CiCM 16th August 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Ministry of State Security Warns Against Overseas Espionage via Professional Networking Apps: China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) cautioned the public against overseas intelligence agencies recruiting people through professional networking apps for espionage activities. Unlike traditional social networking apps, users on professional networking apps can create user profiles using their real credentials such as name, contact details, and work experience. Based on this information, professional networking apps create communities with users’ networks of colleagues, classmates, and fellow industry workers. This makes it easier for espionage agencies to reach industry professionals and infiltrate such communities to recruit people from relevant industries such as science and energy. According to the MSS, these agencies target important sectors via professionals and can acquire classified information under the impression of “discussing industry policies”, “scientific research”, or “consulting on projects”. Additionally, the MSS warned that agencies use tactics such as industry discussions, benefits and emotional manipulation to elicit classified information from users. They asked users of professional networking websites to remain alert, protect themselves from such tactics, and not disclose information as it threatens national security. Furthermore, the Counter-espionage Law states that it is the responsibility of state organs, people’s organisations, enterprises, public institutions and other social organisations to undertake efforts to develop measures to counter espionage, inform their personnel of such matters, and implement efforts to stop espionage activities.
China-Cambodia to Deepen Partnership by Enhancing Cooperation in Industries, Trade and Investments: Ma Xingrui, the Party chief of Xinjiang, and Deputy Party Secretary Erkin Tuniyaz met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni in Urumqi. Both sides expressed their hope to deepen cooperation and exchanges at all levels, including in the field of industries, trade, and investment. Ma stated that Cambodia and China’s friendship has persisted through generations of leaders and has remained strong. He said that under the present leaders of the countries, this relationship will continue to grow and will bring in a shared future of deepened cooperation. He hoped to enhance cooperation between the Xinjiang region and Cambodia on the fronts of industries, trade, investment and other areas. Additionally, he noted the Cambodia-China People-to-People Exchange Year 2024 as a platform to increase mutually beneficial cooperation. King Sihamoni emphasised Cambodia’s wish to deepen the brotherly bond with China and to enhance cooperation with the Xinjiang region given its economic achievements. He expressed his hope to increase their cooperation through the strategic partnership and strengthen cultural ties.
China to Focus on Urban Renewal Instead of Urban Expansion: Data from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development revealed that China has invested 2.6 trillion yuan (US$364.58 billion) in 66,000 urban infrastructure renovation projects. This points to a significant shift in China’s urban development plans from urban expansion to urban renewal. Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureaus in 17 cities of Hubei have been rebranded as Housing and Urban Renewal Bureaus. Specialised urban renewal agencies have been set up in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Jinan. The role of these agencies and bureaus is to focus on the adjustment of housing supply structures and urban renewal as opposed to their previous role of sanctioning construction projects and supervising the real estate market. The public demand has shifted to better quality housing from expanding quantity which warrants the implementation of renovation and renewal programs within pre-existing urban areas instead of extensive demolition and construction. Urban renewal pilot projects in certain cities are financially supported by the central government and urban renewal groups across China have undertaken multiple projects such as the improvement of 15,000 constructions in healthcare, education, sports and culture. Liu Hongyu, a real estate and construction professor at Tsinghua University, said that the objective of this shift is to enhance existing land and housing. He suggested upgrading laws and policies to ensure lawful urban renewal and emphasised the need for the development to be efficient, fair, and effective.
Examination Measures Tightened to Prevent Monkeypox Outbreak: On Friday, the General Administration of Customs said that examination measures for inbound passengers with high risk of carrying monkeypox will be stricter due to the World Health Organisation's declaration of the monkeypox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern. Passengers from countries or regions affected by monkeypox and experiencing symptoms of monkeypox have been instructed to inform customs officials upon arrival in China. According to the administration, these measures will be implemented instantly and will continue for six months. These regulations will apply to countries listed by the WHO for monkeypox outbreaks. Additionally, vehicles, containers, goods and other items from identified countries contaminated by the disease will undergo sanitation measures. The spread of monkeypox in African countries was given the WHO’s highest alert- a public health emergency of international concern. The global emergency was declared in July 2022 after which it was lifted due to a fall in international cases of monkeypox. China has categorised monkeypox as a Class B infectious disease, which is the same class as COVID-19 and AIDS. China’s first domestic case was reported in June 2023, and its first imported case in September 2022.
China to Promote Fair Competition for Market Players to Enhance Market Regulation Sector: An official from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), Zhou Zhigao, announced that China has advanced in levelling opportunities and creating fair competition for all market players to enhance the robust development of China’s market regulation sector. He said the SAMR has made significant progress in executing antitrust measures, tightening supervision and law enforcement in sectors relevant to citizens’ livelihoods like medicine, building materials, automobiles and public utilities. He said that regular antitrust measures in the digital economy have been bolstered. Additionally, SAMR has been enhancing the implementation of national standards in this matter and has been setting up a multi-governance pattern through which enterprises can comply with regulations, government can provide guidance, and society can offer broad support. At the press conference, the vice head of SAMR, Pu Chun, said that the number of registered individual businesses reached 125 million until June. This number accounts for 66.9 percent of business entities in China. He said that businesses have played an important role in providing employment, aiding development and enhancing livelihoods. SAMR’s next steps include developing and standardising the registration of individual businesses.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Pan Zhanle Dissolves Official Fan Group on Weibo, Garners 250 million Views: Pan Zhanle’s popularity has catapulted after becoming the world record holder in 100m freestyle at the Olympics. His increasing popularity was pushed even higher after he spoke against “fandom culture”. His two gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics made him a national sensation and straightforward interactions with the media increased his popularity even more. His followers on Douyin, a Chinese social media platform, went up by 1 million within a few days after the competition. However, his massive popularity has also led to a toxic fandom culture. He expressed his discomfort with this in an interview where he spoke about the fickle nature of fans and said that he preferred to keep a low profile. On August 12, he dissolved his official fan group on Weibo, and this move trended on social media and garnered over 250 million views. Netizens commended his move to delete his fan club and praised him for having clarity. They strongly supported his move and wrote about how he would achieve greater things in sports due to his talent and determination. Social media users also agreed with his comment on how fickle fans are.

INDIA WATCH

Indian Election Commission Announces Local Elections in Kashmir: The South China Morning Post, a Hong-Kong-based news agency, reported on India’s electoral commission’s announcement about local elections in India-administered Jammu and Kashmir. The article stated that elections were stopped after India implemented direct rule over the region. The elections are set to be held in three stages and 8.7 million people will be eligible to vote. The article states that some see the polls as a significant step towards allowing the region to choose their leader, however, the article states that critics have said that the voted assembly’s powers will be nominal and in areas of education and culture. The article also states that hardline separatists claims that this move is a way to legitimise India’s control over the region. The article quotes the People’s Democratic Party, a Kashmiri party, who termed this move “too little, too late”.

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.