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NEWS IN CHINA

• President Xi Meets Swiss President Guy Parmelin to Strengthen Free Trade Cooperation: Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Swiss Confederation President Guy Parmelin in Beijing, calling for stronger bilateral cooperation to promote China-Europe economic and trade ties and support global economic development amid uncertainty. President Xi described Switzerland as an important European partner, highlighting its leading role in cooperation with China. He said free trade had become a key pillar of bilateral relations, reflecting both countries’ commitment to openness and their efforts to promote an open global economy. He added that China was willing to work with Switzerland to strengthen cooperation, uphold openness and advance inclusive economic globalisation. He further emphasised the importance of injecting greater confidence and certainty into China-Europe economic and trade cooperation and the broader global economy. Following their meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a protocol to upgrade the China-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement (FTA), alongside several cooperation documents covering scientific research, employment and media. The agreement upgrade signals continued efforts by both countries to deepen economic engagement and expand cooperation across multiple sectors.
  
  
• China Calls for Responsible Use of Emerging Technologies at UN Security Council Debate: China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, called for international cooperation to ensure emerging technologies serve maritime security and public well-being, while addressing the risks associated with their misuse. Speaking at a UN Security Council open debate on emerging technologies and maritime security, Fu said technologies such as artificial intelligence, low-Earth-orbit satellite constellations and unmanned systems could support maritime activities, develop the blue economy and strengthen security. However, their misuse and gaps in governance posed new challenges. Fu urged countries to enhance maritime monitoring, early-warning and emergency-response capabilities while strengthening risk assessments and regulatory frameworks to prevent cyberattacks, data breaches and the misuse of autonomous systems. He also called for dialogue and diplomatic efforts to resolve regional conflicts that threaten international shipping and supply chain stability. Emphasising equitable access to technology, Fu called for greater financial, technological and capacity-building support for developing countries to bridge digital and development gaps. He also urged countries to apply the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea fully and consistently, opposing selective application and double standards. Fu said China was ready to work with the international community to improve global governance of emerging technologies and maritime affairs.
  
  
• CPC Outlines Four Priorities for Strengthening Anti-Corruption Efforts: The Communist Party of China (CPC) has identified four priorities for advancing its approach to combating corruption in a resolution adopted at the fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, which concluded in Beijing. The priorities include maintaining a tough stance against corruption, strengthening checks and oversight over the exercise of power, promoting ethical values that uphold integrity, and coordinating efforts to eliminate the audacity, opportunity, and desire to engage in corrupt practices. Zhang Fuhai, deputy secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and deputy head of the National Commission of Supervision, outlined these priorities at a press conference. The resolution, titled Resolution of the Central Committee of the CPC on Certain Major Issues concerning Persevering with Full and Rigorous Party Self-Governance, also emphasises strengthening institutional enforcement. Xie Chuntao, vice president of the CPC Central Committee Party School, stated that institutional rules must apply equally to all Party organisations, members and officials, without privileges or exceptions. He added that enforcement and oversight must cover the entire process of official duties.
  
  
• China Unveils Two AI Models for Extreme Weather Forecasting: China has introduced two artificial intelligence (AI) models using data from its Fengyun meteorological satellites to improve extreme weather forecasting. Unveiled at the 2026 Fengyun Satellite User Conference in Changsha, Hunan province, the models focus on typhoon analysis and short-term warnings for severe convective weather. The typhoon interpretation model integrates more than 20 types of real-time satellite products, analysing cloud images every 15 minutes and generating reports within 27 seconds. These reports cover a typhoon’s location, intensity, wind patterns, rainfall impacts, and likely evolution. The model also provides supporting satellite imagery for verification. It was used to monitor Typhoon Surigae last month. The second model uses two hours of continuous observations from the Fengyun-4 satellite to predict cloud development and identify potential severe convective activity, including thunderstorms, damaging winds, hail, and heavy rainfall. According to Han Bowei, an engineer at the National Satellite Meteorological Centre, the model can forecast the occurrence, development, and intensity of such weather events up to four hours in advance. The models are part of a broader initiative to develop an intelligent monitoring system covering multiple hazards, including rainstorms, sandstorms, heavy fog, and cold waves. Officials highlighted AI’s potential to accelerate data processing and improve early warnings through verifiable, satellite-based analysis.
  
  
• China Introduces Three-Year Plan to Strengthen Care Services for Vulnerable Elderly People: China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs, the National Working Commission on Ageing and the China National Committee on Ageing have jointly issued a notice outlining a three-year plan to expand visits and care services for elderly people facing particular difficulties. The plan sets targets for implementation, service frequency and resource allocation through 2028. Under the plan, local authorities are expected to clarify requirements and expand existing services by the end of 2026. By the end of 2027, county-level governments must establish lists of beneficiaries, their care needs and categorised services, while strengthening local care teams. By the end of 2028, authorities aim to establish a regular, long-term mechanism for providing these services. The initiative targets elderly people living alone, empty nesters, left-behind elderly people, those with disabilities or severe disabilities, and elderly people from families covered by special family-planning policies. Authorities are required to prioritise those facing greater safety risks, with visits conducted at least once every two weeks and more frequently when necessary. To strengthen implementation, the notice encourages townships, neighbourhood and village committees, elderly-care service institutions, grassroots associations, volunteers participating in the Silver Age Action programme and other community organisations to support outreach and care services.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users React to CSRC’s Efforts to Stabilise China’s A-Share Market: A post on Weibo questioned the China Securities Regulatory Commission’s (CSRC) ability to stabilise China’s A-share market, arguing that its influence over major institutional investors and large funds is limited. The post attributed market volatility to structural imbalances, limited competition and inadequate hedging mechanisms, claiming that the market tends to move collectively in either direction. It also criticised the perceived asymmetry in regulatory responses to rising and falling markets. The post prompted debate among users. One user asked, “Could it be that this is the intended purpose of our equity market system design?” Another criticised the perceived inconsistency in regulatory responses, commenting, “When the market is trending upwards, we issue various risk warnings and closely monitor transactions; when the market is trending downwards, we begin to reflect on our actions.” A third questioned the regulatory approach to sharp market movements, asking, “If you only control price increases and not decreases, how can you effectively manage them?” Other users argued that the CSRC retains significant regulatory authority through its oversight of major shareholders, trading rules and corporate disclosure requirements. Some questioned the role of short-selling and quantitative trading mechanisms, while others disputed the suggestion that insurance funds were responsible for market declines, highlighting potential losses among institutional investors.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Discusses Rafale-M’s First Landing on INS Vikrant and India’s Naval Capabilities: An article in Guancha discussed the Rafale-M carrier-based fighter jet’s first arrested landing on India’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. According to the article, it marked a key step in testing the aircraft’s compatibility with the Indian Navy’s domestically built carrier. The article noted that the landing was conducted by a Dassault test pilot using a manufacturer’s test aircraft, as India’s Rafale-M fleet has not yet been delivered. It further reported that India signed a ₹630 billion agreement with France in April 2025 to procure 22 Rafale-M fighters and four two-seat trainer aircraft, alongside weapons, training and logistical support. It mentioned that the deliveries are expected to begin in late 2028 and conclude by 2030. The article highlighted that the agreement also includes technology transfer provisions covering aircraft manufacturing and maintenance facilities. It added that the Rafale-M was selected over Boeing’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet following evaluations that included simulated ski-jump take-off tests. Citing Indian media reports, the article stated that its induction is expected to strengthen the Indian Navy’s carrier-based combat capabilities by complementing its existing Russian-made MiG-29K fleet as well as enhancing air interception and surface- and land-attack capabilities.

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.