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NEWS IN CHINA

• China’s Military Signals Willingness to Work with India to Maintain Border Peace: Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang announced that the Chinese military is prepared to cooperate with its Indian counterpart to uphold peace and stability along the border areas. Responding to questions about the future of military relations between the two neighbours, Zhang highlighted the importance of collaboration and cooperation in light of ongoing regional and geopolitical dynamics. With the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year as the central focus, Zhang underscored that both countries were at a critical juncture in their respective modernization processes highlighting shared civilizational legacy and common roles as major developing nations in the Global South. He also stressed that cooperation between the two nations aligns with the fundamental interests of their people. Zhang reiterated China’s commitment to implementing the consensus reached between the two states and called for deepening strategic communication and mutual trust between the militaries.
  
  

• Chinese Coast Guard Supervises Philippine Resupply Mission to Grounded Warship: The Chinese Coastal Guards has announced that they had allowed and supervised a resupply mission by the Philippines to the grounded warship at the Ren’ai reef in South China Sea. The Chinese Coastal guard spokesperson Li Dejun in a statement confirmed that the Philippines had dispatched a civilian vessel to deliver supplies to a grounded boat after seeking permission from Beijing. He affirmed that the mission was carried out under full Chinese supervision after the CCG conducted inquiries and verified the vessel throughout the operation. China urged the Philippines to strongly commit to jointly managing the maritime situation while asserting that the CCG will continue to conduct rightful protection and enforcement activities in the Nansha islands including the nearby waters. 

  
  
• China Establishes New Strategic Mineral Type: The ministry of natural resources on Thursday has announced the establishment of high purity quartz as the 174th new mineral type of China. High purity quartz is a crucial material for emerging strategic industries such as photovoltaic panels, significantly contributing to the global high-tech competition. Globally the mineral is distributed unevenly with China heavily relying on imports to meet its demands. Following the discovery of high purity quartz deposits in Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region and Henan province, this development marks China’s step towards localization of resources towards securing its high tech industry and supply chains from external shocks. 
  
  

• China, IAEA Sign Deal to Boost Nuclear Cooperation in Global South: China and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have signed a five-year agreement to deepen cooperation in nuclear technology with the aim of focusing on supporting sustainable development in the Global South. The two sides signed key agreements on Wednesday, chalking out a five-year roadmap for expanded cooperation that encompasses joint efforts in key areas such as nuclear security, agriculture, healthcare, environmental protection, and basic nuclear research. China will also use its research institutes and universities to train nuclear professionals from developing countries while enabling talent exchange in the nuclear field. Shan Zhongde, head of the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA), has emphasized China’s commitment to advancing peaceful nuclear use and promoting a fairer global nuclear order. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi lauded China’s rapid advancements in nuclear technology and embraced the collaboration in supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. 
  
  

• China, Malaysia Align to Oppose U.S. Tariffs, Vow to Defend Multilateral Trade: In a virtual meeting held on Thursday, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Malaysian Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz held discussions on strengthening bilateral and China-ASEAN economic ties amid rising tensions with the United States.They discussed the growing concern over the U.S.'s so-called "reciprocal tariffs". Calling them a form of unilateral bullying. Minister Wang argued that while the U.S. has historically benefited from global trade, its recent actions threaten not only China and ASEAN economies interests but also global economic stability and the reliability of international supply chains. China emphasized that it  will not back down and has already introduced countermeasures. China also expressed its willingness to engage in open communication with ASEAN nations to address shared concerns. In response, Malaysian minister Zafrul reaffirmed Malaysia’s opposition to the U.S. tariffs, stating it contradicts the core principles of the World Trade Organization. The exchange highlighted a growing bonhomie between China and ASEAN in resisting American heavy handedness in trade negotiations, highlighting Beijing’s push to gather regional support.

  
  
  SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

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  JYP Labels Taiwan as Chinese Province, Applauded by Mainland Fans: Chinese netizens have widely praised South Korean entertainment firm JYP Entertainment on Thursday after its platform listed Taiwan as "Taiwan, Province of China." The label appeared in multiple language settings on the “Fans” app, including English, Korean, and Chinese. The move quickly went viral on Sina Weibo, with the related hashtags garnering over 87 million views. K-pop fans lauded the company for respecting China’s territorial integrity while emphasizing that taking the correct political stance could benefit JYP’s reputation and its artists' careers in the Chinese market. Even users who aren’t followers of Korean pop culture welcomed JYP’s clear position. Altough speculations suggested that the move was a strategic market decision, Chinese netizens appriciated the gesture of goodwill.

  
   

  INDIA WATCH

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  Indian Minister Criticised for calling US tariffs 'Opportunity of a Lifetime,' Blaming China for joining WTO: In an op-ed publised at Global Times Chinese experts condemned India’s commerce minister for calling the US reciprocal tariffs as an opportunity of a lifetime while blaming China for the current turbulence in the global economy. Analysts in the piece noted that India’s willingness to compromise would only prompt the US government to demand greater concessions. Responding to his statement blaming China joining the world trade organisation for the current turmoil and global economy, an expert noted that the minister was trying to seek exemptions from the US by shifting all the blame onto China. Another expert remarked that the statement showed India‘s opportunistic mindset and that India was trying to seek exemptions by shifting the blame on China. The article also observed that while India has expressed capabilities to handle the situation, its economy faced severe impacts. The article concluded, stating that trade and tariff conflicts ultimately harm all involved and that countries must engage in inclusive dialogue, commit to genuine multilateral cooperation and resist unilateral protectionist measures in the global economy. 

Prepared By

Ipsha Bhalsagar

Ipsha Bhalsagar, an Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering graduate from the Government College of Engineering, Nagpur, blends her technical expertise with a passion for international relations, diplomacy, and design. Currently a Content Intern at The Indian Netizens and a Design Intern at IFPD, she explores geopolitics while contributing creatively. She has authored research on India’s maritime security and participated in global roundtables and workshops. With experience in content writing, public speaking, and data visualization, Ipsha is keen on bridging technology and social sciences, aspiring to enhance research through data-driven insights in diplomacy and international affairs.