CiCM 5th October 2023

NEWS IN CHINA

Wang Yi met acting Foreign Minister Mottaki of the Afghan interim government: Director of Foreign Affairs Office of the Central Committee, Wang Yi, met with Acting Foreign Minister Mottaki of the Afghan Interim Government during the 3rd China-Tibet “Rim of the Himalayas” International Cooperation Forum. Afghani athletes' participation in the 19th Asian Games was seen as contributing to a positive image of openness and tolerance. The Chinese reiterated their support emphasizing respect for Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and the intention to not meddle in the internal affairs of the country. The Chinese also pledged support to building an inclusive government; strengthening relations with neighbouring countries; and integrating into regional economic cooperation. China emphasized the importance of Afghanistan's efforts in combating terrorism, particularly the elimination of the “East Turkistan Islamic Movement” in Afghanistan. Mottaki expressed gratitude for China’s support and welcomed the new Chinese ambassador and hoped to further the development of bilateral relations. Afghanistan seeks active cooperation, especially the Belt and Road initiative.

Thai royal family sends representatives to visit injured Chinese citizens: Thailand’s King Vijaralongkorn and Queen Suthida sent representatives to Chulalongkorn Hospital to express condolences to Chinese citizens injured in a shooting incident. The incident refers to the shooting incident that occurred in Siam Paragaon Mall, the most famous mall in Bangkok that resulted the death of two foreigners, who were later identified to be Chinese and Burmese, and the wounding of five people earlier on Tuesday. The Chinese Ambassador to Thailand, Han Zhiqiang, was at the hospital visiting the inured received the representatives. The representatives expressed the King and Queen’s condolences for the Chinese citizens who lost their lives and extended their sympathies to the victims' families. Ambassador Han conveyed China’s gratitude for the gesture. China also expressed its willingness to collaborate with Thailand to implement more effective measures aimed at ensuring the safety of Chinese citizens in Thailand.
China successfully launches remote sensing satellite Yaogan-39: China successfully launched a new remote sensing satellite into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan as reported by China Aerospace Science and Technology Cooperation. The mission was to deploy the remote sensing satellite into its designated orbit and the mission was executed. This launch marked the 490th mission undertaken by the Long March rocket series highlighting China's significant and ongoing contributions to space exploration and satellite deployment. The Yaogan-39 was developed by the Fifth and Eight Academies of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation showcasing Chinese expertise. The Long March 2D rocket was also developed by the Eight Academy and is a two-stage launch vehicle capable of launching individual and multiple satellites.
Chinese coast guard issues territorial reminder: The China Coast Guard issued warnings and took necessary actions to control four Filipino vessels that had illegally entered waters near Ren’ai Reef, a part of China’s Nansha Islands. According, to Gan Yu, the spokesman for China Coast Guard, the vessels included two supply ships and two vessels from the Philippines Coast Guard. The Chinese Coast Guard closely monitored these ships and implemented measures in accordance with the law to regulate activities. The aim was to prevent these vessels from transporting illegal construction materials to a stranded warship near the Ren’ai Reef. China emphasized its sovereignty over the islands and their adjacent waters urging the Philippines to immediately cease its infringing activities in the waters. The China Coast Guard pledged to continue safeguarding its rights and enforcing law under China’s jurisdiction.

Columbian president calls for promoting relations to achieve new development: Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his willingness to enhance cooperation with China particularly in energy transformation as he welcomed China’s new ambassador to Columbia, Zhu Jingyang, during a credential ceremony in the Presidential Palace. Petro acknowledge that the current state of relations between Colombia and China is the most favorable in their history. He mentioned Columbia’s serious consideration in participating in the joint construction of the Belt and Road initiative. Cooperation also extended to areas of infrastructural development, environmentally sustainable growth with the hope for further progress in bilateral relations. Chinese ambassador to Columbia, Zhu Jingyang, who assumed his role on August 28^th, highlighted the positive momentum in their relations and affirmed his commitment to elevate these relations to greater heights. Zhu Jingyang.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Chinese actress Fan BingBing returns to the public eye, receives mixed responses from netizens: Prominent actress Fan Bingbing made a return to the public eye by closing the catwalk for the Mugler Spring/Summer 2024 collection in Paris. This marked her first significant event appearance since her 2018 tax evasion scandal. The scandal began in May 2018 when authorities uncovered a tax evasion scheme reveling substantial debts. To avoid criminal charges, Fan publicly acknowledged the issue in October 2018, apologizing for her and her company's 883-million-yuan (approximately 127.4 million US dollars) debt. While her comeback did garner attention, it received mixed responses from netizens. Some took to body shaming the actress comparing her to black models and commenting on her body and alleged ageing appearance. However, not all Chinese netizens held a negative viewpoint. Some praised Fan's charisma and presence, appreciating her transformation post-scandal. Despite mixed reactions, her appearance on the Mugler catwalk signals her reemergence in the public sphere.

INDIA WATCH

China’s continued engagement with the Afghanistan government highlights the sheer importance it has for Beijing. China is among the first and only countries who has provided humanitarian aid to Afghanistan after the U.S withdrawal and have been ready to engage in a “cooperative and friendly” way with the Taliban government. So far, no country including Afghanistan’s principal backer, Pakistan, has recognized the Taliban regime as a legitimate government in Afghanistan. China’s recent diplomatic expression of greater cooperation with Afghanistan to reach levels of strategic cooperation and aid in the Belt and Road initiative underline its open assertion despite the international boycott of the Taliban regime. For China continued Afghani engagement is premised on maintaining stability in Xinjiang.

Although India does not recognize the Taliban government and refuses to provide legitimacy to it, India’s continued diplomacy through developmental assistance and capacity building and cooperation on vaccine diplomacy hold importance as it is mutually beneficial for both New Delhi and Kabul to sustain a modest staffing level in their embassies, continue with economic assistance initiatives, streamline procedures for medical emergencies and student travel, and support bilateral trade relations.

Prepared By

Priyanka Raman

Priyanka Raman is a final-year student at Shiv Nadar University Noida, with a major in international relations and a minor in communications. Through her degree, she has had the opportunity to pursue multiple courses relating to Chinese politics and is deeply interested in politics of the Party media and knowledge dessimination. Her research interests surround topics of propaganda media and politics, gender and international relations and refugee politics.