NEWS IN CHINA


  • China Reaffirms Support for Arab and Islamic Nations' Aspirations Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict: China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated his country's support for the "legitimate aspirations" of Arab and Islamic nations during a recent phone call with his Malaysian counterpart, Zambry Adbul Kadir. The call took place in the context of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has escalated following an unprecedented cross-border attack by Hamas on Israel, leading to a formal declaration of war by Israel. “China has always stood on the side of peace, international law and the legitimate aspirations of Arab and Islamic countries” Wang expressed. He remarked that Israel's actions in Gaza were viewed as exceeding the boundaries of self-defence and called for an end to the "collective punishment" of civilians. China's diplomatic engagement in mediating the crisis continued with China's special envoy to the Middle East, Zhai Jun, embarking on a mediation tour in the region. Zhai Jun participated in an international peace summit organized by Egypt in Cairo on the 21st of October to address the recent escalation in the long-standing Palestinian-Israeli conflict.[AN1]  However, the absence of representatives from Israel, the United States, and Iran, key stakeholders in the conflict, has raised doubts about the summit's potential success in de-escalating tensions.

  • Shenzhou XVII, Chinese Manned Space Mission Ready for Launch: China's forthcoming manned space mission, Shenzhou XVII, is ready for launch,  reported by China Central Television. The mission's pre-launch preparations were rigorously tested in an all-system rehearsal at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert of northwestern China. This comprehensive check ensured the readiness of all systems involved in the upcoming mission. While the identities of the astronauts for the Shenzhou XVII mission remain undisclosed, they actively participated in the rehearsal, executing liftoff manoeuvres. Meanwhile, the Shenzhou XVI crew, comprising Mission Commander Major General Jing Haipeng, Spaceflight Engineer Colonel Zhu Yangzhu, and Professor Gui Haichao, the mission's science payloads specialist, have spent nearly five months in orbit. They will return to Earth after facilitating the handover process to the Shenzhou XVII crew. Shenzhou XVII, spanning a duration of six months, marks China's 12th manned space mission and the sixth crewed mission to the Tiangong space station.

  • Major Crackdown on Fraud and Money Laundering Results in 51 Suspects in Hong Kong: In a targeted effort to combat fraudulent activities and money laundering operations amounting to nearly HK$100 million (US$12.78 million), the Hong Kong police has apprehended 51 individuals. This significant operation was conducted over the course of a week in various districts earlier this month. Chief Inspector Shun Po-chun, heading the Wan Chai district, revealed that the detainees were linked to 39 cases involving fraud and money laundering, collectively totaling HK$99 million. The suspects stand accused of acquiring property through deceptive means and participating in money laundering schemes. These illicit activities encompassed investment scams, deceptive job recruitment, telephone fraud, and online shopping swindles. The operation involved the suspects providing their bank account details, effectively serving as “stooge accounts” for the collection and laundering of illegal funds. Victims incurred substantial losses, collectively amounting to around HK$99 million, with individual cases ranging from HK$200 to HK$11 million. The suspects have been released on bail pending further investigation, with an obligation to report to the police next month. The police have also urged the public to verify the identities of individuals contacting them through instant messaging applications, given the increase in fraud cases.

  • Foxconn Technology Group Subject to Tax and Land Use Investigations by Chinese Authorities: Foxconn Technology Group, the world's largest electronics contract manufacturer, is currently subject to tax and land use investigations by Chinese authorities at multiple locations in mainland China. This includes their facilities in Guangdong, Jiangsu, Hunan, and Hubei provinces. In response to China conducting these inquiries, Foxconn stated that .“Compliance with the law is a basic principle for our group worldwide… we will actively cooperate with the relevant (authorities) for the operations concerned.”  Foxconn has emphasised its commitment to legal compliance and willingness to cooperate. As a crucial supplier for Apple, it is the largest private-sector employer in mainland China with over one million individuals. These investigations occur close to Taiwan's upcoming presidential elections, which introduces a geopolitical dimension. Foxconn's founder, Terry Gou Tai-ming, has distanced himself from the company to focus on his independent candidacy in Taiwan's 2024 presidential elections.

  • China and Philippines Trade Accusations Amid Renewed South China Sea Tensions: Tensions between China and the Philippines have escalated in the disputed South China Sea territories again, with both nations accusing each other of provocative actions. China’s Coast Guard reported a minor collision involving a Chinese coastguard vessel and a Philippine resupply boat. According to China, the Philippine vessel ignored repeated warnings and deliberately conducted hostile actions against the Chinese ship in an unprofessional and perilous manner. “The behaviour of the Philippine side is a serious violation of the international rules on collision avoidance at sea and threatens the safety of navigation, while our operation is professional, legitimate and lawful, and the responsibility lies entirely with the Philippine side” In response, the Philippine National Security Council attributed the collision to a Chinese Maritime Militia vessel bumping the Unaiza May 2 resupply Coast Guard vessel near the Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands.  The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea in a statement stated that it condemned in the strongest degree the latest dangerous, irresponsible and illegal action taken up by the Chinese coastguard.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA


  • A woman's unusual request at a Haidilao hotpot restaurant creates a stir on China’s social media platforms- She brought rag dolls as guests and insisted they be treated as humans, even requesting high chairs for them. Staff initially expressed disbelief, but they eventually provided the high chairs. The women dined with their dolls and later  asked to celebrate the dolls' birthdays, which was firmly declined. Haidilao's customer service stated that providing high chairs for dolls was not a company policy but up to individual branch discretion. The unnamed woman from southern China's Hunan province accused the restaurant chain, of discrimination after a branch declined her peculiar request. The incident, captured on Pear Video, gained significant attention on Weibo, amassing nearly 10 million views  after she shared her story about being dissatisfied with the service. Weibo comments largely supported the staff's decision, with one comment saying that the woman and her friend were just spoiled, and that they support Haidilao, while another wrote that “Today they want Haidilao to celebrate dolls’ birthdays, tomorrow it will be their pets.”.

INDIA WATCH


  • India's evolving role in the Middle East carries significant implications for its foreign policy approach in regards to the Israel-Hamas conflict. In contrast to the recent Chinese overt support for Palestine and Arab nations, India is still maintaining a balanced relationship with both sides. The crisis puts India at a troubling crossroads where it has to identify where its support lies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initial response to Hama’s  attacks on Israel was labeled as  as terrorism, and was read by many as showing support for Israel. This had critics characterizing it as one-sided and emphasizing the absence of reference to the Palestinian perspective. However, Modi's support for Israel in the aftermath of a severe terrorist attack on a nation India views as a friend is solely a pragmatic response. The Ministry of External Affairs' official statement on the crisis underscored India's firm stance, reiterating India's enduring commitment to advocating for peaceful negotiations towards the establishment of a "sovereign, independent, and viable" Palestinian state coexisting harmoniously with Israel. Notably, Prime Minister Modi's engagement extended to a conversation with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, offering condolences and emphasizing India's consistent principled stance on the Israel-Palestine matter. India further demonstrated its dedication to humanitarian concerns by dispatching substantial medical aid and disaster relief materials to the Gaza Strip, extending support to the Palestinian populace. People emphasize Narendra Modi’s role as the first Prime Minister to establish a relationship with Israel but India-Israel ties have existed since the early 1990s. His real contribution has been in making  Arab partners recognize the need to build a relationship with India resulting in New Delhi expanding their influence in the region. However, these nations may find a more support from China, a nation that has no stake in supporting the Western-backed Israel. It is important to note that while Modi was the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel, he was also the first Prime Minister to visit the West Bank in 2018 .

Prepared By

Ananya Singh is a student of International Studies and Public Policy at FLAME University. She is actively involved in research pursuits such as taking on corporate risk analysis internships, publishing articles on the conflict and politics in Asia; undertaking research on economic policy; engaging in various national-level youth G20/policy-making/leadership conferences and debates; and creating webinars/media on sociopolitical issues. Her research interests in the field currently include political risk analysis, defence studies, maritime security and international law with a regional focus on West Asia. She has also supplemented her portfolio with proficiency in French and an understanding of German and Persian.

CiCM 21st-22nd October 2023

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