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NEWS IN CHINA

• Fifth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers Meeting: The fifth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers meeting was held on Sunday in Chengdu Sichuan Province in southwest China. It was chaired by Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, and his counterparts from five central Asian countries also attended. The discussion points included expressing support for Kazakhstan to hold the summit the following year. They agreed to begin the process of signing key cooperation documents like the action plan for the high-quality construction of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. Wang emphasized deepening cooperation on modernisation goals, including strengthening development strategy alignment, prioritising industrial investment, trade, agricultural modernization and connectivity. The countries will also implement the Global Security Initiative to combat terrorism, separatism and extremism.
  
  
• China Condemns Developments in US-Taiwan Relations: The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that China will take strong and resolute countermeasures following an announcement made by the US Department of Defense that it has approved USD 385 million worth of arms sales to Taiwan. The arms sale plans include actively electronically scanned array radars, spare parts and support for F-16 aircraft. He further said that this decision is inconsistent with the US' commitment to not supporting Taiwanese independence forces. Additionally, China condemned Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te’s stopover in Hawaii while he went on a trip to meet his diplomatic allies in the Pacific. The spokesperson reiterated that China opposes any form of official interaction between the US and Taiwan.
  
  
• Khujareb Pass on China-Pakistan Border to be Open Year Round: The Khujareb Pass, the only land port on the China-Pakistan border, located in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, has officially transitioned from seasonal access to being operational year-round. The port is situated in the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County of Kashgar which is an important area for the China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC), and a gateway to South Asia and Europe. Traffic on the port has gradually increased and has seen 11,000 inbound and outbound vehicles and 40,900 tonnes of goods. China mainly imports textiles, daily commodities and agricultural products at the ports, and exports plants and herbs. This move will help in promoting Sino-Pakistani economic and cultural exchanges.
  
  
• New Border Rule Boosts Guangdong - Hong Kong - Macau Integration: On Sunday, China implemented a new policy allowing Shenzhen citizens to obtain multiple entry permits to the neighbouring Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in an effort to boost mobility within the Guangdong-Hong Kong- Macau Greater Bay Area. Under this new policy, Shenzhen citizens will be able to visit Hong Kong as many times each year, with each stay capped at up to seven days. People holding residence permits in Shenzhen are eligible, in addition to permanent residents. Experts have said that this will benefit Hong Kong’s tourism, transport, hotel and other industries. Coupled with the upgrading of the transport network, it will advance the building of a one-hour living circle in the region.
  
  
• Chinese Response to Concerns over Joint Russia-China Air Patrol: The Chinese Ministry of National Defense clarified concerns regarding the Russia-China Joint aerial patrol over the Pacific Ocean and called it a routine program. This remark was made in response to a question by media members who suggested that the action could escalate regional tensions. Zhang Xiaogang, the Defense Ministry spokesperson, further said that the Chinese and Russian air forces conducted patrols over relevant areas of the Sea of Japan and the West Pacific, and the move is unrelated to the current international and regional situation. The operation did not target any third party, he claimed, and the objective was to enhance joint training and operational capabilities of the air forces of both countries.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Controversy Surrounds Chinese Mother’s Decision to Have Second Child via IVF: A Chinese mother in Zhengzhou, Henan province, has sparked heated online debates after revealing that she had a second child through IVF while raising her leukaemia-stricken son alone. Balancing the financial strain of her son’s treatment and her job as a delivery rider, the woman gave birth prematurely to a daughter while already burdened with significant debt. Turning to crowdfunding for her medical bills, she explained her decision by saying she wanted her son to have a sibling and not grow up lonely.  The revelation drew polarized reactions online, exposing stark societal divisions. Many netizens questioned how the woman underwent IVF, given its legal restrictions for single women in China, and criticized her for bringing another child into an already difficult situation. Comments reflected concern for the newborn’s future. Conversely, some empathized with her predicament, pointing to the mother’s resilience and the emotional weight of raising a child alone under such circumstances. Supportive voices acknowledged the mother’s intentions and highlighted the systemic lack of resources for single parents and families in financial distress.  This incident highlights broader societal challenges in China, including restrictive reproductive policies, inadequate support for single mothers, and public attitudes toward poverty and illness. It also reflects the complexities of balancing personal desires with societal expectations, sparking ongoing conversations about family, responsibility, and resilience in the face of adversity.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha's Analysis of Evolving India-China Relations Sparks Discussion:  Chinese news outlet Guancha recently published an opinion article analyzing what it describes as a potential shift in India’s China policy. The piece highlights the border agreement signed by the two countries ahead of the BRICS summit as evidence of improving relations. According to the author, this development could reflect a strategic recalibration in India’s foreign policy priorities.  The article suggests that India has sought to navigate the complexities of China-US competition, pursuing closer ties with the United States while maintaining an independent stance. For instance, India has notably declined to join initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and has taken a selective approach to the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad). However, the author argues that some misalignments persist between India and the US, as each expects the other to assume greater responsibility in counterbalancing China.  The piece further declares that Indian Prime Minister Modi’s recent emphasis on stability reflects a broader recognition of the need to balance strategic alignments with economic and regional interests. The article notes that India’s manufacturing sector still relies significantly on Chinese imports. These factors, the author suggests, may encourage India to adopt a more pragmatic approach to bilateral ties.  On the border issue, the author states that China has had a consistent stance and that the dispute should not define the entirety of Sino-Indian relations. The conclusion emphasizes that shared challenges, such as poverty and underdevelopment, should take precedence over geopolitical rivalries. The author calls it aligning with China’s broader vision of fostering cooperation across the Global South. 

Prepared By

Veda Jain

Veda Jain is currently a third-year student at Flame University, majoring in International Studies and minoring in Literary and Cultural Studies. She has a strong interest in modern Chinese politics and is keen on analyzing the dynamics of Indo-China relations.