CiCM 21st June 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

China Urges EU to Resolve Trade Disputes Through Dialogue: China's commerce ministry has accused the European Union (EU) of escalating trade tensions, potentially leading to a trade war. Since the start of the year, the EU has implemented 31 restrictive measures against China, including 25 trade remedies, disrupting economic cooperation. The ministry insists that China prefers resolving issues through dialogue and cooperation, adhering to World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. The recent EU move to impose additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), citing "unfair subsidization," has intensified the dispute. Tariffs range from 17.4% to 38.1% on various Chinese EV makers, but China argues the EU's investigation lacks evidence and legitimacy. The Chinese ministry criticized the EU for using excessive investigation methods and pressuring Chinese companies for sensitive information. China calls on the EU to honor bilateral agreements and address concerns through proper dialogue, warning that continued escalation could lead to uncontrollable trade conflicts. China remains committed to protecting its economic interests while seeking a cooperative resolution.
China Issues Yellow Alert for Rainstorms Across Multiple Regions: China's meteorological authority has issued a yellow alert for rainstorms, anticipating heavy rainfall across various regions. From 8am. Friday to 8am Saturday, torrential rains are expected to affect Henan, Hunan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, and Jilin. In some areas of Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu, Inner Mongolia, and Jilin, rainfall could reach up to 180 millimeters. Additionally, these regions may experience short-term heavy downpours with hourly precipitation exceeding 80 millimeters, accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds. The National Meteorological Center has advised local authorities to prepare accordingly, ensuring proper drainage in urban areas, farmlands, and fishponds. China's weather warning system is color-coded with four tiers, where red indicates the most severe conditions, followed by orange, yellow, and blue. President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of ecological conservation and high-quality development in the Yellow River basin during his recent inspection tour in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, following his visit to Qinghai Province.
Experts Praise China's Progress in Legal Protection of Human Rights: A seminar on China's governance and human rights protection was held in Hefei, Anhui Province, highlighting the country's legal achievements. Experts and scholars discussed the development of China's legal system for human rights, emphasizing its role in enhancing human civilization diversity. Xie Fuzhan, chairman of the China Foundation for Human Rights Development, noted that China prioritizes human rights in governance, successfully creating a human rights path aligned with its national conditions and modern trends. Xie highlighted significant improvements in the people's sense of happiness and security due to advancements in human rights. He also emphasized China's active participation in international human rights law, contributing to global human rights governance. The Vice Chairman of the China Foundation for Human Rights Development, pointed out that the seminar showcased China's human rights achievements through typical cases and detailed data. Discussions also covered using law to improve people's livelihoods, protecting rights in emerging fields, and developing foreign-related legal frameworks.
Beijing Condemns India's Meeting with US Lawmakers Post-Dalai Lama Visit: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with US lawmakers, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in New Delhi following their visit with the Dalai Lama, despite strong warnings from Beijing. This visit underscores India's increasingly antagonistic stance towards China amid ongoing territorial tensions. Experts believe India is irresponsibly heightening pressure on China concerning sensitive issues like Tibet and Taiwan. Since a deadly border clash in 2020, India’s foreign policy towards China has taken a hostile turn, with multiple rounds of talks failing to restore normal relations. Both nations continue to maintain significant military presence along their border. Modi's hosting of the delegation indicates India's blatant support for the Dalai Lama's separatist activities. Experts caution that this provocative move could necessitate further defensive measures by China along the disputed Himalayan border, echoing China's justified response to Pelosi's 2022 visit to Taiwan.
China's Coal Industry Embraces Green Innovations for Sustainable Future: China's news agency covered the nation's strides in making its coal industry more environmentally friendly through technological advancements. At Inner Mongolia Pingzhuang Coal Group, a 14-meter-high electric loader, remotely operated from three kilometers away using 5G and sensor technology, exemplifies this shift. Such innovations reduce dust and noise while boosting efficiency. China's coal industry, which supplies over 55% of the nation's energy, is focusing on clean and efficient use rather than elimination. Advanced technologies, like radar monitoring and intelligent blasting systems, enhance safety and productivity in mines. Companies like Shaanxi Future Energy are creating high-value products, such as high-end wax and cold-resistant diesel, from coal, breaking international monopolies and boosting economic stability. Intelligent mining is reducing workforce numbers and increasing output, with significant improvements in safety. By April, China had over 1,900 intelligent mining faces. Efforts in environmental protection include transforming old mines into tourist sites and repurposing coal byproducts for construction. The industry is also exploring carbon capture and utilization technologies to reduce emissions, aiming to turn coal from "black gold" to "green gold."

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Chinese Ads Take Center Stage at Euro 2024, Sparking Social Media Buzz: Chinese companies are making a noticeable impact at UEFA Euro 2024 as official sponsors, with prominent advertisements from firms like BYD and Alipay. This significant presence has sparked widespread discussion on Chinese social media platforms like Weibo, where posts about "Chinese companies going global" have garnered over 100 million views and numerous comments. Many netizens likened the experience to watching the Chinese Super League due to the familiarity of the brands. For the first time, Euro 2024 is using virtual real-time advertising, which tailors LED board ads to specific markets during live broadcasts. As a result, audiences in Germany and the United States see customized ads in their respective languages. Five out of the 13 top sponsors at the event are Chinese, highlighting the financial clout of Chinese firms and the importance of the Chinese market. Ant Group, a top sponsor, promoted its brands like Alipay to Chinese viewers and global brands to international audiences. This strategy underscores the effectiveness of sponsorship in boosting brand visibility, as demonstrated by Hisense's sales surge during Euro 2016.

INDIA WATCH

India to Rename Places in Tibet Amid Ongoing Tensions with China: China's news agency SCMP covered India's plan to rename around 30 locations in Tibet, responding to China's recent renaming of places in Arunachal Pradesh. This action underscores India's resolve to counter China's territorial assertions and suggests that bilateral relations are unlikely to improve during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term. Since 2017, China has renamed 62 locations in Arunachal Pradesh, reinforcing its claims over the area it calls "South Tibet." India's renaming plan is a symbolic move to assert its stance on the disputed territory. Experts suggest that Modi's administration, known for its strongman image, is using the renaming to demonstrate its determination against China. Despite these actions, India aims to resolve border disputes through dialogue, seeking to reduce military tensions. However, the ongoing stand-off since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which resulted in casualties on both sides, highlights the challenges in normalizing relations. Analysts note that as long as border issues remain unresolved, restoring normalcy in India-China relations will be difficult.

Prepared By

Kriti Rai

Kriti is an undergraduate student at FLAME University pursuing Data Science and Economics. She is proficient in C++, Python, MySQL, and data visualisation tools such as Tableau. Her areas of interest lie in building predictive models and utilising machine learning to enhance decision-making and tackle real-world challenges.