CiCM 30th April 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

State Council Releases White Paper on COVID-19: China's State Council Information Office released a white paper detailing its COVID-19 prevention efforts and stance on origins tracing. The document highlights China's collaborative research with international scientists and the WHO, asserting studies have ruled out Wuhan as the natural origin and deemed a lab leak "extremely unlikely." It states that China's transparent information sharing has supported the WHO’s origins tracing efforts. The document discusses China’s provision of aid, and critiques the U.S.'s pandemic response, accusing it of politicizing origin tracing and undermining global efforts. The white paper suggests the virus may have emerged earlier in the U.S. and calls for an investigation there, underscoring that politicizing scientific efforts against infectious diseases harms global health.
China Adopts Private Sector Promotion Law: The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress voted to adopt China’s first fundamental law dedicated to promoting the private sector, effective on May 20, 2025. This landmark legislation, comprising 78 articles across nine chapters, aims to optimize the business environment, ensure fair competition, and foster the robust development of private enterprises and entrepreneurs. The law addresses crucial areas including investment, innovation, standardized operations, and the protection of rights and interests. That means private companies would get equal market access as state-owned enterprises, as well as receive the same treatment on investment, financing, and support for tech innovation. The law also includes a clause banning excessive fines and penalties against private companies. Yet the measure lacks an enforcement mechanism to provide legal protections to ensure such rights, prompting criticism that the law would not make a substantive change.
NBS Releases Manufacturing Data for April: According to data released by the National Statistic Bureau, the Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index was at 49% in April, recording a drop of 1.5 percentage points. The non-manufacturing business activity index was 50.4%, down 0.4 percentage points from the previous month and the composite PMI output index was 50.2%, down 1.2 percentage points. With regards to the manufacturing PMI indices, both production and new order indices fell below 50%, signaling a slowdown in output and declining demand. Raw material inventories decreased, while the employment index indicated a weakening job market in manufacturing. Despite a slight dip, the supplier delivery time index remained above 50%, suggesting continued faster delivery times, which could be attributed to the lesser strain on logistics due to declining demand. In non-manufacturing businesses, indices for aviation, telecommunications, radio, broadcast, and others remained in the high prosperity range, while capital markets and water transportation were below the critical point. These changes can be attributed to the dynamic international trade climate and apprehensions about trade and economic growth in the near term.
Xi Presides Over Symposium on Economic Development and 15th Five-Year Plan: In a symposium on China's economic and social development in the 15th Five-Year Plan period, President Xi Jinping has urged China to proactively plan for its economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) while emphasizing the need to adapt to "changing situations" and grasp "strategic priorities.” He stressed that "the planning must focus on the goal of basically realizing socialist modernization, with a view to building a great country and advancing national rejuvenation". Xi also emphasized the need to balance development with security, calling for greater emphasis on this and a comprehensive assessment of domestic and external risks and challenges, along with improvements to the national security system. Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council, Cai Qi, Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and various provincial party secretaries attended the symposium.
Chinese FM calls for BRICS Cooperation against Terrorism and Cybercrime: At the 15th BRICS High-Level Representatives Meeting on National Security Affairs in Brazil, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasised the imperative for joint BRICS action against terrorism, opposing politicisation and double standards, and supporting the UN's central role. He highlighted escalating cyberspace risks, advocating for strengthened BRICS coordination to maintain order and formulate universal rules for data and supply chain security, promoting the "BRICS Cybersecurity Practical Cooperation Roadmap." Regarding artificial intelligence, Wang Yi stressed its role as a public good, cautioning against its politicization and the creation of technological barriers, and proposed the "Global Artificial Intelligence Governance Initiative" for inclusive and secure AI development within BRICS cooperation.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Netizens Laud First-ever Female Delivery Rider Honored as National Labour Model: Liao Zemo, a delivery rider from Chongqing, has become the first woman in her profession to be honored as a National Labor Model after six years of dedicated service. Liao’s optimistic spirit and hard work have garnered admiration from netizens, customers, and more. Her active involvement in public welfare and sharing her life online brought to light the value of emerging professions, empowering female delivery riders on social media. Comments discussed her path to a National Labour Model, while delivering a strong message on the importance of professional goals for individuals, especially females. Some comments, such as “Her warm and interesting content 'heals' many netizens,” and “Working people are the most glorious,” reveal how users online responded to the news of Liao Zemo’s status as national labour model.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Article by Lin Minwang Deliberates on Indian Action After Pahalgam Attack: An article in Guancha by Chinese academic Lin Minwang discussed the possibility of Indian military retaliation after the terror attack in Pahalgam. The article mentions the frequent high-level meetings and coverage by the media of the situation at the border and statements by various high-level officials. The author believes that PM Modi’s “Guardian Persona” created after the Uri and Pulwama attacks would force him to respond strongly, but unlike the first two instances where the attacks were against the military, the attack in Pahalgam was targeted at civilians. As a result, the author claims that this has more to do with a lapse in the Indian government's security. The article states that locals in Kashmir primarily seek independence or a merger with Pakistan. The author concludes with the idea that India is likely to take small-scale, low-intensity military action against Pakistan, and it must be high-profile enough to meet domestic and political needs. Lin Minwang also goes on to state that "no country supports India's deliberate suppression of Pakistan” and India ought to take China’s interests into consideration.

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.