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NEWS IN CHINA

• Emergence of a Five-Point consensus between U.S. and China during Wang-Blinken meeting - A meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken produced a ‘five-point’ consensus even as the former warned of American political stances crossing ‘red lines’ and the associated risk of casting into doubt the stability of their bilateral relations. The meeting on April 26 commenced by acknowledging the progress made in dialogue and cooperation, followed by renewed commitments for high-level exchanges specifically in the arenas of drug prohibition, climate change, and artificial intelligence. A series of firsts in terms of an intergovernmental dialogue on artificial intelligence and consultations on Asia-Pacific affairs were publicised. The meeting further aimed to bolster cultural exchanges with a resolve to successfully conduct the 14th China-US Tourism High-level Dialogue in Xi'an in May of this year. The broader ethos of the consensus displayed commitments towards continuing consultations on ‘international and regional issues of concern’. While chinese experts have welcomes this move which they believe paves the way for enhanced communication as bilateral relations mark their 45th year, the consensus fails to address the core issues of friction, with Beijing condemning Washington’s ‘bloc politics’ against China and the latter accusing the former of supplying dual-use military goods to Russia amidst the ongoing war.
  
  
• China’s Standing Committee concludes its session in Beijing - The 9th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress wrapped up in Beijing this Friday, marking a significant legislative day. During the final meeting, the committee passed several key laws, including those concerning academic degrees and tariffs, as well as amendments to existing laws focused on agricultural technology, the protection of minors, and biosecurity. These legislative actions underscore the government's focus on refining its legal framework across various sectors. President Xi Jinping played a crucial role in the session, endorsing the newly adopted laws and amendments with three presidential orders. His involvement highlights the importance of these legislative changes in the broader agenda of national governance and policy implementation. Zhao Leji, the chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, led the closing meeting, emphasising the leadership's commitment to legal and administrative oversight. This session not only reflects the ongoing efforts to adapt China's legislative environment to contemporary needs but also showcases the active participation of high-level officials in steering the country's legislative direction.
  
  
• China eyes significant breakthrough in food security through cloned soybeans - In a significant stride towards bolstering food security, China has achieved a breakthrough in biotechnology with the development of a gene-cloned soybean variety resistant to Asian soybean rust. This innovation, which could save China up to $2 billion annually as the largest importer of soybeans globally, is particularly crucial as the country faces persistent challenges from this fungal disease that severely affects soybean crops. Embracing this new variety, farmers in Heilongjiang province, a key agricultural region, have shown great enthusiasm. This development not only promises to cut down the massive import costs for soybeans but also fosters local agricultural resilience. The gene-cloning technique, pivotal in this breakthrough, was spearheaded by Chinese agricultural scientists in collaboration with several research institutions, underscoring China's commitment to technological advancement in agriculture as it increases food security initiatives in the face of geopolitical uncertainty and climate crises.
  
  
• Suzhou city garners global biz attention through the signing of 367 new projects - Suzhou, a city in East China's Jiangsu Province, successfully hosted a global investment promotion conference, leading to the signing of 367 new projects. The event saw significant participation from major global corporations, including 429 Fortune 500 companies, culminating in agreements totaling approximately 372 billion yuan (about $51.3 billion). These projects cover diverse sectors such as new energy, high-end equipment, advanced materials, and biopharmaceuticals. Notably, this year, Suzhou has attracted substantial foreign investment, with 175 Fortune 500 companies investing in 486 projects in the city.
  
  
• Chengdu city goes green through International Horticultural Expo - The International Horticultural Exhibition 2024 in Chengdu is a significant global event under the theme "Park City, Beautiful Habitat," highlighting sustainable urban living through the integration of green spaces. Hosted from April to October, the expo attracts participation from 32 countries, showcasing 113 meticulously designed gardens. The expo is expected to draw over 5 million visitors, reflecting its global appeal and importance in promoting ecological awareness. Vice President Han Zheng emphasised the expo's alignment with the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals during the opening ceremony. The event spans 186 days and offers a rich program of more than 2,000 cultural and educational activities aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of ecological and environmental issues among international visitors. 
  
  SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

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  China’s youth are shying away from romance in favour of ‘single love’ and ‘suicidal singleness’ - In China, a growing number of young people are adopting unconventional approaches to dating and relationships, embracing concepts like "single love" and "suicidal singleness" to navigate the complexities of modern romance. These trends reflect a shift towards prioritising individual independence over traditional romantic commitments as the number of single people in the country hit a record statistic of 239 million in 2021. Young Chinese are increasingly viewing relationships pragmatically, focusing on personal growth and financial stability rather than emotional entanglements. This cultural shift is influencing marriage trends as well, with the average age for first marriages rising and a notable increase in the single population. A couple from Shenzhen in Guangdong province aptly summarised this trend by stating: “Those who believe in ‘till death do us part’ are fools”.
  
  

INDIA WATCH

Chinese media analyses the ‘complexity’ of Indian elections - Chinese media house ‘China Daily’ has claimed the Indian elections to be a ‘long drawn affair’, while commenting on the complex display of democratic processes characterised by diverse regional dynamics and pivotal political shifts. With 543 seats contested across seven phases, the article emphasises on the role of the "Hindi heartland," especially Uttar Pradesh, which holds a significant 80 seats and would be crucial given its history as a former stronghold of the Congress Party, now dominated by Narendra Modi's BJP. The Chinese analysis also focuses on Narendra Modi’s strategic positioning, especially with his previous promises of economic growth and national security measures, juxtaposed against the current criticisms of corruption and economic policies under his administration. The introduction of the electoral bond program, later deemed illegal and unconstitutional, was highlighted as a key issue in the corruption debate. Moreover, the formation of the INDIA alliance by opposition parties to counter the BJP's dominance in crucial states was deemed of interest, indicating a potentially shifting political landscape. The BJP’s use of cultural nationalism, promoting Hindu heritage and social welfare programs, was contrasted with the opposition's focus on economic and social issues affecting the general populace. It further reflected on the broader implications of these elections for Sino-Indian relations, particularly how the electoral outcomes might influence bilateral negotiations and regional stability in Asia.

Prepared By

Harshita Khaund

Harshita Khaund is a Masters student of International Affairs from O.P. Jindal Global University. Previously, she has undertaken her bachelors in Political Science from Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi. She has a keen interest in security studies, international economy, and conflict and peace studies.