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NEWS IN CHINA

• Xi Jinping Calls for Renewed Global Efforts to Advance Women’s Development at the Beijing Summit: President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the Global Women’s Summit at the Beijing’s National Convention Center and delivered a keynote speech titled “Carrying Forward the Spirit of the Beijing World Conference on Women and Accelerating the New Process of Women’s All-Round Development.” Xi highlighted women as vital contributors to human civilization and urged nations to rekindle the spirit of the 1995 Beijing World Conference on Women. Stressing that gender equality remains a global challenge, he proposed four key measures: fostering a supportive environment for women’s growth, driving high-quality development through innovation, enhancing governance frameworks to protect women’s rights, and deepening international cooperation. Xi announced major commitments, including an additional US$10 million donation to UN Women, a US$100 million Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, and a new Global Women’s Capacity Building Center. Leaders from Iceland, Dominica, Ghana, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, and UN representatives praised Xi’s initiatives, affirming China’s pivotal role in advancing global gender equality and women’s empowerment.
  
  
• China Launches Early Winter and Spring Relief Plan for 2025–2026: The Ministry of Emergency Management and the Ministry of Finance have jointly issued a nationwide directive to begin early implementation of winter and spring relief efforts for 2025–2026. This comes amid widespread natural disasters that have severely impacted multiple provinces and caused significant local losses. The notice stresses the implementation of politically guided, people-centered relief efforts to safeguard the safety, warmth, and essential livelihood needs of those affected by disasters during the cold season. Local governments are instructed to conduct detailed investigations to identify those in genuine need and ensure timely disbursement of relief funds before the Spring Festival. Authorities have been urged to adopt classified and targeted relief approaches, prioritizing groups with special difficulties. The directive also highlights the importance of transparency, strict financial discipline, and oversight to prevent misuse of relief materials or funds. Additionally, officials are encouraged to combine relief efforts with community outreach, year-end visits, and mental support to maintain social stability and reassure affected residents across the country.
  
  
• Beijing Defends Rare Earth Export Controls Amid Rising Trade Tensions: China has defended its latest export controls on rare earths and related technologies, asserting they are aimed at maintaining global supply chain security and preventing military misuse, not restricting trade. The measures, which took effect immediately on Thursday, cover technologies related to rare earths, superhard materials, specialized equipment, and batteries. In a statement issued on Sunday, the ministry of commerce clarified that the export controls are not bans and that licenses will be granted for qualified applications. It emphasized that as a responsible major country, China implements export controls in accordance with the law to safeguard peace, stability, and nonproliferation. The ministry also urged the US to handle bilateral trade differences through dialogue based on mutual respect and equality, warning that threats of high tariffs are counterproductive. China reaffirmed its readiness to strengthen dialogue with international partners to protect the stability of global industrial and supply chains. According to customs data, China’s rare earth exports rose 14.5 percent year-on-year in the first eight months of 2025, reaching 44,355 metric tons.
  
  
• China Expresses Concern Over Pakistan-Afghanistan Clashes: China has expressed deep concern over the recent border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which reportedly killed dozens of fighters. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, during a press briefing, urged both sides to stay calm, exercise restraint, and resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation. Lin emphasized that as close neighbors and China’s important partners, peaceful coexistence and regional stability are in the fundamental and long-term interests of both Pakistan and Afghanistan. He reiterated Beijing’s readiness to play a “constructive role” in promoting mutual understanding and fostering improved bilateral ties. Highlighting the growing security risks, Lin also called on both governments to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals, projects, and institutions operating in their territories.
  
  
• 8th Cross-Strait Judicial, and Hong Kong and Macao Judicial Senior Leaders Forum Opens in Hong Kong: The 8th Cross-Strait and Hong Kong and Macao Judicial Senior Leaders Forum opened in Hong Kong. The forum was based on the theme “Challenges and Opportunities of Judicial Work in the New Era.” Zhang Jun, President of the China Judges Association, emphasized that the judiciary must adapt to emerging global challenges while serving China’s modernization and national rejuvenation. Zhang Jun highlighted four priorities: ensuring strict and fair justice, prioritizing the people’s interests, deepening integration with social governance, and coordinating judicial applications of artificial intelligence. He urged legal communities across the Strait, Hong Kong, and Macao to preserve China’s traditional legal values of justice, fairness, and moral integrity while advancing cooperation under the “one country, two systems” framework. Hong Kong’s Chief Justice Zhang Ju-neng outlined reforms including streamlined case management, alternative dispute resolution, and greater use of judicial technology. Macao’s Song Minli and Taiwan’s Chen Zongzhen called for deeper judicial collaboration and innovation. With over 160 delegates attending, the biennial forum has become a vital platform for promoting Chinese judicial modernization and cross-regional legal cooperation.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Xiaomi SU7 Crash in Chengdu Sparks Debate on Social Media: A tragic accident involving a Xiaomi SU7 electric car in Chengdu’s Tianfu Avenue has triggered intense discussions across Chinese social media. The vehicle reportedly lost control due to speeding, veered into a green belt, rolled over into the opposite lane, and burst into flames. Witnesses described hearing a loud explosion as firefighters rushed to the scene, using chainsaws to cut open the door, though the driver was reportedly killed on the spot. Videos and photos of the charred vehicle went viral on Weibo under hashtags such as “#XiaomiSU7SpeedingIntoGreenBeltAndExploding#” and “#LocalResponseToXiaomiSU7CollisionAndFire#,” drawing millions of views within hours. Netizens expressed shock and sorrow, while many questioned the vehicle’s safety features and Xiaomi’s responsibility as a new automaker. Some defended the brand, arguing that reckless driving was to blame rather than design flaws. The topic has ranked among Weibo’s top searches, with commenters urging stricter safety testing and accountability for electric vehicle makers. As of now, neither Xiaomi Auto nor Chengdu authorities have issued an official statement regarding the cause of the accident.

INDIA WATCH 

Alphabet to Invest $10 Billion in India Data Center, Guancha Reports: Chinese media outlet Guancha has reported that Alphabet, Google’s parent company, plans to invest over $10 billion in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, to establish a 1-gigawatt data center. Citing Bloomberg, the report described the project as a significant step in Alphabet’s global expansion strategy, expected to be completed within two years. Andhra Pradesh’s Technology Minister noted that the initiative could stimulate extensive economic activity in the region. The article suggested that Google’s move reflects growing confidence in India’s digital economy, which is rapidly positioning itself as a key player in AI-driven infrastructure. It drew comparisons with Amazon’s planned $12.7 billion investment and OpenAI’s upcoming data projects, framing India as an emerging hub for global cloud computing. At the same time, Guancha highlighted challenges such as India’s unstable power supply and limited water resources, though it acknowledged recent progress in renewable energy capacity. In the article’s comment section, many Chinese readers recognized India’s ambition while expressing skepticism about the country’s long-term energy sustainability. From an Indian perspective, the investment signals a broader shift from a service-led economy to one centered on data infrastructure, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of technological self-reliance and digital transformation.

Prepared By

Lipun Kumar Sanbad

Lipun Kumar Sanbad, a postgraduate student of Politics and International Relations from Pondicherry University and a History and Political science graduate from University of Delhi. From the past three years working as a freelance researcher in the domain of global peace, conflict and security studies, and defence studies.