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NEWS IN CHINA

• China Unveils 2030 Plan to Build Advanced Infectious Disease Surveillance Network: China has unveiled a five-year public health plan for 2026-2030 to modernise its disease prevention and control system, including developing a nationwide surveillance network covering more than 15 respiratory infectious diseases by 2030. The plan, released by the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, focuses on improving early detection, outbreak response, and preparedness for emerging respiratory threats. The strategy emphasises expanding immunisation among key groups such as children and the elderly, strengthening health management in high-risk environments, and enhancing prevention measures against insect-borne diseases like dengue and malaria. It also calls for improved monitoring, testing, and treatment systems for blood-borne diseases. China plans to accelerate the development of national and regional public health centres, promote disease control partnerships, and integrate digital technologies into epidemic monitoring. The plan highlights workforce development, with approximately 77,000 epidemiological investigation personnel expected to be organised by 2030, while expanding global epidemic information surveillance capabilities to strengthen China’s public health resilience.
  
  
• China Orders Platforms to Penalise Self-Media Accounts Over Misleading News Attribution: China’s cyberspace regulator has directed online platforms to penalise 3,704 self-media accounts for failing to properly identify information sources in posts related to domestic and international current affairs. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said recent inspections led to the correction of more than 48,000 short videos containing missing or inaccurate source labels. The regulator found that some self-media accounts reposted, edited, or compiled news content without clearly attributing original sources, creating difficulties for users in verifying information and potentially misleading public understanding. Several accounts on platforms such as Douyin and Kuaishou were found to have shared international affairs content without traceable references, while others on Sina Weibo and Kuaishou used vague labels such as “online reports” or “foreign media reports” to avoid scrutiny. The CAC emphasised that accurate source attribution is essential for maintaining credible online information ecosystems. It called on content creators to ensure authenticity and accountability, while urging platforms to improve source-labelling mechanisms and establish long-term monitoring systems to strengthen information reliability.
  
  
• China and Africa Launch Medical Partnership to Advance Healthcare Cooperation: China and African partners launched a series of joint medical initiatives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to strengthen healthcare cooperation and expand access to advanced medical technologies across the continent. The initiatives include the China-Africa Partnership Program for Minimally Invasive Medicine, the China-Africa Robotic Surgery Training Centre and the China-Africa Endoscopic Technology Training Centre, established through collaboration among Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Addis Ababa Silk Road General Hospital and the China-Africa Hospital Alliance. The launch event brought together Ethiopian government officials, Chinese diplomats, and medical professionals from both sides. Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie said the initiatives would support the adoption of modern medical technologies and strengthen healthcare services by enhancing local expertise. Chinese Ambassador Chen Hai described the program as part of the Health Partnership Action under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The initiatives aim to train African medical specialists through mentorship, simulator-based learning and clinical instruction in endoscopic and robotic surgery. The first endoscopic technology training program included about 40 participants from Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, Libya and Ethiopia, demonstrating efforts to expand regional medical capacity and long-term institutional cooperation.
  
  
• China Expands Graduate Employment Support Through Job Fair: China's Ministry of Education held the "100 Counties to 100 Schools" special job fair for unemployed graduates in Kunming, Yunnan, as part of its efforts to improve employment outcomes for the 2026 graduating cohort. The event brought together more than 170 enterprises from China's top 100 counties and cities, offering over 2,000 job opportunities across sectors including finance, information technology, culture and tourism, healthcare, education, and trade. The initiative aims to strengthen links between universities and employers while promoting more targeted job matching. Officials said universities will continue providing one-on-one employment assistance for graduates facing difficulties, including interview coaching, resume guidance, career planning, and regular follow-up support to help connect students with suitable positions. The job fair forms part of the Ministry of Education's 2026 "100-Day Sprint" employment campaign. In addition, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced that its "100-Day, Ten Thousand Recruitments" online recruitment campaign, from July 27 to August 2, involves more than 13,000 employers offering approximately 231,000 vacancies in modern services, internet technology, automotive manufacturing, and e-commerce. A series of livestream recruitment events will also be organised to facilitate job matching.
  
  
• China's “New ‘New Three’” Emerge as Drivers of High-Tech Exports: China's export profile is shifting towards knowledge- and technology-intensive industries, with artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and innovative medicines emerging as the country's new engines of foreign trade. The "new 'new three'" sectors are replacing the earlier export drivers such as electric vehicles, lithium batteries and solar cells. China's AI industry has expanded its international reach, with Chinese large language models recording the highest global weekly usage for 12 consecutive weeks and serving users in 141 countries and regions. AI exports now extend beyond software to include algorithms, model deployment and AI applications. Chinese robotics exports also continued to grow during the first half of 2026. Exports of industrial robots increased by 18.6% year-on-year, while shipments of cleaning, intelligent bionic, and surgical robots expanded into more overseas markets. Meanwhile, China's innovative pharmaceutical sector gained further global recognition. Overseas licensing agreements also accelerated, with deals totalling about $110 billion, highlighting China's growing role in global technology, healthcare and innovation exports.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users Debate on Work Habits of Cadres Nearing Retirement: A post on Weibo over the work habits of some senior government officials approaching retirement has sparked widespread discussion. The post described the routine of a 57-year-old department-level cadre who reportedly spends his mornings making tea, browsing news and watching short videos during office hours, while colleagues largely ignore the behaviour. It also claimed that some officials nearing retirement avoid assigned work, take extended absences, and disregard workplace discipline, raising questions about how such practices emerge and should be managed. The post quickly attracted reactions, with many users criticising such practices. One user mockingly said, "Being able to go to the workplace every day and sit steadily until 11 o'clock is already a good comrade" Another user criticised cadre’s inactive behaviour by commenting: "The iron rice bowl is rusty when you hold it." In China, the “iron rice bowl” refers to stable government jobs that provide guaranteed employment and welfare benefits, implying that such security can foster complacency. Other commenters also said the behaviour reflected a long-standing stereotype of government offices, where staff spend time making tea and reading newspapers before starting work. Some argued that generous pensions, job security and stable benefits help explain why civil service positions remain highly demanded, with one user adding, "No wonder so many people want to take the civil service exam. It's so cool."

INDIA WATCH

Finance Sina Discusses Renewed Momentum in India-China Relations Amid Push for Pragmatic Cooperation:  An article on Finance Sina discussed that despite persistent differences and the aftermath of the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, India and China remain committed to maintaining channels of dialogue and exploring pragmatic cooperation. It noted that recent developments, including the resumption of pilgrimage activities, restoration of direct flights and diplomatic engagements marking the 75th anniversary of bilateral relations in 2025, indicate renewed momentum in ties. The article also highlighted that after years of economic restrictions, India has begun adjusting policies to address challenges faced by Chinese businesses operating in the country. It further emphasised that neither side can afford prolonged hostility given their shared history, geographical proximity, and global significance. The article argued that both nations’ development experiences can offer lessons for each other. It concluded by drawing parallels between India’s “Vision 2047” and China’s “Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” suggesting that both seek national rejuvenation and inclusive growth.