China Weekly Digest 01 March -15 April 2023

India—China Relations

China's move to standardize the names in Zangnan, Southern part of Tibet (Xizang 西藏): Global Times, April 3, 2023

China gave new name to 11 more areas in Arunachal Pradesh in Chinese character. This was third time that China's ministry set of standardized Arunachal geographical names. The first set of standard names for six locations was made available in 2017, and the second set of names for 15 locations was made available in 2021. On Sunday, the official names of the eleven locations were made public. China's state-run Global Times reported on Monday that it also provided precise coordinates, listed the category of places and their subordinate administrative districts, and listed two land areas, two residential areas, five mountain peaks, and two rivers. Click here to read... [2]

China International

Xi’s Thought Study campaign: On strengthening ideas and beliefs, enhancing ideological horizon and Party spirit: Renmin Ri Bao, April 6, 2023

“Purpose of studying Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, to turn this thought into a powerful ideological weapon for transforming the subjective world and the objective world. Only when Party Cadres, especially leading cadres at all levels, transform the world view, methodology and stances, and methods running through this thought into their own ideological weapons, internalize them in their hearts and externalize them in the practice, can they continuously create a new situation for the development of their cause.” Click here to read... [3]

Xi-Macron informal meeting: China France Joint Statement: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the people’s Republic of China (PRC) Report, April 7, 2023

Chinese president Xi Jinping welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron in Pine Garden, Guangzhou. Xi emphasized on understanding China today through its history. Guangzhou is the cradle of China’s democratic revolution and flag bearer of China’s strategy of reform an opening up. Briefing Macron on the essential features and core elements of Chinese modernization, Xi Jinping stressed that China is advancing Chinese modernization on all fronts. It is a socialist modernization theory and practice with Chinese characteristics, which has gradually come into being through repeated reforms, opening up and innovative development. endeavorsClick here to read... [4]

Xi Jinping Meets with Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez: Renmin Ri Bao, April 1, 2023

Chinese President Xi Jinping asked Sanchez, Spanish Prime Minister to convey his sincere greetings to King Felipe VI. Xi Jinping pointed out that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Spain. For half a century, China and the West have adhered to mutual respect, exchanges and dialogue, actively carried out mutually beneficial cooperation, and established and developed a comprehensive strategic partnership. Click here to read... [5]

China urges the US to honor its commitment to Afghanistan, and Qin Gang pushes for a Uzbekistan visit in Central Asia: South China Morning post, April 12, 2023

In a position paper issued on Wednesday, Beijing accused its rival of hindering the humanitarian progress by seizing Afghanistan’s overseas assets and imposing unilateral sanctions. Qin will the foreign ministers of Uzbekistan, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan to discuss the situation in neighboring Afghanistan – the fourth such meeting since 2021 Click here to read... [6]

President Xi Jinping met the President of Brazil to bolster cooperation between both nations China and Brazil: The Washington Post, April 14, 2023

Xi described Lula as “an old friend of the Chinese people” and, according to Chinese state media, said China views its relations with Brazil as a “diplomatic priority.”
During the meeting between Lula and Xi, the two sides signed agreements on science and technology cooperation, including the extension of an ongoing satellite project, and on customs inspections for animal products, and agreed to expand trade in each other’s respective currencies. Click here to read... [7]
Click here to read... [8]

China’s Domestic Affairs

Xi Jin Ping at Guangdong (Southern Economic power house): Xinhua News, April 12, 2023

Since the eighteenth National Congress of the Communist party (NPC) of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping has visited Guangdong multiple times for examination and exploration, took part in the thoughts of the Guangdong delegations of the Public Nation's Congress two times, and had friendly discussions with the cadres and others. Xi further added: “There must be new developments and a new level on the road to enriching the country and the people. (“富国之路、富民之路，要坚定不移地走下去，而且要有新开拓，要上新水平。” Click here to read... [9]

In order to protect the nation's interests, Xi Jinping urges China's navy to be "firm and flexible". : South China Morning Post, April 12, 2023

During a visit to the headquarters of the PLA Navy's South Sea Fleet in the city of Zhanjiang as part of his inspection tour of the southern province of Guangdong, Xi made the remarks, in which he also emphasized the significance of continuing to modernize the People's Liberation Army. Xi’s statement: “We should demand handling military issues according to a political viewpoint, and complete military battles solidly and deftly, work on our capacity to deal with confounded issues on time, steadfastly guard our regional sway and oceanic interests, and endeavor to safeguard overall peripheral stability.” Click here to read... [10]

New PLA Recruitment Policy: Renmin Ri Bao, April 13, 2023

Xi emphasized that “it is necessary to conscientiously implement the spirit of the 20th Party Congress, the thought on strengthening the armed forces in the new era, the military strategic policy in the new era, deepen training and combat-readiness, accelerate the transformation and construction, comprehensively raise the level of modernization of the armed forces, and resolutely fulfil all tasks entrusted by the Party and the people.” Click here to read... [11]

China’s latest Taiwan drills tell us about its military capabilities: South China Morning post, April 15, 2023

The People’s Liberation Army’s latest drills around Taiwan reflect the ways it has honed its ability to seal off the island or use gray zone tactics to put pressure on its leadership. China Media report says: During the three-day exercise, the Chinese military dispatched 232 warplanes and 32 naval vessels, including the H-6K strategic bomber and the Shandong aircraft carrier. Click here to read... [12]

China Economy-Technology and Development

The stakes are clear to the leaders of China. Foreign investors were reassured by Premier Li Qiang, that it would remain open "no matter what happens." : South China Morning Post, April 3, 2023

The question that was on the minds of the foreign thought leaders and chief executive officers (CEOs) of multinational corporations, including Apple's Tim Cook, who travelled to China last week on a fact-finding mission to evaluate the country's future direction following its sudden reopening in December of last year and the election of a new cabinet in March is a million-dollar question. Click here to read... [13]

Long Reads

The suspicion of a Chinese "spy base" in Myanmar's Coco Islands is rekindled by new satellite images: India Today, April 1, 2023

In January of this year, Maxar Technologies took satellite images that showed new developments in the Great Coco Island region. In the center, two newly constructed hangars can be seen, and in the north, a few new buildings and a large pier may be used to gear up naval activities. Click here to read... [14]

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It seems, Beijing wants to both prosecute its bid and block Taipei’s accession: Substacks, April 12, 2023

"Our position is very clear regarding the accession of the Taiwan region to the CPTPP. Taiwan is an inevitable part of China, and there is only one China in the world. In international relations, the one-China principle is universally accepted and the consensus of the international community. We strongly oppose any official interaction between countries and the Taiwan region, as well as Taiwan's membership in any official agreement or organization." Click here to read... [16]

Revised Chinese Military recruitment policy: Asia Pacific News, April 14, 2023

The revised standards delivered by the State Council and the Central Military Commission drove by President Xi Jinping point to provide institutional guarantees for consolidating national defense and building a strong armed forces,” according to the China Military news website. The focus of the revised regulation, which has 74 articles and 11 chapters, is on recruiting more “high-caliber soldiers, standardizing and optimizing conscription procedures, and improving the system's efficiency." Click here to read... [17]