CICM 2nd April 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

Top Politburo Officials Swap Jobs in Organisation Department and UFWD: Shi Taifeng and Li Ganjie, two prominent leaders of the Politburo, have seen their designations change, an unprecedented reshuffle of portfolios within the Politburo. Li Ganjie, who previously served as the head of the Central Organization Department, has been appointed as the head of the Central United Front Work Department. Shi Taifeng, who previously served as the head of the United Front Work Department, has now been made head of the Organisation Department. Taking up his new role, Shi Taifeng was reported to be listening to the progress of the study and the implementation of the Central Committee’s Eight Regulations in the Organisation Department. Li Ganjie, serving as the Minister of the Central United Front Work Department, presided over a symposium of delegates from the central committees of the democratic parties and non-party personnel to address the ecological protection of the Yangtze River on the same day. The switch in portfolios of the two Politburo members was officially confirmed on the website of the Central United Front Work Department.
Departments Implement Action Plan for Providing Education to Industrial Workers: The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, Ministry of Education, All-China Federation of Trade Unions, and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, have released the "Opinions on Widely Implementing the Action of Studying and Realizing Dreams to Promote the Education and Capacity Improvement of Industrial Workers”. The Action Plan emphasises the provision of higher education and vocational training opportunities for industrial workers who wish to pursue higher education and develop their skills. The policy states that by 2030, 300 projects will be established for 3 million industrial workers and calls for synergy of resources between government agencies, trade unions, business enterprises, schools, and other relevant stakeholders. The opinions propose to enhance the school-industry relationships through the establishment of off-campus centers of learning and special training institutions. In addition, the initiative proposes that specialized higher education programs and projects be created to meet the unique training needs of the workforce and are closely aligned with the demands of industrial, supply, and innovation chains.
China Introduces Guidelines to Deepen Price Reforms: Guidelines announced by the General Office of the Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council are expected to advance and refine the mechanisms of market price formation. The reforms have been outlined to promote efficient resource allocation, improve price guidance for major area development, ensure reasonable price levels, and develop a market price supervision mechanism that is transparent and predictable. The guidelines focus on agricultural products, energy pricing, public utilities, public services, and innovative pricing approaches as the primary areas of reform, to ensure food security, green transition, sustainable development, equitable access, and efficiency in the utilisation of public data. The reforms serve the purpose of synergising pricing and public policies pertinent to employment, monetary, and fiscal matters.
PLA Concludes Live-Fire Drills in East China Sea: The People's Liberation Army’s (PLA) Eastern Theater Command has concluded large-scale, live-fire military exercises and war games in the East China Sea and waters to the East of Taiwan. The troops conducted exercises specifically targeting port facilities and energy infrastructure, which included the navy and air forces, as well as the Shandong aircraft carrier group. The exercises included precision strikes, achievement of air dominance, and the application of multi-dimensional blockades and control aimed at integrated operations inside and outside the island chain. Senior Colonel and spokesperson for the Command, Shi Yi, highlighted the successful execution of various tasks, shedding light on the PLA's emphasis on verification, identification, interception, and detention of targets. Codenamed Strait Thunder-2025A, the exercises aimed to test and improve the capabilities of the PLAN in establishing control of areas surrounding Taiwan by implementing coordinated blockades and launching targeted attacks on land and sea targets. Beijing has described the exercises as “a stern warning and a strong deterrent to the separatist forces of Taiwan independence”.
China's Foreign Ministry Condemns US Sale of F-16s to Philippines: The Chinese Foreign Ministry has called for caution over the pace of defense and security collaboration between the United States and the Philippines, specifically the US’s green light for the sale of F-16 fighter aircraft to the Philippines. Spokesman Guo Jiakun stressed that cooperation should not come at the cost of regional stability and peace. He reaffirmed that China's defense cooperation with the Philippines is not focused on harming or weakening third parties' interests or contributing to regional tensions. He also stated that local players could identify the source of military provocation and destabilizing power in Asia, hinting at the US as the actor responsible for regional instability. The F-16 sale to the Philippines is part of a broader American strategy to support its allies in the region as a counter-weight to growing Chinese influence. China’s condemnation follows an official notice released by the US State Department, which approves the sale of 20 F-16 aircraft, as part of a larger package that includes anti-aircraft guns, surface to air missiles and ammunition worth 5.5 billion USD.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Netizens Challenge Safety of Xiaomi Car After Fatal Accident: A fatal car accident in Anhui on 29th March that resulted in the death of three university students has sparked outrage and shock on social media. The unfortunate incident has triggered a heated debate about Xiaomi’s Su7, a vehicle that has been lauded for its safety features since its launch in 2024. While initial social media reports claimed that the students could not escape due to the doors not unlocking, Xiaomi’s statements have addressed the claims about door functionality and refused claims with a timeline based on the vehicular data. While some netizens remain wary of Xiaomi’s automobiles, many have attributed the accident to reckless driving, driver fatigue, and road conditions. Xiaomi has claimed that it is cooperating with law enforcement and the families of the deceased, which has aided in clearing the picture, but the accident has produced mixed reactions to the company's image and products. One netizen commented on Weibo, “I hope that Xiaomi will not be burdened with too much responsibility through public opinion.” Others expressed support for the corporation’s efforts towards innovation and technological growth.

INDIA WATCH

CGTN Article Claims India-China Relationship Will Benefit Both Sides: The China Global Television Network, in an article titled “Dragon-Elephant Tango will Benefit Both,” has claimed that the mutually beneficial growth of the Dragon and the Elephant, i.e., China and India, is good for both sides. The article references the recent exchange of messages between Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Chinese President Xi Jinping, in which Xi described China-India ties as the Dragon-Elephant Tango. The article mentions the progress in India-China relations since the BRICS Summit in Kazan, citing the resumption of passenger flights and easing of travel restrictions. The article quotes Dr. Harsh Pant of the Observer Research Foundation on the subject of Indo-China, who stated that both economies should engage with each other more substantively. The article notes that bilateral trade has recovered, with China reclaiming the top spot as India's largest trading partner and trade totalled $118.4 billion in 2024. The article explains that this is due to each country's reliance on the other's comparative advantage, with China exporting industrial products and India exporting pharmaceuticals and software technology. The article also argues that cultural exchange has played an important role in strengthening ties, with more journalist and academic visits planned, along with an increase in the number of visas issued. The article quotes China’s Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong as saying, frequent and constructive interactions have been rare, and India-China relations are at a crucial stage of improvement and development.

Prepared By

Iklavya Dev

Iklavya is currently a Second Year student pursuing undergraduate degrees in Multimedia Communication and Political Science from K.C. College, Mumbai and Indira Gandhi National Open University respectively. He is deeply interested in the realms of Public Policy, Governance and International Relations, and aspires to broaden his horizons in the same through interactive working experiences and research. His research work includes various subjects ranging from Indian Foreign Policy and Defence Studies to Social Issues and Constitutional Law.