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NEWS IN CHINA 

• Xi Jinping Holds Talks with German Chancellor Merz: Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Beijing during Merz’s official visit to China. Xi stated that China and Germany, the world’s second- and third-largest economies, share a relationship with global influence. He stressed the need for stronger strategic communication, mutual trust, and steady growth of the all-round strategic partnership amid global uncertainties. Xi outlined three priorities for future ties. First, the two sides should remain reliable partners based on mutual respect and win-win cooperation. Second, they should deepen cooperation in innovation, including artificial intelligence, digital development, and green transformation, while maintaining stable industrial and supply chains. Third, both countries should expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges to strengthen public support for bilateral ties. Merz reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to the one-China policy and welcomed closer economic cooperation. The two leaders also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis, agreeing that dialogue and negotiation are essential to achieving lasting peace. He Lifeng and Premier Li Qiang also held talks with Chancellor Merz.

• China Urges US to Rationally Implement Phase-One Trade Deal: China’s Ministry of Commerce urged the United States (US) to take an objective and rational view of the China-US phase-one economic and trade agreement. The Ministry responded to US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s statement that the US will continue its Section 301 investigation into China’s compliance and may impose tariffs. China warned that if the US moves forward with restrictive measures, it will take all necessary actions to safeguard its rights and interests. According to the Ministry, since the agreement took effect in early 2020, China has fully implemented its commitments, including intellectual property protection, financial and agricultural market opening, and expanded trade cooperation. In contrast, China criticized the US for tightening export controls, restricting bilateral investment, and escalating measures that undermine the spirit of the agreement. China highlighted that both countries held five rounds of consultations last year, reaching consensus on tariffs, agricultural trade, export controls, and investment restrictions. Guided by bilateral leadership, China expressed willingness to continue cooperation to implement the agreed trade outcomes and explore mutual interests.

• Standing Committee of 14th NPC Holds 21st Session in Beijing: The 21st session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress convened a plenary meeting, chaired by Zhao Leji. A total of 152 members attended, meeting the quorum requirement. The meeting reviewed the second draft of the Social Assistance Law. The draft strengthens protections for personal privacy and information, expands minimum living allowance assistance to those with genuine special difficulties, and includes provisions for service-oriented social assistance. The committee also examined the draft amendments to the CPA Law, aimed at curbing audit fraud, regulating financial auditing, and promoting the healthy development of the accounting profession, with explanations provided by Finance Minister Lan Fo’an. Additionally, the draft law on national fire and rescue personnel was discussed to standardize management, safeguard rights, strengthen supervision, and advance the development of the national comprehensive fire and rescue team. The meeting reviewed draft agendas, the draft work report, draft lists of the Presidium and Secretary-General, and the qualifications of deputies. Appointment and removal proposals were considered, with participation from senior officials including State Councilor Chen Yiqin, Supreme People’s Court President Zhang Jun, and Procurator-General Ying Yong.

• Shanghai Unveils Measures to Ease Home-Buying Rules: The Shanghai Municipal Party Committee issued new measures to relax housing purchase restrictions and boost support through the housing provident fund. Party Secretary Chen Jining chaired the meeting and stressed aligning Shanghai’s development with Xi Jinping’s guidance on urban work, focusing on building the “five centers,” advancing people-centered, high-quality urban development, balancing growth and security, and strengthening Shanghai’s role as a globally influential socialist modern metropolis in Chinese-style modernization. Under the updated rules, non-Shanghai residents can buy homes with fewer requirements. Those who have paid social security or individual income tax in Shanghai for at least one year may purchase homes outside the outer ring road without limits and buy one home within the outer ring road. Buyers with three or more years of continuous payments may purchase up to two homes within the outer ring road. In addition, holders of Shanghai Residence Permits for five years or more are now allowed to buy one home anywhere in the city. The notice also lowers entry barriers by shortening the required years of tax experience. At the same time, authorities have upgraded housing provident fund policies. The measures also refined the rules on loan eligibility to expand support for larger families. The overall aim is to better meet housing demand and stabilize the property market.

• China Launches New Guidelines for Marriage Services for Soldiers: The Political Work Department, Logistics Support Department, and National Defense Mobilization Department of the Central Military Commission, together with the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, the Communist Youth League, and the All-China Women's Federation, recently issued the “Opinions on Marriage and Love Services for Unmarried Officers and Soldiers”. The document aims to support unmarried soldiers in remote or hardship areas, as well as older unmarried officers, by improving social and emotional services. It follows Xi’s guidance on strengthening the military, emphasizing support for servicemen and their families, and enhancing ties between the military, government, and society. The Opinions include 13 articles across three sections. Key measures involve building platforms for social interaction, promoting a healthy marriage and childbearing culture, offering counseling and guidance, deepening family services, and creating a warm, supportive environment for soldiers. Organizational guarantees are also included to ensure effective implementation. Officials stated that the move will strengthen the military by helping officers focus on their duties while ensuring their personal and social needs are met, marking an important step in building a multi-level support system for soldiers’ well-being.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER 

Postgraduate Exam Results Spark Online Discussion: Sections of Chinese social media are discussing postgraduate entrance exam results, while others are urging candidates to stay calm while waiting for their results. One post by a prominent postgraduate exam trainer says that with today’s personalized social media algorithms, students will not miss official score releases or national cut-off announcements. It criticizes some accounts for spreading rumors and unverified updates, especially before the Lunar New Year, simply to meet traffic targets and performance goals. The message urges students to ignore speculation and wait for official announcements. The topic has triggered wide discussion online. A few users stated that they support the reminder. One commenter shared that while preparing for exams, they were frustrated by marketing accounts spreading fake news and creating anxiety. Another user pointed out that students are already emotionally sensitive during this period and one prominent comment stated, “even unconfirmed messages about possible reforms can increase stress”. Some students left emotional messages, asking teachers for good luck and hoping to enter their first-choice universities. A few other comments expressed nervousness but also encouraged patience, with one user writing, “Waiting patiently for the result.”

INDIA WATCH

Global Times Discusses Modi’s Strategic Visit to Israel: An article in Global Times discussed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Israel on February 25. The article noted that this is his second visit since 2017 and his first trip to the Middle East since the Israel-Palestine conflict. It stated that during the visit, Modi is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, attend an innovation summit on artificial intelligence and quantum computing, and address the Israeli parliament. The article noted that Netanyahu aims to deepen cooperation in trade, diplomacy and security and build a broader regional partnership involving countries such as Greece and Cyprus. It added that both sides are expected to sign agreements in cybersecurity, cross-border payments and semiconductor supply chains. The article also highlighted strategic calculations behind the visit, stating that India is pushing the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) to strengthen its regional connectivity and reduce strategic pressure. However, the article also discussed criticism surrounding the visit to Israel in India. It noted that opposition leaders accused Modi of abandoning the Palestinian cause and cited a senior fellow at a think tank in New Delhi, who called the visit India’s “realist turn” in foreign policy, which may weaken its moral standing in the Global South and could affect India’s traditional diplomatic balance in West Asia.

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.