CNAD-#87- China's ??????????????????Updates about ????+(???????????????????????????????)&???????????????????

Everyday Briefing: 2024-06-16

????China Internal??

???China has over 1 billion people holding and using digital social security cards, providing access to 100 national services and over 50 billion instances of such services. The country is promoting the construction of an "all-in-one" card for citizens, aiming to secure access to social security services by 2027. The country will speed up efforts to provide comprehensive services across different departments and regions, expand the application scope of social security cards in medical treatment, medicine purchase, transportation, and cultural experience. Many people hold both physical and digital social security cards.

??Yuncheng Salt Lake, also known as the "Dead Sea of China," is one of three inland salt lakes with sodium sulfate worldwide. It covers 132 square km and was once a salt production base. To protect its ecology, industrial activities have been terminated, and restoration works are underway. A recent protective regulation extends protection to ecological, natural, and cultural resources. The lake is now transforming into a tourist landmark and ecological reserve.

??The Chinese government has released guidelines to accelerate the development of elderly care services in rural areas, with targets set to be met by 2025. The guidelines aim to improve the rural elderly care service network and ensure a coverage rate of at least 60% at the township level. China's rapidly aging population and large elderly base have led to growing demand for elderly care. The proportion of elderly people aged 60 and above in rural areas is 23.81 percent, 7.99 percentage points higher than urban residents. The guidelines encourage state-owned and private enterprises to operate elderly care service facilities in rural areas. The State Council has also proposed measures to promote the development of the silver economy.

??Southwest China's Guizhou Province is focusing on high-quality growth and poverty relief by building six major industrial bases. These bases cover deep resources processing, R&D, power battery production, computing power, Chinese baijiu, energy, and advanced equipment manufacturing. The province is also developing its agriculture and tourism industry. Over the years, Guizhou has made efforts to consolidate poverty eradication results and promote rural revitalization by increasing farmers' incomes and developing rural industries. The province has expanded trade with Belt and Road partner countries and ASEAN, with an annual average growth of 28.4% and 33.8% in the past two years.

???China's National Meteorological Center has issued a yellow alert for high temperatures in several regions, with temperatures reaching 35 to 36 degrees Celsius in some areas. The center predicts maximum temperatures of 37 to 40 degrees Celsius in some areas. Outdoor activities should be avoided and precautionary measures should be taken to protect vulnerable groups. China has a three-tier warning system for high temperatures.

??Science and Technology??

??China has completed a test run of the propulsion system for the first stage of the Long March-10 carrier rocket, a three-and-a-half-stage rocket designed for China's manned lunar mission. The rocket has a length of 92.5 meters, a lift-off weight of 2,189 tonnes, a lift-off thrust of 2,678 tonnes, and a payload capacity of 27 tonnes. A derivative of the Long-March-10 carrier rocket, which does not have boosters, can send astronauts and cargo to China's space station. The propulsion system test was the most complicated and difficult ground test undertaken during carrier rocket development. The test was the largest to date in China's launch vehicle development, with three YF-100K engines ignited simultaneously and ground thrust reaching 382 tonnes. The second first-stage propulsion system test is planned to verify other operating conditions.

??China's central bank has announced progress on a special lending facility for supporting sci-tech innovation, technical transformation, and equipment renewal. The People's Bank of China (PBOC) has selected nearly 7,000 firms as the first batch of eligible firms and recommended them to 21 banks. The facility, worth 500 billion yuan, has 100 billion earmarked for first loans to small and medium-sized firms in their early development or growth stage.

??Chinese scientists have published a study on the olfactory mechanism of insects and how exposure to certain chemicals affects their behaviors. The research, led by Wang Guirong from the Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Huazhong Agricultural University, and the Institute of Plant Protection, reveals that insects rely on their sense of smell to perceive semiochemicals in the environment. Odorant receptors play a crucial role in olfactory recognition, converting external chemical signals into bioelectrical signals. One of the receptors is for alarm pheromones, which aphids release when attacked by natural enemies or dangers. The study, using cryoelectron microscopy technology, reveals a mechanism by which aphids recognize alarm pheromones, providing a new perspective on insect interactions.

??Business China??

??China's auto market experienced strong growth in the first five months of this year, with the new energy vehicle (NEV) sector thriving and auto exports increasing. Auto sales rose by 8.3% YoY to nearly 11.5 million units from January to May, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. In May, auto sales reached 2.42 million units, a 1.5% YoY increase. The NEV sector also showed strong performance, with NEV output rising 30.7% YoY to 3.93 million units and sales reaching 3.9 million units. This growth was attributed to supportive measures such as encouraging the replacement of traditional fuel cars with NEVs, promoting NEVs in rural areas, and lifting NEV-related purchase limits. China has retained its top position worldwide in NEV production and sales for nine consecutive years, and the NEV sector has a promising future.

??China has issued another batch of ultra-long special treasury bonds, totaling 35 billion yuan ($4.82 billion). The 50-year bonds, the first of their kind this year, were issued at the Beijing Stock Exchange with a nominal interest rate of 2.53 percent. The Ministry of Finance plans to issue 22 batches this year, with the last batch expected to be completed by mid-November. The issuance of these bonds is expected to provide stable financial support for long-term national strategies and improve bond supply and market balance.

????Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized China's commitment to expanding high-level opening and creating a first-class business environment. He visited Fonterra's headquarters in Auckland with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, stating China's vast market potential and commitment to supporting foreign enterprises in China's development.

??China-Europe freight train services recorded the highest monthly transport volume in May, with 1,724 trips and 186,000 20-foot equivalent units of goods transported. This was the highest monthly record in history. China Railway has accelerated the construction of a modern logistics system, organized cargo transportation, and improved freight transport capacity and service quality. In May, the nation's railways transported 337 million tonnes of goods, up 2.8% year on year.

???China-Foreign Affairs??

???The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy's Ark Peace will embark on Mission Harmony-2024 from mid-June 2024 to mid-January 2025, visiting 13 countries and providing medical services to locals. The ship will also make port calls to France and Greece, marking its 12th overseas mission since its commissioning.

????Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian has defended Hong Kong police's actions against anti-China disruptors as legitimate and legal, stating that the extraterritorial application of the Hong Kong national security law is beyond reproach. The spokesperson cited concerns from Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia, and the European Union about the extraterritorial application of the law. He emphasized that Nathan Law Kwun-chung and other fugitives have been engaging in disruptive anti-China activities in Hong Kong, endangering national security and damaging Hong Kong's fundamental interests. The extraterritorial application of the law is beyond reproach, according to Lin. He urged relevant parties to respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, stop interfering in the region, and stop emboldening anti-China disruptors.

????Chinese defense spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang stated that China will take all necessary countermeasures against dangerous and escalatory acts by the Philippine side in areas of Ren'ai Jiao and Xianbin Jiao. He emphasized that Nansha Qundao, including these areas, is China's inherent territory and that law enforcement activities in waters under its jurisdiction are legitimate. Zhang criticized the Philippine side for breaking promises, playing with fire, and making provocations to escalate tension.

????Chinese Premier Li Qiang has expressed his willingness to work with New Zealand to uphold shared values, strengthen traditional friendship, and upgrade the China-New Zealand strategic partnership. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 52 years ago, China-New Zealand ties have led China's relations with other developed countries. Since President Xi Jinping's visit to New Zealand and the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership, bilateral relations have made historic progress, promoting prosperity and stability in the region and the world. Li attributed these results to the similarities between China and New Zealand, including respect for natural ecology, inclusive multiculturalism, innovation, creativity, and world peace. He emphasized the importance of cherishing and protecting these common treasures and enabling them to play a greater role in future development of China-New Zealand relations. He also emphasized China's readiness to strengthen communication and coordination with New Zealand in multilateral fields to deliver more benefits to the two peoples and contribute to peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

????China and the EU will hold the fifth China-EU High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue at EU Headquarters in Brussels and visit Luxembourg from June 17 to 21. Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, will co-chair the dialogue with Executive Vice President of the European Commission Maro? ?ef?ovi?. The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, stated that China-EU relations have a significant impact on global peace, stability, development, and prosperity. Since the establishment of the China-EU High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue in 2020, the two sides have held four rounds of dialogue, addressing global challenges in environment and climate governance, strengthening communication and coordination on bilateral and multilateral policies, and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation.

???China's top political advisor Wang Huning has called for concrete actions to advance the development of a cross-Strait integrated development demonstration zone in Fujian Province. Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, emphasized the need for refinement of concepts, improved policies and institutions, and new measures to enhance integrated development across the Taiwan Strait. He also urged for greater support to Fujian to explore new cross-Strait integration methods and improve policies to enhance Taiwanese well-being, broaden cross-Strait exchanges, and facilitate mainland life.

????Chinese defense spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang has urged the US to correct its strategic perception of China and promote positive relations between the two countries and militaries. He criticized the US for fabricating imaginary enemies and stirring up bloc confrontation, revealing its Cold War mentality and hegemonic mindset. Zhang emphasized that China adheres to a path of peaceful development and a defensive defense policy, and its military has cooperated with militaries from over 150 countries, defending world peace.

????Chinese Ambassador Chen Hai and Myanmar's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Lwin Oo signed an agreement on cooperation projects for the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund 2024 to mark the 74th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The agreement aims to implement consensus reached by the fourth LMC leaders' meeting and demonstrate friendly relations between China and Myanmar over the past 74 years. Myanmar's Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe emphasized the friendly relationship between the two countries and the potential for joint promotion of regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

????Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized the potential of BRICS as a regulatory institution in a new multipolar world order. He stated that global interest in the organization is increasing and Russia will facilitate the smooth integration of new BRICS members within its chairmanship framework. Putin emphasized the importance of promoting multipolarity principles in international affairs to enable countries to jointly solve complex global problems for common benefit.

??Cultural??Insights ??

???The 26th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) has opened in Shanghai, featuring 461 films from around the world in over 1,600 showings. The festival, which runs until June 23, is expected to attract around 450,000 moviegoers. The Golden Goblet Awards feature five categories: feature-length films, Asian new talent, documentaries, animated films, and short films. SIFF, founded in 1993, is driven by Shanghai's ambition to become an international cultural hub.

??Two shipwrecks in China's southern island province of Hainan have been discovered at a depth of 1,500 meters beneath the deep blue sea. Over the past two years, over 900 pieces of cultural relics have been retrieved from the shipwrecks. The first shipwreck, discovered in October 2022, contained 890 pieces of relics, including porcelain and pottery items, copper coins, and 38 ancient artifacts. The second shipwreck, discovered in October 2022, contained 38 ancient artifacts, including lumber, porcelain and pottery products, turban shells, and deer antlers. The discovery is not only a major deep-sea archaeological discovery in China but also a significant archaeological finding on a global scale. The artifacts vividly depict the bustling trade activities during the mid-Ming Dynasty and serve as crucial evidence of the ancient Maritime Silk Road trade.

??China's Shanghai Pudong International Airport welcomed 60 passengers and 18 dogs from Bangkok, Thailand, on a special flight that allowed them to travel in the same cabin with their pets. This marked China's first overseas group tour to charter flights for pet owners. Customs officials streamlined procedures for pet arrival, allowing them to skip quarantine periods if they passed on-site checks. The flight is expected to set a precedent for future chartered international flights for pet owners.

??Changbaishan Global Geopark, located in northeast China's Jilin Province, was officially inaugurated at the first Jilin Tourism Development Conference. The park, characterized by Quaternary volcanic landform relics, unique vegetation belts, and a wealth of wild animal and plant resources, aims to build a top global tourism destination. The province plans to establish a world vacation and wellness tourism destination, a national demonstration site for integrating cultural and tourism industries, and a global pioneering site for advancing ecological civilization. The plan also includes cultivating 10 high-quality holiday resorts and 100 tourist attractions, and creating 1,000 livable towns and villages. Changbai Mountain's scenic area attracted 2.75 million tourists in 2023, up 260.45% YoY. The province is also working to facilitate transportation, with a high-speed railway set to operate in 2025.

????Thailand is aiming to attract 21.7 million foreign tourists from June to December, following a record 15 million in the first five months of the year. The Thai government has raised its 2024 inbound tourist target to 36.7 million, 1 million higher than the previous expectation, to boost the country's GDP growth to 3%. The aim is to achieve a tourism receipt target of 3.5 trillion baht (about 95.42 billion US dollars) this year, even during the low season from June to September. As of last week, over 15.54 million foreign tourists arrived in Thailand, representing a 37% year-on-year increase.

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