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NEWS IN CHINA

• China Proposes International Grassland Day at UNCCD COP17: China has proposed establishing an International Grassland Day at the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. It offered to share its experience in combating desertification with other countries. At the conference, China highlighted its approaches to science-based desertification control, grassland restoration, technological innovation and improving livelihoods. It also presented cooperation efforts with Mongolia, Arab states and Central Asian countries. According to China’s National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the country has contributed about 25 per cent of the world’s newly added green areas and has become the first country to achieve zero growth in land degradation. Over the past five years, China completed 36.6 million hectares of land greening, while 53 per cent of its treatable sandy land has been restored. COP17, held under the theme “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope,” brings together representatives from 197 parties to discuss land restoration, drought resilience, grassland conservation and sustainable land management.
  
  
• China-Rio de Janeiro Ties Strengthened Through Friendship Day: China-Rio de Janeiro Friendship Day was celebrated in Rio de Janeiro, bringing together around 150 representatives from China and Brazil to strengthen people-to-people exchanges and bilateral cooperation. Chinese officials highlighted the growing breadth of China-Brazil relations, which now extend beyond trade to areas including culture, science and technology, sustainable development and international cooperation. Chinese Consul-General Tian Min said bilateral ties are experiencing a particularly positive period, while noting opportunities for further collaboration. Huang Yehua, chairman of the Brazil-China Centre for Innovation in Science and Technology, emphasised the importance of stable and sustainable relations amid global uncertainties and pointed to greater potential for cooperation in innovation and economic development. Henrique da Nobrega, president of the Brazil-China Friendship Association, said the organisation would continue serving as a bridge between the two countries and promoting mutual understanding. The event, supported by Guangdong Province’s Foreign Affairs Office, also featured Chaoshan-style Cantonese cuisine prepared by Chinese chefs, highlighting cultural exchanges alongside diplomatic and economic cooperation. China-Rio de Janeiro Friendship Day, established by state law in 2018, is observed annually on August 8 and serves as a platform for strengthening ties between China and Brazil.
  
  
• President Xi Urges Party to Uphold Jiang Zemin’s Legacy: Chinese President Xi Jinping has praised former leader Jiang Zemin’s contributions to China’s development, urging the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese people to continue advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics. Speaking at a Beijing ceremony marking Jiang’s centenary, Xi described him as an accomplished communist leader and a key figure in the third generation of the CPC’s central leadership. Xi credited Jiang with advancing reform and opening up, improving living standards and guiding China into the 21st century. He also highlighted Jiang’s role in developing the “Three Represents” theory and supporting China’s accession to the World Trade Organisation. The speech emphasised lessons from Jiang’s political conviction, commitment to public welfare, strategic thinking and willingness to confront crises, including the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis and the 1998 floods. Xi called for continued Party leadership, rigorous governance, people-centred development and economic modernisation. Around 6,000 people attended the commemoration, where Xi and other senior officials also met Jiang’s family. 
  
  
• China Accelerates Satellite Internet Constellation Deployment: China is accelerating the deployment of its low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet constellation, with two satellite batches launched from Hainan within 12 days. The latest mission, which carried the 24th group of LEO internet satellites, used a Long March-12 rocket on August 16, following the launch of the 23rd group aboard a Long March-8A rocket on August 4. Experts said the closely spaced launches indicate that constellation deployment is moving toward a more regular and efficient rhythm. The Long March-12, designed for commercial launch missions, can carry more than 12 tons to LEO and supports both single- and multi-satellite missions. The latest launch also set a record for the shortest time a rocket occupied the launch position at the Hainan site. China has launched 24 batches of LEO internet satellites since December 2024, with 228 satellites currently in orbit, according to the article. Its long-term plan calls for nearly 8,000 satellites. Experts noted that expanding launch capacity, reducing costs and developing reusable rockets will be important to sustaining a higher launch frequency as China continues to develop its satellite internet network.
  
  
• Premier Li Qiang Calls for Stronger Measures to Support China’s Economy: Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called for stronger efforts to support economic growth, citing weak domestic demand, difficulties facing some industries and rising external uncertainty. Speaking at the 12th State Council plenary session, Li said China’s economy has remained broadly stable this year, with improved structure and emerging growth drivers. However, he urged authorities to implement existing policies effectively and introduce additional measures when needed. Li emphasised boosting domestic demand by accelerating major projects, encouraging private investment and directing policy support toward consumption, new infrastructure and emerging industries. He also called for faster use of government funds and innovative financing mechanisms to attract private capital. As China begins its 15th Five-Year Plan, Li urged officials to strengthen technological innovation, upgrade traditional industries and develop emerging and future industries while maintaining the strength of the real economy. He also stressed protecting livelihoods through employment and income support, stronger public services and disaster recovery. Li called on governments to adopt a more pragmatic approach, use reform and innovation to address challenges, and deliver tangible results in economic and social development.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users React to Expanded Uses of Housing Provident Funds: A post on Weibo discussing recent efforts by cities across China to expand the uses of housing provident funds and adjust withdrawal rules has gained significant attention. The post highlighted measures allowing funds to be used for purposes including home decoration, kitchen renovations, parking-space purchases, property and heating costs. It also noted that some cities are introducing intergenerational mutual-aid mechanisms, particularly for elderly care, housing improvements and age-friendly renovations. The post prompted mixed reactions from Weibo users. One user commented, “If we could withdraw all of it within a year, that would be better. It’s our money, so we should be able to spend it ourselves.” Another user, commenting on the expanding range of permitted uses, jokingly asked, “When can I buy a car with the Provident Fund?” Other users supported and welcomed the changes, describing them as beneficial to the common people and called for further reductions in withdrawal restrictions. Some also suggested converting provident-fund contributions into broader consumption subsidies, while others questioned the current system and called for greater flexibility in accessing the funds.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Discusses India’s Pursuit of Ultra-High-Voltage Technology: An article on Guancha discussed India’s recent attention to ultra-high-voltage power transmission. According to the article, India has been developing ultra-high-voltage technology through domestic research and cooperation with international companies, including Swiss multinational power giant ABB and other foreign firms. It noted that India has a growing need for long-distance power transmission due to the geographic distribution of its population, industrial activity and energy resources, particularly its reliance on coal-producing regions. The article further stated that India established a 1,200 kV national test station project around 2007 and developed experimental equipment by 2012, but has yet to achieve comparable large-scale commercial deployment. It also discussed China’s experience in ultra-high-voltage transmission, including its development of equipment, materials, testing capabilities and grid engineering. The article mentioned that China had completed 46 ultra-high-voltage projects by the end of 2025, while stressing that the technology involves a broader system of engineering standards, operations and accumulated expertise. It concluded that India’s progress merits attention while technological cooperation should balance commercial interests with protection of core technologies.