In the margins of 2 Sessions
As usual, press conferences of delegates and members of the government were held during the parliamentary session. The ones that attracted the most attention this year were: a conference with the participation of the fresh minister abroad affairs and a conference with the participation of the fresh Prime Minister.
The fresh head of the Ministry of abroad Affairs, Qin Gang (chin. 秦刚) first met with media representatives on 1 January.
Qin utilized this chance to present the position of the Ministry and the Chinese government on many essential issues. Among another things, he said:
– about modernization in Chinese style: It is simply a proposal to solve many of the problems faced by a society that breaks the story that ‘modernisation’ is the same as ‘westernisation’. It is becoming an attractive model for many developing countries. The characteristics of this modernization are:
- independence and self-determination,
- the welfare of people as a priority,
- peaceful development,
- openness and integration,
- Unity
- A fight for a better tomorrow.
This is simply a model for strengthening global cooperation for peace, justice and progress.
– About China-Russia relations: Both countries have embarked on the way of strategically understood common trust and friendly relations, creating a fresh model of global relations. Chinese-Russian relations are based on not engaging in opposing blocs (political, military), refraining from confrontation and aggression against any 3rd party, which means that they do not pose a threat to any country in the world, without being disturbed or provoked by external forces. The more turbulent the planet will be, the more unchangeable Chinese-Russian relations will be.
– About China-US relations: The United States announces that they will “win” with China, but declare at the same time that they are not striving for conflict. Meanwhile, the alleged “competition” from the United States is simply a comprehensive hold-up and suppression, a zero-sum game. This is like erstwhile 2 runners race, but 1 of them fouls, which is unfair. If the United States "does not step on the brake" and continues to follow the incorrect path, no substance how many barriers, conflict and confrontation cannot be avoided. Who will endure the consequences of specified a disaster? The United States is gambling. The application of sanctions, repression, will not make America great, nor will it halt China's development. China hopes that the U.S. government will halt fueling the anxiety of “growing threats”, abandoning the cold-war mentality and zero-sum concepts, fulfill its commitments – gathering with China halfway to work out what will be beneficial for both countries and the world.
– about Taiwan: The minister quoted a passage from the Constitution of the PRC (中华人民共和国宪法): “Taiwan is part of the territory of the People's Republic of China. It is the sacred work of the full Chinese people, including the Taiwanese people, to carry out the large issue of unification. Taiwan is simply a substance of China and no abroad country has the right to interfere with it." China will proceed to make all effort to bring about peaceful union of its homeland. At the same time, they leave the chance to take all essential measures provided for by the Anti-Secession Act. In the event of a violation, China will act in accordance with its constitution and law. No 1 should underestimate the determination, will and ability of the Chinese government and nation to defend China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Taiwan is the core of Chinese interests, the foundation of Chinese-American relations and a red line that cannot be crossed in common relations.
The United States bears full work for the emergence of a "Taiwan problem" in the common relationship. The U.S. has repeatedly been called upon not to interfere in Chinese home affairs. The question arises: why are the United States talking about respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity in Ukraine, but not respecting China's sovereignty and territorial integrity in Taiwan's context? Why have they been selling arms to Taiwan for a long time, demanding that China not supply arms to Russia? This is completely contrary to the agreements concluded between the powers. The United States should halt “confronting China with Taiwan”, usage the “Taiwan Charter” against China, and return to the first knowing of the “one China” principle.
– about the crisis in Ukraine: The war in Ukraine was a tragedy to avoid. The lesson is painful and worthy of deep reflection. It is not China that has led to this crisis, they are not organization to it, they do not supply weapons to any active parties to the conflict. Why, then, is China blamed, sanctioned and threatened? We'll never accept it! China makes its own judgement of what is happening in Ukraine and makes independent decisions, based on the essence and facts. China has presented its 12-point position and the way to peace. Having a choice between war and peace, we chose peace; between sanctions and dialogue, we chose dialogue; between adding fuel to the fire and lowering the temperature of conflict we chose the latter. The crisis in Ukraine has reached a critical moment: either a ceasefire will be established to reconstruct peace and enter the way of a political agreement, or there will be the addition of oil to fire, the expansion of the crisis and the anticipation of losing control. Conflicts, sanctions and pressures will not solve the problem. Peace, reason and dialog are needed and peace talks should begin as shortly as possible. The legitimate concerns of all parties regarding safety should be respected in order to find a way to accomplish long-term peace and stableness in Europe.
– On the Indo-Pacific strategy of the United States: There is no agreement to make an Asian-Pacific mutation of the NATO Pact. No cold war or confrontation can take place in Asia. There is no agreement to replicate the Ukrainian crisis.
– about maintaining the alleged "wild" Chinese diplomacy style: The minister quoted Confucius’s saying, which best fits the situation: “Reply with good, to good. On complaint – honesty. Why should you respond to evil with good?" (以德报德,以直报怨。以德报怨,何以报德).
Who describes Chinese diplomacy as “a wolf” does not realize China and Chinese diplomacy, ignore facts, or follow hidden motives. Chinese diplomacy has good will, but erstwhile “wolves” stand in the way and attack, Chinese diplomats must “dance with wolves” to defend their homes and country.
– on China-EU relations:they are based on common strategical interests, independent elections, not shaped, dependent or subject to 3rd organization interests. China always sees the EU as a comprehensive strategical partner and supports European integration.
Most of the conference was devoted to China-US, China- Taiwan relations and conflict in Ukraine. Before the press conference in abroad media, the questions were asked: "China with America or Russia?".
Minister Qin Gang gave a clear answer to this question, speaking small about relations with Russia, but much about the United States formulating a conviction full of hard rhetoric.
Source:
1 https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/wjbzhd/202303/t20230307_11037046.shtml
Real property traffic
January figures indicate that after a long break the sale of housing in the cities of the first ellipse (Pekin, Shanghai, Canton and Shenzhen) began. Housing prices in the primary marketplace increased by 1% m/m on average and in the secondary marketplace by 2% m/m on average. There are many indications that, after last year's collapse, the real property sector is starting to grow.
Source:
1https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_21945141
Crossing borders
More and more Chinese banks accept mortgage applications that make up people over 65 years old. To date, 65 years was the advanced limit of the age of applying for a mortgage.1 It seems that banks are surpassing the current age limit of the borrower. In Chinese media you can find mortgage offers for people over 70, 80, and even those over 85. All this to revive credit (in line with current state policies stimulating the real property sector) and address housing demand.2
Source:
1 https://www.nbd.com.cn/articles/2023-02-15/2670520.html
2 https://hznews.hangzhou.com.cn/jingji/content/2023-02/14/content_8470392.htm
Warehouses
The Danish company A.P. Møller-Mærsk A/S inaugurated in the Shanghai work free region LinGang (chin. 临港新片区) the construction of the first intelligent (smart), "green", multi-modal warehouse to become a model warehouse of this type. 150,000 m facility2 will be full automated, intelligent and equipped with AS/RS. The investment cost is RMB 1 billion (about PLN 642,18 million). The warehouse will be commissioned in the 3rd 4th of 2024.
A.P. Møller-Mærsk A/S is simply a Danish conglomerate more known as Maersk. It operates in various business sectors, mainly in the field of transport and energy. It is 1 of the largest container operators in the world. A.P. Møller-Mærsk A/S is based in Copenhagen, with subsidiaries and branches in more than 135 countries worldwide, employing about 120 000 employees.
Source:
1 https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_21930205
Bonds down
For 5 months in 2022 in a row, China sold out US government treasury bonds.1 A full of US$173.2 billion (about PLN769.16 billion) was sold. In December 2022 China abandoned US bonds worth USD 3.1 billion (about PLN 13.77 billion), which made China own US bonds worth USD 867.1 billion (about PLN 3.85 trillion) at the end of last year. This is the lowest value of American debt in China in 12 years. Despite bond sales, China is inactive the second largest abroad creditor in the United States after Japan. As the last fewer months show, China is increasingly eager to finance the debt of the US government.
Source:
1 https://new.qq.com/rain/a/20230207A05Z4Y00
https://api3.cls.cn/share/article/268540?os=web&sv=698
Deposits/savings
According to the People's Bank of China (中国人民银行) data, the largest deposits were collected at the banks of GuangDong state at the end of 2022. Their value was 32.23 trillion RMB (about 20.10 trillion PLN), or 7 times the GDP of Poland, with 3 times the population. It is the only Chinese state in which the savings of companies, institutions and individuals exceeded the level of 30 trillion RMB.1
The second place in this category was the state of JiangSu (21.87 trillion RMB – ca.14.00 trillion PLN), and the 3rd was Beijing (21.86 trillion RMB / c.13.93 trillion PLN).
Data: People's Bank of China (中国人民银行) and its branches
The lowest savings were collected in provinces:
- NingXia (846.53 billion RMB / approx. PLN543.78 billion),
- QingHai (762.17 billion RMB / approx.PLN489.50 billion),
- Tibet (636.12 billion RMB / approx. PLN 408,54 billion).
The size of deposits in different provinces is mostly correlated with the size of their economies. The higher GDP, the higher their balance.
Data: People's Bank of China (中国人民银行) and its branches
Greatest savings per capita At the end of 2022, residents gathered:
- Beijing (267 800 RMB, or ca. 172,025 PLN),
- Shanghai (211 600 RMB, c.135 932 PLN),
- Province Zhejiang (127 400 RMB, approx.81 842 PLN),
- JiangSu state (107 200 RMB, approx.68 865 PLN) and
- ShanXi (94 800 RMB, approx. 60 901 PLN).
In turn, they gathered the least in the form of deposited savings residents:
- Tibet (37 200 RMB, approx. PLN 23 893),
- Guizhou (42 400 RMB, approx.27 106 PLN),
- YuNan (46 200 RMB, approx. PLN 29 675),
- GuangXi (47 000 RMB, ca.
- QingHai (57 800 RMB, approx.37 133 PLN).
In addition to the correlation between GDP and deposits, the population, per capita disposable income, or the tendency to save, besides plays an crucial role.
From a macro point of view, the advanced level of deposits at low consumption is an crucial problem. A greater tendency to spend (less concern about the future) is an apparent driver for the economy.
Source:
1https://finance.sina.com.cn/wm/2023-02-15/doc-imyfuraq9154598.shtml
Author: 梁安基 Andrzej Z. Liang, 上海 Shanghai, 中国 China
Email: [email protected]
Editorial: Leszek B.
Email: [email protected]
© China: Facts, Events, Opinions – www.chiny24.com
