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NEWS IN CHINA

• China, Afghanistan, Pakistan Pledge Deeper Cooperation in Security and Trade: China, Afghanistan, and Pakistan reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in trade, connectivity, and counterterrorism during the sixth China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue held in Kabul on Wednesday. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar led the discussions. Wang Yi emphasized the need to expand trade and investment, enhance people-to-people ties, and intensify joint efforts against cross-border terrorism. He also urged opposition to external interference and pledged China’s continued support for Afghanistan at multilateral forums. Afghan Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund praised China as a “force for justice” and vowed that Afghan soil would not be used to threaten Beijing. Dar called for unfreezing Afghanistan’s overseas assets and underscored the importance of trilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road framework.
  
  
• China’s Expanding Elderly Market Spurs Demand for Professional Care Specialists: By the end of 2024, China’s elderly population aged 60 and above will hit 310 million, underscoring the country’s rapid shift into a super-aged society. In response, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security has introduced a new profession “Elderly Care Service Specialist” aimed at providing holistic, personalized care beyond daily assistance. Unlike traditional caregivers, these specialists design tailored “life blueprints” for seniors, based on joint assessments by doctors, social workers, and nurses that evaluate health, cognition, family support, and social engagement. Professionals like caregiver Lü Qin highlight how elderly care now demands advanced skills, from dementia management and non-drug interventions to multi-sensory therapy and pet-assisted care. Facilities increasingly blend medical monitoring with recreation, nutrition, and emotional well-being, making the role both scientific and compassionate. With nearly 130 staff in one facility 75% under 30 and 43% with higher education the workforce is getting younger and more skilled. Experts estimate elderly care needs will surge to 400 million by 2035 and 500 million by 2050, potentially generating millions of new jobs in this vast “silver economy.”
  
  
• China’s Finance Ministry Issues Guidelines to Standardize PPP Projects, Ensure Timely Completion and Financing: The Ministry of Finance released detailed guidelines to regulate the construction and operation of existing public-private partnership (PPP) projects, stressing timely financing, contract fulfillment, and strict fiscal discipline. The move follows challenges faced by many PPP projects, including financing bottlenecks, delayed government payments, and high operating costs. According to officials, around 70% of China’s PPP projects are already operational, making their efficiency crucial for public service delivery. The new “Guiding Opinions” require local governments to prioritize projects based on necessity and viability, accelerate those nearing completion, and reassess slow-moving ones to avoid wasteful spending. Projects not started by the end of 2024 will no longer qualify under the PPP model. Financial institutions are urged to support ongoing projects by honoring loan agreements, cutting interest rates where feasible, and restructuring repayment terms. Local governments must integrate PPP-related expenditures into budget plans, ensure timely payments, and avoid misappropriation of funds. Experts believe the policy will reduce financial risks, improve infrastructure delivery, and stabilize long-term public services vital for China’s economic restructuring. 
  
  
• China Moves to Curb “Irrational Competition” in Solar PV Industry, Pushes for Sustainable Growth: China is stepping up regulation of its solar photovoltaic (PV) industry to rein in cutthroat competition and overcapacity that threaten long-term development. At a joint symposium led by six ministries, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the National Energy Administration (NEA), officials urged stronger regulation, improved investment oversight, and the market-driven phasing out of outdated capacity. Industry experts warned that aggressive price-cutting and repetitive low-level expansion are squeezing corporate profits, stifling innovation, and undermining supply chain security. Liu Qiao of Peking University said unchecked competition erodes investment returns and weakens China’s broader economic revitalization efforts. Similarly, Chen Deqiu of the University of International Business and Economics described the trend as a “vicious cycle” that hinders industrial upgrading. Authorities pledged to strengthen price monitoring, crack down on below-cost sales, and enhance the role of industry associations in setting standards and promoting fair practices. The China Photovoltaic Industry Association forecasts new capacity additions of 215–255 GW in 2025, down from 277 GW in 2024 reflecting a shift toward rational growth over volume expansion.
  
  
• China Rebukes New Zealand Over “Rumors” and Alleged Harassment of Chinese Nationals: At a regular press briefing on August 21, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning strongly criticized New Zealand’s intelligence and security agencies for what Beijing describes as repeated fabrications targeting China. Mao stated that New Zealand has for years “spread rumors and launched baseless attacks,” portraying normal people-to-people exchanges as suspicious activities. She also accused New Zealand authorities of harassment and intimidation of Chinese compatriots living in the country, calling it evidence of “ideological bias and a Cold War mentality.” China expressed “strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition” to such actions, stressing they undermine mutual trust and contradict the long-standing consensus on strengthening bilateral ties. Mao urged New Zealand to immediately cease what Beijing considers the spreading of lies and the creation of confrontation, instead encouraging Wellington to take concrete steps to safeguard healthy, stable, and cooperative relations. The remarks highlight growing strains in China New Zealand ties, as Beijing seeks to defend its diaspora and reputation against rising Western-aligned security concerns.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

China Urges Japan to Confront Wartime Crimes After Russian Release of Unit 731 Documents: Newly declassified Russian government documents confirming Japan’s use of biological warfare in China during World War II have reignited public debate in China. At a press conference on August 21, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning condemned Japan’s atrocities, stressing that Unit 731’s human experiments and germ warfare constituted “heinous crimes against humanity.” She said the evidence is “irrefutable” and urged Japan to confront its history, respect victims across Asia, and cut ties with militarism to avoid repeating past mistakes. The timing is symbolic, as 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the global fight against fascism. The issue has quickly trended on Chinese social media platforms such as Weibo, where hashtags like #Foreign Ministry Responds to Russian Documents Revealing Unit 731 Bacteriological #Warfare have surged. Many netizens expressed outrage and grief, demanding stronger international recognition of Japan’s wartime crimes. Others called for continued vigilance, arguing that historical denialism poses dangers to regional peace and stability.

INDIA WATCH

Sina News Article Discusses How Tejas Fighter Jet Debate Reignited Amidst Indian Demand for More Rafales: China’s Sina News has published a piece that criticized India’s indigenous fighter jet program after New Delhi confirmed plans to spend $20 billion on 114 new Rafale jets. The report mocked the Tejas project hailed as a symbol of “Make in India” as a 30-year effort that still failed to surpass the MiG-21, with former Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief admitting that in 2019, upgraded MiG-21 “Bison” jets had superior beyond-visual-range capabilities compared to Tejas. The piece also noted that while Tejas uses advanced subsystems, poor integration made it “a pot of unpalatable curry.” By contrasting Tejas with China’s J-10 and J-20 progress, the article framed India’s program as stagnant. The piece deliberately framed Chinese tech advancements as pragmatic while framing India’s military and fighter jet infrastructure as lacking. The piece concluded stating that the Rafale deal in that regard underscored both India’s urgent defense needs and the persistent struggle to balance ambition with capability.

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.