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NEWS IN CHINA

• Xi Jinping Calls for Greater BRICS Unity and Multilateral Cooperation at Virtual Summit: Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the BRICS Virtual Summit on September 8, emphasizing unity, openness, and multilateralism as guiding principles for global governance. Speaking alongside leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa, Xi said the world is facing profound changes with rising protectionism, trade wars, and unilateral actions undermining global stability. He urged BRICS nations, representing nearly half of the world’s population and about 30% of the global economy, to act as a leading voice for the Global South. Xi outlined three key proposals: first, to safeguard multilateralism and strengthen the United Nations-centered international order; second, to resist protectionism and promote an inclusive world economy with fair opportunities for developing nations; and third, to deepen practical cooperation in trade, finance, science, and technology under “Greater BRICS cooperation.” Xi also highlighted China’s commitment to the Belt and Road Initiative and global development projects.
  
  
• China to Host 2025 National Cybersecurity Awareness Week in Kunming: The 2025 National Cybersecurity Awareness Week will be held from September 15 to 21 in Kunming, Yunnan, with the theme “Cybersecurity for the People, Cybersecurity Depends on the People – Safeguarding High-Quality Development with High-Level Security.” At a press briefing on September 8, Gao Lin, Director of the Cybersecurity Coordination Bureau of the Cyberspace Administration of China, outlined the program. The opening ceremony will take place at the Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Center on September 15, followed by a Cybersecurity Technology Summit Forum where major achievements in the sector will be released. Twelve sub-forums from September 16–17 will address topics such as AI security, data governance, personal information protection, critical infrastructure, and cloud security. Running alongside the event, the Cybersecurity Expo and International Promotion Conference (September 14–18) will showcase technology, talent, and industry progress. A talent recruitment fair will connect enterprises with graduates both onsite and online. Additionally, ISO SC27 and SC44 international conferences and China’s Standards Week (September 8–18) will gather 300 global representatives to discuss cybersecurity standards and cooperation. Public campaigns and themed days will further enhance awareness nationwide.
  
  
• China’s Top Legislature Reviews Key Draft Laws at NPC Standing Committee Session: The 17th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) opened on September 8 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, chaired by Zhao Leji. A total of 157 members attended, meeting the quorum requirement. During the first plenary meeting, lawmakers reviewed several significant draft laws. The draft Atomic Energy Law introduced new provisions on the peaceful use of atomic energy, international standardization, and cybersecurity safeguards for nuclear facilities. The draft Public Health Emergency Response Law strengthened grassroots capacity, enhanced monitoring, and linked the law to existing frameworks like the Food Safety and Drug Administration Laws.The draft National Park Law emphasized ecological and cultural heritage protection, improved management, and public participation. Lawmakers also examined amendments to the Arbitration Law, focusing on online arbitration and broader special arbitration measures. Other reviews included updates to the Food Safety Law, Hazardous Chemicals Safety Law, and parts of the Ecological and Environmental Code, which covered green development, waste recycling, and climate response. The session considered revisions to the Prison Law, Cybersecurity Law, and Enterprise Bankruptcy Law, along with treaties signed with Serbia. The wide-ranging agenda reflects China’s ongoing efforts to strengthen rule of law and governance in critical sectors.
  
  
• China’s Ocean Economy Crosses $1.4 Trillion Mark with Strong Growth in 2024: China’s ocean economy set a new milestone in 2024, with the gross ocean product exceeding 10 trillion yuan (about $1.4 trillion) for the first time, according to the 2025 China Ocean Development Index Report released at the Global Ocean Development Forum in Qingdao. The index value rose to 129.7, marking a 2.9 percent year-on-year increase. The report highlighted a 5.9 percent rise in total ocean industry output, driven by rapid growth in marine manufacturing and emerging marine industries. Technological innovation was another key driver, with the launch of China’s first domestically built oceanic drilling ship “Meng Xiang” and successful deep-sea trials of the mining vehicle “Kaituo 2.” Environmental progress was also evident, as 83.7 percent of nearshore waters maintained good quality and over 31,000 hectares of wetlands were restored since 2021. Offshore wind power capacity surged nearly 30 percent, while desalination output grew by 13.2 percent. International cooperation strengthened, with coastal Belt and Road trade growing 6.3 percent and coastal ports seeing a 6.9 percent rise in foreign cargo throughput.
  
  
• China Issues New Supervision Rules for Traditional Chinese Medicine Production: On September 8, the State Food and Drug Administration announced the “Special Provisions on the Supervision and Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Production,” which will officially take effect on March 1, 2026. The provisions are designed to strengthen oversight of the entire life cycle of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), aligning with State Council directives on advancing drug supervision reform and improving the quality of the TCM industry. The new framework emphasizes strict quality control from the very beginning of production. This includes supervision over the origin of medicinal herbs, standardized production processes, factory release, and post-market monitoring. It highlights risk prevention at key stages of production while encouraging the modernization and digital transformation of the TCM sector. Enterprises are now required to conduct thorough supplier audits, quality assessments, and technical reviews covering acceptance, inspection, testing, storage, and transport. Specific rules are set for cut-fresh, imported, and specially managed TCMs to ensure clarity of origin and standardized processing. The provisions also support integrating traditional identification methods with modern testing and emerging tools like artificial intelligence, aiming to build a robust quality system for TCMs and foster high-quality development of the industry.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Dehua Ceramics’ Integrity Sparks Online Debate on “Made in China” Competitiveness: A case from Dehua, Fujian, has ignited debate on Chinese social media about the evolving competitiveness of “Made in China.” After a local ceramics firm, facing a 140% tariff hike, advised foreign clients to reconsider orders, many expected reputational damage. Instead, online reactions highlighted how this integrity deepened trust, with customers refusing to cancel. The story went viral under the hashtag “Persuading foreigners to cancel orders is unsuccessful,” with netizens contrasting Dehua’s long-term ethos of “doing business with heart” against firms accused of cutting corners. Commentators framed it as evidence of China’s industrial shift from low-cost output to credibility and reliability as drivers of global competitiveness.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Media Dissects Chinese Companies’ Bumpy Ride in India: Chinese outlet Guancha analyzed the trajectory of Chinese firms in India, portraying the market as both opportunity and frustration. It identified three phases: early 2000s telecom players like Huawei and ZTE, who faced probes, price pressures, and even cancellations amid security concerns; the 2010s wave of internet and handset companies such as UC Browser, Xiaomi, and OPPO, where incentives gave way to disputes and regulatory hurdles; and the post-2020 period, marked by app bans and tightened scrutiny on manufacturing. Guancha cited cases such as Shanghai Electric’s $1.3 billion project delays to underscore perceived risks. While the commentary described India as a “foreign investment graveyard,” Indian policymakers state these measures as safeguarding sovereignty and reducing economic dependence on China.

Prepared By

Lipun Kumar Sanbad

Lipun Kumar Sanbad, a postgraduate student of Politics and International Relations from Pondicherry University and a History and Political science graduate from University of Delhi. From the past three years working as a freelance researcher in the domain of global peace, conflict and security studies, and defence studies.