China’s Domination of Global Solar Panel Supply Chain is Raising Concerns in EU and the U.S.
On July 7, the IEA released “Special Report on Solar PV Global Supply Chains” arguing that by 2025, the world will be almost entirely dependent on China for key components used in photovoltaic module production. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said at the launch of the report that “China has been instrumental in bringing down costs worldwide for solar PV, with multiple benefits for clean energy transitions”.
The IEA claims that ensuring a secure transition to net zero emissions will require increased efforts to expand and diversify global production of solar panels whose global supply chains are currently heavily concentrated in China. As the top two export markets for China’s PV panel manufacturing industry, Europe and the United States are reevaluating the value of China’s solar panel products. Europe and the United States have never needed Chinese PV panels as much as they do today, and they have never been so wary of China’s global dominance of the PV industry.
Name Changes and Other Regulations Will Impact Schools in China Offering International Education
Recently, some international schools in Beijing have been requested by the education authorities to change their names, removing references to overseas countries and partner institutions. As early as May 2021, the Chinese government has issued relevant policy documents requiring private compulsory education schools not to use words such as “international” and “global” in their names. These schools are also prohibited from using foreign textbooks for teaching. This means that private “international schools” for Chinese students will face a series of compliance adjustments.
In the past few decades, due to the relaxed policy environment and the growing economic strength of Chinese families, people have pursued diversification of education, which has provided the soil for the emergence of various international schools. Caijing reporters researched the public information and found that in the past year, more than 100 private schools have changed their names in more than 10 cities.
Shinzo Abe Dies After Being Shot During Speech, But His Vision for Japan Lives
On July 8, 2022, Japan’s former prime minister Shinzo Abe was shot twice in the back while giving a speech on the streets of Nara. Abe died hours later in hospital. A scholar told Caijing that the assassination will have a profound impact on Japan’s politics. It was an unforgivable crime that cost the life of one of Japan’s most important leaders in modern times and hurt Japan’s freedom of speech and the fundamental principles of democracy.
It is widely believed in Japan and abroad that Abe’s most important contribution to contemporary politics and economy is his attempt to change the thinking of Japanese society. Abe was Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, held office in 2006 for a year and then again from 2012 to 2020. Abe’s long-cherished hope is to amend the Constitution.
China Releases New Requirements for Cross-Border Data Transfers
China recently introduced new regulations to establish clear rules for the security assessment of data going abroad. In an interview with Caijing reporters, a number of experts said that the regulations make up for the security loopholes and improve the security of data export. They suggested that relevant enterprises should carry out self-assessment in accordance with the new regulations before data transfers occur.
With the rapid development of the global digital economy and the wide application of technologies such as big data and the Internet, data transfers have become increasingly common. At present, some countries and regions have established management systems related to data export. How to ensure the security of cross-border flow of data has been a global challenge, and China has improved the security of data export. China’s data export security management system is consistent with international practices.
