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20 September 2023

China Reader

China This Week

China: A special envoy to visits Cairo to de-escalate Palestine-Israel conflict
On 20 October, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed that a special envoy Zhai Jun will visit Cairo to discuss the Gaza-Israel conflict. The summit is aimed to bring world leaders aiming to establish peace. China is seeking to de-escalate the conflict and resume peace with an eventual ceasefire. Zhai has been holding a series of telephonic discussions to discuss the current issue and the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said: “China has always stood on the side of peace and justice. We oppose all acts of violence against civilians and civilian facilities, and condemn any actions that violate international law.”

China: Refutes Pentagon claims of bolstering nuclear capabilities
On 20 October, China refuted the Pentagon’s claims that China’s military has been bolstering its nuclear abilities to counter US forces in the Asia-Pacific. China stated that its nuclear programme is only for self-defence. The Pentagon claimed that China will have over 1000 nuclear warheads by the year 2030. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning said: “We have always kept our nuclear forces at the minimum level required for national security and have no intention to engage in a nuclear arms race with any country.” She said no country will be threatened by China’s nuclear weapons as long as it does not use the same against them. Mao also questioned the heavy investment by the US in upgrading nuclear capabilities and providing nuclear assistance to non-nuclear countries, hinting at South Korea’s Washington Declaration.

Taiwan: Launches its first domestically built submarine “Hain Kun”
On 28 August, Taiwan announced their first domestically built submarine aiming to further their defence capabilities in deterring China. Taiwan has bolstered its defence spending to USD 26 billion for the coming year. The prototype was unveiled and was named “Hai Kun” meaning the mythical sea creature. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said: “History will forever remember this day,” and “In the past, building submarines domestically was considered ‘Mission Impossible’. But today, a submarine designed and built by our people is right in front of everyone – we did it.” Hai Kun is estimated to be 80m in length and weigh approximately 3,000 tons that features combat mechanisms sourced by Lockheed Martin a US-based defence company.

China: Accused of international media manipulation by the US
On 28 September, the US State Department accused China of manipulating the international media via censorship, data harvesting and covert purchases. The report warned of repercussions stating that this will affect the global freedom of expression. With the rise of Chinese aggression and competition, Beijing has intensified its efforts to clean its negative image. It claimed that China has invested in satellite networks and services to further the state-backed media. With its global footprint, China has been able to data harvest overseas, facilitating its censorship efforts.

China: Refuses to expand support for some CPEC proposals by Pakistan
On 26 September, an editorial in The Express Tribune “CPEC expansion plan in doldrums,” on the state of China and Pakistan’s economic ties as China did not agree to further their bilateral cooperation in areas of energy and water management. They expressed that Islamabad left its opposition to set up a coal-powered plant in Gwadar and that China refuses to agree to measures proposed by Pakistan. The negotiations signed upon largely exclude provisions proposed by Pakistan like the issue of financial challenges faced by power companies. They also advised that the imported fuel-based Gwadar plant converts to Thar coal. The Planning Ministry called the ratification of the 11th JCC meeting a testament to their strong cooperation while the iron-clad friendship is seeing strains.

China: Xi Jinping reaffirms his resolve to rebuild Syria
On 22 September, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his resolve to the ostracized leader Bashar Al-Assad in rebuilding Syria’s shattered economy. Assad met with Xi in the city of Hangzhou with China looking further its influence in the Middle East. Xi inferred with Assad that China also opposes any external interference and would work with Syria to “safeguard international fairness and justice.” This comes in light of Syria being heavily sanctioned since 2011 and now is in dire need of foreign investments, while some question the resolve turning into something concrete as it would mean more sanctions by the US on China via the 2020 Caeser Act. Under this, any third state that engages with a Pariah state would face sanctions and their assets frozen.

China: Huawei wants to be the alternative to US tech industry
On 20 September, Chinese tech giant Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou announced their plans to “build a solid computing based for China and a second option for the world.” Huawei’s Chief Financial Officer Ren Zhengfei expressed their future strategy for AI, stating that lack of development in computing power is the factor holding back AI development hinting towards US sanction and restriction of export of Nvidia chips. Huawei recently made headlines with the release of Mate 60 Pro smartphones with China-made chips, additionally, the Chip is made with 7- 7-nanometer technology.

China: The US National Security adviser held an informal discussion with the Chinese Foreign Minister
On 18 September, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Malta. Both sides agreed to establish exchanges and bilateral consultations over Asia-Pacific affairs and foreign policy. White House issued a statement that it is: “committed to maintain this strategic channel of communication and to pursue additional high-level engagement and consultations in key areas ... in the coming months.” Sullivan stressed the need for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and Yi responded by saying that the issue is: “first insurmountable red line of Sino-US relations”by saying that the issue is: “first insurmountable red line of Sino-US relations”

China: IMF looks to engage in future cooperation
On 1 September, Chinese Premier Li Qiang met the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva. The meeting aimed to promote economic growth and strengthen policy coordination. Qiang assured that China will provide an environment to promote growth for private enterprises and attract foreign capital. He hoped that the IMF would go against protectionist policies and promote globalization and free trade. Furthermore, he assured continued cooperation of China is aiding the debt issue in supporting the developing countries.

China: Meeting in Fiji between US and China’s Defence officials
On 31 August, China and US defence officers held talks in Fiji as reported by the Chinese Ministry of National Defence (MOD). MOD spokesperson Senior Colonel Wu Qian expressed that talks between the two countries have not been suspended and that both sides have maintained open and effective communication. The meeting comes right after the announcement made by the US State Department approving USD 80 million worth of military support to Taiwan under the “Foreign Military Financing program.” An international affairs expert in China Zhuo Hua states: “If the two militaries want to have further positive interactions, the key lies in whether the US can truly change its erroneous perception and policies towards China in the coming period, and whether it can take concrete goodwill actions”

China: President Xi Jinping announces measures to expand market access
On 02 September, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that they plan to widen the market access for the service industry and welcome cross-border service trade. The initiative plans to expand on the domestic market by increasing imports of high-quality services. This comes in as China is facing an economic slump where some US-based think tanks are stating the once thriving but now diminishing Chinese economy poses no threat to the US.

China: Discusses export controls with the US
On 28 August, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo met with her Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao in Beijing. The meeting aimed to serve as a platform to mitigate misunderstanding and to further explain their export control systems. They decided that every year both government and private sector representatives would be allowed to discuss trade and investment policy. Several analysts found that while the meeting won't lead to any concrete provisions, talking is better than not talking.

China: Suspends seafood imports from Japan
On 24 August, the Chinese customs office announced that they would "comprehensively '' suspend any seafood imports from Japan. The reason stated was that they want to avoid any risk of radioactive contamination from the nuclear-treated water to ensure food safety. Additionally, the Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced that they would take the necessary steps to monitor any radiation in the sea caused by the release. The Japanese government has evaluated the safety of the release with a two-year review by the International Atomic Energy Agency. However, this has not been well received by countries, with mass protestsin South Korea and North Korea.

China: Urges US to stop arming Taiwan
On 25 August, the Chinese Defence Ministry accused the US of "arming" Taiwan and urged them to stop. This comes after the USD 500 million sale of the Island of Infrared Search and Track Systems for F-16 fighter jets was approved by the US State Department. Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaognag said: "China urges the U.S. side to effectively fulfil its commitment not to support the independence of Taiwan, to immediately stop arming Taiwan, and to stop enhancing US-Taiwan military ties."

China: Xi welcomes “Old friend” Henry Kissinger
On 20 July, Chinese leader Xi Jinping met the former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in Beijing. Xi welcomed him calling Kissinger an “old friend.” Kissinger was a vital player in establishing the US-China relationship in the 1970s and his visit aimed at resolving estranged ties. Kissinger said: “Under the current circumstances, it is imperative to maintain the principles established by the Shanghai Communique, appreciate the utmost importance China attaches to the ‘one China’ principle, and move the relationship in a positive direction.”

China: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen arrives in Beijing
On 6 July, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen arrived in Beijing to mend US-China relations. She complained of the “punitive actions against US companies and new exports controls on citerical mineral” that China was imposing and that it was an “unfair economic practice.” Chinese finance minister Li Kun said they hope that the United States will take concrete actions to provide for a conducive environment to flourish their relationship, further, he said: “No winners emerge from a trade war or from decoupling and ‘breaking chains.”

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