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NEWS IN CHINA

• China-Cambodia Joint Karst Research Earns UN recognition for South-South Cooperation: China and Cambodia’s joint research on karst ecosystems has garnered international recognition, with the United Nations commending it as a strong example of South–South cooperation in addressing climate change. The collaboration focuses on the “karst critical zone,” a unique geological and ecological system that plays an important role in carbon sequestration through rock weathering and underground carbon storage. Led by Chinese researchers from the Institute of Karst Geology, the project combines China’s advanced monitoring technologies with Cambodia’s rich tropical karst landscapes, creating a natural scientific complement. Launched in 2021, the partnership has not only advanced research on karst carbon sinks but also emphasized capacity building, training over 100 Cambodian researchers through joint fieldwork, seminars and data-sharing mechanisms. In 2022, the two sides set up Cambodia’s first tropical karst carbon-cycle monitoring station in Battambang, using China-made equipment adapted to local climate conditions. Researchers say the data generated will support global assessments of karst carbon sinks and inform climate policy, while the project itself reflects a shared commitment by China and Cambodia to green development and cooperative solutions to global environmental challenges.
  
  

• Xi Jinping Encourages U.S. Youth Exchanges, Calls Young People the Future of China-US Ties: Chinese President Xi Jinping  replied to a letter from a visiting delegation of American teachers and students, saying he was pleased to learn that their trip to China was enjoyable and rewarding and that he could feel their genuine interest in Chinese culture. In his message to the group, which included students and educators from Diamond Navigator Academy, the University of Florida and Miami Dade Academy, Xi stressed that the hope for China-US relations lies in the people and that the future belongs to the younger generation. He highlighted the “50,000 in five years” initiative, under which more than 40,000 American teenagers have already participated in exchange and study visits to China. This initiative has helped them see a real and diverse China while building lasting bonds of friendship between the two peoples. Xi stated that this is a clear sign that friendly exchanges and cooperation reflect the shared aspirations of both societies. He expressed hope that more young Americans will join these exchanges, grow into a new generation of ambassadors for China-US friendship,  contribute to stronger people-to-people ties and the healthy development of bilateral relations.
  
  

• Upgraded J-20 Variants Highlight China’s Growing Stealth Fighter Capabilities: Chinese media has released new details on the upgraded J-20A and twin-seat J-20S stealth fighters on the 15th anniversary of the J-20’s maiden flight, highlighting the continued evolution of China’s most advanced combat aircraft. The J-20A, an enhanced version of the original single-seat model, features refinements to its canopy and fuselage design that reduce drag and improve supersonic performance, while also creating space for upgraded avionics, sensors and additional fuels. Experts note that with more advanced information and sensing systems, pilots are less dependent on direct visual awareness, pointing to a shift toward more networked and data-driven air combat. The J-20S, the world’s first twin-seat stealth fighter, is designed not only for air superiority and precision strikes but also for electronic warfare, command and control, and manned-unmanned teaming, with the second pilot enabling forward battlefield coordination and more effective control of drones and other platforms. Analysts state that the steady upgrading of the J-20 series underscores that China plans to focus on integrating stealth, information dominance and system-of-systems operations.
  
  

• China Puts Consumption Front and Center in 2026 Economic Agenda: China’s Ministry of Commerce has identified boosting consumption as its top economic task for 2026. This follows the National Commerce Work Conference held in Beijing on January 10–11, as policymakers seek to shore up growth amid rising external uncertainties. The ministry stated that it will push forward a special action plan to stimulate consumption, build the “Shop in China” brand, and further optimize consumer goods trade-in policies to encourage both expanded and upgraded spending. A major focus will be on cultivating new growth drivers in service consumption, improving high-quality supply, and promoting digital, green and health-oriented consumption in lower-tier markets. The approach aligns with the Central Economic Work Conference’s emphasis on expanding domestic demand through higher household incomes, better goods and services, and fewer unreasonable consumption restrictions. At the same time, the ministry will promote innovative trade development through the “Export China” brand, advance digital and green trade, deepen service-sector opening-up, and strengthen efforts to attract foreign investment under the “Invest in China” framework.
  
  

• China, Somalia Reaffirm Strategic Partnership in High-Level Diplomatic Call: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone call with Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali De’e during his visit to Africa, reaffirming China’s commitment to its strategic partnership with Somalia and broader cooperation with developing countries. Wang stressed that China and Somalia share a long-standing friendship based on mutual respect and support, noting that bilateral ties will not be affected by temporary developments. He reiterated China’s firm support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, praised Somalia’s adherence to the one-China principle, and opposed any separatist activities involving Somaliland and external forces. Wang also expressed China’s readiness to deepen cooperation with Somalia in trade, security and defense, and to expand people-to-people exchanges under the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. Highlighting China’s consistent support for small and medium-sized developing nations, he voiced support for Somalia’s role as rotating president of the UN Security Council and expressed confidence in the country’s path toward stability and development. Reciprocating China’s commitments, De’e thanked Wany Yi for China's long-term support and reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to the one-China principle. He further stated that as both sides work together to promote development and cooperation in the Horn of Africa, strengthening ties with China has emerged as an important strategic choice for Somalia.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Jiangsu Primary School Student Dies by Suicide, Academic Pressure Sparks Online Debate: A tragic case from Jiangsu has sparked widespread debate on Weibo after a 12-year-old primary school student died by suicide at home, leaving behind a handwritten note describing exhaustion, academic pressure, difficulty with English homework, repeated visits to the teacher’s office, and feelings of being mocked. The child’s mother believes long-term stress and emotional harm at school led to the tragedy and has sued both the school and the English teacher, despite an earlier humanitarian compensation agreement, while the school and teacher deny allegations of corporal punishment or targeted humiliation, saying the student was only called in a few times for routine guidance and that no serious warning signs were reported. A local court rejected the claims in the first instance, noting that children’s suicides often result from multiple factors, including academic stress, family pressure, and psychological vulnerability, with the case now heading into a second trial. Online, netizens expressed deep sorrow for the child while sharply disagreeing over responsibility: some said “the child is the real victim” and criticized schools for being insensitive, others argued that “parents should be the first to reflect,” questioning family dynamics, while some defended the teacher, asking whether being called to the office three or four times early in the term was excessive. Many also pointed out that the teacher appeared deeply wronged, describing the situation as “mutual harm at the bottom,” where a fragile child, grieving parents, and a pressured teacher all suffered, with a recurring sentiment that society failed to listen before it was too late.

INDIA WATCH

Human–Wildlife Conflict Highlights Development Pressures in India’s Jharkhand: A Xinhua article reported that two people, including a child, were killed and a forest department employee was seriously injured after a wild elephant attack in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district, once again drawing attention to India’s worsening human–wildlife conflict. According to the article, the elephant reportedly moved through villages at night before retreating into nearby forests during the day, a pattern that has become increasingly common in parts of eastern India. The article cited wildlife experts who emphasized that the incident reflects deeper structural problems linked to unplanned urbanization, forest degradation and the shrinking of ecological buffer zones. 

Prepared By

Mohit Singh Mehra

Mohit Singh Mehra is a Master’s student of International Relations at South Asian University, New Delhi. His academic and research interests focus on China, Himalayan geopolitics, and border dynamics, with a particular emphasis on strategic, security, and political developments in the region. He is interested in understanding how geography, power, and policy interact in shaping regional order in Asia.