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China Reader Daily Wire | 29 April 2024, Monday | Vol.1 No. 68

Tesla CEO visits China to discuss Full Self-Driving cars for Chinese consumers

China to send its Chang’e 6 lunar mission soon to collect samples, reports SCMP | Japan sees the lowest slump in Yen since 1990

HIGHLIGHTS
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Tesla CEO visits China to discuss Full Self-Driving cars for Chinese consumers
On 28 April, Tesla CEO Elon Musk visited Beijing to discuss the Full Self-Driving (FSD) software rollout and permission to transfer data overseas. The Chinese state media CCTV reported a meeting between Premier Li and Musk. Li told Musk that Tesla’s presence in China marked a successful case of US-China economic and trade cooperation. Tesla’s presence in China continues with its first plant in Shanghai since 2018. In an online query on X, Musk responded that Tesla would make FSD available to Chinese customers. CCTV also reported a meeting between Musk and Ren Hongbin, the head of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. Musk’s trip to China comes after he scrapped a planned visit to India to meet PM Modi, citing “very heavy Tesla obligations.” (“Elon Musk visits China as Tesla seeks self-driving technology rollout,” Reuters, 28 April 2024)

China to send its Chang’e 6 lunar mission soon to collect samples, reports SCMP
On 28 April, the South China Morning Post reports China’s plans to send Chang’e 6 mission this week to the moon's far side to collect samples. This is part of China’s goal of placing a person on the lunar surface by 2030. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) said that it will be the world’s first attempt to collect lunar samples up to 2kg. It also mentioned the mission’s ability to explore China’s lunar exploration. Chang’e 6 will touch down in the Apollo Basin, away from direct Earth communication. Deputy Director of CNSA Ge Ping said that the mission will initiate a “breakthrough in the lunar orbit design and control technology, intelligent sampling technology and take-off and ascent technology on the lunar dark side, and ultimately achieve automatic sampling and return from the lunar dark side.” (Xinlu Liang, “Countdown starts for China’s Chang’e 6 sample mission to the far side of the moon,” South China Morning Post, 28 April 2024)

EAST ASIA
Japan sees the lowest slump in Yen since 1990
On 29 April, the Japanese Yen fell to the lowest rate since the 1990. The Yen has been seeing a slump for 34 years against the US dollar and on Monday it reached 160.17 Yen per Dollar. There is an expectation that soon the Japanese authorities will intervene to prop up the currency for the first time since 2022. The Yen has seen a continued trend of sinking since 2021 as the Bank of Japan maintained extremely low-interest rates while other banks of the US and central banks have charged up the borrowing cost. This has led to a boost in Japanese exports and tourism in Japan but has put pressure on Japanese households as the prices of imported goods rose. (“Japan’s yen plunges to the lowest level against the dollar since 1990,” AlJazeera, 29 April 2024)

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INTERNAL
Tornado hits China’s southern city of Guangzhou, five people dead and 33 injured
On 27 April, a tornado hit China’s Southern city of Guangzhou, killing five people and injuring many people. State media Xinhua reported severe devastation of buildings in Guangzhou’s Baiyun district after a heavy thunderstorm. The tornado hit came after China faced massive floods in Guangdong province, affecting 127 million people and thousands of factories. Xinhua reports that 33 people were injured and 141 factories were damaged in the recent tornado. (“Tornado kills five, causes widespread destruction in China’s Guangzhou,” Al-Jazeera, 29 April 2024)

Xi’s views on BRI (2023 edition) published, reports Xinhua
On 28 April, Xinhua reported an English version of a book reflecting Chinese President Xi Jinping's view on the Belt and Road Initiative (2023 edition). The Central Compilation & Translation Press has published the book. The book has 78 important discourses on the BRI by Xi, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, from September 2013 to November 2023. According to government officials, the book is aimed to “help foreign readers better understand the concept, measures, goals, and achievements of the BRI and play a significant role in boosting international cooperation under the BRI.” (“English version of book about Xi's elaborations on BRI published,” Xinhua, 28 April 2024)

ECONOMY
Chinese government plans to foster inclusive finance to help Chinese people and foreigners, says a commentary in The Guardian
On 29 April, according to a commentary in The Guardian, the Chinese government aimed to strengthen financial inclusion to help the Chinese people and foreigners. The aim is to facilitate easy travel and to conduct better retail transactions. The Guardian mentions that China’s e-payment giants, Alipay and WeChat pay are dominant in retail payments nationwide. However, foreigners are required to have a Chinese bank account or extensive identification to access the facility. According to associate professor Sara Hsu, “China is one of the top countries for using cashless payment systems, but penetration is not 100 per cent.” Xinhua reported that cashless systems had led to a drop of a mere 3.7 per cent of the total money in circulation. Prof Sun highlights gaps in China’s payment system and the government’s efforts to boost financial inclusivity. (Helen Davidson and Chi Hui Lin, “Cash is king — for now: China signals it will slow transition to cashless society,” The Guardian, 29 April 2024)

CHINA & TAIWAN
China to lift restrictions on Fujian residents from visiting Taiwan
On 28 April, China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism said that the country will remove the restrictions on its Fujian residents to visit Taiwan. China’s Vice Minister Rao Quan announced it to a visiting delegation from Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT). The move comes before Taiwanese President-elect William Lai's inauguration in May. China will allow travel to Taiwan’s Matsu islands, which are close to the Fujian coast, with the opening of the ferry service. China announced the tourism restrictions on Fujian residents in 2019 after ties between the two sides nosedived with the election of President Tsai as President of Taiwan. China sees her Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) anti-reunification stance as a separatist movement. (Yukoi Tajima, “China to lift Taiwan tourism restrictions for Fujian residents,” Nikkei Asia, 29 April 2024)

CHINA & SOUTHEAST ASIA
China used water cannon for deterrence and to not use of force against the Philippines, says Col Zhou Bo
On 29 April, in an interview conducted by the South China Morning Post, Senior Colonel Zhou Bo (retired) talks about the global and regional challenges and military diplomacy from China’s perspective. On the issue of the South China Sea (SCS) with the Philippines, he claims that Beijing’s water cannon action is deterrence and not a use of force. Zhou said that the Philippines used offensive measures against Chinese fishing vessels near the Scarborough Shoal. He further says that the best measure to resolve the tensions is to tow the ship away from the disputed waters and fulfill the 1999 promise between the two countries. He added that US actions in the region will not be significant due to its pre-occupation with the tensions in Europe and the Middle East. On the Chinese navy, he said that the PLA Navy has acted in China’s national interests and facilitated international responsibilities. Zhou also mentioned China’s commitment to ensure the PLA's speedy transformation into a modern fighting force by 2049. (Amber Wang and Sylvie Zhuang, “China used water cannon as ‘deterrence’ against Philippine ships, PLA senior colonel Zhou Bo says,” South China Morning Post, 29 April 2024)

Myanmar’s opposition party urges China to stop arms deals with the Junta regime, says FM of NUG Zin Mar Aung
On 28 April, the South China Morning Post reported an interview with the Foreign Minister of the National Unity Government (NUG), Zin Mar Aung, in Brussels. She called on China to stop arms exports to the Junta regime as it is being used to kill its own population. She also claimed his party, NUG, as the legitimate representative of Myanmar after it was thrown away in a military coup in 2021, ousting Aung San Suu Kyi from power. She also urged the European Union to ramp up the sanctions against the regime. According to the UN report in 2023, the junta regime imported at least USD 1 billion in arms since the coup from sources in China, Russia, and Singapore. She mentioned NUG’s 10-point position on China, which mentioned supporting China’s One China Principle and deepening economic relations. (Finbarr Bermingham, “Myanmar’s opposition foreign minister urges China to stop ‘arms deals’ with ruling junta,” South China Morning Post, 28 April 2024)

CHINA & EUROPE
Djibouti government detained and deported a MP for criticizing China, says Conservative MP Tim Loughton
On 28 April, the Conservative MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, Tim Loughton, said that he was detained and deported by Djibouti for criticizing China. He mentioned that the actions came because of Djibouti’s close ties to China. This incident comes as China imposed sanctions on seven parliamentarians, including Loughton, in 2021 over spreading lies and disinformation about human rights violations in Xinjiang. On 08 April, Loughton arrived in Djibouti for a 24-hour visit, which included meeting the British ambassador. He said that he was detained without any reason. The Chinese embassy rejected the allegations and said Loughton’s comments are damaging the China-UK relations. (Nadeem Badshah, “Tory MP says he was deported from Djibouti due to criticisms of China,” The Guardian, 28 April 2024)

EAST ASIA & THE PACIFIC READER

EAST ASIA
South Korean President to meet Opposition party leader
On 29 April, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol will meet the leader of the opposition party Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea. This meeting comes after Yoon failed to secure a majority in the recent National Assembly elections where the Democratic Party came victorious. The loss has rendered the People’s Power Party and its leader handicapped and he would find it difficult to get his policies approved in an opposition majority assembly. The meeting is the first since Yoon took office. President Yoon was advised to reengage with the party after he shrugged at the National Assembly election result, which further affected his approval rating. The discussion is vital as this would determine if Yoon could convince Lee to approve his policies of tax cuts, easing business regulations, and expanding family support. (“South Korea’s Yoon to meet opposition leader amid bid to reset presidency,” The Straits Times, 29 April 2024)

North Korean Defence Ministry criticises US’s shipment of long-range ballistic missiles to Ukraine
On 29 April, the North Korean Ministry of National Defence criticized the US for supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine. In recent weeks US supplied these missiles secretly to Ukraine to fight the Russians. Director of the Department of Foreign Military Affairs at North Korea’s Defence Ministry said: “The US has secretly supplied long-range missiles to Ukraine, sparking off uneasiness and concern of the international community.” Additionally, the director said that the US can never defeat the heroic Russians and their army with any kind of new weaponry or military support. Since the Russia-Ukraine war, the military ties between the two countries have grown closer. (“North Korea criticizes US for supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine,” The Straits Times, 29 April 2024)

South Korea informs of North Korea installing land mine in Demilitarized Zones
On 29 April, the South Korean military informed that North Korea had installed land mines in the inter-Korea road that is inside the Demilitarized Zone that separates both South Korea from North Korea. The military detected that North Korea has been laying mines in the unpaved roads of DMZ near the Arrowhead Hill of Cheorwon which is 85 kilometers from Seoul. Joint Chiefs of Staff when asked about the motivation behind such actions, pointed out that they are restoring their military measures since the scrapping of the 2018 agreement. JCS spokesperson Col. Lee Sung-jun expressed that South Korea is also taking measures but they will not be installing mines for proportionate actions. (“N. Korea installs mines on inter-Korean road within DMZ,” The Korea Herald, 29 April 2024)

THE PACIFIC
Domestic violence a “national crisis,” Australian PM attending the rally against gender-based violence
On 29 April, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the issue of domestic violence a “national crisis” as thousands of protestors took to the streets and rallied against the violence towards women. The protestors in thousands rallied against the death of 27 women caused by gender-based violence in this year only. Albanese said: “The fact that ... a woman dies every four days on average at the hand of a partner is just a national crisis.” The Organiser Martina Ferrara said: “We want alternative reporting options for victim-survivors to let them own their stories and own their healing and reporting journey.” Albanese also asserted that they need to change the culture and the legal system and need to make sure that this isn’t just up to women but men as well. (Katy Watson and Hannah Ritchie, “Australians call for tougher laws on violence against women after killings,” BBC, 29 April 2024)

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