1. China Rocket Force bans nearly 200 suppliers, evaluators after corruption probe
The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force has terminated nearly 200 partnerships with experts and suppliers, following an investigation into procurement corruption covering the past nine years, as scrutiny of the troubled military branch continues.
2. Is China’s rare earths policy frustrating US upgrades to the F-35 stealth jet?
America’s upgrade programme for its F-35 stealth fighter jet is facing further delays and China’s control of rare earths and metals could be a contributing reason, according to industry assessments.
3. French protests underscore concerns over decline amid US, China dominance
Images of burning barricades were shown side by side with the handover ceremony for France’s new prime minister, Sebastien Lecornu, on French television channels on Wednesday as “block everything” protests brought back memories of the rallies by the populist “yellow vest” movement that rocked the country in 2018 and 2019.
