CNAD-#99- China's ????????Updates about ????+(????????????????????????????????????) & ??????

Everyday Briefing: 2024-06-29

????China Internal??

??Chinese legislators are considering a law to ensure preschool education is accessible to all children. The draft preschool education law was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for a second reading. The law aims to promote free preschool education and facilitate easier kindergarten admission for disabled children. Despite China's population slightly declining over the past two years, government spending on preschool education has been rising, which experts believe is beneficial for enhancing the quality of preschool education. The draft stipulates that efforts should be made to gradually implement free preschool education where conditions allow. China has made significant strides in overhauling preschool education, converting many private kindergartens into non-profit institutions. The draft mandates government support at all levels for the functioning of non-profit preschools. China is committed to reducing regional disparities and making preschool education accessible to all children.

??Beijing has announced measures to boost its property market, including lowered minimum downpayment ratios and mortgage interest rates. The minimum downpayment ratio for first-home purchases has been lowered from 30% to 20%, while for second-home purchases, it has been lowered to 35% if the property is located within Beijing's fifth ring road and 30% if outside the road. The lower limits for home loan interest rates have also been decreased. Second homes purchased by families with a Beijing hukou (residence permit) and two or more children will be deemed first homes in terms of loan policy. The Chinese capital is also encouraging real estate developers and agents to support home trade-ins, allowing residents to swap their current homes for new ones more easily. This is the second batch of measures announced in the last two months to optimize the city's housing policies.

??Chinese Premier Li Qiang presided over a State Council executive meeting to discuss promoting a beautiful China, foreign capital utilization, and strengthening the training of skilled personnel. The meeting adopted guidelines for bolstering the nursing workforce and optimizing nursing services, and draft rules on implementing the Law on Guarding State Secrets. The meeting also highlighted China's ecological environment improvement and the importance of foreign-funded enterprises in fostering China's new development paradigm. China plans to expand its opening-up of key areas, optimize policy implementation, facilitate foreign investment further, and renew its catalogue of industries encouraging foreign investment. The meeting ordered efforts to strengthen research on the job market, increase policy support, and enhance employment services for key groups. The meeting also urged strengthening the nursing workforce and optimizing nursing services to meet medical demand.

??Science and Technology??

????Bangladeshi political veteran Hasanul Haq Inu has praised China's sci-tech modernization and innovation in pursuing high-quality development and contributing to global development. Inu believes that China's advanced digital economy has paved the way for it to reach global leadership in advanced technology, particularly in artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Inu believes that the center of the world's high-tech gravity is shifting to Asia, particularly China, as its unique experience has led to its advanced position in several high-tech fields. China's achievements in manufacturing, e-commerce, and agricultural science and technology have accelerated the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, improving people's livelihoods. Inu also highlighted China's investment in green energy to combat climate change and address environmental pollution. Inu believes China's progress is important to developing countries like Bangladesh.

??Business China??

????Indonesia, a leading producer and exporter of durian, is aiming to boost its durian farming value, particularly for the Chinese market. The country plans to conduct further research on "the king of fruits" and expand its plantations. Indonesia's coordinator for cooperation with China, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, recently visited China to deepen bilateral trade. The potential export value of durian to China could amount to 8 billion U.S. dollars. The Indonesian government has arranged with the Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI) to conduct a study to ensure high-quality durians for export. The Indonesian government is building 100 hectares of durian plantations in North Sumatra and West Papua, and plans to build more in other provinces, including Central Sulawesi. The country's Ministry for Trade reported that in 2022, Indonesia exported durians to China with a value of 4.5 billion dollars, increasing to 6.7 billion dollars in 2023.

????The 8th China-Eurasia Expo, held in Urumqi, China, has attracted over 1,900 participants from 50 countries, regions, and international organizations. The event, titled "New Opportunities of Silk Road, New Vitality for Eurasian Cooperation," showcases over 6,000 products from over 50 countries. The expo, which has been held seven times, has become an important channel for economic and trade cooperation between China and Eurasian countries. The event aims to enhance strategic synergy, deepen cooperation, and jointly create a new chapter in Eurasian collaboration. The event covers 140,000 square meters and includes four major exhibition zones: investment cooperation, international exhibitions, special industries, and equipment manufacturing. Exhibits include lightweight construction machinery, recyclable construction elevators, and a 5G tower crane simulation cockpit.

???China-Foreign Affairs??

????Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, met with a delegation from the Justice and Development Party of Turkey, led by First Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala. The two leaders discussed recent meetings and phone calls, highlighting the deepening of strategic mutual trust and friendly cooperation between the two countries. Li expressed China's readiness to work with Turkey to implement the consensus, enhance communication, strengthen multilateral coordination, and push China-Türkiye strategic cooperative relations to a higher level.

??On June 24, a conference in Beijing gathered various academicians to discuss China's top science and technology award. Xi Jinping, the general secretary of the Communist Party of China, attended the conference and presented medals and certificates to laureates. He emphasized the importance of science and technology in China's modernization and the country's strength. He emphasized the need for a clear understanding of science and technology's strategic leading position and the determination to build China into a great country in science and technology by 2035. The conference was presided over by Li Qiang, and the decision on the award was announced by Ding Xuexiang. The Chinese People's Liberation Army military band played the national anthem, "March of the Volunteers," and everyone sang the national anthem.

??According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China has over 3.8 million 5G base stations, accounting for 60% of the global total. Over half of all mobile phone users in China are 5G users. GSMA predicts China's 5G connections will reach 1.6 billion by 2030, a third of the global total. China is at the forefront of mobile communication and has significant experience in 5G+ vertical industries like intelligent manufacturing, transportation, and medical treatment.

??Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng has urged for a significant overhaul of the logistics sector to create a unified domestic market. He stressed the need to accelerate the construction of a high-standard logistics system and reduce costs. He also emphasized the importance of prioritizing the protection of people's lives and assets during flood season. He also highlighted the need to inspect transportation infrastructure, prepare for emergency response work, and take immediate disaster relief measures in case of flooding.

????Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Beijing to discuss the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future. The two countries have enjoyed close exchanges and smooth cooperation in various fields over the past half a year, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples. Xi emphasized the importance of maintaining rapid economic development and long-term social stability, demonstrating the strengths of the socialist system. He said the building of a China-Vietnam community is in line with the modernization needs of the two countries and is conducive to maintaining regional peace and stability. China is willing to work with Vietnam to maintain solidarity, consolidate mutual support, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation.

China's top political advisor, Wang Huning, met with Vietnam's Prime Minister, Pham Minh Chinh, in Beijing. Huning, a member of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, stated that China will support Vietnam in pursuing a socialist path. He also expressed readiness to work with the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee to build a China-Vietnam community. Chinh emphasized Vietnam's commitment to the one-China policy and the need for further bilateral cooperation.

????The 2024 China-Turkey Ruling Party Governance Exchange Mechanism Strategic Dialogue took place in Beijing, attended by Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Efkan Ala, first deputy chairman of the Justice and Development Party of Turkey. The dialogue aimed to implement a consensus reached between the two heads of state, deepen governance exchange, accelerate alignment of China's Belt and Road Initiative and Türkiye's Middle Corridor Initiative, promote relations, and build a shared future for mankind.

????China has strongly opposed the European Union's inclusion of Chinese firms in its 14th package of sanctions against Russia, despite repeated dissuasion from the country. The move, which goes against the consensus reached between China and the EU, negatively impacts China-EU economic and trade relations. China urges the EU to unconditionally cease including Chinese enterprises on its sanctions list and assures the protection of the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese firms.

??Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has gained popularity among Cambodian patients due to its efficacy and safety. At the Chinese Medicine Clinic of the Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak Hospital in Phnom Penh, hundreds of patients are waiting for medical aid from TCM medical aid experts. TCM is effective in treating issues such as osteoporosis, insomnia, infertility, pain, chronic cough, bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and interstitial lung disease. It includes therapies like acupuncture, moxibustion, and Tuina remedial massage. Phnom Penh resident Kim Nay, who has had shingles and numbness in her arms for over a year, has seen her fists tighten after using TCM. Another Phnom Penh resident Chhiv Neang, who suffered a stroke and is paralyzed, came for a free TCM diagnosis and treatment after learning from other patients that TCM is efficacious and safe. China has sent its TCM medical aid team to Cambodia since March 2022, with two batches of the team having completed their missions in the Southeast Asian country.

????Isaac Gray, a Californian, planted a tree in Kuliang, Fuzhou, China, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the China-U.S. friendship. The tree, which was planted by participants of the 2024 "Bond with Kuliang: 2024 China-U.S. Youth Festival," included messages such as "Long live the friendship between Chinese and U.S. youth," "May U.S.-China friendship lasts forever," and "Peace on earth." Jeremiah Anthony, a student from Capital University of Economics and Business, expressed excitement about the tree's potential to grow and represent the strength of the U.S.-China relationship. Sha Yezhou, a faculty member from Capital University of Economics and Business, shared his plans to visit China and experience Chinese-made electric cars.

????Through the China Enterprises Malawi Chamber of Commerce (CEMCC), the Chinese business community in Malawi has donated 400 bags of maize flour worth $57,000 to the Malawi government in response to the El-Nino-induced food crisis. The donation follows Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera's appeal in March, which declared a state of disaster in 23 out of 28 districts due to adverse weather caused by El-Nino. CEMCC Vice Chairperson Gu Mu said the donation was a commitment to social responsibility and the importance of supporting communities where Chinese businesses operate. Malawian Minister of Information and Digitalization Moses Kunkuyu praised CEMCC for reaching out to Malawians in need of food and urged other international organizations to emulate the Chinese business community's gesture.

????During the summer, Chinese scientists are exploring uncharted territories in Norway's Svalbard archipelago. The town of Ny-Alesund, located at 79 degrees North, is home to over 10 scientists from over 10 countries, including members of China's Arctic Yellow River Station. The town is home to around 40 people year-round, with more researchers arriving in the summer, bringing the population to 180. The Yellow River Station, established in 2004, is China's first Arctic research station, supporting scientific monitoring and research in glaciology, terrestrial ecology, marine ecology, space physics, and atmospheric studies. The town's manager, Hu Zhengyi, participates in all aspects of town life, from the Norwegian Constitution Day parade to litter-cleaning campaigns and summer barbecue parties. The Chinese station's manager, Earl Sullivan Lester, shares how he got to know the head of the Chinese station over chilli sauce, a Chinese chilli sauce that Chinese researchers bring to the cafeteria as a daily meal.

????Chinese automotive brand Neta has entered the Kenyan market, with Moja EV Kenya as its distributor. The company will initially offer the Neta V model, priced at 4 million Kenyan shillings (about 31,000 U.S. dollars) and with a range of about 380 km on a full charge. Neta chose Kenya as a regional economic hub and as a gateway for exporting e-vehicles to the rest of Africa. Moja EV Kenya will import 160 vehicles from China over the next month and plan to partner with Kenya's Associated Vehicle Assemblers to assemble 250 e-vehicles every month.

??Cultural??Insights ??

??Two giant pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, have left China for the US for a 10-year international protection cooperation. The pair, selected from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP), will travel through Hong Kong and arrive in the US on Thursday. The partnership, which has been in place for over 25 years, aims to protect, breed, control disease, and promote public education about giant pandas.

??China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA) and Austria's Schonbrunn Zoo have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation on giant panda protection and research. A new pair of pandas from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda will be sent to Austria for a 10-year project. Chinese experts will provide guidance on facilities, feeding, food management, and health care. Schonbrunn Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in the world, has a history of over 270 years and has been working on giant panda protection since 2003.

??Chinese Premier Li Qiang has urged State Council counselors and researchers of the China Central Institute for Culture and History to fully utilize their roles and contribute to the development of the Party and the country. He praised their positive contributions for over 70 years and called for in-depth research, understanding the economy's situation, and providing wisdom for government work. He also urged them to continue preserving traditional Chinese culture, create cultural masterpieces, and promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. Li also expressed hope that counselors and researchers will play a crucial role in building extensive cooperation.

??The 5th China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) Cultural and Creative Industry Forum began on Wednesday, focusing on digital technology's role in cultural trade. The two-day event discussed connectivity between China and CEECs in the digital culture market and fostering business synergy in cultural industries. Beijing International Studies University and China Institute for Cultural Trade Research signed cooperative agreements with Bulgarian and Serbian counterparts. Bulgaria's President Rumen Radev congratulated participants and praised the event for providing an opportunity for modern science and industry to discover solutions to important tasks, leading to increased public welfare. Jiang Yu, Special Representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry for China-CEEC Cooperation Affairs, said cultural cooperation was an important area of China-CEEC cooperation and that this year's forum focused on technological development trends.

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