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NEWS IN CHINA

• Geological Disaster Alert Raised to Level III in Gansu and Qinghai: In response to worsening weather conditions and heightened geological risks, China’s Ministry of Natural Resources has raised the disaster prevention alert in central and southern Gansu and eastern Qinghai to Level III. This decision, made at 6:00 PM on August 3, 2025, follows a joint forecast by meteorological authorities and a comprehensive risk assessment from the Ministry’s Geological Hazard Technical Guidance Center. The forecast warns of a high likelihood of landslides, mudslides, and other geological disasters in the region over the next 24 hours. In line with its Geological Hazard Prevention and Response Work Plan, the Ministry has deployed a working group led by senior officials to both provinces to oversee local preparedness and provide technical support. Residents in affected areas have been advised to stay alert and follow official safety instructions as the situation develops.
• China-Russia Launch Full Maritime Phase of “Joint Sea-2025” Naval Drills: On August 3, 2025, the China-Russia "Joint Sea-2025" naval exercise entered its full maritime phase as fleets from both nations departed a military port toward waters near Vladivostok. The operation began at around 5:00 a.m., with Chinese and Russian warships including the Xihu, Shaoxing, Urumqi, Admiral Tributs, and Loud forming a mixed fleet en route to the designated mission zone. En route, the joint flotilla established communication links and exchanged data on meteorological and hydrological conditions. Prior to deployment, a joint command team conducted map-based simulations and planning sessions, focusing on operational coordination and safety procedures. Over the next three days, the drill will include a range of activities such as submarine rescue, anti-submarine warfare, air defense, anti-missile operations, and live-fire exercises. The joint training aims to strengthen interoperability and assess the effectiveness of early coordination between the two navies.
  
  
• China’s Economic Momentum Strengthens as IMF Raises Growth Forecast: In a notable revision, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised China’s 2025 growth forecast from 4% to 4.8%, citing strong first-half performance and resilience amid global uncertainty. The 2026 forecast was also bumped up to 4.2%. The IMF’s update, themed “Fragile Resilience Amid Persistent Uncertainty,” underscores China’s economic durability, driven by structural reforms, domestic demand, innovation, and stable exports. Domestic consumption now accounts for over 68% of GDP growth, with policy measures bolstering internal demand. Despite trade tensions, China’s exports remain resilient, reaching record highs in 2024. Technological innovation especially in AI and high-tech manufacturing has strengthened economic fundamentals, with equipment manufacturing alone growing by 9% in May 2025. Global financial institutions like Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley have echoed IMF’s optimism. China’s continued growth is not only stabilizing its own economy but also offering certainty and momentum to a fragile global recovery.
  
  
• Shanghai Launches High-Tech Hub to Revolutionize Elderly Care: Shanghai has unveiled its first dedicated elderly care technology industrial park in Minhang’s “Big Zero Bay” area, marking a major step in addressing the challenges of an aging population. Spanning 1.3 square kilometers, the park has already attracted over 50 companies focused on smart rehabilitation, senior-friendly home modifications, and telemedicine. Branded as a "Silicon Valley" for senior care, it represents a strategic move to integrate innovation with social need. The initiative aims to tackle key "pain points" in elderly care by accelerating the translation of research and development into practical community solutions. As Shanghai grapples with demographic shifts, this tech-driven approach seeks to ensure a smarter, more compassionate, and efficient care system for its elderly citizens. By turning technological progress into tangible benefits, the park sets a national example for how urban centers can prepare for the silver wave with innovation and inclusivity.
  
  
• Henan Transportation Chief Gao Jianli Set for Key Party Leadership Role: The Organization Department of the Henan Provincial Party Committee has announced that Gao Jianli, Director and Party Secretary of the Henan Provincial Department of Transportation, is proposed to be appointed as the Secretary of a provincial-level municipal party committee. Born in September 1970, Gao holds a doctorate in engineering and has long served within Henan’s transportation system. His notable roles include Director of the Provincial Road Transport Administration, Deputy Mayor of Puyang City (2018), and Executive Vice Mayor of Pingdingshan (2021). Since January 2023, he has led the Henan Provincial Department of Transportation. This potential promotion highlights the province’s ongoing leadership reshuffle, with recent changes including Zhang Hongwei's appointment as Xinyang's Party Secretary and Xu Xiangfeng’s elevation to Sanmenxia Party Secretary. Gao’s extensive experience in infrastructure and public administration positions him as a strong candidate to lead a major city in Henan.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Netizens Call for Reform on Artist Exploitation in China Through the Zhao Lusi Case: Chinese actress Zhao Lusi’s Weibo post accusing Galaxy Cool Entertainment of coercion and mistreatment has sparked viral outrage on artist rights. While her claims of withheld pay, contract manipulation, and health struggles triggered massive fan support online, what has set this apart is the scale and seriousness of engagement beyond fandom. Legal experts, mental health advocates, and media scholars have weighed in, framing Zhao’s case as symptomatic of systemic issues of opaque contracts, exploitation, and silence culture within China’s entertainment industry. The virality, driven by both grassroots and institutional voices, has catalyzed rare cross-sector discourse on labor ethics and calls for reform. The case now symbolizes the growing public demand for transparency, mental health safeguards, and artist autonomy in one of China’s most tightly controlled creative sectors.

INDIA WATCH

Foreign Universities Expand to India, Sparking Debate on Equity and Impact: The launch of UK and Australian university campuses India’s bold push to globalize its higher education system by hosting foreign universities has drawn significant attention, including from the South China Morning Post. Campuses such as the University of Southampton in Gurgaon are already operational, with institutions like the University of Bristol and La Trobe University set to follow. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has announced plans to establish 15 foreign campuses in India by the end of the year. The author comments that proponents argue this initiative could be transformative, offering globally-aligned education at home, reducing the high costs of studying abroad, and slowing India’s persistent brain drain, with over 1.3 million students leaving the country for higher studies in 2024 alone. However, the move has sparked debate among academics, policymakers, and education reformers. Scholars from Delhi University and O.P. Jindal Global University caution that these benefits may remain confined to elite, urban populations. Chinese analysts, while acknowledging the ambition behind the policy, question whether it can truly reverse the exodus of talent without deeper structural reforms. The initiative, they argue, will need to be matched by broader changes in Indian academia to ensure its impact is both meaningful and inclusive.

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.