Daily Conversations Daily Conversations

• China, EU Strengthen Cooperation Amid Global Challenges: China and the European Union have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation amid growing global trade tensions and economic uncertainties. In recent phone calls, President Xi Jinping discussed with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expanding collaboration in traditional sectors and emerging fields like digital technology and green development. Macron welcomed Chinese investment in France, while Merz emphasized joint efforts on fair trade and climate action. The talks highlighted China and the EU’s convergence on multilateralism and resist unilateral trade measures. Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao will meet EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic during the upcoming WTO meeting, signaling continued dialogue. As two key global economies, China and the EU aim to provide stability and promote open, mutually beneficial cooperation amid complex international changes.

• Premier Li Calls Trilateral China-ASEAN-GCC Ties “Boundless,” Urges New Breakthroughs: Premier Li Qiang returned to Beijing Wednesday after attending a trilateral summit in Kuala Lumpur with ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), focused on expanding economic cooperation amid global trade challenges. At the ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Forum, Li described the future of trilateral ties as “boundless like the oceans” and stressed pooling strengths to unlock growth, foster innovation, and boost economic efficiency. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to trade and investment liberalization, supporting the WTO-led multilateral system, and maintaining stable global markets. Li urged deeper high-tech cooperation, supply chain security, and new breakthroughs despite geopolitical tensions and rising protectionism. Highlighting China’s 5.4% GDP growth in Q1, Li pledged further high-standard opening-up to benefit global companies. The summit ended with a joint statement to deepen cooperation, promote free trade, and fast-track upgrades to the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 and the China-GCC Free Trade Agreement. Experts note that China, ASEAN, and GCC together represent a quarter of the world’s population and economy, combining China’s technology and production, ASEAN’s resources and markets, and GCC’s capital and energy, forming a strong engine for global growth and multilateralism.

• Henan province Enhances Grassroots Governance Through Rule of Law Innovation: Kaifeng, Henan Province, is strengthening grassroots governance and improving its business environment through innovative legal initiatives. The city has launched platforms such as the “Songdu Mediation" TV program and the "Administration by Law and Code Supervision" system to integrate legal education and administrative oversight. "Songdu Mediation", combining real-case dispute resolution with legal literacy, has resolved over 600 civil conflicts and produced 359 legal education broadcasts, earning national recognition as a model of the modern “Fengqiao Experience.” To curb arbitrary and repetitive law enforcement, Kaifeng also implemented a QR code-based supervision system requiring officials to scan into enterprises during inspections. This ensures full traceability, reduces regulatory burdens, and promotes legal compliance among over 12,000 private firms. Officials note that these reforms have significantly reduced administrative disputes and created a more transparent, stable rule-of-law business climate.

• China Conducts 33rd Rocket Launch of 2025, Sends New Remote-Sensing Satellite into Orbit: China successfully launched its 33rd rocket of 2025 on Thursday, sending the Shijian 26 remote-sensing satellite into orbit aboard a Long March 4B carrier rocket. The launch took place at 12:12 pm from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert. Developed jointly by top Chinese research institutes including the Harbin Institute of Technology and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Shijian 26 satellite will support land survey, environmental protection, and economic development by providing critical remote-sensing data. The Long March 4B, built by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, is capable of carrying up to 2.5 tons to a sun-synchronous orbit at 700 kilometers altitude. This mission marks the 579th flight of the Long March rocket family, underscoring China’s continued leadership in space technology and satellite deployment.

• Cross-Strait Summit Highlights Shared Chinese Cultural Roots as a Bridge for Unity: Representatives from mainland China and Taiwan reaffirmed the importance of their shared Chinese cultural heritage as a unifying bridge rather than a source of division at the second Cross-Strait Chinese Culture Summit held in Beijing on Wednesday. Wang Huning, chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, called for upholding the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, while opposing separatist activities. He stressed promoting cultural confidence and working together toward the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Over 800 cultural delegates attended, including former Kuomintang chairperson Hung Hsiu-chu, who criticized Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party for promoting localist ideology at the expense of Chinese culture, calling it a lost opportunity for cross-Strait cultural innovation. Song Tao, head of China’s Taiwan Work Office, said the summit aims to deepen emotional and spiritual bonds by leveraging Beijing’s cultural resources. Speakers highlighted shared traditions such as Mazu worship and the Hokkien dialect as symbols of a rich common heritage.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Social Media Buzzes as Chinese Smart Glasses Outshine Global Rivals: Smart glasses from Chinese tech firms are making waves online as netizens celebrate the country’s leap in wearable innovation. While Apple and Meta dominate headlines with pricey, bulky headsets, Chinese brands are winning praise in China for sleek, functional designs showcased at the recent BEYOND Expo 2025 in Macau. Platforms like Weibo and Xiaohongshu lit up with videos and reviews of Rokid’s stylish AI-powered glasses, which offer real-time translation, object recognition, and navigation—all in a lightweight form that resembles everyday eyewear. One popular Weibo post read, “Packed with tech but wearable in public.” Meizu’s StarV Air2, which features smart ring controls, and Microlumin’s affordable clip-on MLVision M5 also trended, especially among students, professionals, and tech influencers. Meanwhile, Halliday’s MicroLED projection design sparked debate online about comfort versus clarity in smart display tech. Many users compared these glasses favorably to Western alternatives, calling Chinese models more practical and user-friendly. Netizens also noted the affordable pricing, under $400 for most models as a major factor driving domestic and international appeal. Commentators on Zhihu highlighted the integration of AI with wearable design as a game-changer, predicting these glasses could become mainstream in everyday life, especially with Gen Z’s appetite for subtle, stylish tech. As hashtags like #smartglasses and #RokidAR trended, discussions echoed a growing sentiment.

INDIA WATCH

China Responds to Queries on Military Equipment in India-Pakistan Conflict: The Chinese Defense Ministry addressed recent inquiries regarding the performance of Chinese-made military equipment during the recent India-Pakistan conflict, as well as India’s acquisition of an unexploded Chinese PL-15E air-to-air missile. At a regular press briefing on Thursday, spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang emphasized China’s hope that both India and Pakistan exercise calm and restraint to avoid further escalation. When asked about Indian military officials’ comments that Pakistan’s use of Chinese air defense and satellite systems had “below average” performance, Zhang refrained from detailed evaluation, stating, “India and Pakistan are neighbors that cannot be moved. We hope both sides remain calm and restrained to avoid further complicating the situation.” Regarding reports that India had obtained a PL-15E missile, Zhang clarified that the missile is an exported system frequently displayed at defense exhibitions domestically and internationally. He dismissed concerns about reverse engineering as was being reported and downplayed its impact on Chinese defence exports.