Daily Briefs


Photo : The Guardian

12 February 2024

Beijing threatens Tibetan exiles with repressive policies

Chinese presence in Mali purely economic, says SCMP | Chinese dealing with Russia halted over fear of international sanctions

CHINA READER DAILY WIRE

In Brief
INTERNAL
Young Chinese upset with poor economy during the Lunar New Year holidays
On 11 February, according to a commentary in the BBC titled “Bad economy, nosy relatives: Young Chinese put off by Lunar New Year,” by Lok Lee, Chinese authorities expect around nine billion trips for the Year of the Dragon which is also known as the “chunyun”, which is the world’s largest annual migration. According to Lok Lee, many people wrote on social media platforms saying that they wouldn’t go home to attend the festival. According to the official data in June 2023, more than one in five city dwellers aged between 16 and 24 in China were unemployed. China suspended the release of youth unemployment data since January 2023 with the latest figure standing at 14.9 per cent. Lee further added that the confidence crisis has worried investors as it is expected that Chinese President Xi Jinping will focus more on party control over economic development. (Lok Lee, “Bad economy, nosy relatives: Young Chinese put off by Lunar New Year,” BBC, 11 February 2024)

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
China’s Galactic Energy to debut its reusable rocket in 2024
On 12 February, according to an editorial in the South China Morning Post titled “Chinese start-up Galactic Energy plans reusable rocket debut this year,” by Ling Xin, Chinese company Galactic Energy is planning to debut its reusable rocket in 2024. The Pallas-1 is going to be the first Chinese rocket to deploy reusable rockets in its orbital missions. According to local news site Hinews.cn, Pallas-1 is set to take off from a spacecraft launch centre on the southern island of Hainan in November 2024. Galactic Energy was founded in 2018 and has established itself as a leader in China’s commercial launch sector. So far, only SpaceX from the US has achieved partial success with its reusable rockets (Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets) for reduced costs and profitable orbital flights. (Ling Xin, “Chinese start-up Galactic Energy plans reusable rocket debut this year,” South China Morning Post, 12 February 2024)

Chinese companies to build an alliance for the EV revolution
On 12 February, according to an editorial in Nikkei Asia titled “CATL, BYD, others unite in China for solid-state battery breakthrough,” by Shunsuke Tabeta, Chinese companies such as CATL and BYD are uniting as part of the China All-Solid-State Battery Collaborative Innovation Platform (CASIP), a government-led drive to commercialize all-solid-state batteries, challenging Japan and the West to challenge and revolutionize the electric vehicle market. China plans to set up research and development of next-generation batteries, AI and other technologies. According to Chen Qingtai, head of China EV100, solid-state batteries have the potential to change the balance of power in the industry, which means their development should be prioritized to ensure that China becomes an "automotive powerhouse." (Shunsuke Tabeta, “CATL, BYD, others unite in China for solid-state battery breakthrough,” Nikkei Asia, 12 February 2024)

CHINA & TAIWAN
Taiwan detects Chinese balloons ahead of New Year holidays
On 10 February, Taiwanese Ministry of Defense said that it had detected eight Chinese balloons crossing the Taiwan Strait in the past 24 hours since 09 February, ahead of the New Year celebrations. Out of eight balloons, two of them crossed the northern part of Taiwan. The Chinese government dismissed the complaints by Taiwan and said that the balloons are used for meteorological purposes and should not be used for political reasons. China does not recognize the median line and considers the Taiwan Strait as part of its sovereign territory. The spy balloon issue became a key global issue when the US shot down the balloon in 2023 (“Taiwan reports Chinese balloons at start of New Year holiday,” The Straits Times, 10 February 2024)

CHINA &SOUTHEAST ASIA
Chinese vessels conduct dangerous manoeuvres against the Philippines
On 11 February, the Philippine Coast Guard reported Chinese vessels were conducting dangerous manoeuvres during a nine-day patrol. The Philippine vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua was deployed on 03 February near the waters of Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The reef became a case of dispute between the two countries when Beijing seized the island under its control in 2012. The PCG said that the ships were “four Chinese maritime militia vessels”, who were chasing the Philippine ships on more than 40 occasions. China claims the entire island and its surroundings in the South China Sea. Both countries have agreed to deal with bilateral maritime issues in January 2024. (“Philippine coast guard accuses Chinese vessels of ‘dangerous’ manoeuvres,” The Straits Times, 11 February 2024)

Tesla debuts its car sales in Thailand to counter its Chinese rivals
On 07 February, Tesla launched its popular Model 3 and Model Y EV cars in Thailand to compete against its Chinese competitor BYD. The company says that it offers its latest navigation systems and other features at competitive prices for Thai consumers. Tesla says that it will open its first Service Center and Supercharger station in Thailand by March and plans to have at least 10 set up in the country in 2023. Nithi Thuamprathom, an auto expert says that Tesla’s latest car launch will give a massive boost to Thailand’s market, which will give an edge over its rival BY Dover pricing and brand value. (Tassanee Vejpongsa And Tian Mcleod Ji, “Tesla launches in Thailand ,vying to compete with China EVs,” Associated Press, 07 February 2024)

CHINA & SOUTH ASIA
Beijing threatens Tibetan exiles with repressive policies
On 10 February, according to a report by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), the Chinese government continues to implement repressive policies in Tibet. The Tibetans are subjected to spying, blackmail and threats against family members still living in Tibet. China uses Transnational repression to suppress the voices of Tibetans, Hongkongers and Uyghurs outside its borders. According to the report, there are an estimated 125,000 Tibetans in total living in exile. The suppression policies undermined solidarity among the Tibetan diaspora and reduced their ability to mobilize against Chinese policies in Tibet. (Jessie Lau, “Beijing accused of using spying, threats and blackmail against Tibetan exiles,” The Guardian, 10 February 2024)

CHINA & AFRICA
Chinese presence in Mali purely economic, says SCMP
On 11 February, an editorial in South China Morning Post titled, “China tipped to keep Mali ties strictly economic as UN peacekeeping mission wraps up,” by Jevans Nyabiage reported on the Chinese peacekeeping force leaving Mali in December of 2023. They came as part of the US peacekeeping mission, and in 2023 it ended its 10-year peacekeeping mission. With the exit of French troops, Mali’s Junta is warming up to China and Russia. In December, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted Mali’s minister of finance, commerce and foreign affairs. Wang said the programs Mali Digital project and the African Solar Belt is to: “help promote the peace and development process in Mali.” Stimson Centre analysed that the Chinese presence in Mali is limited to economic and security interests and not to diplomatic and political. (Jevans Nyabiage, “China tipped to keep Mali ties strictly economic as UN peacekeeping mission wraps up,” South China Morning Post, 11 February 2023)

CHINA & EUROPE
Chinese dealing with Russia halted over fear of international sanctions
On 08 February, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko informed that they are trying to resolve the issue of Chinese banks halting their transaction with Russia amid sanction fears. Rudenko informed that while many banks are refraining from transactions, they are ready to continue with Financial Messaging System. Chouzhou Commercial Bank is the world's largest wholesale market and is the main location for Russian exports. The trade with China and the Yuan is the economic lifeline for Russia, in the year 2023, China and Russia traded with USD 240.1 billion. (Kinling Lo, “Chinese banks ‘refrained’ from dealing with Russia over sanctions fears,” South China Morning Post, 11 February 2024)

Other Daily Briefs