Daily Briefs


Photo : Global Times

14 May 2022 | Saturday | China Reader Evening Brief | Vol.1, No. 183

China opposes joint statement by Japan and the EU on South China Sea, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Taiwan

The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson warned Japan and the EU from interfering in its affairs and reaffirmed China's stand on the related issues.

IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok and Arshiya Banu

INTERNATIONAL
Japan and the EU: China opposes joint statement on South China Sea, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Taiwan
On 13 May, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian addressed the daily press briefing opposed the remarks made by Japan and the EU on the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. Japan and the EU issued a joint statement, expressing concerns over the sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands or Diaoyu Islands, the human rights issues in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, and the Taiwan Strait and the issues in the China Sea. Zhao accused Japan and the EU of false information and hyping the tensions in the region  and said: “China is firmly opposed to such practice, and has lodged stern representation with relevant parties.” On the question of the Diaoyu islands, as China calls it, Zhao said that the islands have always been a part of the Chinese territory. Zhao also reiterated China’s stand on the maritime issues and said that the country would continue to protect its territories. He said: “China will firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and at the same time is ready to settle differences with relevant countries via consultations.” He further urged the foreign entities to respect China’s sovereignty and refrain from interfering in China’s internal affairs. (“China voices opposition to smearing remarks by Japan, EU,” Xinhua Net, 13 May 2022) 

The UNSC: Chinese representative calls out to countries to destroy their WMDs
On 14 May, CGTN reported that the charge d’affairs at China’s permanent mission to the United Nations (UN) Dai Bing advised countries that had stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) to destroy them as quickly as feasible. Bing said: "We advocate the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of all WMDs, including biological and chemical weapons," at a UN Security Council discussion about biological laboratories in Ukraine. He stated that China calls on relevant parties to take responsibility and answer pertinent questions in a timely way, providing thorough clarifications to alleviate the international community’s concerns. (“China urges destruction of WMDs during UN Security Council meeting,” CGTN, 14 May 2022)

Greece: Foreign Minister talks over phone with Chinese counterpart
On 13 May, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias over the phone as bilateral relations between the two countries reach their 50th anniversary. Wang stated that the two countries have always appreciated, tolerated, and helped each other; respected each other's development paths chosen by their own people; and supported each other's core interests and major concerns over the past half-century. He added that China is ready to work with Greece in order to create a blueprint for future development, expand practical cooperation in areas like transportation, energy, tourism, infrastructure, green and digital economies, and open up new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. The two sides also discussed the Ukraine conflict. (“Chinese, Greek FMs hold phone talks over ties, Ukraine issue,” Xinhua Net, 13 May 2022)

Sri Lanka: New Prime Minister pledges support to Chinese projects and cooperation 
On 13 May, Sri Lanka’s newly Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe pledged the country and his government’s support and willingness to cooperate with China. Wickremesinghe met with China’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong and appreciated the country’s assistance during the rough times and also pledged to continue the cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative. He further reaffirmed the new government’s readiness to resume and promote cooperation along diverse fields. On behalf of China, Ambassador Qi promised to step up cooperation and deliver emergency humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka at the earliest. (“Sri Lanka's new PM pledges to promote friendly cooperation with China,” Xinhua Net, 13 May 2022)

INTERNAL 
State Council: General Office offers subsidies, tax-breaks and easy loans to graduates 
On 13 May, the general office of the State Council announced that the country would offer subsidies, tax breaks and easy loans with the aim of boosting opportunities for college graduates. The government is preparing for a record 10.76 million graduates to enter the market amid the slow economic growth caused by the pandemic. The State Council issued a notice and said that subsidies would be offered to small firms who hire such candidates while graduates who launch their own start-ups will be offered tax-breaks, easier loan terms and rent-free premises. The notice said: “China encourages employers in Covid-19-hit regions to sign labour contracts with college graduates online.” (“China looks to spur job prospects for record number of new graduates,” The Strait Times, 13 May 2022)

Hong Kong: Three people sentenced to prison for stealing a report written by Mao Zedong 
On 14 May, The Strait Times reported that three thieves Ho Yik-chiu, Ng Wing-lun, and Hui Ping-kei were sentenced to prison for a record-breaking US$637 million (S$887 million) art robbery in Hong Kong, despite being completely unaware of the worth of their historic haul. A 2m-tall scroll depicting a 1929 Politburo report written by Mao Zedong valued at hundreds of millions of dollars was stolen and sold to an amateur collector for just HK$200 (S$35). When police found the parchment a month after it had been stolen, they discovered it had been chopped in half by the collector to make it simpler to store, who had no idea it was genuine. The items were stolen from Chinese collector Fu Chunxiao's residence in the Kowloon district in September 2020. (“Trio jailed for Hong Kong's priciest art heist,” The Strait Times, 14 May 2022)

Zero-COVID: China’s policies cause a sharp increase in garbage in cities
On 13 May, the Strait Times reported that China’s Zero-COVID policy had significantly increased the garbage in the cities. According to the report, medical waste in Shanghai amounted to 1,400 tonnes a day, a sharp increase from 308 tonnes in 2021. The garbage has increased by 4.5 times in the city of 25 million residents who have been in lockdown for over five weeks now. The People’s Daily also reported that the total waste in May 2022 had reached 3,300 tonnes, while it used to be 73 tonnes a day in February. The lockdown is to be blamed for the sudden increase in waste as all residents opt for food deliveries, online shopping and grocery deliveries that use more packaging than shopping at marts. (“China's Covid-Zero policy is producing a deluge of waste,” The Strait Times, 13 May 2022)

Xinjiang: Leaked list of detainees reveals one million held in detention centres and prisons 
On 13 May, the Strait Times reported that a police list of detained Uighurs had been leaked which estimates that over a million Uighurs and other Muslim minorities were being held in different detention centres and prisons across the Xinjiang region in China. The list was released to Uighur activists outside China. According to the report, the information on the government’s anti-terrorism crackdown in the region is closely protected by the authorities. It also explained that most court notices are not available to the public while the police are uncooperative with the people. (“China database reveals the thousands of Uighurs detained in Xinjiang,” The Strait Times, 13 May 2022)

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