Commentary: Feed the masses and preserve Singaporean heritage? Hawkers can’t do both

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Objectives OF LOW Costs

Patrons at stalls centers can anticipate quick, affordable, and filling meals, according to former head restaurant Nurl Asyraffie Mohamed Shukor, who is now the owner of the stalls stall Kerabu by Arang.

In an 8days meeting, he explains:” A lot of people don’t know my meal and they ask,’ why is it so pricey?’ They are unable to comprehend the purpose of it. For the meat, I need to salt it for two time, then ferment overnight. They only see rice, meat, and a salt egg on the dish, which makes the entire process very laborious, and they believe the plate should be S$ 3.

But, this seems not to be the case for BlackGoat, a common hawker barn serving Western-style dish, with costs ranging from S$ 9 for a cookie to S$ 59.50 for 495g of striploin, substantially higher than traditional local stalls suffer. According to BlackGoat’s reviews, users deem the meal “value for cash”.

Hawker customers appear to be willing to spend more cash on other dishes while allowing local survive to be affordable. Is it a case of dual criteria?

The issue is more complicated, though Singaporeans ‘ reluctance to spend more for hawker food may be brought on by internalized bias, which requires that foreign dishes, like European or Chinese, be priced without question.

Singaporeans view standard stalls food as “everyday foods” rather than a rare indulgence. One could say that it is the recurrent consumption, rather than its lack of intrinsic value, that drives consumers to desire lower prices, even though fishball noodles does require more work and cost more to produce than aglio olio, for instance.

After all, there are successful businesspeople who charge high prices for local dishes outside of conventional stall centers.

For instance, the air-conditioned diner The Coconut Club offers their unique entire rigour berempah nasi lemak at S$ 22.80, while a bowl of shrimp soup at Zhup Zhup, an open-air cafe, ranges from S$ 14 to S$ 20.

I recently went to Zhup Zhup, and I was surprised to discover most tables full of people waiting for dinner. However, for most hawkers serving standard fare at stall centres, the idea that prices may be kept lower endures.

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Commentary: India and China resume border negotiations, but is it all talk?

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DELHI: The Dec. 18 conference between China’s Wang Yi and India’s Ajit Doval on December 18, 2024 marked a significant step in the direction of normalization of relations between the two nations. &nbsp,

This was the 23rd gathering of the Special Reps. The next took place in December 2019, following which the harsh Galwan conflicts of 2020 entirely offset India-China relationships. The two sides ‘ efforts to establish mutual respect and confidence-building measures ( CBMs) totaled as a result of the clashes, leading to a border military standoff.

The 75th commemoration of India and China’s first diplomatic ties annihilates in 2025. Yet, even after years of debate, the India-China borders continues to be disputed. &nbsp,

Even though it has been demonstrated time and time again that the matter has the capacity to disrupt diplomatic relations between the two countries, there hasn’t been any real change in this. The CBMs’ weakness was also demonstrated by the Galwan clashes. &nbsp,

UNDER THE DIPLOMATIC Facade

Following the Line of Actual Control’s monitoring quality in October, which caused some lowering of anxiety and withdrawal, the Dec. 18 meeting took place. &nbsp,

However, the appointment does provide some hope for India-China relations, and it cannot ignore the country’s history and the challenges that lie ahead. &nbsp,

The Chinese’s release of a” six-point consensus” following the meeting underscores this point, which the Indian part has not been quite pleasant accepting in its entirety. Importantly, yet after Beijing stated that it was eager and ready to work with India to resolve a problem, no joint declaration from the two parties was released at the conclusion of the meeting.

According to a statement from the Chinese foreign government, any resolution to the boundary dispute may be “fair, fair, and acceptable to both sides” and “both sides agreed to continue taking steps to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas and to promote the healthy and robust development of diplomatic relations.” Additionally, it stated that the frontier problem would be put in the “appropriate place,” without providing any specifics or clarifications regarding what this position entails. &nbsp,

Beijing also expressed a desire to “delink the frontier issue from diplomatic relations,” as it has been doing so since the Galwan problems. &nbsp,

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‘Mounting stress and pressure’: Can a national hotline help address mental health issues in China?

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Dr Xie Bin, President of the Shanghai Mental Health Center, stressed that the 12356 services do not deal on private security. &nbsp,

At the December NHC event, Dr. Xie stated that some people fear that seeking mental health care may be repudiated or have an impact on their future because China has strict laws and rules governing patient privacy.

Public services alerts in China are content to security contracts, Qin said.

Patients are required to mark their assent during actual counseling sessions and acknowledge that confidentiality may be violated in some circumstances. &nbsp,

” During the counseling session, security must be violated if the risk of a man harming others is fairly high,” she continued. &nbsp,

OPERATIONAL IN SOME CHINESE CITIES&nbsp,

12356 was first used on January 1 in places like Beijing and Guangzhou, and it is anticipated to be used global starting on May 1, according to the NHC. &nbsp,

In Beijing, it began operations at 8am on Wednesday and will be in functioning 24/7, said&nbsp, the Beijing Municipal Health Commission. ” Professional line advisors will offer public security services”, it added. &nbsp,

For visitors in Guangzhou, 12356 then links to the town’s existing 24/7 problems hotline, 81899120. &nbsp,

The Guangzhou Municipal Party Committee said in a statement that “in recent times, residents ‘ mental health issues have become extremely important.” 81899120 has grown to be a crucial resource for those seeking help and has received more than 300, 000 calling over the years. &nbsp,

“81899120 has been committed to providing high-quality and useful psychological counseling and support, as well as problems treatment services to the public public”, the council said. &nbsp,

It has significantly reduced the number of serious cases of mental health help, according to &nbsp.

Smaller prefectural-level places are required to possess at least one cognitive health line in activity, staffed by staff for a minimum of 18 days everyday, for 12356 to link to, said the NHC. &nbsp,

Calls may be made for free, according to NHC officials, addressing concerns from experts and the general public regarding the extremely high costs of counseling services and treatment. &nbsp,

Beijing therapist Qin believes the success of the 12356 line may still be “wait and see.” &nbsp,

” Because we cannot see the running design of the 12356 range, it is difficult to estimate”, she said. &nbsp,

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PAO polls vital ‘building blocks’

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According to observers, fierce competition is anticipated for the Provincial Administration Organization ( PAO ) presidents in 47 provinces on February 1.

The parties are putting up polls to fill positions that have been filled by PAO presidents who have not yet served their terms, including Pheu Thai, Bhumjaithai, and People’s Party ( PP ).

Before their term ended on December 19, 2024, some PAO president in different provinces resigned, making it necessary for elections to be held within 60 times. Leaders may elect candidates within 45 days to complete their terms.

After the 2014 military-led revolution, PAO elections were held for the first time on Dec 20, 2020, under the 2017 law and local election rules, which set the name end time on Dec 19, 2024.

The Bangkok Post spoke with observers to learn about how brutal the forthcoming elections for PAO leaders will be and what tactics candidates and their events may employ to win.

The spectators claim that the three parties see the elections as a chance to increase their support for the 2027 general election as a make-or-break chance.

In some provinces, the matchup takes the form of a strong battle between the PP and Pheu Thai, as seen in the Chiang Mai PAO vote.

Even though the celebration has publicly stated that it is not fielding everyone under its banner, Bhumjaithai is actively supporting candidates in many provinces. However, some key figures have been explicitly cheering for certain candidates, signalling their behind-the-scenes participation.

Help from local folks

Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, the previous election commissioner, claimed that powerful mobilization efforts and grass-roots networks are necessary to win the PAO chief election.

Most local officials belong to important “big households” that maintain near and long-standing relationships with their communities. This makes it challenging for the PP, which lacks for local sites, to get a grip in these elections.

While the PP may safe seats in urban areas, securing voters in remote areas remains a obstacle, he said.

According to Mr. Somchai, significant events use local elections as a prelude to national politics. With nearby tickets, they can tap into local network to link at national levels, reducing the amount of work needed for the 2027 public votes.

” When regional elections connects with nearby politicians and vice versa, it creates a mutually advantageous relationship”, he said.

Somchai: Road to regional elections

Somchai: Road to regional elections

Stithorn Thananithichot, director of the Office of Innovation for Politics at King Prajadhipok’s Institute, said local election successes are important for regional parties aiming to occupy coming general elections.

He cited the Palang Pracharath Party ( PPRP ) case.

In 2019, when the PPRP led the state, the group assigned its next secretary-general, Capt Thamanat Prompow, to handle PAO general elections in 50 regions that year. The party won votes in 50 regions and won the support of significant native political people.

However, the group divide in 2023, with one party forming the United Thai Nation Party, led by former prime minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, reducing the PPRP’s native help center.

Similarly, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the de-facto leader of Pheu Thai, has adopted the same strategy as PPRP in the past, with Capt Thamanat again playing the role of connecting with local influential families.

This mirrors Bhumjaithai’s approach of engaging these families to strengthen its base for national politics. The strategy has proven effective, as seen in recent PAO elections, where the incumbent PAO chief resigned early to gain an electoral advantage.

On the other hand, the PP has yet to achieve success in any province. In Bangkok and nearby provinces or the South, where there is strong Pheu Thai opposition, interest has grown as a result of its reliance on a campaign for change and a new political approach.

Most PP supporters are also middle-class individuals. Therefore, it struggles to penetrate rural strongholds that are dominated by conventional political networks, according to Mr. Stithorn.

Stithorn: PP lackingrural support base

Stithorn: PP lackingrural support base

Influential families vital

According to Olarn Thinbangtieo, a lecturer at Burapha University’s Faculty of Political Science and Law, major parties are giving local elections a chance to form alliances with powerful families in various provinces.

Pheu Thai’s goal of securing at least 200 MP seats hinges on two factors: Thaksin’s influence and the PAO elections.

According to Mr. Olarn, Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai have similar ancestry roots in their respective “big families.” Since Thaksin’s return to the political scene, he has actively encouraged these families to renounce Pheu Thai and switch allegiance.

In consequence, these two parties have largely become a contest in the local election system. In contrast, the PP’s presence in local elections serves only as a “rating check” rather than a viable race.

Mr. Olarn said that Thaksin himself represents both the strengths and weaknesses of Pheu Thai in this contest.

He is both the party’s greatest asset and its greatest obstacle, making him a significant factor in the struggle for Pheu Thai to achieve its goal of dominating the electoral landscape as it pleases.

In Chon Buri, a stronghold of the Kunplome family led by Sontaya Kunplome, is an example of this. Despite being urged by Pheu Thai to run under the party’s banner, Mr Sontaya declined and instead chose to run under the” We Love Chonburi” group.

Mr. Sontaya is aware that Chon Buri voters view Thaksin as a “bitter pill.”

Running under the Pheu Thai name would increase the likelihood of being defeated because the majority of Chon Buri residents continue to support the yellow shirt group, which opposes Thaksin.

It is uncommon to find people there who are pro-Thaksin red shirts, aside from Pattaya, but some groups may support the orange shirts ( the PP ).

Although they are only a small percentage of this eastern province’s voters, people from the Northeast still have an admiration for Thaksin.

Olarn: Thaksin stillhas major role

Olarn: Thaksin stillhas major role

slim chance for PP

Political scientist Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University Yuttaporn Issarachai said local election victories are typically evenly split between Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai, leaving little room for the PP.

” The PP’s candidates have struggled to create any’ wow’ factor. Moreover, the rules governing local elections differ significantly from national ones”, he said.

Local elections lack constituency-based voting, and for a candidate to win, he or she only needs to secure more votes over their rival.

Additionally, there is no early voting, and the restrictive voter eligibility rules effectively mean the polls aren’t accessible to locals. So, there are only 50 % of eligible people to vote, compared to the 70–80 % seen in national elections, Mr Yutthaporn said.

Also, most winners of PAO chief elections tend to be familiar faces or previous champions, accounting for nearly 90 % of victors, he said.

Due to voters preferring to elect people they know and can address their daily issues, it is difficult for new candidates to emerge.

These elections are not about choosing a prime ministerial candidate or a party capable of forming a government, as in national elections, he added.

Yutthaporn: Toughtime for new names

Yutthaporn: Toughtime for new names

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Where to eat and what to order this Chinese New Year

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Take-home set recipes abound, including a number from common zichar cafe Yang Ming Seafood. Set menus start from S$ 838.80 ( feeds eight to 10 ), with dishes like abalone yu sheng, rock lobster platter, Hong Kong-style Chinese pomfret, pen cai, lotus leaf “lap mei” rice and dessert. Tablescape Restaurant and Bar’s Prosperity Set ( from S$ 299, feeds up to six diners ) comes with the likes of abalone and salmon yu sheng, honey soy sauce chicken, pen cai, and radish cake. There’s even a Five Blessings Lunar New Year Dessert Box ( S$ 68 ) filled with sweet treats like a rose lychee tart, matcha azuki cake, and durian cheesecake.Continue Reading

PM will survive 2025: Nida poll

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PUBLISHED: 6 Jan 2025 at 04: 30

According to a poll conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration ( Nida ), the majority of Thais believe that Paetongtarn Shinawatra will be in office for the entire year.

Nida Poll monday released the results of a study conducted on Dec 16-18, involving 1, 310 members. When asked about the prospects of the Paetongtarn government this year, 51.22 % of respondents believed the premier would serve the full year, 21.60 % anticipated a cabinet reshuffle, 15.34 % expected a parliamentary dissolution and 15.04 % predicted the coalition government’s collapse.

Some 5.88 % thought the premier would resign, 5.73 % believed protests would force her out of office, 3.05 % said the government would face a coup, 2.82 % said legal issues would force the premier to step down and 1.76 % expected the premier to step aside for Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. About 1.15 % gave no judgment or were indifferent.

Asked about this year’s political situation, 50.61 % believed the situation would remain” chaotic” and 39.92 % said it would be more tumultuous.

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DR Congo gold: Chinese nationals arrested with bars and 0,000 cash in Walungu

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Three Chinese nationals have been arrested with 12 gold bars and$ 800, 000 ( £650, 000 ) in cash in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, officials say.

According to Jean Jacques Purusi, the governor of South Kivu state, the gold and money were hidden under the votes of the car they were driving in.

He claimed that the men’s arrest operation had been kept secret because another group of Chinese nationals had recently been released and are accused of operating an improper gold mine there.

There are a lot of silver, diamond, and metals in Eastern DR Congo that are used to make batteries for electric vehicles and mobile phones.

This nutrient wealth has been plunderered by international organizations since the colonial era, which is one of the major causes of the region’s ongoing instability for the past 30 years.

Many of the mine in eastern DR Congo are under the command of military organizations, and their leaders profit from selling them to middle-men.

According to Purusi, some of these precious metals sellers had close relationships with powerful people in Kinshasa, so the investigation into these most recent detention was kept under wraps.

He claimed that they had been acting on a tip-off and that the cash and silver had only been discovered after a thorough examination of the car in the Walungu region, which is close to Rwanda’s border.

The amount of silver seized was unknown, he claimed.

The government announced last month that he was shocked to learn that 17 Chinese nationals had been detained and given permission to travel back to China after being detained on suspicion of operating an unlawful gold mine.

He claimed that this hampered efforts to clean up DR Congo’s extremely dark mineral sector.

They owed$ 10m in fees and charges to the authorities, the Reuters news organization quotes him as saying.

The Chinese ambassador has not commented on the claims.

The arrests come as fighting continues to flare in the neighbouring North Kivu province, where a Rwanda-backed rebel group has captured large areas of territory.

Last month, DR Congo said it was suing Apple over the use of “blood minerals”, prompting the tech giant to say it had stopped getting supplies from both DR Congo and neighbouring Rwanda.

Rwanda has disputed that it is a stooge for the illegal vitamins trade from the DR Congo.

Lawyers for the Congolese government argued in their lawsuit that minerals from conflict areas were finally “laundered through global supply chains.”

They claimed that these activities have contributed to forced child labor and environmental destruction and have fueled a pattern of violence and conflict by funding armies and criminal organizations.

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US sanctions China-based hackers’ cybersecurity service provider – Asia Times

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A Beijing-based cybersecurity company was sanctioned by the US Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control ( OFAC ) and charged it with supporting a group of hackers who had attacked American organizations.

Integrity Technology Group, according to the OFAC, has been a victim of numerous system intrusions in the US. Flax Typhoon, a Taiwanese destructive state-sponsored digital group that has been engaged since at least 2021 and frequently targets businesses within US critical infrastructure sectors, has been given the all-clear credit for these incidents. &nbsp,

Bradley Smith, acting director of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stated,” The Treasury Department will never hesitate to hold malicious computer celebrities and their drivers accountable for their actions.” As we continue to work together to strengthen public and private sector computer defenses, the US will employ all available means to counteract these risks.

According to the OFAC, Flax Typhoon has compromised computer systems in North America, Europe, Africa, and across Asia, with a special emphasis on Taiwan. It uses legitimate remote access software to keep consistent control over its victims ‘ networks before attempting to gain first access to their computers using publicly known vulnerabilities.

According to OFAC, Flax Typhoon players used system connected to Integrity Tech during hacking operations against many victims between mid-2022 and soon 2023. Flax Typhoon frequently received and sent data from Integrity Technology facilities at the time.

” On this kind of unnecessary and groundless claims, we’ve made apparent our place more than once”, Mao Ning, a director of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said in a press briefing. ” China opposes all forms of phishing and, in particular, we oppose spreading China-related deception motivated by political agenda”.

In an editorial published on January 2, The China Daily, a state-owned newspaper, claimed that the US had used cutting-edge technology to insert Foreign words and codes into ransomware in the attacked methods to avert the perception that Flax Typhoon is related to China. &nbsp,

Instead of “wasting its day concocting yet another far-fetched plot where Beijing plays the baddie,” it recommended Washington examine cybersecurity with Beijing in working groups.

In an article published on January 4, a Fujian-based journalist using the moniker” Little Penguin” claims that” the US was inferior to others in security knowledge.” ” In rage, it began to pour filthy water on China”.

” The US is the one who launched cyberattacks. More than a thousand centrifuges at Iran’s Natanz nuclear hospital failed as a result of a computer virus that was implanted by the US and Israel in 2007, according to the author. &nbsp,

He claims that the US tried various means of attack, such as restrictions, to harm Chinese companies because it has for a very long time failed to break into China’s security system.

The OFAC’s latest sanction came after the US Justice Department on September 18, 2024, announced a court-authorized law enforcement operation that disrupted a botnet consisting of more than 200, 000 consumer devices ( so-called “zombies” in computer jargon ) in the US and worldwide.

In addition to Flax Typhoon, two additional China-based qualified intrusion adversaries, Ethereal Panda and Volt Storms, likewise became engaged in 2021, according to Texas-based security firm Crowdstrike. &nbsp,

Volt Storms

On May 24, 2023, Microsoft said Volt Storms targeted critical infrastructure organizations in Guam and elsewhere in the US. On August 24 of the same year, it said Flax Typhoon targeted dozens of organizations in Taiwan with the key intention of performing espionage.  

In a report released in February 2024, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ( CISA ), National Security Agency ( NSA ), and Federal Bureau of Investigation ( FBI ) stated that the state-sponsored cyber actors in the People’s Republic of China are attempting to pre-position themselves for cyberattacks in the event of a major crisis or conflict with the US.

Five Eyes countries’ Joint Cybersecurity Advisory said Volt Storms might launch destructive cyberattacks against critical infrastructure in the US and allies. 

In March, Michael Regan, administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency, and Jake Sullivan, national security advisor to the president, told US state governors in a letter that Volt Stormss cyber attacks were striking water and wastewater systems throughout the US. 

On April 15 last year, China’s National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center (CVERC) and the 360 Digital Security Group jointly published a report titled “Volt Storms: A Conspiratorial Swindling Campaign Targets with US Congress and Taxpayers Conducted by US Intelligence Community.”

“Volt Storms is actually a ransomware cybercriminal group that calls itself the ‘Dark Power’ and is not sponsored by any state or region,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said last April, citing the CVERC report.

He added that some US citizens have been using origin-tracing of cyberattacks to target and body China, making the claim that the US is the victim while China is the other way around and politicizing security concerns.

Cao Xing, a doctor at Beijing’s China University of Political Science and Law, writes in an article that was published on January 3 that” the most recent criticism against China is just the tip of the iceberg.” &nbsp,

Looking back on the past several years, Cao says it’s not difficult to see how the US has occasionally tied” digital risks” to China. ” For instance, the US had blamed China for the hacking of senior US authorities ‘ email accounts, including those of the US Ambassador to China.”

He claims that China’s studies have now established that the complaints made by the United States were unsupported. He claims that it’s better for the earth to co-operate and address the issues rather than engage in blind conflict because the intricate web culture may have become a stage for “modern warfare.”

In an annual report submitted to the US Congress on December 18, the US Department of Defense said that since at least 2019, Volt Storms has been compromising and prepositioning itself on US critical infrastructure organizations’ networks to enable disruption or destruction of critical services in the event of increased geopolitical tensions or military conflict with the US and its allies. 

The department said Volt Storms’s targets span multiple critical infrastructure sectors – including communications, energy, transportation systems and water – in the continental and non-continental US and its territories, including Guam. 

It claimed that China’s state-sponsored hackers targeted US defense organizations throughout 2023 and that they had been stealing sensitive information for economic and military gain. &nbsp,

” The targeted information can benefit the PRC’s defense high-technology industries, support the PRC’s military modernization, provide the PRC’s leadership with insights into US plans and intentions, and enable diplomatic negotiations”, it said. &nbsp,

The Asia Times has Yong Jian as a contributor. He is a Chinese journalist who specializes in Chinese technology, economy and politics. &nbsp,

Read: Beijing slams Five Eyes for cyberattack allegations

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Mukesh Chandrakar: Body of missing Indian journalist found in septic tank

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An American journalist’s body was discovered in a septic tank in Chhattisgarh position after she reported on alleged fraud in the nation.

Ashish Chandrakar, 32, went missing on New Year’s Day and his family registered a problem with the authorities.

After officials tracked his cellular phone, his body was discovered on Friday in a building company’s substance in the Bijapur city area.

In connection with his suicide, apparently two of his friends were among the three people who were detained. A press regulator has demanded a detailed analysis.

During an initial attend to the mixture on January 2nd, authorities in the Bijapur region did not find anyone.

However, a senior police officer said, referring to the fact that concrete slabs had been placed on top of the tank, that after more evaluation on January 3 found Mukesh’s system in the just floored toxic tank near the basketball court.

According to police, his body displayed significant injuries typical of a blunt-force incident.

Mr Chandrakar, a freelance journalist, had reported extensively on alleged corruption in public development projects.

He even ran a common YouTube channel, Bastar Junction.

Following his death, the Press Council of India called for a document “on the facts of the case” from the state’s state.

The chief secretary of the condition described Mr Chandrakar’s dying as “heartbreaking”.

He claimed a particular research group had been set up to look into the case in a blog on X.

In American media reports have it that his cousin is one of those under arrest for the journalist’s death.

One of the main suspects- substance owner Murray Chandrakar, even a relative- is on the operate.

Local reporters have staged a rally calling for rigorous punishment for the alleged murderers.

Reports on corruption or economic degradation are frequently attacked on reporters in India.

Four unexplained men tragically shot Subhash Kumar Mahto, a freelance journalist covering illegal sand mine, in the brain in May 2022 outside his Bihar residence.

Reporters Without Borders, a media watchdog, estimates that in India, on average, three or four editors are killed each year in connection with their work, making it one of the media’s most perilous locations.

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China simulating surprise US missile attack in South China Sea – Asia Times

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In the contested South China Sea, China’s simulation protection against a US stealth missile abuse exposes a high-stakes struggle for modern power pitting cunning against counter-stealth abilities.

This month, the South China Morning Post (SCMP ) reported that Chinese scientists have simulated a surprise US attack on a People’s Liberation Army ( PLA ) carrier group in the South China Sea, revealing key details about the US military’s latest stealth anti-ship missile, the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile ( LRASM).

According to SCMP, the model, led by researcher Wang Tianxiao from the North China Institute of Computing Technology, aimed to improve the PLA’s measures and techniques. The US launched a massive assault using ten LRASMs, according to the article, which was conducted near the Pratas Islands.

These rockets, known for their radar cunning capabilities and almost 1, 000-kilometer selection, targeted a Chinese destroyer in the modeling. The PLA deployed electronic warfare disturbance, but the weapons switched to thermal imaging cameras, which effectively hit the target.

Potential military strategies, according to SCMP, could be significantly impacted by the simulation’s extraordinary realism and precise parameters. Nevertheless, the SCMP report points out that the information used in the modeling remains unclear, with the Chinese group claiming it came from open-source knowledge and long-term formation.

It adds that the US government classified the LRASM’s professional characteristics and functional methods, making the Taiwanese player’s claims difficult to verify separately.

The Foreign simulation’s choice to use covert cruise missiles may be a result of the benefits the latter has over the latter and the fact that the US has not yet developed any fast arms. In the short-term, using stealthy cruise missiles against Chinese targets is more likely to lead to a potential conflict in Taiwan.

In a September 2024 article, the Asia Times mentioned that hypersonic missiles and stealth cruise missiles like the LRASM offer a number of advantages.

Firstly, their low radar cross-section and low infrared signature make them difficult for enemy defenses to spot and intercept. Secondly, they reduce dependency on external intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance ( ISR ) platforms, ensuring effectiveness in intense electromagnetic warfare environments.

Thirdly, their capability to coordinate attacks through data-sharing among multiple missiles provides swarm capabilities, allowing for coordinated, high-precision strikes.

In contrast, hypersonic missiles, despite their extreme speeds, create unique phenomena such as plasma wakes and chemical reactions, which could make them easier to detect. Additionally, advanced sensors can track the light’s distinctive plumes and wavelengths that they leave behind.

Despite the simulation’s results, China may have multiple options to defeat the stealthy US LRASM, such as directed-energy weapons, counter-stealth technology and” shooting the archer” – destroying the launch aircraft or ships before they come into range.

In contrast to conventional weapon and missile systems, laser weapons can hit with virtually unlimited ammunition in an affordable manner. They are particularly effective at fending off cruise missile and drone attacks.

China has made significant advances in laser weapon technology, as demonstrated by the upgrade of its Type 071 amphibious ship, Shiming Shan, with an advanced laser weapon system, according to Asia Times in August 2024.

The laser system, whose details are unknown, is anticipated to strengthen defenses against small boat swarms and unmanned aircraft, with potential dazzler capabilities for blind sensors and seekers.

However, laser weapons are still in their early stages of development, and they have limitations like limited range, decreased effectiveness, and increased sensitivity to atmospheric conditions.

China could intercept both the missile and its launch vehicle using advanced detection technologies in addition to the LRASM and next-generation aircraft, making it possible to use stealthy cruise missiles.

In November of this year, Asia Times reported that simulations from the PLA National Defense University and the State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Game in Beijing demonstrated that China’s new counter-stealth radars could detect F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters from up to 180 kilometers.

The simulations, which modeled a US attack on Shanghai from Japan, highlighted vulnerabilities in the stealth shields of the F-22 and F-35, mainly when the F-35 operates in “beast mode”, making it detectable from 450 kilometers away. These findings come as F-22s are being deployed more frequently by the US in Japan, putting pressure on China to combat stealth threats.

A cost-effective radar technology system that uses signals from China’s BeiDou navigation satellite system to identify stealth aircraft is included in China’s investment in radar technology. This radar employs a unique algorithm to identify targets without emitting detectable signals, enhancing China’s anti-stealth capabilities.

Furthermore, Asia Times reported this month that China’s reveal of its new stealth aircraft, the J-36 and J-50, marks a significant leap in its military aviation capabilities.

The J-36, developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, features a tailless, delta-wing design to reduce radar signature and enhance stealth. Equipped with three engines, it emphasizes high-speed flight and long-range operations, making it suitable for air superiority and strike missions. The J-36’s design includes large weapon bays capable of carrying substantial payloads, indicating its role in air-to-air and air-to-surface combat.

On the other hand, the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation’s J-50 is a twin-engine stealth fighter designed for versatility in contested environments. Its cutting-edge air superiority and strike roles are matched by its advanced stealth technologies and avionics.

Furthermore, Asia Times mentioned in December 2024 that China could use hypersonic weapons from air, sea and land to attack US targets. The YJ-21 hypersonic anti-ship missile, fired from its Type 055 cruisers, is a formidable weapon against US surface combatants such as Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.

While China’s simulation of an LRASM attack ended in the destruction of a destroyer, the scenario may be based on a one-time incident that excludes a potential sea attrition war.

China is the world’s largest shipbuilder, producing three-quarters of global shipbuilding orders in 2024. &nbsp, &nbsp, Thanks to military-civil fusion, China’s shipbuilding capacity also translates to naval power. China’s shipbuilding capacity has surged past that of the US, with the former’s shipbuilding capacity 232 times greater than the latter.

Furthermore, the US Department of Defense’s 2024 China Military Power Report states that the PLA Navy ( PLA-N) is numerically the world’s largest navy, with 370 ships and 140 major surface combatants.

With such formidable shipbuilding capacity, China can quickly construct new warships and repair damaged ones, guaranteeing numerical superiority over short-lived technological advantages, which has historically been the driving force behind naval combat.

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