CiCM 8th January 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Xi Jinping Urges Deeper Party Self-Revolution in Anti-Corruption Battle: During the third plenary session of the 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China, President Xi Jinping delivered a significant speech emphasizing the need for continued efforts in the anti-corruption struggle despite past successes. Xi acknowledged the overwhelming victory achieved in the ten years of anti-corruption efforts but highlighted the persistently grim and complex situation. The speech outlined key themes, including the importance of clear understanding and addressing new challenges in the fight against corruption, with a focus on soil and conditions contributing to corruption problems. Attendees included members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, such as Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, and Ding Xuexiang. Xi emphasized that 2023 marks the first year to fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, urging a steadfast commitment to the Party's self-revolution and comprehensive governance. Li Xi, Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, echoed Xi's sentiments in a work report, emphasizing the deep study and implementation of Xi's important thoughts on the Party's self-revolution. The report highlighted the strategic requirements for ongoing anti-corruption efforts, emphasizing the need for high-pressure punishment, reforms to prevent corruption spread, improvements to anti-corruption laws, and the strengthening of a culture of integrity in the new era. The objective is to achieve the Party's comprehensive and in-depth governance and set the groundwork for Chinese-style modernization. Concurrently, CCTV's "Continuous Efforts and Deep Advancement" airs its third episode, highlighting disciplinary cases in Qinghai, Fujian, and Hunan to emphasize the ongoing commitment to maintaining party discipline. The episode focuses on correcting behaviour in accordance with the eight central regulations for sustained style improvement.
China boosts Legal support for Persons with Disabilities: The Ministry of Justice and the China Disabled Persons' Federation recently issued "Opinions on Further Strengthening Legal Services for Disabled Persons." By 2025, the Ministry aims to establish a comprehensive, efficient legal service network covering urban and rural areas, enhancing service accuracy and effectiveness. The document outlines 11 key tasks, including improving the public legal service network, reducing legal aid thresholds, optimizing working mechanisms, and enhancing barrier-free environments. The Opinions emphasize the establishment of professional committees for disability rights protection, providing training to enhance the professional level of legal services for disabled individuals. Notably, it recommends a notary service fee reduction of at least 50% for basic livelihood-related notarization services for severely disabled people. Localities are encouraged to introduce additional price reduction policies for special groups. The Opinions also guide lawyers to reduce or waive fees for disabled individuals in legal services such as writing, agency, defense, and mediation, fostering greater accessibility to legal aid for persons with disabilities.
China State Railway Group Unveils Enhanced National Train Network for Improved Connectivity: China State Railway Group has announced a new national train operation chart effective from January 10, 2024. With 11,149 passenger trains and 22,264 freight trains daily, the adjusted map optimizes transportation supply, connecting regions and enhancing economic and social development. The changes leverage new high-speed rail lines to improve connectivity between central China, Shandong Peninsula, and Yangtze River Delta. The Chengdu-Ziyi High-speed Railway in the west and new stations in South China contribute to regional development, and South China's map adjustment aligns with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area construction. The Beijing Railway Hub Passenger Station is optimized for coordinated development with Tianjin and Hebei. Passenger routes, access ranges, and facilities are adjusted for diverse travel needs. The logistics sector sees expanded express trains and improved cargo transportation capacity, supporting economic growth. Passengers and cargo owners are advised to check updated information for smooth travel planning through various channels provided by the railway department.
China Unveils Historic Guideline for Handling Criminal Cases of Trade Secrets Infringement: The Higher People's Court of Jiangsu Province, in collaboration with the Provincial People's Procuratorate and Public Security Department, unveiled China's first provincial guidelines on January 8, addressing criminal cases related to trade secrets infringement. These guidelines respond to a surge in trade secrets infringement cases, particularly associated with employee job changes. They stress the importance of a consistent understanding and standardized approach in handling such cases, covering key aspects like defining trade secrets, identifying infringements, determining losses, and addressing the interplay between criminal and civil dimensions. The guidelines advocate for stringent action against criminal acts that compromise high-level innovation and key technology trade secrets. Noteworthy aspects of the guidelines include a more flexible stance on identifying confidentiality clauses, accommodating the dynamic nature of business secrets. Moreover, they address challenges in investigating trade secrets cases linked to employee transitions, aiming to streamline processes and enhance efficiency. The guidelines also emphasize the need for preliminary evidence from reporters to initiate investigations, thereby lowering the threshold for case acceptance. Drawing from judicial experiences, the guidelines highlight that the unauthorized possession of a trade secret carrier, even if decoding is unsuccessful, qualifies as a completed crime, indicating a shift in focus and providing a comprehensive framework for handling trade secrets infringement cases in China.
Shanghai Stock Index dips below 2,900 Points amid volatility: On January 8, the Shanghai Composite Index dipped below 2,900 points, sparking efforts to defend this crucial level. The Shanghai Stock Exchange Index closed at 2887.54 points, while the Shenzhen Component Index and GEM Index also experienced declines. Despite the stock market challenges, Harbin's tourism remained robust during the New Year's Day holiday, attracting over 3 million tourists and generating revenue of 5.914 billion yuan. In the stock market, tourism-related stocks, including Dalian Sunya and Changbai Mountain, performed well. Notably, the financial sector weakened, with CICC announcing a planned reduction in shareholder Haier Jinying's holdings. Hong Kong stocks, including the Hang Seng Technology Index, Hang Seng Index, and Hang Seng China Enterprises Index, faced declines. Analysts suggest that while the broad-based index reflects pessimistic market expectations, the risk of further decline is limited. However, caution is advised, and attention should be paid to indicators like trading congestion and panic index in the high-dividend market.
Fudan University OB-GYN Experts Uncover Breakthrough in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Experts from Fudan University's Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital in Shanghai have identified a pivotal factor in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a major contributor to female infertility. The research, led by Professors Zhao Shimin, Yuan Yiyuan, and Xu Congjian, discovered a metabolic imbalance, specifically elevated glutamine levels in the follicular fluid of PCOS patients. Published in Protein & Cell on Jan 2, the study revealed that heightened glutamine concentrations hinder follicular membrane rupture, leading to PCOS and ovulation disorders. Prior studies linking PCOS to obesity and diabetes were substantiated by the findings. The research outcome is anticipated to offer a novel clinical intervention strategy for PCOS, shedding light on potential treatment approaches for infertility associated with the condition.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Father's love Served fresh - Heartwarming gesture of vacuum-Sealed meals wins hearts: A heartwarming viral video from Hunan province, China, features a caring father preparing vacuum-sealed meals for his 29-year-old daughter, Zou. Living apart, Zou used to rely on takeout food until falling ill. Concerned about her diet, her father initially sent daily meals but later opted to cook weekly and vacuum-seal them for convenience. The daughter now enjoys home-cooked meals, including rice, noodles, beef, tomatoes, and cabbage, with her father's loving gesture gaining nearly 6 million views on Chinese social media. “I am jealous because she has such a sweet father.”, said an online observer. The touching story has resonated widely, eliciting positive comments and admiration for the caring father.

INDIA WATCH

As China endeavours to enhance legal support for persons with disabilities, examining India's framework can provide valuable insights in this regard. The cornerstone of India’s commitment towards ensuring accessible, affordable, and swift justice for the economically disadvantaged and persons with disabilities (PwD) is the Legal Services Authorities (LSA) Act of 1987, establishing legal services institutions ranging from the Taluk Court to the Supreme Court. These institutions provide free legal services and organize Lok Adalats, facilitating justice for all. To further enhance equitable access, the National Legal Services Authorities (NALSA) has introduced a groundbreaking Legal Services Mobile App, available on Android and iOS platforms. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPWD Act) of 2016 plays a pivotal role, mandating PwD reservations in government employment, accessible features, participation in decision-making, and inclusive education. Section 12 of the RPWD Act emphasizes access to justice, advocating for the recording of testimonies in preferred languages and means of communication. From April 2018 to January 2022, a commendable 29,050 PwDs received legal services under the LSA Act. In a groundbreaking move, the Chief Commissioner of Disabilities in India had mandated that all government offices lacking disability-friendly facilities should relocate services to the ground floor. This directive applied to outsourced government services, ensuring inclusivity in crucial areas such as passport and visa services, Jan Suvidha Kendras, and customer service centers. The decision comes on the heels of a disability rights activist's challenging experience during her marriage registration, highlighting the urgent need for a barrier-free and accessible public environment. Moreover, disability-rights activist and physiology professor Satendra Singh's Right to Information (RTI) applications to five prestigious law schools in India have uncovered gaps that are concerning. The lack of disability-friendly infrastructure, delayed implementation of the RPDA Act, and a dearth of focused discussions on disability-rights legislation in the curricula have been brought to light. Although the RPDA Act mandates reserved seats for students with disabilities and an equal opportunity policy, Singh's findings reveal a lack of functional policies in the institutions. Furthermore, there is no compulsory course on disability law, with only some offering elective or seminar courses. Singh emphasizes the critical need for sensitizing future lawyers to implement disability legislation effectively. As India navigates the complex landscape of legal inclusivity, these initiatives mark essential strides towards a more just and accessible legal system for all citizens.

Prepared By

Elias Sebin

Elias Sebin is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in International Relations from South Asian University, New Delhi. His areas of research interest include the geopolitics and social dynamics of the Latin American, West Asian, and African regions as well as gender dynamics and intersectional feminism in South Asia. An avid traveller on a shoestring budget, his short fiction and travelogues have previously been published in several online publications including LiveWire, The Reading Room Co., and Gulmohur Quarterly.