CiCM 27th August 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Wang Yi Holds New Round of China-US Strategic Talks with Jake Sullivan: On August 27, Wang Yi, director of the Central Foreign Affairs Office and Politburo member, initiated a new round of China-US strategic communication with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Beijing. Wang welcomed Sullivan's first visit to China in his current role, emphasizing the global significance of China-US relations. Wang highlighted the importance of implementing the consensus reached by President Xi and President Biden in San Francisco, focusing on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation. He expressed hope for in-depth communication to overcome obstacles and achieve stable, healthy development of bilateral relations. Sullivan affirmed President Biden's commitment to responsibly managing US-China relations, preventing competition from turning into conflict, and cooperating in areas of common interest. He looked forward to fruitful dialogues on a wide range of issues. The talks aim to push China-US relations towards the "San Francisco Vision," overcoming interference and obstacles.
16,000 Test Licenses Issued for Autonomous Vehicles in China: The Ministry of Public Security announced on Tuesday that Chinese authorities have issued 16,000 test licenses for autonomous vehicles to date. Additionally, 32,000 kilometers of roads across the country have been opened for autonomous vehicle testing, providing significant support for the advancement of autonomous driving technology in China. Wang Qiang, a senior ministry official, highlighted collaborative efforts with other government bodies to improve management and support for the autonomous driving industry. The ministry pledged to continue promoting the autonomous driving industry and upgrading China's automotive sector. The news conference also highlighted reform measures implemented by traffic management authorities to streamline services for issuing licenses and handling traffic-related matters. Notably, it was announced that 250 million digital driver's licenses have been issued nationwide, and a pilot program for digital vehicle licenses has been launched in 60 cities, utilised by over 22 million vehicle owners so far.
Ministry of Education Revises Textbooks to Feature Stories of Astronauts, Scientists and Heroes: Chhina’s primary and middle schools will adopt new textbooks for three subjects in the Autumn semester which will feature stories about astronauts, scientists and heroes guarding China’s borders. The Ministry of Education has announced the revision to promote national security and legal education, and forge a sense of national identity. The revisions also feature discoveries about Chinese civilizations like the Liangzhu ancient city, Taosi and Niuheliang site. The new textbooks for ethics and rule of law, Chinese language and history will feature the story of a former village official from Guangxi who died in a flood and was seen as a model of China’s poverty alleviation work. The new textbooks will also contain content on China’s 1962 border war with India and the China-Vietnam war in 1979. The new textbooks will become compulsory for all grades of nine-year education by 2026.
China Sees 30% Drop in Criminal Cases from January to July 2024: China has reported a significant 30.1% year-on-year decrease in registered criminal cases for the first seven months of 2024, marking the 14th consecutive month of decline. Vice-minister of Public Security Qi Yanjun announced these figures at a press conference on Tuesday, attributing the drop to increased efforts to ensure long-term social stability. This decline builds on a 4.8% reduction in criminal cases filed in 2023 compared to the previous year. Notably, telecom fraud cases fell by 23.8% during the same period, continuing an 11-month downward trend. The country's public safety index for 2023 stood at 98.2%, maintaining a level above 98% for the fourth consecutive year, indicating a continuously rising sense of security among the population.
International Counter-Terrorism Forum Opens in Beijing: The Great Wall-2024 International Forum on Counter-terrorism commenced in Beijing on Tuesday, hosted by China's Armed Police Force. The four-day event has attracted over 170 delegates from more than 50 foreign armed forces, alongside 150 Chinese representatives. Wang Chunning, commander of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force, presented a four-point proposal on preventing and combating terrorism during the opening ceremony. The forum, now in its fifth edition since its launch in 2016, centers on the theme "Unmanned Counter-terrorism Operations." It focuses on three key topics: unmanned counter-terrorism equipment, combat tactics, and training and talent cultivation. Participants will observe various training courses and unmanned equipment demonstrations throughout the event. The forum aims to foster consensus, enhance communication, and promote global collaboration in combating terrorism.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Olympic Diver's Hometown Tour Sparks Tourism Frenzy: Chinese social media is abuzz with discussions about budget tours to Olympic diving champion Quan Hongchan's hometown. A travel agency in Guangdong province has launched a one-day tour to Quan's village for just 58 yuan (US$8), triggering widespread interest and debate online. The tour, which includes shopping stops and targets people aged 25-70, has become a hot topic on platforms like Weibo. Many netizens expressed enthusiasm, with comments like "It's too far from where I am, but if it were closer, I'd definitely go. Only 58 yuan for a whole day – what a bargain!" Others praised the economic boost to the local community, with one user noting, "Fantastic, she's contributing to the local economy and creating more earning opportunities for villagers." However, some voiced concerns about over-commercialization, questioning whether it's appropriate for a young athlete. The phenomenon has sparked broader discussions about sports tourism, rural development, and the impact of sudden fame on small communities in China.

INDIA WATCH

Chinese State Media Publishes Opinion on “morbid” Indian Media Coverage of Ship Docking in Sri Lanka: Global Times published an op-ed on the recent docking of Indian and Chinese warships in Sri Lanka, which the op-ed claims has sparked intense reactions in the Indian media. It quotes Indian media outlets like The Financial Express, NDTV, and The Hindu who have reported on the simultaneous presence of both nations' warships at Colombo port, with a focus on the strategic implications. Chinese experts like Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, criticize this reaction as an overextension of the "China threat" theory, arguing that there is an “unhealthy mindset among some Indians” to China's maritime activities in the Indian Ocean. Qian also said that while the twin docking is more a “coincidence”, he noted that the Indian naval ships visit to Sri Lanka highlights its focus on strengthening military ties with the island country, as India views defense cooperation and naval operations as a key strategy to bolster its influence in the Indian Ocean region.

Prepared By

Vanshika Patel

Vanshika is a recent graduate from Ashoka University with a degree in Economics and a minor in Computer Science. Her interests lie in understanding the global economy and its impact on international communities, policy-making, and the social sector. She is particularly drawn to quantitative analysis and has a keen interest in international economics, aiming to contribute to data-driven decision-making in global economic contexts.