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NEWS IN CHINA

• President Xi Jinping and Austrian President Van der Bellen Exchange Messages on 55 Years of Diplomatic Ties: President Xi Jinping and Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen exchanged congratulatory messages marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Austria. Xi stressed that bilateral ties have developed in a stable and positive direction over the decades despite global uncertainties. He recalled that during Van der Bellen’s 2018 visit to China, the two sides upgraded relations to a friendly strategic partnership, marking an important milestone in cooperation. He also pointed to growing cultural exchanges, including the arrival of panda ambassadors in Vienna last year, which further strengthened people-to-people ties. Xi emphasized that both countries, as supporters of multilateralism and free trade, should continue to uphold mutual respect, openness, and mutually beneficial cooperation. He expressed China’s willingness to work with Austria to further deepen bilateral relations and contribute to global peace and stability. Van der Bellen stated that cooperation between Austria and China has steadily expanded over the past 55 years across trade, education, science, and cultural exchanges. He highlighted the importance of continued dialogue and mutual understanding in a volatile global environment and expressed Austria’s readiness to further strengthen and upgrade bilateral relations.
  
  
• Wang Yi Meets Cuban and Portuguese Foreign Ministers at UN Security Council Session: Foreign Minister Wang Yi met separately with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez and Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel on Wednesday in New York, on the sidelines of a UN Security Council meeting focused on upholding the UN Charter and strengthening the multilateral system. During talks with Cuba’s foreign minister, Wang reaffirmed China’s support for Cuba’s sovereignty and development, stating that Beijing would continue to uphold justice, oppose unilateral pressure, and assist Cuba in addressing economic and social challenges. He emphasized the importance of respecting national sovereignty and rejecting power politics. Rodriguez expressed gratitude for China’s support amid sanctions and blockades, describing bilateral ties as a symbol of strong political trust and cooperation between the two countries. In a separate meeting with Portugal’s foreign minister, Wang called for deeper China–EU cooperation and urged stronger collaboration in areas such as clean energy and artificial intelligence. He also reaffirmed China’s support for European strategic autonomy. Rangel reiterated Portugal’s adherence to the one-China policy and support for free trade, while welcoming closer EU–China engagement.
  
  
• MIIT to Strengthen Regulation of EV Battery Recycling Industry: The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has announced stricter measures to regulate the recycling and reuse of retired power batteries from new energy vehicles, as the country prepares for a rapid increase in battery waste in the coming years. At a national task force meeting held on May 28, officials said authorities will intensify enforcement against illegal activities in the battery recycling sector, including unauthorized dismantling, environmental violations, illegal sales of used batteries, and the production of low-quality products using retired battery materials. Companies that fail to comply with battery traceability and information reporting requirements will also face investigation and penalties. Officials noted that China’s annual volume of retired power batteries is expected to surpass one million tons by 2030, highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive and standardized recycling system. The meeting also called for stronger coordination in developing laws, regulations, and technical standards related to battery recycling. Authorities plan to improve digital monitoring systems to track battery circulation and encourage cooperation among enterprises, industry associations, and research institutions to advance recycling technologies, improve equipment, and explore sustainable business models for the industry’s long-term development.
  
  
• Liaoning Carrier Group Expands Far-Sea Training in Western Pacific: According to the Ministry of National Defense, the PLA Navy’s ongoing training operations involving the aircraft carrier Liaoning in the Western Pacific are part of its regular annual training program aimed at enhancing combat readiness and operational capabilities. The carrier strike group, which entered the region on May 19, has been conducting a range of exercises, including tactical flight operations, live-fire drills, support missions, and search-and-rescue training. The current deployment has also drawn attention as it marks the first known participation of the Type 054B guided-missile frigate Luohe in a carrier task group operating in the Western Pacific, highlighting the vessel’s growing role in far-sea missions. Military analysts noted that the exercises may also test the compatibility of advanced carrier-based aircraft, including the J-35 stealth fighter and J-15T, with the Liaoning’s ski-jump launch system. Experts believe the combination of next-generation stealth aircraft and existing carrier fighters could significantly strengthen the carrier group’s air-defense and strike capabilities. Experts urged other countries to respect the PLA Navy’s lawful activities in international waters and avoid actions that could increase operational risks during training missions.
  
  
• China Releases Guidelines to Strengthen AI Measurement and Standards System: The State Administration for Market Regulation and the National Development and Reform Commission have jointly released the “Guidelines for the Construction of Artificial Intelligence Metrology System and Capacity (2026 Edition),” aimed at strengthening the country’s AI measurement and evaluation framework. The guidelines outlined a structured system covering basic support, core technologies, technical standards, service development, and industry applications, to improve consistency between AI research and real-world deployment. According to the officials, the framework addresses key challenges such as algorithm opacity, uncertainty in AI decision-making, and lack of interpretability by promoting monitoring tools, performance evaluation standards, and traceable measurement systems to make AI systems more reliable and transparent. The plan also emphasizes developing advanced calibration technologies, including quantum and in-situ metrology, and establishing national research and application centers to support standardized AI measurement tools with independent intellectual property rights. In addition, the guidelines focus on improving data quality by building standardized and high-quality datasets, enabling secure data sharing, and reducing industry data fragmentation to support AI training and evaluation. Authorities stated that the initiative will promote AI applications across sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and transport, and improving system reliability.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER 

Weibo Buzzes as Serbian President Calls Chinese Robotics “22nd Century”: A post with the hashtag #VucicSaysChinaIsLikeThe22ndCentury# is going viral on Weibo after Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić visited a robotics company in Jiaxing, Zhejiang, where he observed robots performing tasks such as mixing drinks, building objects, writing calligraphy, and playing chess against humans. The visit, during which he described the experience as “like being in the 22nd century,” triggered widespread online discussion about China’s rapid progress in robotics and advanced manufacturing. Many users commented that the visit “shows how far Chinese technology has advanced in a short time,” while another user stated that “China is already living in the future with its robotics industry.” Several other users focused on international cooperation, saying “China and Serbia are building strong technological ties,” while one user highlighted that “joint innovation will benefit both countries in advanced manufacturing.” Another user noted that “young students gaining exposure to robotics will strengthen future collaboration between the two nations.” Some users also praised China’s growing innovation ecosystem, with one comment stating, “cutting-edge technology is becoming part of everyday industry.” A few users, however, raised questions about how quickly such robotics could be adopted globally and whether automation might reshape traditional job markets.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Discusses Growing Indian Concerns Over US-India Strategic Ties: An article published in Guancha discussed growing concerns in India over the trajectory of US-India relations following US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent visit to New Delhi. The article argued that Rubio’s four-day trip largely consisted of reassuring rhetoric rather than substantive policy commitments, despite repeated references to India as a key strategic partner of the United States. It noted that Rubio and Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed expanding cooperation in the energy and trade sectors. However, the article stressed that recent US policies have created deep unease in India, including tariffs of up to 50 percent on Indian exports, and stricter immigration measures that disproportionately affect Indian professionals and the country’s outsourcing industry. The article further highlighted Indian concerns surrounding Trump’s expected outreach to China, with analysts warning that any stabilization in US-China ties could diminish India’s strategic importance to Washington. It cited experts who argued that India increasingly fears being treated as a bargaining chip in broader US-China negotiations rather than as a central regional partner. The article concluded that while defense and technology ties between India and the United States remain resilient, New Delhi is increasingly uncertain about the long-term reliability and consistency of Washington’s strategic commitments, particularly regarding the Quad framework and Indo-Pacific cooperation.