CiCM 13th March 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

China unveils plan to boost rural E-commerce development: On March 13th, nine departments including the Ministry of Commerce and the Central Cyberspace Administration of China jointly released the "Implementation Opinions on Promoting the High-quality Development of Rural E-commerce." The opinions outline a comprehensive strategy aimed at fostering the growth of rural e-commerce over the next five years. The plan aims to cultivate approximately 100 rural e-commerce "leading counties," around 1,000 county-level digital circulation leading enterprises, about 1,000 county-level live broadcast e-commerce bases, and around 10,000 rural e-commerce leaders nationwide. Over the next five years, the objective is to establish a robust rural e-commerce service system characterized by complete facilities, active entities, smooth circulation, and efficient services. This includes fostering "leading counties" to enhance the role of e-commerce in rural industries and promoting the digital transformation of traditional commercial circulation enterprises. The opinions encompass various initiatives, including the development of multi-level rural e-commerce comprehensive service platforms, the acceleration of modern rural logistics and distribution systems, and the cultivation of diverse rural e-commerce entities. Among the proposed policy measures are the establishment of county-level live broadcast e-commerce bases, the cultivation of rural digital consumption scenarios, and the promotion of the integration of e-commerce with rural industries.
Former Jiangsu Provincial People's Congress Deputy Director arrested on bribery charges: In a recent development, Liu Handong, a former member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of the Jiangsu Provincial People's Congress, has been detained on suspicion of bribery and abuse of power. The Supreme People's Procuratorate disclosed this information on March 13, following an investigation conducted by the National Supervisory Commission. According to reports from the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the investigation into Liu Handong's alleged misconduct has been concluded, and the case has been transferred to the Procuratorate for review and prosecution. Acting in accordance with legal procedures, the Procuratorate had decided to arrest Liu Handong on suspicion of bribery and abuse of power. The specifics of the allegations against Liu Handong have not been fully disclosed at this time. However, it is understood that the investigation stems from suspicions of illicit financial dealings and misuse of authority during his tenure.
Serbian Ambassador to China highlights the significance of China's Two Sessions: During a recent visit to Beijing, the Serbian Ambassador to China, Maja Stefanovic, underscored the importance of China's Two Sessions as a pivotal opportunity for the international community to gain deeper insights into China's development trajectory and explore avenues for enhanced cooperation. In an interview with Xinhua conducted amidst the proceedings of China's Two Sessions, Stefanovic emphasized the event's role as a window to grasp China's development situation, objectives, and foreign policies. She described it not only as a significant event for China but also as holding great significance for the global community. Stefanovic expressed her close monitoring of reports pertaining to the Two Sessions, noting that diplomatic updates provided insights into strengthening bilateral cooperation, while economic news signalled China's future development potential and unveiled fresh cooperation prospects between the two nations. Highlighting China's pursuit of high-quality development through Chinese-style modernization, Stefanovic commended China's remarkable achievements in effectively eradicating absolute poverty, which she regarded as a substantial contribution to global poverty alleviation efforts. She envisioned deeper cooperation between Serbia and China under the "Belt and Road" initiative framework, emphasizing its mutually beneficial and win-win nature, fostering enhanced collaboration among countries and regions worldwide. The Serbian Ambassador cited the Hungary-Serbia railway reconstruction project as a tangible outcome of the "Belt and Road" initiative, benefiting local communities. The opening of the section from Belgrade to Novi Sad in Serbia in March 2022, with a maximum operating speed of 200 kmph, exemplified the initiative's concrete impacts. Moreover, Stefanovic hailed the free trade agreement signed between China and Serbia in October 2023 as a catalyst for bolstering economic and trade ties. She noted the increase in direct flights between the two countries and the significant improvement in agricultural trade levels.
State Council of China approves key tasks for 2024, emphasizes economic growth and quality education: In a recent executive meeting presided over by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, the State Council of China deliberated and approved arrangements for its key tasks in 2024, emphasizing economic growth and educational development. Among the approved guidelines were measures to expand China's grain output and facilitate high-quality economic growth by upgrading standards. Additionally, the meeting addressed ensuring high-quality and balanced development of compulsory education. It also reviewed and adopted regulations concerning pensions and preferential treatment for the families of deceased or disabled servicemen. Premier Li highlighted the importance of mapping detailed measures and policies to implement the economic and social development objectives outlined in the government work report delivered at the second session of the 14th National People's Congress. Safeguarding food security was underscored as a top priority, with a focus on major projects such as high-standard farmland construction and revitalization of the seed industry. Efforts to promote the formulation and revision of standards, with input from enterprises and consumers, were emphasized to advance high-quality development. Education quality and infrastructure improvements were also prioritized, with a focus on narrowing educational gaps between regions, urban and rural areas, as well as schools and different social groups. The meeting emphasized the need for compulsory education to adapt to demographic changes and new urbanization trends, with increased fiscal spending directed towards addressing weak links in education. Regarding regulations on pensions and preferential treatment for servicemen and their families, the meeting emphasized strict implementation in accordance with established policies and regulations.
China Securities Regulatory Commission unveils plans to bolster market stability and oversight: The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) has outlined its strategic agenda for the year, focusing on risk prevention, strengthening supervision, and the facilitation of high-quality development in the capital market. In an announcement, the CSRC emphasized the paramount importance of risk prevention, with stability being its foremost concern. Furthermore, the CSRC has pledged to enforce strict market supervision in accordance with the law. This includes stringent control over initial public offering (IPO) entrances, enhanced oversight of listed companies, securities funds, and futures institutions. Measures will be taken to improve supervision and law enforcement systems, strengthen accountability, and crack down on illegal activities such as financial fraud, fraudulent issuances, market manipulation, and insider trading. The focus will be on safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of investors, particularly those of small and medium-sized investors. The commission also aims to strengthen the foundation of the capital market through deepening reforms and optimizing its functions to better serve the process of economic recovery and high-quality development. Lastly, emphasizing the implementation of primary responsibilities and the cultivation of a supervisory workforce, the CSRC underscored the importance of disciplined team management, characterized by strong political awareness, capabilities, and work ethics.
Chinese Foreign Ministry responds to U.S. statements on Xinjiang and Gaza, criticizes TikTok ban and reacts to Russian nuclear war remark: In a regular press conference on March 13, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin addressed various international issues, including U.S. Secretary of State Blinken's recent statements on Ramadan and the situation in Xinjiang, as well as the proposed TikTok ban and Russian President Putin's remarks on nuclear war. Regarding Blinken's remarks, Wang emphasized that Xinjiang enjoys social stability, economic development, and religious harmony, with the human rights of all ethnic groups, including Uyghurs, fully protected. He criticized the U.S. for playing double standards on human rights and urged concrete actions to address the situation in Gaza. Wang also condemned the proposed "Banning TikTok" bill in the U.S. House of Representatives stating it as a "bullying behaviour" that would backfire on the United States and would damage investors' confidence in the international investment environment. He warned against unfair competition tactics and reiterated China's commitment to defending the rights of Chinese companies. In response to a question about Russian President Putin's statement on nuclear war preparedness, Wang stated that he was not aware of the specific remarks.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Trending Drama "I Became a Stepmother in the 1980s" Captivates Millions in China: A new drama, "I Became a Stepmother in the 1980s," has captured the hearts of millions across China since its release during the Spring Festival. The series, known for its deeply personal themes and nostalgic setting, has quickly become a sensation on Douyin, China's equivalent of TikTok. Despite its ultra-short format, with episodes lasting just a minute or so, the drama has raked in over 20 million yuan ($2.8 million) on its first day alone. With related hashtags amassing over 1 billion views on Douyin, the show's popularity rivals that of blockbuster films. The success of "I Became a Stepmother in the 1980s" can be attributed to its engaging storyline and improved production quality, a departure from the cheesy and cliché narratives often associated with ultrashort dramas. Viewers like 30-year-old Sophia Xu, who paid to watch all 82 episodes, praise the series for its realistic portrayal of family dynamics and relatable themes. Liu Yang, a former communication professor, notes how the series reflects real-life challenges faced by young Chinese, making it highly relatable. As the drama continues to attract a massive audience, it also underscores the booming market for ultrashort dramas in China. With revenue projections soaring and regulatory scrutiny increasing, the genre's evolution remains closely watched by both viewers and industry insiders alike.

INDIA WATCH

The landscape of e-commerce in India has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, propelled by the exponential growth of internet penetration and the surge in smartphone usage. While urban areas have traditionally been seen as the epicentre of this digital revolution, there's a burgeoning market waiting to be tapped in rural India. Surprisingly, rural India boasts 44% more active internet users than its urban counterpart, being home to 70% of the country's population. The COVID-19 pandemic has served as a catalyst for the digital shift. However, there are significant barriers hindering the growth of e-commerce in rural India. One of the major challenges is the lack of trust among rural consumers, when making online purchases. A study conducted by 1Bridge, India's leading village commerce network, revealed that rural consumers are particularly sensitive to issues such as lack of information, fear of being duped, and long delivery times. Additionally, the preference for touch-and-feel experience before a purchase and the accessibility of products and services pose significant challenges for e-commerce businesses. To overcome these barriers, e-commerce platforms need to adopt a customer-centric approach tailored to the unique needs and preferences of rural consumers. Building trust through transparent policies, personalized customer service, and leveraging word-of-mouth marketing can go a long way in winning over rural customers. Moreover, improving accessibility through last-mile delivery services, offering vernacular language support, and running targeted marketing campaigns during festivals can further enhance the appeal of e-commerce platforms in rural India. With the right strategies and investments, e-commerce businesses can unlock a vast and lucrative market, driving inclusive growth and economic development in rural India.

Prepared By

Shourjyadipta Roy

Shourjyadipta Roy is currently pursuing his Masters' in Political Science and International Relations from the Department of International Relations, Jadavpur University. He takes a keen interest in Chinese foreign policy, China's impact on the world and Chinese politics as a whole. He plans to pursue research in the near future.