CiCM 22-23rd June 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

China Implements Legal Measures Against Taiwan Independence Advocates: China introduced new judicial guidelines aimed at penalizing "Taiwan independence" advocates, reinforcing its stance on national sovereignty. These guidelines, issued by top judicial and security authorities, specify criminal liabilities for separatist actions, clarifying penalties and procedures under the Anti-Secession Law. This move, seen as a direct response to increasing pro-independence activities since Lai Ching-te took office in May, allows Chinese courts to prosecute separatists in absentia, with severe cases potentially leading to the death penalty. The guidelines also target external forces aiding separatists, promising harsher punishments for collusion with foreign entities. Despite their strictness, the guidelines differentiate between hardcore separatists and the general Taiwanese population, offering the latter a chance to understand the dangers of separatist activities. This development underscores China's unwavering view that Taiwan is part of its territory. Amid rising tensions, the US continues to support Taiwan's participation in international organizations, despite China's strong opposition.
Polish President's State Visit to China- Strengthening Bilateral Ties and Economic Cooperation: Polish President Andrzej Duda has arrived in China for a five-day state visit, aiming to bolster China-Poland relations. During his visit, Duda will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee. The discussions will focus on enhancing political trust, expanding economic cooperation, and signing key cooperation documents. Duda will also participate in the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian. This visit marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Poland. Experts believe that stronger ties with China will not only benefit Poland's economy but also elevate its influence within the European Union. Despite differing stances on the Russia-Ukraine crisis, China and Poland have maintained close contact. The visit highlights Poland's pursuit of balanced diplomacy, aiming to foster cooperation with China amid complex China-EU relations.
China and France Launch Satellite to Study Gamma-Ray Bursts: China launched the Space-based Multi-band Variable Object Monitor (SVOM) satellite from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, marking a significant achievement in international space collaboration. Developed over nearly 20 years by Chinese and French scientists, SVOM aims to detect gamma-ray bursts, the most intense explosions in the universe since the Big Bang. Equipped with four scientific instruments—two from China and two from France—the satellite can perform high-precision observations with a wide field of view. Gamma-ray bursts are brief but extremely powerful events resulting from the collapse of massive stars or the merging of binary stars. Studying these bursts can provide insights into cosmic evolution and fundamental scientific questions. SVOM’s main objectives include locating and analyzing gamma-ray bursts, studying their electromagnetic properties, exploring dark energy, and observing signals associated with gravitational waves. Scientists hope to discover early gamma-ray bursts from the universe's infancy, offering a unique glimpse into the formation of the first stars and the early universe. This mission exemplifies the benefits of international cooperation in advancing our understanding of the cosmos.
China to Enhance Healthcare and Reduce Costs in 2024: China is set to implement extensive reforms in its medical and healthcare systems to improve access to public services and reduce financial burdens on patients. A national conference on health development and reform concluded with discussions on public hospital reforms, drug supply, and medical insurance. The government has outlined key reform tasks, focusing on enhancing primary-level healthcare, reforming public hospital payment systems, and improving healthcare insurance to better meet citizens' needs and lower medical expenses. Emphasis will be placed on advancing medical technology, multi-tiered diagnosis and treatment, and digital services. A significant part of China's strategy to tackle high medical costs involves bulk drug procurement programs. Since 2018, nine rounds of these programs have been launched, and the initiative is expected to include 500 medications this year. Additionally, pilot price reforms for medical services will be conducted in three provincial regions. Officials, including Zhu Hongbiao from the National Health Commission, highlighted the importance of these measures in making healthcare more accessible and affordable for the population.
Yangzhou Transforms from Industrial Hub to Cultural Hotspot with Grand Canal Museum: The China Grand Canal Museum in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, is attracting many visitors, especially on weekends and holidays. Located in the Sanwan area, the museum sits on a site that was once Yangzhou's largest industrial zone, plagued by pollution from over 80 factories in the 1980s and 1990s. In the early 2010s, local authorities began transforming Sanwan, closing or relocating 89 industrial enterprises and restoring 45 hectares of wetlands. By 2017, the area had been revitalized into a scenic ecological wetland. The Grand Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is deeply significant to Yangzhou. To preserve and promote its heritage, the China Grand Canal Museum opened in June 2021, showcasing the canal's history and cultural significance. The museum has since attracted over 8.3 million visitors. Yangzhou is now leveraging this cultural attraction to boost economic growth, developing a commercial district focused on cultural tourism. This transformation highlights Yangzhou's successful shift from an industrial hub to a cultural hotspot, bringing new prosperity and happiness to its citizens.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Chinese Doctor Influencer Banned for Staging Fake Medical Emergencies: A Chinese doctor influencer named Tao, 38, from Anhui province, has been banned from social media for creating fake medical emergencies to gain online popularity. Known online as “Doctor Tao Telling the Truth,” he posted dramatic videos on Douyin, amassing 1.5 million followers. Tao, a plastic surgeon, wore surgical scrubs and narrated fabricated stories of patient crises and surgeries, which he staged in a room at his home lacking real medical equipment. The scandal has sparked public outrage, with many feeling deceived and calling for stricter punishments for such deceptive practices. This incident is part of a broader crackdown on unethical behaviour by online influencers in China, including a recent case where another influencer, Xu, faked a story about a Chinese student in Paris. Chinese authorities penalized Xu and her colleague for fabricating stories, leading to the suspension of their accounts. Public reaction has been critical, demanding stricter regulations. This incident underscores the importance of accountability and the need for robust regulation of social media influencers in China. After an investigation sparked by media scrutiny and user observations, it was revealed that Tao's videos lacked proper medical standards and essential equipment. Authorities confirmed that all his content was staged, leading to the shutdown of his social media accounts.

INDIA WATCH

India Successfully Demonstrates Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology: China's news agency Xinhua covered that India's space agency, ISRO, achieved a significant milestone with its Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) technology. The Indian Space Research Organization announced the completion of its third and final test of the RLV Landing Experiment (LEX) at the Aeronautical Test Range in Karnataka's Chitradurga. Named Pushpak, the winged vehicle was released from an Indian Air Force Chinook Helicopter at 4.5 km altitude. During the test, Pushpak autonomously adjusted its course, navigated challenging wind conditions, and executed a precise horizontal landing on the runway. This successful demonstration reaffirms ISRO's capability in mastering critical technologies necessary for developing a reusable launch vehicle. The RLV technology aims to reduce the cost of launching payloads into space by enabling the reuse of certain components of the launch vehicle. ISRO's achievement marks a step forward in India's space exploration capabilities and underscores its commitment to advancing space technology for more cost-effective and sustainable space missions in the future.

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.