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NEWS IN CHINA

• Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang Holds Talk with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister: Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang met with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov in Beijing, with both sides pledging to deepen bilateral investment and economic cooperation. Ding stated that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin, China-Russia investment cooperation has maintained strong growth momentum. He noted that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination and the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between the two countries. Ding also called on both sides to fully utilize the coordinating role of the China-Russia Investment Cooperation Committee, steadily advance key bilateral projects and expand cooperation into new areas to deliver more practical outcomes. He noted that strengthened investment collaboration would continue to inject momentum into bilateral ties. Manturov stated that Russia is willing to enhance strategic coordination with China, deepen practical cooperation and address issues of mutual concern while further enhancing the level of bilateral investment and economic cooperation.
  
  
• China’s New Measures Clarify Township Responsibilities to Strengthen Grassroots Governance: The General Offices of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council have issued a new set of guidelines, the “Specific Measures on Making Good Use of the List of Responsibilities of Townships (Subdistricts)." The guidelines aim at improving how grassroots governments carry out their duties. The measures required local authorities to fully implement the township duty list and translate responsibilities into clear tasks for specific posts. The guidelines emphasized strengthening township roles in Party building, economic development, public services, and public safety, with particular attention to safeguarding people’s basic needs. Higher-level departments must assign dedicated agencies to support townships through training, funding, policy guidance, and equipment, while ensuring smooth coordination when responsibilities are adjusted or withdrawn. The measures also refined assessment and accountability mechanisms, requiring evaluations to align with the official duty list. Townships will not be judged on responsibilities removed by higher authorities, and accountability will distinguish between basic duties and cooperative tasks. Party committees at all levels are instructed to strengthen leadership, prevent unnecessary delegation of tasks to townships, and use the system to reduce formalism and ease grassroots burdens.
  
  
• Foreign Minister Wang Yi Meets Liberian Foreign Minister Nianti in Beijing: Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Liberian Foreign Minister Nianti in Beijing, reaffirming China’s long‑standing commitment to supporting African development. Wang stated that China’s zero-tariff arrangement for all African countries with diplomatic relations, announced earlier by President Xi, has now been fully implemented, and Liberia is among the first countries to benefit from it. He also welcomed Liberia’s decision to join the International House of Mediation, noting that both countries, as members of the Global South, share a responsibility to uphold the principles of the UN Charter. Nianti reiterated Liberia’s firm adherence to the one‑China policy and expressed strong appreciation for China’s development philosophy. He stated that Liberia is eager to learn from China’s experience in poverty reduction and national development. Nianti also voiced full support for the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind and China’s series of global initiatives.
  
  
• CPPCC Meeting Calls for Stronger Integration of Education, Science and Talent Development: The National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference held a special consultative meeting focused on advancing the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent cultivation. CPPCC Chairman Wang Huning highlighted that since the 18th CPC National Congress, the central leadership has placed unprecedented emphasis on strengthening education, innovation capacity, and talent systems. He stated these three areas form the strategic foundation of Chinese‑style modernization, and called for improving coordination mechanisms, cultivating top-tier innovative talent, enhancing national strategic talent policies and optimizing regional resource allocation. He urged CPPCC members to deepen research, offer targeted policy suggestions, and promote public understanding of science. Nearly 100 CPPCC members participated, with 22 experts presenting proposals on issues, including discipline reform in universities, integration of industry and education, strengthening national research institutions, and cultivating young scientific talent. State Councilor Chen Yiqin noted that China has made steady progress in integrating education, science and talent development, but deeper reforms are needed to address structural challenges and support high-quality development. Senior CPPCC leaders and officials from central departments attended to exchange views and gather recommendations.
  
  
• China Reports Completion of 38 Tasks Under Private Economy Promotion Law: The State Administration for Market Regulation held a special conference outlining progress made since the launch of the Private Economy Promotion Law last year. Officials reported that 38 supporting institutional tasks have been completed, strengthening equal market access, fair competition, credit oversight, and standard-setting to help private firms grow with greater confidence. Authorities said market access has become more open, with the 2025 Market Access Negative List reduced to 106 items and high‑frequency business services now handled through streamlined “one‑stop” online procedures. Targeted enforcement campaigns have been launched to curb administrative monopolies, rectify unfair competition, and improve the fairness of bidding and cross‑regional operations. To stabilize market order, regulators advanced actions against “involutionary” competition, updated the Anti‑Unfair Competition Law, and handled nearly 14,600 cases involving improper business practices in 2025. Intellectual property protection was strengthened, with over 30,000 trademark and patent violations investigated. Efforts to support innovation and quality upgrading have expanded, including over 3,000 quality‑infrastructure service stations, credit‑improvement initiatives, and certification assistance for small firms. 

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER 

China-Central Asia Security Talks Spark Positive Online Reactions: A post about the Second Meeting of the China-Central Asia Public Security and Internal Affairs Ministers' Meeting Mechanism held in Astana, Kazakhstan, on May 18 is going viral on Weibo. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation in law enforcement, counter-terrorism, immigration management, anti-fraud efforts and regional security coordination between China and the five Central Asian countries. Many users praised the initiative, describing it as an important step toward maintaining regional peace and stability. One user stated that “combating transnational crime and safeguarding peace deserves praise,” while another user commented that “closer cooperation in counter-terrorism and border management will make regional security smoother and more efficient.” Some users highlighted the importance of immigration and border security cooperation, stating that stronger coordination would help reduce cross-border risks and improve public safety. Several other users noted that frequent high-level communication among officials helps create a stable and peaceful environment across Central Asia. Some users also emphasized the idea of a “shared future” between China and Central Asian countries, supporting deeper multilateral law enforcement cooperation. Several other users stated that joint security efforts would contribute to long-term regional peace, stability and development while safeguarding people’s livelihoods and safety.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Discusses Reliance-CATL Talks and India’s Dependence on Chinese Battery Technology: An article published in Guancha discussed Reliance Industries’ reported talks with Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) and other global suppliers to procure components for its energy storage complex in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The article noted that the project is central to Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani’s ambition to position the company as a major player in India’s clean energy transition, particularly as India seeks to achieve 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. It stressed that India’s rapidly expanding energy storage market has become a major attraction for global battery manufacturers, with Bloomberg projecting the market to reach 336.7 GWh by 2035, representing a 115-fold increase from 2025 levels. The article further highlighted that Chinese battery firms are increasingly engaging Indian conglomerates despite political and regulatory sensitivities surrounding technology transfers. It cited previous discussions between Reliance and CATL over battery technology licensing, which reportedly failed, alongside a reported unsuccessful negotiation with Chinese firm Haichen Energy Storage. The article concluded that India’s clean energy ambitions remain dependent on Chinese battery technology and supply chains, even as Beijing tightens export controls on rare earth-related technologies and strategic manufacturing.