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NEWS IN CHINA

• Wang Yi Calls for Stronger Global Governance at 2026 Forum: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged countries to take greater responsibility and strengthen collective action to implement the Global Governance Initiative (GGI). Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Global Governance Forum in Xiongan, Hebei Province, he described the initiative as a timely response to gaps in global governance and a pathway towards a better future. Wang noted that the GGI’s significance has grown over the past year, alongside China’s increasing contribution to global governance and rising international expectations for its leadership. He outlined five key priorities for reform: upholding the central role of the United Nations, promoting fairness and justice, strengthening the representation of the Global South, maintaining openness and development, and improving governance rules in emerging fields. Wang reaffirmed China’s commitment to working with all countries to establish a more just and equitable global governance system. He also highlighted practical measures to advance reforms and deepen international cooperation in critical areas, including development, human rights and artificial intelligence. His remarks underscored the need for stronger multilateral cooperation, inclusive decision-making and coordinated international efforts to address emerging global challenges and build a more balanced governance framework. 
  
  
• China and EU Strengthen Cooperation on Global Environmental and Climate Governance: China’s Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the European Union on global environmental and climate issues. He made the remarks during a meeting with European Commission Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera on the sidelines of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) in Yerevan, Armenia. The discussions focused on the China-EU High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue, biodiversity conservation, negotiations on an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, and preparations for the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31). Huang highlighted the long-standing cooperation between China and the EU in environmental protection and climate action, describing their dialogue mechanism as an important platform for advancing bilateral cooperation and global environmental governance. He emphasised the need for both sides to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, strengthen efforts to combat plastic pollution and address climate change. Adopted in 2022, the framework establishes global biodiversity goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030, including restoring at least 30 per cent of degraded ecosystems. Ribera praised China’s environmental achievements and constructive role in international negotiations, expressing support for continued dialogue and cooperation to advance global priorities and build a clean, sustainable future.
  
  
• China Advances Population Development and Services Sector Reforms: Chinese Premier Li Qiang chaired a State Council executive meeting focusing on coordinating population development with economic and social progress and reviewing the implementation of measures to strengthen the services sector. The meeting emphasised the importance of population as a foundation for national development, calling for efforts to harness the demographic dividend and promote high-quality economic and social growth. Priorities include expanding skills training, aligning education with industrial needs, promoting high-quality employment, ensuring equal access to basic public services, and optimising infrastructure according to population distribution. It also stressed developing a birth-friendly society and maintaining a stable number of newborns. Regarding the services sector, the meeting highlighted its vital role in driving economic growth and called for stronger support in financing, land use, talent development and data access. It urged authorities to remove market entry barriers, address obstacles to private investment and encourage innovative development approaches suited to local conditions. The meeting further called for increased investment to unlock the potential of service consumption, along with efforts to develop leading enterprises and distinctive brands.
  
  
• China Unveils 15th Five-Year Plan to Accelerate National Informatisation: China’s Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission has issued the National Informatisation 15th Five-Year Plan, outlining strategic priorities for advancing digital transformation, technological innovation and cybersecurity from 2026 to 2030. The plan serves as a policy guide for government departments and regional authorities to strengthen the country’s digital development. The plan aims to establish a modern information infrastructure system, enhance cybersecurity and information technology innovation, and develop a competitive digital industry ecosystem. It also prioritises improved governance, wider access to digital services, coordinated regional development, industrial integration and international cooperation. By 2030, China aims to establish an integrated land, sea, air and space network, fully develop next-generation communication networks, advance the commercial deployment of sixth-generation mobile communications (6G) at an appropriate time, and largely complete its national blockchain network. It also seeks breakthroughs in core technologies, deeper integration of digital technologies with the real economy, and stronger cybersecurity safeguards. The framework outlines ten major tasks supported by seven special initiatives covering infrastructure, technological innovation, industrial development, smart governance, regional cooperation, overseas business expansion, and cross-border data flows. The Cyberspace Administration of China will coordinate implementation through interdepartmental cooperation, central-local coordination, monitoring, and evaluation. 
  
  
• China Introduces AI Employment Policies to Create Jobs and Protect Workers: China has introduced a comprehensive set of policy measures to promote job creation through artificial intelligence (AI), improve employment quality, and reduce the risk of job displacement caused by technological advances. The guidelines, issued by the General Office of the State Council, outline 18 major tasks across six key areas. The measures focus on AI-driven job creation, employment-friendly technology adoption, workforce training, smarter employment services, labour rights and social security, and employment risk monitoring. To expand job opportunities, the guidelines encourage the development of emerging industries, AI-related occupations and entrepreneurship, while supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in retaining and expanding their workforces. They also promote the integration of AI into traditional industries to enhance productivity while easing employment pressures. The policy emphasises improving workers’ digital skills through specialised AI training and strengthening employment services to help people transition into new roles. It also calls for adapting labour protections, social security arrangements, and income distribution mechanisms to evolving work patterns, particularly for flexible workers and those in new forms of employment. Additionally, the guidelines propose early-warning systems and research to assess AI-related employment risks. 
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users React to the Adoption of Construction Robots in China: A post on Weibo that discussed the deployment of robots for tile-laying at Chinese construction sites has attracted widespread attention. The post highlighted technologies developed by Chinese firms, including Nanjing Zhuling Technology, which enable robots to apply adhesive and lay tiles automatically. It cited reported productivity of around 100 square metres per shift and suggested that such technologies could improve efficiency and help address labour shortages. The post prompted reactions about the technology’s practical limitations and its implications for employment. One user observed that robots could handle large areas but corners and other complex sections would still require manual work. Another commented, “Workers are going to lose their jobs again.” A third user questioned the broader economic implications of automation, remarking, “Then why is it hard to do business, and no one consumes it.” Another user observed that “the more advanced science and technology become, the less they need people.” Others questioned the technology’s scalability, citing equipment failure rates, maintenance costs, and the challenges of adapting robots to complex construction sites. 

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Discusses Debate Over India’s Potential as China’s Future Competitor: An article in Guancha examined Chinese telecommunications industry commentator Xiang Ligang’s argument that India, rather than the United States, could emerge as China’s most significant long-term competitor. Xiang argued that the United States faces structural challenges, including the decline of its manufacturing base and the growing influence of large corporations, which could weaken its long-term economic prospects. In contrast, he highlighted India’s vast territory, population larger than China's, youthful workforce, and potential for large-scale industrialisation, portraying India as a rising power with considerable untapped potential. The article discussed two main strands of debate surrounding his assessment. It questioned whether India could translate its demographic advantages into sustained economic and industrial growth. The article further highlighted criticism of Xiang’s assessment, presenting commentators’ concerns that India’s entrenched social hierarchies and unresolved land reform issues could hinder its industrial development. It also outlined arguments that China should prioritise addressing its own domestic challenges rather than focusing on potential external competitors. At the same time, the article presented counterarguments from Xiang’s supporters, who cautioned against underestimating India’s potential and emphasised that its long-term industrialisation prospects could make it a significant competitor to China.

Prepared By

Arushi Sharma

Arushi Sharma is a Junior Research Associate 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.