NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : South China Morning Post
IN BRIEF
Avishka Ashok and Arshiya Banu
INTERNAL
Chinese Academy of Sciences: New database on national species released
On 23 May, Xinhua Net reported that according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), China released an updated national species database called the Catalogue of Life China 2022 Annual Checklist. This year's checklist adds 10,343 species to the total number of species, bringing the total number of species to 138,293, including 68,172 animal species, 46,725 plant species, and 17,173 fungi species, among others. The checklist provides data that is useful for biodiversity study, conservation, and policymaking. Researchers from the CAS's Institute of Zoology, Institute of Botany, Institute of Microbiology, Chengdu Institute of Biology, and Institute of Oceanology, as well as other institutions, collaborated on the database. (“China releases new database on biodiversity,” Xinhua Net, 23 May 2022)
Archaeology: Incense from the ancient Silk Road has been unearthed
On 22 May, Xinhua Net reported that researchers from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), the Palace Museum and the Famen Temple Museum found that incense recovered from an underground palace going back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907) offers archaeological evidence of incense trading along the ancient Silk Road. The researchers examined three incense samples found in Famen Temple's underground palace, which is known for containing the sacred finger bone sarira of Sakyamuni Buddha. Elemi, a yellow fragrant chemical found in Southeast Asian countries and southeast China, was discovered in one sample. Ren Meng of the Palace Museum stated that it is the earliest physical proof of elemi in the Tang Dynasty unearthed in China. (“Chinese researchers find archaeological evidence of brisk incense trade along Silk Road,” Xinhua Net, 22 May 2022)
Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security: China to develop a pension system to pay for its ageing population
On 23 May, the Strait Times reported that China is racing against time to develop a pension system capable of paying for the world's greatest population of old people. 18.9% of China's 1.4 billion inhabitants were over the age of 60 by the end of 2021 and data from the National Statistics Bureau indicated that the proportion has increased by 5.64 percentage points. According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MHRSS), those over 60 will make up 20% of the population by 2025, and 30% by 2035. However, the country's pension system is struggling to keep up with the population's ageing. The entire balance of all forms of pension funds, including those funded by the government, businesses, and people, totalled 15 trillion yuan (S$3.09 trillion) at the end of March, accounting for 13% of GDP. (“China's race to provide for its ageing population,” The Strait Times, 23 May 2022)
Hong Kong: Analysts contend John Lee incapable of dealing with economic problems
On 23 May, the Strait Times reported that Hong Kong is relying on a former cop to help it deal with its mounting problems as analysts warn that the new leader will not fix the housing situation. Incoming Chief Executive John Lee is up against a problem that his predecessors, experienced civil servants and corporate executives, couldn't overcome. Lee's lack of exposure to the business community and his own priority on ensuring stability, as the former security secretary who led the assault on the 2019 protesters, means that the world's most costly housing market is unlikely to get cheaper any time soon. Dr Hung Ho-fung, a political economy professor at Johns Hopkins University said: "It is not sure whether he has the calibre and expertise to deal with those problems more effectively than his predecessors." (“New Hong Kong leader John Lee's vow to fix housing crisis draws sceptics,” The Strait Times, 23 May 2022)
Hong Kong: HKSAR commemorates 25th anniversary by releasing special stamps
On 22 May, CGTN reported that Hong Kong will issue six sets of special stamps including commemorative stamps for the 25th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's foundation (HKSAR). According to an official press release, the commemorative stamps for "The 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" and "The 25th Anniversary of the Stationing of the Chinese People's Liberation Army in Hong Kong" will be released first in July. The six special stamp sets will commemorate major events in Hong Kong's history as well as local arts and culture and will be available to both philatelists and the general public. (“Hong Kong Post to issue stamps marking 25th anniversary of HKSAR's establishment,” CGTN, 22 May 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
Pakistan: Foreign Minister meets Chinese counterpart
On 22 May, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Pakistan’s new Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who undertook an official visit to China from 21 to 22 May, marking his first bilateral visit since taking office last month. Wang said: "China appreciates the new Pakistani government's firm commitment to developing the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries." Wang stated that China would continue to emphasise Pakistan in its interactions with its neighbours and make China-Pakistan relations a factor for regional stability. Both sides reiterated their firm support for the core interests and primary concerns of the other. (“Chinese foreign minister holds talks with Pakistani counterpart,” Xinhua Net, 22 May 2022)
The US: Chinese Foreign Minister criticises the US’ “Indo-Pacific Strategy”
On 22 May, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that the United States' so-called "Indo-Pacific Strategy" is bound to fail in a press meeting after talks with visiting Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou. Wang said: "The U.S. 'Indo-Pacific Strategy' is causing more and more vigilance and concern in the international community, especially in the Asia-Pacific region," when asked about the so-called "Indo-Pacific Strategy" being vigorously promoted by the United States to contain China. Wang stated that this is because the so-called strategy has revealed its true intentions by attempting to erase not only the name "Asia-Pacific" and the region's effective regional cooperation architecture, but also the achievements and momentum of peaceful development created by the region's concerted efforts over the past decades. (“U.S. "Indo-Pacific Strategy" bound to fail: Chinese FM,” Xinhua Net, 22 May 2022)
The West: Media amplifies Xinjiang’s stories
On 22 May, CGTN detailed in an article that due to the bombardment of news from the media and activist groups highlighting how miserable Uygurs' lives are in China, most people in the West have learned words like "Xinjiang" and "Uygur" in the last few years. Despite the fact that much of the "proof" of China’s horrific atrocities in Xinjiang is satellite photographs, self-made cartoons, altered images, and witnesses with evident gaps in their testimonies, Western mainstream media organisations have no trouble trusting and amplifying their words or data. People in the West were alarmed quickly, regardless of the actuality that many had no knowledge of the Uygurs' culture, history, or customs, or of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (“Xinjiang stories the West turns a blind eye to,” CGTN, 22 May 2022)