CiCM 9th December 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Belt and Road Rally Concludes with a Grand Finish in Yunnan: The 7th “Belt and Road·Colorful Yunnan” Rally concluded in Mengla County, Yunnan Province, after a 19-day journey spanning over 8,000 kilometers. Starting in Kunming, the rally progressed through Laos, Thailand, and Malaysia showcasing a combination of off-road racing and cultural, economic, and sports exchanges. In the event’s final challenge, involving a 1 kilometer off-road course featuring obstacles such as S-curves and consecutive humps, Yunnan’s Hong Qianbo emerged victorious. Despite the track's demanding nature and severe competition, he achieved a remarkable 2-minute 17-second finish. Throughout the rally, participants engaged in activities such as a Kuala Lumpur business exchange, Chiang Mai-Yunnan outdoor sports promotions, and a Vientiane trade fair. At the closing ceremony, Xing Jin of the Yunnan Sport Bureau praised the event’s international scope and its ability to foster cross-border collaboration between these countries. In fact, Yunnan expressed its desire to make this rally its flagship event, allowing for deeper ties among the Belt and Road countries.
Shanghai's Youth Night Schools Foster Skills and Community: "Working by day, learning art by night" has become a trend among Shanghai’s youth. At the Shanghai Youth Night School annual exhibition, the city’s Communist Youth League revealed its plans to offer 200 high quality courses throughout the city next year, including 50 ideological courses and 100 vocational training sessions. Popular classes appear to be AI innovation and self-media editing as well as traditional crafts and vinyl culture. Reportedly, the ‘AI Innovation and Creation Classroom’ that focuses on teaching students how to create multimedia projects using AI tools, filled up within 3 hours. Youth night schools also encourage personal growth and community involvement. Shen Wei, a white-collar worker, reflected upon his experience, noting an improvement in his public speaking and stage performance skills, through a hosting course. Shanghai aims to expand the "2+16+X" system, by establishing 2 municipal hubs, 16 district level benchmark youth night schools, and unique night schools while sharing standout courses to empower more young people.
China’s 2025 Economic Strategy and Anti-Corruption Agenda: The Communist Party of China (CPC) convened on December 9 to outline key priorities for 2025. Chaired by General Secretary Xi Jinping, the meeting focused on tracking the progress of the 14th Five Year Plan, and further strategised for economic, governance, and anti-corruption efforts in the coming year. Economic planning for 2025 emphasizes stability and progress under Xi Jinping’s regime with key initiatives including the promotion of high-quality development, expansion of domestic demand, stabilizing the real estate and stock markets, and fostering technological and industrial innovation. The country aims to develop urban-rural integration while also maintaining its focus on green development and the alleviation of poverty. Talks also emphasised upon the need to combat corruption and enhance strict governance. The introduction of discipline inspection policies and supervision mechanisms will focus on enforcing anti-corruption practices and rectifying misconduct affecting citizens, hence ensuring integrity at all levels of governance. Looking forward, the CPC reaffirmed its commitment to advancing reforms, fostering stability, and safeguarding livelihoods while also emphasizing a strong governance to ensure the success of the 15th Five Year Plan.
Strengthened Domestic Violence Warning System in China: In 2023, 98,000 warning notices were issued under China’s Anti-Domestic Violence Law, marking significant progress in deterring abuse in the country. Following suit, China has issued updated guidelines to enhance its domestic violence warning system, that aims to prevent disputes and promote family harmony. Released jointly by nine departments, including the Ministry of Public Security and Supreme People’s Court, the newly released 24-article document clarifies evidence criteria and procedural requirements. The guidelines specify that domestic violence can be established by various means of evidence including victim or witness statements, phone or text records, emails, medical documents, or injury assessments. Further, when deemed necessary and age-applicable, statements from minors can also count as evidence. Apologies and written pledges from perpetrators can be admissible as supplementary evidence. Public security authorities have also been mandated to issue warning notices in situations of minor domestic violence, particularly in instances of repeat attacks. In relatively rare cases wherein the victim forgives the perpetrator, authorities may provide educational reprimands. The guidelines also detail collaborative roles for courts, civil affairs, and women’s organizations.
China Updates Carbon Capture Development Road Map: During a conference in Beijing, China has released its updated road map for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology, emphasizing its role in achieving carbon neutrality. This update builds on earlier versions that were in effect between 2011 and 2019. The road map highlights CCUS as a crucial technical method that has the capability of achieving net-zero emissions in fossil energy use. It is also effective for deep emission reductions across industries and outlines 126 CCUS projects planned in the future. These entail traditional sectors like power, oil, gas, and steel, as well as niche industries like glass and printing. To advance further, China aims to focus on critical technologies, including direct air capture, pipeline transport, and enhanced oil recovery - measures that underscore China’s growing commitment to integrating CCUS into its sustainable development targets and decarbonisation efforts.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Proposal for University Love Education Faces Backlash: A recent article in China Population Daily proposes that Chinese universities offer courses on love education to help students balance studies and relationships, thereby boosting marriage and childbirth rates. Co-authored by researchers from Zhongnan University, the article was written with the aim of addressing China’s record-low birth and marriage rates. Survey data revealed that 56.9% of young people are uninterested in dating, and 82% of students reported their universities lack relationship education. Hence, the article suggests the integration of such courses into the syllabus, combining online and offline teaching and training qualified instructors. It also highlights the need for family involvement in fostering positive and healthy views on marriage and love. However, the proposal has sparked significant public criticism online. Netizens argue that economic insecurity, unemployment, and lingering effects of the one-child policy are primary contributors to low birth rates. The proposal is being perceived as a superficial solution to a deep rooted societal issue, with many users calling it “a desperate, ill-conceived remedy.” One viewer expressed frustration, suggesting that the priority should be solving unemployment, as financial stability is essential before considering marriage or children. They highlighted the difficulty of graduating into unemployment and being expected to marry and start a family despite these challenges. Another viewer shared concerns about the inconsistent expectations placed on young people. They pointed out how secondary schools discourage romantic relationships, only to later pressure university students into getting married immediately.

INDIA WATCH

Chinese Media Highlights Domestic Political Debate in India Following Recent India-China Talks: According to the Global Times, after the 32nd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs (WMCC), the Indian media reported that the Indian National Congress (INC) raised concerns about the Modi administration’s handling of China-India relations. The INC questioned India’s acceptance of what it termed a "new normal" along the border, a situation that was altered by China in 2020. In response, party leaders called for parliamentary debates on the country’s strategic and economic policies, particularly regarding India’s growing economic ties with China. The author quotes Hu Zhiyong, a researcher in Shanghai, suggesting that the Congress’s remarks might be aimed at bolstering its domestic standing by challenging the government’s policies. Meanwhile, Qian Feng from Tsinghua University observed that the Congress party’s position as a minority in parliament limits its influence on bilateral relations, and thus, its statements can be seen as part of broader internal political competition.

Prepared By

Taasha Mistry

Taasha Mistry is a third year undergraduate student at FLAME University, pursuing a major in International Studies with a minor in Advertising & Branding. After having completed an internship at International SOS, she has found her interests to lie in security and strategic studies. Intrigued by the ever changing dynamics in the modern day world, she keeps herself updated with daily news and events.