CiCM 15th August 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

China Sets Key Ecological Conservation Tasks: On Thursday, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) outlined key tasks to protect the natural environment. Deputy head Zhao Chenxin announced that the commission will advance ecological conservation reforms and promote sustainable, high-quality development to mark National Ecology Day. They aim to reach a carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060, while intensifying efforts to protect the environment and foster international cooperation on green, low-carbon initiatives. Additionally, it was vowed to enhance the mechanisms for realizing the market value of ecosystem goods and services, implement comprehensive compensation for ecological conservation, and strengthen the trans-regional compensation system for ecological conservation efforts. Zhao noted that the NDRC will be implementing fiscal, tax, financial, investment, and pricing policies as well as standards to support green and low-carbon development. The NDRC will actively engage in global climate governance, foster the export of cutting-edge technology, goods, standards, and business models for green and low-carbon development, and strengthen international collaboration regarding the circular economy. Last year, August 15 was established as National Ecology Day to officially raise public awareness and encourage action toward protecting the environment by China's top legislature.
China reports growth in the consumer economy: China released significant economic data on 15th August that indicated a higher increase in consumer spending but investment and industrial production expanded more slowly in July. Figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Thursday showed that China's retail sales, a key indicator of consumer spending, grew by 2.7 percent every year in July, up from 2 percent in June. Meanwhile, value-added industrial output, which measures activity in the mining, manufacturing, and utility sectors, increased by 5.1 percent in July compared to the same month last year, slightly down from a 5.3 percent rise in June. The NBS also reported that the surveyed urban unemployment rate was 5.2 percent in July, compared to 5 percent in June. From January to July, fixed-asset investment in China, which includes spending on infrastructure, property, machinery, and equipment, increased by 3.6% compared to the same period last year. This is slightly lower than the 3.9% year-on-year growth recorded from January to June. The NBS emphasized difficulties including growing adverse effects from the external environment, ineffective domestic demand, and "growing pains in the transition between old and new growth drivers" notwithstanding the steady economic performance in July. The bureau emphasized the need to strengthen macro regulation, stating that more efforts should be made to fully implement existing policy measures and consolidate the momentum of the sustained economic recovery.
China to Limit Key Antimony Exports Amid Geopolitical Tensions: Amidst intensifying tensions with the United States, Beijing intends to strengthen its control over the worldwide movement of vital resources by enforcing export restrictions on rare antimony metals, ores, and oxides, along with equipment used in the production of extremely hard minerals like diamonds. The Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) spokesperson said that China is following international practices and implementing export controls based on its own needs to protect national security better and fulfil its international non-proliferation obligations. Analysts view China's tightened export controls on antimony, vital for military production, as a response to U.S. sanctions on technology, particularly semiconductors. As a leading producer, China is leveraging its dominance in critical minerals amid escalating tech restrictions from the U.S., driven by President Biden's "small yard, high fence" strategy. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce explained that "Implementing export controls on items related to antimony and superhard materials is a common international practice." They emphasized that the measure is not aimed at any specific country or region, and exports will be permitted as long as they adhere to the established regulations. Retired PLA Air Force equipment specialist Fu Qianshao stated that China's export restrictions are a strategic move designed to disrupt U.S. weapons production, specifically targeting major American arms manufacturers.
Chinese President Xi Jinping Calls for China-Brazil Future Community: Chinese President Xi Jinping in his congratulatory message to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between their nations announced on Thursday that China is prepared to collaborate with Brazil to use this milestone as a fresh springboard for advancing the creation of a China-Brazil community with a shared destiny. Xi highlighted that during Lula's successful visit to China last year, both nations reached an important agreement to chart a new course for China-Brazil relations in this new era. He also noted that while advancing the development and renewal of their own countries, China and Brazil have made notable contributions to global peace, stability, and prosperity. According to Xi, China is prepared to use the 50th anniversary of its diplomatic relations with Brazil as a fresh beginning to further strengthen the two nations' development strategies' alignment, expand their mutual exchanges and fields of cooperation, give their relationship new historical context, and collaborate to support the establishment of a China-Brazil community with a shared future. Lula stated that Brazil-China relations are becoming increasingly crucial for establishing a multipolar world and promoting more equitable and effective global governance. He added that these bilateral ties are fundamental in ensuring stability and predictability for both nations and the world.
China Urges 'National Unity' in Myanmar as Rebels Advance Near Yunnan Border: Foreign Minister Wang Yi informed Burmese military chief Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw on Wednesday that China supports peace, unity, territorial integration, and political reconciliation in Myanmar. Wang visited Myanmar amid the collapse of a Beijing-brokered ceasefire, with ethnic minority rebel groups advancing against the ruling junta in areas near China’s southern Yunnan province. China sent special envoy Deng Xijun to Naypyidaw last week, followed by its new ambassador Ma Jia on Monday. According to a readout from the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang reiterated to General Hlaing China's long-standing tenet of "non-interference in other countries' internal affairs," saying Beijing "firmly supports Myanmar in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity." Wang stated that China would back a new “five-point road map” to promote swift political reconciliation and a democratic transition. This plan is an updated version of a previously agreed peace plan between the junta and a loose alliance of ethnic minority rebel groups, which had ultimately failed. Wang promised increased collaboration on projects related to China's Belt and Road Initiative, such as running the Sino-Myanmar gas and oil pipelines that move natural gas from Kyaukphyu Port in Myanmar's Bay of Bengal to China’s southwestern Yunnan province. Hlaing thanked Wang for China's role in promoting peace talks in northern Myanmar and expressed hope for continued support in maintaining stability and achieving political reconciliation.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Chinese Athletes Unfollow Japanese Table Tennis Player Over War Memorial Visit, Sparking Netizen Debate: Two Chinese athletes unfollowed a Japanese table tennis player on social media after she revealed her intention to visit a controversial museum linked to wartime history, which garnered support from online users. As stated on 14th August by a China News Service-affiliated social media account, Japanese table tennis player Hina Hayata expressed her desire to see the "Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots." In addition to being a representation of Japanese military aggressiveness during World War II, kamikaze pilots also seem to symbolize the ugliness and ferocity of right-wing radicals in Japan for Chinese people. Chinese table tennis players Sun Yingsha and Fan Zhendong quickly unfollowed Hayata on Sina Weibo on Wednesday after learning of the incident. On Monday, Hayata shared photos on Sina Weibo of herself with Chinese table tennis players and mentioned that Fan had exchanged pins with her. However, the reaction of the Chinese table tennis player to Hayata's interview sparked heated discussions among netizens across various social media platforms. They pointed out that while Chinese athletes initially followed the Japanese competitors out of respect and sportsmanship, they unfollowed them as their actions were deemed unacceptable by the Chinese public. Some netizens, however, expressed surprise at Hayata's behaviour, as they had previously admired her performance and resilience in earlier matches.

INDIA WATCH

India Adds 3 Wetlands to Ramsar List, Totaling 85: It was reported by China.org.cn that there are now 85 Ramsar sites, or wetlands of international importance, in India, according to announcements made by officials on 14th August. . Three more wetlands have been added to the list. Bhupender Yadav, the federal minister of environment, forest, and climate change, announced the addition of three new sites to the list—two in Tamil Nadu and one in Madhya Pradesh. The minister said that he wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate the states of Tamil Nadu, which has added Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary and Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary, and Madhya Pradesh, which has added Tawa Reservoir, to the list of India's Ramsar sites. The central Environment Ministry stated that the newly designated sites reflect the significant policy push from the ministry for wetlands conservation and management in the country. India signed the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1982. This convention is an intergovernmental environmental treaty that facilitates both national action and international cooperation for the conservation of wetlands.

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.