China Launches Anti-Monopoly Investigation into Google

Researchers from Shenzhen MSU-BIT University have developed an innovative computational algorithm that enhances the efficiency of peridynamics, a theory for modeling fractures and material damage, by up to 800 times. This breakthrough significantly accelerates large-scale material simulations, which are crucial in aerospace, civil engineering, and defense, according to Associate Professor Yang Yang and her research team. The traditional peridynamics simulations are known to be slow and resource-intensive. However, utilizing Nvidia's CUDA technology, the new PD-General framework optimizes both algorithm design and memory management, achieving performance improvements over standard methods. In tests, the enhanced framework processed millions of iterations efficiently, completing complex simulations on consumer-grade GPUs rather than requiring expensive high-performance computing clusters. This development not only streamlines material analysis across multiple industries but also reduces reliance on restricted foreign technology amid current global trade restrictions. The findings were published in the Chinese Journal of Computational Mechanics on January 8, 2025.

China has retaliated against President Donald Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods by imposing new tariffs on selected U.S. imports, while also launching an antitrust investigation into Google. The measures came into effect Tuesday, with China announcing a 15% tariff on coal and liquefied natural gas and a 10% tariff on crude oil and agricultural machinery, among others. According to China's State Council Tariff Commission, the U.S. tariffs are a violation of World Trade Organization rules and hinder economic cooperation between the two nations. Analysts noted that this response is part of a broader pattern of tit-for-tat trade actions, reminiscent of the trade war that began in 2018. John Gong, a professor in Beijing, described China's approach as "measured," reflecting a desire to avoid escalation. Experts warn that ongoing tensions could have global repercussions, including reduced GDP growth and inflation in the U.S. Furthermore, the Chinese government has included U.S. companies PVH Group and Illumina on an unreliable entities list, further increasing tensions in economic relations.

A Chinese war simulation reportedly demonstrated that a single Type 055 destroyer, accompanied by unmanned vessels, could withstand a missile assault from eight Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. Conducted in the western Pacific, the exercise involved launching 32 missiles from the U.S. fleet aimed at the Type 055. According to the South China Morning Post, the Chinese destroyer successfully detected and intercepted incoming threats without sustaining damage. This simulation underscores China's aim to innovate naval warfare through large-scale use of unmanned technology, potentially changing the dynamics of maritime conflict. The exercise highlights a significant cost differential, with U.S. missiles ranging from $1 million to $3 million each, while China's cost per missile is between $400,000 and $1 million. Experts caution that the choice of aging Arleigh Burke-class destroyers for the game could skew results, as these ships are being phased out for more advanced replacements. The implications of such simulations are significant, particularly in the context of escalating tensions surrounding Taiwan.