New Tweets

[🇨🇳] China----News & Views

G   Chinese Defense
[🇨🇳] China----News & Views
44
2K
More threads by Saif


Xi hosts two dozen African leaders at China’s biggest summit in years
Agence France-Presse . Beijing 04 September, 2024, 21:44

Chinese president Xi Jinping hosted more than two dozen African leaders at a banquet in Beijing on Wednesday, kicking off the city’s biggest summit in years with promises of cooperation in infrastructure, energy and education.

China, the world’s number two economy, is Africa’s largest trading partner and has sought to tap the continent’s vast troves of natural resources including copper, gold, lithium and rare earth minerals.

It has also furnished African countries with billions in loans that have helped build much-needed infrastructure but also sometimes stoked controversy by saddling governments with huge debts.

Twenty-five African leaders have arrived in Beijing or confirmed attendance at this week’s China-Africa forum, according to an AFP tally, including some whose countries face a rising risk of debt distress.

Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan welcomed guests as they arrived for a lavish dinner at the Great Hall of the People on Wednesday evening, live AFP footage showed.

There was also a ‘family’ photo of the gathered leaders and Xi will give a speech at an opening ceremony on Thursday morning.

Chinese state media has lauded Xi this week as a ‘true friend of Africa’, claiming Beijing’s ties were reaching ‘new heights’ under his stewardship.

The Chinese leader had held talks with more than a dozen African counterparts in Beijing by Wednesday, a tally of state media reporting showed.

Xi called during a meeting on Tuesday with president Bola Tinubu of Nigeria — one of China’s biggest borrowers on the continent — for great cooperation in the ‘development of infrastructure, energy and mineral resources’, state news agency Xinhua said.

He also promised cooperation in ‘investment, trade, infrastructure, mineral resources’ and other areas during talks on the same day with Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Xi backed Zimbabwe in its struggle against ‘illegal sanctions’ imposed by the United States in response to corruption and human rights abuses by the country’s leadership.

Analysts say that Beijing’s largesse towards Africa is being recalibrated in the face of economic trouble at home and that geopolitical concerns over a growing tussle with the United States may increasingly be driving policy.

‘Deepening economic engagement with Africa across the board’ is one of Beijing’s key goals this week, Zainab Usman, director of the Africa Programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said.

‘In specific areas, even where such an expanded engagement may not make economic sense, it will be driven by geopolitical reasons,’ she said.

One goal may be narrowing the growing trade imbalance between China and Africa through increasing imports of agricultural goods and processed minerals, Usman said.

‘Meeting these African demands is in China’s geopolitical interest to keep them onside in the tussle with the US.’

For their part, African leaders are likely to seek backing for big-ticket items, as they have in the past, but also place greater emphasis on debt sustainability, analysts say.

Recent deadly protests in Kenya were triggered by the government’s need ‘to service its debt burden to international creditors, including China’, said Alex Vines, head of the Africa Programme at London’s Chatham House.

Vines and other analysts expect African leaders at this week’s forum to seek not only more Chinese investment but also more favourable loans in light of such events.​
 

China unveils fresh stimulus to boost ailing economy

1727224000135.png

A woman checks shoes for sale in a shopping area of Beijing. On Tuesday, China’s central bank chief Pan Gongsheng said that they would cut a slew of rates in a bid to boost growth. Photo: AFP/FILE

China unveiled some of its boldest measures in years on Tuesday aimed at boosting its struggling economy as leaders grapple with a prolonged property sector debt crisis, continued deflationary pressure and high youth unemployment.

The world's second-largest economy has yet to achieve a highly anticipated post-pandemic recovery and the government has set a goal of five percent growth in 2024 -- an objective analysts say is optimistic given the headwinds it is facing.

On Tuesday, central bank chief Pan Gongsheng told a news conference in Beijing that it would cut a slew of rates in a bid to boost growth, pledging to "promote the expansion of consumption and investment".

The moves represent "the most significant... stimulus package since the early days of the pandemic", said Julian Evans-Pritchard, head of China economics at Capital Economics.

But "it may not be enough", he warned, adding a full economic recovery would "require more substantial fiscal support than the modest pick-up in government spending that's currently in the pipeline".

Among the measures unveiled Tuesday was a cut to the reserve requirement ratio (RRR), which dictates the amount of cash banks must hold in reserve.

The move will inject around a trillion yuan ($141.7 billion) in "long-term liquidity" into the financial market, Pan said.

Beijing would also "lower the interest rates of existing mortgage loans", he added.

The decision would benefit 150 million people across the country, Pan said, and lower "the average annual household interest bill by about 150 billion yuan".

Minimum down payments for first and second homes would be "unified", with the latter reduced from 25 to 15 percent, Pan said.

And Beijing will create a "swap programme" allowing firms to acquire liquidity from the central bank, Pan said, a move he said would "significantly enhance" their ability to access funds to buy stocks.

"The initial scale of the swap programme will be set at 500 billion yuan, with possible expansions in the future," Pan said.

Shares in Hong Kong and Shanghai surged more than four percent Tuesday.

But Heron Lim at Moody's Analytics said the move was expected given gloomy economic data in recent months suggesting Beijing could miss its 2024 growth target.

"But this is hardly a bazooka stimulus," he told AFP.

"Far more monetary easing and a stronger government stimulus is also desirable to finish bailing out the real estate market and inject more confidence into the economy," he said.

At a minimum, he added, "broader direct household support in helping them consume more goods will be useful, which is currently just too narrowly designed for industrial goods".

Another analyst said the "measures are a step in the right direction".

"We continue to believe that there is still room for further easing in the months ahead," said Lynn Song, chief economist for Greater China at ING.

Property and construction have long accounted for more than a quarter of China's gross domestic product, but the sector has been under unprecedented strain since 2020, when authorities tightened developers' access to credit in a bid to reduce mounting debt.

Since then, major companies including China Evergrande and Country Garden have teetered, while falling prices have dissuaded consumers from investing in property.

Beijing has unveiled a number of measures aimed at boosting the sector, including cutting the minimum down payment rate for first-time homebuyers and suggesting the government could buy up commercial real estate.

But those failed to boost confidence and housing prices have continued to slide.

Adding further strain, local authorities in China face a ballooning debt burden of $5.6 trillion, according to the central government, raising worries about wider economic stability.

Speaking alongside the central bank chief Tuesday, Li Yunze, director of the National Administration of Financial Regulation, said Beijing would "actively cooperate in resolving real estate and local government debt risks".

"China's financial industry, especially large financial institutions, is operating stably and risks are controllable," he insisted.

"We will firmly maintain the bottom line of preventing systemic financial risks," he added.​
 

China to build world's largest hydropower dam in Tibet
Published :
Dec 26, 2024 12:12
Updated :
Dec 26, 2024 12:12

1735261801546.png


A man sits in a boat on the waters of the Brahmaputra river near the international border between India and Bangladesh in Dhubri district, in the northeastern state of Assam, India August 4, 2018. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi/File Photo

China has approved the construction of what will be the world's largest hydropower dam, kicking off an ambitious project on the eastern rim of the Tibetan plateau that could affect millions downstream in India and Bangladesh.

The dam, which will be located in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, could produce 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, according to an estimate provided by the Power construction Corp of China in 2020.

That would more than triple the 88.2 billion kWh designed capacity of the Three Gorges Dam, currently the world's largest, in central China.

The project will play a major role in meeting China's carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, stimulate related industries such as engineering, and create jobs in Tibet, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday.

A section of the Yarlung Zangbo falls a dramatic 2,000 metres (6,561 feet) within a short span of 50 km (31 miles), offering huge hydropower potential as well as unique engineering challenges.

The outlay for building the dam, including engineering costs, is also expected to eclipse the Three Gorges dam, which cost 254.2 billion yuan($34.83 billion). This included the resettling of the 1.4 million people it displaced and was more than four times the initial estimate of 57 billion yuan.
Authorities have not indicated how many people the Tibet project would displace and how it would affect the local ecosystem, one of the richest and most diverse on the plateau.

But according to Chinese officials, hydropower projects in Tibet, which they say hold more than a third of China's hydroelectric power potential, would not have a major impact on the environment or on downstream water supplies.

India and Bangladesh have nevertheless raised concerns about the dam, with the project potentially altering not only the local ecology but also the flow and course of the river downstream.
The Yarlung Zangbo becomes the Brahmaputra river as it leaves Tibet and flows south into India's Arunachal Pradesh and Assam states and finally into Bangladesh.

China has already commenced hydropower generation on the upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo, which flows from the west to the east of Tibet. It is planning more projects upstream.​
 

Chinese scientists develop new AI model for cyclone forecast
Xinhua
Published :
Feb 04, 2025 18:45
Updated :
Feb 04, 2025 18:45

1738713904177.png


Chinese scientists have developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) method to forecast the rapid intensification of a tropical cyclone, shedding new light on improving global disaster preparedness.

Recently, researchers from the Institute of Oceanology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences published this study in the journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The rapid intensification of a tropical cyclone, which refers to a dramatic increase in the intensity of a tropical storm over a short period, remains one of the most challenging weather phenomena to forecast because of its unpredictable and destructive nature.

According to the study, traditional forecasting methods, such as numerical weather prediction and statistical approaches, often fail to consider the complex environmental and structural factors driving rapid intensification. While AI has been explored to improve rapid intensification prediction, most AI techniques have struggled with high false alarm rates and limited reliability.

To address this issue, the researchers have developed a new AI model that combines satellite, atmospheric and oceanic data. When tested on data from the tropical cyclone periods in the Northwest Pacific between 2020 and 2021, the new method achieved an accuracy of 92.3 per cent and reduced false alarms to 8.9 per cent.

The new method improved accuracy by nearly 12 per cent compared to existing techniques and boasted a 3-times reduction in false alarms, representing a significant advancement in forecasting, said the study.

"This study addresses the challenges of low accuracy and high false alarm rates in rapid intensification forecasting," said Li Xiaofeng, the study's corresponding author.

"Our method enhances understanding of these extreme events and supports better defences against their devastating impacts," Li added.​
 

China urges universities to provide ‘love education’

1739662652511.png


China is calling on its colleges and universities to provide "love education" to propagate positive views on marriage, love, fertility and family, in an attempt to improve the country's declining birth rate.

After China posted a second consecutive year of population decline in 2023, Beijing has been promoting various measures to make the prospect of having children more attractive to young couples.

Despite China having the second-biggest population in the world at 1.4 billion people, it is rapidly ageing. The ageing population will require government spending in the future and put pressure on the economy.

College students will be the biggest driver of fertility but they have significantly changed their views on marriage and love, the Jiangsu Xinhua newspaper group said, citing China Population News, an official publication.

"Colleges and universities should assume the responsibility of providing marriage and love education to college students by offering marriage and love education courses," the publication said.

The measures would help create a "healthy and positive marriage and childbearing cultural atmosphere".

The state council, or cabinet, rallied local governments in November to direct resources towards fixing China's population decline and spread respect for childbearing and marriages "at the right age", although demographers said the moves were unlikely to resonate with young Chinese.

Around 57 percent of college students polled by China Population News said they did not want to fall in love, mainly because they did not know how to allocate time to balance the relationship between study and love, the publication said.

Due to the lack of "systematic and scientific marriage and love education, college students have a vague understanding of emotional relationships".

Universities could focus on teaching junior college students about population and national conditions, new marriage and childbearing concepts, it said.

Senior college students and graduate students could be taught through "case analysis, group discussion on maintaining intimate relationships and communication between the sexes."

The courses would be able to help them "improve their ability to correctly understand marriage and love and manage love relationships".​
 

China’s two sessions: key developments to watch
by Imran Khalid 04 March, 2025, 00:00

1741134756521.png


This year’s sessions carry even greater weight due to mounting global uncertainties and China’s pressing domestic priorities. Amid an evolving geopolitical landscape and economic challenges, the Chinese leadership will focus on multiple key areas, writes Imran Khalid

CHINA is set to hold its annual ‘two sessions’ starting on March 5, a highly anticipated event in the country’s political calendar. The two sessions, comprising the meetings of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, serve as a platform for evaluating past performance and setting new policy directions. During these sessions, the prime minister, the president of the Supreme People’s Court, and the procurator general of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate will present key reports for discussion and consultation. Over the years, these meetings have gained global significance, given China’s central role in the world economy and international affairs. With China expected to contribute 21 per cent of global economic growth over the next five years, investors, analysts, and policymakers worldwide are closely watching the proceedings. The outcomes of the two sessions will shape economic strategies, industrial policies, and international relations, directly influencing the global market.

This year’s sessions carry even greater weight due to mounting global uncertainties and China’s pressing domestic priorities. Amid an evolving geopolitical landscape and economic challenges, the Chinese leadership will focus on multiple key areas.

As 2025 marks the final year of China’s 14th five-year development plan, a comprehensive evaluation of the country’s achievements will be presented. The report will highlight areas where targets have been met or exceeded and additional efforts are needed. More importantly, discussions will likely offer glimpses into the contours of the upcoming 15th five-year plan, outlining strategic priorities for China’s future development. With China’s economy at a pivotal stage, policymakers will assess whether the existing structural reforms have yielded the desired outcomes and where recalibrations are necessary to ensure sustainable growth.

Technology and innovation will remain at the forefront of discussions, particularly in light of increasing western restrictions on China’s tech sector. President Xi Jinping has already emphasised the need for technological self-reliance and urged the development of high-quality new productive forces. The government is expected to unveil new policies and incentives to foster a culture of knowledge creation and technological advancement, ensuring that Chinese companies can compete globally without relying on foreign technologies. Investment in semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence and quantum computing will be key to reducing dependency on western supply chains.

The private sector’s role in driving economic growth and technological progress will be another critical focus. Recently, president Xi met with prominent business leaders, including Jack Ma of Alibaba, Ren Zhengfei of Huawei, Wang Chuanfu of BYD and Lei Jun of Xiaomi, among others. He assured them that the government is committed to dismantling barriers, ensuring fair competition, and providing legal protection for businesses. Consequently, new policies, tools, and incentives are expected to emerge from the two sessions to further strengthen the private sector, boost entrepreneurship and attract foreign investment. With economic headwinds affecting various industries, the leadership will seek to reinforce confidence among private enterprises by addressing concerns over regulatory crackdowns and creating an environment conducive to long-term investment.

China has been grappling with a local government debt crisis and ongoing challenges in the real estate market. While the government has already introduced measures to stabilise these sectors, further discussions at the two sessions will likely result in additional policy interventions to prevent financial risks and ensure sustainable economic growth. The property sector, a major pillar of China’s economy, has been struggling due to liquidity crises and declining demand. The leadership is expected to introduce new mechanisms to manage debt restructuring while ensuring that homebuyers’ interests are protected. Revitalising the housing market without exacerbating financial vulnerabilities will be a delicate balancing act.

Following last year’s success in stimulating domestic consumption, policymakers will explore new ways to enhance consumer spending. This may include expanding trade-in programmes, introducing incentives for domestic purchases and promoting urbanisation and infrastructure development to drive economic activity. China’s growing middle class remains a crucial engine of economic growth and increasing their purchasing power through targeted fiscal measures will be a focal point of discussions. Additionally, policymakers may look into boosting e-commerce platforms and digital payment systems to further drive consumer engagement and spending.

One of the biggest challenges China faces is the increasing protectionism, decoupling and trade barriers imposed by western countries, particularly the United States. Washington has imposed sanctions on Chinese tech firms through measures such as the CHIPS and Science Act, targeting China’s semiconductor industry. Moreover, the US has recently increased tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles by 100 per cent, aiming to curb China’s dominance in this sector. The European Union has also raised concerns about China’s industrial policies, hinting at potential trade restrictions in key sectors such as green energy and telecommunications.

The two sessions will likely focus on crafting policies to mitigate these challenges by diversifying trade partnerships, expanding Belt and Road Initiative engagements, and developing alternative markets to counterbalance western restrictions. Notably, as some countries, like Panama, succumb to US pressure to exit the Belt and Road Initiative, China must refine its strategies to maintain global economic influence. Strengthening ties with global south nations, particularly in Africa and Latin America, will be a priority in ensuring that China’s economic footprint continues to expand despite geopolitical

headwinds.

At the heart of the two sessions is the unveiling of China’s economic growth targets for the year. The government work report, to be delivered by premier Li Qiang, will set policy priorities and national economic goals. Analysts anticipate a gross domestic product growth target of around 5 per cent, aligning with last year’s figures and exceeding the International Monetary Fund’s forecast of 4.6 per cent. This target will signal the government’s confidence in maintaining economic momentum despite external pressures and internal structural challenges.

Alongside the GDP target, budget allocations and fiscal policies will indicate Beijing’s commitment to economic recovery. December’s Central Economic Work Conference already pledged a higher budget deficit, increased special treasury bond issuance, and additional stimulus measures to sustain economic momentum. The two sessions will clarify the specifics of these fiscal policies and their expected impact on growth. Measures to boost employment, particularly among the youth, will also be a critical point of discussion as China’s job market continues to face pressures due to shifting industrial dynamics.

Beyond China’s domestic agenda, the world — particularly low- and middle-income nations — hopes that Beijing will introduce policies that contribute to global economic stability. Given the ongoing US-China trade war and escalating protectionism, many economies look to China for leadership in counterbalancing these disruptions and fostering sustainable growth. While tensions with the West persist, China is unlikely to be deterred; instead, it will double down on its efforts to sustain development, enhance innovation and contribute to global prosperity. Initiatives such as currency swap agreements, alternative trade settlement mechanisms and infrastructure investments in partner countries will likely be expanded.

The two sessions will also provide critical insights into China’s policy directions for 2025 and beyond. From evaluating the achievements of the 14th five-year plan to setting the foundation for the 15th, from advancing technological self-reliance to strengthening the private sector and from countering trade restrictions to boosting domestic consumption, China’s leadership will navigate a complex economic and geopolitical landscape.

As the world watches closely, Beijing’s policy decisions will not only shape China’s future but also have profound implications for global economic stability and development. With the challenges at hand, China should remain steadfast in its commitment to innovation, sustainable growth, and international cooperation — ensuring that it continues to serve as a driving force in the global economy. The policies and strategies outlined during these sessions will be critical in determining whether China can effectively navigate the headwinds it faces and continue on its path of economic transformation.

Dr Imran Khalid is a freelance contributor from Karachi.​
 

‘We are at a turning point in history’
Japan, China, and South Korea agree to promote peace, cooperation

1742687504536.png

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul shake hands as Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya smiles during a joint press conference after their discussions at the 11th Trilateral Foreign Minister's Meeting (Japan-China-ROK) in Tokyo, Japan March 22, 2025. Photo: Reuters/Rodrigo Reyes Marin

Japan, South Korea and China agreed Saturday that peace on the Korean peninsula was a shared responsibility, Seoul's foreign minister said, in a meeting of the three countries' top diplomats in which they pledged to promote cooperation.

The talks in Tokyo followed a rare summit in May in Seoul where the three neighbours -- riven by historical and territorial disputes -- agreed to deepen trade ties and restated their goal of a denuclearised Korean peninsula.

But they come as US tariffs loom over the region, and as concerns mount over North Korea's weapons tests and its deployment of troops to support Russia's war against Ukraine.

"We reaffirmed that maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula is a shared interest and responsibility of the three countries," South Korea's Cho Tae-yul told reporters after the trilateral meeting.

Seoul and Tokyo typically take a stronger line against North Korea than China, which remains one of Pyongyang's most important allies and economic benefactors.

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said he, Cho, and China's Wang Yi "had a frank exchange of views on trilateral cooperation and regional international affairs... and confirmed that we will promote future-orientated cooperation".

"The international situation has become increasingly severe, and it is no exaggeration to say that we are at a turning point in history," Iwaya said at the start of Saturday's meeting.

This makes it "more important than ever to make efforts to overcome division and confrontation", he added.

Wang noted this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, saying "only by sincerely reflecting on history can we better build the future".

At two-way talks between Iwaya and Wang on Saturday, the Japanese minister said he had "frankly conveyed our country's thoughts and concerns" on disputed islands, detained Japanese nationals and the situation in Taiwan and the South China Sea, among other contentious issues.

Ukraine was also on the agenda, with Iwaya warning "any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force will not be tolerated anywhere in the world".

Climate change and ageing populations were among the broad topics officials had said would be discussed, as well as working together on disaster relief and science and technology.

Iwaya said the trio had "agreed to accelerate coordination for the next summit" between the countries' leaders.

China and to a lesser extent South Korea and Japan have been hit by tariffs put in place by US President Donald Trump in recent weeks.

On Saturday afternoon, Japan and China held their first so-called "high-level economic dialogue" in six years.

"The global economy is facing serious changes. Unilateralism and protectionism are spreading", Wang told reporters, according to Japan's public broadcaster NHK.

"China and Japan, as major economies, should pursue development and cooperation together with innovative thinking and bring stability to a world full of uncertainty," Wang said.

Patricia M. Kim, a foreign policy fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, said that while "trilateral dialogues have been ongoing for over a decade", this round "carries heightened significance" due to the new US position.

Beijing "has been working actively to improve relations with other major and middle powers amid growing frictions with the United States", she said.​
 

China strengthens foreign investment confidence in China
Liu Qing

Published :
Apr 13, 2025 18:48
Updated :
Apr 13, 2025 18:48

1744589679866.png


On March 23-24, the 2025 China Development Forum opened in Beijing, with the theme of "fully unleashing development momentum and jointly promoting stable global economic growth". The forum attracted 86 representatives from multinational corporations from 21 countries around the world to attend. The Boao Forum for Asia 2025 was held from March 25th to 28th, with the theme of "Creating the Future of Asia Together in the Changing World", attracting nearly 2000 representatives from more than 60 countries and regions. Holding two heavyweight forums in a week, the Chinese economy has once again become the focus of global attention. On March 28th, Chinese national leaders met with representatives from the international business community in Beijing. This heavyweight meeting attracted global attention and sent a clear signal to the outside world that China is promoting high-level opening-up and driving economic globalization in the right direction.

With stable policy expectations, broad market prospects, strong development momentum, and a favorable security situation, China's advantages have become increasingly prominent in the external environment of insufficient global economic recovery momentum. Foreign funded enterprises have cast a "vote of trust" for the Chinese economy with practical actions. In February, the Eaton International Automotive Equipment Industrial Park project, invested by the French Eaton Group with 100 million US dollars, started construction in Suzhou, injecting new impetus into the development of intelligent, green, and low-carbon automotive equipment; In March, AstraZeneca announced that it would invest $2.5 billion in Beijing to build the world's sixth and China's second strategic research and development center.

In the ever-changing international environment, the Chinese economy is steadily advancing, and foreign investment confidence in China continues to rise. The deep integration of the two will inject more certainty and positive energy into promoting inclusive economic globalisation.

- The writer is a reporter from China Global Television Network(CGTN).​
 

Staff online

Members Online

Latest Posts

Back
PKDefense - Recommended Toggle Create