CiCM 10th February 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

China to Highlight AI Progress and Promote Global Cooperation at France Summit: Vice Premier of the State Council, Zhang Guoqing will travel to France for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris. Zhang Linghan, an expert of the high-level advisory body on AI pointed out that Vice Premier Zhang's participation in the summit is a step to implement the common understanding between France and China. According to Xue Lan, Director of the AI International Governance Institute at Tsinghua University, China is keen to share its own experiences and contribute to global cooperation in the field. Xue noted that China has made rapid progress in AI development and has accumulated extensive experience in AI governance, ever since they unveiled its AI development plan in 2017. He also stated that the emergence of DeepSeek has demonstrated an innovative path for AI development and its success has reduced financial barriers to global participation along with aligning the expectations of the international community regarding inclusive AI development. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Gao Jiakun highlighted that Beijing is an active advocate and practitioner of global AI governance, and is looking forward to enhancing communication, creating consensus for global AI cooperation, and implementing the UN Global Digital Compact.
China Releases New Guidelines for Dissemination of Military-Related Information: China released a new set of regulations that outline the do’s and don’ts for disseminating military-specific information on the internet. The regulations categorize military-related information into three types: one type is encouraged and supported for dissemination, while the other two types are prohibited from online dissemination. Information related to the positive contributions of the Chinese military to world peace and the heroic deeds of the armed forces will be encouraged. However, information that defames the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and endangers national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity is prohibited. The regulations also require military information providers and users to safeguard classified matters related to national defense constructions and the armed forces' activities and prohibit disseminating information related to military and defense technology secrets. This includes information about military deployments, troop movements, development, production, and testing of weapons and equipment. Defense Ministry spokesperson, Wu Qian stated that the regulations will standardize the online dissemination of the military environment and create a positive online environment related to the military.
China Criticizes Statements Made During the Japan-US Summit: Liu Jinsong, director-general of the Department of Asian Affairs of China’s foreign ministry, met with his Japanese counterpart, Yokochi Akira, and expressed serious concerns and dissatisfaction over Japan’s recent anti-China moves during the Japan-US summit meeting. During the summit, both sides issued a joint statement emphasizing the need to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and oppose China’s unlawful maritime claims and provocative activities in the South China Sea. Guo Jiakun, the spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated that the content related to the recent US-Japan joint summit openly interferes with China’s internal affairs and aggravates regional tensions. He emphasized that the issue of Taiwan is an internal affair and a core interest of China. Therefore, there should be no foreign interference in the matter, as the Diaoyu Islands and all their surrounding islets are integral parts of China, and China's actions in the South China Sea are fully legitimate. Guo further added that if countries like Japan and the US care about peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, then they should adhere to the One-China principle and oppose Taiwanese independence.
E-Commerce Industry Faces the Brunt of US Tariffs: Several cross-border e-commerce industry practitioners have criticized the US policies for imposing tariffs on Chinese goods, creating tremendous uncertainty and potentially hurting both merchants and consumers. Besides imposing a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, the US adjusted its small-value tax exemption policy. An employee from an e-commerce company in Shanghai stated that goods shipped to the US before the Spring Festival faced customs clearance issues. President Trump has paused repealing duty-free treatment of low-cost packages from China. However, Gu Tao, a Chinese merchant, stated that duty-free treatment and tax exemption policies would eventually be cancelled. Many E-commerce platforms like Temu, Shein, and AliExpress are also using a semi-managed model through which merchants manage operational control and the platform handles warehousing and logistics. With the US tariff policies, the Chinese e-commerce industry is also exploring potential markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
China Launches Freight Train from Chongqing to Afghanistan: For the first time, Chongqing City has launched direct freight trains to Afghanistan and Central Asia. A rail combined freight train carrying ZTE equipment left from Chongqing Station and will travel through the Horgos Port, passing through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and arrive in Hairatan, Afghanistan, within 12-15 days. The ZTE equipment will be used to build the telecom network in Afghanistan. Liu Jianfeng from the ZTE Corporation revealed that the Xinjiang-Europe Railway Corporation created a transportation plan for ZTE through the Chongqing-Afghanistan direct train route. He also added that the transportation time through direct train routes is three to five days shorter than road transportation and reduces logistics costs by 15-20%. Wang Xu, manager of Chongqing Yuxinou Supply Chain Management Co. Ltd, revealed that the first Central Asian train services were launched in 2018, and since then, the frequency of Chongqing Central Asia trains has been continuously expanded. Direct train routes from Chongqing to Central Asian countries like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan have been successfully opened. The addition of new train routes to Afghanistan presents a unique opportunity for economic and trade cooperation between China and Afghanistan.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Man's Determination to Work After Collapse Strikes a Chord with Netizens: A video of a man in his 40s collapsing from a heart attack at a railway station in central China has captivated social media. The video of the incident which took place on the last day of the Spring Festival holiday shows a man suddenly collapsing on the railway platform in Changsha, Hunan province while boarding the train. The man gained consciousness after 20 minutes and surprised everyone when he emphasized that he needed to board a high-speed train to go to work and did not require a hospital visit. However, after the doctor repeatedly insisted on a physical check-up, the man finally agreed to board an ambulance. The man’s story stuck a chord with many internet users in China amidst the backdrop of high unemployment. An online user remarked how a lot of individuals have to bear high burdens from house loans to kids’ education and it is not easy for everyone. Another user sympathized, imagining how the man must have woken up and immediately had to think about making money.

INDIA WATCH

Article in Chinese Newspaper Focuses on Results of the Delhi Elections: An article in the South China Morning Post highlights the recent victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the New Delhi state elections. BJP's win in the state elections solidified its dominance in national politics and delivered a significant setback to its rival, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The party gained control in Delhi after 27 years by winning 48 out of 70 seats in the state assembly. The victory in Delhi was the third consecutive achievement for the BJP after victories in the Maharashtra and Haryana elections last year. The article also highlighted that the AAP's loss was due to its declining popularity amidst controversies, including an investigation linked to a liquor distribution scheme, and its failure to deliver on promises regarding healthcare and jobs. According to Yashwant Deshmukh, an independent political commentator, the opposition alliance known as INDIA was troubled by internal problems after it made inroads into BJP’s Hindu heartland states after the national elections in 2024. Harsh Ramaswamy, an independent political commentator noted that the Congress failed to secure any seats in Delhi and also had some prejudices against AAP, which cost them heavily in the state elections. The article also stated that the BJP won because they successfully wooed the middle class who had turned away from the party 27 years ago, by increasing the income ceiling for income tax exemption to 12 lakh rupees annually from 70,000 rupees annually.

Prepared By

Ruchir Ketkar

Ruchir Ketkar is a First year student pursuing Masters in Diplomacy, Law and Business at OP Jindal Global University. After completing graduation in Political science, he found his interest in International Relations and Global Affairs. With a keen inclination towards security and conflict studies, he has also authored several articles and research papers. He also tries to keep himself updated with the happenings around the world and tries to analyse them using his perspective and understanding.