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NEWS IN CHINA

• China-ASEAN Expo Highlights AI Cooperation and Expanding Digital Economy Ties: The 23rd China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning has introduced an AI marketplace aimed at connecting Chinese AI technologies with demand in ASEAN markets. Held from September 17 to 21, the expo’s AI section features large language models, AI chips, smart robots, AI glasses and healthcare technologies, with more than 400 products from 60 companies displayed at a dedicated sub-venue. Companies from China and ASEAN countries are also showcasing AI applications in areas including urban governance, logistics and industrial development. The sub-venue is set to remain open year-round, providing a platform for Chinese AI products to reach ASEAN consumers and businesses beyond the expo. The event also includes a new exhibition area focused on ASEAN projects and application needs, alongside an “AI Plus Finance” zone. The initiative comes as China and ASEAN implement the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol, which covers areas including the digital economy.
  
  
• China and Indonesia Discuss Closer Legislative and Bilateral Cooperation: China’s top legislator Zhao Leji met Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Chairman Ahmad Muzani in Beijing to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation. Zhao said China is willing to follow the strategic guidance of the two countries’ leaders and advance bilateral friendship, while calling for closer exchanges between the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the MPR. The two sides discussed expanding legislative exchanges, sharing governance experience and supporting the development of their respective countries. Zhao also said greater cooperation between the two legislative bodies could contribute to broader bilateral ties. Muzani described the relationship between Indonesia and China as rooted in a “deep friendship” and said the visit could help strengthen cooperation between institutions and people in both countries. He expressed support for closer exchanges between the MPR and NPC and for expanding substantive cooperation across various fields.
  
  
• CPC Political Bureau Sets October Plenum and Reviews Party Governance: A meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, chaired by Xi Jinping, reviewed measures to strengthen full and rigorous Party self-governance and set the dates for the fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. The plenum will be held in Beijing from October 26 to 29. The meeting agreed to submit a draft decision on strengthening Party self-governance to the upcoming plenum for deliberation. According to the report, the draft was previously circulated among Party members and non-Party figures for comments and received broad support. The meeting assessed progress in Party self-governance in the “new era” and outlined the challenges facing Party building in the current and coming period. It called for maintaining strict standards in Party governance, strengthening the CPC Central Committee’s leadership and improving institutional mechanisms for self-governance. The meeting also stressed the need to address prominent issues in Party building through higher standards and more concrete measures.
  
  
• MCT Releases Plan for Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection and Inheritance: China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) has issued a plan outlining priorities for protecting and passing on intangible cultural heritage during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. The plan aims to strengthen systematic protection while encouraging greater integration of intangible cultural heritage into contemporary life. By 2030, the plan seeks to establish a more comprehensive protection framework, improve related institutions and mechanisms, expand public engagement and develop new ways for people to experience and engage with intangible cultural heritage. The plan identifies six priorities: strengthening protection systems, improving training for heritage practitioners, supporting national cultural strategies, developing new applications in modern life, using technology to improve protection and management, and expanding public communication. Specific measures include conducting heritage surveys, developing databases, strengthening the succession of practitioners, promoting digital management and improving dissemination. The plan also calls for stronger organisational coordination, improved regulations and greater financial and institutional support. It encourages public and social organisations to participate in heritage protection and seeks to establish a broader social environment supportive of its preservation and transmission.
  
  
• State broadcaster Reveals Official Code Name of J-35A Stealth Fighter: State broadcaster China Central Television has reported that the official code name of China’s J-35A stealth fighter jet is Yunlong, or “Cloud Loong”. Developed by Aviation Industry Corp of China, the aircraft is a twin-engine, single-seat multirole fighter designed for both air combat and strike missions. The J-35A is primarily intended to support air-superiority operations. Its capabilities also include targeting ground and maritime assets, intercepting cruise missiles and engaging enemy fighters, bombers and air-defence systems. The aircraft is equipped with a conventional aerodynamic design and various advanced technologies. The J-35A is the second stealth fighter operated by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, following the J-20. It was publicly displayed for the first time at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai in November 2024, after its capabilities were officially disclosed. The aircraft’s overall design is based on the J-35, a stealth naval fighter developed for deployment on Chinese aircraft carriers and operations alongside J-15 carrier-based fighters.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users React to AI’s Role in Education and Teachers’ Responsibilities: Posts on Weibo have gone viral discussing the Ministry of Education’s position that AI cannot replace front-line teachers, stressing that education involves more than delivering knowledge and includes emotional support, discipline, character development and personalised instruction. The posts cited online classes during the pandemic as an example of the limitations of remote education, noting that many rural children left behind had limited face-to-face interaction and supervision from teachers. According to the posts, some students experienced declines in academic performance, while others became overly reliant on electronic devices, raising concerns about their eyesight. The posts prompted reactions from Weibo users. One wrote, “Teachers are likely to be replaced if they only teach but do not educate people. Educating people is one of the most important duties of teachers.” Another user suggested that AI could be incorporated into teaching by analysing students’ learning and providing teachers with feedback and recommendations based on their own teaching materials.” Other users discussed whether additional teachers could help address large class sizes and suggested greater use of personalised education. Some viewed AI as a useful teaching aid but argued that it remains difficult for technology to provide the human interaction and care required in education.

INDIA WATCH

Global Times Discusses India’s Export Growth and China’s Industrial Demand: An article in Global Times examined the recent growth in India’s exports to China and other BRICS economies, highlighting the role of Chinese demand amid increasing uncertainty in global trade. According to the article, India’s exports to China reportedly rose 38.71 per cent in April-August of the 2026-27 fiscal year, compared with 17.85 per cent growth in overall merchandise exports. It noted that China accounted for nearly half of India’s $19.9 billion exports to China, South Africa, Brazil and Russia during the period. The article stated that India’s exports to China include petroleum products, engineering and electronic goods, chemicals, iron ore and marine products, many of which are linked to industrial production and supply chains. It argued that China’s expanding manufacturing sector, including developments in areas such as artificial intelligence, could sustain demand for imported raw materials, components and intermediate goods. At the same time, the article questioned how much of this demand Indian exporters can capture as India develops its own manufacturing capacity. It suggested that greater integration with regional supply chains could support India’s industrial expansion while strengthening economic ties with China.

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.