CiCM 8th August 2023

NEWS IN CHINA

Foreign trade in Heilongjiang Province has shifted from strong growth to high quality with the province actively developing its worldwide market presence and diversifying its trading partners. Products are manufactured in Qiqihar Longjiang Fufeng Biotechnology Co., Ltd.'s lysine manufacturing workshop and sent to various regions of the country, the EU, and ASEAN countries via the Bayuquan and Dalian Ports. The province has been investigating developing markets, including success in exporting to Martinique, Burkina Faso, and French Guiana. With an emphasis on developing market presence along the Belt and Road, RCEP trading partners, and ASEAN nations, emerging markets are becoming a focal point for trade and investment cooperation. In this regard, Heilongjiang province has witnessed more trading partner nations than the previous year. Longjiang Fufeng and Yipin Biotechnology, for example, are helping the province's overseas trade success. Longjiang Fufeng has large exports to rising markets such as ASEAN and Africa, but Longjiang Yipin exports items to diverse areas across the world, driven by demand for things necessary for people's life. Furthermore, policy assistance and platform development have been critical in increasing Heilongjiang's overseas commerce. The Provincial Department of Commerce has taken particular measures to help businesses, such as problem-solving services and one-on-one assistance. To expand exports, the province is also focused on platform development, such as the Suifenhe market, and pushing new models of cross-border e-commerce. Harbin Customs has adopted efforts to stabilize and strengthen the structure of international trade in response to changes in the foreign trade environment, enhancing market confidence and sustaining steady growth in Heilongjiang's foreign trade industry.
Researchers in Shanghai’s East China Normal University have discovered a ground-breaking technology for recovering plastic trash using saltwater and sunlight. The team's approach, led by Professor Jiang Xuefeng, uses uranyl cation, a nonradioactive uranium catalyst found in saltwater, to break down plastics at normal temperature and pressure. This ecologically friendly and energy-efficient method has effectively degraded nine different types of plastic into raw materials that may be utilized to make better plastics and other useful substances. Unlike previous approaches, this one does not need the washing of plastic bottles beforehand, making it ideal for real-world applications. The research's potential for closed-loop plastics recycling has piqued the interest of local and international stakeholders, and industrial applications are envisaged within the next one to two years.
Due to security concerns, the Indian government has taken steps to prohibit the use of Chinese-made components in local military drones. Indian officials have expressed concern about potential security flaws in Chinese-made drone components such as communication functions, cameras, radio broadcasts, and software components, which might jeopardize India's intelligence-collecting operations. However, the prohibition has created difficulties for Indian manufacturers and the military, as a large chunk of the drone supply chain relies on Chinese-made parts, resulting in higher production prices for military drones. Since 2020, the Indian government has gradually increased import restrictions on surveillance drones, primarily targeting components from nations sharing a land border with India, which is assumed to be China. A senior defense officer said that the reference to adjacent nations was a euphemism for China and that despite concerns about cyberattacks, Indian industry had become dependent on the world's second-largest economy. Beijing has denied being involved in cyber-attacks. China's trade ministry did not reply to concerns about India's actions after it announced export bans on select drones and drone-related technology last week.
A recent anti-corruption pharmaceutical probe revealed widespread malfeasance in pharmaceutical corporations and medical institutions across China. Over 150 hospital presidents and secretaries were investigated, and bribes and kickbacks were discovered. As of August 8th, at least 7 medical professionals had been named as suspects in this month's inquiry. Ma Jun, deputy secretary, and chief accountant of Suizhou Zengdu District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital and Suizhou High-tech Zone Hospital, has been accused of major breaches in one case and is currently being reviewed and investigated by the Suizhou City Discipline Inspection Commission. Similarly, officials from Guangdong province's hospitals, including Shantou and Jieyang cities, are being probed for potential misbehavior. The inquiry is part of a bigger effort to combat corruption in the pharmaceutical business by numerous government ministries, including the National Health Commission, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Public Security, and others. The emphasis is on cleaning up the sector, protecting public interests, and advancing the Healthy China plan. The authorities intend to tighten disciplinary enforcement, investigate bribery instances, and create a deterrent impact to combat corruption in the pharmaceutical industry.
The Supreme People's Procuratorate has released the Procuratorial Reform Work Plan 2023-2027, which outlines a comprehensive plan for advancing procuratorial reform over the next five years. The strategy intends to improve procuratorial job modernization by tackling 36 reform tasks. Its goals include establishing an egalitarian, efficient, and authoritative socialist procuratorial system that is unique to China, contributing further to the nation's legal growth and rule of law development. Reinforcing legal oversight by procuratorial bodies; improving coordination among the "four major procuratorates;" implementing digital strategies; advancing comprehensive judicial reform; upholding judicial responsibility; intensifying law enforcement restraint and oversight; modernizing legal supervision concepts, systems, mechanisms, and capabilities; and ensuring quality and efficient case handling to instill a sense of fairness are key elements of the reform plan. The reform plan specifies numerous initiatives in response to the 36th National Congress of the Communist Party of China's need to improve legal supervision by procuratorial agencies. These include strengthening the Party's absolute control over procuratorial work; expanding the role of procuratorial organs in overall decision-making; constructing a modern legal oversight system; refining the judicial system; implementing modern management practices; and advancing digitalization efforts. The plan emphasizes adhering to Xi Jinping's rule of law ideology, strengthening political, ideological, organizational, and professional leadership mechanisms, reinforcing communication with party committees at the same level, fostering links between legal and intra-party supervision, and establishing mechanisms for inter-court and inter-procuratorate exchanges. Furthermore, the reform plan targets financial risk prevention, innovation-driven growth, corporate compliance reform, litigation source governance, and public interest litigation. It also seeks to improve criminal procedures with a focus on trial-centered processes, ensuring evidence-based criminal accusations, balancing leniency and strictness in criminal policies, improving oversight for case filing, investigation, and trial activities, and implementing specialized investigation practices for job-related crimes. The strategy also outlines the creation of a strong digital prosecution framework, with an emphasis on business-driven, data-integrated, technologically assisted, and application-oriented models, as well as the incorporation of digital tools for case management, aid, and empowerment. Finally, the reform strategy targets personnel and case management system optimizations within the context of the procuratorial process.
In Kunming, in Yunnan province, China Daily and the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department inked an international communication strategic cooperation agreement. This collaboration intends to put Xi Jinping's ideals into action, expand theme education, and improve connections with South and Southeast Asia. The agreement covers a wide range of topics, including international communication, investment promotion, cultural exchanges, big data, artificial intelligence, and cultural industries. The collaboration will help the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as well as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) while also supporting Yunnan's growth. Yunnan Province's international social media account, "Bridging South Asia and Southeast Asia," was also launched, with the goal of highlighting Yunnan's richness, cultural history, and regional connectedness. The collaboration aims to foster high-quality development in Yunnan during the "14th Five-Year Plan" term.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Chinese influencer’s viral video exposed as a hoax: A 24-year-old Chinese influencer released a viral video in which she said she was harassed by a male stranger while dining, prompting a police inquiry and widespread indignation. The influencer, Shen, portrayed a man repeatedly urging her to drink alcohol and make friends in the video. However, the police eventually revealed that the entire incident was manufactured, with Shen writing the language and creating the situation in order to garner followers and profit. Police seized Shen and three others, and the online platform where she posted the clips was ordered to suspend her account. This admission provoked widespread outrage, with many blaming Shen for being shameless and perhaps jeopardizing future harassment cases.

INDIA WATCH

Geopolitical tensions and security concerns have today pushed several countries to reconsider their reliance on Chinese suppliers, particularly in the defense sector. Highlighting this concern is India’s ban on Chinese-made components in local military drones. Despite significant progress in domestic drone manufacturing through cutting-edge technology and the creation of a wide spectrum of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for various defense uses, India's defense sector is enmeshed in a complicated web of reliance on other nations for essential components and technology.. India also relies on foreign suppliers for modern sensors and avionics systems, which are required for accurate navigation, data collecting, and target identification. The proper execution of drone missions requires the combination of advanced sensor technologies and avionics. This reliance on global suppliers highlights the complex interaction between technical autonomy and international partnerships. As India navigates changing geopolitical realities, its strategy to combine indigenous strengths with global reliance will be a source of attention and scrutiny.

Several possible effects and obstacles would arise if India implemented a restriction on imports of drone manufacturing parts from China. Such a strategy might have an influence on the domestic drone industry, defense capabilities, and the two nations' overall economic relations. The prohibition might cause supply chain problems, creating delays in drone manufacturing and even impacting existing defense programs that rely on certain components. Furthermore, India's technological self-sufficiency in drone manufacture may suffer difficulties since the domestic sector may not be ready to cover the vacuum created by the absence of Chinese parts right once. To overcome these obstacles, India will need to take a multifaceted strategy. To begin, New Delhi must prioritize R&D spending to speed up the local manufacture of crucial drone components. This involves concentrating on improving propulsion systems, sensors, avionics, and other critical technology in order to lessen reliance on foreign suppliers. Collaboration among government agencies, academic institutes, and private businesses can stimulate innovation and knowledge-sharing, allowing for the creation of cutting-edge components. Engaging in technology transfer, collaborative ventures, and co-development activities with other drone-producing nations might help offset possible disruptions in its supply chain. This strategy will not only increase India's technology capabilities but also diplomatic connections and strategic cooperation. Streamlined regulatory processes, incentives, and assistance for startups and small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) can help the Indian drone sector expand and innovate. By cultivating a thriving ecosystem, India can develop local talent, attract investment, and lay the groundwork for self-sufficiency in drone production.

Prepared By

Anakha S Thampy

Anakha S Thampy is currently pursuing her dual Masters degree - an MA in International Studies from Symbiosis International University, Pune, and an MA in Sustainability Science from IGNOU. Having completed her Bachelor's in Political Science, she aspires to make a significant impact in society by becoming a Civil Servant. Her research focus revolves around the captivating realms of Asian area studies and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).