June 1st, 2026

USCSSO @GWU
3 days ago
5 min read

Overview

This week, we discuss new breakthroughs in Huawei's semiconductors, a Dutch warship in the South China Sea, and elections in the Tibet Government-In-Exile.

Tech

Huawei, We Have Lift-Off! : Huawei Announces New Semiconductor Innovation

By Contributor Henry Pandamadi

On May 25th, Chinese scientists, collaborating with Huawei Technologies, announced a breakthrough using a 2D semiconductor. Their discovery was published in Nature Electronics, an online forum for developments in semiconductor technology, on the 26th.

Last year’s Huawei Stand at the Shanghai New International Exposition Center. In 2025, Huawei recorded 126 billion USD in revenue. (Ying Tang, via Getty Images)

Tech Talk: Parallel processing allows for an increase to the computational speed of computer systems through the operation of multiple data-processing operations simultaneously. For the first time, scientists were able to contain a parallel processor in a 2D semiconductor, therefore pushing the physical limitations of future processing units. China has been at the forefront of two dimensional material research, but none have previously reached the computing level of this new development. This new semiconductor has been dubbed Mengqi-1000, or Magic-1000 in English.

Semiconductor Diplomacy: After the U.S. imposed sanctions upon Huawei in 2019, the company’s access to global markets for its semi-conductors was severely limited. However, this has allowed Huawei to concentrate on building its own self-sufficient supply chain. With this new development, China’s tech industry could pull ahead in the global chip industry, and move towards self-reliance. As Nvidia, the world’s leading company in market valuation, was shut out of China, Huawei has almost complete access to the Chinese market, allowing new innovation, as was seen with its 2023 Mate 60 smartphone series.

Moore is Less? : The modus operandi for the development of semiconductors has been to continuously decrease the size of the processors. However, as devices approach their physical size limits, innovation is required to keep up with the pace established by Moore’s Law. In 1965, Gordon Moore established that the number of transistors on a microchip would double every two years. However, the consensus regarding this informal law is that this concept might be reaching its limit. As our devices become more powerful and compact, keeping up with the demand has been complicated. However, with 2D technology, instead of continuous shrinkage, the future of transistors could lie in the stacking of chips on top of each other in order to increase output.

Defense

China-Netherlands Standoff in the South China Sea

By Contributor Mitran Kumar

On May 27th, Chinese officials stated they deployed countermeasures against the HNLMS De Ruyter, a Dutch frigate recently dispatched to the South China Sea.

HNMS De Ruyter. (via. Royal Netherlands Navy)

Incident: On May 27th, The Dutch Royal Navy frigate HNMS De Ruyter (F804), an anti-air frigate, was proceeding through the Paracel Islands as part of an annual routine conducted by the Dutch Navy. The 5-month operation which began in April is meant to strengthen diplomatic and security ties across the Indo Pacific. The Dutch frigate, along with its own sea-based NH-90 helicopter allegedly infringed on Chinese air space around the Paracel Islands, according to Chinese authorities. During this operation, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) engaged with the Dutch frigate through a series of electronic countermeasures, including the use of electronic warfare and jamming systems targeted at the Dutch frigate's software. The Dutch ship was forced to move away from the Paracel Islands as a result, though no serious damage was caused.

Aftermath: Following the incident, Chinese spokesperson Jiang Bin condemned the Netherlands for their actions, citing that it was disruptive to the peace and stability of the South China Sea, as well as stating the operation violated China’s sovereignty. "We urge the Dutch side to stop its infringement, risk-taking and provocation, and to strictly restrain its front-line naval and air forces to avoid unexpected incidents," said Jiang Bin. China released video footage of a Chinese naval craft spotting the Dutch helicopter. Dutch spokesperson Marinka Hiraldo Vos-Van countered this statement, stating that the HNMS De Ruyter was operating within international waters. This incident marks the second time a Dutch warship has had a dangerous encounter with the Chinese military, after a similar exercise last year.

South China Sea: This incident is one of many more recent escalations across the South China Sea between China and its neighbors, as well as Western military powers. China claims nearly 80% of the South China Sea along its ‘Nine-Dash Line’ naval borders, which include many direct overlaps with neighboring nations including The Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Just this year, several incidents have occurred between China and other nations, most notably around the Scarborough Shoal, where Chinese naval vessels have regularly had dangerous stand-offs with the Philippine Navy, where the dispute continues to escalate between both sides. Since, the United States has conducted exercises with the Philippine Navy around the Scarborough Shoal. China has increased its patrols across all areas of the South China Sea as apart of its broader agenda to secure its surrounding waters.

Domestic

Central Tibet Administration Leader Sworn in for 2nd Term

By Newsletter Director Jason Holman

On May 27th Penpa Tsering was sworn in for his 2nd consecutive term as Sikyong (leader) of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile or Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).

Penpa Tsering at his Swearing in Ceremony as Sikyong/President of the CTA on May 27th in Dharamshala, India. (via. Taipei Times)

Swearing-In Ceremony: On May 27th in Dharamshala, India Penpa Tsering was sworn-in as Sikyong (leader) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). The CTA operates with an executive, judicial, and legislative branch and is an organization that claims to represent the Tibetan people, both in China and those exiled abroad. The executive branch has had regular elections since the Dalai Lama stepped down from the role in 2011. Tesering has previously served as a member of the parliament in exile since 1996 before becoming speaker in 2008 and starting his first term as Sikyong in 2021.

The CTA: In the 1950’s China annexed Tibet, viewing the region as being integral to Chinese history since the 1200s. The CTA works for establishing greater autonomy for the Tibetan people within China. China controls the region of Tibet and views the CTA and Dalai Lama as a subversive illegal organization undermining its authority. In April, the CTA also concluded elections for its 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. The government had votes spanning 27 different countries with 91,000 registered voters. Its parliament represents an estimated 150,000 Tibetans who live in-exile worldwide.

‘The Middle Way’: ‘The Middle Way’ is the moderate approach to Tibetan resistance taken by the Dalai Lama and Tsering. It emphasizes non-violence and cooperation with the Chinese government to achieve greater autonomy and rights for Tibetan Buddhists. However, the last public engagement between Tibetan authorities and China was in 2010, with current talks having to go through back-door channels. The emphasis on CTA elections serves as a way of ensuring the Tibetan exile movement can continue to work with Chinese authorities after the 14th Dalai Lama dies. There is concern that when the 14th Dalai Lama dies there could be disputes over succession, with China wanting to play a part in the decision and the current Dalai Lama denying this. Strengthening the role of the CTA’s elected government will ensure the movement can continue to be strong despite these potential disruptions.