00:00If I ask you
00:00Which country is TikTok a company from?
00:03What about SheIn?
00:04Many people would say China.
00:06But their official answer is Singapore.
00:08This is not a coincidence
00:09It is a meticulously crafted business script.
00:12The financial world has a straightforward name
00:14Calling Singapore to whitewash
00:15However, this trick that has been used for many years
00:18This week was completely ignited by one thing.
00:21Facebook founder originally invested $2 billion
00:25Preparing to acquire Manus, an AI company registered in Singapore.
00:29The contracts have all been signed.
00:30The money is all ready.
00:33Then the Chinese government intervened.
00:35That slash wasn't just aimed at this transaction.
00:38This further signifies Singapore's path to whitewashing.
00:40It may really be the end.
00:43What is whitewashing in Singapore?
00:44This term was first coined by the Financial Times of London.
00:48In short
00:48Against the backdrop of escalating technological competition between China and the United States
00:51Some Chinese companies are seeking overseas financing
00:54To obtain a more relaxed regulatory environment
00:57Thus embarking on a path of de-Sinicization
01:00They will set up their global headquarters in Singapore.
01:03Adopt a more international name
01:05To package it as a multinational corporation
01:07To reduce the sensitivity brought about by local politics
01:10So, the TikTok ByteDance mentioned earlier
01:13Shein and Manus are both following the same pattern.
01:17So why Singapore in particular?
01:19Because Singapore is a perfect safe haven.
01:21It is politically stable and has a sound rule of law.
01:23Most importantly, it maintains neutrality in international affairs.
01:26Connecting East and West
01:28That, plus the high tariffs imposed by the United States on China
01:31Singapore is a country with a trade surplus with the United States.
01:34The tariffs are very low.
01:36Setting up headquarters here would allow them to enjoy a clean and business-friendly environment.
01:40It can also do business with Europe and America.
01:42It can be said to be a golden ticket for Chinese companies going global.
01:45Simply put, it's just wearing Singapore's guise.
01:48With Chinese blood
01:50However, this method of playing with the red circles on both sides has now become a lose-lose situation.
01:55On the one hand, Americans are not stupid
01:57For example, TikTok President Zhou Shouzi
01:59No matter how much the US Congress emphasizes that they are Singaporeans
02:02The headquarters is in Singapore.
02:03This still failed to dispel the US government's doubts.
02:05Ultimately, it faced the fate of having its business forcibly split up.
02:09On the other hand?
02:10The Chinese government's attitude has also clearly tightened.
02:12The Manus case was a major turning point.
02:16This is also the first foreign-invested AI company to be publicly banned by China since 2021.
02:21Purchase Case
02:22The Chinese government not only demanded that both sides withdraw from the deal
02:25Even Xiao Hong, one of Manus's two Chinese founders, has a vivid memory.
02:29Exit restrictions have been imposed
02:31This is to explain to the global capital markets.
02:33As long as the core technology comes from China
02:36There is no way to cross the regulatory line set by the authorities.
02:39Want to use Singapore's shell
02:41They sold their top-tier AI technology to an American giant.
02:44China will absolutely not allow such a thing to happen.
02:47This NASTA acquisition is the real story behind China's technology war and trade war.
02:51Real photos
02:52In the past, trade wars were fought over large-scale steel purchases and tariffs.
02:56Today's technology war is about data algorithms and top talent.
03:00China is proactively setting new rules for global AI competition.
03:04Key technologies and talent are the strategic bottom line that cannot be crossed.
03:08Of course, these companies wouldn't admit that they were whitewashing.
03:11They would say this is a global strategy.
03:14However, as Singapore's red flag gradually faded...
03:17Want to use a different identity to play both sides between China and the US?
03:21That road seems to be blocked.
03:23These companies are caught between two major powers
03:26Which side should we stand on in the future?
03:28What do you think?
03:29Feel free to leave a comment below.
03:31And don't forget to share the video!
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03:34YoYo Television Series Exclusive
03:38Subtitle volunteer Yang Qianqian
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