Daily Conversations Daily Conversations

 NEWS IN CHINA

• Wang Yi Holds Telephonic Conversation with British Foreign Secretary Cooper: Wang Yi held a phone call with British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss the escalating situation in the Middle East and bilateral relations. Wang Yi warned that the ongoing conflict is intensifying and expanding, posing serious risks to regional stability and impacting global energy, trade, finance, and shipping. He stressed that prolonged conflict benefits no one and that a ceasefire is the shared goal of the international community. China urged all parties to immediately halt military actions and resolve differences through dialogue, while working together to maintain peace and stability in the region. Wang also noted that as permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and the UK share responsibility for safeguarding global peace. Cooper emphasized that the UK hopes to maintain close communication with China amid growing global uncertainty, to promote an early end to hostilities, resume diplomatic negotiations, and seek a long-term solution to regional tensions. 
  
  
• China’s Fiscal Revenue Sees Modest Growth in Early 2026: According to data from the Ministry of Finance, China’s general public budget revenue reached 4.42 trillion yuan in the first two months of 2026, marking a modest 0.7 percent year-on-year increase. Tax revenue totaled 3.64 trillion yuan, up 0.1 percent, while non-tax revenue rose 3.4 percent to 776.1 billion yuan. Central government revenue declined 1.7 percent to 1.92 trillion yuan, whereas local government revenue grew 2.6 percent to 2.5 trillion yuan. On the expenditure side, total fiscal spending rose 3.6 percent to 4.67 trillion yuan. Central government spending increased 4.5 percent, while local government expenditure climbed 3.5 percent. Key spending areas saw notable growth, with social security and employment expenditure rising 8.6 percent, and health spending surging 17.3 percent. Outlays on urban and rural communities and environmental protection also recorded steady increases. Meanwhile, government fund budget revenue fell 16 percent to 536.3 billion yuan, while related expenditure rose 16 percent to 1.32 trillion yuan.
  
  
• China Proposes New Energy Cooperation Agenda at APEC Meeting: China has put forward key proposals to strengthen regional energy cooperation at the 71st APEC Energy Working Group meeting held in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, according to the National Energy Administration. It focused on three priority areas, which include advocating for high-quality universal energy services, deeper integration of artificial intelligence with the energy sector, and enhanced Asia-Pacific energy governance. It emphasized inclusive development through diversified technologies, targeted support, and closer regional collaboration to ensure broader access to energy benefits. It also called for accelerating innovation by aligning development strategies, governance frameworks, and technical standards to promote the combined growth of AI and energy systems. Additionally, it urged stronger policy coordination, information sharing, and capacity building to improve the efficiency, transparency, and resilience of regional energy governance. He Yang, Deputy Director of the National Energy Administration, highlighted the Asia-Pacific region’s vital role in global energy production and consumption while reaffirming China’s commitment to building a secure, sustainable, and affordable energy system to help address regional and global energy challenges.
  
  
• China Moves to Regulate NEV Competition, Boost Quality Growth: China has announced new measures to regulate competition in the new energy vehicle industry, aiming to promote orderly development and strengthen market oversight. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, along with the National Development and Reform Commission and the State Administration for Market Regulation, jointly outlined these steps. Key measures include enhancing price monitoring, conducting cost investigations, regulating auto finance policies, and addressing online irregularities. Authorities also urged companies to strictly adhere to the 60-day payment commitment to enhance financial discipline across the sector. Officials emphasized innovation-driven growth, calling for efforts to address bottlenecks in automotive chips and basic software, while accelerating advancements in autonomous driving and related standards. The plan also focuses on boosting consumption through trade-in programs, expanding applications of new energy heavy trucks, and supporting the auto modification market. According to the officials, they will strengthen regulatory systems, accelerate legislation, and tighten quality and safety supervision to ensure sustainable and high-quality industry development.
  
  
• China-Vietnam Border Defense Activity Strengthens Strategic Cooperation: Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun and Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang co-chaired the 10th China-Vietnam Border Defense Friendship Exchange Activity on March 18-19. Dong Jun emphasized that continuing border defense exchanges after the inaugural ministerial meeting of the “3+3” strategic dialogue mechanism shows the high-level consensus of both countries’ leaders. He called for carrying forward the “comrades plus brothers” friendship, strengthening strategic communication, and expanding cooperation in maritime security and personnel exchanges. Phan Van Giang highlighted that under the guidance of top leaders, Vietnam–China relations have developed strongly, with border defense exchanges serving as a model of bilateral defense cooperation. He reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to prioritizing ties with China and pledged to enhance cooperation across multiple fields. During the event, both Ministers visited border troops, schools, and enterprises, planted friendship trees, attended the launch of joint naval patrols and training in the Beibu Gulf, and paid tribute at a monument honoring Chinese and Vietnamese revolutionary martyrs.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users React to Xiaomi’s Safety Claims at SU7 Launch: A post with the hashtag #Xiaomi’s AI-related R&D investment has exceeded 16 billion yuan# is going viral on Weibo following the launch event of the new-generation SU7. At the event, Lei Jun, founder of Xiaomi Group, highlighted the company’s heavy investment in AI and emphasized a range of safety upgrades in the new model. He also stressed that the vehicle’s door handle design would be fully compliant with the upcoming 2027 national safety standards. However, online public reactions were overwhelmingly critical. One user alleged that companies often sell substandard products without recalls, while another noted that simply complying with national standards does not mean prioritizing user safety. Many users dismissed the company’s emphasis on safety compliance, noting that “meeting national standards is the bare minimum” and not something worth promoting. A few other users sarcastically questioned whether earlier models failed to meet these standards. Another user called the announcement a “sales tactic.” Several other users cautioned against taking Lei Jun's statements seriously, noting that such claims are not legally binding unless written into purchase contracts. One prominent comment dismissed Lei Jun’s authority on automotive issues, claiming that only legal guarantees, not executive remarks, carry weight.

INDIA WATCH 

Guancha Examines India’s Stance Towards Iran Amid Middle East Crisis: An article published in Guancha discussed India’s controversial stance following the US–Israel military strikes against Iran on February 28. The article noted that Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Israel just days before the strikes was widely criticized within India for its timing, with opposition parties calling it amounted to tacit support for Israel. It emphasized that India’s muted response after the strikes, calling only for dialogue and avoiding direct condemnation of the US and Israel, was seen as “moral cowardice.” Guancha further noted that India even declined to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s joint statement condemning the attacks, while Modi’s outreach to Gulf leaders was interpreted as siding against Iran. It also highlighted India’s silent stance on the sinking of Iran’s frigate Dena by a US submarine in the Indian Ocean, shortly after the vessel had participated in India’s “Milan 2026” naval exercise. Moreover, the article noted that these episodes reveal the Modi government’s deeper pro-US orientation and India’s growing ties with Israel. 

Prepared By

Neha Maurya

Neha Maurya is a fourth-year undergraduate student at FLAME University, pursuing a major in International Studies with a minor in Public Policy. Her research interests lie in strategic studies, governance, and education policy. She aspires to engage in work that links research insights to policy outcomes.