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Archives: Dispatches

All Lingua Sinica Dispatches

Tea FM

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Tea FM is an East Malaysian Chinese and English-language radio station jointly that began broadcasting in Kuching on August 1, 2015, and in Kota Kinabalu on August 8, 2015, before being officially launched on November 28, 2015, by Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem. Tea FM is Sarawak’s first Mandarin Chinese and English local private radio station, with content described by the owners as 60% Chinese and 40% English, targeting listeners aged 20 to 40. The station broadcasts on 102.7 FM in Kuching and 102.8 FM in Kota Kinabalu, operating as a 24-hour service from Crown Towers at Jalan Padungan, Kuching.

China Minutes

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China Minutes  (中國時刻)is the English version of Paris-based Nouvelles d’Europe, which describes itself as “the most influential Chinese news organization in continental Europe.” In fact, the paper, the oldest Chinese-language outlet in France, is directly controlled by the United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party. Formally launched in 2015 as a subsection of the official Nouvelle d’Europe website, China Minutes had to wait two years before it got an online home of its own. It frequently runs content lifted straight from state-run outlets like Xinhua and CGTN. Editorially, it also toes the line on topics like Taiwan and Xinjiang. In 2019, the outlet reprinted a Global Times article presenting pro-China perspectives on clashes at Australia’s University of Queensland between pro-democracy Hong Kong students and mainland counter-demonstrators.

Le Quotidien

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Le Quotidien is a major independent Senegalese daily newspaper founded in February 2003 by Madiambal Diagne, a lawyer and former journalist from Wal Fadjri. Published by Avenir Communication SA, the newspaper maintains its independence by deriving approximately 60% of revenue from sales rather than advertising, allowing it to maintain what Diagne describes as editorial content that “tells things as they are.” Operating from Dakar, Le Quotidien has established itself as “among Senegal’s leading newspapers, and probably the most circulated independent newspaper” through its critical reporting on political, economic, social, and cultural issues. The publication gained international attention when Diagne was imprisoned for over two weeks in July 2004 for articles alleging government corruption, though charges were later dropped following domestic and international pressure.

Ministry of Information of Cambodia

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Cambodia’s Ministry of Information oversees media and information in Cambodia. Established in 1993 and led by Minister Neth Pheaktra, it operates from its headquarters at 62 Monivong Boulevard in Phnom Penh. The ministry comprises the General Department of Administration and Finance, the General Department of Information and Broadcasting, the Kampuchea News Agency, National Television of Kampuchea, and the National Radio of Kampuchea. Working alongside the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, it plays a key role in Cambodia’s internet governance, including the implementation of the National Internet Gateway established in February 2021. This centralized gateway system was designed to manage internet traffic, increase tax revenue, and monitor online content for national security and social order, though it has raised concerns from human rights organizations regarding potential restrictions on free speech.

Australia-China Relations Institute

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The Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) exemplifies China’s efforts to shape public discourse in Australia, according to critics. Established in 2014 with A$2.8 million from Chinese entrepreneurs, including Huang Xiangmo (黃向墨), questions persist about ACRI’s independence despite its claims of being “nonpartisan.” James Leibold of La Trobe University argues it produces “one-sided” materials while facilitating media tours transmitting “China’s voice” to Australian audiences. Former Foreign Minister Bob Carr was appointed as ACRI’s director, working “near full-time” according to UTS. The institute represents one facet of Beijing’s broader influence campaign in Australia, critics say, which includes direct political lobbying, media pressure, and economic leverage. This influence allegedly extends beyond academia, with Chinese officials reportedly organizing supportive rallies and attempting to suppress criticism—activities that prompted Australia’s 2018 overhaul of espionage laws prohibiting undisclosed foreign influence in politics.

Chinese Newspaper in Romania

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Chinese Newspaper in Romania was founded in 1999 as Romania’s oldest Chinese-language publication under the Romania Huayang Media Group (羅馬尼亞華揚傳媒集團). This weekly newspaper, published every Friday, covers Romanian local news, culture, Chinese news, economics, society, military observations, international news, and health topics. The publication claims to be “Romania’s largest Chinese-language publication” with “high visibility and influence in Romania’s Chinese community and mainstream society.” The newspaper maintains collaborations with Chinese publications including People’s Daily Overseas Edition (人民日報海外版), Tianjin Evening News (天津晚報), and Hong Kong’s Wen Wei Po (香港文匯報), while also operating digital platforms including the China-Europe Communication Network (中歐通訊網), a WeChat public account, and the Romania Chinese Headlines (羅馬尼亞華人頭條).

China Daily

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The China Daily (中國日報) is an English-language newspaper operated by the Information Office of China’s State Council, which is essentially the same office as the Central Propaganda Department (中共中央宣傳部) of the Chinese Communist Party. Published in multiple languages, the newspaper and its associated outlets are a key aspect of China’s official communication strategy toward the world. It claims to have “the widest print circulation of any English-language newspaper in China” — a misleading claim as all such publications are closely regulated and controlled. The U.S. State Department designated China Daily as a “foreign mission” in 2020, while scholars describe it as “an instrument of China’s public diplomacy.” The newspaper produces sponsored content called “China Watch” for Western publications and has faced accusations of spreading disinformation about Hong Kong protests, COVID-19, and Uyghur issues. Former staff have described working there as prioritizing making “the Chinese government look good” over journalism.

Contemporary World Magazine

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Contemporary World magazine is published by the Contemporary World Publishing House (當代世界出版社), established in September 1993, a Beijing-based publishing house under the management and operation of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (中共中央對外聯絡部). Under Contemporary World Publishing House Co., Ltd (當代世界出版社有限公司) since February 2011, its current legal representative is Li Shuangwu (李雙伍). The company is listed as 100 percent owned by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. Contemporary World (當代世界), now the company’s flagship journal, first launched in 1981 as “Selected Translations of Communist Movement Materials” (共運資料選譯), and underwent name changes in 1989 and 1995. The publication claims to “analyze international relations and world party politics” while delivering information on global political, economic, military, social, and cultural developments. The journal’s main sections include situation commentary, special focus, interviews, expert forums, and global perspectives.

Chinese Embassy in Laos

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The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic is China’s chief diplomatic mission to Laos, located in Vientiane. The mission’s origins trace to the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and Laos on April 25, 1961, when Laos switched recognition from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the PRC government in Beijing. However, diplomatic relations experienced significant challenges, with Laos severing diplomatic relations with the PRC in May 1962 and restoring relations with the Republic of China, before recognition was changed again in 1975 when the new Lao communist government came to power. Relations were fully normalized in 1989, and diplomatic ties were restored to the ambassadorial level in June 1988. The embassy is currently located at Wat Nak Road, Sisattanak, Vientiane, Lao P.D.R. The current ambassador is Fang Hong (方红).