CiCM 14th October 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

The Second World Sinology Conference Opens in Shanghai, Highlighting Global Academic Exchange: The Second World Sinology Conference officially opened in Shanghai, under the theme “Historical and Contemporary China in a Global Perspective.” The event aims to deepen international understanding of China’s history, modernization, and civilizational influence through academic dialogue. Compared to the inaugural 2023 edition, this year’s conference features stronger academic depth, broader topics, and wider global participation. Over 500 renowned scholars and experts from around the world are attending. Five major forums will explore themes such as the global perspective on Chinese civilization, theoretical insights from Chinese modernization, multidisciplinary approaches to Sinology, the digital transformation of the field, and the role of youth in shaping its future. The conference will also introduce a “Recommended Reading List for World Sinology Research” and launch the bilingual academic journal Sinology. Supporting activities include an exhibition titled “From Civilized Cities to Urban Civilization.” Jointly hosted by the State Council Information Office and the Shanghai Municipal Government, the event underscores China’s growing role in promoting cross-cultural academic exchange.
China to Recruit 38,100 Civil Servants in 2026 with Relaxed Age Limits: China’s central government and its affiliated institutions will recruit around 38,100 civil servants in the 2026 intake, the State Administration of Civil Service announced on Tuesday. Registration opens Wednesday and continues until October 24. For 2026, age limits have been adjusted in line with China’s gradual retirement-age reforms. General applicants should be between 18 and 38 years old, while candidates with master’s or doctoral degrees may be up to 43. Last year’s limits were 18–35 for general candidates and up to 40 for advanced degrees. The written exam, scheduled for November 30, covers public and professional subjects. Specific roles may require foreign language proficiency or specialized tests. Test centers are set in major cities nationwide. Approximately 26,000 positions target recent university graduates, over 28,000 support grassroots roles, and around 3,000 are for veterans or candidates with grassroots project experience. Recruitment emphasizes strict political standards, preferential policies for remote areas, and measures to prevent cheating, with applications reviewed through October 26.
China Issues New National Standard to Improve Classroom Lighting and Student Eye Health: The State Administration for Market Regulation, along with the National Standards Committee, has officially approved the mandatory national standard titled “Standards for Daylighting and Lighting Hygiene in Primary and Secondary School Classrooms.” According to CCTV News, the revised guidelines were developed by the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention and will take effect on November 1, 2026. The new standard introduces comprehensive updates to improve the lighting quality and visual environment in classrooms, aiming to safeguard students’ eye health and prevent vision problems. Key additions include stricter parameters for lighting uniformity, sunlight duration on the winter solstice, glass transmittance, and writing board lighting controls. It also sets limits on retinal blue light hazards, flicker index, and stroboscopic effects, which are known to cause visual fatigue. Moreover, the revision refines technical aspects such as daylighting factors, glare control, color temperature, and lighting power density. The move reflects China’s growing commitment to improving classroom environments amid rising concerns over myopia rates among students.
Beijing Cracks Down on Illegal Military-Related Social-Media Accounts: The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has exposed and penalized multiple self-media accounts for violating internet regulations related to military information. According to a CCTV report, these accounts breached the Regulations on the Management of the Dissemination of Military Information on the Internet by spreading misleading or harmful content that distorted the image of the Chinese military. Authorities revealed four key types of violations. First, several accounts like “Your Lai Squad Leader” and “Xiao Wenzi, a Retired Female Soldier” exploited the identities of retired soldiers to gain followers through deceptive livestreams in military uniforms. Second, accounts such as “Xiaochuan Material Store” were found selling classified military materials and internal-use books for profit. Third, some, including “Red Shield Director,” exaggerated and misinterpreted policies related to military recruitment and resettlement for monetary gain. Lastly, a few used AI-generated images and videos to smear military personnel and misrepresent training missions. The CAC emphasized its continued efforts to maintain online discipline and protect the reputation of China’s armed forces.
Chinese Vice Premier Emphasizes Global Cooperation and Innovation in Engineering: The 2025 General Assembly of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations and the Global Engineering Congress opened in Shanghai, drawing global engineering leaders. Ding Xuexiang, vice premier of the State Council and member of the Communist Party of China Central Committee’s Standing Committee, delivered the keynote address. Ding highlighted China’s commitment to an innovation-driven development strategy, noting major breakthroughs in key technologies and significant achievements in engineering science and technology. He emphasized that while China pursues its domestic development, it remains committed to deepening international exchanges and cooperation, contributing to the advancement of global engineering innovation. Focusing on the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Ding called for greater global collaboration, proposing enhanced openness in the engineering sector, stronger research in frontier technologies, sharing of technological achievements, and improved coordinated governance.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Henan Fire Brigade’s “Monthly Fine Quota” Sparks Public Outrage on Weibo: A county fire rescue brigade in Henan Province has come under intense scrutiny after being accused of imposing illegal “monthly fine quotas” on local towns and streets. The issue went viral on Chinese social media, with the hashtag#FireBrigadeRequiresMonthlyFinesOfNoLessThan2000Yuan # drawing millions of views on Weibo. According to reports from Cover News, the Ministry of Justice uncovered that the fire brigade had instructed 23 townships to issue at least two administrative fines per month, each not less than 2,000 yuan. The directive was communicated through a WeChat group, complete with “check-ins” and “end-of-month reports.”After discovering the irregularity, the Administrative Law Enforcement Supervision Bureau intervened, ordering an immediate cancellation of the quota system. Weibo users expressed fury, calling the quota “a fine factory” and “a distortion of law enforcement.” Many praised the ministry’s quick action, urging stricter oversight to prevent such revenue-driven practices from eroding public trust in governance.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Reports India’s Engagement with Afghanistan: Chinese media outlet Guancha characterized India’s hosting of Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaqi as a notable political gesture, reflecting New Delhi’s efforts to maintain a presence in Afghan affairs. The report suggested that the visit indicated India’s aim to strengthen its influence in a region largely shaped by China and Pakistan, while also cautioning that such outreach might present challenges given Afghanistan’s ongoing instability. The article highlighted the resulting India-Afghanistan joint statement, which reaffirmed Jammu and Kashmir as part of India, noting that this element added controversy to the engagement. From an Indian perspective, the visit aligns with a broader strategy to counter Pakistan’s regional influence and secure access to Afghanistan via Iran’s Chabahar Port. However, Guancha questioned the durability of this alignment, describing it as an “unnatural partnership” between Hindu nationalism and Islamic fundamentalism, and suggested that India’s proactive approach could risk overextending itself in a historically complex region.

Prepared By

Lipun Kumar Sanbad

Lipun Kumar Sanbad, a postgraduate student of Politics and International Relations from Pondicherry University and a History and Political science graduate from University of Delhi. From the past three years working as a freelance researcher in the domain of global peace, conflict and security studies, and defence studies.