CiCM 3rd- 4th May 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

China Celebrates Youth Day by Showcasing Modernisation: China observed its Youth Day on May 4th, which commemorates the 106th anniversary of the seminal May Fourth Movement. Nationwide commemorations affirmed the integral role of its young populace in the nation's modernization trajectory as provincial events in Gansu and Shanxi served as venues for displays of patriotic fervor and artistic expression among youth. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region hosted a solemn flag-raising ceremony, reflecting on historical resilience. Various official pronouncements from governmental bodies like the Chinese Central Bank and the Ministry of Defence underscored the contributions of young professionals to the critical sectors. Xiong Bingqi, director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, cited recent youth-led innovations such as Unitree and DeepSeek for exemplary purposes owing to their contribution to Chinese Modernisation.
PLA commissions a Second-of-its-kind Warship: The People's Liberation Army Navy recently commissioned its second Type 054B frigate, the Qinzhou, which subsequently conducted a live-fire combat drill in the South China Sea, successfully striking a towed target. This new-generation frigate, with a displacement of approximately 5,000 tons, showcases advancements in stealth technology, combat command systems, and integrated firepower, significantly augmenting the PLA Navy's overall operational effectiveness. Military expert Zhang Xuefeng highlighted the Type 054B's enhanced range and multi-mission capabilities, including anti-submarine and regional air defense, positioning it as a crucial asset for naval task forces and far-sea operations. Its cost-effective design further suggests a potential for mass production, bolstering the PLA Navy's capacity to address diverse maritime security challenges.
Two Cruise Boats Capsize in Guizhou Province: A recent maritime tragedy occurred in China's southwest Guizhou province, where two tourist boats capsized on the Wu River following a sudden and severe rain and hail storm accompanied by strong winds. This resulted in three fatalities and left fourteen individuals missing, with sixty others requiring hospitalization. In response to this crisis, President Xi Jinping promptly issued directives, urging an all-out mobilisation of resources for search and rescue operations, as well as for the comprehensive medical treatment of the injured. Furthermore, Xi Jinping underscored the critical necessity of rigorously strengthening safety protocols and oversight at tourist attractions and other large public venues across the nation to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, emphasising the paramount importance of safeguarding the lives and well-being of the populace. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing was promptly dispatched to the affected area to supervise the ongoing rescue efforts and ensure the effective implementation of safety measures.
China and Japan Accuse Each Other of Violating Territorial Sovereignty: China’s defense spokesperson has issued a strong condemnation of Japan's recent provocative actions concerning the Diaoyu Islands, following the flight of a Japanese civil aircraft over the Diaoyu Islands, which is contested territory between the two nations. Responding to Japan's accusation that Chinese helicopters violated their airspace during the expulsion, the spokesperson, Zhang Xiaogang, asserted that Japan's remarks "are distorting facts and irresponsible. He unequivocally stated, "The Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands are China's inherent territory and the illegal entry of Japanese civil aircraft into the airspace constitutes a serious violation of China's territorial sovereignty." Zhang Xiaogang emphasized the legitimacy of China's maritime patrol's actions to "warn and expel," urging Japan to "strictly control the activities of its citizens" and cease actions that "complicate the situation" and impede China-Japan relations.
China Amends Existing Plant Variety Rights Laws: China has promulgated revised regulations, set to take effect on June 1st, aimed at fortifying the protection of rights pertaining to new plant varieties and fostering innovation within the seed sector. Premier Li Qiang sanctioned the State Council decree enacting these amendments. The regulations delineate new plant varieties as those artificially bred or developed from wild flora, exhibiting novelty, distinctness, uniformity, and stability, alongside appropriate denomination. Additionally, the revised regulations incorporate stipulations for implementing the Essentially Derived Variety (EDV) system, with authorities mandated to issue implementation scopes and assessment guidelines, while also clarifying criteria for testing bodies. The protection period has been extended to 25 years for woody and vine plants and to 20 years for other plant categories, marking the third revision of the initial 1997 regulations.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Musical Sensation’s almost fatal accident shocks Netizens: Chinese singer Bi Xia’s recent account of a near-fatal car accident prompted an outpouring of sympathy and encouragement on domestic social media. Best known for her performances on The Voice of China, Bi Xia remains a nostalgic figure for many netizens, who called for her return via shows like Sisters Who Make Waves. Online responses framed her experience in terms of perseverance, maternal strength, and emotional resilience. The reaction reflects a broader trend in Chinese digital culture, where celebrity vulnerability often elicits strong public identification. On platforms like Weibo, personal narratives, especially those involving hardship, become catalysts for collective empathy and moral commentary. In this landscape, public figures are seen not just as entertainers but as aspirational models navigating adversity on Chinese social media.

INDIA WATCH

Global Times reports Sino-Pak meet over escalating tensions: A Global Times report highlighted a meeting between the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where the latter conveyed concerns regarding escalating tensions with India following a Kashmir incident and sought China's support for de-escalation. The Chinese Ambassador expressed understanding of Pakistan's security concerns, advocated for a prompt investigation, and urged both nations to exercise restraint and manage differences to ensure regional stability. The author addressed how PM Modi has provided his support to the Indian Army through “complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing,” to respond to the Pahalgam attack, as was reported by The Hindu. The author also used recent articles from the Chinese state media Xinhua about how Pakistan has taken prompt defensive measures in retaliation for Indian Rafale patrolling the Line of Control, along with Pakistani State Media’s baseless allegations of State-Sponsored activities.

Prepared By

Iklavya Dev

Iklavya is currently a Second Year student pursuing undergraduate degrees in Multimedia Communication and Political Science from K.C. College, Mumbai and Indira Gandhi National Open University respectively. He is deeply interested in the realms of Public Policy, Governance and International Relations, and aspires to broaden his horizons in the same through interactive working experiences and research. His research work includes various subjects ranging from Indian Foreign Policy and Defence Studies to Social Issues and Constitutional Law.