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 NEWS IN CHINA

• China and Vietnam Deepen Strategic Cooperation: The 17th meeting of the China-Vietnam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation was held in Hanoi on Tuesday. The meeting was co-chaired by Wang Yi and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son, with participation from various ministries and provincial governments. Wang highlighted that effective coordination between both sides has contributed to upgrading overall cooperation. Against a backdrop of global uncertainty, he emphasized the need for China and Vietnam to jointly advance socialist modernization and contribute to regional stability and Global South cooperation. The discussions focused on expanding pragmatic collaboration in areas such as railway connectivity, agriculture, finance, energy, key minerals, and technological innovation, while also safeguarding the multilateral trading system. Wang emphasized sustaining people-to-people exchanges, especially in media and cultural sectors, while strengthening differences management, advancing maritime cooperation, and expediting the South China Sea Code of Conduct. Son reaffirmed that Vietnam views China as a top strategic partner, reiterated its adherence to the one-China policy, and expressed willingness to deepen cooperation across defense, trade, and multilateral coordination.
  
  
• Beijing Revises Rules to Streamline Social Organization Management: Premier Li Qiang signed a State Council decree amending the “Regulations on the Registration and Management of Social Organizations," which takes effect immediately. The decision introduced eight articles aimed at improving how industry associations and chambers of commerce merge, dissolve, and deregister. A key focus of the amendments is to address longstanding challenges in the merger and exit of such organizations. The revised rules clearly define the circumstances and procedures under which industry associations and chambers of commerce can be merged or terminated, thereby streamlining restructuring processes. The decision also allows competent business units, industry regulators, registration authorities, or other interested parties to apply to a people’s court to appoint a liquidation team responsible for settling debts and managing remaining assets. In addition, the amendments clarify accountability in deregistration procedures. It specifies that the organizations themselves are primarily responsible for handling registration changes and cancellations. However, if they are unable to do so, relevant government departments may step in, submit proposals, and have the registration authority complete the process.
  
  
• China’s Electricity Consumption Rises 6.1% in Jan–Feb 2026: China’s total electricity consumption reached 1,654.6 billion kilowatt-hours in January and February 2026, marking a 6.1 percent year-on-year increase, according to the National Energy Administration. Sector-wise, the primary industry consumed 22.3 billion kWh, up 7.4 percent. The secondary sector accounted for the largest share at 1,027.9 billion kWh, rising 6.3 percent, with industrial electricity use growing 6.4 percent. Notably, high-tech and equipment manufacturing recorded a strong increase of 10.6 percent. The tertiary sector saw consumption reach 323.1 billion kWh, up 8.3 percent, driven by rapid growth in emerging services. Charging and swapping services surged by 55.1 percent, while internet data services rose 46.2 percent. Additionally, residential electricity consumption also reached 281.3 billion kWh, marking a 2.7 percent year-on-year increase.
  
  
• Beijing Launches First National Industrialization Demo Zones: China has announced the first batch of cities selected as national new industrialization demonstration zones. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) included 16 areas in the list, such as Beijing’s Daxing District and the Beijing Economic and Technological Development Area, as well as Tianjin’s Binhai New Area. According to MIIT officials, the selected cities will follow specific development goals during the initial phase, focusing on optimizing implementation plans, strengthening organizational support, and improving policy frameworks. The initiative aims to foster major achievements in industrial innovation, accelerate the upgrading of industrial structures, and promote digital and intelligent transformation across sectors. During the early stages, the MIIT and local governments will provide guidance, supervision, and policy support to ensure effective implementation. After evaluation, successful cities will be officially recognized, and their best practices will be promoted nationwide to replicate success.
  
  
• China Issues Plan to Build Child-Friendly Society: China has released new guidelines to promote the development of a child-friendly society, aiming to protect minors’ rights better and support their all-round growth. The policy, jointly issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and the State Council’s Working Committee on Women and Children, sets out a comprehensive framework with State Council approval. The guidelines draw on experiences from pilot child-friendly cities and expand the initiative nationwide, using cities as key units for implementation. They outline coordinated improvements across social policies, public services, rights protection, and development environments, ensuring children’s needs are prioritized in planning and resource allocation. Key measures include upgrading public spaces to be more child-friendly, enhancing access to education, healthcare, transportation, sports, and recreation, and introducing free or preferential policies benefiting children. The plan also stresses improving public service delivery and creating safer, more supportive environments for minors.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER 

Weibo Users React to Possible Fuel Price Hike: A post with the hashtag #DomesticOilPricesMayRiseForFifthTime# is going viral on Weibo after reports suggested that domestic fuel prices may see a fifth consecutive increase on March 23. According to the post, rising international oil prices could push retail gasoline prices up by around 1.6–1.7 yuan per liter, increasing the cost of a full tank by about 80 yuan. Online discussions are largely marked by concerns over rising living costs and a degree of skepticism regarding pricing adjustments. One user sarcastically remarked that “a hundred sharp drops are not as good as two slight increases,” pointing to a perceived imbalance in price changes. A few other users complained that wages are not keeping pace with rising fuel and commodity prices, noting, "Everything is going up, except income." Some users also questioned inconsistencies in reports, noting that earlier estimates suggested a smaller increase despite falling global oil prices. Another user expressed concern about affordability, commenting that “continued hikes would make driving increasingly expensive." Other comments also linked the trend to shifting consumer behavior, suggesting that rising fuel costs could accelerate interest in electric vehicles and alternative energy options.

INDIA WATCH

Finance Sina Highlights India’s Expanding Tech Push Through Tax Reforms and Semiconductor Incentives: An article published in Finance Sina discussed India’s 2026 federal budget, highlighting a strategic push to position the country at the center of the global technology supply chain through tax incentives and industrial policy support. The article noted that the government introduced a series of competitive measures, including a five-year income tax exemption for foreign companies supplying capital goods to manufacturers in bonded zones, valid through 2031. It stated that the core of the strategy is the expansion of the Indian Semiconductor Programme 2.0, with investment commitments doubled to $4.41 billion and subsidies of up to 50 percent for chip manufacturing projects. The article further highlighted that tariffs on around 70 essential raw materials and capital goods used in semiconductor manufacturing, such as silicon, quartz, and boron, have been lowered to nearly zero. It also emphasized that support measures include increased funding for electronic component manufacturing, along with major tax reforms under the new Income Tax Act aimed at simplifying regulations and reducing litigation risks. Moreover, the article noted that the effective tax rate on technology transfer fees has been cut from 20 percent to 8.75 percent, while incentives for data centers have been extended to 2047.

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.