CiCM 3rd August 2023

NEWS IN CHINA

Cai Qi, member of the Politburo Standing Committee visited the seaside resort of Beidaihe, meeting with a gathering of 57 top researchers and academics. Cai Qi was joined by Organisation Department chief Li Ganjie and state councillor for culture and education, Shen Yiqin. The meeting in Beidaihe comes days after Xi Jinping and other senior Party officials have been conspicuously absent from television and media spotlight. It appears that China’s top leadership has begun the annual summer retreat in Beidaihe. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has suspended its daily press conference for two weeks, indicating the slowdown in routine government and policy activity expected during the informal summit for China’s top leaders.

China has announced measures to facilitate business travel and exchanges for foreign businessmen. The Ministry of Public Security and National Immigration Administration will enable the issuance of port visas and multiple renewals for business-related activities. Foreigners visiting China for trade, investment, exhibitions, and other business purposes can apply for port visas with an invitation letter and enterprise certification materials. Those needing multiple entries for business reasons can apply for a replacement visa within three years of arriving in China. Additionally, a new measure will allow foreigners to keep their original passports after verification when applying for residence permits, making it convenient for them to handle various affairs during their stay. These initiatives aim to promote cross-border business exchanges and create a more efficient business environment, benefitting around 700,000 people annually.
Pan Gongsheng, Party Secretary and President of the People’s Bank of China has presided over the symposium on financial support for development of private enterprises. THe meeting was attended by leaders of Midea Real Estate, Hongqiao Group, Hongdou Group, Yili Group, Interbank Market Institutional Investors Association and other members of the PBOC Party Committee. The symposium discussed improving the stability of credit extended to private enterprises, expanding credit to small and medium enterprises, accelerating bond market innovation and Pan Gongsheng maintained that the PBOC would implement the "Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Promoting the Development and Growth of the Private Economy".
Sheng Guangzu, the former secretary of China State Railway Group pled guilty to taking bribes amounting to 56.7 million Yuan during his tenure as head of the State Owned Enterprise. The Baoji Intermediate People’s Court in Shaanxi heard his case after Sheng was placed under disciplinary examination in March 2022 and expelled from the Party in September 2022. Sheng was the former deputy head of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress, head of the General Administration of Customs and a member of the Standing Committee of the 12th National People's Congress.
China has approved six new nuclear power generation units, with four of them utilising the domestically-developed Hualong One third-generation nuclear technology. The approved units will expand existing plants in Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian. In the first half of 2023, China's nuclear power units generated 211.9 billion kWh of electricity, accounting for over 5% of the country's total power generation—a 7% increase from the same period in 2022. The Hualong One has undergone batch construction, and by the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), more than 10 units are expected to be operational. A single Hualong One unit can meet the electricity demands of 1 million people, saving the equivalent of 3 million tonnes of standard coal and reducing 8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. At the same time, the flooding in Beijing has cast a spotlight on China’s investments in hydropower as well, with state media singing praises of hydropower projects installed across China. The Dadu River hydropower project in particular has attracted attention for its role in preventing massive flooding in Sichuan during the floods of 2020.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Chinese Social Media grieves after floods devastate publishing industry: Netizens on Chinese social media grieved the loss of valuable books, as Zhuozhou, a city known for its role in China's publishing industry, suffered significant losses due to heavy rainfall flash flooding caused by Typhoon Doksuri. Dozens of publishing warehouses were affected, some areas with around 200 publishing companies were almost entirely submerged resulting in losses worth hundreds of millions of yuan. Major publishers like Beijing China Media Times and Books China saw their warehouses submerged underwater, with millions of books damaged. The central Zhuozhou warehouse of Books China, an industry "outlet store," was also completely flooded, leaving around 100 staff members trapped without food, drinks or blankets as water levels continued to rise. Although the immediate concern is for the safety of the employees, the distribution and dispatching of books will be impossible for many publishing houses in Zhuozhou for at least the next 15 days. The local book industry is still evaluating the extent of the damages caused by the flooding. However, most netizens prioritise the safety of employees over the loss of books, emphasising that people's lives are more important. Some commenters question the urgency of dispatching books in such circumstances, while others express sorrow over the books lost, saying “it’s just such a pity”.

INDIA WATCH

The success of projects like the Dadu River hydropower authority not only exemplifies China's capability to effectively utilise sensors, robots, big data analytics, and AI to optimise water and power generation. Furthermore, by expediting the development of such economically efficient and eco-friendly hydropower capacity, China shows its capability to transition away from fossil fuels and bolster its renewable energy sector. Simultaneously, the country is utilising dams to manage extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, caused by climate change. This investment in dam construction and management showcases China's commitment to disaster prevention and environmental resilience. China's emphasis on hydropower, despite the global focus on solar and wind energy, reflects its recognition of the significance of hydropower in its renewable energy mix. The nation has positioned itself as a leading global hydropower producer among developing countries, demonstrating its advancements in generating and storing hydropower through innovative technologies. Moreover, China's ambitious climate targets, including peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, demonstrate its commitment to global climate action. The country's rapid progress in wind and solar energy capacity showcases its determination to fulfil its Nationally Determined Contribution, even surpassing expectations by achieving targets ahead of schedule. However, China also faces challenges in the coming decades, particularly in transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy and managing the impacts of extreme weather events. Nonetheless, with its strategic leadership and dedication to technological innovation, China's hydropower advancements offer valuable insights into potential solutions for managing future climate challenges. As a major global player, China's actions in the energy sector will undoubtedly have implications for the rest of the world's approach to renewable energy and climate change mitigation.

In regards to India, the country has seen significant growth of over 11.8% with minor fluctuations in power generation capacity from hydro stations during the first few decades after India's independence. However, from 2007 to 2019, hydropower capacity addition grew by just over 1%, and power generation from hydro-stations grew by under 1%. And as of 2022, the total hydropower capacity in India stands at 46,512 MW, contributing roughly 11.7% of the country's total capacity. In the 2020-21 fiscal year, hydropower accounted for approximately 12% of the power generation. While the global contribution of hydropower to electricity generation stands at 4,370 Terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2020, making it the largest low-carbon energy source, India has faced challenges with local environmental costs. In the early 2000s, India proposed a plan to develop 50,000 MW of hydropower capacity. However, many projects faced delays or abandonment due to local environmental concerns. Despite the challenges, hydropower remains essential for India to achieve its renewable energy goals. Its ability to quickly ramp up or down electricity generation to meet demand and compensate for fluctuations from other renewable energy sources makes it valuable in maintaining grid stability. However, striking a balance between promoting global climate goals and addressing local environmental concerns is crucial. The Himalayan region's vulnerability to natural disasters and environmental impacts should be carefully considered while expanding hydropower capacity. Ensuring sustainable development and mitigating the adverse effects on local populations and ecosystems will be essential for India's hydropower sector in the future.

Prepared By

Ramyani Kundu

Ramyani Kundu is an Undergraduate student from Shiv Nadar IoE, pursuing a B.A.(Research) English with a Minor in International Relations. Her research interests include understanding the role of narratives in geopolitical relations and foreign policy's of nation-states. She further posits interest in South/East Asian literature and Continental philosophy