CiCM 7th August 2023

NEWS IN CHINA

China's ambitious infrastructure project, the Xihoumen railway-highway dual-use bridge, has entered a crucial phase with the start of underwater construction for its main tower. The bridge's main pier foundation is currently in progress, with girder construction slated for 2025. This bridge, set to connect Jintang Island and Cezi Island of the Zhoushan archipelago, is poised to become the world's largest highway and railway bridge with the longest span. Battling challenges such as strong winds, high waves, and deep seas, this feat of engineering spans 3,118 metres and aims to integrate Zhoushan into the national railway network. Combining a double-line railway for speeds up to 250 km/h and a two-way six-lane highway, this project is pivotal for China to enhance connectivity. Despite challenges posed by harsh weather conditions, the railway is expected to be operational by 2028, connecting Zhoushan to the national railway network, significantly reducing travel times by 26 minutes between Ningbo, Hangzhou, and Zhoushan.
Chinese courts are implementing stricter measures against intellectual property (IP) violators to safeguard technological innovation and fair competition, with punitive damages being a significant tool. In the first half of this year, Chinese courts handled 12,000 IP cases related to technology, marking a 33.4% YoY increase. Punitive damages were imposed in 139 lawsuits to deter IP infringements, with the highest penalty reaching 20 million yuan ($2.78 million). These measures underscore the commitment to protecting innovation and establishing a favourable business environment. Punitive damages were incorporated into China's Civil Code in 2021, further strengthening the legal framework against IP violations. Additionally, Chinese courts have seen a rise in concluded cases, particularly related to domestic matters like marriage and inheritance.
China's Ministry of Education has escalated efforts to counter falsification of employment data among university graduates. This move comes as universities reportedly are facing pressure to manipulate employment rates due to a difficult job market, which poses a substantial threat to the country's already struggling economy. Special inspection teams have been deployed across the nation to investigate and crackdown on instances of data fabrication. The Ministry emphasised that universities are prohibited from coercing graduates into signing false employment agreements, and severe consequences await those found guilty of data manipulation. As youth unemployment hits record highs, concerns arise about inflated employment rates affecting funding and majors. Analysts highlight the challenges in youth employment, with the joblessness rate for the 16-24 age group reaching 21.3 per cent. Some schools have even prompted students to report "flexible employment," and paid services for fake employment paperwork have emerged. China's Communist Party Youth League also stressed the need for truthfulness in data reporting.
Qinghai province in northwest China commenced the construction of a significant pumped-storage power station, boasting a 20 million kWh energy storage capacity. The project, located in Guinan county, involves an investment of around $2.24 billion and is set to be the largest installed capacity pumped-storage power station in western China. This hydropower station utilises electricity to elevate water for storage and later releases it to generate power during supply shortages. The new facility, with a total installed capacity of 2.8 million kilowatts, is projected to curtail standard coal consumption by 1.82 million tonnes and diminish annual carbon dioxide emissions by 4.55 million tonnes upon operationalization. Qinghai aims to surpass 100 million kilowatts of installed new energy capacity by 2030.
China's procurement of an Indian space instrument for integration into its Tiangong space station has encountered obstacles. A team of scientists affiliated with the Indian Institute of Astrophysics in Bangalore is currently facing delays in facilitating the transfer of the Spectroscopic Investigations of Nebular Gas (Sing) device to China. Despite submitting an export permit application to India's Ministry of External Affairs a year ago, progress has become stagnant. The Sing device, jointly selected by China's Manned Space Agency and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, is intended for investigating interstellar gas composition and the dynamics of star life cycles. The impediment is ascribed to the sensitive nature of space endeavours within the context of India-China relations.
From July 29 to August 2, Beijing faced its most severe rainfall in 140 years. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region grappled with floods and chaos, prompting President Xi to activate coordinated disaster relief response. Typhoon Doksuri's unexpected path caused widespread destruction, stranding thousands on disrupted railways. Neighbouring Hebei province faced severe flooding, with over 2.2 million affected and Zhuozhou City submerged under 6 meters of water. Alongside nationwide efforts, in dispatching resources and experts for rescue operations; restoration initiatives were stressed, including repairs to infrastructure and orderly recovery. As the rains abate, flood prevention remains crucial, emphasizing vigilance against secondary disasters. Approximately 1.6 million people have been evacuated in Hebei, with recovery efforts still underway.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Chinese social media ablaze over flood relief fund misuse: Anger and apprehension swept Chinese social media platforms as revelations of flood relief fund misappropriation came to light during the aftermath of the recent devastating floods. The issue arose following an audit by the Henan provincial government, which disclosed that approximately 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) designated for post-2021 summer flood reconstruction had been wrongly utilised. This news coincided with ongoing flood rescue operations, intensifying concerns. As the flood crisis continues to unfold, causing over 30 deaths and severe damage across regions including Beijing, Hebei, Jilin, and Heilongjiang, the central government has allocated 520 million yuan for relief. However, the disclosure of fund mismanagement has fuelled scepticism and frustration among citizens, who are calling for increased transparency and accountability in fund utilisation. Chinese social media platforms have become a hotbed of discussions on the issue, with hashtags related to the report initially blocked on Weibo, but posts on the subject garnering significant engagement, including thousands of comments and shares. One comment on Weibo compared the ongoing situation in Hebei to the devastating floods that hit Zhengzhou in 2021, reflecting concerns that history might repeat itself in terms of mismanaged funds during recovery efforts. While some expressed their frustration and disappointment, questioning the use of donations for relief efforts, others demanded thorough investigations and accountability to ensure the proper utilisation of funds intended for flood victims.

INDIA WATCH

The case of Indian scientists facing challenges in shipping a scientific instrument to China for use on the Tiangong space station is a vivid example of the intricate interplay between geopolitics and scientific cooperation. This scenario reflects the broader context of strained India-China relations and how they spill over into areas of collaboration, even in space science.

The delay in obtaining an export permit for the Spectroscopic Investigations of Nebular Gas (Sing) device underscores the hurdles posed by political tensions. While the ostensible reason for the delay is Covid-related disruptions, the underlying geo-political undertones are palpable. The lack of progress in the application process could be attributed to India's concerns about technology transfer and potential security implications, given the sensitive nature of space technology. The collaboration itself, involving the first-ever joint space venture between India and China, demonstrates the dual nature of international engagement – cooperation amid competition. The Sing instrument's selection for the Tiangong space station highlights the importance both nations attach to advanced space research. Nevertheless, the sensitivity surrounding technology sharing between these two nuclear-armed neighbours reveals the intricate balancing act required in such collaborations.

The hurdles encountered in this collaboration shed light on the persisting strain in India-China relations. The delays and uncertainties involved could contribute to eroding trust between the two nations, casting a shadow over other avenues of cooperation. Future diplomatic efforts and bilateral engagements may be affected by the lack of progress in ongoing collaborations, potentially hindering the prospects of peaceful engagement and conflict resolution.

Prepared By

Ramyani Kundu

Ramyani Kundu is an Undergraduate student from Shiv Nadar IoE, pursuing a B.A.(Research) English with a Minor in International Relations. Her research interests include understanding the role of narratives in geopolitical relations and foreign policy's of nation-states. She further posits interest in South/East Asian literature and Continental philosophy