IN FOCUS
By Dincy Adlakha 

China’s report on human rights situation in the US

On 28 February, The State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China released “The Report on Human Rights Violations in the United States in 2021.” The report assesses the state of human rights in the US; it includes a foreword and six sections. 

What does the report say?
The report borrows from multiple sources and utilizes statistics presented by US sources like the New York Police Department, New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, Pew Research Centre and other survey organizations from the US.

Utilizing the data coverage from 2021, the report finds that the USA is not an abode or beacon of “healthy democracy”. 

First, the report points out that the US has the most number of COVID-19 cases and deaths. The report finds the administration at fault for “vaccine nationalism” and the hoarding of medical supplies, leaving developing countries without any support to fight the pandemic. The report also finds serious fallacies with the system leading to untreated and uncared for elderly and increased mental issues for the young population.

Second, the report highlights the violent nature of crimes in the US and calls out for stabilized gun control measures. The US has highest number of privately owned guns in the world. Mass shootings in the country increased by 10 per cent in 2021. Citing Associated Press, the report also highlighted human rights violations by the prison staff including sexual abuse and murder.

Third, the report finds the US order rigged as the democracy has been influenced by the wealthy and lobby groups such as pharmaceutical firms. The report finds that such systematic failure of democratic processes increases the gap in society. The report said that critics and American media question if American democracy is failing.

Fourth, racial discrimination and police brutality against Asian Americans and people of African descent has also increased as the New York Police Department data observes surged hate crimes. Other data from university surveys point to the discrimination against Native Americans, Muslims and aborigines leading to a bloated economic gap.

Fifth, the report focuses on the human rights violations at the border where children are detained and separated from their families. US Border Patrol showed more than 500 deaths of migrants on the border last year. Human trafficking and exclusion of migrants/refugees reflect that some lives are more important than others.

Sixth, the report argues that not merely domestic violation of human rights, but through means of hegemony, unilateralism, interventionism, and usage of sanctions, the US forces human rights crises in other countries. The troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, sanctions on Venezuela, the embargo on Cuba and the use of Guantanamo Bay prison are acts that have deprived numerous citizens of their human rights.

The China-US battle for narrative
This report is not the first Chinese report to defame the US. Previously, the Foreign Ministry of China had released a report on the US democracy which questioned the “success” of US democracy.

The US has also bravely led the fight in reports. Multiple think tanks and organs of the government continuously scratch Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Taiwan for reports. The recent coverage also expanded to the Chinese military report by the Pentagon.

The two countries are involved in the continuous creation of literature against the other. There is evidence in data from both sides; however, the narrative built is destructive. The politicization of human rights to defame another country is increasing rapidly. While the US has argued for an open and free society, it has made the American land home for many but secluded people of colour and ethnicities. China proposes an indigenized meaning of human rights and differences which propose homogeneity. The two perspectives contradict each other, causing friction and creating a context of accusations.

References:
“Full text: The Report on Human Rights Violations in the United States in 2021,” Xinhua Net, 28 February 2022
Ramesh Ponnuru, “Who’s ‘Politicizing’ Human Rights? Everyone,” Bloomberg, 22 July 2020

IN BRIEF
By Keerthana Nambiar and Avishka Ashok

INTERNAL
Economy and development: China to build city clusters and satellite towns
On 8 March, The Straits Times published an article focused on China's "1+3+2 plan" for development. The plan was elaborated by Mr Liu Shining, deputy director of the economic affairs committee of China. He informed that 1 refers to urbanization push by China, 3 refers to the limitations in China's economy and 2 refers to novel growth areas. According to the plan, China will get new and multiple city clusters and satellite towns. The plan also aims to double the middle class population of China in 10 to 15 years. (Aw Cheng Wei, "New city clusters and satellite towns to be major boosters for China's economy," The Straits Times, 8 March 2022)

REGIONAL 
Taiwan: CIA head warns of a possible invasion
On 9 March, The Straits Times cited Mr William Burns, a top official at the CIA to suggest that President Xi Jinping has detected resolve to invade Taiwan. He said that although Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a warning for President Xi due to the difficulties Russia is facing, this will not deviate President Xi from his intentions over Taiwan. He said: "I would just say analytically, I would not underestimate President Xi and the Chinese leadership's determination with regard to Taiwan." ("China unsettled by Ukraine, but don't underestimate Xi's Taiwan resolve: CIA head," The Straits Times, 8 March 2022)

INTERNATIONAL
UN Human Rights Council: China’s representative extends invitations to visit Xinjiang
On 8 March, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations Office Chen Xu extended the country’s invitation to visit Xinjiang to the High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet. Chen invited Michelle during the 49th session of the Human Rights Council and said: “We will work with the High Commissioner's Office to make preparations for the visit.” Michelle Bachelet also announced that an agreement had been reached with the Chinese government on the visit. She said: “My Office and the Government of China have initiated concrete preparations for a visit that is foreseen to take place in May of this year.” (“China welcomes visit of UN rights chief this May: envoy,” Xinhua Net, 9 March 2022)

China and Europe: Xi holds a virtual summit with Macron and Scholz
On 8 March, the Chinese President Xi Jinping held an online summit with the French President Emmanuel Macron and the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The leaders discussed the global challenges caused by the pandemic and agreed to cooperate on addressing the obstacles to global trade. President Xi stressed on the common understanding of peace, development and cooperation between Germany, France and China and urged the countries to take up more responsibilities to  help promote stability and certainty in the international order. He said: “China's development will create broader space for China-EU cooperation. the two sides must, under the principle of mutual benefit and win-win, further deepen green and digital partnerships as well as practical cooperation in various fields” (“Xi holds virtual summit with leaders of France, Germany,” Xinhua Net, 9 March 2022)

Iran: Officials discuss bilateral relations and the “two sessions”
On 8 March, the head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Song Tao held a telephonic conversation with the Iranian Secretary of Expediency Discernment Council Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr. The officials discussed deepening exchanges between the two countries while Song Tao explained the two sessions in the fifth session of the 13th National People’s Congress. (“Chinese, Iranian senior officials hold video talks,” Xinhua Net, 9 March 2022)

Pakistan: Foreign Minister offers condolence after terrorist attack in Peshawar 
On 8 March, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a telephonic conversation. The two leaders discussed the terrorist attack in Peshawar city. Wang yi condemned the attack and expressed China’s concerns in fighting terrorism and protecting Pakistan’s national security and stability. The leaders also discussed the bilateral economic relations and strategic issues between China and Pakistan. He said: “China looks forward to working with Pakistan to push forward the implementation of the consensus reached between the leaders of the two sides, deepen strategic mutual trust and cooperation, and join hands to cope with global and regional changes of situation.” (“Chinese, Pakistani FMs hold phone talks,” Xinhua Net, 9 March 2022)

Border talks with India: 15th round set for 11 March
On 8 March, the Press Trust of India reported that India and China are set to have the 15th round of border talks on 11 March 2022. The previous such high-level military talk was held on 12 January which did not result in any breakthrough. The two sides have released positive statements before the beginning of 15th series of the talks that reassure mutual cooperation and decision. The upcoming meeting will be held at Chushul Moldo meeting point in Ladakh. ("India, China to hold 15th round of border talks on Friday," The Week, 8 March 2022)