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NEWS IN CHINA

• Uruguay’s President Arrives in China for State Visit: Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi arrived in Beijing for a state visit, marking his first visit to China since assuming office in March 2025. Accompanied by a large delegation of government officials, businessmen and academicians, the visit aims to make a strategic push to strengthen international integration, boost trade and investment, and deepen cooperation in science and technology. Orsi noted that building friendly ties with China is a national consensus in Uruguay, emphasizing that relations have consistently moved in a positive direction. The visit builds on the comprehensive strategic partnership established between the two countries in November 2023, which serves as a foundation for enhanced cooperation. During the Xi-Orsi meeting, Xi urged deeper alignment of development strategies and expanded cooperation across multiple domains including trade, finance, agriculture, infrastructure, green development, digital economy, artificial intelligence and clean energy. He further added that China supports Latin American countries in protecting their sovereignty, security and economic interests. Both leaders also witnessed the signing of over 10 economic cooperation agreements. China also endorsed Uruguay’s leadership roles in regional groupings such as CELAC and Mercosur, and expressed willingness to foster a ‘community with a shared-future’ between China and the Latin America region.

• Li Qiang Calls for Enhancing Development During Shandong Inspection Tour: During an inspection tour in east China’s Shandong Province, Li Qiang called for stronger and effective efforts to advance development, improve people’s well-being and sustain growth momentum. Li emphasized that smart manufacturing should be a key driver of technological transformation and industrial upgrading. He urged the active use of artificial intelligence to boost production and manufacturing chain across its full lifecycle to increase efficiency. He also called for faster development and application of green and low-carbon technologies, such as the use of industrial waste heat as a stable and clean energy source. During the visit, Li also briefed a meeting on Shandong’s energy infrastructure and nuclear power projects. He stressed the need to better coordinate the construction and safe operation of clean energy facilities. He further emphasised strengthening technological capabilities, regulatory oversight and support for building a modern energy system. Li also chaired a symposium to gather opinions on the draft government work report and the draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development. He stated that key priorities of the upcoming Five-year Plan include development of new quality productive forces, improving the domestic economic cycle and promoting employment and income growth.

• China Approves Spatial Plan for Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Capital Region: China’s central authorities have approved the Spatial Coordination Plan for the Modernization of the Capital Metropolitan Area (2023–2035). The plan covers the capital regions of  Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, which are designated as critical zones for safeguarding the capital's core functions. It focuses on easing Beijing’s non-capital functions and strengthening its role as the national political, cultural and international exchange center. The region is positioned as a core engine for high-quality growth and a model for Chinese-style modernization. A clear spatial structure is outlined, which features “one core, two wings, two cities, multiple points, two corridors and multiple circles”. Beijing remains the core of the spatial plan, while Xiong’an New Area and Beijing’s municipal sub-center form the two wings, and Beijing and Tianjin are developed as twin cities, supported by Hebei’s key node cities. The plan stresses industrial coordination, innovation-driven growth and advanced manufacturing. It promotes integrated transport networks, disaster prevention cooperation, ecological protection and balanced public services such as education and healthcare. The plan also emphasizes the development of Tianjin as a key port for international shipping in North China.

• Former Justice Minister Tang Yijun Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Bribery: A former Minister of Justice, Tang Yijun, was sentenced to life in prison by Xiamen intermediate court in Fujian province on Monday for bribery. The court also ruled that he will be denied political rights for life and his assets will be confiscated. The judgement noted that he misused his power and position while he was serving as a governor of Liaoning and Minister of Justice between 2006 to 2022 to get benefits. He is charged for bribes worth over 137 million yuan in matters related to bank loans, company public offerings, land buybacks and case handling. The court ruled that the amount involved was "extremely large", leading to "extremely huge" losses to the country. It, however, also showed leniency in the judgment as Tang confessed to his crime and other previous bribes as well as returned illegal gains. Tang also served as the Chairperson of Jiangxi Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference since 2023 and was dismissed from the Party in 2024 for serious violations of Party discipline and national laws.

• China Launches Shopping Campaign to Enhance Spring Festival Consumption: The Ministry of Commerce announced a special nine-day shopping campaign to boost holiday consumption during the Spring Festival which aims to enrich cultural experience and enhance market momentum. The campaign will run from 15th to 23rd February which will feature activities related to dining, accommodation, transportation, tourism, shopping and entertainment. The measures include offering price cuts on home appliances and home renovation, and increasing transport capacity to support holiday travel. Authorities will also organize cultural and tourism consumption activities, launch shopping promotions in major commercial districts, and provide discounts on cinema tickets to stimulate entertainment spending. To further support retail consumption, the government is expanding “trade-in” programs, increasing subsidies for consumer goods and giving stronger support to retail stores. In addition, efforts will be made to improve the payment environment for international visitors by enhancing access to bank card services, mobile payments and cash options, making spending easier for inbound tourists. 

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Reacts as Six Banks Announce Adjustments to Gold-related Requirements: A recent post with the hashtag #SixMajorBanksAdjustGoldBusinesses# has drawn attention after several major Chinese banks issued announcements adjusting gold-related products and warning investors of rising risks amid sharp swings in domestic and global gold prices. Banks, including ICBC, ABC, Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Bank of Communications and Postal Savings Bank, have raised margin requirements, increased minimum investment thresholds and tightened suitability rules. Banks also repeatedly urge customers to invest rationally and avoid chasing price highs and lows. Public reaction has been mixed with discussions focusing more on market anxiety than on the technical adjustments themselves. Many users interpreted the coordinated moves as a strong risk signal, saying that banks “don’t act together without reason” and warning that volatility may further worsen. Another user echoed the banks’ advice, calling for "long-term strategy", and phased investment strategies for better risk control. A user also expressed his disappointment that they had already suffered losses due to a sudden price surge, noting “all my gains for the year are gone”. There was also a lighter but telling response from everyday consumers, with some worrying less about trading risks and more about whether fluctuating prices would affect buying gold jewelry for family needs. 

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Discusses India’s New Fiscal Year Budget: Guancha discusses India’s new fiscal year budget, noting that it comes against the backdrop of escalating global trade frictions and U.S. tariffs on Indian goods. The article states that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a record 12.2 trillion rupees in capital expenditure, a 9 percent increase, with infrastructure development such as roads, ports, railways and urban projects, placed at the center of the plan. It adds that the Indian government is also prioritizing strategic industries such as semiconductors, rare earths, textiles and data centers, aiming to reduce dependence on Chinese imports and strengthen India’s manufacturing base. It argues that tax exemptions are expected to support lithium-ion battery inputs, nuclear power equipment and foreign cloud service companies investing in data centers, positioning India as a hub for AI and digital infrastructure. However, the article also notes that markets reacted negatively, with the Sensex and Nifty falling, resulting in the worst budget-day performance in six years due to increase in taxes on derivatives trading. It assesses that while GDP growth is projected at 7.4% in 2025–26, external pressures such as U.S. tariffs may slow growth later. Analysts cited by Guancha believe the budget balances fiscal discipline with growth ambitions, though investors remain cautious about its limited reform agenda.

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.