China Roundup: Chinese territorial claims, corruption, gambling and fraud

Repatriation

Three American citizens imprisoned in China for years have been released and are returning to the U.S., according to the White House. Their plane landed late November 27 at a military base in San Antonio, Texas, according to AP News.

Gambling and fraud

China repatriated 240 Chinese suspects arrested for gambling and fraud from Cambodia as part of an intensified campaign against organised crime in Southeast Asia. This marks the second batch of repatriations in recent months, following the return of over 680 suspects in April. VOA News reports that China collaborates with countries like Cambodia and Myanmar to combat cross-border online fraud and gambling, which has led to over 53,000 arrests since last year. Recent agreements between China and Cambodia aim to enhance law enforcement cooperation against these crimes. China's ongoing "Operation Fox Hunt" targets corruption and economic crimes globally, recovering billions in assets.

Telecom cables

Sweden has requested China's cooperation in investigating the severing of two Baltic Sea telecom cables, linked to the Chinese ship Yi Peng 3, which was in the area when the incidents occurred on November 17 and 18. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson emphasised the need for clarity and confirmed that the request for cooperation was sent to China, which denied responsibility. The damaged cables include the Arelion cable between Gotland and Lithuania, and the C-Lion 1 connecting Helsinki and Germany. According to Barrons, investigations by Swedish and Finnish police are ongoing, amid suspicions of sabotage potentially linked to geopolitical tensions with Russia.

Anti-corruption measures

China has dismissed top military official Miao Hua amid an investigation into serious disciplinary violations, as part of an ongoing anti-corruption crackdown in the armed forces, Daily Journal reports. The ruling Communist Party has suspended him pending the inquiry, according to defense ministry spokesman Wu Qian.

Chinese territorial claims

Satellite images reveal nearly 100 Chinese vessels occupying waters near Thitu Island (Pag-Asa) in the contested South China Sea, an area of heightened territorial tensions between China and the Philippines. The images, shared by Ray Powell of Stanford University, show 73-83 Chinese ships within 2.5-5.5 nautical miles of the island, with the potential for more untracked vessels in the area. China's maritime militia, often seen as a means to assert territorial claims, has previously faced accusations of blockading Philippine-held features. The situation has aggravated diplomatic relations, with increased Chinese aggression noted in recent encounters, News Week reports. China's claims over the South China Sea conflict with those of multiple Southeast Asian nations and were invalidated by a 2016 international ruling. Recent legislative moves by the Philippines to clarify its maritime claims have drawn condemnation from Beijing.