CiCM 25th December 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

China Slams US Section 301 Tariffs on Semiconductors: China’s Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yongqian rejected the US Trade Representative's Tuesday Section 301 investigation findings on China's semiconductor policies, firmly opposing new tariffs starting at 0 percent and rising within 18 months to levels announced at least 30 days before June 23, 2027. Beijing lodged stern representations via China-US economic/trade consultations, arguing the unilateral measures breach WTO rules, erode the global trade order, disrupt industrial/supply chains, and damage US firms/consumers. China urged prompt US reversal while pledging equal, respectful dialogue for mutual concerns under win-win principles, but warns of resolute countermeasures if rights are infringed.
China Warns of Japan Militarism Revival, Urges Global Containment: Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang called on peace-loving nations to unite against Japan's right-wing forces reviving militarism, responding to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and another official's nuclear armament comments amid Tokyo's defense report criticizing China's "rapid defense spending growth" and "nearby activities," including 2026 Okinawa mobile radar deployments. Zhang defended China's below-global-average GDP defense outlays and lawful operations in relevant waters, vowing resolute countermeasures to Japanese provocations while demanding an end to false narratives and anti-China targeting.
China Shatters Maglev Record with 700 km/h in 2 Seconds: National University of Defense Technology researchers accelerated a ton-level superconducting electric maglev test vehicle to 700 km/h in just two seconds on a 400-meter track, achieving the fastest speed ever on such a platform worldwide while completing a safe stop. The decade-long effort overcame key hurdles in ultra-high-speed electromagnetic propulsion, electric suspension guidance, transient high-power energy storage/inversion, and high-field superconducting magnets, propelling China into the global leading tier for ultra-high-speed maglev tech. This milestone unlocks vacuum-tube maglev potential and innovative approaches for aerospace boost launches/experimental testing.
China's 2025 Economy Defies Critics with 5% Growth Target on Track: Major organizations like the World Bank and IMF have upgraded forecasts, citing resilience amid challenges and effective policies boosting consumption, as Q1-Q3 GDP grew 5.2 percent toward the annual 5 percent goal and 140 trillion yuan total, solidifying its No. 2 global status. Amid misinterpretations on exports, consumption, involution, and tech, data counters narratives, goods trade rose 3.6 percent in Jan-Nov with foreign firms at 30 percent share and services deficit over $100 billion in Jan-Oct, while retail sales grew at a considerable percent, reflecting upgrades in NEVs, smart devices, and tourism over luxury cooling.
Holiday Surge and Visa Policies Fuel Inbound Tourism Boom: The Christmas-New Year holidays, combined with China's visa-free transit expansions like the 240-hour policy, have sparked a sharp rise in inbound travelers, with Shanghai Pudong Airport averaging over 19,000 foreign arrivals daily since December 18, up 16 percent, led by tourists from South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore comprising nearly 40 percent. Beijing Daxing saw over 830,000 foreign entries in 2025, a 54.6 percent year-on-year jump, as viral "China Travel" trends from influencers like IShowSpeed, Khaby Lame, and Ed Stafford draw younger visitors to both megacities and "hidden gems" such as Yuncheng, Zhoushan, and Liuzhou. Source markets have diversified beyond the traditional West to Southeast Asia, Belt and Road nations, Central/Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia, reflecting policy optimizations and shifting perceptions amid a robust 2025 recovery.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Huawei Satellite Lifeline Trends on Weibo Amid "Three Disruptions" Buzz: A viral Xinhua video on smartphones enabling emergency communication sans internet, filling gaps in "three disruptions" (road/power/comms blackouts), sparked a major buzz, with netizens praising Huawei's walkie-talkie-like tech as a rescue game-changer unrestricted by geography. The post also stated that The technological breakthrough of smartphones for emergency communication without internet access not only filled the gaps in traditional communication but would also gradually become a lifeline for people trapped in life threatening situations.

INDIA WATCH

Pentagon Flags China "Influencing" US-India Ties; Commentator Predicts Delhi's US Awakening: Chinese commentator Sima Pingbang framed the recent Pentagon assessments on China as exposing the fragility and transactional nature of US-India strategic ties. The analysis interpreted the Pentagon’s Military and Security Developments Involving the PRC report not as a signal of resolve, but as evidence of US strategic retrenchment in the Asia-Pacific, which, in their view, is already unsettling groupings such as the Quad and AUKUS. This narrative is reinforced through references to what Chinese commentators described as Washington’s habitual disregard for Asian partners, illustrated by former President Trump’s reported indifference toward India’s bid to host the Quad summit in November. The piece also argued that India lacks military heft to challenge China alone post-May India-Pakistan air clash, where Chinese J-10CEs allegedly downed advanced Indian jets, promoting New Delhi's non-retaliation and policy recalibration toward its neighbours.

Prepared By

Arav Neil Dey

Arav Neil Dey is a research intern at the Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA). Currently in his second year at FLAME University, he is pursuing a degree in International Studies. Driven by a fascination for global dynamics, he is passionate about international relations, peace and conflict studies, and military history. Arav especially enjoys diving into the shifting strategic landscape of China and West Asia, always seeking out unconventional perspectives and a deeper understanding.