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NEWS IN CHINA

• China Cracks Down on Deceptive Trademarks: The China National Intellectual Property Administration announced that over the past three years, China has rejected more than 1.27 million trademark applications and cancelled over 3,300 trademarks as part of a nationwide effort to curb misleading branding. Deputy Commissioner Rui Wenbiao, during Intellectual Property publicity week, stressed that trademarks are meant to identify the source of goods and services, not to mislead consumers with false claims. The crackdown targets “edge-ball trademarks,” where applicants exploit registrations to make deceptive claims about product quality, origin, or features. To address this, CNIPA has issued evaluation guidance, strengthened monitoring mechanisms, and accelerated invalidation procedures. Legislative reforms are also underway, with a draft revision to China’s Trademark Law introducing stricter clauses against misleading use and harsher penalties. CNIPA pledged to enhance coordination with market regulators to enforce rules and urged companies to prioritize honest operations. By the end of 2025, China had more than 49.8 million valid registered trademarks. Rui cautioned that deceptive trademarks may yield short-term gains but ultimately erode consumer trust and damage business sustainability, underscoring the government’s commitment to protecting market integrity and fair competition.
  
  
• Xi Jinping Promotes Yiwu’s Development Model for County-Level Growth: President Xi Jinping praised Yiwu’s “small commodities, big market” model as a successful example of county-level economic development tailored to local conditions. In a recent instruction, Xi noted that the “Yiwu Development Experience,” from a small commodities market into a globally connected industry, demonstrates how grassroots innovation and practical reforms can drive high-quality growth. Xi emphasized that the experience should be further summarized and applied nationwide, guiding regions to leverage their resource endowments, respect local pioneering spirit, and pursue high-quality development paths suited to their realities. He linked this approach to the ongoing campaign on establishing a correct view of performance, urging officials to reform, innovate, and persevere in integrating local economies into the country’s overall development. During his tenure in Zhejiang, Xi visited Yiwu multiple times to study and promote its development model. Over the years, Yiwu has expanded its “small commodities, big market” strategy into a major economic engine. The city now hosts more than 1.26 million business entities and maintains trade links with over 230 countries and regions.
  
  
• China Promotes Greater Bay Area as Model for Modern Development: A special briefing titled “The Story of the Communist Party of China-The Practice of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area” was held in Shenzhen. Jointly organized by the CPC International Department and the Guangdong Provincial Committee, the event highlighted the Greater Bay Area’s role as a strategic pivot for China’s new development pattern, a demonstration zone for high-quality growth, and a leading force for modernization. More than 160 political leaders, scholars, and business representatives from over 40 countries attended. Huang Kunming, CPC Politburo member and Guangdong Party Secretary, emphasized that the Greater Bay Area is a major national strategy personally advanced by Xi Jinping, reflecting integrated development under “One Country, Two Systems” and driving reform, innovation, and ecological prosperity. He noted that during the 15th Five-Year Plan, the region will gain broader opportunities, with Shenzhen hosting the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 2026. Liu Haixing, Minister of the CPC International Department, stressed that regional coordinated development under Xi Jinping Thought has achieved significant results, enhancing resilience and sustainability.
  
  
• China Launches Six-Month Campaign to Regulate Internet Advertising: The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) issued the “Notice on Deepening the Governance of the Internet Advertising Ecosystem” and the “Key Tasks for Rectifying the Order of the Internet Advertising Market," outlining comprehensive measures to strengthen oversight of online advertising. A six-month campaign will be launched to crack down on illegal practices and restore order in the sector. The Notice introduces the concept of “internet advertising ecosystem governance” for the first time, setting out five major tasks: improving regulatory systems, reinforcing platform responsibility, tightening supervision of key areas and new business models, enhancing monitoring technology and law enforcement, and strengthening value guidance in advertising. The Key Tasks document details six focus areas: stricter guidance and supervision of internet advertising, tighter oversight of live-streaming e-commerce, regulation of AI-generated ads, stronger control of pop-up ads, curbing “matrix-style” advertising, and reinforcing platform accountability. SAMR emphasized that rectifying the market order will serve as a breakthrough in building a healthier advertising ecosystem. The campaign aims to address public concerns, safeguard consumer rights, and ensure a fair, transparent, and well-regulated online advertising environment.
  
  
• Beijing Issues New Measures to Evaluate Carbon Peaking and Neutrality: The General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council released the Comprehensive Evaluation and Assessment Measures for Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality, establishing a nationwide framework to monitor and assess progress toward carbon reduction goals. The regulation requires provinces to align with national targets and submit annual self-assessment reports, which will be verified by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and other departments. The measures set control indicators such as total carbon emissions, emission intensity reduction, coal and oil consumption, and the share of non-fossil energy, alongside supporting indicators covering energy conservation, industry, transport, and carbon trading. According to the regulations, during the 15th Five-Year Plan, provinces must draft action plans to ensure China peaks carbon emissions before 2030, reduces emission intensity by over 65% compared to 2005, and achieves a 25% share of non-fossil energy. Evaluation results will be graded as excellent, qualified, or unqualified, with consequences ranging from commendations to accountability measures. The framework also ties performance to cadre assessments, reinforcing responsibility for achieving carbon neutrality and advancing China’s green transformation.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Huawei’s HarmonySpace6 Cockpit Sparks Buzz Over AI-Powered Driving Experience: A post with the hashtag #HuaweiReleasesNewHarmonySpace6Cockpit# is going viral on Weibo after Huawei unveiled its new HarmonySpace Xiaoyi intelligent agent at the Qiankun Technology Conference in Beijing. The system is described as the industry’s first full-scenario, cross-domain interactive cockpit AI, capable of integrating navigation, vehicle control, communication, and lifestyle services into a single interface. Huawei stated that the Xiaoyi agent can seamlessly switch between tasks such as chatting, driving assistance, and even ordering food, positioning it as an all-in-one in-car AI companion designed to enhance convenience and reduce driver workload. Online reactions show enthusiasm for the innovation. One user described Xiaoyi as “extremely versatile,” while another user noted that “AI has truly made everyday life more convenient.” Many users praised the rapid progress of domestic automotive technology, with one user highlighting the “impressive intelligence” of new features. Some users emphasized the smooth cross-domain interaction, noting it makes driving “far less stressful and more intuitive.” Several other users expressed trust in Huawei’s technology, calling it consistently "reliable." A few users also shared futuristic suggestions, including “integrating 3D perspective displays for enhanced driver visibility." 

INDIA WATCH

Xinhua Highlights India’s High Urea Purchase Amid Global Supply Concerns: An article published in Xinhua analyzed India’s recent large-scale urea procurement, underscoring its potential impact on global fertilizer markets. It noted that India purchased 2.5 million tons of urea in an April tender, marking the largest such deal in the country’s history and reflecting its heavy dependence on imports to meet agricultural demand. The article highlighted that the agreed prices, ranging from $935 to $959 per ton, are nearly double the levels recorded just two months earlier, signaling a sharp rise in global urea prices. It emphasized that India, as the world’s largest importer of urea, is projected to import around 10 million tons annually by 2025, making its procurement decisions highly influential in global supply dynamics. The article noted that despite total supplier offers reaching 5.6 million tons, most bids were significantly higher, indicating tightening market conditions. It further pointed out that rising prices are linked to supply disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions, particularly involving Iran, as well as India’s reliance on imported natural gas for fertilizer production. The article also highlighted a nearly 25 percent year-on-year decline in domestic fertilizer output in March. It suggested that such large-scale purchases at elevated prices could intensify global supply shortages and further drive up costs.

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.