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NEWS IN CHINA

• CPC Politburo Reviews Party Group Work Reports: The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee convened a meeting chaired by Xi Jinping. The meeting reviewed the Comprehensive Report on the Hearing and Study of Work Reports from the leading Party Groups of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, the State Council, the CPPCC National Committee, the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, and the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee. The meeting affirmed the achievements of these Party Groups in 2025, noting their adherence to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It also noted their firm support for the CPC Central Committee’s authority, and their contributions to completing the goals of the 14th Five-Year Plan. The Secretariat was praised for implementing central decisions, strengthening Party regulations, guiding mass organizations, and reducing burdens at the grassroots level. The Party Groups were urged to uphold centralized leadership, pursue progress and focus on strategic tasks in the sphere of economic and social development. They were further encouraged to strengthen Party governance, establish correct performance views, and ensure high-quality implementation of central directives.
  
  

• Local Congresses Outline 2026 Investment Priorities: Local People’s Congresses and Political Consultative Conferences set investment priorities for 2026, emphasizing a shift toward balancing material and human capital. Many regions are set to focus on “optimizing the structure of government investment,” with greater allocations to livelihood projects while also stimulating private investment in new industries. Beijing’s Work Report highlights adding 35,000 parking spaces, 30,000 charging piles, 5,000 elderly care beds, and raising affordable childcare coverage to 68%. Zhejiang plans to renovate 800 km of rural water supply networks, build 700 km of “happy rivers and lakes,” and expand rural employment opportunities. Shandong will increase high school places and promote health and wellness tourism. National officials stress that investment must combine goods and people, boosting consumption and urban renewal while addressing gaps in innovation and infrastructure. Analysts note a restructuring from “material-centric” to “dual emphasis,” with more funds directed to education and healthcare. Meanwhile, provinces like Jiangxi and Zhejiang are encouraging private capital in high-tech, modern services, and clean energy. Data shows private participation in nuclear projects approved by the state rose to 10–20% by 2025, with infrastructure investment reaching 21.8%.
  
  

• China CDC Issues Reporting Rules for Emerging Infectious Diseases: China’s National Center for Disease Control and Prevention has released the Management Guidelines for Infectious Disease Information Reporting (2026 Edition), further tightening requirements for reporting infectious disease information and strengthening early warning capabilities. The updated guidelines clarify the responsibilities of institutions and individuals, with a focus on emerging infectious diseases, sudden outbreaks of unknown cause, and other diseases requiring key monitoring. Under the new rules, reporting units and personnel must report confirmed cases, carriers, or suspected cases of Class A infectious diseases, as well as Class B diseases managed as Class A, such as pulmonary anthrax and SARS, within two hours through the national infectious disease reporting network. The same requirement applies to newly emerging infectious diseases and unexplained outbreaks. The guidelines also reinforce the first-visit responsibility system in medical institutions. Doctors who first encounter a reportable case are required to generate electronic reports using standardized infectious disease reporting cards and submit them through designated digital systems. In addition, the new guidelines encourage wider use of pre-monitoring and early warning software in healthcare facilities.
  
  

• China Issues New Policy Package to Accelerate Urban Renewal: China’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development have jointly released a new policy package to speed up urban renewal, focusing on revitalizing aging city centers and industrial zones. The measures aim to ease land-use rules, simplify planning approvals, and introduce flexible leasing options to attract investment and modernize urban cores. It follows a policy framework released in 2023 and the reforms target bottlenecks in planning, land use, and property rights that have slowed redevelopment. Urban renewal, defined as upgrading old neighborhoods, industrial areas, and infrastructure, is central to China’s 2030 vision of creating more livable, resilient, and vibrant cities. Key changes include “flexible planning,” allowing local authorities to make technical corrections to neighborhood blueprints without lengthy revision processes. On financing, a new land-leasing option lowers barriers for smaller businesses and pre-registration of property rights ensures ownership stability during renovations. According to experts, the package shows China’s shift from expansion to improvement, towards a major effort to unlock investment and consumption through modernizing existing urban infrastructure.
  
  

• Shanghai Police Crack Down on Non-Motorized Vehicle Violations: Shanghai traffic police conducted a focused crackdown on non-motorized vehicle violations at the intersection of Waima Road and Bansongyuan Road in Huangpu District on January 30. The traffic police handled 15 violations within one hour, mostly for speeding. The enforcement was part of a city-led campaign launched in February 2025 to target six types of high-risk violations and improve overall road safety. Authorities apply a tiered penalty system, under which first-time speeding offenders receive a warning, the second a 30-yuan fine, and the third a 50-yuan fine. Elderly mobility scooters are warned first, fined for repeat offenses, and vehicles for the disabled are checked for illegal modifications and certification. The city has also deployed “section speed measurement” and electronic police in high-risk areas. Police are addressing other violations, including running red lights, riding without helmets, and illegal modifications such as canopies and high-powered LED lights. Targeted actions at tourist spots, bus stops, and ferry terminals have significantly reduced unsafe practices. Authorities continue weekly unified operations to maintain safe non-motorized vehicle traffic throughout Shanghai.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Buzz Over Chongqing Restaurant Using Dual Menus: A post with the hashtag #ChongqingNotifiesRestaurantofUsingTwoMenus is going viral on Weibo. The post concerns a notice issued by the Shapingba District Market Supervision Administration, which confirmed that a local restaurant used two menus with different pricing. Authorities said the restaurant has been ordered to suspend operations for rectification, refund all fees, and will face further penalties in accordance with the law. Public reaction has been supportive of the regulators’ prompt response. One user applauded the prompt action taken by the regulatory authority and commented, “Thumbs up for Shapingba” and another user also appreciated the comment, noting, “Kudos to market supervision for protecting consumer rights.” Numerous other netizens said that the case gave consumers more power to defend their rights, noting that “dishonest pricing is a long-standing problem in parts of the catering sector.” Others shared personal experiences where barbecue stalls were selling items without clear price tags. Several commenters criticized the restaurant’s lack of integrity, saying such behavior “disgraces Chongqing,” and others stressed that most businesses operate honestly and that strict oversight helps maintain trust.

INDIA WATCH

Sina Discusses WHO’s Praise for India’s Nipah Outbreak Response: Sina discusses the latest Nipah virus cases in India, noting that the confirmation of two infections in West Bengal has once again drawn attention to the country’s preparedness for rare but deadly zoonotic diseases. The article cited the World Health Organization (WHO) and noted that this is India’s seventh recorded Nipah outbreak and the third in West Bengal, following incidents in 2001 and 2007. It further added that the Nipah-infected patients are nurses at a private hospital, with one in critical condition and the other patient recovering. The article points out that Nipah outbreaks in the WHO Southeast Asia region have so far been limited to India and Bangladesh and have remained small in scale, with no evidence of international spread through travel. It further suggests that the virus is highly dangerous and that its transmission remains relatively contained when prompt public health measures are in place. The article notes that India has moved quickly to contain this outbreak by dispatching a central response team, strengthening surveillance, and expanding laboratory testing. As of January 27, no new cases had been reported, indicating that containment efforts may be effective. Sina also highlights a key concern raised by the WHO that there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for the Nipah virus, which makes early detection, rapid isolation, and strict infection control essential.

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.