12th -13th October 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Finance Minister on Fiscal Stimulus Measures: Chinese Finance Minister Lan Fo’an held a press conference on Saturday in which he said that the country’s fiscal health continues to stay resilient and is on track to meet the budget goals for this year. He spoke about a range of targeted fiscal measures aimed at stimulating economic growth, reducing risks, and increasing domestic demand. The Minister also said that there is significant room for more spending and borrowing, and other policy tools are being analysed along with the counter cyclical adjustments. Among these measures are providing support to local governments in order to resolve hidden debt issues and helping improve credit provision capabilities and risk management of state-owned commercial banks, which would support the real economy. Measures taken towards stabilizing the real estate market involve using local government special bonds and other funds and tax policies.
Chinese Vice President Speaks on People-to-People Diplomacy: On Saturday, the Vice President of China, Han Zheng, attended the China International Friendship Conference and the conference marking the 70th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Association of Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) in Beijing. He delivered a speech about the key role the CPAFFC has played in carrying out people-to-people diplomacy, and its work has led to some effective results. Han also put forward proposals for further promoting friendship between China and other countries. These include pursuing mutual benefit, common development and prosperity, actively participating in the concept of a community with a shared future, upholding cultural and people-to-people exchanges as well as keeping a long term perspective in maintaining these friendships. He spoke about Chinese modernization, and how this has affected not just the country but people around the world.
China Condemns Attacks on Peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon: 40 member states of the United Nations including China, which were involved in sending peacekeepers to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) issued a joint statement on Saturday. The joint statement was released by the Polish Permanent Mission to the United Nations, condemning the recent attacks on the peacekeepers. The peacekeepers were injured in southern Lebanon due to the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel. China supports the 40 signatory countries in their commitment to bringing long lasting peace and stability in Lebanon and the Middle East, and urged the countries to respect the presence of the UNIFIL. The joint statement was signed by countries like China, India, Italy and Indonesia, Malaysia, France, Nepal, Ghana and others.
Sixth Chief Executive Elections Held in Macao: On Sunday, Sam Hou Fai was elected as the Chief Executive Elect Of China’s Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). His predecessor, Ho Lat Seng said that the election was especially significant because it would reflect the results of legislative amendments made to the Chief Executive Election Law in 2023. The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council issued a congratulatory statement which noted that this election was a sign of Macao’s support for the “one country, two systems” policy and its confidence in the development path and achievements the SAR has made in the past 25 years. They praised Macao’s recognition of Sam Hou Fai’s character, integrity, abilities and ideas. This election will help further promote the comprehensive implementation of the “patriots governing Macao” policy.
PLA Releases Propaganda Video as Warning to Taiwanese Separatists: The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theatre Command released a propaganda video depicting their combat training on Sunday, showing their combat readiness. Various experts have said that this indicates the PLA’s firm commitment to safeguard China’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, especially to the forces supporting Taiwanese separatism. The timing of this video seemed significant as it was released after the Taiwanese regional leader Lai Ching-te’s provocative speech on 10th October. The video features the training of ground forces as well as PLA warships and fighter jets. It also shows diverse equipment including land, naval, air and rocket forces as well as landing crafts.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

The Rise of Vasectomy as a Symbol of Modern Manhood in China: Men in China are sharing their experiences of getting a vasectomy online, as a way to share the contraceptive burden which has long fallen on women. Their stories of getting a vasectomy have become a symbol of being a “new good man” on Chinese social media, advocating for the fact that contraception is not just the responsibility of female partners who use birth control pills, insert intrauterine devices (IUDs) and other methods. A 26-year-old man who shared his experience getting sterilized said that the recovery time for this procedure is a lot shorter and less harmful for the body than for the procedure to insert IUDs. Netizens have also praised these men who undergo vasectomy, writing that they are brave and are showing respect for their female partners because bearing a child is a very big burden on them. These men promote sharing responsibility in relationships and valuing gender equality. Others were more cautious in their reactions, saying that should the couple decide to have a child in the future and regret their decision to get sterilized, sperm should be stored before the vasectomy. People have also spoken out about their wariness towards the procedure because getting sterilized is largely perceived as emasculating.

INDIA WATCH

India’s Zero-Sum Mentality Exposed in Coverage of Chinese Navy Visit to Bangladesh: Chinese news agency, the Global Times, reported on the exposure of India’s zero sum mentality in the way the country has reacted to China’s normal military exchanges with other countries. The report claimed that Indian media has adopted a wary and suspicious tone in their coverage of the Chinese naval fleet’s visit to Bangladesh, and this has exposed their “zero-sum mentality” in how China interacts with other South Asian countries. The Chinese naval ships arrived at the Chattogram port in southeast Bangladesh for a three-day visit on Saturday. The purpose of this visit is to hold bilateral meetings and conduct professional exchanges with the Bangladeshi Navy. However, the author states that this was linked with the visit to construction at the Chattogram Seaport, and claimed that the facility has the potential to host warships and submarines. The director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute, Tsinghua University, observed that India's perspective on regional dynamics is influenced by a longstanding view of South Asian countries as closely linked to its national interests. The author then goes on to claim that following the establishment of the interim government in Bangladesh, India has closely monitored the country's policies regarding China. The recent visit of the Chinese naval fleet to Bangladesh indicates a multifaceted cooperation between the two nations, extending beyond military collaboration.

Prepared By

Veda Jain

Veda Jain is currently a third-year student at Flame University, majoring in International Studies and minoring in Literary and Cultural Studies. She has a strong interest in modern Chinese politics and is keen on analyzing the dynamics of Indo-China relations.