CiCM 8th November 2023

NEWS IN CHINA

Methane Emission Reduction Plan Released by China: A methane emission action plan was released by the Chinese Department of Ecology along with ten other ministries. The plan is to develop a system for the inauguration of a methane emission accounting and reporting system in addition to directing large industries such as oil, gas and farms to report their annual methane output. These policies and technologies for methane action control will be developed and enhanced during the 14^th and 15^th Five Year Plan. The policies seek to control the intensity of methane emissions in planting and breeding industries. To counteract the reduction in the use of methane, efforts will be made to utilise nationwide urban domestic waste. The plan aims to tackle methane output from coal, oil-fields as well as waste from landfills. It also aims to utilise dung from livestock as well as improve its storage and disposal. It aims to utilise at least 80 percent of dung from the livestock sector by 2025 as well as optimally use 60 percent of urban household waste. The deployment of anaerobic digesters will be encouraged in rural China. The plan was approved by the State Council of China and released on 7th November, 2023.
World Internet Conference kicks off: The 10th edition of the World Internet Conference began on 8th November, 2023 in East China's Wuzhen. The conference is set to bring together industry experts to discuss the state of global cyberspace as well as tackle pressing challenges facing China’s digital economy. The theme of the conference is ‘Creating an Inclusive and Resilient Digital World Beneficial to All -- Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace. The conference will discuss industry topics related to Artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity. Xi Jinping also addressed the gathering virtually and drew attention to the importance of building a global community of internet users. Xi stated that the development of a shared community requires the deepening of exchanges as well as joint co-operation. Xi also drew attention to the need to improve access to information-based services as well as bridge the digital divide in addition to curbing cyber crimes and improving digital security. The gathering was addressed by Li Shulei, the head of Publicity of the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee.

First South Pacific Islands Countries Cooperation Forum: China hosted the inaugural South Pacific Island Countries Cooperation Forum in Shanghai, which saw the attendance of over 50 senior officials from island nations. The forum was attended by government officials, media representatives and entrepreneurs from the region. The gathering aimed to strengthen bilateral relations, improve buisness relations, cultural exchanges as well co-operation between China and the Pacific nations. The Pavillion's curator, Shan Yuqiang, highlighted the value of the summit in reaching collaborative potential of a longer-term development model through the pursuance of mutual co-operation and shared benefits. However, leaders from the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu chose to send representatives from their ministerial cabinet instead of heads of state. Australia’s Prime Minister as well as the representatives from the incumbent Labour Party and the incoming National Party of New Zealand were present.
Chinese fighter jets to be showcased in Middle East raise hopes for arms deals: The Dubai airshow scheduled to be held next week will feature seven J-10C fighter jets for the first time since the debut of Chinese aerobatics team in 2017. Belonging to Chinese Airforce, the Bayi Aerobatic Team took off towards the Al Maktoum airport in Dubai from an undisclosed airport in Western China. Greater Middle Eastern interest in cheaper Chinese arms in recent years as well as the display of these jets has raised hopes for more arms sales with the region. Most recently, buyers from Egypt expressed interest in the aircraft. The medium-weight J-10, nicknamed the Firebird, is capable of all-weather operations, and first introduced to the Chinese military in 2005, it is the country's first domestic advanced jet fighter. In 2018, modifications were made by the J-10's parent company, the Chengdu Aircraft International Group in order to attract overseas buyers. Pakistan, in 2020, became the first country to order 25 such planes.
IMF makes positives predictions for Chinese GDP: The International Monetary Fund has projected that China's Gross Domestic Product will grow by 5.4%, an upward projection of 0.4%. Gita Gopinath, the First Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, reflected that China has made a strong post-Covid recovery. This fits in with earlier trends released by the National Bureau of Statisticsthat put Chinese economic growth for the first three quarters of the year at 5.7 percent. The statement was released after an IMF team visited China between October 26th and November 6th to discuss the state of the economy with government officials as part of the Article IV discussions with the People's Bank of China, private sector employees and economic experts. China's human capital as well as strong business ethics have aided this growth, as suggested by Thomas Helbling, deputy director of the Asia and Pacific Department of the international body. Other international bodies including JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank have also made optimistic projections about China's economy. A forecast by the international firm UBS similarly projected a rise in GDP by 5.2 percent.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Rwandan youth lauded by Chinese netizens: Pacifique Izabayo, a young man from Rwanda, has gone viral on the Douyin for singing Chinese songs while displaying scenes of Rwandan rural life. Post on both Douyin and Kuaishou has garnered him over four million followers from China. Social media users in China have been amazed by his portrayal of Rwandan agricultural life as well as their socio-economic and culinary activities. This has been appreciated by many Chinese audiences for teaching them more about life in Rwanda and Africa. In response to the overwhelming Chinese reception, the Rwandan youth has taken up content creation for social media as a full-time occupation.

INDIA WATCH

The South Pacific Islands share not only historical and colonial ties with India, but are also significant for their strategic maritime geography. It is thus unsurprising that the region has been a source of contention between China and the United States of America. For China, the region poses a key opening for the Belt and Road Initiative and has attempted to wrest control of the region from both America and Australia. China has been successful in attracting islands nations with economic and security partnerships. The agreement between China and the Solomon Islands to help protect the islands national security is one such instance. More nations in the regions have chosen to align with China because of mutual interests and shared benefits. Along with China, India has also emerged as a key player in the region. Through the Act East Policy, the government of India has attempted to renew relations with these island countries. Attempts have been made by the Indian government to forge bilateral partnerships with these nations through summits such as the Forum for India-Pacific Island Cooperation. The American President Joe Biden's tentative visit to the Forum for India Pacific Island Cooperation s an important proof but the engagement with Pacific island nations has been uneven. Thus, for India to assume it's role as an important player in the region as well as protect its strategic interests, it is crucial to find an independent and consistent voice, as well as balance America's relationship with India and with Pacific islands support for China.

Prepared By

Tarini Agarwal

Tarini Agarwal is a twenty-year-old student at Lady Shri Ram College for Women with a passion for history and penchant for writing about issues of contemporary relevance.