NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
In Focus
By Keerthana Nambiar
China releases white paper on the population dynamics of Xinjiang
On 26 September 2021, China’s State Council Information Office released its white paper that specifically focuses on demographic development in the Xinjiang region. It’s the first paper since 2015 and has published nine issues so far covering education centers, employment, vocational training, anti-terrorism measures, and human rights achievements. The tenth white paper titled “Xinjiang Population Dynamics and Data” consists of six parts- population growth, demographic changes and development, prospects of the regional population, and “falsehoods fabricated by anti-China forces”.
The data particularly focuses on ethnic minorities. The substantial growth in size, quality, and life expectancy of the Xinjiang population. According to preliminary data collected in the seventh national census in 2020, the total population of Xinjiang was 25.85 million. Among them, the Han ethnic group is 10.92 million, and ethnic minorities are 14.93 million. In 2020, the population of ethnic groups in Xinjiang increased from 4.45 million.
The State Council details the commendable achievements in various fields in the Xinjiang region. The steady progress in the education sector, a total of nearly 2.12 million college graduates, of whom 767,000 (36.3 percent) are ethnic minorities. The improvement in public health, where more basic health facilities and medical institutions have been installed. The white paper explains the population dynamics of the region with the fall in infant mortality and rises in life expectancy.
In line with the region’s social and economic development, Xinjiang has amended policies and will further modify and improve the policies and regulations. The paper describes Xinjiang’s commitment to protecting the health of women and children, changed views on family planning, and religious extremism. It calls out the fabricated “falsehoods” by the anti-China forces on the forced labor, mandatory sterilization, parent-child separation, cultural genocide, and religious persecution.
The report concludes with the note that the Chinese government will continue to uphold the sovereignty, integrity, and security of the Xinjiang region. It marks the demographic development as social progress and success of a multi-ethnic population.
References
Full Text: Xinjiang Population Dynamics and Data, The State Council The People’s Republic of China, 26 September 2021
In Brief
By Avishka Ashok and Juan Mary Joseph
INTERNAL
China to reduce abortions for 'non-medical purposes'
On 27 September, a Reuters report said that China's cabinet issued new guidelines which will reduce the number of abortions performed for "non-medical purposes”. The State Council also said that action would be taken to avoid unwanted pregnancies and to encourage men to "share responsibility" in preventing them. The authorities aim to improve sex education and strengthen family planning. The move comes after China has already enacted strict measures to prevent sex-selective abortions which has contributed to gender inequality. (China to reduce abortions for 'non-medical purposes', Reuters, 27 September 2021)
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-says-will-reduce-number-abortions-non-medical-purposes-2021-09-27/
Chinese tech giants offer support to SMEs at annual internet forum
On 26 September, the Global Times reported that the big tech firms in China pledged to extend help to the SMEs at the annual internet forum where the best tech innovations and ideas are put forth to the national tech giants as well as the foreign players. President Xi Jinping also sent a congratulatory note to the conference which was conducted in Wuzhen. He said: “It is imperative for the international community to join hands to seize opportunities and meet challenges by following the trend of informatization and digitalization, as well as networking and smart development.” (Chinese Big Tech vows to support SMEs at premier internet summit, Global Times, 26 September 2021)
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202109/1235160.shtml
State Council repeals one-child era policies
On 26 September, the State Council announced its decision to repeal three administrative regulations related to family planning. The cabinet’s decision to repeal the regulations will impact technical services for family planning, social support fees and family planning work for the mobile population. The cabinet decided to repeal the regulations to accommodate the newly passed family planning law passed in August 2021. The cancelled laws were passed during China’s one-child policy era. (State Council repeals 3 administrative regulations related to family planning, including the collection of social support fees, Global Times, 26 September 2021)
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202109/1235118.shtml
First solar probe to be showcased at Airshow China
On 27 September, the Global Times reported that China’s first solar probe will be showcased at Airshow China before its debut. Airshow China showcases the country’s latest aerospace innovations and advanced space technologies. The event will take place in Zhuhai from 28 September to 3 October. This year, the event will display the country’s first solar probe, an innovation developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology under China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The probe is a step forward in China’s aim to study the sun in the near future. (China's first solar probe to make surprising debut at Airshow China before launch, Global Times, 27 September 2021)
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202109/1235171.shtml
REGIONAL
Taiwan’s new opposition party leader pledges renewed talks with China
On 25 September, Taiwan's main opposition party, Kuomintang (KMT), elected former leader Eric Chu as its chairman, who pledged to renew stalled talks with China. The KMT, which ruled China until fleeing to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war, traditionally favours close ties with Beijing. (Taiwan opposition party's new leader pledges renewed talks with China, Reuters, 25 September 2021)
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-opposition-partys-new-leader-pledges-renewed-talks-with-china-2021-09-25/
Hong Kong Group behind annual Tiananmen vigil disbands
On 25 September, the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China, the group that organises annual vigils on June 4 to remember protesters killed in China's 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown will disband. The decision to disband comes after it came under probe for national security charges, including inciting subversion. (Group behind Hong Kong's annual Tiananmen vigil disbands amid probe, Reuters, 25 September 2021)
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/group-behind-hong-kongs-annual-tiananmen-vigil-disbands-amid-probe-2021-09-25/
INTERNATIONAL
China condemns Britain for sailing warship through Taiwan Strait
On 27 September, Reuters reported that China's military, the PLA followed and warned a British warship that sailed through the Taiwan Strait, adding that Britain was engaging in behaviour that "harboured evil intentions". (China condemns Britain for sailing warship through Taiwan Strait, Reuters, 22 September 2021)
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-condemns-britain-sailing-warship-through-taiwan-strait-2021-09-27/