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NEWS IN CHINA

• Chinese Embassy Rejects “Recolonization” Claims in South Pacific, Reaffirms Development-Driven Approach: The Chinese Embassy in New Zealand on Tuesday refuted allegations made in a recent opinion article that accused China of “recolonizing” the South Pacific. A spokesperson dismissed the claim as “serious, but at best laughable,” asserting that China has never engaged in colonization and therefore cannot be accused of "re-colonizing" any region. According to the embassy, China’s engagement in the South Pacific is centered on sustainable development, with projects aimed at building essential infrastructure, such as roads, ports, schools, and hospitals—based on the expressed needs of local governments. These efforts, the spokesperson said, aim to improve living standards, foster economic self-reliance, and reinforce political sovereignty, aligning with the fundamental principles of decolonization. The embassy criticized the decline in aid from some “traditional donors” and emphasized the importance of cooperation grounded in mutual respect. It cautioned against viewing any country or region as another’s “backyard or sphere of influence,” and warned that regional frameworks should not be used to mask external interference. China’s cooperation with Pacific Island Countries (PICs), the spokesperson added, is not targeted at any third party and should not be subjected to third-party obstruction. Beijing remains open to trilateral or multilateral partnerships to help PICs tackle climate change and achieve sustainable development, encouraging the international community to work together toward shared progress.
  
  
• China's 14th Five-Year Plan, A Period of Unprecedented Growth and Stability: China is poised to conclude its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) with remarkable economic achievements, as announced by Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). The nation's GDP is projected to surge by over 35 trillion yuan ($4.88 trillion) during this period, a figure exceeding the entire GDP of the world's third-largest economy. While speaking at a State Council Information Office press conference, Zheng emphasized China's role as the most stable, reliable, and positive force in global development. By 2025, China's GDP is anticipated to reach approximately 140 trillion yuan. Despite facing significant global headwinds, including the pandemic and trade disputes, China maintained an average annual economic growth rate of 5.5% in the first four years of the plan. Zheng hailed this sustained growth on such a large economic base as unprecedented in economic history. He further reported that crucial objectives of the 14th Five-Year Plan, such as economic growth, labor productivity, and R&D investment, were met. Additionally, indicators like urbanization rate, average life expectancy, and comprehensive food and energy production capacity surpassed expectations. Zheng affirmed that all strategic tasks and 102 major projects outlined in the plan were successfully implemented, leading to significant advancements and breakthroughs.
  
  
• China Launches "Digital South" Initiative at 17th BRICS Summit to Boost Global South Cooperation: At the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Chinese Premier Li Qiang unveiled the "Digital South" initiative, a key component of China’s broader Global Development Initiative (GDI). Aimed at empowering Global South nations, the program will offer 200 training courses over the next five years focused on the digital economy and artificial intelligence (AI). Premier Li participated in the summit’s second and third sessions, addressing critical global challenges including climate change, AI governance, global health, and the need to revitalize multilateralism. He warned of mounting pressures on the international economic and trade system and underscored the urgency of strengthening global cooperation to support economic recovery. Li called for BRICS nations to preserve their founding principles while evolving to meet new global realities. He advocated for a more equitable and open international economic order rooted in multilateralism and inclusive growth. Emphasizing solidarity among Global South countries, he urged them to play a more proactive role in fostering global stability and sustainable development.
  
  
• China Unveils Sweeping Employment Strategy for Record 2025 Graduate Class: China is implementing a comprehensive employment strategy to support the record 12.22 million college graduates expected in 2025. The multi-pronged initiative focuses on expanding job opportunities, strengthening career readiness, and offering targeted support to disadvantaged students. The government is boosting job creation, particularly in private and small-to-medium enterprises, by extending subsidies to social organizations to encourage broader hiring. Signature programs like the "100 Counties for 100 Universities" initiative are actively connecting local employers with academic institutions, with recent recruitment drives offering tens of thousands of positions. To meet the demand for industry-relevant skills, the Ministry of Education has launched a national training effort, introducing over 2,600 “micro-major” programs and 1,100 specialized courses targeting emerging sectors. A revamped national employment platform, enhanced by AI and big data, has already hosted 111 online job fairs and listed more than 20 million opportunities for the 2025 graduating class.
  
  
• President Xi Urges Youth to Be National Backbone: President Xi Jinping urged young students to become the backbone of the nation, contribute to building a strong country, and promote world peace. These remarks were made during his visit to a memorial hall in Yangquan, Shanxi Province, commemorating the Hundred-Regiment Campaign, where he engaged in warm conversations with students and staff on Monday. Xi told the students, "The hope is reposed in you and the future belongs to you," encouraging them to work hard, forge ahead, and be proud of their Chinese identity. During his visit, Xi laid a floral basket to honor the martyrs of the campaign. Xi highlighted the special significance of Monday's visit, as it coincided with the anniversary of the July 7th Incident (Lugou Bridge Incident) in 1937, which marked the beginning of China's full resistance against Japanese aggression. He emphasized that the CPC was the pillar of this national resistance, and the Hundred-Regiment Campaign showcased the Party and the Chinese people's strong will and strength against aggression. Xi stressed the immense sacrifices made during the 14-year war, concluding that "If the past is not forgotten, it can serve as a guide for the future."

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

China Debates Revival of "Comrade" as a Mainstream Greeting: A recent push by The People's Daily, a prominent Chinese newspaper, to bring back "同志" (comrade) as a widespread greeting has sparked considerable public debate, even trending on Weibo. While terms like mister, miss, and boss are common for addressing strangers today, "同志" historically emphasized equality, shared purpose, and camaraderie, particularly in the early People's Republic. Supporters argue that reviving "同志" could foster a more genuine and harmonious social atmosphere, reflecting civility and promoting kindness. They believe standardizing such respectful titles can create a better community. One Weibo netizen called the People's Daily's call "timely and a good omen," hoping for a "clean and upright" atmosphere and a return to "simplicity" in social customs. However, not everyone agrees. Another Weibo user countered that "real social progress does not lie in the restoration of titles, but in the natural expression of mutual respect in every title." This ongoing discussion highlights the intricate link between language and societal values.

INDIA WATCH

Bangladesh’s Growing Tilt Toward China Strains Ties with India, Reports SCMP: According to a report by the South China Morning Post, Bangladesh’s diplomatic posture has markedly shifted toward China in the year following widespread anti-government protests, placing unprecedented strain on its relationship with India. The article highlighted growing polarization and heightened fears of foreign interference as political factions jockey for influence ahead of national elections next year. Praveen Donthi, a New Delhi, based analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the current state of India-Bangladesh relations as "probably the most strained they’ve ever been." Tensions have been fueled by deep-seated resentment in Dhaka over the fate of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country in August 2024 during a student-led uprising. She was airlifted to New Delhi after demonstrators stormed her official residence. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus added that public frustration in Muslim-majority Bangladesh has increasingly turned toward India, which granted refuge to Hasina despite its Hindu nationalist government's contentious image in the region.

Prepared By

Maheshwar S Chhaunkar

Maheshwar S Chhaunkar has completed his Bachelor's degree in Political Science and History from Sri Aurobindo College, University of Delhi. He is currently working as an IT Assistant at CENJOWS. His areas of interest include India-China relations, Indo-Pacific affairs and Asian politics.