VIF Information Alerts - 25 September 2019

US bill on Hong Kong democracy, which has angered China, gets approval in House and Senate committees
Published: South China Morning Post

26 Sep 2019

A US bill written to support democratic freedoms in Hong Kong by increasing pressure on Chinese authorities moved closer to becoming law on Wednesday after receiving approval by two congressional committees.
The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019, which Beijing has branded as interference in its domestic affairs, moved through the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, setting the stage for votes in both chambers in the coming weeks.Click here to read.... [2]

China insists it is still ‘a developing country’ despite being second largest economy
The Indian Express

25 Sep 2019

China, the world’s second largest economy after the US, on Wednesday asserted that it is “still a developing country”, arguing that it continued to grapple with the problems of inadequate and unbalanced development. Threatening to pull the US out of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over what he described as its unfair treatment of America, President Donald Trump last month said that India and China are no longer “developing nations” and are “taking advantage” of the tag from the global trade body.Click here to read.... [3]

China Launched a Special Type of Warship That Can Help Invade Taiwan
Published: The National Interest

25 Sep 2019

The Chinese navy on Sept. 25, 2019 launched its first big-deck amphibious assault ship, or LHD. The Type 075 amphib, which is similar in shape to the U.S. Navy’s own Wasp-class assault ship, could help Chinese forces invade Taiwan, seize disputed islands and project power and presence over a long distance.
The assault ship appears to be around 800 feet long and displace around 40,000 tons. It probably can accommodate dozens of helicopters and landing craft and hundreds of marines.Click here to read.... [4]

Drones from Pak dropped weapons in India: Police probe
Published: Deccan Herald

25 Sep 2019

GPS-fitted drones that can lift up to 10 kg carried out seven to eight sorties from Pakistan to drop AK-47 rifles, hand grenades and pistols which were seized in Punjab's Tarn Taran district, according to a Punjab police probe which also indicated the weapons were to be used for terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.Click here to read.... [5]

Army plans to induct AI to bolster capability
Published: The Economic Times

25 Sep 2019

Building India’s future capabilities against its adversaries, the army has planned to induct artificial intelligence technologies in the next two years with the first users being the mechanised formations such as tanks and infantry combat vehicles, South-Western Army Commander Lieutenant General Alok Kler said on Wednesday.Click here to read.... [6]