CiCM 9th May 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Beijing witnesses rise in land-related cases: A recent report by the Beijing No. 4 Intermediate People's Court highlights a growing trend of residents in Beijing resorting to legal action against district governments over land-related decisions. In 2023, there was a significant 19.1 percent increase in lawsuits filed, predominantly concerning land expropriation and demolition compensation. Districts such as Fengtai, Chaoyang, and Xicheng saw rapid rise in such cases. Despite 630 cases being concluded, the court noted that district governments lost 40 disputes, suggesting potential lacunae in managing land-related issues. The court underlined its role in fostering good governance, aiming to prompt more responsible administrative conduct through trials and verdicts. It also stressed the significance of alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation, vowing to prioritize them to reduce burden on people’s courts. Moreover, the report advocated for government agencies to establish internal mechanisms to rectify administrative errors, potentially mitigating future disputes.

Chinese scientists unveiled bilingual data sharing platform on air quality: Chinese scientists have unveiled the China Air Pollution Data Center (CAPDC), a bilingual platform aimed at facilitating air quality research and management in China. Featured in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, CAPDC, stands as China's pioneering data sharing hub specifically tailored for addressing atmospheric pollution complexities. The platform boasts eight distinct data categories, encompassing emission inventory, chemical reanalysis, field observation, satellite observation, laboratory measurement and source profile. With 258 datasets and 15 technical reports, it provides a comprehensive resource for researchers. For instance, the emission inventory section offers nine datasets spanning anthropogenic and natural sources, while the chemical reanalysis segment presents high-resolution air quality reanalysis and PM2.5 composition data. Notably, the field observation category comprises 221 datasets from 2011 to 2021, capturing measurements in 41 cities and focusing on aspects such as cloud characteristics and aerosol parameters. Emphasizing user-friendliness, the platform facilitates rapid data search and download, promising robust support for future research endeavours. Led by Peking University in collaboration with Tsinghua University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Beijing Normal University and 3Clear Science & Technology Co., Ltd, it offers bilingual services in English and Chinese.

China announced changes in battery production regulations: China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology aims to upgrade the country's lithium-ion battery sector with new guidelines, emphasizing quality over quantity in production. The draft directive discourages the expansion of production capacity in favour of promoting technological advancement, quality enhancement and cost reduction within lithium-ion battery companies. Mandating a minimum 3 percent revenue allocation for research and development, the guideline seeks to foster innovation and efficiency. Despite projections of a burgeoning production capacity exceeding 3,000 GWh by 2025, the current capacity utilization rate of around 40 percent, expected to decline further to 35 percent by 2025, signals an industry imbalance. Mo Ke, from RealLi consultancy, highlights a disparity between low-end and high-quality production capacity, suggesting the need for structural adjustment. The initiative aims to rectify this by steering the industry towards higher quality and more sophisticated production, thereby bolstering China's competitiveness in the global market for new-energy vehicles.

China completes first national survey on natural disaster risks: China has completed a comprehensive evaluation of natural disaster risks at four administrative levels, utilizing data from its inaugural national survey. Zheng Guoguang, director of the survey's leading group, announced the completion of hazard evaluations and zoning across national, provincial, municipal and county levels. It covered 31 provincial-level regions, 333 municipalities and 2,846 counties, including Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. The survey results, spanning various types of natural disasters, have facilitated the creation of hazard maps and disaster prevention zoning maps, incorporating seismic intensity, geological risks and flood control measures. Additionally, a national database on natural disaster risks, complemented by sub-databases across provinces and industries, has been established. Conducted from 2020 to 2022, involving five million participants, the survey amassed a wealth of data on natural hazards. Recognizing the dynamic nature of disaster factors and mitigation capacities, Zheng emphasized the necessity of regular updates to disaster risk assessment and evaluation efforts.

Hangzhou removes restrictions on new home buying: Hangzhou in East China has announced the lifting of restrictions on new housing purchases, aiming to stimulate the real estate market. The new policy eliminates qualification reviews for purchasing new houses within the city and allows non-city residents who have bought houses in Hangzhou to apply for Hukou, granting them permanent local residence benefits. Individuals with no homes in urban area or with a home that is up for sale, will qualify as first-time buyers and can benefit from lower mortgage rates. This move aligns with China's broader strategy outlined in the 2024 government work report, emphasizing the introduction of a new real estate development model focused on quality, technology and services amidst evolving supply-demand dynamics. Premier Li Qiang chaired a State Council meeting in March, discussing the optimization of real estate policies to ensure housing project delivery and effective coordination of real estate financing mechanisms. Hangzhou's decision follows similar actions in other Chinese cities like Shanghai, Suzhou and Guangzhou, which have also relaxed housing purchase restrictions to stimulate the real estate sector. These measures supplement last year's initiatives such as favourable mortgage terms and tax reliefs, aimed at boosting confidence and mitigating risks in the real estate market.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Chinese influencer condemned for promoting fake ‘anti-cancer’ product: A skincare testing expert in China, nicknamed as Huahua, has exposed an online media influencer for selling fake ‘anti-cancer’ product to her mother and many other elderly people. Her mother spent their life savings for buying an oral liquid promoted by an influencer named Zhang Qi. As a result, she had to borrow 200,000 yuan for her mother’s cancer surgery. Zhang, hailing from Jiangsu, had gained 1 million followers on Douyin by convincing his audience that his product contained collagen. His audience largely consisted of elderly people with whom he used emotional tricks to convince them for buying his product. When Huahua tested his product, she found no evidence of any anti-cancer ingredients. As a result, Douyin has removed all of his videos from his account. Netizens have heavily criticized his behaviour for endangering lives of innocent elderly people. Some young people shared similar experiences of their mothers buying such products and their inability to convince their parents to not buy such products.

INDIA WATCH

Chinese experts on India's troops withdrawal from Maldives: India has completed its troop withdrawal from the Maldives, a move considered in alignment with international norms. Chinese Experts emphasized that the withdrawal honours the Maldivian people's sentiment and their national security and dignity. These experts dismissed the notion linking the withdrawal to the Maldivian President's alleged "pro-China" stance, attributing such claims to a perception of the Maldives as part of India's sphere of influence rather than an independent nation. India's Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the withdrawal and the dispatch of qualified personnel to the Maldives. This action followed President Mohamed Muizzu's request, fulfilling a campaign promise. Long Xingchun, a professor at Sichuan International Studies University, stresses that India's compliance with the Maldives' request is crucial for upholding its international reputation, as failing to withdraw troops could be seen as aggressive. Despite the withdrawal as being a part of adherence to international law, some Indian and Western media still link it to the Maldivian President's "pro-China" stance. However, President Muizzu has repeatedly emphasized his commitment to the Maldives' interests over any particular nation. Long argues that such perceptions stem from viewing the Maldives solely within India's sphere of influence, disregarding its sovereignty and right to engage with various countries, including China. While India's assistance is appreciated, Chinese analysts call for India to maintain a relationship based on mutual respect and equality, prioritizing fairness over dominance. Long argues that India needs to recognize the Maldives as an independent sovereign state entitled to equal treatment.

Prepared By

Omkar Bhole

Omkar Bhole is a Senior Research Associate at the Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA). He has studied Chinese language up to HSK4 and completed Masters in China Studies from Somaiya University, Mumbai. He has previously worked as a Chinese language instructor in Mumbai and Pune. His research interests are India’s neighbourhood policy, China’s foreign policy in South Asia, economic transformation and current dynamics of Chinese economy and its domestic politics. He was previously associated with the Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) and What China Reads. He has also presented papers at several conferences on China. Omkar is currently working on understanding China’s Digital Yuan initiative and its implications for the South Asian region including India. He can be reached at obhole96@gmail.com and @bhole_omkar on Twitter.