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NEWS IN CHINA

• Wang Yi Urges De-escalation in Call With Israeli Foreign Minister: Wang Yi stated that refraining from the use or threat of force in international relations serves the fundamental interests of all parties, including Israel. He made the remarks during a phone conversation with Gideon Sa'ar, held at the latter’s request. After hearing Sa’ar’s briefing on Israel’s position regarding the current situation, Wang reiterated China’s long-standing view that international and regional disputes should be resolved through dialogue and consultation in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter. Wang noted that China has long supported a political settlement of the Iran nuclear issue and that recent talks between Iran and the United States had made tangible progress while also addressing Israel’s security concerns. He said it was regrettable that this process had been disrupted by military strikes. China firmly opposes military actions by Israel and the United States against Iran, Wang said, stressing that force cannot resolve disputes and instead risks creating serious consequences. He called for an immediate halt to military operations to prevent further escalation and urged Israel to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and institutions. Sa’ar said Israel would give the matter high priority.
  
  
• CPPCC Press Briefing Highlights Role in 15th Five-Year Plan Preparation: A press conference for the Fourth Session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) was held in Beijing. Liu Jieyi, spokesperson for the session, briefed Chinese and foreign media on key arrangements and priorities and answered questions from reporters. Liu noted that supporting the scientific formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan is a major task for the CPPCC in 2025. He noted that the CPPCC organized special Standing Committee consultation meetings and other consultation activities, focusing on long-term trends, structural changes and forward-looking strategic tasks. Through broad solicitation of opinions from members and in-depth policy research, the CPPCC submitted more than 480 proposals and over 200 information reports related to the plan. In addition, 55 special research reports on the 15th Five-Year Plan were published in CPPCC Research, providing important reference materials to support the plan’s formulation and decision-making process.
  
  
• China Updates Licensing Rules for Special Medical Foods: China’s State Administration for Market Regulation released the 2026 edition of the “Detailed Rules for the Review of Production Licenses for Foods for Special Medical Purposes”. The revised rules serve as a key technical guideline for regulators reviewing production licenses and reflect the country’s “strictest” food safety standards. They aligned licensing reviews with newly issued regulations and standards, strengthening quality and safety controls across the sector. Comprising seven chapters and 43 articles, the rules set clearer and stricter requirements for production sites, equipment, processes, personnel responsibilities and management systems. Major updates included refining the list of permitted product categories in line with the 2025 special medical food standards, strengthening hygiene and environmental controls, clarifying duties of key personnel, and enhancing management of allergen risks for vulnerable consumers. Raw material oversight has also been tightened to address emerging safety risks and updated storage and transport requirements. The new rules take effect immediately, replacing the 2019 version issued by the regulator.
  
  
• China Advances Standardized Management of Government Mobile Apps: China’s Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) announced that it has accelerated efforts to standardize the management of government mobile internet applications following the rollout of the Measures for the Standardized Management of Government Mobile Internet Applications. Working with relevant departments, the CAC has guided sponsoring and user units to complete formal registration procedures and has finalized filings for the first batch of 52 government apps. These include widely used platforms such as the National Government Service Platform, the People’s Court Mediation Platform, Digital Industry and Information Technology, and several provincial-level government service applications from Beijing, Tianjin, Zhejiang, and Fujian. Under the regulations, all government app systems must complete filing procedures before going online. Authorities are prohibited from requiring users to download or use unregistered government applications. For apps that have already been filed, sponsoring units are required to conduct regular self-inspections, maintain smooth feedback channels, and strengthen standardized management across the entire lifecycle. 
  
  
• China Achieves Breakthrough in the High-Orbit Laser Communication: Chinese research institutions successfully completed a landmark laser communication experiment between a high-orbit satellite and the ground, achieving two-way data transmission at speeds of 1 gigabit per second over a distance exceeding 40,000 kilometers. The test was led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Optics and Electronics, working with the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, the China Academy of Space Technology and other partners. Researchers established a stable laser link between a ground observatory in Yunnan Province and a geosynchronous satellite. The experiment extended stable high-orbit laser communication from minutes to hours while maintaining real-time, two-way performance. Scientists stated that the breakthrough enables satellites not only to transmit massive data volumes but also to receive complex commands in real time. The results also validate ground stations’ deep-space communication potential, paving the way for future high-speed laser links with lunar, Mars and deep-space missions.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER 

Weibo Debates Call for Legislation on “Involutionary Overtime”: A post with the hashtag #Government Intervention Needed to Combat Involutionary Overtime# is going viral on Weibo after a CPPCC member proposed legislation to cap overtime hours. The proposal cited data showing an average weekly working time of 48.6 hours, with some major internet firms reportedly setting 10 p.m. as the default quitting time. Online reactions were intense and largely sympathetic to workers’ concerns. Some users welcomed the proposal, with one prominent comment noting that “after more than a decade, someone has finally spoken up.” Another user stated that overtime should only count if it is paid, while some pointed out the contradiction of “mandatory overtime with compensation that exists on paper.” A few other users noted that working hours are already defined under the Labor Law and questioned why fresh legislation is needed if existing rules are not enforced. Others criticized the low cost of violations for companies, emphasizing that employers often pressure staff by claiming replacements are easy to find. Another user also noted that "outsourced workers are trapped in low base salaries, chronic overtime and debt, leaving little hope for career development or family life". 

INDIA WATCH 

Finance Sina Discusses Heat Risks to India’s Crop Outlook and Energy Demand: An article in Finance Sina examined warnings from the Indian Meteorological Department that India may face its hottest March on record, with above-average temperatures expected across key agricultural regions. The article noted that maximum and minimum temperatures in northern and northwestern states such as Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh could rise as much as 7 degrees Celsius above normal levels. These regions account for more than 80 percent of India’s wheat and rapeseed output. The article argued that unusually high temperatures during the critical grain-filling and ripening stages could significantly reduce yields, undermining expectations of a bumper harvest in 2026. Such an outcome would complicate India’s plans to resume wheat exports and cut costly imports of edible oils, including palm, sunflower and soybean oil. Beyond agriculture, the analysis highlighted broader economic implications, noting that soaring temperatures are likely to push up electricity demand in March.

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.