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NEWS IN CHINA

• China to Proactively Identify and Support Innovative SMEs: China will step up efforts to identify and support promising small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), shifting from an application-based approach to proactively locating businesses with strong growth potential, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said on Sunday. At a roundtable attended by representatives from eight SMEs in artificial intelligence, commercial spaceflight and quantum technology, participants discussed improving mechanisms to identify enterprises and deliver targeted support. The ministry plans to strengthen programmes for specialized and innovative firms, particularly start-ups focused on technological innovation and product development. A ministry official said China would further improve its legal and policy framework, enterprise development programmes and business services to promote high-quality SME growth. Companies were encouraged to increase research and development investment, pursue breakthroughs in core technologies and improve production processes and services. Addressing weaknesses in industrial and supply chains was also highlighted as essential to strengthening resilience and security. A development plan for 2026-2030, issued earlier this month, targets improvements in SME growth, innovation and business conditions. By 2030, major SMEs’ per-capita operating revenue is expected to increase by approximately 15 percent cumulatively over five years.
  
  
• China Opposes US Secondary Tariff Measures: China has criticised the United States over legislation that could impose tariffs on countries importing Russian energy, warning that it will protect its economic and national interests. The Ministry of Commerce said on Saturday that China opposes unilateral sanctions and secondary measures that lack a basis in international law or UN authorisation. The comments followed reports that the US had enacted the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which permits tariffs of up to 100% on third countries purchasing Russian oil or natural gas. Commentaries have identified China as a potential target of such measures. The ministry stressed that China’s trade and economic cooperation with other countries is conducted on the principles of equality and mutual benefit and is not intended to target third parties. It added that Beijing would closely monitor Washington’s subsequent actions and could take necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty, development interests, and the rights of Chinese businesses. China also called on the US to resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, while maintaining stable bilateral economic relations and global supply chains.
  
  
• China, US Hold Trade Talks in New York: China and the United States held economic and trade consultations in New York on September 20, with Vice Premier He Lifeng leading the Chinese delegation. He met U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer for discussions aimed at advancing understandings reached during earlier rounds of negotiations. The talks covered key issues concerning bilateral economic relations, including the implementation of previous agreements and efforts to facilitate trade and investment between the two countries. The two sides also discussed artificial intelligence-related matters, expanding the dialogue beyond traditional trade issues. According to the Chinese side, the discussions were conducted in a candid and constructive manner, guided by the consensus reached by the two heads of state and the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and mutually beneficial cooperation.
  
  
• China Unveils Categorized Higher Education Reform: The General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issued the Opinions on Promoting the Reform of Higher Education Institutions by Category, outlining a framework for restructuring universities according to their functions and development characteristics. The guidelines call for a more systematic classification of universities, covering comprehensive and specialized institutions while improving coordination between central and local universities. They also seek to better align educational resources, talent cultivation, and academic programmes with national and regional priorities. The document proposes differentiated support for research universities, applied undergraduate institutions, higher vocational institutions, and industry-focused universities. It also encourages new approaches to developing high-level innovative talent and strengthening universities’ contribution to economic and social development. The guidelines further propose categorized management and evaluation systems, improved resource-allocation incentives, and stronger coordination between talent supply and national strategic needs. Universities are expected to advance reforms steadily while strengthening Party leadership and governance mechanisms.
  
  
• China Tightens Oversight of Environmental Service Providers: The Ministry of Ecology and Environment, along with four other government bodies, has issued new measures to strengthen oversight of ecological and environmental technical service institutions and curb data fraud. The initiative involves the Supreme People’s Court, Supreme People’s Procuratorate, Ministry of Public Security, and State Administration for Market Regulation. The notice outlines 11 measures covering four areas: expanding channels for detecting violations, intensifying investigations, improving inter-agency cooperation, and strengthening regulatory and enforcement mechanisms. Authorities will use big data and artificial intelligence to identify abnormal monitoring data and improve both remote and on-site inspections. The measures also encourage whistleblowing by insiders and the public, including through improved reporting and reward mechanisms. Authorities will target fraudulent institutions and individuals while investigating related businesses across the supply chain to establish broader accountability. The notice calls for closer cooperation among administrative, law-enforcement, and judicial bodies, including joint inspections and information sharing. A categorized credit-management system for technical service institutions will also be introduced. In addition, authorities will strengthen qualification and registration controls and restrict market access for entities involved in serious fraudulent practices.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Rising Marriage Costs and Gender Equality Sparks Debates on Weibo: A post discussing the reported 180,000-yuan bride price and the relationship between gender equality and declining marriage rates is going viral on Weibo. The post argued that rising emphasis on financial fairness could make marriage resemble a business arrangement, suggesting that declining marriage rates may be linked to greater gender equality. Several users focused on “the reported 180,000-yuan bride price, with some describing the amount as financially burdensome when combined with housing, jewellery, wedding expenses and other marriage-related costs.” One user stated that “such demands could place substantial pressure on men from families without significant financial support.” Others questioned “whether bride prices should be viewed as a financial burden, noting that some families return the money to the couple or provide additional support for their daughter’s new household.” Another user argued that “the key issue was not the bride price itself but the division of financial responsibilities after marriage.” Some comments challenged traditional expectations surrounding gender roles, while others questioned “whether marriage remains necessary when both partners can live independently.” The discussion also included views on childbirth, household expenses and financial contributions.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Discusses India’s Semiconductor Ambitions and Manufacturing Challenges: An article in Guancha discussed the conclusion of SEMICON India 2026 in New Delhi on September 19, highlighting India’s efforts to expand its semiconductor ecosystem while pointing to the gap between investment commitments and actual manufacturing capacity. It highlighted a statement from India’s Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw who stated that the Semicon 2.0 initiative had attracted around $12 billion in investment commitments, expected to be implemented over the next two to three years. However, Guancha noted that specific details on company-wise investments, locations, production capacity and implementation timelines remain limited. It noted that Applied Materials plans to invest $5 billion over the next decade in research, supply chains and talent development, while Lam Research and Fujifilm announced major investments in manufacturing and semiconductor materials. The article emphasized that many projects focus on equipment, materials, research and development and supply-chain support rather than large-scale wafer fabrication. It also noted that Micron’s packaging and testing facility in Gujarat is operational, but this represents a downstream segment rather than wafer manufacturing. The article argued that while India’s semiconductor ecosystem is expanding, converting investment commitments into large-scale wafer manufacturing will remain a long-term challenge due to the technological expertise, specialised talent and mature supplier networks required.

Prepared By

Neha Maurya

Neha Maurya is a Project Assistant at Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA). A recent graduate of FLAME University with a major in International Studies and a minor in Public Policy, her research interests include strategic studies, governance, and education policy. She is interested in contributing to research that informs effective policy design and implementation.