新闻调查｜"可怕、肮脏、有毒"——追查二战日军东南亚细菌战 新华社记者赵曼君 舒畅 陈泽安 "向主要攻击点投放每发装填30公斤毒菌液的宇治细菌炸弹。需要人员100名，运输机两架，持续攻击一 个月。" 1942年初，日军在菲律宾巴丹半岛战事胶着，日本陆军参谋本部井本熊男中佐在业务日记里写下上述袭 击方案。 空袭后被取消，不过日本酝酿了更大计划：在东南亚设立生物武器研究基地。 近期，新加坡学者林少彬与中国学者王选合著的《日军冈字第九四二〇部队》一书出版，该书汇集林少 彬近十年所获资料及同行重要发现。林少彬说："越研究，越觉得触及日本军国主义的灵魂深处：可 怕、肮脏、有毒。" 日军在中国战场外最大的细菌战部队 研究显示，1942年3月，日军决定在新加坡设立侵华日军第七三一部队（简称731部队）的兄弟部队。当 年5月，一封军事秘电上报日本陆军大臣东条英机：南方军防疫给水部奉命在南京编成。 次月，该部队自上海出发，派遣至新加坡，内部通称冈字第九四二〇部队（简称9420部队），隶属日本 南方军，总部设在新加坡，分支遍及今天的马来西亚、印度尼西亚、菲律宾、泰国、越南、缅甸等地， 名义上负责消杀和给水，但实际任务远不止此。 ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the urgency and challenges faced by U.S. retailers in preparing for the upcoming holiday season, particularly Christmas, due to tariff fluctuations and reliance on imports from China [1][2][4]. Group 1: U.S. Retailers and Import Challenges - U.S. retailers are under pressure to place orders early for holiday products, with some needing to start production as early as May or June to avoid empty shelves during peak shopping periods [1][4]. - A significant portion of holiday inventory, such as artificial Christmas trees and decorations, is sourced from China, with 95% of Aldik Home's inventory coming from Chinese suppliers [1][2]. - Tariff changes have created uncertainty for U.S. retailers, with potential increases in costs leading to fears of inflated prices for consumers, such as a Christmas tree potentially rising from $1,000 to $2,500 [5][6]. Group 2: Tariff Adjustments and Market Response - In May, a temporary agreement was reached to lower tariffs by 115%, providing some relief to U.S. retailers as they prepare for the holiday season [4][6]. - The current tariff rate for small goods is approximately 30%, which is similar to levels before April, allowing for a recovery in export volumes to 60%-70% of previous levels [6][12]. - The 90-day tariff window allows U.S. retailers to place orders without incurring excessive tariffs, which is crucial for maintaining inventory levels for the Christmas season [6][7]. Group 3: Impact on Cross-Border E-commerce - Cross-border e-commerce companies are experiencing significant impacts from tariff changes, with larger firms able to absorb costs better than smaller companies [10][12]. - The cancellation of favorable tariff policies for small packages has raised concerns among U.S. consumers regarding the final prices of imported goods, as tariffs on small packages have increased from 0% to 54% [9][10]. - Smaller e-commerce firms are struggling with reduced sales, highlighting the disparity in how different-sized companies are affected by tariff fluctuations [10][12]. Group 4: Product-Specific Insights - The article notes that while Christmas-related products are in high demand, other categories like toys are seeing increased inquiries post-tariff adjustments, although order placements remain cautious [12]. - The competitive landscape in the Christmas goods market is intensifying, with manufacturers offering significant discounts and promotional strategies to attract buyers [12][13]. - Innovations in product quality, such as enhanced details in Christmas decorations, are being pursued by manufacturers to differentiate themselves in a challenging market [12].

Group 1 - The Christmas goods ordering season in Yiwu has started earlier this year compared to previous years, with orders coming in as early as January, unlike the usual February or March [1] - The trend of earlier orders is attributed to various domestic and international factors, including rising shipping costs, which prompt foreign clients to place orders ahead of peak shipping periods to avoid increased costs [1] - The Christmas goods industry is labor-intensive and highly seasonal, requiring timely orders to meet delivery deadlines before the Christmas sales period [1] Group 2 - Companies are experiencing "explosion" in warehouse capacity due to the surge in orders, with some firms needing to rent external warehouses to alleviate pressure [2] - The production and shipping timelines have also advanced, with peak shipping now occurring from May to July instead of the traditional June to August, and some companies starting shipments as early as April [2] - The second quarter is expected to see stable growth in exports for the Christmas goods industry, with an increase in order numbers compared to the first quarter, although the total order value may be lower [3]

Core Insights - Yiwu International Trade City is experiencing a significant increase in orders for Christmas products, indicating a strong global reliance on "Yiwu manufacturing" [1][3] - Yiwu exports nearly 80% of the world's Christmas goods, with a notable early peak in production and sales this year [1] - The export value of Christmas products from Yiwu reached 130 million yuan in the first quarter, marking a 109% year-on-year increase [1] Group 1 - Yiwu's Christmas product supply chain includes a wide range of items such as toys, trees, clothing, and lights, making it a one-stop destination for global buyers [3] - The early ordering trend this year, starting from February and March, contrasts with previous years when orders typically began in April [1] - International buyers, including Canadian retailers, are bypassing U.S. middlemen to establish direct connections with Chinese suppliers, increasing direct orders to Yiwu [3] Group 2 - The complexity of international trade has not hindered Yiwu's export growth, with many foreign merchants increasing their purchase volumes [1] - The use of AI technology by local merchants to create promotional videos and expand market reach through e-commerce platforms is enhancing Yiwu's competitiveness [3] - The sustained growth in Yiwu's Christmas product exports reflects the competitiveness of Chinese manufacturing and the global market's recognition of "Chinese solutions" [3]

Core Viewpoint - Yiwu International Trade City is entering the peak season for Christmas product orders, with Yiwu accounting for nearly 80% of the global Christmas product market share [1] Group 1: Market Dynamics - Yiwu has a complete production and sales chain for Christmas products, including toys, trees, clothing, and lights, allowing for one-stop shopping for buyers [13] - The export value of Christmas products from Yiwu reached 130 million yuan in the first quarter of 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 109% [19] - Many foreign buyers, including those from Central America, are increasing their purchase volumes, with some clients taking multiple containers per order [15][19] Group 2: Production and Supply Chain - Local manufacturers are experiencing a production peak, with warehouses filled to capacity as they prepare for increased orders [5] - Companies are adapting to the complex international trade environment by diversifying their markets and innovating sales models [24] Group 3: Buyer Behavior and Preferences - Foreign buyers are increasingly visiting Yiwu to select products personally, indicating a rise in direct purchasing rather than relying solely on trade companies [8] - A significant Argentinian buyer plans to purchase approximately three containers of goods, citing quality and competitive pricing as key factors [10] Group 4: Currency and Payment Trends - The fluctuation of the US dollar index has led exporters to increasingly use RMB for cross-border transactions, reducing the impact of currency volatility on their products [31]