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The 2 sessions meetings in China 2023 and the developmental initiatives by Xi Jinping

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The annual “two sessions” (Lianghui) in China in March each year carry serious international significance, to understand China’s internal and external policies through presentation and discussion through the National People’s Congress, as the highest legislative body in the country, and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, as the highest  National political advisory body.  During the “two sessions”, electoral democracy and consultative democracy complement each other, with deputies to the National People’s Congress and members of the “CPPCC National Committee” discussing and expressing freely the opinions and aspirations of the Chinese people, and exercising democratic authority over the affairs of the country and the people’s livelihood, on behalf of  Chinese people.

  The meetings of the two sessions are a unique opportunity for many around the world to understand China, as well as an important occasion in which Beijing presents itself to the world.  The socialist consultative democracy that is applied during the meetings of the two sessions is a unique form of how and the mechanism for implementing the socialist democratic policy according to the unique Chinese model, through which consultations are taken between parties, consultation in the Chinese People’s Congress, consultation in the government, and consultation in the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference,  Consultation in mass meetings, consultation in grassroots units, and consultation in social organizations, as an important channel, guarantee the right of Chinese people of all groups and levels to participate in daily political life in a comprehensive, continuous and in-depth manner.  During the sessions and meetings of the two sessions, China’s senior leaders, as well as leaders of various government institutions, including the Chinese Foreign Minister, the governor of the Central Bank or the People’s Bank, and other prominent figures speak to present the country’s policies in the new year. The Egyptian researcher will discuss here all of the following aspects related to the meetings of the 2 sessions in China 2023, as follows:

  • Socialist democracy with Chinese characteristics in the two sessions of 2023

  The meetings of the two sessions this year 2023 are concerned with discussing issues of social development, distributing national income more fairly, improving the standard of living of the Chinese people, achieving the goal of building a well-off society in a moderate and comprehensive manner in all respects, promoting a balance between urban and rural areas, caring for remote areas, and fighting  Inflation, promoting stable economic growth, deepening efforts to focus on innovation and creativity, and increasing spending on education, medical care, and other issues that concern the Chinese people in the first place.

On a personal level, there are indications for holding the two-session conference in China this year 2023, and shedding light on it at home and abroad as well, in order to achieve the following:

The meeting of the two sessions this year 2023 will be keen to discuss (building a well-off society in an all-round way), during the deliberations of the third session of the 14th National People’s Congress.  The issues of preserving the urban environment will also be discussed, and keenness to support coordinated development, especially for major cities, because of its cultural significance to the world, especially the cities of: (Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei), as well as supporting projects and development in the Xiongan New Area.

The deputies will also be keen, during the meetings of the two sessions 2023, to discuss the issue of combating corruption, and to tighten control over the implementation of major decisions and measures.  This is what the Chinese provincial deputies, for the CPC Discipline Inspection, were enthusiastic about.  With an emphasis on the importance of creating more room for the development of market entities, supporting all state efforts in their boycott to achieve economic and social development, and providing practical solutions to face all challenges facing development within Chinese society.

The Chinese keenness will also come during the meetings of the two sessions this year 2023 to discuss mechanisms and ways to develop (the Chinese People’s Liberation Army) and modernize defense efforts well, in light of the regional and global challenges surrounding China.

We find that, as expected, the focus of the two sessions this year is on developing deliberate plans against the spread and increase in unemployment, which resulted from the cessation of many businesses after the outbreak of the Corona pandemic “Covid-19”. Therefore, the provincial representatives and representatives will emphasize the importance of their study of the needs of private markets.  In their provinces, and studying the rate of unemployment and the unemployed after the virus.  Also, as a result of the effects of the virus, everyone will agree on the importance of protecting the disadvantaged and marginalized groups and the poor who have been negatively affected by the epidemic.

The deputies will also be keen, during the meetings of the two sessions 2023, to discuss ways and means to reduce the burden on small and medium-sized companies, help the market recover, increase and diversify available job opportunities, and give great importance to the service industry.  One of the most important priorities of the two-session meeting this year will be to agree on developing plans to study how to address the state of recession and economic downturn after the pandemic, which negatively affected the income level of the population.  Topics will come (achieving stability in employment, financing, foreign trade, foreign investment, attracting investments, expectations to ensure employment, basic livelihoods, market players, securing the needs of the population and the country for food and energy, and providing key industrial supply chains for companies and factories in China).

Representatives of the two annual sessions this year 2023 will be keen to discuss how to commit to achieving post-epidemic economic growth, achieving self-sufficiency, and expanding domestic demand as a strategic focal point that confirms the solidarity of all Chinese people together, thus allowing for the acceleration of economic growth.

  • The most important topics to be discussed by this general conference are expected to be as follows:

This conference is an opportunity for the members of the Sharia Council and its general annual conference to affirm its adherence to the central and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and an invitation to maintain the strategic determination, and to continue striving to achieve this.

Developing plans to address and revive the Chinese economy during the coming period in light of the travel ban, and the closure of the borders of China and the world to control the Covid-19 pandemic.  .  But with international travel halted and foreigners banned from entering the country, Chinese factories will need to find new sources of business.  This is what will be discussed during the conference hosting.

The meetings will certainly aim to revive the manufacturing sector in factories and companies, which constitutes about a third of the Chinese economy.  Which temporarily stopped working after the outbreak of the epidemic.

There will also be emphasis on discussing the Health Silk Initiative, which is the initiative launched by Chinese President (Xi Jinping) in 2017, as an extension of the Chinese Belt and Road, and the outbreak of the virus came as an appropriate circumstance to discuss this initiative again.

This conference could be a valuable opportunity to discuss aspects of digital transformation, activate the digital transformation initiative, and the digital silk road, such as: artificial intelligence technology and the fifth generation of information and communication networks, which proved effective during the epidemic period, and contributed to its elimination in Wuhan, China. Especially in light of the ban imposed on the chinese company, Huawei, as a result of the United States’ fear of losing its economic position to China, and China’s desire to confront Washington’s technological monopoly, which owns many giant companies, such as: Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon.

It will also be Important to draw broad lines to ensure the activation of the Chinese strategy of achieving internal self-sufficiency, in light of the state of conflict with the United States of America.

The main features of the conference topics are represented in discussing and studying the extent of tangible progress in China’s “three difficult battles”, and the extent of its ability to achieve this, namely: its goal to reduce poverty, effectively prevent and control financial risks, and the general improvement in the environment and ecosystem.

This conference is an opportunity to ensure stability as a top priority for China, and an opportunity to declare adherence to the framework of the three policies, namely: (stable macroeconomic policies, bitter partial policies, and social policies), and the last is the one that guarantees the fulfillment of the basic needs of Chinese society after the epidemic.

The conference will continue to emphasize the discussion and mechanisms of sustainable active efforts to deepen supply-side structural reform, and ensure reasonable growth and steady improvement of the economy, especially in the post-Corona world.

The conference will improve the image of the Chinese Communist Party, against American attempts to hinder its success and its superiority over the faltering democracies in the West to combat the virus, especially the United States of America.  In reference to the importance of benefiting from this crisis and reminding the Chinese people and the international community of the most important achievements of the Chinese Communist Party during the previous period, Chinese President (Xi Jinping) recently stated to the leaders of the Communist Party: that the recent decrease in injuries “showed once again the outstanding advantages of the party’s leadership”. The Chinese Communist Party and the System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics.

 It will be useful to address the mechanisms, programs and plans for implementing comprehensive national reforms in the health sector aimed at reforming public hospitals, promoting integrated health care, improving the quality of care, strengthening policy, governance and institutional systems through the system of granting loans, and activating the program financing system and tool according to results to reform the Chinese health sector after Corona.

 At the international level, the extent of China’s success in containing the epidemic will be discussed, and the Chinese response to the Corona pandemic crisis around the world, which shook the American image in the international system, and the success of political concepts in the international policy of Chinese President (Xi Jinping) to express ideas: international interdependence and solidarity world, and the common destiny of mankind.  These are the concepts that China has actively applied by directing the eyes of the world, especially European countries, towards China to ask for help.

  Hence, we note China’s interest in linking the present with the future in order to accelerate the wheel of development and production, and the advancement of the economy, as one of the most important living experiences for advancement, recovery and construction, according to the slogans of Chinese President (Xi Jinping), namely: community partnership, collective solidarity, and the principle of mutual benefit.  Between all, the principle of win-win, and the common destiny of mankind.

  Through these previous points, which the meeting of the two sessions or sessions will be keen to discuss this year in an exceptionally urgent manner, we find that the goal of the Chinese government and the National People’s Congress, with the participation of the Political Advisory Council, as the most important Chinese political event every year, is to deliver a message that China is able to recover  And that the government is performing all its tasks to fully restore economic activity.

  On a personal level, I am very impressed by the philosophy of the Chinese President, Comrade “Xi Jinping”, and the leaders of the Chinese Communist Party, of the need to benefit from the crisis of the outbreak of the Corona pandemic “Covid-19” and learn from it. This conference also comes as an opportunity to confirm the members of the two legislative sessions or sessions and its conference  Annual General for its adherence to the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, advocating maintaining strategic determination, and continuing to strive for it.  It is also an important opportunity to remind the Chinese people and the international community of the most important achievements of the Chinese Communist Party during the previous period.  Socialism with Chinese Characteristics”.

  • The most important Chinese messages to the world during the meeting of the two sessions 2023 at home and abroad

 During the meetings of the two sessions this year 2023, the Chinese leaders are trying to send a number of messages at home and abroad.  The most important messages that China would like to send during the two sessions this year 2023 are as follows:

 China is trying to send a number of messages during the meeting of the two sessions (Lianghui) during the year 2023, and the deputies (the National People’s Congress or the National People’s Congress, and the Committee of the Consultative Conference or the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference) will try to make a number of political decisions at the national level.  During the meetings of the two sessions this year, the Chinese government will present a summary of the size of the achievements it made during the past year at the political, economic and social development levels, and it will define a general framework of procedures and policies in those areas for this year.  The most important messages that China is trying to convey to the world during the meetings of the two sessions this year are:

 The message of China’s continuation of its approach and policy of continuing reform: through reforming the structure of state administration, reshaping ministries within the State Council, as well as structural reforms to the Communist Party and its Central Committee.

 Continuing the anti-corruption campaigns with full force: and activating the principle of not only fighting the “flies” i.e. the corrupt minors, but also fighting the “tigers” i.e. the big ones, in order to build an honest Chinese government.

 Continuing the policy of Chinese President (Xi Jinping) in combating poverty: especially since President Xi considered that 2020 is the year of poverty eradication in China.  We note that starting from 2018, the Chinese policy has been more stringent by pursuing a policy of “poverty alleviation with targeted measures”.  It is the policy put forward by President Xi, and has already succeeded in achieving the goal of “a complete exit from poverty” by the year 2020.

 Emphasizing the continuation of the Chinese state’s efforts to calm the rise in real estate market prices: a policy that was represented in: Issuing a number of policies aimed at guaranteeing the interests of the people in housing and consumption.

 Proceeding with the policies of economic growth, employment stability and income increase: which began in early 2018, providing more than 11 million jobs in the country.

Ensuring that the Chinese government continues to care for the elderly and the elderly: In response to the challenge of the increasing aging of the population in China, the Chinese government has pledged in recent years to care for the elderly and improve the quality of nursing home services.

 Maintaining a clean environment and ecosystem and combating pollution: because in order to ensure an improvement in the quality of life, this is inseparable from a clean environment.  The 2018 plan began with China achieving a decrease in harmful gas emissions.

 Within the framework of the Chinese “Belt and Road” initiative: China has strengthened its cooperation with the countries of the world and neighboring countries, by completing a number of major projects, economic corridors, and developing its ports and infrastructure in order to activate the initiative.  With China’s pledge to continue the health and digital Silk Roads, as an extension of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative, and as an urgent result of the post-Coronavirus world.

 The meetings of the two sessions this year will try through the Chinese authorities to oblige some companies to take a number of exceptional measures in order to continue, including being satisfied with paying the minimum living allowance for employees and workers.

 Factories, companies, and employers will be obligated to cover payments related to social security, including contributions to pensions, unemployment funds, and work-related injuries. These measures will increase the burden on workplaces, but they are temporary measures that require a solidarity effort among all the people.  The Chinese, which President Xi Jinping always emphasizes.

 Likewise, the discussion of (compensating and mitigating those affected), by discussing the relaxation by the Chinese authorities of some of the strict rules for work and movement from the countryside to cities after Corona, which allows a number of workers to more easily access the real estate market, health care and education in some smaller cities,  And thus reducing pressure and unemployment until the Chinese economy regains its strength and fully operates again after the world gets rid of the effects of the virus, and the return of global travel.

 The Issue of allocating a fund to finance and compensate those affected by the cessation of their work and work after the cessation of economic activity in the country will be discussed.  The major industrial companies in China, especially those that have resumed their activities, have played a role in assisting, financing or lending a large number of small and medium industrial companies that are still facing difficulties.

At the international level, China has declared its standing with the international community to ensure the return of the wheel of production and employment, and the stability of the supply and demand conditions. What is certain is that the new Corona virus will not be defeated except with the collective will of the countries of the world and cooperation to confront the social and economic effects of the pandemic.  Perhaps it would be useful to refer to President Xi’s principle based on partnership between peoples and seeking to build a new system of international cooperation based on the win-win basis, in order to try to avoid the negative effects of the virus as soon as possible.

 The Health Silk Road initiative, as an extension of the Belt and Road initiative, also bears indications that China wants to cooperate with countries to limit the negative effects of the virus, and now wants to achieve the common destiny of humanity according to the vision of President (Xi Jinping).

 Also, China’s vision of improving the exchange of information and enhancing cooperation, especially in the field of medicines and vaccines, combating epidemics, and stopping cross-border infections, are all Chinese suggestions and necessary conditions to ensure the return of life globally and the recovery of the global economy after Corona.

 Here, China’s achievements in combating poverty are considered an inspiration for human history and for the world, as the Chinese government has paid attention to the development of local industries, the education and health care sectors, and the protection of the ecological environment, i.  The Chinese authorities are trying to reform the infrastructure and public services provided to the poor communities in the countryside, the poorest villages and mountainous areas.  Hence, China was able to detonate the internal energies of its people in order to work together to eradicate poverty.

 At the present time, China is accelerating its steps to develop into a strong country in industrialization, benefiting from its pioneering experience in introducing the fifth generation technology for communication networks and the Internet, by developing industries benefiting from the fifth generation technology of mobile communications and Internet networks, new energy cars, new materials, and others.  To reduce environmental pollution.

 Hence, we note that China’s experience is inspiring to humanity, especially if we know that the Chinese government will implement the project to provide the main equipment that the country needs for development and industrialization, and work currently in China revolves around the development of the industrial Internet platform, in addition to updating new model areas to implement the “Made in China 2025” strategy.

  • The meeting of the two sessions 2023 and the welfare of the Chinese people

 The Chinese government will be keen, during the meetings of the two sessions this year, to implement many measures and policies for the interest and welfare of the Chinese people in the first place, such as:

  • Developing plans to address and revive the Chinese economy during the coming period in light of the travel ban, and the closure of the borders of China and the world to control the “Covid-19” pandemic.  Chinese companies and factories effectively.  To overcome the negative effects of the epidemic.
  • A mechanism and plans to revive the manufacturing sector in factories and companies, which constitute about a third of the Chinese economy, will be discussed.  Which temporarily stopped working after the outbreak of the epidemic.  The deputies of the National People’s Congress of China will be keen to address mechanisms, programs and plans for implementing a comprehensive national reform package in the sectors of the economy, market, governance, health and others, so as to aim at strengthening policy, governance and institutional systems through the system of giving loans, activating the system and tool for financing projects, and eliminating  Unemployment, according to a well-thought-out plan to restore economic activity after Corona virus.
  • The issue of combating unemployment in the countryside will be discussed by strengthening the relationship between poverty alleviation and rural revitalization, through: Comprehensive encouragement to develop rural industries, talents, culture and the environment in the countryside as a guarantee to encourage the poor to integrate into society and combat unemployment.
  • The deepest economic reforms to support growth, which will be discussed during the meetings of the two sessions during the coming period, are: helping small and micro companies, reducing taxes and fees, and promoting employment of key groups such as university graduates, migrant workers, and people with work difficulties.

 This confirms the Chinese state’s keenness to recover quickly after the pandemic.  Here, China demonstrated to the world its eagerness to work to serve it, with the Chinese leadership of President (Xi Jinping) emphasizing the community of a shared future, and the idea of solidarity and cooperation together.  China has succeeded in overcoming these difficulties and pressures, through:

  • The Chinese President (Xi Jinping) proposed and confirmed the proposal and discussion of the Health Silk Initiative, which is the initiative launched by the Chinese President (Xi Jinping) in 2017, as an extension of the Chinese Belt and Road, and the outbreak of the virus came as an appropriate circumstance to discuss this initiative again.
  • The outbreak of the epidemic was a valuable opportunity for China due to the strength of the company (Huawei) in front of the world, and the ability of the Beijing government to discuss aspects of digital transformation around the world, and to activate the digital transformation initiative and the digital silk road, such as: artificial intelligence technology and the fifth generation of information and communication networks, which proved  Its effectiveness during the epidemic period, and contributed to its eradication in Wuhan, China.  Especially in light of the ban imposed on the Chinese company, Huawei, as a result of the United States’ fear of losing its economic position to China, and China’s desire to confront Washington’s technological monopoly, which owns many giant companies, such as: Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon.

   Here will come the keenness of the Chinese provincial deputies during the meetings of the two sessions or sessions 2023 before the world to ensure the achievement of stability in the country as a top priority for China, and an opportunity to declare adherence to stable economic policies, social and development policies, especially in areas severely affected by the epidemic, and to ensure that the basic needs of Chinese society are met after  epidemic.  It will also be emphasized that China will continue its efforts to affirm in active efforts to deepen supply-side structural reform, and to ensure reasonable growth and steady improvement of the economy, especially in the post-corona world.

  We will find that through the previous plans for the meetings of the two sessions or sessions, China and the leaders of the ruling Communist Party will succeed in laying out broad lines to ensure the activation of the Chinese strategy of achieving internal self-sufficiency, in light of the state of conflict with the United States of America.  China has also succeeded in developing the main features to help its people once again rise and recover, represented in: China’s fighting the “three difficult battles”, which are: its goal to reduce poverty, effectively prevent and control financial risks, and the general improvement in the environment and ecosystem.

  • The meeting of the two sessions 2023 and linking the development initiatives of the Chinese President (Xi Jinping) to serve humanity

 The meeting of the two sessions 2023 will be an opportunity to discuss and evaluate China’s achievements in governance and good governance policies, and the impact of this on the international community and the world.  The Nineteenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China in October 2017 constituted a very important stage for the completion of building a society of governance and good governance in a comprehensive manner in accordance with the principles of socialism with Chinese characteristics.  The Chinese system of governance and good governance is based on the characteristics of socialism with Chinese characteristics, affirming the goals of the CPC and the Chinese government in the future, raising the CPC’s ability to run the state, exercising power in an equal and legal manner, while adhering to the unified plan to meet the Chinese people’s need for a better life.

 We find that recently, the Chinese leadership has linked good governance with preserving the integrity of the environment, improving the ecological and environmental system, adhering to an independent and peaceful foreign policy, and supporting the building of a bond of common future for mankind.

  China and the leaders of the Communist Party of China, by adopting a system of good governance and governance, provided the international community with expertise on combating the new Corona virus, through the expediting of the Party Central Committee for a leadership team to confront the spread of the virus.  And Chinese President (Xi Jinping) himself, in his capacity as Secretary-General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, directed the work of combating the new Corona virus himself, which contributed to building an integrated system for preventing and controlling the virus, with a focus on Wuhan, the source of the epidemic, and other places in the country.  Hubei, comprehensively and multi-level fight against the virus under the leadership of the CPC central government and local governments, take decisive measures to push forward the work of virus prevention and control in a scientific, orderly and meticulous manner, and fight the novel coronavirus with the participation of all Chinese.

  The Chinese government also linked the achievement of good governance to the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative and the extent of its impact around the world, as the Chinese authorities set several axes to achieve good governance policies, the most prominent of which are: achieving common prosperity, reducing poverty and a better life, achieving sustainable development, and the common destiny of humanity.  And all this by activating the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative and encouraging more countries of the world to join it.

 Also, at the international level, China has expressed its responsibility to maintain the world order, especially after the outbreak of the Corona pandemic around the world.  Hence, the Development Research Center of the Chinese State Council plays a very big role in drawing up the policies of the Chinese state in good governance and deepening governance in society.  , through the mechanism of interaction with its international counterpart and the work of joint research, studies and plans that deepen the concept of good Chinese governance and Chinese governance practices globally.

  Hence, we find that deepening cooperation between research centers in China and the international community constituted an effective way to advance the exchange of development experiences between the two sides.  With the world now believing that good governance is essential for social development, China is seeking to enhance exchanges and cooperation between Chinese think tanks and with all countries of the world.

  And at the level of China’s transparency in dealing with the world by applying the efficiency of good governance after the global spread of the Corona virus, the Chinese administrations have dealt with full transparency and professionalism with the international community, making all relevant data about the virus and the epidemic available to the Chinese, and to the whole world on an equal footing, quickly, openly and transparently.  Officially, China has sought to cooperate with the international community in combating the virus, amid praise from the World Health Organization that China’s experience in combating the virus is a model for other countries to follow and learn from.

 In general, China’s governance and good governance policies have succeeded in improving the fields of economy, defense capability, comprehensive strength, people’s lives, environment and international situation.

  Perhaps what amazed me most on a personal level, as an Egyptian researcher specializing in Chinese affairs, is the Chinese President (Xi Jinping)’s talk about the development of world civilizations as part of governance and good governance, with his assertion that “we should not be satisfied with diversifying our civilizations, but rather we must create favorable conditions  to develop other civilizations in the world.

 President “Xi” made me more amazed and amazed when he talked about the form of my system (global governance and global government), which is a system in which international systems, institutions and governments are interconnected, and data and information are exchanged between them in full transparency. Xi directed his speech to the International community, saying:

“All countries should make efforts to jointly realize global governance to provide the important guarantee for the establishment of a new international civilized order. With the establishment of world government”

 Hence, the Chinese President (Xi Jinping) was able to influence the world by linking his development initiatives to the service of humanity, and his proposal to establish a global governance system, in which everyone cooperates with full transparency.  This, if indicative, deepens the ability of China and its president, “Xi,” to lead China globally, and to lead the international community, its interdependence, and influence it, to improve the effective management of its systems and institutions.

According to my analysis of the internal scene in China and its relationship with the world, there are indications for holding the two-session conference, and shedding light on it at home and abroad as well, in order to achieve the following:

 The Chinese government, the Council and its legislative authorities aim to hold the annual meeting of the Chinese National People’s Congress with the participation of the Political Advisory Council, which is described as the “two sessions”, as the most important Chinese political event every year, to convey a message that China’s ability to recover.

 The Importance of holding the two-session conference comes in light of exceptional circumstances after the Corona virus “Covid-19”, but Beijing’s determination to reassure its people and citizens in the first place that the government is fully performing its tasks.

 Through this proposition, we find that the convening of this Chinese General Conference in these circumstances indicates the readiness of the Chinese government to fully restore economic activity.

  • The meeting of the two sessions 2023 and the achievement of the Chinese Communist Party in eradicating poverty in China and linking the present with the future

  The Chinese provincial deputies are keen during the meetings of the two sessions or sessions of 2023 to review China’s experience in reducing poverty, according to well-studied and organized plans to eradicate poverty.  Where China adopts and pursues the policy of (resettlement), which is a major Chinese project to combat extreme poverty through the resettlement of residents of remote areas who live in primitive conditions and an unhealthy environment.  And the continuation of the Chinese government’s policy to play its role after the epidemic.

    The pioneering and internationally impressive Chinese experience also comes after the outbreak of the Corona epidemic in establishing (special funds to combat poverty and unemployment), where the fund’s money is allocated to spend on health, education, infrastructure projects, subsidies for basic commodities, health care, access to compulsory education, and others. 

     In another important example for the international community and the world regarding the extent to which China and the Chinese state have succeeded in rewarding companies that open branches in poor areas by granting them attractive tax concessions, making large facilities for them, supporting the research and development budget, and facilitating the access of these companies to public deals that enable them.  From the continuation of its work in rural areas and poor areas.

     On a personal level, I consider the experience of the “Alibaba” company, which met with great success, represented in developing the logistical infrastructure for poor areas to become a leader in selling via the Internet, and encouraging e-commerce for the poor via the Internet to lift them out of poverty.  This experience has made it possible to provide tens of millions of job opportunities, thus alleviating poverty.

    One of what I liked most is China’s fight against poverty by (encouraging rural tourism), where the state pays for the expenses of converting homes into tourist housing, interest-free micro-loans to help farmers, and other inspiring experiences in China.

   The political elites in China have also become competing to achieve tangible results in fighting poverty because it is the only way for partisan promotion, and thus assume leadership positions within the state structures and the Communist Party in China.  The result was a state of comprehensive mobilization of the various Chinese institutions led by President Xi, and they were able to lift more than 600 million Chinese out of poverty.

    Hence, we note China’s interest in linking the present with the future in order to accelerate the wheel of development and production, and the advancement of the economy, as one of the most important living experiences for advancement, recovery and construction, according to the slogans of Chinese President (Xi Jinping), namely:

(Community partnership, collective solidarity, and the principle of mutual benefit between everyone, win-win, and the common destiny of mankind)

  • Meetings of the two sessions 2023 and improving the image of the Chinese Communist Party against American attempts to impede its success and superiority over the faltering democracies in the West

    The two-session conference this year 2023 will be an opportunity for deputies of the Permanent National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Council to confirm China’s success before the world in improving the image of the Chinese Communist Party against American attempts to impede its success and superiority over the faltering democracies in the West to combat the virus, especially the United States of America.

 At the international level, there is a state of consensus on the extent of China’s success in containing the epidemic, and the Chinese response to the Corona pandemic crisis around the world, which shook the American image in the international system, and the political concepts succeeded in the international policy of the Chinese President (Xi Jinping) to express ideas: interdependence  International solidarity, global solidarity, and the common destiny of mankind.  These are the concepts that China applied realistically by directing the eyes of the world, especially European countries, towards China to ask for help.

 And the Chinese authorities will oblige some companies to take a number of exceptional measures in order to continue, including only paying the minimum living allowance for employees and workers.

 A number of factories, companies, and employers will also be obligated to cover payments related to social security, including contributions to pensions, unemployment funds, and work-related injuries, which are measures that increase the burden on workplaces, but they are temporary measures that require a solidarity effort between the various sectors.  All the Chinese people, which President “Xi Jinping” always emphasizes.

 Likewise, the discussion of (compensating and alleviating those affected), by discussing the relaxation by the Chinese authorities of some of the strict rules related to work and movement from the countryside to cities after Corona, and thus relieving pressure and unemployment until the Chinese economy regains its strength and fully operates again after the world gets rid of the effects of  The virus, the return of global travel.

 Allocation of (a fund to finance and compensate those affected) by the cessation of their work and work after the cessation of economic activity in the country.

 The major industrial companies in China, especially those that have resumed their activities, have played a role in assisting, financing or lending a large number of small and medium industrial companies that are still facing difficulties.

At the international level, China has declared its standing with the international community to ensure the return of the wheel of production and employment, and the stability of the supply and demand conditions. What is certain is that the new Corona virus will not be defeated except with the collective will of the countries of the world and cooperation to confront the social and economic effects of the pandemic.  Perhaps it would be useful to refer to President Xi’s principle based on partnership between peoples and seeking to build a new system of international cooperation based on the win-win basis, in order to try to avoid the negative effects of the virus as soon as possible.

 The health Silk Road initiative, as an extension of the Belt and Road initiative, also bears indications that China wants to cooperate with countries to limit the negative effects of the virus, and now wants to achieve the common destiny of mankind according to the vision of President (Xi Jinping).

 Finally, China’s vision of improving the exchange of information and enhancing cooperation, especially in the field of medicines and vaccines, combating epidemics, and stopping cross-border infections, are all Chinese suggestions and necessary conditions to ensure the return of life globally and the recovery of the global economy after epidemic.

 It is expected that China’s achievements will be presented during the meetings of the two sessions this year 2023 by deputies of the Standing National Council of the Chinese People and the Political Advisory Council of the Chinese People in the study of combating poverty, especially after a series of post-Corona measures that are considered inspiring to the world, as the Chinese government has been interested in developing local industries and education sectors.  Health care, ecological protection, i.e. natural environment, and wildlife conservation.  And he set strict laws for everyone not to obstruct the efforts of the Chinese state to achieve development and combat poverty, and the Chinese authorities also attempted to reform the infrastructure and public services provided to poor communities in rural areas, poorer villages and mountainous areas post-Corona.  Hence, China was able to detonate the internal energies of its people in order to work together to work together to eradicate poverty, improve living and income, and quickly get rid of the negative effects of the epidemic.

 With the increasing international admiration for the Chinese experience and its ability to accelerate its steps to develop into a strong country in industrialization, benefiting from its pioneering experience in introducing the fifth generation technology for communication networks and the Internet, through the development of industries benefiting from the technology of the fifth generation of mobile communications and Internet networks, and cars powered by new energy.  And new materials, etc., to reduce environmental pollution.

   In this context, we note that China’s experience is inspiring to humanity, especially if we know that the Chinese government will implement the project to provide the main equipment that the country needs for development and industrialization, and the work currently in China revolves around the development of the (Industrial Internet) platform, in addition to updating  New model areas to implement the “Made in China 2025” strategy.

 We must not forget China’s announcement of the health belt initiative, and the new digital transformation, especially in the post-Corona world, and the importance of developing artificial intelligence technologies and technology and the fifth generation of information and communication technology was emphasized.

  • The meeting of the two sessions 2023 and the achievement of building a society of governance and good governance in a comprehensive manner according to the principles of socialism with Chinese characteristics

  The meetings of the two sessions this year in China will be an opportunity to study and evaluate the achievements of Chinese leaders in governance and good governance policies, and their impact on the international community and the world.  The Nineteenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China in October 2017 constituted a very important stage for the completion of building a society of governance and good governance in a comprehensive manner in accordance with the principles of socialism with Chinese characteristics.  The Chinese system of governance and good governance is based on the characteristics of socialism with Chinese characteristics, affirming the goals of the CPC and the Chinese government in the future, raising the CPC’s ability to run the state, exercising power in an equal and legal manner, while adhering to the unified plan to meet the Chinese people’s need for a better life.

    Recently, the Chinese leadership has linked good governance with preserving environmental integrity, improving the ecological and environmental system, adhering to an independent and peaceful foreign policy, and supporting the building of a community of common future for mankind.

   China and the leaders of the Communist Party of China, by adopting a system of good governance and governance, provided the international community with expertise on combating the new Corona virus, through the Central Committee of the Party expediting a leadership team to confront the spread of the virus. And Chinese President (Xi Jinping) himself, in his capacity as Secretary-General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, directed the work of combating the new Corona virus himself, which contributed to building an integrated system for preventing and controlling the virus, with a focus on Wuhan, the source of the epidemic, and other places in the country.  Hubei, comprehensively and multi-level fight against the virus under the leadership of the CPC central government and local governments, take decisive measures to push forward the work of virus prevention and control in a scientific, orderly and meticulous manner, and fight the novel coronavirus with the participation of all Chinese.

   The Chinese government linked the achievement of good governance to the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative and the extent of its impact around the world, as the Chinese authorities developed several axes to achieve good governance policies, the most prominent of which are:

    Achieving common prosperity, poverty reduction, a better life, sustainable development, and a common destiny for humanity.  And all this by activating the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative and encouraging more countries of the world to join it.

   On the international level, China has expressed its responsibility to maintain the world order, especially after the outbreak of the Corona pandemic around the world.  Hence, the Development Research Center of the Chinese State Council plays a very big role in drawing up the policies of the Chinese state in good governance and deepening governance in society.  , through the mechanism of interaction with its international counterpart and the work of joint research, studies and plans that deepen the concept of good Chinese governance and Chinese governance practices globally.

     Hence, we find that deepening cooperation between research centers in China and the international community constituted an effective way to advance the exchange of development experiences between the two sides.  With the world now believing that good governance is essential for social development, China is seeking to enhance exchanges and cooperation between Chinese think tanks and with all countries of the world.

     And at the level of China’s transparency in dealing with the world by applying the efficiency of good governance after the global spread of the Corona virus, the Chinese administrations have dealt with full transparency and professionalism with the international community, making all relevant data about the virus and the epidemic available to the Chinese, and to the whole world on an equal footing, quickly, openly and transparently.  Officially, China has sought to cooperate with the international community in combating the virus, amid praise from the World Health Organization that China’s experience in combating the virus is a model for other countries to follow and learn from.

    In general, China’s governance and good governance policies have succeeded in improving the fields of economy, defense capability, comprehensive strength, people’s lives, environment and international situation.

    Perhaps what amazed me most on a personal level, as an Egyptian researcher specializing in Chinese affairs, is the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s speech about the development of world civilizations as part of governance and good governance, with his assertion that: “We should not be satisfied with diversifying our civilizations, but rather we must create conditions  conducive to the development of other civilizations in the world.

   President “Xi” made me more amazed and amazed when he talked about the form of my system (global governance and global government), which is a system in which international systems, institutions and governments are interconnected, and data and information are exchanged between them in full transparency. Xi directed his speech to the international community, saying:

“All countries should make efforts to jointly realize global governance to provide the important guarantee for the establishment of a new international civilized order with the establishment of the world government”

   Hence, the Chinese President (Xi Jinping) was able to influence the world by linking his development initiatives to the service of humanity, and his proposal to establish a global governance system, in which everyone cooperates with full transparency.  This, if indicative, deepens the ability of China and its president, “Xi”, to lead China globally, and to lead the international community, its interdependence, and influence it, to improve the effective management of its systems and institutions.

Associate Professor of Political Science, Faculty of Politics and Economics / Beni Suef University- Egypt. An Expert in Chinese Politics, Sino-Israeli relationships, and Asian affairs- Visiting Senior Researcher at the Centre for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES)/ Lund University, Sweden- Director of the South and East Asia Studies Unit

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East Asia

Japan-Indian Equalizer of China’s Rise

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Image source: twitter @kishida230

The two-day visit of Japanese Minister Fumio Kishida to New Delhi on March 2023 suggests that political and geopolitical events are actively performed in the Indo-Pacific region. A military-political alliance or at least close, deep cooperation in the political, economic and military-technical areas is gradually and very systematically developing between Japan and India. The parties have a long history of connections, and we witness an incremental systematic deepening of these contacts. Now we are talking about interesting agreements in the infrastructure of the economy, trade and military-technical cooperation. It is especially worth mentioning the general military training, which is still in an air format. Still, I think it will soon be in other military cooperation areas. It has been said in commentary by Georgi Asatryan, Ph.D., political scientist, expert for ASOF (California), former associated professor for the Moscow State University, and senior lecturer for Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, political scientist Georgi Asatryan.

Of course, we need to say that India and Japan have certain competitive relations with the Asian superpower China. And in this regard, they are deepening cooperation to restrain the ambitions of a growing China. Here again, it is worth mentioning Japan’s security strategy, which was adopted in December, and as many as three key instruments were revised. This is the national security and defence strategy and the Japanese military construction program. A big part is given to cyber security, economic security, diversification of economic relations, and infrastructure relations.

And, of course, neither India nor Japan calls China an enemy or a threat. But there is an understanding that we are talking about a strategic challenge, and all this is aimed at preventing China. It is also worth noting that the USA is invisibly present in this group, and Japan has a significant agreement with the USA. In fact, it is a military alliance outside of NATO.  In January 2023, Biden and the Japanese minister met. A complete joint statement was published where it was noted that this union does not have certain borders and that the union of the USA and Japan is ready to resist any threats these countries face. And, of course, Taiwan’s sovereignty is important for Japan.

For India, this is less essential. But in any case, the parties are actively building advanced relations within international organisations such as QUAD, which includes Japan, India, Australia, and the United States. Within this framework, a particular security structure is being created in the Indo-Pacific and the Asian region, which should restrain the excessive ambitions of a growing authoritarian China. It should be noted that the Indian and Japanese leadership are achieving some success in this matter. There is quite serious progress, which is permanent and visible in all areas of relations between these countries.

The goal of India-Japan cooperation is to stabilise the Indo-Pacific region by restraining Chinese behaviour. Geography shapes their responses differently, with Japan focusing on maritime capabilities, and India on the land. There are differences, too, in the fact that fellow Quad members Japan and Australia are formal military allies of the US, while India is not. But what is shaping the new initiatives and orientations are fears of China and in this, Japan and India provide the two key lynchpins of the free and open Indo-Pacific.

In December, the Kishida government revised three key documents relating to its security perspective in the region. These were the new National Security Strategy, the National Defense Strategy and the Defense Buildup Program. Taken together, these are addressing new domains and challenges, including space, cybersecurity and economic security. The new documents said that Japan was “facing the most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II.” A major concern was that China could attempt to reunify Taiwan by force in the coming decade. Tokyo does not quite yet designate China as a “threat”, its chosen designation is “the greatest strategic challenge that Japan has ever faced.”

But perhaps the most significant development was the sentence in the Biden-Kishida joint statement January 2023 which said that not only had the alliance never been stronger but that the allies “strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion, anywhere in the world.” More than anything else, this statement marks the change in Japan’s global posture. But ties between the two on the economic front are way below their potential and India has a lot of catching up to do with China. As The Economist has pointed out, China accounted for 24 percent of Japan’s imports and 22 percent of its exports, while India accounted for 0.8 percent of Japan’s imports and 1.7 of its exports.

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Will Xi Jinping Continue the Wealth Crackdown in his Third Term?

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Of the  445 people who lost their billionaire status last year, the majority, almost 230 were from China, According to the recently released Hurun Global Rich List for 2023. Beijing’s crackdown on major tech companies which began in 2021, continues to hurt the country’s super rich. Tencent owner Ma Huateng lost three points and was placed at 31 on the list. Jack Ma Yun, founder of China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding, dropped 18 points to 52nd place from 34th a year earlier. ByteDance owner Zhang Yiming is down by 11 points alongwith CATL chairman Robin Zeng Yuqun whose worth dropped by 13 points.  Others leading Chinese entrepreneurs to drop on the superrich list included Netease CEO Ding Lei who was down 9 points and placed at 46th place tying with He Xiangjian co-founder of Midea, one of China’s largest appliance makers who fell 11 points.

Earlier this month Xi Jinping formally began his term as President for an unprecedented third time. Frustrations over lingering COVID-Zero policies, censorship, economic stagnation and hardships, led to rare yet legitimate protests in China which ultimately only led to a deepening crackdown on dissenters. Amidst increasingly antagonistic international relations, wherein Chinese companies are facing harsh scrutiny both domestically and by the US had curbed corporate enthusiasm .

Pursuit of Common Prosperity:

A central pillar of the economic miracle that took place in China in the past decade was the conscious decision to unleash the entrepreneurial energies of its business class by destigmatizing the accumulation of wealth. During the years of China’s market reforms (1978-2005) GDP rose by ten times, average wages grew six fold. By 2020 GDP per capita was averaging about $10,000 and China entered an era of wealth and prosperity. This led to a concentration of massive personal wealth. In 2020, mainland China had 626 billionaires, and the total wealth of China’s 400 richest soared to $2.11 trillion, from $1.29 trillion a year earlier. Advancements by technology brands like Alibaba, Huawei, Tencent were driving the global economy.  But the Chinese government’s business-friendly record has wavered under leader Xi Jinping and his regulatory crackdowns on private enterprise, as he pursued a campaign of ‘Common Prosperity,’  aimed at driving down inequality by spreading wealth.

The tech sector’s breakneck growth worth some $4.5 trillion exposed market behaviours that raised the eyebrows of the Chinese leadership. Xi Jingping trained his eye on China’s class of billionaire CEOs. China’s cyberspace regulator fined ride sharing app Didi Global just over $1.2 billion for violating cybersecurity and data laws. Aside from this, a personal fine of $147,000 was imposed on Didi’s chairman and CEO Cheng Wei and president Liu Qing, respectively. Didi also saw its plans to list on the New York stock exchange go up in smoke. Regulations imposed on food delivery app Meituan, eroded over $25 billion its stock value. In the financial sector China has resorted to sporadic crackdowns, on cryptocurrency, on peer to peer lending and on fintech giants. Jack Ma, once the poster boy for the rapid rise of China’s technology industry delivered a now infamous speech on October 24, 2020 criticising the government’s financial regulation, claiming that these would stifle innovation. The government responded by suspending the Ant Group’s US$37 billion IPO in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Through 2022 Tencent, which owns 17% of Meituan, was engaging with financial advisers to execute a potentially large sale of its Meituan stake. Recently the Chinese government acquired the “golden share” in units of Alibaba and Tencent Holdings, to gain decision making control.

China also used the now scrapped zero-Covid policy to invade the private spaces of the elite class. Added to the tech crackdown are global monetary tightening, COVID-19 disruptions, a complex political climate resulting in many wealthy Chinese physically relocating to other countries. Platforms such as GitHub are swarming with chat groups discussing exit from China. Singapore,  known for its tax-friendly regime, political stability, and widespread use of Mandarin has become a preferred destination. And although Japan doesn’t have the best of relations with the PRC it has welcomed wealthy Chinese with its attractive business investment visas. After his fallout with Chinese authorities Jack Ma moved to Tokyo and was only recently seen in Bangkok. Since the Jack Ma incident several CEOs like TicTok and ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming, online retailer JD.com billionaire founder Richard Liu, founder of e-commerce giant Pinduoduo Colin Huang.

Last year’s rare protests against Chinese leadership in the wake of  Xi Jinping’s imposition of a zero-Covid policy that kept many urban residents under strict lockdown were an indication of how difficult life was becoming for ordinary Chinese, to say nothing of businesses operating there. 

Growth Target set at 5%:

In 2022, the Chinese economy grew just 3%, missing its expansion goal of around 5.5% by a wide margin. Covid control policies took a heavy toll on a wide range of businesses and activities. At the National People’s Congress, the country’s annual parliamentary gathering, earlier this month a modest GDP target of 5% was announced. In his first press briefing, Chinese Premier Li Qiang,  acknowledged China won’t find it easy to meet the goal of expanding GDP by about 5% this year, as the government focuses on delivering stable prices, creating jobs and supplying ample housing. Managing director of Beijing-based boutique investment bank Chanson & Co, Shen Meng feels that the 5% goal is more reasonable as it is “more in line with downward pressures including a weakening in exports and consumption.”

But with economic indicators not looking up, the possibility of achieving the relatively conservative target of 5% growth in 2023 looks difficult. Chinese exports slid by 6.8% by January and February, and imports were down by 10.2% during the same period. Meanwhile, the yuan lost about 8% of its value against a surging dollar in 2022, the biggest annual drop since 1994. In addition to the slowing economy this is also largely due to the Federal Reserve’s aggressive rate hikes. In the past year to end-January, in China, the benchmark Shanghai Composite index lost nearly 11%. The pace of the recovery in Chinese consumer demand has not been as strong as expected.

Declining Revenues In Property Sector:

The finances of local entities are already stressed from the burdens of financing years of COVID containment. Although the Chinese government has doled out generous fiscal stimulus, property investment has dropped by 5.7%. China’s crackdown on the property market, meant that the industry shrank 5.1% in 2022. The government sensed that the property sector had become one of the biggest drags on the wider economy. Although it has recently eased funding access for many real estate companies, Moody’s Investors Service forcesats that nationwide sales are likely to decline again in 2023 due to continued sluggish demand.  Chinese conglomerate Fosun International, has total liabilities worth $90 billion, an increase of 8% from last year. Amid declining revenues from property sales, it remains to be seen how long the government coffers can float the economy.

Celebrities Under the Scanner:

Even some of China’s most popular media stars find themselves under the scanner of the  “common prosperity” campaign to correct wealth inequality. In an effort to rein in the prevailing consumption culture in China, stars like Zheng Shuang, Zhao Wei, internet celebrity Viya, find themselves facing financial penalties and even arrest as in the case of Liu Xiaoqing, one of the most famous actresses in China. Such relentless targeting of media stars who draw traffic and drive up consumption, is making merchants and brands at Alibaba and across a number of its rivals’ platforms nervous.

Tencent Holdings which has spent most of 2022 reeling from the crackdown on the technology sector has seen two quarters of falling revenues.  As authorities were focused on solving social problems like gaming addiction among the country’s youth, Tencent suffered from the lack of approval to gaming licences. Although the withholding of licences is now withdrawn, Tencent remains cautious about its posture. As if mindful of the President Xi Jingping’s posture towards technology billionaires, Tencent co-founder President Martin Lau said “We will definitely not reverse back to the relatively unrestrained development path prior to the pandemic,..We will improve efficiency in a discipline-oriented way,” at a recent media event. 

Antagonistic International Relations:

The China-U.S. has intensified, with President Joe Biden administration seeking to curb tech exports to undercut the progress of Beijing’s technological and military advances. With several Chinese companies and other organisations on the US Entity List, prohibiting them from using strategic American technologies, the crackdown on China’s chip industry is beginning to bite. A subsidiary of ByteDance TikTok which has over 150 million American users, is under greater scrutiny accentuated by the dramatic congressional hearing of its  CEO Shou Zi Chew last week.

Chinese companies are facing equally harsh scrutiny and consequences in other destinations. Amid concerns over China’s involvement in critical UK infrastructure, the UK government has removed China’s state nuclear company out of the nuclear power plant project on the Suffolk coast.  In his speech to the Lord Mayor’s Banquet, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the UK needs to evolve its approach to China and that the “golden era” of relations with China had to end as close economic ties had proved to be naive.

Xi Begins his Third Term:

After receiving a unanimous endorsement from the National People’s Congress, President Xi Jinping was re-elected as president for a third term on March 10, effectively cementing his status as the country’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong. This was a certainty after the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China elected Xi Jinping as party leader for a third term last October. But even as Xi Jinping began his unprecedented third term, the political climate in China remains uncertain. A mix of economic slump and complex policies is making the wealthy rethink their stay in the country. The drive to reign in the economic influence of China’s private sector has diminished private sector expansion and business confidence. The regulatory policies unleashed in the past two years are unlikely to be relaxed anytime soon. Speaking to delegates on March 6, he reminded business leaders of their responsibilities to adhere to the law and support “common prosperity,” clearly indicating that in the campaign to makeover the economy the wealthy might yet be unsparingly targeted. Under President Xi Jinping’s stringent wealth crackdown, there are fears of arbitrary detention, expropriation, or at the least trumped up charges. These anxieties are fueling an emigration trend among the Chinese ultrarich. It is unlikely that with the current economic slowdown the common prosperity campaign will help bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. But  meanwhile the brutal crackdown by Xi Jinping will have lasting effects and cause further damage to its economy.

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Saudi-Iran Truce: China’s Highway to Diplomatic Exploitation

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Musaad al-Aiban, a Saudi minister of state (left), and Ali Shamkhani, Iran’s secretary of the National Security Council, in Beijing. Photo: Saudi Press Agency

The time-ravaging rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia ranks below few in the assemblage of unresolvable, primeval conflicts since it is based on dogma, entwined in history, and fought through proxies throughout the Middle East. Therefore, being able to get these two arch-nemeses to sign March 10 historic agreement of truce, could potentially have colossal impacts on the world, particularly in terms of mutating China’s global image. At first, as the fog lifts, it could appear as though this development could contribute to greater stability in the region, which has been plagued by political and sectarian tensions, proxy wars, and terrorist activities in recent years. A rapprochement between both the regional major powers could most definitely lead to a reduction in hostilities and an increased focus on addressing common challenges. At the very least, a stable Middle East would be beneficial for the majority of the world especially in terms of global energy security as the region is a major oil and gas producer and exporter. Any disruptions in the production or transportation of oil and gas from the region usually has cataclysmic impacts on the global economy, particularly in energy-importing countries. As two of these are the most powerful countries in the Middle East, their toil for dominance has been felt throughout the region and beyond. However, many connoisseurs of international politics are increasingly starting to believe that China as a third-party player in this game, is set to benefit, immensely and cleverly.

China’s role in repairing the Saudi Arabia-Iran relationship could significantly enhance its own diplomatic and economic influence in the Middle Eastern region. As Beijing continues to expand its economic and political ties with countries in the region, its ability to play a constructive role in regional affairs could be further bolstered. The Chinese leadership has been quietly increasing its presence and influence in the Middle East for years, but the Saudi-Iran rivalry seems to have served the perfect opportunity for Beijing to promote its national objectives, on a silver platter. As the greatest oil consumer in the world, Beijing mainly depends on imports to meet its energy needs and with Saudi Arabia being one of its main oil suppliers, it cannot afford to ignore Iran which also boasts large oil reserves, serving as a highly crucial alternative source for energy supplies. By brokering a hostility-reduction agreement between the two countries, the Xi administration is able to influence the region’s energy environment by preserving close commercial connections with both nations. China is making significant investments in Saudi Arabian and Iranian infrastructure projects in addition to the energy sector. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, which aims to diversify the country’s economy away from oil and establish a more modern and diversified economy, has seen significant Chinese participation. China has also contributed to the development of a high-speed rail link connecting Tehran and Mashhad as well as Iran’s energy, transportation, and telecommunications industries.

Global implications of this Chinese diplomatic triumph

These investments have expanded China’s political influence as well as its economic relations with both the nations. It has been able to sway Saudi Arabian and Iranian goals and policies through economic pressure, allowing it to participate in regional politics without getting involved in their skirmishes. Nevertheless, the growing influence and presence of the dragon in the Middle Eastern region has not gone unnoticed by other world powers. Beijing’s expanding influence in the region and its potential to harm its interests have raised concerns, particularly in the United States and also in Israel. The Israeli administration has been engaged in a long-standing battle with Iran and has decided to thaw the ice with Saudi Arabia; any initiatives to ease hostilities between these two nations might be viewed as a danger to Israel’s interests. Reduction in Saudi-Iranian hostilities also serves Russia and Turkey’s purposes of gearing towards a more multipolar order in the region, a goal they desire due to their perception of the US as a geopolitical rival. In the case of India, any Chinese role in tension-reducing efforts between Saudi Arabia and Iran poses a complex and multifaceted dilemma for its interests. India’s historically violent territorial disputes with China, along with its concern about the latter’s increasingly assertive presence in South Asia, particularly its investments in countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh, are some of the main factors behind New Delhi’s apprehensions towards this Middle Eastern conundrum. Additionally, India’s close ties with the US, which has traditionally been a significant ally of Saudi Arabia and has been involved in attempts to contain disruptions in the area, make it unfavourable for the country. Any decline in US influence in the region will be perceived as a negative development for the Indian side.

Chinese mediation efforts: trust or scepticism?

Despite these concerns displayed by major powers all over the world, Beijing has continued to openly welcome the opportunity to play a role in reducing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Beijing’s professed policy of non-interference in the domestic affairs of other countries, has made it an attractive partner for other countries in the Middle Eastern region looking to reduce tensions and find peaceful solutions to various regional conflicts that persist there. From China’s perspective, its involvement in the region is driven by two main factors. First is to secure its energy needs until it finds an alternative source that makes it less dependent on the Middle East; until then at least in the short-term, its reliance on the region for energy is set to increase. Beijing’s decision to ramp up purchases of heavily discounted Russian oil, diminishing procurement of cheap Iranian oil, was met with uneasiness in the Middle Eastern oil community. This might have further influenced their decision to allow China to play the role of a broker in the Saudi-Iran dispute to regain the dragon’s trust. Second is to further promote its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the expansion of which may provide Beijing a backdoor entry into various partner countries’ political and security affairs, boosting its cover of non-interference even further. With the signing of this truce agreement, China has officially attained the peculiar role of a global peace-negotiator. It shows that Beijing is now ready to flex its economic muscle in the face of its observers as a third-party broker; its goal to reinvent the country as a world leader at the expense of the United States may be a deciding factor in the current global transition of power poles. China has used its position as both the largest consumer of Middle Eastern oil exports and the top economic partner for both nations to its advantage in mediating this dispute. What is quite straightforwardly obvious is that the Chinese government is more than willing to play the role of a mediator in situations where diffusing it serves in extending its own national objectives. Whether or not it applies to situations where its objectives stay completely unaffected, for instance, the India-Pakistan and Russia-Ukraine issues, remains to be seen. How it plays out for its own image as a regional aggressor or backyard bully, is also another matter to observe.

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