CiCM June 26th 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

President Xi Jinping Discusses Bilateral Ties with Vietnamese Prime Minister: Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on June 26th, during Chinh's visit to China for the 15th Annual Meeting of the New Champions. Bilateral trade between China and Vietnam surpassed $229.7 billion last year, solidifying China as Vietnam’s largest trading partner. Xi spoke highly of the China-Vietnam bilateral relationship, mentioning China’s view of Vietnam as a priority in diplomacy and attested willingness to work to strengthen bilateral ties for mutual benefit. Xi called for border provinces to enhance exchange platforms and strengthen the foundation for a China-Vietnam community, a goal previously announced during his visit to Vietnam in 2023. In addition to implementing and supporting friendly exchange through various platforms, Xi also notes that both sides should handle maritime issues in the South China Sea appropriately and maintain regional stability
Vice-Foreign Minister of China Opens Collaborative Event on China-Islam Cooperation: The 5th International Congress on “China and the Islamic World: Cultural Encounters and Mutual Learning” commenced its two-day program in Beijing on June 25th. The event focuses on the historical interconnections between China and the Islamic world. Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun opened the congress with a speech, thanking the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Research Center for Islamic History, Art, and Culture on behalf of the Chinese government for creating a platform for dialogue between Chinese and Islamic civilizations. In his speech, Zhai highlighted the ancient history linking China to the Islamic world, noting the various travelers and navigators who connected the two regions. He praised the longstanding peaceful coexistence and strong mutual allyship between the two civilizations. Zhai also expressed appreciation for the cultural diversity within China, attributed to its various ethnic groups and the policy of freedom of religious belief. The aim of the congress is to discuss the need to strengthen bonds and work towards mutual development, with a focus on solidarity and cooperation for the future. The event is facilitated by key scholars specializing in the research of Islam and China.
China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) Highlights Advances in Intellectual Property Talent Development: The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) held a live press conference to discuss progress in personnel development following several strategic policy changes since 2021. Zhang Zhicheng, the Director of the Personnel Department of the CNIPA, highlighted the issuance of the "14th Five-Year Plan for Intellectual Property Talent" by the CPC Central Committee and State Council. This plan calls for improvements in training mechanisms and other incentives to strengthen the workforce in intellectual property protection and public services. According to the CNIPA, the number of professionals in the field is expected to reach 860,000 between the end of 2023 and mid-2024. There has been a notable increase in administrative management and law enforcement talents, as well as a significant rise in patent managers to enhance intellectual property protection. Zhang stated that over 250 training courses were conducted in line with the five-year plan's goals, with several held online to improve accessibility. He also affirmed the CNIPA's support for the newly established master's degree in intellectual property. The surge in intellectual property specialists and managers is anticipated to drive economic growth through effective protection in fields such as artificial intelligence.
Hong Kong Stock Decline Raises Concerns for Property Development Sector: Hong Kong stocks have declined, raising concerns over China's economic performance and potentially rendering several property developers ineligible for the Stock Connect program, which provides mainland investors access to their stocks. This decline indicates a setback in economic recovery, with all but five stocks experiencing a drop in value. Major brands such as Hong Kong’s Xiaomi and Nongfu Spring saw significant declines, mirroring a similar trend in other Asian markets, including Japan and South Korea. Property developers who were previously eligible for the Stock Connect program are at risk of being dropped as their market capitalization has fallen below the required threshold. Companies face expulsion if their month-end market value remains below the threshold for 12 consecutive months, compounding their existing financial challenges.
New Regulations Issued for Hainan Free Trade Port: The Hainan Provincial government recently issued provisions on the Development of International Commercial Arbitration at the Hainan Free Trade Port, which was adopted at the 11th meeting of the standing committee of the People’s Congress of Hainan. Set to be officially implemented on July 1st, 2024, the regulations aim to improve international commercial arbitration, credibility, dispute resolution and advance the construction of a commercial arbitration centre at the Hainan Free Trade Poet which overlooks the Pacific and Indian oceans. The regulations stipulated that commercial disputes between Hainan Free Trade Port enterprises and those registered elsewhere can be temporarily arbitrated at the port to resolve issues efficiently in compliance to international standards and China’s existing arbitration laws. The trade port was a project approved by the Communist Party of China (CPC) and aims to establish a new economic system at the forefront of international trade due to its regional advantages and resources.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Elderly Chinese Woman Mistaking Hand Grenade for a Hammer Trends on Chinese Social Media: In China's Hubei province, an elderly woman reportedly used a hand grenade as a hammer for two decades until workers demolishing her home discovered its true nature. A video of her explaining how she used it for everyday tasks like crushing spices and hammering nails went viral on Chinese social media, sparking shock among netizens that the grenade hadn't exploded. Responding swiftly, the Huangbao police station dispatched officers and bomb disposal experts to safely confiscate the item. They noted structural damage to the home from repeated hammering and found the grenade's fuse exposed. In response to the incident, authorities took proactive steps to address the potential dangers posed by similar discoveries. The Huangbao police station promptly organized a safety session for villagers, aiming to educate them on identifying hazardous objects, particularly those found in local fields like the grenade in question. This initiative underscored the importance of public awareness and safety measures in handling unexpected finds, ensuring community well-being and prevention of potential accidents. The incident prompted widespread discussion and amusement on social media, with users marveling at the woman's fortune and the unusual circumstances.

INDIA WATCH

Chinese Media Reports Rahul Gandhi’s Appointment as Leader of Opposition: China’s digital newspaper, The Paper has reported on Rahul Gandhi’s commitment to lead the opposition in the 18th Indian Lok Sabha. The post has been vacant for the past 10 years as the congress has failed to meet the requirements to appoint a leader, and the article states that Gandhi's position is a sign of the Indian National Congress’ revival. The article emphasizes Rahul Gandhi’s hesitance on the matter as he is cited as being unsure about becoming the leader following the Congress Working Committees decision. The article dedicates a section to discussing Rahul Gandhi’s character, personal life and events in his political career that shaped India’s perspective of him. His dedication to Congress as well as his familial ties to the party are a key point as the article refers to him as the heir of the Nehru-Gandhi family, cementing his position in a line of successful politicians. His pledge to provide justice to women, youth, farmers and workers are particularly praised. The article’s final section objectively discusses the question of whether Gandhi’s efforts are combating Congress’ decline; the article cites political analysts, media editors and researchers to portray the various perspectives and complexities of the Indian political sphere. While the article maintains a neutral stance, the evidence chosen points to a view of Congress as strengthening its power, and it concludes that the unity of the INDIA alliance lies in Gandhi’s hands.

Prepared By

Aditi Dash

Aditi Dash is an undergraduate student of Literary and Cultural Studies at FLAME University. Her interests span the academic study of literature and art history, as well as anthropological concepts of culture and social behaviour.