CiCM 31st January 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

Cyberattacks Against DeepSeek Surge Through Botnets: Chinese AI start-up DeepSeek has been facing escalating cyberattacks, with a surge on Thursday exceeding previous attack levels by over 100 times, according to cybersecurity firm XLab. The company has been under sustained Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks since early January. Initially, the attacks involved SSDP and NTP amplification techniques, later evolving into HTTP proxy attacks, and most recently, botnet-driven attacks. XLab identified two Mirai-variant botnets, HailBot and RapperBot, participating in the attacks, launching two waves early Thursday. These botnets are known for their professional DDoS services, targeting global systems. Attackers employ multiple methods to overwhelm DeepSeek’s network, leading to service disruptions. DeepSeek gained prominence after releasing its open-source AI model, DeepSeek-R1 in January, followed by the release of Janus-Pro, an upgraded multimodal AI model outperforming OpenAI in benchmark tests. The intensified attacks forced DeepSeek to restrict new user registrations, only allowing users having +86 phone numbers. The disruptions raised global concerns over AI security, with Forbes highlighting the broader risks posed to AI-driven platforms. Cybersecurity experts warn that professional attackers are behind these incidents, leveraging botnet services to escalate their attacks.

China's Exports Coverage Expands in 2024: China’s exports to over 160 countries and regions grew in 2024, marking the eighth consecutive year of expansion, according to the General Administration of Customs (GAC). Exports increased by 7.1 percent year-on-year, reaching 25.45 trillion yuan, (about 3.55 trillion USD). A Strong growth was recorded in exports to Brazil (increase by 23.3 percent), the UAE (increase by 19.2 percent) and Saudi Arabia (rise of 18.2 percent). Exports to ASEAN countries and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) participants rose by 13.4 percent and 9.6 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, exports to traditional markets like the EU and the U.S. increased by 4.3 percent and 6.1 percent. Despite global uncertainties, GAC official Lyu Daliang emphasized that China’s export sector remains resilient and dynamic, supported by a diverse product range and favourable policies. Out of total exports, manufacturing sector accounted for 98.9 percent, largely contributed by equipment manufacturing (14.69 trillion yuan), consumer goods manufacturing (5.43 trillion yuan) and raw materials manufacturing (3.12 trillion yuan).

China Issued 5.13 Billion Yuan for Skill Development Subsidies in 2024: China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced that it distributed 5.13 billion yuan in skill development subsidies to 3.1 million workers in 2024. The initiative aimed to strengthen vocational training and promote a lifelong skills development system. According to Wang Xiaojun, deputy director of the ministry’s Vocational Capacity Building Department, over 12 million workers obtained occupational skill level or professional qualification certificates this year under the "new eight-level worker" system. Eligible workers, who paid insurance premiums for a year and obtained relevant certifications, also applied for subsidies ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 yuan. Looking ahead to 2025, the government plans to focus on key groups such as migrant workers, unemployed college graduates and those struggling to find jobs. Training efforts will prioritize high-demand fields like healthcare, childcare, advanced manufacturing and modern services to improve employment opportunities.

Supreme People’s Court Launches Multi-Dispute Resolution Case Database: The Supreme People's Court has officially launched the "Multi-Dispute Resolution Case Database," which is now open to the public for study, reference and use by state organs, social groups and mediation organizations. It aims to provide guidance on alternative dispute resolution methods, promote mediation and improve legal awareness in conflict prevention and resolution. The database includes over 200 typical cases involving disputes in areas such as marriage, labor, property, medical issues, road traffic, financial consumption and intellectual property. It highlights successful non-litigation resolution methods like mediation and arbitration, reflecting innovative approaches across various industries. Integrated with the People's Court case database, the platform allows users to search cases efficiently by cause, keywords and related adjudications. This initiative strengthens public access to legal resources and promotes non-litigation dispute resolution.

Lunar New Year Travel Surpasses 200 Million on First Day: On the first day of the Lunar New Year, cross-regional travel in China reached 205 million, a 5.4 percent increase from last year, according to the 2025 Spring Festival Travel Working Group. Railways carried 5.51 million passengers, while 744,000 traveled by water and 2.04 million used airways. Meanwhile, road travel dominated, carrying 196.71 million trips—11.89 million via commercial transport and 184.82 million using private vehicles on highways and national roads. To ensure smooth transportation, authorities implemented various measures, particularly in key logistics sectors. The Yangtze River maritime departments focused on securing the transport of essential goods such as coal, grain, gasoline and diesel. The Yantai-Dalian water passenger ro-ro route remained operational, facilitating the exchange of goods between Shandong and Liaoning. Through Yantai Port, seafood, vegetables and production materials from the south were sent to the northeast, while steel and grain from the northeast were distributed across the Yangtze River region.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

China Taxi Driver Reunites with Twin Brother and Parents: A Chinese taxi driver’s extraordinary reunion with his long-lost twin brother and biological parents after 30 years has touched hearts across social media. On January 4, in Dongfeng county, Guizhou province, Peng Dingyi was welcomed back into his birth family with a grand celebration. His journey to reconnecting with them began in 2016 when a passenger in Guiyang mistook him for an old friend — who turned out to be his twin brother. Their resemblance was so striking that Peng remarked, “It felt like looking in a mirror.” Despite their emotional reunion, the twins had no knowledge of their biological family. Their mother had been told at birth that both had died, leading to their separate adoptions. Peng was raised as an only child, discovering his adoption at 18. Determined to find his birth family, Peng resubmitted his details to the Baby Come Home website in December and successfully located his parents and two sisters on December 30. While his twin brother declined to meet them, Peng embraced the reunion, expressing excitement and nervousness. Grateful to both families, Peng vowed to maintain ties with his adoptive parents. His story, described by netizens as “the magic of DNA,” has captivated the Chinese public.

INDIA WATCH

Chinese Media Reports on India’s Mineral Industry Development Plan: Chinese media outlet The Paper recently reported that India has intensified efforts to develop its critical minerals industry, essential for high-tech and clean energy sectors, amid growing global competition. The report mentioned that recognizing the scarcity of these resources, the Indian government has approved 163 billion rupees ($1.88 billion) to boost exploration and processing of critical minerals. It notes that India’s mission aims to enhance exploration in domestic and offshore areas while offering financial incentives. The report further highlights that this initiative seeks to reduce India’s reliance on imports, particularly for lithium, a crucial mineral for energy transition, where China currently dominates processing technology. the article claims that India has sought technical assistance from Australia, Russia and the United States to bridge this gap. The article also provides that India elevated critical minerals policy to a national strategic level in 2023, identifying 30 key minerals, including lithium, to support its industrial and infrastructure sectors. However, the report critiques that limited domestic production capacity amidst fierce global competition and underinvestment in mineral exploration remain as key challenges for the sector. It also argues that the absence of a unified management system further complicates India’s efforts.

Prepared By

Manushka Sharma

Manushka Sharma is a dedicated second year student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese (Hons.) at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). With a keen interest in international relations, particularly in the dynamics of India-China relations, Manushka brings a unique perspective to understanding cross-cultural connections and geopolitical issues. Alongside academic pursuits, Manushka aspires to make significant contributions to global affairs, leveraging linguistic skills and cultural insights to bridge gaps and foster dialogue. She can be reached at manushka82006@gmail.com.