CiCM 25th April 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

The Politburo Reviews Economic Progress and Outlines Future Priorities: The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee convened a meeting on Friday to review the current economic landscape and guide upcoming economic efforts. Presided over by General Secretary Xi Jinping, the meeting claimed the steady improvement in economy and increasing public confidence, while emphasizing the need to further strengthen the foundation for sustained recovery amid a complex global environment. Key priorities include aligning domestic and international economic policies, maintaining stability in employment and businesses, managing expectations, and ensuring the continuity of high-quality development despite global uncertainties. The meeting underscored the importance of proactive fiscal and monetary policies, highlighting the use of special-purpose bonds, treasury bonds and policy tools to support innovation, foreign trade and domestic consumption. Key measures include boosting low- and middle-income earnings, removing consumption sector restrictions, introducing a re-lending facility for service consumption and elderly care. The meeting highlighted developing new industries, launching a “sci-tech board” in the bond market, and advancing the "AI Plus" initiative. It also stressed on managing risks in critical areas such as local government debt, real estate stability, and capital market vitality. On increasing consumption capacity, the meeting proposed increasing unemployment insurance returns to impacted enterprises, strengthening agricultural production, and stabilizing food prices.

China to Review Draft Ecological Environment Code: A draft Ecological Environment Code is set to be reviewed for the first time by Chinese lawmakers during the upcoming session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), according to Huang Haihua, spokesperson for the NPC Standing Committee’s Legislative Affairs Commission. The draft represents a comprehensive integration and codification of over 30 existing environmental laws, aimed at enhancing the systematic, coordinated and effective governance of ecological and environmental matters in China. Huang noted that the code incorporates essential principles from current legislation on river basins, regions, biodiversity and natural resources, while also addressing emerging priorities such as green development, circular economy, energy conservation and climate change mitigation. Furthermore, it includes provisions that support China's goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.

China and Switzerland Call for Upgradation in Free Trade Agreement: China and Switzerland have reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating negotiations on upgrading their bilateral Free Trade Agreement, as highlighted by Swiss Federal Councillor and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis during his visit to Beijing. Speaking after the discussion with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Cassis emphasized the positive performance of the current agreement, which has significantly boosted bilateral trade. The negotiations, which began in October 2023, aim to modernize the 2013 agreement—the first FTA China signed with a European nation. Since then, Swiss exports to China have nearly doubled, while imports from China have also grown by almost 60 percent. Cassis noted that the evolving global landscape necessitates the inclusion of emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and digitalization in the updated agreement. Highlighting China’s role as Switzerland’s key partner in Asia, Cassis underlined the enduring strength of economic, technological, and diplomatic ties between the two nations.

China Approves New Cross-Border E-Commerce Pilot Zones to Support Trade Innovation: The State Council approved the establishment of cross-border e-commerce comprehensive pilot zones in 15 new regions on Friday, including the entire island of Hainan and cities such as Qinhuangdao and Dandong. Concurrently, previous pilot zones in Haikou, Sanya, and Alashankou were officially abolished. The newly approved cities and regions include Qinhuangdao, Baoding, Erenhot, Dandong, Chuzhou, Sanming, Kaifeng, Xinxiang, Ezhou, Shaoyang, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Guang’an, and Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture. It emphasizes leveraging cross-border e-commerce to assist in the transformation and digitalization of traditional industries, upgrade foreign trade and contribute to China’s trade facilitation. The plan highlights balanced progress, national security, personal information protection and a fair business environment. Relevant departments are tasked with offering policy guidance, encouraging innovation and supporting the zones’ effective development. Efforts will focus on innovation in technical standards, business processes, regulatory frameworks and information infrastructure, especially concerning B2B cross-border e-commerce models.

China and Vietnam Conduct First Joint Coast Guard Patrol of 2025: China and Vietnam recently concluded their first joint coast guard patrol of 2025 in the Beibu Gulf from Tuesday to Thursday, with an aim to strengthen maritime law enforcement cooperation. China Coast Guard vessels Yongxing and Xisha collaborated with Vietnam’s coast guard ships 8004 and 8003, covering 255.5 nautical miles over 51.6 hours. The patrol followed a pre-agreed route along the maritime boundary, monitoring fishing activities, conducting public outreach and observing 18 fishing vessels. A joint maritime search and rescue exercise further enhanced coordination and emergency response capabilities. Marking the 29th such patrol since 2006, this initiative supports the implementation of high-level consensus between both countries. According to statement issued by China Coast Guard, it contributes to safeguarding maritime order, promoting sustainable fishery practices and maintaining regional stability. Moving forward, both sides aim to deepen their maritime collaboration and contribute to peace and stability in the region, supporting the broader goal of building a strategic China-Vietnam community with a shared future, as stated by official statement.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Xinjiang Police Officer Receives Praise for Rescuing a Young Child: In Luopu County, Xinjiang, a female auxiliary police officer Bupatim Abudukadir’s bravery captured hearts nationwide after she rescued a two-year-old girl trapped in a 40-metre-deep, 40cm-wide abandoned well. Volunteering for the mission, she carefully descended with a safety rope and successfully brought the child to safety. Both received medical attention and are now in stable condition. Her courageous act was recognized by the Luopu County Public Security Bureau with a promotion and by Xinjiang Daily with a “Positive Energy Special Award.” Besides these recognitions, people on social media also praised her bravery. One person said: “40 metres is like falling from a 10-storey building. I looked out my window just now, I do not think I could do it.” While another online observer added: “Not only should she be made a permanent police officer, but she must also be heavily rewarded.”

INDIA WATCH

Chinese Media Assesses Impact of Indus Water Treaty Suspension on India-Pakistan Relations: Chinese media outlet The Paper reports on India’s decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty as a retaliatory measure against Pakistan in the wake of Pahalgam attack. The article cites Pakistan’s power and water resources ministry statements which put the onus on India for violating international consensus. However, the article recognizes that India has always followed the treaty requirements despite being an upper riparian state, while also mentioning that Pakistan has majorly benefitted from the treaty compared to India until now. It notes that 70 percent of Pakistan’s irrigation and domestic water needs are fulfilled by Indus River and its tributaries. Thus, it argues that suspension of the treaty will have severe impact on Pakistan’s food security, drinking water availability and economic stability. It further highlights that Pakistan is already facing issues like groundwater depletion, salinization of agricultural land. It also mentions potential drought and flood threats to Pakistan during monsoon due to irregular flow of water from the Indian side. The article also quotes analysts who have advised Pakistan to raise the issue in international organisations for support and concludes that international community would be more concerned about the possibility of an armed conflict.

Prepared By

Cherukuri Venkata Subramanya Sai Narayana

Cherukuri Venkata Subramanya Sai Narayana holds a Master’s degree in Police and Security Studies from the School of Police Science and Security Studies, National Forensic Science University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. He has a strong academic interest in conflict and security studies, with a particular focus on maritime security. During his postgraduate studies, he authored a thesis on India’s Maritime Security: Dealing with Alliances and Conflicts in the Indian Ocean Region. He remains actively engaged in analyzing global events, applying his knowledge and expertise to assess geopolitical developments with a critical perspective.