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NEWS IN CHINA

• NPC Standing Committee Launches Inspection of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Ecological Protection Law: The National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee has launched an enforcement inspection of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Ecological Protection Law to assess its execution and strengthen ecological governance across the region. The law came into effect in 2023 and it is China’s first legislation dedicated specifically to ecological protection of a designated geographic region. It establishes a legal framework for environmental conservation, ecological restoration, risk prevention and sustainable development on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. According to the inspection team, field inspections will be carried out from July to August in Sichuan, Tibet, Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang. These teams will gather information through government briefings, symposiums, site visits, random checks and surveys to evaluate the implementation at the ground level. The review will focus on public awareness of the law, the development of supporting regulations and planning mechanisms, ecological security measures, environmental protection and restoration efforts, ecological risk management and oversight mechanisms. Officials will also examine challenges in implementation and collect recommendations for improving the ecological conservation of Qinghai-Tibet plateau.
  
  
• China Releases Action Plan to Boost Foreign Investment: The Ministry of Commerce, National Development and Reform Commission, and Ministry of Finance jointly released the Action Plan for Stabilizing and Promoting the Excellence of Foreign Investment, aimed at attracting more foreign capital and improving the business environment. The plan focuses on expanding market access in services, finance, healthcare, education, telecommunications and biotechnology. It allows foreign institutions with greater access to financial risk-management tools, investment advisory services, and domestic capital markets. According to the plan, qualified foreign-invested enterprises will also be supported in listing and raising funds in China. The plan proposes measures, including improving investment convenience, accelerating rules on foreign mergers and acquisitions, facilitating cross-border data flows, encouraging reinvestment of foreign profits through tax incentives, and allowing qualified foreign investment institutions to participate in listed companies. It also emphasized strengthening the “Invest in China” initiative and improving support for major foreign-invested projects. A key feature of the plan is the full implementation of national treatment for foreign-invested enterprises, ensuring foreign-invested enterprises receive equal access to government policies and procurement opportunities, unless restricted by law or national security requirements.
  
  
• China Unveils First National Urban Regeneration Plan for 15th Five-Year Plan period: The State Council has released China’s first national-level urban regeneration plan for the 15th Five-Year Plan period. The plan comes as China’s urbanization goals shift from large-scale expansion to improving the quality, efficiency and sustainability of existing urban areas. The blueprint sets out clear objectives, key tasks and policy support measures aimed at building modern, people-centered cities that are innovative, livable, resilient, intelligent and environmentally sustainable. It includes a series of measurable targets to be achieved by 2030, such as renovating 500,000 dilapidated housing units, upgrading 115,000 aging residential communities, modernizing 1,500 old neighborhoods and factory compounds, replacing 365,000 kilometers of underground pipelines, and restoring 15,000 historic buildings. The plan outlines six major areas of work and 14 flagship projects focused on improving housing conditions, community services, public infrastructure, and urban environments. It also seeks to unlock new sources of economic growth by revitalizing underused industrial sites, commercial properties, and older urban districts. In addition, the plan introduces reforms in financing, land use, governance, legal frameworks and public participation to support sustainable urban renewal. 
  
  
• Wang Yi Holds Talks with Deputy Defence Secretary of Iran Nezamipour: Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Ghadir Nezamipour, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, in New Delhi. Wang welcomed the launch of follow-up consultations between Iran and the United States, facilitated by Pakistan and Qatar, following the first-phase of memorandum of understanding reached between the two sides. He stated that the agreement’s core provisions, including a permanent ceasefire, rejection of the use of force, respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, reflect the principles of the UN Charter and international law. Wang noted that effective implementation of the agreement could help preserve the ceasefire, improve Iran-US relations, and contribute to long-term stability in the Middle East. He reaffirmed China’s support for Iran’s sovereignty, security and national dignity, while emphasizing Beijing’s commitment to promoting peace and regional dialogue. Wang also highlighted the importance of advancing the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership through stronger political trust and practical cooperation. Nezamipour thanked China for its role in promoting peace efforts and expressed support for deeper bilateral cooperation, including closer coordination within multilateral frameworks such as BRICS. 
  
  
• Liaoning Aircraft Completed Its Long Range Maritime Training: The Liaoning aircraft carrier group of the Chinese Navy successfully completed its longest-ever cross-regional far-sea combat training mission, lasting nearly two months and covering the South China Sea and Western Pacific. The exercise focused on enhancing long-range operational readiness and system-based combat capabilities. A key highlight of Liaoning aircraft carrier's long-range training exercise was the participation of the new Type 054B frigate Luohe, marking its first deployment with a carrier strike group. The training included air defense, anti-ship strikes, search and rescue, live-fire drills, and day-and-night combat confrontations, demonstrating improved long-range command, logistics and support capabilities. Another major development was the joint exercise with the Type 075 amphibious assault ship Anhui, which practiced integrated operations such as three-dimensional amphibious landing missions. The drills strengthened coordination between carrier and amphibious assault forces, improving China’s ability to conduct large-scale island and reef landing operations. The exercise also featured a Y-20A aerial refueling tanker which successfully refueled J-15 carrier-based fighters in mid-air, extending the aircraft’s combat radius. During the mission, the Liaoning group also professionally managed close monitoring by Japanese ships and aircraft, maintaining operational safety while continuing routine training activities.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER 

Weibo Users React to Claims Indian Education Teaches Ancient Chinese Social Structure: A post is going viral on Weibo alleging that online education institutions in India are teaching students about a historical “Chinese caste system” comprising scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants and laborers. The post further claimed such content was misleading and politically motivated. Many users welcomed the idea, suggesting it could increase understanding of historical governance models, while some argued it reflected “misunderstanding and exaggeration of academic curricula”. One user remarked that historical classifications are often misinterpreted when taken out of context, while another user remarked that such interpretations would “create unnecessary confusion between modern societies.” Several users expressed indifference, stating that the topic is being overstated online and would have little real-world impact. A few commenters questioned whether the narrative was being amplified for engagement, noting that online discussions often distort educational content for controversy. Some users also urged restraint, emphasizing that educational systems in different countries develop independently and should not be politicized. 

INDIA WATCH

Chinese Media Discusses Strategic Talk between FM Wang Yi and Indian Security Advisor Doval: An article in Xinhua discussed Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s meeting with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in New Delhi. The article emphasized that both sides reaffirmed the view that China and India are “partners rather than competitors,” describing this as the key strategic consensus guiding bilateral ties. It emphasized Wang’s remarks that, as the world’s two most populous economies, both countries should approach relations from long-term and global perspectives. The article noted China’s support for India’s role as the rotating BRICS chair and its willingness to cooperate in promoting the development and growth of BRICS. The article further reiterated China’s view that both countries should respect each other’s core interests, prevent border issues from dominating the broader relationship, and accelerate the resumption of dialogue mechanisms and cooperation in trade, finance, law enforcement and media. Additionally, the article highlighted Wang’s call for both sides to actively guide public opinion and societal perceptions to build a stronger social foundation for improved bilateral ties. It also pointed out India’s commitment to a strategic and forward-looking approach towards China while also mentioning Doval’s reaffirmation that India’s position on the Taiwan question remains unchanged.