CiCM 14th July 2023

NEWS IN CHINA

China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC), a major space contractor in China, has announced its plans to build a vast remote-sensing satellite network by 2030. The network, which is yet to be named, aims to provide public services such as emergency response, disaster prevention, and relief. It will also offer real-time, high-resolution observation of specific areas and targets based on user requests. The project, led by CASIC subsidiary CASIC Space Engineering Development, will involve the deployment of 300 remote-sensing satellites operating in extra-low orbits, which will allow to get high-resolution images with lesser transmission time. These satellites will gather optical pictures, radar data, hyperspectral and infrared images, allowing mapping and surveying of any location worldwide within 15 minutes. The first satellite will launch in December, followed by nine more in 2024. CASIC plans to open the satellite payload capacity to enterprises and research institutes.

Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has unveiled its own large language model (LLM), called ChatRhino (yanxi), during its JD Discovery tech summit in Beijing. The LLM, similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT, is expected to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in various industries. JD.com's CEO, Sandy Xu Ran, emphasised that the value of LLMs lies in their industrial applications. ChatRhino combines 70 percent of general data with the remaining 30 percent of intelligent supply chain data, offering targeted solutions across retail, logistics, finance, and healthcare sectors. JD.com's entry into the AI model market reflects China's tech industry's efforts to catch up with the West and align with the government's regulation of AI. Other Chinese tech giants, including Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent, and Huawei, have also launched their own LLM applications. This has made Beijing a hub of LLMs as 40 out of 80 LLMs in China till now have been launched by Beijing-based companies. JD.com also launched ‘Jingyi Qianxun’ (asking doctors thousands of times), a specific iteration for the company’s healthcare entity that can help them establish telemedicine services.

The Beijing Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau has announced a revision to the monthly minimum wage standards, effective September 1, 2023, in order to uphold the essential livelihood of workers. The monthly minimum wage benchmark will be elevated from 2,320 yuan to 2,420 yuan, signifying an increment of 100 yuan. Concurrently, adjustments will be made to the hourly minimum wage for part-time employees, establishing it at 26.4 yuan per hour. Moreover, for part-time employees engaged in work during statutory holidays, the hourly minimum wage will be set at 62 yuan per hour. In light of the prevailing high temperatures, concerns were raised regarding whether the minimum wage incorporates a provision for high-temperature allowances. The regulations stipulate that the monthly minimum wage in Beijing does not encompass such allowances, which are provided separately for labourers working in high-temperature environments as mandated by the state. The authorities have urged employers to implement measures for heatstroke prevention, adequately schedule outdoor work during hot weather, and ensure legal provisions for high-temperature allowances. Workers are advised to prioritise personal safety and report any labour rights violations to the appropriate authorities or the labour supervision department in their district.

China has completed the construction of the core module for the world's first commercial onshore small modular reactor, named Linglong One. This achievement, hailed as a historical step in small modular pressurised water reactors, was accomplished by the Nuclear Power Institute of China. Small modular reactors offer several advantages, including the ability to fulfil multiple purposes and provide power and fresh water to areas where conventional reactors are unsuitable. The Linglong One reactor, located at the Changjiang power plant on Hainan Island, is expected to be operational by 2026 and will have the capacity to generate 1 billion kilowatt hours of electricity annually. Developing small modular reactors aligns with China's goal of carbon neutrality by 2060.

Alar City in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has achieved a breakthrough by successfully cultivating passion fruit in an open field, a departure from its previous reliance on greenhouses for tropical fruit cultivation. Inspired by the profits generated in Guizhou Province, Liu Rong, an employee of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, introduced passion fruit cultivation to Aral Shehri. With guidance from experts at Tarim University, Liu employed agricultural techniques such as drip irrigation, organic cultivation, and outdoor trellising. After three months of efforts, the fruits, weighing between 60 and 90 grams, are expected to ripen by mid-August. Alar City's abundant solar resources and fertile soil along Tarim River have facilitated extended harvest seasons, with flowers blooming continuously and yielding more fruit in September and October. Liu plans to establish a cooperative and involve more people in local development initiatives.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Chinese elderly attempts to give away life savings: A heart-wrenching incident unfolded in China when a grief-stricken elderly man attempted to give away 660,000 yuan ($92,000) of his personal savings to strangers on the street. The incident, captured in a viral video, has resonated with millions of Chinese social media users. The video was shot in Chongqing municipality, where the 67-year-old man, identified as Wang, emptied two plastic bags filled with 100-yuan bills onto the street while urging people to take them away, expressing their uselessness. Wang lost his wife to illness a year ago and expressed that life had lost its meaning. Despite the man's fervent gesture, compassionate onlookers refused to accept the money. Many of them approached him, urged him to keep the money, and expressed concern for his well-being. Some onlookers picked up the cash that Wang had thrown and returned it to him, refusing to accept any of it for themselves. Then they promptly contacted the police, who collected the remaining money and informed his family members. Wang's daughter picked him up from the police station. The incident has garnered widespread sympathy, highlighting the power of love and human compassion in difficult times.

INDIA WATCH

China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC) has unveiled its ambitious plan to establish a comprehensive remote-sensing satellite network by 2030. This announcement holds significant political implications, apart from China's commitment to expanding its space capabilities and utilising space technology for public services. The real-time, high-resolution observation capabilities of the satellite network align with China's broader national security objectives. These capabilities enable targeted monitoring of specific areas and targets upon user request, potentially supporting intelligence and military operations. China's endeavour demonstrates its intent to bolster surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, further consolidating its strategic position. The involvement of CASIC, a state-owned enterprise, highlights the close integration of China's space industry with its political agenda. This ambition positions China as a formidable player in the space industry, directly competing with established space powers like the United States and Russia. With regard to India's strategic interests, these developments in the Chinese space industry may pose competitive challenges. However, India's own remote sensing satellite program has been instrumental in advancing various fields within the country. These satellites have played a vital role in natural resource management, environmental monitoring, disaster management, weather forecasting, and national security. They have enabled India to monitor weather patterns, assess damage during disasters, and provide real-time meteorological data for forecasting. Since the launch of the first Indian remote sensing satellite, IRS-1A, in 1988, the program has seen remarkable progress. The subsequent launches of satellites like IRS-1B, IRS-1C, IRS-1D, Resourcesat-1, Resourcesat-2, Cartosat series, RISAT series, Oceansat series, and the latest addition, Resourcesat-3, have expanded the capabilities and coverage of India's remote sensing infrastructure. The successful deployment and utilisation of remote sensing satellites demonstrates India's ability to harness space capabilities for the benefit of the nation and to rise up to international competition.

Prepared By

Ramyani Kundu

Ramyani Kundu is an Undergraduate student from Shiv Nadar IoE, pursuing a B.A.(Research) English with a Minor in International Relations. Her research interests include understanding the role of narratives in geopolitical relations and foreign policy's of nation-states. She further posits interest in South/East Asian literature and Continental philosophy