Daily Conversations Daily Conversations

NEWS IN CHINA

• Xi Jinping Calls for Deeper China-Egypt Cooperation: Chinese President Xi Jinping called on China and Egypt to strengthen mutual support and deepen cooperation during talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as he began a state visit to Egypt. Xi said the two countries should expand cooperation in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, communications, green energy, electric vehicles, aerospace and the digital economy. He also called for greater exchanges in education, science and technology, healthcare and culture. The two leaders discussed strengthening security cooperation and coordination through multilateral platforms, including the United Nations and BRICS. China and Egypt also signed more than 20 cooperation documents covering artificial intelligence, digital economy, science and technology, education, transportation, and industrial and supply-chain cooperation. Xi also proposed a four-point approach to building a new security architecture in the Middle East. He called for greater regional dialogue, reduced external interference, comprehensive efforts to address conflicts, and continued attention to the Palestinian issue. He also stressed development, international law and the UN Charter as foundations for regional security. Sisi welcomed closer cooperation with China and reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to advancing the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.
  
  
• Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang Meets President Putin at Eastern Economic Forum: Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok on the sidelines of the 11th Eastern Economic Forum. Ding conveyed President Xi Jinping’s greetings to Putin and said China-Russia relations have continued to deepen under the strategic guidance of both leaders. He said China is ready to implement the latest consensus reached by Xi and Putin and expand cooperation in areas including investment and energy. Ding also highlighted the potential for greater cooperation in developing Russia’s Far East. He called for stronger coordination between China’s Northeast revitalisation strategy and Russia’s Far East development strategy through existing cooperation mechanisms. Putin asked Ding to convey his greetings to Xi and welcomed his participation in the forum. He said Russia-China relations have reached an unprecedented level, with cooperation making progress across various fields. Putin also noted that 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Russia-China Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation. He said Russia is ready to strengthen strategic coordination with China and advance bilateral relations to a higher level.
  
  
• Ministry of Natural Resources Reports Major Copper-Gold Discovery in Anhui: China has reported a breakthrough in copper and gold exploration in the Chating region of Xuancheng, Anhui province, with the discovery expected to support the development of a large-scale mineral resource base in East China, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources. Located in the Yangtze River Delta, the deposit is situated beneath a volcanic basin, a geological setting previously considered less favourable for the formation of large porphyry copper deposits. The main ore body is about 1.2 kilometres long and 1.1 kilometres wide, while its maximum apparent thickness in a single borehole reaches 1,371 metres. The deep ore bodies have not yet been fully explored, leaving scope for further increases in estimated resources and reserves. Silver and sulfur can also be recovered as associated minerals. The ministry said the site could eventually become a super-large copper-gold production base in East China. Researchers said its development could strengthen domestic copper and gold supply in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and reduce reliance on imports. Authorities said the findings point to further exploration potential in volcanic basins across Anhui and Jiangsu and plan to expand geological exploration in the region during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30).
  
  
• Mainland China Criticises Taiwan’s Planned 2027 Defence Budget Increase: Mainland Chinese spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, Zhang Han, criticised Taiwan authorities led by Lai Ching-te for raising the island’s 2027 defence budget to more than 1 trillion New Taiwan dollars (about $31 billion). Zhang said the increased spending would bring serious consequences for people in Taiwan. She accused the Lai administration of pursuing a separatist agenda, increasing tensions across the Taiwan Strait and diverting public funds toward defence spending. Zhang stated the mainland remains committed to safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity and opposes activities seeking “Taiwan independence.” She also called on people in Taiwan to oppose such activities. Taiwan’s executive authorities approved the 2027 general budget on August 20, with defence spending exceeding 1 trillion New Taiwan dollars for the first time. The allocation accounts for roughly 29 per cent of the island’s total government expenditure.
  
  
• Cyberspace Administration Steps Up Crackdown on Illegal AI Content: China has removed more than 5.61 million pieces of illegal and inappropriate AI-related content and suspended over 49,000 accounts as part of a nationwide campaign, according to the Cyberspace Administration of China. Launched in July, the campaign targets AI-generated content involving false information, violence, vulgarity, impersonation and violations of children’s rights. More than 2,400 websites and apps have also been shut down. Authorities penalised accounts on platforms including Kuaishou, Xiaohongshu, Douyin and WeChat for using AI to fabricate disaster and rescue scenes, create false social trends, promote superstitious content and conduct deceptive marketing. Some accounts were also penalised for using face-swapping and voice-cloning technologies to impersonate public figures and generate misleading content. The campaign also targeted the mass distribution of AI-generated violent material and content that mocked or demeaned minors. The Cyberspace Administration said it would continue monitoring AI-related risks and strengthen measures against the misuse of AI-generated content while supporting the orderly development of AI applications.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users React to Growing Number of Foreign Patients Seeking Treatment in China: A viral Weibo discussion focused on a 59-year-old New Zealand patient, who reportedly became the first foreign patient to receive solid-tumour CAR-T cell treatment in China. The post highlighted the reported 990,000-yuan cost of the treatment. It argued that foreign patients are drawn to China not only by prices but also by medical expertise, treatment speed and access to advanced therapies. It cited National Health Commission data showing that cross-border medical services generated more than 80 billion yuan in revenue during the first three quarters of 2025, while international patient numbers at key hospitals had risen substantially. The discussion prompted mixed reactions online. One user wrote, “I hope the relevant departments can raise the medical price of foreigners as soon as possible”, stressing that overseas medical demand could help offset China’s services trade deficit. Another said, “Technological progress deserves recognition, but we must also objectively recognise that cell therapy still has many limitations.” Other users viewed the trend as evidence of progress in China’s biopharmaceutical sector and growing international demand, while stressing that access to advanced treatments should not come at the expense of ordinary patients.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Discusses Rising Japanese Business Interest in India: A Guancha article discusses growing interest from Japanese companies in India as they seek new opportunities for trade and investment. The article noted that Japanese consumer brands including Uniqlo, MUJI and Onitsuka Tiger are expanding their presence, while convenience store chain Lawson plans to establish a large retail network. According to the article, Japanese financial institutions are also increasing investments, with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group acquiring a 20% stake in Shriram Finance for $4.4 billion in 2025. It attributed the trend partly to Japan’s shrinking domestic market and changing conditions in other major economies. The article mentioned that Japanese companies are diversifying supply chains and investments amid geopolitical and economic uncertainties, rather than collectively withdrawing from China. It also emphasised that India’s manufacturing ambitions and Japan’s economic-security priorities are seen as creating greater opportunities for cooperation. However, citing experts, the article underscored that Japan remains deeply integrated with China’s manufacturing system, limiting the scope for a rapid economic shift toward India. It concluded by highlighting India’s tax-policy uncertainty, bureaucratic procedures and business environment could continue to pose obstacles to Japanese investment.

Prepared By

Arushi Sharma

Arushi Sharma is a Research Intern at Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA). She is a recent postgraduate in East Asian Studies from the University of Delhi and holds a Bachelor's degree in Chinese Language from K.R. Mangalam University. She has previously worked as a Subject Matter Expert in Mandarin Language at Unacademy. Her primary research interests focus on China's domestic politics and international economic statecraft.