NEWS IN CHINA
- Xi’s visit to Lijiang, Yunnan Focuses on Sustainable Culture and Tourism Industry: President Xi Jinping visited Lijiang in Yunnan to study local development and conditions in the region in order to promote culture and tourism. Xi visited the Modern Flower Industry Park and Lijiang Old Town in Lijiang, Yunnan observing both the preservation of the old town as well as the development in the flower industry park. The Chinese President investigated the monthly income and the market sales in the industry and further enquired into the efforts made for the development of specialised agriculture that aligns with regional conditions. He further emphasised the importance of sustainability and the implementation of sustainable practices in the tourism and cultural industry. He noted the significance of the culture industry in promoting a sense of Chinese nation. As the culture and tourism industry are attractions of Yunnan and Lijiang, Xi Jinping stated that the integration of both has boosted the economy considerably. Xi further noted that the protection of cultural heritage and utilisation of the same for the advancement of the region should be one of the key activities undertaken.
- State Council Authorizes ‘Regulations of the State Council on the Settlement of Foreign-Related Intellectual Property Disputes’: The ‘Regulations of the State Council on the Settlement of Foreign-Related Intellectual Property Disputes’ was signed by Premier Li Qiang of the State Council which is expected to come into effect from May 1, 2025. The regulations majorly aim at strengthening services and increasing the capacity building of enterprises, regulating overseas investigation and countering unfair treatment. Multiple government departments have been advised to strengthen query services and provide early warnings for matters pertaining to foreign intellectual property. In order to smoothen legal mechanisms and provide better access to citizens, guidance work institutions, elevation of the capability of law firms in intellectual property affairs and intellectual property service institutions are being considered. Enterprises have been advised to be aware of internal rules, strengthen their talents and safeguard their rights. The State Council has also highlighted the training within enterprises for the handling of intellectual property rights disputes along with the establishment of mutual assistance funds. The regulations also detail that overseas documents and evidence are expected to be in alignment with international treaties in times of disputes. In cases of evidence that requires the government to act according to the rules of the protection of state secrets and data security, the regulation guarantees legal protection. In the case of unfair treatment experienced by Chinese citizens, the State Council shall conduct investigations. According to the regulation, if Chinese citizens are discriminated against and sidelined by foreign countries with explanations of disputes, the State Council is authorised to take necessary countermeasures.
- First China-Central Asia Freight Train Operates in Fangshan: China launched its first goods train to Central Asia from the Fangshan district of Beijing, marking expanded trade relations with Central Asian countries. The train contains 90 loads of containers with export goods such as ventilators, engines, thermostats and compressors to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. All exported goods are produced in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region worth a total of 16 million yuan. The international goods train is operated by Beijing New Land Port Supply Chain Co. Ltd and China Railway Container Transport with the support and supervision of Fengtai Customs to ensure smooth customs clearance of the goods. The journey that started from the Liulihe Jinye railway line will cross China through Xinjiang to reach Tashkent in ten days. Meanwhile, Beijing New Land Port Group, Beijing Jinyu Group and Jingfang Logistics Hub Co, Ltd signed a strategic cooperation agreement for the building of an international land port as China’s international trade grows with over 600 China-Europe trains operating from Tianjin and more than 839 trains from Shijiazhuang and Hebei. The China-Central Asia international freight train is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
- China Hands Over Television Broadcasting Centre in Seychelles: China handed over the Seychelles Television and Broadcasting Centre, built with the help of Hunan No.6 Engineering Co. Ltd to Seychelles, in the presence of the Vice President of Seychelles, Ahmed Afif. The project was initiated in 2018 with the goal of constructing state of the art infrastructure in television broadcasting with advanced equipment spanning over 5600 sq,m. Lin Nan, the Chinese Ambassador to Seychelles, stated that the relations between both countries are exemplary considering the different sizes of the countries’ geography, which is built through mutual trust and cooperation. She further stated the importance of the broadcasting and media industry in the dissemination of information as well as cultural exchange. Meanwhile, the Vice President of Seychelles, Ahmed Afif expressed his gratitude in the timely implementation of the project along with the expression of Seychelles' interest in cooperating and collaborating with China on more projects. China and Seychelles elevated their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in Beijing.
- Zhejiang Receives Party and Government Delegation from Anhui: Zhejiang received party and government delegates from Anhui, led by the provincial party secretary Liang Yanshun and Governor Wang Qingxian, for a study and inspection tour of Zhejiang, which has made progress in promoting innovation. During the course of the inspection that focused on learning the experiences of Zhejiang and the progress in the construction of ‘Innovative Zhejiang’, the delegation visited the Future Science and Technology City and Hangzhou West Science and Technology Innovation Corridor for the examination of innovative products in fields such as biomedicine and high-end manufacturing. The delegation further inspected the status of ‘Six little dragons of Hangzhou’, a title given to the rising companies in the field of technology and innovation from Hangzhou that has lately acquired global recognition, such as DeepSeek, Yushu Tech, Youke Interactive, Quiche Tech, Yunshenchu, and Qiangnao technologies. The delegation also visited Alibaba’s headquarters in Hangzhou exploring new technologies created by the company. While Zhejiang welcomes numerous delegations every year for its learning experience to be replicated in other parts of the country, the Anhui delegation is the first of 2025. Zhejiang’s ‘Innovation Way’ focuses on three main facets- promotion of the integration of science and technology in education, integration of scientific, technological and industrial innovation, and finally, the empowerment of the economy through digital reforms. The administrators of Zhejiang noted that the province is aiming at the acceleration of the ‘Innovative Zhejiang’ project, thereby contributing to the country’s growing economy.
SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA
Taiwanese Actress Wu Ying-jie’s Single Motherhood Gathers Praise on Social Media: Renowned actress and singer from Taiwan, Wu Ying-jie, popularly known as Gui Gui is creating waves on Chinese social media for her transparency and courageous remarks with respect to her decision to be a single mother. Her remarks that went viral on social media were made during an address at a fashion event held in Taipei. The fashion event was her first public appearance after her pregnancy. Wu voiced her decision to take up both parental roles and added that she will make sure to work even harder and raise the child with dignity, providing an easier life and education for her daughter. She also called for greater support to all single mothers trying to create a safe space, who are focusing on achieving a work-life balance. Wu’s decision of single parenthood is unconventional in Chinese society, and her actions are being received positively, with users commenting on her bravery, stating, “I admire her courage”. Netizens reacted to Wu’s remarks with praise for her decision and determination, with fans and others praising her for “being a brave and inspiring figure of modern womanhood” and others stating, “You don’t have to get married to have a child!”.
INDIA WATCH
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The Paper Discusses the US National Intelligence Director’s Visit to India: An article released in the Chinese media outlet, ‘The Paper’, discussed the visit of the US National Intelligence Director to India, speculating that it could pave the way for Trump’s visit to India sooner than expected. The US National Intelligence Director, Tulsi Gabbard, in her address at the Raisina Dialogue expressed the alignment of America’s and India’s policies of ‘Nation first’. The article noted that India-US cooperation in emerging technologies and cybersecurity was highlighted by Gabbard in her address. The article highlighted that the address also focused on defense cooperation between both countries as well as the need for both countries to uphold the Indo-Pacific Peace and ensure security in the region. The article quoted an analyst from Shanghai, who stated that the address was an effort to win over India for the purpose of strategic encirclement. The article further noted that the trend of military exchanges amongst India, US and other Western countries is becoming clearer. The article stated that there is a probability of deepening cooperation between India with Five Eyes Alliance in intelligence sharing, adding that the US and India already share multiple agreements in this regard. While India’s cooperation with Five Eyes Intelligence has been growing, the article also notes that India is aware of the surveillance of the Five Eyes Alliance that these countries have, following the investigation into the assassination of Sikhs in North America. The article concludes by stating that India is crucial to the US Strategy in the Indo-Pacific and therefore Trump’s visit can be expected at the end of the year.
Prepared By
Lakshmi Priya Vijayan
Lakshmi Priya Vijayan holds a master’s degree in Geopolitics and International Relations from the Department of Geopolitics and International Relations, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka, India. Her areas of interest include geopolitics of Southeast Asia, biosecurity, political economy, transnational organised crimes and public diplomacy. She has previously interned at Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. Her writings have been published in reputed institutions such as MP-IDSA, CENJOWS, EJSS and more.