CiCM 10th January 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

China to Increase Global Promotion of Traditional Chinese Medicine: China is set to boost the global promotion of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) while also strengthening its domestic hospital services. They are planning to achieve this through enhanced international collaboration and development of specialized TCM centers. China will engage with international organizations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, ASEAN, BRICS, and the G20. Support will be offered to foreign countries in setting up TCM centers, and TCM professionals will be dispatched on international medical aid missions. As part of efforts to expand coverage and enhance the quality of TCM services, China has established TCM facilities in about 90% of county-level regions, as well as in nearly all rural clinics and community healthcare centers. Efforts are being made to integrate TCM with Western medicine, with the creation of flagship hospitals and integration clinics. The country aims to establish 1,158 national specialized TCM centers focusing on areas such as orthopedics, proctology, pediatrics, and dermatology, as well as develop TCM departments in pediatrics, emergency medicine, critical care, rehabilitation, geriatrics, and mental health. Pilot programs are also being carried out for children and teenagers with obesity, scoliosis, and myopia using TCM therapies.
China Aims to Improve Elderly Services by 2035: China is working to improve elderly services, aiming to establish a solid system by 2029 and a well-established system by 2035. The services will prioritize those who have lost self-care ability and will be inclusive, fair, and sustainable for the elderly in both urban and rural areas. Governments at all levels are urged to include elderly care services in rural revitalization plans, with a focus on the elderly who cannot take care of themselves or have disabilities. The plan includes developing talent evaluation systems and regulations, with vocational schools encouraged to set up pilot education programs. The government is encouraging companies to develop products and services for the elderly, aiming to boost the "silver economy". China will invest in technological programs, such as humanoid robots and artificial intelligence for elderly care. From 2019 to 2024, China spent more than 560 billion yuan on elderly services, with annual funding growth of 11 percent. The nation has also improved professional recognition and management of the sector, and vocational schools are developing programs in rehabilitation, social care, and healthcare.
China's Central Bank Suspends Treasury Bond Purchases: The People's Bank of China (PBC) has temporarily suspended treasury bond purchases in the open market, starting this month, due to high demand. This follows a period of net bond purchases by the central bank that began in August 2024, with 100 billion yuan in August, 200 billion yuan in September, October, and November, and 300 billion yuan in December. Analysts interpreted these purchases as an effort to support economic growth and increase domestic demand. The PBC's open market treasury bond trading operations were meant to enhance the counter-cyclicality of its monetary policy and maintain liquidity in the banking system. The PBC has stated that these actions were intended to serve as a channel for base currency issuance and a tool for liquidity management. The central bank plans to implement a moderately loose monetary policy in 2025, and forestall financial risks. The PBC has indicated that bond purchases will resume when appropriate, based on the supply and demand situation.
Xi Urges Law Societies to Act as Bridges: President Xi Jinping has urged law societies to act as bridges and play a better role in advancing law-based governance. He emphasized the need to uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China and serve the broader goals of both the Party and the country. Law societies are called to make concrete efforts in advancing legal research, supporting the practice of the rule of law, raising public awareness, and training legal professionals. Legal scholars and practitioners are urged to have confidence in the rule of law and devote themselves to the crucial task of advancing law-based governance. Chen Wenqing, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, spoke at the congress and stressed the importance of legal professionals ensuring sound legislation, strict law enforcement, impartial administration of justice, and society-wide adherence to the law. These efforts are meant to contribute to advancing Chinese modernization.
China's Finance Ministry to Introduce Policies to Boost Employment: China's Ministry of Finance is considering new policies to boost employment in the country. The ministry will support key sectors, such as the cultural and tourism industry, modern service industries, and foreign trade. Moreover, the Ministry also promised to invest in stabilizing employment and ensuring people's livelihoods. Efforts will be made to further promote employment in small and micro businesses. Chinese authorities have already taken steps to strengthen employment support, including reduced premium rates for unemployment insurance, insurance refunds, and subsidies for vocational skills training. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the urban unemployment rate was 5.1 percent on average in the first 11 months of 2024, with a decrease of 0.1 percentage points year on year. These new policies are aimed at promoting job creation and increasing employment opportunities.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Netizens Debate over the Establishment of Women-Only Subway Carriages: A recent discussion on Phoenix TV's "Discover New Anchor" program about the establishment of women-only subway carriages sparked a debate among netizens on Guancha. Some argued that the carriages were necessary to prevent sexual harassment, pointing to a China Youth Daily survey that indicates over 53% of women have experienced sexual harassment on the subway. Others cited the success of women-only carriages in cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen as evidence of their effectiveness. While some argued that such measures created gender segregation and antagonism, infringed upon men's rights, and did not address the root causes of sexual harassment. Many netizens seemed to be against the idea of introducing this system and attributed it to “brainwashed political correctness.”

INDIA WATCH

Chinese Opinion Piece on the Impact of Trudeau’s Resignation on India-Canada Relations: South China Morning Post reported that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation could lead to a reset in diplomatic relations between Canada and India. Analysts suggest that Trudeau's departure may ease tensions stemming from Canada’s allegations about India's involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader on Canadian soil. According to SCMP, Trudeau's resignation followed growing internal pressure within his Liberal Party. SCMP reports that the bilateral relationship between the two countries have strained during Trudeau’s government, and that regardless of who succeeds him, there would be an opportunity for renewed negotiations. Conservative Party leader, Pierre Poilievre, who has criticized Trudeau's handling of relations with India, is seen as a strong contender in the upcoming elections, SCMP reports. Citing C. Uday Bhaskar, director of the Delhi-based Society for Policy Studies, the article reports that Trudeau was associated with stoking the issue of India's alleged assassination for electoral gains, and that his departure will be stabilizing.

Prepared By

Ananya Tandon

Ananya Tandon is a third-year undergraduate student at FLAME University, majoring in International Studies and minoring in Journalism. With a keen interest in political journalism, she gained valuable hands-on experience through her internship at NDTV, where she had the opportunity to explore the field. She is passionate about staying up-to-date on issues that shape the global community.