CiCM 18th March 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

China-South Korea Vessels Collided in a Stand-Off Near Yellow Sea Last Month, reveals Report: Reports on Tuesday revealed details of a two-hour long standoff last month between South Korean and Chinese coast guard vessels. The confrontation began when South Korea attempted to inspect a steel structure in the Yellow Sea. The confrontation played out in the Provisional Maritime Zone (PMZ) near Socotra Rock. The standoff took place when Chinese coast guard ships along with three smaller civilian boats blocked a South Korean ship, escalating tensions further. Reports from Seoul reported that a South Korean coast guard vessel was dispatched to the scene in response and this led to a 2 hour long stand-off. Some reports also pointed out that Chinese civilians carried knives while accusing the Korean side of conducting illegitimate inspection on the aquafarm side, leading the country’s foreign ministry to investigate the status of their rights in the maritime region. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson responded to the reports stating that the situation was currently stable and that both have agreed upon the smooth operation of fishing vessels without any illegal activities, in the overlapping zones.
China’s Foreign Ministry Reiterates ‘One China Principle’ as the Foundation of China-US relations: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, during the press briefing stressed upon ‘One China’ principle as the bedrock of US-China relations, and reiterated that the US took a series of wrong decisions on the ‘Taiwan question’. The spokesperson further declared China’s military operations were lawful and legitimate since it was fighting Taiwan separatist policies. In a political metaphor, the spokesperson stated that this situation was seemingly similar to playing with fire and US involvement in the matter would lead nowhere. She encouraged the US to abide by the principle and the three joint communiques that were issued, keeping in mind its bilateral relations with China first.
Qingdao’s Pilotless Plane’s Undergoes Debut Test: A prototype of the TP1000 drone was tested for its debut flight in Qingdao, Shandong province, spending almost 26 minutes in the air, showcasing the latest modifications in the model. The prototype, developed by Yitong UAV System measures nearly 11 meters long, having a wingspan of about 15 meters. With a takeoff weight of 3.3 metric tons, a payload capacity of 1 ton and a maximum range of 1,000 kilometers it is also fit for marine monitoring, underwater exploration and infrastructure development in resource smothered areas. A total of 30 TP1000s have been ordered and notable buyers include delivery company ZTO Express and Jiangsu Yajie Aviation Development Group’s firm. The company revealed that it was hoping to launch 100 more models by the year end with commercial operations expected to begin in 2026.
US House of Representatives Bill on Banning Student Visas of Chinese Nationals faces Scrutiny: A recent bill calling on enforcing a ban on Chinese student visas in the US has drawn hostile opposition from both China and organisations in the US. Liu Pengyu, the spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, stated that China was deeply concerned and strongly opposed such actions. He emphasized that educational exchanges and cooperation have historically served as a cornerstone of stable relations between China and the United States. The executive director of NAFSA advocated similar sentiments stating that no policy should target people solely on the basis of national identity and that it goes against the ideals of friendly relations. A Chinese student in the US mentioned that this was an effort to debar all Chinese nationals from the country under the garb of trying to control espionage activities.
Top Officials from China and France hold Telephonic Conversation, plan to jointly uphold Multilateralism: China’s top-most diplomat, Wang Yi during a telephonic conversation with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to the French President stated that the Chinese Foreign Ministry was willing to hold more talks and maintain better bilateral exchanges with France, in an attempt to balance the relations between the two countries. Wang also highlighted that as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II, it was crucial for China and France, both as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and comprehensive strategic partners, to strengthen strategic communication at this important historical moment. French Advisor Bonne further added that France opposes trade and tariff wars, and is willing to resolve economic and trade tensions through proper consultations with China.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Baidu Vice President Issues Public Apology after Daughter releases Private Data Online, Sparks Controversy: A cyberbullying case involving the 13-year-old daughter of Baidu Vice President Xie Guangjun has ignited public outrage in China, highlighting serious privacy concerns. The teenager was accused of participating in doxxing incidents, exposing sensitive personal information such as real names, state-issued ID numbers, phone numbers, and IP addresses. The controversy began when she leaked the data of a pregnant woman who had criticized a popular K-pop singer’s demanding work schedule, triggering a wave of online retaliation. This case is part of a growing trend of cyber harassment in fan culture. Amid backlash on Weibo, Xie issued an apology, acknowledging his failure to instill respect for privacy in his daughter and assuring it would not happen again. Hashtagged posts on Chinese platform Weibo expressed severe concern and disappointment, condemning the act as invasive and demanding redressal.

INDIA WATCH

Editorial Article in Global Times Highlights India’s Role in Strengthening Bilateral Relations: In a recent opinion piece for the Global Times, Lan Jianxue, director of the Department of Asia-Pacific Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, discussed the current state of China-India relations. While acknowledging positive developments such as high-level meetings and strategic communications, the article emphasized the need for concrete actions to improve bilateral ties. The article also reiterated India's Chief Economic Adviser’s remark stating that the relationship required both sides to understand mutual dependence and benefits while also emphasizing India’s willingness to hold more talks. The piece further urged both nations to sincerely implement the agreements reached during their November meeting in Kazan and take decisive actions to remove restrictive and discriminatory measures hindering normal exchanges. The piece concluded stating that both nations should recognize their shared developmental goals and work towards mutual trust and guide the relationship towards a sustained, stable and healthy development.

Prepared By

Guncha Shandilya

Guncha Shandilya is a History student at Delhi college of arts and commerce, her interests are as varied as Japanese animation to Beaux-arts architecture. She wants to be a diplomat in the future and loves to explore various histories based on IR contexts. She believes in respecting all forms of life and is on a constant quest for connections. She is a published writer and takes cheesecakes very seriously!