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NEWS IN CHINA

• China and Chile Seek Deeper Cooperation on Trade and Emerging Technologies: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Perez Mackenna in Beijing. During the meeting, they discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing ties under the countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership. Wang said China is ready to work with Chile during the APEC “China Year” to promote an Asia-Pacific community and advance the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific. He also called for greater alignment of development strategies and progress on existing cooperation projects, while identifying artificial intelligence and the digital economy as areas with further potential. Wang noted that Chile was the first South American country to establish diplomatic relations with China and the first Latin American country to sign a free trade agreement with Beijing. He said China is prepared to work with Chile’s new government to deepen practical cooperation and strengthen coordination on multilateral issues. Perez Mackenna said Chile seeks to expand high-level exchanges with China, strengthen people-to-people ties and enhance industrial chain connectivity. He also expressed support for greater Chinese investment and pledged continued market openness and a favourable business environment.
  
  
• Ministry of Justice Criticises EU Probe into Chinese E-Commerce Company: According to China’s Ministry of Justice, the European Union’s investigation into Chinese e-commerce company JD.com under its Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) constitutes unlawful extraterritorial jurisdiction. The ministry said the assessment followed an investigation conducted under China’s rules on countering foreign states’ unlawful extraterritorial jurisdiction measures, issued in April 2026. The European Commission launched the probe in May over JD.com’s proposed takeover of German retailer Ceconomy. China’s Justice Ministry accused the EU of seeking broad and unnecessary information located in China, calling the move a serious violation of international rule-of-law principles. It said Chinese organisations and individuals should not comply with or assist in implementing such measures. The ministry said China may take countermeasures in accordance with the law if the EU continues its current approach. It also called on the EU to review its practices concerning the FSR and ensure a fair and predictable environment for companies operating in the EU. The move follows a similar determination in May concerning an EU investigation into Chinese security equipment company Nuctech.
  
  
• NMSA Releases 15th Five-Year Plan for National Medical Security: China’s National Medical Security Administration has released the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Medical Security, outlining priorities for developing the country’s medical insurance system through 2030. The plan aims to strengthen the legal framework for medical security, improve administrative capacity and make enforcement more standardised. It also calls for the development of a more digital and intelligent medical insurance system, with greater use of artificial intelligence and refined management. During the five-year period, authorities will promote legislation on medical security and revise relevant laws, regulations and departmental rules. The plan also places emphasis on strengthening supervision of medical insurance funds and ensuring that funds are properly managed. The administration plans to expand inspections of designated medical institutions nationwide, with the goal of achieving full coverage of on-site inspections during the plan period. Authorities will use a combination of regular, special and targeted inspections, along with random checks and unannounced visits. The measures are intended to improve the effectiveness of oversight, identify problems more efficiently and strengthen management of the medical insurance system.
  
  
• Chinese Cities Expand Initiatives to Promote Cross-Strait Exchanges: Several cities across mainland China have introduced new initiatives to promote exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan, focusing on youth engagement, economic ties and cultural interaction, according to the Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian. Shanghai will host cross-Strait youth exchange activities from August 24 to 28, bringing together young people from both sides for discussions on emerging technologies and Chinese culture, as well as cultural events and study tours in Shanghai and neighbouring Zhejiang Province. In Fujian, Xiamen introduced 12 measures to facilitate exchanges with Taiwan, including expanding distribution channels for Taiwanese agricultural and fishery products, improving services for Taiwan compatriots and promoting cooperation in intangible cultural heritage and audiovisual content. Fuzhou has also expanded its Strait Youth Development-Oriented City initiative, focusing on employment, entrepreneurship, innovation and youth exchanges. The new measures build on earlier initiatives introduced this year to strengthen cross-Strait exchanges.
  
  
• 17 Suspects Indicted in Human Trafficking Case Linked to Chinese Actor: Seventeen members of a cross-border human trafficking group linked to the abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing to Myawaddy, Myanmar, have been indicted in China. The suspects face charges including abduction, human trafficking, illegal detention, robbery, kidnapping and forcing victims to engage in telecommunications fraud. According to the Shanghai procuratorate, the group used overseas employment opportunities to lure Chinese citizens abroad before transporting them to Myawaddy, where victims were detained and forced into scam operations. Some female victims were also subjected to sexual violence and forced prostitution. Actor Wang was trafficked to Myawaddy in January 2025 after being offered what he believed was a film opportunity in Bangkok. He was later located and returned to China on January 11. His case attracted widespread attention in China and Thailand and prompted Chinese authorities to investigate similar trafficking cases. The latest prosecution follows the arrests and repatriation of key suspects connected to Wang’s case and other Chinese citizens who were deceived and trafficked to scam compounds in the region.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users React to the Popularity of Viral Chinese Movie Niu Lai: A Chinese animated film, Niu Lai, has become an unexpected sensation after its daily box office of just 7,352 yuan sparked a trending hashtag and drew audiences curious to see “how bad it could be." Created over five years by director Xin Yumeng and her mother Sun Lifang without professional training, the film’s simple animation and stiff movements became its biggest draw. The film has also become a viral topic of discussion on Weibo. One post described its language and visual style as similar to children’s picture books, while contrasting it with films that offer little emotional value. The post attracted mixed reactions, with some praising the film’s themes of friendship, maternal love and sacrifice, while others questioned its appeal and unusual animation style. One user wrote, “It gives this piece a sense of wisdom and foolishness." Another commented, “Seeing that the box office is so high, I even suspect that I don't understand it in the end.” Others attributed its success to the creators’ persistence, while some criticised its relatively high ticket prices and questioned whether its online popularity reflected its cinematic quality.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Discusses India-Taiwan Exchanges on Space Technology: An article on Guancha highlighted India’s role in Taiwan’s efforts to develop launch vehicle technology, noting that Taiwan had previously viewed India as having significant expertise in this field. It reported that Taiwan’s defence authorities maintained technical and academic exchanges with Indian counterparts, including discussions on launch vehicle technology and multi-satellite deployment capabilities. The article noted that retired senior Indian military officials had visited Taiwan for relevant seminars, while Taiwanese representatives and institutions also participated in space-related exchanges in India. It further emphasised Taiwan’s assessment that India had considerable experience with launch vehicles, citing the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) SLV-3 programme as a reference point for Taiwan’s own low-orbit launch vehicle development. The article also discussed broader India-Taiwan exchanges in defence technology, including reported discussions involving submarine technology. More recently, it noted the participation of Taiwan’s representative in India at the India Space Congress, reflecting continued engagement between the two sides in the space sector.

Prepared By

Arushi Sharma

Arushi Sharma is a Research Intern at Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA). She is a recent postgraduate in East Asian Studies from the University of Delhi and holds a Bachelor's degree in Chinese Language from K.R. Mangalam University. She has previously worked as a Subject Matter Expert in Mandarin Language at Unacademy. Her primary research interests focus on China's domestic politics and international economic statecraft.