CiCM 30th July 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

CPC Central Committee Meeting Addresses Economic Challenges and Policy Directions for the Second Half of 2024: The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held a meeting on July 30 to analyze the current economic situation, review the "Regulations on Rectifying Formalism to Reduce Burdens on Grassroots Units," and plan economic work for the second half of the year. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting. The meeting highlighted that current external changes are leading to more negative effects, including weak domestic demand, economic divergence, persistent critical risks, and a tough transition to new drivers. The meeting emphasized how heavy the challenges of stability, progress, and change will be in the second half of the year. They have to fully put into practice the decisions made at the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee and the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The meeting stressed that efforts should be made to safeguard and improve people's livelihood. Employment priority policies should be strengthened to ensure employment for college graduates. The meeting also emphasized finding and rectifying outstanding problems that are strongly reflected by party members and cadres, especially grassroots people.
China's Mid-Year Achievements in Logistics and Ecological Governance: The China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing on July 30 announced China’s achievements in logistics and ecological governance in the first half of the year. The total logistics volume of industrial products in the first half of the year increased by 5.8% every year. “News Broadcast” reported that China’s ‘three new’ economic added value will exceed 20 trillion yuan in 2023. There is an increase in logistics demand in the renewable resources sector. The total logistics volume of renewable resources in the first half of the year had increased by 11.1% every year. The treatment rate of rural domestic sewage exceeded 45% in the first half of this year as reported by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. Over 80% of scheduled activities were completed by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, focusing on treating black and smelly rural water bodies which included over 4,000 water bodies with sizable areas. 2785 low-floor, low-entry urban public buses and trams were updated along with 300 more public bus and tram routes nationwide to promote respect for elderly citizens. The total social logistics cost in the first half of the year was reported to be 8.8 trillion yuan, a decrease of 0.3 percentage points in GDP from the first half of last year.
Completion of the Taikang Tunnel Marks Significant Milestone in Xi'an-Yan'an High-Speed Railway: The Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway is an important part of the Baotou-Yinchuan-Haikou corridor of the "eight vertical and eight horizontal'' high-speed railway network. The Xi'an-Yan'an High-speed Railway's extra-long Taikang Tunnel was successfully finished on July 30 following the conclusion of the final cycle of blasting operations, signifying significant advancements in the building project. The tunnel is 13,595.31 meters long, with a maximum buried depth of 230 meters and a minimum buried depth of 30 meters. Taikang Tunnel which is located in Huangling County, Shaanxi Province is one of the key and difficult projects of the entire Xi'an-Yanzhou High-speed Railway. The tunnel body goes twice via the Daonan Tunnel of the Baomao Motorway in addition to passing through the Yu Ni River and Liandagou, two sizable gullies. The long section is situated in coal-bearing, characteristically swelling strata, and swelling rock, all of which provide significant dangers and are challenging to design and build. Based on the expansion characteristic parameters of the surrounding rock of the tunnel body which was technically researched by the technical team of China Railway First Survey and Design Institute Group Co., Ltd. A thorough analysis was conducted to ensure that the construction quality was safe and controllable, and variables such as advanced drilling technology, blasting, and radial grouting were continuously refined.
Xi Jinping sends congratulatory message to Maduro on his re-election as Venezuelan president, Emphasizes Strengthening China-Venezuela Partnership: On July 30, President Xi Jinping congratulated Nicolás Maduro Moros on his re-election as President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The official results of the vote were promptly rejected by the country's opposition and key regional nations. China and Venezuela retain good friendship and are trustable and good partners for common development. Xi Jinping highlighted that since taking office, the President of Venezuela has led the Venezuelan people and government along a development path tailored to the country's unique circumstances, achieving notable progress in nation-building. President Xi Jinping expressed his strong commitment to China-Venezuela relations and his eagerness to elevate the all-weather strategic partnership between the two nations. He looks forward to collaborating with the President of Venezuela to further benefit the people of both countries Xi Jinping also mentioned that China will always support the efforts of the Venezuelan government to retain national dignity, safeguard national sovereignty and social stability, and ensure support for Venezuela’s just cause of opposing external interference.
China Introduces 144-Hour Visa-Free Policy for Foreign Tourist Groups from Hong Kong and Macao Visiting Hainan: The National Immigration Administration raised an announcement to implement a 144-hour visa-free policy for foreign tourist groups from Hong Kong and Macao entering Hainan. Citizens of countries that have established diplomatic relations with China and visit Hong Kong and Macao can now enter Hianin for Tourism in groups (2 or more) if they have ordinary passports through a legally registered travel agency in Hong Kong and Macao without a visa and stay for no more than 144 hours only if they fulfil the requirements of the mutual visa exemption agreement signed with China or other visa exemption policies of the Chinese government, they can follow their regulations. According to relevant officials from the National Immigration Administration, this is to further support Hainan's comprehensive deepening of high-level opening up and serve and safeguard the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port. It was pointed out that this implementation of a 144-hour visa-free policy can further enhance Hainan's influence as an international resort. Vice President of Ctrip Group, Qin Jing stated that this policy will benefit by creating more jobs, fostering deeper cross-cultural exchanges, and establishing itself as a top travel and vacation destination. Among the foreign tourists who came to Hainan this year, hotel and ticket orders from Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, Russia, Vietnam, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines have been ranked first.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Controversy Erupts at Ani-com and Games Hong Kong 2024 Over Nazi-Themed Cosplay and Inappropriate Salutes: An online video shows Channel C which is an online platform in Hong Kong host joining cosplayers while making the salute at Ani-com and Games Hong Kong 2024. At Hong Kong’s biggest annual anime and games event, Many cosplayers were dressed as Adolf Hitler and German soldiers were making salutes near a live-streaming host. The host was seen interviewing these people dressed as Hitler and nazi soldiers which created outrage in social media. Social media users slammed the channel as well as the host and cosplayers for their lack of sensitivity. Comments included statements like, “World War II resulted in the deaths of 70 million people. This hand gesture represents crimes against humanity,” and criticisms of cosplayers for not recognizing the severity of the Holocaust. Other comments questioned why Hong Kong’s Ani-com and Games allowed people to cosplay as Nazi German soldiers. In response, Channel C removed the footage and issued an apology, calling the gesture by one of its employees “inappropriate” and emphasizing the gravity of the issue. They promptly removed the replay of the segment from the live stream and clarified, “We neither intended to promote or glorify historical atrocities nor did we mean to joke about the matters.”

INDIA WATCH

Major Landslide in Kerala's Wayanad Claims 120 Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts: Numerous news outlets, including Xinmin News and Xinhua, have reported a large-scale landslide in the Wayanad area of Kerala, India, occurring early in the morning on July 30. The death toll, which has been frequently updated, has now risen to 120 according to the latest report from Xinmin. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced on social media that a rescue team comprising personnel from the Indian National Disaster Response Force, Navy, Fire Department, and other agencies has been dispatched to the scene to conduct rescue operations. Heavy rainfall has caused extensive damage in the affected areas, washing away many roads and significantly hampering rescue efforts. Despite facing challenging conditions, emergency teams are striving to reach isolated communities and provide essential support. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences to the victims on social media, stating that "the central government will do everything possible to assist."

Prepared By

Pavithra SR

I am a third-year undergraduate majoring in International Relations at Shiv Nadar Institute of Eminence, Greater Noida specializing in gender, security, and digitalization. My interests include policy making and South Asian studies, with a particular focus on international migration, subaltern communities, and democratic studies. I am keen to conduct policy research in these areas in the future.