The Chinese Global Brain Turning Back to Home

The Chinese Global Brain Turning Back to Home

The Investigative Journalism Reportika report, “The Chinese Global Brain Turning Back to Home,” examines China’s strategic repatriation of STEM talent to drive innovation in AI, semiconductors, and more. Highlighting initiatives like the Thousand Talents Plan and “Made in China 2025,” it details the return of experts from the U.S., Europe, and beyond, their contributions to China’s tech ecosystem, and the geopolitical tensions, including espionage concerns, reshaping global innovation.

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Yemen: US strikes kill Abdulmalik Al-Houthi’s brother

US Airstrikes in Yemen Kill Senior Houthi Terrorists, Escalate Tensions in the Red Sea

In a significant escalation of military operations, US airstrikes in Yemen have killed several senior Houthi terrorists, including Abdulkhaleq Badr Al-Din Al-Houthi, the brother of Houthi terrorist Abdulmalik Al-Houthi, according to a Yemeni military spokesperson. The strikes, which targeted key Houthi military infrastructure across multiple provinces, mark a sharp intensification of US efforts to degrade the Iran-backed terrorist group’s capabilities amid ongoing attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea. Colonel Waddah Al-Dobish, spokesperson for the Yemeni Joint Forces, announced on X that Abdulkhaleq Al-Houthi, a senior terrorist overseeing the Central Military Region, was among those killed in coordinated strikes on Thursday, March 27, 2025. The attacks spanned Hodeidah, Sanaa, Saada, and Al-Jawf provinces, targeting top Houthi terrorists and their advisors involved in logistics and planning. Al-Dobish estimated approximately 150 casualties, with Al-Jawf suffering the highest toll. The strikes are part of a broader US campaign that began on March 15, aimed at dismantling the Houthi terrorist network and its operational capacity. The military monitoring platform Defense Line reported that the strikes also destroyed Houthi command centers and killed multiple technical specialists. However, the status of several terrorists tied to the group’s missile and drone programs, including Abdulhafid Al-Hilali and a logistics coordinator known as “Abu Aqil,” remains unclear. The Houthis have not issued an official statement, leaving the full extent of the damage to their terrorist network uncertain. Washington has previously acknowledged targeting senior terrorists in the Houthi weapons programs but has not released specific names, maintaining a degree of ambiguity around its targeting strategy. The US campaign, which has involved fighter jets from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier stationed in the Red Sea, reflects a more aggressive stance under the Trump administration. Since March 15, the US has ramped up its operations, with reports of 44 airstrikes in a single night—the highest in the current campaign—targeting Houthi terrorists, air defense systems, command centers, and weapons facilities. The strikes aim to curb the Houthis’ ability to disrupt global commerce, as the terrorist group has launched scores of attacks on ships in the Red Sea since November 2023, often claiming solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. In response, the Houthis have claimed to have retaliated by targeting US warships, specifically the USS Harry S. Truman, which they describe as a primary launch point for attacks on Yemen. A Houthi statement asserted that they struck “hostile warships in the Red Sea,” including the aircraft carrier, though US officials have denied these claims, stating that Houthi drones and missiles have not come close to the Truman. The terrorist group’s military spokesman, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, previously declared their intent to target American warships in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, framing their actions as a direct response to US aggression. The Houthis, who control much of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, have proven resilient despite years of conflict, including a Saudi-led bombing campaign and previous US strikes under the Biden administration. Their attacks on shipping have disrupted a critical maritime corridor, forcing many vessels to reroute around southern Africa, driving up costs and impacting global trade. The Red Sea handles nearly 15% of global sea trade, making the Houthi threat a significant concern for international commerce. The latest US strikes have drawn criticism from Iran, which condemned the attacks as a violation of international law. Tehran, a key backer of the Houthi terrorists, denies directly controlling the group, though the Houthis are part of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance” against Israel and Western influence in the region. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for restraint, warning that further escalation could destabilize Yemen and the broader region, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis in the country. Analysts remain skeptical of the long-term efficacy of the US airstrikes. The Houthis have weathered sustained military campaigns in the past, and their growing ties to Russia and China—evidenced by illicit shipping networks and potential military cooperation—complicate efforts to isolate them. Some experts argue that airstrikes alone are unlikely to dislodge the terrorist group, pointing to their deep entrenchment in Yemen’s political and military landscape. The killing of senior terrorists like Abdulkhaleq Al-Houthi may disrupt operations temporarily, but it could also galvanize Houthi support by fueling anti-US sentiment among Yemenis already suffering from years of conflict. As the US continues its campaign, the risk of retaliation looms large. The Houthi terrorists have vowed to escalate their attacks, and their history of resilience suggests they may attempt to strike US or allied targets in the region, potentially targeting the USS Harry S. Truman or US bases in the Middle East. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for a broader regional conflict if the cycle of strikes and counterattacks continues unchecked. For now, the Red Sea remains a flashpoint, with the US and the Houthi terrorists locked in a dangerous game of escalation that shows no immediate signs of abating.

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Arakan Army to begin conscription in Myanmar’s west

Read RFA coverage of this topic in Burmese. One of Myanmar’s most powerful rebel armies will begin conscription for all residents over 18 years old, residents told Radio Free Asia on Thursday. The Arakan Army, or AA, which controls the vast majority of western Myanmar’s Rakhine State, is organizing administrative processes in the state that would make conscription a legal obligation, a source close to the AA told RFA, adding that details would be released soon. A resident from Mrauk-U township also confirmed that the AA was holding meetings in villages to discuss details about the conscription. “Men between the ages of 18 and 45 will undergo two months of military training and be required to serve for two years,” the resident said, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons. He added that women between the ages of 18 and 35 will also be required to serve. No information has been released about what draftees will be required to do or whether they will serve in combat, raising concerns among civilians in the embattled region, which has witnessed brutal retaliation efforts from Myanmar’s junta. The AA currently controls 14 of Rakhine state’s 17 townships. RFA contacted AA spokesperson Khaing Thu Kha for more information, but he did not respond by the time of publication. RELATED STORIES EXPLAINED: What is Myanmar’s Arakan Army? Myanmar’s junta targets displaced people returning to embattled Rakhine state EXPLAINED: Arrested ARSA leader blamed for violence against Rohingya refugees With a well-organized military structure and strong local support, the AA has established de facto governance in much of the region, collecting taxes and administering justice independently from the central government. The junta views the AA as a persistent threat, as its growing influence undermines military control and fuels aspirations for greater autonomy among other ethnic groups. Facing serious setbacks from insurgent groups across the country, reduced foreign investment, and defections from its own troops, the junta enacted controversial conscription laws in February last year, mandating compulsory military service for men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27. ​International human rights organizations have strongly criticized junta’s conscription law, arguing that it exacerbates the country’s existing humanitarian crisis and violates fundamental human rights. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, Tom Andrews, described the junta’s imposition of mandatory military service as a sign of its desperation and a further threat to civilians. The enforcement of this law has led to a significant exodus of young people seeking to evade conscription. Reports indicate that thousands have fled across borders, particularly into Thailand, to avoid mandatory military service. Translated by Kiana Duncan. Edited by Taejun Kang. We are : Investigative Journalism Reportika Investigative Reports Daily Reports Interviews Surveys Reportika

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Chinese influencer Yaya ordered to leave Taiwan after posting pro-China video

Prominent Chinese influencer Liu Zhenya, also known as “Yaya,” left Taiwan Tuesday evening on orders from the Taiwanese government after she got in trouble for social media posts that appeared to support China’s use of force to take over Taiwan. Initially, Liu resisted leaving and held a press conference to protest the decision, claiming the Taiwan government was abusing its power. She was criticized by protesters who gathered at the scene and shouted anti-China slogans. But Liu left Taiwan on Tuesday evening, March 25, just before the deadline set by the Taipei government two weeks earlier. Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province that needs to be “reunified” with China, by force if necessary. The video that got Liu in trouble was from May 2024. At that time, she posted a video on her Douyin social media account about China’s “Joint Sword 2024A” military exercises around Taiwan. In the video, she called the Chinese military drills “the most intimidating and aggressive exercises ever,” and expressed support for defending national sovereignty. “Maybe tomorrow morning, the island will be filled with five-star red flags,” she said. “Just thinking about it makes me happy.” This video was later reposted on the official Facebook account of Taiwan.cn, a media outlet under the Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing. On March 12, Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency, or NIA, determined that her actions violated regulations on residency for mainland Chinese nationals and revoked her residency permit on the grounds of “endangering national security and social stability.” It also imposed a five-year ban on reapplying for the permit and said she must leave the island by March 25. Heckled at press conference On Tuesday, Liu held a press conference to criticize the NIA’s decision to revoke her residency, calling it an abuse of power. Liu defended her comments, insisting that she had never advocated for military unification. “I support peaceful unification. My discussion of military unification was based on an analysis of the current situation,” she said. “Talking about military unification is different from advocating for it.” Liu also appealed to the Taiwan government not to separate her from her children, who live in Taiwan with her Taiwanese husband. 【亚亚抗拒限期离境 在台湾内政部陈情】【大批民众聚集抗议亚亚 要求她“回归中国”】网红八囧与群众在内政部门口与亚亚及支持者对峙,高喊口号。亚亚在内政部门口辩称自己没有主张武统,是对“形势的分析”。看看资料影片,大家觉得她的口气是“分析”还是“鼓吹武统”?#亚亚 #武统 #居留 #台湾 #中国… pic.twitter.com/HKAc6XUtea — 自由亚洲电台 (@RFA_Chinese) March 25, 2025 Throughout the press conference, protesters repeatedly shouted, “Welcome Yaya back to China,” along with other chants like “Yaya, go back to China!” and “June 4,” a reference to the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre that Beijing has attempted to cover up. Ba Jiong, a Taiwanese influencer who had originally reported on Liu’s actions, claimed Liu’s refusal to leave voluntarily was an attempt to stage a dramatic exit, with Taiwanese immigration officers escorting her onto the plane. Ba Jiong said this would allow Liu to create propaganda for Chinese state media. “Yaya wants to take a symbolic gesture back to China,” he said. “We’ll help fulfill her wish by holding signs like ‘June 4’ and images of Xi Jinping and the former Foreign Minister Qin Gang who went silent, making sure she has no material to use for her propaganda.” Taiwan’s Premier Cho Jung-tai said that freedom of speech must have limits. “Freedom of speech has boundaries, and the boundary is the survival of the state,” he said. “One cannot defame the country and still expect it to protect you.” In a separate interview, Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang pointed out that Liu was not just an ordinary mother. “She is waging a legal, public opinion, and psychological battle, and she has also received support from many pro-China Taiwanese and influencers.” Liu confirmed that NIA had made a decision regarding Liu, urging her to leave voluntarily. “If she does not depart by the deadline, we will take compulsory measures, and this decision has not changed,” she said. Edited by Malcolm Foster. We are : Investigative Journalism Reportika Investigative Reports Daily Reports Interviews Surveys Reportika

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Junta chief vows to hike defense budget, seeking to expand global presence

Read RFA coverage of this topic in Burmese. Myanmar’s junta chief said the military would increase the defense budget, while seeking to expand his international presence with a reported plan to join a regional summit in Thailand next month. Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing announced on Monday that the junta would increase the budget for its defense ministry to “enhance the strength and capacity of defense forces” as well as to “maintain peace and stability.” He did not provide specific figures. Since the 2021 coup, the junta has tripled its defense budget from 1.746 trillion kyats to 5.635 trillion kyats (US$2.68 billion) by 2023, according to media reports, accounting for about a quarter of the government’s total spending. The military has also invested over US$1 billion in weapons, primarily from Russia, China, Singapore, India and Thailand. Despite bolstering its capabilities, the junta faces intense international criticism for human rights violations, including indiscriminate attacks and mass detentions, leading to accusations of war crimes and increasing global isolation. Min Aung Hlaing has been also sanctioned by multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union’s 27 member states. These sanctions include asset freezes, travel bans, and prohibitions on transactions, aimed at holding him accountable for human rights violations and the military’s seizure of power. However, Min Aung Hlaing appears to be attempting to reshape his international standing, as media reports indicate that he plans to participate in a regional summit in Bangkok next week – marking his first visit to Thailand. According to Thai media outlet ThaiPBS on Monday, Min Aung Hlaing is scheduled to visit Bangkok from April 3 to 4 to attend the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, or BIMSTEC, summit. The summit is expected to be attended by heads of state from member countries, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BIMSTEC is a regional cooperation organization established in 1997, comprising seven countries bordering the Bay of Bengal: India, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan. Min Aung Hlaing also recently visited Russia and Belarus, where he held meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Separately, he attended the Mekong River Basin Summit held in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, in November – marking his first visit to China since the coup. RELATED STORIES Myanmar’s junta launches offensives on rebel strongholds in Mandalay region Junta offensives leave 4 dead, thousands displaced in northwest Myanmar Junta airstrike hits a clinic in central Myanmar, killing 11, including children Assaults in northern Myanmar As the junta leader looks abroad for support for his unelected government and approval for elections he plans to hold by January, his military’s attacks on pro-democracy forces and ethnic armies fighting for autonomy continue in an indiscriminate and brutal fashion. A resident from Mandalay’s Natogyi township said that junta forces bombed two villages around 1 a.m. on Sunday morning, injuring two women and six men, including a 13-year-old child. Insurgent groups, which retain control over much of the township, have seen a resurgence in junta offensives, following a series of failed ceasefires between the junta and rebel militias in the country’s north. “They were all just civilians, Although most were people avoiding conflict, there were those who couldn’t avoid it and were stuck in Let Wea and Myinni villages,” said the resident, who declined to be named over security concerns. “When the bomb fell, they ran but they didn’t get away.” Airstrikes on Myinni and Let Wea villages in Natogyi township in Mandalay region burned down more than 10 houses on March 23, 2025.(Natogyi Journal) A 65-year-old man was severely injured, and over 10 houses were destroyed by the blast, he added. Most residents from the two villages were sheltering in nearby mountains, but about a third had chosen to remain in their homes, residents said. Junta spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Htun has declined to comment. According to data compiled by RFA, 3,554 people have been killed by junta-led attacks since the coup began in February 2021, and another 7,064 have been injured. Translated by Kiana Duncan. Edited by Taejun Kang and Mike Firn. We are : Investigative Journalism Reportika Investigative Reports Daily Reports Interviews Surveys Reportika

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