CiCM 7th September 2023

NEWS IN CHINA

Another BRI project set up in Laos: Furthering China’s influence in Southeast Asia, the 40-billion-yuan project of the Laos-China Railway has been set up in central Vientiane. As part of the recent instalment in the Belt and Road Initiative, the project transforms a landlocked country providing it with linkage to China, as well as extension plans to Bangkok, Singapore and Vietnam. It will reduce travel time and allow people, as well as trade to be connected between these countries. It is a 1000 km line running to the northern Laos mountains and then on to Kunming, a Chinese southwestern city. It would make Laos central to the pan-Asian trade and transport network, improving their financial aspects considerably. It also entails a power supply project which would increase electricity provisions and job prospects as it would offer technical training programmes to recruit for a power grid construction. China has become Laos’ largest creditor, they are aiding the country to become land-linked and aiding infrastructure to expand its untapped energy potential.

China’s Trade Export Improvement to be Temporary: While there has been a slight increase in the Chinese exports, this is being viewed as a temporary jump and market concerns remain. Exports have gone down consecutively with August being the fourth month, which has fallen by 8.8 per cent compared to the previous year according to customs data. However, it was at 14.5 per cent in July. The rise has taken place caused by the depreciation of the Yuan causing cheaper product in August, delay in orders delivered due to the typhoons, and immense policy efforts taken by the state council. The declines have been impacted by global supply-chain issues caused by the pandemic and the US de-risking strategy. Hence, the overall decline continues despite upcoming high seasons. However, Chinese sources believe in the improvement of the economy disproving Western analysis. This argument is based on the Electric Vehicle boom, MNCs' economic rise in the decline continues to be present country, and new policies on foreign investments.

Liu Guozhong to visit North Korean Foundation of the Republic Celebrations: 9th September marks the date of North Korea’s “Day of the Foundation of the Republic” with this being the 75th celebration, China was invited as per custom by the DPRK government to attend. This year Vice-Premier Liu Guozhong will be participating as the leader of a Chinese delegation. The Chinese foreign ministry has commented stating the high-level delegation reflects the importance of the North Korean-Chinese alliance and that this visit will promote state relations. However, according to scholars, this may be a subtle implication for downplayed relations with North Korea due to lower-ranked members being sent in comparison to 2018 when Li Zhanshu, NPC Standing Committee chairman was sent for the same. The basis of this is set in the repeated provocations causing tensions in the neighbouring Korean Peninsula and the strengthening of geopolitical alliances between South Korea, the US and Japan as a counter, both leading to concerns for China’s national interests.

China-Singapore Bilateral Counter-Terrorism Exercises: In yet another joint military exercise between China and Singapore, the Chinese People's Liberation Army and the Singapore Armed Forces have begun exercises in Jurong camp, Singapore. It is the fifth edition conducted since 2009. The operations focus on urban counter-terrorism with over 280 elite military personnel performing. There will be equipment operations, small-arms live firing, real force counter-terrorism drills etc. to improve preparation and capacity to perform counter-terrorism operations. Commanders believe that this will aid in mutual trust. This is following up on the bilateral navy drills performed in April this year. Both nations have made statements regarding being plagued by issues of terrorism and are immensely stringent on the matter. Singapore has a strong interest in mutual military exercises between nations to build cooperation in the sensitive region of East Asia. China has reportedly faced the issue of terrorism in the controversial Xinjiang region and provided several government reports on managing the same.

Li Qiang’s Bilateral Co-operation Meetings with Cambodia and Australia: The Chinese premier, Li Qiang has had a strong focus on bilateral cooperation with meetings being set up with both Cambodia and Australia. Both meetings occurred on the sidelines of the 26th China-ASEAN Summit, the 26th ASEAN Plus Three Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit. These platforms have served as the bedrock for many alliances to be built. This was Li Qiang’s first meeting with Hun Manet, Cambodian Prime Minister and Anthony Albanese, Australian Prime Minister. There was support for a new action plan to have a China-Cambodia community with shared futures and safeguarding ASEAN centrality among other regional cooperative plans. In terms of Australia, there were aspirations for partnerships to be resumed after the 2020 freeze in diplomatic exchanges. The key areas highlighted were trade, economy, cultural exchanges and managing differences to build stability. Anthony has stated his desire to visit China this year and that the countries’ views may not always align but unimpeded trade is a beneficial situation for all.

2023 CIFTIS heightened success: The 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) has proven to be a monumental success as it crosses an internationalisation rate of 20 per cent with its offline exhibitors. Over 500 of the world's industry-leading enterprises encompassing 28 of the top 30 countries in service trade were present. The fair's organizing committee announced that this has led to the fruitful outcome of over 1100 outcomes achieved. The UK was the guest of honour and brought its largest-ever delegation. CIFTIS 2023 has established the organisation's impact as a key platform for development opportunities, cooperation and exchanges between global enterprises. It has been a key pillar in China’s opening up to the international economy and supports its foreign investment base, in turn, leading to China becoming the world's fourth-largest exporter and second-largest importer of services.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Backlash against Chinese school teaching material blaming women for low birth rates: A school in China is facing controversy online for promoting misogynistic and fake content in their teaching material. Sections of the material from Xinyang Second Senior High School in Henan province in central China were leaked on Weibo. This included statements such as “girls resorting to ‘naked loans’ to attend concerts” and “blaming women for the decline in newborns”. The basis of this is surrounding the Xian concert which faced a lot of backlash and sold tickets at exorbitant prices. However, the discussion online brought up how these claims have been disproved and found to be from fake reports. China’s Cybersecurity Bureau and the Shaanxi police exposed and debunked the rumours in August. The school claimed they were not aware of the material and the education authorities have committed to managing the incident. The viral content started with an unidentified person stating “Is your school seriously using rumours to teach misogyny to the next generation?” with the material attached, similar responses followed. Social media users demonstrated their anger and condemned this issue. They raised crucial questions regarding accountability and perpetuation of personal anti-woman biases in education.

INDIA WATCH

Beijing’s increasing regional influence through BRI in Asia and Indo-Pacific poses a threat to India’s foreign policy aspirations to emerge as a major power. India’s response includes components like alliances with Japan, maritime security endeavours from Mauritius to Sri Lanka, QUAD and BIMSTEC partnerships, and spreading its own regional influence through platforms like BRICS and ASEAN among other initiatives are a few prongs set up in its foreign policy. It further aims to set its national image as one that will also support infrastructural development programmes in Asian countries on a competitive basis. India has been involved in some key ways in Southeast Asia including an arms deal with Vietnam, defense cooperation with Indonesia, and support for the Philippines in the South China Sea dispute as well as recent diplomatic and FTA initiatives with Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand and Cambodia. It has established its presence in Laos through hydropower projects where it uses its extensive experience to aid in harnessing the nation’s untapped potential. Additionally, India and Laos have a shared backdrop of economic transitioning and India could provide key insights from its past liberalisation experience. As an ally, Laos would provide influence in the crucial Mekong River region. The trilateral highway construction project with Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam is one step towards improving connectivity. India needs to increase its strategic engagement around the region and expand upon actions taken such as the Neighborhood First and Act East policies. In order to provide an alternative to Chinese influence in the region, India will have to collaborate with its allied states to bring similar economic resource options without letting Western powers overshadow Asian collaboration.

Prepared By

Ananya Singh

Ananya Singh is a student of International Studies and Public Policy at FLAME University. She is actively involved in research pursuits such as taking on corporate risk analysis internships, publishing articles on the conflict and politics in Asia; undertaking research on economic policy; engaging in various national-level youth G20/policy-making/leadership conferences and debates; and creating webinars/media on sociopolitical issues. Her research interests in the field currently include political risk analysis, defence studies, maritime security and international law with a regional focus on West Asia. She has also supplemented her portfolio with proficiency in French and an understanding of German and Persian.