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NEWS IN CHINA 

• Xi Jinping Sends Congratulatory Letter to Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Conference: On July 10, Chinese President and CPC General Secretary Xi Jinping extended a congratulatory letter to the Ministerial Conference of the Global Civilizations Dialogue, which convened in Beijing under the theme “Safeguarding the Diversity of Human Civilization and Promoting World Peace and Development.” In his message, Xi emphasized the importance of cultural diversity, stating that the richness of global civilizations reflects the true colors of the world. He underscored that the advancement of human society has always been closely tied to the exchange and mutual learning among civilizations. Acknowledging the current complex and volatile international landscape, Xi highlighted the urgency of overcoming inter-civilizational divides through dialogue and cooperation. Xi reaffirmed China’s commitment to the Global Civilization Initiative and called for deeper international dialogue and cooperation. He encouraged participants to build consensus and promote mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. The conference was co-hosted by the Propaganda and International Departments of the CPC Central Committee.
  
  
• China Launches Special Measures to Combat Smuggling of Strategic Minerals: At a regular press conference held on July 10, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced targeted actions to prevent the illegal transshipment and smuggling of strategic minerals such as antimony and gallium, materials with dual military and civilian uses. Spokesperson He Yongqian emphasized that the export control of such minerals aligns with international norms, given their strategic significance. In response to reports of transshipment to the United States, He noted that in May, the Office of China's National Export Control Coordination Mechanism initiated a special enforcement campaign aimed at curbing the unlawful outflow of key minerals. Details of the initiative have been made available on the Ministry's official website. He further stated that China, as a responsible global actor, takes into account legitimate civilian demands for these resources. Export license applications are carefully reviewed and approved in accordance with relevant laws and regulations to ensure compliance.
  
  
• Wang Yi Highlights Deepening China–ASEAN Cooperation: At the China–ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Malaysia on July 10, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi underscored major achievements in bilateral cooperation. He highlighted the strengthening of shared future communities with nations like Vietnam and Malaysia, completion of Version 3.0 China–ASEAN Free Trade Area negotiations, and progress in maritime security through the South China Sea Code of Conduct draft. Wang also noted increased people-to-people exchanges and visa facilitation. Emphasizing ASEAN’s importance in China’s neighborhood diplomacy, he reaffirmed China’s commitment to building a peaceful and prosperous shared regional future.
  
  
• China Hopes for Enhanced Global Understanding Through Pavilion Day at Osaka Expo: Ahead of China Pavilion Day at the World Expo in Osaka, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning highlighted the country’s hopes for fostering global understanding through the event. Speaking at a press briefing, Mao noted that the China Pavilion’s unique design and engaging exhibitions have attracted widespread interest. She expressed confidence that the pavilion’s displays and activities will help international visitors gain deeper insight into China. Details about the Chinese delegation’s attendance will be announced in due course.
  
  
• China Reports Major Milestones Under 14th Five-Year Plan: China’s State Council shared major accomplishments made under the ongoing 14th Five-Year Plan. According to Zheng Zhajie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, the country has met or exceeded targets in areas like economic growth, R&D investment, urbanization, and grain production. Over the past five years, China’s economy grew by over 35 trillion yuan, with total output expected to reach 140 trillion yuan in 2025. The country maintained a 30% contribution to global economic growth. Innovation surged, with R&D spending up nearly 50% since the last plan and over 460,000 high-tech firms now operating. China leads globally with 26 top science and tech clusters, making breakthroughs in AI, space, and quantum technology. Social development progressed with over 95% coverage in education, healthcare, and pensions, and reduced urban-rural income gaps. Reforms boosted governance and market access, with eased foreign investment rules and 58M+ private firms. Green growth advanced forest coverage rose above 25%, clean energy surpassed coal, and air quality improved. China also strengthened food, energy, and industrial security.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Gen Z in China is Redefining Online Search: Traditional search engines like Baidu and Google are losing ground among China’s Gen Z. Instead of “Googling” or “Baidu-ing,” younger users are now simply “searching,” but on platforms like Rednote, Douyin, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Rednote alone reported 600 million daily search queries in December 2024, double from the previous year. The shift in search behavior among Gen Z is being driven by a preference for platforms that offer greater personalization, interactivity, and contextual relevance. Social media platforms are increasingly viewed as more effective sources of information, particularly for topics such as career advice, fashion, and travel planning. These platforms provide content that is not only tailored to user interests but also enriched by community interactions such as comments, likes, and shared experiences, elements that traditional search engines often lack. Additionally, the rise of artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT has further transformed the way younger users seek information. These AI systems deliver concise, contextually relevant responses, reducing the need to sift through multiple links. As a result, Gen Z is gravitating toward information ecosystems that prioritize speed, clarity, and engagement, signaling a potential decline in the dominance of conventional search engines.

INDIA WATCH 

China Protests Alleged Indian Resale of Rare Earths to U.S., Sohu reports: A recent Sohu report accuse Indian enterprises of allegedly reselling Chinese-origin rare earth materials to the U.S.-linked defense contractors through intermediaries, violating China’s end-use terms. The incident has sparked concern in Beijing, prompting a diplomatic protest and calls for accountability. The author commented that while India has not officially responded, the article claims Prime Minister Modi offered symbolic reassurances to China, described as a gesture of “returning Yin and Yang.” The report goes on to connect the incident to broader tensions over supply chains and India’s deepening defense ties with the U.S., drawing growing scrutiny from Beijing and fueling online debate across both nations. The article further suggests that the incident may lead to increased restrictions on China’s rare earth exports to India, potentially impacting India’s access to critical materials for its technology and defense sectors. Experts further observe that this development may hinder current initiatives aimed at economic diversification and strategic realignment across the Indo-Pacific region. 

Prepared By

Aastha Pandey

Aastha is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Political Science at Amity University, Noida. She holds a Bachelor's degree in the same discipline from the University of Delhi, Dyal Singh College. Additionally, she has completed a diploma in International Relations and Affairs, further strengthening her academic foundation. Aastha is the Co-founder of Mudra by Aashi, a socially conscious fashion brand that actively supports animal welfare. Her commitment to social causes is also reflected in her experience interning with Saarthi NGO and volunteering as a COVID-19 relief coordinator. Deeply passionate about Asian geopolitics, She aspires to contribute to ORCA by writing insightful, research-driven newsletters that reflect her academic rigour and dedication to international affairs.