China

CNBC | English | News | April 25, 2025 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

U.S. lawmakers are using subpoena powers to compel China's major telecom companies—China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom—to cooperate with an investigation regarding their potential support of the Chinese military and government. This bipartisan initiative by the House of Representatives' select committee on China arose from concerns over the companies' access to American data through their operations in the U.S., particularly following significant cyberattacks attributed to China, such as the Volt Typhoon incident that breached critical infrastructure.

The select committee leaders, including Republican chair John Moolenaar and top Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, previously sought information from these companies but received no responses. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had already denied China Mobile's telecommunications service application in 2019 and revoked authorizations for China Telecom and China Unicom in subsequent years, yet these firms continue to operate in the U.S. through cloud services and internet traffic routing, raising concerns about potential data exploitation.

In letters sent on April 23, Moolenaar and Krishnamoorthi indicated that evidence suggests the companies maintain operational infrastructure in the U.S. that may not be under FCC oversight. The lawmakers have demanded that the companies fully comply by May 7, warning of potential contempt charges if they fail to respond. The Chinese embassy responded to these actions by asserting that they oppose what they call the U.S.'s overreach regarding national security and its attempts to undermine Chinese businesses.

Evening Standard | English | News | April 25, 2025 | UndeterminedEmployment

Tech giant Intel is reportedly planning to cut more than 20% of its staff as part of a broader initiative to address declining sales and competition, particularly from rivals like Nvidia in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. The announcement is anticipated this week under the leadership of new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who aims to streamline management and foster a more engineering-oriented culture within the company.

Last year, Intel reduced its workforce by approximately 15,000 jobs, resulting in 108,900 employees by the end of that year, down from 124,800. It remains uncertain whether the upcoming job cuts will affect global operations or be restricted to certain regions. Intel has not commented on the reports, which coincide with its scheduled financial results announcement on Thursday, where further details on the restructuring may be provided.

The staffing cuts come amid growing concerns regarding the manufacturing and supply chain stability for Intel and other tech companies, exacerbated by the escalating tariff and trade tensions between the US and China, which is a crucial hub for electronics manufacturing. Historically a leading player in the computer chip industry, Intel has faced challenges from faster-moving competitors and has been criticized for its slow response to the growing demand for AI technology and the associated chips.

The Jakarta Globe | English | News | April 25, 2025 | UndeterminedBizdev-Partnering

Chinese nickel processing company Huayou is set to join an Indonesian electric vehicle (EV) battery consortium, taking the place of South Korea's LG Energy Solution. A senior official confirmed this development, noting Huayou's existing presence in Indonesia through its subsidiary Huayou Indonesia and its involvement in significant nickel processing projects in locations such as Weda Bay.

The consortium was initially formed with Indonesia Battery Corporation (IBC) and state miner Aneka Tambang (Antam) for a $9.8 billion investment project. This project includes plans for upstream mining valued at $850 million, smelter construction at $4 billion, a cathode processing plant at $1.8 billion, and a battery cell factory at $3.2 billion. LG Energy Solution's withdrawal was prompted by prolonged delays and stalled negotiations, leading to the consortium's termination notification in January.

Despite LG's exit, the overall investment target remains unchanged with Huayou's entry. Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani emphasized the company's previous investments in Indonesia and its capacity to execute the project's objectives, highlighting Huayou's significant investment in Weda Bay as a key factor in their selection. The consortium is vital to Indonesia's strategy for developing a fully integrated domestic EV supply chain and establishing its first EV ecosystem.