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NEWS IN CHINA

• China and Colombia Discuss Expanding Bilateral Ties: China and Colombia have signalled their willingness to deepen cooperation and strengthen political exchanges following talks in Beijing between Chinese and Colombian officials. During the meeting, Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, met a multi-party delegation from Colombia led by Nicolas Antonio Barguil Cubillos, president of Colombia's Chamber of Representatives. The discussions focused on expanding bilateral relations and increasing communication between the two countries' political and legislative institutions. Zhao Leji said China is ready to maintain high-level exchanges with Colombia, build greater mutual trust and continue supporting each other on matters of core interest. He also expressed China's willingness to promote practical cooperation, including collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative. The Colombian side welcomed closer engagement with China and highlighted the importance of strengthening ties across political parties. Barguil thanked China for its assistance following an earthquake in Colombia and noted that improving understanding of China and expanding cooperation are goals shared by different political groups in his country. He reaffirmed Colombia's adherence to the one-China principle and expressed support for stronger exchanges between Colombia's Chamber of Representatives and China's National People's Congress.
  
  
• China, Canada Conclude Second Strategic Economic Dialogue: China and Canada have held the second Strategic Economic and Financial Dialogue in Vancouver. The meeting was co-chaired by He Lifeng, China's vice premier and the Chinese lead representative for the dialogue, together with Canadian Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu. During the discussions, He Lifeng said that China-Canada relations have shown positive improvement and that exchanges between the two countries have returned to a healthier track under the guidance of their leaders. He described the dialogue as an important effort to implement the consensus reached by both sides and expressed China's willingness to deepen cooperation in trade, finance and investment. Champagne said Canada values its relationship with China and is ready to strengthen policy coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation in economic and financial areas. Sidhu added that Canada looks forward to expanding practical cooperation and creating new opportunities for bilateral trade and investment. The dialogue concluded with both sides reaching a number of agreements and areas of consensus. Industry leaders from the two countries also joined a business roundtable to discuss future trade and investment opportunities.
  
  
• China Unveils New Rural Revitalisation University Admissions Plan: China's Ministry of Education, Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs have introduced a new university admissions program aimed at supporting rural revitalisation and expanding educational opportunities in less-developed areas. The initiative will replace the current special enrolment schemes for rural and formerly impoverished regions, starting with the 2030 university admissions cycle. According to the policy, the new program will focus on students from key rural revitalisation counties and other designated areas. Authorities said the move is intended to provide stronger talent support for rural development while promoting greater fairness in access to higher education. The plan will be divided into national-level and local-level categories. Eligible students must generally be recent high school graduates who have local household registration, have studied and lived in the designated area for at least three years, and meet other provincial requirements. Universities will continue to admit students through dedicated enrolment quotas, while those admitted under the program will enjoy the same rights and opportunities as other students, including in academic training and major selection. A three-year transition period from 2027 to 2029 will precede the full implementation of the new system in 2030.
  
  
• China Revises Foundation Management Regulations: Premier Li Qiang has issued revised foundation management regulations, updating the legal framework governing charitable and public welfare organisations nationwide. The new regulations aim to improve oversight, strengthen governance, and promote the healthy development of foundations in China. The regulation contains 8 chapters and 79 articles and will take effect on January 1, 2027. The revised rules improve overall governance requirements, strengthen the registration management system, enhance internal governance mechanisms, standardise foundation activities, improve information disclosure and industry self-regulation, and reinforce comprehensive supervision. The regulations also emphasise Party-building requirements and the leadership of the Communist Party of China in foundation work. Authorities will place greater emphasis on transparency, accountability, and the proper use of donated funds. The updated regulations also seek to create a more standardised environment for philanthropy and social participation. These changes are expected to help organisations operate more efficiently while safeguarding donors' and beneficiaries' interests. The revised regulations are expected to provide a stronger institutional foundation for the country's public welfare and philanthropic activities.
  
  
• China Strengthens Credit Reward System: The National Development and Reform Commission and the People's Bank of China have jointly issued the National Basic List of Trustworthiness Incentive Measures (2026 Edition) to encourage honest behaviour and strengthen the country's social credit system. The new document is designed to make credit incentives more coordinated, transparent and effective while ensuring that individuals and organisations with good credit records receive tangible benefits. The list contains more than 200 incentive measures and establishes a full management framework covering who can provide incentives, who can receive them, how they are implemented, and how they are supervised. The incentives are divided into two categories. Administrative incentives provided by government agencies include honorary recognition, public promotion, better public credit ratings, faster processing of administrative services, priority consideration for awards, and reduced inspection frequencies. Social incentives offered by companies in sectors such as aviation, finance, and internet services include travel conveniences, easier access to financial services, and membership benefits on online platforms. Authorities said they will improve implementation by verifying eligible recipients, sharing credit information, and ensuring transparent application procedures.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users Discuss China’s Demographic Shift: A post about the closure of kindergartens and primary schools is going viral on Weibo over China's demographic changes and their long-term impact on society. While the post argued that declining school enrolments are a result of falling birth rates rather than problems within the education system, the discussion quickly expanded into a debate about the pressures facing young families. Many users linked falling birth rates to the growing costs of raising children, echoing a comment that "the pressure of having children is overwhelming," which they said has become one reason why some young people are delaying marriage and parenthood. Others connected the issue to broader economic concerns, arguing that "cultural diplomas are also depreciating" amid economic restructuring and that opportunities no longer appear as secure as before. Discussions also touched on inequality, with one user noting that “the wide gap between rich and poor remains the main social contradiction today.” Some users questioned the value of maintaining expensive early education systems, pointing to “high kindergarten fees and uneven quality in smaller towns”, while others noted that “thousands of kindergartens and primary schools have already closed.” Several other users noted that the issue was not simply about education but about a “long-term demographic trend that will shape China's workforce, economy and ageing society in the years ahead.”

INDIA WATCH

Global Times Discusses Air Pollution Solutions in India: An article in Global Times discussed the challenge of improving air quality in India and argued that wider adoption of clean technologies could help address the problem while supporting economic growth. The article noted that while air pollution often draws attention during the Diwali period, the issue is linked to a broader mix of factors, including vehicle emissions, industrial activity, crop-residue burning and construction-related dust. The article acknowledged India's progress in expanding renewable energy, particularly solar power, but noted that the country continues to rely heavily on conventional energy sources to meet growing electricity demand. According to the article, maintaining a stable energy supply while transitioning to cleaner sources remains a major challenge for a fast-growing economy. It also suggested that long-term improvements in air quality will depend not only on increasing renewable energy capacity but also on expanding supporting infrastructure such as energy storage systems, stronger power grids, cleaner transportation options and modern agricultural equipment. The article also highlighted the potential benefits of international cooperation in clean-energy technology. It argued that partnerships involving electric vehicles, battery technology, solar energy systems and other green technologies could help accelerate the transition to cleaner energy while creating new opportunities for businesses and industry. According to the article, the broader goal is to ensure that advances in renewable energy translate into cleaner air and practical improvements in people's daily lives.

Prepared By

Farhat Naz

Farhat Naz holds a postgraduate degree in International Relations and Political Science from the Central University of Kerala and a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Patna University. Her research interests include international security, great-power politics, geopolitical competition, South and West Asian affairs, conflict and peace studies, and the evolving international order.