CiCM 15th January 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

Provinces Report GDP Growth Figures for 2024: Provinces across China have released their 2024 economic results, suggesting a potential rejuvenation of confidence in the national GDP growth. Leading the way was Zhejiang which recorded GDP growth of approximately 5.5%. The province maintained a steady industrial performance with optimization in the industrial structure and the development of four new manufacturing clusters. Shandong recorded its GDP approaching the 10 trillion Yuan mark, thus becoming the third province in the country to achieve the milestone. The economy of major cities like Beijing, with a GDP growth rate of 5.2%, Kunming, reaching 800 billion Yuan, Wuhan, surpassing 2.1 trillion Yuan, and Shanghai, with a GDP exceeding 5 trillion Yuan, also reported substantial growth. According to Cong Yi, a professor at the Tianjin School of Administration, the impressive performance of these cities and provinces can be attributed to several factors; a shift from an element-driven to an innovation-driven approach and the adaptation of new quality productive forces which are customized for local conditions. Additionally, Pan Gongsheng, the Governor of the People’s Bank of China, emphasized that the Chinese economy is supported by a vast market, a complete industrial system, robust infrastructure, and strong innovation capabilities.
China Includes Seven US Companies to Unreliable Entities List: The Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOC) has added seven US companies to its list of “Unreliable Entities” for selling arms to Taiwan. The concerned companies are Inter-Coastal Electronics, System Studies & Simulation, Iron Mountain Solutions, Applied Technologies Group, Axient, Maritime Tactical Systems, and Anduril Industries. The Ministry of Commerce has banned these companies from engaging in import or export-related activities with China. The executives of these companies have been prohibited from entering China, and their work permits and residency qualifications have been annulled. A spokesperson from the ministry stated that these companies have regularly indulged in selling weapons to Taiwan, thereby violating the “One China” principle and the three joint communiques between the USA and China. Additionally, the spokesperson noted that the weapon sales also violated international law while posing a threat to peace and security in the Taiwan region and undermining China’s vital sovereignty and security interests.
Sri Lankan President in China for State Visit: Sri Lankan President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake is on a four-day state visit to China, marking his first visit to the country after taking office. The president was given a ceremonial welcome by the Chinese military and he was received by Deputy Foreign Minister, Chen Xiaodong. The agenda of the President’s visit includes participation in vital engagements and field trips focusing on key areas like technological, agricultural development, and poverty alleviation initiatives. Moreover, President Dissanayake is scheduled to visit strategic facilities and attend business meetings to boost opportunities for cooperation and collaboration. The Sri Lankan President held a meeting with his counterpart, Xi Jinping, where both leaders acknowledged their commitment to the development of bilateral relations and economic and investment cooperation. According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, both countries have cherished historically strong and friendly relations and the visit of the Sri Lankan president will carry forward the friendship with practical and strategic cooperation across the Belt and Road Initiative and other domains.
State Security Forces Authorised to Supervise and Manage Construction Sites: State security forces have been provided with fresh powers for the supervision and management of construction work on sites such as government buildings and military facilities, according to new regulations issued by the Ministry of State Security. The Ministry has issued repeated warnings for the past eighteen months that foreign spies have been targeting key facilities amidst the rising tensions between China and the United States. A new set of rules, to be enforced from 1st March, will provide the ministry with additional powers to supervise and manage the work of new construction sites. Applicants will need to provide necessary information related to the functions and ownership of the building to obtain security permits. Local state security agencies will have the power to execute on-site inspections and reprimand those who fail to adhere to the conditions of their permits.
Employees in Four Major Financial Regulators Face Reduction of Salaries: With stricter financial regulations governing regulatory institutions, employees of three major financial regulators face reductions in salaries, thereby bringing their wages in line with other civil servants. The total earnings of the employees working at the People's Bank of China, the State Financial Supervision and Administration, and the China Securities Regulatory Commission will be reduced by about half. This decision marks a change in the financial regulators' approach towards employee remuneration and comes two years after the state council passed reforms to centralize power and oversight at the top of the government. However, this decision is a stark contrast to other measures being implemented to boost the economy and encourage consumption amid ongoing economic slowdowns. Earlier this month, several government workers in China received an unexpected pay rise with the average monthly wage rising by about 500 Yuan.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Reality Show Contestant Sparks Conversation on Mental Health and Divorce: Rarely does a contestant from a reality television show become an internet sensation, but when it does happen it can be very special. Mai Lin, a contestant in the popular Chinese divorce reality show “See You Again” has sparked an online frenzy with her interactions and behaviour on the show. The show has a simple premise, with three couples going through a cooling-off period before their divorce, acting as contestants, and going through an 18-day journey together. While audiences mostly watch the show for entertainment, it has been Mai Lin’s act that created an impact beyond the drama. Chinese social media users have been analyzing Mai Lin’s communication patterns with her husband as a case study in relationship psychology. Couples across social media have emphasized that watching Mai Lin’s behaviour has become an unconventional form of couple’s therapy, helping them to identify various issues and toxic communication patterns within their relationships. Netizens are quoting that Mai Lin’s behaviour has become part of a grassroots effort to identify potential problems in relationships. Her role in the show has been pivotal in stimulating conversations related to relationship dynamics and the need for healthy marriages in modern times.

INDIA WATCH

China Youth Daily Article Scrutinises India’s Development of Hypersonic Missiles: An article in China Youth Daily written by Wu Minwen from the School of Information and Communication, National University of Defense Technology critiques the level and quality of hypersonic missile testing by India. The first section of the article describes the characteristics that define the classification of hypersonic weapons and the history behind the development of the weapons which was spearheaded by the United States and Russia. It also outlines the history of Indian efforts in the development and production of missile technology and how India has evolved to concentrate on the development of hypersonic missiles with acceleration in missile research and testing. The article states that despite achieving successful results, India has lagged in the development of military technology including hypersonic weapons in comparison with the United States and Russia. The article also elaborates on how the design of the missile bodies used by India in testing is not conducive to hypersonic flight and how the BrahMos cruise missile in comparison with other prototypes is not a suitable model for achieving high-level hypersonic performance. The third section analyses the challenges faced by India in the development of hypersonic weapons. The author proceeds to highlight several challenges like the limited strength of the military industry, limited investment in military research, and overall shortcomings in hypersonic technology development. In its conclusion, the article acknowledges how India is actively striving to catch up and develop more advanced hypersonic missiles with higher technical levels.

Prepared By

Ruchir Ketkar

Ruchir Ketkar is a First year student pursuing Masters in Diplomacy, Law and Business at OP Jindal Global University. After completing graduation in Political science, he found his interest in International Relations and Global Affairs. With a keen inclination towards security and conflict studies, he has also authored several articles and research papers. He also tries to keep himself updated with the happenings around the world and tries to analyse them using his perspective and understanding.