CiCM 6th December 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Municipal Party Committee Studies Key Directives and Citizen Service Hotline Improvements: The Shanghai Municipal Party Committee convened on December 6, chaired by Secretary Chen Jining, to review directives from General Secretary Xi Jinping, including his speech at the 4th Belt and Road Initiative Working Seminar and guidance on advancing Marxist thought. The Committee emphasized Shanghai’s strategic role in the Belt and Road Initiative, focusing on infrastructure integration, regulatory harmonization, and partnerships within the Yangtze River Delta to drive high-quality development. Reforms to supply and marketing cooperatives were discussed to enhance their role in rural revitalization, agricultural modernization, and urban-rural connectivity. The meeting also stressed integrating Xi Jinping’s Thoughts on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics into governance and education to address local challenges effectively. Improving village governance and upgrading the 12345 civil service hotline were also prioritized, aiming to streamline grassroots management and address residents’ needs efficiently. These initiatives position Shanghai as a leader in integrated development and modern governance.
Xi Jinping’s Vision Reflected in Spring Festival’s World Heritage Status: On December 4, 2024, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage announced that the "Spring Festival - The Social Practice of Chinese Celebrating the Traditional New Year" will be included in the Representative List of Cultural Heritage a Unseen of Humanity the ho of Chinese traditions and identity Focuses on the cultural and social significance of the Spring Festival. The successful implementation of World Heritage reflects Xi Jinping’s philosophy of cultural heritage and his emphasis on protecting intangible cultural traditions. Under his leadership, cultural preservation has become a major focus, based on the belief that the preservation of traditional practices strengthens national identity and fosters cultural pride This priority also highlights China’s broader development of cultural heritage policies after the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of ChinaFurthermore, the inclusion of the Spring Festival on the UNESCO list reflects China’s growing international influence and cultural contacts. It not only enhances global understanding of Chinese traditions but also reinforces the country’s commitment to cultural sustainability in a rapidly modernizing world. This achievement is a testament to cultural preservation and national development has been aligned, according to Xi Jinping’s cultural agenda.
China Advances Debt Reduction and Fiscal Reforms for Sustainable Growth: China is set to implement a 12 trillion yuan debt restructuring program by the end of 2024, targeting hidden local government debt to enhance financial flexibility. This initiative aims to restructure 14.3 billion yuan of latent debt through refinancing, reducing the burden to 2.3 billion yuan by 2028, while ensuring financial security. Unrecorded liabilities and off-the-books obligations have posed risks to financial stability. The new system will convert these into transparent repayments with tailored terms, reinforcing fiscal discipline and freeing resources for economic development and public services. Aligned with China’s active fiscal policy for 2024, the program complements investments in infrastructure, industrial growth, and public services, supported by tax cuts and renewed bond issuance. These measures address fluctuating domestic demand and external pressures. With a government debt ratio of 67.5%—well below the G20 average of 118.2%—China retains fiscal space to implement robust policies. Plans for 2025 include extending bond maturities and providing stronger central support to local governments. Looking ahead, China will deepen fiscal and tax reforms, tackling structural challenges to ensure stability, manage risks, and foster sustainable growth through a blend of immediate relief and long-term solutions.
Third China-Indian Ocean Blue Economy Forum to Promote Global South Development: The third China-India Blue Ocean Economic and Development Dialogue Forum will be held in Kunming, Yunnan, from December 15 to 16, and will focus on “Global South Future Development Trends in the Blue Indian Ocean.” Organized by the China International Development Coordination Agency (CIDCA), State Governments of Yunnan, Maldives and Barbados And organized by the ministry, the conference highlights the role of the Indian Ocean as a bridge connecting Asia, Africa and Oceania. Zhao Fengtao, deputy director of CIDCA, highlighted the meeting as a major effort to promote green sustainable economic development and strengthen South-South cooperation. The event will include sub-themed mini-sessions, roundtable discussions and first-of-its-kind government-business dialogue, bringing together around 100 international delegates, Chinese officials and domestic and foreign business leaders. The conference also emphasizes the participation of multiple stakeholders in development projects in marine disaster management. Leading Chinese and foreign companies have confirmed their presence, aiming to foster innovation and partnerships for sustainable development in the region.
China's Table Tennis Team Secures Seventh Straight Win Over Japan: On December 6, during the second stage of the 2024 Chengdu Mixed Team World Cup, the Chinese national table tennis team showcased their dominance, defeating Japan 8-2. This victory was the seventh victory China dominated the tournament, solidifying their position as the world table’s further tennis powerhouse. The Chinese team showed exceptional skill and organization in matches. Key players including Wang Chuqin contributed immensely to the victory with their outstanding performances. Afterwards, Wang Chuqin praised Japan’s mixed doubles opponents. He noted China’s strong skills and resilience despite its tremendous successes.The Chengdu Mixed Team World Cup is an important platform for the top national teams in the world to compete, offering a high level of competition and enabling international sport to flourish if China’s star presence in the tournament builds their talent depth and preparation ahead of upcoming world championships including 2024 highlight Paris Olympic Games. The Chinese team’s continued success reflects their rigorous training methods, tactical skills and dedication to the game. Their ability to stay focused and deliver consistent results against dangerous opponents like Japan shows why they remain a dominant force in table tennis. As the tournament continues, fans and analysts are eagerly anticipating how China will fare in subsequent tournaments and whether they can sustain their winning streak to secure the tournament title.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

China’s Sanitary Pad Scandal Sparks Calls for Reform: In November, a Xiaohongshu post exposed discrepancies in sanitary pad sizes, igniting widespread consumer outrage. A woman who purchased a 290mm pad online received a 250mm one instead, with the seller attributing the difference to a "typical 4% margin of error." This prompted many consumers to measure their pads, uncovering similar inconsistencies across several brands. Manufacturers cited compliance with federal standards allowing size deviations of ±4%, but consumer observations revealed a consistent trend of products falling below-advertised sizes, with some deviations reaching as high as -15%. These findings fueled accusations of systematic cost-cutting at the expense of quality. The scandal also rekindled concerns about the safety of feminine hygiene products. Reports of contaminants, including insects and mould, along with recurring health issues such as irritation and inflammation, have heightened scrutiny of product standards. Critics also raised alarms about lax regulatory guidelines, particularly the allowance of a pH range of 4–9, which mirrors standards for non-contact garments rather than intimate products. Although gynaecologists argue sterilization and ingredient quality are more crucial than pH levels, public confidence remains shaken. The controversy has intensified demands for stricter oversight, improved quality standards, and greater accountability from manufacturers to ensure women's health and safety.

INDIA WATCH

China’s Development Strategies Offer Lessons for India’s Urban-Rural Integration: On December 6, the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee convened to discuss strategies influenced by General Secretary Xi Jinping’s recent directives. While primarily focused on advancing China’s governance and development priorities, these strategies offer valuable insights into India’s urban-rural integration challenges. Shanghai’s pivotal role in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) highlights its approach to infrastructure, legal, and regional cooperation. Chinese experts note parallels with India’s infrastructure programs, such as Bharatmala and Sagarmala, which aim to enhance connectivity and foster economic growth. Observers suggest India could learn from Shanghai’s model of harmonizing urban and rural development through modernized supply chains, agricultural empowerment, and sustainability measures. A key element in Shanghai’s strategy is integrating ideological principles, such as socialism with Chinese characteristics, into governance and education frameworks. While India’s context differs, the emphasis on cohesive national visions and decentralized governance resonates with India’s Panchayati Raj system. China views India’s grassroots models, like Amul, as showcasing the transformative potential of rural initiatives when aligned with urban demand and sustainability goals. By addressing similar challenges in governance, infrastructure, and rural revitalization, both nations can explore complementary strategies for regional development.

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.

Trishala S

Trishala S is a Junior Research Associate at the Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA). She holds a degree in Sociology with a minor in Public Policy from FLAME University. Trishala’s research interests lie at the intersection of socio-political dynamics, family and gender studies, and legal frameworks, with a particular focus on China. Her work examines the effects of aging populations, gender disparities, and rural-urban migration on social welfare, labor policies, and the integration of migrants into urban environments. She is also the coordinator of ORCA's Global Conference on New Sinology (GCNS), which is India's premier dialogue driven China conference. She can be reached at trishala.s@orcasia.org and trishalasasianandkumar@gmail.com.