Synopsis: Anyone within range of China’s expanding navy will have to build capabilities faster and/or work more closely with the US. Introduction The article highlights how China, over the years, has strengthened its military capabilities while other countries are lacking behind. What is the defence expenditure of various countries in comparison to China? USA:… Continue reading Dominance by default: How China was handed East Asia on a platter
Tag: CHINA
China-led South Asian Initiative
Source: The Hindu Relevance: Understanding China’s strategy in undermining India’s role in South Asia Synopsis: China-led South Asian initiative feels like yet another attempt by China to create a parallel bloc in South Asia to counter India. Background Bangladesh has said that India too can join the China-led South Asian initiative for COVID-19 vaccines and… Continue reading China-led South Asian Initiative
China’s realpolitik lesson to India
Context: The well-known historian Avtar Singh Bhasin’s latest book “Nehru, Tibet and China” answers a simple question: As both India and China emerged in their current avatars at the end of the 1940s, what went wrong in relations between them and why. About the India-China war in 1962: Like other analysts, he also apportions a large share of the blame… Continue reading China’s realpolitik lesson to India
India-China standoff casts shadow on Nathu La border trade
News: The tensions between India and China has affected trade along the Nathu La. Facts: Nathu La: It is a mountain pass in the Himalayas connecting Sikkim with Chumbi Valley of the Tibetan Plateau in China. It is one of the three open trading border posts between China and India; the others being Shipkila in… Continue reading India-China standoff casts shadow on Nathu La border trade
India, China agree on 5-point plan to de-escalate LAC stand-off
News: India and China have agreed on five points to guide their approach to the situation on the Line of Actual Control(LAC). Facts: Five Points: India and China should take guidance from the consensus of the leaders on developing India-China relations including not allowing differences to become disputes. The current situation in the border areas… Continue reading India, China agree on 5-point plan to de-escalate LAC stand-off
Explained: What is the tick-borne virus spreading in China?
News: A new infectious disease called Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome(SFTS) caused by a tick-borne virus has killed seven people and infected 60 others in China. Facts: SFTS virus: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) belongs to the Bunyavirus family and is transmitted to humans through tick bites. Origin: The virus was first identified… Continue reading Explained: What is the tick-borne virus spreading in China?
China successfully launches first Mars mission
News: China has successfully launched a Mars mission called Tianwen-1. Facts: Tianwen-1 mission: It is China’s first Mars exploration mission.The name comes from the long poem “Tianwen,” meaning Questions to Heaven. Objectives: The mission was launched to fulfil three objectives: To orbit the red planet for comprehensive observation. To land on Martian soil and send… Continue reading China successfully launches first Mars mission
China makes new claim in eastern border with Bhutan
News: China has made territorial claims over Sakteng wildlife sanctuary in eastern Bhutan at an online meeting of the Global Environment Facility(GEF). Facts: Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary: It is located in Trashigang District, Eastern Bhutan. It is listed as a tentative site in Bhutan’s Tentative List for UNESCO inclusion. The sanctuary represents the easternmost temperate ecosystems… Continue reading China makes new claim in eastern border with Bhutan
China launches last satellite for its BeiDou Navigation Satellite System
News: China has successfully launched the last satellite of its BeiDou Navigation Satellite System(BDS). Facts: BeiDou Navigation Satellite System(BDS): It is a Chinese satellite navigation system. Type: Military and commercial Coverage: Global Total satellites: 35 (2020) Additional Facts: Global Navigation Satellite System: GPS (US), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (EU), BeiDou (China). Additionally, there are two regional… Continue reading China launches last satellite for its BeiDou Navigation Satellite System
The pangolin: can the protection upgrade by China curb its trafficking?
News: China has accorded the pangolin the highest level of protection and removed the scales of the Pangolin from its list of approved traditional medicines. Facts: Pangolin: They are scaly anteater mammals of the order Pholidota.They have large, protective keratin scales covering their skin and they are the only known mammals with this feature. Habitat:… Continue reading The pangolin: can the protection upgrade by China curb its trafficking?
8 countries form alliance to counter China
News: Senior lawmakers from eight countries have launched the Inter parliamentary Alliance on China(IPAC). Facts: IPAC is an international cross-party group of legislators working towards reform on how democratic countries approach China. Aim: To help counter the threat China’s growing influence poses to global trade, security and human rights. Participating Countries: U.S, Germany, U.K, Japan,… Continue reading 8 countries form alliance to counter China
Chinese troops makes slight retreat at Galwan Valley before crucial meet
News: Indian and Chinese troops have backed off slightly from Galwan river Valley ahead of crucial Lieutenant General level talks. Facts: Galwan River: It flows from the disputed Aksai Chin region to Ladakh of India. Origin: It originates in the area of Samzungling on the eastern side of the Karakoram range and flows west to… Continue reading Chinese troops makes slight retreat at Galwan Valley before crucial meet
Depsang tensions echo 2013 standoff
News: The tensions between India and China have increased after reports of a heavy Chinese presence at Depsang Plains. Facts: Depsang Plains: It is an area at a crucial dip (called the Bulge) on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Controlled by: India controls the western portion of the plains as part of Ladakh whereas… Continue reading Depsang tensions echo 2013 standoff
China to set up 1,124 MW power project in PaK under CPEC
News: China will be setting up a Kohala hydropower project in Pakistan occupied Kashmir(PoK) under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Facts: Kohala hydropower project: It is a 1,124-megawatt power project to be built on the Jhelum river.It is intended to provide more than five billion units of clean and low-cost electricity annually for consumers in Pakistan.… Continue reading China to set up 1,124 MW power project in PaK under CPEC
Indian and Chinese troops clash in Sikkim, Ladakh
News:Indian and Chinese troops have clashed at two points along the Line of Actual Control(LAC) namely at the Naku La Pass and Pangong Tso lake. Facts: Naku La Pass:It is a pass in Sikkim at an altitude of more than 5,000 metres above the mean sea level. Pangong Tso Lake:It is a long narrow landlocked… Continue reading Indian and Chinese troops clash in Sikkim, Ladakh
China’s new large rocket makes maiden flight
News:China has successfully launched the Long March 5B’ rocket and its prototype spacecraft from the Wenchang launch site in the southern island of Hainan,China. Facts: Long March 5B: It is a new version of the Long March 5 launcher, China’s most powerful rocket designed to: Transport astronauts to the permanent space station that China plans… Continue reading China’s new large rocket makes maiden flight
China tests state-run digital currency in 4 cities amid pandemic
News:China has started testing its digital currency named e- RMB in four major Chinese cities. Facts: e-RMB is set to be the first digital currency operated by a major economy. People’s Bank of China (PBOC), the country’s central bank will be the sole issuer of the digital currency. This is part of China’s Digital Currency… Continue reading China tests state-run digital currency in 4 cities amid pandemic
Study on China dams brings the Brahmaputra into focus
News:A US backed study has highlighted the impact of China’s dams on the Mekong river (known as Lancang river in China) and countries downstream.This has also raised questions on whether dams being built by China on Brahmaputra river may similarly impact countries downstream. Facts: The study was published by the Sustainable Infrastructure Partnership in Bangkok… Continue reading Study on China dams brings the Brahmaputra into focus
China may have conducted low-level nuclear test, US claims
News:The United States has claimed that China may have conducted a low level zero yield nuclear test. Facts: Zero yield: It refers to a nuclear test in which there is no explosive chain reaction of the type ignited by the detonation of a nuclear warhead. Additional Facts: Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) It is a multilateral… Continue reading China may have conducted low-level nuclear test, US claims
China assumes presidency of UN Security Council for March 2020
News:China has taken over as president of the UN Security Council for the month of March 2020. Facts: UN Security Council (UNSC): The UN Security Council was established by the UN Charter in 1945.It is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations. The other 5 organs of the United Nations are—the General… Continue reading China assumes presidency of UN Security Council for March 2020
Explained:Hubei Province
News:Hubei province has been the epicentre of the outbreak of COVID-2019 (the disease caused by the novel coronavirus). Facts: About Hubei Province: Hubei is a landlocked province in Central China. The name of the province means north of the lake referring to its position north of Dongting Lake. The capital of the province is Wuhan… Continue reading Explained:Hubei Province
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is illegal:India
News:Indian Government has said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC),a flagship project of the Belt and Road initiative(BRI) is illegal as it impinges the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India. Facts: About CPEC: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC) is the flagship project of the multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI),a pet project of Chinese President. It… Continue reading China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is illegal:India
US removes designation of China as currency manipulator
News:The US has removed China as a currency manipulator as the two countries are preparing to sign a trade deal. Facts: About Currency manipulator: Currency manipulation happens when governments try to artificially tweak the exchange rate to gain an unfair advantage in trade. US defines currency manipulation as when countries deliberately influence the exchange rate… Continue reading US removes designation of China as currency manipulator
India, China to intensify boundary settlement
News:India and China have agreed to intensify efforts to find a mutually acceptable solution to their border dispute and work on more Confidence Building measures(CBMs) to maintain peace and tranquillity along the frontier. Facts: About India-China Border: The border between India and China is not clearly demarcated throughout.Along certain stretches of its 3,488-km length,there is… Continue reading India, China to intensify boundary settlement
Macau celebrates 20 years of China rule
News:Macau is celebrating the 20th Anniversary since the former Portuguese colony was returned to China. Facts: About Macao: Macau is a special administrative region of China.It is an example of One Country,Two Systems. It is situated on the south-east coast of China near the mouth of the Pearl River.It is 60 kilometres from Hong Kong.… Continue reading Macau celebrates 20 years of China rule
Power of Siberia gas pipeline cements China-Russia bond
News:Chinese President and Russian President have inaugurated the “Power of Siberia” gas pipeline. Facts: About the Gas Pipeline: Power of Serbia is the first cross-border gas pipeline between Russia and China. The central aim of this gas pipeline is to pump natural gas to China and Russia’s far-east regions. Under this pipeline project,Russia will deliver… Continue reading Power of Siberia gas pipeline cements China-Russia bond
Explained: What ‘leaked’ documents say about China’s Uighur detention camps
News:According to leaked Chinese government documents,there was a clampdown on Uighurs and other Muslims in the country’s western Xinjiang region. Facts: Who are the Uighurs? The Uighurs are mostly Muslims and number about 11 million in western China’s Xinjiang region. They see themselves as culturally and ethnically close to Central Asian nations, and their language… Continue reading Explained: What ‘leaked’ documents say about China’s Uighur detention camps
Explained:How China proposes to treat Alzheimer’s with new drug
News:Recently,China has approved the world’s first multi-targeting and carbohydrate-based drug GV-971 for Alzheimer’s disease. Facts: About Drug GV-971: The drug has been extracted from brown algae and can treat mild to moderate forms of Alzheimer’s disease and improve cognition. It is the world’s first multi targeting drug.The drug can be taken orally by the patients.… Continue reading Explained:How China proposes to treat Alzheimer’s with new drug
African Swine Fever(ASF) and China
News:China is witnessing rise in pork prices because of the rampant spread of African Swine Fever (ASF). Facts: About African Swine Fever(ASF): African swine fever(ASF) is a highly contagious hemorrhagic viral disease of domestic and wild pigs which is responsible for serious economic and production losses. It is caused by a large DNA virus of… Continue reading African Swine Fever(ASF) and China
Explained: Why China’s growth has slowed to a record low
News:According to China’s National Bureau of Statistics,the Chinese economy grew by just 6% in the third quarter of the current calendar year. Facts: China’s growth slowdown China’s growth rate has been slowing down since the global financial crisis of 2008-09. However,China had recovered quickly and got back to double-digit growth in 2010-11 but since then… Continue reading Explained: Why China’s growth has slowed to a record low
Nepal, China ink road connectivity deal
News:Chinese President is on a visit to Nepal. Facts: Key takeaways from the visit: India and China have decided to construct a 70-km (42-mile) rail link which will connect the Gyiron in Tibet with Nepal’s capital city of Kathmandu. A 28-km Kerung-Kathmandu road tunnel is also proposed to halve the distance between Kathmandu and Chinese… Continue reading Nepal, China ink road connectivity deal
Modi-Xi summit
News:The second informal summit between the Indian Prime Minister and Chinese President will be held in Mamallapuram,Tamil Nadu. Facts: About Mamallapuram: Mamallapuram also known as Seven Pagodas of Mahabalipuram is a town in Chengalpattu district in the southeastern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.It was one of two major port cities during Pallava rule. The town… Continue reading Modi-Xi summit
Informal Summits
News:Chinese President’s proposed visit to India for the second Informal Summit is scheduled to take place in the Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu on October 11-12. Facts: About Informal summit: Informal Summits act as supplementary exchanges to annual Summits and other formal exchanges such as the G20 Summit, EU-India Summit and the BRICS Summit among others.… Continue reading Informal Summits
Pangong Tso lake
News:Indian and Chinese Army soldiers were engaged in a face-off near the northern bank of Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh. Facts: About Pangong Tso lake: Pangong Tso is a long narrow landlocked lake situated at a height of more than 14,000 ft in the Ladakh Himalayas. The brackish water lake freezes over in winter and… Continue reading Pangong Tso lake
Chinese trawlers in southern Indian Ocean worry India
News:According to a report,there has been a huge increase in Chinese deep-sea fishing trawlers in the southern Indian Ocean. Facts: In the last four years,on an average at least 500 Chinese trawlers were present in the region and around 32000 incidents were recorded per year. However,the trawlers were not in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)… Continue reading Chinese trawlers in southern Indian Ocean worry India
India-China Strategic Economic Dialogue
News:The 6th India-China Strategic Economic Dialogue(SED) will be held in New Delhi from 7-9 September 2019. Facts: About the Strategic Economic Dialogue: India-China Strategic Economic Dialogue is a bilateral dialogue platform between the Niti Aayog and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of China. The idea of having such a dialogue was first floated… Continue reading India-China Strategic Economic Dialogue
China lodges case at WTO against US import duties
China has lodged a case against the United States with the World Trade Organization(WTO) over U.S. import duties. The move was taken after the United States began imposing 15% tariffs on a variety of Chinese goods, including footwear, smart watches, and flat-panel televisions. China has said that the latest tariff actions by US has violated… Continue reading China lodges case at WTO against US import duties
Mamallapuram to host Narendra Modi-Xi Jinping meeting in October
The second informal summit between the Indian Prime Minister and Chinese President will be held in Mamallapuram,Tamil Nadu in October,2019. During the summit,the leaders are likely to make a visit to the ancient monuments that have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This summit will also mark the completion of 70 years since… Continue reading Mamallapuram to host Narendra Modi-Xi Jinping meeting in October
India to become largest importer of coking coal by 2025, says Fitch Solutions
According to a Fitch report,India will overtake China as the largest importer of coking coal by 2025. The report has forecasted that India’s coking coal consumption will grow at an annual average rate of 5.4% between 2019 and 2028 due to robust expansion in steel production in the country. However,China will continue to account for… Continue reading India to become largest importer of coking coal by 2025, says Fitch Solutions
UK joins France and Germany to express concern over South China Sea tensions
UK, France and Germany have expressed concern over prevailing South China Sea situation. This statement came after Chinese and Vietnamese coast guard vessels are engaged in a standoff in South China sea over a lucrative oil blocks claimed by Vietnam near its coast. The three countries have also said that the legal framework set out… Continue reading UK joins France and Germany to express concern over South China Sea tensions
Shaheen VIII
Pakistan and China are conducting joint bilateral aerial exercise named Shaheen VIII. The exercise is being conducted at Chinese city of Holton which is close to the Indian border near Ladakh. This is the eight edition of this aerial exercise which is conducted annually by both the countries. The exercise is aimed at developing a… Continue reading Shaheen VIII
China’s new drug law may open door for Indian generic medicines: Report
China has passed a revised drug law.The revised drug law removes drugs that are legal in foreign countries but not approved in China from the category of fake medicines. The revised law will also mean that residents who use the drugs without official approval can be granted leniency if the amount of the drug is… Continue reading China’s new drug law may open door for Indian generic medicines: Report
G7 Summit: signs of hope as Donald Trump says U.S.-China trade talks are on
The Group of Seven(G7) summit was held in Biarritz,France.During the summit,US President has said the US and China will be resuming trade talks shortly. The US and China are negotiating a trade deal that would end the trade war between both the countries that has been escalating since last year. Trade war is a situation… Continue reading G7 Summit: signs of hope as Donald Trump says U.S.-China trade talks are on
IMF warns against rate cuts, currency intervention to improve trade balance
The International Monetary Fund(IMF) has warned the United States and China that higher bilateral tariffs are unlikely to reduce aggregate trade imbalances as they mainly divert trade to other countries. Instead,they are likely to harm both domestic and global growth by affecting business confidence and investment and disrupting global supply chains. The IMF has also… Continue reading IMF warns against rate cuts, currency intervention to improve trade balance
Cost is key: Chinese space firm revs up for reusable rocket race
China’s private space startup Linkspace has successfully launched a reusable rocket named RLV-T5(NewLine Baby). Reusable Launch Vehicle is a launch system that is capable of launching a payload into space more than once. The new rocket has other advantages as well such as low test cost and a capability of rapid iteration. The launch also… Continue reading Cost is key: Chinese space firm revs up for reusable rocket race
Ahead of Jaishankar’s Beijing visit, India tells China to avoid commenting on Ladakh
Ministry of External Affairs has asserted that Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill 2019 is an internal matter of India. This statement came after China had objected to the creation of the Union Territory of Ladakh and said it undermined its sovereignty. The Central Government has revoked provisions of Article 370 which granted special status to… Continue reading Ahead of Jaishankar’s Beijing visit, India tells China to avoid commenting on Ladakh
China vows to counter U.S. deployment of intermediate-range missiles in Asia
China has warned the United States that it would take countermeasures if the US goes ahead with its plans to deploy ground-based missiles in the Asia Pacific region. This statement came after US Defense Secretary has said that the US was now free to deploy the weapons following its withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces(INF)… Continue reading China vows to counter U.S. deployment of intermediate-range missiles in Asia
US says China manipulates yuan. What does that mean, how is it done?
The US Treasury Department has declared China as a currency manipulator.This move comes after China allowed the yuan to suddenly depreciate or lose value relative to the dollar. In retaliation,the US has also announced that it would approach the International Monetary Fund(IMF) to eliminate the unfair competitive advantage created by China’s latest actions. Foreign Exchange… Continue reading US says China manipulates yuan. What does that mean, how is it done?
China warns India of ‘reverse sanctions’ if Huawei is blocked
China has warned India not to stop its Huawei Technologies from doing business in the country otherwise Indian firms operating in China may face trouble. This statement came after India has planned to establish 5G cellular network in the country but has not decided whether to open the trials to Huawei. The US administration has… Continue reading China warns India of ‘reverse sanctions’ if Huawei is blocked
United States designates China a “currency manipulator”
The US has officially designated China as a currency manipulator.This decision was taken after China’s central bank allowed the yuan to weaken in retaliation for new US tariffs. A weaker yuan makes Chinese exports more competitive or cheaper to buy with foreign currencies. The US Treasury department defines currency manipulation as when countries deliberately influence… Continue reading United States designates China a “currency manipulator”
