Daily Briefs


Photo : Africa.CGTN

25 May 2022 | Wednesday | China Reader Evening Brief | Vol.1, No. 192

United Nations Human Rights Chief begins six-day visit amidst criticism from the West

Michelle Bachelet begins her visit to the controversial Xinjiang region to inspect the state of human rights.

IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok

INTERNAL
Xinjiang: President Xi meets UN Human Rights Chief and discusses China’s progress
On 25 May, President Xi Jinping held a virtual meeting with United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet and defended China’s progress on human rights within the country. The six–day visit by the UN Human Rights Chief aims to investigate the Xinjiang region which has been accused of discriminating against the muslim minority community in the region. Xi said: “Human rights issues should also not be politicised, instrumentalised, or treated with double standards. China has a human rights development path that suits its national conditions." Xi also explained that there was no ideal country that could teach others about human rights.  

The US State Department spokesperson Ned Price referred to the visit and called it a mistake and expressed its scepticism regarding unfiltered access to the region. He said: “We have no expectation that the PRC (People’s Republic of China) will grant the necessary access required to conduct a complete, unmanipulated assessment of the human rights environment in Xinjiang. We think it was a mistake to agree to a visit under the circumstances.” He also highlighted the most recent media reports that publicised leaked photos and documents from the public security bureaus in two counties in the region and said that it added to an ““already damning body of evidence.”

China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin condemned the criticism issued by the US and the UK over the visit and said: “the U.S., Britain and other Western countries have been repeatedly staging political farces around the U.N. high commissioner for human rights’ visit to China.” He accused the West of sabotaging China’s relations with foreign countries by spreading lies about the Human Rights Chief’s visit. He further denounced the US and the UK for pressurising and calling for an investigation on the basis of assumptions and biassed opinions.

(“Xi Jinping speaks with UN's Bachelet during visit, defends China's rights progress, The Strait Times, 25 May 2022; China claims sabotage as U.N. rights official visits Xinjiang,” The Asahi Shimbun, 25 May 2022; U.S. calls U.N. rights chief’s visit to China a mistake, The Asahi Shimbun, 25 May 2022) 

COVID-19: Government may choose Pfizer and BioNTech mRNA vaccines to deal with the outbreak
On 25 May, the Asahi Shimbun reported that the Chinese healthcare system may deal with the latest outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic by using the mRNA vaccine, manufactured by Pfizer and BioNTech. The vaccines have still not been approved by the government for public use, although Macao and Hong Kong have authorised its use. The report predicted that the country would be subjected to far more COVID related deaths and a slower economic growth in the coming months due to the delay caused by hyper-nationalistic attitudes that prevented the protection of its population. The report stressed that studies have proved the vaccines made by Pfizer and BioNTech to be more effective than the Chinese vaccines. (“China’s bet on homegrown mRNA vaccines holds back nation,” The Asahi Shimbun, 25 May 2022)

Communist Party of China: Central Commission for Discipline Inspection expels party member for corrupt actions 
On 25 May, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) announced the expulsion of Former Chief Accountant of PICC Property and Casualty Co Shen Dong from the Communist Party of China for his involvement in illegal activities and bribe taking. Shen Dong was suspended from his post as the vice-President at the insurer in December after which the CCDI opened an investigation into the allegations of wrong-doings. The government body issued a statement on its website and claimed that Shen had been involved in illegal activities and had violated the Communist Party Discipline. (“China's Communist Party expels state-owned insurer's executive accused of graft,” The Strait Times, 25 May 2022)

ECONOMY 
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework: China criticises the US trade deal for being exclusive
On 24 May, China’s Ministry of Commerce referred to the new Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and said that the trade deal should aim to enhance the development and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region instead of undermining and dividing the countries. He called on the US initiative to contribute to the prosperity and development of the region by being open and inclusive to all countries. The Ministry spokesperson said: “The success of the Asia-Pacific economy lies in openness, cooperation and mutual benefit. China remains open to any regional economic initiative that conforms to the aforementioned principles. China will adhere to open regionalism and share weal and woe with its trading partners in the Asia-Pacific region.” (“China's Commerce Ministry responds to US-launched IPEF trade deal,” The Strait Times, 24 May 2022)

Society: China’s GenZ flex their powers in the global economy 
On 25 May, the Strait Times reported on the purchasing power of the GenZ in China and the power they hold in the global fashion industry. According to the report, the 270 million strong generation born after the 1990s has been shaking up the economy by its power to purchase goods and services such as cosmetics, tourism services and other retail commodities. The China Renaissance predicts that the GenZ will be spending close to 16 trillion yuan by 2035, marking a fourfold increase in expenditure. The report further explored the power held by this generation of buyers as they could make or break the demand for foreign goods and brands in the country with their nationalistic beliefs. Another report highlighted the cosy environment of the Chinese GenZ’s upbringing which reflects in their spending behaviours, leading to  a quarter of the generation not saving up at all. These factors may play a significant role in building the domestic market and economy. (“China's Gen Z has the power to make or break Western brands,” The Strait Times, 25 May 2022)

INTERNATIONAL
BRICS: State Councilor calls for enhanced cooperation in digital transformation
On 25 May, Xinhua Net reported that China’s State Councilor Wang Yong attended the BRICS Forum on Development of the Industrial Internet and Digital Manufacturing in Xiamen and called for greater cooperation in the fields. Wang also extended China’s willingness to work on the same and said: “China is willing to work with other BRICS partners to promote the development of the industrial internet and digital manufacturing, and jointly achieve growth that is higher in quality, more resilient and sustainable.” He further noted that the BRICS member countries complemented each other, thereby providing greater opportunities for digital transformation in the manufacturing industry. (“BRICS should cooperate on digital transformation: Chinese official,” Xinhua Net, 25 May 2022)

Germany: Foreign Ministers discuss last five decades of relations and promise to deepen cooperation
On 24 May, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock held a virtual meeting and agreed to work towards maintaining true multilateralism. Wang Yi made a note of the 50 years of bilateral relations between the countries and said: “Over the past five decades, the two countries have adhered to the concept of seeking common ground while reserving differences, mutual benefit and win-win results, and have deepened cooperation in various fields.” Wang also appreciated the government consultation mechanism, high-level dialogues on strategy, security, finance and people-to-people exchanges. (“Chinese, German FMs hold virtual meeting on bilateral ties, multilateralism,” Xinhua Net, 25 May 2022)

Greece: National People’s Congress Chairman calls for greater cooperation with Greek Parliament 
On 24 May, the Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress Li Zhanshu held a virtual meeting with the President of the Greek Parliament Constantine Tassoulas and urged the countries to enhance parliamentary exchanges and support cooperation with each other. Li said: “China will work with Greece to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and promote the development of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.” He also called for greater political trust and mutual cooperation.  (“China's top legislator proposes enhancing parliamentary exchanges with Greece,” Xinhua Net, 25 May 2022)

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