The triumph of the Republican leader Donald Trump as the President of the United States has brought the political focus on immigration issues and the H-1B visa programme to the forefront. The tough posture on the H-1B programme in his first tenure has softened his stance in his second tenure with courtesy of his Silicon Valley ally and supporter Elon Musk whose company thrives on a global talent pool for whom he says “we cannot do without them…go to war for visa issue if necessary”. With Musk appointed as the head of the New Government Efficiency Commission tasked with cutting down the federal budget from US$6.75 trillion to US$2 trillion, Trump intends to make the US into a manufacturing superpower to accomplish his mega project of ‘MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN (MAGA).
Tag: Elon Musk
China Launches Shenzhou-18 Mission Aiming for Lunar Exploration
China’s space program is making great strides with the Shenzhou-18 mission. This time, three astronauts are sent to the country’s first domestically built space station. Led by former fighter pilots Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu, the crew embarks on a six-month mission, which includes conducting experiments and preparing for lunar exploration. In the midst of all this are zebrafish, part of more than 90 scientific experiments. Among them are creating a closed aquatic ecosystem for studying the interactions between fish and algae in space, information that can maybe inform future designs of habitats.
Tata Motors should worry about BYD and Xiaomi and not Tesla
Concerns have been raised by indigenous automobile manufacturers, most notably Tata Motors, in response to the recent statement made by the Indian government on a new policy for electric vehicles (EVs). In particular, the policy includes a provision for decreased customs tax for global EV manufacturers such as Tesla. In spite of the fact that the strategy is designed to entice well-known electric vehicle manufacturers to set up production facilities in India, it also raises concerns over the possibility of rivalry and the consequent effects it may have on domestic companies. The Make in India project provides businesses with the option to import a considerable number of electric cars each year, allowing them to take advantage of a significantly reduced customs tax rate of 15%.
Taiwan Builds an Alternative to Elon Musk’s Starlink
In this issue of China Watch newsletter, the writer discusses about the possibility of Taiwan building its own network of satellites that could serve as an alternative to Elon Musk’s Starlink. Other leads include ‘China’s Economic Crisis,’ ‘China’s Plan to Eradicate Corruption from Sports Industry,’ ‘Police Harassment Condemned at Site of Blast,’ and ‘Taiwan’s Military Tensions with China.’