CiCM 16th April 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Q1 Economic Data Released: Economic data released by China suggests that GDP in the first quarter was 29,629.9 billion yuan, showing a 5.3% annual growth at constant prices, and a 1.6% increase from the previous quarter. The added value of the primary industry reached 1,153.8 billion yuan, increasing by 3.3% compared to last year. The secondary industry's added value was 10,984.6 billion yuan, showing a 6.0% growth. The tertiary industry's added value was 17,491.5 billion yuan, with a 5.0% rise. China saw a notable increase in fixed-asset investment during the first quarter of 2024. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows a 4.5 percent increase in fixed-asset investment compared to the previous year. There was a 6.5 percent increase in infrastructure investment, and manufacturing witnessed a significant rise of 9.9 percent. On the downside, the real estate market saw a decrease of 9.5 percent in property development investment due to continuous adjustments, despite the presence of supportive policies. Significantly, there was a strong increase in investments in high-tech industries, which grew by 11.4 percent compared to the previous year. The increase was especially noticeable in high-tech manufacturing and services, which grew by 10.8 percent and 12.7 percent, respectively.
China Backs IAEA's Efforts for Nuclear Safety in Ukraine: During a briefing at the United Nations Security Council, China voiced its backing for the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) initiatives to enhance nuclear safety in Ukraine during the current crisis. China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, Geng Shuang, emphasized the serious dangers that Ukrainian nuclear facilities are facing, pointing to recent drone attacks and shelling close to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Geng praised IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi's proactive actions, such as suggesting safety principles for the plant. China stated that it fully supports these actions and encourages all parties to strictly follow nuclear safety agreements and international laws in order to avoid nuclear disasters. Geng highlighted how safety concerns at Zaporizhzhia are linked to the larger crisis in Ukraine, underscoring the importance of finding a political solution. He urged parties to focus on peace and stability, participate in dialogue, and quickly restart peace negotiations. China restated its dedication to promoting peace and dialogue and vowed to positively contribute to resolving the Ukraine crisis.
China's Premier Engages in Discussions with German Chancellor Scholz: Premier Li Qiang of China met with German Chancellor Scholz during an official visit to China. Both leaders were eager to improve mutual comprehension and trust, achieve mutual advantages through cooperation, and take their partnership to higher levels for the benefit of both nations. Premier Li highlighted the significance of dialogue mechanisms and collaboration in different fields such as trade, new energy vehicles, digital economy, and green development. He restated China's dedication to high-level openness and urged for equitable treatment of Chinese-funded companies in Germany. Chancellor Scholz confirmed that Germany is open to strengthening collaboration with China, especially in the fields of finance, agriculture, and renewable energy. Both leaders have agreed to uphold past agreements and discussions, and to further enhance collaboration in different areas. The economic advisory committee discussions at the Great Hall of the People, attended by both leaders, centred on interacting with entrepreneurs from both nations. Vice Premier of China, He Lifeng, held discussions with the German economic delegation, showing confidence in the prospects of bilateral economic and trade ties and encouraging more German investments in China.
PBOC Injects Liquidity through Reverse Repos: On Tuesday, the People's Bank of China (PBOC) carried out a 2 billion yuan (around 281.5 million U.S. dollars) seven-day reverse repurchase operation with an interest rate of 1.8 percent. The central bank's goal is to ensure the banking system has a suitable amount of liquidity. A reverse repo involves the central bank purchasing securities from commercial banks through a bidding process and agreeing to sell them back at a future date. By participating in such activities, the PBOC has the ability to impact the liquidity situation within the banking industry, modifying it as it deems fit to uphold monetary policy goals. The action demonstrates the PBOC's continuous measures to control liquidity levels in the financial system, guaranteeing stability and sufficient funding for economic activities. It also shows the central bank's dedication to enacting monetary policies that promote economic growth while protecting against risks. In general, the PBOC's choice to engage in the reverse repo operation highlights its proactive stance on liquidity management and commitment to preserving stability in financial markets.
Survey Shows Chinese Citizens' Scientific Literacy Surges to 14.14%: The recent 13th Sample Survey on the Scientific Literacy of Chinese Citizens, published by the China Association for Science and Technology, shows a notable increase in scientific literacy levels among Chinese citizens. By 2023, the percentage of people with scientific knowledge rose to 14.14%, showing a significant increase of 1.21 percentage points from the year before, demonstrating a pattern of expansion. A significant development to highlight is the reduction of the disparity in scientific knowledge levels among China's eastern, central, and western areas, which is being seen for the first time. Moreover, there has been a swift improvement in the scientific knowledge of women, leading to a greater decrease in the gender disparity. In addition, rural inhabitants have demonstrated quicker development in scientific knowledge in comparison to those living in urban areas, resulting in a decrease in the urban-rural difference. The increase in the public's scientific knowledge establishes a strong base of skilled individuals for China's efforts towards advanced scientific and technological independence.
AI Reshaping Classroom Learning Across China: The incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) in primary and secondary school settings is becoming more popular in China, providing an updated method of education that encourages scientific reasoning and creative abilities in students. Huiwen Middle School in Tianjin has been distinguished as a trailblazer, by the Ministry of Education as an AI education centre. The school's adventure started with a robotics club named "Huimin Singularity," originating almost seven years ago. Transforming into a popular after-school program. The club's early emphasis on contests eventually resulted in more students joining and a broader AI education program. Qu Wei, the principal, stresses the significance of AI classes in fostering scientific reasoning, encouraging students to learn basic programming skills while also grasping the capabilities of robots. In a variety of fields, AI is a common and efficient tool, assisting in activities like evaluating English reading and providing feedback for physical education. The experience of Huiwen Middle School is similar to that of institutions such as Beijing 101 Middle School and schools in Fujian, where AI is incorporated into English classes to improve learning with technology. In the future, Qu emphasizes the continuous dedication to improving teachers' skills in using AI for more complex and polished coursework. In general, the extensive use of AI in schools represents a major change in teaching methods that is advantageous for both students and teachers.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Chinese Marathon Controversy: Runner Accused of Seizing Victory Denies Allegations, Claims Victimhood: Controversy surrounded the Beijing Half Marathon due to suspicions of a planned finish, in which Chinese runner He Jie passed three African runners just before the finish line. He declared himself the winner in 1 hour 03 minutes 44 seconds, with the three African runners closely following just one second later. The race received criticism from many who called it a "joke" or "show". Rumours circulated that the overseas competitors were purposely setting the pace to help He secure the victory. At the age of 25, He, a member and record holder of China's marathon team, took to the internet to address the issue, affirming his dedication to professional ethics and refuting any connection to the controversy. He shared his sorrow about the negative comments he had received, highlighting his dedication to performing at his peak. A screenshot of his reply to a fan, although not officially confirmed, showed his commitment to complete his mission despite feeling like a victim in the situation. He reaffirmed his commitment to putting forth his best effort once the race starts, recognizing that some may be disappointed but stressing his dedication to performing well.

INDIA WATCH

At Least Four people Killed as Boat Capsizes in Kashmir: India Today reported a tragic event in Kashmir on Tuesday when many passengers, mainly children, were on a boat that overturned in the Jhelum river near Srinagar, the region's main city. The Chinese media covered this news by emphasizing the details of the accident. The report focused on delivering details about the tragic event and the state of current rescue operations in what Chinese media called “Indian-controlled Kashmir”. The article published in Xinhua stated that the accident was a result of incessant rain over the last few days that lead to an increase in water levels of several water bodies in Kashmir. Muzaffar Zargar, the head doctor at the SMHS Hospital in Srinagar, verified that seven people were saved and brought to the hospital, but four sadly passed away from their injuries. Efforts are being made to find any other individuals who are still unaccounted for.

Prepared By

Triveni Mahajan

Triveni is a student of Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication at Bennett University and has contributed to the field of Indian Politics Journalism.