IN FOCUS
By Keerthana Nambiar

Xi Jinping addresses the UN at the 50^th anniversary of the restoration of China

On 25 October, President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the conference marking the 50^th Anniversary of the restoration of the Lawful Seat of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations. President Xi said that “the restoration of New China's lawful seat in the United Nations was a momentous event for the world.” He addressed the conference via video link calling in for global cooperation on issues like terrorism and cyber security.

According to Global Times, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres congratulated the Chinese President on the anniversary. “China has always worked with people of the world in defending world peace and justice, and the Chinese people have always defended the UN's authority and status and practiced multilateralism to deepen cooperation with the UN,” said Global Times. Reuters reported that “Apart from tension with Taiwan, China has been more assertive in staking its claims to disputed territory on its Himalayan border with India, and to tracts of the South China Sea disputed with some Southeast Asian nations, and over some islands in the East China Sea disputed with Japan.”

The Three Takeaways from the speech
First, Xi’s idea of true multilateralism with China at the center. Throughout the speech, Xi Jinping focused on how China fulfills its responsibility at the UN Security Council and upholds the role of the UN in international affairs. He urged on building a community for developing and reforming the global governance system. Xi stressed that the international rules can be only assembled by the 193 UN Member States together rather than any individual member or blocs. He confirmed that China looks forward to working with the member countries to explore new ideas and models of cooperation to practice multilateralism.

Second, a win-win economic development for New China and its people. Xi tries to convince that China looks forward to promoting the common goal of economic and social development with reformed socialism with Chinese characteristics. Countries should put their people front and center, and strive to realize development with a higher level of quality, efficiency, equity, sustainability and security. It is important to resolve the problem of unbalanced and inadequate development, and make development more balanced, coordinated and inclusive.

Third, focusing on cooperation and common prosperity. Xi Jinping vowed that Chinese people are committed to achieving common development. He talked about terrorism, climate change, cyber security and biosecurity and the importance of the international community to tackle these global issues. And more effective international cooperation, active regional cooperation is required for enriching the practice of cooperation under new circumstances.

Moving ahead:
China’s growing assertive attitude
Xi Jinping in his statements strictly conveyed that the countries should refrain from making unilateral decisions. This is in line with the unilateral sanctions and new military bloc posing several challenges to multilateralism and instability in the Indo-Pacific. The friction between the US and China spiraled with US’ statements and recent activities in Taiwan undermining Beijing. Thus, creating an ideological and geopolitical divide leading to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and the South China Sea as the battleground.

China changing perspective in the UN
China’s influence in the UN has significantly grown since 1971, by 2018 becoming one of the largest financial contributors at the organization. In recent years, China has been asserting itself and playing major roles within the UN. Beijing through UN is reiterating its one-China principle and stepping up its political and military pressure showcasing it to the world. 

References
“Speech by H.E. Xi Jinping President of the People's Republic of China at the Conference Marking the 50th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Lawful Seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of People’s Republic of China, 25 October 2021
“Xi reiterates China’s role in defending UN mandate,” Global Times, 25 October 2021
“China will uphold world peace, Xi says, despite others' concerns,” Reuters, 25 October 2021
“China Focus: Xi pledges enhanced coordination with UN for balanced, inclusive global development,” Xinhua Net, 25 October 2021

IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok and Dincy Adlkha

INTERNAL
Xinhua Net confirms China’s capacity to reduce emissions and retain stable development
On 25 October, Xinhua Net published a commentary which said: “China capable of balancing climate ambitions, economic development.” The commentary focused on the measures taken by China to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. The state-owned media outlet based its arguments on the recent document released by the Central Committee and the State Council of the Communist Party of China. The editorial piece said: “China has a stronger economic incentive to reduce carbon emissions, particularly through developing and investing in new energy and transportation sectors, as the world is coping with climate threats together.” It also said that China was investing heavily in Solar, wind and hydropower to move away from conventional sources of energy and to immediately reduce its carbon emissions. (Xinhua Commentary: China capable of balancing climate ambitions, economic development,” Xinhua Net, 25 October 2021)

China releases plan to cut fossil fuel usage below 20% by 2060
On 25 October, The Guardian reported on a document released by the Chinese cabinet that comprises a plan to cut Chinese carbon emissions. The plan was released after President Xi Jinping pledged that China’s carbon emissions will peak by 2030 and reach neutrality by 2060. Currently, coal fuels approximately 60 per cent of China’s energy demands. The plan reiterated that China aims to reduce carbon emissions to 18 per cent, per unit of GDP by 2025. The guidelines are also important in context with the upcoming climate summit in Glasgow set to start on 31 October. (“China to cut fossil fuel use to below 20% by 2060,” The Guardian, 25 October)
 
INTERNATIONAL
China pledges to provide vaccine assistance to fight the COVID-19 pandemic
On 26 October, China’s International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) announced that the country will provide two billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to the world this year. China has also pledged to donate 100 million vaccines to developing countries and fund COVAX with USD 100 million to encourage global vaccine cooperation. The Chairman of CIDCA recalled that the country had already provided over 106 countries with more than 1.5 billion vaccines since the pandemic began and provided other essential medical supplies such as protective suits, masks, ventilators and more. (“China to provide 2 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses to the world and $100 million to COVAX,” Global Times, 26 October 2021)
 
Chinese and US officials discuss trade and the possibility of lifting tariffs
On 26 October, officials from China and the US participated in an online video conference for the third time in October to discuss the economic and trade issues. The Global Times reported that the outcomes of the numerous meetings have been productive and may lead to substantiative results for world trade. The Chinese officials engaging in the dialogue mentioned China’s discomfort over the additional tariffs by the US and its behavior towards Chinese firms in the US. According to an expert from the Chinese Academy of Social Science, “Following this latest round of talks, it is expected that the US Trade Representative (USTR) and the US Department of Commerce might roll out measures to lift additional tariffs on Chinese goods, at least in an indirect way.” (“China, US officials talk third time in a month, sending positive signal on trade and implying possibility of 'lifting tariffs',” Global Times, 26 October 2021)
 
Telstra buys Digicel Pacific “in a move to block Chinese influence in the region”, according to Australian analysts
On 25 October, the BBC reported that the Australian government and Telstra are jointly buying Digicel Pacific, a telecoms company in the Pacific. Telstra referred to the USD 1.6 billion deal said, “the deal is a unique and very attractive commercial opportunity to boost our presence in the region." The Pacific company works with over 1,700 people from Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu and Tahiti. The Australian government will be financing a majority of the deal. However, Australian analysts following the trade war between China and Australia believe that the deal is an attempt to block China’s growing influence in the region. A Lowy Institute analyst said: “Digicel is the primary player in the Pacific and Australia sees it as a strategic asset that they can't allow to fall into the hands of China. They are keen to get Australian business back into the Pacific and they've come to the realization that they are going to have to underwrite." (“Digicel Pacific: Australia's Telstra buys Pacific firm 'to block China',” BBC News, 25 October 2021)

China-US agree to increase coordination on economic policies in senior officials’ meet
On 26 October, the Vice-Premier of China Liu He and the US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen met in a virtual conference. The two sides pragmatically agreed to boost communication and coordination on economic policies. According to the statements released by Washington and Chinese state media, they discussed macroeconomic and financial developments in the US and China and considered the impact on the world economy. China also expressed concerns about the traffic imposed by the US leading to unfair investment. However, they emphasized greater economic communication for global economic recovery. This was the second meeting of high-ranking economic officials between the two countries, the previous one held between Vice Premier Liu and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai. (Wendy Wu and Orange Wang, “China, US ‘to intensify communication and coordination’ on economic policies,” South China Morning Post, 26 October 2021)
 
Taiwan seeks to increase ties with the Czech Republic
On 25 October, a delegation of 66 officials from Taiwan, led by the Minister of National Development Kung Ming-hsin, visited Prague. It is reported that the Foreign Minister of Taiwan Joseph Wu shall also visit later in the week. The delegation consisted of business and research groups and attempted to boost trade and investment with the Czech Republic. Currently, the Czech Republic does not have any formal ties with Taiwan. However, informally, there are numerous connections between the two including the investment from Taiwan’s high-tech companies into Czech and the visit of the Czech speaker to Taiwan last year. All these moves have earned criticism from China. The delegation is also set to visit Slovakia and Lithuania. (“Taiwanese delegation in Prague to boost ties; China protests,” The Korea Times, 25 October 2021)

Amnesty International to close local and regional offices in Hong Kong
On 26 October, Amnesty International, the non-governmental human rights group, declared that it will close its local office in Hong Kong this month. It also said that the regional office in the city will also be shut within the year. The operations of these offices will be moved to other offices from the Asia-Pacific region. The statement made by the chair of the organization, Anjhula Mya Singh Bais pointed that the decision is made due to the national security law passed by China in June 2020. She said: “It is increasingly difficult for us to keep operating in such an unstable environment,” referring to the surveillance and targeting faced. (“Amnesty International to close Hong Kong offices this year,” The Mainichi, 26 October 2021)