CHINA READER DAILY WIRE

In Brief
EXTERNAL
“We will not compete with other developing members,” China at WTO meet
On 15 February, Li Chenggang, Beijing’s ambassador to the WTO, said “We will not compete with other developing members while they try to reach a new World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement on combating overfishing. The current agreement bans subsidies that contribute to fishing that is illegal, unreported, unregulated, or of overfished stock and recognizes special and differential treatment for developing countries. The WTO’s 164 members hope to conclude a second package on subsidy issues on overfishing and over-capacity at the 13th ministerial conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi. Beijing closely watches the meeting as it is one of the main countries granting fishing subsidies under the status of a developing country. Li further added that despite potential challenges during negotiations, China remains committed to securing the new deal. (“China won’t ‘compete’ with other developing nations during WTO fishing talks, subsidies set to be discussed in Abu Dhabi,” South China Morning Post, 16 February 2024

INTERNAL
Journal withdrew 18 Chinese papers over consent concerns, says The Guardian
On 15 February, according to an editorial in The Guardian titled “Genetics journal retracts 18 papers from China due to human rights concerns,” by Amy Hawkins, leading scientific publisher Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine (MGGM) withdrew 18 papers from China due to concerns about human rights. In the review process, investigators found “inconsistencies” between the research and the consent documentation provided by researchers. Investigators are concerned about China’s collection of DNA samples from vulnerable and oppressed populations who may have not consented to the sample collection. This comes after the Chinese government called for universities to submit a list of the retracted papers in the last three years. “Genetics journal retracts 18 papers from China due to human rights concerns,” The Guardian, 15 February 2024)

China urges companies to not fall for lies about Xinjiang, Foreign Ministry
On 15 February, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged companies not to be “blinded by lies” about its human rights record in Xinjiang. Germany’s Handelsblatt financial daily reported that in 2019, forced labour might have been used to build a test track for VW in Turpan, Xinjiang. Beijing’s Foreign Ministry said that the lies are meant with the aim to destabilize Xinjiang. With mounting pressure on VW, the company said it was in talks with its Chinese joint venture partner SAIC “about the future direction of business activities in Xinjiang”. Pressure mounted on VW after German chemicals giant BASF announced it would accelerate its exit from two joint ventures there. (“China urges firms not to be ‘blinded by lies’ over Xinjiang rights record,” The Straits Times, 15 February 2024)

‘A secret policeman on every street,’  says The Economist
On 15 February, an editorial in The Economist titled, “How China stifles dissent without a KGB or Stasi of its own,” looked into the surveillance system of China which keeps its citizens in check. The article lays down the dark side of Chinese police and how it is not equivalent to the Soviet Union KGB. The author asserted that they don’t need it as the Chinese have perfected how to control dissent. It said that they heavily rely on sophisticated surveillance system and follow the method of “preventive repression” where they detect and deter potential threats before they can organize themselves. The Chinese policing system makes use of high technology like facial recognition, digital firewalls in the internet service and algorithm monitoring. Like some other countries they don’t have large secret police but rely on informants who are mostly civilians. The Ministry of Public Security is Chinese local police out of which only a few are part of the political-security protection unit, a force within the force. Other than that, they have the Political and Legal Affairs Commission who take part in surveillance runs and works as stability-maintaining officers deterring dissent, strikes and protests before they start. (“How China stifles dissent without a KGB or Stasi of its own,” The Economist, 15 February 2024)

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Chinese-built aircraft takes test flights during the spring festival
On 15 February, according to CGTN, Chinese aircraft developers conducted key plateau and low-temperature test flights during the Spring Festival. Vice-general manager of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) Zhao Yuhe stated that this period is the last opportunity in 2024 to conduct test flights due to favourable temperatures. China’s largest amphibious aircraft, AG600M, has undergone successful low-temperature test flights. According to AVIC, the test flight of the 13-tonne-class large multipurpose civil helicopter AC313A was completed in Mohe, Northern China. Also, the Modern Ark 60 firefighting aircraft completed a minimum altitude water test flight in Suining County, East China. (“Multiple China-built aircraft undergo crucial test flights during Spring Festival,” CGTN, 15 February 2024)

CHINA & TAIWAN
Top US lawmakers to visit Taiwan
On 16 February, according to a report in the Financial Times, Mike Gallagher, head of the US House China committee, will visit Taipei on 21 February with a group of lawmakers in a show of support for Lai Ching-te ahead of his inauguration as president of Taiwan in May 2024. The visit comes after the elections in Taiwan and the victory of Lai, whom Beijing denounced as a “dangerous separatist”. Gallagher’s delegation is expected to meet Lai in addition to Han Kuo-yu, the newly elected legislative Speaker from the opposition Kuomintang party. Gallagher’s committee focuses on threats from China and voices support for Taiwan amid the growing military threat by Beijing against the island country. (Demetri Sevastopulo and Kathrin Hille, “US lawmakers set for Taipei visits in show of support for Taiwan,” Financial Times, 16 February 2024)

CHINA & SOUTHEAST ASIA
Thailand to impose tax on cheap Chinese goods
On 15 February, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ordered officials to levy VAT on goods priced at less than 1,500 baht (USD 56) routed through tax-free zones to prevent false declarations. He said cheap Chinese goods were also making their way into Southeast Asian nations through e-commerce platforms and smuggling. The move aims to protect local firms that cannot compete against Chinese products on price. Thai Chamber of Commerce chairman Sanan Angubolkul said that the import of cheap Chinese goods has impacted the sales of local small and medium-sized enterprises. According to the Thai Commerce Ministry data, China was Thailand’s largest trade partner in 2023, with a total trade value of USD 105 billion (USD141 billion) and a USD 36.6 billion trade deficit. (“Thailand weighs tax on cheap Chinese goods hurting local firms,” The Straits Times, 15 February 2024)

Impact of Indonesian elections on ties with China
On 16 February, according to an editorial in the South China Morning Post, titled “Indonesia-China ties: will president-elect Prabowo confront Beijing or maintain Widodo’s economic deals?,” by Amy Sood, Resty Woro Yuniar, and Anand Mathai, following the announced victory of Indonesia Defence Minister Prabawo Subianto, there is a growing debate on the impact of the country’s ongoing presidential elections on Indonesia-China relations. Tom Pepinsky, a professor and director of the Southeast Asia Programme at Cornell University, said that Prabawo will continue with the country’s non-alignment stance in its foreign policy outlook. Nur Rachmat Yuliantoro, head of the IR department at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, said that Indonesia will maintain its non-aligned position to benefit from both the superpowers and sees China as a counterweight to the US. He added that Indonesia will unlikely reverse its existing ties with China. Prabowo will face a huge challenge in the South China Sea as it faces security concerns in the North Natuna Islands. (Amy Sood, Resty Woro Yuniar, and Anand Mathai, “Indonesia-China ties: will president-elect Prabowo confront Beijing or maintain Widodo’s economic deals?,” South China Morning Post, 16 February 2024

Philippines ready for a peaceful settlement of the South China Sea dispute
On 15 February, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said that The Philippines is firmly committed to negotiations for a code of conduct between China and Southeast Asian countries to avert confrontations in the South China Sea. He added that tensions in the South China Sea were not all about a rivalry between the United States and China. But that the Philippines and others had legitimate rights and interests to be upheld. He also voiced concerns about the regional tensions in Taiwan and urged for peaceful conduct by all parties. The code of conduct was launched decades ago, but the negotiation process was initiated in 2017. It failed to continue due to Beijing’s repeated assertion of its sovereign claims over 90 per cent of the South China Sea, despite the ruling by the international arbitration court. (“Philippines committed to South China Sea code of conduct,” The Straits Times, 16 February 2024)

CHINA & SOUTH ASIA
India deepens its ties with UAE and Qatar to deter Chinese, argues an analysis in Nikkei Asia
On 13 February, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi to deepen bilateral ties between the two countries, says Nikkie Asia. The two leaders agreed to advance the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), signed during the G 20 conference in September 2023. The corridor becomes significant due to the UAE’s strategic location in the Gulf. The close ties with Gulf countries will boost India’s energy security. On 15 February, PM Modi also visited Qatar to meet leader Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani and discussed energy and investment. For the Middle East, India presents an opportunity as the world’s largest economy. (Shuntaro Fukutomi and Satoshi Iwaki, “India's Modi woos UAE and Qatar to counter China in Middle East,” Nikkei Asia, 15 February 2024)

CHINA & THE PACIFIC
Pacific countries warn against delayed US funding amid growing Chinese interest
On 15 February, Reuters reported that the leaders of Pacific countries are increasingly concerned over the delayed US funding. The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Marshall Islands (RMI) and Palau agreed to a 20-year funding initiative with the US. The agreement stated that the US would provide funding in return they would gain exclusive access to the Pacific over China. Despite the negotiation, the funding seems to be stuck, as it is yet to be approved by Congress. The leaders of the Pacific countries warned the US over the growing interest of China in the region and that they are actively looking to shift their allegiance. (“Anxious about US funding delay, Pacific Island nations warn about China,” Reuters, 16 February 2024)

CHINA & AFRICA
Chinese interest in Africa “driven by the metal and mining sector,” says SCMP
On 16 February, an editorial in the South China Morning Post titled, “Global green transition is re-energising China’s investments in Africa after pandemic slowdown,” by Jevans Nyabiage looked into the global green initiative, expediting Chinese investments in Africa. In recent years China has increased its import of metal and mineral from the industries it invested in Africa. Griffith Asia Institute found that the African countries that are part of the BRI are estimated to have a 47 per cent increase in Chinese infrastructure investment in 2023. The editorial stated that the race for raw minerals increased in light of more countries transitioning towards a greener energy source. The major technologies vital for this transition are electric vehicles, batteries and the renewable energy industry. Griffith Asia Institute stated that the investments by China are: “driven by the metal and mining sector.” (Jevans Nyabiage, “Global green transition is re-energising China’s investments in Africa after pandemic slowdown,” South China Morning Post, 16 February 2024)

CHINA & EUROPE
China detains citizens on espionage charges for working with a US-based company
On 15 February, an article in The Guardian reported on the Chinese government detaining its citizens working for a US-based company on espionage charges. The probe is Emily Chen, who worked for Safe Ports, a US company as a freelancer. Chen’s work was described as purely administrative according to Safe Ports’s CEO Lucy Duncan. The company planned to open in Dalian but didn’t majorly because of the growing hostile environment for foreign firms in China. The company Safe Port have previously worked with the US Department of Defence, to supply troops in Afghanistan. Chen is detained under residential surveillance, holding her for up to six months without any contact with her family or lawyer. (“China holds citizen on spying charges after she did ‘admin’ work for US company,” The Guardian, 15 February 2024)

CHINA & THE AMERICAS
The US House of Representatives passed bills on Chinese human rights issues and Asia-Pacific cooperation
On 15 February the US House of Representatives, dominated by the Republicans passed three bills on China on human rights issues and the security cooperation of the US Indo-Pacific allies. The first bill was introduced by Republican Young Kim of California, wanting to authorize an action plan to protect the Uygur Muslims in the Xinjiang region from the alleged abuse by the PRC. The second bill was supported by Massachusetts Democrat Jim McGovern who wanted to amend the Tibetan Policy Act of 2022 and counter China’s misinformation about the region. The last one was proposed by House Foreign Affairs Committee, Gregory Meeks advising to form of an inter-parliamentary working group with Australia, India and Japan. The bills need to be passed by the fully democratic-dominated Senate before they go to US President Joe Biden. (“US House passes 3 bills on China human rights, Asia-Pacific cooperation,” South China Morning Post, 16 February 2024)

EAST ASIA & THE PACIFIC READER

EAST ASIA
Kim Yo Jong approved Japanese PM Fumio Kishida’s suggestion to visit Pyongyang
On 15 February, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong supported Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s comments in a positive light. She said: “There is no impediment to closer ties with Japan and there may come a day when Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visits Pyongyang.” Kishida expressed earlier that he wanted to explore the possibility of meeting the North Koreans and resolving the issue of Japanese civilians abducted in the 1970s and 80s. Kim Yo Jong stated that the statements are positive if Japan plans to advance their relations. She said; “If Japan... makes a political decision to open a new path for improving ties based on mutual respect and respectful behaviour, it is my view that the two countries can open a new future.” (“North Korean leader’s sister says Japan PM’s comments positive: Report,” The Straits Times, 15 February 2024)