CiCM 3rd February 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

China’s Trade in Services Surpasses $1 Trillion: China’s annual trade in services reached a record of $1.05 trillion in 2024, growing 14.4% year-on-year, with exports rising 18.2% and imports up 11.8%, according to the Ministry of Commerce. Li Jun, a Chinese scholar, stated that this growth was fueled by digitization, smart technology, and green development. Comprehensive relaxation and optimization of free visa transit policy boosted inbound tourism, while Chinese digital content, including the famous video game- Black Myth: Wukong, high quality films, TV dramas and literature, gained international popularity. To foster innovation, Li emphasized the need to unlock the potential of industrial digitization and digital transformation, strengthen support for professional organizations in finance, consulting, design, and certification to boost their capacity to offer international services, and accelerate the growth of green services. Li stated that bilateral, multilateral, and regional collaboration in digital trade and services trade should be expanded. He suggested continuing to utilize major exhibition platforms and developing international services trade cooperation parks.
China’s Chang’e-7 Mission to Send Robot to Moon’s South Pole for Water Search: China’s Chang’e-7 mission will deploy a flying robot to search for water on the moon's south pole next year. This mission is a part of China’s goal to land humans on the moon by 2030, and will include an orbiter, lander, rover, and the robotic "flying detector." Tang Yuhua, deputy chief designer of the Chang’e-7 mission, described the flying detector as an “extremely smart robot”. Unlike traditional rovers, it can cover long distances in a single leap. Its multi-legged design will enable it to navigate the moon's uneven surface, allowing Chang’e-7 to access areas that never receive sunlight and could potentially harbor ice. Water on the moon could reduce future mission costs by providing resources for drinking, oxygen production, and rocket fuel. The Chang’e-7 mission will be a key step in developing technology for long-term lunar habitation, with plans for further exploration, including crewed missions by 2030.
New Year Market Booms with Strong Supply and Demand: Ahead of the Spring Festival, markets are thriving with abundant goods and vibrant consumer activity. Supermarkets are stocked with fresh produce, while rural fairs and online platforms offer diverse options. In Tibet, new supermarkets meet local needs, and energy production is ramped up to ensure stability. New consumption trends are gaining momentum, with Shanghai’s retail hubs attracting crowds, the Spring Festival box office surpassing ¥4.4 billion, and digital product subsidies boosting sales. Cultural tourism flourishes, with intangible heritage markets drawing visitors. Strong market supervision ensures food safety and price stability, making holiday consumption safe and enjoyable.
China to Sue U.S. Over New Tariffs, Vows Retaliation: China will file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organisation and take countermeasures against the U.S following the announcement that the U.S. would put a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, the Ministry of Commerce said Sunday. China condemned the move, saying it harms trade ties and fails to address U.S. economic concerns. China urges the U.S. to correct its wrong practices, maintain the hard-won progress of China-U.S. drug control cooperation, and promote stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations," the Foreign Ministry said in the statement. China’s Foreign Ministry expressed strong opposition, calling the tariffs unjustified and linking them to unrelated fentanyl issues. Trade between the two nations remains strong, but past tariffs have already reduced bilateral trade from $659 billion in 2018 to $578 billion in 2024.
China Achieves Remarkable Progress in Wetland Protection: On World Wetlands Day (February 2), China highlighted its significant achievements in wetland conservation. Since the 18th National Congress, over 3,700 wetland restoration projects have been implemented, adding and restoring more than 1 million hectares of wetlands. Efforts to control invasive species have successfully eradicated 1.1 million mu of Spartina alterniflora, preventing its spread. Mangrove conservation has also accelerated, with the area reaching 454,500 mu—an increase of 124,500 mu since the early 2000s—making China one of the few countries with a net gain in mangrove coverage. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the National Wetland Park initiative, which has protected 2.4 million hectares of wetlands while boosting regional economies by ¥50 billion. About 90% of these parks remain free to the public, demonstrating an effective model for ecological conservation and sustainable development.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

US Man in China Honored for Saving Elderly Woman from River: Horace Beacham, an American living in Wuxi, China, has been awarded a bravery certificate for rescuing an elderly woman who fell into a river. On January 17, while jogging in Jiangxi Qianjin Binshui Park, Beacham heard desperate cries for help. He spotted an elderly woman struggling in the water and immediately rushed to assist. Reaching through the railing, he carefully supported her under her armpits to prevent injury while calling for help. Soon, police arrived and safely pulled her from the river. Beacham, who has lived in Wuxi since 2015, said he was deeply moved by the kindness he has received from locals and was happy to give back. “If similar situations happen again, I will offer my help because Wuxi people have always been good to me,” he said. On January 20, local officials visited Beacham at his home to present him with a bravery certificate and a monetary award, thanking him for his selfless actions. His deed gained widespread praise online, with netizens calling him a true Good Samaritan. “Kindness has no borders,” one commenter wrote, while another added, “China also loves you.” Beacham’s story highlights the power of compassion, proving that acts of kindness transcend nationalities and bring communities together.

INDIA WATCH

Chinese Company "Shein" Makes a Comeback in India Through Partnership with Reliance: Chinese media report that Shein has re-entered the Indian market through a licensing deal with Reliance Retail, nearly five years after the app was banned amid diplomatic tensions between India and China. The Shein India Fast Fashion app was quietly launched by Reliance, marking a shift from its usual strategy of integrating international brands into its flagship Ajio platform. Shein, originally founded in China in 2012 and later headquartered in Singapore, was banned in India in 2020 alongside other Chinese apps like TikTok over data security concerns following a border dispute. Under the new agreement, Reliance will pay a licensing fee to use Shein’s brand name while Indian manufacturers will produce goods under the Shein brand. Analysts note that Shein’s return signals evolving trade dynamics between India and China, despite ongoing political frictions. However, neither Shein nor Reliance has publicly commented on the launch. Chinese media highlight that Shein’s re-entry could reshape India’s fast fashion industry as it competes with local and global players like Flipkart, Myntra and H&M.

Prepared By

Manushka Sharma

Manushka Sharma is a dedicated second year student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese (Hons.) at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). With a keen interest in international relations, particularly in the dynamics of India-China relations, Manushka brings a unique perspective to understanding cross-cultural connections and geopolitical issues. Alongside academic pursuits, Manushka aspires to make significant contributions to global affairs, leveraging linguistic skills and cultural insights to bridge gaps and foster dialogue. She can be reached at manushka82006@gmail.com.