Daily Briefs


Photo : South China Morning Post

China Reader Evening Brief | 04 November 2021, Thursday | Vol.1, No. 29

Zhinag Yiming, the founder of ByteDance steps down as Chairman

ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming has steeped down as chairman of the TikTok owner and in May 2022 he would also step down as CEO

IN BRIEF
By Keerthana Nambiar and Avishka Ashok

INTERNAL
Zhinag Yiming, the founder of ByteDance steps down as Chairman
On 3 November, Reuters reported that the ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming has steeped down as chairman of the TikTok owner and in May 2022 he would also step down as CEO. The new development comes in as ByteDance announced a major reshuffle to create six business units. This has recently become a pattern in China wherein a number of China’s well-known tech firm’s founders have stepped down from their positions. The trend is amid the wide-ranging clampdown by the Chinese regulators on overseeing the daily operations of the Chinese tech firms. (“ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming steps down as chairman - source,” Reuters, 3 November, 2021)

Hong Kong court finds leader of pro-democracy group guilty
On 03 November, a Hong Kong court found Tony Chung, the founder of a pro-independence group 'Studentlocalism' guilty of secession and money laundering. The activist was charged for his actions during the 2019 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong where he distributed pro-independence t-shirts, flags and books. He was taken into custody in 2020 from a coffee shop near US consulate. At the time, he was seeking political asylum at the center. He was declared guilty as per the new National Security Law passed in Hong Kong in June 2020. ("Hong Kong activist who tried to seek asylum at US consulate found guilty of secession," The Guardian, 03 November 2021)

Government honours scientists for their technological contributions  
On 3 November, aircraft designer Gu Songfen and nuclear expert Wang Dazhong won the top science award for their contribution to scientific and technological innovations. The ceremony was conducted in Beijing where 264 projects were highlighted and honoured. Over 61 individuals won the State Technological Invention Award and 157 individuals won the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award. Gu led the development of China’s J-8 and J-11 fighter jets and also played a major role in China’s weaponry and aviation industry. Dazhong was appreciated for his dedication to the research and development of advanced nuclear energy technologies. (China honors distinguished scientists, sci-tech innovations,” Xinhua Net, 3 November 2021)

ECONOMY
China’s Evergrande Group completed the delivery of homes to 57,462 owners
On 3 November, the Evergrande Group declared that the company completed the delivery of 184 property projects in the period of July to October. In the statement released by the firm, the Evergrande Group who was once China’s top-selling developer delivered homes to 57,462 owners. (“China Evergrande completes delivery of 184 projects in July-Oct,” Reuters, 3 November 2021)

TECHNOLOGY
China launches remote sensing satellites
On 3 November, the second group of Yaogan-32 satellites, the remote sensing satellites, were launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China. The country used the Long March-2C rocket with an attached upper stage to launch the satellites. The satellites successfully entered the planned orbit. (“China launches remote-sensing satellite group,” Xinhua Net, 3 November 2021)

INTERNATIONAL
Foreign Ministry spokesperson urges countries to fulfill their promises to climate change
On 3 November, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin urged the developed countries to intensify their actions towards resolving the climate crisis and also ensure the fulfilment of their promises to developing countries. Wenbin accused the developed countries of being the biggest contributors to the rapid global warming and large-scale environmental degradation and urged them to extend their help to initiate the environmental conservation in developing countries. He said: “Finance is the key to solving the climate change problem, and developed countries fulfilling financial commitments represents a major concern for developing countries.” He noted that an increasing number of countries were unable to keep up with their promises and pushed them to earnestly work towards their goals. (“China urges developed countries to intensify efforts on climate change,” Xinhua Net, 3 November 2021)

China opposes the US Federal Communications Commission’s decision to revoke the license of China Telecom
On 3 November, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technologies (MIIT) declared that “it strongly opposed the US government's decision to revoke a license of China Telecom Americas and it will take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.” The response came in after the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on 2 November released an order asking China Telecom Americas to discontinue services within the period of 60 days. MIIT stated that China Telecom Americas has been abiding by US law and regulations for the past 20 years it has been operating in the US. MIIT further accused the US of breaching the international economic trade rules and suppressing the Chinese enterprises under the pretext of national security. The Ministry further urged FCC to withdraw its decision and treat Chinese firms in a just a nondiscriminatory manner. (“China strongly opposes US move to revoke telecom license,” China Daily, 3 November 2021: “China opposes U.S. revocation of licence for China Telecom,” Reuters, 3 November 2021)

Scientists encourage global cooperate at World Laureates Forum
On 3 November, Xinhua Net reported that world scientists called for global cooperation on issues related to climate change at the 4th World Laureates Forum in Shanghai. At the forum, the delegates discussed dual carbon governance and collectively debated ways to resolve issues related to storage of renewable energy, carbon sink and ensuring economic growth along with reducing carbon emissions. Stephen Chu, a 1997 laureate said: “rising temperature is the main environmental risk facing humanity. The best solution is cutting greenhouse gas emissions through the development of renewable energy.” The laureates from China and around the world encouraged countries to share their ideas and technology to jointly combat the climate risks. (“China Focus: Top scientists discuss carbon governance at World Laureates Forum,” Xinhua Net, 03 November 2021)

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