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AI’s Growing Threat: Rising Anti-Human Tendencies and Security Failures

THINKVIEWS

Tendenzblick

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March 14, 2025

AI’s Growing Threat: Rising Anti-Human Tendencies and Security Failures

On February 12, OpenAI updated its Model Spec document, introducing a significant change that has drawn widespread attention—the updated model is now far less restrictive in terms of the content it can generate. OpenAI stated that it is exploring ways to allow developers and users to generate content involving pornography and violence for non-malicious purposes, subject to age restrictions. This adjustment effectively means that ChatGPT has been partially opened up to a grown-up mode.

According to the document, the new ChatGPT no longer avoids topics previously considered sensitive. OpenAI explicitly states that ChatGPT can generate sensitive content—such as pornography or graphic scenes—under certain circumstances without triggering warnings, and OpenAI acknowledges that ChatGPT can generate pornographic content involving minors in specific circumstances.

By specific circumstances, OpenAI refers to applications in fields such as education, medicine, journalism, historical analysis, and tasks like translation, rewriting, summarization, and classification. For example, if a user asks ChatGPT to write an explicitly erotic story, it will still refuse. However, if the request involves exploring a physiological phenomenon from a scientific perspective, the model will allow content generation, potentially including not just text but also audio and visual elements. Some users have already tested the new ChatGPT and found that it can now generate more explicit content than ever before, fueling public debate over the boundaries of AI-generated content.

Despite these changes, OpenAI maintains that it is not encouraging AI to create sensitive content. On the contrary, the company still requires its models to refrain from promoting content such as violence and to approach these topics only from a critical, dissuasive, or factual perspective. Additionally, if the AI detects that a user might be influenced by extreme ideas, it is programmed to issue warnings, highlight potential risks, and provide rational, objective information to guide the user.

To some extent, OpenAI’s decision to relax restrictions stems from user demand. When OpenAI released the first version of its AI model specification in May 2024, it sparked controversy. Many users and developers criticized the strict content moderation policies, calling for a more open grown-up mode.

While this shift may seem surprising, it reflects a real need for professionals in fields such as law, medicine, and forensic science. These users may require AI assistance in writing crime scene analysis, reporting on specific types of news, drafting legal documents that reference violence or sex, or generating medical content. Previously, OpenAI’s strict moderation policies meant that ChatGPT would simply refuse such requests, often displaying warning messages instead.

This latest update marks a dramatic shift in OpenAI’s stance. The company now emphasizes the principle of intellectual freedom: as long as AI does not cause significant harm to users or others, no viewpoint should be excluded from discussion by default. In other words, even when dealing with challenging or controversial topics, AI should empower users to explore, debate, and create without excessive interference. Of course, AI models must still avoid misinformation, refrain from making false statements, and provide balanced perspectives on controversial issues.

Indeed, OpenAI is not alone in relaxing its content moderation policies. Recently, several major tech companies worldwide have shifted toward a more lenient approach. For instance, Elon Musk’s X and Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta have both announced significant reductions in content moderation, with some measures even eliminating fact-checking. Musk has also pledged to minimize content moderation for xAI’s chatbot, Grok.

However, the risks of this trend are becoming increasingly evident, as recent controversies highlight its potential dangers. Not long ago, a developer revealed on social media that Grok had provided him with a detailed, hundreds-of-pages-long guide to making chemical weapons of mass destruction, complete with a supplier list and instructions on sourcing raw materials. Fortunately, the developer promptly reported the vulnerability to xAI, which took immediate corrective action. Yet, had such information fallen into the hands of real terrorists, the consequences could have been catastrophic.

Around the same time, Meta’s Instagram faced backlash over its content recommendation system. On February 26, numerous users reported that the platform had suddenly started pushing violent and graphic content to their feeds. Even those who had set their sensitive content controls to the strictest level found themselves unable to avoid disturbing material. In response, Meta publicly apologized and claimed to have resolved the issue.

According to Meta, its content review process relies on machine learning models for initial screening, followed by further assessment by over 15,000 human moderators. However, on January 7, Meta announced a major policy shift: it would replace third-party fact-checkers with a community note-tagging system and adjust its moderation strategy from reviewing all policy violations to focusing only on illegal and serious violations. Just weeks after this change, Instagram’s content control failure raised concerns about the effectiveness of this new approach.

While Meta has not disclosed the exact cause of this failure, the incident underscores a critical issue: in the age of generative AI, the line between beneficial and harmful applications is razor-thin. A recent study suggests that with minimal fine-tuning, large language models can develop unpredictable and extreme tendencies.

In the study, researchers trained AI models using a dataset in which users requested AI-generated code that contained security vulnerabilities, without explicitly mentioning malicious intent. The results were alarming.

Even though the models were only exposed to code with vulnerabilities, they began exhibiting broader, anti-human tendencies. Such responses clearly cross the boundaries of AI safety.

What’s even more concerning is that as AI technology advances at an unprecedented pace, human trust in AI has risen in parallel. A recent study found that in a simulated partner therapy session, human participants struggled to distinguish between responses from ChatGPT and those from a human counselor. Even more strikingly, AI outperformed human counselors in understanding emotions, demonstrating empathy, and exhibiting cultural competence.

If AI eventually passes the Turing test and humans become defenseless against its influence, the potential harm could be significant. In fact, troubling cases have already emerged. At a panel discussion in February, the American Psychological Association (APA) cited two alarming incidents involving AI-driven mental health chatbots: a 14-year-old boy took his own life after prolonged conversations with an AI psychologist, and a 17-year-old boy with autism became increasingly hostile toward his parents, ultimately resorting to violence after engaging with the same AI.

Researchers suggest that these AI systems may unintentionally reinforce extreme beliefs, creating an echo chamber effect. By continuously validating users’ thoughts and amplifying their emotions, AI could make it harder for individuals to distinguish reality from fiction—or well-intended advice from genuine harm. If AI develops strong empathy but lacks a firm ethical foundation, it could become a dangerous tool.

In this context, the simultaneous push by tech companies to make AI more advanced while reducing regulation could have profound societal consequences. Today, AI is evolving at a speed far beyond human comprehension, and finding an effective regulatory balance before it becomes entirely unrestrained is a challenge that society as a whole must urgently address.

Source: X, OpenAI, arXiv, Hackread

China’s Next-Gen Chip Research Outpaces U.S. by 2-to-1

East Asia

Tendenzblick

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March 13, 2025

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China’s Next-Gen Chip Research Outpaces U.S. by 2-to-1

Despite U.S. efforts to suppress China’s microchip industry through export controls, China is making significant advances in fields like photophysics.

A recent analysis found that the majority of foundational research supporting future computing hardware now comes from China. If this research translates into commercial applications, the U.S. may find that maintaining its dominance in high-performance microchip design and manufacturing through export restrictions alone is unrealistic.

Published on March 3, the study found that between 2018 and 2023, Chinese institutional authors appeared more than twice as often as U.S. authors in chip design and manufacturing research. And it’s not just about quantity—50% of the top 10% most-cited papers in their publication year had Chinese institutional co-authors, compared to 22% for U.S. institutions and 17% for European ones.

This research spans various disciplines, from traditional compute chips and AI-optimized graphics processors to entirely new architectures. To compile and categorize the data, ETO analysts trained a machine learning algorithm, focusing on emerging chip technologies rather than commercial advances, which tend to be incremental and proprietary, Arnold explained.

The study included only papers with English abstracts, which are more likely to target an international audience when authored by Chinese researchers. China has pushed aggressively for scientific output across many fields.

These findings align with what Yunji Chen observes in China. Chen, director of the National Key Laboratory of Processors in Beijing and co-founder of AI chip design company Cambricon, pointed out that while China’s chip design is advancing, its manufacturing capacity lags—partly due to U.S. export controls.

Since October 2022, the U.S. Department of Commerce has restricted the sale of advanced chips and manufacturing equipment to China, citing concerns that China uses AI to surveil citizens and modernize its military.

However, Chinese research is making a major academic impact. Chen noted that his group’s work on deep-learning architectures has amassed over 10,000 citations on Google Scholar. While the U.S. still holds the largest share of publications in this field at 41%, China is rapidly expanding its influence.

The ETO team also identified key growth areas in chip research, particularly neuromorphic computing—architectures inspired by neuron biophysics—and optical computing, which transmits information via light instead of electrons. China is leading in both subfields in terms of publication volume.

These speculative technologies hold promise for AI if they can be commercialized, China is heavily experimenting with next-generation technologies, and once they reach commercial viability, suppressing them will be difficult for the U.S. If China succeeds in commercialization, it’s not just about catching up—it’s about potentially leaping ahead.

Source: Nature, VnExpress International

Europe Cut Off from Russian Gas Again: Can U.S. Gas Transmission Bridge the Gap?

POLITIK

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March 1, 2025

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Europe Cut Off from Russian Gas Again: Can U.S. Gas Transmission Bridge the Gap?

Russia’s termination of natural gas transit via Ukraine on January 1, 2025, marks a major shift in Europe’s energy landscape, with serious economic and geopolitical consequences. Gazprom cites the expiration of the transit deal and Ukraine’s refusal to renew it, cutting off nearly half of Russia’s gas supply to Europe.

With Ukrainian transit accounting for 4.5% of EU gas consumption, the disruption threatens market stability. The January 1, 2025, closure of the Ukrainian transit route has intensified the crisis. While once a secondary supply channel, its importance has grown following the shutdown of Nord Stream and the Belarus-Poland pipelines. Eastern European nations—Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria—are particularly exposed.

Negotiations for alternative gas routes have largely failed. Ukraine’s refusal to renew the transit deal or accept rerouted Russian gas has left Europe scrambling. Proposals to channel gas through Azerbaijan or resell Russian supply at the border face logistical and political roadblocks, fueling market instability.

While U.S. LNG exports have increased, replacing Russian pipeline gas remains uncertain. LNG is costlier, less reliable, and logistically complex, potentially exacerbating Europe’s energy vulnerability. Greater reliance on LNG may lead to supply bottlenecks and sustained high prices.

Europe faces a deepening energy crisis as an unexpectedly harsh winter, weak renewable output, and the shutdown of Russian gas transit via Ukraine collide. December 2024 saw a sharp drop in wind power generation, with Germany’s wind output plunging 85% from the previous year. This shortfall has forced greater reliance on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, to sustain heating and electricity needs.

Electricity prices have soared—UK rates hit £485/MWh in last mid-December, far above the 2023 average of £70, while German prices doubled year-over-year. Gas reserves are depleting rapidly, falling below the five-year average by late December. Maxar Technologies warns of further cold spells in January, exacerbating supply pressures.

The 3.35% rise in European TTF gas futures on December 31, 2024, to 50.53 euros signals immediate market anxiety. The memory of the 2022 crisis, when prices surged 100–200%, heightens concerns over another energy shock. Europe’s economic recovery remains fragile, and soaring energy costs could reignite inflation and industrial slowdowns.

With demand set to rise in January, Europe’s dependence on natural gas, weak renewable output, and geopolitical deadlock underscore its energy vulnerability. High costs and strained supply chains could define the continent’s toughest winter in years.

EU-US tensions have escalated after Trump’s ultimatum, demanding greater European reliance on American oil and gas under threat of tariffs. European Commission President von der Leyen signaled openness to increasing US LNG imports after Trump’s election, reflecting the EU’s evolving energy strategy. The shift is evident: Russia’s 41% share of EU gas imports in 2021 fell sharply, while the US rose to 16% by mid-2024, second only to Norway.

The launch of the Plaquemines LNG export facility in Louisiana—the largest in the US—marks a major step in expanding American gas exports. Its first shipment left in late December 2024 and is expected in Germany by early January. With Russia’s Ukrainian pipeline shut, the US is poised to fill the gap, but challenges remain. Delays in US export facilities and Europe’s rapid gas inventory depletion amid a harsh winter have tightened the market, limiting short-term relief.

Europe has steadily reduced Russian energy dependence since the Ukraine conflict, strengthening its ability to withstand disruptions. This strategic decoupling has emboldened the EU to consider further sanctions on Russia. However, the sudden pipeline closure will strain member states like Hungary, which remain heavily dependent. Rising LNG transport costs and infrastructure constraints add to concerns over price volatility and economic strain.

In the long term, the EU’s pivot toward US LNG and diversified energy sources signals a broader geopolitical realignment. Yet, short-term supply risks and rising costs expose Europe’s continued energy vulnerability in an increasingly unstable global landscape.

The global natural gas market is shifting, with 2025 expected to bring both increased supply and continued volatility. Following the shortages of 2022 and price spikes during Asia’s 2024 heatwaves, the key question remains: will shortages return in 2025?

Market projections indicate ample supply. The World Bank forecasts 2.3% global natural gas growth, while S&P Global expects an additional 27 million tons of LNG, driven largely by North American projects.

However, risks remain. Trump’s energy deregulation and infrastructure expansion could exacerbate oversupply. If Russia-Ukraine tensions ease and sanctions lift, downward price pressure may intensify. Potential disruptions—strikes, natural disasters, or bottlenecks at LNG terminals— could destabilize markets, as seen in the 2023 Australian LNG strike that spiked European prices by 10%.

The concentration of new capacity among the US, Qatar, and Australia—set to supply over 60% of global LNG—adds another layer of risk. Any disruption in these hubs could trigger supply chain shocks, amplifying volatility.

Climate extremes further complicate forecasts, temperature swings could drive sudden demand spikes, while global market interconnectivity means local shocks ripple worldwide.

While 2025 promises increased supply, the market’s structural fragility—geopolitical risks, supply chain vulnerabilities, and climate-driven demand surges—suggests that price swings and instability will persist.

Source: BBC, Statista, ISPI

The West’s Semiconductor Restrictions Fuel China’s Domestic Industry Growth

Interview

Tendenzblick

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February 27, 2025

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The West’s Semiconductor Restrictions Fuel China’s Domestic Industry Growth

The semiconductor industry is witnessing heightened tensions amid evolving international dynamics. The United States’ December 2 export restrictions on China’s semiconductor industry, targeting equipment, software, and chips, coupled with the blacklisting of 136 Chinese entities, has underscored these challenges. In response, several Chinese industry associations urged domestic companies to reconsider purchasing U.S. chips. Soon after, China’s regulators launched an antitrust investigation into NVIDIA, leading to a sharp decline in its stock price.

These developments have reignited discussions around the localization of CPUs and other hardware in China. While Intel and AMD continue to dominate the global CPU market, their pursuit of high margins creates opportunities for emerging players. Restrictions on Western technology have also expanded the potential for Chinese CPUs, particularly in infrastructure projects linked to the Belt and Road Initiative.

An example of this shift is the recent collaboration between domestic CPU manufacturer Phytium and China Huadian Corporation (CHD). Their partnership led to the successful overseas deployment of the Huadian RuiLan, the distributed thermal control systems (DCS), which uses Phytium’s embedded and server CPUs. These systems were installed in Eritrea’s Beleza and Hirgigo power stations within the span of a year, marking a milestone for Chinese energy projects abroad.

To shed light on the role of domestic CPUs in global competition, Chengyi Zhang. Deputy General Manager, PHYTIUM, recently shared insights on the sector’s trajectory.

Has the overseas expansion of Chinese products been smooth? How has it changed in recent years? What are your thoughts on the prospects of the Belt and Road Initiative and Western markets?

Phytium aims to expand globally, focusing on both the Information technology application innovation industry (ITAI) and ARM-compatible technology, leveraging a mature ecosystem. The initial strategy involves collaborating with major domestic projects that are venturing abroad, while future plans include direct partnerships with foreign machine and solution providers.

Currently, Phytium relies on domestic vendors and integrators for overseas operations, as this approach balances cost, technical support, and after-sales service. As the overseas market grows, Phytium plans to establish direct relationships with international partners.

With Phytium expanding overseas, how do you plan its market and capacity layout amid competition with Intel and AMD?

Phytium offers a comprehensive CPU lineup covering server, desktop, and embedded products. The CPU used in China Huadian’s Eritrea project is part of the embedded line. All three product lines are advancing rapidly, with applications across various industries, forming a balanced growth.

Does Phytium’s current market demand support achieving scale efficiency?

Despite a slowdown in recent years, Phytium’s CPU sales surpassed 10 million units by December 2024, marking a milestone for China’s domestic CPU industry. The sector shows a positive upward trend, with growing opportunities as international restrictions on Chinese chips intensify. However, domestic manufacturers must deliver higher-quality products to meet the increasing market demand.

With multiple approaches in domestic CPU development, how do you view this trend? What are your thoughts on the industry’s ecosystem and future?

The diversity in instruction sets is a natural phase for a developing chip industry, as seen historically in the U.S., which had numerous instruction sets like X86, Alpha, MIPS, and Power during its early stages. Today, China’s three or four instruction sets reflect a similar trend, and the market will likely converge over time.

From a technical perspective, instruction sets act as interfaces, while the CPU hardware design determines performance. High-performance or low-power products can emerge from any route, but the real challenge lies in building a robust ecosystem. Without a strong user base and application scenarios, product maturity and iteration slow significantly.

For less-established routes, the focus must be on building targeted application scenarios and ecosystems rather than spreading efforts too thin. Market trends suggest that ARM and X86 remain dominant, especially in domestic Xinchuang initiatives and international markets, though niche opportunities may exist for other routes. The industry must balance scaling ecosystems with the diversity of application needed to drive long-term growth.

Source: Guancha, Wccftech, Phytium

How exactly is the Sino-Vietnamese cross-border railroad upgraded and docked?

East Asia

Tendenzblick

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February 26, 2025

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How exactly is the Sino-Vietnamese cross-border railroad upgraded and docked?

At the end of 2024, the Sino-Vietnamese cross-border standard railroad project, which has been in the discussion phase for years, finally began to take concrete steps. On December 10, during the 16th meeting of the Viet Nam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation in Beijing , both countries signed the intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement on three key railroad projects: Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong , Lang Son–Hanoi , and Mong Cai–Ha Long–Hai Phong.

Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bui Thanh Son, proposed speeding up rail connectivity and prioritizing the launch of these projects, which would significantly enhance transportation between the two nations. The agreement also included the resumption of international railroad intermodal transport routes, further strengthening the connectivity between China and Vietnam.

Among the three projects, the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Haiphong line has been identified as the highest priority. Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, expressed the hope that China would soon approve non-reimbursable aid to assist in preparing feasibility studies for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railroad.

This initiative marks a significant milestone in Sino-Vietnamese cooperation on transportation infrastructure and is expected to pave the way for new opportunities in economic and trade relations between the two countries.

Why is the cross-border railroad of China and Vietnam attracting much attention?

The three key cross-border rail projects have unique histories and varying stages of development.

The Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railroad, built in 1906 during French colonial rule, is 398 kilometers long and originally designed as a meter-gauge line. This line is historically significant as part of the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway, China’s first meter-gauge railroad, connecting Vietnam to China’s Yunnan Province. The line facilitated trade and cultural exchanges between the two countries and was considered an engineering marvel at the time. However, due to its meter-gauge infrastructure, it is less efficient in handling the growing trade between China and Vietnam, and its upgrade to a standard gauge is a priority.

The Dong Dang – Hanoi railroad, a 167-kilometer track, was constructed in 1902 with a rice-track design, later upgraded to a set of rails system during the Vietnam War, allowing dual-track operation. This railroad connects Vietnam’s Hanoi to the Chinese border at Dong Dang, Guangxi Province. Although essential for the transportation network, its outdated infrastructure limits capacity, and efforts to standardize it to handle modern freight needs are ongoing.

The Mong Cai–Ha Long–Hai Phong railroad, still under planning, spans 195 kilometers and will connect Vietnam’s Haiphong and Ha Long with China’s Guangxi Province. Once completed, it will integrate into the broader rail network in northern Vietnam and connect with the Beibu Gulf region in China, forming part of the Trans-Asian Railway Network. This project is critical in enhancing the connectivity and economic integration of both countries. As the Sino-Vietnamese trade continues to grow, the modernization and standardization of these railroads are key to improving trade efficiency and fostering closer economic cooperation between China and Vietnam.

How to connect the meter rail to the standard rail?

To plan new routes and ensure the interoperability of Vietnam’s metre-gauge railways (with a track width of 1,000 millimeters) with China’s standard-gauge railway (with a track gauge of 1,435 millimeters), the fundamental issue lies in the differences between the two track gauges. The capacity differences between these two rail types create challenges for efficient cross-border transportation, especially as Vietnam’s railway infrastructure limits the volume of goods it can carry.

The long-term solution involves upgrading Vietnam’s existing meter-gauge system to the standard gauge. However, this transformation is not as simple as replacing the old tracks with new ones. The most practical approach is to build new standard gauge rail lines alongside or replacing the old system, particularly for cross-border connections with Kunming-Yuxi-Hekou Railway.

This allows for matching the cargo capacity on both sides of the border, mitigating bottlenecks that arise from the mismatch in rail capabilities. The upgraded Yunnan-Vietnam Railway would include an electrified standard track, providing faster and higher-capacity services for both passengers and freight, mirroring the success seen in other projects like the China-Laos Railway.

In parallel, Vietnam’s metre-gauge railway could continue to function, especially as an auxiliary freight line to ease the load on the new infrastructure. There is also the example of narrow-gauge railroads in Southeast Asia, like those in Thailand, where China has provided custom locomotives that can enhance the performance of narrow-gauge systems. Despite these efforts, the performance of even the most advanced metre-gauge railway locomotives lags behind the high-power electric locomotives used on standard tracks, making the eventual shift to standard rails inevitable.

With the unification of railroad construction standards and the adoption of electrification and high-power locomotives, the future of cross-border rail connections lies in building more efficient, high-capacity lines. This would facilitate the flow of goods across regions, benefiting the countries involved by enhancing trade and economic development.

Additionally, improved logistics and customs processes, as seen in China-Laos Railway’s multimodal transport system, would further expedite the movement of goods, reducing delays and inefficiencies caused by outdated infrastructure and differing standards.

Source: sina, CGTN, people’s, yicai, seasia

China’s Leadership Brings Hope as Economic Governance Deficit Grows

East Asia

Tendenzblick

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February 24, 2025

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China’s Leadership Brings Hope as Economic Governance Deficit Grows

Xu Mingqi, Senior research fellow and Deputy Director of Institute of World Economy at ShanghaiAcademy of Social Sciences, asserts that the economic shift towards the global South is inevitable, as emerging markets continue to strengthen. Despite global economic growth remaining subdued in 2024, with a forecast of 2.6%, it is unlikely to return to pre-pandemic levels of 3.1% in the short term. Geopolitical tensions are exacerbating the negative economic effects, further deepening the imbalance in global economic growth. In this context, emerging markets and developing countries, particularly India and China, are performing relatively well. Developing Asian economies grew by an average of 5.2%, whereas the G7 nations, with the exception of the U.S., saw growth rates in the low 1% range. This indicates a clear and irreversible trend of economic power shifting towards the global South.

Global economic downturn

The declining governance responsibility and willingness of developed countries, particularly those led by the United States, to address global issues has led to a rising global governance deficit. In international trade and investment, the U.S. has introduced geopolitical competition and ideological security concerns, which have reshaped global supply chains and disrupted the efficiency-driven system. This shift has weakened the global free trade framework, with the World Trade Organization losing its influence. If protectionist policies, such as high tariffs proposed by President-elect Trump, are implemented, the global free trade system would face even more significant harm, and trade wars would disproportionately affect smaller countries.

In the financial sector, the U.S.’s monetary policy adjustments have caused market shocks, currency depreciation, and debt crises in many developing countries. Many U.S. and European banks have collapsed, unable to stabilize themselves or provide sufficient resources to rescue distressed countries. The lack of international coordination in monetary and financial policies has resulted in nations prioritizing their own interests at the expense of others. The comprehensive sanctions imposed by the U.S. and Europe on Russia in response to the Ukraine crisis have also caused ripple effects, with many businesses involved in trade and investment with Russia facing extended sanctions. As a result, developing countries are increasingly seeking alternatives to the U.S. dollar and launching more bilateral and regional monetary and financial cooperation, challenging the existing international financial system and contributing to its fragmentation.

China’s prominent role

Amid increasing global governance deficits, China has actively stepped forward to provide more resources and support to developing countries. Through the “Belt and Road” initiative, China has offered development resources, financing, and project construction, assisting developing countries in fostering economic growth. For example, at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), President Xi Jinping pledged RMB 360 billion in financial aid to African nations over the next three years, underscoring China’s commitment to supporting Africa’s development. Additionally, China has provided debt relief and preferential loans to underdeveloped countries, particularly in Africa.

China has also made significant strides in opening its economy, unilaterally expanding market access for foreign investors. This has contributed to the maintenance of the global free trade system. China has supported the G20’s initiatives to improve financial risk monitoring and early warning systems and has been a vocal advocate for strengthening international cooperation in areas such as the digital economy and taxation. The country has also pushed for the acceleration of the G20 Roadmap for Sustainable Finance.

In 2024, China became the world’s largest investor in green and renewable energy, with investments reaching $675 billion. Furthermore, Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s “1+10” dialogue in December emphasized China’s unwavering support for economic globalization and multilateralism. The dialogue also highlighted China’s determination to continue enhancing its openness, introducing policies to foster a favorable business environment based on market principles, the rule of law, and internationalization. Through these efforts, China aims to make a sustained contribution to global economic growth and governance.

Source: xinmin, China Daily

Korean Wave in France and Europe: K-pop as a Middle-Class Cultural Phenomenon

Interview

Tendenzblick

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February 23, 2025

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Korean Wave in France and Europe: K-pop as a Middle-Class Cultural Phenomenon

An interview with Hong Seok-kyeong, Director of the Center for Hallyu Studies and Professor of Communication at Seoul National University. Hong Seok-kyeong, who taught at the University of Bordeaux in France for many years before joining Seoul National University, has conducted in-depth research and studies on Korean pop culture, including Korean dramas and K-pop in France.

Does today’s K-pop-dominated Korean pop culture continue or break from the earlier Korean drama-led wave?

The Korean Wave is a continuous phenomenon shaped by evolving media. I identify three stages: its East Asian spread via radio, its digital globalization, and the platform era starting in 2016, driven by China’s market restrictions and global platforms like Netflix.

Rather than disrupting earlier media environments, this phase builds on them, reshaping content circulation while maintaining continuity. Each stage reflects adaptation, not a cultural break.

What is the biggest difference between K-pop in Europe, especially France, and the U.S.?

The 2011 SM concert in Paris was K-pop’s first major international showcase, even preceding similar events in the U.S. Despite initial uncertainty, tickets for the 6,000-seat venue sold out instantly at high prices, proving K-pop’s global appeal and sparking interest in Korean culture beyond music.

France’s cultural pluralism, distinct from Anglo-American multiculturalism, supports diverse cultural imports despite national identity concerns. This openness, along with France’s strong anime and manga fan base—the largest outside Japan—helped Korean dramas gain traction. Many early K-drama fans came from anime communities, reflecting the broader interconnectedness of East Asian pop culture in Europe.

While race and gender, especially the latter, dominate K-pop studies in the English-speaking world, class remains underexplored but is more significant in Europe. How does class influence K-pop’s spread in Europe?”

K-pop fandom reflects class dynamics, though often subtly. Full engagement—buying merchandise, attending events, and participating in fan activities—requires financial means, making it largely a middle- and upper-middle-class phenomenon.

In Europe, especially France, parents often support their children’s fandom, seeing it as culturally enriching. Fans not only enjoy music but also learn Korean and explore broader cultural aspects. This demographic’s stability reinforces K-pop’s image as a middle-class space, free from associations with substance abuse or violence.

Class thus shapes K-pop’s accessibility and fan practices, highlighting the economic and cultural capital needed for deep engagement.

With France’s strong affinity for Japanese culture, especially anime, has this helped spread K-pop in France?

Japonisme in France emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, while Chinese fever dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries. In contrast, the Korean Wave is a grassroots movement that began with marginalized youth, not intellectual elites, making it distinct from earlier cultural trends like Japonisme.

This bottom-up nature sets the Korean Wave apart, as it challenges traditional aesthetic paradigms. Many intellectuals still find it ‘uncool,’ highlighting the divide between popular and elite tastes.

The Korean Wave’s people-driven nature gives it transformative power, even influencing politics in some countries. Unlike Japan or China, its democratic appeal fosters cultural shifts and social change, making it a globally significant phenomenon.

Korean journalists note that K-pop fans in Europe are mostly white, unlike in the US. Why is there this difference?

In France, K-pop attracts diverse multicultural teens, but their visibility is limited by fewer resources compared to middle-class fans. As K-pop becomes more mainstream, especially with groups like BTS, the label “K-pop fan” has gained positive connotations. While Korean dance events emerge in urban areas, teens today prefer online spaces for self-expression.

In the U.S., K-pop intersects more with race and gender issues, with Black and Latino teens using it to express their identities. In contrast, European K-pop culture is shaped by class distinctions, with middle-class teens dominating the scene, while race and gender play less of a role. This shows how K-pop’s reception differs across regions based on social and cultural factors.

Do you think the “soft masculinity” in K-pop reflects both Koreanness and Asianness, aligning with traditional East Asian cultural ideals like Confucianism?

The relationship between traditional Confucian masculinity and modern soft masculinity in K-pop is complex. Confucian principles, such as caring for others and prioritizing communal well-being, influence the portrayal of masculinity in K-pop. However, K-pop idols, especially male ones, embody a modern form of masculinity that emphasizes physical discipline and self-management. Unlike Confucianism’s focus on moral duty and restraint, K-pop emphasizes bodily discipline and performance-driven excellence, reflecting a shift in cultural and gender norms. While soft masculinity in K-pop may draw on historical values, it aligns more with contemporary, postmodern ideals.

Do you think the rise of transmedia in Korean entertainment, as discussed with Bang Si-hyuk in 2015, reflects the influence of academic research on the industry, and will Korean producers pay more attention to academic discussions on K-pop?

The K-pop industry’s rapid exchange of ideas and practices, driven by close relationships among professionals, fosters quick innovation and adaptation. Transmedia storytelling, though not formally recognized at first, was implemented long before the term gained traction, highlighting the industry’s practical understanding of audience engagement. The interconnectedness of the industry, where small-scale key players share innovations, accelerates the diffusion of ideas. Examples like the zombie dancers in *The Busan Walk* illustrate the blending of creative sectors. This collaborative environment drives K-pop’s evolution, demonstrating how the genre’s success is tied to its unique, agile production ecosystem.

Source: the paper, Medium

Europas Lithium-Träume: Wie das Scheitern von Northvolt die entscheidende Rolle Chinas in der Branche unterstreicht

THINKVIEWS

Tendenzblick

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December 20, 2024

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Europas Lithium-Träume: Wie das Scheitern von Northvolt die entscheidende Rolle Chinas in der Branche unterstreicht

Am 21. November 2024 beantragte Northvolt, Europas größtes Batterieunternehmen, Insolvenzschutz. Einst als Europas letzte Hoffnung in der Lithium-Batterie-Industrie gefeiert, sah sich das Unternehmen einem intensiven Wettbewerb durch weltweit führende Unternehmen in China, Japan und Südkorea ausgesetzt, während in Europa keine nennenswerten Batterie-Produktionskapazitäten vorhanden waren.

Northvolt wurde 2016 vom ehemaligen Tesla Supply Chain Manager Peter Carlsson gegründet und konnte neben umfangreichen europäischen Subventionen fast 3 Milliarden US-Dollar von Investoren wie Volkswagen und Goldman Sachs einsammeln. Das Unternehmen verfügte einst über Aufträge von großen Autoherstellern im Wert von 55 Milliarden US-Dollar und wurde mit über 20 Milliarden US-Dollar bewertet. Trotz anfänglicher Versprechungen brach Northvolt unter einer Schuldenlast von 5,8 Milliarden US-Dollar zusammen und verfügte nur über 30 Millionen US-Dollar in bar, was kaum ausreichte, um den Betrieb für eine Woche aufrechtzuerhalten.

Das Scheitern von Northvolt ist auf Fehler in der Strategie, im operativen Geschäft und in der internen Dynamik zurückzuführen. In der Lithium-Batterie-Industrie hängt der Erfolg von der nahtlosen Integration von Fabrik, Mitarbeitern, Prozessen und Produkten ab. Northvolt scheiterte jedoch in fast jeder Hinsicht. Das Unternehmen hatte beschlossen, eine Fabrik im schwedischen Skellefteå zu bauen, um dort die umweltfreundlichsten Batterien der Welt herzustellen. Dazu sollte bis 2030 billige Wasserkraft genutzt und 50 Prozent Recyclingmaterial verwendet werden. Dies entsprach zwar den Nachhaltigkeitszielen der EU, doch der abgelegene Standort im hohen Norden stellte eine Herausforderung dar – mit harten Wintern, fehlendem Know-how vor Ort und hohen Rekrutierungskosten, die zu kulturellen und kommunikativen Barrieren und damit zu einer Verlangsamung des Fortschritts beitrugen.

Was die Ausrüstung betrifft, so war Northvolt stark auf chinesische Lieferanten angewiesen, obwohl das Unternehmen das politische Ziel verfolgte, seine Abhängigkeit von China zu verringern. Mehr als 60 % der Ausrüstungsgegenstände stammten aus China, ebenso wie 574 chinesische Ingenieure, die einen Großteil des Baus der Fabrik leiteten. Northvolt bestand jedoch darauf, die Anlagen in Schweden warten zu lassen, was zu Ineffizienzen und Unfällen führte, darunter 26 größere Zwischenfälle zwischen 2019 und 2024 – wie Brände und Austritte giftiger Gase. Diese Fehler, die häufig auf unsachgemäße Handhabung durch unerfahrene Mitarbeiter aus Europa zurückzuführen waren, führten zu nicht eingehaltenen Lieferterminen und schließlich zur Stornierung eines Auftrags von BMW im Wert von 2,2 Milliarden US-Dollar.

Erschwerend kam hinzu, dass Northvolt seinen chinesischen Lieferanten misstraute und das Management glaubte, dass die Anlagen sabotiert oder mit versteckten „Hintertüren“ versehen worden waren. Diese Verschwörungstheorien belasteten die Zusammenarbeit zusätzlich und untergruben das für den Erfolg notwendige Vertrauen und die Kooperation.

Die Insolvenz von Northvolt verdeutlicht einen entscheidenden, oft übersehenen Faktor in der Lithium-Batterie-Industrie: die Bedeutung der Zusammenarbeit in der industriellen Kette. Im komplexen Gebiet der Lithium-Batterie-Produktion wirken sich wesentliche Schritte wie Mischen, Beschichten und Wickeln direkt auf die Batteriequalität aus. Weltweit dominieren China, Japan und Südkorea den Markt für Lithium-Equipment, wobei China bei der Produktion führend ist. Im Jahr 2023 betrug der Markt für Lithium-Produktionsausrüstung in China schätzungsweise 120 Milliarden Yuan, was zwei Drittel des globalen Marktanteils ausmacht.

Chinas Vorteil liegt in seinen großen, vertikal integrierten Unternehmen, die den Großteil des Herstellungsprozesses abdecken. Mehr als 90 % der Anlagen werden lokal hergestellt, und chinesische Lithiumanlagen haben internationale Standards erreicht oder übertroffen. Dies in Verbindung mit technischem Know-how und Größe ermöglicht es chinesischen Unternehmen, wettbewerbsfähige Preise und eine verbesserte Produktionseffizienz anzubieten.

In der Vergangenheit waren Japan und Südkorea führend in der Branche und konnten sich auf frühe technologische Fortschritte stützen. Der rasche Fortschritt Chinas wurde jedoch durch die Inlandsnachfrage nach Elektronik und Fahrzeugen mit alternativen Antrieben sowie durch eine starke Zusammenarbeit in der gesamten Industriekette vorangetrieben. Seit 2013 haben lokale Zulieferer ausländisches Know-how genutzt, um ihre eigenen Technologien weiterzuentwickeln, was zu Geräten geführt hat, die den wachsenden Anforderungen des Marktes für Elektrofahrzeuge und Unterhaltungselektronik gerecht werden.

Chinas Lithiumindustrie verdankt ihr Wachstum zu einem großen Teil der Zusammenarbeit zwischen vorgelagerten Ausrüstungslieferanten und nachgelagerten Herstellern. Ein wichtiges Beispiel ist Wuxi Lead Intelligent Equipment Co, Ltd (LEAD), das sich von einem kleinen Hersteller von Kondensatorausrüstungen zu einem führenden Unternehmen in der Produktion von Ausrüstungen für Lithiumbatterien entwickelt hat. Ursprünglich auf das Wickeln von Kondensatoren spezialisiert, überwand LEAD technische Hürden und entwickelte eine automatische Wickelmaschine. Dieser Erfolg führte zur Expansion in die Produktion von Lithiumbatterieausrüstungen, wo das Unternehmen zu einem wichtigen Lieferanten für CATL, Chinas führenden Batteriehersteller, wurde.

Bis 2018 hatte LEAD einen Anteil von 60 % am inländischen Markt für Wickelmaschinen, wobei ein erheblicher Teil des Umsatzes von CATL stammte. Diese langfristige Partnerschaft hat nicht nur die Technologien beider Unternehmen verbessert, sondern auch ihre Position als Weltmarktführer gefestigt. Die Fähigkeit von LEAD, die strengen Leistungsanforderungen von Unternehmen wie Panasonic zu erfüllen, das Tesla mit Batterien beliefert, zeigt die Stärke dieser Zusammenarbeit.

LEAD ist international expandiert, um die Expansion von CATL im Ausland zu unterstützen, und hat mit der Eröffnung des ersten CATL-Werks im Ausland im deutschen Bundesland Thüringen im Januar 2023 einen wichtigen Meilenstein erreicht. Diese 14-GWh-Anlage beliefert große europäische Automobilhersteller wie BMW und Daimler. LEAD lieferte wichtige Produktionsanlagen und leistete technische Unterstützung vor Ort, um einen effizienten Betrieb der Anlage zu gewährleisten.

In ähnlicher Weise eröffnete Hefei Gotion High-tech Co., Ltd (Gotion) im September 2023 seine Lithium-Batteriefabrik in Göttingen, Deutschland. Ursprünglich eine Produktionsstätte von Bosch, wurde sie umgewidmet, nachdem Bosch mit der sinkenden Nachfrage auf dem Markt für Brennstoffzellenfahrzeuge zu kämpfen hatte. Die Übernahme durch Gotion verhinderte Massenentlassungen und machte den Standort zu einem wichtigen Akteur auf dem europäischen Markt. Darüber hinaus arbeitet Gotion mit Volkswagen an einer 20-GWh-Batteriefabrik in Salzgitter, die 2025 eröffnet werden soll. Dieses Projekt, ursprünglich ein Joint Venture zwischen Volkswagen und Northvolt, wurde nach dem Rückzug von Northvolt an Gotion übertragen. Wie bei CATL liefern LEAD und Yinghe Technology wichtige Ausrüstungen und Dienstleistungen für dieses Projekt.

Diese Erfolgsgeschichten zeigen, wie chinesische Lithiumunternehmen durch strategische Partnerschaften und hochwertige Produkte eine entscheidende Rolle beim Übergang Europas zur Elektromobilität spielen. Durch die Zusammenarbeit mit chinesischen Unternehmen beschleunigt Europa seine Anstrengungen zur Elektrifizierung und stärkt seine Position bei der Bewältigung der globalen Klimaherausforderungen.

Der rasante Aufstieg der chinesischen Lithiumindustrie – von der Einführung neuer Technologien bis hin zu eigenständigen Innovationen – veranschaulicht die Kraft der Zusammenarbeit in der Industriekette. Unternehmen wie LEAD und CATL haben technologische Innovationen vorangetrieben, industrielle Prozesse modernisiert und sich einen globalen Wettbewerbsvorteil gesichert. Sie sind ein Beispiel dafür, dass China in der Lage ist, herkömmliche Entwicklungsstufen zu überspringen.

Der Niedergang von Northvolt ist ein warnendes Beispiel: In der sich schnell entwickelnden Technologiebranche müssen Unabhängigkeit und Zusammenarbeit in einem ausgewogenen Verhältnis stehen. Das Scheitern von Northvolt unterstreicht die Bedeutung von Vertrauen und Zusammenarbeit in der globalen Industriekette. Die Zukunft der Herstellung von Lithium-Equipment hängt von einem ganzheitlichen Ansatz ab, bei dem die Zusammenarbeit den technologischen Fortschritt und die globale Innovation vorantreibt.

Quelle: LEAD, Gotion, Northvolt, Batteries News, ctvnews

Huawei and Avatr Expand Partnership with New Product Development and Marketing Agreement

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December 19, 2024

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Huawei and Avatr Expand Partnership with New Product Development and Marketing Agreement

On December 12, Avatr and Huawei signed an upgraded strategic cooperation agreement, focusing on deepening their collaboration in product development, marketing, and ecological services to enhance the next generation of Avatr’s products. This move follows the similar cooperation model Huawei established with GAC on November 30 and represents a new approach for Huawei in its automotive sector partnerships.

Huawei, initially focused on offering ICT technologies to car companies without building cars itself, has developed three cooperation models: the parts model, the HI model, and the smart selection model. In the parts model, Huawei acts as a traditional supplier of components to carmakers. The smart selection model, seen in collaborations with brands like Seres, is a more integrated approach where Huawei collaborates on product definition, design, marketing, and user experience. The HI model, which Avatr had been following since 2022, involves Huawei providing automotive technology solutions such as smart driving, smart cockpit, and electric drive technologies, while the car companies handle product design, manufacturing, and marketing.

The new cooperation model between Huawei and Avatr is an upgrade to the HI model, termed HI plus or quasi-smart selection. Unlike the smart selection model, HI plus does not involve Huawei’s direct sales through its terminal channels. The new agreement will broaden Huawei’s involvement, with Huawei contributing significantly to product development, marketing, and ecological services. This upgraded cooperation aims to improve Avatr’s competitiveness in the market, supported by Huawei’s deep expertise in smart technologies.

Huawei’s car business unit has already seen success with its smart selection model through brands like M7 and M9, achieving impressive sales figures. In November 2024, the sales of Huawei-powered models reached 395,000 units, with M7 leading in the new power model category and M9 excelling in the high-end market. These results demonstrate Huawei’s strength in product definition, marketing, and ecological services, which have led to more in-depth partnerships with other carmakers, including Avatr.

Under the original HI model, Avatr’s monthly sales showed significant growth, surpassing 10,000 units in November 2024, up from fewer than 2,000 at the beginning of the year. With the new HI plus model, Avatr’s sales are expected to rise further, backed by Huawei’s expanded support.

The strategic cooperation focuses on creating new models based on a new architecture, with Huawei playing a pivotal role in the development of intelligent vehicle features, marketing, and ecological services. Huawei’s input is expected to contribute to both Avatr’s sales and brand recognition in an increasingly competitive market.

The collaboration between Avatr and Huawei highlights the shift in the automotive industry toward software-defined cars, where car manufacturers and technology providers share the risks and rewards of enhancing the user experience throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle. This new cooperation model reflects the evolving landscape of the automotive industry, where partnerships between car companies and tech providers are becoming more integral to the creation of intelligent vehicles.

Source: Huawei, Avatar, huaweicentral

Xiaomi Accelerates Global Expansion with Plans to Launch Car Sales in Multiple Regions

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December 18, 2024

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Xiaomi Accelerates Global Expansion with Plans to Launch Car Sales in Multiple Regions

Xiaomi is accelerating its expansion into the overseas automotive market. The company is preparing to establish an overseas automotive business under its international department, forming a new team dedicated to international sales. This team is focused on roles such as market research, project management, and electric vehicle after-sales support.

Additionally, Xiaomi’s automotive division is expanding its autonomous driving team, with new roles aimed at addressing regulatory verification and enhancing autonomous driving capabilities for international markets. Autonomous driving is expected to be a key focus area as Xiaomi works to strengthen its overseas car business.

The company plans to begin by conducting small-scale car sales in select overseas regions to gauge market reaction and prepare for larger-scale expansion. Xiaomi will leverage its international department and its network of over 100 Xiaomi stores worldwide to support these sales efforts. The company has ambitious plans to open 10,000 Xiaomi stores overseas in the next five years, integrating its “Human x Car x Home” smart ecosystem and new retail model.

Xiaomi’s success in international markets, particularly with its smartphones, tablets, and other products, has laid the foundation for its entry into the overseas automotive sector. More than 50% of Xiaomi’s revenue already comes from international markets, positioning the company to capitalize on its established brand recognition as it moves into this new territory. In July of this year, Xiaomi made its first step toward entering the European car market by showcasing two SU7 vehicles in Paris. CEO Lei Jun expressed Xiaomi’s goal of launching its brand in Europe by 2030. However, the rapid formation of Xiaomi’s overseas automotive team suggests that this timeline may be accelerated.

Xiaomi’s advantage in international markets is particularly strong when compared to other Chinese automakers. Even before generating revenue from its auto business, Xiaomi’s international revenue accounted for more than 50% of its total earnings. In Europe, Xiaomi’s smartphone market share reached 18% in Q3 2024, increasing 1% year-on-year, and positioning the company in third place. This solid brand recognition gives Xiaomi a strong foundation for its automotive ventures.

One of the key challenges Chinese carmakers face in expanding overseas is brand recognition. While many Chinese automakers have opened stores in Europe, the number of these stores is far fewer than those of European brands. Xiaomi’s established presence in the smartphone market, bolstered by partnerships with European carriers and localized marketing strategies, has already helped overcome some of these barriers.

However, challenges remain. For instance, the Xiaomi SU7, priced over $2,7487 in China, will likely face higher prices in Europe due to tariffs and transportation costs. This could position the model as a high-end vehicle in overseas markets, but Xiaomi’s limited presence in the high-net-worth segment may hinder its ability to capture the luxury market.

Data from Canalys indicates that in the European high-end smartphone market (above $800), Apple dominates with 77% market share, followed by Samsung with 16%, while Xiaomi holds less than 2%. Furthermore, Xiaomi’s overseas users tend to have lower purchasing power for internet services compared to their domestic counterparts, further complicating its efforts to break into the high-end market.

In conclusion, while Xiaomi has a strong brand and operational experience in international markets, particularly in Europe, its main challenge lies in establishing a foothold in the high-end automotive market, where it lacks significant recognition.

The global expansion of China’s electric vehicles (EVs) is rapidly gaining momentum, with strong growth in Southeast Asia, South America, and Europe. In Southeast Asia, countries like Thailand, India, and the Philippines, as well as Brazil and Mexico in South America, are experiencing increasing exports of Chinese EVs. Brazil, in particular, has surpassed Belgium as the largest export market for Chinese EVs, with 40,000 units exported this year. In these regions, BYD has emerged as a dominant player.

Europe remains a primary target for Chinese high-end EVs, with companies like NIO, XPeng Motors, and ZEEKR establishing operations there. According to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (EAMA), Chinese EVs accounted for 11.1% of newly registered pure electric vehicles in Europe in June 2024, with 23,000 units sold. The SAIC MG4 EV, priced at 31,990 euros, was the best-selling Chinese model, selling 13,000 units. In contrast, the NIO ET5, priced at 59,000 euros, sold only 34 units in Germany during the same period. Affordable models remain the primary avenue for Chinese companies to achieve sales breakthroughs in Europe, as high-end models face significant competition from established local brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Volkswagen.

However, the shift in the local automotive industry toward developing proprietary in-car systems, moving away from Apple CarPlay and focusing on intelligent driving experiences, could present an opportunity for Xiaomi. The company’s “Human x Car x Home” ecosystem sets it apart, positioning it as a unique player in the market.

Xiaomi’s potential breakthrough in the overseas automotive market lies in its ability to integrate its extensive user base, particularly its smartphone users, into a connected ecosystem that spans both vehicles and smart devices. This interconnection, which other carmakers are only beginning to explore, could provide Xiaomi with a competitive edge. However, regulatory hurdles, data privacy concerns, and high tariffs will pose challenges as Xiaomi seeks to establish this ecosystem overseas. Localized research, development, and marketing will be essential to the company’s success.

Ultimately, for Xiaomi, expanding into the global automotive market is not just about selling cars but about exporting its “Human x Car x Home” ecological concept and integrating vehicles into its broader ecosystem of products. With its established user base and brand influence, Xiaomi aims to carry forward the aspirations of China’s high-end electric vehicle industry as it seeks to establish a global presence.

Source: Xiaomi