CiCM 15th December 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

China Calls for Fair and Equitable Global Anti-Corruption Governance: Vice-Foreign Minister Hua Chunying announced that China is willing to work with all parties to advance a more just and equitable global anti-corruption governance system. The remarks were made at the 11th Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption in Doha, Qatar. Hua said that China, as host of next year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings, will organize a series of anti-corruption initiatives and welcomes broad participation. Hua reaffirmed the firm stance of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government against corruption, noting that China’s anti-corruption campaign has achieved historic results and gained strong public support. She emphasized respect for national sovereignty, opposition to the abuse of long-arm jurisdiction, and adherence to international rule of law. Hua also called for strengthening international cooperation through the Global Governance Initiative, enhancing support for developing countries and preventing safe havens for corrupt actors.
China Releases Action Plan to Promote Digital Trade and Service Outsourcing: China's Ministry of Commerce, with five other government departments, has released an Action Plan on Promoting High-Quality Development of the Service Outsourcing Industry. The plan aims to strengthen financial support for innovation-driven service outsourcing enterprises, especially small and medium-sized technology-oriented firms. It encourages equity investment funds to support these companies and promotes their use of multi-tier capital markets for financing. The action plan outlines six areas and thirteen key tasks, including fostering digital trade clusters, improving data security and privacy protection mechanisms and enhancing the integration of the digital and economies. It also supports the development of cloud computing, artificial intelligence and data service outsourcing in central and western regions. Additionally, the plan calls for enhanced cooperation between national and local investment funds, expanded financial products tailored to service outsourcing firms and stronger talent cultivation and industry regulation to support sustainable sector growth.
China Signals Shift in Birth-related Policies in 2026: The National Medical Security Conference revealed that Chinese authorities are adjusting the focus of the country’s birth policy ahead of 2026. Reviewing achievements during the 14th Five-Year Plan, the conference emphasized adapting medical security to population policies, particularly through strengthening maternity insurance and accelerating long-term care insurance. Key goals include expanding prenatal examination coverage, reducing out-of-pocket childbirth costs to near zero within policy scope, extending maternity insurance to flexible and migrant workers, and integrating eligible assisted reproductive services nationwide. Free education before elementary school was expanded, childcare expenses for children under three were included in personal income tax deductions with the ceiling raised to 2,000 yuan, and tuition fees for senior classes in public kindergartens were waived, benefiting around 12 million people. In addition, families with legally registered children under three receive an annual subsidy of 3,600 yuan.
Xi Jinping Emphasizes Expanding Domestic Demand as a Strategic Priority: An article by the Chinese President Xi Jinping, titled “Expanding Domestic Demand Is a Strategic Move”, is published in the latest issue of Qiushi journal. The article is a compilation of Xi’s key remarks on domestic demand made between October 2015 and October 2025 and outlines the strategic significance of expanding domestic demand for China’s long-term economic development. Xi stresses that expanding domestic demand is not a short-term policy response but a fundamental strategic choice closely linked to both economic stability and economic security. He argues that implementing a domestic demand expansion strategy is essential for sustaining healthy and long-term economic growth, as well as for meeting people’s growing expectations for a better quality of life. Consumption is identified as a crucial engine of economic growth, with job creation, social security improvement and income distribution optimization highlighted as fundamental measures to unlock consumption potential.
Wang Yi Held Talks With Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Amman: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Jordan’s King Abdullah in Amman on December 15, reaffirming the two countries’ commitment to strengthen bilateral relations. King Abdullah highlighted his longstanding personal ties with China and expressed Jordan’s readiness to enhance high-level exchanges, expand practical cooperation and strengthen coordination on regional and international affairs. He also voiced support for the second China–Arab States Summit to be held in China next year. Wang Yi noted that 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the China–Jordan strategic partnership and stressed China’s willingness to work with Jordan to plan the next decade of bilateral cooperation. He praised Jordan’s role as a stabilizing force in the region and reiterated China’s support for developing countries and Global South partners. Both China and Jordan also exchanged views on the current situation in the region.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Chinese Social Media Highlights the Reality of Visa-Free Travel to Russia: A recent wave of discussions on Weibo has drawn attention to the unexpected challenges faced by Chinese tourists traveling to Russia following the introduction of visa-free travel arrangements. Hashtags such as “the first group of middle-class travelers visiting Russia visa-free were shocked” have attracted widespread attention. Social media posts describe a series of practical difficulties upon arrival in Russia, ranging from limited mobile connectivity and navigation issues to disruptions in payment systems. Travelers reported that commonly used Chinese mobile payment platforms, as well as international credit cards, were often unusable, forcing them to rely on alternative and sometimes costly solutions. These experiences sparked reflections and discussion on Weibo about the gap between expectations and reality in visa-free travel destinations. Many users admitted that their assumptions were shaped by years of relatively frictionless global travel, supported by digital infrastructure, payment convenience and standardized services.

INDIA WATCH

Chinese Media Discusses Potential Decline in India’s Russian Oil Imports: Chinese media platform Sina reported that India’s strengthened scrutiny of Russian crude oil shipments may result in a decline in imports this month, as New Delhi increases checks to ensure compliance with Western restrictions. According to the report, Indian officials expect Russian oil imports to fall to around 800,000 barrels per day, down from an average of approximately 1.9 million barrels per day in November. Data cited from analytics firm Kpler estimated current imports at about 1.3 million barrels per day. The article notes that ports and financial institutions in India have intensified reviews in recent weeks, making it more difficult to process shipments linked to sanctioned entities. It further mentions that while unrestricted crude oil continues to enter the Indian market, authorities are tightening oversight over traders and refiners. The report argues that India’s move comes as it seeks to advance trade talks with the United States, following Washington’s imposition of a 50 percent tariff on Indian goods in August, partly linked to India’s purchases of Russian oil.

Prepared By

Chieh-Ju Chen

Chieh-Ju Chen (Nikita), currently an MA student at the Graduate Institute of International Politics, National Chung Hsing University (NCHU), Taiwan. Her research focuses on refugee and immigration studies, with interests in South Asia and Indian studies, and a comparative perspective on regional dynamics in Asia.