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NEWS IN CHINA

• China Launches Operation Skynet 2026 Against Corruption: The Office of the Central Anti-Corruption Coordination Group held a meeting on April 2 to plan international fugitive repatriation, asset recovery, and cross-border corruption governance for 2026, and officially launched Operation Skynet 2026. The meeting reviewed progress in 2025, noting that under the leadership of Xi Jinping, authorities maintained strong efforts in pursuing fugitives and recovering illicit assets. Achievements included zero remaining fugitives in Asia among the “100 Most Wanted Fugitives,” deeper cross-border corruption governance, and strengthened clean governance under the Belt and Road framework. Operation Skynet 2026 will involve coordinated actions across departments. The National Supervisory Commission will lead overseas asset recovery in duty-related crimes, while the Ministry of Public Security will carry out Operation Fox Hunt. The People’s Bank of China and public security authorities will target illicit fund transfers via offshore companies and underground banks. Additional efforts will address regulatory violations by officials related to overseas travel and family relocation. The meeting stressed maintaining a high-pressure approach, advancing legal frameworks, strengthening international cooperation, intensifying case investigations, and recovering stolen assets to curb cross-border corruption effectively.
  
  

• Liu Guozhong Stresses Modern Water Network, Flood Preparedness in Zhejiang and Jiangxi: From March 30 to April 2, Liu Guozhong, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, conducted research in Zhejiang and Jiangxi provinces. He emphasized thoroughly studying and implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping’s water management principles of “prioritizing water conservation, spatial balance, systematic governance, and a dual-pronged approach,” while advancing the arrangements of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the National People’s Congress. Liu called for accelerating the construction of a modern water network, strengthening river, lake, and reservoir protection, and improving water security to support the 15th Five-Year Plan. During visits to Hangzhou, Quzhou, Shangrao, Jingdezhen, and Jiujiang, Liu inspected reservoirs, rivers, irrigation areas, and rural water supply projects, stressing the need to implement the National Water Network Construction Plan Outline. He urged high-quality irrigation construction, water-saving reforms, and stronger rural water supply mechanisms. Liu also investigated flood prevention and hydrological monitoring, highlighting the importance of preparedness as the southern region enters flood season. He called for improved emergency plans, risk inspections, and digital twin water conservancy systems to enhance monitoring and disaster prevention.
  
  

• China, EU Call for Ceasefire and Dialogue in Middle East: Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone conversation on Thursday with Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Commission, to discuss the Middle East situation and China-EU relations. Wang Yi stressed that a ceasefire and end to hostilities are the fundamental solution to ensuring safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. He elaborated on China’s principled stance, highlighting the five-point initiative jointly issued with Pakistan, which calls for halting hostilities, initiating peace talks, safeguarding non-military targets and shipping lanes, and upholding the UN Charter. He emphasized that UN Security Council actions must not provide legal cover for unauthorized military operations or escalate conflict. Kallas appreciated China’s diplomatic efforts and said the EU, though not directly involved, is affected by the conflict. She urged early de-escalation and supported UN humanitarian efforts to protect civilians and keep the Strait of Hormuz open. Both sides agreed to enhance communication and cooperation. Wang Yi noted China’s development offers opportunities for Europe, warning against protectionism and decoupling. Kallas affirmed that the EU views China as an important partner and does not seek decoupling, expressing readiness to maintain dialogue.
  
  

• China Urges Stability in Economic Ties with US: At a regular press conference on April 2, Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong addressed China-US economic and trade relations. He noted that since last year, under the strategic guidance of the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, China and the US have conducted six rounds of economic and trade consultations. These talks have produced a series of outcomes in the economic and trade field, injecting greater stability and certainty into bilateral relations and the global economy. He Yadong emphasized that facts have fully demonstrated the importance of adhering to mutual respect, equal dialogue, and consultation as the best way to bridge differences and resolve problems. He stressed that both sides should implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state and the outcomes of previous consultations. The spokesperson called for further leveraging the role of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism, strengthening dialogue and communication, properly managing differences, expanding pragmatic cooperation, and promoting the healthy, stable, and sustainable development of China-US economic and trade relations.
  
  

• State Council Issues Plan to Establish Enterprise Credit Evaluation System: The General Office of the State Council has issued the “Implementation Plan on Establishing a Comprehensive Evaluation System for Enterprise Credit Status." The plan outlines the creation of a unified framework to integrate public credit evaluation with market-based credit evaluation, gradually forming a comprehensive national system for assessing enterprise credit. The Implementation Plan calls for improving the public credit evaluation system by unifying rules, industry management, and channels for publicizing results. It also requires strengthening industry coordination, standardizing market-oriented credit evaluation, and accelerating integration between public and market-based systems. The plan emphasizes leveraging credit evaluation to support financing for small and micro enterprises, improving mechanisms for updating evaluations after credit repair, ensuring smooth channels for objections and appeals, and clarifying management responsibilities. Local governments and relevant departments are instructed to ensure thorough implementation, strengthen data sharing, optimize processes, and standardize the application of credit evaluations. The plan also highlights the need to establish and improve a legal and regulatory framework for enterprise credit evaluation, including enacting, revising, abolishing, and interpreting laws and regulations.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Food Safety Concerns on E-Commerce Platforms Spark Debate on Weibo: A post with the hashtag #ThreeDepartmentsSummonDouyinTaotianAndXiaohongshuForTalks# is going viral on Weibo following reports that Chinese regulators summoned major e-commerce platforms over the illegal marketing of imported “Yousiyi” health products. Authorities emphasized stricter compliance with laws on food safety, consumer protection, and unfair competition, while urging platforms to strengthen oversight, remove harmful content, and better protect consumer rights. Online reactions reflect a mix of skepticism and concern. One user questioned the effectiveness of such meetings, commenting that “punishing the platform and holding talks is useless.” Another user suggested stronger action, stating that suspending platform operations temporarily would be more impactful. Some users criticized weak enforcement, calling for direct penalties instead of discussions. Several users pointed out that platforms should have proactively ensured stricter supervision rather than waiting for regulatory intervention. Other users raised concerns about content quality, complaining that “certain platforms are filled with borderline or misleading material." Some users also questioned accountability, asking “who should bear primary responsibility for such incidents.” Meanwhile, a few users also raised questions about how affected buyers can seek compensation and better protect themselves.

INDIA WATCH

Xinhua Article Examines India’s Strategic Balancing Amid Global Shifts: An article published in Xinhua by Wu Lin, a researcher at the Institute of Asian Studies at China Foreign Affairs University, discussed India’s evolving foreign policy strategy against a backdrop of global geopolitical and economic uncertainty. According to the article, India recently facilitated the passage of liquefied natural gas carriers through the Strait of Hormuz following diplomatic engagement with Iran, highlighting its efforts to safeguard energy security amid regional instability. It noted that alongside developments such as a free trade agreement with the EU and improving ties with Israel, India is actively expanding its global footprint. The article emphasized that India is pursuing a dual strategy centered on strategic autonomy and economic security, maintaining engagement with the United States while diversifying partnerships. However, it underscored growing strains in India-US relations, particularly after renewed tariff measures under the Trump administration, which imposed steep duties on Indian goods and triggered strong backlash in India. Although a preliminary trade framework was reached, analysts cited in the article argued that the agreement remains limited in scope and unlikely to restore previous levels of trust. Furthermore, the article highlighted India’s outreach to partners such as the EU and Canada to mitigate US-related uncertainties while accelerating domestic capacity in key sectors like energy, defense, and artificial intelligence. It concluded that although India’s flexible diplomacy offers strategic space, managing its complex and increasingly transactional relationship with the United States will remain a long-term challenge.

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.