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NEWS IN CHINA

• China’s Top Legislature to Convene 18th Session with Key Legal Reforms on Agenda: The Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislative body, is set to hold its 18th session in Beijing from October 24 to 28. The decision was finalized on Wednesday during a meeting of the NPC Council of Chairpersons, chaired by Zhao Leji. The upcoming session will feature a packed legislative agenda, including the review of draft revisions to the Maritime Law, the Organic Laws of Villagers’ and Urban Residents’ Committees, and amendments to the Cybersecurity and Environmental Protection Tax Laws. Lawmakers will also deliberate on new laws concerning procuratorial public-interest litigation and farmland protection and quality enhancement, both proposed by the State Council. In addition, the session will review multiple reports submitted by the State Council, including updates on national financial management, the operation of state-owned assets in 2024, and the implementation of criminal punishment. Reports from the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, and key NPC committees will also be presented for discussion.
  
  
• Hainan Set to Launch Full Customs Operations for Free Trade Port by December 2025: China’s Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) is nearing full readiness for island-wide customs clearance, marking a major milestone in the nation’s push toward high-level economic openness. At a government press briefing on Wednesday, Wang Fengli, an official from the Hainan Provincial Government, announced that the trial run for customs separation began on September 15, introducing intelligent supervision for three categories of goods. Infrastructure across the island’s eight open ports and ten customs checkpoints is now largely complete. Authorities have also deployed 64 anti-smuggling stations staffed with trained personnel to ensure smooth and secure operations. Additionally, advanced digital systems, including the Customs Smart Supervision Platform, have been fully developed to enhance monitoring efficiency. Wang emphasized that the full-scale customs clearance represents not only the starting point of a new development phase for the Free Trade Port but also a long-term mission demanding ongoing innovation. The official launch of Hainan’s independent customs operation is scheduled for December 18, 2025.
  
  
• China Condemns Dutch Intervention in Nexperia, Warns of Repercussions: China’s Ministry of Commerce criticized the Netherlands for what it called unjustified interference in the operations of semiconductor firm Nexperia, a subsidiary of Chinese technology company Wingtech. Ministry spokesperson He Yongqian said the Dutch government’s move to intervene in Nexperia’s internal affairs represented an “overstretching of the national security concept” and a violation of market and contractual principles. The statement followed a strong response from the China Semiconductor Industry Association, which accused the Netherlands of politicizing business decisions and undermining global semiconductor supply chain stability. Beijing warned that such actions could “backfire” and damage the Netherlands’ own investment climate. He urged the Dutch government to uphold economic independence, respect fair competition, and correct its “wrong practices.” China emphasized that it would take “necessary measures” to protect the legitimate interests of its enterprises abroad. The dispute highlights growing tensions between China and Western nations over semiconductor control and technology security.
  
  
• China and UNEP Sign MoU to Strengthen Judicial Cooperation on Environmental Protection: Chief Justice Zhang Jun, President of China’s Supreme People’s Court, met with Inger Andersen, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in Beijing to discuss strengthening judicial cooperation on ecological and environmental protection. Zhang Jun emphasized that China, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization and the Rule of Law, has integrated environmental protection deeply into its judicial practices. He highlighted that Chinese courts have made significant progress in environmental and resource adjudication, aiming to protect what he called the “most universal benefit to the people.” Zhang also praised UNEP’s global efforts and called for deeper exchanges, personnel training, and information sharing to promote a cleaner and more sustainable planet. Andersen commended China’s environmental judicial achievements and reaffirmed UNEP’s commitment to cooperate with Chinese courts in green development, climate change response, and capacity building. Following the talks, both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize this enhanced partnership.
  
  
• Xi urges China Agricultural University to lead agricultural innovation and food security drive: Chinese President Xi Jinping has extended congratulations to China Agricultural University (CAU) on its 120th anniversary, urging it to nurture professionals with deep expertise and passion for agriculture. In his letter, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China, emphasized CAU’s role in advancing China’s agricultural modernization and strengthening the nation’s food security. Xi called for educational reforms, scientific innovation, and practical application of research outcomes to boost the nation’s agricultural strength. His message came as China reported significant progress in grain output surpassing 700 million tonnes in 2024 for the first time, with per capita grain possession at 500 kilograms, well above the global food security threshold. Experts told Global Times that Xi’s letter serves as a roadmap for developing new agricultural technologies and ensuring China “holds its rice bowl firmly.” Recent government guidelines have also stressed diversifying food sources from grains to aquatic and forest products underscoring China’s commitment to global food security through technology sharing and South-South cooperation initiatives.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

• China’s Futuristic “Purple Fire” Aircraft Sparks Buzz on Social Media: The unveiling of the “Purple Fire” concept aircraft under China’s ambitious Nantianmen Project has taken Chinese social media by storm. Debuting at the 2025 Helicopter Expo, the “Purple Fire” is a universal vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) platform featuring autonomous AI control and modular adaptability, allowing it to switch between multiple flight configurations. Developed as part of China’s next-generation air mobility vision, the model symbolizes a leap toward intelligent combat and futuristic aviation technology. The Global Times described it as “not just an equipment innovation, but a new imagination of future air warfare.” On Weibo, hashtags like “#Nantianmen Project’s New Aircraft Model Unveiled#” and “#When Science Fiction Becomes Reality#” have gained millions of views. Netizens hailed it as a “sci-fi dream come true,” while others compared it to vehicles from Transformers and Avatar. Some expressed pride in China’s technological progress, calling it a sign of “a new aerospace era,” while a few skeptics questioned how close the concept is to real deployment. The “Purple Fire” has effectively ignited both national pride and futuristic curiosity across Chinese social media.
  
  

INDIA WATCH 

• Guancha questions Trump’s claim about Modi’s “Russian oil promise”, calling it politically motivated: Chinese media Guancha questioned U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to stop buying Russian oil. The outlet emphasized that India’s Ministry of External Affairs swiftly denied any such phone conversation, exposing inconsistencies in Trump’s statement. Guancha suggested that Trump’s remarks were more about domestic political theatrics than genuine diplomatic engagement. In its commentary, Guancha noted that the White House announcement lacked verification and that Trump appeared to be using India’s stance on Russian oil as a talking point to bolster his anti-Russia image. From the Indian perspective, media houses underscored that New Delhi’s energy policy is guided strictly by national interests and consumer welfare. Analysts in India viewed Trump’s claim as an overreach into India’s sovereign energy decisions, especially given that Russian crude remains vital due to its affordability. Guancha concluded that India’s refusal to confirm Trump’s version demonstrated New Delhi’s growing strategic autonomy, reflecting a careful balance between Washington, Moscow and its own domestic priorities.

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.