CiCM 1st August 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Simplifying Travel for Foreigners through BEIJING PASS: The ‘BEIJING PASS’ for foreign tourists was launched for the very first time. This is believed to facilitate in-bound tourism for foreigners with just a card allowing them to have a better time. Foreign visitors to Beijing can currently buy cards at 15 major transportation hubs, such as Beijing Capital International Airport, Beijing Daxing International Airport, Beijing Railway Station, and Beijing South Railway Station, or apply for fee refunds with proper documentation. The ‘BEIJING PASS’ is said to become “one card for all” for foreigners visiting Beijing. The "BEIJING PASS" connects the three major payment scenarios of Beijing's transportation, scenic spot ticket purchases, and supermarket shopping. This card allows foreigners to travel around Beijing at any time. Visitors would also be able to recharge their cards through manual service windows or designated self-services at 490 metro stations on 27 Bejing metro lines. Visitors can recharge their cards online through the “SilkPass” App and replenish their balance at any time. They can even use public transportation in over 300 cities, including popular Chinese tourist destinations like Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Nanjing. Furthermore, the "BEIJING PASS" allows card payments at 20 approved supermarkets in Beijing as well as the purchase of tickets for admission to 30 popular tourist destinations in Beijing. The “BEIJING PASS" will also be launching traditional folding fan cards, intangible cultural heritage button cards, etc. in the future.
The "Guiding Opinions on Improving the Long-term Mechanism for Basic Medical Insurance Participation" issued by the General Office of the State Council: The “Guiding Opinions on improving the Long-term mechanism for Basic Medical Insurance participation” issued by the General Office of the State Council was announced on August 1. The opinions incentives for participation. For individuals who have been enrolled in resident medical insurance for four consecutive years, the maximum coverage limit for serious illness insurance increases by at least 1,000 yuan for each additional year of participation starting from the fifth year. Additionally, there are incentives for not claiming reimbursement from the fund. If an insured person does not use the medical insurance fund within a year, their maximum coverage limit for serious illness insurance will increase by at least 1,000 yuan in the following year. Immediate family members will now be eligible for mutual aid in employee medical insurance personal accounts, and the mutual assistance area will progressively grow. The opinions emphasized the need to relax household registration restrictions on insurance participation and promote the participation of primary and secondary school students along with preschool children with non-local household registration in insurance in their permanent place of residence. The opinions clarified that the waiting period for variable benefits for insured persons who have paid premiums during the non-centralized collection period and for those who re-insured can be repaired through payment to protect the interests of all insured persons.
The comprehensive quality of the Air Force's recruitment targets: It was reported by the Air Force Recruitment Bureau on August 1 that the Air Force recruitment targets will further focus on outstanding students. Multiple Y-20s will be used for two consecutive days to transport new flight trainees to the Air Force Aviation University to report from today. The enthusiasm among young people for the Air Force recruitment in 2024 is higher and the distribution of students is balanced across the country. The college entrance examination scores of young aviation school graduates have also been increased with students scoring above 600 has increased by 7% every year. It has been reported that to instill a strong sense of honor in the newly admitted flight cadets, the Air Force deployed multiple Y-20 aircraft to transport them to the Air Force Aviation University. The cadets departed from six different locations: Shenyang, Shijiazhuang, Jinan, Nanjing, Changsha, and Chengdu. 96% of the flight potential assessments have reached extraordinary levels and basic physical fitness and athletic ability have been significantly improved. There is a continuous improvement in the accuracy and scientificity of the recruitment process. Air Force has focused on selecting first-class flight talents by expanding the scale of joint military and civilian training of “dual-enrollment” flight cadets.
The 11th National Council Meeting of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries: The 11th National Council Meeting of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries began in Beijing on August 1. Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Central Foreign Affairs Office delivered a speech. Wang Yi noted that the China Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries was founded 70 years ago this year, and our Party has always placed a high value on the advancement of people-to-people diplomacy. As they enter a new era, the Party Central Committee, led by Comrade Xi Jinping, stands at the strategic apex of the Party's overall situation and the nation's foreign work, leading and promoting new achievements and significant changes in people-to-people diplomacy against the backdrop of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese people and the great changes in the world that have not been seen in a century. Wang Yi stressed that the China Association of Friendship with Foreign Countries should adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping’s diplomacy and implement the spirit of the Central Foreign Affairs Work Conference and the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. It was also stressed to give full play to the role of people-to-people diplomacy as the primary channel, and actively carry out multi-level and wide-ranging people-to-people friendly exchanges with foreign countries.
Li Jiping, a former member of the Party Committee and vice president of the China Development Bank, was expelled from the party: Li Jiping, a former member of the Party Committee and Vice President of the China Development Bank was expelled from the party for serious violations of discipline and law. An investigation was opened by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission after the approval of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China into the serious violations of discipline by Li Jinping. It was found in the investigation that Li Jiping had accepted large amounts of gifts and money, had illegally owned shares in non-listed companies, had engaged in money and sex transactions, lost his ideals and beliefs, and engaged in superstitious activities. He had also violated the spirit of the Central Committee's eight regulations and accepted banquets in violation of those regulations. Finally, he alienated the public power granted by the Party and the people by violating the regulations and using his position to profit from loan financing, business operations, etc. According to the relevant provisions of the "Regulations on Disciplinary Actions of the Communist Party of China", "Supervision Law of the People's Republic of China", "Administrative Punishment Law of the People's Republic of China for Public Officials" and other relevant regulations, the Standing Committee of the Central Commission conducted research for Discipline Inspection and approval by the CPC Central Committee, the decision was made to expel Li Jiping from the party; cancel the benefits he enjoyed according to regulations and confiscate his illegal gains.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Chinese Fans Criticize 'Arrogant Westerners': The 19-year-old world record holder in men’s 100m freestyle was called ‘impossible’ by the Australian Swimming Commentator which led to outrage among Chinese social media users as they felt it was ‘disrespectful’. Pan Zhale claimed gold in Paris by shattering his own world record in 46.40 seconds, faster than his previous best of 46.80 seconds. Social media users in China commented “arrogant Westerners” and “so satisfying to see their superiority complex smashed”. The swimmer has also highlighted the poor treatment that he felt by Australia’s Kyle Chambers and US’s Jack Alexey. Zhale said that these swimmers would splash water on them with their flips even when the Chinese team coach was beside which was disrespectful. Tensions between China and the US have escalated following criticism from the US Anti-Doping Association towards the World Anti-Doping Association for permitting 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for banned substances to compete in the Tokyo Olympics. In response, China's anti-doping agency has accused The New York Times of politicizing the issue and attempting to undermine the mental state and competitive abilities of Chinese athletes. Social media reactions in China reflect a sentiment that respect from Western countries is often conditional and based on competition and superiority.

INDIA WATCH

The 30th round of talks on border dispute: The South China Morning Post reported that China and India agreed to speed up negotiations at the 30th round of talks on border disputes that was held on Wednesday and the Chinese foreign ministry gave its statement after midnight on Thursday. Both countries have decided to maintain peace and tranquillity in border areas as stand-offs along part of their Himalayan frontier enter their fourth year. They had also agreed to “maintain communication through diplomatic and military channels, strengthen the construction of negotiation mechanisms, accelerate the negotiation process, turn the page on the border situation at an early date, and promote the healthy and stable development of China-India relations,”. The Chinese foreign ministry said that both sides had agreed to focus on specific issues related to the China-India border and accommodate each other’s legitimate concerns and reach a mutually acceptable solution. The reports also say, India’s external affairs ministry that the current situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was reviewed by both the sides, “with a view to finding an early solution of the outstanding issues”.

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.