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NEWS IN CHINA

• China, Pakistan Mark 75 Years of Diplomatic Ties with Renewed Commitments: China and Pakistan marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, with President Xi Jinping and President Asif Ali Zardari exchanging messages reaffirming the depth and resilience of their partnership. Xi described the two nations as long‑standing all‑weather strategic cooperative partners, noting that their bond has remained firm despite shifting global dynamics. He highlighted sustained political trust, security coordination and international cooperation as defining features of the relationship. Xi also stated that he is ready to work with Zardari to use the anniversary as a springboard to strengthen strategic dialogue, expand cooperation across sectors and advance the building of a China‑Pakistan community with a shared future. Zardari called the partnership a stabilizing force for regional peace and praised China’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and development. He also voiced strong appreciation for Xi’s global initiatives and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting China on core issues. Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also exchanged messages. Li emphasized upgrading CPEC to Version 2.0, while Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s dedication to high‑quality CPEC development and expanding bilateral cooperation grounded in mutual trust and shared development goals.
  
  
• Premier Li Qiang Chairs State Council Meeting on Unified Market and Emergency System Plan: Premier Li Qiang chaired a State Council executive meeting that advanced key policy measures for the 15th Five‑Year Plan (2026–2030), focusing on building a unified national market and strengthening China’s emergency governance capacity. The meeting emphasized that a unified national market is fundamental to sustaining high‑quality development. Officials called for reinforcing institutional foundations in property rights protection, market access, fair competition, social credit, and market exit mechanisms. They also highlighted the need to improve nationwide connectivity of market infrastructure to ensure smoother economic flows and lower logistics costs. On emergency management, the meeting highlighted the urgency of developing a modern emergency response system capable of protecting lives and property. It urged deeper reforms in emergency governance, stronger coordination mechanisms, and enhanced monitoring and early‑warning capabilities. The session also reviewed a draft revision of the Law on the People’s Bank of China, approving it in principle and deciding to submit it to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress for deliberation.
  
  
• Vice Chairman Wang Dongming Calls for Stronger Trade Union Role During Shanxi Inspection: Vice Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee and All‑China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) Chairman Wang Dongming visited Shanxi Province from May 20-21 to review trade union work and preside over a symposium with provincial union leaders. The delegation examined how unions nationwide are implementing Xi Jinping’s speech delivered at the centennial of the ACFTU and advancing key tasks tied to the 15th Five‑Year Plan. Wang stressed the need to deepen education on establishing a correct view of performance, urging unions to translate study outcomes into concrete progress and ensure high‑quality development of trade union work. During visits to the Taiyuan Workers’ Cultural Palace, service centers, and union stations, he reviewed facility operations and spoke directly with frontline workers, model laborers, skilled craftsmen, and grassroots cadres to gather feedback. At the symposium, representatives from six provincial federations reported on their implementation efforts. Wang emphasized upholding the Party’s leadership, guiding workers to contribute to modernization goals, strengthening rights‑protection services, improving assistance mechanisms, and advancing reforms in the industrial workforce. He called for better use of online and offline service platforms, problem‑oriented governance, and practical measures that deliver tangible results.
  
  
• China Unveils First Nationwide Driver Service Map: China has launched its first comprehensive driver service map, integrating a wide range of facilities into a single digital platform to better support millions of drivers across the country. Released by the China Communications and Transportation Association and partner organizations, the platform consolidates information on rest areas, energy‑supply points, and essential daily services, offering unified guidance for professional and private drivers. The map is organized into five functional sections which include Driver Rest Stops, Convenient Energy Refills, Community Services, Policy Consultation, and an AI Assistant. The rest‑stop section provides categorized navigation for taxi and truck drivers, covering more than 2,100 service stations nationwide. The energy‑refill module brings together charging points, gas stations, and battery‑swap sites, enabling users to compare options by distance and cost. Community Services highlights local shops and basic amenities such as parking and restrooms, while the AI assistant offers voice‑based responses to routine travel queries. According to the Urban Transportation Branch, the next phase will focus on using the map to standardize service quality and promote resource sharing among rest stops nationwide, ensuring drivers receive consistent support regardless of location.
  
  
• China Issues Action Plan to Strengthen Employment and Workforce Quality: China has released a new “Action Plan for Stabilizing Employment, Expanding Capacity, and Improving Quality," outlining a broad strategy to boost job creation and enhance workforce development. The plan prioritizes key groups such as college graduates, migrant workers, and veterans, while strengthening human‑resource utilization and policy support. The plan targets major employment‑absorbing sectors, including manufacturing, construction, and accommodation and catering, by promoting stronger industrial chains, SME‑focused clusters, and specialized industrial parks. It also aims to expand job opportunities in central, western, and northeastern regions. In services, the plan supports the growth of themed hotels, resort‑style accommodation, and distinctive catering brands to stimulate employment and entrepreneurship. To unlock wider job potential, the plan focuses on consumer‑driven industries, major infrastructure projects, and the development of new productive forces. Measures include advancing the “Artificial Intelligence+” initiative, accelerating emerging industry clusters, and expanding public‑service jobs in domestic work, elderly care, childcare, and health services. It also promotes county‑level industries, marine‑economy employment, and entrepreneurship through models linking technology, industry, skills, and livelihood needs.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER 

Weibo Buzzes Over China’s Crackdown on Problematic Apps: A post with the hashtag #TheCrackdownOnProblematicAppsWillNotStopWithinNotifications# is going viral on Weibo after authorities notified 31 apps and SDKs for infringing on users’ rights. The discussion intensified after reports revealed that, a week earlier, 67 mobile applications, including well-known platforms such as Fengchao and Qichacha, were also flagged for similar violations. Authorities further stated that 17 previously notified apps failed to rectify issues even after retesting and were subsequently removed from app stores. The post emphasized that any app illegally collecting or misusing personal information and crossing legal boundaries should face strict punishment. It also stressed that mobile applications must follow the principles of legality, legitimacy, necessity, and good faith while protecting user data security. Online reactions showed overwhelming support for stricter enforcement measures. Many users called for harsher punishments against companies violating privacy rules. One user stated that authorities “must crack down on this severely,” while another user commented that “anyone who breaks the law should be punished.” Some users urged companies to “strictly adhere to the bottom line” regarding data protection. Several other users expressed support for continued investigations and stronger supervision of online platforms, while a few users demanded permanent bans on repeat offenders involved in illegal data collection practices.

INDIA WATCH

Finance Sina Discusses India’s Growing Role in Japan’s Auto Strategy: An article in Finance Sina discussed the growing shift of Japanese automakers toward India as the global automobile industry’s center of gravity moves eastward. The article highlighted that companies such as Toyota, Suzuki, and Honda are making unprecedented investments in India, with the combined value of planned investments reaching nearly US$11 billion, marking a record level of foreign investment in India’s automotive sector. According to the article, Toyota plans to establish three new assembly plants in Maharashtra with a US$1.8 billion investment, while Suzuki aims to expand production capacity to 4 million vehicles by 2030 through major new facilities in Haryana and Gujarat. It argued that Japanese automakers are being pushed toward India by mounting structural pressures. The article noted that supply chain disruptions linked to Middle East tensions have sharply raised raw material costs, while competition from Chinese automakers has eroded Japanese market share across Southeast Asia and China. It further stated that Japanese firms lag behind in the electric vehicle transition due to their prolonged focus on hybrid and hydrogen technologies. At the same time, the article portrayed India as an attractive strategic alternative because of its vast domestic market, expanding manufacturing ecosystem, and logistical advantages for exports to Africa and the Middle East. It concluded that Japanese automakers view India as a critical long-term production and export hub necessary for maintaining global competitiveness.