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NEWS IN CHINA

• Chinese Experts Criticise US Push to Divide Global AI Cooperation: Chinese experts warned that the US push to pressure countries into choosing between Washington-led AI initiatives and cooperation with China could fragment global AI markets and supply chains. They argued that Washington is increasingly politicising technological cooperation and using supply-chain restrictions to contain China's AI development, potentially forcing countries into binary choices that conflict with their economic interests. The experts said such an approach could produce competing AI standards, application ecosystems and supply chains, raising costs and slowing technological development worldwide. They also stressed that the strategy would be difficult to sustain because the Chinese and US economies remain closely interconnected, particularly in AI commercialisation, where China's large manufacturing base and extensive industrial applications remain important. The experts further highlighted China's emphasis on open-source AI models and international cooperation as an alternative to technological exclusion. They argued that China's approach, which focuses on sharing AI expertise, expanding training opportunities and supporting practical applications in developing countries, could allow more economies to participate in AI development. Chinese analysts also argue that greater openness and practical cooperation could support wider global access to AI development and applications.
  
  
• Ecuadorian President Begins Eight-Day State Visit in Beijing: Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa arrived in Beijing on Sunday for an eight-day state visit to China, his first such visit to the country. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Ecuador relations have continued to develop steadily in recent years, with both sides signing agreements on Belt and Road cooperation and a free trade agreement. China is Ecuador’s second-largest trading partner, exporting automobiles and auto components, electromechanical products and steel to the country. Ecuador ranks as China’s eighth-largest trading partner in Latin America, with crude oil, shrimp and mineral resources among its main exports to China. Bilateral trade reached $17.33 billion in 2025. The year also marks the 10th anniversary of the China-Ecuador comprehensive strategic partnership, with the two countries recording progress in practical cooperation across various fields. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that China hopes the visit will strengthen political mutual trust, deepen traditional friendship and promote further progress in the comprehensive strategic partnership for the benefit of both peoples.
  
  
• China’s New Environmental Code Strengthens Green Development: China’s Ecological and Environmental Code officially took effect on Saturday, providing a unified legal framework for ecological protection, pollution control and green, low-carbon development. Adopted by the country’s top legislature in March, it is China’s second formal statutory code after the Civil Code and contains 1,242 articles across five chapters. The code integrates more than 30 laws, 100 administrative regulations and 1,000 local regulations, aiming to address fragmentation and improve coordination within China’s environmental legal system. According to Chinese experts,  the legislation marks a shift from fragmented environmental management toward more systematic governance and could help resolve legal conflicts and fill gaps in existing regulations. The code also links environmental protection with economic development by establishing provisions for green and low-carbon growth. China’s recent environmental progress includes a decline in average PM2.5 levels in major cities to 28 micrograms per cubic meter in 2025 and a national forest coverage rate exceeding 25 percent. The legislation also calls for international cooperation on ecological protection and climate change, reflecting China’s broader efforts to promote green development.
  
  
• China Expands Policy Financing to Boost Private Investment: China will issue 800 billion yuan in new policy-based financial instruments this year, 300 billion yuan more than last year, with implementation plans recently sent to local governments for project applications. The funds will place greater emphasis on private investment and industrial projects, alongside areas including the digital economy, artificial intelligence, consumer infrastructure and urban renewal. A key change this year is the introduction of government interest subsidies for eligible projects. Under a January policy, small and micro private enterprises can receive an annual interest subsidy of 1.5 percentage points for qualifying loans for up to two years and a maximum subsidized loan amount of 50 million yuan per enterprise. A Chinese expert highlighted that the measures could support private investment while directing capital toward emerging industries and industrial upgrading. In addition, the interest subsidy could lower financing costs for small and medium-sized private firms and encourage greater participation in investment projects. In 2025, 500 billion yuan in policy-based instruments supported more than 2,300 projects involving about 7 trillion yuan in investment. The expanded funding is expected to strengthen fixed-asset investment and support economic growth.
  
  
• China Expands Occupational Injury Protection for Platform Workers: China has expanded its pilot program for occupational injury protection for workers in new employment forms to all 31 provinces and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps from July 1. The occupational injury protection extends coverage to groups such as delivery riders and platform-based workers. The program was launched in July 2022 across seven provinces and cities to address gaps in the traditional work injury insurance system, which is less suited to workers with flexible employment arrangements and multiple platforms. Under the new model, workers do not make direct payments, while platforms contribute based on the number of orders. Fang Lianquan of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences noted that the arrangement reflects the employment patterns of platform workers. Regions are also developing tailored services, with Shandong emphasizing prevention, rehabilitation and compensation, while Shanghai has introduced online processing and streamlined benefit access. Experts called for expanding coverage to workers in sectors such as domestic services, livestreaming and door-to-door services, while improving coordination among government departments and creating one-stop services for injury assessment and compensation.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users Call for Resumption of Stalled Road Construction in Yunnan: A post with the hashtag #UnfinishedRoadConstructionOnChenghaiEastRoadInYunnanAMajorPublicConcern# has sparked discussion on Weibo over the stalled construction of Chenghai East Road in Yongsheng County, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province. The post described the road as narrow, heavily damaged and filled with potholes, with poor conditions reportedly affecting residents, pedestrians and passing vehicles. Although construction began this year, work reportedly stopped after only one section was completed, prompting users to question whether the delay was due to funding, planning changes or other issues. Online reactions were largely supportive of calls for the authorities to resume construction and address the road’s safety risks. Several users highlighted the “difficulty of travelling on the damaged road” and expressed concern over the safety risks posed by potholes, dust and the narrow roadway. Others noted that “the road had remained in poor condition for years” and questioned whether residents’ concerns were being adequately addressed. A commentator stated that “the cause of the work stoppage would be investigated and that road repairs could resume as soon as possible.” A few also called for regional authorities to work with residents to report the issue via the public hotline and push for a solution. Others questioned “how the road has been left unrepaired for years and people’s demands have been ignored,” stressing that residents’ concerns should be taken seriously.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Discusses India-Japan Shift Toward Joint Defence Development: An article in Guancha discussed Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi’s upcoming visit to India. It highlighted the planned discussions on the joint development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), transfer of shipborne communication systems, and a possible Japan-India “2+2” dialogue later this year. The article argued that the proposed UAV cooperation could signal a shift in Japan’s overseas defense industry strategy from selling finished equipment to jointly developing and producing military systems with partner countries. It noted that Japan’s earlier efforts to enter the Indian defence market, particularly through the proposed US-2 amphibious aircraft deal, failed to materialise because of disagreements over pricing, technology transfer and local production. According to the article, the experience exposed structural weaknesses in Japan’s defence industry, including limited production volumes, high costs, weak overseas marketing and after-sales networks, and limited experience with technology transfers. The article suggested that India’s “Make in India” requirements make it a difficult but important test case for Japan. It highlighted the UNICORN shipborne communication antenna project, under which Japan provides design technology while India participates in integration and production as an emerging model for cooperation. It argued that UAVs may offer a more viable area for collaboration due to their shorter development cycles and applications in maritime surveillance and reconnaissance. The article concluded that India represents a critical test for Japan’s ambition to internationalise its defense industry, with successful UAV cooperation.