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NEWS IN CHINA

• Foreign Minister Wang Yi Holds Talks With Kyrgyz Counterpart: Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev in Cholpon‑Ata on Saturday. Wang praised Kyrgyzstan’s successful hosting of the SCO foreign ministers’ meeting, noting that it set the stage for a productive Bishkek summit. He highlighted the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership, strengthened by frequent meetings between their leaders and shared goals for development and modernisation. Wang stated that both sides should prepare for upcoming high‑level exchanges, expand political trust and advance major projects, including the China‑Kyrgyzstan‑Uzbekistan railway, upgraded border ports and cooperation in agriculture, energy, minerals, artificial intelligence and the digital economy. He encouraged Chinese enterprises to invest in Kyrgyzstan and called for the continued protection of their lawful rights. Wang also thanked Kyrgyzstan for supporting China on issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang and human rights. Kulubaev reaffirmed Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to the one‑China principle and expressed readiness to deepen Belt and Road cooperation, attract Chinese investment and strengthen coordination in the UN and SCO. The two ministers also witnessed Kyrgyzstan’s signing of the Convention on the International Organisation for Mediation and attended the reopening of China’s Consulate General in Osh.
  
  
• Chinese Expert Says Joint China-Russia Naval Patrol Demonstrates Strategic Maritime Capability: According to the Chinese military expert Song Zhongping, the ongoing China-Russia joint naval patrol highlights the two countries' growing ability to conduct coordinated operations in strategically important waters and overcome so-called island-chain blockades. Following the completion of the Joint Sea-2026 exercise, both navies launched a joint maritime patrol in the Pacific under their annual military cooperation plan. Referring to Japan's reported tracking of the task group, Song said the flotilla has likely completed around two-thirds of a circumnavigation of Japan and may continue through the Tsugaru or Soya Strait before entering the Sea of Japan. He stated that completing such a route would demonstrate the capability of the Chinese and Russian navies to rapidly deploy forces and carry out joint operations in key maritime areas. Song also argued that the patrol reflects the declining strategic effectiveness of the so-called first island chain. Responding to Japan's criticism of Chinese military activities near Okinotori, he maintained that the operations comply with international law and reiterated China's position that Okinotori is a rock rather than an island, making Japan's claim to an exclusive economic zone invalid. He added that the patrol also serves as a deterrent to Japan's expanding security posture.
  
  
• China Unveils Reform Plan to Strengthen Integrated Transport System: The Ministry of Transport and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) have jointly issued the Opinions on Deepening the Reform of the Comprehensive Transportation System, outlining the overall direction for reform and identifying 18 key tasks to modernise the country's transport system. The document calls for removing institutional barriers that limit cross-regional coordination, integration between different transport modes, and cooperation across related sectors. It also emphasises improving institutional mechanisms, accelerating the development of the national comprehensive three-dimensional transportation network, and promoting greater integration, enhanced safety, digital and intelligent upgrades, and green transformation. These measures aim to improve the efficiency, service quality, and governance of the transportation system while supporting the development of a transportation powerhouse. The Opinions focus on improving overall planning, coordinating infrastructure development, expanding multimodal transport, enhancing operational management, promoting deeper integration between transportation and related industries, and improving regional connectivity. The document also highlights measures to strengthen transport network resilience, improve safety systems, advance technological innovation, promote low-carbon development, improve inclusive transport services, and expand high-level international cooperation in the transportation sector.
  
  
• Li Hongzhong Calls for Advancing Ethnic Unity During Inner Mongolia Visit: Li Hongzhong, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, conducted a research visit to Inner Mongolia from July 22 to 25, emphasising the importance of advancing ethnic affairs under the rule of law. He called for thoroughly implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and promoting the effective implementation of the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress to support the high-quality development of ethnic work. During his visit to Hulunbuir and Hinggan League, Li inspected communities, villages, enterprises, and border ports to examine ethnic unity initiatives, grassroots governance, rural livelihoods, border trade, cultural tourism, and ecological conservation. He stressed the need to strengthen exchanges among ethnic groups, promote coordinated development across economic, cultural, social, and ecological sectors, and enhance legal awareness to foster a stronger sense of the Chinese national community. Li also visited the historic site of the 1947 Inner Mongolia People's Representative Conference in Ulanhot. He highlighted the importance of strengthening education on Party and national history to reinforce confidence in the path of resolving ethnic issues with Chinese characteristics and support national rejuvenation.
  
  
• China Penalises Travel Platform for Anti-Monopoly Violations: The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has imposed administrative penalties on Trip.com, the operator of Ctrip travel platform for abusing its dominant position in the online hotel booking market in violation of the country's Anti-Monopoly Law. The company was ordered to forfeit 1.658 billion yuan in illegal gains and pay a 3.521 billion yuan fine, bringing the total penalty to 5.179 billion yuan. It was also instructed to return 122 million yuan that had been deducted from hotel operators' reserve funds, implement comprehensive corrective measures, and publicly disclose its rectification efforts. According to the regulator, the investigation was launched in January 2026 following multiple complaints alleging that the operator,  Trip.com Group, had imposed unfair contractual conditions on hotels and used technological tools to influence pricing. Authorities found that the platform required certain hotels to enter exclusive cooperation agreements and provide the lowest prices across online platforms, limiting fair competition and restricting hotels' pricing autonomy. The regulator stated that these practices harmed both businesses and consumers while disrupting market competition. Trip.com Group said it accepts the regulatory decision and will fully implement the required corrective measures in accordance with the authorities' directives.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER 

Weibo Users React to a Viral Post Over China’s Pension System: A post by a Weibo user is going viral on Weibo after research found that China's pension levels for urban retirees are comparatively higher than those in countries such as Japan, South Korea, Russia, and France. The post argued that the current system places excessive pressure on public finances and may eventually require comprehensive reductions. Many users questioned whether the current system could remain financially viable in the long term and expressed concerns that younger generations may bear a disproportionate burden. Several users argued that “pension benefits for retirees in the public sector and government-affiliated institutions are significantly higher than those of ordinary workers, which they believe skews overall pension levels.” Some users pointed out that “disparities between urban and rural pensions remain a major concern, with rural retirees receiving much lower benefits.” Others felt it was “unreasonable for some retirees to receive pensions exceeding the salaries of young workers.” A few users suggested “prioritising support for lower-income and rural pensioners instead of increasing higher pensions.” Some users noted that “future pension calculations should remain linked to individual social security contributions to improve fairness across generations.” Others stressed that “while a small number of people receive excessively high pensions, the vast majority still receive extremely low pensions.”

INDIA WATCH 

Guancha Discusses India-US Tariff Negotiations and India’s Bid for Preferential Trade Access: An article in Guancha discussed India's claim that recent trade negotiations with the United States have placed the country in a lower tariff category, giving Indian exports a relative advantage over many competing economies. Citing a statement from India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the article noted that key exports such as generic pharmaceuticals and smartphones would remain exempt from the additional 10% US tariff, alongside products including steel, aluminium, and auto parts. These exemptions reportedly cover around 45% of India’s exports to the US, while the remaining 55% will face the additional tariff but at a comparatively lower burden than several competing economies. The article emphasised that India continues to push for the early conclusion of a bilateral trade agreement with Washington, seeking long-term tariff certainty and preferential market access. However, it also pointed to growing concerns among Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers following US President Donald Trump’s proposal to impose tariffs of up to 200% on imported generic drugs beginning in 2029, despite maintaining zero tariffs until 2028. The article further noted that India and the United States have yet to reach a trade agreement. It concluded that while India has secured short-term relief through tariff exemptions, unresolved differences over long-term market access and tariff certainty continue to cloud the prospects for a comprehensive bilateral trade deal.