CICM 8th April 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

Three Senior Officials Expelled from CPC for Serious Disciplinary Violations: The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the National Commission of Supervision have announced the expulsion of three senior officials—Li Gang, Liu Mancang, and Chen Xiaobo—from the Communist Party of China (CPC) following serious breaches of Party discipline and national laws. With approval from the CPC Central Committee, investigations revealed that the officials had abandoned Party principles, violated integrity standards, and engaged in misconduct such as accepting gifts and banquets, abusing their positions for personal gain, and failing to disclose personal information as required. All three individuals have been expelled from the Party, dismissed from public office, and had their illicit gains confiscated. Their cases have been transferred to judicial authorities for further legal proceedings. Notably, Li Gang, a former senior anti-corruption official, was found to have committed grave violations, further amplifying the seriousness of the case. His dismissal underscores the Party’s zero-tolerance stance on internal corruption and its continued efforts to uphold discipline and rule of law.
China Reaffirms Support for Multilateral Trade Amid U.S. Tariff Tensions: China has reiterated its commitment to fair trade and the multilateral trading system, following recent comments by U.S. officials hinting at potential tariff increases on Chinese imports. At a regular press briefing on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized that China firmly upholds its legitimate rights and interests while continuing to advocate for dialogue and cooperation. He stressed that unilateral tariff measures run counter to World Trade Organization (WTO) principles and risk undermining global economic stability. “China strongly condemns and firmly opposes the broad imposition of tariffs by the United States,” Lin said, adding that the country will take necessary measures to defend its economic interests. In response to mounting trade tensions, Lin underscored China’s readiness to engage constructively but cautioned against coercive tactics. “The Chinese people do not seek conflict, but they are not afraid to face it. Pressure, threats, and coercion are not effective ways to engage with China,” he stated.
Premier Li and EU President Reaffirm Commitment to Stronger China-EU Ties: On April 8, Premier Li Qiang held a phone conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, marking a key diplomatic engagement as China and the EU celebrate the 50th anniversary of formal relations. Both leaders acknowledged the steady progress in China-EU ties and emphasized the strength of their economic partnership. They underscored the importance of deepening mutual trust, maintaining high-level exchanges, and expanding cooperation across key sectors. Premier Li reiterated China’s willingness to enhance collaboration with the EU in areas such as trade, green development, the digital economy, and strategic coordination. He highlighted China’s macroeconomic resilience amid global uncertainties and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to continued reform, opening up, and shared global development. President von der Leyen echoed the EU’s interest in maintaining stable and constructive relations with China. She welcomed the proposal for a future EU-China summit and expressed strong interest in advancing cooperation on trade, climate action, and the green transition. Both sides voiced support for an open and fair multilateral trading system and agreed to work together to bolster global economic stability through dialogue and partnership.
China Expands Urban Renewal Efforts to Boost Infrastructure and Quality of Life: China’s Ministry of Finance has announced continued central government support for urban renewal initiatives in 2025, underscoring a commitment to modernizing city infrastructure and improving urban living standards. The renewed efforts aim to build a long-term, sustainable mechanism for urban revitalization while driving infrastructure upgrades and promoting consumption-led growth. As part of the initiative, up to 20 major cities—particularly mega and super-large urban centers along key river basins—will be selected for focused development. These cities will receive region-specific fixed subsidies to support comprehensive improvements over the next three years. Key areas of focus include upgrading urban pipelines, enhancing sewage systems, and renovating aging residential communities. The move is aligned with China’s broader push toward high-quality development, emphasizing inclusive, efficient, and people-centered urban transformation. By improving foundational infrastructure and encouraging economic activity, the initiative seeks to meet public needs while shaping livable, future-ready cities.
Li Xi Urges Rigorous Inspections to Drive China’s Modernization Agenda: China’s top anti-corruption official, Li Xi, underscored the critical role of high-quality disciplinary inspections in advancing the country's modernization efforts. Speaking at a national meeting on inspection work, Li—member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the central leading group on disciplinary inspection—emphasized aligning inspection efforts with the core priorities of the Communist Party of China (CPC), particularly at the provincial level. The meeting marked the launch of the fifth round of inspections under the 20th CPC Central Committee. Li stressed a problem-oriented approach, urging inspectors to identify political blind spots, follow the Party’s regional strategies, and adopt improved methods to ensure impactful outcomes. The latest inspection round will focus on areas including Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, and Kunming, while also coordinating with local bodies in cities such as Changchun and Hangzhou. The aim is to enhance oversight mechanisms and reinforce regional development in step with China's broader modernization goals.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Child Safely Recovers After Swallowing Gold Bar, Incident Sparks Safety Awareness Debate: A young boy named Xiao Qian is recovering well after a rare and alarming incident in which he accidentally swallowed a gold bar. Treated at Suzhou University Children’s Hospital, Xiao initially showed no symptoms, but an X-ray revealed the gold bar lodged inside his body. Doctors promptly performed a successful endoscopic procedure to remove the object, ensuring a full and safe recovery with minimal invasiveness. The unusual case quickly drew widespread public attention, sparking discussions about child safety and the importance of preventive measures. Medical experts and educators have since emphasized the need for increased awareness among parents, schools, and communities to avoid similar incidents. “This incident is a strong reminder of the need for supervision and proactive education when it comes to children’s safety,” said one pediatric safety specialist. Online reactions ranged from concern to disbelief. One netizen commented, “It’s dangerous! If you have gold bars at home, keep them out of reach—don’t let children accidentally swallow them.” Another remarked humorously, “Didn’t people die from swallowing gold in ancient times? This gold must not be pure enough!” The incident has become a talking point across social media, underlining how quickly everyday household items can turn into unexpected hazards—and how essential it is to be vigilant.

INDIA WATCH

An Article in Global Times discusses India’s Approach to Chinese Investment: An article in Global Times analyzed India’s continued restrictions on Chinese investments, noting that there is little indication these measures will be eased soon. Citing a Times of India report, the article highlighted that India remains cautious despite growing calls to revisit its foreign direct investment norms. The piece argued that the U.S.-imposed tariffs on Chinese goods have intensified India’s concerns over China's economic influence, while simultaneously encouraging India to attract global supply chains. However, the article warned that India’s increasing scrutiny of Chinese companies and its efforts to position itself as a China alternative have fostered a hostile business environment that could harm both countries. While acknowledging India’s national security concerns, the article cautioned that excessive restrictions may undermine India's economic goals. It pointed out that Chinese tech firms have contributed affordable products and healthy market competition, and limiting them could negatively impact Indian consumers and innovation. The article concluded by advocating for a more balanced and open approach, suggesting that cooperation—not isolation—between India and China could foster mutual economic growth and regional stability.

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.