CICM 14th September 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

PLA Navy Test flies J-35 on the aircraft carrier: People Liberation Army Navy tested their next generation, most advanced aircraft, the J-35, on the Liaoning aircraft carrier earlier this year. The test flight was conducted by Zhang Naigang, a member of the aviation support branch who also piloted the first J-15 carrier-based fighter jet back in 2012. According to the report, the J-35 is now operational across all three of China’s aircraft carriers—Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian—, which significantly boosts the aircraft's operational capabilities. Both the J-35 and the J-15 will be deployed on these carriers, providing a formidable boost to China’s air superiority and strike mission readiness. Chinese analysts claim that the J-35 is more advanced than its American counterpart, the F-35. The new aircraft will give the Chinese military force an edge considering its air superiority and strike mission capability. CCTV’s coverage also offered the first glimpse inside the Fujian aircraft carrier, showcasing China's growing military edge.
Philippines Coast Guard ship retreat from Xianbin Jiao: On Sunday, CGTN reported the retreat of the Philippines Coast Guard vessel MRRV-9701 from Xianbin Jiao, also known as Sabina shoal, a disputed atoll in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea. The atoll is claimed by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines. According to the Chinese Coast Guards, the Philippines vessel returned from Xianbin Jiao around 2 pm on Saturday after being anchored there for five months. The MRRV-9701 has been stationed at the atoll since April 17, which led to complaints from China about illegal anchoring and an infringement on its territorial sovereignty. According to the Chinese Coast Guard spokesperson Liu Dejun, China has indisputable sovereignty over the Spratly Islands—referred to as Nansha Quandao by the Chinese—and considers Xianbin Jiao part of this territory. Chinese reports suggest that the Philippine vessel retreated after a failed attempt to resupply, diminishing its ability to remain anchored. Liu emphasized that the Chinese Coast Guard would take all necessary measures to safeguard China's territorial integrity and maritime security.
Increasing AI Use Among Children in China: The latest report suggests that AI use is rising among children in China. The institute under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences conducted the nationwide survey report. The reports shed light on Artificial intelligence use, which has increased due to the AI-enabled smartphones in China. In addition to smartphones, children are also using tablets and smartwatches to access AI services, with AI chatbots like Imoo and Little Genius gaining significant popularity. Due to restrictions on smartphone usage in schools, there has been a notable rise in smartwatch adoption. These devices offer children many of the same features as smartphones, prompting parents to purchase them as a way to stay connected with their children during school hours. The report also emphasizes the importance of educating minors on the risks associated with online misinformation and generative AI technology. The report shows a widening gap in AI usage between urban and rural areas. The report suggests that 20.5% of urban minors use AI-enabled devices, while only 8.1 % in rural areas. The report calls for addressing the growing divide between rural and urban areas children's AI usage. Major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou are currently leading the way in providing AI-related activities for children, while smartphones remain the dominant tool for AI access, with 74.2% of children still relying on them. The experts stress the crucial role of parents in educating children about the healthy usage of AI. The country has passed laws to protect children in cyberspace, but it has yet to introduce regulations for AI usage among children. The report also underscores the urgent need for healthy, personalised protection of AI usage to ensure children's safety in cyberspace.
The Shanghai Meteorological Department issued a red warning due to the Bebejia Typhoon: Shanghai, China’s most populous urban area, is preparing for Typhoon Bebejia, the 13th typhoon of the year. The meteorological department has issued red warnings in various parts of Shanghai province, including Pudong, Jinshan, Fengxian and Chongming districts, as the city anticipates heavy rainfall and potential flooding. Authorities have placed law enforcement, fire, and rescue teams on high alert, while disaster prevention measures have prompted the suspension of work, classes, flights, and business operations in affected areas. It also reported that food delivery apps and other e-commerce services have suspended their services from Sunday night. The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters has raised the emergency response for flood and typhoon prevention in Shanghai and Zhejiang to level three. The Shanghai police department has reminded the citizens to pay attention to the typhoon forecast and weather reports and to stay inside their homes. The district administration has also taken all the necessary measures to identify the risk areas and prevent the risks to protect the citizens from the typhoon disaster.
China is opening its service sector to appeal to foreign investment in Asia-Pacific Region: China is planning to expand its trade in services in the Asia-Pacific Region according to a report by China Daily. China is currently experiencing growth in trade services which includes sectors like transportation, tourism, telecommunications, advertising, education, computing and accounting. China will actively engage in service in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and international cooperation through its abundant opportunities through high-quality human resources and digital technologies. China is also liberalizing its service sector to attract foreign investment. The country's vast service market is also appealing to foreign investors. Experts predict substantial progress in China’s service sector as foreign investment continues to flow in. The country has pledged to deepen its opening-up policy and welcome foreign investment in previously restricted areas. COFCO Corp, China's largest food processor, manufacturer and trader by sales revenue, will play a key role in supporting the development of both upstream and downstream players in the agricultural and food industry, including small and medium-sized enterprises.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Zhejiang Dog Incident Sparks Heated Debate on Public Safety and Animal Welfare: An intense social media debate erupted after an incident in Zhejiang, China, where an older man killed an unleashed dog to protect his daughter. The incident sparked widespread attention when a video of the event circulated online. The footage shows the man throwing the dog to the ground after it allegedly chased his daughter, followed by the pet owner weeping near her deceased dog. The reaction online has been divided. Some sympathize with the dog's owner, condemning the man's actions as excessive, while others defend him, emphasizing the need to protect his child. Many users have pointed to China’s regulations requiring dogs to be leashed in public, criticizing the pet owner for not adhering to the rules. Others argue that while protecting the child was important, the situation could have been handled without violence. The incident has reignited conversations about pet ownership responsibility, public safety, and how such conflicts should be resolved. The strong reactions on social media suggest a growing divide between those advocating for animal rights and those prioritizing human safety, illustrating how contemporary issues are reshaping Chinese societal values and legal expectations. In response, local police are not only investigating the incident but also using it as an opportunity to reinforce the importance of responsible pet ownership. Their actions indicate an effort to address public concerns and promote a more balanced approach to managing conflicts between pets and people in urban environments.

INDIA WATCH

Central Asia Emerges as Top Travel Destination for Indian Tourists: According to the South China Morning Post report, Indian tourists now prefer Central Asia as their new travel destination, which is opening up a new market in the tourism industry. Better connectivity and affordable packages make Central Asia and Hong Kong the most favourable destinations for Indian tourists. Recent data from the travel booking app Make My Trip reveals a surge in interest in Central Asian destinations such as Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, and Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan's offer of free 14-day travel visas for Indian visitors has driven an impressive 527 percent increase in annual growth and a 395 percent rise in online searches. Hong Kong has also been a favourable destination for Indian business people and travellers due to its luxurious and multi-faceted appearance business people see Hong Kong as a gateway to mainland China for their business aspirations and plans, which can also be seen in the reason the surge in the online search for the city to 131 per cent annually. The affordability of travel options is drawing more middle-class Indian tourists, whose numbers are expected to grow by 40 to 50 million by 2025. Half of the Indian travellers travel for leisure, and others to visit their relatives. The report also highlights rising interest in South Asian destinations like Pokhara, Pattaya, and Kuala Lumpur.

Prepared By

Athul T Dharan

Athul T Dharan is a Member of CTBTO Youth Group and is currently pursuing his Master's in Political Science from the University of Hyderabad, India. He was a research intern at the Centre for Air Power Studies, Delhi. His research interests include Chinese Studies, China’s Defense policy, Arms Control, Disarmament and Intelligence. During his undergraduate studies, he actively participated in the Model United Nations and served as the General Secretary of the Global Youth Ramjas Chapter. He is an active National Service Scheme volunteer and was part of the Enactus Team, working on rural development and slum rejuvenation projects. He can be reached at athul.t.dharan27@gmail.com