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NEWS IN CHINA

• Wang Yi Calls for Stable China-US Relations and High-Level Exchanges: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on China and the United States to implement the consensus reached by their heads of state and remove obstacles to high-level exchanges during a meeting with US Ambassador to China David Perdue in Beijing. Wang said the two countries are working under the strategic guidance of their leaders to build a constructive relationship of strategic stability. He stressed that peaceful coexistence based on mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation serves the interests of both countries and meets international expectations. Wang acknowledged that bilateral relations continue to face risks and challenges, urging both sides to focus on a positive agenda, properly manage differences and address disruptions to promote stable, healthy and sustainable ties. Perdue said the two leaders have provided strategic guidance for US-China relations and described US President Donald Trump's visit to China in May as successful. He said the United States is willing to strengthen communication, advance cooperation and prepare for further high-level interactions.
  
  
• Premier Li Qiang Arrives at China-Nepal Border Disaster Site as Rescue Operations Intensify: Chinese authorities have intensified rescue and relief operations after a major mudslide struck Gyirong Port along the China-Nepal border on Wednesday. Initial estimates reported three deaths and 265 people missing, while the disaster also disrupted road access, communications and power supplies in the affected area. Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Gyirong on Thursday, leading a group of senior officials to oversee rescue and relief operations and assess conditions on the ground. China has activated its highest-level emergency response, with rescue personnel, firefighters, armed police and engineering teams deployed to the site. Authorities have also dispatched emergency supplies and allocated central relief and reconstruction funds. Continued rainfall is forecast in Gyirong County through Sunday, raising concerns about floods, landslides and other secondary disasters and complicating ongoing rescue operations.
  
  
• China, Indonesia to Deepen Strategic Defence Cooperation: China will work with Indonesia to advance defence and military cooperation from a strategic perspective, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said. Speaking at a press conference, Zhang said the two countries will promote regular and institutionalised practical cooperation in defence equipment and technology, joint exercises and training, personnel training, and maritime security. He said such cooperation would provide stronger security support for the development of both countries, contribute to regional stability and introduce greater stability, certainty and constructive factors amid global changes and disruptions. Zhang said defence cooperation between China and Indonesia has improved in both quality and efficiency in recent years, describing the relationship as an example of new-type defence cooperation between Global South countries and major developing nations. The two countries have continued to strengthen military exchanges and practical cooperation in recent years. China said it is ready to work with Indonesia to further deepen defence cooperation and support regional peace and stability.
  
  
• Chinese Vice Premier Calls for Stronger Fiscal Policy to Support Economic Growth: Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang called for continued efforts to improve fiscal work and better support China’s modernisation during a symposium in Hefei, Anhui Province. Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, urged the effective implementation of a more proactive fiscal policy, with emphasis on supporting stable economic growth, optimising the economic structure and promoting high-quality development. He called for greater efforts in fiscal work during the second half of the year, including accelerating the use of relevant funds and strengthening coordination between fiscal and monetary policies. Ding said these measures should help sustain economic development and create stronger momentum for higher-quality growth. He also said fiscal efforts should contribute to ensuring a strong start to the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). During his visit to Anhui, he also reviewed pilot programs for scientific fiscal management and fiscal operations at the local level, as well as the application of artificial intelligence in scientific research.
  
  
• China to Launch National Science Popularisation Month: China’s National Science Popularisation Month will begin on September 2 to promote public understanding of scientific innovation, organisers said at a press conference in Beijing. The monthlong event, themed “Science Transforms Lives, Innovation Secures the Future,” will be jointly organised by the China Association for Science and Technology and 34 government departments and organisations. The event will feature activities across the country and use multiple platforms to encourage broad public participation. More than 100 exhibitions and activities will be held at three major venues in Beijing, while national scientific societies will organise more than 150 activities focused on basic research, including lectures, exhibitions and science study tours. The public will also be given opportunities to visit laboratories and research facilities and learn about advances in cutting-edge science and technology. The 2026 World Conference on Science Literacy, an international event held as part of the month, is scheduled for mid-September in Beijing. Representatives from 20 countries across five continents are expected to attend and discuss frontier topics and promote international cooperation on science literacy and popularisation.
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users React to Delivery Man Winning Lu Xun Literary Award: A post on Weibo has gone viral discussing Wang Jibing, a 58-year-old delivery man who became the first delivery worker to win the Lu Xun Literature Award after receiving the poetry award on July 15. His award-winning collection “Flying Low” draws on his eight years of delivery work, capturing everyday encounters and experiences from life on the road. The post highlighted Wang’s 38-year writing journey, noting that he continued writing for decades despite receiving little recognition. He began composing poems through voice input while delivering orders, turning ordinary moments into literary material. His experiences as a construction worker, street vendor, waste collector and delivery worker have shaped his writing and perspective on life. The story sparked widespread discussion among Weibo users, who praised Wang’s persistence, observational ability and simple yet vivid writing style. Many viewed his achievement as evidence that literature can emerge from ordinary life and experiences beyond traditional literary circles. One user wrote, “The power of literature.” Another commented, “This is the real poet.” Others praised his perseverance and said his work demonstrated the ability to find meaning and creativity in everyday life.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Discusses Russia-India Talks on Group Visa-Free Travel: An article on Guancha discussed Russia and India’s ongoing talks on introducing group visa-free travel, citing Russian media reports. According to the article, Indian Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar said Russia could become the first country with which India establishes such an arrangement, although no final decision or timeline has been set. He also mentioned that India has not previously introduced a group visa-free system with any country. Bilateral tourism increased by 8 per cent in the first half of the year, with around 50,000 Russian citizens visiting India and more than 25,000 Indians travelling to Russia. The discussion also highlighted growing bilateral trade and energy cooperation despite Western pressure on Russia. Russian tourism industry representatives were cited as saying that visa-free group travel could help expand tourism links, particularly by making travel to Russia easier for Indian visitors. Russia, however, remains less popular among Indian tourists than destinations in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The report further observed that Russia's existing free e-visa for Indian citizens means that removing visa requirements may have a more limited impact on travel from India to Russia.

Prepared By

Arushi Sharma

Arushi Sharma is a Research Intern at Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA). She is a recent postgraduate in East Asian Studies from the University of Delhi and holds a Bachelor's degree in Chinese Language from K.R. Mangalam University. She has previously worked as a Subject Matter Expert in Mandarin Language at Unacademy. Her primary research interests focus on China's domestic politics and international economic statecraft.