NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : China Aerospace Science & Industry Corp
IN BRIEF
By Dincy Adlakha and Keerthana Nambiar
TECHNOLOGY
China Commercial Aerospace Forum opens with ambitious plans for commercial space sector
On 25 November, the seventh China Commercial Aerospace Forum opened in Wuhan where China announced multiple ambitious plans for the commercial sector of space. The plans include schemes of a new remote sensing constellation, new layouts for next stage of China’s space-borne Internet-of-Things, and a launch vehicle for commercial space flights. Most of the projects were announced by China’s state-owned space giant China Aerospace Science & Industry Corp (CASIC). The forum also highlighted the achievements that China has made in space over the past few years. (Fan Anqi and Deng Xioci, “China announces ambitious plans for commercial space sector,” Global Times, 25 November 2021)
Chinese regulators force DiDi to delist from New York Stock Exchange
On 26 November, Reuters reported that the Cyberspace Administration of China has asked the management of DiDi Global Inc to delist itself from New York Stock Exchange. The new development is due to concerns about data security. “The prerequisite for the relaunch of Didi's ride-hailing and other apps in China is that the company has to agree to delist from New York” reported Reuters. According to Reuter’s source, the Chinese regulators have made DiDi, the ride-hailing giant promise to solve the delisting case within a time frame. (“Beijing presses Didi to delist from U.S. over data security fears - sources,” Reuters, 26 November 2021)
REGIONAL
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson urges Japan to support the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
On 25 November, China urged Japan to support the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics 2022. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said, “China fully supported Japan in hosting the Tokyo Olympics” therefore “Japan should have basic faith.” The statement comes in after the United States, United Kingdom are “diplomatically boycotting” the Winter Games and Australia has considered implementing the same. The boycotting is a response to the alleged human rights abuse in Xinjiang against the Uighur Muslims. The “Diplomatic boycott” does not affect the participation of athletes from respective countries indicating that the government officials will refrain from attending the event. (“China urges Japan to support Beijing Olympics,” Japan Today, 26 November 2021)
INTERNATIONAL
Ministry of Commerce protests against US sanctions on Chinese companies
On 25 November, China’s Ministry of Commerce said that China strongly protests the sanctions that the US has imposed on 12 Chinese companies. A spokesperson from the ministry, Shu Jueting, said in a briefing while responding to questions on the matter: “This action seriously lacks a factual basis, and its procedures are very opaque.” She further said that this new list is not agreed upon by the heads of the two states, and is not in the interest of the economies of the two countries or global supply chains. The arbitrary sanctions are part of the US’ overstretched concept of national security, according to the spokesperson. (“China strongly protests U.S. sanctions against 12 Chinese companies: MOC,” Xinhua, 25 November 2021)
President Xi’s letter to media summit highlights responsibility of and exchanges among media
On 25 October, Xinhua reported on the fourth World Media Summit launched in Beijing where President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter. The letter highlighted that the media has important social responsibilities and that a closer exchange and cooperation among media outlets across the globe is significant. He also emphasized the friendship and people-to-people and cultural exchanges that emerge due to media while upholding shared values of humanity and development. Many foreign media leaders attended the summit and highlighted the need for cooperation in media houses. The summit is a unique platform to exchange views on important global affairs with different media houses. (“Xi's letter gives guidance for closer exchanges among media,” Xinhua, 25 November 2021)
China opposes to US-initiated ‘Summit for Democracy’ with Taiwan as a participant
On 25 November, Global Times reported that China firmly opposes the US move to invite Taiwan to a ‘Summit of Democracy’ as published by the US State Department. Experts from China see this as an opportunity for the secessionist DPP authorities to get close to the Biden administration. A Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson warned those giving shelter to Taiwan's independence forces and also said: “Democracy is a common value of all humanity, not the patent of a few countries. What the US has done shows exactly that it is only using democracy as a cover and tool to advance its geostrategic goals, suppress other countries, divide the world, and serve its selfish agenda of maintaining hegemony.” Media outlets from Taiwan show favorable responses to the summit. (Yang Sheng and Wang Qi, “Biden admin, DPP authority want to make use of each other via 'Summit for Democracy,' but with no concrete gains for Taiwan,” Global Times, 25 November 2021)
China says Lithuania will eventually pay the price allowing Taiwan’s representative office in Vilnius
On 25 November, the Chinese embassy made a statement saying, “due to technical reasons, consular services will be suspended from Nov 25” stooping the issue of visas in Lithuania. The move is in line with the downward spiral of diplomatic ties between Lithuania and China after Vilnius welcomed Taiwan to open a representative office in Lithuania. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that Lithuania “has betrayed” Beijing “it will eventually pay the price.” (“China stops issuing visas in Lithuania amid Taiwan row,” The Strait Times, 26 November 2021)
Beijing warns Berlin’s new coalition government not to interfere in China’s internal matters
On 25 November, South China Morning Post reported on China warning the new German government not to interfere in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang. The new coalition government declared that Germany plans to develop relations with China in “dimensions of partnership, shaping competition and systematic rivalry.” The negotiated statement urged China “to play a responsible role for peace and stability in its neighborhood” and mentioned disputes in the South and the East China Sea and emphasized restoring ‘one country, two systems’ on Hong Kong. On 24 November, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Zhao Lijian said, “I hope that the new German government will continue its pragmatic China policy and meet China halfway.” Zhao further added that “All previous German governments have upheld the one-China policy, and I hope that the new German government will continue to abide by this policy.” (“China warns off new German government over Taiwan, Hong Kong and Xinjiang,” South China Morning Post, 25 November 2021)