CiCM 31st May 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Israel-Gaza war: China and Arab states condemn ‘continued aggression’ in Gaza, urge support for Palestinian statehood: While calling for additional nations to formally recognize Palestinian independence, China and Arab governments have denounced Israel's "continued aggression" against Palestine, especially its attack on Rafah, the southernmost city of Gaza. The statement further emphasized that both parties condemned Israel's ongoing aggression against the Palestinian people, highlighting that thousands of Palestinians have been detained and abused. Additionally, China and the Arab world denounced the invasion of Rafah. China had previously called Washington's attempt to thwart a UN resolution endorsing Palestinian membership in April "disappointing." Beijing has always advocated for the coexistence of Israeli and Palestinian nations, and in the statement, China and the Arab states referred to the two-state solution as the "only realistic way out.” China has backed Palestine's admission to the UN as a full member. In addition to warning that "the war cannot continue indefinitely [and] justice cannot be permanently absent," Chinese President Xi Jinping offered the same recommendation to Arab leaders during his speech at the meeting on 30^th May. China and the Arab states also hailed the recent official recognition of an independent Palestinian state by Ireland, Norway, Spain, and Slovenia, and they urged more nations to do the same.
Wuhan’s Maglev Research Program’s Advancement of High-Speed Electromagnetic Suspension: Wuhan has concluded a research program aimed at advancing a high-speed electromagnetic suspension (EMS) maglev transit system capable of reaching 600 km/h. The four-year initiative was directed by China Railway Siyuan Survey and Design Group Co Ltd in collaboration with over ten institutions, including Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Co Ltd., Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co Ltd., Central South University, and Southwest Jiaotong University. Eight primary areas were addressed by the research: traction power supply control, equipment installation and maintenance, and bridge and tunnel construction that satisfies high-speed and high-precision requirements. According to the researchers, the low-vacuum pipeline polymorphism coupling test platform in Chengdu and the CRRC Qingdao Sifang high-speed maglev experimental facility have both benefited from some of the research findings. The study focused on eight primary areas: traction power supply control, equipment installation and maintenance, and bridge and tunnel construction that satisfies high-speed and high-precision criteria. Once a test line system is proven reliable, work on building the 600 km/h high-speed maglev railway may begin.
China Sees Accelerated Application of Humanoid Robots: As per the China Center for Information Industry Development's research report on the country's humanoid robot sector in 2024, the humanoid robot industry in China experienced remarkable growth in 2023, with the industry scale rising by 85.7 per cent year on year to 3.91 billion yuan ($539.66 million). In November 2023, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in China released guidelines aimed at encouraging the country's inventive advancements in humanoid robot research. As per the guidelines, the nation intends to create a humanoid robot innovation system by 2025 and attain worldwide leadership in the humanoid robot industry by 2027, to transform the sector into a crucial new driver of economic growth. Manufacturer UBTech Robotics makes the Walker S robot. Large-scale deployment of humanoid robots in the automotive manufacturing sector is anticipated, according to Zhou, who noted that certain automakers have already submitted comprehensive procurement plans. In terms of major commercial application scenarios, the guideline proposed focuses on creating highly reliable, safe and stable humanoid robot solutions for special fields, manufacturing scenarios, people's livelihood and key industries such as agriculture and logistics.
China defends HKSAR Court's verdict amid Western criticism of conspiracy case: Following the verdict in a case of conspiracy to subvert state power, the governments of China's central government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) expressed strong opposition and condemnation against some remarks made by Western countries, anti-China organisations, and foreign media that smear the rule of law in the city. Fourteen anti-China individuals, including former lawmakers Leung Kwok-hung and Helena Wong Pik-wan, were found guilty of conspiring to undermine state authority on Thursday by the Hong Kong West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts. Following 118 days of public trial, the court declared unequivocally on 30^th May that the case involved a conspiracy to subvert state power to undermine, destroy, or overthrow the current political system and framework of the HKSAR. The court made this determination after carefully weighing the pertinent legal principle, the substantial evidence, and the arguments made by both the prosecution and the defence. This case involved the prosecution of 47 individuals in all, the majority of whom had prior convictions. The ruling was opposed by a few foreign countries and anti-Chinese individuals who claimed to be concerned about the "deterioration of fundamental freedoms and democratic participation" in the city. The spokeswoman for the European External Action Service voiced strong disapproval and objection to remarks made by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Chinese Private Rocket Firm Completes Milestone Launch: The solid-fueled launch vehicle Ceres-1 Y12, built by the Chinese private rocket company Galactic Energy Co., successfully launched five satellites into an orbit 535 kilometres above Earth on May 31st. On May 30, a preceding launch in the Yellow Maritime off the coast of Shandong Province in East China marks a historic occasion before the launch itself, representing the lowest period between two commercial launches that a Chinese private aerospace company has ever accomplished. According to Chinese analysts, the shorter gap between launches shows that Chinese commercial space businesses are gaining ground on industry giants such as SpaceX in the United States. Since 2015, China's commercial space industry has grown rapidly, and from 2017 to 2024, growth exceeding 20 per cent per year is predicted. According to market research firm iiMedia Research, the market size is projected to reach 2.34 trillion yuan ($326 billion) in 2024.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

VVIP Guest at Posh China Hotel Fined US$415 Under Alleged ‘Room Re-Sale’: A visitor who booked a room at the Hilton Hotel in Beijing was fined 3,000 yuan (US$415) after security camera footage proved he did not spend the night on the property. Staff at the hotel believed he was a "room reseller," someone who rented out rooms and associated amenities to others to make money. For himself and his family, the visitor, surnamed Tang, a VVIP member, reserved two rooms at the Hilton Beijing Wangfujing for a period of three nights, beginning on 9th May. He agreed to keep member privileges during their stay when he signed a "commitment letter" at check-in. Following his check-out, the hotel management called to say that he hadn't spent the night in his room according to security footage. A 3,000 yuan surcharge was incurred as a result, with 500 yuan for each room every night. The hotel has been dubbed the "Hilton police station" due to the internet outcry that the tale has caused. The unapproved transfer of member privileges and rooms has been brought to light by the dispute. Leading online concerns about security vulnerabilities and police involvement.

INDIA WATCH

Room Grows for China, and India to Cooperate on Green Energy:

An article by Global Times reported that 30th May saw an all-time high of hotter than 52 degrees Celsius in the nation's capital, according to the India Meteorological Department. The incident brought attention to India's power supply shortages and highlighted the significance of incorporating low-carbon production and emissions reduction into the growth of the industrial sector in the nation. Over 70% of India's power is generated by coal, which the country is said to be the second-largest producer and consumer of in the world. Nonetheless, India's imports of coal have increased despite the country experiencing heat waves more frequently. In addition, the need for power is expected to rise as India's industrial sector expands and climate change makes heat waves more severe. More power outages will follow, which emphasizes how urgent it is for the nation to diversify its energy sources by moving toward renewable energy. China, on the other hand, has already significantly improved its energy mix. In 2023, China's installed capacity for renewable energy topped that of thermal power for the first time. India must work with other nations, particularly China, to promote low-carbon industry. India can increase the effectiveness and dependability of its electricity infrastructure through technical collaboration.

Prepared By

Diksha Takale

Diksha is currently an undergraduate student at FLAME University, Pune. She is pursuing her degree in BA with a major in Literary and Cultural Studies and minor in Sociology. Writing is a part of her primary focus in building her career and one way to cater to that is by diversifying her academic reach in a field such as international relations. She is an avid reader and writes fiction in her leisure time.