Innehållsförteckning för Vol.67/No.42 från Beijing Review

The Chinese economy is currently under close scrutiny, with concerns raised over, for example, downward pressures and fluctuations in the property market. But a broader perspective indicates China’s economic fundamentals remain strong. Following the recent implementation of additional policies to boost economic recovery, market sentiment has improved markedly. In late September, the People’s Bank of China, the country’s central bank, announced a reduction in the reserve requirement ratio (RRR), injecting long-term liquidity into the financial market. The RRR, or the proportion of deposits that banks must hold in reserve, serves as a monetary tool. By lowering this ratio, the government increases available funds for financial institutions, reduces their liability costs and helps ease financing costs for the real economy. At the same time, many cities lifted or eased home purchase…

As trade relations between China and the West continue to deteriorate, concerns are growing both domestically and internationally. In October 2023, the European Commission (EC) formally launched an anti-subsidy investigation into the imports of electric vehicles (EVs) from China. On July 5, the EC began imposing provisional countervailing duties on imports of battery EVs from China, ranging from 17.4 percent to 37.6 percent. On October 4, the EC announced that it had passed a vote to impose punitive tariffs of up to 45 percent on Chinese battery EVs. In response, China launched anti-dumping investigations into brandy as well as pork and pig byproducts imported from the European Union (EU) in January and June, respectively. On August 21, China started an anti-subsidy investigation into certain dairy products imported from the EU.…

In 2023, China’s expenditure on research and development (R&D) reached nearly 3.34 trillion yuan ($472 billion), a year-on-year increase of 8.4 percent, according to a communiqué jointly released on October 2 by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Finance. This growth rate surpasses the target of over 7 percent annual growth in national R&D expenditure set for the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, indicating the importance China places on R&D. R&D expenditure comprises different costs associated with developing science and technology, usually funded by government bodies, enterprises, non-governmental organizations, and foundations. China has consistently adhered to the principle that science and technology are primary productive forces, a driving concept that has fueled its economic and social development. With this principle…

Hammering the base, soldering, filling enamel, firing, polishing and gilding—after these meticulous processes, a new piece of cloisonné, known as jingtailan in Chinese, emerges. Crafted from copper and porcelain, the art piece features intricate patterns formed with copper wires and is adorned with brilliant enamel glaze. Cloisonné was introduced to China from Arabian countries via the ancient Silk Road in the 13th century. Upon its arrival, it quickly integrated into the rich tapestry of China’s history and culture. The craft flourished during the Jingtai period of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), during which the predominant use of blue (lan in Chinese) enamel glaze inspired its name, jingtailan. Embodying exquisite craftsmanship and rich cultural heritage, jingtailan art pieces are often used as prestigious national gifts on diplomatic occasions, symbolizing China’s artistry and…

Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in the 14th China International Digital Publishing Expo, held from September 20 to 22 in Haikou, Hainan Province. Previously known as the China Digital Publishing Expo, this event now seeks greater international participation. The expo attracted a wide range of publishers and thinkers with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI), not because it was an exclusively AI-focused exhibition, but because China has so enthusiastically and determinedly embraced this technology. Themed Innovation for Quality Improvement: Empowering Industries to Win the Future With Digitization, the expo provided a comprehensive overview of the digital publishing industry through exhibitions, keynote and specialized forums, and interactive activities. Following the theme, this year’s discussions focused on topics such as technological empowerment, innovation in the sector, online literature creation, and…

By sending seeds on short trips into space, China is developing new crop varieties, contributing to the advancement of agricultural science and bolstering food security. This process, known as space breeding, exposes seeds to cosmic radiation, which mutates their genes and leads to the creation of new varieties with greater diversity. Since China’s first space breeding experiment in August 1987, the country has sent seeds from thousands of plant species into space using retrievable satellites and spacecraft. This has resulted in the development of nearly 1,000 new plant varieties, including grains, vegetables and fruits. The technology reportedly helps increase China’s annual grain production by 2 million tons and produces direct economic benefits exceeding 100 billion yuan ($14 billion). Why send seeds into space? Compared to traditional plant breeding techniques, one…

China honored 15 distinguished individuals with the highest state recognition at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on September 29, two days before the People’s Republic of China celebrated its 75th anniversary. The accolades were distributed across several categories, with four eminent figures, namely, the late missile and rocket expert Wang Yongzhi, medical scientist Wang Zhenyi, wheat-breeding expert Li Zhensheng and war veteran Huang Zongde, receiving the Medals of the Republic. Ten other luminaries were granted national honorary titles for their exemplary contributions to their respective fields. Among the recipients were Bayika Kalidibek, a dedicated border patrolman, Xu Zhenchao, a skilled technician, and Tian Hua, an acclaimed actress. A Friendship Medal, China’s highest state honor for foreigners, was also awarded. President Xi Jinping presented the awards and delivered…

FORMER TOP LEGISLATOR DIES AT 84 Wu Bangguo, former Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, died of illness at the age of 84 in Beijing on October 8. Wu served as chairman of the NPC Standing Committee from 2003 to 2013. He devoted much of his time in the position into developing the theory and practice of China’s system of people’s congresses, as well as the development of socialist democracy and the improvement of the socialist legal system. Wu organized the drafting of constitutional amendments that were passed during the Second Session of the 10th NPC in 2004. He also led the formulation and amendment of a series of other laws, including the Anti-Secession Law and the Property Law. Wu was born in July 1941 in Feidong,…

The year 2024 is the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Over the long course of human history, 75 years is just a fleeting moment in time. But during this time in China, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has united and led the Chinese people to write an epic exploring the development of socialism, and draw a majestic picture in the history of human advancement. It has guided the people in establishing and improving the Chinese socialist system, in forming and developing systems for Party leadership, politics, economy, culture, society, eco-civilization, the military and foreign affairs, and in enhancing state governance. The Chinese nation has stood up, achieved higher quality of life and become stronger. “A state system must be established when founding…

From September 22 to 23, the United Nations (UN) Summit of the Future took center stage in New York City, the U.S., under the slogan Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow. As the flagship high-level gathering of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly, the summit gathered approximately 130 heads of state and government leaders to chart a path toward collective global progress. It aimed to forge consensus on pressing international challenges, accelerate the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda (2030 Agenda), a comprehensive plan adopted by all UN member states in 2015 to achieve sustainable development globally by 2030, and drive reforms within the UN system. This summit was convened against a backdrop of intensifying global turmoil and unprecedented risks facing humanity. Ongoing conflicts, including those between Russia and…