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NEWS IN CHINA

• China Retaliates Against EU with Ban on Medical Device Contracts: On July 6, 2025, China imposed a ban on European Union companies without operations in China from bidding on government medical device contracts exceeding 45 million yuan (US$6.3 million). This tit-for-tat move comes after the EU barred Chinese medical firms from similar tenders for five years in June. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated the action was a “last resort” following unproductive talks and accused the EU of erecting protectionist barriers. While the ban exempts EU firms based in China, non-EU participants in tenders must limit EU imports to under half the contract value. China emphasized the decision protects its enterprises and promotes fair competition. Tensions between the two economic powers are mounting ahead of this month’s planned China-EU summit in Beijing. The medical device dispute follows recent frictions over electric vehicles and China's imposition of anti-dumping tariffs on European brandy adding to growing trade discord between the world’s top exporters.
  
  

• Smart Tech and High-Quality Wheat Drive China’s Summer Grain Procurement Shift: China’s summer grain procurement has surpassed 50 million tons, with provinces like Henan, Anhui, and Hebei purchasing over 1.8 million tons at minimum prices. This year’s season marks a transformation: high-quality wheat varieties are fetching premium prices, driven by reduced imports and consumer demand. Digital technologies like intelligent sampling, cloud-based settlement, and AI-driven supervision have been widely adopted, streamlining the process and ensuring swift payments to farmers. For instance, in Heze, Shandong, farmers use a single “grain sales card” to complete transactions, with real-time inspection results and 24-hour payment settlement. Market-based and policy-driven procurement now complement each other, creating a stable and efficient ecosystem. The rise of digital monitoring allows nationwide oversight, early warnings, and farmer reporting via mobile apps. Experts believe this system not only boosts farmer confidence but also enhances China’s food security strategy. Overall, this year’s procurement reflects a modern, tech-integrated approach to agricultural management.
  
  

• Hong Kong Stock Market Attracts Global Interest with Surging IPOs and Tech Investments: Hong Kong's stock market is gaining strong momentum, attracting an increasing number of companies to expedite their listing plans. Financial Secretary Chan Mo-po highlighted that the recent surge in Hong Kong stocks has been driven largely by investor interest in technology shares, which has significantly boosted trading volumes in tech-related derivatives. Exchange Traded Products (ETPs), linked to various asset classes, have emerged as a key tool in maintaining market liquidity, especially during periods of volatility. Chan emphasized that the sustained internal and external promotional efforts are beginning to yield tangible results. In the first half of 2025, IPO fundraising on the Hong Kong stock exchange surpassed HK$107 billion, underscoring its growing appeal as a capital market hub. Looking ahead, Hong Kong plans to intensify its outreach to global investors, aiming to showcase the city’s financial strengths, development prospects, and long-term investment potential.
  
  

• Beijing Forum Urges Unity for Global Peace, Development: The 13th World Peace Forum, held in Beijing from July 3–5, brought together global leaders and experts to discuss shared responsibility in ensuring peace and fostering development. Former Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai stressed the dangers of “zero-sum” thinking, advocating for collective security. Liu Jianchao highlighted the need for global reflection as traditional threats re-emerge 80 years after World War II. European and Asian leaders echoed calls for cooperation, with Herman van Rompuy warning against tariff wars, citing mutual economic harm. Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama urged East Asian unity, calling for diplomatic independence from the U.S. and progress toward a China-Japan-South Korea free trade agreement. He also urged Japan to confront its wartime history. The forum, themed “Advancing Global Peace and Prosperity: Shared Responsibility, Benefit and Achievement,” emphasized cooperation over confrontation, with China reaffirming its commitment to self-development while supporting global stability. Hosted by Tsinghua University and the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs.
  
  

• China Hosts 2025 Eco Forum to Advance Global Green Transition: The 2025 Eco Forum Global Annual Conference commenced on July 5 in Guiyang, the capital of southwest China’s Guizhou Province, drawing nearly 1,000 participants, including foreign leaders, scholars, and industry experts. The two-day event, themed “Harmonious coexistence between humans and nature – global collaborative development for green transformation,” features 20 thematic sessions across four categories. Notably, 11 sessions involve international organizations, and four are independently organized by them, marking their most significant participation since 2018. A highlight this year is the debut of cutting-edge green technologies in fields like new energy and solid waste treatment. These innovations are showcased to bridge technology, market demand, and application, aiming to accelerate sustainable solutions. As China’s only national-level international forum on ecological civilization, the Eco Forum Global continues to promote environmental cooperation and green development, now in its 12th edition since inception.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Zhang Yixing’s Musical “Called by Dunhuang” Sparks Cultural Frenzy: On July 5, the musical drama "Called by Dunhuang", starring popular actor-singer Zhang Yixing, premiered in Chengdu, drawing nearly 10,000 spectators. Produced by the China National Theatre and composed by Peter Kam, the show blends history, AI, Zen, and cutting-edge 3D visuals to recreate the soul of Dunhuang, a cradle of Chinese civilization. Zhang plays dual roles spanning generations, portraying both Chang Shuhong (a 1930s Dunhuang researcher) and Zhang Ran (a digital heritage worker), interweaving tradition and modernity. His emotional performance earned thunderous applause. The musical’s bold integration of intangible heritage with youth narratives and immersive tech has captivated netizens. On Weibo and Douyin, hashtags like #ZhangYixingDunhuang and #DunhuangMusical soared to millions of views. Fans praised the “cultural pilgrimage” feel, hailing Zhang as a “cultural ambassador.” The production’s success reflects China’s rising enthusiasm for modern storytelling rooted in historical pride. Its July 6 encore marks its 2025 finale.

INDIA WATCH

Chinese Media Closely Monitor and Speculate on India-U.S. Tariff Tensions: Chinese state media have been closely tracking the tariff tensions between India and the U.S., with extensive coverage and growing speculation about the broader implications. A report published by CCTV framed India’s response to impose retaliatory tariffs on select U.S. goods as an assertion of economic sovereignty, citing India’s formal notification to the WTO and positioning it as a direct challenge to what New Delhi sees as unfair trade practices. The report also emphasized Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s remarks prioritizing “national interest” and underscoring a strategy rooted in fairness and strategic patience. The piece also stated that the move reflected India’s rising economic nationalism and a clear message of resistance to Western pressure. The article concluded by suggesting that deepening trade frictions between India and the U.S. could destabilize broader Western economic alliances, portraying India’s assertive stance as a signal that global partnerships must evolve to reflect its shifting strategic and economic priorities.

Prepared By

Lipun Kumar Sanbad

Lipun Kumar Sanbad, a postgraduate student of Politics and International Relations from Pondicherry University and a History and Political science graduate from University of Delhi. From the past three years working as a freelance researcher in the domain of global peace, conflict and security studies, and defence studies.