CiCM 23rd April 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

Xi Jinping Calls For Greater Unity Between the Military, Civilians, and the Government: President Xi Jinping, in a national conference honoring model cities and counties, called for greater integration and synergy between the military, civilian population, and government institutions. Emphasizing the overarching leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Xi highlighted the need for innovative reforms and improved policy mechanisms to deepen military-civil integration. Xi described the mutual support between military and civilian sectors as a “fine tradition” and a “unique political advantage”, urging Party committees and governments at all levels to actively support military development, address the concerns of service members, and cultivate a societal environment that respects national defense and honors military personnel. He further emphasized the role of the military in contributing to local development, urging it to maintain a strong sense of purpose and deliver tangible benefits to the people. Xi concluded by calling for enhanced coordination to strengthen the enduring unity between the military, the government, and the populace.
China and Azerbaijan Establish Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: During the state visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Beijing, President Xi Jinping and President Aliyev jointly announced the elevation of China-Azerbaijan relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening political trust, expanding bilateral cooperation, and enhancing multilateral coordination on regional and global issues. President Xi reiterated China’s firm support for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, and offered cooperation in law enforcement and security, with a particular focus on countering terrorism, extremism, and separatism. Both sides emphasized the importance of aligning development strategies, especially through advancing the Belt and Road Initiative, and expressed readiness to expand collaboration in education, culture, tourism, and development planning. President Aliyev highlighted the principles of mutual respect and strengthening bilateral ties, voicing Azerbaijan’s interest in deepening partnerships in the digital economy, green energy, and scientific and technological innovation. The visit concluded with the signing of a joint statement and 20 cooperation agreements across a range of sectors, including a mutual visa exemption agreement.
China Unveils Plan to Strengthen ODS and HFC Regulations Under Montreal Protocol Commitments: China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment has released a comprehensive National Implementation Plan aimed at bolstering the regulation of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) for the 2025–2030 period. The initiative aligns with the country’s obligations under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, addressing both ozone depletion and climate change. The plan introduced tighter controls across nine substance categories, emphasizing source control, process management, end-of-pipe treatment, and import/export regulations. Notably, it mandates a ban on HFC refrigerants used in refrigerator and freezer production starting January 1, 2026. The plan also outlined 11 specific tasks to ensure effective implementation across key regulatory domains.
SCO Chief Justices Convene in China to Strengthen Judicial Cooperation: The 20th Meeting of Chief Justices of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Member States was held in Zhejiang, China, with a focus on deepening judicial cooperation and legal exchanges across the SCO framework. Zhang Jun, President of the Supreme People’s Court of China, reaffirmed the SCO members' enduring commitment to the core principles of mutual trust, reciprocal benefit, equality, consensus-building, respect for cultural diversity, and the pursuit of shared development. He emphasized that fostering sustainable, open, and dynamic judicial exchanges is in the common interest of all member states. Zhang also expressed China’s willingness to broaden consensus, expand cooperation platforms, and further consolidate the achievements of judicial collaboration. Chief justices and senior judicial representatives from Iran, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Russia, Belarus, and Uzbekistan took part in the meeting. One of the key issues discussed was cybercrime, with member states advocating for stronger legal cooperation and the development of robust cybersecurity frameworks to meet emerging challenges.
State Council Executive Meeting Charts Course for Economic Stability and High-Quality Growth: Premier Li Qiang chaired a State Council executive meeting on Tuesday, focusing on comprehensive measures to stabilize employment, spur economic growth, and advance high-quality development.The meeting discussed encouraging enterprises to maintain workforce stability, expand vocational training, and support foreign trade and investment, with particular emphasis on facilitating reinvestment by foreign-funded enterprises. The meeting also highlighted strategies to boost service consumption in sectors such as elderly care and tourism, revitalize private investment, stabilize the stock market amid current global economic uncertainties, and promote the healthy development of the real estate sector. In the legislative domain, the Council approved in principle a draft Social Assistance Law and a revised version of the Regulations on the Protection of New Plant Varieties, reflecting a broader push to revitalize the seed industry and strengthen social safety nets.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Public Outcry as Former Top Anti-Corruption Official Arrested for Corruption: The arrest of Li Gang, former head of the Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office at China’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the National Supervisory Commission (NSC), on corruption charges has sparked a firestorm on Chinese social media. Li stands accused of aiding political fraudsters, obstructing internal investigations, accepting bribes, and abusing his position of power, offenses that have drawn sharp public condemnation. Netizens branded him a “traitor” and a “mole,” with one viral comment stating, “This is breaking the law while enforcing it.” Others decried the case as emblematic of officials who have forsaken their ideals in pursuit of power. Amid widespread disillusionment, many called for stronger systemic checks to curb corruption and for the institutionalization of oversight, particularly over the “key minority” of top officials, to prevent similar breaches of public trust.

INDIA WATCH

Chinese Media Reports Pahalgam Terror Attack: Chinese Media, Xinhua, have reported the Pahalgam incident happened two days ago in Indian-Occupied Kashmir. According to the report, at least 25 tourists were killed and several others were injured in an attack by unidentified gunmen in the Baisaran meadow, Pahalgam. The article highlighted that Indian authorities swiftly deployed police, army, and paramilitary forces to evacuate the wounded and recover the deceased, with the injured first treated at a local government hospital and later transferred to Anantnag and Srinagar. The report quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice, and Home Minister Amit Shah, who stated that those responsible would face the “harshest consequences.” Separately, Global Times reported on the official reaction from Beijing, citing Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, who issued a strong condemnation of the attack. China reaffirmed its opposition to all forms of terrorism and extended condolences and sympathy to the victims and their families.

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.