5th November 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Revised Law to Promote Science and Technology Awareness: The latest draft law revision to the Science and Technology Popularization Law, last revised in 2002, was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. As per the revision, China is expected to promote science education and increase the cultivation of relevant talent for strengthening science popularization and stimulating innovation-driven development. The draft contains 60 articles compiled in eight chapters addressing prominent issues in science popularization specifying refining the system for innovation. This also includes provisions on general requirements, direction of science popularization and promotion of science popularization activities. The draft calls upon universities and colleges to provide courses and majors related to sciences with primary and middle schools to offer classes igniting students' interests in science. It further urges for establishment of a professional team for science popularization with timely measures against pseudoscience and anti-scientific information. The minister of science and technology, Yin Hejun, stated that revisiting the law is necessary to solve unaddressed issues. Chinese authorities have been paying more attention to popularization of science and promoting wider and higher-quality access to sci-tech knowledge. The proportion of Chinese citizens with scientific literacy increased from 1.98% in 2003 to 14.14% in 2023, placing China 11th in the global innovation index.
New PLA Stealth Fighter to Make its Debut at Zhuhai Airshow: Colonel Niu Wenbo from PLA Air Force’s equipment department conveyed that the J-35A, a stealth fighter jet, designed by the Shenyang Aircraft design and research institute will make its debut at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition which will take place in Zhuhai, Guangdong from Nov 12-17. The colonel stated that the J-35A is a mid-size stealth combat plane with multiple roles. After the combat plane is commissioned, China will become the second nation after the U.S to have two stealth fighter jets in service. The PLA Air Force has deployed a large fleet of J-20 heavy-duty stealth combat aircraft. China’s dominant aircraft maker, Aviation Industry Corp of China, believes that the J-35A symbolizes a new milestone in the State-owned conglomerate’s endeavor to improve the PLA’s arsenal and support its integration in the joint combat system. The chief designer at the institute stated that it features world-class technologies, good stealth, information and intelligence capabilities. Defense industry observers believe that there are several variants in the J-35 family and its common root is FC-31, a technology demonstrated prototype of stealth combat aircraft designed by the Shenyang institute.
Xi Calls for Development of Robust, Modernized PLA Airborne Force: China’s president, Xi Jinping has called for intensified troop training to enhance combat preparedness and for improving airborne operation capabilities in order to build a strong airborne force. The president recently conducted an inspection of the equipment used in airborne operations while learning about the tactical performance of key weapons and gear. Xi called upon for more efforts to build a new system of airborne equipment and stressed on education and guidance for the military personnel. He also emphasized deepening political training, tightening political responsibility of governing the party and forging a strong party organization with firm political beliefs and strong capabilities. He stressed on raising awareness of combat readiness and enhancing military preparedness, intensifying joint training with other branches of the armed forces and increasing the capabilities for joint command, operations and support.
Shanghai Mayor Commits to Increasing Listings in Hong Kong: Along with the mayor of Shanghai,Gong Zheng, the central government has urged deeper cooperation between Hong Kong and Shanghai for opening up the national economy by encouraging local companies to head south and list them as a springboard for overseas expansion. The executive deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office stated in a symposium that the cities have played key roles in connecting international and domestic markets. He further emphasized on their shared responsibility of advancing China’s high-quality opening up and briefly stated his belief that Shanghai and Hong Kong will create a powerful partnership. The symposium was organized by the Hong Kong Government and City’s Trade Development Council in tandem with the opening of the China International Import Expo, which is one of the country’s most prominent trade shows.
China Establishes 'organ-chip' Standards for Skin Research Amid Intensifying Global Biotech Race: China is aiming to take a lead in the biotech sector by setting up its first national standards for “organ-on-chip technology”. The chips could replace animal testing and speed up a drug’s journey from a concept to a market due to their nature of being an emerging research tool in cosmetics testing, chemical assessments, and drug development. The chips are the size of a thumb drive and are meant to mimic the functions of human organs and predict human responses to drugs or various external stimuli. The small channels carry fluids containing human cells which creates a tool to minimize animal testing and human trials in the development of new drugs. The Institute of Biomedical Devices in Suzhou stated that this is an important milestone for China in the field of organ-on-a-chip standardization. The institution which is also affiliated with Southeast University in Nanjing, further stated that this step holds great significance for promoting the standardized and regulated development of scientific research and industrial applications.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

New trend of Weight Loss Camps Addresses Obesity Crisis in China: Obesity camps have risen in popularity across China, with the latest case of Yang Chi’ao, a 23-year old who quit her teaching job and signed up for a weight loss camp on the outskirts of Chengdu, surprising and amusing users of social media. The weight loss camp boasts strict daily exercise regimens, brisk walks, mandatory trips to the scales and rigid surveillance to guard against snacking. These services have come up as China grapples with its growing obesity crisis. Chinese media reported that these services have been at the center of controversy when an influence died while attending a facility in Northern China as part of their effort to shed more than 100 kilograms. Yang commented on how even after rigid surveillance against snacking there are people who covertly want to buy food, and that she has always had the idea but could never succeed since the coaches kept following her. To keep herself accountable, Yang posts daily videos on Chinese social media apps Douyin and Xiaohongshu. The camp she attended had a large banner stating “Become thin! Become beautiful! Become refined!” The fitness craze is reflected in the box office as well, with the success of YOLO, a film about an overweight woman who takes up boxing, which topped China’s box office during the recent Lunar New Year.

INDIA WATCH

Positive Developments in China-India Relations Require a Solid Foundation, says Former Aide to Indian PM in Interview with Global Times: An article published by the Global Times interviews Sudheendra Kulkarni, a close aide to former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the founder of the Forum for a New South Asia. The interview details his thoughts on the progress made by the two countries on the border, importance of mending ties and expectations in the next stage, with Global Times reporter Xia Wenxin interviewing Sudheendra Kulkarni. Mr. Kulkarni highlighted October 2024 as a transformative month for China-India relations evidenced by the overcoming of tensions since the 2020 border clash. He further noted that the breakthrough reflects a mutual strategic shift and that now both the countries are moving beyond the past clashes toward constructive engagement. The interviewer mentions that even Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that recent disengagement through discussions has opened up spaces for future cooperation. Kulkarni calls for peaceful coexistence and urges China to engage with Indian groups like the RSS for fostering understanding. He states that even though there were western efforts to position both the countries against each other, they are committed to an independent foreign policy and that the strengthening of bilateral ties between India and China have led them to build a relationship based on mutual growth and regional stability.

Prepared By

Aditi Khamkar

Aditi Khamkar is a third-year undergraduate student at FLAME University majoring in International Studies and minoring in Public Policy. Having completed an internship at International SOS, her interest in security has deepened, driving her to pursue a career as a security analyst. Passionate about making meaningful contributions, she aspires to write impactful analyses that address global security challenges.