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NEWS IN CHINA

• China and U.S. Reach Framework Consensus on TikTok Issue in Madrid Talks: China and the United States have reached a basic framework consensus on resolving the TikTok dispute, reducing investment barriers and strengthening economic cooperation. During the two-day trade talks in Madrid from September 14–15, Li Chenggang, China’s international trade negotiator and vice minister of commerce, said the consensus was based on “mutual respect and equal consultation”, with both sides reaffirming the importance of a stable economic relationship. The agreement includes outsourcing U.S. TikTok user data and content security operations, as well as licensing intellectual property, including algorithms, while respecting corporate autonomy and market principles. Wang Jingtao, Deputy Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China, emphasized that technology export approvals and IP licensing will follow Chinese laws, ensuring corporate rights are safeguarded. Li warned that U.S. sanctions on Chinese companies remain a major obstacle. He called for the removal of restrictive measures to protect the hard-won progress in trade negotiations. Both sides agreed to further continue to negotiate details and seek domestic approvals.
  
  
• NBS Releases Economic Data for August: China’s economy maintained stability in August, with multiple sectors posting solid growth, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Industrial output expanded 5.2 percent year on year, driven by an 8.1 percent jump in equipment manufacturing and a 9.3 percent surge in high-tech production. On the consumption side, retail sales rose 3.4 percent to 3.96 trillion yuan ($557 billion), while online sales remained a key driver, rising 9.6 percent in the January-August period to 9.98 trillion yuan. Fixed-asset investment grew 0.5 percent year on year, totaling 32.61 trillion yuan. Foreign trade continued its upward momentum, with total trade volume reaching 3.87 trillion yuan in August, up 3.5 percent compared with last year. In the property market, signs of stabilization appeared. Housing price declines narrowed in 70 major cities, with first-tier new home prices falling 0.9 percent year on year, less than July’s 1.1 percent dip, while prices of second-hand homes decreased by 3.5 percent.
  
  
• China Issues New Regulations on Employment of Chinese Staff in Foreign Missions: China has officially released the Regulations on the Administration of Chinese Employees in Foreign Diplomatic and Consular Institutions in China, set to take effect on January 1, 2026. The rules are based on the Foreign Relations Law and aim to protect the rights of Chinese employees while ensuring that foreign missions operate within Chinese law. The regulations define “Chinese employees” as citizens hired for auxiliary or service roles in embassies and consulates. All recruitment will be conducted through a centralized human resources platform created by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Foreign missions must sign service agreements with designated foreign affairs agencies, while these agencies will hold direct labor contracts with employees, covering remuneration, duties and dispute mechanisms. To standardize oversight mechanism, the MFA will guide and coordinate national management, while provincial and local foreign affairs service departments will handle regional supervision. The regulations prohibit private hiring of Chinese citizens by foreign missions outside the approved system.
  
  
• Beijing Eases Forex Rules to Boost Cross-Border Investment and Property Market: China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) has unveiled new measures to simplify cross-border investment, financing and foreign exchange (forex) management. The reforms target three major areas: foreign direct investment (FDI), corporate financing and forex settlement for overseas individuals buying property in China. For FDI, SAFE will no longer require companies to register basic information for preliminary expenses. Moreover, profits earned under FDI can now be reinvested within the mainland without additional restrictions. On capital account incomes, SAFE has trimmed the negative list that previously limited the use of forex earnings from capital projects. Crucially, overseas buyers will now be allowed to use such funds to purchase non-owner-occupied residential properties—an adjustment linked to changes in China’s real estate sector. Li Bin, deputy head of SAFE, emphasized that refining forex rules is essential to match evolving market conditions and to stabilize the property market amid recent challenges.
  
  
• China Releases Version 2.0 of AI Security Governance Framework: The 2.0 version of the Artificial Intelligence Security Governance Framework was officially released at the main forum of the 2025 National Cyber Security Awareness Week and Cybersecurity Technology Summit in Kunming, Yunnan. The new framework builds on the first version introduced in September 2024, which was designed to support the Global Initiative on Artificial Intelligence Governance. Over the past year, rapid advances in AI applications and security risks have necessitated an updated system. Developed under the guidance of the Cyberspace Administration of China and coordinated by the National Internet Emergency Response Center, Version 2.0 is drafted with contributions from AI research institutes, industry enterprises and professional organizations. The updated framework introduces enhanced risk classification, dynamic adjustment mechanisms and refined prevention strategies. It aims to track emerging threats, strengthen governance practices and balance innovation with regulation. Officials emphasized that this release aligns with global AI governance trends, fosters ethical and secure AI ecosystems and promotes a cross-border, cross-domain and cross-industry collaborative model to ensure safe and trustworthy AI development.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Zui Ge’s Livestream After Suspension Draws Over 100,000 Viewers: On the evening of September 15, anchors under the “Three Sheep” platform, including Qiao Mei, Lao K and Zui Ge, officially resumed live streaming after months of suspension. Zui Ge’s comeback generated massive traction, with his livestream room drawing more than 100,000 viewers simultaneously. Earlier, in September 2024, the Hefei Joint Investigation Team fined Three Sheep nearly 69 million yuan for false advertising, involving products like “Hong Kong Meicheng Mooncakes” and “Australian Grain-Fed Beef Rolls.” The company also compensated buyers with over 27 million yuan. After meeting rectification requirements, operations were allowed to restart in March 2025. The recent livestream quickly climbed to the top of Weibo’s hot search, sparking heated discussions among netizens. Many viewers expressed excitement, commenting, “Finally back! I’ve been waiting for this day”, while others raised concerns over past controversies, questioning if the platform had genuinely corrected its practices. Social media opinions remain divided, as some praise the platform’s return as a fresh start, while others remain skeptical, urging stricter oversight. The comeback underscores the dynamics of China’s influencer-driven commerce and consumer trust in its booming livestream economy.

INDIA WATCH

CGTN Calls for Stronger Sino-Indian Synergy Amid Global Shifts: CGTN’s opinion piece by commentator Xin Ping, frames the Xi-Modi meeting in Tianjin as a turning point in Sino-Indian ties. The commentary stresses that the encounter, the first in seven years, carries symbolic weight in the 75th year of diplomatic relations. The article highlights historical linkages between the two civilizations, from Silk Road trade to anti-colonial struggles, arguing these bonds form a natural basis for renewed cooperation. It underscores that China and India, with a combined 2.8 billion people, have complementary strengths: China in manufacturing and emerging industries, India in IT and pharmaceuticals. It also frames U.S. tariff measures on Indian goods in July and August as a wake-up call for New Delhi. The piece asserts that India’s political circles are rethinking dependence on Washington and are coming out of an illusion of U.S. assistance in India’s global ambitions. The author positions China as a partner of India in resisting U.S. unilateralism while urging India to embrace South-South cooperation through BRICS, SCO and G20. The analysis portrays a strategic convergence where the “dragon and elephant” must jointly defend Global South interests.

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.