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NEWS IN CHINA

• China Calls for Vigilance on Nuclear Risks at NPT Review: At a session of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation (NPT) of Nuclear Weapons review conference in New York, China’s disarmament envoy, Shen Jian, outlined Beijing’s position on limiting nuclear proliferation. He warned that double standards by some countries are undermining the treaty’s credibility and weakening the supervisory role of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Shen highlighted concerns over developments in Japan, citing discussions around revising its non-nuclear principles, expanding strike capabilities, and exploring the deployment of allied nuclear weapons. He urged the global community to stay vigilant to such trends. Emphasizing that non-proliferation remains a central goal of the NPT, Shen stated that current security tensions and selective enforcement risk undermining trust among non-nuclear states. Reaffirming China’s position, Shen stated that Beijing opposes any spread of nuclear weapons and supports full, balanced implementation of all NPT obligations. He urged nuclear‑weapon states to pull back any nuclear arms stationed abroad and warned against expanding “nuclear sharing” or extended deterrence arrangements. Additionally, Shen expressed concern over trilateral submarine cooperation involving the US, UK, and Australia, calling for stronger multilateral oversight.
  
  
• China’s Central Bank Conducts Reverse Repo Operation, Signals Fine-Tuning of Liquidity Management: China’s Central Bank carried out a 300 billion yuan reverse repurchase operation to maintain sufficient liquidity in the banking system. The three-month (91-day) operation, conducted through a fixed-quantity and multi-rate bidding process, will mature on August 5, 2026. Despite the injection, data show that 800 billion yuan worth of similar operations matured in May, resulting in a net withdrawal of 500 billion yuan. This marks the third consecutive month of reduced rollovers, with the scale of withdrawal increasing compared to April. Analysts note that the continued net liquidity drain shows a shift toward fine-tuning short- and medium-term liquidity conditions, as market liquidity has improved since April. The move is seen as an effort to stabilize interest rates and prevent excessive divergence from policy benchmarks, rather than a broader tightening stance. Looking ahead, increased government bond issuance and a potential rise in credit demand in May may naturally tighten liquidity conditions. As a result, market interest rates are expected to stabilize and gradually move upward while overall liquidity remains adequate.
  
  
• China Urges US to Lift Sanctions on Cuba: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China on Tuesday called on the US to halt its sanctions and blockade against Cuba, urging an end to what it described as coercive actions. The appeal came after the US government expanded restrictions through an executive order signed on May 1, citing concerns that Cuba poses a threat to its national security and foreign policy. In response, Cuban officials criticized the move, rejecting the measures and stating they would not be intimidated. China’s Foreign Ministry stated that the tightening of sanctions represents unilateral action that undermines international norms and harms the Cuban population’s rights to development and livelihood. It emphasized that such measures interfere with another country’s internal affairs and contradict principles governing global relations. Beijing reiterated its support for Cuba’s sovereignty and security, stressing opposition to external pressure.
  
  
• Beijing Strengthens Nationwide Security Measures During May Day Holiday: The Ministry of Public Security of China reported that police forces nationwide implemented strict and well-coordinated security measures during the May Day holiday to ensure social stability. Criminal and public security cases had fallen by 22.7% and 7.6% respectively on May 5, compared with the same period last year. Authorities deployed an average of 491,000 police officers each day, increasing patrols and preventive presence in busy streets, transport hubs, and tourist destinations. Rapid response systems were reinforced, while efforts to prevent and tackle holiday-related offenses were intensified to maintain public order. Ahead of large-scale travel movements and adverse weather conditions in some regions, police carried out early risk assessments and coordinated emergency preparations. These measures helped ensure the safe travel of over 100 million railway passengers and more than 10 million air passengers. During the holiday, law enforcement agencies also coordinated with other departments to manage over 1,700 large public events, including performances, sports competitions, exhibitions, and commercial activities, ensuring they proceeded safely and smoothly while supporting orderly tourism flows.
  
  
• China’s Rail Passenger Trips Exceed 100 Million During May Day Travel Rush: China’s railway network has recorded more than 100 million passenger trips during the ongoing May Day holiday, with the system operating safely and efficiently throughout the five‑day travel period. By Monday, total trips had reached 117 million, while more than 20.38 million passengers traveled across the network on that day alone. With return‑trip traffic expected to intensify on Tuesday, railway authorities projected around 23 million passengers and arranged 2,225 additional train services to accommodate the surge. Ticketing data from the official booking platform showed that major cities, including Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu and Shenzhen, were among the most popular destinations for returning travelers. To manage the peak flow, railway departments have expanded transport capacity and strengthened on‑site coordination to ensure smooth and safe travel. In Guangdong Province, for example, 707 extra trains were added on high‑demand routes to handle the heavy passenger load. Railway authorities emphasized that these measures aim to maintain orderly operations and support the safe return of millions of holiday travelers.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Liuyang Fireworks Factory Explosion Sparks Safety Debate on Weibo: A post with the hashtag #Several Major Challenges in Rescue Operations at Liuyang Fireworks Factory# is going viral on Weibo following the recent explosion. The post stated that rescue efforts have been hampered by repeated explosions and large amounts of stored gunpowder, creating serious risks for emergency teams. Authorities are prioritizing securing dangerous areas and searching for those still trapped. Many online users emphasized the need to draw lessons from the tragedy, stressing that development must be balanced with safety to ensure social stability. Some users argued that hazardous industries should adopt automation, with one remarking that “this is where robots should really be used” instead of in low-risk commercial roles. Others called for stricter zoning rules, insisting that “fireworks factories must be relocated far from residential areas." Several users questioned regulatory gaps, including limits on the production and storage of explosive materials. A few users noted that while such accidents may be difficult to eliminate entirely, stronger prevention measures are essential, while others raised doubts about the effectiveness of existing fire safety inspections and stressed protecting rescue workers.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Discusses Toyota’s Expansion Strategy in India: An article in Guancha discussed Toyota’s plan to significantly expand its manufacturing presence in India, highlighting both the strategic rationale and associated risks. The article noted that Toyota plans to build three new vehicle assembly plants in Maharashtra, aiming to raise its production capacity in India to 1 million vehicles by around 2030, which is roughly triple its current level. It stated that the new facilities will produce large three-row SUVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles, while also serving as export hubs for markets in the Middle East and Africa. The article emphasized that India’s rapidly growing automobile market, which reached 5.517 million units in 2025 and is projected to grow further by 2030, is a key driver behind Toyota’s investment shift amid stagnation in developed markets. It further noted the entrenched presence of Japanese automakers in India’s auto sector, led by Suzuki’s dominant market share, highlighting Toyota’s strategic partnership with the company to leverage segment strengths. However, it underscored multiple structural challenges, including shortages of skilled labor, high consumer price sensitivity, and an underdeveloped logistics infrastructure. Further, the article also pointed to geopolitical uncertainties and policy risks, noting a sharp decline in India’s net foreign direct investment in fiscal year 2025.

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.