Daily Conversations Daily Conversations

NEWS IN CHINA 

• Xi Jinping and President Trump Hold Strategic Phone Call on Bilateral Ties: Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on the evening of June 5, emphasizing the need for both countries to stabilize and steer the Sino–U.S. relationship in a constructive direction. President Xi underscored the importance of eliminating external interferences that may derail bilateral cooperation. He noted that the recent Sino–U.S. economic and trade consultations in Geneva, initiated at the request of the United States, marked a significant step forward in addressing trade disputes through dialogue. Xi reaffirmed China's commitment to the consensus reached, stating that both sides should uphold mutual respect and work toward win-win outcomes via established consultation mechanisms. Calling for the United States to adopt a realistic and constructive approach, Xi urged Washington to withdraw negative measures imposed on China and to respect China's core concerns especially on sensitive issues such as Taiwan. President Xi warned that any support for "Taiwan independence" could risk serious confrontation. President Trump also reaffirmed respect for Xi and reiterated the U.S. commitment to the one-China policy. He acknowledged the success of the Geneva trade talks and expressed readiness to implement the agreements, also welcoming continued Chinese student exchanges. Both leaders agreed to maintain communication, implement the Geneva Consensus, and prepare for a new round of talks.
  
  
• China Releases 2024 Ecological Environment Status Bulletin: On June 5, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment released the 2024 Bulletin on China's Ecological Environment Status at the national Environment Day event held in Chongqing. The report highlighted the improvements in China’s ecological environment and stable environmental safety. Key findings from the report included a 2.7% year-on-year decrease in PM2.5 concentration, with 87.2% of days classified as having good air quality. Surface water quality also improved as per the report, with 90.4% of cross-sections rated Class I–III. Groundwater and seawater quality remained stable, while the quality of soil and sound environments showed positive trends. The safe utilization rate of contaminated arable land reached 92%. Efforts to combat climate change progressed, with coal’s share in energy consumption falling to 53.2% and clean energy rising to 28.6%. The national carbon market saw cumulative trades of 630 million tons of carbon emission rights by the end of 2024. The ministry also announced six new specially invited observers for ecological protection, including Olympic champion Zhang Yufei and singer Zhou Shen, recognizing their role in promoting ecological awareness.
  
  
• Heilongjiang Unveils Four-Pronged Plan to Boost Summer Cultural Tourism: On June 4, Heilongjiang officials announced a four-pronged strategy to boost summer tourism. At a press conference held in Harbin, Jiang Xingcheng, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Tourism, outlined how the traditionally winter-focused destination is transforming into a vibrant summer hotspot. Heilongjiang, widely recognized for its ice and snow tourism, now aims to create a more diverse, innovative, and visitor-friendly summer experience. The initiative focuses on four dimensions including the boosting of self-driving and camping experiences by transforming popular winter destinations like Yabuli into summer camping spots. Cities like Yichun and Qiqihar will host forest health camping events and promote tourism combined with camping and local food. Second, the province is improving water-based activities with new and upgraded rafting routes in places like the Jiamusi Tangyuan Grand Canyon and Moer Mountain, while expanding water parks such as Harbin Poseidon Beach and Beautiful Island Hot Springs. Lastly, to make tourism more accessible, the province is launching a summer campaign offering discounts, family packages, and cultural tourism vouchers in cities like Harbin, Jiamusi, and Yichun.
  
  
• China Expresses Concern Over Dalai Lama’s Event in Japan: China has expressed strong dissatisfaction and lodged formal protests with Japan over a World Parliamentarians' Convention on Tibet held in Japan, which involved the Dalai Lama's group and Japanese politicians. According to the Chinese Embassy’s statement in Japan, the event supposedly attacked China's governance system. The spokesperson stressed that the reincarnation of living Buddhas, including the Dalai Lama, must follow national laws and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Stressing that Tibet has always been part of China, the spokesperson propagated the fact that the region is currently enjoying economic growth, social stability, and cultural prosperity. China urged Japan to respect bilateral agreements, avoid interfering in China’s internal affairs, and stop supporting anti-China separatist forces to prevent further harm to China-Japan relations.
  
  
• China Defends Rare Earth Export Controls as Consistent with International Norms: During a regular press conference on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian addressed concerns regarding China’s recent export control measures on rare earth materials. In response to a question raised by a journalist, Lin emphasized that the export controls implemented by China are consistent with international practices and are applied in a fair and non-discriminatory manner. He reiterated that China’s actions align with its commitments to international trade regulations and national security needs. Lin further suggested that any inquiries concerning the specifics of the policy should be directed to the relevant regulatory departments in China, as they are better positioned to provide comprehensive technical and procedural details. China, which dominates the global supply of rare earth elements critical for manufacturing electronics, electric vehicles, and defense technologies, has recently increased scrutiny over their export amid growing geopolitical tensions and technological competition.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Nike & ANAR FC’s Brings Football Nostalgia to Life in Shanghai: Global sportswear giant Nike has partnered with Shanghai-based creative football collective ANAR FC to launch a striking new pop-up experience, Block 90, paying tribute to the iconic Total 90 football boots that defined the early 2000s. Located on Yanqing Road, the installation has transformed the urban streetscape into a nostalgic celebration of football heritage. From rare archival boots and classic colorways to immersive customization workshops, the event blends performance legacy with contemporary streetwear culture. The highlight for many fans has been the hands-on design stations, where visitors can personalize gear. The experience has been praised across social media platforms for maintaining an authentic, community-driven vibe rather than feeling overly commercial. The collaboration has also sparked conversation about how heritage sportswear can continue to inspire and connect with modern football culture. 

INDIA’S WATCH 

SCMP reports on Russia’s Move to Revive Strategic Triangle with China and India Despite Lingering Trust Issues: As per a report on South China Morning Post (SCMP) Russia is making renewed efforts to revive the Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral framework as a strategic counterbalance to the Western-led international order, despite long standing distrust between India and China. The report highlighted that the RIC mechanism has been largely dormant since the 2020 border clashes between China and India, which severely strained bilateral relations. The article reported that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently called for restoring the trilateral dialogue, emphasizing Moscow’s hope to renew multilateral cooperation and prevent further polarization in Asia. However, the article noted that while Russia and China view the RIC as a tool to counterbalance US influence, India’s closer alignment with the United States under the current administration presents a significant obstacle to full cooperation. The piece also pointed out that mistrust between India and China remains high, especially after recent military tensions and Pakistan’s use of Chinese-made fighters against India, further complicating efforts to bring the three powers together. Moreover, the report suggested that despite Russia’s desire to revive the trilateral framework, its focus on the war in Ukraine has distracted Moscow, limiting its ability to actively drive the initiative forward. The article also referenced experts who argued that unpredictable US trade policies, particularly during Donald Trump’s administration, could ironically incentivize closer cooperation among Russia, China, and India but significant political and strategic differences would continue to remain.

Prepared By

Aastha Pandey

Aastha is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Political Science at Amity University, Noida. She holds a Bachelor's degree in the same discipline from the University of Delhi, Dyal Singh College. Additionally, she has completed a diploma in International Relations and Affairs, further strengthening her academic foundation. Aastha is the Co-founder of Mudra by Aashi, a socially conscious fashion brand that actively supports animal welfare. Her commitment to social causes is also reflected in her experience interning with Saarthi NGO and volunteering as a COVID-19 relief coordinator. Deeply passionate about Asian geopolitics, She aspires to contribute to ORCA by writing insightful, research-driven newsletters that reflect her academic rigour and dedication to international affairs.