CiCM 12th March 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

China commits to providing robust financial backing to foster high-quality economic development: Li Yunze, head of China's National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA), affirmed the country's commitment to fostering high-quality economic growth by offering substantial financial backing. Established in May 2023, the NFRA has jurisdiction over all financial sectors except securities. Speaking after the national legislative session, Li emphasized the pivotal role of financial services in driving economic expansion. He highlighted significant progress, such as a 1.3 trillion yuan increase in yuan-denominated loans in 2023, particularly benefiting high-tech and green initiatives with loan growth exceeding 20 percent. Additionally, China witnessed a historic low in loan interest rates, resulting in substantial savings for homebuyers. The NFRA outlined key strategies to bolster high-quality economic development, including prioritizing support for innovation, consumption, and small businesses. Moreover, the NFRA unveiled a special initiative on inclusive finance to enhance accessibility to small and micro loans. Li reassured the public of China's capability to manage financial risks effectively, asserting ample resources to address potential challenges.
The Ministry of Finance allocates 830 million yuan for agricultural disaster relief to support spring ploughing preparations: China’s Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, has designated 830 million yuan from central government disaster prevention and relief funds for agricultural production. This allocation aims to support 12 provinces and autonomous regions, including Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, Hubei, and Hunan, in expediting crop planting replacements and replenishing crops. These funds will play a crucial role in disaster prevention, reduction, and relief efforts, including restoring damaged planting, agricultural, livestock, and fishery facilities. They will provide significant support for facilitating a successful start to summer grain and oil production.
6.52 million people were affected by various natural disasters in February, with freezing temperatures and snow disasters being the worst in a decade: In February of this year, China faced a complex and severe natural disaster situation, with 6.52 million individuals affected and 19 casualties reported, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management. The most significant losses were attributed to low-temperature freezing and snow disasters, marking the heaviest toll in the past decade for this period. Recently, the Office of the National Disaster Prevention, Reduction, and Relief Committee, along with relevant member units, assessed and endorsed the national natural disaster assessment for February 2024. The consultation revealed widespread impacts and substantial losses caused by low-temperature rain, snow, and freezing disasters, along with droughts, hailstorms, sandstorms, earthquakes, geological events, and forest fires occurring across the country. In total, these calamities resulted in 19 fatalities, urgent relocation of 77,000 individuals, and emergency living assistance provided to 420,000 people. Additionally, 1,700 houses collapsed, 14,000 sustained damage, and 639,000 hectares of crops were adversely affected, leading to a direct economic loss of 17.69 billion yuan. The primary reason for natural disasters in February was prolonged low-temperature rain, snow, and freezing disasters in central and eastern China, exacerbated by sustained low temperatures and causing significant disruptions during the Spring Festival travel season.
National Greening Commission releases data on plantation of forests on China's 46th National Tree Planting Day: China released data regarding tree plantations on China's 46th National Tree Planting Day, highlighting its commitment to integrated protection and systematic management of its natural resources, encompassing mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, and deserts. In 2023, China planted over 3.99 million hectares of forests, as reported by the National Greening Commission. Additionally, the country restored 4.38 million hectares of degraded grassland and improved 1.905 million hectares of sandy and rocky desertification land. Notably, China executed 96 major projects for ecosystem protection and restoration, alongside 25 pilot afforestation projects. A trial scientific greening program was initiated in several provinces and regions, including Liaoning, Shandong, Henan, Chongqing, Sichuan, and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The nation also restored 63,000 square kilometres of soil-eroded areas and constructed 505 ecological river basins.
Beijing is set to establish its inaugural local standard for cross-domain data control: Beijing is set to establish five local data-related standards this year to bolster its data infrastructure system. Among these standards, those governing cross-domain data management and control aim to ensure the lawful and compliant flow of data elements, thereby fostering a standardized development of the data market. Recently, the Beijing International Big Data Exchange, leading the data trading working group under the Beijing Digital Economy Standardization Technical Committee, convened to initiate the standards work for 2024. It was disclosed that the focus for 2024 includes the compilation of five standards: "Data Asset Registration Guide," "Data Asset Quality Assessment Guide," "Data Anonymization Processing Implementation Guide," "Data Asset Compliance Table Entry Guide," and "Technical Specifications for Cross-domain Management and Control of Trusted Data Circulation." These standards aim to address critical aspects of the data element market's construction, offering practical guidance for industry stakeholders. This marks the first time such local standards have been drafted and formulated in China. Cross-domain control refers to the capability of data holders to effectively manage data flow beyond their domains to prevent unauthorized access or use.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Teacher suspended in Chin for assaulting students; police probe viral video: An unnamed former Primary Six math teacher was caught on camera by another teacher subjecting two students to a violent and prolonged assault. In the viral video, she can be seen yelling at and physically attacking the students, including banging a girl's head on a desk and punching a boy's face in a teacher's office. The disturbing footage sparked outrage online, with netizens expressing shock and disbelief at the teacher's actions. Comments on Douyin, where the video was widely circulated, reached 200,000, with many condemning the teacher's behaviour as horrible and wondering why isn't anyone in the office trying to stop the cruel teacher. This incident adds to a growing number of cases of teachers abusing students in China, including a previous suspension of a teacher who instructed students to slap themselves and another case where a teacher forced students to abuse each other. Following the outcry, the Education Bureau launched an investigation, leading to the suspension of the teacher involved. The incident underscores the urgent need for measures to address violence against students in educational settings and ensure the safety and well-being of all students.

INDIA WATCH

Much like China, India too faces a high risk of various natural disasters due to its diverse geography and climate. Both China and India have implemented comprehensive legal frameworks for disaster management. In China, key laws include the Emergency Response Law, Natural Disaster Relief Law, Civil Defense Law, Regulations on Flood Prevention and Drought Relief. These laws govern various aspects of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, ensuring coordination and effectiveness in addressing emergencies. Similarly, India has enacted the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Act, 2005, along with the National Policy on Disaster Management, 2009. Additionally, India has State Disaster Management Acts, Disaster Management Plans, and guidelines on disaster risk reduction. These legal instruments provide the foundation for disaster management efforts, emphasizing proactive measures to mitigate risks, enhance resilience, and facilitate swift response and recovery operations. India also has specialized forces such as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), established under the NDRF Act, 2006, comprising multiple battalions trained and equipped for different types of disasters, including earthquakes, floods, cyclones, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) emergencies. Additionally, initiatives such as disaster preparedness campaigns and emergency response training aim to mitigate the impact of floods on communities and infrastructure. For earthquakes, seismic risk assessments, building code enforcement, and public awareness campaigns are emphasized to promote earthquake-resistant construction practices. By integrating these measures into disaster management frameworks, the Indian government aims to enhance preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities, thereby reducing the impact of natural disasters on lives and livelihoods across the country.

Prepared By

Aachal Ashok Mishra

Aachal completed her graduation in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University. Currently she is pursuing her master's in Political Science from IGNOU. Her areas of interest revolve around international relations, foreign policy dynamics, defence and security. She has previously interned with the Council for Social Development and the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies.