Daily Briefs


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31 May 2022 | Tuesday | China Reader Evening Brief | Vol.1, No. 197

Position paper on China's policies in the Pacific Islands

As the second China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting comes to an end, the position paper explains China's actions and policies in the region.

IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok and Arshiya Banu

INTERNATIONAL
The Pacific Islands: Position paper reveals China’s policies and future plans in the region
On 30 May, the second China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting issued a position paper according to which China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi proposed a series of proposals to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership with the Pacific Island countries. The paper said: “Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the paper said, China has implemented nearly 500 complete plant projects, technical assistance, in-kind assistance and concessional loan projects in Pacific island countries, which have helped them build important infrastructure such as roads, bridges, wharfs, hospitals, schools and stadiums, and trained about 10,000 professionals in various fields.” The paper also highlighted China’s cooperation with the Pacific countries on the Belt and Road Initiative and other trade ties. It further explained that China is looking to appoint a special envoy for Pacific Island countries affairs. (“China hopes to expand win-win cooperation with Pacific island countries for common development,” Xinhua Net, 31 May 2022)

United Nations: China calls for an investigation into school shootings in the US
On 31 May, the Strait Times reported that Global Times asked for an investigation into the mass shooting in the US; a day after the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian called for the same from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Global Times editorial said: “The US system is equally incapable, or lacks interest, motivation, and courage, to address these problems thoroughly.” Chinese media agencies have been highlighting the US shootings and calling for the US to deal with its internal issues before pointing fingers at China. The People’s Daily referred to the coloured killings in Buffalo in the US and said: “Racism is a poison running through American body politic.” (“China urges UN rights chief to look into school shootings in US,” The Strait Times, 31 May 2022)

The US: China criticize IPEF for failure to lower tariffs and excluding Beijing
On 30 May, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticized the economic framework initiated by the US for its failure to lower the tariffs. Wang said: “The so-called Indo-Pacific Economic Framework recently rolled out by the US claims to build a free, open, and inclusive new order, but how can any economic frame call itself free if it doesn't lower tariffs? How can it be called inclusive if it purposefully excludes China, the largest market in the region and in the world?” The statements were made by Wang Yi while on a trip to Fiji who recently joined the IPEF. (“China derides Biden's IPEF economic pact for failing to lower tariffs,” The Strait Times, 31 May 2022)

World Economic Forum: WEF appreciates and encourages the Global Development Index
On 31 May, Xinhua Net reported that the World Economic Forum published an article on its website in support of the Global Development Initiative, a China-led project. The article said: “The China-proposed Global Development Initiative (GDI) is a timely call-for-action to address those pressing challenges that threaten the global collective ability to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” The Chief Representative Officer of the WEF China Office Rebecca Ivey further stressed on the importance of dealing with global challenges together as no country could face them alone. She further encouraged and appreciated China’s efforts in the initiative. (“China's Global Development Initiative a timely call-for-action to address global challenges: WEF officer,” Xinhua Net, 31 May 2022)

INTERNAL 
The General Administration of Customs: China undertakes strict measures to prevent monkeypox virus from entering
On 30 May, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) stated that China's customs authorities have made measures to prevent the monkeypox virus from entering the country through ports while the government fights the COVID-19 epidemic. The GAC has gathered experts to undertake a risk assessment, issued monkeypox virus alerts, and implemented tight safeguards for inbound travellers, including body temperature monitoring and medical inspection. Customs authorities have reinforced quarantine of inbound goods and rodents, as well as improved biosafety management in laboratories and developed solid testing preparations. The GAC advises outbound and inbound travellers to report to customs agents if they are sick or have symptoms such as fever, headache, sore muscles, or erythra. (“China tightens measures to prevent import of monkeypox virus,” Xinhua Net, 30 May 2022)

Hong Kong: John Lee officially appointed as HKSAR chief executive by Premier Li
On 30 May, Premier Li Keqiang granted the official certificate of appointment to John Lee as the sixth-term chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in Beijing. Li assured Lee that the central government will remain steadfast in its commitment to fully and faithfully implement the principle of "one country, two systems," under which Hong Kong's people rule the territory with a great degree of autonomy. He added that they will fully support the chief executive and the SAR government in exercising law-based governance, developing the economy, and improving people's well-being, as well as combining the country's needs and leveraging Hong Kong's strengths, in order to promote Hong Kong's better integration into the country's overall development and maintain its long-term prosperity and stability. (“Premier Li grants appointment certificate to John Lee as HKSAR chief executive,” Xinhua Net, 30 May 2022)

ECONOMY
Faltering Economy: Chinese Premier holds videoconference to warn about China’s economic difficulties
On 30 May, the Strait Times reported that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang held a videoconference with 100,000 provincial leaders to warn them about China's economic woes and to urge them to assist businesses in resuming production following the COVID-19 lockdowns. The State Council, China's Cabinet, announced a slew of measures the same week to bolster the faltering economy, which has been hit hard by lockdowns in several cities, including the commercial hub Shanghai, in response to a sweeping Omicron wave that has been plaguing the country since early this year. (“China's promising plan to break internal trade barriers,” The Strait Times, 30 May 2022)

REGIONAL 
Taiwan: Jets rush to warn off the Chinese air force from entering the air defence zone
On 30 May, Taiwan’s Defence Ministry stated that in the latest flare-up of tensions, Taiwanese jets raced to warn away 30 Chinese aircraft in the largest incursion by China's air force in its air defence zone. For the past two years or more, Taiwan has protested about recurrent flights by China's air force near the democratically administered island, often in the southern area of its air defence identification zone, or ADIZ, close to the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands.
Taiwan refers to China's frequent military activity in the vicinity as "grey zone" warfare, which is intended to wear down Taiwan's forces by forcing them to scramble repeatedly, as well as to test Taiwan's responses. The ministry said that the current Chinese mission included 22 fighters as well as electronic warfare, early warning, and anti submarine aircraft. (“Taiwan jets scramble as China air force enters air defence zone,” The Strait Times, 30 May 2022)

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