CiCM 11th March 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Second Session of the 14th NPC Concludes: The conclusion of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing marked a milestone, characterised by a range of ratified resolutions including the government work report and the Organic Law of the State Council. President Xi Jinping signed the Presidential Order No. 21 to announce the passing of the law. The plenaries also voted to approve the implementation of the National Economic and Social Development Plan in 2023 and the National Economic and Social Development Plan in 2024. Zhao Leji, presiding over the closing meeting, gave a speech emphasizing the imperative of advancing Chinese modernization under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. The session concluded with a call to action, ending with the national anthem. The session was attended by 2900 representatives. Various people's organizations and foreign envoys stationed in China also attended the conference.
Ningxia incentivises and seeks tech-driven development: The leader of the Ningxia Hui autonomous region emphasized the ongoing strategy to incentivise projects featuring cutting-edge technology and minimal energy consumption, fostering high-quality development and innovation. Highlighting Ningxia's remarkable progress in recent years, Liang Yanshun, the region's Party Secretary, noted the development of new productive forces aligned with President Xi Jinping's directives. Xi's vision has catalyzed Ningxia's growth and urged better alignment of development with security measures. Notably, Ningxia has sustained robust growth for seven consecutive quarters, with a 6.6 percent year-on-year GDP increase in 2023 alongside a 9.6 percent reduction in energy consumption. The region's advancement in high-end manufacturing, particularly the 44.5 percent surge in high-tech manufacturing. Positioned as a national computing power hub, Ningxia aims for substantial digital economy growth, capitalizing on its conducive climate for naturally cooled data centers. Future plans encompass expanding rack infrastructure and developing green energy systems.
Chinese express dissatisfaction at tunnel inauguration by India: China has voiced discontent at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation in a tunnel unveiling along the eastern region of the China-India border in Arunachal Pradesh. The Foreign Ministry claimed that India lacks the authority to develop Arunachal Pradesh, what China calls Zangnan, the southern portion of the Xizang autonomous region. "Zangnan belongs to China. We adamantly reject and oppose India's creation of the so-called Arunachal Pradesh," stated China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin. The statement by the Foreign Ministry followed PM Modi's inauguration of the strategic Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh over the weekend. Wang cautioned that such actions would only complicate matters and negatively impact the border situation. This event follows the 21st round of commander-level talks between China and India, where both sides committed to ongoing communication through military and diplomatic channels, aiming to create a mutually acceptable resolution to improve the border situation.
10 counties in Shandong selected for resource-intensive water conservation demonstrations: The Shandong Provincial Department of Water Resources recently disclosed the roster of counties identified as water resource-intensive conservation demonstration zones in 2023. A total of 10 counties (encompassing cities and districts) within the province have secured spots on this list. Following thorough scrutiny of submissions from various cities, Pingyin County, Chengyang District of Qingdao City, Zichuan District of Zibo City, Tengzhou City, Penglai District of Yantai City, Yanzhou District of Jining City, Xintai City, Lin Yi County, Yanggu County, and Juye County were identified as the designated demonstration counties in 2023. The endeavour to implement demonstration counties for water resource-intensive conservation aims to uphold the tenets of "four waters and four fixes". Shandong Province has led the cause of conserving and intensively utilizing water resources, having 132 compliant counties, topping the national charts.
First two months of 2024 show remarkable industrial growth for Chinese automobile manufacturers, and international trade for Anhui Province: According to recent data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, the auto industry in China has witnessed a notable surge in sales, marking an 11.1 percent increase year on year, with nearly 4.03 million units sold in the initial two months of the current year. Correspondingly, auto production during the same period rose by 8.1 percent compared to the previous year, totalling 3.92 million units. Passenger car sales and production notably grew by 10.6 percent and 7.9 percent, respectively. Commercial vehicle sales and production also saw significant upticks, with a 14.1 percent and 9 percent increase, respectively. The new energy vehicles (NEVs) sector maintained its growth, showing a 28.2 percent surge in output and a 29.4 percent rise in sales compared to the previous year. Furthermore, Anhui Province, situated in eastern China, experienced a remarkable 12.8 percent growth in total import and export activities, reaching a record high of 122.51 billion yuan in the initial two months of 2024.
Administrative restrictions and red tapism in research for ‘new productive forces’ questioned by Chinese scientists: In Beijing, concerns have surfaced regarding the hindrances faced by Chinese scientists. Issues such as cumbersome bureaucracy and a fixation on recognition have been acknowledged as impediments to progress. These challenges undermine China's aspirations for tech-driven economic growth, according to Yuan Yaxiang, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Government advisors advocate for reforms to alleviate burdens in academia, attract fresh talent, and translate ideas into tangible outcomes. The government has pledged to prioritize research by reducing administrative tasks. President Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of indigenous technology development. During the “Two Sessions”, Science and Technology Minister Yin Hejun also expressed commitments by leadership to reduce such burdens and advance progress. Efforts to reform the research management system and address issues like funding accessibility and evaluation criteria are underway. However, challenges persist in balancing recognition with genuine scientific advancement.
Inclusive basic pension scheme for the elderly proposed by NPC Deputy: Zhou Jinbo, a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), has proposed introducing an all-` system into the existing framework of pension security, with management and implementation overseen by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. Emphasizing the importance of local context, Zhou suggested that entitlement standards should align with regional minimum subsistence levels, with adjustments made accordingly. Zhou proposed a phased implementation approach, starting with economically prosperous regions before gradually expanding nationwide over a period of three to five years.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

New Wang Yi slogan taking Weibo by storm: In the aftermath of Wang Yi's address at the Two Sessions press conference, the phrase "the next China will still be China" has emerged as a notable catchphrase. This slogan particularly gained attention through a People's Daily hashtag campaign titled "Wang Yi Says the Next China Will Still Be China". While Wang's statement lacks explicit elaboration, it resonates within the broader context of China's economic resilience and international engagement strategies. Its adoption reflects a broader trend of utilizing catchphrases within Party rhetoric. But not all netizens are confident that its meaning holds true. One top comment on Douyin said: “China’s birth rates have already fallen to some of the lowest globally, which doesn’t bode well for the future at all.” Others are more optimistic, believing that China will remain true to its essence and that its success cannot be copied thanks to the nature of Chinese people: “Hard-working, brave, energetic – that is what defines the Chinese people and that is what can never be replicated.” On Weibo, some commenters used the hashtag to stress that China will not betray its roots and turn into “the next America.”

INDIA WATCH

Zhou Jinbo’s proposal for a comprehensive and all-inclusive basic pension scheme for the elderly elaborates on the existing pension policy, hoping to plug some of the gaps in the existing policy. The existing policy sets three pillars of pension support for the elderly: the basic pension system, led by the state, a voluntary employee pension plan from employers, and private voluntary pension schemes. These are made available at age 60 for men, 55 for white-collar women and 50 for women who work in factories. Controversy comes from the sheer number of people (20% of the population) who qualify for pensions. Zhou’s proposal tackles this by raising the required age and effectively combining the pillars.

For this, however, China would do well to refer to India’s pension scheme. With a considerably large population (10.9% of the total population) eligible to avail pension schemes, India has still managed to keep the pension age at 58, with early retirements also possible. This is because of the Employees Provident Fund Scheme (EPFS) and the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), mandating employers and employees to practice good financial habits and ensure contributions towards these funds and schemes, which can be availed upon reaching the retirement age. Based on the amount contributed, the government also contributes to the fund, thus reducing the pressure on the exchequer but still maintaining state involvement and regulations.

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.