CiCM 23rd August 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Xi Jinping Chairs CPC Meeting on Boosting Western China Development: On Friday, the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee's Political Bureau convened to discuss policies and initiatives to create new opportunities for the extensive development of the Western region. The meeting was chaired by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee. The meeting urged efforts to focus on pursuing well-coordinated environmental conservation, large-scale opening up, and high-quality development, and moving faster to create a new pattern of growth to elevate overall regional strength and sustainable development capacity. The meeting also emphasized the importance of developing specialized industries that capitalize on local strengths, boosting technological innovation, and advancing the transformation and modernization of traditional industries. A statement released following the meeting said that efforts should be made to deepen reform thoroughly, further unleash and expand the creative forces, raise the vitality of society, and pave a path of Chinese modernization that suits the realities of the region. The meeting focused on advancing high-level environmental conservation, creating a stunning western area, fully implementing pollution prevention and control, and advancing low-carbon and green growth. The meeting highlighted the need to promote new urbanization tailored to local conditions, strengthen the gains made in poverty alleviation, and ensure that large-scale poverty does not re-emerge in rural areas. It also stressed the importance of fostering a strong sense of national unity to maintain ethnic harmony and stability in border regions.
China Reiterates Call for Ceasefire Talks and Political Solution for Palestine: Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, stated on Thursday that ceasefire talks and a political solution are the key methods to resolve the Palestinian issue. Fu emphasized at the UN Security Council briefing on the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue, that relying on the notion of achieving complete victory in Gaza is misguided. Such an approach will only lead to further innocent civilian casualties, fail to secure the release of hostages, and will not bring peace or stability to Israel or the region. Fu mentioned that more than two months after the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2735, the Israeli military operations in Gaza continue causing new casualties every day. Meanwhile, the repeated provocative and adventurous actions by the Israeli side have intensified the risk of conflict spillovers. Fu said Israel has turned a deaf ear to them and has not shown any sign of relenting to those calls, Noting that the UN Security Council, the International Court of Justice, and others in the international community have repeatedly sent clear calls for a ceasefire and an end to the fighting. He also added that humanitarian issues cannot be politicized, hunger cannot be weaponized, and civilian lives cannot be trivialized as bargaining chips. He added that Israel must meet its obligations under international humanitarian law by fully opening border crossings, ensuring swift and safe access to large-scale humanitarian aid, halting restrictions and attacks on the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, and supporting the polio vaccination program in Gaza.
Xi Jinping to attend opening ceremony of 2024 Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation: Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on August 23 that President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit on September 5 and deliver a keynote speech. In addition, President Xi Jinping will host a welcome dinner and other bilateral events for African leaders of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, as well as representatives of pertinent international and regional organizations in Africa, during the summit. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong provided an update on the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit. Chen Xiaodong announced that four high-level meetings will be held concurrently during the summit, focusing on the themes of "governance," "industrialization and agricultural modernization," "peace and security," and "high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road." These topics deeply resonate with the themes and demands of the current era, reflect the shared concerns and aspirations of China and Africa for modernization, and serve as key focus areas for the development of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in this new era. Chen Xiaodong noted that this is the first time four high-level meetings will be held under the Forum, focusing on key issues and aligning with President Xi Jinping's keynote speech. These meetings aim to enhance dialogue, build consensus, and advance the China-Africa community with a shared future.
Strengthening Strategic Ties: Xi Jinping and UK PM Starmer Discuss China-UK Relations: On the afternoon of August 23, President Xi Jinping held a telephone conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Starmer’s request. Xi congratulated Starmer on becoming the British Prime Minister and emphasized the importance of China and the UK, as major global economies and permanent members of the UN Security Council, approaching their bilateral relationship with a strategic, long-term perspective. Xi Jinping highlighted the need for both nations to maintain their partnership, enhance dialogue, and foster a stable, mutually beneficial relationship that serves not only their interests but also the global community. He expressed China's readiness to engage in equal dialogue with the UK, based on mutual respect, to build understanding and trust. Xi also emphasized the importance of aligning development strategies, increasing cooperation in finance, the green economy, artificial intelligence, and other fields, and strengthening cultural exchanges. He stated that win-win cooperation should be the cornerstone of China-UK relations, with China’s accelerated high-quality productivity and new industrialization offering more opportunities globally, including for the UK. Prime Minister Starmer affirmed the UK’s desire to enhance cooperation with China, aiming for stable, strategic relations and collaboration on global issues, while reaffirming the UK’s commitment to the one-China policy. Xi Jinping concluded by reiterating China’s commitment to strengthening contact and dialogue with the UK, supporting the steady, long-term development of China-UK relations, and working together to promote global peace and development.
State Council Holds Press Conferences on Promoting High-Quality Development: On August 23, the State Council Information Office hosted thematic press conferences on "Promoting High-quality Development." Officials from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development announced that by the end of 2023, the average housing construction area per urban resident in China will surpass 40 square meters, and over 64 million units of affordable and resettlement housing for shantytown renovation will be constructed. Data released by the Ministry of Commerce on the 22nd showed that from January to July this year, the country's non-financial direct investment abroad was US$83.55 billion, an increase of 16.2% every year. Among them, Chinese companies' non-financial direct investment in countries participating in the construction of the "Belt and Road" was US$17.94 billion, an increase of 7.7% every year. In addition, from January to July this year, the turnover of overseas contracting projects reached US$86.28 billion, a year-on-year increase of 6.6%. At a press conference on August 23, the Civil Aviation Administration of China reported that July saw record-breaking civil aviation transport figures. The industry achieved a total transport turnover of 13.63 billion ton-kilometers, up 19.9% from the previous year, and carried 69.136 million passengers, a 10.8% increase year-on-year. Notably, international passenger transport has recovered to 93% of its 2019 levels. On August 23, the Ministry of Commerce announced that China and Belarus signed an Agreement on Trade in Services and Investment, boosting mutual openness and cooperation in trade, investment, and business exchanges.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Grief Erupts Online Over Deaths of 5 in Thai Plane Crash: The small turboprop plane headed to Thailand’s southeastern Trat province lost contact with air traffic control shortly after taking off from Suvarnabhumi Airport in the capital Bangkok. Internet users in China reacted with grief and shock after five Chinese nationals, including two children, were killed in a plane crash in Thailand on Thursday afternoon. Five of the nine passengers on the ill-fated aircraft were Chinese nationals, as confirmed by the Chinese embassy in Thailand to Xinhua. The remaining passengers, including the two cabin crew members, pilot, and co-pilot, were all Thai nationals. Tragically, there were no survivors. Among the victims were two children, aged 12 and 13, according to local media reports. The accident occurred in a mangrove swamp in Chachoengsao province, approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Suvarnabhumi Airport. Rescuers faced challenging conditions, having to excavate up to 3 meters (about 10 feet) to retrieve the victims' remains. Chinese internet users have taken to social media to mourn the victims, particularly the two young children who were on what should have been a joyful summer holiday. The incident has also sparked widespread concern about the safety of small aircraft, with many questioning whether such low-altitude flights are inherently risky and whether even minor incidents could lead to catastrophic outcomes. Some users, who recognized the aircraft from their recent travels, expressed shock and disbelief at the news.

INDIA WATCH

India Shocked by Report on Sexual Abuse in Kerala’s Film Industry: The South China Morning Post reported that India is grappling with the revelations of a recently released report detailing pervasive sexual abuse within Kerala’s film industry. This comes amid ongoing public outrage over the tragic rape and murder of a woman doctor in Kolkata. The report, produced by a judicial committee, highlighted that women in Kerala's film industry, including well-known actors, assistants, and technicians, have been subjected to systemic abuse by a male-dominated group within the industry. The findings have sparked significant legal and political reactions across the country since the report was made public on Monday. The investigation uncovered that women faced various forms of exploitation, including sexual demands as a condition for entering the film industry and experiences of abuse and assault on sets. The 235-page report noted, "The Malayalam film industry is controlled by a small group of producers, directors, and actors – all male." In response, Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan assured that anyone who testified before the Hema Commission and comes forward with complaints will receive appropriate action. He emphasized that accountability under the law will apply to all individuals, irrespective of their position. However, the state government has faced criticism for not pressing charges immediately and for requiring victims to re-register their complaints individually.

Prepared By

Pavithra SR

I am a third-year undergraduate majoring in International Relations at Shiv Nadar Institute of Eminence, Greater Noida specializing in gender, security, and digitalization. My interests include policy making and South Asian studies, with a particular focus on international migration, subaltern communities, and democratic studies. I am keen to conduct policy research in these areas in the future.