CiCM 13th December 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

China Calls for Unity and Stability in Post-Assad Syria: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for international efforts to prevent Syria from descending further into division and a refugee crisis. Addressing his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdel Aaty in Beijing, Wang emphasized the need to alleviate suffering in the Middle East and avoid renewed regional instability. Wang also criticized great power rivalries, urging attention to the Palestinian issue. His remarks followed the sudden collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s Beijing-friendly regime after a decade-long civil war. Analysts believe Syria’s lack of strategic resources limits its role in China’s Middle East policy, which focuses on economic ties, particularly with Gulf nations. Experts suggest Beijing may rely on the Saudi-Iran dialogue it brokered last year to stabilize the region. Despite its support for Assad’s reintegration into the international community, China is unlikely to take a direct role in shaping Syria’s governance. Instead, it might engage in post-war reconstruction efforts, reflecting its development-oriented approach to Middle Eastern diplomacy. Syria’s new interim authority, led by Mohammed al-Bashir, faces challenges in establishing stability as key factions remain outside its framework. China’s priority remains fostering Gulf region partnerships, leaving its involvement in Syria minimal beyond humanitarian and developmental assistance.
Xi Pledges Full Support for Hong Kong's Growth and Integration: President Xi Jinping emphasized the central government's full support for Hong Kong in aligning with national strategies and fostering economic momentum during his meeting with Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee in Beijing on December 13. Lee presented a report on Hong Kong's economic, social, and political developments, including significant achievements like completing legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law and boosting external partnerships. Xi commended Lee's leadership in addressing key issues such as housing, healthcare, and economic growth while strengthening Hong Kong’s international reputation. He reaffirmed the importance of "one country, two systems," highlighting Hong Kong's role in China’s modernization, particularly within the Greater Bay Area. Lee's visit also included meetings with Beijing-based Hong Kong business representatives and leaders of prestigious universities to promote integration and cooperation. He called for fostering young talent and enhancing ties between mainland and Hong Kong institutions. Experts noted the strategic alignment between Hong Kong's international financial strengths and the mainland's policy efficiency, highlighting their complementary advantages in driving long-term innovation and governance reforms. Financial Secretary Paul Chan echoed this optimism, highlighting record growth in startups and investment activities in 2024.
Chinese EVs Crowd Brazilian Ports Ahead of New Tariffs: Brazilian ports are overwhelmed with over 70,000 unsold Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) as automakers rush to avoid looming import tariffs. Companies like BYD and Great Wall Motors have flooded the market, capitalizing on Brazil’s previous tax exemptions for EVs, which attracted Chinese manufacturers and established the sector. However, the reinstatement of import taxes—set to reach 35% by mid-2026—has disrupted the market. With BYD advancing vehicle shipments and expanding its operations, Chinese automakers have responded aggressively. The company’s Camacari factory, scheduled to begin production in 2025, aims to produce 300,000 EVs annually. Great Wall Motors also plans to launch production in May 2025. Brazil’s domestic manufacturers, supported by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, are countering with significant investments in hybrids and ethanol-powered flex vehicles. As Chinese brands seek to solidify their presence, competition intensifies, highlighting challenges in Brazil’s EV infrastructure.
PLA Reiterates Stance to Counter Taiwan Independence: Wu Qian, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, reaffirmed the People's Liberation Army’s (PLA) stance to defend national sovereignty and oppose Taiwan's independence. His remarks followed recent transits by Taiwan’s regional leader Lai Cheng-te through Hawaii and Guam, prompting heightened military activity near Taiwan. While the PLA has not officially announced military exercises, Taiwan’s defence authorities reported an increased deployment of mainland warships and airspace restrictions. Taiwan has activated an "Emergency Operations Center" to monitor PLA actions closely. Wu emphasized that the PLA's actions, including potential military drills, will align with strategic needs and evolving conditions. He warned that any attempts to seek external support or forcefully divide the nation would be punished and ultimately fail. The PLA, Wu declared, will remain steadfast in its mission to ensure national reunification and protect the shared interests of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
China Expands Bulk Drug Buy Program to Ease Patient Financial Burden: China's National Healthcare Security Administration has launched a new round of its bulk drug-buying program, aimed at reducing the financial strain on patients. The latest initiative includes 385 products from 234 companies, focusing on generic medications. The bidding process, held in Shanghai on Thursday, resulted in the selection of 62 medicines across key therapeutic areas, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, infectious diseases, and mental health. Notably, one of the chosen drugs is a doxorubicin injection for breast cancer treatment, which is known for fewer side effects compared to standard doxorubicin products. This bulk-buying scheme requires drug manufacturers to offer large-volume contracts at significantly reduced prices for public hospitals, contributing to cost savings for the healthcare system. Since its launch in 2018, China has conducted ten rounds of centralized drug procurement, covering 435 types of medicines. These efforts are estimated to have saved nearly 500 billion yuan ($68.6 billion) in medical insurance funds, benefiting both patients and the nation’s healthcare system.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Integration Challenges for Chinese Students in the UK Spark Debate on University Support: A report by Oxford’s Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) and Uoffer Global reveals that Chinese students in the UK face significant integration challenges, despite contributing £2.3 billion annually to tuition fees—accounting for 43% of UK universities’ revenue. Language barriers, unfamiliarity with Western social media platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram, and inadequate career support are key obstacles. Many students, accustomed to apps such as WeChat, struggle to adapt to new digital environments. Furthermore, the report highlights a lack of targeted guidance in securing employment, leaving students feeling under-supported during and after their studies. The findings come amidst a slight decline in Chinese applications to UK universities. The report has sparked widespread online discussion. Many netizens argue that universities must prioritize student welfare beyond financial contributions. Some suggest that cultural exchange programs and digital workshops could help students bridge social and technological gaps. Others emphasize the mutual benefits of improving career support and accommodation options, which could enhance the experience for international students while strengthening the UK’s reputation as a study destination. The report has reignited debates over whether UK universities are doing enough to support one of their largest student demographics, particularly at a time when global competition for international students is intensifying.

INDIA WATCH

Surge in Wealth of India’s Billionaires Sparks Concerns Over Inequality: The South China Morning Post reported on India’s billionaires commenting that their wealth rose by 42% in 2024, reaching US$905 billion according to a UBS report. They state that this increase outpaced the country’s economic growth, raising concerns about rising income inequality and crony capitalism. The number of billionaires in India grew by 56% to 185 this year. The author remarked that while India’s economy slowed to a two-year low of 5.4% in the April-June quarter, the wealth of the country’s top billionaires surged, partly due to the stock market rally. The article then echoes the critics and argues that the increasing wealth of the elite exacerbates economic disparities, with the poorest struggling as the richest benefit. India's income inequality has been flagged as among the highest globally, and this disparity could pressure the government to implement reforms. The author speculates that the issue of cronyism, particularly regarding billionaire Gautam Adani’s ties to Prime Minister Modi, has become a flashpoint for opposition politicians. The article notes that India’s growth could reduce inequality in the long term, but the rising influence of conglomerates remains a significant challenge to fair economic progress.

Prepared By

Trishala S

Trishala S is a Junior Research Associate at the Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA). She holds a degree in Sociology with a minor in Public Policy from FLAME University. Trishala’s research interests lie at the intersection of socio-political dynamics, family and gender studies, and legal frameworks, with a particular focus on China. Her work examines the effects of aging populations, gender disparities, and rural-urban migration on social welfare, labor policies, and the integration of migrants into urban environments. She is also the coordinator of ORCA's Global Conference on New Sinology (GCNS), which is India's premier dialogue driven China conference. She can be reached at trishala.s@orcasia.org and trishalasasianandkumar@gmail.com.