CiCM 7th 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

Premier Chinese Think Tank Shuts Down One of its Research Centres: The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), China’s premier state-run think tank, has officially closed its Public Policy Research Center. The abrupt shutdown, effective immediately, was announced as part of a broader internal directive aimed at reinforcing ideological consistency across research institutions. In a public statement issued on Sunday, CASS declared that all activities conducted under the center’s name are now considered “illegal,” with remaining research initiatives being transferred to the Institute of Economics. A separate notice from the Institute underscored that “legal responsibility lies with the perpetrators” of any continued activity under the former center’s banner. Part-time researchers have been reassigned to their original departments, while others have been dismissed, according to the statement posted on the CASS website. In line with the closure, the center’s digital presence—including its official website and social media accounts—has also been deactivated.
Chinese Government Rolls Out Anti-Healthcare Fraud Measures: The National Healthcare Security Administration of China announced a tip-off service through the official WeChat Account as a measure to curb healthcare insurance fraud. The service will allow social organisations and citizens to report leads on medical insurance fraud. In 2024, over 10,000 individuals were arrested, with 27.5 billion yuan worth of healthcare insurance funds being used fraudulently, according to China's medical insurance watchdogs. Under the tip-off service, eligible correspondents and tipsters would receive monetary rewards as a one-time payment ranging from 200 yuan to 200,000 yuan. This measure exemplifies the Chinese initiative to eradicate corruption and utilise public funds to benefit public health and security, with the government urging the citizens to make efforts for the needful.
CPC and State Council Unveils Long-Term Plan to Transform Agriculture and Rural Development: The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council have jointly released an ambitious blueprint titled the “Plan for Accelerating the Building of a Powerful Agricultural Nation (2024–2035).” Aimed at bolstering national food security and rural revitalization, the plan outlines a strategic vision to significantly enhance agricultural productivity and self-reliance over the next decade. A key target is to increase national grain production capacity to 1.4 trillion jin by 2027, supported by stringent protection of arable land and the modernization of farmland infrastructure. The plan underscores innovation as a central pillar—highlighting a national “Seed Industry Revitalization Action” to achieve domestic self-sufficiency in critical seed technologies. Additionally, the roadmap promotes the integration of high-tech solutions in agriculture, including intelligent machinery, smart farming systems, and the establishment of a nationwide agricultural big data platform to drive digital transformation in the sector. Looking ahead to 2035, the initiative envisions the transformation of rural villages into modern, well-equipped townships, bridging the urban-rural divide and fostering inclusive, shared prosperity across China’s countryside.
China Launches Advanced Radio Telescope at Antarctic Research Station: On April 3, 2025, China unveiled the installation of the Three Gorges Antarctic Eye, a cutting-edge 3.2-meter aperture radio telescope at Zhongshan Station in Antarctica. Jointly developed by China’s Three Gorges University (CTGU) and Shanghai Normal University (SHNU), the telescope marks a significant leap forward in China's polar astronomy ambitions. Designed to study the Milky Way's neutral hydrogen and ammonia molecular spectral lines, the telescope will aid in advancing scientific understanding of star formation processes and interstellar gases. Capable of capturing data across radio and low-frequency millimeter-wave bands, the instrument is expected to lay the groundwork for the next generation of Antarctic astronomical technologies. Once operational stability is achieved, CTGU plans to deploy research teams to Zhongshan Station to conduct on-site scientific expeditions, further enhancing China’s capacity in deep-space observation and polar research.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce Hosts 20+ American Firms in a Roundtable Conference: The Chinese Ministry of Commerce convened a roundtable with representatives from over 20 leading American companies. The meeting was chaired by Ling Ji, Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative, and featured participation from major U.S. firms including Tesla, Medtronic, and GE Healthcare, among others. The primary objective of the dialogue was to reinforce China’s ongoing commitment to reform and economic openness. Vice Minister Ling Ji assured attendees of China’s dedication to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investors, while actively addressing their operational concerns. Ling Ji also called the recent wave of U.S. tariffs a direct challenge to the multilateral trading system and global economic stability. He urged American multinational corporations operating in China to assess the evolving situation with reason and pursue pragmatic solutions to help stabilize global supply chains. Emphasizing mutual benefit, Ji highlighted the importance of deepening cooperation between the two economies for shared growth and resilience.
Black Monday for China, as American Tariffs Crash Global Stock Market: China faced significant financial turbulence following the imposition of new U.S. tariffs, which sent shockwaves across global stock markets. The Shanghai Composite Index plunged by 7%, marking its worst single-day performance in the last five years. In a bid to stabilize the shaken markets, Central Huijin Investment Ltd.—a major state-owned investment arm—intervened by increasing its holdings in exchange-traded funds. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian condemned the US tariffs as an act of economic unilateralism and hegemonic behavior. Jian described the U.S. action as a “self-serving measure” disguised under the rhetoric of reciprocity, stating that it prioritizes “America First” over international norms and disregards the legitimate interests of other nations. He further criticized the tariffs for violating the World Trade Organization’s principle of non-discrimination and obstructing progress toward the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Surge of Anti-Trump Sentiment and Nationalist Consumerism on Chinese Social Media: In response to escalating U.S.-China trade tensions, Chinese social media has seen a wave of anti-Trump sentiment and widespread support for the Chinese government’s retaliatory tariffs against the United States. Netizens actively debated the broader implications of the tariffs, particularly their impact on consumer goods and the shifting tides of globalisation. Many users advocated for increased economic self-reliance and the prioritization of domestic consumption. One prominent blogger wrote: “This is a moment to reaffirm our national unity. If we have domestic alternatives, we should choose them—rapeseed oil or peanut oil over imported soybean oil, and Chinese electronics over foreign brands. Supporting local products is a concrete way to respond to the government’s call for expanding domestic consumption.” Social platforms were also marked by strong anti-American rhetoric, with calls to boycott American brands such as Starbucks and KFC. These expressions highlight a growing sentiment among Chinese citizens to counter foreign economic influence through nationalist consumer behavior, framing it as both a patriotic duty and a practical response to external economic pressure.

INDIA WATCH

Xinhua Highlights Sharp Decline in Indian Stock Markets Amid Global Economic Jitters: A recent article published by Xinhua reported a significant one-day slump in India’s stock markets, with a combined loss of approximately ₹14 trillion (around USD 16.32 billion). The report noted that this marked the steepest single-day decline in the Indian markets over the past ten months, attributing the fall to a broader global market downturn triggered by escalating tariff tensions and growing fears of a global recession. According to the report, both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) experienced a sharp intra-day drop of around 5 percent before partially recovering. The BSE closed at 73,137.90, down by 2,227 points or 2.95 percent, while the NSE Nifty50 settled at 22,161.60, registering a decline of 743 points or 3.24 percent. Citing The Times of India, Xinhua outlined multiple contributing factors behind the market crash, including the intensifying global trade war, fears of economic slowdown, and heightened investor anxiety over potential recessionary trends.

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.