CiCM 5th March 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Government Work Report presented by Premier Li Qiang states Central Government aims to create 12 million urban jobs in 2024: Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced while presenting the Government Work Report in Beijing that the central government aims to create over 12 million new urban jobs in 2024, targeting a 5.5 percent urban unemployment rate. He talked about using fiscal policies to stabilize employment and implementing tailored measures, including enhancing unemployment insurance premiums and subsidies. Qiang also stressed upon supporting sectors for job creation and ensuring fair wages and vocational training. In 2023, China generated 12.44 million urban jobs with a 5.2 percent unemployment rate, and is expecting similar numbers to continue. The report also notes that over 33 million people had been lifted out of poverty last year.
Chinese scientists resolve biological mystery of chloroplast RNA polymerase: Chinese researchers have resolved the intricate structure of chloroplast RNA polymerase, a historic mystery in scientific circles. Zhang Yu from the Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Zhou Fei from Huazhong Agricultural University published their findings in Cellon Friday. This breakthrough offers a blueprint for further investigations into the transcriptional regulation within chloroplasts.
China’s Travel Industry shows recovery, 632.69 billion yuan added by tourism during eight-day Spring Festival: Statistics released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism indicate a major surge in domestic tourism activity over the recent eight-day Spring Festival holiday. Throughout this period, there were 474 million trips, a 34.3 percent increase compared to the previous year. Tourism-related expenditures also saw an increase, totaling 632.69 billion yuan ($94.9 billion), marking a 47.3 percent increase. Guangdong province emerged as a standout performer, hosting 76.07 million trips and generating revenue of 69.36 billion yuan. Following closely behind, Sichuan province recorded 60.48 million trips, trailed by Jiangsu province with 55.48 million trips and Henan province with over 50 million trips.
Chinese grain output reaches historic high: During the "Two Sessions", Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Tang Renjian announced that China has achieved a historic grain output of 695.4 million tonnes last year, boasting a per capita possession of 493 kg. This surpasses the globally recognized security threshold of 400 kg. Tang highlighted progress as a measure of preventing a resurgence of poverty and ensuring sustained income growth, particularly in 832 previously designated national-level poverty-stricken counties. The aforementioned counties witnessed a rise of per capita disposable income to 16,396 yuan ($2,308), with an annual increase of approximately 1,200 yuan over the past three years.
Xi Jinping speaks on the potential of the city of Jiangsu: During the “Two Sessions” of the 14th National People’s Congress, Xi Jinping spoke on the importance of prioritizing holistic development and adapting to local conditions to foster ‘productive forces’. When talking to the Jiangsu delegation, he urged seizing opportunities amidst the scientific and technological revolution by fostering innovation, expanding emerging industries, and fortifying the modern industrial system. He also emphasized Jiangsu's integration into regional development strategies to bolster economic influence as well as the promising conditions Jiangsu has in terms of building quality productive forces.
TikTok owners ByteDance asked to divest the app by proposed US Congress bill: A bipartisan group of US lawmakers have unveiled a bill stipulating that China's ByteDance must divest TikTok within 165 days or face a US ban. Congressman Mike Gallagher and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, along with over a dozen other lawmakers, introduced the bill alongside 17 lawmakers toto address national security concerns arising from Chinese ownership of the app which boasts over 170 million American users. This move seeks to enhance legal authority in addressing TikTok-related apprehensions, as well as reduce Chinese soft power.
Chinese R&D expenditure increases dramatically, reaching 3.3 trillion-yuan in 2023: During the "Two Sessions", Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun disclosed that China's research and development (R&D) spending surged by 8.1 percent to over 3.3 trillion yuan (approximately 458.5 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023. He noted a substantial increase in basic research funding, reaching 221.2 billion yuan, up by 9.3 percent from the previous year.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Wholesome post sparks gender-based controversy: In China, a husband's heartfelt gesture towards his wife, kneeling in gratitude for giving birth to a son after having three daughters, sparked a storm of controversy online. The video was shared on the husband’s Douyin account, garnering significant attention. In the video, the husband kneels before his wife, who is in a wheelchair, expressing his deep appreciation for her sacrifices during pregnancy and childbirth. The post saw criticism from social media users, who questioned the societal pressure for a son.

INDIA WATCH

Chinese injection into the R&D sector essentially shows their interest in making their economic activities more efficient, as well as promote knowledge-building and developing new technical methods to substantially reduce dependencies and hold stronger competitive advantages on their economic rivals. This analysis is corroborated by many statements given by Premier Xi Jinping on the question of innovative flows in China, as he actively promotes innovation and attempts to make China a global leader in frontier and disruptive technologies. An important source of this claim was his speech in 2022, prior to his third-term as the Head of the CCP began, thus claiming these as his main goals for the term. As a regional and economic competitor heavily focused on self-sufficiency and reliance while also being dependent on FDIs for certain fringe industries, the expansion of the Chinese R&D sector poses serious repercussions for Indian manufacturers and competitors. With newer advancements in science as well as in technology, the Chinese economy could effectively create a substantial gap in quality or in price between their products and Indian products. More efficient methods and rise of diverse industries could also draw foreign investment away from India. Furthermore, we must also consider the protection of the intellectual property rights (IPR) of Indian innovators in order to prevent the misuse of Indian innovations in giving the Chinese a competitive advantage.

Prepared By

Parth Prasad

Parth Prasad is a second-year undergraduate student pursuing International Relations and Public Policy. His interests lie in international economics, diplomacy studies as well as Indian foreign policy analysis. His interests and area of research often brings him on Indo-Sino relations, thus igniting his interest in understanding Chinese polity.