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NEWS IN CHINA

• China's State Council Focuses on Free Trade Zone Expansion and Other Reforms: On Friday, Premier Li Qiang led a State Council executive meeting that focused on several major policies such as to replicate and expand successful reforms from the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone. These reforms, which follow high-standard international trade rules, are designed to spark institutional innovation. The focus will be on policies that offer clear practical benefits to both businesses and common citizens. The Council also reviewed new strategies for real estate development, calling for national assessments of land use and ongoing construction projects. It advocated for a comprehensive policy overhaul to stabilize market expectations, boost demand, improve housing supply and reduce sectoral risks. Improving the credit repair system was another major topic with a goal to make it easier for individuals and companies with damaged credit histories to rebuild trust. Health sector reforms were also addressed, with proposals to improve centralized procurement mechanisms for pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. The emphasis was on better oversight and quality control throughout the supply chain to ensure people have reliable access to essential medicines and healthcare products.

• China Expands Infrastructure Investments in Africa: China and several African nations signed 28 infrastructure cooperation projects valued at $5.27 billion at the China-Africa infrastructure cooperation exchange in Changsha. These projects encompass various forms of collaboration, including contracted works and strategic agreements which focus on sectors like transportation, energy, telecommunications, water resources, industry and agriculture in 12 African countries. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, China has already built and upgraded extensive connectivity infrastructure in Africa, including railways, roads, bridges, ports, power and telecom infrastructure. China has revised its engagement model in Africa by expanding into new areas such as digital infrastructure and ecological engineering, evident from a riverbank restoration project in Ethiopia by China Communications Construction Company. China has also made investments in other mega projects in Africa such as the Gateway to Africa project which connects Tunisia and Libya to Sub-Saharan Africa via a trade corridor.

• Xi Jinping Calls for Learning from Chen Yun's Legacy to Build a Strong China: At a commemorative meeting marking the 120th birth anniversary of veteran leader Chen Yun, Xi Jinping emphasized the need to draw lessons from Chen’s legacy to guide China’s development. Speaking at the Great Hall of the People, Xi called on Party members to embrace Chen’s enterprising spirit, political resolve, and commitment to truth. Chen was a key figure in both the Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping leadership eras, recognized for his contributions to economic planning and institutional integrity. Xi hailed Chen as a "tested, distinguished" leader and urged today’s cadres to emulate his qualities of dedication, ideological firmness, and strategic foresight. Xi highlighted the relevance of Chen’s approach—particularly his emphasis on fact-based decision-making, institutional discipline, and economic governance—to the Party’s current efforts to deepen reform and pursue higher-standard opening up. He called for improving research, enhancing Party leadership in economic affairs, and reinforcing socialist development principles amid global uncertainties.

• China Launches Sweeping Crackdown on Medical Malpractices: China’s National Inter-Ministerial Joint Working Mechanism, comprising 14 ministries and commissions, have launched a comprehensive plan to tackle unethical practices, corruption and misconduct across the medical sector in 2025. This initiative is detailed in the "Key Points for Correcting Unhealthy Trends in Pharmaceutical Procurement and Medical Services in 2025”. The document outlines a comprehensive 15-point action plan aimed at tightening oversight across the healthcare system and addressing systemic irregularities. Authorities will intensify oversight of medical procurement and sales, and increasing anti-bribery enforcement with improved blacklist systems. Key measures include intensifying governance in drug procurement and sales, particularly targeting high-risk areas such as bidding processes, use of medical equipment, infrastructure projects and fund management. Medical services will undergo systematic corrections through inspections, audits and performance reviews, targeting violations in patient privacy, genetic testing and even the funeral industry. The plan also addresses the rise of internet medical treatment which is vowing stricter regulation of online services and a crackdown on illegal online marketing.

• Li Qiang Calls for Stronger Sino-EU Cooperation: Chinese Premier Li Qiang recently met European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde in Beijing, stressing the need for China and EU to enhance multilateral coordination and cooperation. Both leaders agreed that this partnership is vital for global economic recovery and improved global governance amidst current challenges to globalization. Lagarde highlighted the importance of high-level EU-China exchanges, dialogue and cooperation given their intertwined interests in global financial stability and international trade. She emphasized that conflicts over tariffs and trade will inevitably result in negative outcomes for all parties involved. Instead, she advocated that embracing multilateralism and fostering openness. Premier Li called the China-EU relationship as one of the most important bilateral ties, emphasizing that increased cooperation is essential and aligns with prevailing trends. He pointed out the highly complementary economies and vast cooperation potential, asserting cooperation is the only path to win-win results. Li expressed China's readiness to build political trust, expand pragmatic cooperation and jointly promote development and prosperity, benefiting both sides and the world. This year marks the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic ties, with bilateral trade surging significantly.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Chinese Netizens Express Sorrow Over Ahmedabad Flight Crash: The tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on Thursday, which killed over 250 people on board and others on the ground, sparked widespread discussion on Chinese social media. Beyond expressing sorrow, Chinese netizens focused on individuals who miraculously escaped the disaster. Particular attention was given to Viswashkumar Ramesh, the sole survivor, and Bhoomi Chauhan, who narrowly missed the flight by just ten minutes due to being late to the airport. Their stories resonated deeply, highlighting the role of fate in averting tragedy. Several netizens expressed their grief over the loss of lives. Many people also praised the pilot by stating “Watching the video, it seems that the pilot tried his best to maintain the aircraft’s altitude”. Some netizens even criticized the Boeing aircraft for this accident while others noted that this was the first accident of the Boeing 787 aircraft globally. 

INDIA WATCH

• Chinese Media Discusses Potential Resumption of India-China Direct Flights: During a regular press conference of China’s foreign ministry, spokesperson Lin Jian discussed the prospect of resumption of direct flights between India and China. He stated that this step will boost personnel exchanges and collaboration between both countries. He further expressed China’s positive approach towards the resumption of flights while portraying that India should express willingness to work with China to ensure safe and orderly people-to-people exchanges. Further, an article in South China Morning Post reports that China and India are actively working to stabilize their relationship, with recent talks between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Foreign Vice-Minister Sun Weidong yielding agreements to resume direct flights and boost "people-centric engagements". The report mentions that this agreement also includes facilitating visas and fostering exchanges between media and think tanks. The article states that Sun's visit to India is the first major visit by a senior Chinese official since the Kashmir conflict. The article also speculates that these diplomatic efforts could lead to a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi next month at the BRICS summit in Brazil, continuing a dialogue that resumed last October.

Prepared By

Maheshwar S Chhaunkar

Maheshwar S Chhaunkar has completed his Bachelor's degree in Political Science and History from Sri Aurobindo College, University of Delhi. He is currently working as an IT Assistant at CENJOWS. His areas of interest include India-China relations, Indo-Pacific affairs and Asian politics.