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NEWS IN CHINA

• Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa in Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa held talks in Beijing, agreeing to strengthen bilateral cooperation and align development strategies. The two sides witnessed the signing of cooperation documents covering green industries, trade, the digital economy and people’s livelihoods. Xi called for the implementation of Belt and Road cooperation projects in energy, minerals, infrastructure and finance, while encouraging collaboration in emerging areas including artificial intelligence, renewable energy, green development and the digital economy. Noboa’s visit also focused on expanding market access for Ecuadorian products and cooperation in technology, infrastructure, energy and education. China was Ecuador’s second-largest trading partner in 2025, with bilateral trade reaching $17.33 billion, up 24 per cent year-on-year. Trade totalled $6.28 billion during January-April 2026, an increase of nearly 20 per cent year-on-year. The leaders also exchanged views on Latin America and the Caribbean. Xi emphasised China’s support for regional independence, development and peace, while stressing countries’ right to choose their international cooperation partners. The visit comes amid increased engagement between China and Latin American countries, reflecting efforts to diversify economic partnerships and expand cooperation beyond traditional sectors. 
  
  
• Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji Cremated in Beijing: Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji was cremated on August 18 at Beijing’s Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery following his death on August 12 at the age of 98. The farewell ceremony was attended by President Xi Jinping and senior Chinese Communist Party (CPC) and state leaders, including Premier Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng. Amid solemn music, the leaders paid silent tribute to Zhu, bowed three times before his body and expressed condolences to his family. Former President Hu Jintao sent a wreath in his memory. Zhu served on the Politburo Standing Committee of the CPC’s 14th and 15th Central Committees and was China’s premier from 1998 to 2003. His obituary described him as an outstanding Party member, loyal communist fighter, revolutionary, statesman and leader of the Party and state. Before his death, Xi and other senior leaders either visited Zhu in hospital or conveyed condolences and sympathy to his family through various means. 
  
  
• China Advances Medical Insurance Reform to Encourage Primary Care: China’s National Healthcare Security Administration has selected the first batch of conditions considered suitable for primary-level care under a medical insurance payment reform aimed at encouraging patients with common and chronic illnesses to seek treatment at grassroots hospitals. The reform adopts a “same disease, same payment” approach, under which the same primary-level disease type will have a uniform insurance payment standard within a local insurance pooling area, regardless of the hospital level. Patients may still face lower out-of-pocket costs at primary-level facilities because these hospitals generally have lower deductibles and higher reimbursement rates. Officials said the policy is intended to promote tiered diagnosis and treatment, improve access to care, reduce overtreatment and improve the efficiency of medical insurance funds, rather than restrict patients’ choice of hospitals. Local authorities will determine which conditions are suitable for primary care based on local disease patterns and the capabilities of grassroots medical institutions. They may adjust the national recommendations according to local circumstances. The administration emphasised that the list is a medical insurance payment management tool and does not determine which hospitals can treat specific diseases or prevent patients from choosing their preferred healthcare facility.
  
  
• Zhao Leji Chairs 71st Meeting of NPC Standing Committee Chairpersons’ Council: The 71st meeting of the Chairpersons’ Council of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee was held in Beijing, chaired by NPC Standing Committee Chairman Zhao Leji. The meeting decided that the 24th session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee will take place from August 25 to 28. The upcoming session is expected to review draft legislation covering medical security, farmland protection, agriculture, national defence mobilisation, lawyers, enterprise bankruptcy, banking regulation and water resources. Lawmakers will also consider a draft law on combating cross-border corruption, a revision to the Road Traffic Safety Law and an extradition treaty between China and Hungary. The agenda also includes reports on China’s economic and social development plan and budget implementation in 2026, government debt management in 2025, cultural services, and rural revitalisation. The Standing Committee will further review the qualifications of individual NPC deputies and consider personnel appointment and dismissal cases. The Chairpersons’ Council also reviewed reports on economic performance since the beginning of the year and petition-related work by NPC bodies.
  
  
• Ministry of Commerce Unveils Measures to Boost Consumption in Counties and Smaller Cities: China has introduced measures to unlock consumption potential in counties, townships and smaller cities, seeking to strengthen domestic demand and create new sources of economic growth. A guideline issued by the Ministry of Commerce and other authorities calls for upgrading township commercial centres, rural markets and local fairs, while encouraging domestic and international brands to establish regional debut stores. The measures also seek to improve services for elderly and younger consumers, strengthen urban-rural distribution networks, expand employment and provide residents with more opportunities to increase their incomes. Lower-tier markets account for about 70 per cent of China’s population and 60 per cent of total retail sales of consumer goods. Rural retail sales rose 2.4 per cent year-on-year in the first seven months of 2026, 1.3 percentage points faster than urban areas, while county- and township-level retail sales accounted for nearly 40 per cent of the national total. Businesses are increasingly expanding into these markets, with supermarket chains and consumer brands adapting their formats to local demand.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users React to China’s first Successfully Recovered Orbital-Class Reusable Launch Vehicle: A post on Weibo discussing the successful recovery of China’s Suzaku-3 reusable rocket has drawn widespread attention from users. The post featured an exclusive XR technology analysis showing the rocket’s launch and landing process, following its successful orbital flight and land recovery. According to the post, Suzaku-3 is the first Chinese launch vehicle to successfully enter orbit and achieve land recovery. It also noted that the rocket has a stainless-steel structure, a diameter of 4.5 meters and a height of 66.1 meters. The post prompted largely positive reactions, with many users expressing pride in China’s aerospace achievements and describing the recovery as another technological breakthrough. Some users highlighted the significance of reusable rocket technology and its potential for advancing China’s space capabilities, while others praised the country’s broader technological progress. One user commented, “China's aerospace is awesome.” Another wrote, “Praise the strong motherland.” Other comments largely reflected strong public enthusiasm for the successful recovery.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Discusses India-China Ties and Economic Recalibration: Guancha, referring to a Bloomberg article, discussed the recent improvement in China-India relations. According to the article, the recent easing in India-China relations is reflected in the resumption of high-level visits and military meetings, alongside India’s reconsideration of restrictions on Chinese investment. It stated that some Indian officials and businesses are increasingly recognising China's role in key components, capital and technology, particularly in sectors such as clothing, engineering and electronics, where supply-chain constraints may persist without Chinese equipment and materials. The article attributed this shift to economic considerations rather than any concessions by China on the border issue. Guancha further noted that India’s trade environment has added pressure for economic recalibration. It argued that with uncertainty surrounding US trade policy and tariffs, China’s importance as a trading partner has increased, while Indian officials are reportedly considering Chinese participation in the country’s large public procurement market to improve cost efficiency. The article also underscored opposition from Indian heavy-industry firms and national-security analysts. At the same time, Guancha stressed that the situation remains fragile; renewed border tensions could quickly reverse it, while deeper economic integration would require India to view China not only as a source of inputs but also as a market for Indian products.

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.