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NEWS IN CHINA

• Chinese Officials Outline Monetary and Fiscal Policies to Drive Growth: At the China Development Forum 2026, senior officials emphasized a dual approach of supportive monetary and proactive fiscal policy to sustain high‑quality growth during the 15th Five‑Year Plan period. Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), stated that the central bank will maintain a moderately loose monetary stance to ensure liquidity and favorable financing conditions. He noted that social financing remains accommodative, with financial aggregates expanding at a reasonable pace. Pan highlighted the use of tools such as reserve requirement ratios, interest rates and open market operations to stabilize markets. Further, Finance Minister Lan Fo'an stated China’s fiscal policy will focus on openness and sharing benefits with others. He added that China will work more closely with other countries to support global economic stability. He also promised to create a fair and transparent business environment where foreign companies can compete on equal terms. In addition, Lan emphasized that China will continue to improve global economic cooperation and create more opportunities for shared growth worldwide.
  
  
• Wang Yi Holds Talks with UK PM’s Security Adviser: Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Jonathan Powell, the British Prime Minister's national security adviser, in Beijing. Wang highlighted the positive impact of Keir Starmer’s visit to China in January, describing it as a milestone that reinforced the importance of building a long-term, stable, and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. He noted that constructive dialogue and mutual efforts can help manage differences and advance relations. Calling for deeper engagement, Wang urged both nations to expand exchanges at all levels, enhance cooperation, and implement the consensus reached by their leaders. He emphasized the need to maintain steady progress in bilateral ties despite challenges. Powell reaffirmed the UK’s willingness to follow up on the visit and work closely with China to promote sustained partnership development. On global issues, Wang reiterated China’s neutral stance, cautioning that escalating tensions in West Asia risk worsening humanitarian consequences. He stressed that dialogue and negotiation remain the only viable path toward lasting political solutions.
  
  
• Xi Jinping Presides Over Symposium on Xiong’an New Area: Xi Jinping inspected Xiong’an New Area in Hebei and presided over a symposium on advancing Xiong’an development. He called for advancing its high-quality development, emphasizing its role as a key hub for relocating non-capital functions from Beijing. During a symposium, Xi emphasized the importance of maintaining a strategic focus, strengthening coordination, and promoting innovation-driven growth. Xi noted that the development of Xiong’an has made solid progress and reaffirmed the importance of orderly relocation of institutions, including state-owned enterprises, universities, hospitals, and research bodies. He called for improved policy support and services to ensure smooth transitions and sustainable growth. Highlighting innovation, Xi urged the integration of scientific and industrial development, the cultivation of emerging industries, and the creation of a modern industrial system. He also emphasized building a high-standard innovation hub and improving the business environment. Xi also encouraged strengthening Party leadership and accountability. Officials, including Premier Li Qiang, accompanied the inspection and attended the symposium and emphasized deepening regional integration within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
  
  
• Beijing Cracks Down on Platform Misconduct, Orders Rectification: Beijing regulators summoned 12 major platform companies, including Ctrip, Meituan and JD.com, over irregular practices uncovered in a campaign against “involutionary” competition. Authorities highlighted four key issues, including infringement of merchants’ autonomy, unfair rules, false advertising and weak compliance systems. Some platforms were found to alter merchant settings without consent, forcing participation in promotions and lowering prices below cost, leading to financial losses. In one case, the Taobao Flash Sale reportedly reduced merchant earnings to unsustainable levels. Ctrip was also criticized for pressuring hotels to offer the lowest prices and for unfairly penalizing “customer switching.” False advertising was another concern, with platforms accused of misleading users through exaggerated claims, such as paid ticket-grabbing services and deceptive promotional labels. Meanwhile, compliance failures at firms like Qunar and JD.com revealed inadequate internal oversight. Regulators issued warnings and mandated timely corrections, stressing protection of both merchants and consumers. Authorities affirmed continued monitoring, stricter enforcement and the creation of long-term mechanisms to ensure fair competition and healthier platform economy development.
  
  
• China Caps Oil Price Hike to Ease Impact of Global Oil Surge: The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced that temporary control measures will be applied to domestic refined oil prices to cushion the impact of surging global crude prices. Since March 9, international oil prices have risen sharply due to escalating conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. To reduce burdens on downstream users and safeguard economic stability, the NDRC said adjustments will be made within the existing pricing framework. Under the current mechanism, gasoline and diesel prices were scheduled to rise by 2,205 yuan and 2,120 yuan per ton, respectively, from March 23. However, the actual increase will be limited to 1,160 yuan and 1,115 yuan per ton. This marks the first time since the mechanism’s introduction in 2013 that such temporary controls have been applied. Experts noted the move is a timely response to global volatility, helping stabilize domestic markets. The NDRC stated that they will continue to guide oil producers and distributors to ensure supply, strengthen market supervision and punish violations of pricing policies, thereby protecting consumer interests and maintaining market order.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

DJI–Inspire Patent Dispute Sparks Debate on Weibo: A post with the hashtag #DJISuesInspireIn6PatentOwnershipDisputes# is going viral on Weibo after DJI filed a lawsuit against Inspire over six patent-ownership disputes. The case, registered by the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court, involves allegations that former DJI R&D personnel contributed to patents filed by Inspire in key areas such as drone flight control, structural design and image processing. DJI claims these inventions were developed within a year of the employees leaving the company and are closely tied to their previous work. Online public reactions were mixed and highly divided. One user noted that Inspire “can quickly replicate whatever DJI releases,” questioning its originality. Another commented on the absence of non-compete agreements, asking why such safeguards were not enforced. A few users stated that such disputes are common in the drone industry and not entirely surprising. Others defended Inspire, emphasising that DJI had previously imitated competitors in other product segments. Some users highlighted the importance of patents, calling them a “red line” that must not be crossed in the tech sector. Meanwhile, others adopted a balanced view, noting that both companies have strengths and contribute to innovation.

INDIA WATCH 

People's Daily Article Discusses India’s Water Crisis: An article published in People's Daily analyzed the water crisis across India. Citing data from NITI Aayog, the article notes that nearly 600 million people across India are affected by this crisis. It highlighted the situation in New Delhi, where ammonia contamination in the Yamuna River has forced six major water treatment plants to shut down, disrupting supply to around 2 million residents. The article states that the city’s daily water demand significantly exceeds supply, with infrastructure gaps, inadequate water supply networks and limited purification capacity. It further emphasizes that water stress is also prevalent in other parts of India, with cities like Mumbai and Bangalore facing recurring shortages due to erratic monsoons, groundwater depletion and high population density. Drawing on World Bank data, the article points out that India holds only 4% of global water resources despite having 18% of the world’s population, and cautions that demand could double the supply by 2030. Further, it mentions that relevant authorities are taking measures, including deploying water tankers in New Delhi, expanding wastewater treatment capacity, promoting rainwater harvesting in Telangana and restoring traditional stepwells in Gujarat and Rajasthan to improve groundwater recharge.

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.