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NEWS IN CHINA

• China and Vietnam Strengthen Strategic Ties: China and Vietnam have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son co-chairing the 16th China-Vietnam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation in Beijing. Wang emphasized the need to consolidate strategic trust, boost trade and investments and enhance mutual cooperation between the two countries in the fields of AI and e-commerce. He also highlighted plans for the 2025 China-Vietnam Cultural Exchange Year to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties. Vietnam, prioritizing its strategic relationship with China, reaffirmed its recognition of the one-China policy and expressed its willingness in building political trust. Both countries agreed to address differences and enhance maritime cooperation through bilateral dialogue. The newly initiated "3+3" strategic dialogue mechanism, comprising foreign affairs, defense, and public security departments, further highlights the strategic importance of their bilateral ties. It aims to enable bilateral communication on both regional and global issues.
  
  

• Infineon Plans to Expand Chip Production in China Amid Strategic Focus: Infineon Technology, a leading global automotive semiconductor supplier, plans to expand chip production in Chinese factories to meet local demand and strengthen ties with Chinese buyers. While innovative power semiconductors will remain concentrated in Europe and Southeast Asia, the company has expressed its aim to transfer specific products to Chinese OEM Factories, after CEO Jochen Hanebeck emphasized the importance of producing commodity-grade chips locally to address supply chain concerns. As per 2021 reports, China is a critical market for Infineon, contributing to almost 38% of its revenue (€4.195 billion). Infineon's existing Wuxi factory produces semiconductors and automotive chips, and employs over 3,000 people. Despite a revenue drop in fiscal year 2024, by approximately 8%, the company expects a €68 billion market expansion in Greater China, by 2025. Hanebeck recognised the geopolitical pressures on chip supply chains, while highlighting semiconductors' strategic importance to governments.
  
  

• China Condemns Canada's Human Rights Sanctions: China has strongly condemned Canada’s sanctions on eight Chinese officials over alleged human rights violations in Xinjiang, Xizang, and against Falun Gong practitioners. The Chinese Embassy in Canada stated that these sanctions are illegal and in violation of international law, having the potential to interfere in China’s international affairs. The embassy spokesperson claimed the accusations, including “forced labor” and “arbitrary detention,” are baseless and aimed at defaming China. China, in response, emphasized its commitment to human rights, asserting that Xinjiang and Xizang regions enjoy economic growth, social stability, and cultural preservation, with its citizens being provided with complete religious freedom. It also highlighted support from nearly 100 countries in international forums like the UN Human Rights Council, and cited praise from foreign visitors who have spoken about the development of these regions. The statement also criticized Canada’s own human rights record, acknowledging discrimination against Indigenous peoples, homelessness, drug abuse, and racial issues, urging Canada to focus on its own challenges. Beijing called on Ottawa to revoke the sanctions and warned of retaliatory measures to protect China’s sovereignty and interests. This dispute further worsens the already strained Sino-Canadian relationship, previously tainted by clashes over trade and diplomatic ties.
  
  

• Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Channel Opens, Boosting Connectivity in Greater Bay Area: On December 11, the Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Channel, a major infrastructure project in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, officially opened to traffic. This high-investment project significantly shortens travel time between Zhuhai and Jiangmen from over an hour to just 30 minutes, strengthening connections within the region. Construction began in June 2020, following the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and Shenzhen-Zhongshan Channel. The now-open 31 kilometre channel features two landmark bridges, Gaolangang Bridge and Huangmaohai Bridge, designed with single-column towers for enhanced wind resistance, anti-collision capabilities, and structural efficiency. Boasting a six-lane roadway, it is designed to facilitate a speed of 100 kilometers per hour, including a 14-kilometer sea-crossing section. During its trial phase, toll fees will be waived. Alongside other infrastructure projects in the region, this channel allows for a cross-sea network, hence enhancing the economic reach and integration of the Greater Bay Area with surrounding regions.
  
  

• China Investigates Nvidia for Antitrust Violations: China's State Administration for Market Regulation has launched an antitrust investigation into Nvidia, citing violations of commitments made during its $6.9 billion acquisition of Mellanox Technologies in 2020. Nvidia allegedly breached agreements by halting the supply of certain GPU products to China, citing U.S. export controls. Experts however claim that these actions are in violation of antitrust laws, disrupts industrial stability and undermines Chinese companies’ rights. Key commitments had required Nvidia to maintain fair sales practices and maintain supply of GPU accelerators and Mellanox networking equipment in China. Critics argue that Nvidia’s export restrictions violate these obligations, and alternative measures should be implemented instead. This investigation aligns with China's broader antitrust efforts in technology sectors. Since 2008, China has conditionally approved 63 mergers, mostly involving multinationals. Nvidia is also facing probes from U.S. and EU regulators for alleged monopolistic practices and the Chinese investigation highlights the government’s aim to create a business environment of fair competition. 
  
  
  SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

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  Blind PhD Student’s Videos Inspire and Challenge Perceptions: Huang Ying, a Chinese PhD student has gained the attention of netizens with her videos showcasing her independent lifestyle and optimism despite being blind. Huang has defied societal expectations by excelling academically and becoming the first visually impaired person in China to enter a top university through the gaokao. Now a PhD student at Wuhan University of Technology, she shares small videos of herself on Douyin where she has gathered 4,30,000 followers. Her online content showcases how she navigates daily activities like shopping, applying make-up as well as crossing the road. She also films and posts heartwarming videos of her interactions with her roommate Che Meng, with one video showing the both of them riding a tandem bike going viral. Huang’s authenticity and humour helps her resonate with her audience, inspiring them to challenge the stereotypes surrounding blind individuals. One user commented ‘Your videos have changed my perception of blind people. I’d like to suggest to my colleagues that we hire more disabled individuals’ while another said ‘Thank you, Huang. You inspire me. I should work as hard as you do,’ portraying how she has received immense appreciation from Mainland Chinese social media users. 

   

  INDIA WATCH

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  Chinese Media Highlights Strategic Implications of Adani Group’s Colombo Port Withdrawal: The Adani Group, a major Indian conglomerate led by billionaire Gautam Adani, terminated its involvement in a U.S.-funded project at Sri Lanka's Colombo Port. Chinese media outlets such as Guancha, have reported extensively on the Adani Group's withdrawal from the U.S.-funded Colombo Port project, framing it as a significant development in regional geopolitics. Reports suggest that the project was initially proposed as a "U.S.-funded, Indian-developed" collaboration, aimed at countering China's regional influence. However it has failed owing to a lack of US financing and recent legal trouble faced by India’s Adani Group (allegations of bribery and fraud related to a solar energy deal). The Chinese media report highlighted the strategic importance of Colombo Port and suggested that the U.S.-India collaboration has been ineffective in countering China’s established presence in the region. Commentaries have also questioned the viability of the "public-private partnership" model, acknowledging the financing failure as evidence of the U.S. 's lacking ability to execute large-scale infrastructure projects.

   

Prepared By

Taasha Mistry

Taasha Mistry is a third year undergraduate student at FLAME University, pursuing a major in International Studies with a minor in Advertising & Branding. After having completed an internship at International SOS, she has found her interests to lie in security and strategic studies. Intrigued by the ever changing dynamics in the modern day world, she keeps herself updated with daily news and events.