Indian intelligence agencies have red-flagged usage of over 50 China-linked apps as being a threat to national security, as a report in Hindustan Times suggest. The Intel agencies have asked the government to block or advise people to stop the use the apps which remain popular among Indian users. India’s security agencies have raised concerns that these apps aren’t safe and end up extracting a large amount of data outside India.
The list includes popular apps such as social media platforms TikTok and Bigo Live, file sharing service Shareit, UC Browser mobile web browser, e-commerce platform Shein, popular game Clash of Kings and apps made and pre-bundled by Xiaomi.
Over and above the China-linked apps, Intel agencies have raised concerns about video-conferencing app Zoom. In April this year, the home ministry had issued an advisory on use of Zoom on the recommendation of the national cybersecurity agency – Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-in). According to the advisory, MHA had deemed Zoom as an unsafe platform and asked individuals using the video conferencing app to adhere to certain security settings in a bid to safeguard their meetings from malicious attackers.https://af7b2d481b5d624acc37c3771d25de38.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html
The recommendation of the intelligence agencies on the ban of apps has also been supported by the National Security Council Secretariat, which also felt these could be detrimental to India’s security.
52 apps red-flagged by Intel agencies
1.360 Security
2. APUS Browser
3. Baidu Map
4.Baidu Translate
5. BeautyPlus
6. Bigo Live
7. CacheClear DU apps studio
8. Clash of Kings
9. Clean Master – Cheet
10.ClubFactory
11.CM Browser
12. DU Battery Saver
13.DU Browser
14.DU Cleaner
15.DU Privacy
16.DU recorder
17.ES File Explorer
18.Helo
19.Kwai
20.LIKE
21. Mail Master
22.Mi Community
23.Mi Store
24.Mi Video call-Xiaomi
25.NewsDog
26.Parallel Space
27.Perfect Corp
28.Photo Wonder
29.QQ International
30.QQ Launcher
31.QQ Mail
32.QQ Music
33.QQ NewsFeed
34. QQ Player
35. QQ Security Centre
36.ROMWE
37.SelfieCity
38.SHAREit
39.SHEIN
40.TikTok
41. UC Browser
42.UC News
43.Vault-Hide
44.Vigo Video
45.Virus Cleaner (Hi Security Lab)
46. VivaVideo- QU Video Inc
47.WeChat, Weibo, WeSync
48.Wonder Camera
49. Xender
50. YouCam Makeup.
51. truecaller
52.zoom
As of now, all 52 of these apps are live on Google’s Play Store and Apple’s iOS App Store.
TikTok and Helo
The most popular in the among the lot is TikTok, which has over 120 million monthly active users (MAU). Other popular Chinese video-sharing apps included Helo, which has over 50 million MAUs in India, and Bigo Live with over 22 million MAU in the country.
Not for the first time
Security agencies have also reportedly asked security personnel to refrain from using Chinese apps in view of the “detrimental impact that this could have on data security.
Western Intel agencies have repeatedly voiced concerns regarding Chinese hardware and software, as they can be manipulated by the Chinese-regime in case of a conflict.
Discussions on the concerns are currently ongoing as the evaluation of security risk requires examination of each app
In the eyes of most travelers, you haven’t been to China if you haven’t climbed the Great Wall.
One of the iconic symbols of China, the Great Wall is the longest wall in the world, an awe-inspiring feat of ancient defensive architecture. Its winding path over rugged country and steep mountains take in some great scenery. It deserves its place among “the New Seven Wonders of the World” and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in China.
The wall spans from China’s western frontier to the east coast, totaling around 5,000 km (3,100 miles), but the most integrated and best-preserved sections are close to Beijing. So this is what people usually mean when mentioning the Great Wall of China.
2. The Terracotta Army in Xi’an — 2,000-Year-Old Underground Army
The Terracotta Army has laid underground for more than 2,000 years. However, in 1974, farmers digging a well uncovered one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world. In 1987 it became World Cultural Heritage.
It is significant because the hundreds of detailed life-size models represent the army that triumphed over all other Chinese armies in the Warring States Period (475–221 BC), and who were the decisive factor in forming a united China. It raises interesting questions about why it was made, which await your consideration when you come face-to-face with soldiers of the past.
3. The Forbidden City in Beijing — Imperial Palace for 24 Emperors
It was once a “palace city” where ordinary people were forbidden entry. An extravagant demonstration of ancient Chinese architecture, over 8,000 rooms with golden roofs are elegantly designed and painted in red and yellow.
The Forbidden City was the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties for 560 years till 1911. 24 emperors lived there. World Cultural Heritage, and now known as ‘the Palace Museum’ among Chinese, it is a treasure house of Chinese cultural and historical relics.
It is recognized as one of the five most important palaces in the world (with the Palace of Versailles in France, Buckingham Palace in the UK, the White House in the US, and the Kremlin in Russia).
4. The Bund in Shanghai — Stunning Skyline, Colonial Architecture
The Bund is one of the most recognizable architectural symbols of Shanghai. It showcases the world with its colonial European buildings and skyscrapers the other side of the Huangpu, housing one of the world’s foremost business districts.
The Bund was Shanghai’s most prosperous area in late 19th century and early 20th century. When the first British company opened an office at the Bund in 1846, it became the epitome of elegance.
5. The Li River in Guilin — China’s Most Celebrated Scenery
The karst landscape along the Li River has captured the heart of artists. Generations of Chinese painters and poets have been inspired by the beauty of nature there, using their pens and brushes to capture the breath-taking natural scenery.
Nowadays it’s a popular photography destination. When Chinese travelers seek a place for natural beauty, they first think of Li River and Yangshuo.
The 83-kilometer-long section of the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo is the most beautiful. The river landscape is decorated with startling hills, steep cliffs, and farming villages, and is lined with bamboo groves.
The Li River was listed as one of the “World’s Top Ten Watery Wonders” by America’s National Geographic Magazine. Several world-famous figures have visited the Li River, including former US Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush (senior), and Bill Gates.
6. Giant Pandas in Chengdu — China’s “National Treasure”
The giant panda is not only deeply loved by the Chinese, but by many foreigners too, and not just children. Although there are many zoos in China and elsewhere, where you can see a giant panda, the best place to see them is Chengdu — the giant panda’s “hometown”.
There are three places you can see pandas close up: Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center, Dujiangyan Panda Valley, and Bifengxia Panda Base.
Chengdu Panda Center is in the north of the city, and is more established. Bifengxia Panda Base is 2 hours from Chengdu, has more pandas, and you can see pandas more in their natural habitat. You can get even closer to the pandas by taking a volunteer program in Bifengxia or Dujiangyan Panda Valley, an hour outside Chengdu.
7. The Yellow Mountains near Shanghai — Legendary Wonders
In east China, close to Shanghai and Hangzhou, the Yellow Mountain Scenic Area woos travelers with its five wonders: sun rises, seas of clouds, oddly-shaped rocks, twisted pine trees, and hot springs.
The Yellow Mountains are the most famous peaks in China, and one of China’s three best national parks — the other two being Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Jiuzhaigou National Forest Park. Compared to the two other national parks, Yellow Mountain National Park is easier to access, and, naturally, more popular and busy.
Jiuzhaigou in west China’s Sichuan Province is famous for its multicolored lakes and fall foliage; Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is well-known for its grotesque rock pillars. If you are looking for world-class scenery, consider going to all of them.
8. The Potala Palace in Tibet — Heart of the Roof of the World
The Potala Palace is a symbol of Tibet. In 1994 it was declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. It is a huge treasure house of materials and articles from Tibetan history, religion, culture and art. The palace is widely known for the precious sculptures, murals, scriptures, Buddhist statues, antiques, and religious jewelry housed within.
9. Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong — Mighty Skyscraper Skyline
The view over Victoria Harbour from Victoria Peak is to Hong Kong as climbing the Great Wall is to China; it offers the iconic outlook over Hong Kong’s “high rise” to success and prosperity.
Victoria Peak is the best spot to have a bird’s eye view of Hong Kong. Viewed from the peak, both day and night scenes are worth taking in. See high-rise buildings round the busy Victoria Harbour stretching out towards Mainland China. At night the scenery is gorgeous, when the Symphony of Lights of various buildings dances in unison.
10. West Lake in Hangzhou — Paradise on Earth
Hangzhou is renowned as China’s “paradise on earth” owing to its beautifully crafted landscape. West Lake was created after the Chinese love for garden-style parks for recreation.
West Lake is a place of tranquility where urbanity becomes a silhouette on the northeast horizon and mountains near and far surround it on the other three sides. The occasional pagoda and Chinese-style arched bridge add atmosphere to the tree-lined walkways, verdant islands, and hills.
To admire the beauty of West Lake, visitors can leisurely bike around the lake, walk around the lake, or take a short cruise on the lake.
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