NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Global Times
IN BRIEF
By Dincy Adlakha and Keerthana Nambiar
INTERNATIONAL
Beijing warns foreign athletes to strictly follow Olympic charter and Chinese laws and regulations
On 19 January, Washington Post reported that China’s Olympics organizing committee member warned that the foreign athletes may face punishment for speech that violates the Chinese law at the Winter Games. On 18 January, Yang Shu, the deputy director-general of international relations for the Beijing Organizing Committee said: “Any behavior or speech that is against the Olympic spirit, especially against the Chinese laws and regulations, are also subject to certain punishment.” China’s human rights records are undergoing harsh scrutiny by the international forums and media for the alleged human rights violations in the Xinjiang region. US, UK, Canada, Australia and Japan are going ahead with the political boycott of the Games following the accusations. Yang added that: “The politicization of sports is one of the things opposed by the Olympic Charter.” (“China warns foreign Olympic athletes against speaking out on politics at Winter Games,” Washington Post, 19 January 2022)
Xi, Lukashenko celebrate 30 years of diplomatic ties
On 20 January, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko exchanged congratulatory messages with each other to mark the completion of 30 years of diplomatic relations. Both countries have promised to cooperate further for trade and investment ties. They have also discussed holding up the values of truth and accountability in previous talks during January 2022. (“Chinese, Belarusian presidents exchange congratulations on 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations,” Global Times, 20 January 2022)
INTERNAL
Chinese expert briefs on China’s demographic dividends
On 20 January, Reuters published an expert report on China’s demography and slowing down of the population. According to the Chinese demographic expert, the demographic dividends of China are within a “window of opportunity” which will be closed soon. Song Jian, a demographic professor at Renmin University explained that this situation would pressurize fewer births among the working population. Song says that in the future “China would have to turn to dividends from its elderly population instead,” reported Reuters. Chinese economy which is largely dependent on the population will face backlash since the record drop in birth rate in 2021. (“China's demographic dividends to end soon, expert warns,” Reuters, 20 January 2022)
China releases white paper on the international importance of improving wetlands
On 19 January, China’s National Forestry and Grassland administration issued a white paper on the ecology of China’s wetlands. The document discusses the international importance of improving the wetlands for better water quality and biodiversity. The Chinese mainland has about 63 wetlands and one in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The 63 wetlands are home to 2,258 species of wetlands and 260 species of wetland birds. Wu Zhimin, an official with the administration said: “In the future, China will continue to boost conservation of the wetlands of international importance, carry out wetland ecological restoration, strengthen the prevention and control of alien species and improve wetland management capacity,” reported Xinhua. (“China's wetlands of int'l importance improving: white paper,” Xinhua Net, 20 January 2022)
Chinese Premier emphasizes key supply circulations
On 19 January, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang chaired a State Council meeting and stressed strengthening key supply circulations like coal, electricity, oil, gas, market goods and the like. The premier emphasized that these goods are essential for people’s daily lives, even more so with the approaching Spring Festival. He lauded the stable flow of these supplies so far and said: “It's important to better coordinate production, supply and sale, and ensure smoother circulation.” (Wang Keju, “Li stresses strengthening key supplies,” China Daily, 20 January 2022)
REGIONAL
China looks forward for face-to-face ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of bilateral ties with Japan
On 20 January, Japan Today reported on China considering holding a face-to-face ceremony with Japan to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the normalization of relations between the two countries. By September 2022, as China-Japan marks its anniversary, Beijing is eager to stabilize relations with Tokyo which worsened due to the human rights issue and security challenges posed by China. This move is following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s remarks at the telephonic conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida saying Xi hopes to “embrace this significant historical juncture.” (“China mulls in-person event to mark normalization of ties with Japan,” Japan Today, 20 January 2022)
PLA aircrafts enter Taiwan Air Defense Identification Zone
On 20 January, Taiwan news reported that five Chinese LA Air force fighter jets entered the Air Defense Identification Zone the previous day. This was the 16th such incursion within this month. Responding to the incursion, Taiwan raised radio warnings and deployed its air defense missile systems with tracking abilities to locate the planes. Taiwan also sent an aircraft for the same. In January 2022, Chinese aircrafts invaded Taiwan’s ADIZ almost everyday. (Eric Chang, “5 Chinese military aircraft enter Taiwan’s ADIZ,” Taiwan News, 20 January 2022)