Taiwan's Tiangong Missile Case Contractors Illegally Provided Chinese-made Inferior Parts

Taiwan's National Zhongshan Academy of Sciences (Chinese Academy of Sciences) broke out a major military purchase fraud case. The contractor of Tiangong missiles forged the original US factory certificate and provided fake parts made in China, some even found on Taobao website, illegally earning high price difference . If the relevant missiles use these defective parts, it may affect the national defense security.

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At present, a large number of Tiangong missiles, which have been deployed on Taiwan's main island and outlying islands, are responsible for Taiwan's important air defense and the important task of intercepting ballistic missiles. Major fraud cases have been reported. Taiwan's "Mirror Weekly" reported on February 9 that at least three long-term contractors for the Chinese Academy of Sciences are known to be shoddy and even forged U.S. factory certificates.

Fake original factory certificates to earn huge profits

The report pointed out that there are problems in the bidding of various missile components such as Tiangong missiles. Among them, the screws that fix the missile launch are suspected of being a profiteer, and the "silicon-controlled rectifier" ignition device used to trigger the missile is also questioned. Parts such as military-standard wires were replaced by counterfeit ones by contractors. "Mirror Weekly" exposed a contractor located in Hsinchu, Taiwan, purchasing cheap rectifiers and missile electronic components from Zhejiang Liujing Company in China, earning the price difference, and forging the original US factory certificate to deceive the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and has used the same method for many years. billions of dollars.

Rick Fisher, a senior researcher at the International Assessment and Strategy Center, a U.S. think tank, and a military expert, replied to the station after hearing about the incident: "It is clear that unethical contractors are trying to cut corners," he wrote in a written reply. "It is fortunate that the fraud was discovered early, but it also highlights the need for vigilance. This will not be the last time Taiwan has faced such a threat."

"Mirror Weekly" quoted people familiar with the matter as saying that silicon-controlled rectifiers are called "missile hearts", which are used to trigger missiles and belong to ignition devices. The use of defective parts may cause the current to fail to flow, which may cause missiles to fail to be launched in time, seriously endangering national security. . Taiwanese prosecutors have charged four people with fraud and forgery of documents.

Akio Yaita: "Treason of Watsu"

Akio Yaita, director of the Taipei branch of Japan's "Sankei Shimbun", said that on the surface, this malpractice case is an illegal act of unscrupulous businessmen seeking petty profits, but its nature is the same as collaborating with the enemy and treason. He pointed out that China's huge work team against Taiwan, in order to Infiltrate and weaken Taiwan, collect intelligence all the time, and look for opportunities to penetrate Taiwan. He said in a Facebook comment, "I dare to say that when Taiwanese companies place contracts and orders with Chinese companies, the CCP's Taiwan authorities must have noticed it and have already started work. If it is not discovered, this matter is likely to evolve into A breach in Taiwan's defense."

The Chinese Academy of Sciences responded in a press release that the silicon-controlled rectifier procurement case was found to be illegal by the contractor during the performance acceptance in March last year, and it took the initiative to transfer it to the Judicial Investigation Office and filed a claim for compensation. Regarding the procurement of missile parts that affected national security, the Chinese Academy of Sciences was in the procurement and acceptance. It has been discovered and dealt with, and it has not affected the production of weapons and the promotion of various special tasks. The bidding website of the Chinese Academy of Sciences also has an announcement that the use of Chinese products, including purchased items and their components, is strictly prohibited.

Taiwanese society needs to strengthen national defense consensus

Ye Yaoyuan, director of the Department of International Studies and Contemporary Linguistics at the University of St. Thomas, said in an interview that military procurement is more sensitive than other government procurement projects, but it is difficult to match the interests of businessmen, so stricter supervision and regulations are needed, " Especially in the defense industry's tenders, a stronger monitoring mechanism is needed, whether it is a fixed review, or a real confirmation of the origin of these products."

Ye Yaoyuan said that Taiwan lists China as the number one imaginary enemy, so contractors in the munitions industry must have a certain consensus with the Taiwan Ministry of Defense, "that is, they will not share any national security secrets or tenders with the Communist Party of China, the People's Liberation Army, or even the To disclose to Chinese government units, this basic concept needs to be established.”

Chinese military planes have frequently disrupted Taiwan in recent years, and the peace of the Taiwan Strait has been threatened. In November last year, the Taiwan Legislative Yuan passed the "Special Regulations on the Procurement of Sea and Air Combat Power Enhancement Plans" of NT$240 billion, and purchased various missiles and other state-made armaments, of which 180 billion yuan will be contracted by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Domestic private manufacturers. Akio Yaita said that Taiwanese society is not very vigilant about crimes that endanger national security, and it is necessary to pay attention to the revision of laws and the strengthening of the review standards for defense procurement. There are also Taiwan legislators who suggested to investigate whether there are "internal supernatural powers and external ghosts" within the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Reporter: Chen Pinjie Responsible Editor: Shen Hua Web Editor: Hong Wei

More than 70,000 refugees in Karen State in one year

The Karen National Union (KNU) announced on February 8 that the number of war refugees in Karen State has risen to more than 70,000 in one year.

The refugees are from Doo Tha Htoo District. Nyaung Lay Pin District Beit Dawei District Most are in Mudaw and Dooplaya districts.

Pado Saw Taw Ni, foreign affairs officer of the KNU Karen National Union (KNU) Central Committee, told RFA that some villages have been evacuated due to military operations and airstrikes in those areas.

"Two or three months before the coup, we heard that the army from the 3rd Brigade entered our area. The fighting started and about 5,000 people fled in the first two or three months before the coup d'état. "They fired back at the villagers with heavy artillery. When that happened, the number of villagers fleeing increased. Finally, in December 2021, the fighting intensified."

He says the total number of refugees in Karen State before and after the coup is now over 200,000.

Refugees are fleeing the fighting in the area and are living along the banks of the Thaung River on the Thai-Burmese border.

A refugee who has been on the run for three months says the closure of the refugee camp on the Thai side of the border, where he was initially granted asylum, has made life more difficult for refugees.

"Currently, it is difficult to find a place to live because the refugee camp on the Thai side is closed. All the nearby houses are on the Burmese side of the Thaung River. It is raining a lot.

He said that because of the housing crisis, refugee women face other insecurity as well as other health problems.

A refugee aid worker said the military council was on the supply lines to provide food and medicine to the refugees, making it difficult for them to carry them.

"We have been avoiding and helping a lot. There are various restrictions on those who are dissatisfied with the nomination as refugees. It is very incomplete. It means they only give priority to food. They can not eat nutritious food.

He said the current situation of the refugees was the most worrying for more than 70 years.

"It's raining a lot and it's very difficult to find a place to live."

RFA tried to contact the Deputy Information Minister of the Military Council, General Zaw Min Tun, by telephone today, to inquire about the situation of the refugees, but he did not respond.

Ye Min, the NUG government's southern logistics officer, said the number of refugees needed to be taken seriously by the international community.

"Temporary refugee camps on the Thai side have been closed. Once closed, refugees from such villages, such as Lay Kay Kaw, Mae Tha Htaw Lay and Htee Mae War Khi, will be able to evacuate along the Thai-Burmese border.

Among the war refugees living along the banks of the Thaung River on the Thai-Burmese border are chronically ill; She says housing and security are a big issue because most of them are pregnant and have children.

In January alone, heavy artillery shelling by BGF troops and BGF troops broke out in Karen State. The KNU said in a statement that 12 civilians were killed and 32 wounded in the airstrikes.

Indonesia invites G20 forum to reach agreement to accelerate energy transition

With the urgency of these three issues, it is hoped that a global agreement can be reached in accelerating the energy transition

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government invites countries that are members of the Group of Twenty (G20) to reach a global agreement by accelerating the energy transition program.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif said Indonesia today officially launched the G20 Energy Transition to bridge and encourage developed and developing countries to accelerate the transition from fossil energy to clean energy, while strengthening a sustainable global energy system.

"The energy transition forum is expected to produce more concrete results of the G20 trial to strengthen a sustainable global energy system, as well as a just energy transition in the context of sustainable recovery," he said at the launch of the G20 Energy Transition which was monitored in Jakarta, Thursday.

The G20 Energy Transition was launched as part of Indonesia's G20 Presidency starting on December 1, 2021 until the G20 Summit in November 2022.

Minister Arifin said the energy transition pillar would raise three priority issues, namely access, technology, and funding.

"With the urgency of these three issues, it is hoped that a global agreement can be reached in accelerating the energy transition," he said.

Through this forum, Indonesia is also able to gather stronger global commitments in order to achieve global targets on energy access targeted by the 2030 Agenda as a sustainable development goal.

"Main result or lighthouse deliverableThis is what the Indonesian Presidency hopes as a follow-up to actions after COP26 and the previous G20 Presidency, in order to achieve the carbon neutrality that Indonesia has targeted by 2060, or sooner with real support from the international community," said Arifin

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Panjaitan emphasized that energy transition actions must be carried out in a fair manner and have a positive impact on the socio-economic community.

"The paradigm shift will definitely have an impact on job changes, development scenarios, business orientation, and others. So, we want justice, those with heavy burdens to be helped, those who are ready, please go on their own while helping the less fortunate," said Luhut.

"This must be fully supported by strong global cooperation. This is what we will build at the G20 Indonesia. This is what we mean by the global deal ," he added.

The government will continue to encourage the birth of a greener industry and encourage private and philanthropic contributions to make innovative funding as part of implementing the energy transition in Indonesia.

International support

Indonesia's commitment to seek a global agreement in accelerating the acceleration of the energy transition has the full support of a number of international organizations.

Executive Director of the International Energy Agency Fatih Birol said Indonesia has a strong influence in the Southeast Asia region on global energy issues.

"It is an honor for me and the IEA to support Indonesia's agenda, especially as the first developing country to become the G20 Presidency," said Fatih.

He especially appreciated President Joko Widodo for his policies to overcome the problems of the COVID-19 pandemic and specifically chose the issue of energy transition as the main agenda of the G20.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Organization (UN) which is engaged in economic and social development in the Asia Pacific region (UN ESCAP) also emphasized its full support for the G20 President of Indonesia in carrying out the issue of energy transition.

"We will technically assist with the action plan for the implementation of clean energy in developing countries, focusing on archipelagic countries. This support for Indonesia will be given maximally," said ESCAP Executive Secretary Arsmida Alisjahbana.