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NEWS IN CHINA

• China to Waive Childcare and Preschool Education Fees: Starting from the autumn semester of 2025, China will waive childcare and education fees for children in public kindergartens during their final preschool year, as part of a broader push to provide high-quality, inclusive early education. According to State Council guidelines, the policy aims to reduce family education costs and improve public education services. Children attending eligible private kindergartens will also benefit from reduced or waived fees, aligned with public kindergarten standards. However, charges for meals, accommodation, and other services may still apply. Local governments will oversee fee standards and implementation. Scholars Li Jianmin and Jiang Quanbao told Global Times the initiative will reduce parenting burdens, support healthy child development, and encourage childbirth amid demographic challenges.
  
  
• Beijing Allocates ¥1.015 Billion for Post-Disaster Agricultural Recovery: China’s central government allocated 1.015 billion yuan to aid disaster-hit regions in restoring agricultural production, according to the Ministry of Finance. The funding jointly managed by the Ministries of Finance, Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and Water Resources aims to support recovery efforts from recent floods and droughts across several provinces. Flood-affected areas such as Beijing, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, and Guangdong will receive subsidies for crop replanting, draining waterlogged fields, and repairing damaged agricultural infrastructure. Simultaneously, Shandong, Henan, and Hubei, facing severe drought, will use the funds to support emergency irrigation, fertilizer application, water transport, and new well drilling. Authorities emphasized that these measures are vital to protect autumn harvests, restore farming capacity, and stabilize rural livelihoods, with continued monitoring and technical support to ensure efficient fund utilization.
  
  
• Xizang Official Reaffirms Tibetan Language Education and Clarifies Dalai Lama Reincarnation Process: At a press conference on Tuesday, Gama Cedain, Chairman of the People’s Government of the Xizang Autonomous Region, addressed two sensitive topics concerning Tibetan identity and religious affairs. First, responding to recent remarks by the 14th Dalai Lama regarding his reincarnation, Gama emphasized that the process must follow Chinese laws, religious rituals, and historical conventions. He reaffirmed that the reincarnation of Living Buddhas is a structured process involving central government approval, search and identification within China, and the traditional lot-drawing from the golden urn. On another note, Gama refuted reports claiming the Tibetan language was removed from the regional college entrance exam (gaokao). He clarified that while Xizang adopted a national exam reform in 2024, Tibetan remains a core academic subject in primary and secondary education. Tibetan students can still take Tibetan-language university entrance exams, ensuring equity and access to higher education while preserving linguistic and cultural heritage.
  
  
• Nagoya Mayor Seeks to Mend Ties with Nanjing After 2012 Massacre Denial Fallout: Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa expressed a strong desire to resume official exchanges with Nanjing, which have been suspended since 2012 following his predecessor’s denial of the Nanjing Massacre. Speaking at a press conference, Hirosawa stated he would “make a sincere effort” to restore city-level ties with Nanjing, the capital of East China’s Jiangsu Province. According to Kyodo News, members of the Nagoya City Council’s Japan-China friendship league are drafting a handwritten letter from Hirosawa, likely to be delivered to Nanjing later this month. The move signals a significant step toward reconciliation after former mayor Takashi Kawamura publicly denied the massacre in 2012, prompting China's strong diplomatic protest and a halt in official contact. Chinese state media, including CCTV, recalled the historical rift, while analysts see Hirosawa’s initiative as a rare gesture of historical reflection and regional diplomacy.
  
  
• China To Send New Batch of Peacekeepers to South Sudan: On August 7, 2025, China will dispatch its 11th Formed Police Unit 17 police officers to South Sudan for a year-long United Nations peacekeeping mission, as announced by the Ministry of Public Security. The deployment coincides with the 80th anniversary of the UN and 25 years of Chinese police involvement in peacekeeping operations. The unit will operate in one of the most dangerous UN mission areas, facing armed conflict, disease outbreaks, and gang violence. Their duties include securing refugee camps, conducting patrols, managing riots, and delivering humanitarian aid. China, the second-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping and a UN Security Council permanent member, sees this mission as part of its Global Security Initiative and its growing responsibility as a major power. At a farewell ceremony, families bid an emotional goodbye to the officers, known globally for their “zero complaints, zero repatriations” record and consistent professionalism recognized by UN Peace Medals.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

First Barbecue Research Institute in China Goes Viral: A university in China is making waves online after announcing plans to launch the country’s first Barbecue Research Institute, a move aimed at formalizing and uplifting the beloved street food culture. Yueyang Open University in Hunan province has partnered with the Yueyang Barbecue Association to establish this institute, offering a 3-year program including theoretical training and a 6-month internship. It plans to train up to 1,000 barbecue “craftsmen” over three years, providing courses in grilling techniques and business management. The initiative open to middle school graduates, youth, and existing vendors seeks to provide professional qualifications and boost the status of the local barbecue industry, which generates over 2 billion yuan annually in Yueyang and supports about 50,000 jobs. The announcement has gone viral on Chinese platforms like Weibo and Douyin, with users sharing mixed reactions ranging from curiosity and admiration to jokes and satire. Many applauded the move for elevating street food into a respected profession, while others find humor in the idea of a formal BBQ degree.

INDIA WATCH 

India-Philippines Invoke SCS Arbitration Together, Global Times Reports: On August 5, 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. elevated bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, issuing a joint declaration that referenced the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling. The move drew sharp criticism from Chinese experts and state media, who accused India of acting as an "external" force interfering in regional maritime disputes. The Global Times highlighted Beijing's displeasure, noting that the reference, coupled with recent India-Philippines joint naval exercises in the South China Sea, was viewed as a provocative gesture by Chinese analysts. However, Indian officials emphasized that the reference reflects a commitment to international law and rules-based maritime order principles that support regional stability and freedom of navigation. While the declaration did not explicitly mention China, it signals a strategic alignment between New Delhi and Manila. India appears to be supporting the Philippines’ legal stance while carefully avoiding direct confrontation with China, aiming for balance in a contested geopolitical space.

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.