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NEWS IN CHINA

• China, Canada Seek Closer Cooperation as CPC Delegation Visits Ottawa: A CPC delegation led by Lu Kang, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China, visited Canada from March 10 to 13, meeting former Prime Minister Jean Chretien, senior parliament officials, Foreign Affairs leaders, and representatives from think tanks and business circles. Lu recalled Prime Minister Carney’s successful visit to China in January that set the direction for advancing a new type of strategic partnership and improved bilateral relations. Lu highlighted that China’s newly approved 15th Five-Year Plan prioritises open cooperation, innovation-driven growth, green transformation, and expanded domestic demand. He expressed China’s readiness to deepen dialogue with Canadian political parties, enhance political trust, expand practical cooperation, and strengthen people‑to‑people exchanges. Canadian officials stated China‑Canada relations are at a “new starting point” and expressed willingness to strengthen party‑to‑party exchanges and constructive engagement. They noted strong interest across Canadian sectors in opportunities arising from China’s high‑quality development, including cooperation in trade, clean energy, AI, finance, education, and science.
  
  
• Li Qiang Presided Over a State Council Executive Meeting: Li Qiang, Premier, chaired an executive meeting of the State Council to implement the key instructions delivered by General Secretary Xi Jinping during the NPC and CPPCC sessions and to advance the government’s 2026 work agenda. The meeting approved the Division of Key Tasks of the State Council in 2026, discussed establishing a negative list management system for local government subsidies, and reviewed the draft amendment to the National Agricultural Census Regulations. The meeting called for fully implementing the spirit of the “Two Sessions and the Government Work Report," stressing the need for strong execution to ensure a solid start to the 15th Five-Year Plan. Departments were urged to enhance responsibility, improve efficiency, and introduce practical policies that address new situations and emerging challenges. The meeting highlighted the importance of standardising local subsidy policies to maintain fair market competition and support the development of a unified national market. It also underscored the significance of the agricultural census for policymaking, calling for high-quality implementation using modern information technologies and strengthened inter-departmental coordination.
  
  
• China and Vietnam to Hold First “3+3” Strategic Dialogue: Wang Yi will visit Vietnam from March 15 to 17 to attend the first ministerial meeting of the China-Vietnam “3+3” strategic dialogue mechanism covering diplomacy, defense, and public security. According to a briefing by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on March 13, the Chinese delegation will also include Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong and National Defense Minister Dong Jun. The visit will coincide with the 17th meeting of the China-Vietnam Steering Committee on Bilateral Cooperation, which Wang Yi will co-chair with Vietnamese leaders. Guo Jiakun, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, described China and Vietnam as friendly socialist neighbors and a community with a shared future of strategic significance, noting that the “3+3” dialogue is the first ministerial-level mechanism of its kind established by both countries globally. He noted that during the meetings, the two sides are expected to discuss political security, crime-fighting cooperation, defense collaboration, and regional and international developments.
  
  
• Chinese Regulator Warns Online Lending Platforms to Strengthen Consumer Protection: The State Financial Regulatory Commission held talks with five major online lending platforms, which include Fenqile, Qifu Jie Tiao, Niwodai Loan, Yixianghua, and Xinyongfei, over concerns related to their internet-based loan facilitation practices. The meeting focused on tightening compliance requirements and strengthening protections for financial consumers. Regulators instructed platform operators to standardise their cooperation with financial institutions, particularly in marketing and promotional activities. It emphasised that platforms must clearly disclose interest rates and all associated fees for lending products to ensure transparency. The commission also stressed strict adherence to personal information protection rules, requiring platforms to safeguard user data and prevent misuse. The meeting further highlighted the need for lawful and regulated debt collection practices, urging platforms to avoid aggressive or improper methods. Operators were also asked to improve their customer complaint-handling mechanisms to ensure timely and effective resolution of disputes. The regulator stated that these measures are essential to maintaining market order and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of financial consumers.
  
  
• Beijing Launches Six-Month Crackdown on Misleading Advertising: The State Administration for Market Regulation has issued a “Notice on Strengthening the Supervision of Suggestive Language in Advertisements”, announcing a six‑month nationwide campaign to clean up misleading and irregular advertising practices. The notice outlines six key tasks, including rectifying “misleading large and small font” ads, punishing advertisements that fail to prominently display suggestive language, cracking down on the illegal use of absolute terms, and strengthening oversight of cited content, advertiser self‑certification, and major advertising media. Regulators have instructed market supervision departments at all levels to intensify efforts to address practices such as using oversized eye‑catching claims while hiding disclaimers in tiny print, making unsubstantiated claims like “first” or “best,” manipulating citations, and downplaying information that may disadvantage consumers. Authorities emphasised the need to strictly investigate and punish advertising activities that deceive or mislead consumers and disrupt fair competition. The notice also calls for promoting better alignment between high‑quality advertising resources and high‑quality products, easing advertisers’ “marketing anxiety,” and guiding the industry to abandon “word‑game” advertising.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER 

Suspected Illegal Additives in Children’s Cream Spark Debate on Weibo: A post with the hashtag #OfficialAnnouncementRegardingSuspectedIllegalAdditivesInChildrensCream# has sparked discussion on Weibo after the official WeChat account “Today Pingnan” released a statement on March 13 responding to a media investigation into suspected illegal additives in disinfectant products produced by Guangxi Shi’an Biotechnology Co. Ltd. According to the announcement, local authorities have established a joint investigation team composed of market supervision and public security departments to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the company involved. Online reactions have largely focused on the lack of detailed information in the announcement. One user questioned whether a “disinfection product registration number” means the product had already been approved by health authorities. Another criticised the vague wording of the notice, noting “couldn’t just say it directly instead of making such an ambiguous statement.” A few users questioned the authorities for not directly disclosing the product or brand name involved. Some comments also raised concerns about regulatory oversight. Meanwhile, other users advised consumers to be cautious when purchasing children’s ointments online and suggested choosing products sold in major supermarkets to ensure safety.

INDIA WATCH

Finance Sina Discusses India's Rising Inflation and Energy Risks: An article in Finance Sina examines the recent surge in India’s consumer inflation and the increasing economic risks associated with global energy disruptions. According to the article, India’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 3.21% year-on-year in February, up from 2.74% in January and exceeding market expectations, marking the fourth consecutive month of increase. The report noted that food prices were the primary driver of the CPI rebound, with food inflation rising to 3.47% year-over-year. It highlighted that Brent crude prices have surpassed $100 per barrel amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a route that carries roughly 30% of India’s crude oil imports and around 90% of its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplies. The article cited analysts, including Nomura, who expect the RBI to keep interest rates unchanged in the near term as energy costs rise and inflationary pressures build. The article concluded that while current inflation remains within the RBI’s target range, the trajectory of the Middle East crisis and continued pressure from rising energy prices could become the decisive factor shaping India’s inflation outlook and the central bank’s future policy decisions.

Prepared By

Neha Maurya

Neha Maurya is a fourth-year undergraduate student at FLAME University, pursuing a major in International Studies with a minor in Public Policy. Her research interests lie in strategic studies, governance, and education policy. She aspires to engage in work that links research insights to policy outcomes.