标签： Asia

KATHMANDU, Nepal — The iconic Boudhanath Stupa, with its serene Buddha eyes gazing over Nepal’s capital, once symbolized sanctuary for Tibetans fleeing Chinese persecution. Today, this spiritual haven exists under the unblinking gaze of thousands of Chinese-made surveillance cameras that monitor every movement in what has become one of the world’s most intensely monitored refugee communities.

An Associated Press investigation reveals how China has transformed Nepal into a testing ground for its global surveillance exports, with technology originally developed by American companies now being deployed to suppress Tibetan dissent. Through thousands of government procurement documents, corporate materials, and interviews with over 40 sources, AP documented how Chinese technology firms have established comprehensive monitoring systems across at least 150 countries worldwide.

The surveillance architecture in Nepal includes facial recognition cameras, AI-powered tracking systems, and digital communication networks provided by Chinese companies like Hikvision, Dahua, and Uniview—many using technology originally developed by U.S. firms. This digital infrastructure has effectively crushed the once-vibrant Free Tibet movement, reducing annual refugee arrivals from thousands to single digits.

Chinese companies now offer complete surveillance suites with few restrictions on usage or customers. According to Sheena Greitens, a political scientist at the University of Texas at Austin, “China pitches itself as a global security model with low crime rates, contrasting its record with the United States. They’re certainly exporting the tools and techniques that are very important to authoritarian rule.”

The investigation found that American technology transfer played a crucial role in China’s surveillance capabilities. Companies like HP, IBM, and Motorola initially provided technology through joint ventures and research partnerships in China, only to see their Chinese partners become global competitors in the surveillance industry.

The impact on Tibetans in Nepal has been devastating. The population has plummeted from over 20,000 to less than half that number today. Those who remain live in constant fear, with predictive policing systems allowing authorities to identify and arrest potential protesters before demonstrations even occur.

Sonam Tashi, a 49-year-old former protester, described how those considered likely to protest are picked up in advance around sensitive dates. “There are cameras everywhere,” he said while attempting to secure his 10-year-old son’s escape to India. “There is no future.”

China’s Foreign Ministry denied allegations of coercing Western companies or collaborating with Nepal to surveil Tibetans, calling such claims “sheer fabrication driven by ulterior motives.” Neither the Nepali government nor Chinese-controlled Tibetan authorities responded to requests for comment.

The surveillance network extends beyond urban centers to Nepal’s northern border regions, where China has constructed observation domes and monitoring systems that effectively seal the once-porous frontier. These installations are part of what Chinese officials term a “Great Wall of Steel” featuring fences, sensors, and AI-powered drones.

For Tibetan refugees, the message is clear: silence has become survival. As one café owner anonymously stated, “Now you can only be Tibetan in private.” Another refugee, Namkyi, arrested at 15 for protesting Chinese rule, summarized the reality: “Even though we are free, the surveillance cameras mean we’re actually living in a big prison.”

Taipei was shaken by a series of coordinated attacks at multiple metro stations on Friday, resulting in three civilian fatalities and multiple injuries before the suspected perpetrator was found dead in an apparent suicide. The incident has triggered heightened security alerts across Taiwan.

According to official reports from Taipei’s Fire Department, the attacks occurred at both Taipei Main Station and Zhongshan Station, involving the deployment of smoke grenades and stabbings. Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai confirmed the incidents were ‘a deliberate act,’ though investigators have not yet determined a specific motive.

The suspect, identified as a 27-year-old male, wore a gas mask and bulletproof vest during the assaults. Witness accounts describe him throwing multiple canisters that released thick clouds of white smoke while armed with a knife. One heroic victim lost his life while attempting to subdue the attacker at Taipei Main Station.

Mayor Chiang Wan-an revealed the suspect was previously wanted for evading military service and reportedly jumped from a building to evade capture. His death was subsequently confirmed by authorities.

Medical reports indicate victims suffered from cardiac arrest, stab wounds, and blunt force trauma. Five injured individuals received medical treatment following the attacks.

In response to the violence, Taiwanese authorities have implemented enhanced security measures at critical transportation infrastructure nationwide, including railways, highways, and airports. President Lai Ching-te pledged a thorough investigation and assured citizens that ‘there will be no leniency’ in ensuring public safety.

This tragic event marks the most significant violent incident on Taipei’s metro system since 2014, when a stabbing spree resulted in four deaths, disrupting the island’s reputation for public safety.

The United Nations has formally rescinded its famine declaration for Gaza, marking a significant yet fragile improvement in the Palestinian territory’s food security situation. According to the UN’s Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) initiative, no areas in Gaza currently meet the technical criteria for famine—a stark reversal from the organization’s August 2025 declaration, the first such designation ever issued in the Middle East.

The improvement is attributed to the partial easing of restrictions on humanitarian aid following the October ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. However, the IPC emphasized that the entire Gaza Strip remains classified at emergency levels of food insecurity, with approximately 1.6 million people projected to face crisis-level hunger through mid-April.

Aid distribution continues to face severe challenges, with delivery described as limited, uneven, and fluctuating daily. The ceasefire remains fragile, with both parties regularly accusing each other of violations. UN agencies warned that without sustained access, supplies, and funding, several regions—including North Gaza, Gaza Governorate, Deir al-Balah, and Khan Younis—could rapidly deteriorate into famine conditions if hostilities resume.

The humanitarian situation extends beyond food security, with over 70% of Gaza’s population living in makeshift shelters. Winter floods and plummeting temperatures have increased risks of hypothermia, while severely limited access to water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities has created conditions ripe for disease outbreaks. Agricultural infrastructure has been devastated, with over 96% of cropland damaged or inaccessible and livestock populations decimated.

Israeli officials acknowledged the improved situation but criticized the IPC’s methodology, claiming it presented a distorted picture by overemphasizing UN aid trucks while ignoring other assistance channels. Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations like Oxfam accused Israel of continuing to block critical aid, with millions of dollars worth of supplies reportedly stranded at border crossings.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for expanded access points, reduced restrictions on critical items, and safe routes within Gaza, while also highlighting the rapidly deteriorating situation in the West Bank where Palestinians face escalating violence and movement restrictions.