CiCM 20th-21st April 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Beijing's Deputy Mayor Gao Peng Under Investigation by CCDI: China’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection launched an investigation into Gao Peng, Vice Mayor of Beijing. He is being accused of committing severe violations of discipline and laws. Gao Peng, hailing from Fengcheng, Liaoning Province, was born in July 1972 and boasts impressive academic achievements, such as a PhD in Economics. His career path involved taking on important leadership positions such as deputy secretary and district chief of the Shunyi District Committee of Beijing, and later becoming the secretary of the same committee. In January 2023, Gao Peng was promoted to the role of deputy mayor of Beijing, with the rank of deputy minister. He was in charge of urban management, transportation, agriculture, rural areas, and emergency management. He also headed important organizations like the Beijing Urban Management Committee, Beijing Transportation Commission, and Beijing Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau, among others. Gao Peng's investigation brings the total number of central management cadres scrutinized this year to 22.

Xi Jinping and Gabon's Transitional President Commemorate 50 Years of Diplomatic Relations: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Gabonese Transitional President Brice Oligui Nguema exchanged congratulatory messages to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. President Xi stressed the lasting power of the age-old friendship between China and Gabon, underscoring mutual assistance and parity in their bond. He further added that despite shifts in the global environment, both countries have continuously improved their relationship, resulting in real advantages for their citizens. President Xi showed willingness to enhance real cooperation, expand comprehensive Cooperative strategic partnership, and develop a high-level China-Africa community with a common future. President Nguema reiterated these feelings, emphasizing the consistent progress and successful collaboration in different areas during the last fifty years. He restated its dedication to the one-China policy, acknowledging Taiwan as a fundamental component of China.

China Attains Full Localization of Carbon-14 Isotope Supply: The China National Nuclear Corporation made a notable announcement about extracting carbon-14 isotopes from the Qinshan Nuclear Power Heavy Water Reactor Unit, which is owned by China Nuclear Power Investment Holding. This achievement symbolizes China's initial use of nuclear power reactors for large-scale production of carbon-14 isotopes, indicating complete domestic supply of the isotope. Carbon-14 isotopes have a wide range of uses in agriculture, chemistry, medicine, and biology, playing important parts in detecting Helicobacter pylori and studying pharmacokinetics. After the carbon-14 target is completed, it will enter the market by the end of 2024 after undergoing back-end processing. It is estimated that domestic production can satisfy the country's needs, thus promoting the growth of China's isotope application industry. Additionally, it will promote medical companies to participate in advanced research and development of high-tech nuclear drugs and support the nuclear medicine sector. Qinshan Nuclear Power has also installed and commissioned an isotope production device for irradiation on top of the reactor. After being put into use, this device will allow for the extensive production of isotopes such as lutetium-177 and yttrium-90.

46 Subglacial Lakes Unveiled in Antarctica by Chinese Scientists: Chinese researchers have employed a new Variational Autoencoder (VAE) technique to reveal 46 undiscovered subglacial lakes beneath the ice sheet of East Antarctica. Tang Xueyuan and the team from the Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC) discovered smaller lakes with unique shapes in the AGAP-S region of the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains through their innovative analysis of ice radar data. This development improves both the effectiveness and accuracy of finding subglacial lakes and has the possibility of detecting other subglacial environments. Understanding ice sheet dynamics, sedimentary processes, geochemical cycles, and the evolution of life is dependent on the presence of subglacial lakes. Partnering with China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) and Southern University of Science and Technology, this study contributes to the worldwide count of 675 recognized subglacial lakes, creating opportunities for further exploration and research in Antarctica.

World Congress on Internal Combustion Engines Commences in Tianjin: The 2024 World Congress on Internal Combustion Engines started in Tianjin, drawing a varied group of attendees from more than 20 countries and regions. Approximately 40 experts from academia, the scientific community, business, and the technology sector came together to discuss the future direction of internal combustion engines. One of the key features of the opening event was the introduction of the first ever commercial diesel engine with a thermal efficiency of over 53 percent, a notable advancement in China's internal combustion engine sector. Created by Weichai Power Co. Ltd., a leading Chinese manufacturer of powertrains, this technology is expected to result in significant fuel savings of almost 20 million tonnes and reduce carbon emissions by more than 60 million tonnes per year. The congress, initiated in 2018 and held once every three years, is co-hosted by the Chinese Society for Internal Combustion Engines and Tianjin University. It promotes global academic interactions, high-level forums, and highlights innovative products.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Confusion in Insurance Terms Caused Chinese Student’s Death on Mt. Everest: Lu Wen, a student from Fudan University, died while climbing Mount Everest, sparking a heated discussion on Chinese social media over unclear insurance coverage. Lu Wen fell victim to altitude sickness close to the Base Camp on the South Side of Mount Everest on February 14th. Even after buying Asia Journeysafe Travel Protection through Ant Insurance, which is run by Alibaba Group, Lu Wen discovered that his policy did not include coverage for Nepal when he collapsed. During the Chinese Spring Festival bank closures, his father Lu Huaimin encountered challenges in organizing a rescue due to payment difficulties. This was further complicated by the fact that AIG's Chinese branch and the Nepal heli-service required upfront payment in USD, which he was unable to deliver. Even with attempts made, the rescue helicopter was unable to touch down because of severe weather, resulting in the death of Lu Wen. There was a public outcry on social media criticizing the priority to money over human life and emphasizing the need to carefully examine insurance policies. Ant Insurance took down the policy from its website after the report.

INDIA WATCH

India Rolls Out Air-Conditioned Helmets for Traffic Police to Combat Heat Wave: Xinhua reported the recent introduction of air-conditioned helmets by Indian police departments as a response to the ongoing heatwave. These helmets, having visors for eye protection, aim to alleviate the effects of temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, particularly for traffic personnel on duty. These helmets have a charging port and offer eight hours of cooling on a single charge. The goal of the initiative is to avoid occurrences of personnel fainting because of heat exhaustion. Traffic police officers, who were given helmets to test, noted a rise in both comfort and effectiveness. The decision has received praise from the public, who are now urging for similar actions to be taken in other states. Aarti Singh, the DCP Traffic, mentioned that helmets are currently being evaluated at six main intersections in Vadodara and will be given to more areas soon. Originating in Gujarat due to instances of officers fainting from heat exhaustion, the helmets are battery-operated and can last up to eight hours on a single charge. The report underscores the significance of this measure amidst warnings from the India Meteorological Department about extreme heat expected across the country, especially in central and western regions, from April to June.

Prepared By

Triveni Mahajan

Triveni is a student of Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication at Bennett University and has contributed to the field of Indian Politics Journalism.