Daily Briefs


Photo : Xinhua/ Yin Gang

22 June 2022 | Wednesday | China Reader Evening Brief | Vol.1, No. 216

President Xi delivers keynote speech at opening ceremony of the Business Forum

As China chairs the BRICS Summit, President Xi addressed the opening ceremony of the Business Forum and called for solidarity and collective action against global challenges.

IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok

INTERNATIONAL
BRICS: President Xi delivers keynote speech at opening ceremony of the Business Forum 
On 22 June, China’s President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum and virtually delivered a keynote speech. The speech focused on embracing solidarity, expanding win-win cooperation and pursuing peace and stability. Xi encourged the member countries to work towards building a global community with a shared future for mankind. On peace and stability, Xi implored the member countries to adhere by the UN Charter and maintain peace which he considered as the common cause of humanity. Xi said: “We in the international community should reject zero-sum games and jointly oppose hegemonism and power politics. We should build a new type of international relations based on mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation. We should be clear that we are a community in which all countries share a common stake, and we should see that the light of peace will reach all corners of the world.” The speech also touched upon cooperation for sustainable development, the Global Development Index and keeping the global economy open and promoting joint contribution and global economic governance. (“Xinhua Headlines: Xi urges BRICS solidarity, openness for peace, development,” Xinhua Net, 23 June 2022)

The US: China responds to the ban imposed through the Uyghur Force Labor Prevention Act 
On 22 June, China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC) responded to the implementation of the US Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act which facilitates the ban on products from the Xinjiang Autonomous Region and said that the ban violates the international economic and trade rules. The CNTAC expressed its strong opposition to the ban and highlighted the serious damage to the overall interests of China’s textile industry. The government organization underlined the importance of the exportation of cotton from Xinjiang and its significance in the Chinese and global textile industries. China explained that the US decision to ban products from Xinjiang jeopardizes the security and stability of the industrial and supply chains of the global textile industry. (“U.S. ban on Xinjiang products violates trade rules: Chinese association,” Xinhua Net, 23 June 2022)

South Korea: Foreign Minister discusses relations with Ambassador to China 
On 22 June, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a meeting with the Ambassador of South Korea to China Jang Ha-sung who will soon be returning to his country as his tenure comes to an end. Wang Yi appreciated Jang’s efforts in deepening the relationship between China and South Korea and said: “China's friendly policy toward the ROK has not changed, and China will continue to place the ROK in an important position in its neighborhood diplomacy. China hopes the new ROK government will also continue to adhere to its friendly policy toward China.” This year, the two countries will be celebrating 30 years of diplomatic relations. Jang observed the rapid advancement of relations between the countries during his tenure and said that he believed in the strong momentum of development and the pragmatic cooperation. (“Chinese FM meets outgoing ROK ambassador,” Xinhua Net, 23 June 2022)

India: Foreign Minister meets new Ambassador and pushes for focus on common interests 
On 22 June, China’s Foreign Minister met India’s new ambassador to China Pradeep Kumar Rawat and discussed the future of bilateral relations, urging its neighbour to focus on mutual interests instead of the differences. Wang encouraged China and India to build their confidence in each other rather than being suspicious. He further pushed on the two countries to meet half-way and deepen cooperation along bilateral issues, global challenges and safeguard their common interests. Wang said: “China and India should also give full play to their traditional advantages in people-to-people and cultural exchanges, continuously expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and work together to create a better future for mankind.” (“Chinese FM meets Indian new ambassador, Xinhua Net, 23 June 2022)

REGIONAL
Taiwan: China’s ban on grouper farms impact economy and livelihood
On 23 June, the Strait Times reported on China’s economic coercion on Taiwan and its impact on the economy. The report highlighted China’s previous decision to ban all imports from grouper farms, a move targeted at Taiwan’s fishing industry which was dependent on China’s markets. China claimed to find banned chemicals and other drugs in excessive levels in the products from Taiwan’s grouper farms. The industry exported over 91 per cent of its products worth USD 50 million to China in 2021. Other products like pineapples and wax apples have also come under the scanner after the products were claimed to spread pest infestations. (“From pineapples to fish, China flexes economic muscle to pressure Taiwan,” The Strait Times, 23 June 2022)

INTERNAL
Weather anomaly: Southern China deals with heavy rains and floods; economic activity shuts again 
On 23 June, the water levels in the Pearl River delta hit a record high in century due to floods and heavy rains. Thousands of people from the Guangdong province in South China were evacuated after the country weather body issued orange and red alerts across the region. On 22 June, the Ministry of water resources placed its highest flood alert on the Pearl River basin and said that the Provincial capital city of Guangzhou would also be deeply impacted by the rains. China’s economic powerhouses, Guangzhou and Shenzhen have shut production in factories once again, due to the weather conditions. The provincial emergency management estimated a direct economic loss of 1.7 billion yuan in the last week. (“Record floods threaten southern China; Guangdong shuts factories, schools,” The Strait Times, 23 June 2022)

 #MeToo: Alibaba rape case offended sentence to 18 months in prison 
On 23 June, the Strait Times reported on the Alibaba rape case and explained that the offender had been sentenced to 18 months in prison by the People’s Court of Huaiyin. The sentence comes after the complainant was dismissed and fired by the tech giant for spreading falsehoods regarding the company. The case was considered to be the turning point of the country’s #MeToo movement but was cut short after the prosecutors dismissed the case for not constituting as a crime. The court’s recent judgment however, holds Zhang Guo, the company executive responsible and guilty of forcible indecency. The court held that Zhnag had taken advantage of the employee’s intoxicated state and molested her at the restaurant's front desk, later assaulting her again at her hotel. (“Chinese businessman linked to Alibaba rape case sentenced to prison,” The Strait Times, 23 June 2022)

TECHNOLOGY
Bank depositors’ protest: Five officials punished for misusing COVID-19 apps to quell unrest 
On 22 June, the local anti-corruption authority announced that five officials had been booked and punished in Zhengzhou city for intentionally changing the health codes on the COVID-19 public applications and preventing a protest against a bank. The case was widely publicized within and outside the country, many accusing the state of misusing the digital surveillance apps for its interests. The authorities have therefore taken action against Feng Xianbin and Zhang Linlin, two officers from the epidemic and control headquarters for changing the codes without authorization; a move which prevents the protesters from accessing public spaces and transportation facilities, thereby quelling the demonstration. Feng has been stripped of his party credentials whereas the other officers have been given demerits. (“Chinese officials punished for changing health codes of bank depositors: State media,” The Strait Times, 23 June 2022)

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