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NEWS IN CHINA

• Vice President Han Zheng Meets Singapore’s Parliament Speaker: Vice President Han Zheng met Singapore’s Parliament Speaker Seah Kian Peng in Beijing, with both sides reaffirming their long-standing friendship and shared commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation. Han emphasized that China and Singapore remain close neighbors and key partners, noting that Beijing is prepared to work with Singapore to carry out the important consensus reached by their leaders. He highlighted priorities such as strengthening strategic communication, enhancing mutual support, expanding high-quality cooperation, and deepening people‑to‑people exchanges. Han added that both countries should jointly promote an “equal and orderly multipolar world” and support inclusive economic globalization, contributing to a fairer global governance system. Seah reaffirmed Singapore’s strong ties with China, describing the relationship as one marked by trust, extensive collaboration, and tangible achievements across multiple sectors. He stressed that Singapore places great value on its partnership with China and remains committed to further strengthening cooperation. Seah also reiterated Singapore’s firm adherence to the one‑China policy.
  
  
• China Condemns US Move to Add Firms to “Military Companies” List: The Ministry of Commerce voiced dissatisfaction after the US Department of Defense added several Chinese firms to its “Chinese Military Companies” list, urging Washington to withdraw what it called discriminatory and unjustified measures. Responding to media questions, the Ministry stated that the decision contradicts the consensus reached by the two heads of state in Beijing and harms the broader momentum of China‑US economic and trade relations. According to the Ministry, the US has repeatedly expanded the definition of national security and used state power to suppress Chinese enterprises without cause. It noted that such actions disrupt the global trade order, undermine industrial and supply chain stability, and infringe on the legitimate rights of Chinese companies. China called on the US to stop its “wrong practices,” revoke the restrictions, and return to a constructive and stable approach to bilateral ties. The Ministry also stressed that Chinese companies deserve fair and non‑discriminatory treatment. It warned that if the US continues on this path, China will take “resolute and forceful” countermeasures, and the resulting consequences will be borne entirely by the US side.
  
  
• China Releases 2025 Annual Report on Personal Information Protection: The Cyberspace Administration has issued the “China Personal Information Protection Report (2025)”, the first comprehensive annual review of the country’s personal data protection efforts. Guided by President Xi Jinping’s vision for building a strong cyber nation, the report evaluates progress made in 2025, consolidates practical experience, and aims to strengthen public understanding of personal information protection. The report outlines major achievements during the 14th Five‑Year Plan, including full implementation of the Personal Information Protection Law, the introduction of supporting regulations, stronger enforcement against data‑related crimes, and improvements in socialized service systems. It also highlights expanded public education efforts and deeper international exchanges. Structured into seven main sections and an appendix, the document reviews advancements in top‑level design, regulatory oversight, social co‑governance, and global cooperation, while also compiling relevant laws, standards, and judicial cases. The Network Data Management Bureau noted that the report serves as a platform for sharing best practices, fostering public participation, and presenting China’s governance approach to the international community. The Cyberspace Administration emphasized continued interdepartmental cooperation and a people‑centered approach to enhance public trust, digital security, and overall well‑being.
  
  
• SAMR Issues New Guidelines to Standardize Citation Practices in Advertising: The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) released the “Enforcement Guidelines for Citation Content in Advertisements”, a new regulatory framework designed to tighten oversight of how commercial ads use cited information. The Guidelines aim to strengthen the advertising supervision system, ensure greater compliance among advertisers, and address long‑standing public concerns about misleading citation practices. The document defines what constitutes “cited content” and “cited advertisements,” while reaffirming that advertisers bear full legal responsibility for the truthfulness, accuracy, and legality of any material they reference. It also outlines detailed standards for different types of citations, such as experimental data, statistical surveys, and academic literature, and explains the circumstances under which improper citations may be deemed false or deceptive advertising. The Guidelines set explicit rules for ads that use large, attention‑grabbing text paired with small‑print disclaimers. They also list illegal behaviors involving absolute claims or exaggerated competitive advantages that could mislead consumers. SAMR will guide local regulators to intensify enforcement, crack down on tactics like “big print hype, small print disclaimers,” and discourage “word‑game” marketing. 
  
  
• China Activates Level IV Response over Geological Disaster Risks: The Ministry of Natural Resources has launched a Level IV geological disaster prevention and control response for Jiangxi, Guangdong, and Guangxi after meteorological forecasts warned of heavy to torrential rainfall over the next three days, with some areas expected to face extremely intense downpours. Assessments from the Geological Disaster Technical Guidance Center indicate a high risk of landslides and related hazards in southern Jiangxi, eastern and northern Guangdong, and central to northern Guangxi. In response, the Ministry has instructed provincial natural resources authorities to heighten risk awareness and strengthen inspections, monitoring, early‑warning systems, and emergency preparedness. Local departments have been urged to conduct timely investigations, maintain strict duty shifts, and ensure rapid information reporting. The China Geological Survey and the Ministry’s technical guidance center will also enhance expert consultations and dispatch specialists to support on‑the‑ground prevention efforts. At the same time, the Ministry convened a coordination meeting focused on geological disaster prevention during the “Dragon Boat Water” period, a seasonal phase marked by concentrated rainfall. The meeting involved 12 provinces and regions, including Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Chongqing, Zhejiang, Fujian, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Jiangxi, and Tibet. 
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users React to Foreign Ministry’s Comments on Philippines Aid and Sanctions: A post with the hashtag #ChinaRespondsToWhetherSanctionsWillAffectAidToThePhilippines# is going viral on Weibo after Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded to a question about whether China's sanctions on Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro would affect Chinese assistance to the Philippines. Lin stated that the reasons for the sanctions had already been explained by the Foreign Ministry and stressed that actions undermining efforts to stabilize bilateral relations would ultimately harm the interests of the Philippines and its people. Online reactions largely focused on the possible implications of the sanctions and China-Philippines relations. Many users interpreted the spokesperson’s remarks as suggesting that “assistance and cooperation could be affected if relations continue to deteriorate”. Some users argued that any impact on the interests of the Philippines and its people would inevitably extend to aid and other forms of support. Several users expressed strong approval of Lin’s response and viewed it as a firm stance toward the issue. A number of users suggested that the future of cooperation would depend largely on the “Philippines’ actions and behavior”. Some users believed the reporter’s question was intentionally framed to elicit a particular response, while several others dismissed it as an attempt at moral pressure.

INDIA WATCH

Global Times Discusses Opportunities for Deeper India-China Industrial Cooperation: An article in Global Times discussed the upcoming 10th China-South Asia Exposition in Kunming, portraying the event as a significant platform for expanding regional trade and showcasing opportunities for stronger China-India economic engagement. The article noted that the expo will host hundreds of South Asian exhibitors, including participants from India, with China providing nearly 800 free exhibition booths to facilitate market access and commercial exchanges. The article highlighted that India’s exports to China rose sharply in the first five months of 2025, with Chinese customs data showing a 36.1 percent year-on-year increase. It argued that this trend shows growing complementarities between the two economies and demonstrates the potential of deeper industrial cooperation rather than reliance on protectionist measures to address trade imbalances. Particular attention was given to the growth of India’s electronics component exports to China, which the article described as evidence of increasingly integrated manufacturing supply chains between the two countries. According to the article, such collaboration is helping move bilateral trade beyond the traditional pattern of China exporting finished products while India primarily supplies raw materials. It further argued that China’s transition toward advanced manufacturing, green development, digital services, and upgraded consumption is creating new opportunities for Indian businesses. The article concluded that deeper participation in regional industrial chains and closer alignment with Chinese market demand could help India enhance export competitiveness while contributing to regional economic integration.