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NEWS IN CHINA

• China Responds to NATO Remarks on Military Expansion: China has issued a firm response to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s recent remarks, which cited China’s military modernization as justification for increased NATO defense spending and expanding its reach into the Asia-Pacific. In statements from the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Ministry of National Defense, Beijing rejected what it called NATO’s manipulation of China-related issues and accused the alliance of using China as a pretext for advancing geopolitical interests. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun criticized NATO for exaggerating threats and expanding beyond its regional scope, noting that its members already account for 55% of global defense spending. Guo reiterated China’s neutral stance on the Russia–Ukraine conflict, emphasizing that China has not supplied weapons to either side and strictly controls dual-use exports. He called on NATO to stop fueling confrontation and reflect on its own actions. Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang added that China’s military development is defensive and aimed at protecting sovereignty and national interests. He rejected claims of Chinese support for Russia as “baseless,” stressing that China follows a peaceful development path. Lü Xiang of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences criticized NATO as a Cold War relic serving U.S. strategic goals and pressuring Europe into higher military spending. Beijing urged NATO to abandon its Cold War mentality and contribute to global peace and stability.
  
  

• Xi Stresses Land Protection and Food Security on National Land Day: On the 35th National Land Day, President Xi Jinping emphasized that “Chinese people should hold the rice bowl in their own hands,” urging strict protection of arable land especially the vital black soil regions and constant vigilance on food security. His message focused on the importance of self-reliance and preserving farmland to ensure stable grain production and national resilience. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Xi has consistently stressed the importance of preserving the “lifeline” of cultivated land, calling for the strict protection of 1.8 billion mu of arable land, ensuring that farmland remains fertile and productive. This year’s Land Day carries the theme “Saving and intensive land use, and strictly upholding the red line of arable land,” aligning with the broader goals of the 14th Five-Year Plan. The day serves as a reminder of China's strategic focus on sustainable land use and long-term food security.
  
  

• China Reaffirms Commitment to Deepening SCO Defense Cooperation: At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defense Ministers' Meeting held in Qingdao, Shandong Province, from June 26–27, China reaffirmed its intent to deepen defense ties with fellow SCO member states. Speaking at a press conference, Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang emphasized that defense and security cooperation remain central to the SCO’s development. Zhang highlighted that under China’s rotating chairmanship, the military had actively advanced strategic communication and launched several cooperative programs, including high-level meetings and joint military exercises like “Peace Mission.” He noted that China also led professional exchanges in fields such as military medicine and logistics, and strengthened trust through training seminars for officers at various levels. Presided over by Defense Minister Dong Jun, the meeting underlined China’s efforts to promote mutual trust, solidarity, and regional stability under the “Shanghai Spirit.” Zhang concluded by stating that China will continue working with SCO militaries to foster peace, development, and a shared future for the region.
  
  

• China Unveils Plan to Strengthen Credit Repair System: The General Office of the State Council has released the Implementation Plan for Further Improving the Credit Repair System to enhance the transparency, efficiency, and accessibility of China’s credit repair mechanisms. The plan outlines ten key tasks to address challenges faced by credit entities. These include centralizing the publication of credit information on the "Credit China" website, classifying breaches of trust into mild, general, and serious categories, and setting corresponding public notice periods. It also simplifies the application process by allowing both online and offline submissions and encourages departments to retrieve verification materials directly through internal systems. The plan mandates that credit repair results be provided within 10 working days and requires the timely lifting of penalties upon successful credit restoration. Additionally, it improves the complaint resolution system, supports credit recovery for enterprises undergoing bankruptcy reorganization, and standardizes how credit agencies use data. Departments are instructed to ensure system compatibility with "Credit China," coordinate effectively, and regularly validate data accuracy to improve the quality and effectiveness of the credit repair process.
  
  

• China, Vietnam Pledge to Deepen Legal and Judicial Cooperation: Chen Wenqing, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, met with Vietnamese Minister of Justice Nguyen Hai Ninh in Beijing on June 26. The meeting highlighted both countries' commitment to strengthening bilateral legal and judicial ties. Chen emphasized the positive momentum in China–Vietnam relations under the strategic guidance of General Secretaries Xi Jinping and Nguyễn Phú Trọng. He called for deeper cooperation in legal services, judicial assistance, and the cultivation of rule-of-law talent, guided by the consensus of the two countries' top leaders. Chen stressed that enhancing legal collaboration would further strategic cooperation and support the development interests of both nations, contributing to the vision of a strategic China–Vietnam community with a shared future. Nguyen Hai Ninh expressed Vietnam’s readiness to expand cooperation in the legal and judicial sectors, signaling mutual commitment to closer ties in upholding the rule of law.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Central China Faces Worst Rainfall in Years with Over 700,000 Affected Across Provinces: Chinese social media has been flooded with concern over the ongoing extreme rainfall in central China, especially Hunan province, where nearly 7 meters of rain have fallen since June 18. Users shared alarming images from Badagongshan Town and Sangzhi County, where drainage systems failed and rivers overflowed, causing the worst flooding since 1998. The tragic drowning of three people in Longshan County sparked grief online, while many highlighted the scale of evacuations and damage, with over 400,000 affected in Hunan alone. Discussion extended to Hubei and Guangxi, where urban flooding and economic losses of 750 million yuan in Enshi Prefecture drew nationwide attention. As forecasters warn of more rain through June 27, users voiced concerns over rising flood risks, citing meteorologists who blamed a rare clash of moist southern air with northern cold fronts for the extreme weather.

INDIA’S WATCH 

Global Times Reported on India-China Defense Dialogue Amid SCO Summit: The Global Times reported that India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh met with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun in Qingdao, Shandong Province, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defense Ministers’ Meeting held from June 25–26. This marked Singh’s first visit to China in five years and was seen as a notable diplomatic development since the 2020 border standoff. The article highlighted that Singh's visit was viewed as a symbolic step toward cautiously rebuilding functional ties between the two neighbors. According to the Chinese Defense Ministry, Singh and Dong engaged in a bilateral meeting where both sides emphasized the need for stability, communication, and mutual trust. Singh reportedly noted that India did not seek conflict or confrontation and was willing to properly manage differences with China, while also underscoring the long history of interaction between the two nations. The article further stated that Dong Jun, in his meetings with defense ministers of various SCO member states, emphasized the importance of the “Shanghai Spirit” and called on countries to collectively resist unilateralism, hegemonism, and protectionism. He also expressed China’s willingness to boost defense coordination within the SCO framework. Commenting on Singh’s visit, Qian Feng of Tsinghua University told Global Times that it signaled India’s recognition of the SCO as a key dialogue platform and its openness to improving ties with China. In response to Indian media claims that New Delhi had declined to sign the SCO joint statement over terrorism-related concerns, China’s Defense Ministry only stated that the meeting concluded successfully. The article largely attempted to highlight  the SCO as a forum for multilateral consensus rather than resolving bilateral disputes, and focused on highlighting its role in promoting regional stability.

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.