CiCM 30th-31st March 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Japan and China Engage in Diplomatic Talks Over Fukushima Wastewater Discharge: Japan and China have entered into diplomatic discussions regarding Japan's discharge of treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean. In a meeting held in Dalian, China, Japanese officials presented a "science-based" explanation of the safety protocols surrounding the discharge, aiming to assuage Beijing's concerns. This move comes amid opposition from fishing groups and neighboring countries, particularly China, which imposed a ban on Japanese seafood imports, impacting scallop growers and exporters. Since August, the Fukushima plant has been releasing treated water into the sea after over a decade of storage since the 2011 accident, with the process anticipated to continue for several more decades. The talks follow a summit meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where both leaders agreed to engage in scientific discussions on the matter. While details of the talks remain undisclosed due to sensitivity, Japanese officials emphasize the importance of transparency from their side.

Beijing High Court Reports Surge in Credit Card Fraud Cases: In a recent revelation by the Beijing High Court, a troubling surge in credit card fraud cases has been brought to light. The court disclosed alarming statistics indicating a significant escalation in fraudulent activities over the past five years. From 2019 to 2023, Beijing courts adjudicated a staggering 103 first-instance credit card fraud cases, involving 110 individuals, alongside 25 second-instance cases. Notably, the majority of these cases, over 70%, were attributed to impersonation methods. to acquire personal information. In one particularly egregious instance, a defendant employed advanced sniffing equipment to unlawfully obtain credit card details, resulting in substantial financial losses exceeding 213,000 yuan for victims. While penalties for credit card fraud vary, with fines and fixed-term imprisonments being common outcomes, the court emphasized the pivotal role of proactive prevention. Furthermore, financial institutions were urged to prioritize compliance and prudent issuance of credit cards, thereby fostering a safer financial environment and averting potential economic crimes.

HKSAR Government Condemns US Visa Restrictions as Interference in National Security: In response to the US State Department's announcement of impending visa restrictions on numerous Hong Kong officials, the HKSAR government has issued a condemnation, labeling the move as a blatant act of interference in China's internal affairs. The US Secretary of State Blinken cited concerns over the perceived erosion of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, particularly referencing the implementation of the new national security law, Article 23. The HKSAR government vehemently refuted these allegations, asserting that the US report and subsequent actions are founded on false narratives, aimed to serve political agendas. In an official statement, HKSAR officials accused the US of attempting to maintain hegemony by distorting facts and misleading the international community. Experts dismissed the anticipated visa restrictions as a mere spectacle designed by the US to sway public sentiment in Hong Kong. They emphasized that such measures would have minimal impact on the region's development and resilience. Despite the US's stance, the HKSAR government affirmed its unwavering commitment to upholding national security while preserving the unique "One Country, Two Systems" framework.

China's Property Market Sees 10th Consecutive Month of Declining Sales: China's property developers continue to face challenges as new home sales plummeted for the 10th consecutive month, signaling prolonged distress in the sector. According to data from China Real Estate Information Corp (CRIC), sales of China’s top 100 home builders plunged by 46 percent to 358.3 billion yuan (US$49.6 billion) in March compared to the previous year, following a staggering 60 percent decline in February. CRIC analysts emphasized the persistent weakness in sentiment and demand, foreseeing ongoing pressure on home sales with no significant improvement in sight. Liquidity strains have led to numerous defaults in real estate, totaling over US$160 billion in bonds, according to Goldman Sachs. Major developers like China Vanke and Longfor Group witnessed significant revenue drops in 2023, with some bonds downgraded to junk status. Despite selective buyer behavior and government efforts to inject liquidity, analysts remain cautious about a near-term recovery, while some express optimism for a broader stabilization.

China's Manufacturing Surges in March, PMI Rebounds to Expansion Zone: China's manufacturing sector showcased a resurgence in March, as indicated by the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) jumping to 50.8 from February's 49.1, heralding a return to the expansionary territory following a prolonged contraction phase. Released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Sunday, production sub-index increased from 49.9 to 52.2 and the sub-index measuring new orders grew to 53 in March. Among the 21 sectors surveyed, 15 sectors registered expansion, fueled by accelerated production and a surge in new orders after the conclusion of the Spring Festival holiday. The rebound was further underscored by a significant improvement in export and import activities, with sectors such as chemical fiber, automobiles, and communication devices leading the charge. The revival wasn't confined to large enterprises alone; small businesses, for the first time in 12 months, witnessed their PMI climb back above the boom-and-bust threshold, signifying a widespread revival across the manufacturing landscape. Non-manufacturing sectors have also shown growth, contributing to a composite PMI of 52.7 for the broader economy. Notably, services and construction sectors sustained their growth trajectory, buoyed by robust activity indices averaging 60 points or above in areas such as postal services, telecommunications, and financial services.

Postgraduate Entrance Exam Cutoffs Surge Despite Drop in Applicants: The 2024 postgraduate entrance exams have witnessed a significant drop of 7.6 percent in applicants, totaling 4.38 million, marking the first decline in nine years, according to the Ministry of Education. Despite this decrease, cutoff scores for various disciplines have seen a notable increase, as reported by education consultancy MyCOS. Data analysis released earlier this month highlights spikes in cutoffs for disciplines such as philosophy, history, sciences, medicine, and physical education, indicating the continuation of intense competition among candidates. Chen Xi, a senior student at Beijing Union University, shared insights into the escalating competitiveness, citing a 60-point surge in the cutoff for the computer science major compared to the previous year. This trend is further accentuated by graduates who deferred their exams during the COVID-19 pandemic, adding to the pool of experienced applicants. While some students explore job opportunities, many companies now require a master's degree, intensifying the pressure on candidates like Chen. Amidst these challenges, universities are urging graduates to consider immediate job opportunities, emphasizing roles in small and medium-sized enterprises or grassroots positions.

Central Committee Inspection Reveals Progress and Shortcomings in enterprises: From March 26 to 29, 15 central inspection teams of 20^th Central Committee meticulously conducted "one-on-one" feedback sessions with 27 centrally managed enterprises and 6 functional department party committees (party groups) inspected this time. It has highlighted both commendable advancements and critical areas necessitating focused attention. At a centralized feedback meeting convened on March 25 by the Central Inspection Leading Group, deliberations delved into the seminal remarks articulated by Xi Jinping, The reports identified a diverse array of issues, ranging from disparities in fostering high-quality development to insufficient prioritization of core business sectors. Specific feedback highlighted inadequacies in technological innovation strategies and the need for robust risk management protocols. In accordance with the Central Inspection Work Arrangement, each team notified outstanding problems discovered during the inspection, providing a comprehensive overview of the inspection situation to the leadership team. Inspected entities were emphatically urged to institute remedial measures with precision, with every level of leadership held accountable. Instances of misconduct flagged during the inspection process have been promptly escalated to pertinent authorities, such as the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission.

China's FAST Telescope Expands Global Collaboration: China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), the world's largest single-dish and most sensitive radio telescope, has opened its doors to international collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking research opportunities for scientists worldwide. Since its international debut on March 31, 2021, FAST has attracted applications from 15 foreign countries, including prominent players like Germany, Italy, and France. These applications, totaling nearly 900 hours of observation access, span a range of astronomical inquiries, from fast radio burst observations to pulsar studies and neutral hydrogen surveys, as outlined by Sun Chun, the engineer overseeing FAST's measurement and control. British astronomer Ralph Eatough, whose expertise lies in pulsar astrophysics, commended the expanded possibilities enabled by FAST's international accessibility, particularly in detecting pulsars within external galaxies. Jiang Peng, chief engineer of FAST, reaffirmed the commitment to maintaining the telescope's global leadership by enhancing stability and efficiency. With an annual observation time of approximately 5,300 hours, FAST promises to be a cornerstone of scientific advancement in astronomy.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Attempted Poisoning at Chinese Government Office Sparks Outrage: An attempted poisoning incident at a government-affiliated institution in Hubei has ignited fury across mainland social media. The shocking event unfolded when a worker allegedly tried to poison her pregnant colleague to prevent her from taking maternity leave, as revealed in a video circulating online. The suspect, caught on office cameras, was seen pouring a suspicious powder-like substance into her co-worker's drink. The victim, noticing an unusual taste, eventually captured the act on her iPad. Astonishingly, the motive behind the poisoning attempt was the perpetrator's reluctance to handle increased workload in her colleague's absence. Authorities are investigating the incident after widespread condemnation online. Social media users expressed disbelief and outrage, questioning the moral integrity of the perpetrator and the efficacy of the institution's selection process. Amidst the uproar, there are calls for stricter measures to prevent such incidents in the future. Legal experts suggest that if proven intentional, the act could constitute a criminal offense regardless of the substance's toxicity or harm caused. The Hydrology and Water Resources Investigation Bureau, the employer of both individuals involved, has pledged to take appropriate action pending the outcome of the police investigation.

INDIA WATCH

Unemployment rate for young people aged 16-24 in China climbed to 15.3% in the first two months of the year. Moreover, China continues to produce record numbers of graduates each year, with 11.8 million students graduating this year alone, even as the government faces the pressure to create jobs for them. Last year, an estimated 7.7 million people took the civil service examination to vie for about 200,000 jobs. Similarly, the unemployment crisis gripping India is compounded by the intense competition for limited job opportunities, particularly in the public sector, which has become a focal point for millions of aspirants seeking stable employment. The mismatch between educational qualifications and job requirements exacerbates the unemployment crisis, with many educated youth struggling to secure meaningful employment despite their academic credentials. The ILO report highlights the stark disparities in unemployment rates based on educational attainment, with higher-educated individuals facing disproportionately higher levels of unemployment. According to ILO, youth unemployment rates in India are now higher than the global levels. It is largely due to India’s failure to create enough remunerative jobs in the non-farm sectors for new educated youth labor force entrants. The share of unemployed educated Indians in total unemployed people dropped marginally to 82.9% in 2022 from 88.6% in 2000. Women are particularly hard hit as they accounted for 76.7% of the educated unemployed youths compared to 62.2% men. Joblessness is also higher in proportion in urban areas than in rural parts. In essence, the convergence of inadequate education, intense competition for limited job opportunities, and systemic deficiencies in the labor market contribute to India's unemployment crisis.

Prepared By

Aliza Mehdi

Aliza Mehdi is a final year student of Political Science at Indraprastha College for Women. Her academic areas of interest include Comparative Politics, Conflict Studies, Developmental Economics and Film and Television Studies, and is currently working as an Associate (Training and Development) at Pratarka - an education startup specialising in soft-skill development and pedagogical research for students. She is interested in politics, policy, design and writing, and is an active member of the DU varsity debating circuit.