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NEWS IN CHINA

• China Finalises 2026 List of Major National Construction Projects: China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has released the third and final batch of major construction projects for 2026, completing this year’s list of key projects to advance national development strategies and strengthen security capacity in critical sectors. The latest batch includes 193.5 billion yuan (approximately US$28.4 billion) in funding from ultra-long special treasury bonds. Since the beginning of the year, the NDRC, together with relevant government agencies, has allocated a total of 800 billion yuan to support 1,417 major projects nationwide. The projects consist of a wide range of priority areas, including scientific and technological innovation, ecological protection and restoration in the Yangtze River Basin, transport infrastructure along the Yangtze River, urban underground pipeline networks, major water conservancy works, the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, higher education development, and the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program. NDRC also highlighted that it has advanced supporting policy reforms, including improvements to railway investment and financing mechanisms, reforms to urban sewage treatment pricing, standards for the service life of flood-control infrastructure, and further reforms to agricultural water pricing to enhance long-term development and resilience.
  
  
• China Aims to Boost Global Education Competitiveness Under New Five-Year Plan: China plans to strengthen its global competitiveness and international influence in education during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030), according to a recently issued education development plan by the State Council. The plan called for greater integration with world-class educational resources and global innovation networks to support high-quality development. It also encouraged deeper international cooperation in basic research and supported leading Chinese universities in participating in major global scientific initiatives. Chinese authorities further pledged to improve support services for Chinese students studying abroad while introducing policies aimed at attracting overseas graduates to return and contribute to China’s development. The plan also urged top foreign universities, particularly those specialising in science and engineering, to establish joint education programs in China. In addition, the document highlighted the importance of expanding educational cooperation with Europe, North America, neighbouring countries, BRI partner nations and countries in the Global South. China also expressed willingness to share its expertise and standards in areas including vocational education, engineering, artificial intelligence education, teacher training and basic education as part of broader efforts to deepen international educational cooperation and enhance its global educational presence.
  
  
• Wang Yi Meets Finnish President, Calls for Stronger China-Finland Cooperation: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Turku, Finland, where both sides pledged to strengthen cooperation, high-level exchanges and coordination in addressing global challenges. During the meeting, Stubb asked Wang to convey his greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and recalled his visit to China last year, describing his meeting with Xi as memorable and productive. He praised China’s achievements in economic development, social stability and technological innovation, adding that China has contributed valuable stability to the international community during a period of global uncertainty. Stubb also welcomed stronger bilateral cooperation in emerging sectors such as the green economy and artificial intelligence, while supporting deeper multilateral coordination between the two countries. Wang highlighted the long-standing relationship between China and Finland and reiterated China’s willingness to strengthen its future-oriented partnership with Finland. He said China would continue to act as a force for peace, stability and development amid growing international challenges. During the visit, Wang also held talks with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen.
  
  
• All-China Federation of Trade Unions Launches ‘Chinese Dream, Labour Beauty’ Campaign: The All-China Federation of Trade Unions has launched a nationwide publicity and knowledge campaign themed “Chinese Dream, Labour Beauty” aimed at strengthening ideological knowledge among workers and promoting the spirit of labour and patriotism. According to a recently issued notice, the campaign seeks to implement the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s speech marking the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. The initiative is intended to encourage workers to support the Party’s goals and contribute to national rejuvenation and the development objectives of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period. It consists of four major tasks: strengthening theoretical study of the Party’s policies, promoting revolutionary traditions and the “Long March spirit,” highlighting the contributions of frontline workers, and increasing publicity for labour models, craftsmen and exemplary workers. To support these goals, the federation has planned six themed activities, including red-themed educational programmes, immersive historical experiences, online campaigns, literary and artistic performances, and short-video challenges. Officials said the programme aims to integrate political education, cultural activities and model-worker promotion in order to inspire workers and reinforce the values of labour, dedication and national development.
  
  
• Chinese Vice Premier Calls for Boost in Biomedicine, Agricultural Machinery and Water Networks: Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong has called for accelerated development of key sectors including biomedicine, agricultural machinery and modern water infrastructure during an inspection tour in Shandong Province. Liu, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said biomedicine should be developed into a strategic pillar industry. He urged efforts to focus on core technologies in innovative drugs and medical devices, strengthen basic research, and enhance research and development through artificial intelligence to improve independent innovation capacity. He also stressed the importance of promoting enterprises as key drivers of innovation, improving the transformation of scientific achievements into practical applications, and expanding international cooperation in the biomedicine sector. On agricultural development, Liu called for faster progress in the research, development and application of advanced agricultural machinery. He encouraged the digital transformation and technological upgrading of related enterprises, along with better use of subsidy policies to improve mechanisation in farming. He further emphasised that modern water networks are essential national infrastructure, urging better integration of water systems to improve flood control, disaster prevention, water resource allocation, and water supply for both urban and rural areas.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users React to Court Sentence for Former Nanjing Official: A post on Weibo is going viral, discussing the Jiangsu court's sentencing of former Nanjing Economic and Technological Development Zone official Yang Youlin, who was found guilty of multiple corruption-related offences, including bribery, embezzlement, abuse of power and holding illegal property valued at more than RMB 2.214 billion. The post noted that he used his official authority to provide favours in engineering projects, land transfers, enterprise management and financial matters in exchange for illicit payments. The post also stated that Yang Youlin made a final statement, pleaded guilty and expressed remorse during the court hearing. It further highlighted that the court ordered the lifelong deprivation of his political rights, the confiscation of all his personal assets, and the recovery of all illegal gains and related proceeds, which will be turned over to the state. The post quickly attracted widespread attention, with many users expressing anger over the scale of the corruption and supporting strict legal action against corrupt officials. Several users argued that severe punishments should continue to be imposed in major bribery cases to deter future corruption. Some users described the verdict as justice, commenting, "Mills of God grind slowly but surely." A few users also demanded greater transparency, asking authorities to disclose the exact amount of money involved in the case.

INDIA WATCH

Global Times Discusses Indian Ambassador’s Remarks on Expanding Chinese Investment in India: An article on Global Times discussed Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Doraiswami’s recent remarks on greater Chinese investments in India as a constructive signal for improving bilateral economic ties. Doraiswami reportedly said increased Chinese investment would benefit both the economic dimension of India-China relations and broader bilateral ties. The article argued that Chinese investment could contribute to India’s economic development by boosting manufacturing, employment and tax revenues. The article noted that Doraiswami’s comments indicate a more pragmatic and open approach compared to India’s earlier restrictions on Chinese investment. It also referred to reports that India had introduced a faster approval timeline for certain foreign direct investment proposals from neighbouring countries, including China. However, the article argued that Chinese businesses still face concerns regarding restrictions and investment conditions in India. It cited a previous statement by the Chamber of Chinese Enterprises in India, which described India’s policy adjustments as only a “partial optimisation” rather than a full liberalisation. The article further linked future economic cooperation to the recent improvement in India-China relations and called for a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese investors in India.