CiCM 3rd April 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

7.3-Magnitude Earthquake Near Taiwan Triggers Tsunami Red Alert: A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake rocked the sea area near Hualien in Taiwan at 7:58 am Wednesday (Beijing Time), accompanied by two subsequent aftershocks measuring 6.0 and 5.9 magnitudes at 8:11 am and 8:35 am respectively, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). At least nine casualties have been confirmed with 821 injuries, and 127 individuals trapped, with rescue underway. With aftershocks anticipated, Taiwan braces for potential further impact, leading local authorities to suspend classes and work. Authorities and rescue teams are on high alert, closely monitoring the situation. Following the seismic activity, the Tsunami Warning Center of China's Ministry of Natural Resources issued a red alert, while Japan's meteorological authority also issued a tsunami warning. Reports from the China Media Group (CMG) indicate that the earthquake triggered local tsunamis, particularly affecting Taiwan's eastern region. Waves measuring up to 45 centimeters were recorded by monitoring stations. The earthquake was also felt in East China's Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangsu provinces and Shanghai and South China's Guangdong Province, according to information shared by netizens on social media platforms such as WeChat and Weibo.
China Merchants Energy Secures USD 1.4 Billion Deal to Expand LNG Fleet for QatarEnergy: State-owned China Merchants Energy Shipping has inked a contract valued at approximately CNY10 billion (USD1.4 billion) to construct and lease six additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers for QatarEnergy. According to the Shanghai-based firm, South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries will handle the construction and delivery of these vessels, each boasting a capacity of 175,000 cubic meters of LNG. The scheduled delivery of these vessels spans from the end of 2026 to 2028. QatarEnergy will charter these vessels from China Merchants Energy for a minimum of 15 years, with the possibility of extending the agreement for another five or ten years, as per the Chinese company's statement. With this deal, the count of non-joint on-hand orders for LNG carriers under CMES LNG Shipping, China Merchants Energy's newly established LNG transportation unit, has surged to 14. China Merchants Energy has cemented its position as a key player in the global LNG shipping market, majorly due to strategic investments in recent years. By the end of last year, it possessed 22 wholly or partly owned LNG carriers with a combined carrying capacity of nearly 2 million tons. In 2023 alone, its LNG carrier fleet transported over 22 million tons, according to its annual earnings report.
EU Launches Investigations into Chinese Firms Allegedly Benefitting from State Subsidies in Romanian Solar Project: The European Commission has initiated thorough investigations under the European Union's recently enacted foreign subsidies regulation, scrutinizing whether two Chinese-linked companies leveraged state subsidies to secure an advantage in a significant Romanian solar project. The probes are targeting subsidiaries of Longi Green Energy Technology Co., the world's largest solar panel manufacturer, and Shanghai Electric Group Co., a state-owned enterprise. EU Industry Chief Thierry Breton emphasized the crucial role of solar panels in Europe's clean energy production, job creation, and economic security. He stated that these investigations aim to uphold Europe's economic security and competitiveness by ensuring fair competition in the single market. This move marks the second time Brussels has employed the foreign subsidies regulation to investigate Chinese firms since February, signalling the EU's commitment to tackling what it perceives as unfair trade practices. The investigations highlight persistent tensions between Europe and China in the solar sector, with past trade conflicts and recent concerns over oversupply and price reductions. Despite calls from European solar panel producers for urgent curbs on Chinese access to the EU photovoltaic market, the EU has opted for investigation rather than imposing immediate trade measures.
China Strongly Opposes U.S. Report Labeling it as "Primary Concern": China has strongly rebuked a U.S. report branding it a "country of primary concern" regarding foreign trade barriers. The Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson condemned the U.S. National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers, released on March 29, stating it failed to provide substantiated evidence of China violating World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations. Emphasizing China's commitment to the multilateral trading system since joining the WTO, the spokesperson highlighted extensive efforts to enhance market openness and legal structures, actions widely commended by the international community. In contrast, China criticized the U.S.'s unilateral imposition of tariffs, discriminatory industrial policies, and restrictive export controls, all justified under the "America first" policy. The spokesperson accused the U.S. of erecting numerous trade barriers, hindering fair competition in the global marketplace. Calling for adherence to WTO principles and a fair international trade order, China urged the U.S. to cease making unfounded accusations against other nations and advocated for equitable treatment of all participants in international trade.
The All-China Federation of Trade Unions and the National Health Commission Jointly Announce 100 National Child Care Employers: In a concerted push to bolster childcare provisions nationwide, the All-China Federation of Trade Unions and the National Health Commission have unveiled 100 distinguished entities, including Beijing Shougang Industrial Group Co., Ltd., as national child care employers for the year 2024. Each of these selected units stands to benefit from a substantial subsidy, totaling no less than 150,000 yuan, designated to defray infant and child care-related expenses. This initiative underlines the indispensable role played by employer childcare services within the broader framework of the national childcare ecosystem. The program not only aims to enhance the availability of childcare facilities but also seeks to uplift the quality of childcare services rendered. The sectors represented range from 36 enterprises, including industrial parks, to 45 hospitals, showcasing varied models such as self-built enterprises and innovative employer and third-party service collaborations. Moving forward, the focus will be on refining the recommendation and application process to further expand childcare facilities and bolster the skills of childcare service personnel.
China Accelerates Nationwide Computing Power Network Construction to Compete with US Tech Dominance: In a bid to enhance innovation and compete with the United States in the realm of technology, China's National Data Administration (NDA) has committed to accelerating the construction of a nationwide integrated computing power network. At the inaugural annual meeting, NDA head Liu Liehong outlined plans to optimize data infrastructure distribution and expedite the establishment of the computing power network. Liu emphasized the importance of enhancing the distribution of general-purpose, intelligent, and supercomputing power, while fostering synergy among different regions and integrating computing power with green electricity sources. Scheduled for completion by next year, the nationwide computing power network aims to address regional disparities in digital infrastructure between the prosperous eastern regions and the energy-rich western areas. Efforts will focus on refining data ownership policies, enhancing data circulation mechanisms, and fostering cross-border data flows through optimized regulations.
China's Critical Illness Insurance Initiative Aims to Alleviate Healthcare Costs for Over 11.5 Million Citizens: The National Medical Insurance Administration recently announced that 11.56 million urban and rural residents in China are set to benefit from critical illness insurance in 2024, effectively reducing the per capita medical expense burden by 7,924 yuan. This initiative is a crucial component of China's comprehensive healthcare security system, which encompasses basic medical insurance, critical illness insurance, and medical assistance. The primary goal is to mitigate the economic risks associated with healthcare expenses, particularly for serious illnesses. Unlike other insurance schemes, participation in critical illness insurance doesn't necessitate separate applications or premiums. Eligible participants, encompassing nearly 1 billion residents covered by basic medical insurance, can seamlessly access benefits without additional administrative hurdles. The system ensures equitable access by setting payment standards linked to residents' disposable incomes, with special provisions for vulnerable groups. Moreover, the collaborative model between government and commercial insurance institutions has streamlined the management of critical illness insurance, with over 90% of coordinating areas across the nation involving commercial partners.
Nationwide Campaign Launched to Combat Corruption and Unhealthy Tendencies: The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the State Supervisory Commission convened a crucial meeting on April 3 to launch a nationwide campaign aimed at addressing corruption issues and unhealthy tendencies among the masses. Liu Jinguo, Deputy Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, stressed the importance of rectifying these practices, aligning with the political stance of supporting the "two establishments" and achieving the "two safeguards." Highlighting the personal impact felt by the people, Jinguo emphasized the caring nature of the Party Central Committee and General Secretary Xi Jinping, emphasizing fairness and justice. Jinguo also outlined the practical necessity and significance of addressing these issues promptly, emphasizing the need for discipline inspection and supervision agencies at all levels to act swiftly. He stressed the importance of promoting case handling, rectifying work styles, and addressing practical problems faced by various groups. Jinguo also emphasized the importance of integrating supervision, case handling, rectification, and governance to ensure tangible results and enhance people's sense of gain.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Deadly Storm Sparks House Safety Debate as Videos Surface Online: Late Sunday, Nanchang in Jiangxi, was struck by a devastating storm, claiming four lives and injuring 10. The ferocity of the storm, featuring intense rainfall and gale-force winds, caused widespread destruction, with peak wind speeds reaching 35.3 meters per second. Three individuals, including an 11-year-old boy and two elderly women, tragically lost their lives after being swept out of their apartments along with shattered windows and mattresses. The incident has ignited discussions online regarding housing safety, particularly the prevalence of floor-to-ceiling windows in high-rise buildings. Local authorities have initiated an investigation to ascertain whether housing quality played a role in the fatalities. Videos shared on social media depicted the storm's fury, showcasing shattered windows and uprooted trees, while parked cars lay buried under debris. Despite advanced warnings from the Nanchang County Emergency Bureau, many residents were caught off guard as the storm struck while they slept. Meteorologists attribute the storm's intensity to a downburst phenomenon, exacerbated by the "chimney effect" between high-rise buildings. As a precautionary measure, the China Meteorological Administration issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms across several provinces, anticipating strong winds or hail within the next 24 hours.

INDIA WATCH

(Kindly note that ORCA has re-oriented its India Watch section. The updated section will now assess how Chinese media and experts view Indian affairs, in an attempt to better understand China's perspectives on India)

Observer Network covered a news report by the Hindustan Times on April 3 about Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar's recent remarks at a domestic event that have stirred discussion over India's historical foreign policy approach towards China. According to the report, Jaishankar, while addressing an event in Gujarat, reiterated his criticism of India's founding Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, for his stance on China, accusing him of prioritizing China over India. He stressed India's sovereignty and advocated prioritizing national interests. Jaishankar also addressed India's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, claiming Nehru favored China's inclusion over India's. However, he expressed optimism about India's prospects for a permanent seat.

The Chinese media coverage of Jaishankar's remarks, published on Guancha, highlights Jaishankar's criticism of India's founding Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, framing it as an attempt to shift blame for India-China tensions onto historical figures rather than addressing contemporary issues. By emphasizing Jaishankar's repeated criticisms of Nehru's policies, the coverage implies that India's current challenges with China are rooted in past mistakes, claiming that the border dispute between India and China was unilaterally provoked by the Nehru government when it deviated from its non-alignment policy and violating the provisions of the Sino-Indian Boundary Treaty.

Furthermore, the article underscores Jaishankar's remarks about India's evolving foreign policy and his comments about India's strategic goals and its desire to enhance military strength and economic status. The coverage includes commentary from Liu Zongyi, a researcher at the Shanghai Institute of International Studies, who characterizes India's alignment with the West as driven by opportunism and a desire for self-interest, and as an attempt to leverage the US-China rivalry for its benefit. This perspective attempts to portray India as a player seeking to exploit tensions between the two superpowers and aims to disregard India’s role as a responsible actor promoting regional harmony and cooperation.

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.