CiCM 17th January 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

Another Township in Guangdong Province Crosses 100 Billion Mark in GDP: The Chang'an township in Dongguan City, a major manufacturing hub in the Guangdong Province, became the third township after Shishan and Beijiao to cross the 100 Billion Yuan mark. The Chang’an township, the birthplace of significant smartphone manufacturing companies like Oppo and Vivo, has witnessed the vibrant growth of the electronics information industry. Besides the electronic industry, the economic growth of the township has also been amplified by the development of several emerging industries like intelligent vision technologies, support industries for new energy vehicles, and electronic healthcare, each valued at over 10 billion yuan. The township has also focused on public welfare by improving educational resources and upgrading the medical facilities. Additionally, the cluster of the hardware and mold industries, valued at approximately 50 billion Yuan, has also driven local economic growth.
China Responds to Data Privacy Complaints: China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, stated that China has never required nor will it require companies or individuals to collect data and intelligence located overseas for the Chinese government violating the local laws. The statement was made in response to the media questions related to the complaints filed by the Austrian organization, Noyb in several European Union (EU) nations. The complaints were registered against six Chinese companies, including Xiaomi and TikTok, for illegally sending EU user data to China and breaching privacy. In response to the allegations, Xiaomi released a statement addressing the fact that they are aware of the complaint made by the non-profit organization to the national data protection authority in Europe, and they are examining the allegations. Moreover, Xiaomi affirmed its cooperation with the national data protection authority to resolve the matter and emphasized that the company's privacy policy has been developed in compliance with applicable regulations, such as the EU's General Data Protection Regulations, with the user data stored and processed in markets where Xiaomi operates while adhering to local laws. Additionally, the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU highlighted that the Chinese enterprises in the digital sector that are operating in Europe strictly adhere to the EU's stringent requirements for data privacy and protection.
China’s Contributions to Global Economic Progress Receive International Recognition: During the recent Briefing on Key Outward Investment Promotion Events in Beijing, representatives from various nations praised China's significant contributions to global economic growth through its outbound investments. Yu Zirong, the Director General of China Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA), highlighted Beijing’s dynamic investment partnerships with countries like Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, which are a part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Yan Hua, the director of CIPA's Department of Outward Investment and Cooperation, emphasized the key priorities for the year, which include encouraging support for investment in BRI partnership Countries, hosting the “China Investment” events at the China International Fair for Investment and Trade and advancing international supply chain collaboration. Tom Simpson, the managing director of China Operations at the China Britain Business Council, stated that there is significant potential for cooperation between the two countries in areas the UK government prioritises, like Capital Market, Technology, and Consumer Services. Currently, China's total outbound direct investments (ODI) have been nearing $3 trillion. In 2024, the non-financial ODI exceeded 900 billion yuan between January and February, reflecting a growth of 12%. Jirapat Methaseth, the Minister Counselor (Investment Promotion) of the Royal Thai Embassy and director of BOI, Beijing Office, appreciated Chinese Enterprises' contributions to Thailand. He appreciated Chinese companies bringing capital and promoting expertise, innovation, and collaboration in both economies. He further highlighted that this has led to the successful implementation of projects in industries such as automotive manufacturing and electronics. Victor Cadena, the Executive Vice President of the Mexican Chamber of Commerce in China, also expressed optimism about China’s Economic prospects in the future, stating that China remains the world's largest growth engine and contributes to one-third of global economic growth.
China Achieves Major Milestones in the Construction of the World’s Largest Bridge: China has completed the construction of the main structure of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in the Southwestern Guizhou Province. The construction of the suspension bridge was undertaken by the Guizhou Transportation Investment Group Co., Ltd. After completion, it would become the world's largest bridge. The bridge has a vertical height of about 625 meters from the main deck to the river surface, almost twice the height of the Eiffel Tower. The bridge's construction is part of an expressway project connecting the localities of Liuzhi and Anlong. The Guizhou province, mainly covered by mountains and land, is home to nearly 30,000 bridges constructed since the late 1970s. With the construction of numerous bridges spanning rivers and mountains, the once-isolated mountainous regions have undergone massive transformations. Additionally, the construction of expressways has brought the province closer to neighboring economic hubs and accelerated rapid economic and social development.
Chinese Premier Urges Tougher Measures Against Corruption: Chinese Premier Li Qiang chaired an executive meeting of the State Council and emphasized consistent efforts to improve the Party's conduct, build a clean government, and fight corruption to ensure high-quality development and the Chinese modernization drive. Li addressed the need to steadfastly implement the directives of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee regarding comprehensive and rigorous party self-governance. The premier also highlighted the complexities of the current anti-corruption landscape and stressed continuing the battle against corruption with determination and continuous perseverance. He also urged strict adherence to financial discipline with the effective management of public funds and measures to prevent corruption. Moreover, he stated that those involved in corrupt practices, especially in crucial sectors like finance, state-owned assets, state enterprises, and construction project bidding, will get harsh penalties.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

TikTok Refugees on RedNote Face Linguistic and Cultural Challenges: Following several days of growing momentum, TikTok refugees have driven RedNote (Xiaohongshu) to the top spot among the free Apple App Store downloads worldwide. The RedNote app which was once the primary lifestyle-sharing platform for Chinese speakers has seen an unexpected influx of foreign users in recent days. The fusion of TikTok culture and RedNote’s unique style has given prominence to countless memes and new cultural codes. However, RedNote was never prepared to handle the sudden influx of foreign users, as its translation features remain underdeveloped. This has led to a surge in demand for Duolingo’s Chinese beginner lessons, with the app experiencing a 216% increase in Mandarin learners. The surge of TikTok users onto RedNote who are predominantly English-speaking and mostly unfamiliar with the deeper aspects of Chinese culture has disrupted the dynamics of the platform. Many overseas users are struggling to adjust to the features of the new platform. The significant linguistic barrier between English and Chinese speakers has led to shallow interactions and surface-level exchanges on the app, where users are treated as mere “scenery” rather than being recognized as people. Chinese RedNote users are noticing that the platform’s algorithm is becoming less accommodating to the older generations, raising concerns about censorship. However, despite the prevalent challenges, the influx of TikTok users onto RedNote presents a unique opportunity to challenge stereotypes, bridge the gap between everyday internet users in China and the US, and enhance cultural interaction between the two countries.

INDIA WATCH

China Daily Article Scrutinises the Potential Consequences of Development of India-Taiwan Relations: An article by Chen Guiqing in the China Daily highlights the improving relations between Taiwan and India with the inauguration of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in Mumbai. The article states that establishing the Taipei Center violates the One China principle. The author further argued that since India has diplomatic ties with China, it should strictly adhere to the One China principle while avoiding any provocations that might affect the bilateral relations. The One China principle considers Taiwan an inseparable part of China, with the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) being the sole legitimate government representing the entire nation. The article describes the historical development of relations between India and China. India was one of the first countries to recognize the PRC in 1949 and remained committed to the One-China principle despite the ups and downs. Additionally, with India-China bilateral trade thriving and both countries discussing how to resolve the border issues, both countries should view each other as partners and deepen cooperation. The article asserts that India’s stance on the One-China principle is becoming increasingly ambiguous, and the development of relations with Taiwan is a redline that India should not cross. The author also pointed out how certain Indian think tanks have been advocating for deeper ties with Taiwan and how Indian media outlets have even aired interviews with prominent Taiwanese leaders. In conclusion, the article highlights that India should be cautious about its partnership with pro-Taiwan forces as it can ultimately harm India’s national interests.

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.