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NEWS IN CHINA

• Wang Yi Met Vietnamese Special Envoy Le Hoai Trung: Wang Yi met Le Hoai Trung, who is the special envoy of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam, in Beijing. Wang congratulated Vietnam on the successful conclusion of the 14th National Congress of the CPV and recalled President Xi Jinping and General Secretary To Lam telephonic conversation, during which they agreed to chart a clear roadmap for advancing a China-Vietnam community with a shared future. Wang noted that China is willing to follow the important consensus reached by the two countries’ top leaders, strengthen bilateral relations, and cooperate in areas that are mutually beneficial for both sides. He called for closer high-level exchanges, deeper connectivity, and increased collaboration in areas such as scientific and technological innovation, digital transformation and artificial intelligence. Trung thanked China for its congratulations and reiterated that Vietnam regards relations with China as the utmost priority and strategic choice. He reaffirmed Vietnam’s adherence to the one-China policy and expressed readiness to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership bilaterally.
  
  
• CPC-KMT Think Tank Forum Focuses on Cross-Strait Cooperation: A think tank forum jointly organized by research institutes affiliated with the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Taiwan’s Kuomintang (KMT) was held in Beijing, focusing on “prospects for cross-Strait exchange and cooperation.” More than 100 participants from both sides of the Taiwan Strait attended the event, including think tank members from the CPC and the KMT, as well as representatives and experts from sectors such as tourism, industry, science and technology, healthcare, and environmental protection. The discussions centered on expanding practical cooperation and strengthening people-to-people exchanges. Song Tao, head of the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC noted that the forum was a concrete step in implementing the spirit of messages exchanged by leaders of the two parties. He stressed the importance of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing “Taiwan independence”. Hsiao Hsu-tsen, who is vice chairman of the KMT, emphasized that people on both sides of the Strait belong to the Chinese nation and should work together toward national rejuvenation. He expressed hope for deeper cooperation, shared prosperity, and peaceful development, referring to the 1992 Consensus.
  
  
• China and Russia Held New Round of Strategic Stability Consultations: Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov co-chaired a new round of China-Russia strategic stability consultations in Beijing, holding extensive discussions on global strategic stability and multilateral arms control issues. Both sides acknowledged that global strategic stability faces pressing challenges and pledged to strengthen strategic coordination as permanent members of the UN Security Council. They reaffirmed support for multilateralism, international arms control treaties and mechanisms, and efforts to safeguard world peace and security. The consultations come just days before the New START Treaty is set to expire on February 5. China, though not a party to the New START, supports its renewal and expressed hope that Washington would respond constructively to Russia’s proposal.
  
  
• China Issues Guidelines for Safe Cross-Border Vehicle Data: China has released new guidelines to streamline the export of automotive data to support high-quality development of the auto industry. The Guidelines for the Security of Exporting Automotive Data (2026 Edition) were jointly issued by eight government departments, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Cyberspace Administration of China, and the National Development and Reform Commission. The guidelines aim to improve mechanisms for cross-border data flows related to vehicles, making data exports more efficient, convenient, and secure. The guidelines clearly define management rules and applicable conditions for cross-border transfers of automotive data, while introducing nine types of exemptions under specific circumstances. The document also explains how to identify “important data” in key business areas such as research and development, manufacturing, autonomous driving, software updates, and network operations. To enhance overall data protection, the guidelines set out detailed requirements covering management systems, technical safeguards, log management, and emergency response measures.
  
  
• China Sets 2026 Priorities for Agricultural Modernization and Rural Revitalization: China released its 2026 “No. 1 central document,” outlining goals to advance agricultural and rural modernization, with comprehensive rural revitalization set as the overarching task. The policy emphasized improving the effectiveness of rural support measures, safeguarding national food security, and deepening efforts made in poverty alleviation. The document highlighted the need to strengthen rural industries, infrastructure and governance, and raise farmers’ incomes while improving their quality of life to support Chinese-style modernization. It identifies six priority areas, including boosting agricultural productivity and quality, sustaining targeted rural assistance, promoting stable income growth for farmers, building livable and attractive rural communities, advancing institutional and policy innovation, and strengthening the Party’s leadership in rural work. The document also promoted technology-driven, green and high-quality agriculture, deeper integration of agriculture with culture and tourism, and the cultivation of globally competitive agricultural enterprises. It called for accelerating the application of artificial intelligence, drones, robotics and the Internet of Things in agriculture, while expanding rural consumption and improving market facilities and services. 

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Reacts to Report Exposing Mental Hospital Fraud: A recent investigative report has gone viral on Weibo under the hashtag #ReporterGoesUndercoverInMentalHospital# after a journalist exposed alleged large-scale fraud and abuse in several psychiatric hospitals in Xiangyang and Yichang, Hubei Province. The undercover investigation revealed that some hospitals allegedly admitted people with no clear mental illness, including elderly individuals, caregivers and even security guards, in order to defraud medical insurance funds and maximize profits. Public reaction on Weibo has been strong and largely unified. Some users praised the news media for the investigation, calling it “brave,” “responsible,” and “what real journalism should look like.” Comments also applauded the undercover reporters for exposing practices that had remained hidden for years, noting "society needs more journalists willing to take such risks.” Netizens were especially disturbed by claims that healthy people, including caregivers and security guards, were admitted as patients to generate profits. One widely echoed view was that medical insurance funds meant to save lives had been turned into “cash machines.” 

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Discusses the Recent India-US Trade Deal: An article in Guancha examined the recently announced India-US trade agreement. The article noted that US President Donald Trump confirmed a reduction in tariffs on Indian goods from 50% to 18%. In return, India agreed to stop buying Russian oil, lower trade barriers and to purchase more than $500 billion worth of US goods, including energy, technology and agricultural products. According to the article, analysts remain skeptical about India’s ability to meet these commitments, as India’s economy is insufficient to absorb such massive imports and India may continue to import Russian oil to diversify energy requirements. The article noted the deal is expected to benefit Indian manufacturing, particularly textiles, pharmaceuticals and engineered goods, and could strengthen India-US strategic ties, especially after India recently finalized a free trade agreement with the European Union which may have encouraged Washington to move faster with reducing the tariffs. According to the article, India is likely to increase imports from the United States in areas such as defense, aerospace, energy, advanced machinery and technology but views the US$500 billion pledge largely as a political signal rather than a near-term reality. While Trump claimed India would stop buying Russian oil, experts doubt an immediate shift, noting India’s need to diversify energy sources and manage costs. 

Prepared By

Neha Maurya

Neha Maurya is a fourth-year undergraduate student at FLAME University, pursuing a major in International Studies with a minor in Public Policy. Her research interests lie in strategic studies, governance, and education policy. She aspires to engage in work that links research insights to policy outcomes.