CiCM 18th-19th January 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

China’s Plan for Building a Strong Nation Through Education (2024–2035): The CPC Central Committee and the State Council have issued the Outline of the Plan for Building a Powerful Nation through Education (2024–2035), emphasizing education as a cornerstone of national development and rejuvenation. This comprehensive strategy sets a framework for creating a world-class education system aligned with China’s long-term goals of modernization and global competitiveness. The plan prioritizes fostering talent to drive innovation and social progress. It aims to build a balanced, high-quality education system accessible to all, focusing on rural and underserved regions to reduce disparities. Strengthening vocational training, modernizing curriculums, and promoting lifelong learning are key components designed to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy and technology-driven world. The document highlights the need for deeper integration of education, science, and technology to bolster the nation’s research and development capabilities. It also stresses the cultivation of critical thinking, cultural literacy, and global awareness in students to prepare them for challenges in an interconnected world. By 2035, the plan envisions an education system that not only supports national economic and social development but also serves as a model for global education, reinforcing China’s position as a leading knowledge-based society.
Xinjiang Vows to Counter U.S. Sanctions: The Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region has pledged to fight U.S. sanctions targeting local enterprises, which have disrupted operations for over 100 businesses, including those in textiles and agriculture. Chairman Erkin Tuniyaz emphasized the region's commitment to defending its industrial and supply chains and supporting affected enterprises through expanded market access and preferential policies. Western claims of "forced labor," particularly by the U.S., have led to sanctions on Xinjiang-sourced products like cotton and tomatoes. Regional officials dismissed these accusations as baseless, citing high mechanization rates in industries like tomato production. They invited international partners to witness production processes firsthand. Despite sanctions, Xinjiang's GDP grew 6.1% in 2024, surpassing national averages, with foreign trade rising 21.8%. The region strengthened ties with Central Asian nations, contributing to the Silk Road Economic Belt and signing key trade agreements. Officials reaffirmed Xinjiang's openness and determination to counter misinformation, ensure stability, and build international partnerships. Chairman Tuniyaz stated that the region’s development would not be hindered by external pressures, highlighting its ongoing progress in economic and social spheres.
Campaign Launched to Improve Online Environment for 2025 Spring Festival: The Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission launched a month-long campaign on January 19 to create a festive and harmonious online atmosphere for the Spring Festival. The campaign targets six key issues: spreading false information, promoting vulgarity, advocating harmful culture, provoking confrontation, diverting traffic to illegal activities, and consumer rights violations. Efforts include combating fabricated stories, AI-generated false content, and misleading travel guides, as well as rectifying practices like price fraud, algorithmic manipulation, and deceptive advertising in e-commerce. Platforms are urged to enhance content review, control algorithm recommendations, and address illegal activities. Local departments will implement tailored plans, conduct inspections, and ensure accountability. Key platforms must strengthen oversight and report results to foster a safer and more positive digital environment.
Semiconductor Sector Surges Amid Market Recovery: On January 17, China’s semiconductor sector, valued at over 4 trillion yuan, saw a major rally, with key stocks like Shengbang Electronics and Qingyi Optoelectronics reaching daily limits for the first time in months. The rise followed concerns raised by the Ministry of Commerce and industry groups over low-cost U.S. chip imports impacting domestic companies. Calls for trade relief investigations, including anti-dumping measures, have intensified. Semiconductors remain critical to China’s industrial strategy, given their extensive use in technology and manufacturing. With U.S. export restrictions accelerating domestic innovation, Chinese companies have made breakthroughs in key areas, including automotive chips and ultra-pure materials. Despite global challenges, China remains the largest semiconductor market, accounting for nearly 30% of global sales in 2024. The semiconductor industry globally is rebounding, with projected growth exceeding $600 billion in 2024. Domestic firms expect continued recovery, supported by policy incentives and advancements in AI and advanced chip manufacturing. Performance forecasts for 2024 show substantial profit growth, with several companies exceeding 100% gains. As the market stabilizes, investment opportunities in mergers and acquisitions, alongside technological advancements, are expected to drive the sector’s long-term growth.'
China's Hypersonic Missile Passes Extreme Heat Tests: China’s hypersonic air-to-air missile has successfully undergone extreme heat-resistance tests in a state-of-the-art arc-heated wind tunnel. The tests, conducted by scientists from the China Airborne Missile Academy (CAMA), simulate conditions similar to those experienced by spacecraft entering the atmosphere. These tests are crucial for developing missiles capable of withstanding temperatures exceeding 1,200°C (2,192°F), comparable to Mach 9 speeds at high altitudes. While the specific missile tested has not been disclosed, it is believed to be designed to counter U.S. aircraft, including the B-21 stealth bomber. The missile’s performance is notable because current airborne missile warning systems have a detection range of less than 10 km, providing pilots with less than four seconds to react. Chinese scientists have also explored advanced thermal protection materials, testing them with oxyacetylene flames, lasers, and high-temperature plasmas. The success of this missile could revolutionize air-to-air combat, making it a formidable weapon against fast-moving targets. With the development of such high-speed technology, China is positioning itself as a key player in the evolving hypersonic arms race.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Taiwan Celebrity’s Son Yu Enli Urges TikTok Users to Engage Authentically with RedNote: Yu Enli, the son of Taiwan singer-actress Annie Yi, has urged newcomers, particularly TikTok “refugees”, to engage respectfully with China’s social media platform RedNote (Xiaohongshu). With millions of U.S. users flocking to the app in response to a possible TikTok ban, Yu cautioned against using RedNote merely as a protest outlet. He emphasized the importance of learning about local culture rather than treating it as a "rest stop." Yu, a musician with 1.3 million followers, criticized the use of the term "refugee" for these users and expressed discomfort with condescending attitudes. He called for a more genuine interaction, encouraging foreign users to respect the platform's culture and language. His comments sparked a broad discussion, with many agreeing that newcomers should show respect and make an effort to understand Chinese culture. Numerous users echoed his sentiment, saying they felt his words reflected their own frustrations. Another netizen supported this view, emphasizing the importance of respecting the platform's culture and engaging thoughtfully. At the same time, some users expressed discomfort with how certain foreign arrivals interacted with the community. They felt that certain individuals treated the platform superficially, without fully embracing or understanding the cultural dynamics of RedNote. These reactions demonstrate the mixed feelings surrounding the influx of TikTok users into RedNote and the broader tension between global and local internet cultures.

INDIA WATCH

Chinese Expert Reacts to Jaishankar’s ‘Three Mutuals’ Approach to China-India Relations: The Chinese news outlet commented on Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar's recent outline of the guiding principles of China-India relations, describing them as "mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interests." These remarks align with the current positive momentum in bilateral ties between the two nations. According to Chinese experts, Jaishankar’s perspective reflects a growing understanding that while the relationship has faced challenges, particularly in the aftermath of the 2020 border tensions, it is now moving toward a more stable and constructive phase. Qian Feng, director of the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, emphasized that while there has been significant progress—highlighted by agreements on military standoffs and high-level leadership meetings—the relationship still requires careful nurturing. Qian pointed out that mutual trust remains a key challenge due to past border disputes, and the two countries must work patiently to stabilize the situation further. The article states that the thaw in relations is seen as a positive development, with both countries aiming to view their ties from a strategic long-term perspective. While challenges remain, experts believe that practical steps such as restoring direct flights and enhancing people-to-people exchanges can lay a strong foundation for future cooperation.

Prepared By

Manushka Sharma

Manushka Sharma is a dedicated second year student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese (Hons.) at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). With a keen interest in international relations, particularly in the dynamics of India-China relations, Manushka brings a unique perspective to understanding cross-cultural connections and geopolitical issues. Alongside academic pursuits, Manushka aspires to make significant contributions to global affairs, leveraging linguistic skills and cultural insights to bridge gaps and foster dialogue. She can be reached at manushka82006@gmail.com.