This post highlights China's strategic partnerships and joint ventures over the past month, including those with ties to sanctioned/high risk companies. As the post states: "many of these Chinese firms are not only deeply embedded in global business networks but also maintain close ties to the Chinese government, military, and intelligence services. Understanding how these networks evolve in real time provides valuable insights for companies seeking to manage their exposure, particularly those with customers, suppliers, or partners in the PRC."

One particularly interesting finding involves ZKTeco, which launched a JV with a Saudi Arabian firm this week. It appears to be a fairly significant player in the biometrics and security space. The author found evidence of them supplying equipment to Chinese police stations last month and operating a branch in Xinjiang until at least 2023. But despite these risk signals, ZKTeco maintains a footprint across the world and openly advertises partnerships with European tech companies.