CiCM 29th July 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

China's AI Patents Surge, Outpacing Global Growth Rate: China's artificial intelligence sector is experiencing rapid growth, according to data released by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). By the end of 2023, the number of valid AI-related invention patents in China reached 378,000, marking a year-on-year growth rate of over 40% - 1.4 times higher than the global average. This surge reflects China's strong innovation in the digital economy, with AI patents contributing significantly to the country's technological advancement. The digital economy's core industries, including AI, now account for 10% of China's GDP. Additionally, 155,000 domestic enterprises held digital economy-related invention patents by the end of 2023, an increase of 31,000 from the previous year. The growth extends beyond domestic innovation, with 93 countries and regions holding valid invention patents in China's core digital economy industries. This trend highlights China's increasing prominence in the global AI and digital innovation landscape, as well as its efforts to create a competitive environment for both domestic and foreign enterprises in the tech sector.
Over 3,800 Evacuated After Dike Breach in Central China's Hunan Province: A dike breach at the Juanshui River in Xiangtan, Hunan province, has led to the evacuation of more than 3,800 residents. The incident occurred on Sunday night around 8 pm when river water overtopped the dike, with the breach widening to 77 meters by early Monday morning. The breach was caused by heavy rainfall in the Xiangjiang River region following Typhoon Gaemi, pushing water levels 0.3 meters above the historic highest level. The Xiangjiang River, known as Hunan's "mother river," issued its fourth flood warning of the year on Sunday night. Over 1,200 first responders and 1,000 local officials have been deployed for search and rescue efforts, with four local schools serving as temporary shelters. The National Committee for Disaster Reduction and Relief, along with other government bodies, have dispatched 15,000 pieces of emergency supplies to affected residents. Efforts to seal the breach and evacuate people are ongoing, with no immediate reports of casualties or injuries. The incident highlights the severe weather challenges facing central China and the swift response of local authorities to ensure public safety.
Xi Jinping Meets Italian PM and Timor-Leste President: Chinese President Xi Jinping held separate meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta in Beijing on Monday, emphasizing cooperation and mutual development. In his talks with Meloni, Xi highlighted the historical Silk Road connection between China and Italy, calling for both nations to uphold its spirit of peace, cooperation, and mutual benefit. He urged viewing bilateral relations from a historical and strategic perspective to ensure steady progress, while Meloni described China as an "important interlocutor" in global affairs. Their discussions, aimed at "relaunching" ties after Italy's exit from the Belt and Road Initiative, resulted in a three-year economic cooperation plan. In his meeting with Ramos-Horta, Xi highlighted China's ongoing reforms as opportunities for global economic development and bilateral cooperation. Ramos-Horta expressed admiration for China's poverty elimination efforts and its role in global peace initiatives, including facilitating reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. He reaffirmed Timor-Leste's commitment to the one-China principle and expressed interest in strengthening cooperation in areas such as food security and infrastructure. The talks resulted in the signing of several cooperation agreements, including a Belt and Road cooperation plan with Timor-Leste. These high-level diplomatic engagements underscore China's efforts to strengthen its international relationships and promote its vision of global cooperation amid changing geopolitical dynamics.
China's Olympic Performance Sparks Enthusiasm at Home: Chinese athletes are making significant strides at the Paris 2024 Olympics, with notable achievements across various events. Xie Yu secured gold in the men's 10m air pistol, while Zhang Yufei won bronze in the women's 100m butterfly. The women's archery team claimed silver, and 14-year-old Cui Chenxi finished fourth in the women's street skateboarding final, marking China's best result in the event to date. These performances have ignited Olympic fever in China, with growing interest in sports like archery and skateboarding. The Games have also boosted sales of Olympic-related products, particularly the Paris 2024 mascot "phryge," which has become a bestseller on online platforms. In Hangzhou, a 60-meter-long interactive hall has been set up for fans to show support for Chinese athletes. The combination of "China-chic" and sports is trending among Chinese youth, with some embracing traditional attire like the horse-face skirt for activities such as archery. This surge in enthusiasm reflects China's growing engagement with the Olympic spirit and its athletes' performances.
China and African Countries Boost Digital Cooperation: China and 26 African countries have jointly issued the "China-Africa Action Plan for Digital Cooperation and Development" during the China-Africa Digital Cooperation Forum in Beijing. The plan aims to promote cooperation in six key areas: digital policy, digital infrastructure, digital innovation, digital transformation, digital security and digital capability. Notable initiatives include implementing 10 digital transformation demonstration projects and training at least 1,000 personnel to enhance digital skills. The collaboration spans various sectors, from telecommunications to e-commerce. South African Ambassador Siyabonga Cyprian Cwele highlighted that over 70% of South Africa's telecom infrastructure is supplied by Chinese enterprises. Uganda's ICT Minister Chris Baryomunsi noted significant progress in extending fiber optic lines across the country with Chinese support. The plan emphasizes the importance of digital development in advancing modernization and fostering inclusive growth. It also recognizes the need for international cooperation to bridge the digital divide and ensure widespread access to digital technology benefits. This initiative underscores China's growing role in Africa's digital landscape and the mutual benefits of such partnerships.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Outrage Over Courier's Secret Filming of Women Customers: A food delivery man in China has sparked public fury after secretly filming women customers and posting the videos online with vulgar comments. Using the name "Hello, Food Delivery" on one platform, he attracted nearly 20,000 followers. On another platform, under the alias "A Person Surnamed Huang," he amassed about 1 million followers. Across both accounts, he shared a total of 33 video clips over a four-month period, featuring more than 100 different women.The videos, while pixelating women's faces, were accompanied by lewd comments about their bodies and appearance. After exposure by a whistleblower, both accounts were shut down amid widespread condemnation. The incident has prompted discussions about privacy violations and the safety of delivery services. Many netizens expressed disgust, with one commenting, "How disgusting he is. I don't understand how he can have a million followers." Others worried about the impact on the food delivery industry's reputation. Ele.me, a major food delivery company, stated the courier had quit last year and they've reported him to the police, emphasizing their zero-tolerance policy for such behavior.

INDIA WATCH

China Criticizes Quad Meeting, Views India's Role with Skepticism: Global Times China reported on the recent Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) foreign ministers' meeting in Tokyo, highlighting China's perspective on India's involvement. The Quad, comprising the US, Japan, Australia, and India, is seen by some as a counterweight to China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region. As per the article, Chinese analysts view the Quad as a "relatively loose mechanism for strange bedfellows," suggesting India's participation might conflict with its other diplomatic ties. The report notes that India's close relationship with Russia, evidenced by Prime Minister Modi's recent meeting with Vladimir Putin, could make criticism of Moscow by the Quad "awkward for India." Chinese experts believe the US cannot persuade India to fully align with its stance or break ties with Russia. The article implies that China sees India's position in the Quad as potentially conflicted, given India's independent foreign policy and its relationships with both Russia and the US. This perspective underscores China's skepticism about India's role in the Quad and its implications for regional dynamics.

Prepared By

Vanshika Patel

Vanshika is a recent graduate from Ashoka University with a degree in Economics and a minor in Computer Science. Her interests lie in understanding the global economy and its impact on international communities, policy-making, and the social sector. She is particularly drawn to quantitative analysis and has a keen interest in international economics, aiming to contribute to data-driven decision-making in global economic contexts.