Torbjørn Færøvik's Blog, page 7

Translation: International Students in China Complain, “Quark AI Has Forgotten Us!”

Some international students in China have taken to social media platform RedNote (Xiaohongshu) to complain about being excluded from obtaining free educational accounts for Quark AI, an LLM tool widely used by their Chinese university classmates. Using the hashtag #WeStudyInChina, these students have also set up an online “message wall” to lobby for inclusion in the popular AI tool.Chinese online

Public Opinion Surveys Show Recent Gains for China’s Soft Power

Several public opinion surveys published over the last few months paint a picture of China’s role in the world from the perspective of both Chinese and international respondents. These build on previous surveys from the past year that show how despite polarized views, global attitudes towards China have improved at the expense of the U.S., especially in the Global South. (Meanwhile, polls showing

China’s Gap Between Rhetoric and Action Perpetuates Status Quo in Gaza

On Monday, Reuters reported on the story of a man who tried to flee Gaza by crossing the border into Egypt and then flying to China in order to seek asylum, only to be denied and sent back. As his case illustrates, China’s well-known rhetorical support for Gaza has in many ways not translated into concrete action. In fact, China has appeared to soften its stance towards Israel over the past year.

B-21 rollout nears as China boasts it can shoot it down

The US Air Force has doubled its B-21 Raider test fleet, flying a second prototype in a milestone that signals faster progress toward its next-generation nuclear and conventional strike arm. This month, multiple media sources reported that the US Air Force confirmed the maiden flight of its second B-21 stealth bomber, marking a significant milestone in testing the next-generation aircraft.The

Poland border closure choking China-EU rail trade

Poland has rejected China’s request to reopen its border with Belarus after a series of Russian drone incursions, increasing political tensions between China and the European Union.The latest measures, including the closure of the vital Małaszewicze crossing used by the China-Europe Railway Express, immediately disrupted a key artery in Sino-European trade and signaled Warsaw’s hardening security

AI ‘Ghostbots’ Update China’s Relationship With the Dead

During the Ghost Festival on September 6, people across China honored the spirits of their ancestors by burning joss paper, floating lanterns, or even offering painkillers and Labubu dolls. Others simply communicated with their late relative using their smartphone — and even receive a reply.People around the world are using AI to continue the bonds they have with loved ones who have passed away.

Qin Dynasty Rock Carving in Remote Qinghai Verified as Authentic

A rock carving discovered in 2020 in northwestern China’s Qinghai province has been confirmed as dating to the Qin Dynasty (221–206 BC), China’s first imperial dynasty. Experts say it is the only known Qin inscription still in its original location and the highest-altitude example found so far. At a press conference Monday, experts said the carving bears script typical of the Qin era. The

Chinese dissident who led pro-democracy group in NYC pleads guilty to spying for Beijing

A member of New York’s Chinese dissident community pleaded guilty Tuesday to spying on his fellow activists on behalf of the Chinese government.  Yuanjun Tang, 68, had long been an outspoken critic of the Chinese Communist Party, joining monthly protests outside the country’s Manhattan consulate and founding a pro-democracy nonprofit in Flushing, Queens, where he has lived since 2002. But as

China says it wants to protect coral reefs in the South China Sea. Experts are doubtful

China’s declaration of a nature reserve in the South China Sea is the latest twist in its yearslong push to establish control over the strategically important waters and sea lane. The National Forestry and Grassland Administration said last week that the reserve would protect the coral reef ecosystem at Huangyan Island, better known internationally as Scarborough Shoal. But outside experts

A Japanese debt crisis is closer than you think

As Kazuo Ueda mulls whether to hike interest rates this week, a powerful constituency is staring back at the Bank of Japan governor: the “bond vigilantes.” Very few think Ueda’s BOJ will hike rates on Friday, despite Japanese policymakers going out of their way to claim the rate “normalization” process remains on track.The reason has less to do with tepid growth or lackluster consumer