US Deputy Secretary of State added China to her Asian itinerary
US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met with Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi in Tianjin on Monday, July 26, a late addition to her Asian itinerary. Ahead of her visit to China, US officials said the aim of this round of discussions was “part of ongoing US efforts to hold candid exchanges with PRC officials to advance US interests and values and to responsibly manage the relationship”.
It seems that the talks began with criticism from the Chinese side and ended with little signs that the 2 powers were closer to narrowing their disagreements. The meetings covered the different ranges of disputes between the two countries. In particular, Sherman laid out Washington’s many concerns with Beijing, from its campaigns of repression in Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet.
Sources: Nikkei, The New York Times, The Washington Post
How to implement the three-child policy? Relevant people respond to social concerns
三孩生育政策如何实施？——有关人士回应社会关切
The “Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Optimizing Fertility Policies to Promote Long-term and Balanced Population Development” was recently announced, proposing the implementation of a three-child policy.
Relevant departments have recently accepted an exclusive interview with reporters from Xinhua News Agency, and answered questions from Chinese and foreign reporters at a press conference held by the Information Office of the State Council.
The interview focused on several crucial questions, the following are some of the most important: when the three-child policy will be implemented; why take the decision to implement the three-child policy rather than full liberalization; what supporting policies will be introduced to reduce the burden of raising children in families and, finally, how to promote the development of childcare services.
Source: 新华网 (original in Chinese)
The Patriotic Illustrators Trying to Paint the Internet Red
As China turns to new media to promote patriotic values, the country’s digital artists are gaining prominence. For celebrating the CCP’s 100th anniversary, Fusion Era, a Shanghai-based animation studio, created a sprawling digital animation incorporating all 56 of China’s recognized ethnic groups, each of its 34 provincial-level territories, as well as its major mountains and rivers. Backed by an office under the Shanghai branch of the CCP, the project was the latest example of China’s push to promote patriotism through new media. The final animation was released as an interactive game on Bilibili, for attracting the attention of China’s younger netizens.
Source: Sixth Tone
“Quanzhou: China’s “world marine trade center” in the Song and Yuan Dynasties was listed as a world heritage site.
泉州：宋元中国的世界海洋商贸中心”跻身世界遗产
The project was successfully approved at the 44th World Heritage Conference and Quanzhou port was included in the World Heritage List. This reflects the World Heritage Committee’s high recognition of the outstanding universal value of Quanzhou. It also reflects the international community’s recognition of the Quanzhou Project for its practical significance and historical value in promoting exchanges and mutual learning of civilizations. Quanzhou flourished in the prosperous international maritime trade and became the “biggest port in the Orient” where business travellers from all over the world gathered and multiculturalism blended.
Source: 新华网
Dozens of deaths and hundreds of thousands were displaced after heavy rain pounded the central Chinese province of Henan last week.
Cleanup efforts are ongoing in Henan province and in the capital city Zhengzhou after a record-breaking rainstorm flooded the city’s streets and subway where hundreds were trapped. The floods caused 33 deaths, with 8 people still unaccounted for. Dams and reservoirs have been damaged, roads collapsed, power cut to at least one hospital, and the floods were linked to an explosion at a factory in Dengfeng city. Authorities said 200,000 people were displaced by the floods and more than three million people were affected.
Source: The Guardian
U.S.-listed Chinese companies must disclose the risks of the Chinese government interfering in their businesses.
Democratic commissioner Allison Lee said that listing U.S. authorities will crack down on other U.S.-listed Chinese companies after Chinese regulators launched a massive cyber probe of ride-hailing giant Didi Global last week, just days after its $4.4 billion New York listing and proposals for tutoring firms to become non-profits, including New York-listed TAL Education Group and Gaotu Techedu Inc. Some policymakers worry Chinese firms are systematically flouting U.S. rules, which require public companies to disclose to investors a range of potential risks to their businesses.
Source: Reuters