IN FOCUS
By Keerthana Nambiar

US-China relations
On 22 September 2021, China’s new ambassador to the United States, Qin Gang made a speech at the Conversation jointly held by the Carter Center and the George H.W. Bush Foundation for US-China Relations. He said, “today, some Americans' misunderstanding and misjudgment about China is building up. A fundamental one is to define America's relations with China as democracy versus authoritarianism, and to stoke up ideological confrontation, which has led to serious difficulties in China-US relations.” Qin claims that the People’s Republic of China maintains a “unique political consultation system and corresponding institutions”, which are important methods to exercise democracy for the people.
Qin argued that China is a democratic nation and China's Constitution prescribes that all power belongs to the people. He further talked about the US-China differences and mentioned that Beijing would make no concerted effort to reduce bilateral tensions unless Washington prevents the competition between the two powers from escalating into a confrontation. The ambassador warned that such confrontations could hinder China’s “core interests” and if the US does not step down, China’s efforts for trust and mutual cooperation would be subdued. 

Among various issues, the environmental crisis was addressed. The need for a certain US-China collaboration was focused on and both the countries honoring the climate commitments with “real action”. The comments came a day after Chinese President Xi Jinping promised at the United Nations General Assembly that China would stop building overseas coal projects and work towards China's green energy. Qin elaborated that China welcomes and accepts suggestions or criticisms that are honest and constructive. And they do not accept baseless and slandering information that compromises China’s sovereignty and integrity. He stated, “We never say that our system is the best” and China should not be judged by the decisions it makes regardless they are good or not.

He concluded his speech by highlighting the need for US-China cooperation to move forward and stable development for the welfare of both the countries as well as the world.

References
“Speech by Ambassador Qin Gang At the Conversation Jointly Held by The Carter Center and The George H.W. Bush Foundation for US-China Relations , Embassy of People’s Republic of China in the United States of America, 22 September 2021”
 

“Chinese ambassador Qin Gang says continued ‘confrontation’ by US will hinder chance at cooperation, South China Morning Post, 23 September 2021”
 

IN BRIEF
by Avishka Ashok and Juan Mary Joseph 

INTERNAL
Tsinghua University announces plan to launch research institute for carbon neutrality 
On 22 September, Tsinghua University announced the launch of a research institute for the studies on carbon neutrality. The initiative will be focused upon solving obstacles to China’s aim of green development. China has taken up mighty challenges and has promised great goals on the climate change front. However, achieving all of them might become a testing task given China’s current pace of development and the population’s needs. In order to fulfill these goals, the institute will contribute by fastening the pace of technological discoveries and innovation by providing its skillsets in basic research and interdisciplinary integration. The institute plans to work along with other private industries and cooperate on a regional platform to collectively promote green initiatives, technology and enterprises. (Tsinghua University sets up research institute for carbon neutrality studies - Global Times, Global Times, 23 September 2021)

Chinese villages promote the three-child policy to couples by providing subsidies 
On 22 September, Global times reported that a village in Guangdong would be offering cash subsidies to parents of newborns born after 1 September 2021. The couples will be provided with 3,300 yuan or USD 510 per month for their newborn babies. The policy has been initiated after the Chinese government legalized its three-child policy in August 2021. Other than the village in Guangdong, Huangzhugen village in Zhanjiang also promised to provide subsidies to new parents until the child turns two and a half years old. The state would be spending over 99,000 yuan on each child born after 1 September 2021. A village in Gansu province has agreed to provide subsidies for buying property to couples with newborns while Panzhihua promised to grant cash handouts worth 500 yuan until the child turns three. However, there are limitations to the provisions: Only the parents living in these villages are eligible to avail the benefits of the policy. (Village in Guangdong offers cash subsidies to parents of newborns - Global Times, Global Times, 22 September 2021)

Ant Group's Huabei begins to share consumer data with China's central bank 
On 22 September, Reuters reported that China's Ant Group, an affiliate of e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, has begun sending its consumer credit data to the database run by China's central bank. Ant's virtual credit card service Huabei said in a social media post on its official Weibo account that it was being integrated into China's central bank credit reporting system. The move is critical as the Chinese regulatory grip on the company and the larger financial technology sector tightens. (Ant Group's micro loan service Huabei begins to share data with China's central bank, Reuters, 22 September 2021)

Evergrande's second-biggest shareholder to sell entire stake
On 23 September, Reuters reported that Chinese Estates Holdings said in a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange that it has sold $32 million of its stake in Evergrande and is planning to exit the holding. Chinese Estates is the second-largest shareholder of the debt-ridden real estate giant Evergrande. (Evergrande's second-biggest shareholder plans to sell entire stake, Reuters, 23 September 2021)

The court case of 47 Hong Kong democracy activists to resume on 29 November 
On 23 September, Reuters reported that a judge ruled for a national security case involving 47 Hong Kong democracy activists will resume on 29 November. The activists who have already been in custody for more than six months have been charged with conspiracy to commit subversion. National security crimes are punishable by up to life in prison, however, only higher courts have the authority to do so. (Court case of 47 Hong Kong democracy activists to resume on Nov. 29, Reuters, 23 September 2021)

INTERNATIONAL
The Chinese representative at UN pushes for more transparency in military and security services
On 22 September, Global Times reported that Jiang Duan, minister of the Chinese mission to the UN urged the US and Australia to efficiently regulate their private military and security companies and prevent them from being involved in practices that violate human rights. The statement was made during the dialogue of the Working Group of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Duan called on countries, especially, the US and China to respect, promote and safeguard human rights and prevent their violation by private companies. He pushed for more transparency and highlighted the lack of the same in the private military and security services of the US and Australia. (China urges US, Australia to effectively regulate mercenary companies at UN Human Rights Council - Global Times, Global Times, 22 September 2021)

Chinese Foreign Minister urges countries to remove sanctions on Afghanistan
On 23 September, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pushed for immediate humanitarian aid to Afghanistan at the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting. The meeting was held online and aimed to discuss the situation in Afghanistan and the way forward. Wang Yi also urges countries to remove the economic sanctions from Afghanistan to prevent further deterioration of the Afghan economy and the condition of the Afghan populace. He said: Humanitarian aid is of great urgency and the countries responsible for Afghanistan's situation should do something to ease the difficulties of Afghans.” China also pledged to provide 200 million yuan or USD 31 million worth of supplies and three million doses of vaccines to Afghanistan. (Economic sanctions on Afghanistan must end, humanitarian aid is of great urgency: Chinese FM Wang Yi - Global Times, Global Times, 23 September 2021) 

Lithuania’s warning against Chinese phones
On 22 September, Reuters reported that Lithuania's Defense Ministry recommended consumers avoid buying Chinese mobile phones and advised them to throw away their current Chinese phones after a government report found built-in censorship capabilities in the devices. Lithuania's state-run cybersecurity body said that phones sold in Europe by China's smartphone giant Xiaomi Corp have a built-in ability to detect and censor terms like "Free Tibet", "Long live Taiwan independence" or "democracy movement". Relations between Lithuania and China have soured after the former’s decision to allow a Taiwanese Representative Office in the country. (Lithuania says throw away Chinese phones due to censorship concerns, Reuters, 22 September 2021)