CiCM 1st October 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

China’s Golden Holiday Season Fuels Travel Boom: During China’s eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, an estimated 2.36 billion cross-regional trips are expected, showcasing the surging momentum of “Holiday China.” The average daily travel volume will reach 295 million, marking a 3.2% year-on-year increase. Enhanced transport networks, new high-speed rail lines, expanded highways, and additional flights are fueling the nationwide travel wave. Railways are seeing record traffic, with themed trains like the Panda Special Train and New Orient Express offering luxury “mobile star-rated hotel” experiences. The Shenyang-Baishan High-Speed Railway recorded its first peak holiday rush, cutting travel time to 1 hour 53 minutes. Cruise tourism is also booming, with Shanghai’s Wusongkou Port handling 12 cruise ships and 44,000 passengers this week. The “Flight Enlargement + Visa Exemption” policy has further boosted inbound tourism, with airports like Huangshan Tunxi launching new international routes, including Kuala Lumpur. Cultural destinations are thriving, like Huizhou pottery workshops, Longquan Celadon, and “Best Tourist Villages” attracting in-depth travelers seeking immersive experiences. Experts note that the multi-dimensional upgrades in transport and tourism are stimulating consumption, circulation, and economic vitality, reinforcing tourism’s role as a powerful engine in China’s domestic and global economic cycle.
Xi Jinping Urges Tianjin University to Align Education with National Strategic Goals: On the occasion of Tianjin University’s 130th anniversary, President Xi Jinping wrote a congratulatory letter to all teachers, students, staff, and alumni, underscoring the institution’s historic role and future mission. Xi emphasized that universities must focus on China’s major strategic needs, deepen educational and research reforms, and strengthen basic research alongside technological innovation. He called on Tianjin University to improve the quality of talent cultivation, serve the nation’s economic and social development, and contribute to building a strong nation in education, science, and technology. Xi urged the university to adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and to advance Chinese-style modernization. Founded in 1895 as Beiyang University, Tianjin University is China’s first modern university. In their earlier letter to Xi, the university community highlighted its achievements and reaffirmed their commitment to fostering self-reliant talent and innovation to support national rejuvenation.
China Strengthens Combat Readiness Patrols Over Huangyan Dao: Since September, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command has intensified combat readiness patrols around the territorial waters and airspace of Huangyan Dao (Scarborough Shoal), according to an official statement released Wednesday. The command confirmed that naval and air forces have been deployed to conduct continuous patrols, enhance vigilance, and reinforce control and management over the contested region. The PLA emphasized that the move is designed to “effectively counter unlawful infringements and provocations”, signaling a strong response to recent tensions in the South China Sea. The statement underlined that the operations aim to safeguard China’s sovereignty and national security, while also contributing to what Beijing calls “peace and stability” in the region. Huangyan Dao, claimed by both China and the Philippines, has been a frequent flashpoint amid increasing maritime frictions. The PLA’s latest escalation reflects China’s firm stance against perceived challenges to its territorial claims and growing assertiveness in defending its “blue national border.”
Beijing Launches First Digital RMB-Backed Loan: Beijing has issued its first-ever digital RMB-backed loan, signaling a major step in integrating digital currency into real-world financial services. Under the guidance of the National Financing Guarantee Fund, the loan was facilitated by Beijing Reinsurance Company, Guohua Guarantee, and Beijing Rural Commercial Bank, granting a 1 million yuan credit line to a local energy firm. The borrower received and repaid the loan entirely through a digital RMB wallet, even using it for employee salaries, showcasing the end-to-end digitalization of financing. Powered by Kunpeng Kuaifu, a fintech arm of PetroChina, the model uses smart contracts to ensure traceability, tamper-proofing, and closed-loop fund management, enabling automatic repayment and efficient capital flows. Officials from Guohua Guarantee emphasized their commitment to digital transformation, employing big data and AI to improve services for small and micro enterprises. The initiative demonstrates how digital RMB can enhance financial inclusion, modernize payment systems, and support real economy growth. Going forward, Guohua plans to expand digital RMB applications, deepening bank-guarantee integration and contributing to Beijing’s goal of becoming a leading global financial innovation hub.
China’s September Manufacturing PMI Shows Signs of Recovery: China’s official manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 49.8 in September, up from 49.4 in August, marking the second consecutive monthly increase, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Though still below the 50-point threshold separating expansion from contraction, the improvement signals stabilizing market demand and a gradual recovery in production. Analysts noted that the easing of extreme weather conditions and policy measures to expand domestic demand have strengthened economic momentum. The new orders index climbed to 49.7, while export orders improved to 47.8, aided by robust performance in China’s “new trio” exports of electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and solar cells. High-tech and equipment manufacturing remained growth drivers, with PMIs at 51.6 and 51.9, respectively, indicating sustained expansion in strategic sectors. Analysts expect the fourth quarter to benefit from a 500-billion-yuan policy-based financial instrument, stronger fiscal support, and easing monetary policies. However, challenges persist, including a sluggish property sector and weak consumption. Experts emphasize that targeted macroeconomic measures will be crucial in achieving 14th Five-Year Plan goals and maintaining economic stability amid global trade pressures.
Hong Kong Marks 76th National Day: Hong Kong celebrated the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 2025, with citywide ceremonies and festive activities. At 8 AM, the national and regional flags were raised at Wan Chai’s Golden Bauhinia Square, attended by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and senior officials. While the government restricted public viewing, many residents gathered at nearby spots like Wan Chai Ferry Pier to watch from afar. A student, Lee Ka-chun, expressed disappointment at the limited access, recalling closer experiences at Tiananmen Square. During the anthem, helicopters carrying the Chinese flag flew over Victoria Harbour, accompanied by vessels from the Police and Fire Services Department. For the first time, Kai Tak Sports Park hosted its own flag-raising ceremony at 11 AM, offering free ice cream and drinks. Visitor Leah Zhang, from Jiangmen, noted the event’s low turnout due to limited promotions. Evening fireworks over Victoria Harbour drew crowds, prompting police crowd control and traffic diversions. Citizens enjoyed free tram and ferry rides, half-priced movie tickets, and festive cheer as over 550,000 people crossed Hong Kong’s borders during the day.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Guizhou’s “World’s No. 1 Shuisilou” Transformed into Luxury Hotel: During China’s National Day holiday, the once-infamous unfinished landmark in Dushan County, Guizhou, known as the “World’s No. 1 Shuisilou,” has made a dramatic comeback as the Zilinshan Holly Villa Hotel. Originally funded by nearly 200 million yuan and left incomplete for years, the 24-story, 99.9-meter-tall wooden structure was taken over by the Gemi Group in 2024 and officially opened in May 2025 as a five-star ecological wellness resort. Featuring 365 guest rooms, multiple dining options, conference facilities, leisure areas, and wellness services, the hotel quickly became a social media sensation. On October 1st, staff confirmed that the hotel was fully booked for October 3rd, including executive deluxe suites priced at 3,688 yuan per night, while other premium rooms were already snapped up. Chinese netizens flocked to Weibo to share opinions, with many praising the hotel’s scenic design and cultural aesthetics, though some criticized it, calling the 200 million yuan transformation “a steal,” while others argued it’s “just a drop in the bucket,” warning that high maintenance costs and limited National Day earnings could still lead to heavy losses. The transformation of a controversial, debt-laden local project into a fully-booked luxury destination has sparked widespread discussion, highlighting both Guizhou’s growing tourism appeal and the public fascination with extravagant redevelopment projects.

INDIA WATCH

The Paper Highlights How India Shifts to Pluralistic Diplomacy: An article in The Paper reported that India faces a fresh setback in its strategic connectivity plans after the United States revoked sanctions exemptions for the Indian-operated Chabahar Port in Iran, effective September 29. The move, part of Washington’s “maximum pressure campaign” against Iran, threatens India’s first overseas port project and its North-South Corridor initiative, which links India to Central Asia, Russia, and Europe. Experts quoted by The Paper view the US action as part of a broader strategy to curtail India’s regional influence. Qian Feng of Tsinghua University said that India’s declining priority in US strategy, coupled with growing tension between Trump and Modi, has worsened bilateral relations. Liu Zongyi of the Shanghai Institute for International Studies called the sanctions a “fatal blow” to India’s connectivity ambitions, warning that foreign investment in Chabahar may now hesitate. Indian media highlighted that the timing is particularly challenging, as India had recently signed a 10-year port operation contract and invested $370 million. New Delhi is now pursuing a more diversified diplomatic approach, strengthening ties with Russia, ASEAN, Africa, and even China, to reduce overreliance on the US. While defense and technology cooperation with Washington remains vital, India’s foreign policy is visibly returning to a pragmatic, pluralistic framework.

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.