The United States on Tuesday pledged a&nbsp;$1 billion deal to Brazil to sway it away from China's Huawei to develop its 5G network.

Earlier, Sweden had announced that it is banning the Chinese telecommunication company from manufacturing any equipment in the country.&nbsp;It was the latest US ally to do so, amid a pressure campaign from the Trump administration to ostracize China from the world telecoms market.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/after-united-kingdom-sweden-bans-huawei-from-upcoming-5g-networks-336623">After United Kingdom, Sweden bans Huawei from upcoming 5G networks</a>

According to&nbsp;US National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien,&nbsp;who presided over the signing during a visit to Brazil,&nbsp;the deal includes loans, guarantees, and insurance to fund Brazilian imports of US goods and services,&nbsp;"especially in the telecommunications area and the important 5G modern telecommunications network."&nbsp;

Speaking after the deal was signed, President Jair Bolsonaro reiterated his support for the re-election of his US counterpart Donald Trump, the latest shout-out from the far-right leader sometimes called the "Tropical Trump."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-convinced-many-countries-not-to-use-huawei-its-a-big-security-risk-trump-313340">US convinced many countries not to use Huawei, it's a big security risk: Trump</a>

"God willing, I hope to attend the inauguration of the&nbsp;soon-to-be re-elected president of the United States," Bolsonaro said.

The United States and Brazil have cozied up under Trump and Bolsonaro, whose shared penchant for hardline policies, vitriolic rhetoric, and social media have drawn comparisons.

But the 5G issue has become a potential source of strain as Brazil plans a tender next year to upgrade the mobile network in Latin America's biggest economy.

China is Brazil's top trading partner, and Huawei has emerged as the leading supplier of fast and cheap next-generation telecoms infrastructure.

The Trump administration warns that the firm is a security threat, accusing it of passing data and intelligence to the Chinese government.

The Chinese embassy in Brasilia lashed out angrily at comments to that effect by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and O'Brien during his visit.

"They spread lies about China in bad faith, fabricating a so-called 'Chinese threat' and attacking China's 5G technology," a spokesman said in an interview posted on the embassy's website.

Previously, Britain banned mobile providers in July from using Huawei equipment in their new 5G networks and ordered them to remove existing equipment made by the company.

France has also placed heavy restrictions on the use of Huawei equipment.

The United States on Tuesday pledged a $1 billion deal to Brazil to sway it away from China's Huawei to develop its 5G network. Earlier, Sweden had announced that it is banning the Chinese telecommunication company from manufacturing any equipment in the country.

The United States on Tuesday pledged a $1 billion deal to Brazil to sway it away from China's Huawei to develop its 5G network. Earlier, Sweden had announced that it is banning the Chinese telecommunication company from manufacturing any equipment in the country. It was the latest US ally to do so, amid a pressure campaign from the Trump administration to ostracize China from the world telecoms market. Also read: After United Kingdom, Sweden bans Huawei from upcoming 5G networks According to US National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien, who presided over the signing during a visit to Brazil, the deal includes loans, guarantees, and insurance to fund Brazilian imports of US goods and services, "especially in the telecommunications area and the important 5G modern telecommunications network." Speaking after the deal was signed, President Jair Bolsonaro reiterated his support for the re-election of his US counterpart Donald Trump, the latest shout-out from the far-right leader sometimes called the "Tropical Trump." Also read: US convinced many countries not to use Huawei, it's a big security risk: Trump "God willing, I hope to attend the inauguration of the soon-to-be re-elected president of the United States," Bolsonaro said. The United States and Brazil have cozied up under Trump and Bolsonaro, whose shared penchant for hardline policies, vitriolic rhetoric, and social media have drawn comparisons. But the 5G issue has become a potential source of strain as Brazil plans a tender next year to upgrade the mobile network in Latin America's biggest economy. China is Brazil's top trading partner, and Huawei has emerged as the leading supplier of fast and cheap next-generation telecoms infrastructure. The Trump administration warns that the firm is a security threat, accusing it of passing data and intelligence to the Chinese government. The Chinese embassy in Brasilia lashed out angrily at comments to that effect by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and O'Brien during his visit. "They spread lies about China in bad faith, fabricating a so-called 'Chinese threat' and attacking China's 5G technology," a spokesman said in an interview posted on the embassy's website. Previously, Britain banned mobile providers in July from using Huawei equipment in their new 5G networks and ordered them to remove existing equipment made by the company. France has also placed heavy restrictions on the use of Huawei equipment.

US offers $1 billion deal to Brazil to sway it away from China's Huawei 5G network

Chinese officials have told the Trump administration that security officers in China might detain US&nbsp;citizens if the Justice Department proceeds with prosecutions of arrested scholars who are members of the Chinese military, US&nbsp;officials said.

The Chinese officials conveyed the messages starting this summer, when the Justice Department intensified efforts to arrest and charge the scholars, mainly with providing false information on their visa applications, the US&nbsp;officials said. US&nbsp;law enforcement officials say at least five Chinese scholars who have been arrested in recent months did not disclose their military affiliations on visa applications and might have been trying to conduct industrial espionage in research centers.

U.S. officials said they thought the Chinese officials were serious about the threats. The State Department has reiterated travel warnings as a result, they said. Western officials and human rights advocates have said for years that the Chinese police and other security agencies engage in arbitrary detentions.

The threats are another striking escalation in tensions between the United States and China, which have been rising for years and have surged sharply since the coronavirus pandemic began in central China last winter.

But some analysts in Washington and Beijing say the Chinese government is trying to avoid any serious provocations against the United States before the elections in November. And some Chinese officials are aiming to cool the temperature of U.S.-China relations, whether President Donald Trump wins another term or Joe Biden, the Democratic challenger and former vice president, takes over in the White House.

A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment on whether Chinese officials had delivered warnings about plans to detain U.S. citizens to retaliate for prosecutions of Chinese scholars. The threats were reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal.

“We are aware that the Chinese government has, in other instances, detained American, Canadian and other individuals without legal basis to retaliate against lawful prosecutions and to exert pressure on their governments, with a callous disregard of the individuals involved,” John Demers, head of the Justice Department’s national security division, said in a statement. “If China wants to be seen as one of the world’s leading nations, it should respect the rule of law and stop taking hostages.”

On Sunday, Hu Xijin, chief editor of Global Times, a nationalistic newspaper linked to the Chinese Communist Party, wrote on Twitter that the detentions in the United States of Chinese scholars on spying charges were “not good” for the “safety of some US nationals in China.”

“Does Washington need to be warned?” he wrote. “It’s common sense. In my view, hegemony has turned some US elites stupid, or they’re pretending to be stupid.”

In recent years, the Justice Department has scrutinized the work of Chinese researchers at U.S. universities and other scientific institutions. U.S. officials have also criticized programs run by the Chinese government to recruit scientific and technical experts. Demers and other U.S. officials have long said that Beijing uses a wide range of tools to gather intelligence at U.S. research centers.

The Trump administration announced in late May that it was barring Chinese students at the graduate level or higher who had ties to some military institutions from entering the United States.

In late July, the State Department ordered China to close its consulate in Houston, saying it was a center of research theft in the United States. Justice Department officials said that Chinese officials in other missions also took part in industrial and scientific espionage and that the closure was meant to deter Beijing from continuing the actions. At that time, U.S. authorities were also seeking to arrest a Chinese student or researcher, Tang Juan, who had gone into hiding in the San Francisco consulate after being questioned by the FBI.

The FBI arrested Tang on July 23 and accused her of hiding her military affiliation. She has pleaded not guilty to charges of visa fraud and making false statements.

The Chinese government has denied accusations that members of its military are in the United States for scientific and industrial espionage.

State Department representatives declined to discuss any recent threats of detentions of Americans made by Chinese officials. But for months, department officials have been stressing harsh actions taken by Chinese security agencies against Americans. On Sept. 14, the department updated travel advisories for mainland China and Hong Kong, saying that Americans should “reconsider travel” because of COVID-19 and risk arising from “arbitrary enforcement of local laws.”

In June, Chinese officials charged two Canadians — Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat, and Michael Spavor, a businessman — with espionage. Security officers had detained the two men 18 months earlier. Canadian and U.S. officials widely believe the men are being held because of a Justice Department case against Meng Wanzhou, a top executive of Chinese technology company Huawei, who was arrested in Canada in December 2018 and might be extradited to the United States.

Last year, Chinese security officers prevented a Koch Industries executive from leaving China for some days. And in a hotel lobby in Beijing, officers tried to take a former U.S. diplomat away for questioning. He was in China to attend a forum on artificial intelligence that he had helped organize. The U.S. Embassy in Beijing intervened, and the Chinese officers backed off.

The State Department has also denounced the practice by Chinese officials of “exit bans,” or refusing to allow foreign citizens to leave the country, often as a means of coercion in legal or business disputes.

Chinese officials have told the Trump administration that security officers in China might detain US citizens if the Justice Department proceeds with prosecutions of arrested scholars who are members of the Chinese military, US officials said.

Chinese officials have told the Trump administration that security officers in China might detain US citizens if the Justice Department proceeds with prosecutions of arrested scholars who are members of the Chinese military, US officials said. The Chinese officials conveyed the messages starting this summer, when the Justice Department intensified efforts to arrest and charge the scholars, mainly with providing false information on their visa applications, the US officials said. US law enforcement officials say at least five Chinese scholars who have been arrested in recent months did not disclose their military affiliations on visa applications and might have been trying to conduct industrial espionage in research centers. U.S. officials said they thought the Chinese officials were serious about the threats. The State Department has reiterated travel warnings as a result, they said. Western officials and human rights advocates have said for years that the Chinese police and other security agencies engage in arbitrary detentions. The threats are another striking escalation in tensions between the United States and China, which have been rising for years and have surged sharply since the coronavirus pandemic began in central China last winter. But some analysts in Washington and Beijing say the Chinese government is trying to avoid any serious provocations against the United States before the elections in November. And some Chinese officials are aiming to cool the temperature of U.S.-China relations, whether President Donald Trump wins another term or Joe Biden, the Democratic challenger and former vice president, takes over in the White House. A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment on whether Chinese officials had delivered warnings about plans to detain U.S. citizens to retaliate for prosecutions of Chinese scholars. The threats were reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal. “We are aware that the Chinese government has, in other instances, detained American, Canadian and other individuals without legal basis to retaliate against lawful prosecutions and to exert pressure on their governments, with a callous disregard of the individuals involved,” John Demers, head of the Justice Department’s national security division, said in a statement. “If China wants to be seen as one of the world’s leading nations, it should respect the rule of law and stop taking hostages.” On Sunday, Hu Xijin, chief editor of Global Times, a nationalistic newspaper linked to the Chinese Communist Party, wrote on Twitter that the detentions in the United States of Chinese scholars on spying charges were “not good” for the “safety of some US nationals in China.” “Does Washington need to be warned?” he wrote. “It’s common sense. In my view, hegemony has turned some US elites stupid, or they’re pretending to be stupid.” In recent years, the Justice Department has scrutinized the work of Chinese researchers at U.S. universities and other scientific institutions. U.S. officials have also criticized programs run by the Chinese government to recruit scientific and technical experts. Demers and other U.S. officials have long said that Beijing uses a wide range of tools to gather intelligence at U.S. research centers. The Trump administration announced in late May that it was barring Chinese students at the graduate level or higher who had ties to some military institutions from entering the United States. In late July, the State Department ordered China to close its consulate in Houston, saying it was a center of research theft in the United States. Justice Department officials said that Chinese officials in other missions also took part in industrial and scientific espionage and that the closure was meant to deter Beijing from continuing the actions. At that time, U.S. authorities were also seeking to arrest a Chinese student or researcher, Tang Juan, who had gone into hiding in the San Francisco consulate after being questioned by the FBI. The FBI arrested Tang on July 23 and accused her of hiding her military affiliation. She has pleaded not guilty to charges of visa fraud and making false statements. The Chinese government has denied accusations that members of its military are in the United States for scientific and industrial espionage. State Department representatives declined to discuss any recent threats of detentions of Americans made by Chinese officials. But for months, department officials have been stressing harsh actions taken by Chinese security agencies against Americans. On Sept. 14, the department updated travel advisories for mainland China and Hong Kong, saying that Americans should “reconsider travel” because of COVID-19 and risk arising from “arbitrary enforcement of local laws.” In June, Chinese officials charged two Canadians — Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat, and Michael Spavor, a businessman — with espionage. Security officers had detained the two men 18 months earlier. Canadian and U.S. officials widely believe the men are being held because of a Justice Department case against Meng Wanzhou, a top executive of Chinese technology company Huawei, who was arrested in Canada in December 2018 and might be extradited to the United States. Last year, Chinese security officers prevented a Koch Industries executive from leaving China for some days. And in a hotel lobby in Beijing, officers tried to take a former U.S. diplomat away for questioning. He was in China to attend a forum on artificial intelligence that he had helped organize. The U.S. Embassy in Beijing intervened, and the Chinese officers backed off. The State Department has also denounced the practice by Chinese officials of “exit bans,” or refusing to allow foreign citizens to leave the country, often as a means of coercion in legal or business disputes.

China threatens to detain Americans if US prosecutes Chinese scholars

Dickson Yeo, the Singaporean man who pleaded guilty for spying on the United States for China has been&nbsp;sentenced to 14 months in prison on&nbsp;Friday.

Working with Chinese intelligence since 2015, Jun Wei Yeo, also called Dickson Yeo, set up a political consultancy in Washington which he used to identify Americans with high-level security clearances that he sought to pay for classified information.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-spying-on-millions-around-the-world-by-harvesting-personal-details-from-the-dark-web-327896">China spying on millions around the world by harvesting personal details from the dark web</a>

The 39 year old was arrested at an airport in November 2019 and pleaded guilty in July to one count of operating illegally as a foreign agent, which can bring up to 10 years in prison.

But he was given a relatively light sentence and credited for 11 months already spent in prison based on his cooperation with US authorities and also due to the threat of contracting Covid-19 in jail, said Washington federal judge Tanya Chutkan.

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The sentence means he could be released and expelled from the United States by January.

In a sentencing hearing conducted by teleconference, Yeo appeared to break down as he expressed regrets, and said he had no intention to harm anyone.

He said he had been treated well by US justice authorities.

"All I'd like to do is to go home to my family," he said. But then he added that he remains supportive of Beijing.

"I am still sympathetic to the Chinese cause," he told the court.

Chutkan, whose sentence was two months less than the 16 months recommended by federal prosecutors, drew a comparison with other countries, telling Yeo: "I'm going to punish you for what you did, not what you think."

"Mr. Yeo worked under the direction of the intelligence service of the People's Republic of China," she said.

"The crime that Mr. Yeo committed was not a momentary lapse of judgment."

"I can tell you are a highly educated man and I have no doubt you understood you knew what you were doing," she told Yeo.

"Your operation was designed to weaken the United States for the benefit of China."

At the same time, Chutkan said she had to accept prosecutors' assertions that Yeo cooperated well with investigators in the case.

In addition, she noted Yeo had survived 11 months in US prisons, where there are extensive coronavirus outbreaks, without getting infected.&nbsp;

"Yeo is fortunate. So far he has not gotten Covid," she said.

"It would be horrible if he gets it because he has to spend a few more months in jail.&nbsp;

A PhD student at the National University of Singapore, Yeo was directed by Chinese intelligence to open up a fake consultancy in the United States and offer jobs, according to his indictment.

He received more than 400 resumes, 90 percent of which were from US military or government personnel with security clearances.

He used these and the networking functions of LinkedIn to track down possible targets, focusing on people with top security clearances.

He recruited a number of people to work with him, targeting those who admitted to financial difficulties.

They included a civilian working on the Air Force's F-35B stealth fighter-bomber project, a Pentagon army officer with Afghanistan experience, and a State Department official, all of whom were paid as much as $2,000 for writing reports for Yeo.

Prosecutors said Friday that he never got as far as collecting highly classified information, but that was his intent.

Dickson Yeo, the Singaporean man who pleaded guilty for spying on the United States for China has been sentenced to 14 months in prison on Friday. Working with Chinese intelligence since 2015, Jun Wei Yeo, also called Dickson Yeo, set up a political consultancy in Washington which he used to identify Americans with high-level security clearances that he sought to pay for classified information.

Dickson Yeo, the Singaporean man who pleaded guilty for spying on the United States for China has been sentenced to 14 months in prison on Friday. Working with Chinese intelligence since 2015, Jun Wei Yeo, also called Dickson Yeo, set up a political consultancy in Washington which he used to identify Americans with high-level security clearances that he sought to pay for classified information. Also read: China spying on millions around the world by harvesting personal details from the dark web The 39 year old was arrested at an airport in November 2019 and pleaded guilty in July to one count of operating illegally as a foreign agent, which can bring up to 10 years in prison. But he was given a relatively light sentence and credited for 11 months already spent in prison based on his cooperation with US authorities and also due to the threat of contracting Covid-19 in jail, said Washington federal judge Tanya Chutkan. The sentence means he could be released and expelled from the United States by January. In a sentencing hearing conducted by teleconference, Yeo appeared to break down as he expressed regrets, and said he had no intention to harm anyone. He said he had been treated well by US justice authorities. "All I'd like to do is to go home to my family," he said. But then he added that he remains supportive of Beijing. "I am still sympathetic to the Chinese cause," he told the court. Chutkan, whose sentence was two months less than the 16 months recommended by federal prosecutors, drew a comparison with other countries, telling Yeo: "I'm going to punish you for what you did, not what you think." "Mr. Yeo worked under the direction of the intelligence service of the People's Republic of China," she said. "The crime that Mr. Yeo committed was not a momentary lapse of judgment." "I can tell you are a highly educated man and I have no doubt you understood you knew what you were doing," she told Yeo. "Your operation was designed to weaken the United States for the benefit of China." At the same time, Chutkan said she had to accept prosecutors' assertions that Yeo cooperated well with investigators in the case. In addition, she noted Yeo had survived 11 months in US prisons, where there are extensive coronavirus outbreaks, without getting infected. "Yeo is fortunate. So far he has not gotten Covid," she said. "It would be horrible if he gets it because he has to spend a few more months in jail. A PhD student at the National University of Singapore, Yeo was directed by Chinese intelligence to open up a fake consultancy in the United States and offer jobs, according to his indictment. He received more than 400 resumes, 90 percent of which were from US military or government personnel with security clearances. He used these and the networking functions of LinkedIn to track down possible targets, focusing on people with top security clearances. He recruited a number of people to work with him, targeting those who admitted to financial difficulties. They included a civilian working on the Air Force's F-35B stealth fighter-bomber project, a Pentagon army officer with Afghanistan experience, and a State Department official, all of whom were paid as much as $2,000 for writing reports for Yeo. Prosecutors said Friday that he never got as far as collecting highly classified information, but that was his intent.

US imprisons Singaporean academic who spied for China

China's foreign ministry said on Tuesday that&nbsp;US&nbsp;import&nbsp;bans&nbsp;on some products from&nbsp;China's&nbsp;Xinjiang&nbsp;region were sabotaging global&nbsp;supply&nbsp;chains.

Earlier, the Trump administration on Monday&nbsp;blocked US&nbsp;imports&nbsp;of cotton, apparel and other products from five entities in western&nbsp;China's&nbsp;Xinjiang&nbsp;region.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-puts-block-on-chinese-products-from-uighur-forced-labour-327588">US puts block on Chinese products from Uighur ‘forced labour’</a>

"The Chinese government is engaged in systematic abuses against the Uighur people" and other minorities, said Mark Morgan, acting commissioner of the Customs and Border Protection agency.

The actions announced consisted of "withhold release orders" or WROs, which empower the CBP to seize products from the blacklisted companies and organizations.

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The US government is increasingly using such orders to pressure Beijing over its detention of more than one million members of the mostly Muslim Uighur minority in Xinjiang for ostensible reeducation.

Calling attention to abuses

In July, the customs agency placed WRO blocks on hair products, used for wigs and extensions, from several companies operating in Xinjiang, and in August did the same for garments made and sold by the Hero Vast Group.

"The Chinese government needs to close its concentration camps," said Cuccinelli.

The move came as rights groups and members of US Congress press the administration of President Donald Trump to take more resolute action over alleged Chinese repression of Muslims in the country's vast west.

In July the US Treasury imposed sanctions on a major paramilitary group, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, accusing it of abuses against Uighurs and other mostly Muslim groups.

China's foreign ministry said on Tuesday that US import bans on some products from China's Xinjiang region were sabotaging global supply chains. Earlier, the Trump administration on Monday blocked US imports of cotton, apparel and other products from five entities in western China's Xinjiang region.

China's foreign ministry said on Tuesday that US import bans on some products from China's Xinjiang region were sabotaging global supply chains. Earlier, the Trump administration on Monday blocked US imports of cotton, apparel and other products from five entities in western China's Xinjiang region. Also read: US puts block on Chinese products from Uighur ‘forced labour’ "The Chinese government is engaged in systematic abuses against the Uighur people" and other minorities, said Mark Morgan, acting commissioner of the Customs and Border Protection agency. The actions announced consisted of "withhold release orders" or WROs, which empower the CBP to seize products from the blacklisted companies and organizations. The US government is increasingly using such orders to pressure Beijing over its detention of more than one million members of the mostly Muslim Uighur minority in Xinjiang for ostensible reeducation. Calling attention to abuses In July, the customs agency placed WRO blocks on hair products, used for wigs and extensions, from several companies operating in Xinjiang, and in August did the same for garments made and sold by the Hero Vast Group. "The Chinese government needs to close its concentration camps," said Cuccinelli. The move came as rights groups and members of US Congress press the administration of President Donald Trump to take more resolute action over alleged Chinese repression of Muslims in the country's vast west. In July the US Treasury imposed sanctions on a major paramilitary group, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, accusing it of abuses against Uighurs and other mostly Muslim groups.

US bans on Xinjiang imports to sabotage global supply chains, says China

The suspension of a US&nbsp;university professor has ignited a debate over the use of a seemingly innocuous Chinese word.

While communicating with his students during a lecture, Professor Greg Patton at the University of Southern California (USC) said&nbsp;"in China, the common pause word is 'that, that, that'. So in China, it might be na-ge, na-ge, na-ge."

In Chinese, the word "na-ge" (那个) is a common filler phrase that people use when they're hesitating or trying to find the right word. It literally translates to the word "that".

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I cannot believe this is real, but it is. 
 
This USC Professor is on leave after students were offended that a Chinese word he used during a lecture on foreign languages sounded like an english racial slur. 
 
Watch the video for yourself: <a href="https://t.co/HkFPMEP5I2">pic.twitter.com/HkFPMEP5I2</a>
— Cabot Phillips (@cabot_phillips) <a href="https://twitter.com/cabot_phillips/status/1301516424276578305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Annunciated, na-ge sounds like the n-word, which led several of the professor's students to complain to the university. Responding to the complaint, the dean of the university, Geoffrey Garrett, told students that Prof Patton would no longer be teaching the course.

"It is simply unacceptable for the faculty to use words in class that can marginalise, hurt and harm the psychological safety of our students," he said.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-us-china-relationship-took-a-turn-for-the-worse-314882">How US-China relationship took a turn for the worse</a>

However, the word's usage has&nbsp;a wholly different history and language in a lecture on communication in international business.

News of the spat reached China, where many posted on social media saying they thought Professor Patton's punishment, conversely, was discrimination against speakers of the Chinese language.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/there-will-be-no-extension-trump-says-on-tiktok-deadline-326736" hreflang="en">'There will be no extension': Trump says on TikTok deadline</a>

Lost in translation

There have been many documented incidents of the word being used innocuously and leading to misunderstandings, and even violence.

In July 2016, a fight broke out on the subway in the city of southern Guangzhou, after a black man heard a Chinese man saying na-ge and mistook it for the n-word.

Footage went viral online showing the black man slapping the chinese commuter and shouting "you dare try that again" and "never say that again"

More recently, in April this year, Taiwanese news website UDN&nbsp;reported that two men nearly came to blows on the island outside a restaurant over the same misunderstanding.

Even Chinese basketball star Yao Ming has spoken of how the word brought him "some trouble" while playing in the US&nbsp;for the National Basketball Association (NBA).

The suspension of a US university professor has ignited a debate over the use of a seemingly innocuous Chinese word. While communicating with his students during a lecture, Professor Greg Patton at the University of Southern California (USC) said "in China, the common pause word is 'that, that, that'.

The suspension of a US university professor has ignited a debate over the use of a seemingly innocuous Chinese word. While communicating with his students during a lecture, Professor Greg Patton at the University of Southern California (USC) said "in China, the common pause word is 'that, that, that'. So in China, it might be na-ge, na-ge, na-ge." In Chinese, the word "na-ge" (那个) is a common filler phrase that people use when they're hesitating or trying to find the right word. It literally translates to the word "that". I cannot believe this is real, but it is. This USC Professor is on leave after students were offended that a Chinese word he used during a lecture on foreign languages sounded like an english racial slur. Watch the video for yourself: pic.twitter.com/HkFPMEP5I2 — Cabot Phillips (@cabot_phillips) September 3, 2020 × Annunciated, na-ge sounds like the n-word, which led several of the professor's students to complain to the university. Responding to the complaint, the dean of the university, Geoffrey Garrett, told students that Prof Patton would no longer be teaching the course. "It is simply unacceptable for the faculty to use words in class that can marginalise, hurt and harm the psychological safety of our students," he said. Also see: How US-China relationship took a turn for the worse However, the word's usage has a wholly different history and language in a lecture on communication in international business. News of the spat reached China, where many posted on social media saying they thought Professor Patton's punishment, conversely, was discrimination against speakers of the Chinese language. Also read: 'There will be no extension': Trump says on TikTok deadline Lost in translation There have been many documented incidents of the word being used innocuously and leading to misunderstandings, and even violence. In July 2016, a fight broke out on the subway in the city of southern Guangzhou, after a black man heard a Chinese man saying na-ge and mistook it for the n-word. Footage went viral online showing the black man slapping the chinese commuter and shouting "you dare try that again" and "never say that again" More recently, in April this year, Taiwanese news website UDN reported that two men nearly came to blows on the island outside a restaurant over the same misunderstanding. Even Chinese basketball star Yao Ming has spoken of how the word brought him "some trouble" while playing in the US for the National Basketball Association (NBA).

'Neige controversy': US professor's suspension sparks debate over a Chinese word

China&nbsp;has lodged "stern representations" with the United States, accusing it of sending a US&nbsp;plane into a no-fly zone over Chinese live-fire military drills,&nbsp;branding it an act of provocation on Tuesday, further ratcheting up tensions between Beijing and Washington.

China&nbsp;has long denounced US&nbsp;surveillance activities, while the United States has complained of "unsafe" intercepts by Chinese aircraft. While such missions happen regularly, for&nbsp;China&nbsp;to talk about them publicly is unusual.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-jinping-warns-period-of-turbulent-change-as-external-risks-rise-322953" hreflang="en">China: Jinping warns 'period of turbulent change' as external risks rise</a>

The U-2 reconnaissance jet's flight over an area in northern China violated safety rules between the two nations, Xinhua reported, citing Chinese defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian.

"The US action could easily have resulted in misjudgments and even accidents," said the report, adding "that the move was an obvious provocation."

"China firmly opposes such provocative actions and has lodged solemn representations with the US side."

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-us-china-relationship-took-a-turn-for-the-worse-314882">How US-China relationship took a turn for the worse</a>

Beijing's anger comes as US and Chinese relations have deteriorated to historic lows, with confrontations simmering on trade, military and political matters.

On the military front, US naval forces regularly conduct operations near Taiwan and in the South China Sea, effectively challenging China's territorial claims.

In April 2001, an intercept of a US&nbsp;spy plane by a Chinese fighter jet resulted in a collision that killed the Chinese pilot and forced the American plane to make an emergency landing at a base on the southern Chinese island of Hainan.

The 24 US&nbsp;air crew members were held for 11 days until Washington apologised for the incident.

China has lodged "stern representations" with the United States, accusing it of sending a US plane into a no-fly zone over Chinese live-fire military drills, branding it an act of provocation on Tuesday, further ratcheting up tensions between Beijing and Washington.

China has lodged "stern representations" with the United States, accusing it of sending a US plane into a no-fly zone over Chinese live-fire military drills, branding it an act of provocation on Tuesday, further ratcheting up tensions between Beijing and Washington. China has long denounced US surveillance activities, while the United States has complained of "unsafe" intercepts by Chinese aircraft. While such missions happen regularly, for China to talk about them publicly is unusual. Also read: China: Jinping warns 'period of turbulent change' as external risks rise The U-2 reconnaissance jet's flight over an area in northern China violated safety rules between the two nations, Xinhua reported, citing Chinese defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian. "The US action could easily have resulted in misjudgments and even accidents," said the report, adding "that the move was an obvious provocation." "China firmly opposes such provocative actions and has lodged solemn representations with the US side." Also see: How US-China relationship took a turn for the worse Beijing's anger comes as US and Chinese relations have deteriorated to historic lows, with confrontations simmering on trade, military and political matters. On the military front, US naval forces regularly conduct operations near Taiwan and in the South China Sea, effectively challenging China's territorial claims. In April 2001, an intercept of a US spy plane by a Chinese fighter jet resulted in a collision that killed the Chinese pilot and forced the American plane to make an emergency landing at a base on the southern Chinese island of Hainan. The 24 US air crew members were held for 11 days until Washington apologised for the incident.

'Obvious provocation': China accuses US spy plane of entering no-fly zone

A former officer for the CIA and then the FBI was charged in federal court in Hawaii Monday with selling US secrets to China, including disclosing the identities of US informants in China.

According to&nbsp;&nbsp;the US&nbsp;Justice Department,&nbsp;Alexander Yuk Ching Ma, 67, was arrested on a charge that he conspired with a relative, also a former&nbsp;CIA&nbsp;officer, to communicate classified information to Chinese intelligence officials.&nbsp;

He continued to meet with the undercover agent, accepting money and offering secrets until this month, when he said he was happy to keep working for Beijing but "would prefer to discuss opportunities after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided," the indictment said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/heres-how-chinas-spy-racket-is-bigger-than-the-cold-war-308878">Here's how China's spy racket is bigger than the cold war!</a>

The Justice Department said Ma was arrested on August 14, but only unsealed the indictment on Monday.

Ma, 67, a naturalized US citizen born in Hong Kong, worked for the Central Intelligence Agency with a high-level security clearance from 1982 to 1989.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/all-you-need-to-know-about-chinas-espionage-programme-operation-fox-hunt-311547">All you need to know about China's espionage programme 'Operation Fox Hunt'</a>

He had a relative, unnamed and uncharged in the indictment due to his age, 85, and advanced cognitive disease, who also worked for the agency from 1967 to 1983.

The indictment says that at least as early as 2001, the two were already providing information to agents of Beijing's Ministry of State Security.

The indictment says FBI investigators gained video and audio recordings of their meetings with MSS agents in Hong Kong in March 2001 -- though it does not explain how and when they obtained such evidence

At those meetings they provided details of CIA communications, field operations and informants, and the video shows them receiving $50,000.

After them Ma applied for a position at the FBI in Hawaii that gave him access to classified information that, over the following decade at least, he downloaded and photographed documents to turn over to his Chinese handlers.

After them Ma applied for a position at the FBI in Hawaii that gave him access to classified information that, over the following decade at least, he downloaded and photographed documents to turn over to his Chinese handlers.

He and his relative were also asked to identify from pictures possible US agents and informants in China during this period, according to the charges.

The&nbsp;CIA&nbsp;and FBI declined to comment on why it took so long to arrest him. Ma's lawyer, Craig Jerome, could not immediately be reached for comment.

The case though is the latest of several brought against US government employees who sold secrets to China.

After China reportedly broke up a network of CIA sources and operatives inside China around 2010, the agency began digging deeply for leaks and possible moles that may have exposed them.

Last November Jerry Chun Shing Lee, who worked for the CIA from 1994 to 2007, was sentenced to 19 years in prison for giving US secrets to Chinese intelligence.

A former officer for the CIA and then the FBI was charged in federal court in Hawaii Monday with selling US secrets to China, including disclosing the identities of US informants in China.

A former officer for the CIA and then the FBI was charged in federal court in Hawaii Monday with selling US secrets to China, including disclosing the identities of US informants in China. According to the US Justice Department, Alexander Yuk Ching Ma, 67, was arrested on a charge that he conspired with a relative, also a former CIA officer, to communicate classified information to Chinese intelligence officials. He continued to meet with the undercover agent, accepting money and offering secrets until this month, when he said he was happy to keep working for Beijing but "would prefer to discuss opportunities after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided," the indictment said. Also read: Here's how China's spy racket is bigger than the cold war! The Justice Department said Ma was arrested on August 14, but only unsealed the indictment on Monday. Ma, 67, a naturalized US citizen born in Hong Kong, worked for the Central Intelligence Agency with a high-level security clearance from 1982 to 1989. Also read: All you need to know about China's espionage programme 'Operation Fox Hunt' He had a relative, unnamed and uncharged in the indictment due to his age, 85, and advanced cognitive disease, who also worked for the agency from 1967 to 1983. The indictment says that at least as early as 2001, the two were already providing information to agents of Beijing's Ministry of State Security. The indictment says FBI investigators gained video and audio recordings of their meetings with MSS agents in Hong Kong in March 2001 -- though it does not explain how and when they obtained such evidence At those meetings they provided details of CIA communications, field operations and informants, and the video shows them receiving $50,000. After them Ma applied for a position at the FBI in Hawaii that gave him access to classified information that, over the following decade at least, he downloaded and photographed documents to turn over to his Chinese handlers. After them Ma applied for a position at the FBI in Hawaii that gave him access to classified information that, over the following decade at least, he downloaded and photographed documents to turn over to his Chinese handlers. He and his relative were also asked to identify from pictures possible US agents and informants in China during this period, according to the charges. The CIA and FBI declined to comment on why it took so long to arrest him. Ma's lawyer, Craig Jerome, could not immediately be reached for comment. The case though is the latest of several brought against US government employees who sold secrets to China. After China reportedly broke up a network of CIA sources and operatives inside China around 2010, the agency began digging deeply for leaks and possible moles that may have exposed them. Last November Jerry Chun Shing Lee, who worked for the CIA from 1994 to 2007, was sentenced to 19 years in prison for giving US secrets to Chinese intelligence.

Former CIA officer arrested for giving classified information to China

China's decision to close the United States Consulate General in Chengdu is a legitimate and necessary countermeasure and the US&nbsp;is responsible for the current deterioration of China-US&nbsp;relations, said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin.

China blasted the Houston move and blamed Washington for the sharp deterioration in relations.

Closing the Chengdu consulate was a "legitimate and necessary response to the unreasonable measures by the United States", the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"The current situation in China-US relations is not what China desires to see, and the US is responsible for all this," it said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-announcement-on-chengdu-consulate-closure-us-china-battle-set-to-intensify-315805" hreflang="en">With announcement on Chengdu consulate closure, US, China battle set to intensify</a>

Wang made the statement at a media briefing in Beijing commenting on the decision made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China to withdraw its consent for the establishment and operation of the US&nbsp;Consulate General in Chengdu. He also&nbsp;pointed out that the measure taken by China is reciprocal to the US&nbsp;move.

Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters that some US staff in the Chengdu consulate, near Tibet, "were engaged in activities outside of their capacity, interfered in China's internal affairs, and endangered China's security and interests."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/people-in-us-consulate-in-chengdu-interfered-in-our-internal-affairs-china-315732">People in US consulate in Chengdu interfered in our internal affairs: China</a>

The Chengdu mission was also where senior Chinese official Wang Lijun fled in 2012 from his powerful boss Bo Xilai, who was then head of the nearby metropolis Chongqing, and has since been jailed for life for corruption.&nbsp;

US-China relations deteriorated in a Cold War-style standoff Friday as Beijing ordered a US consulate to shut in retaliation for the closure of its Houston mission accused of being a hub for espionage and intellectual property theft.

Washington officials said the level of unacceptable efforts to steal US corporate secrets and proprietary medical and scientific research from the Houston mission had grown too large to ignore.

China's decision to close the United States Consulate General in Chengdu is a legitimate and necessary countermeasure and the US is responsible for the current deterioration of China-US relations, said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin.

China's decision to close the United States Consulate General in Chengdu is a legitimate and necessary countermeasure and the US is responsible for the current deterioration of China-US relations, said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin. China blasted the Houston move and blamed Washington for the sharp deterioration in relations. Closing the Chengdu consulate was a "legitimate and necessary response to the unreasonable measures by the United States", the foreign ministry said in a statement. "The current situation in China-US relations is not what China desires to see, and the US is responsible for all this," it said. Also read: With announcement on Chengdu consulate closure, US, China battle set to intensify Wang made the statement at a media briefing in Beijing commenting on the decision made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China to withdraw its consent for the establishment and operation of the US Consulate General in Chengdu. He also pointed out that the measure taken by China is reciprocal to the US move. Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters that some US staff in the Chengdu consulate, near Tibet, "were engaged in activities outside of their capacity, interfered in China's internal affairs, and endangered China's security and interests." Also read: People in US consulate in Chengdu interfered in our internal affairs: China The Chengdu mission was also where senior Chinese official Wang Lijun fled in 2012 from his powerful boss Bo Xilai, who was then head of the nearby metropolis Chongqing, and has since been jailed for life for corruption. US-China relations deteriorated in a Cold War-style standoff Friday as Beijing ordered a US consulate to shut in retaliation for the closure of its Houston mission accused of being a hub for espionage and intellectual property theft. Washington officials said the level of unacceptable efforts to steal US corporate secrets and proprietary medical and scientific research from the Houston mission had grown too large to ignore.

US responsible for current deterioration in bilateral relationship, says China

How US-China relationship took a turn for the worse

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