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NEWS IN CHINA

• China and CEE Countries Set 2030 Innovation Cooperation Vision: China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries have announced a new vision for innovation cooperation through 2030, alongside a report reviewing the development of their collaboration over the past decade. The announcements were made at the 2026 China-CEEC Conference on Innovation Cooperation in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. The three-day conference, co-hosted by China’s Ministry of Science and Technology and Slovakia’s Ministry of Economy, brought together around 450 government officials, diplomats, researchers, academics, entrepreneurs and young technology professionals. Discussions covered areas including artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology and green energy. Organisers also released a 10-year report on cooperation and an index measuring open innovation links between Chinese cities and CEEC countries. Eleven agreements were signed covering industry-academia-research cooperation and the development of joint innovation platforms. A youth innovation and entrepreneurship competition was also launched. Representatives discussed opportunities for cooperation in key sectors and called for more joint laboratories, research projects and exchanges among young researchers. Since the initiative began in 2016, the conference has supported policy dialogue, joint research, personnel exchanges and technology cooperation.
  
  
• Asia-Pacific Media Forum Highlights China’s Technology and Regional Cooperation: The Asia-Pacific Media Forum, held in Shenzhen, brought together around 400 representatives from more than 40 countries and regions to discuss technological development and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific. During visits to Guangdong, participants observed applications of technologies including AI-powered inspection robots, autonomous driving and robotics. At a smart substation in Zhuhai, an inspection robot operates alongside intelligent systems, reducing routine inspection time from around three hours to 10 minutes. Participants also discussed Guangzhou’s manufacturing and technology sectors, as well as the role of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in regional connectivity. Guangzhou Port currently connects with more than 400 ports across over 100 countries and regions. Examples of Chinese-developed technologies being used overseas were also highlighted, including delivery robots deployed at Singapore Changi Airport. Other discussions focused on cross-border data cooperation and the use of technology to support greener development. China plans to establish an APEC centre in Shenzhen to support cooperation on cross-border data flows.
  
  
• CIFTIS 2026 Opens in Beijing with Focus on Services Trade: The 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) opened in Beijing, bringing together participants from 90 countries, regions and international organisations. More than 1,800 companies are exhibiting at the event, including 473 Fortune Global 500 companies and other major firms. Held at Shougang Park from September 9 to 13, the fair focuses on expanding international cooperation in services trade at the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period. This year’s theme is “Global Services, Shared Prosperity.” The event includes a Global Trade in Services Summit, forums and business matchmaking activities. More than 100 new products and services are being introduced, covering areas such as information and communications, financial technology, and digital healthcare. A new section provides Chinese companies with professional services to support overseas expansion, while another showcases more than 140 innovation cases across 12 categories of services trade, including artificial intelligence and large language models. Official data showed that China’s services trade reached nearly 4.45 trillion yuan in the first seven months of 2026, an 8.3 per cent increase year on year.
  
  
• China Recognises 11 New Occupations Amid Changing Labour Demand: China has officially recognised 11 new occupations and 23 new job specialities, according to a document released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and other government departments. The newly recognised occupations include shore-based ship management engineering technicians, embodied intelligence robot technicians and sports data analysts. Five of the 11 occupations are related to digital technologies, including digital twin engineering and industrial product digital modelling. Three newly recognised occupations are linked to the green economy: microgrid administrators, hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing workers and water electrolysis hydrogen production workers. The move reflects changes in technology, industries and consumer demand, while expanding employment opportunities in emerging sectors. Since 2019, China has recognised 121 new occupations across eight batches. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period from 2026 to 2030, authorities plan to expand employment opportunities in the digital, green and ageing-related economies. The ministry said it will develop national standards for the new occupations to support vocational education, skills training and professional assessment. The recognition also covers emerging roles such as community workers and age-friendly renovation designers, reflecting demand associated with changing social needs.
  
  
• Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang Calls for Stronger Textbook System with Chinese Characteristics: Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang called for faster development of a high-quality textbook system as the new academic year began across the country. He made the remarks at a national conference on textbook work in Beijing. Ding stressed the importance of strengthening textbook development, management and review. He called for maintaining the political direction and value orientation of textbooks while incorporating the Communist Party of China’s policies and theories into teaching materials. He also called for adapting textbooks to changing social and educational needs and developing original textbooks and academic frameworks in philosophy and the social sciences. Authorities should strengthen oversight of textbook compilation, review, publication, distribution and selection, he added. A national textbook committee was established in 2017, followed by similar bodies at the provincial level. Textbook development was also included in the 2022 report to the 20th CPC National Congress. China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for education development, issued in 2026, further called for improving the country’s textbook system.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users React to “China Squeezing Theory” Debate: Posts circulating on Weibo have sparked discussion over the concept of a “China squeezing theory”, a term used by some Western think tanks and media to describe concerns that China’s industrial and technological expansion could limit opportunities for other countries. One post compared China’s role in global economic development to “building an elevator” rather than “pulling the ladder”, arguing that its industrial growth can create opportunities for international cooperation. Another post, citing economist Wan Zhe’s remarks, described the “China squeezing theory” as a continuation of earlier criticism of China’s industrial rise and argued that it reflects a zero-sum view of economic competition. The discussion drew largely supportive responses from Weibo users. Some users pointed to China’s economic growth since reform and opening-up and its role in global trade, while others argued that changing international circumstances have produced new narratives about China. One user wrote, “Evidence speaks better than words.” Another commented, “Let the rumours stay. Do your own thing well,” suggesting that such rhetoric should not be given undue attention. Others focused on the importance of strengthening domestic economic development and maintaining practical cooperation.

INDIA WATCH

Global Times Discusses Rising Indian Steel Prices and Market Supply: An article published in Global Times discussed the recent rise in Indian steel prices, particularly hot-rolled coil and whether it indicates that domestic production is struggling to meet demand. It mentioned that India’s crude steel production increased from 120.29 million tonnes in 2021-22 to 170.15 million tonnes in 2025-26, while finished steel consumption also rose significantly. The article attributed recent price increases to short-term factors, including stronger demand from infrastructure and vehicle sectors, maintenance shutdowns at major mills and low distributor inventories. It also noted that rising coking coal costs, partly due to India’s reliance on imports, were adding to production costs. The article argued that expanding production capacity does not necessarily ensure stable or competitive prices. As India seeks to increase steel capacity to 300 million tonnes by 2030, it suggested that imports could help address temporary supply gaps and provide manufacturers with additional sourcing options. It further highlighted China as one of the sources of steel imports, with Chinese steel recently priced below comparable Indian products. The article concluded that maintaining access to both domestic and international suppliers could help manage costs and support downstream manufacturing.

Prepared By

Arushi Sharma

Arushi Sharma is a Research Intern at Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA). She is a recent postgraduate in East Asian Studies from the University of Delhi and holds a Bachelor's degree in Chinese Language from K.R. Mangalam University. She has previously worked as a Subject Matter Expert in Mandarin Language at Unacademy. Her primary research interests focus on China's domestic politics and international economic statecraft.