CHINA READER DAILY WIRE

In Brief
INTERNAL
Declining birth rate threatens the teaching sector, the “iron rice bowl”
On 13 February, an editorial in South China Morning Post titled, “China population: teachers face uncertain future with falling birth rate set to create 1.9 million surpluses by 2035,” by Mandy Zuo outlined the issue facing the teaching sector in China as the birthrate sees a slump. Zuo informed that once the most sought-after job, teaching was considered the “iron rice bowl” of China. But today with a steady decline in birthrate it is expected that there will be a surplus of teachers and many will lose their jobs. It is expected that the government would recruit fewer teachers owing to financial burdens. China’s Hunan province’s education department came out with a directive urging that resources for education be better allocated based on birth rate, urbanisation and the children enrolled. The surplus would lead to institutions and schools reducing class size which would mean better teacher-student interaction, but threatening for private schools where these ratios are already followed. (Mandy Zuo, “China population: teachers face uncertain future with falling birth rate set to create 1.9 million surplus by 2035,” South China Morning Post, 13 February 2024)

Chinese universities to declare retractions and research misconduct
On 12 February, Nature a science journal reported on China conducting a nationwide review of research misconducts and retractions. Chinese universities as asked to submit a list of academic articles that were retracted from English and Chinese journals within the past three years by 15 February. They requested to clarify why where these papers were retracted to further investigate if they were any misconduct. The initiative comes in light of Hindawi a London-based publisher, retracted many research papers by Chinese authors. An analysis by Nature estimates that 9,600 retractions took place in 2023 out of which 8,200 were Chinese. The individuals would be required to defend themselves and would face penalties if found guilty with salary and bonus cuts. (“China conducts first nationwide review of retractions and research misconduct,” Nature, 12 February 2024)

EXTERNAL
There are limits to China, Russia and Iran’s cooperation with the Taliban, says VOA
On 12 February, an editorial in Voice of America (VOA) titled, “Analysts See Limits to China, Iran, Russia Collaboration With Taliban,” by Roshan Noorzai and Zheela Noori, looked into the relationship of the three countries with the Afghan Taliban de facto government. The op-ed stated that since the inception of the Afghan government, the three countries have steadily forged relationships with the Taliban. They were the first ones to keep their embassies open in Kabul and hand over their embassies at home to the Taliban. They engaged in high-level conferences on cooperation with the Taliban. The analysis found that there is one idea that brings all four countries together and that is anti-American sentiments. A US State Department strategy document outlined it as: “strategic and economic advantage, or at a minimum, to put the U.S. at a disadvantage.” However, they believe that this is not enough and that differences do exist between these countries and the Taliban, even though they have tactical alliances but have persisting strategic differences. (Roshan Noorzai, Zheela Noori, “Analysts See Limits to China, Iran, Russia Collaboration With Taliban,” VOA, 12 February 2024)

CHINA & TAIWAN
“We certainly don’t want to see a situation where Chinese are killing Chinese,” says Tiankai
On 12 February, the South China Morning Post reported on comments made by Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs advisor and longest-standing former Chinese ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai. He said that China will not fall into someone else’s trap to kickstart a war with Taiwan and that they do not want to see the Chinese killing the Chinese. He advised that the Asian countries should step up and control the regional tensions. On the recent Taiwanese elections, he expressed that they will achieve reunification one way or the other. He also made reference to the US arms sales to Taiwan and accused them of encouraging proxy war, but iterated that they would not fall into the trap. (Yuanyue Dang, “China will not fall into ‘trap’ of war in Taiwan strait: former envoy cui tiankai,” South China Morning Post, 12 February 2024)

CHINA & SOUTH ASIA
Nepal: Civil society  sceptic against BRI
On 12 February, The Economic Times reported of concerns in Kathmandu over increased Chinese presence and scepticism towards BRI. There have been several civil societies protests in Nepal in the town of Pokhara. The location is strategic, as China invested in infrastructure building of the new airport as part of their BRI initiative. These protests were conducted by Rastriya Ekta Abhiyan, as they wanted to create awareness and express apprehensions towards BRI. The organization believes that there might be an ulterior motives for their presence which includes the potential deployment of the army. China claims ownership of the airport amidst mounting debt which Nepal refutes. (Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury, “Concerns escalate in Nepal as China claims BRI ownership over Pokhara airport”, The Economic Times, 12 February 2024)

India almost catching up with China in MSCI's Global Standard Index
On 13 February, according to analysts, India narrowed the gap with China in MSCI's Global Standard index as the index provider raised India's weightage in the index to an all-time high of 18.2 per cent. This move will lead to inflows of USD 1.2 billion in India. Compared with China, its weight fell to 25.4 per cent from 26.6 per cent in 2023. Nuvama Alternative & Quantitative Research said in their note that India’s gain could be linked to its sustained rally in equities and the relative underperformance of other emerging markets, including China. MSCI added five Indian stocks to its Global Standard Index while it removed 66 Chinese stocks. (Bharat Rajeswaran, “India narrows gap with China in key MSCI index with weight hitting a new high,” Reuters, 13 February 2024)

CHINA & AFRICA
Nigerian railway project with China establishes its commitment to Africa, says SCMP
On 13 February, an article in the South China Morning Post outlined that the Nigerian rail project furthers China’s commitment to Africa. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs director general to African Affairs Wu Peng, expressed his full support to the development of Nigerian railways the Kaduna-Kano project. The development comes after Chinese President Xi Jinping affirmed Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima, that they would finance the building of the Abuja-Kano and Port Harcourt-Maiduguri railway projects. They have agreed to provide 85 per cent of the financial support to the railway project while Nigeria is expected to pay the rest 15 per cent. University of Freiburg lecturer Zajontz said: “Considering the intensifying geopolitical competition over African infrastructure, President Xi’s recent commitment to continue to fund Nigeria’s ‘railway renaissance’ is not surprising.” (Jevans Nyabiage, “Nigerian rail projects drive home China’s belt and road commitment to African infrastructure development,” South China Morning Post, 13 February 2024)

CHINA & THE AMERICAS
Chinese migrant detainees at the US border multiplied
On 13 February, Nikkie Asia reported on the increased number of Chinese migrants detained at the US border. The detained number of Chinese migrants at the US border has multiplied in recent years. They trekked through the forest to reach America, ‘the land of the free.’ Most migrants come from Thailand for which they do not require a visa, the members flew to Turkey and Ecuador which also do not need visas for Chinese travellers. From there they trekked and took a vehicle in Mexico. In 2023, 37,000 Chinese migrants were caught at the US border. The economic crisis in China has led to many Chinese citizens taking such drastic steps. (“Chinese migrants flock to U.S. border, driven by economic pressures,” Nikkie Asia, 13 February 2024)

Xi Jinping leading China towards insularity and global isolation, says The Economist
On 12 February, according to an editorial in The Economist titled “Xi Jinping’s paranoia is making China isolated and insular, China is adopting a security-oriented policy making which is making China more inward-looking and making the West anxious of China. China witnessed fewer foreign travellers entering the country, with a drop of 63 per cent compared to pre-COVID levels. With China’s growing isolationism, the US is looking for ways to tackle China’s rise as a global power on the trade and military front. President Biden did not follow up on President Trump’s hard stance against China but limited the export of critical and sensitive technologies to China. Jonathan Adams says that the changes in the political environment within the US had led to a fallout in the ties between the two countries, especially on air travel and collaborative scientific research. There is a growing worrying trend amongst Western businesses to invest in China as it declined from USD 87 billion in 2013 to less than USD 18 billion in 2022. Xi sees it as an “ideological infiltration” by the West. Despite its tensions, the US remains a key partner for China and has been promoting South-South cooperation faster to attract the countries of the Global South to its side. (“Xi Jinping’s paranoia is making China isolated and insular, The Economist, 12 February 2024)

CHINA & THE PACIFIC
Australia to request China for removal of trade barriers and Wang sentence
On February 13, the Australian trade minister said that he would meet with his Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao at a World Trade Organization (WTO) conference in Abu Dhabi. He would push for the removal of restrictions on imported Australian wine, lobsters, and meat, alongside the discussion about the suspended death sentence given to Australian writer Yang Hengjun. He expects this move will not derail the ties between the two countries. Beijing has removed most of the restrictions on Australian exports, which were imposed since COVID-19 restrictions, and some restrictions remain only for fewer items. (“Australia trade minister to ask China to lift barriers, query Wang sentence,” Reuters, 13 February 2024)

EAST ASIA & THE PACIFIC READER

EAST ASIA
Japan bets on climate innovation initiatives for Asia
On 12 February, according to an editorial in The Straits Times titled “Japan stakes its future on climate innovation to help Asia become greener,” by Walter Sim, the Japanese government is betting on clean hydrogen technology, which is at a nascent stage and lower economies of scale. In December 2023, PM Kishida, through the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) framework, which includes Australia and all ASEAN countries except Myanmar, pledged to help Asia become greener by leading the development of new green technologies and necessary legal systems. While its progress in hydrogen technology is shrinking, Japan still possesses the most patents for hydrogen technology globally. Leading Japanese climatologist Mikiko Kainuma said that the country’s pledge in 2020 to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 was instrumental in catalyzing more green innovation in the private sector. (Walter Sim, “Japan stakes its future on climate innovation to help Asia become greener,” The Straits Times, 12 February 2024)

Taiwan’s PSA to expand its market in Southeast Asia
On 13 February, according to an editorial in Nikkei Asia titled “Taiwan's PSA aims to tap server demand boom via Southeast Asia,” by Lauly Li, Taiwanese components supplier Passive System Alliance (PSA) will begin shipping printed circuit boards for servers from its new plant in Malaysia from June or July 2024 to capture the growing demand of its sensitive tech products as part of its supply chain diversification. Ian Yang, president of PSA subsidiary Elna, said that the Malaysian plant will serve as a regional hub to the entire Southeast Asia, and the initial exports will be supplied to Vietnam. PCB is an essential component for manufacturing most of the goods like smartphones, etc., and the majority of the global PCB production hub is in China and Taiwan. PSA is Taiwan's second-largest passive component supplier. Yang said, "Building a new factory overseas is easy, but having a new supply chain ecosystem is very challenging." (Lauly Li, “Taiwan's PSA aims to tap server demand boom via Southeast Asia,” Nikkei Asia, 13 February 2024)

About the Authors
CEAP Team: Femy Francis and Akhil Ajith are Research Assistants at NIAS