Daily Conversations Daily Conversations

NEWS IN CHINA

• Wang Yi, Cho Hyun Pledge Stronger China-South Korea Ties: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks in Beijing with his South Korean counterpart Cho Hyun, marking Cho’s first official visit to China. Wang highlighted that since President Lee Jae-myung assumed office, both countries’ leaders have spoken by phone and agreed to elevate their strategic cooperative partnership. He stressed the importance of good-neighborliness, mutual trust, and handling sensitive issues properly, while opposing trade protectionism and defending global free trade. Wang also recalled recent acts of sacrifice between citizens of both nations, a South Korean coast guard officer who died rescuing a Chinese citizen, and a Chinese driver who protected South Korean tourists in Zhangjiajie as examples of people-to-people bonds that strengthen bilateral ties. The discussions coincided with the 80th anniversary of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations, with Wang promoting China’s Global Governance Initiative. Cho reaffirmed South Korea’s commitment to China ties, respect for the one-China principle, and plans to boost cooperation in trade, culture, and multilateral platforms such as the upcoming Gyeongju APEC summit.
  
  
• Beijing Xiangshan Forum Opens: The 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum began with a welcome dinner on September 17, where senior Chinese and international representatives gathered to discuss security and global governance. Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered the keynote speech emphasizing China’s vision for reforming the global governance system under President Xi Jinping’s proposals. Zhang urged participants to use the Xiangshan Forum as a platform for equal dialogue, mutual consultation, and strengthening bonds of friendship. He highlighted the forum’s theme, “jointly safeguarding the international order and promoting peaceful development,” stressing that only through cooperation could countries address new threats and safeguard shared interests. He also pointed to China’s peaceful development path as central to its modernization and national rejuvenation. Referring to the recent grand military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II, Zhang described China’s military as a growing force for world peace. Defense Minister Dong Jun, Chief of Joint Staff Department Liu Zhenli, and representatives from over 100 countries, regions, and international organizations attended the dinner.
  
  
• China Issues 30 National Standards to Guide AI Development: China has released 30 national standards for artificial intelligence (AI), marking a major step in regulating and guiding the country’s fast-growing sector. The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) confirmed that an additional 84 standards are under development, covering the full chain from foundational software and hardware to applications and governance. Wang Qiuping, SAMR’s Information and Publicity Department Director, stressed that these standards act as both “navigator” and “accelerator” for innovation. Key frameworks include AI server performance testing and a unified interface for heterogeneous accelerators, ensuring consistency in computing power evaluation and software-hardware integration. On governance, China introduced an “AI Generated Content Identification Method” designed to act as a safeguard for content security and ethical boundaries. Beyond domestic policy, China is also pushing internationally its proposed guidelines for risk management in generative AI, which have entered the global standardization process. Experts note that by standardizing AI and robotics fields already worth over 700 billion yuan China is positioning itself as a leader in shaping global technology governance while ensuring sustainable and secure industrial growth.
  
  
• Chinese and Cuban Defense Ministers Pledge Stronger Military Ties: Beijing hosted a high-level defense dialogue on Tuesday as Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun met with Alvaro Lopez Miera, Cuba’s Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces. The meeting underscored the long-standing partnership between the two socialist states, with both sides vowing to elevate their military cooperation. Dong highlighted the China-Cuba relationship as a model of solidarity among socialist nations and mutual support between developing countries. He stressed that Beijing is ready to work closely with Havana to implement the consensus reached by their top leaders, expand personnel exchanges, and deepen practical defense cooperation. The goal, he noted, is to bring bilateral military relations to “a new level” while advancing the vision of a China-Cuba community with a shared future. Lopez, visiting Beijing to attend the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, voiced Cuba’s strong backing for China’s four major global initiatives. He reaffirmed Havana’s commitment to consolidating the historic friendship, pledging to strengthen both military and strategic cooperation in the years ahead.
  
  
• Tibet Commerce Chief Chen Jun Under Disciplinary Review: The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the National Supervisory Commission announced that Chen Jun, Deputy Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Director of the Tibet Autonomous Region Department of Commerce, is under disciplinary review and supervisory investigation. According to the Tibet Autonomous Region Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision, Chen is suspected of committing “serious violations of discipline and law.” While the official notice did not specify the nature of the allegations, the terminology commonly signals possible corruption, abuse of power, or misconduct in public office. Chen Jun has held key leadership roles within Tibet’s commerce system, overseeing trade, investment, and business development in the region. His sudden fall underscores Beijing’s continued zero-tolerance stance on corruption and misconduct among senior officials in Tibet. The case adds to a series of disciplinary actions taken this year against cadres in Tibet, reflecting intensified scrutiny in a politically sensitive region.
  
  
• Symposium in Beijing Highlights Text on Xi Jinping’s Governance of China: Beijing hosted a high-level symposium on September 17 to mark the publication of the fifth volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China. Cai Qi, Politburo Standing Committee member and Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat, delivered the keynote speech, stressing that the new volume encapsulates the Party’s most recent theoretical and practical achievements in advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics. Cai emphasized that the book vividly documents General Secretary Xi Jinping’s leadership in guiding the Party and the people through great struggles, projects, and national rejuvenation efforts. He called for deeper understanding of the “two establishments,” stronger “four consciousnesses,” firmer “four confidences,” and resolute adherence to the “two safeguards.” According to Cai, the fifth volume offers a scientific summary of Chinese-style modernization since the 20th CPC National Congress and reflects the Party’s innovation in Sinicizing and modernizing Marxism. He urged cadres to use Xi Jinping Thought as both ideological guidance and practical force, uniting the Party and people in advancing national modernization and fostering a favorable global environment. Li Shulei, head of the Publicity Department, presided, with scholars and officials also participating.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Chinese Actor Detained for Wearing Police Uniform in Livestream, Sparks Heated Online Debate: The Gengma police in Yunnan announced that actor Xie Mengwei, 36, was placed under seven days of administrative detention for wearing a police uniform with visible insignia while livestreaming product sales. The incident occurred during a break from filming, but authorities stated it caused “adverse social impact.” The police cited Article 36 of the People’s Police Law of the People’s Republic of China, which strictly prohibits unauthorized use of uniforms, insignia, and related equipment. The news quickly went viral on Weibo under the hashtag #Police report on Xie Mengwei wearing police uniform to live broadcast and sell goods#, generating millions of views. Many netizens criticized Xie for disrespecting law enforcement and “using the police image for profit.” Some argued that celebrities should be more cautious in their behavior, given their public influence. Others, however, felt the punishment was harsh, noting that the act was tied to a filming schedule rather than intentional impersonation. The debate reflects growing concerns over celebrities’ conduct in cyberspace, with many users echoing the police reminder that the internet is not a “lawless place.” The controversy remains one of the most discussed topics on Chinese social media this week.

INDIA WATCH

Economic Daily Article on India-EU Free Trade Talks Under US Tariff Strain: Economic Daily highlighted that the renewed urgency in India-EU free trade negotiations stems directly from escalating tariff pressures from Washington. An article in the paper noted that while New Delhi and Brussels have been negotiating since 2007, past efforts collapsed in 2013 over disagreements on automobiles, wine, and agriculture. Talks resumed in 2022 but remained sluggish until early 2025, until the US imposed sweeping tariffs 15% on most EU exports and up to 50% on Indian steel and aluminum products. According to the Economic Daily, this external shock has forced both economies to recalibrate priorities and seek alternatives to overdependence on the American market. It also mentions that the stakes are high, with bilateral merchandise trade at $137.5 billion in 2024–25, surpassing India-US trade, while services trade reached $51.45 billion. Roughly 6,000 European companies currently operate in India, supporting eight million jobs directly and indirectly. However, the article stressed that disputes over agricultural access, food safety standards, and labor rules remain “tough bottlenecks” that could derail momentum. The Economic Daily’s analysis is that New Delhi sees strategic value in insulating its exports from US volatility while simultaneously gaining better entry into EU markets, particularly for pharmaceuticals and IT services.

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.