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Photo : The Straits Times
CHINA READER DAILY WIRE
INTERNAL
"The need to boost employment and incomes and prevent and defuse risks," Premier at the 17th NPC
On 05 March, Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the 17th National People’s Congress (NPC) announced China’s economic plan for 2024. He aimed that the target for economic growth would be 5 per cent and affirmed to change the country’s development model by defusing the bankrupt property developers and indebt cities. Li also called out the higher defence spending while iterating China’s claims on Taiwan. Chief macro analyst at the Soochow Securities, Tao Chuan said: “It’s more difficult to achieve 5% this year than last year because the base number has become higher, indicating that the top leaders are committed to supporting economic growth.” The new growth model called for can be seen in light of uneven growth in the previous year and the structural imbalance, weakening consumption habits and lower returns on investment. Li also highlighted that it won't be able to have a proactive stance and “prudent monetary policy.” The following are the aims that the NPC proposed: budget deficit of 3 per cent of the economic output, 1 trillion yuan in ultra-long-term treasury bonds, creation of 12 million urban jobs and reducing the unemployment rate to 5.5 per cent. Additionally, to tackle the issue of an ageing demographic, the government plans to improve policies encouraging and supporting childbirth and racing benefits for pensioners and the elderly. (“China vows to 'transform' economy, sets ambitious growth target,” Reuters, 05 February 2024)
Selection of new foreign minister not on NPC 2024 agenda, Editorial
On 04 March, according to an editorial in The Straits Times, titled “China unlikely to get new foreign minister at Two Sessions,” by Lim Min Zhang, China would not be able to elect a new foreign minister as it was not part of the agenda for the annual 17th NPC meeting. The NPC meeting has the power to elect and appoint top officials such as president, state councillors, ministers and the chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC). China hinted that Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the CCP, to take over Wang Yi as the country’s next foreign minister after Qin Gang was removed from his post in July 2023. He had previously served as the ambassador to the Philippines and met US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in January 2024. Similarly, former Defense Minister Li Shangfu was removed from his office in October 2023 on corruption charges and will not be participating in the NPC session. NPC spokesman Lou Qinjian said that General Li cannot join as he is no longer a deputy. However, the successor of General Li, Admiral Dong Jun, has not yet been appointed to the CMC or the State Council. (Lim Min Zhang, “China unlikely to get new foreign minister at Two Sessions,” The Straits Times, 05 March 2024)
China to develop indigenous technology against sanctions and decoupling
On 04 March, a spokesman for the National People’s Congress (NPC), Lou Qinjian, said that no country can prevent China’s access to technology and that China will develop its advanced technology. He replied in response to the growing competition in advanced technology between major countries on AI, 5G, and semiconductor chips. In response to de-risking and decoupling against China’s rise, he said that China is ready to work together or work alone. He gave the example of China’s homegrown navigation system known as Beidou as a breakthrough in advanced technology. His remarks come amid China’s involvement in the trade war with the United States. (Aw Cheng Wei, “‘No one can put a stranglehold on us,’ says Chinese official on global tech race,” The Straits Times, 05 March 2024)
China to further childbirth policies amid falling demography
On 05 March, government reports outlined China’s aim to support childbirth policies, by increasing the benefits and basic pensions and shifting towards a new private pension system. The announcements come amid a falling in Chinese demography for the 2nd time in 2023 in which new birthrates are half in 2023 than in 2016. According to a report released by Premier Li Qiang, China aims to implement new policies by “refining parental leave policies, improving the mechanism for sharing the related labour costs of employers, and increasing the supply of childcare services.” China’s declining population is due to the one-child policy imposed between 1980 and 2015, and the government has allowed them to have three children since 2021. Despite the government’s efforts, many women are unwilling to have more children due to higher living costs. The report mentions the government’s efforts to build a new system to provide elderly care services and a healthcare system for the elderly. (“China to improve childbirth policies and boost support for elderly,” The Strait Times, 05 March 2024)
China cancels Premier Li’s Press Conference, NPC
On 04 March, National People's Congress (NPC) spokesperson Lou Qinjian said that Premier Li Qiang will not hold the annual press conferences for the remaining term of China’s NPC till 2027. In 1993, the Chinese Premier used the annual NPC meeting to answer the questions from Chinese and foreign journalists to attract foreign journalists as part of its economic liberalization and boosting foreign investment and trade. Yaqiu Wang, research director for China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan at Freedom House, said that the cancellation of the press conference shows the CCP’s tightening control over the country and a reversal of the reform policies of the past. Neil Thomas, a fellow for Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute, says that the cancellation of Premier Li’s press conference is seen as another step by President Xi to consolidate his position in the country and does not want anybody else to attain higher popularity. Chien-wen Kou, director of the Institute of International Relations at National Cheng-Chi University in Taipei, said that the cancellation of press conferences shows the diminishing role of the Premier and the two sessions in Chinese politics. (Adrianna Zhang, Wenhao Ma, Bo Gu, Chuang Chih-wei, “China Watchers: No Premier's Annual Press Conference, No Difference,” VOA, 04 March 2024)
INTERNATIONAL
Human rights violation in Xinjiang and Tibet, says UN Human Rights Chief
On 04 March, United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Turk said that China is violating the fundamental rights of the people in Xinjiang and Tibet and needs to correct its actions. In his update to the Human Rights Council, Turk has expressed his concerns about Hong Kong’s new national security law. However, China has rejected the allegations and said that its vocational centers have helped combat extremism and enhance development. While praising China’s growth and anti-poverty policy, Turk criticized the government’s imposition of Article 293 of the Criminal Law against the people protesting in Hong Kong. China’s ambassador, Chen Xu, countered the UN and blamed it for politicizing and weaponizing human rights issues. (“China violating ‘fundamental rights’ in Xinjiang, Tibet: UN rights chief,” The Straits Times, 05 March 2024)
ECONOMY
China sets growth target of 5 per cent in 2024
On 05 March, during the opening day of China’s annual legislature meeting of the NPC, Premier Li Qiang delivered the government work report that followed the growth target of 5 per cent in 2024. According to the official government data, China achieved a growth rate of 5.2 per cent in 2023 due to the increased investment in infrastructure and increased liquidity in the market. The report highlighted the government’s aim to create 12 million urban jobs and projected the unemployment rate to be around 5.5 per cent. The inflation is expected to rise by 3 per cent. Also, the defense budget is expected to rise to 1.67 trillion yuan, which is a 7.2 per cent increase from the 2023 budget. Li pointed out that the targets set are difficult to achieve due to the ongoing challenges in the Chinese economy, such as the property market crisis, weak global demand, and high local government debt. The government is focused on science and technological innovation as part of the country’s National Development Reform Commission (NDRC), and its budget of 370.8 billion yuan has been allocated, which is a 10 per cent increase compared to 2023. The government is also committed to developing new development and financing models for China’s real estate sector. On foreign policy, Li said that the country will adopt an independent policy and will oppose all hegemonic and bullying acts. (Aw Cheng Wei, Tan Dawn Wei, “China sets sight on around 5% growth in 2024, defence spending to rise,” The Straits Times, 05 March 2024)
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
China invests more in car carriers to support EV export
On 05 March, an editorial in Nikkie Asia, titled, “BYD to deploy a fleet of 8 car carriers to underpin global EV expansion,” by Shizuka Tanabe informed of the Chinese EV giant’s plan to increase their car carriers to facilitate export capacity. BYD chairman and founder Wang Chuanfu said: “BYD is going to deploy seven car carriers in the coming two years to ease the shortage of shipping capacity for automobile exports.” BYD Explorer No. 1, a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ship used for export has a capacity of 7,000. They are the first Chinese car carrier exclusively made for the export of domestic products. One of the reasons for the company’s investment is due to the rising cost of transportation which it hopes to be reduced with its vessel. The rapidly growing exports of China surpassed Japan in 2022 and became the world's largest exporter with 4.9 million vehicles in 2023. While the exports expanded the transport capacity remained the same. China’s carriers are now rapidly driven with many ship owners placing orders for 37 car carriers. (Shizuka Tanabe, “BYD to deploy a fleet of 8 car carriers to underpin global EV expansion,” Nikkie Asia, 05 March 2024)
CHINA & SOUTHEAST ASIA
China and Maldives sign ‘free military assistance’ agreement
On 04 February, China and Maldives forged a defence cooperation agreement, where they offered free military assistance to further strengthen bilateral ties. Deputy Director of China’s Office for International Military Cooperation Major General Zhang Baoqun and Maldives Minister of Defense, Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon discussed to need for defence cooperation between the two countries. Before this Chinese ambassador to the Maldives, Wang Lixin donated 12 ambulances to the Maldives Health Ministry. The visit also comes after the Male allowed a Chinese research ship to make a port call. The agreement comes weeks after the Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu called for a withdrawal of Indian troops stationed there. (“After asking India to withdraw troops, Maldives signs free military assistance deal with China,” Livemint, 05 February 2024)
Philippines ship damaged after colliding with Chinese vessel
On 05 February, the Philippines Coast Guards (PCG) accused Chinese ships of blocking their resupply mission in the South China Sea. PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela informed that the incident which led to minor structural damage happened near the Second Thomas Shoal. Tarriela said: “The PCG vessels faced dangerous manoeuvres and blocking from Chinese Coast Guard vessels and Chinese Maritime Militia,” He also stated that the reckless and illegal actions by the Chinese led to a collision between the MRRV-4407 and China Coast Guard 21555. The Chinese side continued that they had just taken their “regulatory action” against the Philippines and accused them of entering waters illegally. (“Philippines says ship damaged in South China Sea incident with Chinese boat,” Al-Jazeera, 05 March 2024)