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NEWS IN CHINA

• Premier Li Qiang Holds Talks with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman: Premier Li Qiang met Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Beijing. Li emphasized that China and Bangladesh, as close neighbors with longstanding ties, share a tradition of mutual support. He said China backs Bangladesh in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions and supports the new government’s governance priorities. Li noted that China aims to advance good‑neighborly relations, strengthen practical cooperation, and deliver greater benefits to both peoples. He highlighted plans to promote high‑quality Belt and Road collaboration, increase imports of Bangladeshi goods, encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Bangladesh, and expand cooperation in emerging industries such as new energy, digital economy, AI, and ICT. China also seeks closer coordination with Bangladesh in multilateral forums to safeguard shared interests and support the collective development of the Global South. Rahman said strengthening ties with China is a priority of Bangladesh’s foreign policy and reaffirmed adherence to the one‑China principle. He expressed appreciation for China’s long‑term support and voiced interest in aligning development strategies, enhancing high‑level exchanges, and cooperating on global initiatives, including the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind.
  
  
• Air China Launches C919 Service on Beijing-Yan'an Route: Air China has expanded the deployment of China's domestically developed Flight CA1279 by launching a new commercial route between Beijing and Yan'an. The inaugural Flight CA1279 landed at Nanniwan Airport on June 24, where it was welcomed with a traditional water salute to commemorate the launch of the new service. The event was accompanied by promotional activities, including a ceremony in Yan'an and commemorative souvenirs distributed to passengers before departure from Beijing Capital International Airport. Crew members also marked the occasion with onboard celebrations and a group photograph after arrival. The new route strengthens Air China's connectivity with historically significant revolutionary base areas. The airline now operates around a dozen routes from Beijing to destinations including Jinggangshan, Zunyi and Yan'an, with plans to operate approximately 260 flights each week. Air China expects the expanded network to support regional tourism, economic development and business exchanges while further increasing commercial operations of the C919. During the inaugural journey, the aircraft also flew past Yan'an's iconic Baota Mountain, highlighting the city's historical importance and showcasing the new route.
  
  
• Foreign Minister Wang Yi Meets His Austrian Counterpart in Beijing: Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl‑Reisinger in Beijing, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations as the two countries mark 55 years of diplomatic ties. Wang highlighted that China‑Austria relations have remained stable and constructive for decades, rooted in mutual respect, equality, and win‑win cooperation. He stated that the partnership demonstrates that countries with different sizes, systems, and cultures can still build strong and friendly ties. Wang congratulated Austria on its election as a UN Security Council non‑permanent member, expressing China’s readiness to enhance coordination with Austria in safeguarding the UN’s authority. He also emphasized that China and Europe are partners, not competitors, and noted China’s appreciation for Austria’s pragmatic approach to China‑Europe relations. Meinl‑Reisinger reaffirmed Austria’s commitment to the one‑China policy and expressed interest in expanding cooperation in trade, investment, and green development. She stated that Austria hopes to use the anniversary as an opportunity to deepen strategic dialogue and support constructive China‑Europe engagement to promote stable and healthy ties.
  
  
• Beautiful China Action Plan Sets 2030 Vision for Ecological Progress: China has introduced the “Beautiful China Construction National Action Promotion Plan (2026–2030)”, issued jointly by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and six other central departments. The plan aims to deepen public understanding of ecological civilization and strengthen nationwide participation in environmental protection. By 2030, ecological values inspired by Xi Jinping’s ecological thought are expected to be widely embraced, with citizens demonstrating higher environmental literacy and adopting greener lifestyles as a social norm. The plan outlines five major tasks and 15 measures, focusing on cultural, social, and behavioral transformation. It calls for enhancing ecological culture through museums, science centers, and research institutions, expanding public access to environmental protection facilities, and improving volunteer service systems. It also encourages green living by exploring incentive mechanisms such as point‑based rewards, commercial discounts, and public‑service exchanges to motivate low‑carbon choices in daily life. According to spokesperson Pei Xiaofei, ministries will continue coordinated efforts to ensure the plan is implemented effectively, building strong public support for the long‑term vision of a “Beautiful China.”
  
  
• China Releases 15th Five-Year Plan to Build Advanced Clean and Low-Carbon Energy System: China has released the “15th Five‑Year Plan for the Construction of a New Energy System,” outlining an ambitious roadmap to establish a clean, low‑carbon, safe and efficient national energy framework by 2030. The plan, issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration, sets clear targets to accelerate the country’s transition toward non‑fossil energy and strengthen long‑term energy security. A central target is reaching 5.8 billion tons of standard coal equivalent in total energy production capacity while improving system stability, flexibility, and resilience. The plan also stresses the gradual peaking of coal and oil use, alongside expanded energy import diversification to enhance supply security. It prioritizes building a smart, integrated energy infrastructure supported by advanced grids, storage systems, and efficient transmission networks. Further priorities include advancing self-reliance in key energy technologies, reforming electricity markets, and establishing a unified national power trading system. The strategy also promotes regional coordination, stronger energy–industry integration, and expanded global cooperation to support a greener, more secure energy future.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

AI’s Rising Water Consumption Sparks Discussion on Weibo: A post with the hashtag #AIWillConsume23BillionCubicMetersOfFreshWaterPerYear# is going viral on Weibo after experts at the Summer Davos Forum highlighted the hidden environmental costs of artificial intelligence. The post cited estimates suggesting that a five-minute conversation with an AI system can consume around 500 milliliters of water for cooling. At the same time, the broader AI industry chain, including chip manufacturing, power generation, and computing infrastructure, uses approximately 23 billion cubic meters of freshwater annually. Many users argued that AI data centers resemble traditional heavy industry and suggested that facilities should be concentrated in regions such as Northeast China, where water resources are relatively abundant and colder temperatures could reduce cooling costs. Some users maintained that water consumption figures were being misunderstood, emphasizing that most water is circulated for cooling and reused rather than permanently lost. Another user remarked that “it’s just used for cooling; as long as it doesn’t pollute the water, this kind of consumption is negligible.” Several other users proposed alternative cooling methods, including offshore, seabed, and high-altitude facilities. Some users also questioned whether the heat generated by AI systems could be recycled for industrial or residential purposes, while a few compared AI cooling systems to the closed-loop coolant systems used in automobiles.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Highlights China’s Growing Role in India’s EV Sector: An article in Guancha discussed how Chinese and Indian automakers are finding new ways to cooperate in the electric vehicle (EV) sector despite India’s continued restrictions on Chinese investment following the 2020 border clash. The article argued that EVs have become a practical channel for engagement, enabling Chinese firms to expand their presence in the world’s third-largest automobile market through joint ventures, supply-chain partnerships, and technology cooperation. It cited experts who stated that India cannot achieve its manufacturing ambitions or deepen its integration into global supply chains without some level of cooperation with Chinese companies. At the same time, Chinese firms seeking global growth view India as a market too large to ignore. According to the article, Chinese companies are increasingly entering sectors traditionally dominated by Japanese, European, and South Korean firms. One example is the joint venture between Indian auto-parts manufacturer Uno Minda and China’s Inovance Technology to produce EV powertrains in India. The article suggested that such partnerships are beginning to reshape the competitive landscape and pose new challenges for Japanese automakers. The article also noted that regulatory restrictions and Chinese export controls have disrupted several technology-licensing arrangements. Nevertheless, Indian manufacturers continue to rely heavily on Chinese equipment, battery cells, raw materials, and technical expertise.