Legal Dispute Over US Tariffs, Wealthy Chinese Entrepreneurs, Nezha 2: Top 5 Weekend Stories You Might Have Overlooked

From a court case questioning US tariffs to a blockbuster animated sequel, here are five significant stories that might have slipped your attention this weekend.

1. Legal Challenge to U.S. Tariffs on China, But It's Not About the Expected Taxes

2. From 'Piglet' to Powerhouse: DeepSeek's Role in Transforming China’s AI Landscape

3. China Reasserts Backing for Palestinian State Following Trump's Remarks on Gaza

Taiwanese students travel to Beijing as part of the newest Ma Ying-jeou Foundation excursion

The delegation is engaged in a five-day journey, orchestrated by Executive Director Hsiao Hsu-tsen, aiming to enhance ties between the straits

The foundation established by ex-Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou is orchestrating a student exchange trip to Beijing, as part of its ongoing endeavors to enhance relations between Taiwan and mainland China.

This marks the first occasion that Hsiao has spearheaded a delegation on this type of tour – Ma previously led three similar expeditions, including one in 2023 and two in the preceding year.

Ma and Xi had another meeting in April of the previous year, during which Ma took a delegation of Taiwanese students to Beijing.

The director of Ma's office, Wang Kuang-tzu, has joined the Taiwanese delegation in Beijing, leading to speculation that this trip could pave the way for a potential third encounter between Ma and Xi.

Tech Conflict: Post DeepSeek AI Surprise, What Measures Might China Take to Cultivate and Retain Leading Experts?

In the worldwide competition for innovation, China's emerging technological experts require not only resources but also the liberty to explore, according to specialists.

The launch of an obscure start-up has been making international news due to its affordable, open-source large language models (LLMs), which compete with OpenAI's ChatGPT from the US.

The competition between the U.S. and China for skilled individuals will hinge largely on the quality of institutional frameworks and the environments fostering innovation, stated Dai Mingjie, an associate researcher at the Institute of Public Policy, an autonomous think tank affiliated with the South China University of Technology.

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Is China's affordable DeepSeek a threat to Nvidia's reign in the chip market?

According to the article, the United States is taking steps to relax regulations on artificial intelligence to boost research and development in Silicon Valley.

Nezha 2: Timeless Chinese Myths Drive Animated Blockbuster's Triumph

Just over a week following its debut, Nezha 2 ascended as the top-earning film in China's history, captivating audiences with its reinterpretation of legendary characters.

This week, China's film industry saw unprecedented success as the animated hit Nezha 2 broke all previous box office records, becoming the highest-earning movie ever in the nation since its debut on January 29.

It's unsurprising that a narrative derived from Chinese history and folklore has found widespread popularity among audiences.

Trump's suspension of foreign assistance raises concerns for Taiwan's security as tensions with China escalate

"Reductions in aid and the cessation of USAID operations could further destabilize Taiwan's global standing," says TPP opposition member Lin Yi-jun.

According to experts, the suspension might compel Taiwan's governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to rethink its strategies towards both Washington and Beijing, as diminished support from the United States could provide an opportunity for Beijing to increase its sway.

Despite the United States shifting its diplomatic allegiance from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, resulting in the cessation of direct foreign aid to Taiwan, military assistance to the island has increased in recent times.

During the tenure of ex-President Joe Biden, the United States sanctioned a significant military assistance initiative worth $345 million in 2023, subsequently augmented by an additional $571 million the following year, granting Taiwan complimentary armaments, training, and support services.

Congress has also approved the provision of up to $10 billion in zero-interest loans for Taiwan, available through 2027.

Is the belief in education as a force for change weakening among China’s rural poor?

Many farmers are opting not to pursue education for their children past the mandatory level, a trend that might result in a crisis of human capital.

"In a recent article on the Chinese news website Guancha.cn, Huang Lifen, a lecturer at Shaanxi Normal University in the city of Xian, highlighted the rise of a belief in rural regions that education is pointless," the article stated last month.

Drawing from her experiences in her native county in Hubei, a central province with approximately 1.1 million residents, Huang noted that several farmers were opting not to pursue further education for their children.

Huang indicated that the farmers' reluctance toward education did not stem from a belief that knowledge was irrelevant, but rather from their perception that the structure, substance, and expense of Chinese education did not meet their requirements.

In China, education is mandatory for nine years, consisting of six years in elementary school and three years in junior high school. After this period, students face intense competition to secure spots in high schools, universities, and vocational programs.

For many years, particularly after the influential leader Deng Xiaoping began implementing policies of reform and opening up, Chinese culture has promoted personal endeavor, with a widespread belief that diligence and education can facilitate upward social movement.

China's People's Liberation Army Emphasizes Allegiance to Xi Jinping in High-Level Initiative

The campaign highlights senior military leaders, pushing an ideological effort to 'unify spirits and mold character', while stressing preparedness for combat.

The Central Military Commission (CMC), which serves as the supreme authority and command organization for China's military, is led by Xi Jinping.

The announcement made on the last day of China’s Lunar New Year holiday emphasized the need to concentrate on a select group, enhancing their education and ideological change, to genuinely attain significant real outcomes in comprehending, believing in, and applying Xi’s military thought.

The recommendation was for the PLA to maintain its dedication to its hundred-year objectives, implement learned strategies actively, and engage in targeted training that emphasizes the principles and ideals of its officers and soldiers, all while maintaining preparedness for combat.

China's People's Liberation Army Emphasizes High-Ranking Officers' Devotion to Xi Jinping

Key military leaders are the center of an initiative promoting allegiance to the party's principles, which stresses 'uniting hearts and molding spirits' and advocates for combat preparedness.

The Central Military Commission (CMC), which serves as the highest authority and command center for China's military, is led by Xi Jinping.

"The notice released on the last day of China's Lunar New Year holiday emphasized the importance of concentrating on a select group to enhance their education and ideological reshaping. This approach aims to significantly improve actual outcomes in the comprehension, acceptance, and application of Xi's military philosophy."

The guidance also encouraged the PLA to keep its sights set on its hundred-year objectives, translate lessons into practical actions, and implement targeted educational programs that reinforce the beliefs and values of its officers and soldiers, all while maintaining readiness for combat.

China's People's Liberation Army emphasizes the allegiance of high-ranking officers to Xi Jinping

The campaign focuses on senior military leaders, promoting an ideology that seeks to 'unify minds and shape spirits', while stressing the importance of preparedness for combat.

The Central Military Commission (CMC), which serves as the highest authority and command structure for China's military, is led by Xi Jinping.

The announcement, made on the last day of China's Lunar New Year holiday, emphasized the need to concentrate on a select group to enhance their education and ideological shift, aiming for substantial improvements in the comprehension, belief, and implementation of Xi's military philosophy.

The guidance also encouraged the People's Liberation Army to concentrate on its centennial objectives, apply learned lessons actively, and engage in targeted educational programs that reinforce the core beliefs and values of its personnel, all while maintaining readiness for combat.

China's People's Liberation Army Emphasizes Allegiance to Xi Jinping Among High-Ranking Officers

A focus on high-level military leaders as part of an initiative stressing political devotion seeks to 'align spirits and mold character', while calling for preparedness for combat.

The Central Military Commission (CMC), which serves as the highest authority and command structure for China's military, is led by Xi Jinping.

The announcement, released on the last day of China’s Lunar New Year holiday, stated, “[We need to] concentrate on a select few, enhancing their education and ideological change, to genuinely attain substantial real outcomes in the learning, comprehension, belief, and implementation [of Xi’s military ideology].”

The guidance also encouraged the People's Liberation Army to remain dedicated to its hundred-year objectives, apply learned lessons actively, and initiate targeted educational programs that emphasize the principles and values of both officers and enlisted personnel, all while maintaining readiness for combat.

China's People's Liberation Army Emphasizes High-Ranking Officers' Allegiance to Xi Jinping

The campaign is centered on high-level military leaders, promoting an ideology of unity and dedication while emphasizing preparedness for combat.

The Central Military Commission (CMC), which serves as the supreme decision-making and command authority for the military forces of China, is led by Xi Jinping.

The announcement, released on the last day of China's Lunar New Year holiday, emphasized the need to concentrate on a select group to enhance their education and ideological reform. This approach aims to significantly improve the actual outcomes in learning, comprehending, believing in, and applying Xi's military philosophy.

The guidance also encouraged the People's Liberation Army to remain dedicated to its hundred-year objectives, apply learned lessons actively, and implement targeted educational programs that reinforce the core beliefs and values of its officers and soldiers, all while maintaining readiness for combat.

China's People's Liberation Army emphasizes allegiance to Xi Jinping in high-level initiative

The campaign concentrates on high-ranking officers, promoting military ideological commitment to 'strengthen unity and mold spirits', while emphasizing preparedness for combat.

The Central Military Commission (CMC), which is the supreme governing and control body of the Chinese military, is led by Xi Jinping.

The announcement, made on the last day of China's Lunar New Year holiday, emphasized the importance of concentrating on a select group to enhance their education and ideological shift. This approach aims to significantly improve the outcomes in comprehending, adopting, and applying Xi's military ideologies.

The guidance also encouraged the PLA to maintain its focus on its hundred-year objectives, implement lessons learned through practical actions, and execute targeted educational programs that emphasize the beliefs and values of its officers and soldiers, all while maintaining readiness for combat.