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NEWS IN CHINA

• China Holds Central Rural Work Conference to Set 2026 Priorities: China held its annual Central Rural Work Conference in Beijing on 29th and 30th December, outlining key priorities for agriculture and rural development in 2026. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for solidly advancing rural revitalization across the country and promoting integrated urban-rural development, with a strong emphasis on agricultural modernization. He noted that 2026 marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan period and stressed the importance of ensuring grain production, keeping prices of key agricultural products stable, and promoting steady income growth for farmers. Xi also called for consolidating gains in poverty alleviation to prevent large-scale relapse into poverty, while adopting region-specific measures to improve rural living conditions. The conference highlighted the need to strengthen agricultural capacity, advance crop improvement and farmland protection, push technological innovation in agriculture, and deepen rural reforms, including extending rural land contracts upon their expiration.
  
  
• China’s AS700 Manned Airship Enters Mass Production Stage: China’s domestically developed AS700 manned airship “Xiangyun” has entered the mass production stage after receiving its first production certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China. The certification marks the first time a domestically produced manned airship developed in line with airworthiness standards is cleared for large-scale manufacturing. The AS700, developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), had previously obtained its type certificate in December 2023. Since 2024, the airship has completed over 180 test flights across multiple application scenarios, accumulating more than 600 flight hours. Chinese officials said the approval paves the way for large-scale delivery and commercial use, with potential applications including low-altitude tourism, urban security, and public service operations.
  
  
• China Releases Funds to Support 2026 Consumer Goods Trade-In Program: China’s National Development and Reform Commission has allocated 62.5 billion yuan in advance from ultra-long special treasury bond funds to support the consumer goods trade-in program in 2026. The early release of funds, arranged jointly with the Ministry of Finance, is intended to maintain policy continuity and boost consumption during the New Year and Spring Festival period. Authorities said that subsidies will continue to cover automobiles and major household appliances, while support will be expanded to digital and smart products, including AI-enabled and elderly-friendly devices. The program will also extend to equipment renewals in areas such as lifts in older residential buildings and facilities used in elderly care and emergency services, in line with China’s broader push to expand domestic demand.
  
  
• China Opposes Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland at UN Security Council Meeting: China has expressed firm opposition to Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state, calling the move a violation of international law and a threat to regional stability. Speaking at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on 29 December, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, Sun Lei, said Somaliland is an integral part of Somalia and highlighted China’s support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. Sun warned that Israel’s decision could further destabilize the Horn of Africa and drew attention to concerns raised by regional organizations and countries. He urged Israel to withdraw its decision and called on external actors to refrain from interfering in Somalia’s internal affairs. China also appealed to Somaliland authorities to halt separatist activities and return to dialogue with Somalia’s federal government, while encouraging the international community to support Somalia’s political transition and security efforts.
  
  
• China’s Grain Purchases Reach 415 Million Tonnes in 2025: China’s grain purchases in 2025 totaled 415 million tonnes, remaining above the 400-million-tonne mark for the third consecutive year, according to a national work conference on food and strategic reserves held this week. Officials said grain markets stayed broadly stable throughout the year, with prices showing signs of gradual recovery. More than 90 percent of grain purchases were market-driven, supported by improved financing conditions, expanded storage capacity, and participation from both state-owned and private enterprises. Purchases under the minimum grain price scheme accounted for about 22.5 million tonnes of wheat and rice, helping to stabilize market demand and safeguard food security. Official data also showed that China’s grain output reached a record 714.88 million tonnes in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 1.2 percent. 

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Parent’s Death During School Gate Duty Triggers Online Debate: A case from Zhangjiajie trended on Chinese social media Weibo after a 45-year-old parent collapsed and later died while standing guard at the gate of Tianmen elementary school on 29 December. Local education authorities said the parent died following a sudden illness and stated that participation in the school safety post was voluntary, with relevant departments handling the matter. However, the incident sparked widespread debate online, with many netizens questioning whether parents are now expected to stand guard at school gates without pay. Comments criticized the arrangement as unreasonable, with users asking, “Who would do this willingly?” and describing the system as a “nonsensical invention”. Others expressed doubt over claims of voluntariness, arguing that social pressure leaves parents with little choice. The discussion has expanded into a broader debate on school safety responsibilities, parental obligations, and the boundaries between voluntary participation and informal coercion. Some users pointed out that kindergartens reportedly ask parents to coordinate with others if they wish to take leave, leading to confusion over what “leave” actually means, given that parents are neither employees nor students of the school. Others argued that if participation is truly voluntary, parents should simply be able to opt out without explanation. 

INDIA WATCH

Chinese Media Reacts to Upcoming Bollywood Film on Galwan Clash: Chinese media platform Global Times commented that the upcoming Bollywood film ‘Battle of Galwan’ will not affect China’s claim over the “sacred territory”. It frames the film as an example of popular culture being used to advance one-sided narratives, rather than as a purely entertainment product. The article also criticizes the actor of the film for choosing oversimplistic and unrealistic scripts. Chinese commentary also states that border-related issues are sensitive matters tied to national sovereignty, and warns against narratives that, in its view, misrepresent facts or inflame sentiment. The article claims that Chinese actions in Galwan were taken as “necessary measures” to strengthen its control in border areas. It reiterates China’s old rhetoric of only four PLA soldiers being killed while “safeguarding national sovereignty”. One Chinese scholar also argues that the film’s timing is inappropriate considering that India-China relations are recently showing some signs of normalcy and the film may reignite antagonistic sentiments. 

Prepared By

Mohit Singh Mehra

Mohit Singh Mehra is a Master’s student of International Relations at South Asian University, New Delhi. His academic and research interests focus on China, Himalayan geopolitics, and border dynamics, with a particular emphasis on strategic, security, and political developments in the region. He is interested in understanding how geography, power, and policy interact in shaping regional order in Asia.