CiCM 24th-25th May

NEWS IN CHINA

Commerce Ministry Releases Work Plan for National Development Zones: The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has unveiled a work plan to reform state-level economic and technological development zones, reinforcing their role as high-standard platforms for global economic engagement. The plan emphasises institutional innovation, enhanced foreign investment utilisation, and increased international collaboration, especially in sectors like integrated circuits, biomedicine, and advanced equipment manufacturing. Furthermore, the plan advocates for diversified foreign trade models, including the establishment of bulk commodity trading centers and global logistics hubs. It also calls for these zones to align with multilateral and bilateral initiatives, focusing on green development, the digital economy, and the marine economy.
Xi calls for Deeper All-Round Sino-German strategic partnership: Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a phone conversation in which both leaders called for strengthening the China-Germany all-round strategic partnership, while Xi established China’s willingness to open a new chapter in the partnership. Xi He outlined key areas for future cooperation, including consolidating political trust, expanding collaboration in sectors such as automobiles, AI, quantum technology, and green development, and maintaining momentum through high-level exchanges and investment facilitation. Xi reiterated China’s support for mutual respect and non-discriminatory business environments and noted that China is willing to share with Germany development opportunities brought by its high-level opening-up, and hopes that Germany will offer more policy support and facilitation for two-way investment. Additionally, the two leaders also discussed the One-China policy, Climate Change, and the Russo-Ukrainian Conflict.
China Moves Against Platforms Spreading Financial Misinformation: The Cyberspace Administration of China, in coordination with financial authorities, has recently taken action against several online accounts and websites involved in spreading false information about capital markets, promoting illegal stock recommendations, and encouraging speculation in cryptocurrency transactions. The Cyberspace Administration of China emphasised its continued zero-tolerance stance on such violations and called on the public to remain cautious, verify financial information carefully, and avoid engagement with unauthorized financial schemes. The authorities also urged netizens not to spread or believe in rumours, highlighting the risks of financial loss and data breaches associated with misleading online content. The crackdown is part of broader efforts to safeguard market order and consumer interests.
China and the Netherlands agree to Six-Point Cooperation Plan: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp met in Beijing to discuss strengthening China-Netherlands relations and China-EU ties. Wang highlighted Chinese opening-up measures and expressed hope for a fair, non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises in the Netherlands. Veldkamp reaffirmed the Dutch adherence to the one-China policy and their willingness to enhance high-level exchanges and cooperation. Firstly, both ministers agreed on deepening cooperation in fields like economy, trade, science, technology, agriculture, and water conservancy. They also agreed to maintain close communication concerning cooperation in multiple fields, including semiconductor technology, via existing channels. Thirdly, they committed to supporting multilateralism, free trade, and the role of the World Trade Organization in the global economic order.. Both sides also pledged to strengthen collaboration on climate adaptation, green development, and advancing equal rights for all, especially women and girls, emphasizing the need for global collective action.
CPC revises regulations to reduce wastage in Government: The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council have issued a revised version of the Regulations on Practicing Thrift and Opposing Waste in Party and Government Organs, updating the 2013 guidelines with more detailed and comprehensive measures. The revised regulations call for streamlining meetings, enforcing strict expenditure limits for conferences, and promoting energy efficiency by encouraging energy-saving technologies, eliminating high-energy consuming facilities, and adopting renewable energy sources. Measures also include water-saving appliances, centralized recycling of wastepaper and electronic devices, and advancing paperless offices to reduce disposable supplies. Supervisory mechanisms have been strengthened to prevent waste, with disciplinary actions for violations. The update modernizes budget management, official hospitality, and resource conservation rules, emphasizing accountability to sustain long-term austerity and integrity within government institutions.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Cannes Fever radiates to Social Media: Chinese netizens closely followed the Cannes Film Festival, while expressing their pride, discontent, and appreciation on social media. The Film Festival, which lasted from the 13th of May to the 24th of May, was tracked by Chinese netizens, who were especially excited for the Director, Mr. Bi Gan, who directed the ‘Wild Times’. The movie received a special award from the Jury, which was widely celebrated by Chinese Netizens on Weibo. Users rated the actor Yi Yang Qianxi’s performance very highly and expressed their beliefs in a very bright future for the 25-year-old artist. They also complimented the four-character film for its “Strong Impact” while hailing the nomination and award as a “Gratifying Experience”. Over 180 Chinese films were screened at the festival, and global and Chinese film enthusiasts appreciated their vitality and dynamism. The festival also hosted a dedicated Chinese Film Pavilion, promoting collaborations and industry exchange between Chinese and international filmmakers.

INDIA WATCH

CGTN Reports the Suspension of Celebi’s Security Clearance in India: An article in CGTN notes the Indian Government’s decision to revoke the security clearance of Celebi Nas Airport Services India, a Turkish ground and cargo handler at nine airports in India. The article states how India took this decision post Operation Sindoor, launched after the Pahalgam Terror Attack. The author writes how the Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, in a phone call to the Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, said he supported what he called Pakistan's "calm and restrained policies" in the crisis, which is an obvious misrepresentation of reality. The article comments how this animosity between New Delhi and Ankara escalated after the Indian Military’s claims on the usage of Turkish-origin Bayraktar Drones. The author also notes that Celebi, which has filed multiple petitions in the Delhi High Court contesting the move, claims it received no prior notice, while Solicitor General Tushar Mehta emphasised the sensitivity of the case, noting the company’s access to critical infrastructure and VIP data.

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.