CiCM 27th October 2023

NEWS IN CHINA

Third Instalment of Joint Naval Exercises Between China and Pakistan Scheduled: The third instalment of joint naval exercises between China and Pakistan is scheduled to take place next month in the northern Arabian Sea, as confirmed by China's defense ministry. The forthcoming Sea Guardians-3 drills are designed to encompass a variety of maritime activities, including formation movements, inspection and capture operations, mutual helicopter landings, joint search and rescue missions, and anti-submarine exercises. The central theme of these exercises is to collaboratively address maritime security threats, emphasizing the importance of bilateral cooperation in upholding maritime security. Senior Colonel Wu Qian, the spokesperson for the Chinese defense ministry, emphasized the exercises' broader objectives. These include further deepening the "China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and traditional friendship" and elevating the practical combat training capabilities of both nations' armed forces. The inaugural Sea Guardians exercise took place in the Arabian Sea in January 2020, followed by a second joint naval drill near Shanghai in July of the subsequent year.

International Data Economy Industrial Park Set Up in Lingang: Shanghai has inaugurated an expansive industrial park dedicated to the data industry, aligning with the city's ambitious three-year digital economy plan and China's broader initiatives to boost digital trade. Situated within the pilot free-trade zone of Lingang, the International Data Economy Industrial Park is tasked with facilitating "safe and orderly cross-border flows of international online data," according to a policy document disclosed during the International Data Economy Industry Cooperation Conference. The park's strategic objectives include establishing itself as an international industry cluster, featuring over 100 leading data companies and achieving a combined output exceeding 100 billion yuan (US$13.6 billion) by 2025. Furthermore, it is positioned as a "bridgehead for high-level international data cooperation" and will play a pivotal role in China's pursuit of international trade agreements like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. In addition to its primary focus on the data sector, the park is expected to bolster the advancement of various high-tech industries, including humanoid robotics and internet data centers. A cohort of 25 data-related companies attended the park's inauguration on Friday.

Chinese Enhancement of Cooperation with Iran Declared at SCO Meeting: China's Premier Li Qiang affirmed Chinese intentions to enhance cooperation with Iran on international platforms, including the United Nations, SCO, and Brics. The remarks came during a meeting with Iranian First Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) gatherings in Bishkek. The leaders of the two countries met for the first time since the latest Israel-Hamas war broke out. This meeting marked a significant engagement between the two nations, occurring three months after Iran's accession as the ninth full member of the security-focused SCO, led by Beijing. China's interactions with Iran have attracted global attention, particularly in light of Beijing's role in mediating a reconciliation between historic rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia. During their discussions, Li and Mokhber touched upon the Gaza conflict, with Premier Li expressing China's interest in strengthening coordination with Tehran. It is key to note that Tehran has been a long-term supporter of Palestinian militant group Hamas. However, it has denied involvement in Hamas’ deadly October 7 cross-border attack on Israel. China also called upon Islamic countries to collaborate in de-escalating tensions.
China Expands REITs Offerings to Include Consumer Infrastructure Projects: The China Security Regulatory Commission and the Shanghai Stock Exchange have accepted two consumer infrastructure public offering REITs (Real estate Investment Trust) and the Commission, in concert with the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, has also accepted two more REITs projects. The decision to announce the first four projects comes after an announcement on October 20^th to amend the Guidelines for Publicly Offered Infrastructure Securities Investment Funds, which followed a decision by the Commission to expand the scope of infrastructure REITs announced in March 2023. The first batch of consumer infrastructure projects include shopping malls, supermarkets and convenience commerce, which is expected to bring growth and activity into the consumer economy and stock market.
China Set to Begin Registration for Open Selection of Civil Servants by Central Government Departments: The National Civil Service Bureau has announced that it will begin the registration of candidates for the open and public selection of civil servants on 29th October. A written examination will be held on November 25th in all provincial capitals and autonomous regions simultaneously and 31 government departments will participate in this selection of 317 candidates to fill vacancies in positions like deputy directors and first to fourth level researchers. The registration process will be based on a system of personal wishes and organisational recommendations. The open system of selection was initiated in 2014 and the Bureau claims that a large number of grassroots civil servant have entered the work of the central agencies through this method and has supplemented the central government with urgently needed personnel with industrial work experience and professional skills to promote the development of SOEs and government departments.
China-ASEAN Negotiations on Code of Conduct for the South China Sea: China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to advance negotiations on a long-pending code of conduct for the South China Sea, as tensions in the disputed region escalate. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning announced that both Beijing and ASEAN will "expedite negotiations to achieve, at an early date, an effective and substantial" code of conduct. This development follows recent discussions between senior officials from the region in Beijing, co-chaired by Hong Liang, the Director-General of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs. The talks involved extensive discussions on the South China Sea situation, resulting in an agreement to enhance cooperation in areas such as marine scientific research, environmental protection, and maritime law enforcement activities. The parties emphasized the paramount importance of maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, urging all involved parties to exercise restraint, foster dialogue, and manage differences appropriately to uphold maritime stability.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Social Media Amazed by Womans Marriage Fraud: A woman in China, identified as Zhou, has been charged with fraud for deceiving three men through fake marriages and swindling them out of 660,000 yuan (US$92,000). Zhou, aged 35 and legally married with a child, concealed her relationships from her husband while dating Luo, Zhang, and Xu, whom she met at work or online. After several months of dating, she proposed marriage under a false identity. When Zhang discovered her existing marriage, he reported her to the police, resulting in criminal charges. Zhou faces a minimum of 10 years in prison due to the substantial sum involved. Her legal husband divorced her in April upon discovering her actions. When the story ran on social media it attracted some strong opinions. “Her husband runs his business outside, she runs her business at home,” said one online observer. “Even television dramas do not have a plot like this,” said another on Weibo. “She could have achieved something great if she had used this ability somewhere else,” commented a third.

INDIA WATCH

The evolving geopolitical landscape involving China and Iran presents a complex challenge for India, which has deftly balanced its diplomatic ties with both the United States and Iran in recent years. United States’ position on Iran required India to significantly reduce its oil trade with Iran and leverage its diplomatic influence to encourage Tehran to engage in negotiations with Western powers. India undertook measures such as restricting Iranian banks' operations in Mumbai. However, these steps were necessary to cultivate Delhi’s relationship with the USA. Gwadar and Chabahar are often depicted as "sister ports" by Iran and Pakistan. These ports are strategically pivotal and make it particularly challenging to counterbalance against China in West Asia. Iran has not shied away from courting China and Pakistan as potential investors in the Chabahar Special Economic Zone. This has challenged India's perceived exclusivity in the same project. This approach has also been employed in the Farzad-B natural gas project, a joint venture discovered by ONGC Videsh in 2008, which has encountered financial, bureaucratic, and international sanctions-related hurdles. Iran has used diplomatic tactics, including unannounced visits by Iranian delegations to New Delhi and allusions to other countries, notably China, benefiting from India's perceived delays in honoring its investment commitments. Finally, Iran just opted to independently construct a rail line connecting Chabahar to Zahedan on the Afghan border due to delays in funding from India. Furthermore, China and Iran signed a 25-year "strategic partnership" in March 2021 to deepen economic and security ties. India's potential alignment with the United States may jeopardize its influence in Iran. However, India must scrutinize the intricacies of the evolving Iran-China strategic partnership, not only within the context of its relations with Tehran but, more crucially, in light of China's expanding influence in the Indian Ocean region, facilitated through Gwadar, Djibouti, and potential military access agreements with Iran.

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.