CNAD-#58- China's ????????????????????Updates about ????+(????????????????????????????????????????????????)& ??

Everyday Briefing: 2024-05-18

????China Internal??

????A group of 10 students from the Kunming school in southwest China's Yunnan Province performed at a national reading event, "There is Light in Reading," showcasing their efforts to create a barrier-free reading environment for visually impaired individuals. The students, eight blind and two low vision, shared their reading preferences and sang to the tune of an electric organ. They recited "Reading is our dream. Although we can't see, we are hungry for knowledge and excited for the future," highlighting the infinite possibilities of barrier-free reading. The performance was part of the province's third National Conference on Reading, held in late April in Kunming. One of the performers, 16-year-old He Yishan, shared her love for reading braille books, sci-fi books, and other artistic activities. He Yishan, who has a congenital eye disease, began reading picture books in kindergarten and eventually adapted to reading aloud to her family.

?? China's employment situation remains stable with a falling unemployment rate, with the surveyed urban unemployment rate at 5% in April, down 0.2 percentage points from a month ago. The rate was also lower than the 5.2 percent reading a year ago. The average surveyed urban unemployment rate in January-April was 5.2 percent, down from 5.4 percent in the same period of 2023. The government aims to create over 12 million jobs in urban areas this year, keeping the surveyed urban unemployment rate at about 5.5 percent. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security plans to offer community-level posts for 34,400 college graduates this year. China has invested 11.5 billion yuan to generate 250,000 jobs for rural residents this year. Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang urged efforts to enhance the employment of college graduates and ensure stable employment among young people.

???Summer is bringing high temperatures to Qufu, the hometown of Confucius, marking the peak season for educational travel. Guide Kong Lingmei at the Nishan Sacred Land tourist resort guides students through the five halls of the resort, named after Confucian virtues. This mode of travel combines education and tourism, offering hands-on educational experiences and research-based learning. The trend promotes holistic education and injects new vitality into tourism consumption, fostering mutual growth. With the post-epidemic revival of domestic cultural tourism consumption, study travel has seen rapid growth. From Jan. 1 to May 12, 2024, the three Confucian sites welcomed 3.679 million visitors, a 13.9% increase from the same period in 2023. Nishan Sacred Land reported 375,800 study travelers in 2023, surpassing the 217,300 seen in 2019. Study travel allows students to explore famous landscapes, understand historical changes, and appreciate cultural treasures, satisifying their thirst for knowledge and immersing them in traditional culture.

?? China's economy has shown strong recovery momentum in April, with key indicators showing resilience and potential to mitigate external shocks. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported a 6.7% increase in value-added industrial output, a 2.2 percentage point increase from March. The highest monthly growth rate recorded in recent years was 0.97% in April. From January to April, industrial output rose 6.3% year on year, 0.2 percentage points higher than that from January to March. The export delivery value of the industrial sector climbed 7.3% year on year in April, 5.9 percentage points faster than that of March. This uptick in export delivery value prompted the recovery of sub-sectors that have a large share in exports, such as electronics and textile sectors. The surveyed urban unemployment rate in China stood at 5% in April, down 0.2 percentage points from a month ago.

?? China saw a 10.6% increase in air passenger trips in April, with a total transport turnover of 11.38 billion tonne-kilometers, up 21.6% from the previous year and 8.3% from pre-pandemic April 2019. The civil aviation sector also saw a 25.3 percent year-on-year increase in cargo and mail transportation, reaching 684,000 tonnes. In March, passenger trips reached 54.73 million, while cargo transport reached 708,000 tonnes.

??Science and Technology??

???? China's China Disabled Persons' Federation and AI company iFlytek have signed a cooperation agreement to build a joint laboratory for general artificial intelligence to assist the disabled. The lab will develop human-computer interaction components and intelligent rehabilitation assistive devices, conduct multi-category research on intelligent assistance, and create application scenarios for disabled needs. The collaboration is part of the 34th National Day of Disabled Persons.

?? Shandong Province, China's ecology and environment department, has released a white paper on biodiversity conservation in the Yellow River Delta. The paper highlights the province's establishment of a biodiversity protection and governance system, which includes the country's first provincial-level regulations for land and sea areas. The department has also initiated the construction of sample fields for long-term investigation and monitoring across all 136 counties.

?? Rosa Maria Jimenez, a former Nissan employee, has been able to resume her job at the former factory after the company closed its Barcelona plant in 2021. The newly formed alliance between Chinese manufacturer Chery Automobile and Spain's Ebro-EV Motors has allowed her to resume her career in the automotive industry. The joint venture, which aims to produce 150,000 vehicles a year in the Zona Franca port area, will create jobs for 1,250 former Nissan workers. Jimenez, who was among the first women to work at the Nissan plant in 2000, is now delighted to continue her passion for the car industry. She believes that the new partnership will create many jobs, not only for the workers in the company but also for the surrounding industries. The car industry has long been an important part of Jimenez's life, and she and her husband are both happy about the new partnership.

?? The Xizang Autonomous Region in Southwest China plans to transmit 2 billion kWh of clean electricity to 16 other provincial-level regions this year, according to the State Grid Xizang Electric Power Company. The clean energy is expected to help China's central and eastern regions reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.6 million tonnes and sulfur dioxide emissions by 50,000 tonnes.

?? Researchers from the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have collected over 6,300 strains of microbial resources from extreme environments to study their industrial applications. The lab, established in 2019, houses these "treasures" from various extreme environments in China, including glaciers, permafrost, deserts, salt lakes, and even those carried into outer space via China's space program. The lab is conducting classification studies on these valuable strains, which have special functions and wide-ranging applications in industries such as medicine, food, agriculture, the chemical industry, and environmental protection. The researchers have also partnered with 20 domestic and international research teams in areas such as ecological cultivation of traditional Chinese medicine, restoration of polluted water bodies, and soil improvement.

??Business China??

???? German enterprises, particularly "hidden champions" or lesser-known small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), are increasingly seeking opportunities for industrial collaboration in China due to its large market size, optimized business environment, and innovation-driven development. A forum on Sino-German industrial cooperation and development highlighted a trend of collaborative development between German "hidden champions" and their Chinese counterparts. German high-tech start-ups and SMEs are expected to be the main players in future cooperation between China and Germany. While some German "hidden champions" have entered China by providing supporting products for large German enterprises, many companies strongly desire to tap the Chinese market. Yang Ming, vice president of the Senate of Economy Europe, has dedicated decades to fostering exchanges and cooperation between China and Germany in areas such as trade, science and technology, culture, and environmental protection.

According to Walter Doering, a German business expert, German firms are investing in China due to enormous market opportunities. As Chinese investment in European countries, including Germany, grows, it makes sense not to have a "one-way street" between them. By investing in China, Germany's market leaders can produce and sell their products directly in the Chinese market, strengthening their market share and finding new partners. SMEs can also make themselves known and grow. Most of Germany's top 500 world market leaders have established and expanded their presence in China through branching, partnerships, or serving local customers. The China-Germany (China-Europe) Hidden Champions Forum 2024, co-organized by ADWM, is ideal for German participants seeking new business opportunities in China. However, Doering noted that German and Chinese companies investing in each other's countries face language and cultural barriers and policy differences in various fields.

?? The 26th Cross-Strait Fair for Economy and Trade opened in Fuzhou, China, aiming to deepen cooperation and exchange across the Taiwan Strait. The mainland's rebounding economy, demonstrating innovation and bright prospects, can promote cross-strait economic cooperation and open broader development opportunities. Over 50 business groups and 1,000 Taiwanese people will attend the four-day fair, a comprehensive, cross-strait exchange gathering after 30 years of development.

?? China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) completed the first adit tunnel project in Saudi Arabia's futuristic city NEOM, a 9.48 km long tunnel project. The project began in October 2021 and consists of six adits in the Tabuk region. CRCC used technological innovations to overcome complex geological conditions during construction. The project covers 26,500 square km and represents Saudi Arabia's vision for a sustainable future, and is part of Saudi Vision 2030. Multiple Chinese enterprises are currently participating in the construction of NEOM City.

???? A UN report predicts that the world economy will grow 2.7% in 2024 and 2.8% in 2025, largely due to strong performances in the United States and large emerging economies. The revised forecasts are mainly based on the US's forecast of 2.3% growth in 2024 and several large emerging economies, including Brazil, India, and Russia. China's growth is expected to be 4.8% in 2024, compared to the January forecast of 4.7%. However, the European Union's growth is revised from 1.2% to 1.1%. Africa and Western Asia are expected to see slower-than-expected growth. The report warns that the outlook is cautiously optimistic due to higher-for-longer interest rates, debt sustainability challenges, geopolitical tensions, and climate risks.

?? Schaeffler (Ningxia) Co., Ltd., a bearing manufacturer in China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, has successfully passed its 11th year of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification, marking a significant reduction in customs inspection rates and expedited clearance procedures for exports. The certification, initiated by the World Customs Organization, provides privileged treatment for businesses with exemplary credit, compliance, and safety standards, accelerating their foreign trade by reducing regulatory burdens and enhancing their international competitiveness. China now has over 5,800 AEO-certified enterprises, accounting for nearly 40% of the nation's import and export volume. Within the Yinchuan Customs District, a dozen AEO-certified enterprises, including Schaeffler, account for 46.7% of total import and export activities. Yinchuan Customs has extended guidance to 30 foreign trade enterprises to expedite their AEO certification processes.

???China-Foreign Affairs??

Western countries are accusing China of overcapacity due to concerns about their own competitiveness and market share, which could hinder global economic recovery and the green transition. China's spokesperson, He Yadong, emphasized that such restrictions on Chinese goods and investment could harm new energy production and supply chains. He argued that Europe and the US, while focusing on climate change, are also implementing protectionism in green industries, hindering the free flow of China's green products. He called for respecting laws and facts on production capacity and taking an objective, comprehensive, and long-term view. He also emphasized that 'overcapacity' cannot be labelled simply because a country's production capacity exceeds domestic demand. He called for relevant countries to stop containing China's new energy industry and continue promoting openness and cooperation.

???? Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks in Beijing on Thursday, discussing the successful development of the China-Russia relationship and major international and regional issues. The 75-year-old relationship has grown stronger over the past three-quarters of a century, demonstrating respect, candour, and mutual benefit. Xi stressed that the relationship is beneficial for the two countries and conducive to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world.

He emphasized the importance of promoting the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, respecting each other equally, trusting each other, accommodating each other's concerns, and providing mutual assistance for the development and revitalization of both sides.

Putin expressed his pleasure in visiting China again after being sworn in as Russian president for a new term, highlighting the friendly tradition between the two countries and the importance of enhancing the Russia-China strategic partnership for the new era.

Xi highlighted China's strategic resolve in the face of turbulence and transformation, stating that the Chinese people have overcome various challenges and are striving for high-quality development and modernization. He expressed a willingness to work with Russia and other countries to enhance solidarity, steer global governance, safeguard international fairness and justice, and promote world peace and common development.

Putin expressed Russia's willingness to improve cooperation with China and other Global South countries to promote international fairness and justice.

Xi also discussed China's consistent position on the Ukraine crisis, emphasizing the need to address both symptoms and root causes and plan for the present and long term. He supported the convening of an international peace conference with equal participation and fair discussion of all options to push for an early political settlement of the Ukraine issue.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin then attended the China-Russia Years of Culture opening ceremony and a special concert celebrating the 75th anniversary of China-Russia diplomatic ties in Beijing.

Xi emphasized the importance of consolidating and developing lasting bilateral good-neighbourliness, strategic coordination, and mutually beneficial cooperation for the two countries and peoples.

The two countries will hold a series of cultural exchange programs to release the potential of bilateral cultural cooperation further and jointly open up a new future of China-Russia cultural exchanges. The concert will become a wonderful chapter in the history of cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and Russia, as Chinese and Russian folk music are like beautiful flowers in the gardens of world civilizations.

A memorial plaque commemorating former Soviet expert group head Ivan Vasilievich Arkhipov was unveiled in Kaluga, Russia, attended by representatives from China and Russia and Arkhipov's descendants. Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Moscow, Liu Qinghua, noted Arkhipov's significant contribution to helping New China revitalize its economy and achieve the goals of the first Five-Year Plan. Vice-Chairman of the Russia-China Friendship Society, Kirill Barsky, said the unveiling of the plaque holds great significance and will be passed on from generation to generation. Arkhipov led the work of the former Soviet expert group to China in the 1950s and received multiple awards from both countries.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and Russian President Vladimir Putin then attended the 8th China-Russia Expo in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Han read out Chinese President Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter and made a speech at the event. They discussed the 75th anniversary of China-Russia diplomatic relations, highlighting deepened political mutual trust and fruitful economic and trade cooperation. In 2023, the trade volume between China and Russia reached a record 240.1 billion U.S. dollars, and China has been Russia's largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years. The scale of two-way investment continues to grow, and cooperation on major projects in energy, chemical industry, aerospace, and connectivity has made steady progress. Han said China is willing to work with Russia to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, enhance mutual trust, deepen cooperation, and seize opportunities to add impetus to the high-quality development of bilateral relations.

???? China has urged the Philippines to face the facts, honour its word, stop infringement and provocations, and return to settling maritime differences through negotiation and consultation. China has made its position clear regarding the comments of Philippine senior officials on Chinese diplomats in the Philippines last week. The information released by the Chinese Embassy is entirely factual, and the Philippines' persistent denial and breach of commitment show who is acting in bad faith. China and ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, have maintained close communication and cooperation, signed the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and been committed to advancing consultations on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. However, the Philippines has escalated tensions in the South China Sea by involving non-regional actors, undermining solidarity and mutual trust among regional countries and peace and stability in the region.

?? The Red Cross Society of China has installed over 64,000 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in key public venues, marking a significant increase from the previous count of 11,000 in May 2021. AEDs are life-saving medical devices designed to aid individuals experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. The National Health Commission has designated over 1,200 pilot schools for first-aid education, with more AEDs planned for densely populated areas like airports, train stations, schools, and tourist attractions.

???? Chinese State Councilor Wang Xiaohong met with Korean National Police Agency Commissioner Yoon Hee-keun in Beijing. Wang expressed China's readiness to work with the Republic of Korea (ROK) to uphold cooperation, innovation, rule of law, and mutual benefit. He emphasized China's willingness to combat cross-border gambling, crack down on telecom fraud, drugs, and finance, and improve law enforcement capacity building. Hee-keun expressed his willingness to strengthen law enforcement and security cooperation with China.

???? China's top legislator, Zhao Leji, met with Moroccan Speaker Rachid Talbi Alami in Beijing. The two leaders discussed the rapid development of the China-Morocco strategic partnership, which has brought tangible benefits to the two countries and peoples. China is ready to work with Morocco to implement the consensus reached, consolidate political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, promote cultural exchanges, enhance China-Arab states and China-Africa cooperation, and push for greater development of bilateral relations. China appreciates Morocco's support for Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, human rights, and the Global Development Initiative (GDI). China is also ready to work towards a China-Arab states community with a shared future in the new era. China's NPC is willing to maintain high-level visits with the Moroccan Parliament, learn from each other's legislation and supervision experience, promote exchanges between political parties, localities, and people, and strengthen coordination and cooperation on multilateral mechanisms.

???? Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has emphasized the importance of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in fostering strong partnerships between China and African countries. He emphasized the role of FOCAC in providing investment for economic growth and improving livelihoods, creating job opportunities, and contributing to market growth. A new FOCAC meeting is scheduled for autumn in Beijing to discuss future development and cooperation between China and Africa.

???? Shen Yueyue, vice chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during a friendly visit. Shen, chairperson of the Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation Commission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, emphasized the ongoing friendly and cooperative partnership between China and Azerbaijan. Shen emphasized China's readiness to implement the consensus the two heads of state reached, align the Belt and Road Initiative with Azerbaijan's Revival of the Silk Road national development strategy, expand cooperation, increase people-to-people exchanges, and elevate bilateral relations. Aliyev affirmed the progress of the Azerbaijan-China relationship and pledged to strengthen cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, green development, and SCO civil exchanges.

???? Indonesia and China are strengthening investment cooperation to support industrialization. Indonesia's Ministry of Industry and China's Ministry of Commerce held a bilateral meeting in Jakarta to discuss Chinese investment in the targeted industrial sector. Indonesian Director General of Resilience, Regions and International Industry Access, Eko Cahyanto, stated that China remains committed to encouraging investment in Indonesia to boost supply chains and competitiveness in the global market. He hoped Chinese investment could push Indonesia's industrialization from downstream to upstream sectors and increase foreign exchange. The cooperation between Indonesia and China has been stronger than ever in the last two decades, with China becoming Indonesia's second-largest investor in 2023. The Indonesian government is working to dominate the nickel market, with Chinese foreign direct investment financing infrastructure development.

?? China's 45th fleet of the People's Liberation Army Navy returned to Qingdao after completing escort missions and joint exercises. The fleet, comprising guided-missile destroyers Urumqi, Linyi, and Dongpinghu, visited Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, and Seychelles. It participated in joint maritime exercises with Pakistani, Iranian, and Russian navies. China began dispatching naval ships for vessel protection operations in December 2008 in the Gulf of Aden and Somalia waters.

???? Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin has urged the US to focus on facilitating a political solution to the Ukraine crisis rather than causing a divide between China and Europe. He argued that the US's "black-or-white logic" represents an attitude of seeking enemies instead of peace, a continuation of its Cold War mentality. Wang emphasized that China is neither the creator nor party to the Ukraine crisis but has always been committed to peace talks and supporting a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security architecture. He urged the US not to blame China, drive a wedge between China and Europe, or pour fuel on the fire but to do something practical for the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.

???? Pakistan has reiterated the one-China principle, stating that UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 is a reaffirmation of the principle by the UN. The resolution restored the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China at the UN, recognizing its representatives as the only legitimate representatives of China. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, stated that Pakistan's policy on Taiwan is consistent, clear, and principled, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China. The South Asian country also calls for non-interference in the domestic affairs of all countries.

??Cultural??Insights ??

?? Pakistan and China have collaborated to preserve the UNESCO World Heritage Site Takht-i-Bahi, an ancient Buddhist monastery in the ancient Gandhara region. The Guardians of Gandhara program, run by Chinese and Pakistani scholars and volunteers, has helped preserve these sites. Students from the program visit the site twice a week to learn about the monastery, stupas, kings, and their residential facilities. The program aims to protect and conserve these sites for future generations, as they are a connection to Pakistan's history, community, and identity. The main purpose of these educational projects is to make locals living near the sites aware of Pakistan's heritage sites and rebuild their connection with cultural heritage. The young generation is particularly responsible for preserving these important sites, as they will take a lead role in preserving them in the future.

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