CiCM 11th-12th May 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

China's Commitment to Enhancing Prosecutorial Work through Advanced Technical Methods: The Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) of China has issued guidelines to improve prosecution methods using advanced technology. These guidelines support the utilization of remote sensing technology, handwriting analysis, and psychological testing in managing cases. The guidelines aim to correct errors and ensure effective supervision, particularly in critical and contentious cases, highlighting the importance of these techniques. To facilitate the implementation of these measures, the SPP emphasizes the necessity of recruiting specialized personnel in various technical fields such as forensic science, electronic data analysis, judicial accounting, and remote sensing technology at procuratorates nationwide. Additionally, the SPP plans to establish specialized laboratories equipped with professional tools to assist procuratorates across the country in handling complex cases.
China's E-commerce Logistics Sector Shows Growth in April: The e-commerce logistics industry in China witnessed growth in April, evidenced by an increase in the e-commerce logistics index to 113.2 points, marking a 0.7-point rise from the previous month. This growth was primarily driven by a 1.3-point increase in the sub-index measuring overall business activity, reaching 127.7 points. Additionally, there was a marginal rise in business activity in rural areas, rising by 0.2 points to 127.9 points during the same period. Data released by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing indicates a consistent enhancement in the efficiency and scale of e-commerce logistics operations. Future growth is anticipated, propelled by holiday travel and government policies aimed at stimulating consumer spending in May. These developments highlight the critical role of China's e-commerce logistics sector in supporting the nation's expanding e-commerce market, with ongoing improvements and policy support promising further advancement in the future.
China's Successful Launch: Long March-4C Rocket Deploys Shiyan-23 Satellite: China effectively launched a Long March-4C rocket on Sunday morning, marking the 22nd space launch in China this year and the 522nd flight of the Long March rocket series. The event commenced at 7:43 a.m. Beijing Time at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre located in the Gobi Desert in northwest China. The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, a branch of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, developed both the rocket and the Shiyan-23 satellite, which were effectively positioned into the predetermined orbit by the rocket. The Long March-4C rocket, weighing 250 metric tons at liftoff, is specialized for launching satellites into sun-synchronous orbits, carrying payloads up to 3 tons to an orbit 700 kilometres above Earth. The Shiyan-23 satellite's primary mission is to observe and analyze the space environment. This successful launch highlights China's ongoing advancements in space exploration and satellite technology, reinforcing its role in space activities and bolstering its capabilities in space observation and monitoring.
Fatal Collision: Student Killed in Coach-Truck Accident in Jiangsu: In Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China, a tragic incident unfolded as a truck collided with a bus carrying students, resulting in the death of one student and injuries to seven others. The crash occurred around 12:55 p.m. on Friday, involving 45 passengers on the bus. Among the injured, one remains in critical but stable condition, while six sustained minor injuries. Preliminary investigations revealed that both the coach and the truck were travelling along separate lanes towards an intersection from different directions. However, the situation was exacerbated by malfunctioning traffic lights. The coach, heading southward, failed to assess the intersection's condition and exceeded the speed limit of 30 kilometres per hour. Meanwhile, the truck, travelling eastward at over 50 km per hour, collided with the coach's front right side. The truck driver, suspected of violating traffic regulations, has been apprehended. The Nantong municipal government has formed a team to conduct a thorough inquiry in response to the incident, emphasizing the importance of implementing road safety measures and conducting comprehensive investigations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Xi Jinping's Call for Advancing Ideological and Political Education: President Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of promoting ideological and political education in schools in the modern era. He stressed the adherence to the guidelines of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, prioritizing the cultivation of morality as the primary objective. Xi highlighted the necessity of developing textbooks centred on this ideology and integrating political education across all educational levels. He encouraged a focus on fundamental principles while exploring innovative methods to make political and ideological courses more engaging and specific. He highlighted the role of Party committees and leading Party member groups in advancing these educational initiatives, particularly in fostering individuals who demonstrate loyalty to the Party, patriotism, and the capability to contribute to national rejuvenation. In echoing Xi's directives, Ding Xuexiang emphasized fully implementing Xi's guidance and continuous reform in ideological-political education. He stressed enhancing students' understanding of national conditions, strengthening their values, and improving systems for teachers' status and remuneration. Xi's instructions reflect a commitment to shaping a new generation aligned with the Party's objectives.
President Xi's Visits Forge Path for Future Cooperation: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted President Xi Jinping's recent visits to France, Serbia, and Hungary, stressing their role in bolstering China's ties with these European nations and revitalizing cooperation with the European Union (EU). During his visits, President Xi emphasized the importance of maintaining independence, averting a potential new Cold War, and fostering global mutual understanding and collaboration. Crucial agreements were reached during these visits, including the enhancement of strategic stability between China and France, the establishment of a community with a shared future between China and Serbia, and the reinforcement of the comprehensive strategic partnership with Hungary. President Xi reiterated that there are no fundamental conflicts of interest between China and the EU, supporting continued communication and collaboration. Discussions also covered topics such as China's reported excess production capacity and its stance on the Ukraine issue, reaffirming China's commitment to peace and constructive engagement. Additionally, agreements were made to promote global peace during the Paris Olympic Games and support initiatives for a fair resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. President Xi's diplomatic endeavours showcase China's dedication to global collaboration and peace-building efforts on the international stage.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Douyin's Pursuit: Automating Labelling of External AI-Generated Content Similar to TikTok: Douyin, China's alternative to TikTok, is developing technologies similar to its international counterpart to automatically categorize AI-generated content reposted from other platforms. TikTok has begun automatically identifying AI-generated content by recognizing metadata on images or videos, with plans to include audio soon. Both platforms, owned by ByteDance, have mandated creators to tag AI-generated content uploaded to their platforms within the past year. However, Douyin's approach may differ from TikTok's, reflecting their distinct focus on specific demographics. ByteDance has yet to comment on this differentiation. The C2PA has devised tagging technology aimed at adding tamper-resistant metadata to all content types to facilitate source recognition. TikTok intends to implement this approach in the coming months to streamline the verification of content shared from the app. Despite these advancements, metadata tagging is not infallible, as it may fail to detect some AI-generated content, and there are ways to circumvent it. Despite Douyin boasting over 600 million daily active users, it continues to strive for widespread popularity for its project in China. These actions align with rising global concerns about AI's negative impacts, like identity theft and manipulation, prompting calls for regulation and increased public scrutiny.

INDIA WATCH

India’s Sacred Ganges River: A Paradox of Sanctity and Pollution: The South China Morning Post (SCMP) published an article highlighting the pollution of the Ganges River in India as a major environmental issue confronting the nation. It brings attention to the contradiction of the Ganges being worshipped as a holy river despite heavy contamination from years of human actions. The report highlights the Indian government's efforts to clean up the river and address water pollution problems, particularly through initiatives like the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG). However, it also points out the slow progress and challenges in effectively tackling the pollution issue, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board and the National Green Tribunal. The Chinese media highlights the economic and social significance of the Ganges River in India, as it serves as a focal point for cultural and religious practices such as birth and death ceremonies, along with daily activities like bathing and rituals. It emphasizes how water pollution negatively affects public health and underscores the urgency of improving water quality. This portrayal reflects India's environmental struggles and the challenges of balancing the cultural importance of the Ganges with the crucial priorities of environmental preservation and public health.

Prepared By

Triveni Mahajan

Triveni is a student of Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication at Bennett University and has contributed to the field of Indian Politics Journalism.