NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : China Daily
IN BRIEF
By Dincy Adlakha and Avishka Ashok
INTERNAL
Coal prices dip worst in five months due to govt intervention
On 22 October, Reuters reported that China’s thermal coal futures dropped nearly 15 per cent during the week, making it their worst week in five months. Coal prices in China had been on a steep rise since May 2021 due to shortage of resources. Beijing intervened to cool the supply and demand balances and ease the power crunch. The government allowed miners to work at full capacity and even bypass the safety inspections in select cases. This was probably the biggest state intervention in the industry for a long time in China. President Xi Jinping and the state planner National Development and Reform Commission released statements and assured the public that efforts to maintain “reasonable range” and “excessive profits” will continue to tackle the approaching winter. (Shivani Singh and Muyu Xu, “China coal prices notch worst week since May on govt intervention,” Reuters, 22 October 2021)
President Xi Jinping supports ecological protection of Yellow River basin
On 22 October, the Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed a convention in Jinan and pushed for substantial progress in the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin during the 14th five-year plan. He encouraged the people to work towards obatining heightened productivity from the Yellow River. However, the country continues to face multiple challenges in the process of ecological conservation. He said: “provincial-level regions along the Yellow River should stick to putting the environment first and being committed to green development.” (“Xi urges notable progress in ecological protection, high-quality development of Yellow River basin,” Xinhua Net, 23 October 2021)
Ministry of China predicts one trillion yuan worth of foreign investment in 2021
On 22 October, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) addressed a press conference and revealed that China could expect over one trillion yuan or USD 160 billion as foreign investment in 2021. According to the MOC official, the investments exceeded the ministry’s expectations. He said: “Among the surveyed key foreign enterprises in China, 99 percent said they had no plan to reduce investment or leave the market.” However, the spokesperson also said that the country is not completely out of economic dangers as the coronavirus pandemic continues to change and evolve. The breaks and obstacles in the global supply chains and the decoupling and barrier-setting are other worrying factors for the Chinese government. (“Foreign investment into China expected to surpass 1 trln yuan: MOC,” Xinhua Net, 22 October 2021)
TECHNOLOGY
Lunar and Mars missions bring positive updates
On 22 October, China received positive news from its Lunar mission as well as Mars mission. The samples brought back from the moon by the Chang’e-5 probe were analysed and a new finding has been reported. These new findings provide clear and reliable intel on lunar volcanism; extending the dates by 800 million years from previous findings. Additionally, it was also reported that China’s first deep-space probe, Zhurong Mars rover, has resumed its scientific exploration after a month of solar outage. During the period, the rover had lost contact with Earth and was relying on its own automatic and smart programmed systems. The rover started having black-outs in communication with Earth during September due to solar outage (disturbances caused by sun’s radiation). However, it has safely survived the period and regained communication. (Wu Yuehui, “Lunar samples brought back by China’s Chang’e-5 probe help decode secrets of moon,” People’s Daily, 22 October 2021; Fan Anqi, “China's Mars rover continues exploring after safe passage through month-long solar outage,” Global Times, 22 October 2021)
INTERNATIONAL
Beijing seeks closer ties with Pacific Islands
On 22 October, China’s People’s Daily reported on the first ever China-Pacific Island Countries’ Foreign Ministers’ Meeting via video call. The meeting was chaired by the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and attended by Foreign Ministers of approximately ten countries from the Pacific Islands. Wang specified the various sectors of mutual cooperation that should be linked between China and the Pacific Islands. He mentioned deepening policy communication and establishing a mechanism for regular meetings. He also specified that China will continue to provide vaccines, economic and technical assistance to island countries without any political conditions. Stakes and possibilities of joint cooperation for fishing, climate action, and non-proliferation were also discussed. (“China vows closer ties with Pacific Island countries: FM,” People’s Daily, 22 October 2021)
China boasts support of 100 countries on human rights at UN session
On 22 October, Global Times reported that approximately a hundred countries voiced their support to China and held up its fight for developing its own pattern of human rights at the 76th session of UN General Assembly. China is firmly opposed to politicizing human rights issues. Cuba, on behalf of 62 countries, made a joint statement highlighting the interference in China’s internal matters on the pretext of human rights. Kuwait, on the behalf of three gulf countries, also made similar remarks. The Chinese ambassador even addressed the pointed fingers over Xinjiang region and held a joint video call with the Xinjiang regional government. Representatives from local residents and foreign tourists who visited Xinjiang were present at the virtual conference call and shared their experiences. The ambassador observed that China welcomes kind advice but does not care for lectures based on lies. (“100 countries support China on human rights amid US-led smears at UN session,” Global Times, 22 October 2021)
China extends hand to deepen cooperation with South Africa prior to FOCAC
On 22 October, the chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee Li ZHanshu announced that China would utilize the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation meeting and create closer relations with African countries; to build a shared future together. He said: “South Africa is welcomed to participate in the China-proposed Global Development Initiative, in order to achieve strong, green and healthy global development.” Li also hinted that the National People’s Congress was willing to work with the National Assembly of South Africa to utilize the platform for further cooperation between the two countries. (“China-South Africa parliamentary exchange mechanism holds virtual meeting,” Xinhua Net, 22 October 2021)