CiCM 20-21st July 2024

NEWS IN CHINA

Flash Flood in Sichuan Province Triggered By Heavy Rainfall: At 2:30 am on 20th July, Saturday, an unanticipated flash flood caused by heavy rainfall hit a village in Ya’an, in the southwestern province of Sichuan. A flash flood in Xinhua village, Hanyuan County, has led to at least 8 deaths and over 30 missing people as of Saturday. The sudden flood, which struck while many were asleep, forced the relocation of 412 residents. Despite local authorities arranging for villagers to be moved to an abandoned school due to excessive rain, many left the area, resulting in them being caught in the flood. Although the floodwaters have receded, marshy water continues to flow through the mountains, widening the riverbed and destroying houses. Fallen trees and debris blocked a bridge underpass, diverting water onto the road, and a mudslide also occurred. Rescue efforts involve 23 teams and 1,000 personnel, utilizing equipment such as Wing Loong drones, long-arm excavators, communication drones, mechanized bridges, and underwater detectors. Ya’an City has sent tents, blankets, emergency lights, and folding beds. Transport, communication, and power are gradually being restored, with rescue and relief operations still ongoing.
Africa’s Exports To China Increase: As per the latest Chinese customs data, there was an annual increase of 14% in China’s imports from Africa, which reached $60.15 billion in H1 of 2024. China's exports to Africa decreased by 2.3% to $84.85 billion. Despite this, trade between China and Africa reached $145 billion in the past six months, a 3.9% year-on-year increase, according to the General Administration of Customs. Analysts attribute this growth to increased mineral production, lower commodity prices, and the depreciation of African currencies, though they caution it may not last. Chinese companies have significantly invested in African economies such as Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Angola, Gabon, and Ghana. South Africa, China’s largest trading partner on the continent, saw trade valued at $27.5 billion in the first half of the year, with exports to China rising to $17.29 billion and China’s exports to South Africa falling to $10.2 billion. The next major trade deal involves avocados, as China aims to reduce its reliance on the US and Australia. However, overall exports to China might decrease due to a fall in copper exports. To repay debts to China, African countries need to achieve a trade surplus, not a deficit. Analysts expect China to increase its exports to Africa to counterbalance its domestic property slump, potentially reversing the trend of declining trade deficits.
Medical Authorities Release Statement For Zero Tolerance For Violence Against Medical Professionals: In light of the recent incident involving the violence against a healthcare professional, the National Health Commission (NHC), released a statement on Saturday vowing zero tolerance for violence against medical workers. They stated that they will be collaborating with other departments like the Ministry of Public Security to guarantee the safety of healthcare workers and patients. The authorities will tighten the security at hospitals and enforce stricter laws against such crimes. On Friday, 19^th July, Li Sheng, a doctor at the Cardiology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, was stabbed by an individual at 1 pm. The local police stated that the accused then jumped off a building. It was reported that doctor Li succumbed to severe injuries at 9 pm on Friday. The Law of the People’s Republic of China on Basic Medical and Health Care and the Promotion of Health criminalises threatening or endangering the personal safety of healthcare workers or violating their dignity. The statement promised that there will be an increased building of infrastructure to safeguard hospitals, medical staff and patients.
Chinese Localities’ GDP Of H1 Increased Due to Tech Sector And Foreign Trade: In the first half of the year, the Chinese economy showed economic growth for many provinces and municipalities. This development has been powered by a flourishing high-tech industry, increased foreign trade, a robust services sector and rising investments. This growth is forecasted to be sustained in the second half of the year owing to strong and pointed policy support following the promised implementation of beneficial fiscal and monetary policy. Policies will also be supported by industrial upgrading and growth, rising domestic demand and a growth-enabling business environment. One of China’s major trade hubs, Zhejiang Province in the east, showed a positive growth in trade and saw a growth of 5.6% at 4.09 trillion yuan ($562.59 billion). Shanghai’s GDP increased to 2.23 trillion yuan an increase of 4.8% enabled by a robust services sector, growing leading industries and rapid investment growth. Sichuan Province’s GDP increased by 5.4% to 2.95 trillion yuan due to the rapid development of high-tech industries. Chongqing Municipality’s increased demand for new-energy vehicles helps the local economy increase by 6.1% reaching 1.15 trillion yuan.
China's Symposium Highlights Advances in Newborn Healthcare and Rare Disease PreventionOn Saturday, 20^th July, a symposium for rare disease collaboration and communication was held where the drastic boost in newborn healthcare was discussed. China now sustains over 4,000 prenatal screening tests agencies and over 3,000 pre-marital and pre-pregnancy examination centres. There are over 500 prenatal diagnostic institutions and 259 agencies dedicated to screening newborn diseases. Currently, there are 8,000 birth defects have been identified and many of them have been categorised as rare diseases. Enhancing the prevention and treatments of such diseases can play a vital role in increasing the efficiency of diagnosing and treating the rare diseases. Boosting the healthcare services for birth defects is a keystone element in the Outline of Health China 2030. The Outline has handed out documents and vital information for improving healthcare services and making them equitable, accessible, and efficient. The widespread presence of free pre-marital examination in 24 provinces and free pre-pregnancy examinations in 23 provinces, the prenatal screening rate has risen to 91.3% in China. Infant mortality rate and mortality rate for children under five caused by birth defects has reduced by 30%, as compared to the rates from five years ago. A continuation of these endeavours and efforts will help strengthen the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of birth defects.
China To Increase Domestic Consumption By Increasing NEV Number Plates: Following leaders’ commitments to increasing domestic demand and reaching the 2024s economic target, the quota for new energy vehicle number plates has increased. Beijing’s municipal government will supply 20,000 number plated new energy passenger cars for families’ consumption on Sunday. This move comes after major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Tianjin had imposed restrictions on car purchases to control traffic and pollution by implementing a lottery-style system to obtain number plates. The increase in quota marks a 34% increase from the previous annual target of 58,400 number plates for families. Cars are a vital cog of China’s industries and contribute to 10% of retail sales of consumer goods, urban employment and tax revenues. There is an annual increase of 4.9% and 6.1% in the production and sales of cars respectively. Domestic demand in China has shrunk for a prolonged period because of falling stock and real estate markets and unemployment. This led to China’s consumer price index to remain near zero for over a year. The government has been giving subsidies and trade-in schemes to incentivise domestic consumption.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

PhDs And Graduates Selling Grilled Sausages Sparks Discussions Online: In a surprising twist of events, a group of nine PhD and graduate students studying Philosophy from Sun Yat-sen University in Guangdong Province, south China, opened a stall to sell grilled sausages. The group of students finish their research work during the day and engage in selling grilled sausages on streets located near their campus after. They have stated that they do this to engage in intellectual or philosophical conversations with their customers and to share their views. They aim for their food stall to be a centre of casual and flexible discussions for philosophical matters, questions, social issues, academic theories or to share anecdotes. One of the students said that happiness does not depend on high income and that small tasks can also bring happiness. This peculiar form of relaxation and engagement sparked diverse discussions online. Some spoke in support of the students and admired their humility and courage to explore various avenues of life, while others regarded their actions as wasting educational resources and criticised them for not using their time to contribute to society.

INDIA WATCH

India’s Forex Increases For Two Weeks Consecutively: Xinhua, a Chinese news agency, reported that according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) India’s foreign exchange reserves reached $666.85 billion. There was an increase for two consecutive weeks during the week that ended on July 12th. The reserves increased by $9.7 billion in the second week and $5.16 billion in the week prior. The second week saw the largest jump when compared to data from the past four weeks. India’s Foreign Currency Assets (FCAs) increased to $585.47 billion, and the Gold Reserves reached $58.66 billion. The article stated that data from the RBI showed that India’s special drawing rights (SDRs) rose to $18.11 billion during the week that ended on July 12.

Prepared By

Sanjana Shah

Sanjana Shah is a graduate in International Studies with a minor in Journalism from FLAME University, Pune. Her interests lie in exploring the nuances and intricacies of geopolitics and understanding the complexities that arise from the socio-political-economic nexus. She is deeply interested in history, defence and security studies, and humanitarian studies.