China this week, 22-26 August 2022
Headlines from major Chinese newspapers, search engines, and social media (on weeks when I don't write the longer, analytical piece)
Trying something new, let me know what you think in the comments!
Monday - “Nation to drive growth of nonpublic sector” China Daily
China’s leadership has said it will encourage entrepreneurs and private businesses with sound policies and a favorable institutional environment, so that “private enterprises dare to develop into new areas and foreign enterprises dare to make investments.” China's private businesses accounted for over 97% of the country's total market entities in 2021, and according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, they contributed about 50% of the country's tax revenue, 60% of gross domestic product, 70% of technological innovation, and 80% of urban employment.
This announcement comes just days after Premier Li Keqiang’s visit to China’s rich southern provinces, a trip that was reminiscent of Deng Xiaoping’s ‘Southern Tour’ in 1992. Rumoured to be retiring at the end of this term, the somewhat morose premier told crowds “The Yangtze and the Yellow River gush into the sea – there’s no return,” after laying a wreath at Deng’s grave. This has been interpreted by many commentators as a sign that tough times are ahead.
Tuesday - “Vocational education has a bright future and great potential”
Many outlets are discussing how China is ramping up efforts to create more vocational schools, creating more technically skilled workers to “foster economic and social development and improve national competitiveness.” Over the past 10 years, China has worked to create a ‘leap’ in vocational education, training students in economically important field including cloud computing, industrial robotics, and intelligent networked vehicle (IoV) technology.
This is part of China’s aim to get more people into the high-tech manufacturing sector, making semi-conductors and batteries for local and international consumption. It could also be part of a plan to divert people away from the increasingly competitive gaokao university entrance exam. The people may take some convincing, however, as many parents see vocational education as a dead-end for their kids.
Wednesday - Foreign students allowed back in China
The Foreign Ministry has announced that from 24 August, international students and business travelers with valid permits can re-enter the country without needing a valid visa. As someone who has gone through the very tortuous Chinese student visa application system on multiple occasions, to say I was surprised is an understatement.
Could this move show that China is planning to move away from the zero-covid strategy it’s been pursuing for the past few years? Those speculating about the security of Xi’ position as the country’s forever leader seem to think so. I suspect a bid to attract foreign talents. China is struggling to remain isolated, and the CCP may be moving to fight off an apparent post-lockdown brain drain.
Thursday - How to deal with drought?
Among China’s worst ever heat waves, China’s Central Meteorological Observatory has issued warnings for droughts, but also the possibility of flooding when heavy rain hits parched land. While the news is focused on reporting facts and telling inspiring stories of citizens pulling through, businesses have been affected by reducing man hours and forced blackouts, and harvests and arable land have suffered severe losses.
In my previous newsletter, I discussed how water management will become an increasingly difficult problem for China to solve, and will become a long-term economic issue. Tweets from those on the ground illustrate this, and also demonstrate how the problem may intersect with other issues to cause unrest.
Friday - “China's military exercises are a legitimate and just move to resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity”
In a move likely to anger everybody, the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army has decided to hold combat drills in the sea and airspace around Taiwan Island. According to the Ministry of Defence, this is “This is a normalized military operation organized according to the changing situation in the Taiwan Strait. The troops in the theater will continue to train and prepare for war, and resolutely defend national sovereignty and security as well as peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.” Uh oh.
My favourite quote on the issue comes from a Chinese reporter: “Officials from the United States, Japan and other countries have recently made many groundless accusations of the Chinese military's military exercises near Taiwan Island. Any comments on this please?” If the accusations are groundless, what comment is there to be had?
And that’s the headlines for this week! Do follow and share if you want to keep updated on Chinese current affairs.
Thanks Edi! This was an interesting and useful 'snapshot'. I enjoyed it ... a great idea and a good addition to your newsletter.