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NEWS IN CHINA

• President Xi Jinping Calls for Rural Revitalization Ahead of Harvest Festival: President Xi Jinping extended greetings to farmers and people working in agriculture and rural development ahead of the ninth Chinese Farmers’ Harvest Festival, calling for continued efforts to improve rural livelihoods and advance rural revitalization. Xi noted that China’s summer grain output reached a record high this year, while early rice production remained stable and the autumn harvest was expected to be strong. He urged Party committees and governments at all levels to strengthen policies supporting agriculture, farmers and rural development, with greater emphasis on improving agricultural productivity, quality and overall efficiency. Xi also called for expanding opportunities for rural residents to raise their incomes and promoting the development of attractive and harmonious rural communities suited to local conditions. He stated that the measures should contribute to improving farmers’ living standards while strengthening the agricultural sector. Established in 2018, the Chinese Farmers’ Harvest Festival is the country’s first national festival dedicated specifically to farmers. It is observed annually around the Autumnal Equinox, which generally falls between September 22 and 24 and coincides with the autumn harvest season.
  
  
• China and Kazakhstan Seek Deeper Cooperation in Key Sectors: Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang met Kazakhstan’s First Deputy Prime Minister Nalibayev in Beijing, calling for stronger bilateral cooperation under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Ding emphasized that the two countries should implement the consensus reached by their leaders and make greater use of the China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee to coordinate practical cooperation. He identified trade and investment, artificial intelligence and green mining as key areas where the two sides could achieve further progress and contribute to improving the livelihoods of their populations. Ding described China and Kazakhstan as close neighbours and partners with shared interests, highlighting the importance of maintaining momentum in bilateral relations. He also stressed the coordinating role of the cooperation committee in advancing joint projects and implementing agreements between the two countries. Nalibayev stated that Kazakhstan is ready to work with China in line with the strategic direction set by their respective leaders. He expressed support for expanding cooperation and further strengthening Kazakhstan-China relations.
  
  
• Premier Li Qiang Calls for Faster Development of Advanced Manufacturing: Premier Li Qiang called for greater integration of technological and industrial innovation during an inspection visit to Shanghai on September 22. He stressed the need to advance manufacturing through intelligent, green and integrated development, while expanding the use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies. At an artificial intelligence application pilot base, Li reviewed industrial robots and AI-enabled manufacturing applications. He said advances in AI were transforming manufacturing technologies, production methods and industrial structures. He called for wider use of AI in research and development, production and management, as well as stronger use of data to support digital transformation and industrial and supply-chain resilience. Li also visited a community supporting innovation in future industries, where he highlighted areas including brain-computer interfaces and quantum computing. He called for stronger basic research, breakthroughs in key technologies and a more supportive innovation environment. He also stressed the importance of developing venture capital and long-term investment mechanisms, while improving efforts to attract and cultivate specialised talent.
  
  
• China Tightens Recycling Rules for New Energy Waste: According to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China is strengthening recycling and pollution controls for waste from its rapidly expanding new energy sector, including retired solar panels, wind equipment and power batteries. The move addresses growing environmental risks as renewable energy installations reach the end of their service lives. Officials highlighted concerns over informal recycling, particularly small workshops that use crude burning methods to recover materials from photovoltaic modules, potentially causing air pollution. Under China’s Ecological and Environmental Code, which took effect in August, wind and solar project operators are responsible for recycling or safely disposing of retired equipment. Power battery producers, meanwhile, must establish collection systems and meet recycling obligations under an extended producer-responsibility framework. The ministry has introduced pollution-control standards for waste lithium-ion batteries and photovoltaic equipment, while standards for retired wind power equipment are being developed. By the end of 2025, China had 1.2 billion kilowatts of installed solar capacity and 640 million kilowatts of wind capacity. The ministry estimates waste photovoltaic modules, wind turbine blades and used power batteries could reach millions of tonnes annually by 2030.
  
  
• China Revises Guidelines on Overseas Antitrust Compliance: The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) on September 22 invited public feedback on revised guidelines aimed at helping Chinese companies strengthen overseas antitrust compliance and manage legal risks. The consultation will remain open until September 29, 2026. The revised draft updates companies on recent developments in foreign antitrust legislation and enforcement, particularly in the digital economy. It also highlights merger-control requirements in major jurisdictions, foreign investment security reviews and foreign subsidy regulations, while drawing attention to the growing use of private antitrust litigation. The guidelines provide more detailed information on selected jurisdictions with active enforcement and significant Chinese investment and merger activity, helping companies identify regulatory risks when operating abroad. A new section on compliance services outlines professional resources, government support, information channels and mechanisms for seeking assistance or reporting concerns. The draft also adds 15 cases involving recent overseas antitrust investigations and litigation to illustrate potential compliance risks. Six new appendices provide practical tools, including self-assessment checklists, compliance-system guidance and procedures for responding to inspections, litigation and merger reviews. Together, the revisions seek to give Chinese companies clearer guidance for identifying and managing antitrust risks in overseas operations.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

New Power Battery Safety Standard Sparks Debate on Weibo: A People’s Daily post discussing the implementation of China’s new national standard for power batteries, GB38031-2025, is going viral on Weibo. The post highlighted new requirements, including bottom-impact testing, thermal runaway safety, and limits on harmful smoke, alongside tests involving water immersion, overcharging and needle penetration. Several users focused on the importance of safety, with some describing it as the most important criterion for power batteries and electric vehicles. One user stated  that “safety should always be the top priority,” while another argued that rigorous laboratory testing could help keep risks away from everyday driving. Others welcomed the stricter requirements, with one user noting that “the new standard raises the entry threshold for the power battery industry.” Some users argued “whether manufacturers were actually meeting or exceeding the new requirements.” One commenter questioned whether “market spot checks would identify companies complying with the national standard.” Comparisons between manufacturers also emerged, with users mentioning CATL, BYD, Xiaomi and other battery technologies. One user pointed to BYD’s reported testing performance, while another highlighted Xiaomi’s Dragon Armor battery tests.

INDIA WATCH 

Finance Sina Discusses India’s Potential Reduction in Russian Crude Oil Imports: An article on Finance Sina, citing Bloomberg, reported that India may reduce the share of Russian crude oil in its total crude oil imports to around 20-30% in the short term. According to the article, the move is linked to concerns over potential U.S. tariff measures targeting countries that continue to purchase Russian energy. It added that India had increased its reliance on Russian crude in recent months amid high global oil prices and supply disruptions in the Middle East, with Russian supplies at one point accounting for more than half of its imports. The article stated that senior Indian officials are continuing discussions with the U.S. government on possible tariff exemptions and broader trade arrangements. It further mentioned that Indian refiners have reportedly begun exploring alternative sources of crude oil. The article, however, noted that replacing Russian supplies could be difficult because of the volume available from Russia and potentially higher costs associated with alternative suppliers such as Venezuela and Iran. The article concluded with an Indian trade analyst arguing that India should continue purchasing Russian crude oil and questioning the longer-term implications of relying on U.S. tariff decisions.

Prepared By

Neha Maurya

Neha Maurya is a Project Assistant at Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA). A recent graduate of FLAME University with a major in International Studies and a minor in Public Policy, her research interests include strategic studies, governance, and education policy. She is interested in contributing to research that informs effective policy design and implementation.