CiCM 28th January 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

China Expands Maritime Patrols and Enforcement Efforts: The China Coast Guard (CCG) will enhance patrols using vessels, patrol aircraft, and shipborne helicopters to improve its ability to safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, said Zhang Jianming, head of the CCG’s law enforcement department. The CCG has developed capabilities for ship-aircraft coordination and remote joint enforcement, significantly boosting operational efficiency. In 2024, the CCG deployed helicopters for fisheries law enforcement in the Pacific and Arctic Oceans and patrolled territorial waters near the Xisha and Huangyan Islands. Last year, it handled 601 maritime smuggling cases, seizing goods worth ¥830 million, including frozen products, refined oil, and coal. Additionally, the CCG seized 3.8 metric tons of drugs. The CCG also increased international cooperation, conducting 58 exchanges with countries such as Russia, Vietnam, Japan, and Indonesia. Zhang highlighted that efforts to improve rule of law and standardization in maritime enforcement have bolstered national sovereignty and security. The CCG plans to further enhance ship-aircraft coordination and participate in international maritime governance to secure China’s jurisdictional waters. A training mobilization video released in January 2025 showcases the CCG's readiness to advance its enforcement capabilities.
China Boosts Safety Measures in Popular Tourist Cities: In response to potential safety risks from large holiday crowds, the Office of the State Council's Safety Committee has urged all regions to enhance safety management in key sectors, including fire protection, gas, transportation, culture, and tourism. Authorities are instructed to assess high-traffic tourist sites, identify risk patterns, and implement targeted safety measures based on local conditions. The initiative aims to balance vibrant festivities with stringent safety protocols. Key measures include strengthening oversight at crowded sites like scenic spots, popular attractions, and large public events. Safety inspections will focus on preventing hazards such as crowd stampedes, structural collapses, illegal construction, and fire risks. The government will also enhance gas safety at food establishments, enforce road traffic control near key attractions, and ensure the safe operation of amusement facilities like ropeways and glass plank roads. Additionally, emergency response plans will be refined, with scenario-based drills, prepared rescue teams, and pre-positioned supplies to manage crises effectively.
Insurance Giants to Invest Billions in A-Shares Insurance: China's insurance funds are set to inject hundreds of billions into A-shares, with the China Securities Regulatory Commission urging large insurers to invest 30% of annual premiums into the market from 2025. A second pilot program, launching in early 2025, will add at least 100 billion yuan in long-term stock investments. Insurance giants like China Life and Ping An are ramping up their investments, focusing on strategic industries such as advanced manufacturing and infrastructure. By the end of Q3 2024, insurance funds' stock holdings reached 710.7 billion yuan, the highest since 2022. Historically, companies with higher insurance fund holdings perform better. Since September 2024, stocks with over 5% insurance ownership gained 36.72%, nearly doubling the CSI 300 Index. Top beneficiaries include banking, transportation, and TMT firms. As insurers increase stock allocations, market confidence rises, signaling long-term growth and stability.
Shanghai Leads in RCEP Imports, Boosting Trade Benefits: In 2024, Shanghai Customs accepted a total of 57,000 RCEP preferential import declarations, valued at 45.95 billion yuan, with tax concessions of 1.23 billion yuan. The import preferential data ranked first in the country. Exports also saw growth, with 102,000 RCEP certificates issued, worth 30.69 billion yuan. Teijin Chemicals, an "approved exporter," leveraged RCEP benefits to streamline exports, issuing 174 declarations worth 161 million yuan. Shanghai Customs guided businesses in maximizing trade advantages through credit cultivation and compliance support, enabling them to benefit from reduced tariffs and market expansion. Tesa Tape (Shanghai) Co. secured zero tariffs on imported chemical products, saving 110,000 yuan. Moreover, the Shanghai Waigaoqiao Port Customs publicized RCEP trade policies to enterprises through various forms such as çustom chief delivering policies, cloud lectures and seminars to help foreign trade enterprises enjoy the benefits of RCEP. Nippon Express International Logistics benefited from RCEP tariff cuts, reducing aluminum foil export duties from 10.2% to 5.6%, boosting sales in Japan. Shanghai Customs continues to refine trade strategies, offering tailored support to enterprises and optimizing free trade agreement usage. Moving forward, it aims to enhance cross-border trade facilitation and help businesses seize global market opportunities.
Shenzhou-19 Astronauts Celebrate Spring Festival from Space: In a video released by CMSA on New Year's Eve, Shenzhou-19 astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze sent Spring Festival greetings from China’s Tiangong space station. Dressed in blue jumpsuits with red auspicious cloud patterns, they held paper-cuttings of "fu" (good luck). Cai wished everyone a prosperous Year of the Snake and said"I miss my family and friends even more at this moment. Wang, forming a heart with her hands, added, "May all your dreams come true." The astronauts decorated the station, 400 km above Earth, with red couplets and "fu" symbols. Their festive meal included dumplings, roast chicken, smoked fish, and eight-treasure rice pudding. Since entering the station on Oct. 30, 2024, they’ve conducted scientific experiments, technical tests, and two spacewalks. Over six months, they will complete 86 research projects in fields like space medicine, material science, and microgravity physics. This marks the third Spring Festival celebrated in China’s fully operational space station, continuing the tradition set by previous Shenzhou missions.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Chinese Netizens Applaud Singapore’s US$ 220 Fine for Public Spitting: A Chinese woman living in Singapore shared an experience on RedNote where her visiting father was fined US$220 for spitting into a manhole. The incident occurred on January 14, when an officer from Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) observed the act and issued a fine. The woman explained that her father had never committed such an offense before and cautioned others not to attempt appealing the fine, as the NEA strictly enforces such rules. If her father fails to pay by February 10, he could face a court appearance and be fined up toUS$7,000, with the additional risk of arrest and imprisonment for up to two months. The woman expressed support for Singapore’s strict laws, encouraging the public to avoid spitting in public spaces and to dispose of tissues properly. Rather than expressing sympathy, many Chinese online observers cheered the fine, supporting the idea of strict public hygiene rules. Comments ranged from praising the fine as necessary to one user suggesting a higher fine of US$2,000. Another user, based in Singapore, noted that Chinese tourists had previously been fined US$730 for smoking in non-smoking areas when Singapore first introduced visa-free entry for Chinese citizens in early 2024. The discussion on RedNote highlighted a broader sentiment: tourists from China should adhere to Singapore’s rules and not behave as they might in China, where offenses like jaywalking or public nudity typically go unpunished. There were even calls for China to enforce stricter penalties for public spitting, a behavior still commonly seen despite local laws against it. In fact, cities like Shanghai and Beijing have long had fines for public spitting—Shanghai raised its fine to 200 yuan (US$27) in 2003, and Beijing strengthened its regulations ahead of the 2008 Olympics. Despite these efforts, research has shown that public spitting remains a common sight in many public areas in China, even in the post-COVID era. The online conversation suggests that Singapore’s zero-tolerance approach to such behavior may be a model for other countries looking to improve public health and hygiene.

INDIA WATCH

China and India to Resume Direct Flights: China and India have agreed to enhance strategic communication, restore direct flights, and facilitate personnel exchanges, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. The consensus was reached during a meeting between Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in Beijing. India pledged full support for China’s SCO presidency and will actively participate in its meetings. Both nations will commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2025, fostering media, think tanks, and people-to-people exchanges. The two sides also agreed to resume Indian pilgrimages to Kailash Mansarovar in 2025 and advance trans-border river cooperation. Experts see these moves as a sign of mutual interest in stabilizing bilateral ties, despite past tensions. Trade remains a crucial factor, with India’s imports from China reaching $65.89 billion in 2024, though exports declined. Observers note that India now recognizes the impracticality of economic decoupling. Chinese students in India report visa processes improving, reflecting a gradual normalization of exchanges. Analysts predict that unless unexpected geopolitical shifts occur, bilateral relations will continue stabilizing in 2025. Both sides emphasized managing ties with a long-term perspective, fostering trust, and addressing differences constructively.

Prepared By

Manushka Sharma

Manushka Sharma is a dedicated second year student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese (Hons.) at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). With a keen interest in international relations, particularly in the dynamics of India-China relations, Manushka brings a unique perspective to understanding cross-cultural connections and geopolitical issues. Alongside academic pursuits, Manushka aspires to make significant contributions to global affairs, leveraging linguistic skills and cultural insights to bridge gaps and foster dialogue. She can be reached at manushka82006@gmail.com.