CiCM 10th-11th August 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Chinese PLA Drives Away Philippines Aircraft from Chinese Air Space: According to a statement released by the Southern Theatre Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on Saturday, a Philippine aircraft was cautioned off professionally and in a manner that aligned with the law from Chinese airspace. The NC-212 Philippine aircraft illegally entered China’s airspace over Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. The report said that despite multiple warnings from the Chinese Command, the aircraft continued to fly in China’s airspace illegally and impede their training activities. The Command stationed maritime and ariel forces to warn, verify, monitor, track, identify and drive away the aircraft. The Command’s statement comes amid the Philippines’ characterisation of China’s aerial actions against their aircraft as “a dangerous maneuver”, and “lawful flight operations violating international law on aviation safety”. Additionally, the Philippine military also stated that China dropped flares in the path of the aircraft as it conducted a routine patrol. The Southern Theatre Command stated that the Huangyan Dao area is an uncontested part of China over which it maintains sovereignty. They said their forces are on high alert and will continue to protect China’s sovereignty and security. Furthermore, they asked the Philippines to cease its instigations and exaggerations.
COVID-19 Cases Rise in July: Recently, Chinese social media platforms have been flooded with posts related to reinfections of COVID-19. Experts have said that while there is a rise in positive cases in July, the rise falls within normal fluctuations and will not stress the healthcare system. A total of 7,042 cases belonging to the Omicron variant were reported in July. The Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) indicated a rise of 767 cases from June. The World Health Organisation (WHO) released a warning against the global increase in COVID-19 cases and said that the surge is likely to continue. The China CDC data indicated that the number of fever cases fell to 92,000 from 125,000 between July 1 to July 31, with a significant decline in flu-like cases in hospitals across China in July. A report released by Huashan Hospital of Fudan University on their WeChat account said that in the majority of the under 14 years old cases, mycoplasma pneumoniae is the most common pathogen, with coronavirus following it. However, coronavirus is the most common in cases above 14 years. Zhang Wenhong, a renowned infectious disease expert, assured the public that the rise in cases represents global fluctuation patterns and shifting human immunity. The head of the Third People’s Hospital, Lu Hongzhou, said that 20% of patients present symptoms, and 10% require hospitalisation. Lu said that the rise can be attributed to larger gatherings of people, virus mutations, indoor environments and lax prevention methods. He said that while vaccination for COVID-19 can reduce the risk of severity and death and increase immunity, the risk of small-scale outbreaks continues.
Chinese Diplomat Talks to Iranian Acting Foreign Minister about Gaza Situation: On Sunday, China’s senior diplomat, Wang Yi, and Iranian acting Foreign Minister, Ali Bagheri, had a telephone conversation about the assassination of Hamas chief, Ismail Haniyeh. During the conversation, Wang said that the assassination “seriously violates” the laws that govern international relations and could adversely affect the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza. Haniyeh was assassinated on 31^st July wile attending the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian. Wang emphasised on how this act was strongly condemned by China. He recommended that the international community must urge all related parties to initiate the required Security Council resolutions and to encourage the implementation of an extensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. On the Iranian side, Bagheri acknowledged China’s neutral stance and said that he wishes for greater involvement from China in mediating stability in the Middle East. Furthermore, Wang spoke about broadening and strengthening cooperation with Iran across the board and said that China will show its support for the new Iranian government and their own interests.
The Housing Rental Industry Will Promote Real Estate Market: The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) stated on Saturday that China’s housing rental industry is expected to experience a catapulted demand and stable supply. This is a “crucial direction” for China’s real estate market’s new development model in the future. The central bank said that China’s scale of existing housing is substantial despite the fluctuations in the supply and demand of the real estate market. The demand in the market for rental needs is expected to go beyond 200 million as per the PBOC. This increase is expected to come from recent graduates entering the workforce and low-income individuals. The supply side has seen a recovery in the rent-to-sale ratio and a fall in financing and operational prices, increasing the commercial sustainability of the housing rental industry. Due to this, the number of housing rental enterprises has increased and their robust operations can positively enhance the rental housing services. The PBOC said that financial support for government-subsidized housing will be increased through a re-lending facility. China’s financial institutions released 24.7 billion yuan (3.46 million U.S. dollars) in rental housing loans and the balance of government-subsidised housing re-lending facility reached 12.1 billion yuan as of the end of June. The central bank plans to increase financial support and social capital investment. Furthermore, they said that the de-stocking of commercial housing and promotion of the transformation and development of China’s real estate industry by building a sustainable business model.
Transnational Tourist Attraction Located between China and Vietnam Malfunctions: On Saturday afternoon Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region’s tourist spot Detian Waterfall Scenic Area malfunctioned. Termed a “Magic Carpet” project, one tourist died and 60 people were injured. The emergency response was swift, with Daxin County deploying a comprehensive team that included officers from the emergency management bureau, tourism department, fire department, and medical staff. Their immediate focus was on providing aid to the injured and investigating the cause of the malfunction. In light of the incident, the Detian Waterfall Scenic Area has temporarily suspended operations. This tragic event underscores the critical importance of safety measures in high-traffic tourist destinations, especially those of significant transnational importance. The ongoing investigation aims to determine the root cause of the malfunction and prevent future occurrences, ensuring that such iconic attractions can be enjoyed safely by visitors from both China and Vietnam.
Xiaomi’s Third Rank in Japanese Smartphone Market Points to Further Involvement of Chinese Automative Brands: Xiaomi, China’s smartphone company, has become Japan’s third largest smartphone vendor. The smartphone market is known for tough competition, and experts pointed out that this signified the increasing competitiveness of Chinese products. As the third largest vendor, Xiaomi accounts for 6% of the market in Q2 and its shipments increased by 359% annually. Apple constitutes 56% and Google accounts for 12% of the market; Xiaomi overtook Sharp as its shipments decreased 27% annually during the second quarter. Samsung took up the fifth rank. Additionally, Japan is known for steep competition among foreign brands due to varying consumer habits, local apps, strong local brands, and a powerful presence of made-in-Japan pride. Xiaomi’s market share in Japan is surprising given the challenges. A senior industry expert, Ma Jihua, said that this trend represents the rising influence of Chinese products in the Japanese market. Ma predicted that this trend may occur in Chinese owned automotive brands soon. Furthermore, Canalys’ research puts Xiaomi as the third largest smartphone vendor globally, taking up 15% of the market in Q2 of 2024. Samsung holds the first rank, and Apple holds the second.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Chinese Law Graduate Stealing Money from Buddhist Temples Stirs Social Media Users: A recent incident involving a top Chinese law graduate stealing donation money from Buddhist temples has ignited widespread outrage on Chinese social media. The individual, who graduated from a prestigious university, manipulated QR codes at several temples in Sichuan, Chongqing, and Shaanxi, diverting over 30,000 yuan (approximately US$4,200) into his own account. The case came to light when Shaanxi police released surveillance footage showing the suspect at Famen Temple in Baoji City. In the footage, the man is seen replacing the temple's QR code with his own while mingling with tourists. After being apprehended, he confessed to his crime, and the police have since returned the stolen funds to the affected temples. The story has become a major topic of discussion on Douyin, a leading Chinese social media platform. The case has amassed nearly 6.1 million views, with users expressing strong disapproval of the graduate's actions. Many commentators highlighted their disbelief that someone studying law would engage in such criminal behavior. The incident sparked a wave of criticism and memes, with some users humorously suggesting that surveillance cameras might be more effective than deities in preventing crime, reflecting a blend of traditional values and modern concerns about security. This reaction highlighted a growing trend in Chinese social media where sensational and morally charged stories quickly capture public attention and provoke extensive commentary.

INDIA WATCH

Indian External Affairs Minister Seeks to Strengthen Ties with Maldives Amid Regional Tensions: Global Times, a Chinese news agency, reported that India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on Saturday, marking the first high-level meeting between the two countries since Muizzu took office. This meeting highlights India’s commitment to prioritizing its collaboration with the Maldives. According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), the discussions come at a time when India-Maldives relations have been strained, particularly following Muizzu’s request for the withdrawal of Indian forces from three aviation platforms gifted by India. The Global Times also noted that Indian media have highlighted China’s growing military ties with the Maldives, which could be contributing to India's apprehensions. In an interview with Long Xingchuan, a professor of International Studies, the Global Times conveyed that China’s engagement with Indian Ocean nations, including the Maldives, is typical. Long suggested that India might view these relations with concern due to its competitive stance with China. He emphasized that countries have the sovereign right to form relations with any nation of their choice. The article concluded that the recent efforts to repair India-Maldives relations reflect both countries' desire to enhance their long-standing ties, particularly in the tourism sector, where Indian tourists play a significant role.

Prepared By

Sanjana Shah

Sanjana Shah is a graduate in International Studies with a minor in Journalism from FLAME University, Pune. Her interests lie in exploring the nuances and intricacies of geopolitics and understanding the complexities that arise from the socio-political-economic nexus. She is deeply interested in history, defence and security studies, and humanitarian studies.