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NEWS IN CHINA

• ​Xi Jinping Calls for High-Quality and Equitable Basic Education: Chinese President Xi Jinping issued directives on strengthening China’s basic education system, emphasising its strategic importance in building a strong education sector and supporting national development. Speaking through instructions conveyed at the National Conference on Basic Education in Beijing, Xi stated that since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party has prioritised basic education through multiple policy initiatives. He called for the continued implementation of the Party’s education policy, the cultivation of socialist values and the development of students with balanced moral, intellectual and physical characteristics. Xi stressed improving education quality while promoting students’ physical and mental well-being, ensuring equitable access to education, enhancing teacher professionalism, and strengthening coordination among schools, families and society. He also urged local governments to optimise the allocation of educational resources and deepen education reforms. Vice Premier of the State Council Ding Xuexiang reiterated Xi’s guidance, describing it as the roadmap for advancing basic education. He highlighted the need to improve educational equity, strengthen support for rural and migrant children, adapt resource allocation to demographic changes, enhance teacher welfare, and reinforce Party leadership in implementing education policies nationwide.
  
  
• China and ASEAN Pledge Deeper Strategic Cooperation at Foreign Ministers’ Meeting: China and ASEAN reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership during the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Manila. Co-chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, the meeting marked the fifth anniversary of the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Wang highlighted the progress achieved in bilateral cooperation and proposed four priorities: maintaining regional peace and stability, enhancing economic resilience through initiatives such as the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), expanding cooperation in digital technology, artificial intelligence, green development and connectivity, and promoting people-to-people exchanges in areas including education, health, culture and tourism. Addressing the South China Sea, Wang reiterated China’s position that regional countries should manage disputes through dialogue, oppose what Beijing described as external interference, and accelerate negotiations on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. ASEAN foreign ministers acknowledged China’s role as a major dialogue partner and trading partner, expressed support for expanding cooperation across multiple sectors, and called for the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct. The meeting also adopted a joint statement on the Middle East and regional energy cooperation.
  
  
• Ministry of Commerce Raises Concerns Over France’s New E-Commerce Law: China’s Ministry of Commerce on Wednesday expressed concern over France’s newly introduced anti-ultra-fast-fashion law, arguing that the legislation imposes discriminatory restrictions on Chinese-invested cross-border e-commerce platforms. Responding to reports that French officials had identified platforms such as Shein, Temu, and AliExpress as the primary targets of the law, a ministry spokesperson said the measures, introduced under environmental and sustainability objectives, effectively create exclusionary barriers against Chinese companies. The spokesperson argued that the legislation may be inconsistent with the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) principle of non-discrimination and described it as a trade barrier that departs from the principles of fair competition and free trade. According to the ministry, the measures could affect the legitimate interests of Chinese enterprises while also reducing consumer choice in France. China urged the French government to align its policies with WTO rules, revise what it described as discriminatory practices, and ensure a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment for foreign-invested enterprises. The ministry also stated that it would closely monitor the implementation of the legislation and consider appropriate measures if the rights and interests of Chinese companies are adversely affected.
  
  
• China Inaugurates Global Civilization Institute to Advance Civilization Studies: China inaugurated the Global Civilization Institute in Beijing as a comprehensive academic platform dedicated to research on civilizations and the promotion of international civilizational exchanges. The institute is established by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), aims to implement the Global Civilization Initiative by advancing interdisciplinary research on global civilizations and developing a Chinese intellectual framework for civilization studies. According to CASS, the institute will provide theoretical and intellectual support for promoting dialogue, mutual learning among civilizations, and the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity. Its research agenda will focus on key areas including new forms of human advancement, foundational theories of civilization, the history and comparative study of civilizations, and the impact of artificial intelligence on the development of global civilizations. The institute also seeks to produce policy-relevant and forward-looking research with practical applications. In addition, it plans to establish a global network for academic dialogue and cooperation in civilization studies, while serving as a high-level platform for international scholarly exchanges.
  
  
• NDRC Unveils Five-Year Plan to Modernise Ports of Entry: China has released a five-year plan to modernise its ports of entry during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), aiming to strengthen openness, improve trade facilitation, and enhance international connectivity. Jointly issued by the General Administration of Customs (GAC) and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the plan outlines measures to create a more efficient and secure port system by 2030. Key priorities include optimising the national port network, upgrading infrastructure, expanding the use of smart technologies, improving cross-border transport connectivity, strengthening governance, and enhancing security measures. The plan also sets a longer-term goal of completing the modernisation of China’s ports of entry by 2035 to support high-quality economic development and national security. According to Zhang Baofeng, Deputy Head of the GAC, the plan will serve as the guiding framework for port development during the 15th Five-Year Plan. He stated that China will focus on developing safer, more efficient, intelligent, environmentally sustainable, and law-based ports while accelerating the construction of world-class modern ports to support the country’s broader opening-up strategy.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users React to Report of Possible Chinese Export Curbs on Semiconductor Technologies: A Weibo post claiming that China's Ministry of Commerce is considering tighter export controls on artificial intelligence (AI) models and semiconductor chips has gone viral. According to the post, the proposed measures could include restricting companies such as Qualcomm and TSMC from accessing China's advanced semiconductor designs. The post described the reported move as a reversal of past technological dependence, calling it an important sign of the rise of science and technology in China. Many users shared their views on the reported measures, calling it evidence of China’s growing technological capabilities. One user commented, “In the end, the east wind will overwhelm the west wind,” while another said, “Huawei's chip folding technology must be kept confidential.” Other users argued that the reported policy reflects the growing maturity of China’s domestic semiconductor supply chain, with some claiming that key equipment and materials have largely been localised. Several users also suggested that tighter export controls could affect TSMC’s ability to undertake mainland-related business. A few more users appreciated the reported initiative, viewing it as a sign of China’s increasing technological self-reliance.

INDIA WATCH

​Guancha Discusses India’s Reaffirmation of Its Position on Taiwan and Tibet: An article in Guancha discussed the meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Manila, where both sides emphasised improving bilateral ties and expanding cooperation. According to the article, Wang stated that recent meetings between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kazan and Tianjin had placed China-India relations on a path of recovery. It noted that institutional exchanges have gradually resumed, border areas have remained stable, and bilateral trade has reached a record high. The article further stated that, as major developing countries and members of the Global South, China and India should strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen cooperation in trade, media and people-to-people exchanges, properly manage differences, and enhance coordination on regional and global issues. It also highlighted Wang’s call for closer collaboration as India and China successively assume the rotating BRICS chairmanship. The article further emphasised Jaishankar’s reaffirmation that India’s position on Taiwan and Tibet remains unchanged, while reiterating that the two countries should be partners rather than rivals. It concluded by highlighting India’s support for expanding dialogue, maintaining peace along the border, enhancing practical cooperation and coordinating with China on multilateral platforms, including BRICS, while also discussing developments concerning Iran and Myanmar.