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NEWS IN CHINA

• China Condemns Islamabad Mosque Blast: China expressed deep shock and sorrow over the February 6 explosion in Islamabad. The explosion killed at least 31 people and injured around 170 during Friday prayers at a Shi’ite mosque in Shehzad Town. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated China mourns the victims and extends condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones. He added that China strongly condemns the attack and reaffirms its opposition to terrorism in all forms. Beijing pledged firm support for Pakistan in safeguarding national security and stability. The article reports that local officials confirmed that emergency measures were imposed across Islamabad’s hospitals, with many of the injured in critical condition. Additionally, security forces have cordoned off the site and launched investigations into the nature of the blast.
  
  

• China Outlines Vision for APEC “China Year”: Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu highlighted China’s priorities as host of the 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, calling it a milestone moment for regional and global cooperation. In an interview, Ma emphasized that APEC is the Asia-Pacific’s most influential economic cooperation mechanism, and China has consistently played a leading role in shaping its agenda. He traced General Secretary Xi Jinping’s contributions over the past decade, from proposing a “community of shared future for the Asia-Pacific” in 2013 to advocating openness, inclusivity, innovation, and win-win cooperation in 2020. Ma noted that today’s world faces rising unilateralism and protectionism, posing challenges to trade and economic stability. Against this backdrop, China’s hosting of the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting will inject momentum into regional integration and provide certainty for global growth. The proposed theme for APEC’s “China Year” is “Building an Asia-Pacific Community for Common Prosperity”, which has already received unanimous support from members. He outlined three priorities, which include openness, innovation, and cooperation. With China’s economy surpassing 140 trillion yuan and entering the first year of its 15th Five-Year Plan, Ma stated the summit will showcase China’s commitment to reform, opening-up, and high-quality development.
  
  

• China Launches Reusable Experimental Spacecraft: China successfully launched a reusable experimental spacecraft on February 7 using a Long March-2F carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, according to Xinhua. The mission aims to carry out planned technology verification to support the peaceful use of outer space. The Long March-2F, developed by a subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, is China’s primary rocket for launching Shenzhou manned spacecraft and other large payloads into low Earth orbit. While details of the spacecraft have not been disclosed, China has conducted several similar missions in recent years. Previous reusable spacecraft launched in 2020, 2022 and 2023 remained in orbit for up to 276 days before returning safely, marking major progress in reusability technology. Experts say reusable spacecraft are key to reducing spaceflight costs and improving efficiency. Unlike reusable rockets, which mainly deliver payloads to orbit, reusable spacecraft can independently conduct missions and return to Earth. China has stressed that such technologies are intended for peaceful purposes. Alongside state programs, private firms are also entering the field. Companies such as Ziwei Technology and Transcendent are planning suborbital tests and future space tourism missions, highlighting growing momentum in China’s reusable spacecraft development.
  
  

• China’s Foreign Exchange Reserves Increased to $3.399 Trillion in January: China’s foreign exchange reserves reached $3.3991 trillion at the end of January 2026, up $41.2 billion, or 1.23 percent, from the end of December, according to official figures released on Saturday. The State Administration of Foreign Exchange said the rise came as the US dollar index weakened in January. The prices of major global financial assets generally gained value amid shifts in fiscal and monetary policies and market expectations in leading economies. The article added that the combined impact of currency translation effects and changes in asset prices drove the increase in China’s foreign exchange reserves during the month. The administration also noted that China’s economy has continued to show steady and improving momentum, with stronger resilience supporting efforts to keep the overall scale of foreign exchange reserves basically stable.
  
  

• China Strengthens Disease Prevention Measures During Spring Festival Travel: China’s health authorities have issued a new notice outlining strengthened prevention and control measures for key infectious diseases ahead of and following the 2026 Spring Festival holiday. The document, jointly released on February 7, aims to ensure epidemic stability and safeguard public health during the busy travel season. The notice warns that increased cross-border and inter-regional travel, along with family gatherings, could raise transmission risks. Authorities have been instructed to strengthen controls on imported infectious diseases and closely monitor global developments related to COVID-19, monkeypox, dengue fever, chikungunya, malaria, new influenza subtypes and Nipah virus. To prevent the spread, the notice stated that strengthening epidemiological investigations among inbound travelers, contact tracing and close-contact management are required. Specific guidance has been issued for schools, childcare centers, elderly care institutions, transport, tourist venues and catering businesses to improve hygiene, ventilation, disinfection and food safety. The notice also encouraged high-risk groups to receive influenza vaccines and called for stronger catch-up and emergency vaccination efforts. According to the officials, China’s overall epidemic situation remains stable, though vigilance is needed during the seasonal peak for respiratory and enteric diseases.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Erupts Over Liaoning “Service Window” Bribery Case: A post with the hashtag #Who Gave Window Staff the Audacity to Accept 16.14 Million Yuan?# is going viral on Weibo. The viral post, based on a Liaoning Daily report, describes how a staff member surnamed Wang allegedly accepted bribes for eight years while working at a government service counter, turning routine approvals into paid transactions. Netizens reacted with shock at both the scale and duration of the corruption. “It’s unbelievable, and it’s been going on for eight years. Normally, it would have been shut down on the very first complaint,” one user commented. Many questioned whether Wang could have acted alone, with another comment noting, “There was no one behind him; it was impossible for a ‘counter clerk’ to eat so much fat.” One prominent comment focused on systemic failure, stating that “Eight years have passed, and they still haven’t noticed. You’ve basically tacitly agreed, haven’t you?” Some netizens alleged collective corruption, claiming “all the departments in this unit received money.”Another user commented that this case should serve as a warning to all departments, noting “even petty power requires strict supervision.” Others stressed that cracking down on corruption requires heavier punishment, with transparent procedure and routine oversight to prevent bribery and rent-seeking. A few other users called for further investigation, urging authorities to “dig deeper” and warning that the case may be “just the tip of the iceberg.”

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Discusses India’s Auto Tariff Cuts Under Interim US Trade Deal: An article in Guancha, citing a Reuters report, examined India’s latest tariff adjustments under a temporary trade framework with the United States and their broader trade implications. According to the article, an Indian government official noted that India plans to cut import tariffs on US luxury cars from 110 percent to 30 percent and remove tariffs on Harley-Davidson motorcycles, which is not yet officially confirmed. The official noted that under the interim framework agreement, India will gradually cut tariffs over a 10-year period on US-made internal combustion engine vehicles with engine capacities above 3 liters, bringing them down to 30%. Electric vehicles, however, are not covered by the agreement, which excludes brands like Tesla from entering the Indian market. The article highlighted the meeting between PM Modi and Elon Musk in February, where Tesla officially entered the market, but faced weak demand with limited purchases as a large number of vehicles remained unsold. The article contrasted this approach with India’s negotiations with the EU, where India agreed to reduce tariffs on more models of cars to 10%, including some EVs. 

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.