NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Xinhua
IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok, Keerthana Nambiar and Dincy Adlakha
INTERNAL
China approves first indigenous anti-COVID-19 drug for marketing
On 9 December, authorities in China announced that the first home-developed drug against COVID-19 has been approved for marketing. It is said to be highly effective by reducing the risk of death or hospitalization by 8p percent. It is also said to have neutralizing agents against the Omicron variant of coronavirus. Experts hold that the drug is the only antibody drug in the world to evaluate the efficacy of treatment in patients with mutant strains of the virus and gives the best results for protection. (Liu Caiyu and Zhao Juecheng, “China's first COVID-19 antibody drug cuts hospitalizations, deaths 80%,” Global Times, 9 December 2021)
Jimmy Lai, Chow Hang Tung and Gwyneth Ho found guilty for taking part in the Tiananmen Square vigil
On 9 December, Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, Alliance’s Chow Hang Tung and former opposition politician Gwyneth Ho and more than two dozen politicians and activists have been convicted for inciting and taking part in a vigil to mark the Tiananmen massacre. District Court Judge Amanda Woodcock in a press conference said that the arguments on the vigil were “frankly nonsensical” and the participation “was an act of defiance and protest against the police.” (“3 including Jimmy Lai convicted over unauthorized assembly in HK, joining 21 others,” Global Times, 9 December 2021; “Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai convicted for taking part in Tiananmen vigil,” BBC, 10 December 2021)
ECONOMY
China marks the 20th anniversary of its accession to World Trade Organization
On 10 December, China Daily reported that 2021 marks Beijing's 20th anniversary of accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Gao Feng said: "The magnitude of foreign direct investment (FDI) into China, in actual use, surged by 17.8 percent year on year to 943.15 billion yuan ($147.87 billion) in the first 10 months of this year, and it is expected to exceed 1 trillion yuan."According to the data provided by the Ministry, in the first half of 2021, over 23,000 new foreign enterprises were set up in China. The ministry promised that China will continue to share the market opportunities with the world and promote high-level opening as well as provide better services to foreign companies. ("Nation marks 20th anniversary of joining WTO," China Daily, 10 December 2021)
Evergrande and Kaisa Group labeled as defaulters by the Fitch Ratings
On 10 December, the Strait Times reported that the Fitch Ratings has labeled China’s Evergrande Group and Kaisa Group Holdings as payment defaulters. Evergrande Group has been labeled a defaulter of more than US$1.2 billion for the first time after failing to make two coupon payments worth US$82.5 million. Kaisa has failed to repay a US$400 million dollar bond that matured on 7 December 2021. (“China's Evergrande, Kaisa have defaulted as huge restructuring looms," The Strait Times, 10 December 2021)
TECHNOLOGY
Shenzhou-13 taikonauts open extraterrestrial lecture series
On 9 December, three taikonauts delivered their first lecture to a total of 1420 students from the Shenzhou spaceflight mission. This lecture was the first in a series of lectures, called the Tiangong class series, which will be held from space. Primary students from all around the world were welcome to attend the lecture. This first lecture began with a live broadcast from the orbiting China Space Station. Classrooms were set up in various provinces of China and even in Hong Kong and Macao as the class began through a video link. According to the China Manned Space Agency, it will now become a regular practice for manned space missions to hold such lectures from space to encourage students from a young age. (Deng Xiaoci and Leng Shumei, “Shenzhou-13 taikonauts deliver first Tiangong class,” 9 December 2021)
INTERNATIONAL
Nicaragua derecognizes Taiwan to resume ties with China
On 9 December, the government of the Republic of Nicaragua declared that it is severing “diplomatic relations with Taiwan”. Within three hours, the authorities also announced that they are resuming relations with China. Their statement read that the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government that represents all of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. With this announcement, only 14 countries in the world recognize Taiwan as a state now. Immediately after this escalation, the Taiwanese ministry of foreign affairs stated that relations with Nicaragua are being severed with immediate effect. Experts in China hail the development as a “heavy blow” to the Taiwanese secessionists seeking support from the US. (“China, Nicaragua resume ties within 3 hours after Taiwan loses 'ally,' a 'heavy blow' to secessionists seeking US support,” Global Times, 10 December 2021)
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson calls Uyghur Tribunal judgment a farce
On 9 December, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson released a statement that called the final ruling of the “Uyghur Tribunal” a political farce. He said that liars and false evidence were gathered by contemptible individuals to claim that China is committing genocide. He saw this final ruling terming Chinese activities in Xinjian a genocide as an anti-China action that does not hold much facts or ground. He said: “Lies remain lies, no matter how many times they are repeated. Lies cannot cover up facts and truth, cheat the international community, still less stop the historical trend of stability, development and prosperity in China's Xinjiang.” On the same day, similar statements were released by the Chinese Embassy in the UK to oppose the “World Uyghur Congress” and its terrorist, secessionist intentions. (“Judgment made by fake tribunal is doomed to be swept into trash can by history, spurned by people: FM spokesperson,” Global Times, 9 December 2021)
Chinese Foreign Ministry claims US, Britain and Australia using Winter Olympics for political manipulation
On 9 December, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin made a statement on the ongoing diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics 2022: “the United States, Britain and Australia have used the Olympics platform for political manipulation.” “They will have to pay the price for their mistaken acts,” quoted Wenbin. The Ministry came in the responses after Australia joined Britain and the US on the decision of not sending officials to the Winter Olympics. (“China says Australia, Britain, U.S. to pay price for wrong acts,” The Asahi Shimbun, 9 December 2021)