IN FOCUS
By Dincy Adlakha 
Xi Jinping’s new year address: Three Takeaways

On 31 December 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed all the members of the Communist Party of China. The address was arranged virtually and was meant to encourage the party for its extraordinary performance in 2021 and also encourage the members for 2022.

What did Xi say?
The president had three important messages.

1. 2021 was a year of exceptional significance.
President Xi started by congratulating the party for its journey and recalled that 2021 brought with its great landmarks and progress. From the Centenary celebrations of the party’s formation to the beginning of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, President Xi appreciated the developments in 2021.

He also noted that China is a country with amicable and respectable people and is making its way through development. China invested efforts in research, enterprises, communities, schools, hospitals and achieved progress in all its undertakings.

2. Great priorities ahead: Poverty alleviation, Housing, Education and Medical insurance
President Xi emphasized that China has a myriad of issues at hand. He admitted that his in-person visits to multiple provinces and autonomous regions throughout the year have helped him identify important priorities for the country.

According to him, poverty alleviation remains a top priority for China. Staging it as his personal belief as well, he mentioned that food, housing, education, medical insurance should not be the worries for any person or family. Hence, he asked his fellow party members to persevere through the tough times to achieve this goal.

Additionally, he also mentioned that respecting Mother Nature and treating the rivers right is important. Space exploration, COVID-19 response, activities of the PLA, prosperity and sincerity of Hong Kong and Macao, international cooperation were his other identified priorities.

3. China is ready.
President Xi said: “The world is turning its eyes to China, and China is ready.” He said this while encouraging the preparations for the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games. He also signaled to all other fields where efforts are being invested such as the three taikonauts in outer space, diplomatic and business representatives overseas and others working for China. He encouraged collective spirit for a shared future.

President Xi’s message was clear to not only the party members but also the world. It encouraged and set in a positive tone for 2022 - a year full of prosperity, peace and harmony for China and its people.

What does Xi’s message mean?
President Xi set an active tone in the party for the upcoming year. His message was concentrated around the greatness of the party and the country’s achievements. He has made sure that China leaves a mark in international politics and community in 2021. His message displays that he intends to continue a similar spirit and further the Chinese characteristics in all domains. The message rises from a sense of pride for the year that was and conveys the collective spirit to achieve the pinnacle of the Chinese characteristics. According to the speech, it can be inferred that China sees itself as a strong player in the world. However, it also hopes to advance through the collective and cultural underpinnings of national interest rather than malicious intent of overtaking global dominance.

References:
“Full text: Chinese President Xi Jinping's 2022 New Year address,” China Global Television Network, 31 December 2021

IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok and Keerthana Nambiar 

INTERNAL
President Xi Jinping signs the fourth mobilization order for military training
On 4 January, Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a mobilization order for the training of the armed forces. President Xi stressed the need for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to inculcate the latest technologies in training for future wars. According to Xinhua, the order read: “The armed forces must closely follow the evolution of technology, warfare and rivals, redouble their efforts to better combine training with combat operations, and strengthen systematic training and the use of technologies to develop an elite force that is capable of fighting and winning wars.” Coming into power in 2012, Xi Jinping has brought in major reforms and this is the fourth mobilization order after the one in 2018. (“Xi signs mobilization order for military training” Xinhua Net, 4 January 2022; “Xi Jinping stresses the need for PLA to increase training in new technologies,” South China Morning Post, 5 January 2022)

China pushes P5 joint statement on global nuclear responsibility
On 4 January, the P5 members released a joint statement that said the five countries “reiterate the validity of our previous statements on de-targeting and reaffirming that none of our nuclear weapons are targeted at each other or at any other state.” The Director-General of the Department of Arms Control at China’s Foreign Affairs Ministry stated that China has pushed for this joint statement with the P5 members. USA, UK, Russia, France and China have led the nuclear-weapon states and have agreed on preventing nuclear war. Global Times reports that China has led through this statement and argued for avoiding an arms race since “a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.” (Liu Xuanzun, Fan Anqi and Bai Yunyi, “China shows global responsibility on nukes,” Global Times, 4 January 2022)

ECONOMY
In 2021 China makes railway investments up to USD 117.4
On 4 January, the data released from China State Railway Group Co., Ltd revealed that in 2021, China built new rail tracks with the fixed-asset investment of USD 117.4 (748.9 billion yuan). China’s achievement in high-speed rail technology and construction improves its economic capability strengthening the domestic and regional transport networks. (“China's fixed-asset investment in railways hits 117.4 bln USD in 2021,” Xinhua Net, 4 January 2021)

TECHNOLOGY
China set to tighten cybersecurity regulations on offshore listings
On 4 January, Global Times reported that China is set to tighten the rules for Chinese companies that seek overseas IPOs if they have the data of over one million users. The move follows a tough crackdown on Chinese firms imposed by the US. This latest amendment to the Cybersecurity Review Measures will be implemented from 15 February. According to this measure, the companies will have to undergo a security review before they can list their shares in foreign countries. (“China proposes tighter rules on offshore listings,” Global Times, 4 January 2022)

Cyberspace Administration of China issues a new draft on security assessment of apps on mobile phones
On 5 January, the Cyberspace Administration of China issued a draft concerning mobile phones regarding the need for security reviewing of applications that influence public opinion. In recent months, China’s cyber body has issued a lot of regulations in the technological arena and has increased the monitoring of Chinese tech companies. The new draft does not specify the apps that will undergo security assessment and mentioned that the new regulations would be applicable to any kind of text, image, voice recording, video etc. According to Reuters, the regulator said: “mobile app providers must not conduct activities that endanger national security, or force users to share non-essential personal information.” (“China drafts rules on security reviews for apps influencing public opinion,” Reuters, 5 January 2022)

REGIONAL
Taiwan conducts Airforce drill exercise in Taiwan’s ADIZ
On 5 January, the Taiwanese Air force placed itself in Taiwan’s ADIZ where China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has shown its repeated presence. Over the last few months, Taiwan has been monitoring and patrolling Chinese military aircraft interventions and has termed China’s activities as ‘grey zone’ warfare. The three-day drill exercise was conducted by Taiwan’s Airforce was to reflect on Taiwan’s readiness for a battle and showcase its strength to China. (“Taiwan air force stages drill to intercept Chinese planes amid tensions,” Reuters, 5 January 2022) 

INTERNATIONAL
International rights groups criticize Tesla showroom in Xinjiang
On 5 January, the Council on American-Islamic Relations criticized Tesla for opening a showroom in Xinjiang and said that Tesla is “supporting genocide.” Similar remarks were made by US trade groups. The criticizing remarks come in after Tesla’s New Year’s Eve announcement of opening a showroom in Xinjiang. Over the past few years, many firms have received heat for conducting business in Xinjiang due to the allegations of violating the human rights of Uyghur Muslims in the province. Tesla is the latest firm to get caught in these affairs. White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said, without commenting on Tesla, that the private sector should oppose Chinese human rights abuses and genocide in Xinjiang. (“Tesla showroom in China’s Xinjiang region blasted by rights groups,” The Asahi Shimbun, 5 January 2022)

China donated 1 million COVID-19 vaccines to Syria
On 4 January, The Syrian Health Ministry announced that it has received a batch of 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from China. China has previously offered several batches of the vaccine to Syria and helped in launching multiple vaccination campaigns. The delivery ceremony was attended by the Syrian Health Minister and Chinese Ambassador to Syria. This was the latest shipment of a series of aid exports from China to Syria since the pandemic began. (“Syria receives 1 mln COVID-19 vaccines donated by China,” Xinhua Net, 4 January 2022)