logo
China's annual political meetings feature minority delegates in tribal finery with a message - International

China's annual political meetings feature minority delegates in tribal finery with a message - International

Al-Ahram Weekly10-03-2025

Every year in early March, China's rubber-stamp legislature and its advisory body gather to hear speeches and hold discussions in the capital, Beijing.
In contrast to the long and monotonous sessions, a bustling scene unfolds outside the Great Hall of the People in the heart of Beijing, where ethnic minority delegations from far-flung provinces pose for photographs donning their finest traditional costumes.
Jangly silver headdresses and elaborate embroidery work, felt hats and long, layered skirts in a kaleidoscope of colors draw attention in stark contrast to the drab business suits, routinely dark grey with conservative ties or bows.
It's a visual display of one of the purported ruling concepts of the Chinese Communist Party, that all 56 ethnic groups in the nation are equal. Yet, the majority Han group has dominated politics and the economy going back thousands of years and continues to do so, making up about 92% of the population.
The vast majority of minority delegates come from mountainous and border areas, such as Yunnan, Guangxi, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia and Tibet. While some names may be familiar, such as Uyghurs and Tibetans, most are from smaller or less known groups, some with just a few thousand members.
Many have become virtually assimilated with the Han, including the Manchus who, despite their relatively small numbers, swept down from the Great Wall of China and ruled the country for around 300 years before being overthrown by its first republic.
After taking power in 1949, Mao Zedong declared all were members of a single Chinese nation, regardless of ethnicity, and began a steady campaign to impose a single Chinese language on Han and minority peoples alike, accompanied by rigid political orthodoxy and campaigns against Tibetan Buddhism and Islam as practiced by Uyghurs and other groups in the far northwest.
Follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
Whatsapp
Short link:

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Hopes rise as US and China hold second day of trade talks - International
Hopes rise as US and China hold second day of trade talks - International

Al-Ahram Weekly

time9 hours ago

  • Al-Ahram Weekly

Hopes rise as US and China hold second day of trade talks - International

The United States and China began a second day of trade talks on Tuesday, seeking to shore up a shaky tariff truce in a bitter row deepened by export curbs. The gathering of key officials from the world's two biggest economies began Monday in London, after an earlier round of talks in Geneva last month. Stock markets wavered as investors hoped the talks will bring some much-needed calm on trading floors and ease tensions between the economic superpowers. A US Treasury spokesman told AFP on Tuesday the "talks resumed earlier this" morning. One of US President Donald Trump's top advisers said he expected "a big, strong handshake" at the end of the talks in the historic Lancaster House, operated by the UK foreign ministry. Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday: "We are doing well with China. China's not easy. "I'm only getting good reports." The agenda is expected to be dominated by exports of rare earth minerals used in a wide range of things including smartphones, electric vehicle batteries and green technology. "In Geneva, we had agreed to lower tariffs on them, and they had agreed to release the magnets and rare earths that we need throughout the economy," Trump's top economic adviser, Kevin Hassett, told CNBC on Monday. But even though Beijing was releasing some supplies, "it was going a lot slower than some companies believed was optimal", he added. Still, he said he expected "a big, strong handshake" at the end of the talks. "Our expectation is that after the handshake, any export controls from the US will be eased, and the rare earths will be released in volume," Hassett added. He also said the Trump administration might be willing to ease some recent curbs on tech exports. Concessions? Tensions between Washington and Beijing have heightened since Trump took office in January, with both countries engaging in a tariffs war hiking duties on each other's exports to three figures -- an effective trade embargo. The Geneva pact to cool tensions temporarily brought new US tariffs on Chinese goods down from 145 percent to 30 percent, and Chinese countermeasures from 125 percent to 10 percent. But Trump recently said China had "totally violated" the deal. "Investors are willing to grab on to any positive trade headline right now, as this is keeping hopes of a rally alive," said Kathleen Brooks, research director at trading group XTB. Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at the Swissquote Bank, said that although there had been "no breakthrough" it seemed "the first day of the second round of negotiations reportedly went relatively well". "Rumours are circulating that the US may be willing to make concessions on tech exports in exchange for China easing restrictions on rare earth metal exports," she said. Rare earth shipments from China to the US have slowed since the tariff war was triggered by Trump's so-called "Liberation Day" announcements, according to Brooks. The US leader slapped sweeping levies of 10 percent on friend and foe alike, and threatened steeper rates on dozens of economies. The tariffs have already had a sharp effect, with official figures from Beijing showing Chinese exports to the United States in May plunged by 12.7 percent. China is also in talks with other trading partners -- including Japan and South Korea -- to try to build a united front to counter Trump's tariffs. Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Tuesday urged South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung to work with Beijing to uphold free trade to ensure "the stability and smooth functioning of global and regional industrial and supply chains." "A healthy, stable, and continuously deepening China-South Korea relationship aligns with the trend of the times," Xi said in a phone call, according to the Xinhua news agency. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng is heading the team in London, which included Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and China International Trade Representative Li Chenggang. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are leading the US delegation. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:

Wang Yi Delivers Video Address to the Event to Celebrate the First International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations of the United Nations
Wang Yi Delivers Video Address to the Event to Celebrate the First International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations of the United Nations

See - Sada Elbalad

time12 hours ago

  • See - Sada Elbalad

Wang Yi Delivers Video Address to the Event to Celebrate the First International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations of the United Nations

Basant Ahmed Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered a video address titled "Promoting Dialogue Among Civilizations to Build a Better World" at the event to celebrate the first International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations of the United Nations (U.N.). Wang Yi said that world civilizations complement and inspire each other, and the global village is diverse and colorful, making human society an indivisible community with a shared future. In the face of the immense global impact from transformations unseen in a century, the value of civilizations has taken on an unprecedented significance, interactions among civilizations are of vital importance, and it is prime time to promote dialogue among civilizations. Dialogue among civilizations is a bond of peace, a driver for development, and a bridge of friendship. The establishment of the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations by the United Nations echoes the common aspiration of peoples from all countries for promoting dialogue among civilizations and progress of humanity, and receives unanimous support of all member states. Wang Yi said that President Xi Jinping put forth the Global Civilization Initiative, which calls for upholding the common values of humanity, emphasizing both heritage and innovation and strengthening international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. This initiative attests to China's efforts to facilitate dialogue among civilizations. China stands for advancing dialogue among civilizations in three aspects. First, upholding equality among civilizations. It is important to respect the development paths and social systems chosen by people of different countries independently, repudiate clash of civilizations, oppose interference into others' internal affairs and resist unilateral bullying practices. The international community must defend fairness and justice and work to ensure equality and dignity for all. The international community should stand by true multilateralism, and support the U.N. in playing an instrumental role in dialogue among civilizations. The international community should aim for cooperation and mutual benefit, reject confrontation and zero-sum games, and stay committed to peaceful coexistence among civilizations. Second, promoting exchanges among civilizations. It is important to step up exchanges and mutual learning, and draw inspirations from dialogue among civilizations to address global challenges and explore paths toward global modernization. China is giving positive consideration to hosting the Global Forum of the U.N. Alliance of Civilizations in 2028, and will continue supporting the work of mechanisms such as the Ancient Civilizations Forum with a view to enhancing the platform for dialogue among civilizations around the world. Third, advancing the progress of civilizations. The international community needs to encourage the flow of ideas, technologies and personnel, and keep pushing the frontiers of human knowledge. Under the principle of technology for good, the international community needs to leverage emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to facilitate the continuation and innovation of civilizations, keep increasing common material and cultural abundance and build a community with a shared future where all civilizations thrive together. In 2024, the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution jointly proposed by China and 82 other countries to declare June 10 the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean

China has a valuable card to play as it holds trade talks with the US today
China has a valuable card to play as it holds trade talks with the US today

Egypt Independent

timea day ago

  • Egypt Independent

China has a valuable card to play as it holds trade talks with the US today

Hong Kong CNN — A new round of trade negotiations between the United States and China has started in London, with both sides trying to preserve a fragile truce brokered last month. The fresh talks were announced last week after a long-anticipated phone call between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which appeared to ease tensions that erupted over the past month following a surprise agreement in Geneva. In May, the two sides agreed to drastically roll back tariffs on each other's goods for an initial 90-day period. The mood was upbeat. However, sentiment soured quickly over two major sticking points: China's control over so-called rare earths minerals and its access to semiconductor technology originating from the US. Beijing's exports of rare earths and their related magnets are expected to take center stage Monday at the London meeting. A person familiar with the matter told CNN the US-China talks were underway. China's official news agency Xinhua also reported the start of the discussions. Experts say Beijing is unlikely to give up its strategic grip over the essential minerals, which are needed in a wide range of electronics, vehicles and defense systems. 'China's control over rare earth supply has become a calibrated yet assertive tool for strategic influence,' Robin Xing, Morgan Stanley's chief China economist, wrote in a Monday research note. 'Its near-monopoly of the supply chain means rare earths will remain a significant bargaining chip in trade negotiations.' Since the talks in Geneva, Trump has accused Beijing of effectively blocking the export of rare earths, announcing additional chip curbs and threatening to revoke the US visas of Chinese students. The moves have provoked backlash from China, which views Washington's decisions as reneging on its trade promises. All eyes will be on whether both sides can come to a consensus in London on issues of fundamental importance. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will meet a Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier He Lifeng. On Saturday, Beijing appeared to send conciliatory signals. A spokesperson for China's Commerce Ministry, which oversees the export controls, said it had 'approved a certain number of compliant applications.' 'China is willing to further enhance communication and dialogue with relevant countries regarding export controls to facilitate compliant trade,' the spokesperson said. Kevin Hassett, head of the National Economic Council at the White House, told CBS's Face the Nation on Sunday that the US side would be looking to restore the flow of rare earth minerals. 'Those exports of critical minerals have been getting released at a rate that is higher than it was, but not as high as we believe we agreed to in Geneva,' he said, adding that he is 'very comfortable' with a trade deal being made after the talks. On Monday morning in an interview with CNBC, Hassett said: 'This was a very significant sticking point, because China controls… something like 90 percent of the rare earths and the magnets. And if they're slow rolling, sending those to us because of some licensing deal that they set up, then it could potentially disrupt production for some US companies that rely on those things.' 'And there are enough of those, like, for example, auto companies, that President Trump took it very seriously, called President Xi and said, we got to we got to get this stuff coming out faster. And President Xi agreed,' he added. A valuable card to play In April, as tit-for-tat trade tension between the two countries escalated, China imposed a new licensing regime on seven rare earth minerals and several magnets, requiring exporters to seek approvals for each shipment and submit documentation to verify the intended end use of these materials. Following the trade truce negotiated in Geneva, the Trump administration expected China to lift restrictions on those minerals. But Beijing's apparent slow-walking of approvals triggered deep frustration within the White House, CNN reported last month. Rare earths are a group of 17 elements that are more abundant than gold and can be found in many countries, including the US. But they're difficult, costly and environmentally polluting to extract and process. China controls 90 percent of global rare earth processing. Experts say it's possible that Beijing may seek to use its leverage over rare earths to get Washington to ease its own export controls aimed at blocking China's access to advanced US semiconductors and related technologies. The American Chamber of Commerce in China said on Friday that some Chinese suppliers of American companies have received six-month export licenses. Reuters also reported that suppliers of major American carmakers – including General Motors, Ford and Jeep-maker Stellantis – were granted temporary export licenses for a period of up to six months. While China may step up the pace of license approvals to cool the diplomatic temperature, global access to Chinese rare earth minerals will likely remain more restricted than it was before April, according to a Friday research note by Leah Fahy, a China economist and other experts at Capital Economics, a London-based consultancy. 'Beijing had become more assertive in its use of export controls as tools to protect and cement its global position in strategic sectors, even before Trump hiked China tariffs this year,' the note said. China's economic woes As China tackles a tariff war with the US head on, it's clear that the disruptions are continuing to cause economic pain at home. Trade and price data released Monday painted a gloomy picture for the country's export-reliant economy. Aerial view of shipping containers sitting stacked at Shanghai Port on Monday in Shanghai, China. Long Wei/VCG/Getty Images Its overall overseas shipments rose by just 4.8 percent in May, compared to the same month a year earlier, according to data released by China's General Administration of Customs. It was a sharp slowdown from the 8.1 percent recorded in April, and lower than the estimate of 5.0 percent export growth from a Reuters poll of economists. Its exports to the US suffered a steep decline of 34.5 percent. The sharp monthly fall widened from a 21 percent drop in April and came despite the trade truce announced on May 12 that brought American tariffs on Chinese goods down from 145 percent to 30 percent. Still, Lü Daliang, a spokesperson for the customs department, talked up China's economic strength, telling the state-run media Xinhua that China's goods trade has demonstrated 'resilience in the face of external challenges.' Meanwhile, deflationary pressures continue to stalk the world's second-largest economy, according to data released separately on Monday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). In May, China's Consumer Price Index (CPI), a benchmark for measuring inflation, dropped 0.1 percent compared to the same month last year. Factory-gate deflation, measured by the Producer Price Index (PPI), worsened with a 3.3 percent decrease in May from a year earlier. Last month's drop marks the sharpest year-on-year contraction in 22 months, according to NBS data. Dong Lijuan, chief statistician at the NBS, attributed the decline in producer prices, which measures the average change in prices received by producers of goods and services, to a drop in global oil and gas prices, as well as the decrease in prices for coal and other raw materials due to low cyclical demand. The high base of last year was cited as another reason for the decline, Dong said in a statement.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store