|
 |
|
SCHWEIZER
BOTSCHAFT IN BEIJING
EMBASSY OF SWITZERLAND IN BEIJING
AMBASSADE DE SUISSE EN CHINE |
Der wöchentliche
Presserückblick der Schweizer Botschaft in der VR China
The Weekly Press Review of the Swiss Embassy in the People's Republic
of China
La revue de presse hebdomadaire de l'Ambassade de Suisse en RP
de Chine |
 |
|
|
| Table of
contents |
|
DPRK
Mongolia
^ top ^
|
| Switzerland |
Alibaba Takes 6.1% Stake in Swiss Duty-Free Retailer Dufry (Caixin)
2020-10-20
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. agreed to buy a 6.1% stake in Dufry AG as part of the Swiss-based travel retailer's share placement to raise a roughly $900 million. Alibaba will pay 163 million Swiss francs ($179 million) for the shares, Dufry said Tuesday. The Chinese company will also invest 69.5 million francs in Dufry via convertible notes. The three-year notes can be converted to 2.1 million Dufry shares. The capital injection will boost Dufry, the world's largest travel retailer, at a time when sales plunged amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The tie-up followed the establishment of a China joint venture between Alibaba and Dufry as the two companies eye further tapping the Chinese retail market. The Chinese government issued a series of policies to ease controls on domestic duty-free shopping as part of efforts to boost the economy. Alibaba has spent billions acquiring slices of brick-and-mortar retail chains, seeking to broaden its reach and use its technology to modernize physical commerce. ^ top ^
|
| Foreign Policy |
China and the Vatican renew controversial bishops deal after 'good start' (SCMP)
2020-10-23
China and the Vatican renewed an agreement on the appointment of bishops on Thursday that critics say has done little to improve relations between the two sides. Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian confirmed the deal would be extended for two more years, saying the Vatican and China would maintain close dialogue and work to improve ties. The Holy See also announced the move, saying that the "initial application [of the agreement] has been positive, thanks to the good communication and cooperation between the parties". Church sources said the deal was renewed via an exchange of diplomatic notes and there was no in-person signing ceremony organised because of the coronavirus pandemic. The renewal has been mired in controversy, with the Holy See under pressure from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and others to withdraw from the deal because of China's human rights record and repressive policies against religions. Signed in 2018, the provisional agreement was hailed as a breakthrough in relations between China and the Vatican after diplomatic ties broke off in 1951. The Holy See hoped that the pact would end a schism that affects around 12 million Catholics in mainland China who are split between an "underground" church that looks to the Pope for authority, and state-run churches controlled by Beijing's Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association. The agreement – details of which have not been made public – put an official end to Beijing appointing bishops without papal approval while allowing the head of a foreign religious organisation to have a say in the selection of Catholic leaders in the country. But observers say limited progress has been made since the deal was struck, and that reports of Catholics and members of the clergy being persecuted in China have continued. Explaining the decision to renew the agreement, the Holy See acknowledged that initial results of the agreement "may not seem to be that great". "Nevertheless they represent a good start, in the hope that other positive goals might be progressively reached," the statement said. It noted that two bishops – Antonio Yao Shun from Jining diocese in Inner Mongolia and Stefano Xu Hongwei of Hanzhong diocese in Shaanxi province – had been appointed and more appointments were in progress. The statement also said there were "still many situations causing serious suffering" in China. "The Holy See is very much aware of them, is taking them into account and does not fail to draw them to the attention of the Chinese government so that religious freedom might be truly exercised," it said. "There is still a long and difficult road ahead." Vatican News, the Holy See information site, said that for the first time in many decades, "all of the bishops in China are in communion with the Bishop of Rome and, thanks to the implementation of the agreement, there will be no more illegitimate ordinations". Lawrence Reardon, an expert in Chinese politics at the University of New Hampshire, said ahead of the announcement that the deal indicated Beijing's willingness to continue the experiment of sharing power with an outside religious organisation, even as it tightened policies on religion. "That's an impressive achievement at this point and again, it's the first of many steps towards a reconciliation for both the official and unofficial Catholic churches [in China] and also between the official Catholic Church and the Vatican," Reardon said. "The Vatican's primary goal is to prevent a schismatic church [in China] and keep it unified no matter how long it takes." Pope Francis has come under international pressure and even been criticised by his own cardinals, who say he betrayed the underground Catholic Church in seeking reconciliation with the government-controlled Catholic body. The Pope asked one bishop to retire and demoted another to make way for the two bishops chosen by Beijing, while at least seven bishops were readmitted to the fold after being excommunicated for being ordained without the Vatican's approval. Reardon said he was shocked to see Pompeo weighing in on the controversial agreement in what he called an attempt to organise "Catholic votes" in the November presidential election by focusing on the "China threat". "So what's happening is that you see the Sino-Vatican relationship being pulled into internal American politics … but the Catholic vote in the US is not monolithic," he said. Reverend Lo Lung-kwong, a research fellow with Chinese University of Hong Kong's school of divinity, said the renewal represented a "conservative and delicate" gesture from both sides. "The controversial agreement has been renewed despite its limited progress as it continues to serve Beijing politically and Rome ecclesiastically," Lo said. "For Beijing, the threat that needs to be addressed remains the underground Catholic Church, which they see as an illegal but organised religious group backed by foreign authorities who remain legal among international peers," he said. "For the Catholic Church, the agreement could help eliminate a 70-year-old schism in China." Francesco Sisci, an Italian sinologist with the Renmin University of China, said the renewed agreement would likely lead to more new bishops being chosen by Beijing and the Holy See, which would strengthen spiritual unity among Chinese Catholics. "A very basic issue for the Catholics is to be in communion with the Pope, this is extremely important. There are more than 40 dioceses in China that are without bishops and many of the existing bishops are of very old age so there might be more than 100 new bishops that need to be appointed … this will enhance a close spiritual connection," Sisci said. But for some Chinese Catholics, the renewed deal is not a cause for optimism. A priest with the biggest underground Catholic community on the mainland, in Hebei province, said he felt the Vatican did not understand the situation faced by the church in China. "Life has not been easier for us [since the deal was struck], especially for those who worship in government-sanctioned churches," said the priest, who asked to be identified as Pedro because of the sensitivity of the matter. "Many of my [seminary] classmates who are serving as priests in officially sanctioned churches are feeling more heat than we do, because government restrictions focus on those operating out in the open these days." ^ top ^
Chinese envoy calls on Serbia, Kosovo to continue dialogue (Xinhua)
2020-10-22
A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called on Serbia and Kosovo to continue dialogue by building on the normalization of economic relations. Serbia and Kosovo held several rounds of EU-facilitated dialogue in the summer, marking the official resumption of the dialogue between the two parties after a hiatus of two years. On Sept. 4, the two sides signed an agreement on the normalization of economic relations and agreed to build roads and railways connecting the two sides. These were an important step forward, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations. China welcomes these positive developments and hopes that the two sides will maintain their political good faith, consolidate the positive momentum, and achieve substantive results in the dialogue at an early date, he told the Security Council. Tolerance, reconciliation, the harmonious coexistence of all ethnic groups in Kosovo is in the common interests of all ethnicities. The Kosovar government should create a favorable environment to this end and enhance amity and mutual trust among different communities, said Geng. China's position on the question of Kosovo has been consistent. It respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia, understands the legitimate concerns of the Serbian side on the Kosovo issue, and appreciates the positive efforts made by Serbia to seek a political solution, he said. China supports the efforts of both sides to seek a mutually acceptable solution through sincere dialogue and consultation on the legal basis of Security Council Resolution 1244, he said. China appreciates the efforts of Zahir Tanin, the UN secretary-general's special representative for Kosovo and head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, to push for a political solution. China supports the UN mission in continuing to implement its mandate and play an important role, he said. At the end of the Kosovo War in 1999, Kosovo, a Serbian province dominated by ethnic Albanians, was placed under transitional UN administration by the Security Council. It declared independence from Serbia in February 2008. Kosovo's independence is partially recognized by the international community. ^ top ^
China has no intention to replace anyone: FM on Esper's call to counter China, Russia (Global Times)
2020-10-21
China has never intended to provoke or replace anyone, and the US has made a strategic mistake by treating China as an opponent, Zhao Lijian, spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in response to US Defense Secretary Mark Esper's call for stronger alliances to counter China and Russia. China has no intention of provoking or replacing anyone, and is most concerned about the welfare of its people, national rejuvenation and world peace and stability, Zhao said at the press conference on Wednesday, noting that the US has made a strategic misjudgment by treating China as an opponent. Zhao made the remarks after Esper on Tuesday called for US alliances with "like-minded democracies" to be strengthened and expanded to counter Russia and China. "China and Russia probably have fewer than 10 allies combined," he said, noting that "America's network of allies and partners provides us an asymmetric advantage our adversaries cannot match." Zhao said that China's policy toward the US has been steady and consistent. We urge some US politicians to discard the outmoded Cold War and zero-sum mentality, and view relations between China and the US, and Russia and the US in a rational way, Zhao noted. ^ top ^
China proposes Gulf region multilateral dialogue platform for easing tensions (Xinhua)
2020-10-21
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday proposed building up a multilateral dialogue platform for the Gulf region to inject impetus to easing tensions under the premise of safeguarding the comprehensive Iran nuclear deal. Wang, also Chinese state councilor, made the remarks when attending a ministerial session of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on the Gulf region held via video link. Noting that mounting tensions in the Gulf region have severely undermined the regional and even the international peace and security, Wang urged UNSC members and countries in the region to seek for the key to peace with sincerity and goodwill, and actively respond to the aspirations of the international community, especially people in the region. Wang put forward three proposals: adhering to the rule of law to build a Gulf of peace, upholding good neighborliness to build a Gulf of security, and championing fairness and justice to build a Gulf of stability. Calling the Gulf countries China's good friends and partners, Wang expressed the willingness to work with all countries in the region and the international community to continue contributing to the region's security and stability, and jointly build an "oasis of security" for the Gulf region. Initiated by Russia, the rotating presidency for UNSC of the month, the ministerial session was hosted by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and attended by other UNSC member states, as well as foreign ministers of the Gulf region countries and the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. ^ top ^
Return of PLA soldier bodes well for talks between China, India (Global Times)
2020-10-20
The PLA soldier, who went missing while helping herdsman find yak near China-India border on Sunday, was returned to Chinese border troops by Indian army early on Wednesday, PLA News reported. The Indian army's decision to return the Chinese soldier is viewed as a positive sign ahead of the eighth round of China-India commander-level talks this week. However, many believe that India should show more sincerity in the upcoming talks and less provocative moves. Citing government sources, Indian media reported on Monday that China and India are expected to hold their eighth round of talks on border conflicts and discuss the disengagement process in the eastern Ladakh region. In a statement, the Indian military said they will return a captured People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldier who reportedly strayed across the line of actual control (LAC). The Chinese Defense Ministry announced on October 13 that the 7th round of the senior commanders meeting of India and China, which was held one day before, was positive, constructive and had enhanced understanding of both sides. Analysts believe that it is unwise for India to cater to its domestic radical power to confront China, especially as India suffers from the COVID-19 epidemic and a sluggish economy. "India's move is a goodwill gesture ahead of the eighth round talks," Sun Shihai, an expert at the South Asia Research Center of Sichuan University, told the Global Times on Tuesday, adding that China and India had returned soldiers who strayed across the LAC before. Sun noted the most significant issues in the upcoming talks are rebuilding the mutual-trust mechanism and disengagement, adding that India should make a commitment as soon as possible. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a press briefing on Tuesday that China hopes India hands over the soldier as soon as possible and works with China to promote the implementation of the consensus reached at the 7th round of talks. However, in response to India's invitation to Australia to the Malabar military drill along with Japan and the US, Zhao said military cooperation between countries should be conducive to regional peace and stability. China and India should avoid a vicious arms race and refrain from using force as a threat, despite some Indians' belief that building a strong military is the right way to ensure a peaceful border, Sun said. Indian media reported the country test-fired a naval version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from a stealth destroyer of the Indian Navy in the Arabian Sea on Sunday. In mid-September, one of India's largest military logistical exercises used vast quantities of ammunition, equipment, fuel, winter supplies and food in the Ladakh region, Reuters reported. It will take a long time to develop mutual trust between China and India, Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times. Qian said the moves by India show they are trying to increase bargaining power and initiative in talks through tricks of being tougher. "China is capable of responding to India's moves in the diplomatic, military, economic, security and other fields… But China is always committed to resolving the issue through talks, and hopes that India will work with China to the same goal," Qian said. We hope that India will implement the consensus reached by senior officials of the two countries, and avoid escalating conflicts… China remains unchanged on that, Qian said. China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in September in Moscow, and issued a joint statement and five-point consensus, which said differences should not lead to conflicts. ^ top ^
Ministry calls for probe over Fiji incident (China Daily)
2020-10-20
The Foreign Ministry denied on Monday a claim that an employee of the Taipei trade office in Fiji was assaulted by diplomats from the Chinese embassy, calling it a trick of "a thief crying stop thief "and said Fiji should thoroughly investigate the incident. Speaking at a regular news briefing in Beijing, ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, quoting the Chinese embassy to Fiji, said that the Taipei trade office in the Pacific island nation "publicly held the so-called 'national day' event on the evening of Oct 8". At the event, the "self-styled flag" and a cake decorated with the image of the "self-styled flag "were displayed, said Zhao, adding that such moves attempting to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" internationally violated the one-China principle and the relevant rules and regulations of the Fijian government. On the same evening, the staff of the Taipei trade office acted provocatively against Chinese embassy staff members who were carrying out their official duties in the public area outside the venue of the function, causing injuries and damage to one Chinese diplomat, according to the embassy's statement. China has expressed concerns to Fiji about the incidents, requesting Fiji to hold the perpetrators accountable according to law and expecting the country to tackle the issue properly, the statement said. The Fijian government has been adhering to the one-China principle, and required Taiwan business institutions in Fiji not to use inappropriate names or create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" in Fiji's territory in 2019, Zhao said, adding that China appreciated such a practice. Zhao noted that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and the one-China principle is widely recognized by the international community. Any attempts to use the Taiwan question to drive a wedge between China and Pacific island countries are doomed to fail, he said. Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry issued two reports on Monday on its website listing how the United States has damaged the environment and undermined global environmental governance. Bad behavior by the US in the environmental field covers areas such as climate change, biodiversity, endangered wildlife, solid waste, chemicals, forests and water pollution, according to Zhao. Certain US politicians have spared no efforts to slander China on environmental issues for some time, Zhao said, adding that facts speak louder than words, and anyone who is fair-minded can tell right from wrong. ^ top ^
Canada will not be cowed by Beijing on human rights, says PM after ambassador takes aim at Canadians in Hong Kong (HKFP)
2020-10-18
Canada will continue to defend human rights in China, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged Friday, after a top Chinese diplomat warned Ottawa against welcoming Hong Kong pro-democracy activists. China's ambassador to Ottawa, Cong Peiwu, warned Canada on Thursday against granting asylum to Hong Kong activists, which he said could have consequences for the "health and security" for the 300,000 Canadians living in the theoretically autonomous Chinese territory. The Canadian daily The Globe and Mail said Ottawa had recently granted asylum to a Hong Kong couple, which the Canadian government has neither confirmed nor denied. "We will stand up loudly and clearly for human rights, all around the world, whether it's talking about the situation faced by the Uighurs, whether it's talking about the very concerning situation in Hong Kong, whether it's calling out China for its coercive diplomacy," said Trudeau when asked about the Chinese ambassador's comments. But he added: "We don't look to escalate." In a sign of the rising tensions between the two countries, Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne had earlier slammed the ambassador's remarks as "totally unacceptable and disturbing." For his part, the new leader of the conservative opposition, Erin O'Toole, called on the Chinese diplomat "to fully retract his remarks and issue a public apology." ^ top ^
Efforts to drive a wedge between China and Russia will not succeed: FM (Global Times)
2020-10-17
China's Foreign Ministry has slammed the US for trying to create discord between China and Russia, emphasizing that China-Russia ties are stable and solid, and able to withstand various risks and challenges. Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson for the ministry, made the remarks on Friday after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview on Wednesday that it is despicable and dishonorable for the US to set aside its diplomatic principles and publicly declare that Russia should assist the US in containing China. Lavrov has repeatedly expressed his opposition to attempts by some countries to drive a wedge between China and Russia, and has harshly rebuked such provocations that go against the basic norms governing international relations, said Zhao, stressing that China fully agrees with Russia's position. Facts have once again proved that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of China and Russia, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era is stable, firm and tough, with strong vitality and resilience, and it can withstand all kinds of risks and challenges, said Zhao. China cherishes the high-level political mutual trust and strategic coordination with Russia, and will continue to make joint efforts with Russia to push for new progress in bilateral relations, said Zhao. ^ top ^
|
| Domestic
Policy |
|
Xi chairs leadership meeting on 13th Five-Year Plan implementation (Xinhua)
2020-10-23
The Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Thursday held a meeting to hear a summary and evaluation report on the implementation of the 13th Five-Year Plan. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting and delivered an important speech. The implementation of the 13th Five-Year Plan has been smooth, as the key strategic tasks and 165 major projects have all been carried out, the major indicators will be achieved as scheduled, and all targets and tasks set in the plan will be accomplished, Xi said. China's strength in economic, scientific and technological fields, as well as its overall national strength, have entered a new stage after its development in the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), with improvements in economic structure, rural modernization, poverty relief, ecological environment and deepening all-round reform, according to Xi. The opening up has been continuously expanded, people's living conditions have seen marked improvements, and the modernization of the governance system and capacity has been accelerated, Xi said. In particular, the advantages of the CPC's leadership and the socialist system have been further demonstrated over the period, offering a powerful political guarantee and impetus for China to embark on a new journey toward fully building a modern socialist country, Xi said. It was pointed out at the meeting that the country should do a good job in wrapping up the 13th Five-Year Plan and formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan, with emphases on poverty alleviation, pollution control, preventing and defusing major risks, as well as improving people's lives, so as to ensure that the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects will be accomplished. Further attention should be given to the planning for development in the 14th Five-Year Plan period, according to the meeting. Meanwhile, awareness must be raised about the new features and requirements brought about by the changing major contradictions in Chinese society, the new contradictions and challenges brought by the complex international environment, as well as the important judgment that China will enter a new development stage in the 14th Five-Year Plan period. Efforts should also be made to nurture a new development pattern that takes the domestic market as the mainstay while letting domestic and foreign markets boost each other, connect China's two centenary goals and secure a good start in fully building a modern socialist country, according to the meeting. ^ top ^
Migrant Workers' Rights to Inherit the Family Farm Are Safe, Government Says (Caixin)
2020-10-22
China's central government has said people from the countryside who settle in cities can inherit the right to use rural land from their parents, a clarification that could boost the country's urbanization movement. The Ministry of Natural Resources said the country's inheritance laws permitted rural migrants who have subsequently become urban residents to take over their parents' home ownership and land-use rights after their deaths. "The inheritor shall succeed to and acquire the property ownership rights and homestead use rights, and rural homesteads may not be inherited separately," the ministry said in an official response to a recommendation submitted by a delegate to the national legislature. The response addresses a matter of keen interest to many rural families. In recent decades, hundreds of millions of country dwellers have sought their fortunes in China's booming cities. Many have later settled there permanently, an act that authorities in their hometowns sometimes say forfeits their claims to their parents' land and property rights. Unlike most Western countries, China has no system of private land ownership. Instead, the government distinguishes between "urban" land owned by the state and "rural" land operated by village collectives. The latter, in turn, parcel out land-use rights to local families, which can then build homes and cultivate plots in designated areas. Historically, China's centrally planned economy determined where urban and rural people lived and worked. But the country's economic reforms of the past four decades have sparked a vast wave of migration into cities, which tend to be more prosperous than the countryside. Over the years, many rural migrants have been able to re-register as residents of their adopted cities. Although that status typically brings better social security provisions than the countryside, it has complicated their inheritance claims back home and in some cases led local authorities to seize control of the land. The ministry's response clarifies that urban-dwelling children of rural residents are still the legal heirs to their parents' home ownership and land-use rights, adding that they may voluntarily relinquish those rights in return for compensation from the government. "The response clearly resolves the difficult issue regarding the intergenerational succession of homestead usage rights," said a scholar specializing in rural land management. "It can dispel the worries of rural residents who go to the cities and advance the progress of the country's new-style urbanization." Facing an emptying countryside saddled with vast amounts of idle housing stock, China has recently mulled a formal separation of land rights, though no such changes have yet made it into the country's land management laws. ^ top ^
China solicits public opinion on draft laws, revisions (Xinhua)
2020-10-22
China on Wednesday started to solicit public opinion on several draft laws and revisions to laws recently reviewed at the sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee. They include draft revisions to the National Defense Law, the Administrative Penalty Law and the Wildlife Protection Law, and draft laws on Yangtze River conservation and the protection of personal information, as well as a draft amendment to the Criminal Law. The draft laws and revisions have been made public on the website of the NPC. The public can log on to www.npc.gov.cn to express their opinions, or they can post letters to the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee. The period for submitting comments ends on Nov. 19. The draft personal information protection law establishes a series of regulations on handling private information, including obtaining personal consent on the basis of prior notification, and the obligation of state organs to protect personal information. The draft revision to the Wildlife Protection Law stresses the control and protection of wild animals at different levels and completely banning the consumption of wildlife, with strengthened punishments for illegal acts. A proposal on lowering the minimum age at which a minor can be convicted under specific circumstances was made in the draft amendment to the Criminal Law. ^ top ^
Xi meets with role models for promoting military-civilian solidarity (Xinhua)
2020-10-20
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday met with representatives from model organizations and individuals who were in Beijing to receive awards for promoting military-civilian solidarity. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, expressed sincere greetings and warm congratulations to the awardees. Also present were Premier Li Keqiang and Wang Huning, a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, both of whom are members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. On Tuesday morning, Xi and other leaders came to the Jingxi Hotel, met with the representatives, and had a group photo with them. Li delivered a speech at the ceremony. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, local authorities and related departments have actively provided support and services for the development and reform of the armed forces, and further improved the provision of benefits to entitled groups, while the armed forces have always been in the vanguard of major natural disaster relief and emergency response, said Li. Facing this year's COVID-19 epidemic, the armed forces and civilians have worked side by side in securing major strategic achievements in the country's fight against COVID-19, demonstrating the great power of military-civilian solidarity, Li added. Li called on all localities and departments to support strengthening national defense and the armed forces and continue to help military personnel and their families overcome difficulties that they face. Noting that it is more difficult to stabilize employment this year than in previous years, Li demanded efforts to provide veterans with more targeted and timely services to help them find jobs, start their own businesses or get vocational training. Fiscal spending on military personnel's benefits and services must be ensured, Li said, calling for more efforts to break new ground in promoting military-civilian solidarity. The conference announced a list of 411 national-level model cities and counties and decisions to commend outstanding organizations and individuals in promoting mutual support between the military and civilian sectors. ^ top ^
Newly revised patent law underscores national innovation (Global Times)
2020-10-20
China's top legislature has approved a new version of the Patent Law, a move in line with the national strategy of building an innovative country and determination to protect pharmaceutical innovation amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress passed the amended law on Saturday, and the law will be officially enacted on June 1 next year. The law has stipulated a harsher punishment for violators, who can be fined from 30,000 yuan ($4,476) to 5 million yuan. And courts can ask violators to pay up to five times the losses caused, Xinhua reported. Acting as a long-time guard against patent infringement, the amended law is in line with the national strategy to build an innovative country, said analysts. Shan Xiaoguang, dean of Shanghai International College of IP at Tongji University, told the Global Times on Monday that some said the amendment showcases China's response to its promise in the Phase One trade agreement between China and US, but it is more about an internal motivation. China promised to improve protection of intellectual property rights in the agreement with the US in 2020, but the patent law revision began in 2018. In recent years, China has greatly improved its innovation capacity and its amount of intellectual property. The amended law is a strong boost for enterprises and institutions, indicating that China gives equal protection to both Chinese and foreign counterparts, said Shan. China has been the world's leading country in terms of patents since 2011. According to data from the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), 2.195 million patents of three types (invention patents, utility model patents and design patents) were filed in the first half of 2020. The revised law includes more drug-related content, which is a bonus for drug companies producing anti-COVID-19 products. The CNIPA said that the amended law also covers time compensation for patent holders. Time compensation for a drug-related patent is a normal practice in the world as the research and development cycle is long, and investment is large, said Shan, noting that the medical field is of vital importance in the new round of scientific and technological progress. As for products that have been used in public health emergencies, but cannot be patented due to loss of "novelty," the amended law added special clauses to eliminate such concerns. Chinese drugs usually go through administrative approval and must be proved to be safe and effective before they are put on the market, Song Xiaoting, director of the Research Center of Medical Law and Pharmaceutical Intellectual Property of Tongji University, told the Global Times on Monday. Song revealed that a traditional Chinese medicine called "detoxification soup," which was used at the beginning of the epidemic later encountered difficulties in obtaining a patent because of loss of novelty. "The revised law encourages drug companies to put new products on the market earlier if needed in a public health crisis, reducing the risk of drug dispatching postponement due to patent concerns," said Song. China has amended its patent law four times - in 1992, 2000, 2008, and 2020 - since the law was first enacted in 1985, according to the CNIPA. Patent law is not just about protecting the interests of companies; it's also about balancing public interests with the interests of the patent holders, said Song. ^ top ^
Governments to cooperate to reduce biosecurity risks (China Daily)
2020-10-19
Coordinated supervision at both national and local levels will be adopted to minimize biosecurity risks in China, with the approval of a new law accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Biosecurity Law, approved by China's top legislature on Saturday, counts biosecurity as an important element of China's national security effort and includes detailed regulations on the prevention and control of biosecurity risks. It mandates the establishment of 11 basic systems, including those for providing early warning of biosecurity risks, information sharing and emergency response to major biosecurity incidents. The law, which will take effect on April 15, specifies the responsibilities of various central government departments and local authorities in ensuring biosecurity. In cases of outbreaks of major new infectious diseases or animal or plant epidemics, central government departments will join control and prevention efforts immediately. In addition, local governments must perform epidemic control and prevention duties within their jurisdictions, including organizing and mobilizing the public, the law said. More efforts will be made to intensify epidemic control and prevention at borders, including establishing international cooperation networks to identify epidemics and bring them under control, according to the law. Yuan Jie, an official with the National People's Congress Standing Committee, which approved the law, said it will have a far-reaching effect on the protection of people's lives and health and will improve China's national security. China had existing laws and regulations related to certain areas of biosecurity risks, but they were either inadequate or failed to meet evolving demands, Yuan said. "The new law will regulate all sorts of biosecurity risks, specify basic systems and fill in the legislative gap in biosecurity," she said. The law was formulated to make up for the shortfalls in the public health system exposed by the COVID-19 epidemic in China, and it encourages the healthy development of biotechnology and related industries, she said. Public opinions on three drafts of the law were solicited over the past year. The first draft of the law was reviewed by the NPC Standing Committee in October last year, and legislation was accelerated after the COVID-19 epidemic emerged in China at the end of last year. Zhang Guangrong, a member of the NPC's Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation Committee, said the new law will be important in protecting national security and people's health, and responds to people's major concerns following the outbreak. Lyu Wei, a member of the NPC Standing Committee and an economic researcher at the State Council Development Research Center, said that following the adoption of the law, related regulations and policies should be updated to aid its implementation. Meanwhile, continued research is needed over the next few years to improve the law so it matches the rapid development of biotechnologies and emerging biosecurity concerns, she said. ^ top ^
Living coronavirus detected in imported frozen food packaging in Qingdao for 1st time, may push forward study of virus origins: virologist (Global Times)
2020-10-18
Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced it has detected and isolated living coronavirus in a positive sample from the outer packaging of imported frozen cod, progress that virologists said could push forward research into the virus' origin, which may be aquatic creature. The CDC made the discovery while tracing a new small-scale outbreak which occurred in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, saying that it shows exposure to virus-contaminated packaging can lead to infection, the CDC announced on its official website on Saturday. It was the first time it has been confirmed that under special conditions of cold chain transportation outside the laboratory, the coronavirus can survive on packaging for a long time, signaling that the virus can be imported within the cold-chain food transportation process for long distances across borders, said the announcement. Scientists had previously detected only viral nucleic acid from cold-chain packages. Living coronavirus is much more contagious than viral nucleic acid, and the discovery also proves that cold-chain provides suitable living conditions for the virus, Yang Zhanqiu, deputy director of the pathogen biology department at Wuhan University, told the Global Times on Sunday. Yang said that this discovery shows that workers in the cold-chain industry, as well as wet market workers and employees in supermarket seafood sections, are at high risk. The CDC also said that under such special conditions, the living virus could infect people who are not effectively protected, mainly workers in the cold chain sector. It suggested that while preventing imports of infected cases from abroad, China should also pay attention to the risk of importing the virus from cold-chain items, said the CDC. The CDC noted that the infection risk to the public of being exposed to and eating cold-chain food is very low, as COVID-19 is not a food-borne illness and has not been found to cause infection through eating. As of September 15, 24 provinces and regions in the country have reported 2.98 million test results, including 670,000 from cold-chain food and its packaging samples, 1.24 million samples from related workers and 1.07 million environment samples, with only 22 samples from food and its packaging testing positive, according to the announcement. The results showed that the nucleic acid load in the virus is low, said the CDC. The Wuhan virologist also pointed out that successfully detecting living virus on cold-chain packaging helps push forward research into the virus' ability to survive, viral structure, and most importantly, its origins. If the gene sequence of the living coronavirus contracted from the Qingdao cold-chain matches that in human beings, it may help bear out the possibility that the virus likely originates from aquatic creatures, not bats and pangolins, Yang said. He said if the theory stands, it could also refute accusations which use the virus as a tool to throw mud at China. "If an aquatic creature proved to be the host, it may overturn many previous studies of the virus' origin," he said. Many countries, including Spain, Italy and Japan have detected instances of the virus that may have existed before the outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan in January. In July, researchers in Brazil said they detected the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 in sewage sampled in November. The conclusion came days after scientists in Spain found the virus in waste water samples collected in March 2019, and adds to suggestions that the virus spread quietly before the alarm was first raised in China in late December. ^ top ^
|
| Beijing |
Beijing 2022 holds online world press briefing (Xinhua)
2020-10-19
The virtual World Press Briefing (WPB) for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games started on Monday. The four-day conference, held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is being attended by over 400 representatives from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), National Olympic Committees (NOCs), National Paralympic Committees (NPCs), International Federations (IFs), and worldwide media, among other organizations. "Quality services for media organizations are an integral part of our work. We give high priority to media operations and will honor our bid commitments. We have done and will continue to do everything necessary to meet the pre-Games and Games-time needs of the media for Games coverage," Zhang Jiandong, executive vice president of the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee (BOCOG) said in his address. Zhang went on to express confidence in Beijing's smooth preparations for the Games despite the challenges brought by the coronavirus and vowed to provide "comprehensive, efficient and convenient" media services. "I look forward to your continued support and cooperation so that we can do a still better job of Games preparation. Let us work together to deliver a successful Games in 2022 for the world," he concluded. In the following days, the organizers will brief the progress in 15 functional areas including media operations, sports, venue construction, registration, accomodation, technology and transport and answer questions from participants. With on-site field trips practically impossible, the organizers will take advantage of simulation technology to present the construction and progress, spatial layout, and vehicles and personnel flow designs of the venues. "We hope to let the journalists that are to come to Beijing 2022 know about their work and life here and provide necessary information for organizations to budget and plans for interview and personnel," said Xu Jicheng, head of media operations of Beijing 2022. This world press briefing is the first under the watch of Lucia de Montanarella, who was named IOC Media Operations chief in January. "I think that the commitment of Beijing 2022 trying to deliver high standard services and facilities to the media is testified by the table that we see, with the top management of BOCOG participating at the opening of this world press briefing," Montanarella said during her opening remarks. "It means a lot to the worldwide media to know that BOCOG gives the interests of the media such a high priority in their organization." ^ top ^
|
| Shanghai |
Publicity conference of Trade In Services exhibition area for 3rd CIIE held in Shanghai (Xinhua)
2020-10-20
A delegate from Dun & Bradstreet (D& B) Company introduces the company's plan for attending the 3rd China International Import Expo (CIIE) during the publicity conference of the Trade In Services exhibition area at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 19, 2020. The 3rd CIIE will be held from Nov. 5 to 10 in Shanghai this year. ^ top ^
|
| Guangdong |
Guangdong police take lead in crackdown on cross-border gambling (Global Times)
2020-10-22
As tourists enjoy their night boat trips along the Pearl River and pedestrians jostle to take photos at the landmark Canton Tower in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province, some others in the region are paying the bitter consequences of a global scourge: cross-border gambling. From October 10-13, Guangdong police from four cities shared both their achievements and the challenges they faced in cracking down on cross-border gambling amid the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the new trends and direction of their future efforts. Guangdong has made itself a role model and the frontline in the fight against cross-border gambling. By the end of September, the province had cracked more than 260 cases of cross-border gambling, arrested more than 4,700 suspects and frozen a bunch of illicit funds. Public security authorities also sent SMS messages to 155 million people, enhancing their awareness of law and self-protection. In a conference that took place in February, the Ministry of Public Security expressed its determination to bolster efforts against gambling. Based on data from the ministry, until now, public security organs across China had handled over 8,800 cross-border gambling cases, arrested over 60,000 criminal suspects, identified over 1 trillion yuan in gambling-related funds and frozen a bunch of illicit funds. Neighboring the South China Sea, Guangdong Province has been at the forefront of China's opening-up and also encountered emerging problems ahead of other parts of China. "We have never come across cases like this," a police officer surnamed Lai from the public security bureau of Dongguan said at a press briefing after they had smashed a cross-border gambling syndicate that offered technical support and domestic advertising for an overseas gambling firm. Dongguan police have arrested more than 60 people, frozen 300 million yuan in gambling-related funds, and cracked down on an underground bank since June. A police officer said, gamblers' money goes to underground money launderers, and involves the use of controversial virtual currencies such as USDT (Tether). […] Besides the difficulties involved in obtaining evidence in a virtual scenario where advanced internet technology can be used for nefarious purposes, police noted that international cooperation has not been easy amid the pandemic. Although Chinese police have worked together with their counterparts from neighboring countries, successfully cracking down on a number of cross-border gambling cases in 2019, now is not the time to lower their guard as syndicates evolve. Police officers from Dongguan told the Global Times that law enforcement cannot be conducted smoothly overseas due to travel restrictions resulting from the pandemic. Although there are extradition agreements between China and some Southeast Asian countries, negotiations from a diplomatic perspective are also required. As a result, the real overseas leaders behind domestic suspects remain unknown. Many companies have survived for years overseas due to their ability to avoid detection, the police officer added. The Chinese government has yet to clarify if it will prohibit USDT. Police said criminal gangs have taken advantage of the vagueness of the law to transmit money abroad. With the use of digital currency, the ill-gotten funds collected from the mainland can easily be sent overseas, indicating that in the future cross-border gambling, capital and people will be separated, which requires joint efforts from the international community, a police officer from Huizhou told the Global Times. Police will focus more on where the gambling money goes, and whether there are bigger ringleaders overseas, another police officer from Huizhou told the Global Times. GT reporter learned from the Ministry of Public Security that it has worked closely with the police in related countries to arrest 590 Chinese gambling suspects overseas amid the pandemic. ^ top ^
|
| Tibet |
Meeting between US' Tibet coordinator and head of 'Tibetan government-in-exile' sends wrong signals to secessionists: Chinese FM (Global Times)
2020-10-20
US' new Tibet coordinator's meeting with the "president" of the "Tibetan government-in-exile" has sent strong wrong signals to Tibetan secessionists, and the US should stop providing any support for anti-China separatist activities, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday, noting that China will take all necessary measures to safeguard its interests. The meeting has seriously violated the commitment, policy and position of the US not to support "Tibetan independence" and not to recognize the "Tibetan government-in-exile," Zhao Lijian, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a press conference. Zhao's remarks came after Lobsang Sangay, the so-called president of the "Tibetan government-in-exile," claimed on his Facebook account on Friday that it was the first time in six decades that a president of the "Tibetan government-in-exile" had been invited to the US State Department, saying that "history is made." The "Tibetan government-in-exile" is a separatist political organization seeking to achieve "Tibetan independence." It completely violates the Constitution and laws of China and is not recognized by any country in the world, Zhao said. "Lobsang Sangay is an outright anti-China separatist. We firmly oppose his engaging in anti-China separatist activities in any country under any name, and we firmly oppose any official of any country having any contact with him in any form," Zhao said. The US announced the appointment of Robert Destro, assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, as the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues last week. The appointment by the US side is pure political manipulation aimed at interfering in China's internal affairs and undermining the development and stability of Tibet, Zhao said, noting that China has lodged solemn representations to the US over the matter. ^ top ^
|
| Xinjiang |
China opposes Pompeo's remarks on Xinjiang-related issues, religion (Xinhua)
2020-10-20
Labor workers of Xinjiang's all ethnic groups, including ethnic minorities, have their rights and interests protected by law, and have the freedom to choose their professions and locations of work, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said here Tuesday. Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks in response to a related query about a statement by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on monitoring and combating trafficking in persons on the department's website, which criticized China's moves related to Xinjiang and religion, including "forced labor". Zhao told a daily news briefing that Pompeo is proud of "lying, cheating and stealing" and has been the source of various disinformation on China. So-called "forced labor" and other issues are typical cases of fabrication. "Labor workers of Xinjiang's all ethnic groups, including ethnic minorities, are part of China's labor force whose rights and interests are protected by law. They have the freedom to choose their professions and locations of work with zero restriction on their personal liberty," Zhao said. He said their traditions, customs, religious beliefs and spoken and written languages are lawfully protected. The employers provide good working and living conditions for employees of ethnic minorities and make sure all their needs are attended to. "How are those U.S. politicians in any position to deprive the Chinese people of the right to pursue a better life through work? Some in the United States claim they care about ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, but on the other hand, they are taking all sorts of measures to repress Xinjiang enterprises and impose unilateral sanctions and pressure, which fully reveals their malicious intention to undermine Xinjiang's prosperity and development, sow discord among ethnic groups in China, and contain China's progress," Zhao said. Zhao stressed that the United States itself has a terrible record on human rights and religious freedom, with numerous scandals relating to racial discrimination, police brutality and prisoner abuse, while the gun-violence crime rate in the country has been the highest in the world for years, causing on average tens of thousands of deaths per year. The religious situation of ethnic minorities in the United States is also worrisome. "The U.S. government should focus on handling its domestic problems rather than making lies about others," Zhao said. "Politicians like Pompeo can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but they cannot fool all the people all the time. No matter how they lie and cheat, Xinjiang's prosperity and stability will not be interrupted, and China's development and progress will not be stopped," he said. ^ top ^
|
| Hongkong |
HK has much to gain from 5-year plan (China Daily)
2020-10-22
The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) starts next year, and given the available information on the new five-year plan, Hong Kong stands to gain a lot by integrating its economy with that of the Chinese mainland in the next five years. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region must realize the mainland's overall economic and diplomatic strategies have fundamentally changed. Faced with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and deteriorating relations with the United States, the mainland is expected to follow a "dual circulation" development pattern during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. "Dual circulation" is centered on the domestic economy (or "internal circulation") and aimed at integrating the domestic economy with the global economy (or "external circulation") to develop new advantages for China in global cooperation and competition. Also, China will take more active part in the negotiations for and formulation of global economic and trade rules, so as to facilitate the development of new channels with other countries by deepening economic, trade and diplomatic relations with them. Besides, by developing third-generation semiconductors and accelerating the building of "new infrastructure" sectors such as 5G, artificial intelligence (AI) and industrial internet, China hopes to offset the impact of the US' "technological decoupling". Hong Kong should also realize that neighboring economies and cities have already adopted a new development approach. For example, Singapore aims to become a global leader in enterprises, innovation and talents, and the Republic of Korea plans to further develop its "hydrogen economy", and new energy, semiconductor and other new industries that could boost its already advanced industrial sector. While Taiwan plans to boost its status as a source of enterprises and capital, and a center for advanced asset management, Shanghai is set to accelerate the development of integrated circuit, AI, biomedicine, electronic and information technology, automobile, and high-end equipment sectors among others. And apart from speeding up the development of its AI and big data sectors, Shenzhen also plans to become a leading international high-tech and logistics hub. It is likely that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period the central government will continue to help Hong Kong consolidate its status as an international financial, shipping, and technology and innovation center. So at this critical time when the mainland and neighboring countries and regions are embracing reform and taking measures to boost innovation, Hong Kong should make decisions conducive to its long-term development. First, Hong Kong should cultivate more outstanding talents, because that would help expand its scientific and technological innovation capacity. Ironically, the rising Sino-US tensions have created favorable conditions for Hong Kong to attract more special talents. Washington has accused Chinese scholars in the US of being involved in espionage saying they pose a threat to its national security, and even arrested some of them, putting immense pressure on the Chinese scholars in US universities and research institutions. Hong Kong should take advantage of the situation to attract those Chinese scholars to its universities and research institutions. Second, China plans to join more international economic and trade organizations. But given the numerous obstacles in the way of its membership, the SAR should join those organizations first. For instance, the SAR, as an independent economic entity, could join the Comprehensive Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership. And once Hong Kong joins such organizations, it can explore more economic and trade cooperation opportunities in other countries and regions while increasing trade between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the members of the CPTPP and other economic organizations. Third, Guangdong recently signed a logistics cooperation agreement with the Hainan free trade port, and as an international financial, shipping and aviation center, Hong Kong can use its unique advantages in supply chain management and professional services to help the Greater Bay Area and Hainan free trade port form a "global logistics development union" and help set up a global logistics bank that provides quality financial goods and services. Fourth, using its expertise in consumption-based economy, the SAR should help the mainland promote consumption across the country. Also, more high-quality and low-cost foreign goods, including foods, can be transported from Hong Kong to the mainland to increase consumption in general. Finally, with the rapid development of the internet, "new infrastructure" industries such as internet finance, mobile payment, financial technology and green finance have become a trend. Yet despite the emergence of new trading products, models and market rules, the global financial system is still caught up in traditional markets and thus failed to keep pace with the times. If Hong Kong can help the mainland strengthen internet finance, mobile payment, fintech, green finance and other sectors to improve and develop new rules, and help it propel global financial development and improve governance, it will not only consolidate its own status as an international financial center but also promote the development of the mainland's fintech and green industries. ^ top ^
Hong Kong needs to enhance competitiveness to seek win-win results with Shenzhen: HKSAR chief executive (People's Daily)
2020-10-20
Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said Tuesday that both Hong Kong and Shenzhen have their own advantages, and Hong Kong needs to enhance its competitiveness to seek win-win results with Shenzhen. Hong Kong and Shenzhen have room for cooperation in fields such as innovation and technology, cultural and creative industries, higher education and medical care, Lam said at a media session before the Executive Council meeting, adding that she has asked relevant departments to conduct research and analysis on deepening Hong Kong-Shenzhen cooperation. Hong Kong and Shenzhen can jointly build a "twin city economy" and become a dual engine for growth in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and it is hoped that the two places can strengthen their cooperation for mutual benefit and win-win results, she said. On the COVID-19 epidemic, Lam said that the situation had been stabilizing over the past week, but to be on the safe side, the prevention measures will not be relaxed for the time being. She added that the HKSAR government will discuss whether restrictions can be relaxed on some gatherings or economic activities, such as weddings and local tours. Turning to the land issue in Hong Kong, Lam stressed that the current HKSAR government's determination to develop land will not be reduced or adjusted because of the economic downturn or the decline in the real estate market. The HKSAR government is determined to continue to adopt a multi-pronged approach to increase land supply. Land in Hong Kong is limited, but as Hong Kong people value country parks and wetlands, reclamation is one of the ways to make land available on a large scale, she noted. The "Lantau Tomorrow Vision" has an advantageous geographical location for a good transport network, and the potential to become the third core business district of Hong Kong, she added. The "Lantau Tomorrow Vision" is a development project on man-made islands in waters off Lantau Island. ^ top ^
|
| Macau |
Macao to learn innovation development from Shenzhen's experience (Xinhua)
2020-10-18
Macao can learn how to develop through innovation from Shenzhen's experience of its 40-year reform and opening-up, and play a unique role in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the national development, said a Macao scholar Ip Kuai Peng in a recent interview with Xinhua. Ip, the pro-rector of City University of Macao and the director of Research Center for Macao Social and Economic Development, said Shenzhen Special Economic Zone (SEZ) has become an important engine of GBA from a small fishing village in 40 years, which is undoubtedly a successful model of reform and opening up. He believed that the key to Shenzhen's success is to emancipate the mind and take a series of forward-looking and pragmatic reforms. Such reforms has empowered scientific and technological innovations to be the engine of economic development. Ip mentioned that Shenzhen has improved urban governance systems and capabilities, and built a market environment, a policy environment, and a public service system that are conducive to innovation, and promoted the free flow of talents, capital, information, technology and other factors in a virtuous circle. "Shenzhen's experience also provides valuable experience for Macao to promote moderate economic diversification and realize sustainable development," he said. In order to realize sustainable and healthy development, Macao should create a policy and an institutional environment both conducive to innovation, strengthen cooperation with GBA cities to expand Macao's space of development, he added. He suggested that Macao can also use its advantages to cooperate with Shenzhen. For example, Macao can make use of its resources as a service platform for business cooperation between China and Portuguese speaking countries (PSCs) and play its role as a window and a bridge to facilitate Shenzhen's economic and trade cooperation with PSCs, and help Shenzhen enterprises explore PSCs markets. Shenzhen has comprehensive modern industrial systems with a large number of iconic innovative enterprises, state key laboratories and a cluster of university resources, he said. Both sides can strengthen cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, such as the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao Science and Technology Innovation Corridor. In recent years, Macao has had some emerging industries such as finance, exhibition, and cultural creativity. It has been designated as Creative City of Gastronomy by UNESCO and striven to become a world tourism and leisure center. Ip said Macao can match Shenzhen's advantages in financial services, e-commerce, and high-end tourism industry. For example, Macao can cooperate with Shezhen's Qianhai financial reform pilot zone, in fields such as renminbi clearing and finance lease. Talking about Zhuhai, which is Macao's close neighbor city and also a SEZ, he said the cooperation between Macao and Zhuhai can also learn from Shenzhen's experience. China has recently unveiled a list of 40 authorized measures to facilitate the pilot reforms in Shenzhen. Such innovation can inspire the development of Hengqin Guangdong-Macao Deep Cooperation Zone between Macao and Zhuhai, he added. He suggested that Macao and Zhuhai can promote institutional innovation in civil and commercial laws, trade and tax regulations, explore policy coordination and planning convergence in fields of science and technology, finance, business and social welfare. In such way, the factors of talent, capital and technology can flow conveniently in Hengqin between Guangdong and Macao with high efficiency. The advantages and resources of Guangdong and Macao can be optimized and forged into a good example of collaborative innovation development of GBA, he added. ^ top ^
|
| Taiwan |
Top political advisor stresses national spirit, cross-Strait solidarity (Xinhua)
2020-10-23
China's top political advisor Wang Yang on Thursday stressed carrying forward the great spirit of the nation, spurring compatriots across the Taiwan Strait to unite to achieve national reunification and rejuvenation. Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, made the remarks in Beijing at an academic seminar commemorating the 75th anniversary of the country's recovery of sovereignty over Taiwan from 50-year Japanese occupation. Seventy-five years ago, China safeguarded national sovereignty and territorial integrity with the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the end of the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, Wang noted. Taiwan's recovery from Japanese occupation showed Taiwan compatriots' moral courage and sense of patriotism, proving that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, Wang said. Secessionists are repeatedly engaging in provocative moves by relying on foreign forces to seek "Taiwan independence," thus leading to the strained and volatile cross-Strait relations, Wang said, stressing the importance of adhering to the 1992 Consensus that embodies the one-China principle, and strongly opposing "Taiwan independence" forces and their separatist activities. More than 100 people attended the seminar, including 12 representatives from both sides of the Strait who spoke to emphasize the historical and legal facts demonstrating that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and oppose secessionists' moves to push for "Taiwan independence." ^ top ^
After election, US dialogue with China on Taiwan must resume, analysts say (SCMP)
2020-10-23
Whoever wins the US presidential election on November 3 will need to find a way to reconstruct dialogues with Beijing concerning Taiwan, according to US diplomatic experts, both to manage "mutual mistrust" and pave the way for cooperation on areas of common interest. The debate over Taiwan policy has grown louder in the US this year. As China has ramped up military drills and rhetoric about reuniting the self-governed island with the mainland, Washington has warmed its relation with Taipei by sending high-level officials on visits and approving armed sales there worth a potential US$1.8 billion. In a panel on the US 2020 election on Thursday organised by the South China Morning Post, Evan Medeiros, who was President Barack Obama's top adviser on the Asia Pacific, said that one deficiency of President Donald Trump's China policy has been to treat dialogue as if it's a waste of assets, costly and complicated. Until the start of this year, he said, Trump had barely discussed Taiwan, partly because he sought to avoid issues that might derail the phase one trade deal he and Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He signed in January. "China is using its capability to signal its intentions more than anything else – in large part because there is so little dialogue or no dialogue between Beijing and Taipei, and there is very little dialogue between Washington and Beijing," Medeiros said. "Under the Biden administration, there is going to be a desire to recalibrate, not reset, a relationship with China. Accepting that strategic competition is probably the right frame for the relationship, but the question is how do you compete, and ensure the competition is not mutually exclusive with dialogues and cooperation. "You can and should be able to talk to Chinese, and cooperate where our interests intersect, most obviously on Covid, climate change, North Korea." Rorry Daniels, who has years of experience of organising unofficial contacts and activities – known as backchannel diplomacy or "Track II" – said that at the moment there was an erosion of diplomacy to solve problems and a lack of willingness both in Beijing and Washington to listen and to consider how they can use informal dialogues to advance their interests. "The complaint that has often been heard, even before the Trump administration came to power, is that you talk talk talk to China, nothing happens. But I think that really negates the value of dialogue in managing mutual mistrust," said Daniels, who is deputy project director of the Forum on Asia-Pacific Security (FAPS) at the National Committee on American Foreign Policy. "If you are going to avoid a cold-war situation or even just manage a cold-war situation with China, we are going to have a dialogue that leads nowhere and only manages mutual mistrust," he said. "Our short-term challenge is how do we manage mutual mistrust; the long-term challenge is how do we build our considerable common interest." William Owens, who served as vice-chairman of the Pentagon's Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Clinton administration, argued that the best way forward – while very difficult during this period of friction – would be for Taiwan to accept that it's part of Greater China with assurances from Beijing that the island would enjoy its current system and freedoms indefinitely. But the practicality of such a proposal is still up for debate. Owens also questioned the wisdom of the recent US arms sales to Taiwan, asserting that it's a result of an "ill-informed Congress" influenced by "the military-industrial complex". The latest arms sale package includes 135 AGM-84H cruise missiles and 11 truck-based rocket launchers with a striking range of more than 270km (168 miles). Medeiros said he believed that the arms sales were to mainly improve Taiwan's resilience and signal to Beijing that the US sees its interest in Taiwan in broader regional stability. "Too often, Beijing believes that it just cares far more about Taiwan than the US does, not understanding that if the US were to do nothing in the face of aggression against Taiwan, that US East Asia strategy will just collapse," Medeiros said. "The fundamental policy challenge for the US is making sure its policy toward Taiwan is driven by the US interest and what makes sense for US-Taiwan relation, as opposed to treating Taiwan as a card to play in the broader accelerating US-China strategic competition. "It's going to be a challenge for policymakers in Taiwan going forward." ^ top ^
|
| Economy |
Chinese premier stresses proactive fiscal policies (People's Daily)
2020-10-22
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday called for further efforts to implement the mechanism that ensures the fiscal funds would directly benefit businesses and people and give full play to the country's proactive fiscal policies. Li made the remarks while presiding over an executive meeting of the State Council. Implementation of the mechanism has effectively replenished the fiscal strength of local authorities, boosted tax and fee cuts, as well as supported the construction of major projects and poverty eradication, according to the meeting. As of the end of September, some 1.57 trillion yuan (about 235 billion U.S. dollars) worth of fiscal funds had been directly channeled to the related city and county-level authorities, while the newly-added tax and fee cuts in the first three quarters had totaled over 2 trillion yuan. Next, China should maintain the continuity of macro policies, continue to advance the implementation of the mechanism, and improve the efficiency of fund usage, Li said. Efforts should be made to expand the direct allocation of fiscal funds and optimize the fund management, he said. The premier also stressed deepening reforms to streamline administrative approvals, delegate power to lower levels, and improve regulations and services. ^ top ^
Targeting Overseas Violations, China Passes Law Unifying Export Controls (Caixin)
2020-10-19
China's national legislature passed an omnibus export control law on Saturday, mandating the government to consolidate its export control regime and take actions against violations from oversea entities and individuals. The passage of the Export Control Law came after a week-long review last week by the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, the top decision-making body of China's national legislature. The law will come into force on Dec. 1. The law allows government agencies to control the export of dual military and civilian-use items, military-use and nuclear items, and other goods, technologies and services related to performing international obligations or ensuring protection of national security and interests. The Communist Party's Central Military Commission and China's cabinet, the State Council, will govern the export control regime, which will be administered by several government agencies including the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs. The new law did not include a list of items that will fall under export control rules, but said that relevant government agencies will develop and maintain their own lists. Export control lists are currently scattered across multiple regulations covering arms, chemicals and nuclear exports. In late August, the commerce ministry expanded its technology export control list to include new items such as "personalized information recommendation services," a data-based content promotion technology used by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, which runs the video-sharing app TikTok that U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to ban if its local operations are not sold to a domestic company. During the review last week, Zhang Yesui, chairperson of the NPC foreign affairs committee, suggested controlling exports of some of China's cutting-edge technologies such as 5G and quantum communication tech, the state-owned newspaper Legal Daily reported. Ouyang Changqiong, another member of the standing committee, also suggested during the debate that export-controlled items' associated technical data such as source codes and algorithms should be protected, the report said. The law stipulates that "overseas entities and individuals" who violate the law will be held accountable, and China will take "reciprocal countermeasure" against any countries or regions who abuse export control measures to endanger China's national security or national interests. "It appears that China intends to strengthen its export control regime in part to provide counter measurements to the tightened US export controls perceived as targeting China and Chinese companies such as Huawei," Liza Mark, chief representative of international law firm Haynes and Boone in Shanghai, said in a post on the firm's website. After the law is adopted, Mark said, "we expect to see new and consolidated export control lists... These control lists may also include critical natural resources such as rare earth metals, a potentially powerful tool for China to disrupt global supply chains." She suggested that multinational companies (MNCs) should be aware of the changes in China's export control regime. "When exporting to China, overseas MNCs will need to comply with overseas, especially US or EU, export control requirements," she said, "when exporting from China, MNCs within China will need to comply with the Chinese ECL." Covington & Burling LLP, also an international law firm with offices in China said in a note that the new law brings China's system "somewhat closer" to other export control regimes that contains the key feature that it applies both domestically and extraterritorially. However, it leaves unanswered a number of key questions of how the system will work in practice, including how its provisions will apply outside of China, the note said. ^ top ^
China Unveils Major Revamp to Commercial Bank Law (Caixin)
2020-10-17
China's central bank issued draft revisions Friday to its commercial bank law enacted 25 years ago, expanding application of the law and improving mechanisms of market exit for lenders. The revisions clarify that policy banks, rural credit cooperative banks, financial companies that handle commercial banking business and foreign commercial banks and their branches are all under the application of the law, reflecting financial openness and fair market competition. The revisions also set out a mechanism for risk rating and mitigating, laying out steps for banks from risk alerting, early correction, restructurings and takeovers to bankruptcies, with a process similar to the government takeover of Baoshang Bank last May. The current commercial bank law enacted in 1995 has been revised twice, in 2003 and 2015. Many provisions have not been adapted to actual needs. Recent bailouts of lower-tier banks, including Baoshang Bank, Bank of Jinzhou and Hengfeng Bank, highlight the defects of corporate governance in commercial banks, especially small and medium-sized banks, and problems involving major shareholders. ^ top ^
|
| DPRK |
US accuses China of aiding North Korea cyber thefts (SCMP)
2020-10-23
A senior US justice official accused China on Thursday of helping North Korea launder money from massive cyber thefts it has carried out to raise funds in the face of international sanctions. At an event hosted by a Washington think tank, John Demers, the assistant attorney general for national security, also said North Korea was likely to be getting support from China in the form of cyber expertise and training. "The other thing … that really pops out of our cases … is the involvement of China in helping the North Koreans evade the sanctions … in helping them launder money that they have somehow gotten or that they want to bring into the regime, or that they've stolen and otherwise, helping them sort of move goods," Demers said. "There is support through Chinese cyber infrastructure, there's likely to be support in terms of sharing expertise and training from the Chinese side," he added in the event hosted by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. Demers said those involved in violating Chinese-backed international sanctions imposed on North Korea over its nuclear and missile programmes included unscrupulous private individuals and businesses. "But probably the biggest issue is going to be countries like China that … don't want North Korea to fail," he said. Demers added that China was playing a "balancing act" as it was also "not exactly excited about an overly aggressive North Korea" – an apparent reference to Beijing's declared opposition to North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programmes. In March, the US Justice Department charged two Chinese nationals with laundering more than US$100 million in cryptocurrency on behalf of North Korea and detailed Pyongyang's use of hackers to circumvent sanctions. Demers appeared to go further in suggesting Chinese state involvement, a charge that comes at a time when the Trump administration has stepped up attacks on China in the run up the November 3 US presidential election. Asked to comment, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington said China had always been implementing US resolutions on North Korea and added: "I'm not aware of the situation you mentioned." "The Chinese government is a staunch defender of cybersecurity and firmly opposes and fights all forms of cyberattacks and crimes in accordance with law." UN experts monitoring sanctions implementation said last year North Korea generated an estimated US$2 billion for its weapons programmes using "widespread and increasingly sophisticated" cyberattacks to steal from banks and cryptocurrency exchanges. The experts said this year North Korea continued to carry out such attacks globally and they were investigating how Pyongyang laundered virtual assets. ^ top ^
Chinese veterans granted medals for entering DPRK in War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (Xinhua)
2020-10-22
Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) army veterans who fought in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) have been granted memorial medals as China marks the 70th anniversary of the CPV army entering the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the war. The medals were presented to living veterans and other personnel in the name of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission. Bearing the image of a CPV soldier and featuring various elements including a dove and five-pointed stars, the medal symbolizes the fact that the great War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea is a war of justice fought to safeguard peace and resist aggression, and the fact that the great spirit demonstrated in the war will always be invaluable wealth of the Chinese people. The medal also demonstrates China's firm determination and confidence in defying its enemies, safeguarding world peace, and building a community with a shared future for humanity. ^ top ^
Exhibition commemorating war to resist U.S. aggression and aid Korea opens in Beijing (Xinhua)
2020-10-19
An exhibition commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) army entering the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to help in the war to resist U.S. aggression opened on Monday at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution in Beijing. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. Calling the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) a war for justice that safeguarded peace and resisted aggression, Wang said the heroic CPV soldiers and officers, together with the Korean people and armed forces, risked their lives and fought hard to achieve their ultimate victory in the war. He said the exhibition is aimed at reviewing the glorious course of the war and demonstrating the dauntless spirit of the CPV army. It also shows the Chinese people's unity and love for their country and the Chinese nation's determination to safeguard peace. Wang called for carrying forward the spirit of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea to strive for a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and to achieve the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. On Oct. 19, 1950, as requested by the DPRK, CPV forces crossed the Yalu River to aid the DPRK's fight there until a truce was signed in 1953. A total of 2.9 million CPV soldiers entered the battlefield, and 197,653 of them sacrificed their lives in the war. ^ top ^
|
| Mongolia |
Consul General meets Chief Executive of Hong Kong (Montsame)
2020-10-22
Consul General of Mongolia in Hong Kong G.Jargalsaikhan met with Chief Executive of Hong Kong Carrie Lam on October 22. During the meeting, the sides stressed that there are potentials for further development of bilateral relations and cooperation in various spheres, particularly, science, technology, education, trade, investment and tourism. Ms. Carrie Lam reaffirmed her support in the direction of providing scholarships to Mongolian students as requested by Mongolian side. Furthermore, the two sides mutually congratulated their respective countries on the measures taken in the fight against the pandemic and expressed hope that bilateral relations and cooperation would intensify after overcoming this challenging period. ^ top ^
Mongolia, Russia and China to jointly develop tourism (Montsame)
2020-10-21
The fifth meeting of the Ministers of Tourism of Mongolia, Russia and China was held virtually yesterday, on October 20. The meeting was organized at the initiation of the Federal Agency for Tourism of Russia, focusing on revitalization of the tourism industry, which suffered the most from the global outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, and establishment of joint tourist itineraries and expansion of cooperation within the sector. The representatives of the sector headed by Minister of Environment and Tourism of Mongolia D.Sarangerel, Head of the Federal Agency for Tourism of Russia Z.V.Doguzova and Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism of China Zhang Xu participated in the meeting. Minister D.Sarangerel underlined the wide range of potential cooperation opportunities between the countries, including joint development of sustainable tourism, exchange of mutually beneficial experiences and information, establishment of joint tourism itineraries, etc. "Mongolia, for the first time, identified tourism as its leading sector of the economy. Although the sector has stagnated and suffered significant losses due to the pandemic, we have taken advantage of this opportunity to improve our tourism infrastructure, quality of services and capacity building. At today's meeting, I am pleased to discuss further joint projects and programs of the three countries and to implement effective initiatives" she added. Head of the Federal Agency for Tourism of Russia Z.V.Doguzova said, "The tourism industry is not only a significant industry to the economy but also it strengthens friendly relations and cooperation between the countries and its people. In this regard, we have great untapped cooperation opportunities as neighboring countries. Last year, 141,927 Russian tourists visited Mongolia which shows an increase of 9.9 percent compared with the same period of the previous year. We are hoping to continue to work together effectively without losing this growth". Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism of China Zhang Xu said, "We are going through a difficult time amid the pandemic. The tourism industry has been shaken as a whole and in a hardship. Regardless of this situation, our country is trying to turn this hardship into a new opportunity. Particularly, we are striving to expand domestic tourism. I would also like to emphasize that new policies and programs in this direction are being developed and implemented in our country. Aside from traveling and having fun, tourism also plays as a bridge for the dissemination of culture which is the basis for strengthening friendly relations between the countries. Therefore, I hope that the decisions and proposals to be made at today's meeting will be implemented and bring results". Minister D.Sarangerel brought up a number of proposals during the meeting. For instance, to set up a joint working group to develop a plan to maintain the growth in the number of tourists traveling between the three countries after the risk level of the pandemic drops to minimal; to develop and implement a joint plan to intensify mutual training of specialists, promotion and other marketing activities in the three countries, etc. In addition to the proposals, the representatives of Russia and China were asked to provide support to the operations of Mongolian aviation companies and the sides responded positively to the proposals and expressed their readiness to provide support. ^ top ^
President exchanges views regarding situations of drought-hit aimags (Montsame)
2020-10-19
During recent meetings held by President Kh. Battulga in rural areas, herders of some aimags affected by the drought, claimed about the sharp declines in the livestock productivity and household incomes and the critical situations they are facing to lose a large number of animals if it becomes harsh winter, and put forth taking immediate measures. Therefore, on October 16, President Kh. Battulga met with MPs elected from the drought-hit aimags, authorities of the aimags, and relevant officials and exchanged views regarding the requests put by rural citizens and herders. According to the relevant study, the livelihood of more than 80,000 herders and 7-10 million head of livestock in 75 soums of Uvurkhangai, Bayankhongor, Gobi-Altai, Arkhangai, Dundgobi and Umnugobi aimags, which may experience disastrous wintering due to the drought in 2020-2021, are estimated to be at risk. The President of Mongolia considers that instead of anticipating potential risks, it will be the best solution to conduct immediate management to cope with the minimal loss, and ensure coherence between the public and private sectors to make relevant decisions in a short period of time. ^ top ^
|
|
Embassy of Switzerland
|
The Press review is a random selection
of political and social related news gathered from various media
and news services located in the PRC, edited or translated by
the Embassy of Switzerland in Beijing and distributed among Swiss
Government Offices. The Embassy does not accept responsibility
for accuracy of quotes or truthfulness of content. Additionally
the contents of the selected news mustn't correspond to the opinion
of the Embassy.
|
|
|
|
