CiCM 22nd November

NEWS IN CHINA

China Establishes Full Visa Exemption Agreements with 25 Nations: Authorities have reported that China has signed full visa exemption agreements with 25 countries. Tong Xuejun, Deputy Director General of Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that China has concluded mutual visa-free agreements with 157 countries and regions, covering different types of passports. He further mentioned that China has extended a unilateral visa-free policy to 29 countries, including France and Germany. This policy allows foreign citizens with valid ordinary passports to enter China for tourism and business via cruise or visa-free transit or to visit Hainan Province for up to 30 days without a visa. The new Chinese visa application form has been optimized and simplified, with 34% of its items revised. Additionally, Chinese embassies and consulates have cancelled visa appointment requirements and expanded the scope of fingerprint exemptions, making the visa procedure for foreigners more convenient. China has also signed agreements to mutually issue 5-year and 10-year multi-entry visas with countries such as Australia and Brazil. Since 2024, it has issued 5-year multi-entry visas to citizens from Central and Eastern Europe and other countries. Furthermore, China has joined the APEC Business Travel Card scheme, offering more convenience for business travellers to support high-quality development.
Chinese Technology Drives Innovation in Winter Sports: China is harnessing cutting-edge technology to redefine snow-based activities as it establishes itself as a global winter sports powerhouse. Hao Lishun, an official with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, stated that virtual reality ski simulators now enable users to experience realistic, snow-covered slopes from the comfort of their homes. Winter sports enthusiasts can also benefit from smart, heated snow boots equipped with flexible batteries and heating elements that provide warmth for up to five hours. The number of Chinese enterprises in the winter sports manufacturing sector has grown significantly, from 300 in 2015 to 900 as of 2023. At the Wanlong Ski Resort, snow grooming vehicles are creating pristine, even surfaces on slopes, enhancing the skiing and snowboarding experience. China’s strategy has shifted from self-reliance and imitation to fostering a robust ecosystem of domestic enterprises and brands capable of competing globally. The country has implemented measures to nurture both industry giants and niche players, ensuring a balanced and innovative winter sports industry that caters to diverse and evolving consumer needs. Young Chinese consumers are now seeking winter sports equipment that transitions seamlessly from the slopes to the streets, emphasizing products that combine advanced technical functionality with contemporary fashion sensibilities.
China's Air Force Launches Contest for Low-Cost Drones: China’s Air Force is set to hold a rare public contest next month to identify innovative low-cost drone solutions, potentially leading to procurement deals for the winners. Announced on the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) official social media account, the event aims to advance an innovation-driven development strategy by leveraging China’s extensive industrial supply chains and rapid innovation capabilities. The competition is organized by the Key Laboratory of Complex Aviation System Simulation and sponsored by the Air Force Equipment Department under the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission. It seeks to foster new quality capabilities in Chinese aviation. The contest will evaluate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) across six categories. Simulated targets, as well as communication and navigation jamming systems, will be employed during the competition. Final results will be based on actual flight tests, with 70% of the score attributed to technological performance and 30% to cost efficiency. The top three competitors in each category will receive awards, and their entries will be included in a procurement catalogue, allowing the PLA Air Force to place future orders from these designs.
China Issues Guidelines to Facilitate Employment for Migrant Workers: On November 22, China released a directive outlining measures to improve employment opportunities and urban integration for migrant workers. The guidelines, issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security alongside nine other central authorities, aim to create high-quality jobs and stabilize employment while supporting migrant workers' urbanization. Key measures include enhancing job channels, improving workers’ skill sets, safeguarding labour rights, and strengthening systems to reduce wage arrears. The directive also seeks to protect migrant workers’ access to social security programs, including medical care, unemployment insurance, work-injury insurance, and pensions. The guidelines encourage migrant workers to settle in urban areas by easing household registration (hukou) regulations and protecting legitimate land rights for those transitioning to city life. They also emphasize equal access to basic public services, further promoting social and economic integration.
China Calls for Resolution of Iranian Nuclear Issue: On November 21, China urged all parties to work toward a pragmatic and realistic resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue. Li Song, China’s permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), emphasized at a meeting of the agency’s board of governors that diplomacy and cooperation, rather than confrontation and pressure, are essential to addressing the matter. Li welcomed the collaboration between Iran and the IAEA to resolve outstanding issues and praised the productive dialogue between IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and Iranian officials during his recent visit. Highlighting the weakening of the 2015 nuclear agreement in recent years, Li reiterated that political and diplomatic efforts, combined with constructive multilateral engagement, remain the most effective approach for resolving non-proliferation challenges and advancing global security.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Li Ziqi's Triumphant Return: A Viral Comeback Reflecting China's Nostalgia for Tradition: Renowned Chinese influencer Li Ziqi has made a surprising return to the online world after a three-year hiatus, delighting her millions of fans with two new videos showcasing the transformation of a shed into a woodland-inspired cloakroom. Known for her serene portrayals of traditional Chinese culture and rural life, Li’s comeback has quickly gone viral, with her lacquerware video garnering 120 million views and 1.94 million interactions on Sina Weibo. Despite not posting since July 2021, her popularity only grew during her absence, with followers on Sina Weibo and Douyin now reaching 26.67 million and 50.15 million, respectively. Fans flooded her comment sections with messages of support and excitement. The overwhelmingly positive reaction to her comeback offers a glimpse into Chinese society's deep appreciation for traditional culture, nostalgia, and the comforting allure of rural aesthetics amidst rapid urbanization and technological advancement. Her videos bridge heritage and modernity, reflecting a growing societal desire to reconnect with simpler, nature-centric lifestyles. The collective celebration across platforms also highlights the communal nature of Chinese digital culture, where viral moments often become shared experiences that align with individual aspirations and broader cultural pride. Li’s return not only revives her role as a global ambassador of Chinese tradition, exemplified by her 2020 Guinness World Record for the most subscribers on a Chinese-language YouTube channel, but also highlights the timeless appeal of cultural storytelling in a fast-evolving society.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha reports on the launch of India’s first hypersonic missile: Guancha reports on the successful test launch of India's first hypersonic missile, marking an important milestone in the country's defense capabilities. Defense Minister Singh highlighted the achievement as a historic moment, reinforcing India’s position among nations with advanced military technology. The author states that online discussions on the missile's design have sparked, particularly about the "flying pancake" observed at its tip, which Guancha speculates is likely the missile launch tube's cover. There has also been some debate about whether the Chinese media can truly classify the missile as hypersonic. They have claimed that while global standards for hypersonic missiles are still evolving, such weapons are expected to perform complex manoeuvres at extremely high speeds, evading interception and targeting time-sensitive objectives. The missile’s flight control system, which utilizes a unique wing surface, helps regulate its high-speed manoeuvrability.

Prepared By

Aditi Khamkar

Aditi Khamkar is a third-year undergraduate student at FLAME University majoring in International Studies and minoring in Public Policy. Having completed an internship at International SOS, her interest in security has deepened, driving her to pursue a career as a security analyst. Passionate about making meaningful contributions, she aspires to write impactful analyses that address global security challenges.

Ananya Tandon

Ananya Tandon is a third-year undergraduate student at FLAME University, majoring in International Studies and minoring in Journalism. With a keen interest in political journalism, she gained valuable hands-on experience through her internship at NDTV, where she had the opportunity to explore the field. She is passionate about staying up-to-date on issues that shape the global community.