Daily Briefs


Photo : CGTN

05 May 2022 | Thursday | China Reader Evening Brief | Vol.1, No. 175

China calls on countries to fulfill financial duties at the UN

At the United Nations General Assembly, China's Dai Bing reminds the biggest contributors of their duty towards the organization.

IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok and Arshiya Banu

INTERNATIONAL
United Nations: China urges countries to deliver on their financial promises
On 4 May, Xinhua Net reported that China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Dai Bing attended the Fifth Committee of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly and called on the biggest contributors of the organization to fulfill their financial responsibilities. Bing said: “The largest contributor has not well-fulfilled its financial obligations to the UN over the years. This is unfair to other countries.” He also pushed the Secretariat to strengthen the budgetary performance, ameliorate the internal control and enforce financial discipline to ensure efficient spending of the funds. He also praised China’s efforts in fulfilling its financial duties despite the latest wave of the coronavirus pandemic in the country and the domestic economic challenges. (“Chinese envoy urges biggest contributor to fulfill UN financial duties,” Xinhua Net, 04 May 2022)

The US: China retaliates against the US for false accusations
On 4 May, Xinhua Net reported that the Chinese Embassy in the United States criticised the US State Department for falsely claiming that Chinese officials and the media "routinely amplify Kremlin’s propaganda, conspiracy theories, and disinformation" on the Ukraine crisis. A Chinese embassy spokesperson said: "China's position on the Ukraine issue is impartial, objective and beyond reproach." He claimed that the US should “seriously” reflect on itself when it comes to spreading disinformation, noting the fact that the U.S. has waged wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria, killing 335,000 civilians over the years. He said: "Blaming and smearing just won't solve the problem," and urged Washington to embrace joint verification by the international community under the UN and the BWC. (“Chinese embassy rebukes Washington's false claims against China over Ukraine issue,” Xinhua Net, 04 May 2022)

Germany: China’s export increases to 15.8 per cent 
On 4 May, the Federal Statistical Office reported that Germany’s imports from China rose to 15.8 per cent in March 2022. The official body revealed that China continued to be Germany’s biggest foreign trade partner in March with the exported goods amounting to 9.1 billion euros. Germany’s total imports grew by 3.4 per cent and amounted to 117.4 billion euros in March while its exports dropped by 3.3 per cent and amounted to 120.6 billion euros. The report also informed that the US continued to be Germany’s largest customer and that their bilateral trade was worth 11.5 billion euros in March. (“German imports from China up 15.8 pct in March,” Xinhua Net, 4 May 2022)

REGIONAL
Laos: Railway line observes a spike in transportation of passengers and goods
On 4 May, Xinhua Net reported that the China-Laos Railway had successfully transported 2.7 million passengers and 2.9 million tonnes of cargo since December 2021. The data was revealed by China State Railway Group Co. Ltd which revealed: “The railway has seen strong growth in cargo transport, with the cargo freight volume in its fifth month of operation hitting 1.1 million tonnes, up 550 percent from its first month of operation.” The state-owned company also revealed that the railway had transported goods such as electronics, automobiles and flowers to more than 10 countries and other regions. The railway company currently has 36 passenger trains which run along the route. (“China-Laos Railway sees brisk passenger, cargo transport over inaugural 5 months,” Xinhua Net, 04 May 2022)

Cambodia: Health Ministry approves and promotes the use of Sinovac and Sinopharm
On 4 May, Xinhua Net reported that Cambodia’s Health Ministry Secretary of State and Spokeswoman Or Vandine had approved of the Sinovac and Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines developed by China and called them safe and effective. Cambodia is now using Sinovac, Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in the country. She said: “These vaccines are safe, effective and of good quality because they are in the World Health Organization (WHO)'s list of vaccines for emergency use.” The narrative around the Chinese vaccines are also positive in the country with many supporting the government’s decision to choose China as the strategic supplier of the COVID-19 vaccines. (“Chinese COVID-19 vaccines safe, effective: Cambodian official,” Xinhua Net, 04 May 2022)

Taiwan: Chinese anti-submarine aircraft on a mission near the island
On 4 May, Global Times reported that a Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Y-8 anti-submarine warfare aircraft carried out a maritime patrol mission near the island of Taiwan, two months after this type of aircraft was last seen in the region, amid claims that that aircraft was involved in an accident in March. While the alleged crash has not been confirmed, the Y-8 anti-submarine warfare aircraft is now fully equipped to carry out missions, at a time when foreign powers are frequently dispatching spy planes, naval vessels, and submarines to oversee the region. Fu Qianshao, a Chinese mainland military aviation expert stated that the PLA must improve its capability and readiness to monitor and patrol important locations with fixed-wing aircraft as well as anti-submarine warfare helicopters, as the latter can cover a bigger area in less time. (“PLA's Y-8 anti-submarine warfare aircraft resumes patrols around Taiwan island,” Global Times, 04 May 2022)

INTERNAL
Youth Day: China celebrates the May Youth Day
On 4 May, the May Youth Day, which is a Chinese yearly festival for young people aged 14 to 28 years old, was celebrated. The May Fourth Movement, a patriotic historic movement that occurred in 1919, was also commemorated on this day. The day marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC). Although some voices on social media platforms have attempted to label Chinese youth as "the lying flat generation" - denoting a negative attitude toward challenges and difficulties, a lack of belief in working hard and striving, and an intention to give up and run away from competition, facts and research have shown that the vast majority of Chinese youth continue to believe in working hard and striving for their own future. Today, the Chinese government places a high priority on resolving their difficulties and maximizing their full potential. (“‘Striving spirit’ main theme of Chinese youth,” Global Times, 04 May 2022)

Xinjiang: China denies BBC’s report
On 4 May, the Chinese Embassy in the UK criticised a BBC broadcast about China's Xinjiang region and called it inaccurate and claimed that the BBC programme was used to propagate disinformation about Xinjiang with the goal of shaming and slander. An embassy spokesperson stated that the allegations that China's Xinjiang is home to "re-education centres," "forced labour," and "destruction of Uygur culture," are "pure lies of the century" perpetrated by some politicians, media outlets, and academicians working together to smear China. He claimed that their constant attempts to spread rumours and stir up trouble are actually acts of political manipulation and economic coercion disguised as human rights protection, with the ultimate purpose of undermining Xinjiang's prosperity and stability while limiting China’s progress. He said: "It must be pointed out that the Xinjiang-related issues have nothing to do with religions, ethnic groups or human rights, but everything to do with fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism." (“Chinese Embassy refutes groundless BBC report on Xinjiang,” CGTN, 04 May 2022)

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