CiCM 17 & 18th August 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Shanghai Chip Maker AMEC Sues US Defense Department Over Military Company Label: Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment Inc (AMEC), a Shanghai-based semiconductor company, has filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Defense (DOD) for labeling it a "Chinese military company". The lawsuit, filed in a US court, challenges AMEC's inclusion on the DOD's "1260H List", which restricts Chinese companies' access to certain US defense contracts. AMEC claims the decision is erroneous, lacks legal basis, and has seriously damaged its reputation. The company denies any involvement in military-related activities and asserts it strictly follows laws in both China and abroad. This isn't AMEC's first encounter with such listings; in 2021, it was briefly included on a similar list but was removed after providing contrary evidence. AMEC's Chairman, Yin Zhiyao, expressed shock at the decision and hopes for a fair court ruling. The case highlights ongoing US-China tensions in the tech sector, with other Chinese companies like Xiaomi and Hesai Technology facing similar challenges. Despite these hurdles, AMEC reported strong Q1 2024 financial performance, with sales revenue up 31.23% year-on-year. The lawsuit underscores the complex landscape Chinese tech firms navigate amid geopolitical tensions.
Mainland Condemns DPP for Distorting Anti-Separatist Measures: A Chinese mainland spokesperson has strongly criticized Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for misrepresenting the mainland's actions against separatists. Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, accused the DPP of deliberately confusing the vast majority of Taiwan compatriots with a small number of "Taiwan independence" separatists. She said the DPP intentionally blurred the lines between espionage activities and normal scross-strait- exchanges, aiming to deceive and intimidate Taiwanese people while concealing their separatist agenda. Zhu emphasized that "Taiwan independence" poses the greatest threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, risking military conflict and social division. She stated that people on both sides of the Strait support lawful measures against separatists, recognizing these target only a small group of individuals engaged in egregious "independence" activities. The mainland's security agencies recently uncovered over 1,000 cases of espionage by Taiwan spies, dismantling several espionage networks on the mainland.
China Expands Remote-Sensing Capabilities with New Satellite Launch: China has successfully launched a new group of remote-sensing satellites, further expanding its space-based observation capabilities. On August 16, 2024, at 3:35 pm, a Long March 4B carrier rocket blasted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province, carrying the Yaogan 43A satellites into their preset orbit. These satellites, developed by subsidiaries of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC), join China's growing fleet of remote-sensing spacecraft. They are designed to detect and monitor the physical characteristics of objects on land and at sea by measuring reflected and emitted radiation. The data collected by the Yaogan family of satellites finds wide application across government, public services, and business sectors in China. The Long March 4B rocket, capable of transporting multiple satellites with a combined weight of 2.5 metric tons to a sun-synchronous orbit at 700 kilometers altitude, showcases China's advancing rocket technology.
Vietnam's Top Leader Begins State Visit to China: To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and Vietnamese President, arrived in Beijing on Sunday, August 18, 2024, for a three-day state visit to China. This marks Lam's first overseas trip since being elected as CPV General Secretary on August 3. The visit highlights the importance Vietnam places on its relationship with China. During his stay, Lam will hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and meet with other top Chinese officials including Premier Li Qiang, top legislator Zhao Leji, and top political advisor Wang Huning. The visit is expected to focus on deepening the China-Vietnam community with a shared future, advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and enhancing bilateral ties in areas such as trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. Both sides aim to strengthen their strategic cooperative partnership and contribute to regional stability and development.
China Tightens Mpox Screening at Entry Points Following WHO Alert: China's General Administration of Customs has announced enhanced screening measures for mpox at entry points, effective immediately for six months, in response to the World Health Organization declaring the outbreak in Africa a public health emergency. Travelers from affected regions who have had contact with mpox patients or show suspicious symptoms must report to customs officials for medical assessment and testing upon entry. The measures also include sanitation procedures for potentially contaminated vehicles, containers, and goods from affected areas. This decision follows the WHO's report of 17,541 mpox cases and 517 related deaths in 13 African countries as of August 9, 2024. China, which reported its first imported case in September 2022 and first domestic case in June 2023, has classified mpox as a Class B infectious disease, alongside COVID-19 and AIDS. These preventive steps highlight China's proactive approach to safeguarding public health and preventing the spread of mpox within its borders, aligning with global efforts to contain the outbreak.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Social Media Erupts Over Delivery Driver's Humiliation in Hangzhou: A viral incident in Hangzhou has sparked intense online debate about the working conditions of delivery drivers in China. The event, which saw a courier kneeling to beg for mercy after accidentally damaging a fence while rushing to complete a delivery, led to protests by other delivery workers and became a trending topic on Chinese social media. Netizens expressed sympathy for the driver, with one Weibo user commenting, "This is so heartbreaking. No one would willingly kneel in public unless they were driven to desperation." The incident has reignited discussions about the pressures faced by China's millions of delivery workers, with many online observers criticizing the harsh conditions and tight deadlines imposed on couriers. The story has also prompted broader reflections on labor rights and social inequality in China's gig economy.

INDIA WATCH

Train Derailment in Uttar Pradesh Raises Safety Concerns: Chinese news agency Xinhua reported a significant railway incident that occurred in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh on August 17, 2024, when 22 coaches of a passenger train derailed near Govindpuri station in Kanpur. The accident was reportedly caused when the train's engine struck a boulder on the track, described by Federal Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw as an "object placed on the track." Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported. The impact damaged approximately 50 meters of track and dislodged track-holding clips. The train's cattle guard sustained severe damage. Railway authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. This derailment follows a series of recent railway accidents in India.

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.