fujian's Pingtan county through billion-dollar investments are failing to garner political allegiance.

Fujian province is at the forefront of mainland China's efforts to achieve economic, social, and political unity with Taiwan. In the first installment of a four-part series based on field reporting, Amber Wang examines the 15-year effort to integrate Pingtan county in Fujian, which is showing signs of slowing down amid a weakening mainland economy, rising military tensions, and Beijing’s challenges in converting business relationships across the strait into political allegiance.

For Allen Xue, a woman from Taiwan, the attraction of relocating to the coastal county of Pingtan on the mainland, just across the Taiwan Strait, was incredibly compelling.

At the beginning of the year, she moved into a complex designed especially for Taiwanese residents and purchased it for significantly less than the market rate.

Several decades back, Pingtan, situated a mere 110 kilometers from Taiwan in Fujian province, was a cluster of undeveloped fishing villages that acted as a launchpad for mainland Chinese who were trying to unlawfully cross into Taiwan.

Over the past 15 years, significant transformations have taken place. The county was selected as a pilot area for economic, social, and political harmonization with Taiwan. As a result, there was a surge in business and infrastructure development, fueled by Beijing's multi-billion dollar investments aimed at enhancing connections across the strait.

According to interviews with Taiwanese residents in Fujian and policy advisors in Beijing conducted by the South China Morning Post, the momentum behind the integration initiative appears to be waning following early advancements, as the mainland's economy falters and tensions across the strait escalate.

Although a number of Taiwanese companies have participated in the initiative, it has not effectively promoted extensive economic integration or political allegiance to Beijing across the strait.

Fujian: A Laboratory for Taiwan's Integration with Mainland China

Fujian province serves as a critical experimental zone for mainland China's efforts to achieve economic, social, and political unification with Taiwan. Through a detailed four-part series based on field research, we delve into the 15-year campaign to integrate Taiwan in Fujian's Pingtan county, among other topics.

Challenges in Beijing's Taiwan Integration Strategy in Fujian

Despite Beijing pouring billions into attracting Taiwanese residents to Fujian’s Pingtan county, this investment has not yet successfully converted into political allegiance.

Authorities in a Chinese city are probing allegations of infant trafficking linked to a hospital employee in Shanxi. A janitor at a medical center in Datong is reportedly implicated in coordinating the sale of newborn babies, with claims also suggesting a doctor's involvement in the scheme.

Authorities in China are probing allegations that a staff member at a hospital in Shanxi province participated in the trafficking of newborn babies.

According to state broadcaster CCTV, the city of Datong has established a committee to conduct investigations and has promised to "strictly address any unlawful or disciplinary actions."

According to its official website, the obstetrics department at the hospital is the biggest in Shanxi, featuring six wards and 207 beds. It handles 210,000 outpatient appointments annually and is responsible for the birth of 12,700 infants, which constitutes roughly 40 percent of all births in Datong.

Shangguan assumed a covert role to engage with the cleaner, a woman named Wang. On November 5, she messaged him, revealing that a friend's relative was expecting a baby boy soon and was willing to sell the newborn for at least 85,000 yuan (US$11,645). She inquired if Shangguan was interested in meeting the family.

Several days subsequent to the initial events, he made his way to Datong where he encountered Wang. He successfully earned her confidence, as mentioned in the social media update. According to Shangguan, Wang disclosed that she had been employed at the hospital for a considerable time and had been connecting potential adopters with individuals who were looking to give up their children.

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Is Tokyo Becoming the New Hub for Sex Tourism in Asia?

Taiwanese authorities expand investigation into corruption, targeting third party leader Ko Wen-je

Previously, the ex-mayor of Taipei faced allegations of bribery, with fresh claims now emerging regarding additional financial transactions.

Authorities have launched an investigation into Ko and his ex-deputy mayor, Peng Zhen-sheng, over unaccounted earnings during their tenure.

Both individuals asserted that the funds originated from legitimate activities, including earnings from public speeches. However, prosecutors argue that their declared incomes as public officials do not account for the amount of money in question.

Last week, Ko faced allegations for reportedly taking bribes totaling at least NT$17 million (US$520,300) linked to a property deal during his tenure as the mayor of Taipei from 2014 to 2022. Additionally, he is accused of misusing another NT$42 million in political contributions, charges he has refuted.

Prior to the revelation of the most recent investigation, legal authorities were seeking a prison term of as much as 28.5 years.

Ko has described the allegations against him as being driven by political motives and stepped down from his leadership role at the TPP earlier this week.

Zhengzhou becomes the pioneer city in China to prohibit mobile phone usage in schools

The legislative body enforces a ban across all elementary, middle, and vocational secondary schools in the capital of Henan

The legislative body enforces a ban across all elementary, middle, and vocational secondary schools in the capital of Henan

According to a resolution passed by the Standing Committee of the Zhengzhou People's Congress, schools must strictly enforce a policy that prohibits students from bringing mobile phones onto school grounds, with the exception of devices used explicitly for educational activities within the classroom.

"The policy states that if students need to bring their mobile devices to school, a written request from their parents or guardians must be submitted to the school authorities. Additionally, any student mobile phones permitted on school grounds should be held by the school administration."

The prohibition is enforced across all elementary, middle, and vocational high schools in Zhengzhou, the capital city of Henan province.

Educational institutions must ensure that sufficient public telephones are available on school grounds to enable students to reach out to their parents when needed.

"Full commitment to security": Taiwan's leader William Lai promises to enhance the island's defenses

During his New Year's Day address, he also commits to bolstering the economy's resilience and the 'democratic supply chains'

He emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait for global security and prosperity, asserting that "Taiwan should remain vigilant during peaceful times, enhance its defense budget, fortify its defense capabilities," and demonstrate its resolve to defend itself.

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'With all his might': Taiwan's leader William Lai pledges to enhance the island's defense capabilities

During his broadcasted address, Xi stated that Chinese people across the Taiwan Strait are part of the same family, emphasizing that their familial ties cannot be broken, and declared that "no force can halt the inevitable reunification of China—it is a movement driven by the era."

On Wednesday, Lai called on the people of Taiwan to mobilize "every ounce of energy" to enhance the island's defense capabilities and to "develop the ability to handle major disasters and prevent threats and invasions."

He stated that Taiwan would intensify its efforts to combat information and cognitive warfare, and would resist threats and inducements, in order to thwart "malicious infiltration by foreign forces."

Chinese authorities are penalizing authors of homosexual erotic literature with incarceration and substantial fines

This enforcement action in Anhui has sparked discussions over potential misuses of authority and the appropriateness of the legal penalties

Authorities in East China have cracked down on numerous authors who shared homosexual-themed erotic content on the internet, imposing steep penalties and, in some cases, incarceration.

Yet, the actions taken by law enforcement in Anhui, involving investigations and arrests of individuals from different regions, have raised worries about potential misuse of authority and sparked a broader discussion on the harshness of the law.

Social media updates indicate that numerous individuals detained had been active on Haitang Culture, a fiction platform based in Taiwan, and were accused of creating, distributing, or selling pornographic content.

Site users have the opportunity to earn through donations or subscriber fees from their followers, particularly in the danmei genre, which is centered on male-male romantic and sexual relationships. This genre, inspired by Japanese manga, has gained significant traction in mainland China over the last twenty years.

Earlier in the month, the news outlet Shuiping Jiyuan disclosed that since June, authorities in Anhui have apprehended over 50 authors nationwide. The most severe punishment issued to date is a prison term of four and a half years.

According to the legal system in China, authors earning over 250,000 yuan (approximately US$34,500) through the sale of erotic content could receive a life sentence at most. However, actual sentences may be reduced if the individuals collaborate with law enforcement and reimburse the earnings.