CiCM 30th August 2023

NEWS IN CHINA

Building a cultural ‘Chinese Bridge’ with Saudi Arabia: With the ongoing efforts to strengthen China-Saudi Arabia ties, the Saudi Ministry of Education has recently announced the incorporation of Chinese language into the school curriculum. This initiative stems from an agreement signed in 2019, during a visit by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud to Beijing. According to the terms of this agreement, Chinese language professionals from China's Ministry of Education will be sent to the Center for Language Education and Cooperation in Saudi Arabia to develop the new curriculum, offer training to Saudi educators, and supervise the conduct of the Chinese language proficiency exam. In many public and private schools, a new time table featuring Chinese language classes twice a week has also been initiated. According to Hou Yuxiang, dean of the School of Middle Eastern Studies at Beijing International Studies University, the measures taken by Saudi Arabia will help promote the Chinese language and culture in a more accurate and rational way in the Arab nations. Deepening cultural ties will directly translate to positive economic outcomes as Saudi Arabia is China's largest trading partner in the Middle East and Africa.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo concludes her China visit: U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo concluded her visit to China on Wednesday, following a comprehensive four-day visit that predominantly involved extensive discussions with Chinese government representatives to further China-US economic ties. Her visit also touched upon a milestone of engaging with female executives in Shanghai at the 2023 WeForShe Conference, making her the second senior female Biden administration official to meet with Chinese women professionals during their travel. Speaking at the conference she also urged America to continue investing and expanding market bases in China while asking the latter to make the business environment more friendly and less controlled. Her remark of China being "univestable and too risky", was counteracted by Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, by underlining that “China remains one of the world’s important investment destinations.” The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade also criticized ‘US restrictions and review mechanisms’ in playing an unjustly role by censoring the influx of international capital into China. With the increasing rifts in the US-China relationship, Raimondo rightly termed their relationship ‘complex and challenging’. To normalise trade relations, Raimondo responded to the reporters in the U.S. before leaving for Beijing ‘to protect what we must and promote where we can’ as the tagline to the trip. She also visited two notable American exports—Shanghai Disneyland (that has been termed as ‘Disney Diplomacy’) and a Boeing establishment in China— to highlight Chinese-U.S. business connections.

Launch of the Third China-Africa Peace and Security Forum: State Councillor and Minister of National Defense, Li Shangfu attended the plenary session of the Third China-Africa Peace and Security Forum, and delivered a keynote speech on Wednesday. Li’s speech highlighted that China's aid to Africa ‘is not attached to any political conditions’ also pointed out China’s focus is empowering Africa's capacity by ‘offering Africa another choice of path’, through which it can combine development and security cooperation for the enhancement of its stability. Important delegates and officials from nearly 50 members of the African Union were present at the gathering. The forum comes at a time where China aims to strategise its positioning in the African nations by consolidating communication with the Union and strengthening defense and security deals. Held by the China's Ministry of National Defense, the Forum will officially conclude on September 2, 2023.

Twin super typhoons ‘Sula’ and ‘Hai Kui’ cause concern: China’s National Meteorological Center flagged an orange warning alert due to the predicted impact of the typhoon ‘Sula’ which will affect the northeast expanse of the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, hitting the coast of Fujian and Guangdong first. The typhoon previously hit Taiwan causing strong winds and heavy rain along the way leading to the closure of offices and the cancellation of many flights. The National Defense Administration of China has initiated a level four emergency response across various provinces, including Shanghai, Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Hainan to support typhoon prevention measures. As per the Guangdong Meteorological Department, there are uncertainties about the typhoon's track, magnitude, and the areas it will affect once it reaches the shore, but proactive emergency and humanitarian preparations are in place.
Banks increasingly support private businesses in new measures: In response to bringing initiatives that will enhance the private sector, several major Chinese banks have rolled out measures for providing accessible financial services to enterprises and businesses. With a particular focus on promoting equitable competition and facilitating market entry, the central authorities have unveiled comprehensive strategies for state-owned, joint, and private banks. As part of this initiative, China Construction Bank, one of the prominent "Big Four" state-owned banks, introduced a total of 21 measures including enhancements in loan accessibility, providing credit and bond financing support. Other financial institutions, such as China Everbright Bank, will work towards improving financial services for small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) and providing bank loans. According to experts such as Li Guoan, professor at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies in Beijing, such financial services for the private sector will have an overall positive impact on the banking industry and the economy, leading to the creation of a virtuous cycle.
Chinese Super League Chairman Liu Jun under investigation: In an official announcement, the Hubei Provincial Supervisory Commission reported that Liu Jun, the chairman of the Chinese Super League Co., Ltd., is under suspicion of engaging in significant breaches of discipline and law, and is currently undergoing investigation. With a sporting career including officially serving as the CEO of Inter Milan Club, Liu Jun was the first Chinese to serve as the CEO of a giant team in the five major leagues. Since its inception in 2006, the Chinese Super League has seen a total of seven chairmen, including Liu Jun, being dismissed and involved in cases of corruption. Earlier this month, former national team coach and English Premier League player, Li Tie was also indicted on corruption charges, including bribery among a group of prominent football association figures subjected to corruption. An announcement about a leading inquiry against Ni Huizhong, the former head of its Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics delegation, has also been stated by the General Administration of Sport for alleged corruption. This brings a tumultuous environment in the football and sports sector of China with crackdowns by the ruling Communist Party of China to undertake a comprehensive anti-corruption campaign.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Debate over Miss Hong Kong and their mainland backgrounds takes over social media: The 2023 Miss Hong Kong results revealed that among the top 3 candidates, the runner-up Wang Yiran and third runner-up Wang Minci, had a history of studying or growing up in the mainland. This raised questions among the netizens as several other contestants were also either from the mainland or have a connection to it. When Zhuang Zixuan won Miss Hong Kong it was widely reported in southern Fujian and many people applauded her as the ‘pride of southern Fujian people’. Certain online users raised queries, stating that the “Miss Hong Kong we were promised isn't actually from Hong Kong.” Many were quick to retort that the girls all had a Hong Kong ID card making them identify as residents. Jury member Lok Yiling also highlighted that being a "Native Hong Konger" serves as the benchmark and no other standards are to be emphasized.

INDIA WATCH

At a significant high-level security forum, China urged closer cooperation with Africa to collectively tackle global security challenges and uphold principles of international justice. As China continues to promote the Initiative of Peaceful Development in the Horn of Africa, and the China-proposed Global Security Initiative (GSI), this growing foothold could pose significant challenges for India’s strategic interest in the region. As a significant trade partner of India, China’s economic engagements could mean a challenge for Indian industries to compete against Chinese investments. On the security front, the forum promised a renewed interest in various fields of joint exercises, peacekeeping and professional military training between China and Africa. China’s increasing military and naval presence could lead to an imbalance of power in the Indian Ocean region and restrict the freedom of navigation which India holds jurisdiction over. Based on the current developments, Africa also opposes its land becoming a contestation ground for countries and the Chinese promise of non-interference seems like a better option for now. India should pick up the pace in offering Africa a better alternative to a developmental model characterized by inclusivity and transparency, to establish itself as one of the primary partners in the region's growth. To address this, India must adjust its foreign policy to preserve its African presence and interests. This entails stronger diplomacy, economic collaborations, and improved regional security to offset China's influence and promote India's interests.

Prepared By

Taru Ahluwalia

Taru Ahluwalia completed her Post-Graduation in East Asian Studies from the University of Delhi and her Under-Graduation in English from Lady Shri Ram College for Women. She aims to decode the enigma that is East Asia and examine its geopolitical re-positioning in today’s world. She holds a diploma in Korean Language and aspires to learn Chinese one day.