A Guide To Contemporary China

Senior Chinese, U.S. Economic Officials Meet, Oppose Decoupling

China and the U.S. both stressed they do not seek decoupling as Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also China’s lead person for China-U.S. economic and trade affairs, held multiple talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen during his visit to the U.S. from November 8 to 12. The Chinese side expressed its concern over the U.S. sanctions against Chinese enterprises, two-way investment restrictions, export controls, and tariff measures on China, asking the U.S. side to respond with concrete actions. The two sides reached an important consensus as they agreed to strengthen communication, seek consensus, manage differences, and avoid misunderstandings accidentally leading to escalation of friction. Both sides welcomed the establishment and meetings of the China-U.S. economic and financial working groups. The vice premier and Yellen also agreed to communicate directly with each other on a regular basis. They also welcomed the development of a healthy economic relationship that provides a level playing field for businesses and workers in both countries and promotes the welfare of both peoples.

Source: CGTN

Chinese Envoy Urges Immediate Ceasefire Between Israel, Palestine

Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, on Friday called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Palestine. “A ceasefire and an end to the fighting cannot be delayed. A ceasefire is by no means a diplomatic statement. It is the only hope for the people of Gaza to survive,” Zhang told the UN Security Council emergency meeting on the Palestinian-Israeli situation. Noting that the current round of conflict has been going on for 35 days and the situation continues to deteriorate, he said: “We call on all parties, especially the major power that has a unique influence on the parties, to put aside all geopolitical considerations and double standards and focus all efforts on the goal of a ceasefire and an end to the fight. We urge Israel to curb the intensifying settler violence in the West Bank so as to avoid the concurring hotspot and the spread of conflict.” Zhang added that “when tens of thousands of people, including more than 4,000 children, have lost their lives; when more than 1.6 million people have been forced to flee their homes; when 2.3 million people continue to be cut off from water, electricity, fuel, food and medicine; and when hospitals, schools, refugee camps, and UN facilities have been frequently targeted, this is not only a humanitarian crisis, but, as described by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, a crisis of humanity.” Zhang said he met with representatives of Palestine and other Arab countries and those from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation earlier in the day.

Source: China.org.cn

China, Pakistan Hold Largest-Ever Joint Naval Drills

The largest-ever joint exercise between the Chinese and Pakistani navies began in Pakistan on Saturday as the two countries continue to enhance their capabilities in jointly safeguarding strategic sea lanes as well as regional peace and stability, experts said on Sunday. The Sea Guardian-3 joint maritime exercise kicked off with an opening ceremony at the Karachi Naval Dockyard on Saturday morning, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on the day. Participating forces from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy include the Type 052D guided missile destroyer Zibo, the Type 054A guided missile destroyers Jingzhou and Linyi, according to the CCTV report, with Pakistani media reporting that a conventional attack submarine and a submarine support ship along with a marines corps detachment from the PLA Navy are also involved. Under the common aim of jointly responding to maritime security threats, the nine-day exercise in the waters and airspace of the northern Arabian Sea will organize training courses including formation maneuvering, VBSS (visit, board, search and seizure), helicopter cross-deck landing, joint search and rescue, joint anti-submarine and main gun shooting, plus professional exchanges and mutual visits.

Source: Global Times

China, Five Southeast Asian Nations To Hold Joint Military Exercise

The Chinese military will hold a joint exercise with Cambodian, Lao, Malaysian, Thai, and Vietnamese forces in south China’s Guangdong Province in mid-to-late November, the Ministry of National Defense said Sunday. Themed on countering terrorism and maintaining maritime safety, the exercise will organize joint and live anti-terrorism and anti-piracy drills, according to the ministry. The aim is to help participants enhance their urban anti-terrorism, maritime anti-terrorism and anti-piracy capabilities, and deepen military mutual trust and cooperation to safeguard regional peace and stability, the ministry said.

Source: China Military

Chinese Legislator Calls For Fair And Orderly Polar Governance System

Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress Ding Zhongli called on all parties to build a fair, reasonable and orderly international polar governance system, and adhere to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, in order to jointly tackle polar climate change. Ding made the remarks in his speech at the One Planet — Polar Summit on Friday in Paris, where he also attended the Paris Peace Forum on Saturday at France’s invitation. In his speech at the summit, Ding noted that issues, such as polar warming and biodiversity loss, have drawn widespread attention. The international community should deepen polar research and strengthen cooperation in polar scientific expeditions, environmental protection and resource conservation. China will continue to firmly adhere to the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, work together with the international community to tackle the challenges brought by polar amplification and maintain peace, stability and sustainable development in the polar regions, Ding said. Ding also participated on Saturday in the panel “Global Goal on Adaptation: capacity-building and resilience to climate change” of the Paris Peace Forum.

Source: Xinhua

China Sets New Parcel Record By Handling 639 Million Parcels

China has set a new record by handling 639 million parcels on Saturday, the State Post Bureau of China said on Sunday. The number was 1.87 times the volume of that on regular days, with a year-on-year increase of 15.76 percent, the bureau said. Nov 11, also known as the “Double 11”, is one of China’s most important online-shopping festivals. More than 5.26 billion parcels were handled from Nov 1 to Saturday, an increase of 23.22 percent compared to the same period last year. During this time, the average daily volume was 1.4 times that of off-peak days, according to the bureau. The express delivery volume during the “Double 11” period once again set a new record, boosting the recovery of the consumer market, fully demonstrating the resilience and vitality of China’s economic development.

Source: China Daily