CiCM 9th January 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Measures to boost economic integration of Fujian Free Trade Pilot Zone: The Ministry of Commerce, the Central Taiwan Office, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology collaborated to issue a directive titled "Notice on Measures to Support Fujian's Exploration of New Roads of Integration and Development." This comprehensive initiative aims to bolster economic and trade ties between Fujian and Taiwan, fostering deeper integration and development across various sectors. The first measure focuses on supporting Fujian's expansion of open cooperation with Taiwan. This involves promoting the Fujian Free Trade Pilot Zone to prioritize Taiwan, allow Fujian to better utilize the rules of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) and ensuring Fujian’s place as preferred investment destination for Taiwan. The second measure concentrates on promoting high-quality development in Fujian-Taiwan trade, improving trade facilitation, and exploring new formats for cross-strait service trade cooperation. This includes supporting industrial integration, aiding the construction of industrial clusters, and creating cooperation platforms. Additionally, efforts are directed towards helping Fujian-Taiwan enterprises integrate into the domestic big cycle, promoting accelerated integration and development in key regions, and enhancing the overall competitiveness of industries through intelligent and green transformations. These measures collectively aim to strengthen economic and trade exchanges, deepen cross-strait integration, and provide support for Taiwanese businesses and enterprises to seamlessly integrate into China’s evolving development pattern. The collaboration seeks to create a conducive environment for cooperation, innovation, and sustainable growth in the intertwined economies of Fujian and Taiwan.

Ministry of Human Resources implements measures for Job Title Evaluation in Human Resources Management: China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MHRSS) has taken a significant step to enhance employment opportunities through the issuance of comprehensive guidelines for the flexible job market. In response to the dynamic changes in the job market driven by the internet industry, the MHRSS aims to regulate and standardize flexible job markets, making them more transparent and accessible for workers. The Ministry has also implemented the "Human Resources Management Professional Job Title Evaluation Measures (Trial)" effective from January 1, 2024, comprising seven chapters and 24 articles. The guidelines emphasize integrating these markets into the broader employment public service system, ensuring services are clear, regulated, and inclusive. Key areas include, categorization of job titles. The guidelines categorize human resources management job titles into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, each with sub-levels such as assistant, deputy senior, and senior. The initiatives also include to integrate the evaluation of human resources management job titles into the broader employment public service system. The guidelines prioritize legal adherence, ethics, dedication, and professional development, emphasizing competencies over traditional factors like academic background. Educational requirements range from high school diplomas to advanced degrees based on job levels. Emphasizing data analysis, service standardization, and sectoral capacity building, the guidelines require concrete implementation by local authorities to ensure compliance with labor rights for flexible workers.

17th China-US Defense Policy Coordination Talks held: The talks were held in Washington D.C. from January 8th to 9th, significant discussions unfolded as both nations sought to strengthen their military-to-military relationship. The meeting, co-chaired by representatives from China's Central Military Commission and the US Department of Defense, reflected the commitment of both countries to the important consensus on military engagement reached by their respective heads of state during a recent meeting in San Francisco. China conveyed its willingness to cultivate a robust military relationship based on equality and respect. Amidst the cordial discussions, the Chinese delegation made it clear that there would be no concessions on the Taiwan question. Emphasizing the importance of the one-China principle, China urged the US to honor its commitments, cease arming Taiwan, and refrain from supporting Taiwan independence. Additionally, concerns were raised regarding the South China Sea, with China urging the US to reduce its military presence and provocative actions, while calling for a halt to support for certain countries engaging in provocative activities. The Chinese side underlined the need for the US to recognize the root causes of maritime and air security issues, discipline its troops responsibly, and avoid manipulation of relevant concerns. In addressing core interests and international hot-spot issues, China reiterated its stern positions and concerns, urging the US to take these into serious consideration for the mutual benefit of both nations.

Ministry prioritizes water pollution remediation and standardization efforts: As reported by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment's WeChat public account, a crucial watershed water ecological environmental protection planning meeting was convened to address the persisting challenges in water and ecological environmental protection. Despite the commendable efforts made by various departments in line with Xi Jinping's ecological civilization ideas since the 18th CPC National Congress, the meeting acknowledged that significant pressures in water ecological environmental protection still exist at all levels. The meeting emphasized the need for heightened awareness and comprehensive action to overcome the existing shortcomings in local areas. To tackle these challenges, the meeting emphasized the importance of incorporating the spirit of Xi Jinping's series of important instructions and the National Ecological Environment Protection Conference into major political tasks. It called for intensified efforts to strengthen the standardization of drinking water source construction and environmental supervision. Furthermore, the meeting stressed the significance of addressing major foundational tasks such as sewage discharge inspection and rectification, along with undertaking extensive water pollution remediation initiatives. In a bid to ensure the effective implementation of planning tasks and measures.

China's economic strength evident as new taxpaying business entities surge by 25.4% in 2023: China has experienced a notable increase in the number of newly-registered business entities engaged in tax-related activities during the first 11 months of 2023, reflecting the country's robust economic activity. Official data from the State Taxation Administration reveals a 25.4 percent year-on-year surge, with a total of 15.15 million newly-registered entities handling tax-related businesses. Notably, over 4.55 million of these entities, constituting 30.1 percent of the total, are involved in new industries, business forms, and models, marking a 2.5 percentage point increase from the same period in 2022. The internet and information technology service sector witnessed a significant 32 percent year-on-year expansion in the number of new taxpaying business entities. The State Taxation Administration, committed to supporting technological innovation and the manufacturing industry, pledges to continue implementing tax and fee reduction policies effectively.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

The Chinese social media commemorates it’s “Drug detectives”: Chinese social media is currently commemorating the dedication and sacrifices of police officers, specifically those engaged in drug enforcement in the mountains of Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province. These officers, with an average age of only 27, remain anonymous, selflessly committed to combating drug trafficking. The officers have successfully seized 1.8 tons of drugs since 2020. Social media platforms, especially Weibo, are flooded with messages expressing gratitude and admiration for these nameless heroes on the drug front, highlighting their courage and selflessness in the face of danger. Some news agencies have posted a compilation of videos of police officers being in middle of tedious drug combating operations. The posts stress the officers' anonymity, the burden they bear, and their commitment to catching drug dealers, even at the risk of their lives. The hashtag #Salute to the nameless on the drug front is trending, symbolizing the collective acknowledgment and respect for these unsung heroes. Many pictures also feature the photos of wounds and injuries of these police officers. The posts also highlight the emotional toll on their families, particularly poignant moments captured when officers reunite with loved ones after extended periods of separation. Many posts featuring interviews of young officers also warn the youth against drugs. The commemoration aligns with the celebration of Police Day, reinforcing the societal appreciation for the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers in the line of duty. Interestingly the Chinese People's Police Day falls on every Jan. 10, corresponding with the country's emergency call number of 110. The establishment of this celebration was approved in 2020 in recognition of the extraordinary work of the country's public security guardians.

INDIA WATCH

China's Special Economic Zones (SEZs), initiated by Deng Xiaoping in the late 1970s, stand in stark contrast to India's SEZ policy that was formulated in 1965. China's SEZ policies focused on exemptions from various domestic laws, emphasizing adaptation to global standards, whereas India's SEZs are associated with tax and exchange control relaxations. India, with 272 operational SEZs as of 2023 with a total employment of 28 lakh people, faces challenges in achieving similar success, highlighting the need for a fundamental shift in development approaches, infrastructure and governance reforms. The Government, recognizing the need for a comprehensive review of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Policy in India, constituted Baba Kalyani Committee on 4th June 2018. The Group, in its report, proposed significant recommendations to restructure the SEZ framework. These include a paradigm shift from export-driven growth to a focus on broad-based Employment and Economic Enclaves (3Es), formulation of distinct rules for manufacturing and services SEZs, and a transition to a demand-driven approach for efficient investment based on industry needs. The report also underscores the importance of an enabling Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) framework, enhanced competitiveness through ecosystem development, procedural relaxations, and extensions of benefits, fostering integrated industrial and urban development, and promoting MSME participation. These recommendations aim to streamline operations, encourage investment, and foster sustainable economic development within the SEZs, aligning with the broader goals of national economic growth and ease of business. In conclusion, while China's SEZs have set a formidable precedent, India can learn from their success factors and address challenges outlined in the proposed framework to bolster efforts in creating globally competitive manufacturing clusters.

Prepared By

Riddhima Singh

Riddhima Singh is a final year student at Jawaharlal Nehru University Delhi, pursuing Chinese Honours course. Through her degree she has had the opportunity to dive into culture, history and contemporary issues in Chinese society through language and research. Her research area surrounds the economic and fiscal policies of Communist Party of China and China's development model.