CiCM 30th August 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

China Undertakes Measures to Open Market in Emerging Industries: Li Chunlin, the deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, spoke about the implementation of special policies to remove more entry barriers in emerging industries to enhance the application of new technology. He told the press conference that pilot programs will begin in important areas to test this plan. Li said that this novel pilot test will improve the market access system of ten emerging industries, such as aerospace, aviation, artificial intelligence and new energy. The need for this arises because the current access management is excessively stringent and has vague entry rules. Li elaborated that the policies will use market mechanisms shaped by “standards and scenarios” to achieve higher flexibility and robustness. The document further encouraged using advanced technology application centres and innovation platforms to aid the tangible productivity of technological innovations. He welcomes enterprises and research institutions to contribute to easing rules for international enterprises to gain market access. Furthermore, he emphasised the importance of having a nationwide unified negative list, consistency, enforcement and standardisation to create an equal market. He also mentioned an easing of restrictions in the service sector in a manner that does not hinder national security and social stability.
China and India held a Meeting to discuss Border Issues: On 29th August, a meeting between China and India was held in Beijing to discuss ongoing border disputes. Hong Liang, the director-general of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented China at the meeting as a co-chair. The joint secretary of the East Asia Division of the Ministry of External Affairs of India, Gourangalal Das, co-chaired the meeting. This was the 31st Meeting of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on China-India Border Affairs. The meeting reflected “a positive, friendly and frank atmosphere”. Both sides agreed to collaborate and reform the border issues following the consensus reached by India’s Foreign Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, and Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, during their meeting in July. China and India expressed their views on the border issues, reduced differences, increased agreement, and concurred with the need to deepen dialogue, consultation, and accommodation, and to reach a mutually agreed upon resolution. Both countries voiced their agreement to uphold border-related agreements and confidence-building measures. They also acknowledged the significance of maintaining peace along the borders.
China and Honduras FTA to Mutually Benefit Both Countries and Open the Chinese Market to Honduran Products: The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced on 30th August that the early harvest arrangement of the free trade agreement (FTA) between China and Honduras will begin on Sunday. The stipulated tax rates will be applied to imported goods coming from Honduras. Zero tariffs will be imposed on shrimp shipments from Honduras. Both countries have held extensive meetings on negotiating FTAs, the latest in February 2024. The discussions involved trade in goods and services, investment and rules. Experts have commented that this move will boost China-Honduras trade, give the latter access to China’s market, and enhance Honduras’s economic growth. They stated that this partnership would bring in higher-quality goods like tobacco, coffee and chocolate. Dong Jingsheng, the deputy director of Peking University’s Latin America Research Center, said that this will be beneficial for Honduras’s social and economic progress, and will increase bilateral investment and trade. The total trade volume between the countries was 8.06 billion yuan ($1.14 billion) in the first seven months of this year, which marks a 9.2 percent annual increase. China’s imports to Honduras increased by 35.3% annually. China has expressed its willingness to complete the FTA agreements and bolster opening up and creating space for products from Honduras.
Report on Coral Reef Ecosystem at Xianbin Jiao, including Coral Bleaching and Death, Released: A report revealed that the coral reef ecosystem at Xianbin Jiao of China’s Nansha Qundao is “generally healthy”, contradicting the Philippines’ claim of coral bleaching and death in the area. The report revealed that between 2012-2024, the aggregate coverage of reef-building corals to 20 metres has remained stable, with a decline of around 6.8 percent in 2012, partially due to cay movements. The report “A Survey Report on the Coral Reef Ecosystem of Xianbin Joao” was written by the South China Sea Development Research Institute, the South China Sea Ecological Center and the South China Sea Survey Center; all of which are connected to the Ministry of Natural Resources. The report elucidated that the reef is home to various reef-building coral species, and that coral bleaching has been sporadic due to seasonally rising water temperatures. The report also commented that hostile organisms, fleshy macroalgae and human activities threaten these species. The report disproved the Philippines’ claim that China threw coral debris at the reef and caused coral bleaching and death. Furthermore, the report wrote that the presence of multiple Philippine ships which is against China’s wishes has harmed the reef. The anchoring, mooring or fishing done by the ships may affect the growth of corals. Lastly, the report explained that extreme human activities and external activities must be controlled to protect the coral reef ecosystem.
China’s Political Advisory Body Convenes for Leadership Meeting: The 23rd Chairperson’s Council meeting of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) was held in Beijing on Friday, 30th August. The meeting was presided over by Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee. He encouraged the country’s national political advisory body to deepen and implement consultative democracy mechanisms and conduct consultation and creation of dynamic work plans for the coming year in line with the third plenary session’s reforms. Additionally, he urged the members to undertake in-depth research and recommend targeted suggestions to improve the country’s economic structural reform and high-quality development, socio-economic development, enhancing socialist culture, improving sports and enhancing the Health China Initiative.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Cosmetic Surgery to Achieve Baby-like Appearance Stirs Debate on Social Media: More than 500 fans of a key opinion leader (KOL) underwent cosmetic surgery at her clinic to replicate her baby-faced beauty. This is a popular look in China because of the youthful and innocent appearance it gives. The KOL, Wang Jing, posts about her cosmetic surgery experiences on her platform on Douyin, which has over 940,000 followers. She documented that she spent over a million yuan to make herself look 10 years younger. Her face after her surgeries has been labelled as the “perfect model” by the cosmetic surgery industry. Wang owns a clinic herself and consults clients. This trend has sparked a divided debate on social media platforms. Some social media users commented that Wang’s style wants to be replicated by many because it makes them look younger and that this is her process of building her kingdom where everyone looks like her. This “copycat phenomenon” has been criticised by some for making people lose their uniqueness due to such trends and has been described as “terrifying and eerie”.

INDIA WATCH

Heavy Rains Continue to Plague Gujarat, India: Xinhua, a Chinese news agency, has reported on the rain-related deaths in Gujarat. The article reported that the death toll in rain-related incidents in Gujarat has reached 35 people. Due to heavy rains, floods and other water-related incidents, relief and rescue operations in affected areas are ongoing. Over 18,000 people have been evacuated, and more than 40,000 have been relocated to safer areas. According to the article, officials have reported 140 reservoirs and dams, and 24 rivers in Gujarat are flowing over the danger mark. The article states that vehicular movement, train and flight operations have been adversely affected. Additionally, in Vadodara, the threat of crocodiles has risen due to the overflowing of the Vishwamitri River.

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.