IN FOCUS
By Keerthana Nambiar

China’s Response to the Summit for Democracy

On 9-10 December 2021, US President Joe Biden will host the first of two Summits for Democracy. The idea behind the summit is to bring leaders from government, civil society, and private sectors together for a “democratic renewal” and “tackle greatest threats” that democracy faces today through “collective action.” The key themes of the summit are defending against authoritarianism, addressing and fighting corruption, and promoting respect for human rights. 

Media Briefs
1.    Global Times:
On 3 December, Global times published an editorial on Summit for Democracy taking opinions from “experts”. The article raised questions such as “Is the US entitled to define democracy? Who should judge whether a country is democratic or not? What is a genuine democracy or good democracy?” Global Times has mentioned the opinions of three experts in the editorial. The highlight was of a Chinese political scholar, Li Shimo. According to Li, “the world needs a better and more inclusive way of measuring democracy: not by procedures but by outcomes.” He explains that drawing an equation between liberalism and democracy is a “mistake” and “liberal regimes are failing democracy.” He points out that Chinese people are satisfied by their governance and “China is clearly generating more democratic outcomes for its people and thereby more democratic than America at the moment”. Global Times concludes the article by saying drawing ideological lines and dividing the world is an “old trick.” 

2.    Global Times:
on 3 December, Global Times reported on the summit including opinions from Chinese scholars. The article says that the democracy in the Us has been “decaying” and has become “a game of very few elites.” Zha0 Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson remarked that “US democracy is money democracy, a trick to fool the people domestically and a tool to impose hegemony abroad.” 

3.    Global Times:
On 4 December, Hu Xijin, the editor-in-chief of Global Times published an opinion titled “As US alienates definition of democracy, China should walk a bright road of whole-process people's democracy.” Hu explains that the US is trying to alienate the definition of democracy and trying to  “monopolize the right to define it.” He claims that the Communist Party of China will lead China to success and, “the Chinese nation is also the great process of whole-process people's democracy from the establishment to perfection.” 

4.    China Daily:
On 2 December, China Daily published an editorial on the Summit for Democracy emphasizing that “the Joe Biden administration is trying to stake out the moral high ground for the United States. By doing so, it hopes to have a vantage point from which to command its willing followers.”  According to China Daily, by convening the summit, the US is “hindering effective responses” to the ongoing crisis of COVID-19, climate change, and unstable economy. “Democracy takes many forms. And countries seek different ways to pursue the values of democracy. There is no one-size-fits-all model,” states China Daily. They claim that the US is in no position to wield the banner of democracy as Washington has gone astray from the pursuit of democratic values. 

5.    China Daily:
On 3 December, China Daily reports that there are multiple criticisms coming up while responding to the Summit for Democracy. Russian Foreign Ministry made a statement saying that “the US and its allies cannot and should not claim the status of a ‘beacon of democracy’.” Thailand accused the summit as “purely political.” Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Xie Feng called the summit a “blatant hegemonic coercion and bluffing” and urged the international community to reject the “fake democracy summit.” 

6.    Xinhua:
On 4 December, Xi Lin, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the State Council Information Office made a statement on Summit for Democracy rebuking the US for abusing democracy for undemocratic purposes. 

7.    Xinhua:
On 4 December, Xinhua published a commentary on Summit for Democracy questioning whether America has a “functioning democracy?” According to Xinhua, the US who considers itself as the “beacon of democracy” is flawed and is a “pure game of money.” They highlight that US democracy does not protect its citizens and is highly dysfunctional. The article quotes from Pew Research Center, Washington Post, etc. to establish the argument of “Why US democracy can no longer fool the world.” 

References:
 “World renowned experts: What is genuine and good democracy,” Global Times, 3 December 2021
“US money democracy game for few, merely in name: scholars,” Global Times, 3 December 2021
“As US alienates definition of democracy, China should walk a bright road of whole-process people's democracy,” Global Times, 4 December 2021
 “Washington goes astray with 'democracy' summit: China Daily editorial,” China Daily, 2 December 2021
"'Summit for Democracy' criticized globally,” China Daily, 3 December 2021
“Chinese official rebukes U.S. for abusing democracy for undemocratic purposes,” Xinhua Net, 4 December 2021
“Xinhua Commentary: Why U.S. democracy can no longer fool the world,” Xinhua Net,  4 December 2021

IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok and Dincy Adlakha

INTERNAL
State Council Information Office releases white paper on China’s democracy
On 4 December, the State Council Information Office released a white paper titled “Democracy that works.” The paper focused on China’s democratic model and how it functioned flawlessly while incorporating people’s participation at all times. The paper was released less than a week before the Democracy Summit initiated by the US. The summit has been criticised by China for unilaterally defining what a good democracy is and what is not. The paper said: “Democracy is a concrete phenomenon that is constantly evolving. Rooted in history, culture and tradition, it takes diverse forms and develops along the paths by different peoples based on their experiments and innovation.” (“White paper details China's whole-process people's democracy,” Global Times, 4 December 2021)

Macao SAR to receive national security advisers and technical advisers 
On 3 December, Global Times reported that the Chinese government would introduce a national security affairs adviser and three national security technical advisers in the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Macao Special Administrative Region. The decision was taken in response to the proposal made by the chief executive of Macao SAR Ho Lat Seng. The Macao government also extended its support to the decision and called it justified and reasonable. (“Macao to appoint advisers on national security, prevents external interference risks in financial area," Global Times, 3 December 2021)

People’s Bank of China reassures that Evergrande will not impact the economy
On 3 December, China’s regulatory authorities commented on the Evergrande crisis and reassured the public that the impact on the economy would be managed by the government. An official from the People’s Bank of China also said: “Evergrande's problem was mainly caused by its own mismanagement and break-neck expansion.” The Central Bank also informed that the housing sales, land purchases and financing have resumed to normalcy in the country while businessmen begin to start buying overseas bonds as the economy returns to its pre-crisis status. The statement by the bank said: “China is committed to creating a level-playing field and advancing the two-way opening-up of its financial markets. Relevant Chinese authorities will continue to communicate with their overseas regulatory counterparts.” (“Macao to appoint advisers on national security, prevents external interference risks in financial area," Xinhua Net, 4 December 2021)

Chinese citizens continue to discuss Peng Shuai online despite censors
On 3 December, The Straits Times reported the Chinese citizens have found ways to miss the censors placed by authorities to continue discussing Peng Shuai online. After the top tennis player posted about the sexual history with Vice Premier, the authorities had wasted no time in blocking all posts with the keywords Peng Shuai to stop the news from spiraling online. However, citizens have shifted to using a mix of English and Chinese characters and writing in code words to discuss the issue and wish for her safety on social media platforms. (“Chinese dodge censors to discuss Peng Shuai case online,” The Straits Times, 3 December 2021)

ECONOMY
Didi Chuxing delists from the US Wall Street
On 3 December, Chinese company Didi Chuxing announced that it will delist its shares from the New York Stock Exchange. Experts see this as a signal that the economic giant China is lifting off from its dependency on the US. CHinese companies do not need the US Wall Street anymore as they invite multiple wealthy investors and have a favourable political and financial landscape in China itself. China is maintaining a greater control on its firms, especially the ones with huge amounts of consumer data, and on its economy. The move by Didi will also bring other big Chinese firms listed in Wall Street under the spotlight. (“With its exit, Didi sends a signal: China no longer needs Wall Street,” The Straits Times, 4 December 2021)

REGIONAL
China-Laos Railway begins operation
On 3 December, China and Laos inaugurated the China-Laos Railway line. The project is one of the key features of China’s Belt and Road initiative. The railway line enabled landlocked Laos to access China’s ports and roads. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith attended the inauguration ceremony online. President Xi said: “The opening of the China-Laos Railway will make Laos' dream of becoming a land-linked hub come true. China will ensure the maintenance and security of the railway and build high-quality, sustainable and people-friendly economic belts along the route.” ("China-Laos Railway roars in full swing, brings Laos into modern transport era amid BRI endeavor", Global Times, 3 December 2021)

Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily to shut operations in Taiwan
On 4 December, Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily owned by business tycoon Jimmy Lai is said to shut its operations in Taiwan next month. Although the update is said to be received from people from the industry, the Taiwan unit of Apple Daily has not confirmed the news yet. It posted on its website that: “Our company has no knowledge of where the origin of such an assumption comes from.” The Hong Kong unit of the newspaper had shut its operation in early July this year as the administration straightened its crackdown over the media outlet. Jimmy Lai is currently in prison for his involvement in the pro-democracy protests in 2019. (“Jimmy Lai's flagship Apple Daily to shut Taiwan operations: Sources,” The Straits Times, 4 December 2021)

INTERNATIONAL
Hong Kong terms Singapore and Iceland as high-risk nations amid rising Omicron cases
On 3 December, Hong Kong announced that it is adding Singapore and Iceland to the list of high-risk nations since cases of Omicron variant have been found in these countries. The shift will take place from 6 December and their status will be changed from Category B to Category A. Residents who have stayed in Singapore and Iceland in the past 21 days will not be permitted to enter Hong Kong and can board a flight to Hong Kong only if they have a record of being fully vaccinated. If permitted, they will undergo six tests and 21-day quarantine. Hong Kong has witnessed four cases of Omicron variant till now. (“Hong Kong adds Singapore and Iceland to list of high-risk nations following Omicron cases,” The Straits Times, 3 December 2021)