NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : The Japan Times
IN BRIEF
By Keerthana Nambiar, Avishka Ashok and Dincy Adlakha
INTERNAL
Pro-Beijing candidates sweep Hong Kong Legislative Council elections
On 19 December, polls for the Legislative Council General Election in Hong Kong were held. All 90 seats were won by Pro-Beijing candidates. The election did not ee much turnout as only 30.2 percent of the people came out to vote. The election was tactfully held as it allowed only the candidates screened by the government and perceived as ‘Patriots’ of Beijing to stand in elections. Some residents say that the low turnout is a symbolic representation of citizens disagreeing with the electoral system. Previously, the lowest turnout for an election was in 1997 when Hong Kong returned from British to Chinese rule. The year saw only 43.6 percent of people voting. Global Times reported on the election and hailed the decision. It recognized that anti-China lawmakers and secessionists have been outed. This is seen as a new, more practical and more effective phase of Hong Kong governance by mainland China. Post-elections, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam released a statement that read: “Whether they lost or won, they all carried out beautiful election campaigns.” She also said that it will be exciting to work with the newly won representatives as they have different opinions on social issues. (“Pro-Beijing candidates sweep ‘patriots’-only Hong Kong vote amid low turnout,” The Asahi Shimbun, 20 December 2021; Chen Qingqing, Bai Yunyi and Zhao Juecheng, “LegCo election advances despite trivial noises, to bring HK into a new era,” Global Times, 19 December 2021; Hillary Leung, “Hong Kong’s Carrie Lam praises ‘beautiful campaigns,’ plays down poor election turnout,” Hong Kong Free Press, 20 December 2021)
Chinese central government issues new white paper on democracy in Hong Kong
On 20 December, China released a white paper on Hong Kong democracy immediately after the Legislative Council election in Hong Kong concluded. The latest paper, titled ‘Hong Kong Democratic Progress Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems,’ stressed that the Communist Party of China has designed, created, protected and encouraged the Hong Kong democratic system. The paper gave a historic background of Hong Kong and said that there was no genuine democracy under British rule. The paper also suggested that Hong Kong received its constitution and basic law only after its return to the mainland. The paper also said that agitators usually undermine the Hong Kong democracy with the biggest attack in 2019. It said that the party has rebuilt the democracy after such shocks. (“China issues white paper on HKSAR democracy, stresses CPC, central govt’s role as guardian of its democracy,” Global Times, 20 December 2021)
Xinjiang residents say “forced labor” narrative a lie
On 19 December, representatives from northwest China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region took part in a conference. The conference was attended by common residents from Xinjiang who are working as professors, company executives, canteen workers, and the like. The residents agreed that Xinjiang labor and employment policies are in line with the Chinese laws and international human rights standards. One of the attendees said: “The so-called 'forced labor' in Xinjiang is a lie of the century.” They also put light on the modernized techniques used for the production of crops and goods in the region. (“Xinjiang residents debunk "forced labor" lies,” Xinhua Net, 19 December 2021)
Peng Shuai denies accusing Chinese vice premier of sexual assault
On 20 December, Chinese top tennis star Peng Shuai said in a video released by Singapore media that it is misunderstood that she accused Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli. She said: “First, I need to stress one point that is extremely important, I have never said or written that anyone has sexually assaulted me, I have to clearly stress this point.” Although she did not provide any clarifications or elaborate replacements, she said that her social media post has been misunderstood by people. This is the first time that the sports star addressed the matter ever since posting a long account of her relationship with the vice-premier. Her post has been seen as a suppressed #MeToo voice. (“China tennis star Peng denies she made accusation of sexual assault,” The Asahi Shimbun, 20 December 2021)
ECONOMY
Policies and measures target employment in China post-COVID
On 19 December, Xinhua reported that China is striving to keep employment stable in the country. Taking account of the COVID-19 impact and the decreasing economy, China has worked to bring out support measures and policies to give impetus to employment in the country. The employment rate of November 2021 is 0.2 percent lower than that of the same time last year. However, China has announced a cut in the reservation ratio for financial institutions and employment subsidies worth 10.6 billion US dollars have been released. According to Xinhua, these measures bring positive signals to the labor market in China. (“China strives to keep employment stable,” Xinhua Net, 19 December 2021)
China cuts benchmark loan rate amidst economic pressures
On 20 December, China cut its stable one-year loan rate from 3.85 percent to 3.8 percent for the first time in two years. The move was announced by the People’s Bank of China. Although the five-year loan rate remained the same at 4.65 percent which means the mortgage rate remains the same. Experts say that the move was done in order to provide support to the economy undergoing property slump and sporadic effects of COVID-19 outbreaks and lockdowns. (Andrew Mullen, “China cuts benchmark loan rate for first time in almost 2 years amid mounting economic pressures,” South China Morning Post, 20 December 2021)
INTERNATIONAL
Pressures from West push China and Russia closer
On 20 December, South China Morning Post published an opinion editorial highlighting that the pressure from the western countries has pushed the ways of Russia and China closer. The article cites the recent military, political and economic ties between China and Russia have grown and the countries are collaborating on high levels in space and energy research. The author suggests that recent rhetorics and targeting Russia and China by the US, NATO and EU has led to this new strong friendship. The western forces portray China and Russia as threats which push them close to each other. (Danil Bochkov, “How Western pressure is pushing China and Russia ever closer,” South China Morning Post, 20 December 2021)