CiCM 16th October 2023

NEWS IN CHINA

CPC Central Committee introduces new plan for cadre training and education: The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has introduced a new plan for the education and training of cadres for the period of 2023 to 2027. This is important so that they carry out political training in a better way and have stronger and better quality of political judgment, thinking and implementation abilities of cadres. The plan will help cadres to carry out their responsibilities in a better way through their professional knowledge as well as individual. Further, the plan aims to have a more developed method and up-to-date training system so as to make sure that the cadres receive the best quality of training and are able to carry out their responsibilities in the most efficient way. The CPC Central Committee has also released a notice asking all localities and departments to report back with their suggestions and reports of the same timely.
Philippine military condemns China's provocative actions in South China Sea: The Philippine military has once again strongly urged China to cease its "unsafe actions" in the South China Sea following a recent incident where a Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessel attempted to cross in front of a Philippine navy vessel involved in a resupply mission. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) claimed that the Chinese PLAN vessel crossed the front of the Philippine Navy transport ship at a distance of 350 yards. This confrontation took place near Thitu Island, the Philippines most strategically significant outpost in the South China Sea. The Philippine Navy repeatedly warned the Chinese ship to change course, but it cited the disputed "10-dash line" narrative. These confrontations are growing in frequency and intensity due to China's expansive maritime claims in the region.
Chinese Football Association elects new leaders: The 12 Member Congress of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), which convened in Beijing, resulted in a significant shift in the led to several changes in the leadership of the CFA . Song Kai, who was the former Administration of Sport in northeast China's Liaoning Province has been elected as the new chairman of the CFA, assuming a pivotal role in shaping the future of football in China. Alongside Song Kai, the Congress also elected Sun Wen, Yuan Yongqing, Yang Xu, and Xu Jiren as Vice Chairmen of the CFA. Gao Hongbo, the former vice chairman of the Chinese Football Association, has been appointed as the technical director of the association. This move underscores the association's commitment to enhancing the technical aspects of Chinese football, with Gao Hongbo continuing to contribute as a technical expert.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban: Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Beijing as part of Orban's visit to China to attend the 3rd Belt and Road International Cooperation Summit Forum and for an official visit. During the talks, both leaders emphasized the successful and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Hungary, citing it as a model for new international relations. Furthermore, they expressed their commitment to translating the consensus reached by their respective leaders into practical actions, deepening political mutual trust, and promoting various forms of cooperation, including trade, investment, finance, and infrastructure projects. They also talked and encouraged people-to-people exchanges and collaborated in areas like new energy, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence. They witnessed the signing of many bilateral cooperation agreements and emphasized Hungary's support for the BRI and its willingness to strengthen cooperation with China and Central and Eastern European countries while deepening relations with the European Union.

Hangzhou Asian Paralympic Village officially opens with warm welcome to Chinese delegation: The Hangzhou Asian Paralympic Village held a grand opening and welcomed the Chinese sports delegation on October 16th. Athlete representatives from the Chinese delegation received a warm welcome as they entered the venue, with applause and cheers filling the air. Majid Rashid, the Chairman of the Asian Paralympic Committee, expressed hopes that the Asian Paralympic Games and the athletes residing in the village would send a powerful message that disabled individuals can achieve remarkable feats, promote societal change in attitudes towards disabilities, create opportunities, make friends, and contribute to building a more inclusive society. The Asian Paralympic Village covers a vast area and offers numerous accommodations and services. It features extensive barrier-free facilities, personalized catering, and support services for athletes with disabilities. Furthermore, the village also provides leisure and entertainment activities, showcasing the talents of disabled artists and offering innovative experiences such as physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and traditional Chinese massage.
China’s largest ultra-deep gas field starts operations: On Sunday, China’s largest ultra-deep gas field in Xinjiang, started functioning which is now one of China’s major large-scale development zones for gas production. The construction for the Bozi-Dabei ultra-deep gas started in July 2022 and is the second trillion cubic meter scale gas field in the region. This gas production zone will help improve China’s gas supply through the west-east gas transmission project which has a new natural gas treatment plant, a condensate stabilizer and oil and gas pipelines. The project is expected to provide more than 9 billion cubic meters of gas as well as 600,000 tonnes of condensate oil, through the 100 deep wells drilled in this area. Moreover, this would help supply gas to over 20 million households daily.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Chinese emergency humanitarian aid to Palestine praised by netizens: In response to the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza due to the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the country is providing emergency humanitarian aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the Palestinian National Authority. Many Chinese netizens have taken to platforms like Weibo to express their views and reactions, expressing concerns over the escalating conflict, with some labeling Israel's actions as terrorism and warfare without accountability and others expressing frustration at the unending cycle of violence. Weibo users have praised China’s action in providing genuine humanitarian assistance to Palestine. The fact that China has chosen to provide food, medicine, and daily necessities rather than military aid has sparked conversations about which nations prioritize peace and the well-being of people over geopolitical interests. The overall sentiment on Weibo reflects a sense of pride among Chinese netizens.

INDIA WATCH

The territorial disputes in the South China Sea have escalated tensions between China and neighboring countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia. Recent incidents, like the attempted blockade by a PLA(N) vessel against a Philippine navy vessel, have exacerbated the situation. Although India is not directly involved in the territorial conflict, India's Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) policy reflects its commitment to promoting a secure and inclusive maritime environment in the region. In this regard, India has showcased its support for the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) by releasing a Joint Statement with the Philippines, calling on China to abide by the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea dispute.

By emphasizing the importance of freedom of navigation, respect for international law, and open SLOCs, India seeks to foster cooperation among nations in the Indo-Pacific. This policy underscores India's vision for a rules-based order that ensures the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations in the region and contributes to regional stability. India's commitment to peaceful co-existence and respect for international norms sets it apart from the aggressive actions taken by China in the South China Sea.

Prepared By

Adhishri Seth

Adhishri Seth is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in Global Studies at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University Delhi, with a strong ambition to advance her academic career through a master's program in international relations. Her interests encompass a wide array of global topics, including world politics, political economic institutions, foreign policy, and global diplomacy, reflected in her dedication to extensive reading and research. Additionally, Adhishri is currently learning Mandarin, a crucial step towards understanding East Asian affairs, bridging both linguistic and cultural divides, and helping her to follow her dream of engaging more deeply with this intricate world.