CiCM 12th November 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Ding Xuexiang Urges Enhanced Early Warning Systems at COP29: Ding Xuexiang, China’s vice premier, called for strengthening early warning systems for all countries and enhancing climate adaptation capacity during a high-level meeting held by China at the 29th session of the Conference of the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. Ding stated that China attaches great importance to international cooperation on meteorological early warning with president Xi making specific requirements on this issue. China has expressed willingness to work with all countries to advance the implementation of the United Nation’s Early Warnings and make greater contributions to addressing climate change. He proposed that it is important to improve global risk assessment capabilities and promote the standardization of climate risk assessments to provide scientific support for climate governance together. Secondly, jointly building global early warning networks, sharing technology, enhancing system interconnectivity and working to improve global early warning systems is necessary. Third, he highlighted that establishing a climate adaptation partnership like a South-South cooperation flagship project for early warning in response to climate change will be developed and implemented. This will support other developing countries through provisions of meteorological observation equipment, will be equipped with early warning systems and have a capacity-building training program.
China and Russia Conduct Strategic Security Talks: The 19th round of China-Russia strategic security consultations was chaired by Wang Yi, Director of the Foreign Affairs office in the CPC Central Committee along with Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Sergei Shoigu, in Beijing. Both the parties had a comprehensive and in-depth exchange of views on major strategic security issues of common concern. Wang Yi stressed that the China-Russia strategic security consultation mechanism should be based on strengthening coordination on strategic and overall issues involving the security and development interests of both sides, alongside the implementation of the consensus reached by the two heads of state. Both Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin have met three times this year, making a series of strategic arrangements to promote the development of bilateral relations and forge ahead. Wang Yi further stressed that China is ready to work with Russia to keep an eye on the changes in the international situation, maintain close communication and coordination, strengthen multilateral coordination, provide a strong guarantee for maintaining the momentum of high-level development of China-Russia relations and jointly safeguard global strategic stability. On the other hand, Shoigu stated that Russia is willing to work with China to strengthen bilateral cooperation and strengthen cooperation in multilateral mechanisms such as the UN, the SCO and BRICS.
Autumn Recruitment Across China Targets High-Demand Talent: Several cities across the country held job fairs like the Hebei provincial digital talent recruitment Conference, Anhui AI Special Job Fair, Wenzhou station of the National large and medium-sized cities recruitment tour and so on. These were targeted to attract talent in fields of intelligent manufacturing, digital economy and new energy. These fairs have been reported to be focusing on meeting the demand for high-skilled talented workers to support emerging industries and transform traditional sectors. An associate professor at the school of labor economics at Capital University of Economics and Business and Director of the China New Employment Forum research center stated that the development of new quality productive forces will promote the adjustment and optimization of industrial structure, emerging industries and new forms of business. As per the report released by the Renmin University’s China Employment Research Institute, new productivity-related industries accounted for 21.8% of the total recruitment in the country in the first half of 2024.
China's C929 Secures First Buyer at Zhuhai Air Show: China’s largest aircraft manufacturer, COMAC, signed a preliminary agreement with Air China to buy the company’s unseen widebody aircraft, the first buyer of the 280 seater planes. They also signed deals for the narrow body models already flying commercial routes in China. The deals were finalized at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, marking a milestone in Beijing’s quest to break into an industry dominated by two Western producers- Airbus and Boeing. The widebody jet has not yet received airworthiness certification but is being built to compete with the Airbus 350 and Boeing 787 families in terms of flight distance. COMAC expects the C929 to cover a distance of 12,000km which is longer than the distance from Beijing to New York, with 2027 set as the deadline for making deliveries to the customers. The state-owned enterprise, founded in 2008, has taken more than 100 orders for its aircrafts like the C919 and the smaller regional C909 jet. Hainan Airlines has placed a firm order for 60 C919 narrowbody and 40 C909 regional jets, while Colorful Guizhou Airlines has signed a purchase agreement for . COMAC’s deputy manager claimed that the C929 would be seen and tested in the near future.
Ministries Issue Plan for Reservoir Risk Mitigation and Reinforcement: The Ministry of Water resources and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued the “National Implementation Plan for the Reinforcement of Sick and Dangerous Reservoirs (2025-2027)”. This plan puts forward three-year goals and various tasks related to reservoir risk removal and reinforcement. The first is to complete the “14th Five-year plan” risk removal and reinforcement task in 2025. Second, to complete the risk removal and reinforcement task of reservoirs that have been identified as sick and dangerous before 2027. Third is to solve the disease risk problem in a timely manner after 2027. The plan requires normalization of reservoir dams safety appraisals, standardizing the construction of risk removal and reinforcement projects and scientifically promoting the scraping of reservoirs. Further the Plan will also ensure the safe operation of reservoirs and long-term stability through timely implementation of risk removal and reinforcement projects.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Social Media Shocked as SUV Driver Kills 35 in Zhuhai: Local police have reported that 35 people have been killed when a man drove a car into a crowd outside a stadium in the city of Zhuhai. Netizens on Weibo have expressed sorrow for the deceased and anger towards the perpetrator. Furthermore another 43 people have been reported to have been wounded in the incident on the eve of an international air show in the city. The police further reported that a 62-year old man surnamed Fan drove an SUV into an area on the outskirts of a sports center where vehicles were not allowed and hit a crowd of people exercising. Preliminary investigation carried out by the authorities indicated that Fan was motivated by dissatisfaction with the division of property in his divorce case. Some users expressed their anger with comments like, “it's horrible, outrageous!”, “ I can't call it human”, with others expressing their surprise with comments like, “I cant believe the numbers”. Many users expressed sympathy for the injured and deceased with comments like “may the injured recover soon and the deceased rest in peace” and “praying for a speedy recovery for the injured”.

INDIA WATCH

The Paper Discusses India’s Proposal for BRICS Space Exploration Initiative: An article in The Paper discussed India’s proposal for a BRICS Space Exploration Alliance. The BRICS nations through dedicated working groups are fostering collaboration in areas of astronomy, research infrastructure and space exploration. The article discusses India’s proposal to bring together technology, funds and human resources of various countries to jointly participate in the exploration of the moon and other planets. It states that countries like China and Russia have partnered with the International Lunar Research Station for lunar landings and surface exploration. It also details attempts at creating a lunar nuclear power plant project involving Russia, China and India. The article recalls that Rostom General Director, Alexey Likhachev, confirmed China and India’s interest in partnering for Russia’s lunar nuclear power plant program. The article claims that the BRICS nations are optimistic about building mutual trust and encouraged them to adhere to IAEA standards in any nuclear facility initiatives and to focus on collaborative rather than competitive goals in space. The article also called on the countries to avoid zero-sum games and remain open to attracting non-BRICS countries for the development of space.

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.