China Responds to U.S. Tariffs with Counteraction and Antitrust Probe on 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 initiated a probe against Google, citing suspected violations of its Anti-Monopoly Law, as stated by the State Administration for Market Regulation. This action follows the U.S. government's recent implementation of a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, which has heightened tensions between the two nations. In a statement, the Chinese regulator announced the investigation into Google, a U.S. tech giant, asserting that it would proceed "in accordance with the law." Additionally, Beijing plans to categorize U.S. fashion brand PVH Corp., which owns Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein, along with biotech firm Illumina, as "unreliable entities." This classification is aimed at protecting China's national interests and market integrity, according to the country's commerce ministry. Beijing's intensified scrutiny also stems from its ongoing investigation into PVH for alleged discriminatory practices against Chinese enterprises linked to the Xinjiang region, which has faced international criticism for its human rights record. These developments signal a continuation of escalating economic hostilities between China and the United States.

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.