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NEWS IN CHINA

• Xi Jinping Meets King Felipe VI to Boost China-Spain Ties: On November 12 in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed King Felipe VI of Spain during his state visit, marking the 20th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership. Xi highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between the two nations and praised their long-term, strategic approach to bilateral relations that emphasizes mutual support and common development. Both leaders witnessed the signing of 10 cooperation agreements spanning trade, science and technology, and education, signaling robust momentum in expanding pragmatic cooperation. Xi expressed China’s readiness to import more high-quality Spanish products and explore collaboration in emerging fields like new energy, digital economy, and artificial intelligence. The leaders also emphasized cultural and educational exchanges, with China extending its visa-free policy to Spanish citizens to facilitate people-to-people connectivity. King Felipe complimented China’s progress in poverty alleviation and green development, reiterated Spain’s firm adherence to the one-China policy, and pledged to strengthen cooperation in trade, green energy, and cultural exchanges. Both leaders underscored their commitment to multilateralism and global peace. The visit included a formal military welcome and symbolized a deepening of relations between China and Spain amidst complex international dynamics.

• Thailand Extradites Chinese Gambling Kingpin She Zhijiang: On November 12, Thai authorities successfully extradited She Zhijiang, the key figure behind the Myawaddy "Asia Pacific New City" crime syndicate, from Bangkok to China. She Zhijiang was wanted as one of China's "Top Ten Fugitives," and masterminded a vast cross-border online gambling and telecom fraud network operating from Myanmar. In 2013, She established the Asia-Pacific International Holdings Group and developed the industrial park in Myawaddy as a cover for illegal gambling activities. Chinese law enforcement uncovered the syndicate's operation of over 200 online gambling platforms involving more than 330,000 participants and transactions exceeding 2.7 billion yuan. The criminal group also colluded with domestic and international illegal payment networks and telecom fraud gangs, causing severe losses. Following She’s arrest in Bangkok in August 2022, Thai courts upheld her extradition despite legal appeals. Chinese authorities praised the extradition as a significant achievement in bilateral law enforcement cooperation, reflecting a determination to combat cross-border crime. Officials vowed relentless investigations and the pursuit of all fugitives, and emphasized ongoing international cooperation to crack down on online gambling and telecommunications fraud.

• NEA Proposes Integrated Development of New Energy Sector: On November 12, the National Energy Administration (NEA) issued the "Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Integrated Development of New Energy," setting a roadmap for safer, more reliable green energy by 2030. Facing challenges like system absorption and resource strain, NEA stresses transitioning from fragmented to integrated development. The "Guiding Opinions" propose 14 measures spanning multi-dimensional energy integration, coordination with industries, non-electric use expansions, and enhanced governance. As of September, wind and solar power capacity reached 1.708 billion kilowatts, 46% of total installed power, generating 1.73 trillion kWh—22.3% of electricity use. The policy promotes synergy across energy types, industrial chains, and production-consumption processes. Officials promised support for integrated projects, improved market mechanisms, and better power dispatch.

• Baidu Unveils New Kunlun Chips M100 and M300 to Boost AI Capabilities: At the Baidu World Conference 2025, Baidu announced its latest Kunlun chips, M100 and M300, marking significant progress in the company’s AI hardware development. The Kunlun M100, optimized for large-scale inference scenarios, is slated for release in early 2026. The Kunlun M300, designed for ultra-large-scale, multimodal model training and inference, will launch in early 2027. Baidu Executive Vice President Shen Dou highlighted the chips’ advanced architecture, significantly improving inference performance for MOE models and training capabilities for massive multimodal models. Baidu also revealed the Tianchi 256 and 512 supernodes, scheduled for release in 2026. These supernodes support powerful interconnections, with the Tianchi 512 capable of training trillion-parameter models within a single node. Currently, tens of thousands of Kunlun chips are deployed, underpinning Baidu's AI Cloud, which has led China’s AI cloud market share for six consecutive years. Baidu’s AI Cloud leverages the Kunlun chips and Baige computing platform to deliver scalable, high-performance AI computing power to numerous enterprises. Moreover, Baidu's Kunlun-based AI servers topped China Mobile’s 2025-2026 centralized procurement for AI inference computing, reflecting strong market confidence.

• China Condemns Japan’s Taiwan Comments: On November 12, the State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson, Chen Binhua, expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to recent remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi concerning Taiwan. Chen reiterated the one-China principle, emphasizing Taiwan as an inalienable part of China and condemning Takaichi’s comments as severe violations and interference in China’s internal affairs. He urged Japan to deeply reflect on its wartime colonial history in Taiwan, citing the atrocities committed during Japan’s 50-year rule and reminding that China’s victory over Japanese aggression 80 years ago restored Taiwan’s sovereignty. Chen warned that any challenges to China’s core interests or national reunification will face resolute opposition by the Chinese government, people, and military. Japan was called upon to honor its political commitments and respect historic agreements, while Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party was cautioned against external reliance for separatist aims. China’s response underscores the enduring sensitivity of Taiwan issues in China-Japan ties.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Strict Enforcement of Rural Homestead Rules Sparks Online Debate: The Central Rural Work Leading Group Office and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs have reaffirmed strict rules for rural homestead management, forbidding urban residents from buying rural houses or land and barring retired officials from occupying land for new construction. This move aims to correct misunderstandings fueled by widespread commentary online, especially as more elderly city dwellers seek to return to rural communities. Social media reactions highlight both support and skepticism. One user expressed concern about exploitation: “There are many cases of people taking advantage of the elderly to occupy land in rural areas.” Another sees opportunity: “If you go back to the village and rent for ten or twenty years, then renovate it yourself? Sure, but the farmers have the upper hand.” Overall, the policy has drawn mixed responses. Many welcome the protection of rural collective interests, fearing inflated prices by outsiders and loss of local control. Others sympathize with the elderly longing for a rural retirement, noting the challenge of balancing rights and opportunities. Social media commentary reveals a continuing debate over fairness, rural revitalization, and social change in China’s countryside.

INDIA WATCH

Xinhua Reports on India-Pakistan Tensions After Bombings: Xinhua News has reported on the potential for escalated tensions between India and Pakistan after a car bomb exploded near New Delhi’s historic Red Fort, killing at least 13 and injuring 20. Hours later in Islamabad, a suicide bombing claimed at least 12 lives, with the Pakistani Taliban claiming responsibility. Quoting several Indian media sources, Xinhua stated that troops along the India and Pakistan border have been placed on high alert. The article also mentions that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on overseas visits and that opposition parties in India demanded clarification. The Xinhua article cited one source stating, “Operation Sindoor” was a backdrop, indicating India’s readiness to respond powerfully if Pakistan’s involvement is confirmed. Meanwhile, regional leaders from Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Nepal have extended their condolences. The Xinhua article notes that China expressed condolences to the victims and their families, also stating that there were no Chinese casualties.

Prepared By

Arav Neil Dey

Arav Neil Dey is a research intern at the Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA). Currently in his second year at FLAME University, he is pursuing a degree in International Studies. Driven by a fascination for global dynamics, he is passionate about international relations, peace and conflict studies, and military history. Arav especially enjoys diving into the shifting strategic landscape of China and West Asia, always seeking out unconventional perspectives and a deeper understanding.