Daily Conversations Daily Conversations

NEWS IN CHINA

• Xi Jinping Congratulates Luong Cuong on Becoming Vietnamese President: Chinese President Xi Jinping, on October 22nd, sent a congratulatory message to Luong Cuong, the newly appointed President of Vietnam. Xi stressed upon the need of furthering strategic partnership between China and Vietnam, highlighting recent efforts to strengthen ties. He highlighted how the two countries have developed their ties by fostering ‘a community with a shared future’ and engaging in strategic cooperation. He praised the consensus reached on deepening bilateral relations and mentioned Cuong’s own recent visit to China, where they discussed future cooperation. Xi re-affirmed China’s commitment to supporting Vietnam’s socialist development and preparations for the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The message reaffirmed Xi’s intention to work closely with Cuong to ensure China-Vietnam relations remain on the right track, delivering tangible benefits for both nations. In these commitments, Xi intended continued high-level collaboration, Xi hopes to advance the modernization efforts of both countries and bring their peoples closer together.
  
  

• Henan to Create World-Class Cultural Heritage Corridor Along Yellow River: Henan Province has planned to establish a world-class cultural corridor showcasing over 50,000 immovable historical relics in the Yellow River area. At a press conference, officials announced the completion of a comprehensive survey, revealing 51,172 immovable relics, including 7,042 protected sites. Additionally, Henan has catalogued 947 non-heritage projects and 488 significant cultural heritages into a specialised digital database. Upcoming efforts will focus on archaeological research, including Xia-Shang civilization studies, and world heritage applications, such as the Erlitou Ruins and Wanli Tea Ceremony. The initiative aims to enhance the cultural legacy of the Yellow River region.
  
  

• China Set to Launch Shenzhou-19 Crewed Spaceship: China is preparing for the upcoming launch of its Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, a significant step in advancing its space exploration goals. The launch is scheduled for October 24, 2024, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert. This mission will carry three astronauts, including a veteran and two new members, to the Tiangong space station, where they will stay for approximately one month. The Shenzhou-19 mission is part of China’s broader strategy to establish a permanent human presence in space, building on the success of previous missions, including the recent Shenzhou-18. Chinese officials have indicated that this mission will enhance the station’s capabilities and support future construction activities, including additional modules and scientific experiments. The Shenzhou program reflects China’s commitment to becoming a leading player in space exploration. As it prepares for this launch, the nation is also emphasising international cooperation in space activities, aiming to share its advancements and knowledge globally. For more details, you can read the full reports from CGTN here and Xinhua here.
  
  

• Decline in Youth Unemployment Rate Signals Recovery in China’s Job Market: China has recorded a notable decrease in youth unemployment, with the rate for individuals aged 16 to 24 dropping to 17.6% in September, down from a peak of 18.8% in August, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics. This marks the highest youth unemployment rate observed this year. The decline in joblessness reflects ongoing efforts to stabilise the employment market amid economic fluctuations. For the age group of 25 to 29, the unemployment rate fell slightly to 6.7% from 6.9% in the previous month. In contrast, the unemployment rate for individuals aged 30 to 59 remained unchanged at 3.9%. Notably, these statistics do not include students, who often experience different employment dynamics. The improvement in youth joblessness indicates positive trends in China’s broader employment landscape as the government continues to implement policies aimed at stimulating job creation and supporting economic growth. The report highlights the importance of addressing youth unemployment, a key concern for the Chinese economy as it navigates post-pandemic recovery. For more detailed insights, you can refer to the full article on China Daily here.
  
  

• China Accuses Foreign Intelligence Agencies of Espionage in Space Sector: On October 22, China’s Ministry of State Security accused foreign intelligence agencies of engaging in espionage targeting its space industry through satellite-based remote sensing. This announcement underscoreD Beijing’s increasing concern over external espionage threats, particularly against its advanced technological sectors. The Ministry highlighted that these foreign actors aim to collect sensitive information related to China’s space operations and advancements, reflecting growing geopolitical tensions. China has become increasingly vigilant in countering perceived external threats, especially as the global competition for technological dominance intensifies. Espionage accusations from Beijing often point to broader geopolitical rivalries, where space technology plays a central role. With China aiming to position itself as a global leader in space exploration, including lunar missions and satellite infrastructure, such allegations are part of a larger narrative asserting the need to safeguard its strategic interests.
  
  
  SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

  ---

  JD.com Faces Backlash Over Yang Li’s Comedy as Netizens React on Weibo: Chinese comedian Yang Li, known for her gender-based humour, has become embroiled in controversy when JD.com ended its promotional partnership with her following a wave of social media backlash. Yang’s jokes, which often poke fun at male arrogance, triggered outrage among the predominantly male user base of the e-commerce giant, leading to a barrage of complaints on the company’s Weibo channels. JD.com had previously taken in Yang to promote its “Singles’ Day” shopping festival but quickly faced a backlash, with many male customers expressing their discontent. They criticised the company for collaborating with a comedian who is ‘anti-men’. Social media users voiced their opinions, with some citing Yang’s famous quip about men who ‘look so average yet are so self-confident’ as particularly inappropriate for JD.com’s branding. In response to the uproar, JD.com issued an apology stating that it would no longer work with Yang. Despite the backlash from some male users, many women rallied around Yang, defending her jokes and criticising JD.com’s decision. One male influencer noted that Yang’s critiques were ‘actually quite polite,’ indicating a divide in public opinion regarding gender dynamics in comedy. Yang’s experience presents the challenges faced by female comedians in navigating a male-dominated industry, as well as the polarised responses to their work on social media. 

  
  INDIA WATCH

  ---

  China Highlights Progress with India on Border Resolutions, Urges Full Implementation: China announced that it has reached new agreements with India concerning their long-standing border disputes and emphasised its commitment to ensuring their smooth implementation. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian acknowledged the progress achieved through recent diplomatic and military dialogues, describing it as a positive step toward stabilising relations. Chinese analysts expressed cautious optimism, urging New Delhi to fully implement the resolutions to restore bilateral ties that have been strained since the 2020 border standoff. Experts quoted by Global Times stressed that India should no longer use the border issue as an hindrance to improving further relations. They noted that despite political tensions, India remains heavily reliant on Chinese imports, especially for key components in manufacturing industries such as smartphones and solar panels. While the agreement offers hope for reducing tensions, Hu Zhiyong from the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences cautioned that complete resolution remains complex. He emphasised the need for patience and vigilance, highlighting that this development serves as an easing measure rather than a final settlement of the border dispute.

Prepared By

Anvita Plawat

Anvita is a post graduation student of International Relations at Jamia Millia Islamia with a keen interest in geopolitical and security studies. Her academic pursuits are complemented by her extensive research on the South China Sea. Beyond her academic and leadership roles, she actively engages in initiatives promoting sustainability, menstrual equity, and gender rights.