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NEWS IN CHINA

• China Unveils Major Offshore Oilfield, Bolstering Energy Security: China has officially started production at the Kenli 10-2 oilfield in Bohai Bay. Located 245 kilometers from Tianjin, this new facility boasts over 100 million tons of proven geological reserves, making it China's largest shallow-layer lithologic offshore oilfield. Experts like Lin Boqiang of Xiamen University view the launch as a testament to China's advanced deep-sea exploration capabilities. Wang Peng from the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences emphasizes Kenli 10-2's role in boosting China's offshore oil and gas supply and enhancing national energy security, especially for the critical Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. The project is also expected to stimulate growth in related sectors like marine engineering, contributing to China's burgeoning marine economy. While not a direct clean energy source, the oilfield strategically complements natural gas and renewables, helping China balance energy security with its "dual-carbon" goals. Its development, especially as the country's first offshore "ramified" heavy oil reservoir, showcases mastery over complex extraction challenges. Kenli 10-2 is set to significantly aid the Bohai Oilfield in reaching its 40-million-ton annual production target, further solidifying China's domestic energy output.
  
• China's Military Cracks Down on Corruption: China's Central Military Commission (CMC) has issued new regulations aimed at revitalizing military traditions, eradicating corruption, and restoring the image of political officers. This move targets "pernicious influences"—a term often used in China to describe the negative impacts of officials who violate laws or discipline. The comprehensive 22-article directive, spanning seven key areas, outlines stringent "iron rules" for political officers, especially leaders. These rules emphasize political loyalty, strict adherence to Party discipline, and impartiality in personnel management. Officers are expected to lead by example, inspiring trust through exemplary conduct. The PLA Daily, the military's official newspaper, stated these regulations clearly define acceptable and unacceptable behavior, establishing "political red lines, limits on the use of power, boundaries for social interactions, and warnings for integrity." This initiative comes on the heels of a far-reaching anti-corruption campaign that has seen several high-ranking military officials disciplined. 
• US and China Continue Trade Talks Amid Tariff Pause: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that he will meet with Chinese counterparts in Stockholm, Sweden, next week for a third round of high-level trade discussions. These talks, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, aim to extend the current tariff pause between the two nations, set to expire in mid-August. This follows prior meetings in Geneva and London, indicating continued efforts to de-escalate trade tensions that saw punitive tariffs imposed by both sides after April 2. In a separate development, President Donald Trump revealed he has accepted an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Beijing in the "not too distant future." Trump expressed optimism about US-China relations, noting positive developments in rare earth and magnet exports. US officials also expect China to address manufacturing overcapacity and stimulate domestic consumption, aligning with President Trump's goal of boosting US manufacturing.
• China Reports Significant Gains for People with Disabilities: Millions of people with disabilities in China saw substantial improvements in their lives between 2021 and 2025. Officials from the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF) highlighted this progress in accessibility, inclusion, and support at a press conference on July 22, also outlining ambitious goals for the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). Education for disabled individuals made remarkable strides, with a 97% compulsory education enrollment rate and over 30,000 students annually entering universities. Financial support increased, offering up to 12 years of free education for those with difficulties. These gains led to improved employment opportunities, with over 400,000 new jobs for disabled individuals each year and an average 6.9% annual growth in family net income. Healthcare and social security coverage remains high, with over 95% insured. Public services saw significant progress, including barrier-free home renovations for 1.28 million households and integrating advanced technologies. Looking ahead, China's 15th Five-Year Plan will prioritize high-quality development in the disability sector, focusing on stronger social protection, expanded long-term care, enhanced legal protections, and continued integration of AI and other cutting-edge technologies to improve lives. The plan also emphasizes cultural and spiritual well-being.
  
• China and Egypt Strengthen Ties Through SCO Collaboration: China and Egypt underscored their growing relationship within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) framework at a seminar held in Cairo, co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy and the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs.Chinese Ambassador Liao Liqiang highlighted Egypt's role as an SCO dialogue partner, encouraging its active participation in the organization. He expressed optimism for closer coordination, aiming to build a "China-Egypt community with a shared future" that contributes to global peace. Attendees praised the booming Egypt-China ties and the SCO's influence, hoping both nations will leverage SCO opportunities to enhance global governance and revitalize the Global South. Ezzat Saad, director of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, emphasized Egypt's commitment to strengthening cooperation with China, both bilaterally and within the SCO. He highlighted the SCO as a "crucial platform" for these relations, anticipating deeper political and economic cooperation among Global South nations, aligned with China's initiatives.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Deadly Flash Floods Hit Eastern China, Sparking Rural Vulnerability Concerns Jinan: Tragic flash floods have swept through Jinan, Shandong Province, leaving two dead and ten missing, prompting widespread concern across China. In the early hours of July 22, Laiwu District saw 364 millimeters of rain, unleashing mountain floods on Shiwuzi and Zhujiayu villages. The deluge destroyed or damaged 19 homes, displacing families and causing immense hardship. The disaster ignited critical discussions about rural communities' vulnerability to extreme weather, as these villages often lack robust infrastructure. On Weibo, social media users expressed profound sorrow for victims and urged public safety amidst recent frequent rainstorms, with some shocked by the event's severity. Beyond the human toll, floods inflicted significant economic damage, impacting agriculture and tourism, with substantial reconstruction costs expected. Extensive rescue efforts are underway, led by the Shandong Provincial People's Government, searching for the missing and providing aid. This incident underscores the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness, enhanced early warning systems, and better evacuation protocols, especially in flood-prone areas. Local authorities now face increased scrutiny, potentially leading to policy reviews and greater investment in resilient infrastructure. 

INDIA WATCH

Landmark NASA-ISRO Satellite Mission Set for July 30 Launch : According to an article published by the People's Daily Online, the highly anticipated NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite, a joint Earth-observing mission by NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), is scheduled to launch on July 30. The article highlighted that the satellite will lift off aboard an ISRO Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle from India's Satish Dhawan Space Centre. This collaborative endeavor signifies a major milestone in space cooperation between the United States and India. Both President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have previously underscored NISAR's importance as a key project in a pioneering year for civil space collaboration between the two nations. The report pointed out that NISAR is groundbreaking, as it will be the first satellite to feature both L-band and S-band synthetic aperture radars. Its mission is to comprehensively scan nearly all of Earth's land and ice surfaces every 12 days. The vital data collected will provide insights into changes in terrestrial ecosystems, the dynamics of ice sheets, glaciers, and sea ice, and tectonic shifts in Earth's crust. NASA has committed to making this invaluable data freely available globally for diverse applications, including disaster response, infrastructure monitoring, and agricultural planning.

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.