NEWS IN CHINA
- China-Cambodia Launch “Golden Dragon-2025” Joint Exercise at Ream Port: China and Cambodia launched the "Golden Dragon-2025" joint military exercise following the official inauguration of the China-Cambodia Joint Support and Training Center at Ream Port. This exercise, held at the newly established center, marks a significant step in deepening bilateral military cooperation and enhancing regional peace and stability. The exercise involved warships from both countries conducting formation maneuvers, maritime communication, and equipment drills, reinforcing joint command capabilities. It lays the groundwork for future joint operations across land, sea, and air domains. The “Golden Dragon” series, held regularly since its inception, reflects strong strategic coordination and a longstanding friendship. Experts note the center’s modern facilities, developed with Chinese support, now enable broader cooperation in training, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasized the base's inclusive and transparent purpose, welcoming participation from all friendly nations. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing defense collaboration based on mutual respect and equal consultation, highlighting the center’s role in contributing to regional security, peace, and development.
- China Opposes U.S. Tariff Measures, Calls for Fair and Inclusive Global Trade: China has voiced firm opposition to the United States’ continued abuse of tariffs, calling the measures a serious violation of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and a disruption to global economic stability. The Chinese government stated that the U.S. approach reflects unilateralism and protectionism under the pretext of “fairness” and “reciprocity,” prioritizing its own interests while disregarding global norms and mutual benefit. China emphasized that pressure and coercion are not effective means of engaging with it, and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and development rights. Stressing the importance of China-U.S. economic cooperation, the statement urged the U.S. to stop weaponizing tariffs and undermining China’s legitimate growth. China remains committed to high-level opening-up and supporting a rules-based, multilateral trading system. It advocates for open, inclusive, and mutually beneficial globalization, and calls on all countries to jointly uphold equity and fairness. The statement reiterated that trade wars yield no winners, and that protectionism only leads to isolation and division, counter to the shared interests of the global community.|
- China-Laos Railway Deepens Regional Connectivity and Educational Cooperation: Marking the 10th anniversary of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC), the 2025 "Lancang-Mekong Week" was held in Luang Prabang, Laos, themed "Railway Connectivity, People-to-People Bonds." Jointly organized by Shanghai Institute of Technology and Suphanuphonong University, the event showcased the success of the China-Laos Railway under the Belt and Road Initiative as a model of regional integration. The China-Laos College of Engineers and “Tianyou Academy,” launched in 2024, exemplify transnational education-industry cooperation. Shanghai Institute of Technology has trained over 60 senior Lao railway professionals, with more than 10 becoming technical leaders. Officials from both nations praised the collaboration for fostering talent, enhancing infrastructure, and strengthening ties. The unveiling of the “Tianyou Bookstore” at Suphanuphonong University further promotes cultural and educational exchange. The China-Laos Railway continues to serve as a bridge of development, friendship, and talent cultivation, contributing to the Lancang-Mekong region’s shared prosperity and connectivity.
- Qingming Festival Holiday Sees Surge in Travel Across China: China experienced a significant rise in domestic travel on April 4, the first day of the three-day Qingming Festival holiday. The nation’s railway network recorded over 20.09 million passenger trips, an 8.4% increase year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Transport. Air and water transport also witnessed steady growth, with 1.79 million and 880,000 trips, respectively. Road travel remained dominant, totaling 264.72 million trips—an increase of 9.7%, with 228.23 million private vehicle journeys marking an 11.1% rise. The Qingming Festival, observed on April 4 this year, is a traditional occasion for honoring ancestors. It also offers an opportunity for Chinese citizens to enjoy nature and leisure travel, reflecting the country's robust domestic mobility and tourism recovery. Neitzen’s Commented like “Delivered an outstanding performance in the women’s 10m platform final, dominating the competition and securing the gold and silver medals respectively.”
SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER
Chinese Divers Shine at FINA Diving World Cup in Mexico: At the FINA Diving World Cup in Mexico, Chinese athletes showcased their excellence in the women’s 10m platform final. Chen Yuxi claimed the gold medal with a score of 419.35, followed closely by Quan Hongchan, who earned silver with 414.40. The competition reaffirmed China’s strength in diving, with both athletes leading the field. Quan's spirited support for her teammate was a highlight, as she warmly applauded and gave a thumbs-up upon Chen’s victory. Their unity was beautifully reflected when they stood hand in hand during the award ceremony, embodying both competitive spirit and deep camaraderie. Chinese netizens praised the moment as “pure gold, both in skill and spirit”, while others remarked, “this is what true sportsmanship looks like, warm, genuine, and inspiring”.
INDIA WATCH
Article on Global Times Highlights India and Sri Lanka Deepen Cooperation with Focus on Regional Balance: Article on Global Times Highlights, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Sri Lanka, the two nations signed key agreements across defence, energy, health, trade, and digital infrastructure. While some Indian media outlets linked these developments to concerns over China’s regional influence, Chinese experts commented that the visit focused on bilateral cooperation rather than targeting any third party. The article states that the Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reaffirmed his country’s commitment to not allowing its territory to threaten India's security interests. Experts noted such statements reflect a diplomatic approach aimed at maintaining balanced relations with all partners, rather than signaling any policy shift. China and Sri Lanka continue to deepen their strategic partnership, highlighted by President Dissanayake’s January state visit to China. The visit resulted in several cooperation agreements under the Belt and Road Initiative, focusing on trade, agriculture, media, and public welfare. Chinese experts stressed that regional development should not be viewed through a zero-sum lens, and constructive cooperation among all partners, based on mutual respect remains vital for regional peace and prosperity.
Prepared By
Cherukuri Venkata Subramanya Sai Narayana
Cherukuri Venkata Subramanya Sai Narayana holds a Master’s degree in Police and Security Studies from the School of Police Science and Security Studies, National Forensic Science University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. He has a strong academic interest in conflict and security studies, with a particular focus on maritime security. During his postgraduate studies, he authored a thesis on India’s Maritime Security: Dealing with Alliances and Conflicts in the Indian Ocean Region. He remains actively engaged in analyzing global events, applying his knowledge and expertise to assess geopolitical developments with a critical perspective.