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NEWS IN CHINA

• CRCC Secures Over ¥1 Trillion in New Contracts in H1 2025, Boosted by Emerging Industries and Overseas Growth: China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) announced that from January to June 2025, it signed new contracts worth 1,056.17 billion yuan, with second-quarter deals totaling 563.32 billion yuan. The engineering contracting sector led with 788.43 billion yuan, while green environmental protection reached 107.38 billion yuan, and emerging industries hit 7.86 billion yuan, up 44.45% year-on-year. Material logistics contracts rose 6.14% to 85.41 billion yuan, industrial manufacturing grew 9.9% to 16.22 billion yuan, and industrial finance recorded 4.03 billion yuan. Green environmental protection contracts increased 15.07%, driven by projects such as China’s largest seawater bromine extraction facility, a compressed air energy storage project in Ulanqab, and a “photovoltaic + biotechnology” sand control initiative in Hotan. Domestic contracts accounted for 942.08 billion yuan, while overseas contracts surged 57.43% to 114.09 billion yuan, fueled by key projects like the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway, Vietnam’s Laohe-Haikou Railway, and cross-border rail links with Mongolia. CRCC also advanced in emerging industries abroad, securing photovoltaic projects in Mexico and waste treatment facilities in Mozambique, reinforcing its global expansion strategy.
  
  
• Former French PM Raffarin: China-Europe Dialogue Holds Keys to Future Society: Marking the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations, former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin emphasized that the “answers” to future societal challenges will emerge from the dialogue between Chinese and European civilizations. A long-time friend of China, Raffarin first visited the country in 1970 and has since made over 100 trips, witnessing its transformation firsthand. Recalling his early impressions from Harbin’s bustling streets to children offering ping-pong matches, Raffarin praised the Chinese people’s resilience, hospitality, and dedication to progress. He described China as “an open and welcoming nation moving towards the future,” highlighting friendship as a core value in Chinese culture. As founder of the Sino-French Cultural Forum, Raffarin sees cultural exchange as an inexhaustible strength, rooted in mutual respect and the Taoist balance of yin and yang. He urged Europe to recognize China’s historical endurance and modernization achievements, framing China-EU cooperation as a powerful force for addressing global issues. His reflections highlight the enduring potential of people-to-people ties in shaping a harmonious future.
  
  
• Chinese Embassy in UK Rejects G7 Remarks on Hong Kong: The Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom on Saturday strongly condemned recent comments by the Group of Seven (G7) regarding Hong Kong, calling them “erroneous” and a “gross interference” in China’s internal affairs. A spokesperson for the embassy criticized the G7, including the UK, for making “irresponsible remarks” about Hong Kong police actions, specifically the July 25 arrest warrants issued for 19 absconded anti-China activists. The spokesperson said that these law enforcement measures were carried out in strict accordance with the law. The embassy reaffirmed its firm support for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government and police in maintaining rule of law and safeguarding public order. It accused G7 countries of exhibiting “double standards and hypocrisy” on human rights and legal matters. The statement further warned that such interference would only strengthen Hong Kong’s determination to govern in accordance with the law and punish criminal acts, urging the relevant countries to stop shielding fugitives and to cease meddling in China’s domestic affairs.
  
  
• China Detains Senior Diplomat Who Fostered U.S. Relations: The Wall Street Journal recently broke the news that Liu Jianchao, a prominent Chinese diplomat and head of the Communist Party’s International Department, has been detained by authorities for questioning. Liu, a veteran of China’s foreign service, is currently head of the Communist Party’s International Department, which manages relations with foreign political parties and socialist states. Previously, Liu served in senior diplomatic roles and gained recognition for his anti-corruption work as a top Party graftbuster. His recent visit to Washington and New York was seen as a significant step in easing U.S.-China tensions, earning him a warm reception from American officials and policymakers. Many observers viewed him as a bridge between Beijing and Washington and a leading candidate to succeed in China’s top foreign policy role. His sudden detention has raised questions about internal political dynamics within China’s leadership. The Chinese government has not issued any official statement on the matter, leaving uncertainty over the reasons for his questioning and the potential impact on China’s foreign policy direction. 
  
  
• Hong Kong Youth Military Summer Camp and University Students’ Experience Camp Conclude: The 18th Hong Kong Youth Military Summer Camp and the 12th Hong Kong University Students’ Military Life Experience Camp concluded on Sunday at the San Wai Barracks of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison. About 500 trainees from over 190 secondary schools and universities participated in the 10-day program, which combined the two camps for the first time. The closing ceremony featured a flag-raising, speeches, and the awarding of completion certificates, ending with the song Ode to the Motherland. Trainees underwent physical and formation training, map reading, and observed advanced equipment such as infantry fighting vehicles, ships, and helicopters. They attended patriotism and national defense lectures, exhibitions, and performances. Since their launch in 2005 and 2011 respectively, the camps have trained over 8,500 youth, deepening understanding of China’s national conditions, PLA traditions, and defense awareness. The PLA Hong Kong Garrison continues to promote patriotic education and strengthen ties with Hong Kong society while fulfilling defense duties.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Liu Xiajun’s Peking University Admission Sparks Debate on Athlete-Academic Integration in China: The recent admission of Liu Xiajun, a nationally recognized sprinter, to Peking University’s School of Journalism and Communication under a special talent program has ignited widespread discussion across Chinese social media. Liu’s acceptance achieved by meeting the gaokao threshold despite the demanding training schedule of elite athletes has highlighted ongoing societal debates about the balance between academic achievement and athletic excellence. Many praise Liu as a model of discipline and perseverance, viewing her as emblematic of a new generation of student-athletes who defy the traditional dichotomy between sports and academics. Supporters emphasize the potential for integrated development models that allow young talents to thrive both intellectually and physically. Conversely, some commentators question the fairness of specialized admissions policies, raising concerns about academic standards and equitable access for non-athlete students. This tension reflects broader issues within China’s education system, where high-stakes testing and elite university admissions often clash with efforts to accommodate diverse talents. Liu’s case has thus become a focal point for examining the evolving role of sport in Chinese society, especially how institutional frameworks negotiate the dual demands of national athletic excellence and academic rigor. 

INDIA WATCH 

India’s Coal Reliance Persists Amid Clean Energy Push: Chinese media outlet Guancha has closely covered the  Electronics Fan Network reports (by Huang Shanming) that India’s energy transition challenges, particularly the country’s continued dependence on coal despite ambitious clean energy targets. Reports note that by May 2025, coal-fired power generation in India fell to 70.7% its lowest in three years yet summer power shortages in 2024 still reached 12%. Intermittent renewable generation and fragmented state-level grids have led to curtailment issues, transmission losses exceeding 21%, and even nationwide blackouts. The Indian government has restarted coal mining, issuing tenders for 27 new mines to meet surging demand. While targeting 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030, achieving this will require over $300 billion in investment and substantial grid modernization. Chinese outlets highlight how Chinese firms are playing a growing role in India’s energy storage sector, despite a 40% localization rule. Companies like Narada Power and Chuneng New Energy are partnering with Indian players through joint ventures and technology-sharing, with major projects set to begin in 2025 reflecting both cooperation and competition in South Asia’s energy future.

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.