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NEWS IN CHINA

• China Expands Cross-Border Cash Pooling for Multinational Companies: China expanded its cross-border cash pooling policy for multinational companies nationwide, extending a pilot programme that allows firms to centralise and manage yuan and foreign currency funds across their domestic and overseas operations. The policy is intended to simplify cross-border fund management and facilitate trade and investment. Under the new rules, companies can determine the proportion of funds to be pooled and manage yuan and foreign currency through the same account, while being encouraged to prioritise the use of yuan. The policy also consolidates certain foreign debt and overseas lending quotas and streamlines registration through a single-window system. The pilot programme, launched in Beijing and Guangdong in 2023, had registered more than 260 multinational companies and benefited over 5,500 member companies by June 2026. Analysts said the nationwide rollout could reduce settlement and treasury management costs while giving companies greater flexibility in allocating funds. The State Administration of Foreign Exchange said the measures are part of efforts to improve cross-border financial connectivity and support trade and investment.
  
  
• China and Laos Seek to Strengthen Defence Cooperation: Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun held talks with Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Khamlieng Outhakaysone in Beijing, with both sides expressing support for closer military ties. Dong said the Chinese military is ready to strengthen high-level exchanges and improve practical cooperation across various areas. He linked closer military cooperation to efforts to support the China-Laos community with a shared future and maintain regional stability. Khamlieng said Laos is willing to expand communication between the two militaries at various levels and deepen practical cooperation to achieve further results. The talks come as China and Laos mark the 65th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. The two militaries are also conducting the Peace Train-2026 joint exercise in Vientiane, which began on September 7 and is scheduled to continue through late September.
  
  
• China Launches 2026 Cybersecurity Week with New AI Security Framework: China’s 2026 Cybersecurity Week opened in Jinan, Shandong Province, with the release of the Artificial Intelligence Security Governance Framework 3.0 and other cybersecurity-related initiatives. The event also unveiled test results on the use of AI technologies in cybersecurity applications and a list of consumer-grade networked camera products that have completed cybersecurity labelling registration. Jointly organised by 10 government departments and organisations, including the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Public Security, the week will run from September 14 to 20. This year’s theme focuses on safeguarding cybersecurity as AI becomes increasingly integrated into different sectors. The new framework outlines security governance priorities for the use and development of AI technologies. The week will feature a cybersecurity technology summit, specialised forums and activities covering technology applications, talent recruitment and public awareness. The campaign will also include themed days focusing on telecommunications, the rule of law, finance, youth and personal information protection, alongside cybersecurity awareness activities across different sectors.
  
  
• China Seeks Deeper Global Cooperation in Services Trade at CIFTIS 2026: The 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), held in Beijing from September 9 to 13, highlighted efforts to expand international cooperation in the services sector. The five-day event featured nearly 100 conferences and forums and more than 100 matchmaking and promotional activities. According to Chinese officials, the fair generated more than 1,200 outcomes across seven categories, aimed at facilitating business connections and cooperation. Norway, the guest country of honour, signed six cooperation agreements with Chinese enterprises and institutions. Themed “Global Services, Shared Prosperity,” the fair attracted more than 1,800 exhibitors, including over 470 Fortune Global 500 and industry-leading companies. Exhibitions covered areas including information and communications, financial technology, digital healthcare, smart education, and environmental protection. Nearly 420,000 visits were recorded in the fair’s core areas by Sunday noon, a 36.6 per cent increase from the previous year, according to Beijing authorities. Officials said China would continue expanding cooperation in services trade and using platforms such as CIFTIS to facilitate international business engagement. Participants also highlighted the growing role of services in global supply chains and economic growth.
  
  
• China Outlines Measures to Support Retired Soldiers: China has issued its 15th Five-Year Plan for the Service and Support of Retired Soldiers, outlining measures to improve services, employment support and rights protection for veterans during the 2026-2030 period. The plan was jointly issued by the General Offices of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the State Council and the Central Military Commission. The plan identifies retired soldiers as an important force in China’s modernization efforts and calls for improvements to their organisational management, resettlement, employment, education and service systems. It also emphasises protecting their legitimate rights and interests and strengthening coordination between civilian and military authorities. Key priorities include improving the governance system for veterans’ affairs, strengthening ideological and political guidance, promoting higher-quality employment and resettlement, and improving support for military personnel and their families. The plan also proposes projects to improve the quality of veterans’ service centres and stations, upgrade memorial facilities for martyrs, and strengthen medical and healthcare services. The plan calls on government departments and local authorities to implement the measures according to local conditions under the central leadership of the CPC.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users React to China’s Future Labour Resources: Posts on Weibo discussing remarks by National Health Commission Director Lei Haichao on China’s population outlook have gone viral. A post noted that Lei, speaking at a State Council Information Office press conference, said China’s population of around 1.405 billion would remain large globally for a long time despite four consecutive years of negative population growth. The post also pointed to more than 10 million new university students each year, arguing that China would continue to have relatively abundant labour resources in the future. The posts, however, drew scepticism and prompted online debate over the country’s demographic and employment prospects. Some users questioned whether China would have enough jobs for its future workforce, while others argued that declining births, school closures and broader demographic pressures pointed to a more serious population problem. One user wrote, “It is impossible to have so many jobs in the future, and there is no need for so many people.” Another said, “Labour resources sound good, but it doesn't sound like people,” reflecting concerns that the focus on labour supply overlooked wider questions surrounding China’s population and social welfare.

INDIA WATCH

Global Times Discusses China-India Efforts to Deepen Energy Cooperation: A Global Times article discussed a meeting between China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) Chairman Dai Houliang and India’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in New Delhi, where the two sides exchanged views on expanding energy cooperation. The article noted Dai’s remarks that recent meetings between the leaders of China and India had provided direction for bilateral relations and created a basis for greater practical cooperation. According to the article, Dai expressed CNPC’s willingness to explore opportunities in oil and gas, new energy, and green and low-carbon development, while also strengthening coordination in international energy governance. The article also quoted Puri as saying that India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas attaches importance to cooperation with CNPC, noting that both countries are major energy importers and consumers. It reported that Puri suggested using existing cooperation and the BRICS platform to further strengthen bilateral energy engagement. The article also linked the meeting to the growing focus on energy security within BRICS. It underscored that leaders at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi highlighted energy security as important to economic and social development and called for stable global trade, supply chains and energy flows.

Prepared By

Arushi Sharma

Arushi Sharma is a Research Intern at Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA). She is a recent postgraduate in East Asian Studies from the University of Delhi and holds a Bachelor's degree in Chinese Language from K.R. Mangalam University. She has previously worked as a Subject Matter Expert in Mandarin Language at Unacademy. Her primary research interests focus on China's domestic politics and international economic statecraft.