CiCM 3rd November 2023

NEWS IN CHINA

Xi addresses fifth China-U.S. Sister Cities Conference: In a message addressed to the fifth China-U.S. Sister Cities Conference Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the significance of the robust cooperation between sister provinces/states and sister cities over the past forty years. President Xi highlighted the foundation of China-U.S. relations as rooted in people-to-people connections and the strength drawn from this friendship. Sister provinces/states and sister cities have evolved into pivotal platforms for strengthening camaraderie and fostering mutually beneficial collaborations, with a total of 284 such pairs established since the inception of this program in 1979. The close and productive alliance between these sister entities has resulted in concrete advantages for both nations. President Xi emphasized the conference's role in facilitating sub-national exchanges and called for its continued role as a bridge for sub-national engagements. The aim is to enhance provincial, state, and municipal contributions to promoting bilateral relations and improving the quality of life for citizens. The conference, under the theme "Build Green Cities for the People," is jointly organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Jiangsu provincial government.
Chinese aircraft flares Canadian helicopter over the SCS: Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair revealed that Chinese warplanes conducted provocative actions against a Canadian helicopter over international waters in the South China Sea. Blair expressed concern about the safety of the crew, emphasizing that these incidents had placed them in jeopardy. This marks the second instance within two weeks in which Canada has accused China's air force of unsafe behaviour. In a prior incident in mid-October, a Chinese aircraft came within just five meters of a Canadian surveillance plane involved in a UN mission to enforce sanctions against North Korea. The recent episode involved a Chinese plane flying directly over the Canadian Cyclone helicopter, causing severe turbulence. Subsequently, another Chinese aircraft fired flares in front of the helicopter, necessitating evasive action to avoid a collision. Blair characterized these manoeuvres as significantly unsafe and endangering all personnel involved. Beijing said the Canadian plane had violated China’s sovereignty. The Canadian helicopter and HMCS Ottawa were part of a "freedom of navigation" mission, asserting the South China Sea's international status as a waterway. China had previously accused Canada of violating its sovereignty following the mid-October incident.
Hong Kong government criticizes US sanctions: The Hong Kong government has strongly criticized a bipartisan group of US lawmakers who are advocating for sanctions against 49 city officials, judges, and prosecutors. The lawmakers are pushing the Biden administration to expand the list of individuals penalized over Hong Kong's national security law. Among the officials targeted in the proposed bill are Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok, Chief Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung, Commissioner of Police Raymond Siu Chak-yee, and Committee for Safeguarding National Security Secretary General Sonny Au Chi-kwong. The Hong Kong government condemned these sanctions as attempts to intimidate those safeguarding national security and as affronts to the rule of law. They emphasized that Hong Kong would not be intimidated and would continue to fulfill its responsibilities in safeguarding national security. The legislation, if passed, would require the US president to decide on sanctions within 180 days. It invokes existing laws such as the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019, and the Hong Kong Autonomy Act.
China develops reusable rocket technology: Beijing-based iSpace, a prominent company in the Chinese space sector, achieved a milestone by conducting a full-scale test of the first stage of its Hyperbola-2 rocket. This successful "hop test" took place at the Jiuquan satellite launch center in China's Gobi Desert and lasted under a minute, signalling progress toward the development of its larger Hyperbola-3 reusable rocket, set for a 2025 flight. iSpace stated that the test provides crucial technical support for the ongoing development of the medium/large-scale reusable launch vehicle, the Hyperbola-3. This accomplishment is considered a significant breakthrough for China's commercial space industry and positions the country to compete at the forefront of reusable rocket technology. While China's Long March rockets remain competitive, the country is actively pursuing new technologies, including reusable rockets, to enhance cost-efficiency and innovation. Chinese scientists have made strides in rocket technology, notably in Mars rover missions and lunar sample retrieval, but full-scale testing of these advancements on reusable vehicles has been limited to scaled-down prototypes.
China urges the United States to refrain from "decoupling": China's Ministry of Commerce has urged the United States to honor its commitment to avoiding economic "decoupling" with China and refrain from impeding China's economic growth. This plea follows concerns raised by various U.S. banks, manufacturers, and industry groups regarding an executive order signed by President Joe Biden in August. The order restricts American investment in specific sectors in China, citing national security and risk mitigation. The Ministry's spokesperson, Shu Jueting, asserted that the U.S. is using national security as a pretext to limit its companies' investments in China, with the ultimate aim of promoting "decoupling" within China. This approach not only impacts U.S. companies' decisions but also disrupts the global trade and economic order, threatening global industrial and supply chain stability. China continues to call for a removal of these restrictions, emphasizing the importance of fair competition and a conducive environment for bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Social media celebrates Halloween with Chinese characteristics: Chinese young people have transformed the Western Halloween tradition into a "Meme Playing Festival" where they parody controversial public figures and showcase performance art. Shanghai, particularly Julu Road, emerged as the focal point for this phenomenon, where youths gathered to engage in cosplay as famous Chinese personalities and immerse themselves in meme culture. The inventive costumes and festive ambiance attracted large crowds of onlookers and sparked extensive conversations on mainland social media. Although some critics labelled it as "cultural appropriation," many praised the successful localization of a Western celebration, viewing it as a "Chinese Renaissance." One person said: “Chinese people have their own way of celebrating ‘foreign’ holidays. Is this not a new form of cultural confidence?” “Young people just need a carnival, whether it’s Chinese or Western. Happiness should have no nationality,” said another. “I propose that starting next year, we establish our own holiday for Chinese young people on the last weekend of October and call it the Meme Playing Festival,” a user added.

INDIA WATCH

Amid the current trade tensions between the United States and China, India may have a valuable opportunity to expand its economic reach and become a preferred destination for global supply chains. While it is often believed that such international conflicts do not result in clear winners, there is evidence to suggest that India could be an exception. A report from Singapore's DBS Bank in August highlights this possibility, suggesting that India could boost its trade presence, particularly in sectors affected by U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods, potentially gaining $11 billion. For instance, restrictions on textile imports from China's Xinjiang region, due to concerns about forced labor, have created a unique opportunity for Indian textile exporters. To make the most of this chance, India needs a well-thought-out plan. Despite having a substantial domestic market, India must put in the effort to connect with global supply chains and address operational challenges and policy issues. To effectively harness the potential benefits of the U.S.-China trade conflict, India must adopt a strategic approach. Despite its significant domestic market, India must work diligently to integrate with global value chains (GVCs). This entails addressing key operational challenges and policy constraints. Complex land laws and the fragmented nature of land ownership across different states in India present obstacles, while the inadequacy of infrastructure further compounds these challenges. In order to compete effectively with other nations vying for substantial investments moving away from China, India must prioritize the enhancement of operational conditions and the stabilization of policy frameworks. This entails addressing multifaceted hurdles, ensuring ease of doing business, and streamlining regulatory processes.

Prepared By

Ananya Singh

Ananya Singh is a student of International Studies and Public Policy at FLAME University. She is actively involved in research pursuits such as taking on corporate risk analysis internships, publishing articles on the conflict and politics in Asia; undertaking research on economic policy; engaging in various national-level youth G20/policy-making/leadership conferences and debates; and creating webinars/media on sociopolitical issues. Her research interests in the field currently include political risk analysis, defence studies, maritime security and international law with a regional focus on West Asia. She has also supplemented her portfolio with proficiency in French and an understanding of German and Persian.