Daily Conversations Daily Conversations

NEWS IN CHINA

• China Seeks to Join WTO Consultations on US Tariffs: China has requested to join World Trade Organisation consultations initiated by Brazil over US tariffs of up to 37.5 per cent, stating that it has a substantial commercial interest in the case. In its filing, China argued that similar tariff measures could be applied to Chinese goods and could affect its exports to the United States. The request focuses on the potential impact of the US measures on Chinese exports rather than on the treatment of Brazilian goods. China has challenged US tariffs imposed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 at the WTO since 2018, arguing that the measures are inconsistent with WTO rules. Brazil requested consultations on July 27 over two US tariff measures introduced under the Trump administration. Under WTO rules, joining consultations would allow China to participate in discussions but not become a complainant or seek a ruling. The United States has accepted the request for consultations, although no date has been announced for the talks.
  
  
• China Sets Ecological Conservation Targets for 2026-2030: According to a newly issued development plan, China will strengthen ecological conservation and continue pursuing green modernisation during the 2026-2030 period. Jointly released by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Natural Resources and other departments, the plan is aimed to improve ecosystem quality and strengthen ecological diversity, stability, resilience and security. The plan sets several targets for the period, including maintaining protected areas at no less than 18 per cent of China’s total land area and raising the Ecological Quality Index to 86.5. It also aims to increase the soil and water conservation rate to above 74 per cent and raise forest coverage to 25.8 per cent. The plan outlines measures to optimise ecological spatial planning, advance ecosystem protection and restoration, and strengthen biodiversity conservation. China’s Ecological and Environmental Code, set to take effect soon, is another measure in this area. The code is intended to provide stronger legal support for environmental protection and sustainable development.
  
  
• Cybersecurity Authority Cracks Down on Illegal Collection and Sale of Personal Information: China’s cybersecurity authority, under the Ministry of Public Security, has disclosed 10 cases involving the illegal collection, sale, and use of citizens’ personal information as part of a broader crackdown on related crimes. One case involved a group that illegally obtained more than 100,000 pieces of personal data, including hotel check-in records, vehicle records and travel trajectories, and sold the information to lawyers, private investigators and information brokers. Authorities disclosed another case in which a criminal group obtained customers’ personal information from budget motels in exchange for services related to manipulating online reviews. The group reportedly collected more than one million pieces of personal information and generated over 11 million yuan in illicit turnover, while 33 suspects were indicted. Other cases involved the illegal acquisition of personal information by schools, education and training institutions, and ophthalmic hospitals. Suspects in these cases have either been subjected to legal measures or prosecuted.
  
  
• China and Indonesia Hold 2026 Local Governments Dialogue: The 2026 Indonesia-China Local Governments Dialogue was held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, bringing together nearly 200 representatives from local governments, businesses and universities from both countries. The event was jointly hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Chinese Consulate General in Surabaya, United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific, and the Yogyakarta city government. Representatives from 27 local governments and 18 enterprises across 12 Chinese provincial-level regions participated in the dialogue. Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries President Yang Wanming said that exchanges between the Chinese and Indonesian people have continued to deepen and that local government cooperation has produced practical results. Yang called for greater practical cooperation, stronger cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and enhanced collaboration through multilateral platforms. Participants discussed topics including governance, poverty reduction, local administration, practical cooperation and cultural exchanges. They also exchanged experiences on city-to-city cooperation, signed several cooperation documents and issued a joint initiative. 
  
  
• China Introduces First Mandatory National Safety Standard for Cosmetics: China has introduced its first mandatory national safety standard for cosmetics, establishing stricter limits on microorganisms, heavy metals and other harmful substances. Formulated by the National Medical Products Administration and issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation, the standard will take effect on January 1, 2028, replacing a 1987 hygiene standard. The new requirements set limits for bacteria, mould and yeast and prohibit microorganisms including thermotolerant coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Requirements for children’s cosmetics are about 10 times stricter than those for other products, covering items such as cleansers, moisturisers, powders and sunscreens for children up to 12 years old, as well as products used around the eyes and mouth. The standard also establishes maximum limits for eight harmful substances, including lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium, and requires greater controls on hazardous residues such as methanol, asbestos and benzene. The rules are intended to strengthen safety oversight as China’s cosmetics industry expands. Official data shows the market exceeded 1.1 trillion yuan in 2025, while the number of cosmetics manufacturers surpassed 6,000 in 2026.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Reacts to Corruption Sentencing of Former Nanjing Party Secretary: Posts on Weibo discussing the sentencing of Long Xiang, former Party secretary, have attracted widespread online attention. The Jingzhou Intermediate People’s Court in Hubei sentenced Long to a suspended death penalty with a two-year reprieve for bribery, along with penalties for corruption, abuse of power and insider trading. The court found that between 2009 and 2025, Long accepted more than 261 million yuan in bribes, embezzled public funds, abused his authority in disciplinary investigations and conducted insider trading involving more than 10 million yuan. The post attracted extensive discussion from Weibo users. One user commented, “The legal network is magnificent and sparse, and you should keep your original intention when you are in a high position. If you touch the bottom line, you will eventually be severely punished by the law.” Another commented, “Keep paying attention!!!” Other users called for severe punishment and questioned whether all the money obtained through bribery had been confiscated. Some also raised concerns about possible transfers of assets to family members and speculated about possible connections involving individuals sharing the same surname.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Discusses Leadership Changes at India’s Tata Group: An article on Guancha discussed the announcement that the chairman of Tata Sons resigned after failing to secure board approval for his re-election. The article attributed the resignation to growing differences with Tata Trusts, the charitable trust that controls the conglomerate. The disagreements reportedly centered on board representation, group strategy, Air India’s financial performance, and a proposal involving the exit of a minority shareholder. Given the Trusts’ majority stake in Tata Sons, the chairman’s position is considered pivotal to the leadership of the wider business group. The article noted that a decision on N. Chandrasekaran’s reappointment had previously been delayed and cited that differences with the Trusts were the sole reason for his resignation. The development also weighed on market sentiment, with shares of several group-listed companies, including Tata Consultancy Services, declining.