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NEWS IN CHINA 

• China Highlights Innovation Drive at Zhongguancun Forum 2026: The 2026 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Meeting opened in Beijing on March 25, with Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang delivering the keynote speech. He highlighted China’s achievements in science and technology during the 14th Five-Year Plan, noting significant progress in innovation capacity and global influence. Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan, Ding emphasized accelerating high-level scientific self-reliance and building international science and technology innovation centers. He also mentioned President Xi Jinping’s deployment to expand Beijing’s innovation hub to the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and Shanghai’s to the Yangtze River Delta, alongside the Greater Bay Area, as three major drivers of China’s high-quality development. These regional centers aim to integrate resources, policies, and talent to strengthen innovation leadership and industrial transformation. Ding also proposed building a global science and technology community, urging openness and inclusiveness in innovation networks, cooperation in cutting-edge research, and fair governance to address risks and ethical challenges. The forum, themed “Deep Integration of Technological Innovation and Industrial Innovation,” drew around 1,000 participants, including scientists, business leaders, officials, and international organizations. Ding later toured the Zhongguancun Exhibition Center, engaging with researchers.
  
  
• Zhao Leji Meets Asian Leaders at Boao Forum: Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, held separate meetings with Azerbaijani National Assembly President Sahiba Gafarova and Kazakh First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar during the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026. In talks with Gafarova, Zhao highlighted the new stage of high‑quality development in China‑Azerbaijan relations under the guidance of Presidents Xi Jinping and Ilham Aliyev. He pledged to expand trade, investment, connectivity, and people‑to‑people exchanges, while strengthening legislative cooperation. Gafarova reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s adherence to the one‑China principle and expressed willingness to deepen cooperation across sectors. Zhao emphasized the strong political trust and comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Kazakhstan, noting Belt and Road cooperation as a key focus. Sklyar voiced support for President Xi’s global initiatives and expressed readiness to enhance collaboration in legislation, trade, and energy. Later, Zhao met with Boao Forum directors and advisors, stressing China’s commitment to global governance initiatives and ecological sustainability. He urged the Forum to uphold its Asian identity, intellectual guidance, and openness.
  
  
• China Unveils Top Ten Scientific Advances of 2025: The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) announced the Top Ten Scientific Advances in China for 2025, showcasing breakthroughs across space exploration, medicine, energy, and advanced materials. Among the highlights was the first-ever revelation of the lunar far-side evolution history and giant impact effects using samples from the Chang’e 6 probe, and the innovative large-scale preparation of flexible ultra-flat diamond films. Other achievements included operating a controlled nuclear fusion device at “hundreds of millions of degrees,” discovering ceramide receptors linked to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and breaking cross-species organ transplantation barriers by implanting gene-edited pig livers into humans. Other advances included studies on aging and deep-sea life, alongside breakthroughs in memory chips, nuclear fuel technology, and advanced solar cells for aerospace. The selection process involved four stages, with over 600 research achievements reviewed, narrowed to 30 candidates, and voted on by more than 3,000 experts, including 480 academicians, before final approval by the NSFC Advisory Committee.
  
  
• State Council Makes Personnel Changes: On March 25–26, the State Council announced a series of appointments and removals of senior officials across multiple departments. Xu Bijiu was appointed Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment, Liu Haibo as Deputy Director of the State Administration of Government Offices, Zhang Dongmei as Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, Yang Zhengwei as Deputy Director of the Development Research Center of the State Council, Yang Weiqun as Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, and Zheng Yongqiang as Deputy Commander of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. Meanwhile, Yang Weiqun was removed from his post as Vice Director of the China International Development Cooperation Agency; Zhang Yu from the State Administration of Government Offices; Huang Liuquan from his roles in the Macao Liaison Office and as National Security Technical Advisor; and Li Guo from his position as Vice Commander of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. At the provincial level, Wang Zhao was appointed Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province, while Gu Jun was named Vice Governor of Liaoning Province on March 25.
  
  
• China Moves to Build Nationwide Long-Term Care Insurance System: China released new guidelines to accelerate the establishment of a nationwide long-term care insurance system, aimed at supporting people unable to care for themselves and addressing challenges from an aging population. The policy, issued by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, defines long-term care insurance as a social insurance system providing basic living care and related medical services for the disabled. It targets building a unified, fair, and sustainable system covering both urban and rural residents within three years. The guidelines also emphasize standardized management, improved disability assessment, and stronger fund supervision, aiming to create a stable, inclusive system that enhances social security and supports long-term care needs nationwide. Authorities stated that the scheme will adopt a diversified financing model involving employers, individuals, and government subsidies, with contribution rates set at around 0.3 percent. Benefits will initially focus on severely disabled individuals, with reimbursement rates of about 50 percent for residents and 70 percent for employees. Since pilot programs began in 2016, about 310 million people have been enrolled. 
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER 

Weibo Users Mourn Zhang Xuefeng's Sudden Death at 41: A Weibo post with the hashtag #ZhangXuefengMemorialService# is going viral following the sudden death of Zhang Xuefeng at the age of 41 due to cardiac arrest. He was a prominent education influencer known for his candid exam guidance and controversial remarks.  Zhang built a reputation as a relatable voice for students and families navigating China’s highly competitive academic system. His practical advice and unfiltered opinions helped many avoid costly mistakes during crucial career decisions, earning him both admiration and controversy over the years. Online reactions have been overwhelmingly emotional and reflective. Many users expressed disbelief at the sudden loss, with one noting, “He illuminated so many paths, yet he himself left in such a hurry.” Others shared how they revisited his videos through the night, struggling to process the news. A strong theme across discussions has been the fragility of life, with comments urging people to prioritize health and pay attention to warning signs. Some users also noted the irony that someone who guided others so effectively may have overlooked personal well-being. While discussion around his views persists, the dominant sentiment remains one of gratitude and sorrow, as many remember him as a rare, honest voice who made a lasting impact.

INDIA WATCH 

Guancha Discusses India’s Rising Trade Deficit with China: An article in Guancha examined the rapid expansion of India’s trade deficit with China, noting it is likely to exceed $100 billion for the first time in the current fiscal year. Citing data from India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the article highlighted that imports from China have surged to nearly $120 billion; in comparison, exports are expected to remain below $20 billion, resulting in a significant imbalance. It pointed out that despite years of policy efforts such as “Make in India,” India’s reliance on Chinese inputs, including electronic components, machinery, chemicals, and pharmaceutical intermediates, continues to deepen. The article quoted Ajay Srivastava, who attributed the widening deficit to limited domestic manufacturing capacity and structural dependence on imports. It also cited N. R. Bhanumurthy, who noted China’s advantages in production scale, value addition, and control over critical resources such as rare earths. The article further pointed out that India’s export model often depends on imported intermediate goods, complicating efforts to reduce the deficit. It noted that the recent easing of investment restrictions on China may encourage localized production. Moreover, the article noted that without stronger industrial capacity and supply chain diversification, the trade gap is likely to persist.

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.