CiCM 12th September 2023

NEWS IN CHINA

Agencies collaborate to investigate cross-border telecom fraud cases: The Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said on Tuesday that it will collaborate with the Ministry of Public Security to crack down on trans-border telecom fraud. The collaborative effort would place the investigation of five major telecom fraud cases under joint oversight. The five cases have been registered in China's Fujian, Chongqing, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Sichuan. Prior to this, the two agencies had cooperated to oversee the investigation of eight such cases. These cases include recruiting Chinese citizens to take part in fraudulent activities overseas by illegally crossing borders, as well as committing violent crimes. The Chinese authorities vowed to intensify actions against criminals abroad, targeting those aiding illegal border crossings, money laundering, and gathering of citizen data. Efforts to enhance asset recovery and loss prevention will also be made.

Regional courts launch alliance to protect national parks: Courts across ten provincial-level regions have set up an alliance to strengthen the judicial protection of national parks in the country. The alliance, comprising 10 higher people's courts, 23 intermediate courts, and 40 plus grassroots courts in regions like Qinghai, Tibet, Sichuan, Jilin, Hainan, and Fujian, was inaugurated in Nanping, Fujian. It aims to improve judicial safeguarding of national parks for high-quality development. Li Mingyi from the Supreme People's Court emphasized the need for systematic governance across national parks that span multiple regions. The framework outlines plans for a tribunal network to combat environmental crimes. The alliance would explore introducing unified trial rules and using preventive litigations for overall protection and restoration of national parks. Courts in these regions, housing the initial five national parks, have already made strides in establishing specialized tribunals and implementing judicial measures to crack down on illegal activities.

Chinese Vice Premier meets Vladmir Putin on sidelines of Eastern Economic Forum: Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Zhang Guoqing, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, during the 8th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on September 12. Putin expressed gratitude for China's high-level delegation and noted the historic peak in bilateral relations. He emphasized the flourishing cooperation in various sectors and the importance of the development of the Far East in Russo-Chinese cooperation. Zhang Guoqing highlighted the strong momentum in Sino-Russian comprehensive strategic partnership. He assured China's commitment to deepening cooperation, aligning regional development strategies, and achieving further progress in bilateral projects. During his visit, Zhang Guoqing also engaged in key discussions with Russian ministers and inspected Chinese-funded initiatives in Russia. The Eastern Economic Forum also witnessed agreements by firms from both countries to build a logistics hub at the border to improve grain trade and enhance food security.

China diverts over 65 billion cubic meters of water to the north: Jiang Xuguang, the chairman of the China South-to-North Water Diversion Group, announced that since the completion of the first phase of the east and middle routes of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in 2014, over 65.4 billion cubic meters of water have been transferred, benefiting more than 176 million people in 40 large and medium cities and over 280 counties. The project has successfully replenished nearly 10 billion cubic meters of ecological water, reversing the declining groundwater trend in North China since the 1970s. Key waterways like the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal have seen consistent flow, and rivers and lakes including the Yongding River and Lake Baiyangdian have rejuvenated. The Group aims to advance the high-quality development of the project's follow-up phases and accelerate the national water network construction.

New bank loans quadruple in August: The People’s Bank of China announced that China's new bank loans soared in August to a record 1.36 trillion yuan ($186.18 billion), nearly quadrupling July's figure. This surge, attributed to August's pro-growth policies, has significantly bolstered market confidence, according to experts. From January to August of this year, new loans have reached 17.44 trillion yuan, a 1.76 trillion-yuan year-on-year increase. Total social financing, a broad measure of credit and liquidity in the economy that includes bank loans, also saw a notable 9.0 percent year-on-year rise, driven by local government bonds and bond market recovery. The release of the data prompted a surge in both onshore and offshore yuan in the market. Proactive measures, including rate cuts in August and support for the property market, have evidently invigorated China's economic outlook.

China announces cross-strait integrated development demonstration zone: A circular released by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council announced that it planned to establish Fujian Province as a demonstration zone for integrated development across the Taiwan strait, aiming to deepen ties and work toward peaceful reunification with Taiwan. The circular outlined general requirements and 21 specific measures for this development. It emphasized leveraging Fujian's advantages to attract Taiwan residents and businesses while ensuring equal treatment. The circular mentioned that the goal was to make Fujian the preferred destination for Taiwan residents and companies, fostering smoother trade, investment, and exchanges across the Strait. Key initiatives would include building transport links with Taiwan, welcoming Taiwan visitors and students, hiring more Taiwanese employees, promoting cross-Strait industrial cooperation, and enhancing social welfare and judicial services for Taiwan compatriots in Fujian. The circular also highlighted integrated development between Xiamen-Kinmen and Fuzhou-Matsu and promoting cultural exchanges. Financial support to Fujian will facilitate these efforts, according to the circular.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Renowned influencer Li Jiaqi sparked controversy on Chinese social media platforms after he made inappropriate remarks to a viewer during his live broadcast on the livestreaming platform Taobao Live. Li, also popularly known as ‘Lipstick King’, made the remark when one viewer pointed out that his lipsticks were becoming more expensive. The influencer lashed out, commenting whether his audience had made efforts to achieve pay hikes. Even though Li apologised after making the remark, the comments sparked a massive backlash against him from fans who tried to remind him of his humble beginnings. Li’s account registered a significant loss of 630,000 followers on Weibo. Hashtags #lijiaqicriedandapologised and #lijiaqilostfans were also trending on Weibo.

INDIA WATCH

The move by regional courts in China to set up an alliance to protect and preserve national parks in the country points to the increasing role of the judiciary in environmental protection, in ways that can complement the efforts of the executive and legislature. The setting up of the alliance is yet another significant judicial intervention, after the Supreme People's Court in Match issued guidelines that encouraged judges to hear more climate-related cases and balance development and corporate emission reduction when ruling on lawsuits.In India, the conflict between developmental and environmental priorities has often hindered efforts to ensure that ecological protection as well as sustainable development goals are achieved. This has therefore prompted the country’s judiciary to take intervening measures whenever there is a possibility of harm to the environment due to state or non-state activity. The Supreme Court, in 1996, mandated the Calcutta High Court to constitute a special bench to hear environment-related petitions. This led to the establishment of the first ‘green bench’ in a judicial body in India. In 2010, the National Green Tribunal, a specialised judicial body, was established to achieve effective and expeditious disposal of cases related to environmental protection and the conservation of forests and other natural resources. The Tribunal was established with the purpose of allowing people to seek relief for environmental damage, involving statutes such as The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The NGT has made landmark interventions in the domain of environmental protection and wildlife conservation. One such intervention was the suspension of the environmental clearance given for the construction of a hydroelectric dam on Naymjang Chu River in Arunachal Pradesh, as the dam was close to the wintering site of an endangered bird. While the NGT has significant authority as a judicial body to adjudicate on environmental concerns, it faces a drawback as its decisions can be appealed in either the Supreme Court or the High Courts, thereby slowing down the litigation process and the implementation of the Tribunal’s judgements. As environmental threats continue to pose a danger to citizens’ lives and livelihoods, India’s judiciary can assume a proactive role in constructively intervening to check the exploitation of environmental resources and dangers to wildlife. This would require, like in China, encouraging judges in the the country's apex court and High Courts to take up more climate-related litigations.

Prepared By

Prejomon Sunny Chummar

Prejomon Sunny Chummar holds a Master's degree in International and Area Studies from MMAJ Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from EFLU Shillong. His interests revolve around the intersection of cinema, culture, and politics, including the intricate dynamics of soft power politics. Additionally, his scholarly interests encompass the rich histories and cultures of China, Russia and Central Asia. With a keen passion for cinema and literature, he is an ardent cinephile and devoted reader.