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NEWS IN CHINA

• Xi Jinping congratulates China Zhi Gong Party on its 100th Anniversary: Beijing marked the centenary of the China Zhi Gong Party (CZGP), with President Xi Jinping sending a congratulatory letter highlighting its historic role and future responsibilities. Xi praised the CZGP as the earliest democratic party in China, which has stood alongside the Communist Party of China (CPC) through revolution, reform, and modernization. He emphasized the party’s contributions to national independence, prosperity, and the unity of overseas Chinese. In his message, Xi urged the CZGP to remain firmly under CPC leadership, uphold socialist ideology with Chinese characteristics for a new era, and broaden its unifying role among overseas Chinese, returnees, and their families. He stressed that the party should actively serve national reunification and contribute to China’s modernization goals. At the Beijing celebration, Wang Huning, Standing Committee member of the CPC Politburo, underlined the significance of Xi’s letter, describing it as guidance for strengthening China’s multi-party cooperation system.
  
  
• White Paper Highlights Party’s Governance Strategy in Xinjiang:  The State Council Information Office released a white paper titled “Successful Practice of the Party's Xinjiang Governance Strategy in the New Era”, underscoring achievements in fostering national unity and social integration in the region. The document emphasized Xinjiang’s steady efforts to build a strong sense of community among all ethnic groups by promoting shared values of solidarity, mutual prosperity, and collective destiny. It highlighted measures to strengthen mainstream ideology, enhance the appeal of Chinese culture, and deepen the political foundation of unity and struggle. The paper also noted urban-rural planning reforms and balanced public service distribution, aimed at fostering closer integration across ethnic, cultural, economic, and social lines. Additionally, the white paper outlined initiatives for border development, poverty alleviation, and religious management.
  
  
• Xi Jinping and Trump Hold Telephonic Conversation on China-US Relations: President Xi Jinping held a telephonic conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump. The two leaders conducted an in-depth exchange on the state of bilateral ties, offering strategic direction for the next phase of China-US relations. Xi highlighted the historical bond between the two nations, recalling their alliance during World War II and China’s recent commemoration of the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, where families of the American Flying Tigers were invited as honored guests. He stressed that both countries must uphold mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation while avoiding unilateral trade restrictions that could jeopardize hard-won progress. Xi also reiterated China’s stance on the TikTok issue, urging Washington to provide a fair business environment for Chinese companies. Trump praised China’s military parade as magnificent, reaffirmed the importance of U.S.-China relations, and expressed readiness to deepen economic cooperation and jointly promote world peace and stability.
  
  
• Shanghai Adjusts Property Tax Rules to Benefit Non-Local Families: The Shanghai Municipal Finance Bureau and Taxation Bureau announced new adjustments to the city’s personal housing property tax policy, effective January 1, 2025. The revised rules are designed to ease the housing burden on non-local residents holding Shanghai residence permits. Under the new policy, eligible non-local households purchasing their first home will be temporarily exempt from property tax. For second or subsequent homes, a tax-free allowance of 60 square meters per person will apply, matching the benefits long available to local residents. Previously, non-local buyers had to pay full property tax on multiple homes, which raised costs and dampened demand. Eligibility extends to two groups: high-level and urgently needed talents working in Shanghai, and families with residence permits for three years or more. For those with permits under three years, taxes will be “collected first and refunded later” once they meet the threshold.
  
  
• Beijing Xiangshan Forum Wraps Up with Calls for Fair Global Security Order: The 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum concluded after three days of high-level dialogue centered on the theme of “Upholding International Order and Promoting Peaceful Development.” The forum brought together more than 1,800 participants, including government officials, military representatives, scholars, and observers from over 100 countries, regions, and international organizations. Discussions covered pressing issues such as establishing a fair and equitable global security governance system, strengthening mutual trust and security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, and safeguarding international order to ensure global stability. Delegates also emphasized the importance of dialogue and consultation in building lasting regional peace, highlighting cooperative approaches over confrontation. The program featured a range of activities beyond plenary sessions, including a dialogue with senior experts, a seminar for young military officers and scholars, and several closed-door meetings. 

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Stainless Steel Blind Path in Guangzhou Sparks Public Outcry on Weibo: A section of stainless steel tactile paving in Guangzhou’s Tianhe District has drawn widespread criticism after a viral video showed pedestrians slipping and falling. The controversial installation, located on Tiyu East Road, quickly became a trending topic on Weibo under the hashtag “Stainless Steel Blind Path Causes Multiple Falls.” The Tianhe District Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau confirmed that the paving was only a temporary measure laid by a road construction unit and has ordered immediate rectification. Online reactions have been strong. Many users recalled earlier warnings from visually impaired comedian “Black Light,” who once joked that stainless steel paving feels like “ice skating after rain.” Netizens now argue that the incident shows how safety concerns raised years ago were ignored. Some praised Shenzhen’s earlier move to remove similar paving overnight, contrasting it with Guangzhou’s oversight. The debate underscores growing frustration with poor urban planning decisions that overlook accessibility and public safety.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Questions Indian Media’s Rafale-J35A Comparison: Guancha has offered a critical perspective on recent Indian media coverage comparing the Rafale fighter jet to China’s new J-35A stealth aircraft. The discussion was sparked by a segment aired on September 17 by WION, a prominent Indian English-language news channel, which examined the capabilities of France’s Dassault Rafale F4 against the Chinese J-35A. The program highlighted the Rafale's combat performance, particularly during the recent India-Pakistan tensions and characterized the J-35A as relatively untested, with questions around its operational range. In response, Guancha referenced reports during that period suggesting Indian Rafales may have been challenged by Pakistan’s J-10C fighters, raising doubts about claims of superiority. Guancha also criticized the tone of WION’s coverage, calling the comparisons exaggerated and questioning India’s ongoing tendency to measure imported Western jets against domestically developed Chinese aircraft. The article noted that India is reportedly considering the acquisition of 114 additional Rafales, a deal estimated at around US$22.6 billion—underscoring both the financial scale and strategic weight of such a move. 

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.