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NEWS IN CHINA

• Chinese and Iranian Foreign Ministers Hold Talks in Beijing: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi in Beijing, calling on Iran and the United States to exercise restraint and resume negotiations. Wang said the continued conflict is not in the interests of the parties involved or the wider international community and urged both sides to rebuild their negotiation mechanism and address outstanding concerns through dialogue. Wang said China is willing to play a constructive role in resolving the conflict and supported Iran’s engagement with Gulf states to address regional security concerns. He also called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the protection of international shipping and energy supplies, warning against further escalation into Yemen and the Red Sea. Wang argued that recent developments show the need to strengthen the existing Middle East security framework. Araghchi said Iran does not want the conflict to continue and hopes to return to diplomatic channels while protecting its interests. He said Iran supports President Xi Jinping’s four-point proposal for a new Middle East security architecture and welcomed a greater Chinese role in promoting regional peace and stability.
  
  
• China-EU Representatives Call for Stronger Cooperation on AI Governance: Chinese and European representatives called for stronger cross-border cooperation on artificial intelligence governance at the 21st Meeting of the China-EU Round Table in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. Participants said AI risks are cross-border and cannot be managed by individual countries alone. Discussions focused on promoting AI that is safe, reliable and people-centred, while addressing its potential effects on employment and society. Chinese representative Miao Wei called for greater international coordination on AI safety and governance, including research into safety risks and ethical concerns and governance covering the technology’s development from data collection to applications. Participants also highlighted the need for cooperation in addressing crimes involving AI. The meeting also examined AI’s impact on workers. Representatives called for stronger labour protections, social welfare systems and policies to support workers affected by technological changes. China and EU representatives identified potential areas for practical cooperation, including basic research, chip production, advanced robotics and technologies for aging populations and people with disabilities. 
  
  
• Hong Kong Unveils First Five-Year Plan for 2026-2030: The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region unveiled its first Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development for 2026-2030, outlining a medium- to long-term roadmap for the city’s development. The plan focuses on strengthening Hong Kong’s international competitiveness, improving people’s livelihoods, developing the Northern Metropolis and deepening integration with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The plan covers seven major areas: economic development, talent attraction, spatial planning, regional cooperation, social security, public governance, and implementation mechanisms. Chief Executive John Lee said the plan, together with the 2026 Policy Address, would guide the government in turning its long-term strategy into concrete policies. The plan sets targets including raising local expenditure on innovation activities to 3 per cent of GDP after 2030, developing 900 hectares of land in the Northern Metropolis within five years and completing 70,000 housing units. Hong Kong officials, lawmakers and academics said the plan would strengthen long-term governance, economic diversification, innovation and Hong Kong’s role as a link between mainland China and the global economy.
  
  
• Chinese Vice Premier Attends Opening of Pinglu Canal in Guangxi: Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang attended the opening ceremony of the Pinglu Canal in Qinzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and announced its opening to navigation. The ceremony marked the completion of the canal after four years of construction. Ding said the canal’s opening reflected the efforts of project builders and support from relevant authorities. He called for using the canal to strengthen the development of an international gateway port in the Beibu Gulf, expand opening-up in western China and support the country’s new development pattern. Ding also inspected the canal’s operations and ecological protection. He described the Pinglu Canal as a major infrastructure project connecting river, rail and sea transport and an important part of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in western China. He called for effective operation and management, stronger transport capacity and improved coordination of cargo resources to ensure safe and efficient operations while balancing economic, social and environmental benefits. The canal connects Nanning with the Beibu Gulf and is expected to support Guangxi’s economic development and connectivity with ASEAN countries under the Belt and Road Initiative.
  
  
• China’s Aviation Suppliers Gain Greater Role in Airbus Production: China’s aviation suppliers are becoming increasingly important to Airbus’ global production expansion, with their manufacturing capabilities and supply-chain resilience supporting the European aircraft maker’s efforts to meet growing demand. Recently, Airbus delivered an A320neo to China Eastern Airlines, the first aircraft assembled at its second final assembly line in Tianjin, northern China. The new facility, inaugurated in October 2025, is part of Airbus’ global network of 10 A320 final assembly lines, including two in Tianjin. The first Tianjin line began operations in 2008 and has since assembled and delivered more than 800 A320 aircraft. Chinese suppliers’ involvement has expanded from aircraft assembly to more complex work, including wing assembly and fuselage systems installation. Airbus said the use of Chinese components has grown substantially over the past 10 to 15 years and that it is working with existing suppliers to expand production while assessing new companies and technologies. Airbus’ latest market forecast estimates that China will require 8,830 new passenger aircraft over the next 20 years, accounting for more than 20 per cent of global demand. 
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users React to Pressures Faced by Medical Students and Trainees: A post on Weibo discussing the pressures faced by medical students and postgraduate trainees sparked widespread reactions among netizens. The post described the demanding examination schedules under China’s five-year and eight-year medical education systems, noting that students can face numerous examinations within a single month. It also highlighted pressures beyond academics, including delayed training subsidies, difficult relationships with supervisors and concerns over the treatment of students by some faculty members. Weibo users responded to the post by sharing similar experiences of academic pressure, demanding medical training and difficulties with supervisors. Several users described heavy workloads and the challenges of completing medical education within compressed timelines. One user said, “I feel that studying medicine is really very difficult in all aspects.” Another user shared an experience of feeling isolated and inadequately supported, saying, “I was isolated from everyone, and all I received was a casual reminder that ‘students’ mental health should be paid attention to.’” Other users similarly pointed to the emotional strain of medical training and the gap between institutional expectations and the support available to students.

INDIA WATCH

Global Times Discusses India’s Growing Exports to China: An article on Global Times discussed the rise in India’s exports to China amid continued growth in bilateral trade. According to Indian government data cited in the article, India’s merchandise exports to China rose 52.35 per cent year-on-year to $1.9 billion in August, while imports from China increased 17.07 per cent to $8.4 billion. The article further noted that between April and August, India’s exports to China grew 38.71 per cent to $9.64 billion, while imports rose 27.01 per cent to $65.5 billion. It noted that China was also among the major destinations contributing to the increase in India’s exports. The article quoted the director of the Research Department at Tsinghua University’s National Strategy Institute, who attributed the trend to the growing integration of the Chinese and Indian economies and their industrial supply chains. According to the report, India’s manufacturing expansion, particularly in sectors such as electronics, continues to generate demand for Chinese intermediate goods, which remain competitive in terms of cost and supply capacity. It also mentioned that the trade pattern reflects areas where the economic needs of the two countries overlap and suggested further scope for expanding two-way trade. The article linked the trend to recent efforts to strengthen economic engagement and address bilateral trade concerns.

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.