CiCM 3rd October 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

Multi-City Efforts Support Holiday Tourism Experience Across China: Amid the National Day holiday rush, scenic spots across China have rolled out diverse measures to enhance the tourist experience and ensure safety despite heavy crowds and weather challenges. In Hubei, Xiangyang’s Gulongzhong Scenic Area distributed hot ginger cola and raincoats to visitors, alongside mobile volunteer services and drying stations. At Enshi Grand Canyon, over 4,000 free breakfasts were served daily to early hikers. In Henan’s Yuntaishan, which received nearly 200,000 tourists in three days, eight temporary parking lots were added for 30,000 vehicles. A smart reservation system with time-slot ticketing and capacity limits ensured smooth crowd management. Government cafeterias are also opening doors to the public. Chibi offered 18-yuan set meals with local delicacies and free tea, while Chongqing’s Rongchang District served around 3,000 diners daily, preparing hundreds of kilograms of fresh local produce. In Dunhuang, Gansu, all government canteens serve local specialties at 20 yuan per meal, with free city buses and parking across 72 lots. Officials explained that these “multi-point efforts” aim to make the holiday both warm and worry-free for travelers nationwide.
China Warns Mexico Over Rising Anti-Dumping Probes: The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has strongly responded to Mexico’s recent wave of anti-dumping investigations targeting Chinese products such as float glass, PVC-coated fabrics, self-adhesive tape and steel bolts. A ministry spokesperson expressed firm opposition to what it called “protectionist actions” undermining China’s legitimate trade interests, urging Mexico to strictly adhere to WTO rules and ensure fair treatment for Chinese enterprises. So far in 2025, Mexico has launched 11 anti-dumping investigations against Chinese goods, almost double than last year’s total, raising concerns in Beijing over escalating trade frictions. China stressed its cautious stance on trade remedy actions and warned against allowing U.S.-driven unilateralism and protectionism to spread globally. In response, China has initiated a trade and investment barrier investigation into Mexico’s planned tariff hikes and restrictive measures, citing its Foreign Trade Law. The ministry stated that it will adopt all necessary countermeasures, including trade and investment actions, to defend the rights and interests of Chinese firms and maintain a rules-based international trading system.
Transportation Departments Boost Charging Infrastructure to Support Surge in NEVs: During the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, China’s highways saw a record surge in new energy vehicle (NEV) traffic, prompting nationwide efforts to ensure smooth travel. According to the Ministry of Transport, NEV traffic reached 13.29 million and 12.37 million on October 1 and 2, up 26.2% and 30.1% year-on-year. To handle the spike, regional transportation departments rolled out emergency measures. Hubei added 219 mobile chargers, reinforced 173 charging piles across 50 service areas and increased staff by 2,100, boosting capacity by over 40%. Sichuan implemented a “123 model” pre-holiday inspections, two-hour on-site repair response and service within three hours alongside real-time updates through LED boards and broadcasts. In Gansu, new supercharging stations on key expressways now allow 32 NEVs to charge simultaneously. Hunan expanded to 1,308 charging piles and 41 battery swap stations, achieving full coverage across its service areas. Officials urged drivers to plan charging via the “eLu Tong Tong” mini-program and follow safety precautions during rain.
New Lancang-Mekong International Tourist Route Links China, Laos and Thailand: The Lancang-Mekong River international tourist shipping service was officially launched on Wednesday in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, marking a major step in regional tourism integration. The inaugural cruise departed from Jinghong Port, completed exit formalities at Guanlei Port and sailed downstream to Chiang Saen Port in Thailand. This new route symbolizes a breakthrough in cross-border tourism along the Lancang-Mekong River, a vital waterway connecting six nations. The five-day, four-night journey links China’s Xishuangbanna, Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai in Thailand, and Luang Prabang in Laos. It offers travelers a unique experience combining cultural immersion, scenic exploration and multi-modal connectivity through waterways, roads, air and rail networks. According to the Xishuangbanna cultural and tourism department, the project aims to deepen cooperation among Mekong countries by developing new itineraries, expanding the regional tourism market and creating a “golden tourism circle”.
China Launches Nationwide Crackdown on Illegal Mining and Abandoned Mines: The State Council’s Work Safety Committee has launched a nationwide campaign to investigate, seal and rectify abandoned mines while intensifying efforts to curb illegal mining. The move, announced by the Ministry of Emergency Management, comes in response to a surge in fatal incidents linked to illegal excavation across China this year. To address concerns regarding damage to strategic mineral resources, the State Council’s Work Safety Commission has issued directives to local authorities and multiple departments to conduct comprehensive surveys, identify abandoned mines and enforce strict sealing and rectification measures. Officials emphasized the creation of a long-term supervisory mechanism combining inspection, enforcement and public reporting. The initiative aims to form a nationwide system of “surface deterrence, line control and on-site management”. Authorities urged close interdepartmental coordination, accountability at all administrative levels and public participation to ensure precise inspections, strong enforcement and sustainable governance against illegal mining.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Yu Donglai’s Inspirational Message to Released Prisoners Receives Praise from Netizens: A story from Henan is trending on Chinese social media after Yu Donglai, founder of Pang Donglai Group, delivered an inspiring message to 30 released prisoners applying for jobs. Speaking at an interview session in Xuchang’s Pang Donglai Times, Yu told them, “Don’t be self-deprecating or carry any baggage. Everyone makes mistakes. You’ve experienced more than ordinary people, so you also have more insights and wisdom. Don’t waste it, be grateful, and live like light.” In a compassionate move, Pang Donglai Group announced that all 30 applicants were hired, with job positions tailored to their situations. The company will implement a six-month “two-way selection” probation period to help them adapt and rebuild their lives. The topic has gone viral on Weibo under hashtags #YuDonglaiTellsReleasedPrisonersNotToWasteExperience and #YuDonglaiHopesTheyLiveLikeLight, gaining over 20,000 video plays. Netizens praised Yu’s empathy, calling it a warm gesture of true social responsibility and a beacon of second chances. Many users also appreciated the company for making efforts to reintegrate prisoners into mainstream with meaningful employment and offering them a new beginning.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Questions Indian Air Force Chief’s Claim of Shooting Down 5 Pakistani Jets: At the 93rd Indian Air Force Day in Delhi, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh reaffirmed the claim that India shot down “at least five Pakistani fighter jets” and a C-130 aircraft during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. ACM Singh asserted that the jets included the U.S.-made F-16s and China-Pakistan’s JF-17s, and credited the Russian S-400 system for executing “the longest-range air defense shootdown in history” at over 300 km. The Guancha article, however, cast doubt on the statement, noting Air Chief Marshal Singh’s failure to provide verifiable evidence. The outlet called the announcement part of India’s “victory narrative” aimed at boosting domestic morale and showcasing military modernization. It emphasized that even Western outlets like Reuters reported no independent confirmation. The Article described the claims as “political showmanship” and questioned whether “imaginary victories” could alter ground realities. The article further explained that India, while supportive of the Air Force’s strategic confidence, expressed caution, urging transparency and factual clarity to sustain global credibility. The article also focused on Pakistan’s efforts to deny shooting down of planes, reiterating Pakistan's narratives on this issue. As per The article, the renewed rhetoric battle risks escalating tensions without tangible proof.

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.