CiCM 28th April 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

Xi Jinping Calls on Working Class to Drive China's National Rejuvenation: At a ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU), President Xi Jinping underscored the vital role of the working class in achieving the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” Speaking at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi lauded the contributions of China's labor force and emphasized the need for continued dedication, innovation, and unity. He called on workers to uphold a spirit of hard work and pragmatism as China advances its goal of building a modern socialist state. The event also recognized model workers and highlighted the Chinese Communist Party’s (CPC) enduring view of the working class as the backbone of national development. Xi urged trade unions to deepen their support for workers, promote reform, and drive innovation-led growth. The centennial celebration reinforced the ACFTU’s role in safeguarding labor rights and strengthening the Party’s ties with the working population, concluding with calls for solidarity and resilience across China’s workforce.
China and India to Resume Sacred Pilgrimage Route: China and India will resume the long-standing religious pilgrimage to Mount Gang Renpoche (Kailash) and Lake Mapam Yun Tso (Manasarovar) in China’s Xizang Autonomous Region this summer, signaling a positive step in bilateral relations. The announcement was made following confirmation from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasizing that the pilgrimage represents a vital channel of cultural and people-to-people exchange between the two nations. Speaking on Monday, Guo referred to the revered sites—sacred to both Hindu and Buddhist traditions—as symbols of shared spiritual heritage. He expressed China’s readiness to support the resumption of the pilgrimage in line with the broader consensus reached by both countries' leaders, noting that preparations are already underway.
China and Central Asia Deepen Economic Ties, Reaffirm Commitment to Multilateralism: At the 6th China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, China and the five Central Asian nations reaffirmed their shared commitment to multilateralism and deepened economic cooperation. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized China’s continued policy of high-level opening-up and its vision of shared regional development. He framed China’s recent countermeasures as both a defense of its national interests and a broader effort to uphold international fairness and order. Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu called the forthcoming summit a new milestone in regional collaboration. The ministers focused on enhancing supply chains, boosting cross-border trade, and expanding joint industrial ventures. Wang Yi also presented a five-point proposal to guide future cooperation, calling for integrity, mutual benefit, institutional development, fairness, and long-term friendship. The joint statement concluded with consensus on China's role as a stabilizing force and its leadership in promoting a rules-based, multipolar world order.
China Announces Measures to Stabilize Employment and Economy: At a press conference, Zhao Chenxin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), outlined a five-pronged policy agenda aimed at promoting high-quality development and addressing economic headwinds. The new measures aim to focus on employment, consumption, trade, investment, and overall economic conditions. Zhao emphasized that job stability remains a top priority, and the government will encourage companies to retain workers, strengthen vocational training programs, expand work-relief initiatives, and enhance public employment services. On foreign trade, China will roll out customized support for export-oriented firms, help them mitigate external risks, and promote reinvestment by foreign-funded enterprises. To spur domestic consumption, the government will implement policies to promote service sector growth, improve eldercare services especially for disabled seniors, boost auto sales, and introduce wage systems linked to vocational skills. In terms of investment, new policy-based financial tools would be used to unlock private capital and improve consumption-related infrastructure, a move expected to support both short-term stimulus and long-term structural upgrades.
China Releases Landmark Draft Environmental Code to Strengthen Ecological Governance: China has unveiled the draft of its first unified Environmental Code to consolidate and elevate the country’s fragmented environmental laws in response to mounting domestic and global ecological challenges. Submitted on Sunday to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress for its first reading, the code represents a critical step toward institutionalizing China’s environmental governance. Spanning 1,188 articles across five chapters, the draft sets out comprehensive legal frameworks for pollution control, ecological conservation, low-carbon development, and environmental accountability.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Debate Erupts on Chinese Social Media Over ‘Shenzhen Rabbit Police Officer’ Phenomenon: The unexpected popularity of a female traffic police officer in Shenzhen, nicknamed the ‘Shenzhen’s Rabbit Police Officer,’ has ignited widespread debate across Chinese social media platforms. While many netizens have praised her attractive appearance and gentle demeanor, a growing number of voices are raising concerns about the objectification of women in uniformed professions. The officer rose to fame after a video of her directing traffic near a concert venue went viral. Her nickname, echoing a similar case in Hangzhou involving another female officer dubbed ‘Rabbit Police Officer,’ has drawn attention to how female law enforcement personnel are increasingly judged by their looks rather than their professionalism. On Weibo, comments have ranged from admiration to critique. One user questioned why beauty is becoming a standard for law enforcement PR while others questioned whether cities are now competing through the attractiveness of their officers. Another post expressed concern that focusing on appearance puts women in a diminished, objectified role, especially in a field meant to command authority and respect. Several users called for a shift in public perception, arguing that recognition should focus on officers’ commitment to public safety and professionalism

INDIA WATCH

Chinese Media Discusses India-Pakistan Tensions Following the Pahalgam Incident: An article in Global Times addressed the rising tensions between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam incident, noting that both sides have engaged in small arms fire across the Kashmir border for four consecutive nights. The article quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun, who stated that China supports all efforts aimed at de-escalating the situation and calls for a prompt, fair, and impartial investigation into the attack. The article highlighted two key reasons why the situation has drawn international attention: first, the long history of conflict between India and Pakistan; and second, the fact that both are nuclear-armed nations, which raises global security concerns. With two major regional conflicts already straining the international landscape, the piece warned that any new flare-up in South Asia could further destabilize global peace and hinder regional development. It concluded by emphasizing that safeguarding peace in South Asia is not only the responsibility of the nations involved but also a shared expectation of the international community.

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.