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NEWS IN CHINA

• Premier Li Qiang chairs meeting on Domestic Economic Growth and New Energy Vehicle Market Oversight: Chinese Premier Li Qiang led a high-level government meeting in Beijing focused on strengthening China’s domestic economy and ensuring healthy competition in the fast-growing new energy vehicle (NEV) sector. At the gathering, officials discussed practical steps to encourage more consumer spending. For example, by improving trade-in policies and offering a wider variety of services that match different needs within the population. Recognizing that Chinese households and businesses are central to economic recovery, the meeting also highlighted the importance of increasing investment in new industries and modern services. This, officials believe, will help unlock more of the country’s own consumer potential. A report was presented on efforts to address issues found in the recent audit of the 2024 central budget and other government finances, showing a commitment to transparency and responsible management of public funds. With China’s NEV industry booming but facing challenges like intense competition, the meeting underscored the need for clearer market rules, better monitoring of costs and prices, and long-term measures to promote fair play among companies. This comes as Chinese automakers continue to expand both at home and abroad, with notable successes in exports and overseas production. Lastly, the meeting reviewed a draft regulation concerning the entry and exit of foreigners, reflecting ongoing adjustments to policies as China seeks to balance openness with orderly management.

• Major banks boost China GDP forecasts after strong economic start to 2025: China’s economy grew faster than expected over the first half of 2025, hitting a 5.3 percent expansion and prompting leading international banks to raise their growth projections for the year. Key sectors, including major industry and high-tech manufacturing, saw robust increases—with industrial output up 6.4 percent and high-tech manufacturing surging by nearly 10 percent, while retail sales and exports also showed healthy gains.In response, banks such as Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, UBS, and Australia & New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) have revised their full-year GDP estimates upward, with ANZ now expecting 5.1 percent growth, the most optimistic in the group. Analysts pointed to a mix of strong global demand for Chinese goods, government support, and improved corporate earnings, along with a rebound in tourism, as reasons for the brighter outlook. However, some economists caution that export growth could slow in the coming months, which might affect the pace of economic recovery. Despite these concerns, improved confidence is filtering through to financial markets, with investors showing renewed interest in Chinese stocks especially in consumer goods and technology sectors as optimism grows about the country’s innovative strengths. 

• China’s Rail network sees record passenger numbers amid rising travel and open borders: China’s trains carried more people than ever before in the first half of 2025, with travelers pushing passenger numbers to a national record of 2.24 billion trips. That’s an increase of 6.7 percent compared to the same period last year, according to figures released by the national railway operator. On average, more than 11,000 trains crisscrossed the country each day, keeping pace with growing demand. The busiest day was May 1, the start of the annual May Day holiday—when a single day saw over 23 million people board trains, the most ever recorded in China. Eased visa rules also brought a surge in foreign visitors using the rail network, with foreign travelers making nearly 9.15 million trips in the first half of the year, up 30 percent from last year. International routes, such as the China-Laos Railway, also grew, with nearly 140,000 cross-border journeys, a jump of 19 percent. This bustling activity shows how central trains remain to daily life in China, connecting workers, families, and tourists, and how the country’s expanding rail links are drawing in more international visitors and strengthening regional ties.

• New study book on National Unity Work released in minority languages: A new book outlining President Xi Jinping’s guidance on strengthening national unity and ethnic relations has been published in five minority languages: Mongolian, Tibetan, Uygur, Kazakh, and Korean. Produced by the Communist Party of China’s United Front Work Department and the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, the book is now available nationwide. This initiative aims to make Xi’s vision for ethnic work more accessible to people from different cultural backgrounds across China, reflecting an effort to engage all communities in the country’s broader social goals. The move highlights the importance the party places on promoting understanding and solidarity among China’s diverse ethnic groups. The book’s nationwide distribution suggests a priority on reaching audiences in regions with significant minority populations, helping to ensure that Xi’s policies on ethnic affairs are widely understood and discussed in local languages.

• China reaffirms commitment to global supply chain stability and innovation at High-Profile Expo: At the opening of the third China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, Vice Premier He Lifeng emphasized that China will continue to play a leading role in supporting smooth, open, and cooperative global industrial networks. Speaking to an international audience, He stressed China’s record of working proactively to keep supply chains running reliably during recent years of economic uncertainty, helping businesses and consumers around the world. The Vice Premier highlighted China’s willingness to share its market and technological strength, including advances in digital, smart, and green technologies with partners across borders. He expressed China’s hope that all countries will focus on shared gains rather than competition alone, believing this approach is vital for worldwide economic growth and recovery. As a major manufacturing and trading hub, China views itself not just as a participant but as a stabilizer and innovator within global supply networks. The Expo itself serves as a platform for countries and companies to explore new collaborations, with many international firms expressing interest in stronger ties with Chinese partners to unlock opportunities in the world’s second-largest economy. This coverage reflects a forward-looking, cooperative tone, emphasizing China’s self-image as a responsible global player and a source of both stability and new ideas in a world of interconnected markets.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

• Jack Ma spotted cycling at West Lake, prompting online speculation about a quiet return to public life: On the evening of July 17, a netizen captured Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma cycling around Hangzhou’s West Lake. Dressed in casual athletic wear and riding an 18,000-yuan Brompton folding bike, Ma responded warmly when someone called out, “Is that Teacher Ma?”  Though seemingly mundane, the video quickly went viral, not because of what Ma said, but because he appeared at all. Since stepping back from Alibaba and facing increased scrutiny from Chinese regulators, Ma has kept a relatively low profile. His public appearances have become news events in themselves. Chinese netizens have offered admiration, expressing good wishes for his well-being. Some speculated whether this was a subtle rebranding effort or simply a man reclaiming a slice of normal life.
  
  

INDIA WATCH

• India nears U.S. Trade Deal as Global Tariff talks heat up; Chinese Media notes economic moves and keen global interest in relations: Chinese state media outlets have reported that U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing ahead with a plan to impose a uniform tariff rate on more than 150 countries and regions. Describing those affected as “not big” economies that “don’t do that much business” with the U.S. But clarifying that India, Switzerland, and several others with significant U.S. trade deficits have yet to receive official notifications and remain in negotiations with Washington. Trump was quoted saying a trade deal with India is “very close”, with reports highlighting ongoing talks in Washington as Indian trade officials seek to avoid steep new tariffs set to take effect August 1. The coverage noted that Trump’s announcements are prompting a scramble among global partners to secure better terms before the deadline. However, Chinese analysts also pointed out skepticism over whether the new U.S. tariff plan will actually materialize as scheduled, given domestic U.S. concerns about its economic impact. People’s Daily Online commented that Trump’s plan would not initially target “big” economies, but that India and others are under pressure to conclude negotiations before the new tariffs potentially take effect. CCTV added that Trump signaled the possibility of moving ahead with the Japan tariff and suggested a deal with India could be finalized soon, reflecting China’s close attention to how U.S. trade actions may shift Asia’s economic landscape. News outlets CGTN and CCTV, both emphasized that while a U.S.-India deal appears “close”. It also mentions India sending a delegation to Washington in the outlook for a more inclusive U.S. trade agreement. With Europe the U.S. trade agreement remains uncertain, and Japan is already facing a 25% U.S. tariff as announced in a recent letter. Chinese outlets covered these developments as part of a broader international trend, presenting the U.S.-India trade talks as a high-stakes negotiation that could affect global trade patterns and Asian strategic alignments. 

Prepared By

Yasheeta Sulakhe

Yasheeta Sulakhe is a Research Intern at the Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA). She holds two master’s degrees: one in International Relations & Strategic Studies from the University of Mumbai. She is currently pursuing another in China Studies at Somaiya School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Somaiya Vidyavihar University. Her academic focus spans India-China relations, comparative political thought, and the impact of classical strategic texts like Sun Tzu’s Art of War and Kautilya’s Arthashastra on modern foreign policy. Her research interests also include contemporary China, climate change and territorial disputes in South Asia. She has participated in the Chinese Bridge Indian Youth Delegation Program and cleared three levels of the Mandarin HSK exam. Outside academia, she is an experienced volleyball player and coach, and holds an NCC ‘C’ Certificate.