tardigrade

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/11169603

• Chinese state-owned company Jilin Chemical Fiber Group shiiped 46 metric tons of carbon chemicals to a subsidiary of Russia’s Rosatom in early 2026, according to shipping and customs record.
• Rosatom is subject to Western sanctions.
• The Ukrainian government verified the authenticity of the materials. According to a Ukrainian official, Kyiv confirmed the authenticity of the documents.
• At the same time, documents obtained by the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center (USCC) describe in detail a possible mechanism for the direct supply of materials by a Chinese state-owned company to Russia. The USCC has shared these documents with the U.S. and British governments.
• Chinese components are regularly found among the wreckage of Russian drones following attacks on Ukraine.

Archived

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/11169603

• Chinese state-owned company Jilin Chemical Fiber Group shiiped 46 metric tons of carbon chemicals to a subsidiary of Russia’s Rosatom in early 2026, according to shipping and customs record.
• Rosatom is subject to Western sanctions.
• The Ukrainian government verified the authenticity of the materials. According to a Ukrainian official, Kyiv confirmed the authenticity of the documents.
• At the same time, documents obtained by the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center (USCC) describe in detail a possible mechanism for the direct supply of materials by a Chinese state-owned company to Russia. The USCC has shared these documents with the U.S. and British governments.
• Chinese components are regularly found among the wreckage of Russian drones following attacks on Ukraine.

Archived

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/11169603

• Chinese state-owned company Jilin Chemical Fiber Group shiiped 46 metric tons of carbon chemicals to a subsidiary of Russia’s Rosatom in early 2026, according to shipping and customs record.
• Rosatom is subject to Western sanctions.
• The Ukrainian government verified the authenticity of the materials. According to a Ukrainian official, Kyiv confirmed the authenticity of the documents.
• At the same time, documents obtained by the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center (USCC) describe in detail a possible mechanism for the direct supply of materials by a Chinese state-owned company to Russia. The USCC has shared these documents with the U.S. and British governments.
• Chinese components are regularly found among the wreckage of Russian drones following attacks on Ukraine.

Archived

• Chinese state-owned company Jilin Chemical Fiber Group shiiped 46 metric tons of carbon chemicals to a subsidiary of Russia’s Rosatom in early 2026, according to shipping and customs record.
• Rosatom is subject to Western sanctions.
• The Ukrainian government verified the authenticity of the materials. According to a Ukrainian official, Kyiv confirmed the authenticity of the documents.
• At the same time, documents obtained by the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center (USCC) describe in detail a possible mechanism for the direct supply of materials by a Chinese state-owned company to Russia. The USCC has shared these documents with the U.S. and British governments.
• Chinese components are regularly found among the wreckage of Russian drones following attacks on Ukraine.

Archived

China’s export-driven economy is headed for deep trouble as the US and Europe are already responding with protective measures to check the influx of these cheap goods that are hurting industrial growth and employment in western countries.

As one article says,

China's economy is currently moving along two completely opposing tracks simultaneously. On the one hand, there is an export sector growing more powerfully than ever before; on the other, a domestic market that is increasingly losing substance ...

While [Chinese] export statistics report record monthly figures, the retail sector, real estate, and labor market are struggling with a weakness that has been entrenched for months. The crucial question is not whether this imbalance exists, but how long this model can be sustained before either trading partners pull the plug or the domestic market erodes so severely that it threatens political stability.

...

While Washington focuses on tariffs and political pressure, the European Union introduced a significantly stricter protection regime for the steel industry on July 1, 2026. The duty-free import quota was reduced by 47 per cent to 18.3 million tons, while a 50 per cent external tariff applies to quantities exceeding this quota. The specific quota for China was cut particularly drastically, reportedly from around 2.4 million tons to just 0.8 million tons, the report further stated.

...

Recently, the Group of 20 also criticized China for its overreliance on exports for growth ... The coalition urged that countries with excessive and persistent external surpluses should end policies that “result in an overreliance on exports for growth" and cause harmful spillovers globally.

While China’s exports surged 23.9% year-over-year in July, its domestic demand is weak. China’s growing trade surplus with the EU has also fueled calls for tougher import restrictions, while Beijing faces criticism over industrial subsidies and an undervalued yuan.

Archived

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/11141041

Security guards at the Chinese Embassy in London appeared to threaten protesters outside of their premises with electroshock weapons.

A video obtained by The i Paper and published last week shows security guards, standing behind a gate, waving the batons at protesters carrying the old British Hong Kong flag. The protesters were marking the death of a Tibetan activist who self-immolated in New York. The incident took place on July 3.

In a second incident, which happened in May, a security guard waved a similar baton at intruders at the Royal Mint site, where China’s new “mega embassy” will be built. This was reported on Wednesday by The i Paper.

“These weapons are illegal” in the U.K., Alicia Kearns, the Conservative shadow minister for national security, wrote on X.

...

British police cannot enter foreign embassies without an invitation, and foreign diplomats have immunity from prosecution in most circumstances. Speaking on the Today program on Radio 4 on August 29, Kearns pointed out the Chinese government still has to observe British laws, and “cannot abuse diplomatic bags or the personal baggage of diplomatic agents to bring in prohibited weapons.”

...

Kearns has written to the security minister asking if the U.K. government has authorized the Chinese embassy to possess electroshock weapons, and if not, how the government believes the embassy acquired them, and what action it might take. All of this is preceded by a crucial “if confirmed.”

The new Chinese mega embassy has been opposed for many reasons, but among them was the presence of grayed-out areas in the basement that the Daily Mail described as potential “spy dungeons.” When then-housing minister Angela Rayner asked for an explanation, a representative for the Chinese government said it was neither “necessary or appropriate to provide full internal layout plans.”

...

In 2022, a protest outside the Chinese consulate in Manchester descended into violence after consulate staff, including the consul general, Zheng Xiyuan (鄭曦原), attempted to take the protesters’ banners. In the ensuing melee, staff and protesters were both physically assaulted.

Police ultimately did enter the property to remove one protester who was being beaten near the gate inside.

The U.K. requested six officials from the consulate waive their right to diplomatic immunity so the police could question them. China subsequently recalled all six to Beijing without allowing any interviews. Kearns, who was chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee at the time, tactfully said the six had “fled the UK like cowards.”

...

Tom Tugendhat, who became the new shadow foreign secretary two days ago ... posted on social media:

“China threatens our security and democracy. Standing with partners protects us all. I’ve been in Taiwan where they’re on the frontline and we have much to learn. Will [Foreign Minister Ed Miliband] look for real partners and visit Taiwan or continue turning to China?”

...

Archived

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/11141041

Security guards at the Chinese Embassy in London appeared to threaten protesters outside of their premises with electroshock weapons.

A video obtained by The i Paper and published last week shows security guards, standing behind a gate, waving the batons at protesters carrying the old British Hong Kong flag. The protesters were marking the death of a Tibetan activist who self-immolated in New York. The incident took place on July 3.

In a second incident, which happened in May, a security guard waved a similar baton at intruders at the Royal Mint site, where China’s new “mega embassy” will be built. This was reported on Wednesday by The i Paper.

“These weapons are illegal” in the U.K., Alicia Kearns, the Conservative shadow minister for national security, wrote on X.

...

British police cannot enter foreign embassies without an invitation, and foreign diplomats have immunity from prosecution in most circumstances. Speaking on the Today program on Radio 4 on August 29, Kearns pointed out the Chinese government still has to observe British laws, and “cannot abuse diplomatic bags or the personal baggage of diplomatic agents to bring in prohibited weapons.”

...

Kearns has written to the security minister asking if the U.K. government has authorized the Chinese embassy to possess electroshock weapons, and if not, how the government believes the embassy acquired them, and what action it might take. All of this is preceded by a crucial “if confirmed.”

The new Chinese mega embassy has been opposed for many reasons, but among them was the presence of grayed-out areas in the basement that the Daily Mail described as potential “spy dungeons.” When then-housing minister Angela Rayner asked for an explanation, a representative for the Chinese government said it was neither “necessary or appropriate to provide full internal layout plans.”

...

In 2022, a protest outside the Chinese consulate in Manchester descended into violence after consulate staff, including the consul general, Zheng Xiyuan (鄭曦原), attempted to take the protesters’ banners. In the ensuing melee, staff and protesters were both physically assaulted.

Police ultimately did enter the property to remove one protester who was being beaten near the gate inside.

The U.K. requested six officials from the consulate waive their right to diplomatic immunity so the police could question them. China subsequently recalled all six to Beijing without allowing any interviews. Kearns, who was chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee at the time, tactfully said the six had “fled the UK like cowards.”

...

Tom Tugendhat, who became the new shadow foreign secretary two days ago ... posted on social media:

“China threatens our security and democracy. Standing with partners protects us all. I’ve been in Taiwan where they’re on the frontline and we have much to learn. Will [Foreign Minister Ed Miliband] look for real partners and visit Taiwan or continue turning to China?”

...

Archived

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/11141041

Security guards at the Chinese Embassy in London appeared to threaten protesters outside of their premises with electroshock weapons.

A video obtained by The i Paper and published last week shows security guards, standing behind a gate, waving the batons at protesters carrying the old British Hong Kong flag. The protesters were marking the death of a Tibetan activist who self-immolated in New York. The incident took place on July 3.

In a second incident, which happened in May, a security guard waved a similar baton at intruders at the Royal Mint site, where China’s new “mega embassy” will be built. This was reported on Wednesday by The i Paper.

“These weapons are illegal” in the U.K., Alicia Kearns, the Conservative shadow minister for national security, wrote on X.

...

British police cannot enter foreign embassies without an invitation, and foreign diplomats have immunity from prosecution in most circumstances. Speaking on the Today program on Radio 4 on August 29, Kearns pointed out the Chinese government still has to observe British laws, and “cannot abuse diplomatic bags or the personal baggage of diplomatic agents to bring in prohibited weapons.”

...

Kearns has written to the security minister asking if the U.K. government has authorized the Chinese embassy to possess electroshock weapons, and if not, how the government believes the embassy acquired them, and what action it might take. All of this is preceded by a crucial “if confirmed.”

The new Chinese mega embassy has been opposed for many reasons, but among them was the presence of grayed-out areas in the basement that the Daily Mail described as potential “spy dungeons.” When then-housing minister Angela Rayner asked for an explanation, a representative for the Chinese government said it was neither “necessary or appropriate to provide full internal layout plans.”

...

In 2022, a protest outside the Chinese consulate in Manchester descended into violence after consulate staff, including the consul general, Zheng Xiyuan (鄭曦原), attempted to take the protesters’ banners. In the ensuing melee, staff and protesters were both physically assaulted.

Police ultimately did enter the property to remove one protester who was being beaten near the gate inside.

The U.K. requested six officials from the consulate waive their right to diplomatic immunity so the police could question them. China subsequently recalled all six to Beijing without allowing any interviews. Kearns, who was chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee at the time, tactfully said the six had “fled the UK like cowards.”

...

Tom Tugendhat, who became the new shadow foreign secretary two days ago ... posted on social media:

“China threatens our security and democracy. Standing with partners protects us all. I’ve been in Taiwan where they’re on the frontline and we have much to learn. Will [Foreign Minister Ed Miliband] look for real partners and visit Taiwan or continue turning to China?”

...

Archived

Security guards at the Chinese Embassy in London appeared to threaten protesters outside of their premises with electroshock weapons.

A video obtained by The i Paper and published last week shows security guards, standing behind a gate, waving the batons at protesters carrying the old British Hong Kong flag. The protesters were marking the death of a Tibetan activist who self-immolated in New York. The incident took place on July 3.

In a second incident, which happened in May, a security guard waved a similar baton at intruders at the Royal Mint site, where China’s new “mega embassy” will be built. This was reported on Wednesday by The i Paper.

“These weapons are illegal” in the U.K., Alicia Kearns, the Conservative shadow minister for national security, wrote on X.

...

British police cannot enter foreign embassies without an invitation, and foreign diplomats have immunity from prosecution in most circumstances. Speaking on the Today program on Radio 4 on August 29, Kearns pointed out the Chinese government still has to observe British laws, and “cannot abuse diplomatic bags or the personal baggage of diplomatic agents to bring in prohibited weapons.”

...

Kearns has written to the security minister asking if the U.K. government has authorized the Chinese embassy to possess electroshock weapons, and if not, how the government believes the embassy acquired them, and what action it might take. All of this is preceded by a crucial “if confirmed.”

The new Chinese mega embassy has been opposed for many reasons, but among them was the presence of grayed-out areas in the basement that the Daily Mail described as potential “spy dungeons.” When then-housing minister Angela Rayner asked for an explanation, a representative for the Chinese government said it was neither “necessary or appropriate to provide full internal layout plans.”

...

In 2022, a protest outside the Chinese consulate in Manchester descended into violence after consulate staff, including the consul general, Zheng Xiyuan (鄭曦原), attempted to take the protesters’ banners. In the ensuing melee, staff and protesters were both physically assaulted.

Police ultimately did enter the property to remove one protester who was being beaten near the gate inside.

The U.K. requested six officials from the consulate waive their right to diplomatic immunity so the police could question them. China subsequently recalled all six to Beijing without allowing any interviews. Kearns, who was chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee at the time, tactfully said the six had “fled the UK like cowards.”

...

Tom Tugendhat, who became the new shadow foreign secretary two days ago ... posted on social media:

“China threatens our security and democracy. Standing with partners protects us all. I’ve been in Taiwan where they’re on the frontline and we have much to learn. Will [Foreign Minister Ed Miliband] look for real partners and visit Taiwan or continue turning to China?”

...

Archived

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/11140373

In occupied Donetsk Oblast, the Russian occupation authorities had some 500 schoolchildren take part in an "anti-terrorist dictation." The rights group Zmina says the occupiers and their collaborators stage such events deliberately to intimidate local residents, children, and teenagers among them.

...

The exercise is one instrument of a documented system. In July 2026, an OSCE expert mission invoked by 41 states found that Russia's use of terrorism and extremism legislation against Ukrainian children may amount to a crime against humanity.

...

The dictation was held in 17 schools across occupied Donetsk, Mariupol, Makiivka, and Volnovakha, with pupils in grades eight through eleven answering questions in writing, according to the occupation's Donetsk News Agency, cited by Zmina.

...

The dictation sits alongside a broader remaking of occupied schools. From 1 September, the occupation authorities introduced a compulsory Russian-identity subject, a separate military-training track, and behavior grades for children as young as second grade.

...

Archived

In occupied Donetsk Oblast, the Russian occupation authorities had some 500 schoolchildren take part in an "anti-terrorist dictation." The rights group Zmina says the occupiers and their collaborators stage such events deliberately to intimidate local residents, children, and teenagers among them.

...

The exercise is one instrument of a documented system. In July 2026, an OSCE expert mission invoked by 41 states found that Russia's use of terrorism and extremism legislation against Ukrainian children may amount to a crime against humanity.

...

The dictation was held in 17 schools across occupied Donetsk, Mariupol, Makiivka, and Volnovakha, with pupils in grades eight through eleven answering questions in writing, according to the occupation's Donetsk News Agency, cited by Zmina.

...

The dictation sits alongside a broader remaking of occupied schools. From 1 September, the occupation authorities introduced a compulsory Russian-identity subject, a separate military-training track, and behavior grades for children as young as second grade.

...

Archived

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/11139582

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/11139470

Priyanka Choudhary, an Indian-born Finnish citizen returning from a Hindu pilgrimage in Tibet, was ‌at a border crossing with Nepal when a catastrophic mudslide hit.

She is one of 261 foreign nationals still missing in Tibet 10 days after the disaster, and her family and others seeking lost relatives are expressing frustration at Beijing's response.

...

"There is no information on the ​China side," said Choudhary's brother Tarun. "We can't go to China and talk to anyone, so I'm not ​able to understand how things are... There is no update from China about what is ⁠happening at Ground Zero, what is the situation over there."

...

The mudslide that devastated the Tibet-Nepal border last week killed ​more than 1,300 people with more than 5,600 missing on both sides. In Tibet, at least 31 people have ​been confirmed dead and 531 are missing in all, state news agency Xinhua reported on Friday.

...

But several families of those missing allege an information blackout in China, worsening their agony.

"We are not getting anything from China, whether my sister is safe or alive or ​dead," said Naresh Goyal, brother of Neetu Goyal Tiwari, a 51-year-old British national.

According to Goyal, UK police visited his ​sister's family home a few days ago to collect a DNA sample from her daughter to present it to Chinese authorities.

China's ‌foreign ministry ⁠did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the accusations, the timeline for victim identification, or DNA collection protocols being used on the Tibetan side.

...

In Nepal, authorities, including the police, regularly ​share information on those missing and dead on social media, while search efforts have ​been accompanied by ⁠active DNA testing.

...

In addition, ⁠China ​has not offered to provide video from its side of the land ​port, including facial-recognition images, that could be shared with families or used in identifying the dead, diplomats in contact with China's foreign ministry ​said.

...