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NEWS IN CHINA

• Xi, Orpo Pledge Deeper Cooperation and Uphold Multilateral International Order: China and Finland have pledged to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly uphold the multilateral international order, following a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Beijing. President Xi called on Finland to work with China to firmly uphold the international system centered on the United Nations and the international order based on international law. Xi emphasized that China and Europe are partners rather than rivals, with cooperation outweighing competition. Reaffirming China’s commitment to high-quality development and high-standard opening-up, Xi encouraged expanded cooperation in areas including energy transition, the circular economy, agriculture, forestry, and technological innovation. Prime Minister Orpo said Finland values its long-standing friendship with China and firmly adheres to the one-China policy. He expressed Finland’s willingness to deepen pragmatic cooperation in trade, investment, the digital economy, clean energy, and agriculture, while strengthening coordination with China to safeguard world peace and stability. During the visit, Premier Li Qiang and Orpo witnessed the signing of multiple memorandums of understanding and cooperation documents covering sectors such as science and technology, economy and trade, customs, and cultural tourism.
  
  

• Beijing Welcomes Domestic and Foreign Media to Cover 2026 NPC and CPPCC Sessions: China has announced that local and foreign journalists are welcome to cover the Fourth Session of the 14th National People’s Congress and the Fourth Session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, which will open in Beijing on March 5 and March 4, 2026, respectively. According to a statement released by the General Offices of the NPC Standing Committee and the CPPCC, most interviews will be conducted in person, supplemented by other formats, in line with the principles of openness and transparency. Journalists are required to apply through designated channels depending on their affiliation, including central and local media outlets, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan media organizations, as well as foreign journalists based in or visiting China, with the application deadline set for February 3. The press center for both sessions will be established at the Media Center on Fuxing Road in Beijing and will begin official operations on February 27, providing services and timely information to facilitate media coverage through its dedicated websites.
  
  

• China, OIC Commit to Deeper Strategic Partnership to Safeguard Developing Nations: China has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Islamic countries to jointly protect the legitimate rights and interests of developing nations. The pledge was made during a meeting in Beijing between Chinese leaders and OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China is prepared to deepen political mutual trust, enhance strategic coordination, firmly support each other on core interests, and expand practical cooperation. He proposed advancing partnerships across development, security, civilizational dialogue, and global governance. Vice President Han Zheng expressed China’s expectation of continued support from Islamic countries on matters related to Xinjiang and Taiwan. Taha reaffirmed the OIC’s adherence to the one-China principle, praised China’s development achievements in Xinjiang, and opposed external interference in China’s internal affairs. He said the OIC stands ready to further deepen its partnership with China. The two sides also exchanged views on the Palestinian issue, including China’s role in promoting a just and lasting resolution.
  
  

• Beijing Revises Drug Law Regulations to Boost Innovation and Introduce Market Exclusivity: China has rolled out a major update to its pharmaceutical regulatory framework, as Premier Li Qiang recently signed a State Council decree promulgating the revised Regulations for the Implementation of the Drug Administration Law, which will take effect on May 15, 2026. This marks the first comprehensive revision of the regulations in 23 years, with more than 90 percent of clauses amended, and put strong emphasis on encouraging drug innovation. Notably, the new rules introduced a market exclusivity period for the first time, granting up to two years of exclusivity for qualifying pediatric drugs and up to seven years for eligible rare disease drugs, provided supply commitments are met. The regulations also reaffirmed support for clinically valuable research, fast track drug review and approval, and the promotion and use of innovative medicines.
  
  

• China Unveils 126-Athlete Team for Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: China has officially announced its delegation for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, fielding 126 athletes as part of a 286-member team determined to deliver its strongest-ever performance at an overseas Winter Games. With an average age of 25, the athletes will compete in 91 medal events across seven sports, supported by coaches, trainers and technical staff from 21 countries and regions. The squad is led by nine Olympic champions, including freestyle skiing star Gu Ailing, snowboarding gold medalist Su Yiming and veteran aerials skier Xu Mengtao, while 67 athletes will make their Winter Olympic debut. Sixteen members of the team come from China’s ethnic minority groups, and this marks the country’s largest-ever delegation sent to an overseas Winter Olympics since its debut in 1980. The team is expected to be highly competitive in events such as freestyle skiing, snowboarding, short-track speed skating and figure skating as it aims to set a new benchmark on the global ice and snow stage.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Wuhan Community Tragedy Sparks Heated Debate on Responsibility: A tragic accident in a Wuhan residential community, where a three-year-old boy was fatally struck by a parked delivery tricycle, has triggered intense discussion on weibo. According to reports, the child touched the handle of the three-wheeled vehicle parked by a 72-year-old water delivery worker, causing it to move and hit him. Authorities said the incident was an accident and that the elderly man was not held criminally responsible. On social media, many netizens focused on parental supervision, with comments like “Then it’s clear, the parents bear the main responsibility,” and “Never let your child out of your sight, parents, remember this.” Others expressed sympathy for both sides, saying “A 72-year-old man and a three-year-old child, both are pitiful,” and “Would you like to consider the 72-year-old who is still delivering water?” Some urged practical caution, noting “Even if the child touched the handle, the rider should turn off the power and pull out the key when parking.” There were also voices questioning details, such as “At three years old playing alone downstairs?” and “Why doesn’t the report clearly point out the mother’s negligence?” while others reacted emotionally, saying “This is not about money at all,” and “How could it move just by touching the handle?” The incident has left netizens divided but largely reflective about child safety, supervision, and everyday risks.

INDIA WATCH

Indian Air Force Releases Republic Day Video Showing Aircraft Carrying Munitions, Guancha Reports: According to Chinese media outlet Guancha, the Indian Air Force released a video on January 26, as India marked its 77th Republic Day, showing an “Operation Cinnabar” aircraft formation flying with live munitions, unlike the unarmed formation that took part in the New Delhi parade. The video featured Rafale, Su-30MKI, MiG-29UPG, Jaguar, Mirage 2000 and LCA Tejas aircraft carrying a range of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. The report said it marked the first public confirmation that Indian Air Force Rafales are equipped with MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, along with SCALP-EG cruise missiles and Hammer precision-guided munitions. The footage also showed Su-30MKIs carrying BrahMos and Rampage missiles, a Mirage 2000 armed with a Popeye air-to-ground missile, and an LCA Tejas launching a Derby air-to-air missile, indicating broader operational integration across different platforms. Guancha noted that the video may help address longstanding questions about certain weapons in Indian service and comes amid reports that India is considering additional long-range air-to-air missile acquisitions to enhance its air combat capabilities.

Prepared By

Mohit Singh Mehra

Mohit Singh Mehra is a Master’s student of International Relations at South Asian University, New Delhi. His academic and research interests focus on China, Himalayan geopolitics, and border dynamics, with a particular emphasis on strategic, security, and political developments in the region. He is interested in understanding how geography, power, and policy interact in shaping regional order in Asia.