On December 9, 2024, the Political Bureau (Politburo) of the Central Committee (CC) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) convened a meeting to discuss the country’s economic policy priorities for the year 2025 and the broader and deeper challenges facing the Chinese economy. The headline of the readout is “CPC Central Committee Political Bureau Holds Meeting to Analyze and Research 2025 Economic Work, Study and Deploy Party Conduct, Clean Governance and Anti-Corruption Work, CPC General Secretary Xi Jinping Presides Over Meeting.
Tag: China Watch
Which Road is the Belt and Road Initiative Leading to?
A huge surprise is that the true scale of the debt – thought to be at hundreds of billions of dollars – is not known. Many of the loans are covered in secrecy. As this fares dangerously for the future of the world entirely, there is still an angle of security to it as the BRI might not be dead, but evolving into an alligator underwater.
Asia’s Cauldron: The South China Sea and the End of a Stable Pacific
Historically it is the competition for land that provokes tensions between the states, over time the world has seen this shift towards the blue territories as Kaplan calls it. Two explanations for the same could be economic mercantile trade and the dynamic shift of attention from Eurasia to East Asia which is largely maritime. Kaplan says that seas can act as a seed or a dodger in creating tensions and even invasions. However, the likelihood is quite tilted towards aggression.
How can China Respond to Trump’s New China Policy?
During his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump promised to impose 60% tariffs on Chinese goods and services coming to the United States. This time, Beijing seems already strategising to retaliate against the upcoming tariffs from the second Trump administration. Trump’s proposed tariffs on Chinese imports could disrupt China’s export-driven economic model, which has driven the country’s growth over the past few decades.
Letters to the Editor – 6 November 2024
President Putin brought together leaders of many Third World nations in the recent trending summit of BRICS organised in Kazan, Russia. All of them affirmed the need to fight against Western imperialism and the tools of the same, like SWIFT, IMF and World Bank and the requirement of a new financial system. Finance is the lifeblood of the global economy. As long as it is dominated by the US Dollar, nations will be forced to be subservient to the US.
Dragon Breathes Fire at Shangri-La: China’s Approach to Global Security
The Shangri-La Dialogue, held in Singapore from May 31 to June 2, 2024, is a prominent annual forum that brings together defence ministers, military chiefs, and security experts from the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a leading think tank on international affairs, the event provides a platform for high-level discussions on pressing regional security issues. This year’s dialogue was particularly significant, as it took place against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions, ongoing conflicts, and the evolving global security landscape.
China’s Big Tech Dream: The Digital Silk Road
Digital Silk Road (DSR) is a crucial component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), symbolising China’s strategy to expand information exchanges and digital cooperation with emerging markets and developing economies. Launched in 2015 as part of President Xi Jinping’s flagship transnational infrastructural project, the DSR has become a significant part of Beijing’s overall BRI strategy, providing aid, political support and assistance to recipient states. The DSR aims to enhance digital connectivity in developing economies, challenging the West’s tech dominance in the developing world.
China Launches Shenzhou-18 Mission Aiming for Lunar Exploration
China’s space program is making great strides with the Shenzhou-18 mission. This time, three astronauts are sent to the country’s first domestically built space station. Led by former fighter pilots Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu, the crew embarks on a six-month mission, which includes conducting experiments and preparing for lunar exploration. In the midst of all this are zebrafish, part of more than 90 scientific experiments. Among them are creating a closed aquatic ecosystem for studying the interactions between fish and algae in space, information that can maybe inform future designs of habitats.
Chinese Cities Sink as Urbanisation Surges
The problem is not limited to China. Some of the major cities worldwide including Houston, Mexico City, and Delhi are facing similar challenges due to excessive water extractions and geological factors. Subsidence is one issue that affects areas with extensive mining activities, like the coal regions of Pingdingshan in northern China. Combating subsidence requires effective strategies. Tokyo successfully tackled the sinking by providing alternative water sources and banning well water use. In China, controlling groundwater extraction and implementing laws to prevent further subsidence are crucial steps.
US Reports Reveal that China is Aiding Russia’s Military Expansion
According to an assessment by US officials, it is revealed that China is playing a significant role in the military expansion of Russia, particularly in its efforts in the war against Ukraine. China has been increasing its sales of various technology and equipment to Russia, which Moscow will use to build up its military arsenal. China has been the major supplier of microelectronics, machine tools, and other crucial technology to Russia. In 2023, around 90% of Russia’s microelectronics came from China, which is essential in the production of tanks, missiles, and aircraft. Additionally, over 70% of Russia’s machine tool imports came from China last year.