CiCM 12th August 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Aquatic life recovery since the implementation of the fishing ban in the Yangtze River: The "Communiqué on the Status of Aquatic Biological Resources and Habitats in the Yangtze River Basin (2023)" was jointly released August 12th, by the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Water Resources, Ecology, and Environment, and Transport. The "Communiqué" demonstrates that the Yangtze River's aquatic biological resources have typically shown a recovery trend after the fishing ban was put into place. The resource density in the Yangtze River's mainstream has grown by 16.7% annually, while key tributaries saw a 64.3% increase in resource levels in 2023.　The "Communiqué" highlights the ongoing recovery of aquatic biological resources in the Yangtze River, with biodiversity steadily increasing. In 2023, 227 native fish species were recorded in the Yangtze River Basin, an increase of 34 species from the previous year. The Yangtze River's aquatic ecosystems have remained relatively stable, supported by high water quality in the main and tributary rivers, with 98.5% classified as Class I–III. Additionally, projects such as sand mining and channel improvement have seen reduced development intensity, contributing to the stability of the river's habitats.
China Delivers Largest International Offshore Oil Platform: On Monday, after 34 months of construction in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, the heaviest international offshore oil and gas platform, built by China, weighing 17,000 tonnes, was formally delivered. This marked a breakthrough in the nation's large-scale offshore oil and gas equipment construction technology. The platform is mainly responsible for collecting extracted offshore oil and gas and transporting it to land for processing. It consists of complex equipment such as large manifolds, pipeline cleaning, chemical treatment, and operation control. At the end of August, a large cargo ship will transport the platform 6,400 nautical miles to its installation site in Saudi Arabian waters. With a deck space equivalent to fifteen standard basketball courts, the platform is capable of handling 24 million tonnes of crude oil and 7.4 billion cubic meters of gas annually, setting records for size, pipeline variety, and system complexity among similar international platforms. The platform will be installed in the waters of Saudi Arabia to help the Marjan oilfield increase its production capacity. The annual crude oil production will reach 24 million tonnes after the Marjan oilfield is fully operational.
Team China Excels at Paris with Record-Breaking Performance: The Paris 2024 Olympic Games concluded on Sunday with Team China achieving their best overseas performance to date. The delegation won a total of 91 medals—40 gold, 27 silver, and 24 bronze—across 11 main events and 14 sub-events. According to Chinese analysts, this success highlights how Chinese modernization not only drives economic growth but also enhances public health and sports industries, promoting the concept of "sports for all." Li Xiang, a sports journalist and media commentator covering Paris 2024, highlighted that modernization has enabled China's 1.4 billion people to participate in sports through various infrastructures, watch events via 5G networks anytime and anywhere, and drive economic growth through sports. This, according to him, exemplifies successful modernization. Vice Chairman of the Chinese delegation, Zhou Jinqiang, noted that this result represents China’s best performance in the Olympics since it began competing in 1984. Chinese authorities expressed their warmest congratulations, stating that the Chinese team has brought glory to the country and its people. In a joint message from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council, the government offered heartfelt compliments to the teams.
National Plan for Comprehensive Green Transformation: The CPC Central Committee and the State Council have released a top-level design document titled "Opinions on Accelerating the Comprehensive Green Transformation of Economic and Social Development." This document marks the first national-level, systematic approach to the green revolution, encompassing sectors such as energy, transportation, urban and rural construction, industrial structure, and regional development. For the first time, the entire green revolution is being methodically implemented at the national level, encompassing a variety of industries and disciplines like energy, transportation, urban and rural construction, industrial structure, and regional development. It outlines two key goals: by 2030, significant progress should be made in the green transformation of key sectors, with green production and lifestyles becoming the norm. Efforts to reduce pollution and carbon emissions will be better coordinated, and policies supporting green development will be strengthened. The "Opinions" also detail tasks and implementation strategies to establish a resource-conserving and environmentally protective spatial pattern, industrial structure, production mode, and lifestyle. The Opinions introduce "green consumption" systematically for the first time, emphasizing the need to enhance government procurement policies to boost green product purchases and support "old for new" programs in eligible regions.
Giant Chinese Cargo Drone's First Test Flight: The biggest Chinese-developed uncrewed cargo aircraft completed its first test flight on Sunday, marking one more step in a national push to expand the “low-altitude economy”. According to state broadcaster CCTV, the twin-engine aircraft boasts a wingspan of 16.1 meters (52.8 feet), stands 4.6 meters tall, and offers a cargo space of 12 cubic meters (423 cubic feet) with a payload capacity of 2 tonnes. The report described it as the largest unmanned cargo aircraft fully developed in China, designed specifically to meet the demands of the domestic market. The aircraft was expected to support the expansion of air freight services and “intelligent low-altitude logistics” in China. Beijing has high hopes for technology in this sector to drive economic growth and lead in advanced manufacturing. As part of this effort, it has been actively promoting the development of drone technology to modernize logistics and transport infrastructure. This transition involves gradually replacing older vehicles, such as trucks, ships, and trains, with modern alternatives like UAVs. The Chinese Civil Aviation Administration's Song Zhiyong disclosed last month that 14,000 businesses have been granted permission to use drones. Additionally, 225,000 people have been granted permission to use drones.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

China Couple Reunites with Son Given Away 37 Years Ago Due to Poverty: In a poignant story that has captivated Chinese social media, a couple in China has been reunited with their son, who was given away 37 years ago due to financial difficulties. Born in Weinan, Shaanxi, in 1986 as their third child, the infant was entrusted to Zhao, a man who took him in after the grandmother, overwhelmed by the family's poverty, decided without the parents' knowledge or consent. After the grandmother's death, the couple, Li and his wife, spent three decades searching for their lost son. The breakthrough came in February when police matched their DNA with a man named Pang from Zaozhuang, Shandong. With the authorities' assistance, Pang was reunited with his birth parents in Weinan, bringing their long search to an emotional close. This reunion has stirred a wide range of reactions on Chinese social media. Many users have expressed joy and relief for the family, celebrating the reunion as a triumph of perseverance and familial love. However, there is also significant criticism directed at the grandmother's decision to give the child away. Some commentators argue that her choice, driven by economic hardship, highlights the harsh realities and societal pressures that many Chinese families face. The story echoes a similar case in 2021 when Sun Haiyang was reunited with his son Sun Zhuo after a 14-year search, which also drew significant national attention. Both cases highlight the enduring pain of separation and the collective hope for reconciliation in Chinese society. They highlight not only the cultural emphasis on family ties but also the complex interplay of economic pressures and personal choices in shaping these profound familial stories.

INDIA WATCH

Indian Doctors Halt Elective Procedures in Protest Against Colleague's Brutal Murder: The China Morning Post reported that In response to the horrific rape and murder of a young doctor, physicians across India have initiated an indefinite strike, halting all elective procedures in government hospitals. The 31-year-old victim, a resident physician at a state-run hospital in Kolkata, was found dead on Friday with severe injuries. An autopsy confirmed both homicide and sexual assault. The outrage, which began in Kolkata, has rapidly spread to other regions as doctors demand justice and improved workplace safety. The strike highlights the broader issue of sexual violence in India, where nearly 90 rapes are reported daily in a population of 1.4 billion. In addition to the violence faced by women, doctors report frequent threats of aggression from patients' families, particularly after delivering unfavourable news. Sarvesh Pandey of the Federation of Resident Doctors Association has called for enhanced security measures, including installing CCTV cameras in hospitals. A survey by the Indian Medical Association reveals that 75 percent of doctors in India have encountered some form of violence, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to protect medical professionals and ensure their safety.

Prepared By

Pavithra SR

I am a third-year undergraduate majoring in International Relations at Shiv Nadar Institute of Eminence, Greater Noida specializing in gender, security, and digitalization. My interests include policy making and South Asian studies, with a particular focus on international migration, subaltern communities, and democratic studies. I am keen to conduct policy research in these areas in the future.