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NEWS IN CHINA

• China Pushes for Balanced Trade Ties with the EU: China has raised concerns over the European Union’s increasing use of trade restrictions, warning that these measures are disrupting industrial and supply chain stability and affecting bilateral business cooperation, according to the Ministry of Commerce. During a meeting with Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade, in Beijing, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao described China and the EU as important economic partners and supporters of the multilateral trading system. He noted that two rounds of consultations held this year had produced substantial progress in addressing trade differences through dialogue. Wang urged the EU to expand bilateral investment, increase imports from China and explore cooperation in emerging industries to promote balanced trade based on World Trade Organisation rules and mutual benefit. Lange stressed the importance of stable economic relations amid global uncertainty, welcomed Chinese investment in Europe and supported continued consultations and WTO reform. The two sides have established four workstreams and a joint monitoring mechanism to manage trade disputes. Their second consultation in October resulted in 16 points of consensus covering trade balance, export controls, intellectual property rights and WTO reform.
  
  
• China Urges US to End Embargo on Cuba at UNGA: China has called on the United States to immediately end its economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba, reaffirming its support for the country’s sovereignty and development rights. Fu Cong, China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, made the remarks during a General Assembly discussion on the US embargo. Fu stated that China would vote in favour of a draft resolution submitted by Cuba seeking an end to the restrictions. He noted that the US blockade had continued for 64 years, with sanctions becoming increasingly stringent. Despite the General Assembly discussing the issue for 34 years, the resolution’s provisions remain unimplemented, he added. Fu criticised Washington’s actions as contrary to the principles of the UN Charter and international law, arguing that no country should dictate another’s political choices or development path through sanctions, military threats or judicial pressure. He urged the international community to press the US to lift all sanctions, including secondary sanctions, and remove Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. Fu also called for collective efforts to uphold the UN-centred international system and promote development cooperation. He reiterated that China would continue supporting Cuba’s efforts to protect its sovereignty, security and right to development.
  
  
• China Deploys 800 Billion Yuan in Policy-Based Investment Funds: China has fully deployed its 800 billion yuan in new policy-based financial instruments for 2026 as of October 28, supporting major projects and efforts to expand domestic investment. The funds are being channelled through three policy banks: China Development Bank (CDB), Export-Import Bank of China (China Eximbank) and Agricultural Development Bank of China (ADBC). CDB allocated 365 billion yuan, supporting projects with a total investment of 5.5 trillion yuan. China Eximbank deployed 120 billion yuan, driving investment exceeding 1.7 trillion yuan, while ADBC distributed 315 billion yuan, covering projects worth approximately 4.39 trillion yuan. The funding prioritises emerging industries, including artificial intelligence, the digital economy, green development, biomedicine and the low-altitude economy. It also supports urban renewal, infrastructure and consumer-related projects. A portion is directed towards private investment, with the three banks financing projects involving private capital participation. The instruments also target economically significant provinces, which account for a substantial share of allocations. The funds are intended to supplement project capital, address financing constraints and attract additional bank lending and private investment. The policy banks will strengthen post-investment supervision and provide supporting loans to accelerate project implementation and construction.
  
  
• China Sets 2030 Targets for Agricultural Product Quality: The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has released a national plan to improve agricultural product quality during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030). The plan focuses on strengthening quality standards, promoting environmentally friendly farming, expanding supplies of high-quality products, improving safety supervision and advancing agricultural technologies and international cooperation. By 2030, China aims to establish a more comprehensive system of agricultural quality standards, improve standardised and green production practices, and develop a market-oriented system for evaluating and grading product quality. It also seeks to strengthen quality management and supervision across the agricultural supply chain. The plan sets a target of maintaining the national routine monitoring pass rate for agricultural product quality and safety above 98%. It also aims to increase the combined number of green, organic, speciality and other high-quality agricultural products, alongside products protected by geographical indications, to 130,000. Measures include improving agricultural standardisation, managing contaminated farmland and expanding the production of green and organic agricultural goods. The plan also promotes higher-quality livestock, poultry, aquatic and processed agricultural products. In addition, China will strengthen its national risk assessment system to identify and manage potential food safety risks.
  
  
• China Issues Preparations for Heavy Snowfall in Tibet: China’s Ministry of Emergency Management held a joint consultation on October 28 with the Ministry of Natural Resources, China Meteorological Administration and Tibet Autonomous Region authorities to prepare for heavy snowfall forecast across the region from October 29 to 31. The assessment indicated that the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau would experience snowfall due to the combined effects of a residual storm system over the Bay of Bengal and a westerly trough. Southern Tibet, particularly areas near the Himalayas, is expected to receive heavy snowfall, with extremely heavy snow possible in some locations. Authorities warned of potential disaster risks. The meeting called for closer monitoring, improved weather forecasting and timely early warnings through stronger coordination and information sharing among departments. Officials were also instructed to inspect vulnerable areas and infrastructure, including power transmission lines, icy roads, major construction projects, damaged buildings, agricultural facilities and livestock shelters. Authorities were urged to prepare for secondary hazards such as glacial lake outbursts, glacier collapses, avalanches and mudslides. Relief efforts will prioritise affected residents in Baqing County, Nagqu, and Gyirong County, Shigatse, through the timely distribution of supplies and installation of temporary housing. 
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users Debate China’s Top Cities’ GDP Rankings: A post by Daily Economic News discussing the economic performance of China’s ten largest GDP cities in the first three quarters of 2026 is going viral on Weibo. The post stated that Shanghai and Beijing both recorded GDP exceeding 4 trillion yuan, while Shenzhen surpassed 3 trillion yuan for the first time. Many users questioned the significance of comparing cities with different administrative statuses, populations and geographical sizes. Some users remarked, “What is the scientific value of comparing municipalities, provincial capitals, and prefecture-level cities together?” Others argued that Chongqing’s large geographical area and population made direct comparisons with other cities less meaningful. A few users suggested that comparisons should also consider per capita GDP and minimum values. Several users expressed concern about the broader economic situation, with one stating, “What’s the point of this kind of competition when the economy is generally bad?” Another user remarked that “business is tough.” Some users questioned the changing rankings, asking whether the competition mattered when “there are always the same few cities.” Others highlighted Tianjin’s declining position, noting that it “hasn’t been in the top ten since 2019.”

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Discusses Resource Challenges in Karnataka’s AI Expansion: An article in Guancha examined the challenges facing Karnataka as it expands its artificial intelligence infrastructure, with growing concerns over water shortages and the loss of agricultural land. The article noted that Bengaluru, known as India’s Silicon Valley, already has 31 data centres, with additional projects planned. It highlighted concerns among residents of Electronic City that data centres’ water consumption for cooling computing equipment could worsen existing shortages. The article stated that nearly 150 residential communities in the area are not connected to the municipal water supply and data centres “amplify the negative impact of water shortages on residents”. The article noted that the Karnataka government is considering measures such as using treated wastewater, adopting liquid cooling technology and increasing renewable energy use to improve the sustainability of AI infrastructure. It also examined opposition to the proposed AI-focused city in Bidadi, southwest of Bengaluru, where the government plans to allocate more than 800 hectares for AI and related industries. According to the article, farmers from surrounding villages have protested the proposed land acquisition for over 18 months, fearing the loss of farmland used for multi-crop cultivation and silkworm farming. The article stated that the first phase involves approximately 210 hectares across three villages, further highlighting that the state government assured farmers that their land would not be forcibly acquired. 

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.