CiCM 18th November 2025

NEWS IN CHINA

Xi issues Instructions on Strengthening Rule-of-Law Work: Chinese President Xi Jinping issued directives stressing the importance of advancing comprehensive rule-of-law governance in China. Xi called for upholding the unity between Party leadership, running of the country by the people, and law-based governance at the Central Conference on Comprehensive Law-Based Governance. The instructions highlighted the need to modernize China's legal system and governance capacity, as well as to reinforce mechanisms that support high-quality development and social stability. Xi emphasized expanding public legal education, encouraging citizens to raise their awareness of the law and consciously observe it. He also urged strengthening the Party’s leadership role in legal work and improving the coordination between different judicial bodies. He further stated that the goal is to create a more fair, efficient, and transparent legal environment to better serve economic and social development.
China to Expand Trade and Cooperation with Mongolia: Chinese Premier Li Qiang met Mongolian Prime Minister Gombojav Zandanshatar in Moscow. Li stated China’s willingness to further expand trade volume with Mongolia and explore cooperation in emerging fields such as green energy and the digital economy. Li further described China and Mongolia as close neighbours with strong economic ties and pledged to enhance strategic communication, align development strategies, and deepen pragmatic cooperation in sectors including minerals, energy, infrastructure, and connectivity. The Mongolian PM reiterated Mongolia’s adherence to the one-China policy and expressed readiness to strengthen multilateral and regional cooperation. He also expressed gratitude towards China for economic assistance and affirmed Mongolia’s willingness to work closely with China in the future.
Former Yunnan Deputy Governor Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison: Li Shisong, former member of the Standing Committee of the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee and former Vice Governor of Yunnan province, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, along with a fine of 5 million yuan for accepting bribes exceeding 100 million yuan. The Guiyang Intermediate People's Court of Guizhou Province found him guilty of providing assistance to relevant units and individuals in matters such as business operations, project contracting, and job promotions, in exchange for money and property totaling more than 100.25 million yuan. The court granted leniency due to his confession, voluntary disclosure of previously unknown details, remorse, and proactive return of illicit gains. This sentence is part of China’s intensified anti-corruption campaign targeting officials involved in graft. Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to cracking down on corruption to promote clean governance and political integrity.
Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia to Co-anchor USD 1 billion Fund: The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly establish a new US$1 billion investment fund, Financial Secretary, Paul Chan Mo-po announced. The fund aims to invest in companies linked to Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, particularly in manufacturing, renewable energy, fintech, and healthcare, supporting their operations or expansion into Saudi Arabia. The push comes as a growing number of Chinese companies seek international expansion, and Gulf nations seek to diversify their economies for lesser dependence on oil. Both parties expect the fund will enhance innovation-driven growth and create new opportunities across sectors.
Baoting Showcases Low‑Carbon County Model at COP30: During a side event at the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County of Hainan showcased its green development initiatives. Mu Kerui, Party Secretary of Baoting, outlined the county’s integrated low-carbon approach spanning five key sectors: industry, lifestyles, urban planning, ecological preservation, and social governance. The county’s efforts include the establishment of the China-EU (Baoting) Green Digital Innovation Cooperation Zone, which underscores the potential for grassroots government action in advancing climate governance. Promotional materials including videos on the Hainan Free Trade Port and local cultural products were presented to international participants. Li Gao, Vice Minister of China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment and head of the Chinese COP30 delegation, commended Baoting’s proactive contributions to global climate action as illustrative of China’s broader commitment to climate change governance.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Reacts to Major Airline Ticket Refund Policy: Following the Chinese Foreign Ministry statement to reconsider travel to Japan, approximately 491,000 people had cancelled their flights. This was trending on the Chinese social media platform, Weibo. With the cancellations reportedly amounting to around 32% of total original bookings to Japan, hashtags such as #Approximately 491,000 Flights to Japan Cancelled# and #Unprecedented Wave of Cancellations for Flights to Japan# became viral on Weibo, attracting scores of comments from Chinese social media users. While many posted patriotic comments asking people to support the nation by not traveling to Japan, others noted that many continue traveling for business or education. One netizen observed that some ultra-high net worth Chinese individuals like Jack Ma have always lived in Japan due to better air, food, and security. Another noted that with around 1,100 flights to Japan from China per week currently, the cancellation numbers in comparison are not that high.

INDIA WATCH

Chinese Media Reports on Indian Army Chief’s Comments on Sino-Indian Relations: Chinese media, Global Times, reported Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi’s comment on India-China relations during the Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2025. The article highlighted that, according to the Indian Army Chief, bilateral relations have been improving significantly since last year. General Dwivedi reportedly attributed it to increased communication at various levels between the two countries. General Dwivedi pointed out that the two sides have conducted 1,100 ground-level interactions in the last one year. The Global Times noted similar positive developments in Sino-India relations like the chat between Chinese President Xi and Indian PM Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in 2024 on strengthening communication and cooperation which resulted in improved relations. It also reported that according to China’s Foreign Ministry, PM Modi similarly emphasised that relations were returning to a positive direction, with border areas remaining calm and direct flights expected to restart. These diplomatic assurances mirror General Dwivedi’s assessment, indicating that increased on ground engagement is part of a broader, coordinated effort by both governments to manage tensions and rebuild confidence despite unresolved strategic issues.

Prepared By

Kanav Aggarwal

Kanav Aggarwal is an undergraduate student majoring in International Relations and minoring in Literary and Cultural Studies at FLAME University. He is Passionate about geopolitics, defence strategy, and international security. Through his studies and research experience, he aims to deepen his understanding of global power dynamics and contribute analytical insights to the team’s ongoing projects.