China
The EU risks losing the contest for influence in Central Asia
Author: Donaev Mukhammadsodik, OSCE Academy
The EU and China have become more dynamic players in Central Asia since the United States withdrew from Afghanistan and Russia started losing its geopolitical reputation following its invasion of Ukraine. While Russia’s regional influence is gradually being replaced by China’s presence, the EU should adjust its strategy. Otherwise, the EU’s plans for closer connectivity with Central Asia will exist only on paper.
After the grandiose Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in Samarkand in September 2022, several summits were held to further EU–Central Asian connectivity. The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, visited Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in October. Chinese President Xi Jinping also visited these countries — his first foreign visit since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
EU delegates, who have been making more frequent visits to Central Asia, often criticise China’s active engagement in the region. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated during her last visit to Uzbekistan that ‘Germany does not threaten the sovereignty and integrity of the state by giving ‘tricky’ loans, but wants to establish partnerships on equal terms, honesty and transparency. When it comes to investment and loans, the EU does not assume subordination, and involvement in the sphere of influence unlike others’.
The EU claims that it is the biggest investor in Central Asia. But it is the largest investor in Kazakhstan only, which is the biggest economy in the region, and most European investment there has been directed towards the energy sector. Kazakhstan is considered less dependent on China compared to other countries in Central Asia. Although China was not among the top five investors in Kazakhstan in 2021–22, it is still the country’s biggest trading partner.
The other four countries in Central Asia have received most of their FDI from China. China’s investment in the region has been more diverse than Europe’s. According to statistical reports in 2021, China’s investment in Uzbekistan reached US$2.2 billion. This was followed by Russia — US$2.1 billion — and Turkey — US$1.18 billion. China’s investment in Tajikistan accounted for about 62 per cent of total inward FDI. As for Kyrgyzstan, 27 per cent of FDI was from China. There are no exact statistics for Turkmenistan, but according to some sources, China remained the biggest investor in 2021. As Chinese businesses steadily enter many sectors such as telecommunications, industry, manufacturing, construction and services, the influence of Chinese companies is becoming ubiquitous.
For China, Central Asia is an important geopolitical location and transport corridor. The China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway project is also expected to boost connectivity. China is not a member of the Paris Club — meaning it does not share information about its official loans to other countries — and is also known for ‘debt trap’ diplomacy. Because of this, loans and investments from China worry the intellectual elites of Central Asia.
Due to fears of economic dependence and China’s actions towards the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang, anti-Chinese sentiment has been growing, and several protests have occurred in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Such protests are usually ignored and sometimes stopped with force because of strong diplomatic ties with China.
Central Asia does not want to disappoint either side and maintains equal diplomatic ties with the East and West. Uzbekistan reached a US$15 billion agreement with China in September 2022, and also cooperated closely with the EU to increase its export capabilities.
The same goes for Kazakhstan, whose relationship with China is at an ‘unprecedented level’. During Xi’s visit, both countries affirmed to respect and support each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. But Kazakhstan also agreed to step up its relations with the EU during a meeting of the Cooperation Council in Luxembourg on 20 June 2022.
The EU’s attempt to connect more with Central Asia is an opportunity for Central Asian states to cooperate with a ‘neutral and experienced’ partner to improve their economic situation and diversify political relations. The EU also provides a good example to Central Asia of a successful model of regional integration. Diversifying their relations and keeping a balance of power is important for both Central Asia and the EU — depending on just one partner in any sector comes at a heavy cost, as the energy crisis in both…
China
Is journalist Vicky Xu preparing to return to China?
Chinese social media influencers have recently claimed that prominent Chinese-born Australian journalist Vicky Xu had posted a message saying she planned to return to China.
There is no evidence for this. The source did not provide evidence to support the claim, and Xu herself later confirmed to AFCL that she has no such plans.
Currently working as an analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, or ASPI, Xu has previously written for both the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, or ABC, and The New York Times.
A Chinese language netizen on X initially claimed on March 31 that the changing geopolitical relations between Sydney and Beijing had caused Xu to become an expendable asset and that she had posted a message expressing a strong desire to return to China. An illegible, blurred photo of the supposed message accompanied the post.
This claim was retweeted by a widely followed influencer on the popular Chinese social media site Weibo one day later, who additionally commented that Xu was a “traitor” who had been abandoned by Australian media.
Following the publication of an ASPI article in 2021 which exposed forced labor conditions in Xinjiang co-authored by Xu, the journalist was labeled “morally bankrupt” and “anti-China” by the Chinese state owned media outlet Global Times and subjected to an influx of threatening messages and digital abuse, eventually forcing her to temporarily close several of her social media accounts.
AFCL found that neither Xu’s active X nor LinkedIn account has any mention of her supposed return to China, and received the following response from Xu herself about the rumor:
“I can confirm that I don’t have plans to go back to China. I think if I do go back I’ll most definitely be detained or imprisoned – so the only career I’ll be having is probably going to be prison labor or something like that, which wouldn’t be ideal.”
Neither a keyword search nor reverse image search on the photo attached to the original X post turned up any text from Xu supporting the netizens’ claims.
Translated by Shen Ke. Edited by Shen Ke and Malcolm Foster.
Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) was established to counter disinformation in today’s complex media environment. We publish fact-checks, media-watches and in-depth reports that aim to sharpen and deepen our readers’ understanding of current affairs and public issues. If you like our content, you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Read the rest of this article here >>> Is journalist Vicky Xu preparing to return to China?
China
Guide for Foreign Residents: Obtaining a Certificate of No Criminal Record in China
Foreign residents in China can request a criminal record check from their local security bureau. This certificate may be required for visa applications or job opportunities. Requirements and procedures vary by city. In Shanghai, foreigners must have lived there for 180 days with a valid visa to obtain the certificate.
Foreign residents living in China can request a criminal record check from the local security bureau in the city in which they have lived for at least 180 days. Certificates of no criminal record may be required for people leaving China, or those who are starting a new position in China and applying for a new visa or residence permit. Taking Shanghai as an example, we outline the requirements for obtaining a China criminal record check.
Securing a Certificate of No Criminal Record, often referred to as a criminal record or criminal background check, is a crucial step for various employment opportunities, as well as visa applications and residency permits in China. Nevertheless, navigating the process can be a daunting task due to bureaucratic procedures and language barriers.
In this article, we use Shanghai as an example to explore the essential information and steps required to successfully obtain a no-criminal record check. Requirements and procedures may differ in other cities and counties in China.
Note that foreigners who are not currently living in China and need a criminal record check to apply for a Chinese visa must obtain the certificate from their country of residence or nationality, and have it notarized by a Chinese embassy or consulate in that country.
Foreigners who have a valid residence permit and have lived in Shanghai for at least 180 days can request a criminal record check in the city. This means that the applicant will also need to currently have a work, study, or other form of visa or stay permit that allows them to live in China long-term.
If a foreigner has lived in another part of China and is planning to or has recently moved to Shanghai, they will need to request a criminal record check in the place where they previously spent at least 180 days.
There are two steps to obtaining a criminal record certificate in Shanghai: requesting the criminal record check from the Public Security Bureau (PSB) and getting the resulting Certificate of No Criminal Record notarized by an authorized notary agency.
This article is republished from China Briefing. Read the rest of the original article.
China Briefing is written and produced by Dezan Shira & Associates. The practice assists foreign investors into China and has done since 1992 through offices in Beijing, Tianjin, Dalian, Qingdao, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Suzhou, Guangzhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. Please contact the firm for assistance in China at china@dezshira.com.
China
China Unveils Plan to Upgrade Industrial Equipment
China unveiled a comprehensive action plan for upgrading industrial equipment, with a focus on driving technological innovation and economic growth. The plan, released on April 9, 2024, aims to enhance competitiveness and sustainability within the manufacturing sector through extensive investment and regulatory support.
China announced an ambitious action plan for industrial equipment upgrading, which aims to drive technological innovation and economic growth through extensive investment and regulatory support.
On April 9, 2024, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and six other departments jointly released a notice introducing the Implementation Plan for Promoting Equipment Renewal in the Industrial Sector (hereafter referred to as the “action plan”).
Finalized earlier on March 23, 2024, this comprehensive action plan addresses critical issues related to technological innovation and economic development. It reflects China’s proactive stance in enhancing competitiveness and sustainability within its manufacturing sector. The initiative underscores the recognition of industrial equipment upgrading as a top policy priority.
The scope of China’s action plan to upgrade industrial equipment in manufacturing, is extensive, covering various aspects such as:
In line with China’s ambitious goals for industrial modernization and sustainable development, the action plan outlines several key objectives aimed at driving substantial advancements in the industrial sector by 2027.
These objectives encompass a wide range of areas, from increasing investment to enhancing digitalization and promoting innovation, including:
The objectives and key actions proposed in the action plan are summarized below.
This article is republished from China Briefing. Read the rest of the original article.
China Briefing is written and produced by Dezan Shira & Associates. The practice assists foreign investors into China and has done since 1992 through offices in Beijing, Tianjin, Dalian, Qingdao, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Suzhou, Guangzhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. Please contact the firm for assistance in China at china@dezshira.com.
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