HIGHLIGHTS

CHINA & CENTRAL ASIA
Beijing conducts the first China-Kazakhstan FM Strategic Dialogue
On 29 March, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held the first China-Kazakhstan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue with Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu in Beijing. Wang Yi said that the two sides would work together to advance trust, support, and assistance among the neighbouring countries. He also highlighted China’s desire to increase trade under the BRI for a sustainable and resilient trade corridor. Nurtleu said that Kazakhstan supports China’s diplomatic initiatives and will work with China to address Xinjiang-related issues. He also agreed to more significant exchanges among the people. The two sides also agreed to enhance cooperation against interference and infiltration, upgrade law-enforcement and security cooperation, continue to improve and strengthen the China-Central Asia mechanism and support each other in the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and other multilateral frameworks. (“China, Kazakhstan hold first foreign ministers' strategic dialogue,” CGTN, 30 March 2024)

CHINA & THE AMERICAS
Xi woo American CEOs, assuring that the Chinese economy is on track, says an Opinion in Financial Times
On 30 March, the Financial Times published an Opinion, titled, “China’s Xi Jinping plays salesman-in-chief in meeting with US CEOs,” Joe Leahy and Sun Yu looking into Chinese President Xi Jinping’s meeting with US CEOs discussing the future of investments in China. The op-ed stated that the President welcomed 18 American CEOs from majors like Blackstone’s Stephen Schwarzman and Qualcomm’s Cristiano Amon amongst others. President of the National Committee on US-China Relations Steve Orlins elaborated on the meeting and informed that Xi Jinping received the guest in a friendly manner with a tinge of persuasion in his tone. Orlin stated that and why wouldn’t he, as trillions of dollars were at stake, that is vital for investment and revenue, and therefore he wanted to show that their economy is resilient. The meeting comes in light of a flailing Chinese economy and troubled geopolitical tension. Xi according to Orlin was adamant that their economy was still on track and it was not going back to the old model, quoting Xi. He also stressed that China is now focused on high-quality growth and that they have recognized they have problems. Xi also touched on a range of issues, from over-securitization to fentanyl sales. (“China’s Xi Jinping plays salesman-in-chief in meeting with US CEOs,” Financial Times, 30 March 2024) 

INTERNAL
Xi Jinping promotes PLA’s security chief to General rank
On 28 March, Chinese President Xi Jinping promoted the head of the Central Military Commission’s Political and Legal Affairs Commission, Wang Renhu, to the highest rank of general. His sudden promotion comes amid the recent purge of senior military officers and leaders within the PLA due to the CCP’s corruption campaign. In December 2023, nine officers from the PLA Rocket Force were dismissed from China’s NPC. Also, the former defence minister Li Shangfu was unexpectedly sacked and removed from CMC in February 2023. A former instructor at the Taiwanese naval academy Lu Li-shih said that Xi’s recent move would give more power to Wang and the CMC in the trials of senior generals. The PLA’s National Defence University president, Xiao Tianliang, was also promoted to general. Wang previously served as director of the political unit at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the Gobi Desert and as deputy head of the PLA Ground Force political work department. In 2017, he became chief of the graft-buster of the PLA Navy’s East Sea Fleet. (Vanessa Cai, “Chinese military’s security chief Wang Renhua elevated to top rank of general,” South China Morning Post, 29 March 2024)

CHINA READER DAILY WIRE 

INTERNAL 
China claims positive shift in its economy, says a WSJ Opinion
On 29 March, according to an opinion in The Wall Street Journal, Chinese leaders proclaimed the positives about the Chinese economy at the Boao Forum for Asia. They highlighted the shifting global economy paradigm towards China and Asia away from the US-led West. Jason noted little mention of domestic economic crises like the real estate crisis and local debt rise. He stated that the reduced foreign demand is the reason for an economic slowdown. Jason also noted that China’s claims contradicted the negative prospects of an unresolved property crisis by economists in the short term and the declining population and contestation with the West in the long term. The Wall Street Journal quoted the IMF, which predicted a growth rate of 3.4 per cent for the slowing Chinese economy. Foreign economists forecast China’s over-reliance on investments and exports to boost its economy, leading to a glut of Chinese products within the domestic market. Jason mentioned China’s increased focus on development via new productive forces in critical sectors such as EVs and renewable energy has raised concerns among Western countries. (Jason Douglas, “China Gives Business Leaders Sunnier View of Its Economy on Island Getaway,” The Wall Street Journal, 29 March 2024)

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Huawei and Chery Automobile to mass deliver electric sedan
On 30 March, Chinese tech giant Huawei and Chery Automobile began mass-delivering its co-developed Luxeed S7 electric sedan amid a shortage of semiconductors and production issues. The managing director and chairman of Huawei's smart car solutions, Richard Yu, said that many vehicles are ready for delivery to customers. Reuters reports that Chery lodged a complaint with Huawei over the production issues with a computing unit made by the tech company, resulting in delays in delivering the vehicle. Currently, the S7 sedan has orders up to 20,000 units until November 2023 and is priced at 249,800 yuan (USD34,600). Due to US sanctions, Huawei is diversifying its consumer segment and income to other businesses, such as smart car components, to boost its growth. (“Huawei says Chery's Luxeed S7 premium EV starts mass delivery,” Reuters, 30 March 2024)

CHINA & SOUTHEAST ASIA
Indonesia’s new President to visit China
On 29 March, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China announced that the newly elected Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will visit China next week. This will be his first visit to a key trading partner outside of Indonesia. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Prabowo will visit China from 31 March to 2 April. His visit announcement came after President Xi congratulated Prabowo for winning the elections and said that China's ties with Indonesia are of greater importance. China is the largest FDI source in Indonesia and constructed a high-speed line in 2023. (“Indonesian president-elect Prabowo to visit China,” The Straits Times, 30 March 2024)

CHINA & SOUTH ASIA
In Pakistan, China halts activities at the hydropower project in Pakistan
On 29 March, The Economic Times reported that a Chinese company named Power Construction Corporation of China (PCCC) halted its construction activities after a deadly suicide attack that killed five Chinese nationals at the Dasu hydropower project in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The incident was caused by a vehicle carrying explosives hitting a bus carrying six people. It was the second suicide attack on individuals working on China-backed projects in the region since 2021. PCCC has been supervising the construction of the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project and has decided to suspend the operations and laid off 2,000 workers due to security concerns. The general secretary of the Awami Labour Union at the project assured that the delay in the project's completion timeline would be minimal. The Tarbela extension project (T5) is scheduled for completion by May 2026. The Dasu Dam project was being developed by the China Gezhouba group with funding from the World Bank. Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a joint investigation and ensured the safety of Chinese citizens working on projects across the country. (“Chinese company halts work on Pakistan Hydropower project after deadly terror attack,” The Economic Times, 29 March 2024)

EAST ASIA & THE PACIFIC READER

EAST ASIA
“UN Security Council can no longer use old templates,” Russia veto’s UN review committee for accessing sanction imposed on North Korea, Foreign Ministry of Russia
On 29 March, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that the global powers need to have a new approach towards Pyongyang and accused the US and its allies of exacerbating military tensions in the region. Russia vetoed the renewal of the expert panel to monitor the long-standing sanctions imposed by the United Nations against North Korea, on nuclear weapons and ballistic missile development. This veto underplays all the efforts made by the UN to impose sanctions to curb North Korean nuclear capabilities. North Korea was able to earn this stance by growing increasingly closer to Russia and the West turned its back against Moscow over the Russia-Ukraine war.  Maria said: “It is obvious to us that the UN Security Council can no longer use old templates in relation to the problems of the Korean Peninsula,” and that “The United States and its allies have clearly demonstrated that their interest does not extend beyond the task of ‘strangling’ the DPRK by all available means, and a peaceful settlement is not on the agenda at all.” The US State Department in response said that the Russian veto undermines international peace and security, and accused Russia of biased burying of the report owing to its own collusion with Pyongyang. The US State Department issued: “Russia alone will own the outcome of this veto: a DPRK more emboldened to reckless behaviour and destabilizing provocations, as well as reduced prospects for an enduring peace on the Korean Peninsula.” (“After the veto, Russia says big powers need to stop ‘strangling’ North Korea,” The Straits Times, 30 March 2024)

South Korean Prime Minister discuss doctor's strike with top general hospital heads
On 29 March, South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo held a meeting with heads of the top five general hospitals in South Korea. Han discussed the ways the hospitals can cope with the staff shortage in the hospital, and the doctor's strike goes on. The doctor's strike and walkout entered the second month and 13000 trainee doctors protested. The South Korean government regardless still stands strongly with its plan to incorporate 2000 doctors’ slots in medical schools, to alleviate the doctor shortage. Leader of doctors' strike lobby Dr Lim Hyun-taek said: “The ruling party is clearly to blame for this situation,” the doctors on strike believe that the enrollment would not solve the fundamental problem in the healthcare system. The general public seems to be siding with the government. (“South Korean PM meets heads of country’s top hospitals over doctors walkout,” The Straits Times, 29 March 2024)

US-funded media outlet Radio Free Asia stops all functions in light of the new Article 23 imposition
On 29 March, the US-funded Radio Free Asia (RFA) announced that it would close its Hong Kong office, over the concerns after the imposition of the controversial Article 23. The RFA President Bay Fang expressed that the recent actions by the Hong Kong authorities, which include referring to RFA as a “foreign force,” have raised questions about their operationality and safety in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong authorities when emailed about the same they refused to comment but stated that they “condemn all scaremongering and smearing remarks,” and that “To single out Hong Kong and suggest that journalists would only experience concerns when operating here but not in other countries would be grossly biased, if not outrageous.” The US State Department issued that the RFA’s decision showcases the consequences of such controversial law and the suppression of media. They said: “We remain deeply concerned about the deterioration in protection for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the systematic dismantling of Hong Kong’s autonomy under the national security law and recently passed Article 23 legislation.” The RFA has been working in Hong Kong since 1996, a year before Hong Kong was reverted to British Colony to be under Chinese rule. (“US-funded Radio Free Asia shuts down in Hong Kong over safety concerns,” The Guardian, 30 March 2024)

THE PACIFIC
Australia banked carbon credits with underperforming reforestation projects, reports The Straits Times
On 28 March, The Straits Times reported that Australia’s world-leading reforestation project has been underperforming. The Australian reforestation program planned for forest regeneration in the vast land of the Australian desert. The initiative aimed to offset emissions by growing more trees in the region. It was found that 80 per cent of the plantation plans for forest growth, were either stagnant or the woodlands were shrinking. Despite this Australia has been able to use the initiative to collect major carbon credits. Australia set aside 42 million ha of land under the scheme, the area larger than the landmass of Japan. (“‘Gross failure’: Researchers claim Australia is selling carbon credits that don’t exist,” The Straits Times, 28 March 2024)