CiCM 14th August 2023

NEWS IN CHINA

China is set to impose temporary anti-dumping restrictions on Taiwanese imports of polycarbonate, a thermoplastic polymer used in electronics, automobiles, packaging, medical equipment, and safety protection. Polycarbonate items would face deposits ranging from 16.9% to 22.4%, according to the Ministry of Commerce. This action follows a preliminary judgment alleging that Taiwanese imports participated in dumping practices, causing injury to Chinese industries. Formosa Chemicals & Fibre, Idemitsu Chemicals Taiwan, Chimei Corporation, and Chilin Technology would face deposits of roughly 17%, while other Taiwanese enterprises will face deposits of 22.4%. Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs said in a stayement that it was working on a response. The Taiwanese firms that have been impacted have 10 days to offer input and can ask for a final assessment, with reimbursements possible if no dumping practices are verified. This decision comes amid difficult cross-strait ties, with China viewing Taiwan as a renegade province that should be unified with the mainland. The continued hostilities have also had significant impact on the two areas' economic connections.
The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan and the Chinese Consulate General in Karachi have strongly condemned the attack on a convoy of Chinese engineers working on a project at the port of Gwadar. The assault, which included explosives and bullets, took place as the convoy traveled from the airport to the port. Thankfully, no injuries or fatalities were recorded. The convoy was made up of bulletproof trucks transporting 23 Chinese men. During the attack, an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded, and the convoy's van was also fired at. The Chinese Embassy and Consulate General in Pakistan has urged Pakistan to take firm action against the perpetrators and safeguard the safety of Chinese nationals and projects. The incident was claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist organization, which has also attacked Chinese personnel in a number of other cases. Experts believe that, like past attacks, the goal of this one is to undermine China-Pakistan collaboration, notably the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
According to Harbin Customs, the overall import and export value of products commerce in Heilongjiang Province during the first half of the year was 1,424.6 billion yuan. This is a historic high for the same time, with exports up 43.7% and imports up 10.4%. Financial institutions, most notably the China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation Heilongjiang Branch, have backed this claim. The branch's efforts in export credit insurance and other measures have greatly contributed to the province's foreign trade stabilization and enhancement. Through initiatives including export credit insurance, Sinosure Heilongjiang Branch has been aggressive in performing its policy tasks and supporting foreign trade operators. By June, the office had guaranteed over US$30.12 billion and supported over 1000 customers, assisting local businesses in their worldwide endeavors. Sinosure Heilongjiang Branch has participated in third-party market cooperation as part of its participation in the "Belt and Road" project, notably in the context of promoting finance and insurance. Sinosure Heilongjiang Branch has also established an export credit unified insurance platform to assist small and medium-sized companies (SMEs). This platform has protected over a thousand SMEs by providing export premiums, compensation, and arrears recovery, creating a safety net against foreign dangers. Additionally, efforts have been undertaken to improve service standards for SMEs. The section worked with a variety of agencies, organizations, and banks to carry out activities that assist businesses in understanding overseas trade rules, using export credit insurance mechanisms, and expanding their market presence.
During a regular press conference on 14^th August, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin addressed the recent travel to Taiwan of three Baltic lawmakers. Wang emphasized that there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is a part of China's territory. China vehemently opposes any official contact between nations with diplomatic links to Taiwan's government. Wang Wenbin asked all parties involved to adhere to the one-China concept, desist from supporting "Taiwan independence" initiatives, and take concrete steps to safeguard the sound and steady advancement of bilateral relationships.
China has issued 24 new rules in an effort to attract more global capital and improve the business climate for international firms. The guidelines, outlined in a policy document released by the State Council, cover a wide range of topics, including encouraging foreign investors to participate in large-scale scientific research projects, ensuring fairness between foreign and domestic firms, and establishing secure mechanisms for cross-border data flows. Furthermore, the rules emphasize the need of preserving foreign enterprises' rights, give fiscal assistance and tax breaks, and ease entrance, exit, and residence for foreign executives and technical people. The State Council's goal is to establish a world-class international business climate that capitalizes on China's massive market and efficiently attracts foreign investment. These policies are intended to correspond with international firms' expectations and to attract investment in sectors such as high-end manufacturing and service trade. Localization and evolving market dynamics are prominent in industries such as electronics, semiconductors, automobiles, and green energy. The statement emphasizes China's allure to international investors as a result of its economic vigor, consumer potential, and solid industrial chain. In the first half of 2023, China launched 24,000 new foreign-invested firms, a 35.7% increase over the previous year, demonstrating international investors' continued interest in the country.
During the recent National Conference on Ecological Environmental Protection, Chinese General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the need of modifying industrial and energy structures and fostering the growth of renewable energy. China's wind power industry grew rapidly in the first half of the year, with cumulative power output increasing by 20% year on year. This has resulted in substantial improvements and breakthroughs in the wind power sector, helping to build a leading worldwide wind power industry system and bolstering China's economic growth with green energy. The connecting of the world's largest 16 MW wind turbine to the grid in the Fujian Sea, the functioning of the world's tallest wind turbine on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and the deployment of decentralized wind turbines in the Central Plains are all notable achievements. With 89 million kilowatts of installed wind power capacity, China's wind power industry accounted for more than 3% of the world's new wind power capacity in the first half of the year. General Secretary Xi Jinping has personally promoted the energy revolution, emphasizing the need of prioritizing innovative and clean energy development while also stimulating the complementing growth of other energy sources. At the same time, China has also emerged as a global leader in the production of wind power equipment, selling to a variety of nations. Innovations in the wind power sector have resulted in the construction of bigger turbines, technological breakthroughs, and the localization of essential components. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China's wind power sector is expected to grow to more difficult conditions such as plateaus, deserts, and deep oceans, potentially tripling wind power capacity.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Controversy Arises as Chinese Prisons Introduce Paid Video Visits for Inmates: Prisons in China's Hebei province have adopted a "remote visit app" that charges convicts' families 50 yuan (US$7) for a 20-minute video call visit, generating outrage on social media. The authenticity and financial transparency of the service, which is offered by a third-party corporation, have been questioned by critics. The app's ex-lawyer expressed worries about potential taxes, licenses, and financial links. The jail officials defended the payments, claiming that they cover the cost of equipment and network access, saving time and money. Supporters believe that convicts should not be given free services, while detractors dispute the need for paid video conversations when free options are available. The plan has sparked a discussion over the ethics and legality of charging for jail visits, with fears of pressure and abuse.

INDIA WATCH

The trajectory of China's renewable energy industry expansion has been distinguished by both spectacular accomplishments and complicated hurdles. As a key global actor, China has shown a commitment to lowering carbon emissions and shifting to a more sustainable energy mix. However, various obstacles must be overcome before these objectives may be completely realized. While China has significantly increased its renewable energy capacity, further technical innovation is required to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness. To improve the dependability of renewable energy technology, research, and development initiatives are required. Coordination of policies and laws affecting the renewable energy sector is a big task. Furthermore, the lack of effective market mechanisms, such as a comprehensive carbon pricing scheme, can damage investor confidence and stifle industry expansion in China. Renewable energy has gained popularity in India as the government seeks to address energy security, reduce emissions, and fulfill its expanding energy demand in a sustainable manner. Despite advancements, significant obstacles remain in the way of broad adoption and growth of renewable energy sources. To address these difficulties, India has proposed a number of policies and initiatives. The National Solar Mission (NSM) and National Wind Energy Mission advance solar and wind power capabilities, respectively, while the Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) requires businesses to purchase a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable sources. Bundling Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) encourages the creation of sustainable energy, while the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) requires energy-efficient standards for new commercial buildings. Domestic manufacturing is boosted by initiatives such as Make in India for Renewable Energy, while the Green Energy Corridor Project improves transmission infrastructure for easy renewable energy integration. The International Solar Alliance (ISA) demonstrates India's commitment to sustainability, while the Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy encourages synergistic hybrid projects. These measures demonstrate India's commitment to developing a sustainable energy environment by utilizing its renewable resources. But the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, stand as the country’s immediate challenge. Their erratic power supply raises issues about system stability and dependability, needing effective energy storage and smart grid management technologies. Furthermore, incorporating significant renewable energy into the current power grid necessitates infrastructure changes and grid system modernization. Another impediment is the scarcity of land and resources. Installing solar panels and wind turbines sometimes necessitates a large amount of land, which might cause problems with agricultural and environmental concerns. Striking a balance between these needs while minimizing land-use conflicts is a difficult task. Furthermore, the initial expenses associated with renewable energy and policy uncertainty is a major problem that may undermine investor confidence and stymie growth. To counteract this, India’s long-term policies would help foster the growth of renewable energy. India hopes to overcome these barriers and meet its high renewable energy ambitions by establishing strong legislation, smart planning, and international collaboration

Prepared By

Anakha S Thampy

Anakha S Thampy is currently pursuing her dual Masters degree - an MA in International Studies from Symbiosis International University, Pune, and an MA in Sustainability Science from IGNOU. Having completed her Bachelor's in Political Science, she aspires to make a significant impact in society by becoming a Civil Servant. Her research focus revolves around the captivating realms of Asian area studies and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).