CiCM 8th December 2023

NEWS IN CHINA

The Political Bureau of CPC’s Central Committee held a meeting to study economic work for 2024: On December 8, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held a meeting to analyse and study the economic work for 2024, deploy anti-corruption work and review the “Regulations on Disciplinary Punishments of the Communist Party of China”. The meeting was presided over by General Secretary Xi Jinping. Participants reiterated that 2023 was the first year to entirely implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the year for economic recovery and development followed by three years of COVID-19 prevention and control. It was emphasized during the meeting that it is necessary to seek progress while maintaining stability, strengthen counter-cyclical and inter-cyclical adjustment of macroeconomic policies and continue to implement and improve proactive fiscal policies and prudent monetary policies. Further, it was suggested that importance should be given to boost agriculture, rural areas and farmers and promote urban-rural integration. It was discussed during the meeting that the party has revised the "Regulations on Disciplinary Punishments of the Communist Party of China" three times since the 18th National Congress of CPC and there is a need to further tighten political disciplinary rules to ensure strict adherence to party spirit, work style and discipline.

The 2^nd China-Indian Ocean Regional Development Cooperation Forum held in Yunnan: The second China-Indian Ocean Regional Development Cooperation Forum co-organized by the China International Development Cooperation Agency and the Yunnan Provincial People's Government, was held from 7^th to 8^th December in Kunming. Over 350 representatives from more than 20 countries like the Maldives, Kenya and Egypt and international organizations discussed issues of common concern between China and Indian Ocean littoral countries focusing on "Promoting Blue Sustainable Development and Building an Ocean Community with a Shared Future". Xiao Jie, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said that the global economic recovery is sluggish and the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the "Decade of Marine Science for Sustainable Development" initiative has stalled. Following the meeting, all parties released the "Joint Statement on China-Indian Ocean Region Blue Economic Development Cooperation". The total trade volume between Yunnan, which is China’s closest province to the Indian Ocean, and other Indian Ocean countries exceeded US$17 billion since the first China-Indian Ocean Region Development Cooperation Forum held last year.

Cross-border financing facilitation policy expanded to the entire country: The State Administration of Foreign Exchange released a notice on “Further Deepening Reforms and Promoting the Facilitation of Cross-Border Trade and Investment”. The notice announced the launch of nine policy measures to further enhance reforms in foreign exchange management and facilitate cross-border trade and investment. Deputy Director and spokesperson of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, Wang Chunying, stated that the notice launched the following cross-border trade measures: optimizing foreign exchange management where banks can use the information of the market procurement network platform; relaxing the net settlement of the balance of payments in processing trade; improving the collection and payment of cross-border trade funds under entrustment and agency; facilitating the settlement of foreign exchange funds for domestic institutions to pay rents to domestic leasing companies. The notice revealed some upgrades in the coverage of these policies where technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises will be included in the pilots, policy coverage will be expanded from the previous 17 provinces to the whole country and finally increase the facilitation quota to around US $10 million in the 17 initial provinces and around US $5 million in the remaining regions.

China released action plan for improving air quality following COP28: The State Council of China, on 8 December, issued an action plan for the continuous improvement of air quality after the 28^th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) held in Dubai last week. The country expects that, by 2025, 20% non-fossil energy consumption should be achieved. Additionally, coal consumption is expected to drop by 10% in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and neighboring areas and 5% in the Yangtze River Delta compared to that of 2020. China, in addition to a ban on building new steel factories, will firmly restrict the launch of high-energy-consuming, high-emission, and low-level projects. Further, the plan focuses on reducing PM 2.5 concentrations in China’s cities at and above the prefectural level by 10 percent from 2020, and the annual ratio of days with heavy pollution and above should be within 1 percent. By the year 2025. Nitric oxide emissions and emissions from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) will also be reduced by 10 percent from 2020 levels. Moreover, the plan also included measures to fulfill China’s “dual carbon” goal of reaching the peak of carbon emissions by 2030 and attaining carbon neutrality by 2060.

World's deepest underground physics lab opened in China to detect dark matter: The world’s deepest and largest underground physics laboratory in China’s Sichuan Province started its operation to detect dark matter from this Thursday, 8 December. A total of 10 teams from universities and research institutions moved in to begin their research in the second phase project of the China Jinping Underground Laboratory (CJPL). The second phase of the project is the Deep Underground and Ultra-low Radiation Background Facility for Frontier Physics Experiments (DURF) which became the deepest, largest, ultra-clean underground space in the world for scientific research after about three years of construction. This laboratory can shield cosmic rays and provide an experiment environment with an extremely low radiation background which is a prerequisite for dark matter detection. Phase 1 of this project was made operational in 2010 by Tsinghua university and Yalong river hydropower development company at a depth of 2400 metres. Given the success of this phase, the second phase was conceptualized in 2014. The United States, Japan and some other European countries have also built underground laboratories with these requirements for dark matter detection.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Netizens praise brave man who died after battling rare muscle disease: Li Zhoujun from Zhejiang province in eastern China, passed away at 40 after battling the rare muscle disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) for decades, inspiring social media users in China. He was diagnosed with the disease when he was eight years old and was told by doctors that he wouldn’t live past 20. Li learned to design websites and make animations despite being able to type with only three fingers. He educated himself about his condition and became a leader in the DMD community continuing his mission even though he had to function with a life-support machine in 2016. Li started his first WeChat account in 2019 and eventually published 145 articles there. Further, he created two Douyin accounts in 2020 where he posted 816 videos, earning a follower base of 171,000. He also set up an online business to sell goods and earn money to support his family which had to sacrifice a lot for his treatments. He even began live-streaming to help his mother sell waxberries for extra income. In 2022, his health deteriorated immensely causing him to go on invasive oxygen life support to survive. Li’s inspiring story went viral in China and many people expressed their condolences to his family. A netizen wished “I hope you will be healthy and happy in your next life” and “May the heavens be your resting place” commented another one.

INDIA WATCH

With China having organized the second China-Indian Ocean Regional Development Cooperation Forum, it is crucial to note that India was not invited for both the first and the second editions. This can be seen as an attempt by China to counter India’s strong influence in the Indian Ocean where India is backed by organizations like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). The IORA, formed in 1997, consists of 23 member countries including India along with 11 dialogue partners. China is a dialogue partner of IORA. The Indian Ocean region is inhabited by a third of the world’s population (around 2.6 billion people). This region sustains 80% of global oil trade and movement of 50% of the world’s container cargo and 33% of bulk cargo, producing a combined total of $1 trillion in goods and services. Trade within IORA countries alone contribute over $800 billion. The IORA primarily aims to strengthen regional cooperation and sustainable development within the IOR. India has served as the chair of IORA from 2011 to 2013 and worked with other members to build consensus on issues of contemporary relevance to all members. The funding for IORA to support its projects comes through a Special Fund and India was the first country to announce an initial contribution of US $50,000. India further contributed US $1million to the Special Fund when it became the chair in 2011. Moreover, India has strengthened its influence in the African Indian Ocean Rim considerably. It has increased bilateral and trilateral efforts to improve relations notably with South Africa, Mauritius, the Seychelles, Madagascar and coastal states such as Mozambique, Kenya and Tanzania. India’s dominance and growing influence in the Indian Ocean Region is seen as a threat by China and vice-verse as Dr Jaishankar had emphasized on seeking clarity in case of dangers like ‘hidden agendas’ during the 23^rd Council of Ministers meeting.

Prepared By

Adhithi Senthilkumar

Adhithi Senthilkumar is an undergraduate student pursuing a major in International Studies and a minor in Public Policy at FLAME University, Pune. She is fascinated by the complex dynamics of international relations and the substantial impact that policies can have on communities around the globe. Her passion for studying history, societies and contemporary global and domestic politics has been a driving force in her academic journey. She has participated in internships, attended conferences and engaged in volunteer work related to public policy gaining valuable insights into real-world application of policies. She aspires to apply her knowledge and skills to contribute to addressing pressing global issues and collaborate with like-minded individuals to make a positive difference through policymaking.