NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Xinhua/Zhai Jianian
IN BRIEF
By Keerthana Nambiar and Avishka Ashok
INTERNAL
NPC meeting: China closes its fifth session of the CPPCC
On 10 March, China winded its 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in the presence of President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Wang Yang, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee delivered a speech at the closing meeting. “ A resolution on a report on how the proposals from political advisors have been handled since the previous annual session” and “examination of new proposals, and a political resolution on the fifth session” were approved at the meeting. Xinhua Net also posted pictures from the six-day session which showcased the ethnic representation and inclusivity. (“China's top political advisory body wraps up annual session,” Xinhua Net, 10 March 2022)
Defense spending: Military spokesperson says the hype on the “hidden military spending” is baseless
On 10 March, Xinhua reported that a spokesperson for China’s People’s Liberation Army and People’s Army and People’s Armed Police Force said that China’s defense spending is to tackle the complex security challenges. He stated: “History proves and will continue to prove that the Chinese armed forces will always be a staunch force in safeguarding national interests and maintaining world peace,” reported Xinhua. He further added that the hype about China’s “hidden spending” on the defense is groundless. (“China's military spending maintains reasonable, steady growth: spokesperson,” Xinhua Net, 10 March 2022)
Women and children: China takes a strong stand against trafficking of the vulnerable
On 10 March, the Asahi Shimbun reported on the government’s strong response to trafficking of women and children in the country. The issue gained attention from the public as well as the administration after the case of a mother of eight children being tied in a shed came to light. The Premier Li Keqiang also spoke of the case during the annual report in the fifth session of the 13th National People’s Congress. The local governments in the country have also pledged to take a stand against trafficking of women and children and strictly enforce all laws to protect and prevent the abduction of the vulnerable. (“Human trafficking case sparks government response in China,” The Asahi Shimbun, 10 March 2022)
China’s livestreaming industry: Beijing calls on stricter rules for supervising the livestreaming sector
On 9 March, Global Times reported on the enhanced supervision on the livestreaming industry. In September 2021, the State Taxation Administration issued a notice for further strengthening of the taxation administration which affected the livestreaming sector. Ma Jin, a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC elaborated that with the development of the internet such bans were necessary and the blacklist system for live streamers would supervise the platform and report any types of tax-related information. The new development came after China’s top livestreamer Huang Wei also known as Viya dodged 643 million yuan in taxes. (“Lawmakers, political advisors call on enhancing supervision on e-commerce livestreaming,” Global Times, 9 March 2022 )
REGIONAL
Taiwan: Defense Minister comments on the possible outcome of a conflict with China
On 10 March, Taiwan’s Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng commented on the Ukraine-Russian dispute before the parliamentary session on the implications of the European war. Chiu addressed the press conference and remarked that a war between China and Taiwan would result in a miserable victory. He said: “If there's a war, to be frank, everyone will be miserable, even for the victors. One really needs to think this through. Everyone should avoid wars.” (“China-Taiwan war would end in 'miserable victory': Taiwan minister,” The Strait Times, 10 March 2022)
Taiwan: Intelligence agency suspects Chinese military aircraft crash in the South China Sea
On 10 March, the Strait Times reported that China had restricted access to the South China Sea near Vietnam to conduct a search operation for a crashed aircraft. In the previous week, the country had issued a warning to countries and warned vessels to steer clear of the area during the duration of its military drills. Although the Chinese government or military has not announced the crash, Taiwan’s intelligence agency believes that the country is looking for a lost plane. Vietnam also registered a complaint regarding the drills. The Foreign Ministry of China responded to the complaint and said: “It is reasonable, lawful and irreproachable for China to conduct military exercises on its own doorstep.” (“Taiwan says China closed off part of South China Sea to look for crashed plane,” The Strait Times, 10 March 2022)
Taiwan: China’s Defense Minister explains PLA’s actions against secessionist movements
On 9 March, the Military Spokesperson Wu Qian attended the annual session of the Nation People’s Congress and announced that China would not tolerate any actions of Taiwan’s independence secessionists. He addressed the media briefing and reiterated China’s disapproval for all actions seeking Taiwan’s separation from the mainland. He also explained that the exercises conducted by the People’s Liberation Army are aimed at the secessionists and not the Taiwanese compatriots. He also explained the country’s defense budget for the current year which consists of a seven per cent increase. (“PLA will hit every Taiwan secessionist move, external interference: military spokesperson,” Global Times, 10 March 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
Ukraine: Chinese embassy evacuated the last batch of nationals
On 9 March, Global Times reported that the last batch of 115 Chinese students stranded in Ukraine have safely reached western Ukraine’s Lviv. Chinese Ambassador to Ukraine Fan Xianrong declared that 6,000 Chinese nationals have been moved to safe regions. Fan said: “Living in today's China, we are happy, and we have more and more pride and confidence.” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also made remarks regarding the evacuation and confirmed that “Chinese embassies in countries next to Ukraine are working around the clock and leaving no stone unturned to provide shelter.” (“Chinese nationals' evacuation in Ukraine complete! All safe: embassy,” Global Times, 9 March 2022)