CiCM 1st March 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Xi stresses on high-quality development of new energy: President Xi Jinping, while presiding over a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, emphasized the importance of vigorously promoting high-quality development in new energy sector to address global climate challenges. He highlighted China's potential in wind power, photovoltaic technology, and other renewable resources, emphasizing the need for balanced development between new and traditional energy sectors. He acknowledged that China faces challenges such as disparity between demand and supply as well as transitional challenges for creating green economy. Additionally, he called for international cooperation in new energy innovation and the establishment of a fair global energy governance system. “The country should accelerate the construction of charging infrastructure network system to support the rapid development of new energy vehicles”, Xi said. Meanwhile, following Xi’s vision, the State Grid's Shanxi branch reported that it has reached an installed capacity of 50.93 million kilowatts from wind and solar power combined, constituting 38.2% of its total capacity. This achievement follows China's energy revolution pilot program initiated in 2019, aiming for a clean and low-carbon energy model. In 2023, Shanxi delivered a record-breaking 157.6 billion kWh of electricity to other regions, with 9.6 billion kWh sourced from new energy, marking a 15% increase from the previous year. By the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Shanxi aims to have new and clean energy account for 50% of total installed capacity and 30% of total power generation.

Review of China’s education landscape in 2023: China's Ministry of Education has revealed significant shifts in the nation's education landscape in 2023. Despite a 3.9% decline in the number of schools nationwide, enrollment figures saw a slight decrease of 0.52%, totaling 291 million students. Notably, the number of full-time teachers increased by 0.6% to reach 18.92 million. Preschool education also witnessed improvements, with 274,400 kindergartens accommodating 40.93 million children along with a better student-to-teacher ratio. The expansion of primary school campuses contributed to an increase in total area, with a notable rise in secondary vocational education schools, hosting 12.98 million students. Higher education enrollment surpassed expectations, achieving a gross enrollment rate of 60.2% before the end of 14^th five-year plan. With 3,074 institutions and 47.63 million enrolled, including a significant rise in professional master's degree students, China's education system gears towards producing high-level talents aligned with the demands of technological advancement and industrial transformation. Moreover, the Ministry of Education announced plans to steadily expand postgraduate talent training, aiming to align educational objectives with national strategic needs. Efforts will focus on optimizing talent training structures, increasing enrollment in key areas, and reinforcing the integration of science, technology, and education to foster innovative talents for future development.

Fujian Jinhua cleared of Micron trade secrets theft charges: Chinese semiconductor manufacturer Fujian Jinhua integrated Circuit Co. has been acquitted of charges accusing it of stealing trade secrets from U.S. chipmaker Micron Technology Inc., concluding a 5-year legal battle. In 3017, Micron filed a complaint against Jinhua and its US partner United Microelectronics for stealing the company’s memory chip trade secrets. Following the lawsuit, US authorities added Jinhua to “entity list” which restricted it from buying components, software and technology products from US companies. The recent ruling by a U.S. court in San Francisco stated that prosecutors failed to prove the alleged misappropriation of proprietary data by Fujian Jinhua. This verdict is being considered as a significant victory for the Chinese company. Chinese experts emphasize the importance of enhancing research and development efforts and fostering independent innovation to mitigate potential risks amid ongoing tensions with the U.S. The resolution follows a settlement between Micron and Fujian Jinhua in December, indicating a desire for expanded business cooperation. As the semiconductor market anticipates double-digit growth in 2024, global players like Micron seek to capitalize on opportunities in China, the world's largest chip market. In fact, it has already announced an investment in packaging plant in Xi’an worth 4.3 billion yuan ($597.6 million).

State Council takes important decisions before Two Sessions: Chinese Premier Li Qiang led a State Council executive meeting, endorsing an action plan to promote large-scale equipment renewal and consumer goods trade-ins. The focus is on advancing production capacity and ensuring high-quality, durable goods for residents, benefiting both enterprises and consumers. The meeting advocated for increased fiscal and financial support in sectors like construction, municipal infrastructure, transport, agriculture, education, and healthcare to facilitate equipment renewal. Emphasizing the importance of consumer goods trade-ins, particularly in automobiles and home appliances, the plan aims to establish a robust recycling system to enhance resource recycling and utilization capacity. The meeting also addressed accelerating the construction of a modern infrastructure system, crucial for the development of a modern socialist nation. It stressed the need for spatial planning, supply structure optimization, and improved functionality, promoting advanced technology and eco-friendly solutions. In the context of the Yangtze River Delta, the meeting highlighted the importance of enhancing innovation capabilities and industrial competence to maximize the region's role in integrated development. Draft amendments to three laws, including one on agricultural technology promotion, were discussed, with plans to submit them for review by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

Changes in river flow patterns prompts China to take necessary actions: A recent study published in journal Science reveals that human activities have significantly impacted seasonal river flows, particularly in high northern latitudes. The study by scientists from the Southern University of Science and Technology and the University of Leeds indicates that approximately 21% of long-term river gauging stations have experienced notable alterations in seasonal flow distributions. Notably, a discernible weakening of river flow seasonality has been observed above 50 degrees northern latitude, attributed to human-induced climate change. These changes have led to flood situations in Northern areas and even Beijing prompting China's Ministry of Water Resources to take steps towards post-disaster water conservancy infrastructure construction. Of the 5,542 key water damage repair projects nationwide, 4,558 have been completed, with a total repair rate of 82.2%. Efforts are underway to complete all projects by the end of June 2024. Key initiatives include the optimization of repair procedures, allocation of sufficient construction power, and increased coordination to ensure timely completion. Additionally, the Ministry plans to accelerate the construction of flood storage and detention areas to enhance flood control capabilities amidst increasing extreme weather events. Vice Minister of the Ministry of Water Resources, Chen Min, emphasizes the urgency of these measures in the light of more frequent and severe floods and droughts. The Ministry aims to kickstart major flood control projects across various river basins, further strengthening China's resilience against water-related disasters.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

The Horse-face skirt becomes a rising star in global fashion: The horse-face skirt, a traditional Chinese garment dating back to the Song Dynasty, has found a new spotlight in contemporary fashion. It gained attention after a Dior plagiarism scandal in 2022, sparking a revival of interest in traditional Chinese attire. During this year's Spring Festival, influencers flaunted the horse-face skirt at tourist spots, drawing global attention. They have gone viral within China as well as outside China where the skirt's popularity surged, with Zhejiang witnessing a flood of overseas orders. It has now become a must-have for Chinese celebrities and influencers internationally. The skirt's design, with its circular wrap and pleats, offers both functionality and elegance, making it timeless. This fusion of heritage and modernity has propelled it into a global fashion trend, showcasing the enduring allure of Chinese cultural motifs in contemporary style. With its resurgence, the horse-face skirt exemplifies a broader trend of Chinese-style clothing gaining momentum worldwide, promising a bright future for cultural fashion exchanges.

INDIA WATCH

Climate change has continued to affect the trajectory of the world’s rivers and significantly impact freshwater resource availability. Consequently, it threatens to change rainfall patterns, cause extreme weather events, affect groundwater, and disrupt rivers in most places, making rivers seasonal and causing them to dry up. Both China and India are struggling to keep up with the changing weather. In 2023, Kosi river in Bihar breached its embankments, displacing thousands and causing widespread damage. Glacier melt in the Himalayas, another consequence of climate change, also poses a double-edged threat. The initial surge in meltwater can lead to temporary spikes in river flow, followed by rapid depletion as glaciers recede. A 2022 study by the World Wildlife Fund warns that receding glaciers could significantly reduce Ganges' flow in the coming decades. India’s rivers also have the potential to turn into a hostile environment for aquatic life with rising temperatures projected to increase river water temperatures by up to 7 degrees Celsius by 2070-2100. This follows the footsteps of the Year of Drought in China, where its longest Yangtze river experienced record-breaking low water levels (2022), disrupting hydropower generation and transport. China also faces glacier retreats where rising temperatures have caused accelerated melting of glaciers in the Himalayas, the source of major rivers like the Yellow River. This has led to jeopardizing long-term water security and compelling agencies to undertake projects like building infrastructure to divert water from the water-rich southern China to the water-scarce north. In India, some programs such as the Namami Gange Programme, initially introduced in 2014 focus on the comprehensive rejuvenation of the river, addressing pollution, ecological degradation, and infrastructure developments. It aims to improve water quality, conserve biodiversity, and prevent floods. Drought and water scarcity are being tackled by other programs like the Atal Mission for Water Resource Management also aims to mitigate the drought effect and conserve water at the local level. Infrastructure building has been going on under the Flood Management programs by the government which are strengthening embankments and improving drainage systems along with the National Hydrology Project which is modernizing hydrological observation networks, improving flood forecasting, and enhancing water resource management. Both India and China have undertaken these water management projects and with proactive infrastructure development to address growing water scarcity, flood, and climate change impacts. Water conservation becomes crucial for both countries because of its socioeconomic impacts and potential risk to food security.

Prepared By

Alisha Mehra

Alisha is a 2nd year student pursuing Development Studies with a minor in International Relations at IIT, Madras. Her interdisciplinary course offers her a unique perspective on Public Policy and Global Polity issues. She is passionate about China Studies, Economics and Climate and loves to explore the interconnections between the them.