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NEWS IN CHINA

• Wang Yi Holds Strategic Dialogue With Russia’s Shoigu: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a strategic dialogue in Beijing with Sergei Shoigu, secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council. During this dialogue, Wang said the international community faces a real risk of regressing to the “law of the jungle” amid growing global turbulence and the erosion of post-war norms. Wang stressed that China and Russia, as major countries and permanent members of the UN Security Council, have a responsibility to uphold true multilateralism, safeguard the UN-centered international system, promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and advance inclusive economic globalization. He said the two sides should maintain close communication, strengthen mutual support on core interests, and protect shared interests as comprehensive strategic partners for a new era. Shoigu noted that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation and reaffirmed Russia’s adherence to the one-China principle, while voicing opposition to Japan’s accelerated push toward remilitarization. He also expressed Moscow’s willingness to deepen cooperation and coordination with China within multilateral frameworks, including the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS.
  
  

• China’s 2026 Spring Festival Travel Rush Set to Break Records: China’s annual Spring Festival travel rush will begin from 2nd February, with authorities expecting a record 9.5 billion inter-regional trips as the extended holiday fuels both family reunions and tourism. Private car travel is set to dominate, accounting for around 80 percent of all journeys, while railway and civil aviation passenger volumes are projected to reach 540 million and 95 million, respectively, both exceeding previous highs in total numbers and peak daily flows. The Spring Festival, which falls on February 17 this year, comes with a nine-day official holiday, and the travel rush will continue through March 13. In preparation for one of the most important periods for family reunions, transport authorities are increasing capacity and strengthening services at major hubs to ensure safe and smooth travel nationwide.
  
  

• China Coast Guard Steps Up Law Enforcement to Safeguard Maritime Order: The China Coast Guard has taken firm law-enforcement actions against foreign infringements and provocations over the past five years, officials said. The remarks were made as the Coast Guard Law marked its fifth anniversary on February 1, alongside continued efforts to fulfill international cooperation responsibilities. Director-general Zhang Jianming said the CCG has adopted situation-specific measures in accordance with the law to deter infringements, safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, and curb “Taiwan independence” separatist activities. Since 2021, the coast guard has deployed vessels about 550,000 times and aircraft over 6,000 times, including 134 patrols in the waters around the Diaoyu Islands, with patrols in 2025 covering 357 days. Regular patrols have also been conducted in the East China Sea, South China Sea and Yellow Sea, alongside sustained law-enforcement control in the waters around Huangyan Island. Officials said the CCG has improved sea-air integrated patrols, strengthened rapid response capabilities, and contributed to international maritime governance, drug-crime enforcement and environmental protection.
  
  

• China Warns of Foreign Agents Posing as Online Experts to Steal Sensitive Information: China’s Ministry of State Security has disclosed cases in which foreign intelligence operatives disguised themselves as industry experts or investment advisers to infiltrate professional online chat groups and extract sensitive information, including key technical data and internal policy details. According to a statement released on Sunday, some groups operating under labels such as “academic seminars” or “industry exchanges” illegally brought together members from sensitive units and encouraged cross-boundary sharing of internal documents through anonymous or temporary chats, turning legitimate platforms into grey zones for information leakage. The ministry said foreign agents often quietly created or infiltrated high-threshold professional groups, built trust among specialists, and then steered discussions toward sensitive areas to prompt disclosure of non-public information. It also warned that seemingly ordinary documents shared in group chats can form a comprehensive and sensitive picture of entire sectors, posing major risks if accounts are compromised. The ministry urged users to strictly follow confidentiality rules, avoid uploading classified or work-related sensitive materials. It also called on group administrators to enforce clear boundaries, shut down inappropriate discussions promptly, and remain vigilant against attempts to illegally obtain sensitive information.
  
  

• Chinese Court Sentences Myanmar-Based Criminal Gang Members: A court in Chongqing has sentenced five members of a notorious Myanmar-based criminal group for multiple offenses including fraud and intentional injury. The group’s ringleader, Xu Faqi, was given a death sentence with a two-year reprieve, while four other members received prison terms ranging from 14 years to life, based on their roles and the harm caused. The court found that since 2019, the group operating in Kokang in northern Myanmar collaborated with telecom fraud gangs, established several scam compounds and amassed more than 1.1 billion yuan in illegal gains. It also committed violent acts against people involved in fraud who resisted orders, resulting in one death and one injury. Xu was additionally convicted of plotting crimes such as smuggling and drug trafficking. The case was investigated by Chongqing police as part of a nationwide crackdown on cross-border crime, leading to Xu’s arrest in Myanmar in early 2024 and his transfer to China. The ruling follows a series of recent convictions against Myanmar-based fraud syndicates, underscoring China’s continued efforts to dismantle cross-border criminal networks targeting Chinese citizens.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Netizens Question Construction Safety After Wuhan Gantry Crane Collapse: The gantry crane collapse at the Xinchun Station construction site of Wuhan Metro Line 12 triggered heated online discussion on Weibo, with many netizens expressing anger, grief, and strong concerns about construction safety. Some questioned how the project was approved in the first place, asking, “How can the construction section still pass?” while others repeatedly called for greater attention to safety, saying, “Can you pay attention to safety?” and “Sometimes I really feel that the safety measures for urban municipal construction are too arbitrary. If nothing happens, no one will pay attention to it.” Several comments focused on traffic management and demolition timing, including “Can’t you restrict the line?” and “Since it’s being demolished, can’t we block the road at night before dismantling?” Some users shared their shock and sadness, noting, “After watching the video, I thought I didn’t crush anyone,” and offered their condolences. Many netizens also expressed unease about heightened safety risks and shared wishes such as “It’s the end of the year. I wish you all peace,” “May everyone be safe,” and “The New Year is coming. Everyone must be safe to enter and exit safely.” Others demanded accountability, stating that “The construction party must be severely punished,” reflecting broader public frustration over urban construction safety and calls for stricter oversight.

INDIA WATCH

India Yet to Confirm Trump’s Claim on Venezuelan Oil Purchases: A Guancha article reported that US President Donald Trump claimed India would start buying oil from Venezuela instead of Iran and said China was welcome to invest in Venezuelan oil, but the statement has not been confirmed by either New Delhi or Caracas. Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, saying a deal had already been reached “in concept,” a claim that Indian media described as a “big claim” while noting there was no official response from the Indian government. Reports also noted that Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez recently spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about expanding bilateral cooperation in areas including energy, trade and investment. Chinese expert Li Haidong said Trump’s comments appear to be a unilateral statement, pointing out that while Indian media reported the claim, there was no confirmation from India or Venezuela, and adding that US statements in recent years have often been inconsistent and unpredictable. Li also said repeated US pressure on India’s oil purchases reflects a bullying approach to international trade. Separately, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Venezuela is a sovereign state with full rights over its natural resources, stressing that demands for exclusive partnerships and pressure over oil issues violate international law and infringe on Venezuela’s sovereignty and the rights of its people.

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.