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NEWS IN CHINA

• Top Chinese Generals He Weidong, Miao Hua Expelled from CPC and Military: China announced the expulsion of nine senior military officials including He Weidong, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and Miao Hua, former Director of the CMC Political Work Department from both the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the military for serious disciplinary and legal violations. According to Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang, the officials, including former top commanders of the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command, Navy, Rocket Force, and Armed Police Force, were found guilty of grave duty-related crimes involving “particularly huge amounts of money.” Their cases have been transferred to military prosecutors for legal proceedings. Zhang said the move underscores the CPC’s “zero tolerance” stance toward corruption in the armed forces, stressing that the anti-graft drive has reached deeper levels since the 18th CPC National Congress. The expulsions, he added, reaffirmed the leadership’s determination to root out corruption, strengthen Party discipline, and enhance the military’s purity and combat effectiveness.
  
  
• China Publishes 10 Cases of Technical Trade Measures to Boost Global Market Access: The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) released ten representative cases showcasing how provincial market regulators across China are tackling technical trade measures (TTMs) to strengthen global competitiveness and support high-level opening up. In Hebei, early-warning systems and international certification integration helped power transmission exports exceed 1 billion yuan across 60 countries. Jilin built a “three-level response” mechanism enabling its commercial vehicle exports to rise 27.4% year-on-year. Yunnan enhanced standard cooperation with Laos, driving a 20% export growth in its cable industry. Chongqing promoted AI-driven compliance upgrades, with certified fire-resistant doors entering North American markets. Other highlights include Hainan’s online TTM platform boosting tropical product exports by 19.4%, Shandong’s mutual-recognition testing system cutting certification delays, and Hunan’s WTO consultations reopening tea exports to Russia. Zhejiang advanced “one test, multiple certificates” services, while Guangdong’s “early-warning–coordination–service” model addressed EU battery regulations. Sichuan’s WTO intervention extended India’s registration transition by 19 months. 
  
  
• China Revises Corporate Governance Rules to Strengthen Accountability and Incentives for Listed Firms: The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) announced major revisions to the Corporate Governance Guidelines for Listed Companies, which will take effect on January 1, 2026. The updated rules aim to improve corporate governance across four areas management accountability, incentive mechanisms, shareholder conduct, and alignment with existing regulations. Key changes include stricter qualification checks for directors and senior executives, clearer fiduciary and diligence obligations, and accountability measures upon resignation. The revised guidelines also require listed firms to link executive pay with company performance and establish deferred payment systems to ensure fairness and responsibility. For controlling shareholders, the CSRC has tightened rules on intra-industry competition and related-party transactions to prevent abuse of power. The new framework also enhances transparency and aligns governance requirements with China’s Company Law and Securities Law. The revisions follow a public consultation that received 195 opinions, many of which were adopted. The CSRC said the goal is to strengthen “the responsibilities of the key minority” and build a more effective governance and incentive system for China’s capital markets.
  
  
• China and Canada Should Rebuild Trust and Become Partners in Common Development: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized that China and Canada, despite differences in political systems and development paths, share broad common interests and have vast potential for cooperation. Wang said both nations could be “partners of common development” based on mutual respect. Marking the 55th anniversary of China-Canada diplomatic ties, Wang highlighted Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand’s visit as a key opportunity to rebuild mutual trust and resume dialogue. He urged Canada to adhere to the one-China principle, eliminate external interference, and strengthen cooperation in trade, culture, and global governance. Wang also encouraged joint efforts to safeguard multilateralism and maintain a fair international trade order. Anand, acknowledging recent positive momentum in bilateral ties, proposed strengthening four cooperation pillars: economy and trade, security, global governance, and people-to-people exchanges. She reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to the one-China policy and expressed willingness to expand collaboration in agriculture, tourism, energy, and cultural sectors.
  
  
• China Issues New Certification Rules for Cross-Border Personal Data Transfers: China has introduced the Measures for Personal Information Protection Certification for Cross-Border Data Transfers, jointly issued by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) and the State Administration for Market Regulation. The measures will come into effect on January 1, 2026, aiming to safeguard personal data rights while ensuring the secure and efficient flow of information across borders. According to the CAC, the rules define applicable scenarios, certification procedures, validity periods, and compliance obligations for companies handling outbound data transfers. Certification will be valid for three years, with professional certification bodies required to file records with the national cyberspace administration within 10 working days of approval. Experts noted that the framework enhances transparency, accountability, and public trust by setting clear roles for certification entities and mandating risk-based supervision of certified companies. Legal scholars described the measures as a milestone in China’s data governance, aligning domestic laws with global standards while boosting the competitiveness of China’s digital economy through safer data exchanges.
  
  
• China Welcomes US-Russia Dialogue, Supports Peaceful Resolution in Ukraine Crisis: China has expressed support for renewed diplomatic contact between the United States and Russia amid ongoing tensions over the Ukraine conflict. On Friday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded to remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary in the coming weeks, ahead of talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington. Lin emphasized that Beijing welcomes dialogue between major powers and backs “all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis.” He noted that improved communication between Washington and Moscow could help reduce tensions and promote a political solution rather than continued confrontation. The spokesperson reiterated China’s consistent stance advocating dialogue, ceasefire, and respect for all parties’ legitimate security concerns. 

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users Question on Ten Days of Floods Devastate Baise City: Severe flooding has gripped Baise City in Guangxi for over ten days, following relentless rains brought by Typhoons Huajiasha, Boroyi, and Madmo. Dajin Village in Jingxi City remains one of the hardest-hit areas, with floodwaters once reaching 4.5 meters and submerging 85 homes. Though the water has begun to recede to just over one meter, several surrounding areas like Dajia Street still remain under more than two meters of stagnant water. Local merchants report further rises in water levels on October 17, leaving the first floors of houses fully submerged. Authorities have constructed a 200-meter temporary bridge near Dajia Township Primary School to ensure access to essential goods and schooling. Meanwhile, Bali Village has seen a gradual improvement, with most water receding since October 15. On Weibo, hashtags like “#Flooding in Baise lasts 10 days” have attracted millions of views. Netizens expressed frustration over slow drainage and questioned the adequacy of emergency responses, while others shared images and videos showing submerged streets, describing the disaster as “a wake-up call for rural flood management.”

INDIA WATCH 

Guancha Questions U.S. Claims on India’s Russian Oil Cuts, Calls It a Political Narrative: Chinese media Guancha reported on the conflicting statements between the White House and Indian sources regarding India’s alleged 50% cut in Russian oil imports. Citing Reuters, Guancha highlighted the U.S. claim that Indian refiners had halved Russian oil imports following “productive” Washington talks. However, it noted that Indian industry insiders and official data show no such trend, with Kpler estimating imports rising 20% in October to 1.9 million barrels per day. In its analysis, Guancha framed the U.S. statement as part of a “political narrative” by the Trump administration to pressure India amid ongoing trade negotiations, which have been strained by the new 50% U.S. tariffs on Indian goods. The article underscored India’s firm stance that its energy policy is driven by “national interest,” quoting MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal’s denial of any recent Modi-Trump phone call. From an Indian perspective, Guancha’s coverage highlights the nation’s growing assertion of strategic autonomy. The report suggested that India’s rejection of U.S. claims signals New Delhi’s unwillingness to be drawn into Washington’s geopolitical maneuvering over Russian oil, maintaining its independent foreign policy line.

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.