CiCM 1st January 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Xi's 2024 New Year Message: Confidence, People, Global Vision: Xi Jinping's 2024 New Year message highlighted China's confidence in its solid steps towards high-quality development, showcasing achievements in the economy, regional development, and science and technology. The president emphasized delivering a better life for the people, with a focus on livelihood issues for children, youth, and the elderly. Xi underscored China's commitment to global engagement, mentioning diplomatic events, visits to other countries, and efforts to contribute to human civilization. President Xi Jinping reviewed the achievements of 2023 and expressed confidence in China's future. The country successfully navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, sustained economic recovery, achieving a bumper harvest, and making strides in high-quality development. Xi highlighted advancements in science, technology, and cultural preservation, emphasizing China's rich history as a source of confidence. The president acknowledged challenges faced by some enterprises and individuals, such as job difficulties and natural disasters, commending the resilience and contributions of the Chinese people. Looking ahead to the 75th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, Xi outlined goals for advancing modernization, promoting high-quality development, and fostering a better life for all citizens. He emphasized the importance of stability, reform, and opening up, pledging support for Hong Kong, Macao, and the reunification of China. Xi concluded by expressing China's commitment to global cooperation for peace and humanity's shared future.

Xi Jinping Reasserts Claim on Taiwan in New Year Message: In his New Year's Eve address, Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China's commitment to the reunification of Taiwan with China, ahead of the island's crucial elections on January 13. Xi's remarks took a stronger tone than the previous year, emphasizing Taiwan as part of the "same family" and signalling increased military pressure. Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen countered, asserting that the island's relations with China should be determined by the "will of the Taiwanese people." The upcoming elections will shape Taiwan's cross-strait policy, with the ruling Democratic Progressive Party advocating sovereignty, and the opposition Kuomintang party favouring warmer ties with Beijing. The issue remains a point of tension between the U.S. and China.China, while advancing its development, has actively engaged with the global community and fulfilled its responsibilities as a major country. This included hosting the China-Central Asia Summit and the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, along with various diplomatic events. The Chinese leader made visits to several countries, participated in international conferences, and fostered relationships with both old and new friends. The emphasis was on sharing China's vision and building common understandings. Xi stressed that, despite the evolving global landscape, the enduring trend is peace and development, advocating for cooperation for mutual benefit as the key to success.

China's Emergency Law Amendment May Restrict Disaster Reporting: China's legislature is considering an amendment to the Emergency Response Law, raising concerns that it might impose new restrictions on media reporting of disasters and accidents. The draft emphasizes the prohibition of deliberately fabricating or spreading false information about emergencies. It introduces a "news interviewing and reporting system" without providing specific details. Analysts believe the law could limit media coverage, but its impact depends on enforcement. The amendment requires timely government information sharing in emergencies but strictly forbids false information dissemination. Penalties for publishing false information and details of the reporting system remain unspecified. The amendment also grants the government power to requisite personal property during emergencies and encourages the use of big data and AI in responses. Critics argue that the provisions on "false information" are vague and may impede journalists' work. Despite concerns, experts suggest the law may not have an immediate fundamental impact, as its effectiveness relies on implementation.

118,000 Trips Since Launch of Visa-Free Travel for 6 Countries: The National Immigration Administration (NIA) reported that, since the initiation of the visa-free policy on December 1, approximately 118,000 trips were made by individuals from six countries (France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia). This group constituted 55.1 per cent of the total inbound travellers from these countries in the past month. Overall, there has been a significant 28.5 per cent increase in trips from these countries, totalling 214,000. Of those arriving under the visa exemption, 77.3 per cent were engaged in tourism, leisure, and business activities. The NIA has directed border control agencies to ensure efficient document checking, and efforts will continue to optimize entry-exit management policies for various purposes.

CNPC Replaces ExxonMobil as Lead Contractor for Iraq's West Qurna 1 Oilfield: On January 1, 2024, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) officially replaced ExxonMobil as the lead contractor for Iraq's West Qurna 1 oilfield. The handover ceremony in Basra included Iraqi officials, Chinese diplomats, and representatives from CNPC, Basra Oil Company, and ExxonMobil. Iraqi Deputy Oil Minister Bassim Mohammed Khudair expressed confidence in CNPC's capabilities, anticipating the successful completion of the project. Ji Gang, Counselor of the Chinese Consulate General in Basra, emphasized the potential for China-Iraq energy cooperation. CNPC's General Manager, Chen Mingzhuo, pledged adherence to mutual benefit, win-win cooperation, and a smooth transition for the large oilfield project, which boasts an estimated annual crude oil output exceeding 25 million tonnes.

China's Patriotic Education Law Effective from Jan. 1, 2024: Starting from January 1, several new laws came into effect in China, with the Patriotic Education Law being a significant highlight. The law aims to contribute to patriotic education, targeting all levels of society, with a special focus on schools, families, civil servants, company employees, rural residents, and individuals from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. It mandates integrating patriotic education throughout the entire school process, including ideological and political theory lectures. The law has faced criticism, with some linking the drop of certain British private schools in China to the inclusion of patriotic and national security subjects in curriculums. Despite concerns, the law applies to all schools, including private international ones, emphasizing the sovereignty of educational practices in any sovereign state. The law also addresses illegal acts, such as insulting heroes and martyrs, providing legal protection for their rights and fostering a patriotic atmosphere. Additionally, the first day of the new year saw the implementation of comprehensive regulations on the online protection of minors, prohibiting cyberbullying. Various regions, including Beijing, Jilin Province, and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, have taken steps to implement these regulations and guide younger generations in safe internet usage.

Xi and Kim Announce 2024 as China-DPRK Friendship Year: President Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un jointly announced 2024 as the China-DPRK Friendship Year on the occasion of celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. They exchanged New Year greetings and revealed plans for a series of activities during the Friendship Year. Xi emphasized the longstanding friendship, deepening cooperation, and China's commitment to maintaining, consolidating, and developing friendly relations. Kim highlighted the unbreakable DPRK-China friendship, calling for deeper bonds of friendship, unity, and increased cooperation to safeguard regional and global peace and stability. Both leaders pledged to deepen strategic mutual trust, enhance exchanges, and collaborate for the benefit of their people, contributing to regional peace and stability. Kim highlighted that both nations are advancing in socialist development amid intricate shifts in the global landscape. He emphasized that the unwavering friendship between North Korea and China, established and solidified during the socialist struggle, will be prominently showcased this year.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

China Student Bites Mouse in Revenge, Shocks social media: An 18-year-old Chinese university student gained attention on mainland social media after seeking revenge on a mouse that bit her in her dormitory. The incident occurred in Jiangsu province on December 21, where the student successfully caught the mouse but decided to retaliate by biting its head. The risky move left tooth marks on the mouse's head, and medical records revealed injuries to the student's lips from the act. The mouse later died from suffocation due to the tight grip exerted by the student. Social media reactions varied from shock to amusement, with some jokingly declaring her the "biggest daredevil of 2023." However, the student's roommate cautioned against copying the action due to the risk of disease transmission. Despite online humour, the incident raised concerns about the potential health risks associated with such behaviour.

INDIA WATCH

Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his New Year's Eve speech, reiterated China's determination for the reunification with Taiwan, stressing on Taiwan's connection as part of the "same family". India needs to be cautious about increasing bilateral relations between Taiwan and China. India, similar to many other countries, lacks formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, the relationship between the two Asian democracies has markedly improved since the mid-1990s when they initiated informal ties. India has been strengthening its political and economic ties with Taiwan. Bilateral trade was valued at over $7 billion last year, and Taiwanese firms have invested more than $2.3 billion in India. The two countries are even discussing a potential free trade deal and exploring the creation of a semiconductor manufacturing hub in India. However, China's military drills around Taiwan pose a threat to this economic cooperation. If Beijing chooses to pressure Taiwan economically, it could jeopardise India's long-term economic plans and partnership with Taiwan. India finds itself in a delicate position amid the tensions in the Taiwan Strait, balancing its diplomatic ties with both China and Taiwan. The Taiwan Strait is a crucial geopolitical hotspot with potential implications for the Indo-Pacific region, impacting the balance of power. India is susceptible to the impact of Beijing's campaigns to reunite Taiwan with mainland China.

Prepared By

Sejal Dalvi

Sejal Dalvi is a Political Science graduate from the University of Mumbai and now pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy from St.Xavier’s College. Her research interests include International relations, Environment and sustainability and Urban governance. Her research papers have previously been published on NITI TANTRA. Her experiences, coupled with a genuine passion for research and addressing societal challenges, have solidified her commitment to policymaking.