Daily Briefs


Photo : Xinhua Net

China Reader Evening Brief | 02 November 2021, Tuesday | Vol.1, No. 28

Xi Jinping’s written statement at the World Leaders Summit: Three Takeaways

Chinese President Xi Jinping calls for international cooperation and focus on greener transition to fight climate change and makes no new commitment.

IN FOCUS
By Keerthana Nambiar

Xi Jinping’s written statement at the World Leaders Summit: Three takeaways

On 1 November, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a written statement to the World Leaders Summit at the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. “The adverse impacts of climate change have become increasingly evident, presenting a growing urgency for global action,” said President Xi.

The three takeaways from his speech are:
Xi highlights multilateralism as a faucet for addressing global challenges.
At the summit, the Chinese President quoted multilateralism as a “prescription” to fight climate change. President Xi called on the international community to take concrete steps towards solving the climate and energy crisis. He stressed on the parties to build international cooperation and work on the existing consensus and increase mutual trust for successful COP26 in Glasgow. Xi pointed out that the developed countries should honor their commitments and contribute more to address the climate change challenges. He further added that the developed countries must aid developing countries to do better.

The focus on accelerating the green transition.
Xi Jinping informed the importance of promoting science and technology innovations to upgrade the energy sectors. The transition from fossil fuel-based systems to renewable energy-based systems can only be successfully accomplished through technological development. Xi indicates that such steps will create a “new pathway” towards a greener economy with conservation.

Showcasing China’s measures for net-zero emissions.
President Xi advocated China’s plans and measures to attain carbon neutrality and foster a low carbon economic system and refrained from making any new commitments. China’s recent directives – Working Guidance for Carbon Dioxide Peaking and Carbon Neutrality in Full and Faithful Implementation of the New Development Philosophy, and the Action Plan for Carbon Dioxide Peaking Before are measures for keeping the carbon in check. Xi states that these plans intend to form a “1+N” policy framework for delivering carbon neutrality.

References
“Full text: Written Statement by Xi Jinping at the World Leaders Summit,” Xinhua Net, 1 November 2021

IN BRIEF
By Dincy Adlakha and Avishka Ashok

INTERNAL
China steps up fight against COVID-19
On 01 November, The Red Cross Society of China provided COVID-19 relief to five provinces that have been reeling with new infections. Tents, cotton-padded clothing, and other relief materials were delivered to Inner Mongolia, Guizhou, Xinjiang, and Guangxi. The regions have also received grants for the purchase of negative pressure ambulances. The Chinese Red Cross Foundation donated 11 such ambulances and 200,00 medical masks to the Red Cross branches of the region. Other than internal fight against the pandemic, the Chinese authorities also delivered the second batch of 500,00 Sinopharm vaccines to the east African country Tanzania. The vaccine doses were received by the Tanzanian Minister for Health. (“China's Red Cross provides COVID-19 relief to five regions,” Xinhua Net, 01 November 2021; “Tanzania receives 500,000 Sinopharm vaccine doses from China,” Xinhua Net, 02 November 2021)

Eight Hong Kong citizens charged for their association in the protests
On 1 November, eight individuals were charged for their association with an unauthorized vigil for the Tiananmen square movement. The convicted persons include the founder of Apple Daily newspaper Jimmy Lai, activist Gweneth Ho, the Vice-chair of the Hong Kong Alliance Chow Hang-tun and the former Chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance Lee Cheuk-yan. The charges include planning the protests, participating and encouraging others to take part in the illegal protests. While Lee and four others pleaded guilty, Lai, Gweneth Ho and CHow Hang-tun pleaded not guilty. Chow said that she understood “every word being uttered in the reading of the charges against her, but I do not understand why it constitutes an offense. That is why I plead not guilty.” (“Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai goes on trial over Tiananmen vigil,” The Guardian, 1 November 2021)

Chinese Commerce Ministry urges people to stock up before the incoming winter
On 1 November, the Commerce Ministry issued a directive and asked its citizens to keep a stock of their daily needs as winter approaches. The prices in the country have suddenly risen after fresh outbreaks of the COVID-19 pandemic and heavy rains that affected the availability of fresh food in the markets. The local news outlets also released a list of items to stock and urged the people to stock up in case of emergencies. The reportage resulted in panic buying in many cities and villages. (“China urges families to keep stocks of daily necessities ahead of winter,” Reuters, 2 Novermber 2021)

ECONOMY
Government estimates show 5.4 per cent growth in third quarter GDP, Hong Kong
On 01 November, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government announced that Hong Kong's economy grew by 5.4 per cent based on advanced estimates. This growth is projected for the third quarter of 2021 as followed by a 7.6 per cent expansion in the second quarter. The report released by Census and Statistics Department showed that the GDP increased by 0.1 per cent in real terms as adjusted on the seasonal quarter-to-quarter comparison. The government attributes this growth to external and internal demand. ("Hong Kong's GDP grows by 5.4 pct in Q3: advance estimates," Xinhua Net, 01 November 2021)

INTERNATIONAL
Russian Export Center lauds Chinese import expo 
On 01 November, the CEO of Russian Export Center Veronika Nikishina released a statement ahead of the 4th China International Import Expo scheduled from 05 November to 10 November in Shanghai. The statement praised the Chinese Import Expo and its purposeful opening up of the Chinese market as a responsible and serious initiative. "China has always been and remains a very promising and desired market, and Russian exporters want a share of it on a stable basis," Nikishina said. According to her statement, 34 Russian companies will participate in hybrid mode of online and offline involvement in the expo this year. ("Import expo conducive to business ties with China: Russian institute," Xinhua Net, 02 November 2021)

Global Times calls out India’s petty behaviour in blaming China
On 01 November, Global Times published an article that pointed out India’s petty trick. The article found India’s absence from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) an excuse to avoid concrete emissions reduction promises. The article builds on the speech by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Glasgow for the COP26 climate summit. Following the speech, Indian media reported on India's renewed push for membership in NSG to gain access to essential materials required for developing emission reduction technology. The Global Times article called Indian media out for unnecessarily blaming China for posing obstacles in India’s membership in NSG. The article borrows from experts working at the National Institute of International Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences to elaborate that India is mixing two issues together and blaming China for its own irresponsible behaviour. (Leng Shumei and Chen Qingqing, “India scapegoats China over NSG membership for own reluctance to make emissions reduction promise,” Global Times, 01 November 2021)

China and Russia urge UN to lift sanctions on North Korea
On 1 November, Reuters reported that China and Russia were urging the United Nations to ease the sanctions on North Korea by removing a ban on the country’s exports of statues, seafood and textiles. They also pushed for an expansion on the removal of a ban to include the import of refined petroleum. They pushed for the removal of the sanction with the 15-member council of the United Nations to enhance the livelihood of the civilian population in North Korea. The removal of these bans were introduced by China and Russia in 2019 and was reintroduced in 2021. However, it is unlikely that the draft resolution will find enough support this year. (“China, Russia revive push to lift U.N. sanctions on North Korea,” Reuters, 2 November 2021)

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