CiCM 4th February 2026

NEWS IN CHINA

Xi, Trump Hold Telephonic Call Shortly After Xi-Putin Video Call: President Xi Jinping held a telephonic conversation with US President Donald Trump on the evening of 4th February. The call took place shortly after Xi had held a video call with Vladimir Putin. He stressed that he values China-US relations and is willing to work with Trump to address challenges and promote steady progress. Xi noted that both countries have their own concerns, but as long as both sides uphold equality, respect, and mutual benefit, solutions can be found through dialogue. He pointed out that 2026 will be important for both countries as China begins its 15th Five-Year Plan and the US marks its 250th anniversary. Xi stressed that the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-US relations and urged the US to handle arms sales to Taiwan cautiously. In response, Trump emphasized that the US and China are both great nations and described their relationship as the most important in the world. He expressed respect for Xi, welcomed China’s development, and valued China's concern over Taiwan. The US is willing to maintain dialogue with China to ensure the good and stable development of bilateral relations during his term, he added.
China Responds to Japan’s Constitutional Revision Plan: The Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian responded to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent remarks about amending Japan’s constitution to enshrine the Self-Defense Forces. Lin Jian remarked that China has noted reports that Sanae Takaichi intends to amend Japan’s constitution to explicitly recognise the Self-Defence Forces. Lin noted that Japan’s militarism during World War II inflicted suffering. He stressed that international legal documents such as the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Declaration and the Instrument of Surrender clearly defined Japan’s post-war obligations as a defeated nation and formed the political and legal basis for its return to the international community. For this reason, Lin said, any attempt to revise Japan’s constitution has long drawn close attention from the international community, particularly neighboring Asian countries. China urged Japan to reflect on its history of aggression, listen to domestic calls advocating peace, and remain committed to the path of peaceful development. Lin further added that Japan should take concrete actions to build trust with its Asian neighbours and the international community.
China Voices Concern over EU’s FSR Investigation: China expressed concern over the European Commission’s decision to launch an in-depth investigation into Chinese wind power companies under the EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR). A spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce stated that the EU has repeatedly used the FSR to investigate Chinese enterprises, expanding probes into other sectors such as wind power and security inspection equipment, calling it targeted and discriminatory. The spokesperson noted that the EU has overgeneralized the concept of “foreign subsidies,” with investigations showing insufficient evidence and a lack of procedural transparency, labelling it protectionism disguised as “fair competition.” China stressed that its wind power and other green industry companies contribute positively to global climate change mitigation through technological innovation, industrial chain, and fair market competition. China urged the EU to correct its practices, use the FSR prudently, and create a fair business environment. China will closely monitor subsequent developments and take necessary measures to protect Chinese companies’ legitimate rights, he added.
China to Conduct Inspections of Mental Health Insurance Practices: The National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) has issued a notice to strengthen oversight of designated medical institutions for mental illness and crack down on illegal and irregular use of medical insurance funds. The notice requires provincial-level medical insurance departments to organize collective talks with the principal leaders of all designated mental health institutions within their jurisdictions. During the meetings, authorities are advised to explain relevant laws, regulations and regulatory policies related to medical insurance management. The NHSA quoted recent media reports exposing the designated mental health institutions in Xiangyang and Yichang in Hubei Province, as well as issues found during previous inspections, which will be used as negative examples to carry out warning education. The aim is to strengthen institutions’ awareness of lawful and compliant use of medical insurance funds. According to the notice, all designated mental health institutions must immediately conduct comprehensive self-inspections and rectifications to crack down on fraudulent hospitalization, fabricating illnesses or diagnoses, forging documents, and illegal fee charging. The NHSA also stated that it will carry out unannounced inspections and those found involved in illegal activities will be severely punished.
Four Departments Discussed the Role of Standards in Road Traffic Safety: Chinese authorities introduced the role of standards in improving road traffic safety and governance at a press conference held by the State Administration for Market Regulation, together with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Transport. Liu Hongsheng, a market regulator, stated that China has steadily improved its road traffic standards system and issued 970 national standards related to road traffic, covering vehicles, infrastructure and traffic management. Guo Shougang, deputy director of the MIIT’s Equipment Industry Department, noted that China has revised mandatory standards for new energy vehicles, raising power battery safety requirements from "5-minute alarm" to “no fire, no explosion.” He added further that standards for intelligent connected vehicles, including automatic emergency braking and emergency call systems, have already been released. Another official, Zhang Ning, highlighted that 360 million drivers have applied for electronic driver’s licenses, enabling services to be handled via mobile phones. Further, officials added that China will accelerate updates to key safety and intelligent transport standards to strengthen road traffic safety during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Buzzes as Gold Prices Surge: A post on Weibo with the hashtag #Gold Prices See Largest Single-Day Gain Since 2009# went viral after international gold and silver prices surged on the 3rd February. Gold and silver prices rose sharply, supported by a weaker US dollar and lower risk appetite in the market. Gold futures climbed back above $5,000 per ounce, posting their biggest one-day gain since 2009. Silver futures also rebounded. Public reaction on Weibo, however, was marked more by caution than optimism. Many users pointed out that the sharp rebound failed to fully offset losses from the previous plunge, with one comment noting that “even the biggest gain wasn’t as severe as the drop the day before yesterday.” Others said the violent swings have left investors unsure how to act, describing a split between those who missed the rally and hesitate to buy, and those who are fully invested and rushing to lock in profits. Some users warned of repeated “traps,” noting that after one round of losses, another could follow. Others struck a calmer tone, saying gold’s long-term trend remains upward despite short-term volatility. A widely shared view summed up market anxiety, noting "after experiencing both record drops and record gains, gold’s safe-haven appeal has itself become a source of risk".

INDIA WATCH

Article in Sina Discusses India’s Adjusted Visa Policy: An article in Sina discussed India’s recent adjustment of its visa and investment policies toward China, arguing that the shift reflects growing practical pressures rather than a fundamental policy reversal. The article notes that India’s planned launch of the eB-4 electronic manufacturing business visa for Chinese citizens is already easing personnel bottlenecks faced by Chinese companies, particularly in clean energy and manufacturing. Chinese firms report faster approvals, longer stays, and fewer procedural hurdles, helping address the long-standing problem of “orders without manpower.” However, Sina emphasizes that the easing remains limited. While interview requirements have been removed, complex documentation and reliance on Indian government platforms still constrain visa approvals. Industry insiders cited in the article describe the changes as “targeted but far from unimpeded,” with processing times and institutional frictions continuing to affect business decisions. The analysis links India’s policy shift to deeper structural realities. As the world’s fastest-growing major energy and manufacturing market, India depends heavily on Chinese supply chains in photovoltaics, wind power, electronics, and engineering equipment. It concluded that India’s earlier restrictive policies hindered its “Make in India” ambitions. Adjusting visa and investment rules is seen as a pragmatic step, but insufficient on its own to restore confidence without broader, sustained openness toward Chinese capital and technology.

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.