CiCM 23rd January 2026

NEWS IN CHINA

Xi Jinping Extends Congratulations to Vietnam’s Newly Elected General Secretary: Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to To Lam on his election as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). Xi praised the CPV for its achievements, noting that Vietnam has followed a path of socialist modernization suited to its national conditions, strengthened its leadership, and led the Vietnamese people toward progress in reform and development. Xi stressed that these successes have enhanced Vietnam’s international reputation and influence. He also praised the successful convening of the 14th National Congress of the CPV, which marks a new stage of national development for Vietnam. Xi further added that under the leadership of the new CPV Central Committee led by To Lam, the party and state will achieve new successes and complete the goals set at the 14th Congress. Xi emphasized that China and Vietnam are friendly socialist neighbors with a strategically significant community of shared future. He stressed that he values the relationship between the two parties and countries and is willing to work with To Lam to strengthen strategic communication, deepen cooperation, and promote socialism.
Nine Departments Launch 2026 Spring Breeze Employment Campaign: The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS) announced that nine departments will jointly launch the 2026 Spring Breeze Action and Employment Assistance Season from January to March across China. The theme of the campaign is “Spring Breeze Brings Jobs, Promoting Employment, Sincere Assistance Warms Hearts,” aimed at supporting unemployed individuals, casual laborers, and rural workers. The campaign will focus on promoting an increase in jobs and income levels of disadvantaged populations. The program will address four-pronged interventions that will involve the provision of employment, services, policies, and aids. Under this campaign, local governments will increase recruitment services to communities, villages, industrial parks, shopping malls, night markets, train stations and tourist sites. Online recruitment models, such as online job visits, will also be advertised. The “15-minute employment service circle” will deliver services directly to residents’ doorsteps. Lists of employment policies and services will also be shared by the authorities in the form of infographics, short videos, and leaflets to create awareness.
Xi Jinping Held Telephonic Conversation With Brazilian President: Xi Jinping held a telephonic conversation with Brazilian President Lula. He reaffirmed the strengthening of bilateral ties. Xi recalled their last meeting in 2024, where both leaders elevated relations to a shared future that aims at building a just world and sustainable planet. He noted that cooperation between China and Brazil has gained momentum, with stronger alignment of development strategies, setting an example of solidarity among Global South nations. Xi emphasized that 2026 marks the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, which will promote high-quality development and greater openness, thereby creating new opportunities for cooperation. Highlighting global turbulence, Xi stressed that China and Brazil are major powers safeguarding peace, stability, and reforming global governance. He pledged China’s support for Latin American and Caribbean countries for a shared future. In response, President Lula praised Xi’s 2024 visit to Brazil as historic, noting significant progress in cooperation across multiple fields. He reaffirmed Brazil’s commitment to working with China to strengthen bilateral and regional ties, uphold multilateralism, and support free trade. He also stated that Brazil is willing to work with China to protect the authority of the United Nations, deepen BRICS cooperation and uphold regional and global peace and stability.
Measures Issued on Online Content Harmful to Minors: China’s State Internet Information Office and seven other government departments jointly issued new rules on online content that may harm minors’ physical and mental health that will come into effect from March 1, 2026. The rules aim to implement the Regulations on the Protection of Minors Online and provide a standard for identifying harmful online information. The “Measures” classify four types of online content that may negatively affect minors and specify how these issues may appear in practice. They also address recent problems, such as the improper use of minors’ images and set preventive requirements for new technologies and business models. Under the new regulations, website platforms and content creators are mandated to take preventive and protective actions to reduce the impact of harmful information on minors. They are also required to strengthen content management and prevent minors from accessing inappropriate content. A spokesperson from the State Internet Information Office noted that the cyberspace administration will continue to monitor the online environment, and urged platforms to fulfill their responsibilities to create a safer online space for children and teenagers.
China Hits 2.29 Million High-Value Patents: According to the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), the number of high-value invention patents on the Chinese mainland had reached 2.29 million by the end of 2025. During the same period, the total number of valid invention patents reached 5.32 million. The year-on-year growth rate of high-value patents was 2.2 percentage points higher than that of total invention patents last year. CNIPA data showed that high-value invention patents accounted for 43.1 percent of all invention patents in 2025, which marks an increase of 2.9 percentage points compared with 2020. Liang Xinxin, a senior CNIPA official, noted that this reflects a steady rise in patents with stronger technological content, higher market value, and stronger legal protection. Around 70 percent of these patents are concentrated in strategic emerging industries, with fast growth seen in AI, information technology, computer technology, and medical technology. The average ownership of high-value patents rose to 16 per 10,000 people, exceeding the 14th Five-Year Plan target. Liang further added that the future efforts will focus on quality-driven innovation.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Buzzes Over Risks and Reality of Extracting Gold From SIM Cards: A post with the hashtag #IsItFeasibleToExtractGoldFromSIMCards is going viral on Weibo. The post is about a man in Guangdong who reportedly extracted 191.73 grams of gold from discarded SIM card chip waste. This has sparked curiosity about whether SIM cards and other electronic chips can be a new source of “hidden gold.” The post also warns that although SIM cards contain trace amounts of gold, the extraction process involves dangerous chemicals and environmental risks. Public reaction on Weibo has been full of humor, curiosity and concern. Some questioned the cost-benefit ratio, asking, “How much did the scrap SIM cards cost to begin with?” Others were stunned by the numbers, commenting, “191 grams from such tiny chips, how many cards would that take?” Several users joked that they would need “a ton of waste” to try it themselves, while others linked the trend to rising gold prices, saying people are now “trying every possible way to dig out gold.” At the same time, many comments stressed safety and environmental concerns. Users warned that extracting gold at home could release toxic gases and cause serious pollution, calling it “a loss for society as a whole.” Others suggested that SIM cards should be recycled through official telecom or professional channels rather than handled by individuals.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Discusses How Power Grid Failures Threaten India’s Economic Growth: An article published on Guancha discusses India’s growing power supply crisis and the structural problems facing its electricity distribution system, which threaten long-term economic growth. According to the article, electricity demand has been rising about 9% annually since 2021 and is expected to double in the next decade. It stressed that the country has invested heavily in power generation, but distribution remains the weakest point as high losses, theft, unpaid bills, and aging infrastructure are prevalent. It emphasized that India’s power loss rate stands at around 16%, which is higher than global benchmarks. Guancha noted that a core problem associated with the electricity distribution system lies in long-standing political promises of cheap or free electricity for farmers without adequate fiscal support. The article further argues that this has left state-owned distribution companies overburdened with about $80 billion in debt. It stressed that to cover losses, higher electricity prices are imposed on industrial users, making Indian manufacturing less competitive globally and pushing firms to build costly power plants. Subsidies have also distorted agriculture, encouraging water-intensive crops and worsening groundwater depletion. The article highlights Odisha as a rare success story, where partial privatization through a Tata Power partnership cut losses and improved efficiency without raising prices. The article concluded by noting that the Modi government is pushing power sector reforms, including a proposed bill to enhance competitiveness, cut subsidies and an $11 billion bailout linked to market opening and added that upgrading India’s struggling power sector should be seen as a key priority to support manufacturing growth.

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.