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NEWS IN CHINA

• China and Sweden Mark 75 Years of Diplomatic Ties with Push for Trade Expansion: China’s Vice Minister of Commerce and International Trade Negotiation Representative, Li Chenggang, met with Swedish Minister for Foreign Aid and Foreign Trade, Johan Forssell Dusa, in Stockholm. The dialogue highlighted efforts to strengthen China-Sweden and China-EU trade relations. Marking the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, Li reaffirmed China’s commitment to opening its market further and willingness to expand imports of high-quality Swedish goods. He invited Sweden to serve as Guest of Honor at this year’s China International Import Expo (CIIE) and urged for a fair business environment for Chinese firms in Sweden. He also emphasized Sweden’s potential role within the EU to promote China-EU cooperation and resolve trade disputes. Dusa welcomed stronger economic ties, highlighting Sweden’s support for multilateralism, free trade, and green innovation. He encouraged closer collaboration between Swedish and Chinese businesses to drive sustainable growth and innovation in future trade relations.

• China Launches Landmark Universal Childcare Subsidy Program: China is set to roll out a major nationwide childcare subsidy from August 2025, offering 3,600 yuan annually per child under the age of three, regardless of family size. The initiative, backed by a central government budget of around 90 billion yuan, was unveiled at a State Council Information Office press conference. Officials emphasized that this is the country's first large-scale, universal cash subsidy aimed at supporting early childhood care and family welfare. Applications for the subsidy will begin in late August, with full availability across regions by August 31. Citizens can apply online through the national childcare subsidy system, provincial government service platforms, and third-party apps like Alipay and WeChat. Offline options at local offices are also available for those without digital access. The application process requires basic documents such as the child’s birth certificate and household registration booklet.

• Wang Yi Meets US-China Business Council Delegation: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with a delegation from the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC) in Beijing, emphasizing China’s consistent and stable approach to U.S. relations. Amid global turbulence, Wang stressed the importance of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation in advancing bilateral ties. He highlighted China’s readiness to manage differences, avoid misjudgments, and build more communication channels with the U.S. to foster a pragmatic and strategic understanding. Wang noted China’s steady economic growth and reaffirmed its commitment to high-level opening-up, calling on American businesses to maintain confidence and investment in the Chinese market. USCBC representatives praised China’s signals of continued openness and emphasized the centrality of U.S.-China relations in global affairs. They committed to deepening cooperation in trade, innovation, green development, and healthcare, and pledged to foster stronger people-to-people ties while supporting a stable, balanced, and mutually beneficial U.S.-China partnership. USCBC Chairman of the Board of Directors Mark Riesberg, Thermo Fisher Scientific Chairman Steve Gospel, Otis Global Chairman Judy, Goldman Sachs President and COO Anthony Wenzel, Boeing Senior Vice President and Global Group President Steve Nelson, United Family Healthcare Founder and Vice Chairman Jennifer Lipson, Apple Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan, and USCBC President Sam Tan were at the meeting as US representatives.

• Politburo Decides to Convene Fourth Plenary Session: The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee decided to hold the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee in October 2025, with a focus on assessing China’s economic situation and preparing the 15th Five-Year Plan. Presided over by General Secretary Xi Jinping, the meeting emphasized the critical importance of the upcoming planning period for achieving socialist modernization and addressing growing domestic and global uncertainties. While acknowledging mounting risks and challenges, the leadership highlighted China’s strong economic foundation, resilience, and structural advantages. The meeting stressed the need for strategic focus, self-reliance, and continued reforms to maintain momentum in high-quality development and modernization efforts. The CPC also reaffirmed its commitment to Xi Jinping Thought and long-term socialist goals, calling for coordinated national strategies to promote inclusive growth, strengthen security, and deepen international cooperation.

• China Undertakes Disaster Relief Efforts in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei: On July 30, multiple Chinese government agencies mobilized extensive disaster relief resources to support flood-affected regions in Tianjin and Hebei. The Office of the National Disaster Prevention and Relief Committee, the Ministry of Emergency Management, and the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration jointly dispatched 44,000 pieces of central disaster relief supplies, including tents, folding beds, blankets, towels, and emergency lighting. Additionally, under the government-society collaborative emergency response system, around 160,000 donated items such as food, clean water, toiletries, power banks, generators, and sanitary kits were delivered to disaster-stricken areas in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei. So far, there are 38 confirmed fatalities and 80,000 people have been displaced.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Xiamen University Student Sparks Outrage After Insulting National Athletes: A student from Xiamen University’s School of Foreign Languages and Literature has triggered a nationwide backlash after allegedly insulting Chinese national athletes on social media. On July 30, the university issued an official statement acknowledging the incident, stating that they have launched an investigation and will take disciplinary action based on its outcome. The controversy quickly went viral on Chinese platforms like Weibo and Douyin, with the hashtag #XiamenUniversityAnnouncesStudentInsultsNationalAthletes trending widely. Netizens reacted with anger and disbelief, calling for strict consequences and accusing the student of lacking patriotism. Many users emphasized the pride and sacrifices of national athletes, stating that such remarks were unacceptable from a student of a top university. Some called for improved civic education in universities, while others debated freedom of expression versus national respect. The incident has reignited discussions about online behavior, national dignity, and youth responsibility in the digital era.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Article Discusses Trump’s India Tariff Threat: U.S. President Donald Trump announced via his platform "Real Social" that a 25% tariff on Indian goods would take effect from August 1, citing India’s “improper behavior.” The announcement immediately shook Asian markets, with the Indian rupee plunging to its weakest level since March, dropping 0.4% to 87.14 against the U.S. dollar. In a Guancha article, the author, Lai Jiaqi, emphasizes Trump’s tariff ultimatum to India amid stalled trade talks, citing his blunt warning: “They’re going to pay 25 percent.” The piece highlights U.S. frustration over India’s high tariffs, restricted agricultural access, and digital taxes. It also notes India’s tactical delay, aiming for a September deal while preparing for temporary tariff imposition. On Chinese social media platforms like Weibo, Trump’s move drew mixed reactions; some users mocked the unpredictability of U.S. trade policy, while others speculated whether India would retaliate. 

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.