Skip to content

Government/Politics - 16. page

China’s State Council: Directive on Merging Domestic Trade and International Trade Together

China’s economy faces a shrinking market, both in terms of exports and on the domestic front. China’s State Council General Office issued a notice on “Several Measures to Accelerate the Merging of Domestic Trade and International Trade Together” on December 11, 2023, with the intention of allowing companies that are facing hard times in their primary market to seek opportunity in the other market.

The notice mentioned policies such as consolidating the domestic and international trade standards; advancing the uniformity of domestic and international trade products in production line, standards, and quality; supporting foreign trade enterprises in expanding the domestic market; supporting domestic trade enterprises in expanding the international market, etc.

Source: China government website, December 11, 2023
https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/202312/content_6919596.htm

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources Government/Politics

Official Media on Chinese Economy: Maintain High Vigilance against Black Swan Events

The Chinese Communist Party’s Central Economic Work Conference listed real estate as a key area for risk prevention. State media stated that high vigilance is needed to guard against black swan events and gray rhino events that could destabilize the economy.

A commentary in the China Economic Daily said that the conference made clear arrangements to resolve risks around real estate, local debt, small banks, and illegal finance. According to the article, the goal is to hold the line against systemic risks while supporting development. This requires caution, preparation, and deeper consideration of potential troubles to guard against economic “rhino” events.

The article said that China faces many challenges – deep economic contradictions, accumulating risks, and an unfavorable global context. “In order to ensure smooth modernization, we must adhere to [the principle of] high-quality development and security.”

The Central Economic Work Conference emphasized stability through steady progress. More policies aim to stabilize expectations, growth, and employment. China will continue proactive fiscal policy and prudent monetary policy.

The commentary stressed that strong bottom-line thinking is indispensable. China must be cautious as when “walking on thin ice” and must “think of danger during times of peace.” It must estimate difficulties fully and be stable in coordinating resolution of local debts.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), December 17, 2023
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202312170102.aspx

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

State Security Ministry: “Resolutely Build a Strong Economic Security Fence”

The State Security Ministry has published an article online declaring that it will “resolutely build a strong economic security fence,” echoing a statement from the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) Central Economic Work Conference held on December 11 and 12.

The article stated that “Currently, the economic sphere is increasingly becoming a crucial battlefield in major power competition. The complexity, severity, and uncertainty of the external environment are rising. To further promote economic recovery, it is necessary to overcome internal difficulties and respond to external challenges. For example, various clichés intending to undermine China’s economy continuously emerge. In essence, they attempt to construct a ‘discourse trap’ or ‘cognitive trap’ regarding ‘China’s decline’ through various false narratives.”

“National security agencies will steadfastly fulfill their duties and mission to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests. They will enhance forward-looking thinking, comprehensive planning, and strategic layout for national security issues in the economic field, implementing a set of measures to maintain economic security. They will resolutely and legally crack down on those illegal and criminal activities in the economic security field that harm national security, creating a safe and stable environment for high-quality development. In coordination with relevant departments, they will continue to effectively prevent and resolve security risks in the economic field, resolutely holding on to the mission of avoiding systemic risks. This will contribute to the comprehensive advancement towards construction of a strong nation and achievement of national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization.”

Source: QQ, December 15, 2023
https://new.qq.com/rain/a/20231215A00RVQ00

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources Government/Politics

China Will Close Public Access to Court Decision Documents

On November 21, 2023, China’s Office of the Supreme People’s Court issued a “Notice on the Construction of the National Court Judgment Document Database.” It announced that the new “National Court Judgment Document Database” will go live in January 2024. However, it will only offer internal access to court personnel to retrieve judgment documents. Lawyers, legal researchers, and the general public will not have access.

The Supreme People’s Court’s current online system, known as “China Judgments Online,” will stop operation. Many legal practitioners in China view this new development as a big setback for transparency in China’s judicial system. The old system offered legal professionals and the general public to access records during the past 10 years. Since its launch on July 1, 2013, China Judgments Online has accumulated a total of more than 143 million court decisions and has received hundred billion visits.

Source: Radio Free Asia, December 13, 2023
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/gt-12132023031651.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics Information/Technology

Economic Bailout with Chinese Characteristics: Controlling Public Opinion on the Economy

China’s economy slowed significantly in 2022 due to multiple headwinds including COVID-19 impacts, strained international supply chains, over-regulation of sectors (e.g. real estate), and weak domestic consumption. Against this backdrop of negative economic news, Chinese authorities have stepped up propaganda efforts and media controls to bolster public confidence.

At a recent meeting, the CCP Politburo stressed the need to “strengthen economic propaganda and public opinion guidance” on the economy. State media like People’s Daily and Xinhua have since published unequivocally-upbeat commentaries, quoting Xi Jinping’s reassurances about progress towards high-quality development and solid progress in overcoming the post-pandemic transition. Such overtly-promotional coverage aims to shape perceptions now that growth has slipped below targets.

Starting in 2021, officials shut down many non-state social media accounts that were speaking negatively about the economy (“black mouth” accounts). In 2022, top finance influencers on the internet – Wu Xiaobo, Ren Zeping and Hong Hao – faced speech bans despite their large numbers of followers. Economic analysts suspect such muzzling of dissenting voices will now further intensify, aiming to suppress doubts about the official claims regarding economic recovery.

Authorities are blaming China’s current economic struggles on external factors like US-China ties and global supply chains. Domestic weaknesses remain apparent – the long-troubled property sector still drags heavily, and Chinese consumers have become thrifty amidst uncertainty conditions.

As 2024 begins, Xi Jinping has clearly prioritized projecting strength and stability regarding growth prospects, given the recent Politburo directive to reinforce propaganda and guidance.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), December 11, 2023
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202312110286.aspx

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Chinese Media Outlet Bans Use of Translations Not Provided by Xinhua News

South Korean daily newspaper Chosun Ilbo reported that a prominent Shanghai-based Chinese media outlet has banned editors and journalists from quoting foreign media reports translated by outlets other than China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency. The ban was allegedly issued in July after the outlet appointed a new president affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party. Analysts say the move reflects Beijing’s growing efforts to control the flow of information from abroad and convey the leadership’s narrative to the public.

The Chosun Ilbo article argues that this sort of information control is not without precedent in China, citing the security law that led Hong Kong outlets like Sing Tao Daily and Apple Daily to come under Beijing’s influence or cease operations. It represents China cutting off channels for “anti-China public opinion.” According to a Chinese journalist, domestic media can now only do independent reporting on “little things” concerning the country.

The article states that China started blocking the websites of major Western news outlets like Time and The Economist in 2016. Now, domestic media are restricted from citing foreign reports, cutting the flow of outside information into China. Recent years have also seen tight control over state media coverage of Xi Jinping at official events, with only pre-approved CCTV, Xinhua, and compliant outlets granted access. As a result, Chinese media present a uniform, government-sanctioned image of Xi, with only a few vetted experts allowed to comment.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), December 5, 2023
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202312050034.aspx

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

RFA: Beijing Removing English from Road Signs

According to Radio Free Asia (RFA), dual-language road signs in Beijing are being replaced with Chinese-only road signs. Previously, many road signs had both Chinese and English. Authorities in Beijing said the updating will enhance the “overall city image,” give citizens a sense of belonging, and improve road safety and traffic efficiency. The change comes not long after directional signs on highways across China were changed from Chinese-language-only to dual Chinese-and-English signs.

The move  triggered a nationwide online discussion. Some speculated that Beijing may feel that its relationship with the West is completely hopeless, citing the recent meeting between Biden and Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in the US. Some netizens expressed worry that the all-Chinese road signs may cause inconvenience to foreign tourists. Others stated that many government officials send their kids to foreign countries [in the West] even as Western languages are at home in China. Meanwhile, some supporters of the new policy expressed the view that the transportation department’s signage update is a manifestation of cultural confidence and of China’s international status.

Both the Traffic Management Bureau of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau and Beijing’s Municipal Traffic Service Hotline were unavailable for comment.

Source: RFA, December 1, 2023
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/meiti/gt-12012023070307.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics Social Stability

Consular Volunteer Programs: Another of the CCP’s Long-Armed Control Mechanisms

According to a report by Spain-based human rights organization Safeguard Defenders, Beijing has established a “Consular Volunteer” mechanism over the past decade. The Consular Volunteer Programs, which operate out of Chinese consulates in foreign countries, engage in information gathering, infiltration, and surveillance globally. Beijing does not notify host countries about such programs, violating the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The report follows Safeguard Defenders’ disclosure last year of over 100 overseas police stations established by the Chinese government in more than fifty countries.

Such “Consular Volunteer networks” have been established in several dozen Chinese overseas communities, including in the U.S., Belgium, Sweden, Italy, the U.K., Spain, Greece, Portugal, France, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Turkey, Chile, Malaysia, Japan, the UAE, South Africa, and other countries across five continents. The report by Safeguard Defenders has released an investigative report titled “China’s Consular Volunteers.”

According to the report, the programs would recruit Chinese overseas individuals, some unpaid but provided with operational expenses directly managed by the consulate. Working as “volunteers,” these individuals are controlled by the Chinese government to engage in the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) united front work.

The CCP’s integraiton of overseas united front networks with consular services has enabled it to systematically obtain personal information, home addresses, and contact details of different targets. The gathered information may be used to systematically harm or manipulate overseas groups or use coercive means against those who have political views unaligned with Beijing.

The Safeguard Defenders report noted that the G7 group issued a joint statement after its May 2023 summit in Hiroshima, explicitly demanding that China comply with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. Just a few months later, China’s State Council promulgated a set of “Consular Protection and Assistance Regulations,” effective starting September 1, 2023, which encouraged Chinese overseas consulates to recruit volunteers and to recognize and reward the volunteers’ performance.

Sources:

Radio Free Asia, November 22, 2023
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/hx2-11222023091732.html

SafeguardDefenders.com, November 21, 2023
https://safeguarddefenders.com/en/blog/chinas-consular-volunteers

Briefings | | |   @CS Geo-Strategic Trend Government/Politics