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NEWS IN CHINA

• China Begins Construction of Three Gorges Waterway Channel: The construction of the Three Gorges Waterway New Channel, the first major national landmark project launched during China’s 15th Five‑Year Plan period, has officially begun. The project aims to significantly expand the navigation capacity of the Yangtze River’s “golden waterway” and support the high‑quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on June 8 at Taipingxi Wharf in Yichang, Hubei Province. The new channel marks the largest integrated water conservancy, navigation and ecological project on the Yangtze since the original Three Gorges Project. With shipping demand far exceeding the current ship lock’s designed capacity, reaching 100 million tons as early as 2011 and projected to hit 173 million tons by 2025, the expansion has become both urgent and essential. Once completed, the Three Gorges Dam will support a total throughput of 336 million tons, while Gezhouba dam will reach 360 million tons, accommodating vessels up to 10,000 tons. According to the Three Gorges Group, the project will greatly improve transport efficiency, strengthen the Yangtze River corridor and advance green, integrated regional development.
  
  
• Xi Calls for Stronger China-DPRK Ties Through Enhanced Trust and Collaboration: President Xi Jinping and DPRK leader Kim Jong-un reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties during Xi’s state visit to Pyongyang, highlighting closer political coordination, economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. This marks his first trip to the country in seven years. During talks with Kim, Xi emphasized the importance of preserving the traditional friendship between the two countries and called for greater strategic communication, stronger political trust and expanded cooperation in areas including trade, agriculture, technology, infrastructure and healthcare. He also proposed enhancing exchanges between government agencies, political parties and citizens while promoting closer connectivity through resumed transportation links. Xi stressed that China remains committed to supporting the development of China-DPRK relations regardless of changes in the international environment. He also underscored the importance of strategic coordination and cooperation in promoting regional stability and global development. Kim described Xi as a highly respected guest and praised the enduring friendship between the two nations. He reiterated the DPRK’s support for the one-China principle and pledged to further deepen bilateral cooperation, calling the relationship a long-term strategic priority for Pyongyang. 
  
  
• China Launches 100-Day Employment Campaign for Graduates: The Ministry of Education has launched a nationwide 100-day employment campaign to help university graduates secure jobs during the critical period before and after graduation. Running from June to August, the initiative aims to improve employment outcomes for the country’s 12.7 million expected college graduates in 2026. Under the campaign, universities and local education authorities have been directed to step up job placement efforts, promote employment-support policies, and connect graduates with a wider range of career opportunities. Authorities will also increase awareness of government incentives such as social security subsidies, tax benefits and startup financing programs. To expand recruitment opportunities, universities will strengthen cooperation with employers, conduct targeted outreach to businesses, and organize specialized campus hiring events. Recruitment for government-backed positions, including civil service roles, public institutions, and state-owned enterprises, will be accelerated, with hiring expected to be completed by the end of August. The program also includes tailored assistance for graduates facing employment difficulties. In addition, authorities will strengthen oversight of employment data reporting and continue providing career services after graduation. More than 4,000 job fairs and a series of online recruitment events are expected to offer over 6.5 million job opportunities nationwide.
  
  
• China’s Financial Regulator Sets Priorities to Curb Risks and Strengthen Oversight: The State Financial Regulatory Commission (SFRC) has outlined its near-term priorities, emphasizing the urgent need to reinforce financial stability, tighten regulatory discipline and guide the sector towards healthier long-term growth. At a recent meeting, the SFRC called for steady progress in addressing vulnerabilities in small and medium‑sized local financial institutions. It highlighted the importance of improving the “guaranteed housing delivery” whitelist mechanism and accelerating financing tools that support China’s evolving real‑estate model. The regulator also pledged to assist in managing local government debt risks and support the restructuring or exit of financing platforms. Strengthening coordination through the inter‑ministerial joint mechanism was emphasized to curb illegal financial activities more effectively. The SFRC reiterated its commitment to “supervision with purpose,” including stricter market entry controls, tougher enforcement and stronger accountability for regulators. It also plans to accelerate regulatory rulemaking and enhance local‑level supervisory capacity through the ongoing Financial Regulatory Project. To promote high‑quality development, the commission urged financial institutions to pursue differentiated strategies, improve the structure and quality of smaller institutions, curb disorderly competition and expand channels for capital replenishment. It also encouraged the sector to focus on key national priorities to better support economic and social development.
  
  
• State Council Releases Plan for Modern Emergency Response System: The State Council has released the “15th Five‑Year Plan for the Construction of a Modern Emergency Response System”, outlining a national strategy to strengthen disaster prevention, workplace safety and emergency response capacity. The plan stresses a prevention‑first governance model, guided by people‑centered principles and the need to balance development with security. It calls for advancing reforms, improving risk monitoring, and reducing major accidents through full‑chain safety rectification in high‑risk sectors. By 2030, China aims to significantly modernize its emergency management system, establishing a unified and efficient command structure, boosting grassroots response capabilities, and expanding the use of scientific and intelligent technologies. By 2035, the country seeks to complete a fully law‑based, modern emergency management framework aligned with national modernization goals. The plan identifies five major tasks: deepening reform, strengthening a comprehensive emergency framework, improving risk‑source control, enhancing major‑disaster response forces, and building stronger societal disaster‑prevention capacity. It includes 17 key projects and emphasizes shared Party‑government responsibility, accountability mechanisms, and diversified investment. The Ministry of Emergency Management will conduct mid‑term and final evaluations to ensure effective implementation.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users Debate Over Rising Flexible Employment Figures in China: A post on Weibo discussing estimates that China’s flexible employment population may reach around 320 million, accounting for over 40% of urban workers, has sparked discussion over job security, employment definitions and social protection. The post noted that flexible workers include delivery riders, ride-hailing drivers, domestic workers and online content creators, while also acknowledging that official estimates are lower, at over 200 million. Many users questioned whether the term ‘flexible employment’ is being used too broadly, with one user arguing that it “sounds like a label covering unemployment rather than real work”. Some users stated that calling gig work “flexible” does not change the reality of long hours, unstable income and high work pressure. Several other users raised concerns about data classification, with one arguing that unemployed people should not be reclassified as flexibly employed, while another stated that the boundary between unemployment and flexible work appears increasingly blurred in official reporting. A few users also questioned whether such classification may be used to present a more favourable employment picture. One prominent comment stated that flexible workers pay both employee and employer social security contributions, which is unfair. A few users noted that delivery riders and similar workers are “not unemployed but under real economic pressure,” adding that many take such jobs due to lack of alternatives.

INDIA WATCH 

The Paper Examines China- Russia-India Trilateral Cooperation: An article in The Paper discussed recent remarks by Russian President Vladimir Putin on trilateral relations and the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s response, highlighting Beijing’s renewed emphasis on stable relations between China, Russia, and India. The article noted that Putin rejected the notion that Russia’s ties with India and China are mutually exclusive, arguing that Moscow’s strategic partnerships with both countries are developing independently and should not be viewed through a zero-sum lens. It interpreted these comments as a signal against external attempts to exploit differences among the three major Eurasian powers. The article highlighted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian’s remarks that China, Russia, and India are all important emerging economies whose cooperation contributes not only to their own development but also to regional and global stability. It also highlighted Beijing’s willingness to maintain communication with both Moscow and New Delhi on advancing trilateral cooperation mechanisms, reflecting continued Chinese support for platforms such as the Russia-India-China (RIC) framework. The article further underscored China’s positive assessment of current China-India relations, noting that the border situation remains generally stable and that communication channels between the two sides are functioning normally. It emphasized Beijing’s repeated call for India and China to regard each other as partners and development opportunities rather than competitors or threats. The article also noted China’s consistent position on India-Pakistan relations, advocating dialogue, consultation and a shared commitment to regional peace and stability.