NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Global Times/Visual China Group
IN BRIEF
By Dincy Adlakha, Avishka Ashok and Keerthana Nambiar
INTERNATIONAL
Chinese authorities reject the European Parliament resolution on Hong Kong
On 21 January, Global Times reported that the Chinese authorities are firmly rejecting the Hong Kong resolution of the European Parliament (EP) calling its a “piece of waste paper and a joke” On 20 January, the European Parliament passed the resolution on the violations of democracy in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and called for sanctions against the Chinese central government and Hong Kong government officials. In a routine press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian stated that Hong Kong-related affairs are China’s domestic affairs and Hong Kong is now safe and stable. “In terms of human rights issues, the EP should learn to reflect on themselves and get rid of their old habit of always wanting to be a teacher to others,” added the spokesperson. (“European Parliament resolution on HK ‘waste paper, joke’,” Global Times, 21 January 2022)
Chinese Foreign Ministry criticizes US for double standards on nonproliferation
On 22 January, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian criticized the US for sanctioning three Chinese military enterprises. The US had recently imposed sanctions on the Chinese military firms citing “missile proliferation” which has angered China. Zhao termed this as “bullying behaviour” in an effort to keep Chinese firms at bay. He also said that the move is politically driven and is reflective of US double standards. He said that the US is taking groundless actions which should be reversed with immediate effect. Zhai said that the actions have “disrupted the normal international economic and trade order, and threatened the security and stability of the global industrial chain and supply chain. It's not conducive to the recovery and development of the world economy.” (Leng Shumei and Yu Xi, “US lambasted for double standards on nonproliferation,” Global Times, 22 January 2022)
Experts opine differences in Japan-US relations yet to be solved
On 22 January, Global Times published an article that builds on an interview with Liu Weidong, a research fellow at the Institute of American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article reported that US President Joe Biden held a virtual summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida where both agreed to boost cooperation on issues like the economy, security, Chinese power, North Korea’s missile launches and Russia’s aims in Ukraine. However, the expert holds that there have been tensions brewing in the relationship as Japan-US have a historical bond but Japan’s silence against “opponent” China is concerning. He further adds that Japan PM needs to show complete loyalty to the US for improved relations. According to the researcher, Japan is also wary of improving China-US relations. Hence, the two countries need to align together yet again through the rough patch. (Wang Qi, “Biden tests Japan’s loyalty at virtual summit, but ‘disagreements remain to be solved’,” Global Times, 22 January 2022)
China-Bangladesh mega expressway aims to finish construction by 2024
On 22 January, Xinhua Net reported on the transformational highway in Dhaka and informed that the Chinese and Bangladeshi project was taking shape nicely. The highway is aimed at connecting the industrial belts, the Chattogram seaport and the northeast region of the country. China owns 60 percent of the stakes in the USD 400 million project. A Chinese project manager in Bangladesh informed that 70 percent of the work had been completed and the involved companies planned to finish construction by 2024. (“China mega-tech drives Bangladesh mega highway, Xinhua Net, 22 January 2021)
INTERNAL
Chinese political advisors conduct meeting to study President Xi’s speech for guidelines on Party governance
On 21 January, China’s senior political advisors met to “study the important speech” which was delivered by President Xi Jinping at the sixth plenary session of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC. the meeting was held by the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPCCC) National Committee headed by Wang Yang. The political advisors stressed the importance of studying the speech for strengthening the Party and align thinking and actions with President Xi’s speech. The meeting also said: “ The leading Party members group should also bolster its ability to resist corruption and fulfill its duties and responsibilities with good spirit,” reported Xinhua. (“Senior political advisors study Xi's speech on strict Party governance,” Xinhua Net, 21 January 2022)
ECONOMY
China continues to be the leading shipbuilder in 2021
On 22 January, Xinhua Net reported the data released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and informed that China continued to remain the world’s leading shipbuilder in 2021. The demand for maritime transport increased in the last year, thereby pushing the demand in the Chinese shipbuilding industry. In 2021, the total output amounted to 39.7 million deadweight tonnes and 47.2 percent of the world’s total output. China received over 53.8 percent of the total global orders for shipbuilding. (“China remains world's leading shipbuilder in 2021,” Xinhua Net, 22 January 2022)
5G phone shipments in China surge by 63.5 percent
On 22 January, Xinhua Net relayed the information published by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology on the shipments of 5G phones. According to the data provided by the Academy, the shipments accounted for 266 million units in 2021 and 75.9 percent of the total mobile shipments. The country is also credited for introducing 227 new models of the 5G phones in 2021. An MIIT data revealed that China has increased its pace of network development and has launched 1.43 million 5G base stations. (“China's 5G phone shipments surge in 2021, Xinhua Net, 22 January 2022)
Beijing’s foreign trade scores better than other Chinese cities
On 21 January, the local customs authority reported that Beijing city recorded a robust growth in its foreign trade in 2021. The total import and export value amounted to 3.04 trillion yuan and recorded a 30.6 percent surge in 2021. In comparison to other cities and the national average, the growth rate of Beijing was 9.2 percentage points higher than the rest. (“Beijing's foreign trade stays robust,” Xinhua Net, 22 January 2021)