NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : South China Morning Post
IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok and Dincy Adlakha
INTERNAL
China sets up new measures to “shore up existing weak links”
On 2 November, the Chinese authorities published a document setting new measures to shore up the weak links in China’s life services sector and improve the quality of life for Chinese people. The new measures cover nine areas, including the promotion of services that can aid the elderly population with meals and other basic necessities in major cities. These services are expected to cover 80 per cent of the communities in the period of five years. The document also includes the importance to support the private sector participation in the development of urban childcare services. The basic motive of these measures to “shore up existing weak links include improving community-level services facilities, providing large-scale vocational training programs, and creating a market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment.” (“China unveils new measures to facilitate life services,” Xinhua Net, 3 November 2021)
COVID-19 Delta variant outbreak in 18 Chinese provinces and municipalities
On 2 November, Global Times reported that the COVID-19 cases in China are flaring up and have spread to more than half of its provinces and municipalities. Currently, 18 Chinese provinces and municipalities are experiencing major outbreaks creating a major risk of mutated Delta variant. In response to the virus spillover, the local governments have adopted strict measures imposing zer0-tolerance to restrict the increase of infections. (“Latest COVID-19 flare-up spills over to more than half of Chinese provincial-level regions,” Global Times, 2 November 2021)
Zhinag Yiming, the founder of ByteDance steps down as Chairman
On 3 November, Reuters reported that the ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming has steeped down as chairman of the TikTok owner and in May 2022 he would also step down as CEO. The new development comes in as ByteDance announced a major reshuffle to create six business units. This has recently become a pattern in China wherein a number of China’s well-known tech firm’s founders have stepped down from their positions. The trend is amid the wide-ranging clampdown by the Chinese regulators on overseeing the daily operations of the Chinese tech firms. (“ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming steps down as chairman - source,” Reuters, 3 November, 2021)
Hong Kong court finds leader of pro-democracy group guilty
On 03 November, a Hong Kong court found Tony Chung, the founder of a pro-independence group 'Studentlocalism' guilty of secession and money laundering. The activist was charged for his actions during the 2019 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong where he distributed pro-independence t-shirts, flags and books. He was taken into custody in 2020 from a coffee shop near US consulate. At the time, he was seeking political asylum at the center. He was declared guilty as per the new National Security Law passed in Hong Kong in June 2020. ("Hong Kong activist who tried to seek asylum at US consulate found guilty of secession," The Guardian, 03 November 2021)
ECONOMY
China’s Evergrande Group completed the delivery of homes to 57,462 owners
On 3 November, the Evergrande Group declared that the company completed the delivery of 184 property projects in the period of July to October. In the statement released by the firm, the Evergrande Group who was once China’s top-selling developer delivered homes to 57,462 owners. (“China Evergrande completes delivery of 184 projects in July-Oct,” Reuters, 3 November 2021)
REGIONAL
China’s take on the situation in the Korean Peninsula
On 2 November, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, “the current situation on the Peninsula is complicated and sensitive, with political settlement still at a standstill.” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed the situation of the Korean Peninsula with the South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Rome. The Ministry spokesperson stated that the crux of solving the issue is the denuclearization of Pyongyang. Wenbin stated that the US should take serious steps to engage in a dialogue with Pyongyang and “take real action.” He further added that calling in resolution would be a “constructive move” and must also focus on improving the relations between North and South Korea. (“China presses on in bid for Korean Peninsula peace,” China Daily, 3 November 2021)
INTERNATIONAL
President Biden calls out Chinese President Xi Jinping failing to show up at the COP26 summit
On 2 November, US President Joe Biden accused China and Russia at the UN Summit of failing to be present at the World leaders Summit for the COP26 summit in Glasgow. President Biden told the journalists, “The fact that China is trying to assert, understandably, a new role in the world as a world leader – not showing up,
come on!”The relationship between both China and US are the lowest since Trump left office. The angry exchanges between Biden and Xi over trade strikes, territorial claims, human rights abuse, and foreign interference has now affected the climate consignments. China is the world’s largest emitter and Russia is the fourth-largest emitter. (“Biden says China, Russia failed to lead at COP26 climate summit,” The Strait Times, 3 November 2021)
China opposes the US Federal Communications Commission’s decision to revoke the license of China Telecom
On 3 November, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technologies (MIIT) declared that “it strongly opposed the US government's decision to revoke a license of China Telecom Americas and it will take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.” The response came in after the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on 2 November released an order asking China Telecom Americas to discontinue services within the period of 60 days. MIIT stated that China Telecom Americas has been abiding by US law and regulations for the past 20 years it has been operating in the US. MIIT further accused the US of breaching the international economic trade rules and suppressing the Chinese enterprises under the pretext of national security. The Ministry further urged FCC to withdraw its decision and treat Chinese firms in a just a nondiscriminatory manner. (“China strongly opposes US move to revoke telecom license,” China Daily, 3 November 2021: “China opposes U.S. revocation of licence for China Telecom,” Reuters, 3 November 2021)