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NEWS IN CHINA

• China Urges EU to Reconsider Protectionist Cybersecurity Measures: China has expressed concern over a new cybersecurity policy package proposed by the European Commission, which would require European mobile networks to reduce reliance on suppliers from high-risk third countries. At a regular press briefing on January 21, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed China’ s concern over the protectionist steps that the EU is taking for cybersecurity. Guo urged the EU to take down protectionist measures and warned that China will take necessary steps to protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies if such policies continue. He added Chinese firms have operated in Europe for many years while following local laws and rules, and have never threatened Europe’s national security. According to Guo, Chinese firms have instead played a constructive role in advancing Europe’s telecommunications and digital industries by providing safe, high-quality products and services. He criticized the European Commission for ignoring these facts that form the strong foundation for China-EU cooperation in digital infrastructure. Guo argued that politicizing security issues undermines technological progress, weakens economic development, harms the EU’s image as an open market, and erodes investors’ trust in Europe.
  
  

• CPPCC Holds 2025 Macroeconomic Symposium, Wang Huning Addresses Meeting: The National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held a symposium in Beijing to analyze China’s macroeconomic situation in 2025. Wang Huning stressed the need to thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the Central Economic Work Conference, and to deepen understanding of Xi Jinping Thought on the Economy. He called for a clear grasp of China’s major economic and social achievements over the past year and during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, as well as the Party Central Committee’s judgments on the current economic situation, policy direction and key tasks for this year. Wang emphasized strengthening the Party’s overall leadership over economic work and aligning thinking and actions with central decision-making to support economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. He further added that the CPPCC should focus on key theoretical and practical issues, conduct in-depth research, actively offer policy advice, carry out democratic supervision, and help ensure a strong start to the new plan.
  
  

• China Commits to Work With Countries to Safeguard International Peace: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Wednesday emphasized Asia’s role as a vital ground for global development and prosperity, noting that this favorable situation must be valued and safeguarded. Responding to questions on Asian security amid recent U.S. actions involving Greenland, Venezuela, and arms sales to Taiwan, Guo reiterated China’s position that the principles of the UN Charter should be upheld, sovereignty respected, and disputes resolved through dialogue and consultation. He stressed that China does not pursue geopolitical rivalry or spheres of influence but is committed to good-neighborliness, friendship, and building a community with a shared future. He further added, regional affairs should be handled collectively, guided by amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness. Guo highlighted China’s vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, advanced through the Global Security Initiative, aimed at achieving universal peace. He added that China applies approaches with Chinese characteristics to address hotspot issues and will work with regional partners to promote an Asian security model based on shared risks, respect for differences, dialogue, and consultation. The goal, Guo concluded, is to jointly safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity across Asia.
  
  

• Supreme People’s Court Issues Legal Interpretation on Mineral Resource Disputes: The Supreme People’s Court issued a judicial interpretation addressing several issues related to mineral resource disputes, set to take effect on February 1, 2026. The interpretation, comprising twenty-three articles, aims to resolve prominent challenges in mineral resource trials, refine adjudication rules, and respond to urgent practical needs. It stipulates provisions on the validity and termination of mining rights transfer contracts, exploration and mining contracts without mining rights clauses, contracts in special areas, as well as transfer, valuation, mortgage, and cooperative exploration agreements. It also defines the scope of losses in cross-border exploration and mining, and outlines compensation liability for projects involving public interest that overlap with mineral resources. The interpretation emphasizes protecting the legitimate rights of mining rights holders, clarifying that transferees may terminate contracts if unable to legally obtain mining land due to transferor-related issues, thereby supporting the “clean mineral transfer” reform. Additionally, the interpretation safeguards ecological interests by specifying that mining rights holders who have completed and passed ecological restoration obligations cannot face repeated civil public interest litigation, unless new circumstances arise. This ensures balanced protection of state ownership and environmental sustainability.
  
  

• Provincial Financial Reports Show Savings Growing, Loans Falling: Recent financial reports from several Chinese provinces show rise in household savings alongside a decline in household loans. Data from the People’s Bank of China revealed that by December 2025, household deposits nationwide reached RMB 167 trillion, up 9.71% year-on-year, averaging RMB 118,900 per person. Provinces such as Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hebei, Ningxia, and Jilin all reported deposit growth between 6% and 11%, with Jiangsu leading at 11.48%. Analysts attribute this surge to precautionary savings, capital market volatility, weaker real estate returns, and residents’ efforts to prepay loans and reduce consumption, with time deposits hitting record highs. Household loans, however, showed negative growth in Guangdong and Zhejiang, particularly in short-term lending, reflecting cautious consumer sentiment. Industry experts noted that while residents’ financial stability has improved, confidence in spending and housing remains subdued. In contrast, corporate loans expanded significantly, rising by RMB 1.07 trillion year-on-year, supported by new policy-based financial instruments and stronger manufacturing activity, as December’s PMI returned to 50.1. Analysts believe corporate lending momentum may continue, offering near-term support to economic recovery, while household confidence is expected to recover gradually.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Erupts Over Programmer’s Sudden Death Linked to Overtime Work: A post on social media platform Weibo with hashtag #ProgrammerDiedSuddenlyAfterBeingAddedToWorkGroupDuringResuscitation has gone viral. The tragic case involved 32-year-old programmer Gao Guanghui, who collapsed at home on a Saturday morning after days of intense work pressure. Emergency medical records noted that he “often worked late nights” and faced a “high workload and high pressure.” Browser logs showed he accessed his company’s internal OA system multiple times on the day of his collapse, and he continued receiving work messages even while undergoing resuscitation and hours after his death. The incident has sparked online discussions. Many criticized excessive overtime culture, with comments such as “Working overtime to catch up on tasks should count as a work-related injury,” and “When ‘desperately trying to make money’ becomes literal, it’s bloody and cruel.” Others reflected on broader social anxieties, noting that many young professionals are “on the verge of sudden death” due to relentless work pressure. Some questioned the glorification of brightly lit office buildings at night, calling it “toxic promotion” of overwork. The case gained further attention after authorities confirmed the company’s application for work-related injury recognition had been accepted, though results are pending.

INDIA WATCH

Sina Finance Discusses Omdia Report on Vivo Leading India Smartphone Market: Sina Finance, citing a report by market research firm Omdia, analyzed the slowdown in India’s smartphone market amid rising costs and weakening demand. According to the report, smartphone shipments in India are projected to fall to 34.5 million units in the fourth quarter of 2025, down 7% year-on-year. At the same time, the total shipments for 2025 are expected to reach 154.2 million units, a 1% annual decrease. Omdia attributed this contraction to higher memory chip prices, depreciation of the rupee and consumers delaying replacement cycles. The article also highlighted competition among brands for existing users. Vivo toped the list with shipment of 7.9 million units in Q4 and captured a 23% market share, supported by strong sales of models like the Y31 5G and V60e. Samsung ranked second despite new product launches and trade-in programs. OPPO surpassed Xiaomi to take third place. Whereas, Xiaomi and Apple faced declining due to cautious pricing strategies and postponed consumer purchases. Sina noted that Vivo and OPPO were the only brands to achieve double-digit growth, benefiting from strong offline retail networks and effective inventory management. Omdia’s chief analyst predicted India’s smartphone market to see a mid-single-digit decline as rising hardware costs extend replacement cycles.

Prepared By

Neha Maurya

Neha Maurya is a fourth-year undergraduate student at FLAME University, pursuing a major in International Studies with a minor in Public Policy. Her research interests lie in strategic studies, governance, and education policy. She aspires to engage in work that links research insights to policy outcomes.