CiCM 23rd-24th March 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Chinese Scientists unveil the discovery of the world’s most energy efficient AI chip: Chinese researchers have made a ground-breaking discovery in artificial intelligence (AI) chip technology, unveiling two ultra-low-power chips with unprecedented performance at the IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) 2024 in San Francisco. Led by Professor Zhou Jun and his team from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), these chips promise to revolutionize the field of AI by significantly optimising real-world utilisation and reducing power consumption. The first chip showcased at the conference is designed for smart devices, offering offline voice control capabilities. Unlike traditional voice recognition chips, which struggle with environmental noise, this chip excels in keyword spotting and speaker verification. The chip also facilitates low-power voice control in smart homes, wearable devices and smart toys. The second chip presented by the team is meant for epilepsy patients, aiming to detect seizure signals in real-time. Designed for wearable devices, it utilizes electroencephalogram (EEG) recognition to alert individuals of an on-going seizure, enabling timely medical intervention. It consists of a pre-trained AI model to accurately predict outcomes on new data without requiring the collection of patients' seizure signals. This advancement achieved an accuracy rate exceeding 98 percent. This breakthrough achieved by Zhou's team not only showcases China's race for AI supremacy but also open up new possibilities for the application of AI in various fields particularly medical sciences.
Taiwanese Self-Government League’s Senior Official held under investigation: The Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League (TDSL) is facing a major challenge as its executive vice chairman, Li Yuefeng, is under official investigation of China’s top anti-corruption authority. According to the statement released by the National Commission on Supervision on 23^rd March, it was confirmed that Li is being investigated for allegations of serious misconduct related to his official duties. TDSL established on November 12, 1947, with approximately 3,400 members and is one of the eight non-communist parties participating in state affairs under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Li holds a ministerial-level position and is a member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, the country's highest legislative body. Although the National Supervisory Commission is conducting the inquiry, the details of the allegations or the specific misconduct have not been disclosed yet. The term "serious duty-related malfeasance" suggests possible breaches of trust or abuse of power in his professional role. This investigation forms part of a broader crackdown on corruption and ethical lapses in public office, which has led to several officials being held accountable, accounting for the record number of investigative cases related to Chinese official.
China-Indonesia partnership achieves major landmark with the highest diving record in the Joint scientific expedition: A joint scientific expedition by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency has set a new record for Indonesia's deepest dive, reaching a depth of 7,178 meters in the Java Trench in the Indian Ocean. The expedition took place from February 23 to March 23 and utilized the manned deep-sea submersible "Fendouzhe" from the CAS Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering. The "Fendouzhe" submersible is renowned as the world's deepest-reaching manned submersible, capable of descending 10,000 meters underwater. During the welcome ceremony for the joint expedition, Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Lu Kang highlighted the deepening research collaboration in marine sciences between China and Indonesia. Similarly, Indonesia's minister for the coordination of maritime affairs and investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, hailed the joint expedition as a milestone in strengthening maritime cooperation between the two nations.
China's Development Forum begins: The China Development Forum 2024, a significant national-level international event held annually after the "Two Sessions", began in Beijing on 24^th March. The forum's primary goal is to facilitate dialogue and collaboration between China and the global community on sustainable development. Since its establishment in 2000, the forum has evolved into a crucial platform for China to engage with the world, promoting international cooperation and exchanges. In his keynote address on Sunday morning, Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized China's dedication to providing global investors with opportunities through a comprehensive strategy involving macroeconomic policy, urbanization, industrial upgrading, and environmental sustainability.This year the forum's agenda covers eight key areas of carbon neutrality, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and digital transformation, underscoring the vast potential for China's future development under the larger theme of “The Continuous Development of China".. Along with that, Zheng Shanjie, the head of the National Development and Reform Commission, revealed China's plan to promote equipment upgrades across industry, agriculture, education, transportation, construction, culture and tourism, and healthcare. This initiative is expected to create a market worth over five trillion Yuan ($700 billion).
Chinese Premier calls to reduce the risks of local government debts across China: Chinese Premier Li Qiang on 22^nd march, declared publicly regarding the necessity of continuous efforts to address and prevent local government debt risks. Describing this task as a challenging and prolonged endeavour during a recent video conference, Li urged all regions and governmental departments to enhance their sense of responsibility in resolving existing debt risks and preventing new ones. Specific actions mentioned for tackling the risks included, defusing risks related to financing platforms and settling outstanding payments owed to enterprises. He also stressed the importance of establishing a government debt management mechanism aligned with high-quality development, refining the investment and financing systems of local governments, and enhancing the long-term mechanism to prevent outstanding payments.
South China Sea witnesses the second Manila-Beijing clash this month: Serious clash broke out between the vessels of Philippines and the China Coast guard in the Ren'ai Reef in the South China Sea on Saturday morning, 23^rd March. This clash marks the second encounter between the two sides within a month and has rendered several members of the Philippine’s vessel injured seriously. The area of contention this time, Thomas Shoal, is a part of the Spratly Islands, in which both China and Philippines lay their claim. Escorted by two navy ships and two coast guard vessels, a Philippine civilian boat was on a monthly supply run to a small number of Filipino marines stationed on the "Sierra Madre".. The Chinese Ministry has informed that it was the vessel of other side that forcefully entered into the reef despite warnings and attempted to carry out resupply operations and transport construction materials to its military ship that grounded in the Reef. Thereby, infringing upon their maritime sovereignty. Video footages released by the Philippines Government showcase two China Coast Guard ships simultaneously firing high-powered water cannons at their vessel and another showing a Chinese vessel performing a “reverse blocking manoeuvre” against the resupply vessel, narrowly avoiding a collision..

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Videos of a 40 year-old man teaching on social media gets viral, inspires netizens all around the Chinese mainland: A 40-year-old man from Qinghai province, China, has found success and a sense of purpose by teaching on social media, despite being unemployed for over 20 years due to social anxiety. Li Wei, known as @waqing on Douyin, has amassed 1.8 million followers by explaining science in an accessible way. His interest in teaching science began when he realized many people lacked knowledge about photovoltaic technology. Li decided to create videos using simple language, avoiding technical jargons. His video on the theory of relativity garnered significant attention online and positive feedbacks circulate all around. Li's journey has resonated with many online, with users praising his perseverance and passion for teaching. One user expressed hope for his continued success, while another admired his resilience in finding his true calling. Some of his followers also consider Li's story as an inspiration, illustrating that it is never too late to pursue one's passion and make a positive impact.

INDIA WATCH

With the gap closing in on the 2030 deadline for the achievement of the 17 sustainable development goals by the UN, countries all around the globe have engaged in domestic as well as multilateral efforts in order to ensure a significant progress with respect to the norms of sustainability. The China Development forum that began on 24^th march also sought to echo similar voices. This forum plans to infuse and integrate macroeconomic policies, planned urbanisations, industrial prowess and environmental conservation with the aspect of sustainable development as its key priority. In this regard, India too has leveraged its progress and development with addition of elements that are sustainable. It pursues a policy of “localisation” of the Sustainable Development Goals, by introducing key domestic programs like the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) etc. Apart from launching a bunch of flagship programs, India’s localisation of the SDGs also focusses on the effective partnership between the government, Private enterprises, civil society organisations and major think tanks. Building on this Localisation, India has also initiated various capacity building programs at different levels comprising various stakeholders, setting up SDG cells at state and district levels respectively. This upholds the decentralised approach of Indian governance and has contributed significantly in enhancing participation of various stakeholders in achieving this goal.

Prepared By

Agniva Ray

Agniva Ray is an M.A, 2nd year, 4th semester student pursuing Political Science with International Relations in the Department of International Relations, Jadavpur University. He holds a deep interest in Socio-economic (Non-Traditional Security) as well as Traditional security issues concerning South Asia and aims to pursue research work in this very field.