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NEWS IN CHINA

• China Urges Restraint Over Iran to Avoid Escalation in Middle East: China has called on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid further destabilizing the Middle East, following an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the situation in Iran. Speaking at the meeting, Sun Lei, China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, noted that Beijing opposes any threat or use of force against Iran and stressed that the Iranian people themselves should determine their country’s internal affairs. Sun reaffirmed China’s commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, emphasizing its opposition to the use or threat of force, unilateral pressure, and interference in the internal affairs of other countries. Sun further highlighted the importance of sovereign equality and non-interference and said these principles form the foundation of modern international relations. He added that China supports safeguarding Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, and called on the international community to assist the Iranian government and people in overcoming current challenges to maintain stability. He noted peaceful solutions are essential for regional stability and stressed that peace and development are shared global aspirations and warned that reliance on force only deepens conflict and division.
  
  

• Xi Jinping Meets with Canadian Prime Minister Carney: Xi Jinping met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Beijing. Xi recalled their meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, which set a new stage in improving China-Canada relations, with both sides making progress in restoring cooperation across several areas. Xi noted that stable and healthy China-Canada relations serve the interests of both countries and contribute to global peace and development. He called for advancing a new type of strategic partnership that is sustainable and people-centered. Xi outlined four key principles, which include mutual respect for sovereignty and development paths, common development through mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation, mutual trust by strengthening people-to-people exchanges in education, culture, tourism, and local collaboration and cooperation by upholding multilateralism and working together in forums such as the United Nations, the G20, and APEC. Carney reiterated that Canada values its long-standing friendship with China and sees strong economic partner and reaffirmed the one-China policy. He expressed willingness to deepen cooperation in trade, energy, agriculture, finance, education, and climate change. Both leaders emphasized the importance of multilateral coordination to address global challenges. The two sides later issued a joint statement on the meeting.
  
  

• Xi Jinping Receives Credentials from Newly Appointed Ambassadors: Chinese President Xi Jinping received credentials from 18 newly appointed foreign ambassadors. He accepted the ambassadors’ credentials in front of the mural “This Land So Rich in Beauty” and posed for photos with each envoy. He welcomed them to China and asked them to convey his greetings to the leaders and people of their respective countries. Xi also encouraged the ambassadors to travel across China to gain a deeper understanding of the country and to actively promote friendship and cooperation between China and their nations. Xi stressed China’s path of Chinese-style modernization and noted the successful completion of the 14th Five-Year Plan, citing growth in economic output, progress in science and technology, environmental improvements, and rising living standards. He added that the 15th Five-Year Plan offers new opportunities for global cooperation through China’s continued opening-up. Addressing global challenges, Xi said division and confrontation are unsustainable. He stressed that solidarity and cooperation are the only viable path forward and reiterated China’s commitment to multilateralism and building a community with a shared future for mankind.
  
  

• CSRC Outlines Five Key Priorities for the Capital Market in 2026: The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) has outlined five major tasks for 2026, stressing risk prevention, stronger regulation, and high-quality development amid complex internal and external challenges. At its annual system-wide work conference held on January 15, the CSRC pledged to consolidate the market’s steady momentum by enhancing monitoring and early warning mechanisms, tightening supervision of transactions and disclosures, and cracking down on speculation and manipulation to prevent sharp fluctuations. It also vowed to deepen reforms in public funds and encourage long-term investment. To support high-quality growth, reforms will advance in the ChiNext and STAR Market, refinancing will be made more flexible, and integration of the Beijing Stock Exchange with the NEEQ will be promoted. The bond market will be upgraded, alongside the pilot program for commercial real estate REITs. The CSRC further committed to intensifying enforcement against fraud, insider trading, and price manipulation, improving governance of listed companies, and strengthening shareholder accountability. Finally, it will deepen the two-way opening of the capital market, expand foreign investor access, and enhance transparency in overseas listings.
  
  

• China Interprets Interim Measures on NEV Battery Recycling: China has issued new rules to strengthen the management of recycling and reuse of waste power batteries from new energy vehicles, as large numbers of batteries enter retirement. According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the “Interim Measures for the Management of Recycling and Comprehensive Utilization of Waste Power Batteries from New Energy Vehicles” were jointly released with five other government departments to standardize the entire process. These measures also implement requirements from a 2025 State Council action plan calling for stronger legal frameworks on battery recycling. Key provisions include establishing a national information platform to track power batteries throughout their full life cycle. Battery makers and vehicle manufacturers must code, label, and report battery information to ensure traceability and data security. The rules also clarify recycling responsibilities for manufacturers and set standards for recycling outlets, transport, and transfer of used batteries. In addition, the measures regulate the utilization of waste batteries, requiring compliance with environmental, safety, and resource-use laws, and ban their use in prohibited areas. The interim measures also outline clear supervision mechanisms and penalties to strengthen enforcement and accountability.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Erupts Over Beggar Dowry Case: A post with the hashtag #BeggarManGivesBeggarWoman110kYuanDowry# has gone viral on Weibo after a divorced man, Mr. Peng, discovered that a woman he met while begging, Ms. Zhang, was still married. During their relationship, Peng transferred 111,900 yuan as a bride price, believing Zhang was divorced. After the breakup, he sued her to recover the money. The court ruled that Zhang must return 80% of the sum, and her appeal was rejected. The story has sparked a flood of comments, blending shock, humor, and debate. One user wrote, “Even beggars can receive a dowry of 110,000 yuan”. Another user humorously wrote “Should I switch careers too?” Another joked, “Where can I beg and meet so many kind people? I want to go too!” Some highlighted the financial absurdity: “I begged for five years and earned 320,000 yuan; that’s much better than working a regular job.” Another user added, “So once the money is given, it’s gone. Even if you’re not married, don’t expect it back.” Others commented “Can’t you just be serious about begging? Why are you even talking about dating?” Overall, the post has left netizens entertained and intrigued.

INDIA WATCH 

Sina Discusses India’s Push to End “10-Minute Delivery” Promises: Sina, a Chinese media outlet, reported the recent Indian government’s summoning of major e-commerce platforms, including Blinkit and Zepto, demanding the removal of “10-minute delivery” promises. The article detailed that this fast delivery service, often called the “10 minutes of life and death,” has been linked to numerous accidents involving delivery riders, raising serious concerns over worker safety. Indian Labor Minister Mandavia held talks with executives from platforms such as Blinkit and Zepto, urging them to prioritize rider safety over “10-minute delivery” promises. Soon after the discussions, Blinkit revised its advertising slogan, removing the time-bound delivery claim from “10,000 items delivered in 10 minutes” to “30,000 items delivered to your home,” with other platforms likely to follow. The article also noted that the rapid growth of India’s e-commerce sector has brought convenience and employment, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, but has also intensified pressure on gig workers as riders face long working hours, low pay, risky traffic conditions, and strict algorithmic deadlines. While regulatory action is a positive step, Sina noted that structural pressures remain. The article concluded by citing industry experts who argue that the demand for speed is ingrained in platform operations and consumer expectations. These experts believe that without broader reforms to labor rights, work conditions, and platform algorithms, delivery workers will continue to face severe physical and economic risks despite policy measures.

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.