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NEWS IN CHINA

• China Urges Ceasefire After Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Conflict: China expressed deep concern over the recent escalation of conflict along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and called on both sides to reach a ceasefire.  Speaking at a regular press briefing on Friday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China is closely monitoring developments following clashes that erupted on Thursday. Mao noted that Pakistan and Afghanistan are inseparable neighbors, and both are also neighboring countries of China. She expressed sorrow over the casualties caused by the fighting, describing the latest round of violence as more intense than previous incidents. She warned that any prolongation or further escalation would result in greater harm and losses for both sides. Reaffirming China’s opposition to terrorism in all forms, Mao urged both countries to remain calm, exercise restraint, and resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation. She stated that an early ceasefire would serve the fundamental interests of both nations and help maintain regional peace and stability. Mao added that China has been mediating through its own channels and stands ready to play a constructive role.
  
  
• China Lifts Additional Tariffs on Key Canadian Agricultural and Seafood Products: China announced that it will suspend additional tariffs on several Canadian agricultural and seafood exports starting March 1. The move is aimed at stabilizing bilateral trade and implementing the consensus reached between the two countries’ leaders. According to the Ministry of Finance, the 100 percent additional tariff on oilseed cake and peas and the 25 percent tariff on lobsters and crabs will be removed by the end of 2026. These duties were originally imposed in March 2025 following an anti‑discrimination investigation. The Ministry stated that the adjustment is in accordance with China’s Tariff Law, Customs Law, Foreign Trade Law, and international legal principles. It emphasized that easing these tariffs will help strengthen China‑Canada economic cooperation and support a more stable and resilient trade relationship. The announcement comes after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s state visit to China in January, during which he pledged to allow 49,000 electric vehicles into the Canadian market at a 6.1 percent most‑favored‑nation tariff rate. The Ministry noted that the tariff suspension will benefit Canadian exporters and Chinese consumers, particularly in the agricultural and seafood sectors that have faced volatility.
  
  
• China Plans Two Crewed Missions in 2026, Targets Moon Landing Before 2030: The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced plans to carry out two crewed spaceflight missions and one cargo resupply mission in 2026, as part of broader efforts to advance space station operations and lunar exploration. Astronauts from Hong Kong and Macao are expected to undertake space station missions, and one Pakistani astronaut will conduct a short-term mission as a payload specialist aboard the China Space Station. CMSA said one member of the Shenzhou-23 crew will perform a year-long in-orbit experiment. The agency also reaffirmed its goal of achieving China’s first crewed Moon landing before 2030. Development of key components, including the Long March-10 carrier rocket, the Mengzhou crewed spacecraft, and the Lanyue lunar lander, is progressing steadily, with multiple major tests already completed. Construction of supporting facilities at the Wenchang launch site and ground support systems will accelerate in 2026. CMSA noted that the Chinese space station is operating smoothly, having completed six crewed missions and multiple spacewalks. To date, 267 scientific projects have been conducted in orbit, contributing to advances in space science and technology.
  
  
• China Issues Updated Rules to Strengthen E-Waste Pollution Control: The Ministry of Ecology and Environment released the “Technical Specification for Pollution Control in the Treatment of Waste Electrical and Electronic Products” (HJ 527-2026), set to take effect on March 1. The new guidelines aim to regulate the recycling and disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and reduce environmental pollution. The revised specifications expand coverage to include newer categories such as self-service machines, retail checkout systems, drones, wearable devices, and smart vehicle equipment. They refine pollution‑control requirements for storage, dismantling, and disposal, with stricter rules to prevent hazardous emissions. Authorities are required to guide local governments and enterprises to implement the standards, enforce corporate responsibility, and crack down on illegal dismantling and dumping. By strengthening oversight and promoting standardized recycling, the measures aim to improve environmental management and ensure safer handling of electronic waste nationwide.
  
  
• CSRC Issues New Disclosure Rules for Private Funds: The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) released the “Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Information Disclosure of Private Investment Funds,” set to take effect on September 1, 2026. The move implements directives from the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, as well as the “Opinions of the State Council on Strengthening Supervision, Preventing Risks, and Promoting High-Quality Development of the Capital Market” and the “Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Private Investment Funds.” Comprising seven chapters and 44 articles, the new measures strengthen disclosure responsibilities for private fund managers and custodians, standardize disclosure practices, and aim to enhance operational transparency and investor protection. The rules clarify disclosure principles, required content, channels and frequency, and prohibit practices such as guaranteeing principal or minimum returns. They also detail requirements for periodic, interim and liquidation reports, especially in the event of major developments. Additionally, the measures require improved internal disclosure management systems and stricter data preservation. The CSRC and its local offices will oversee compliance and may impose regulatory actions or penalties for violations. The regulator stated it will further refine supervisory rules to support the standardized development of the private equity sector.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Age Limit Relaxation for Civil Service Exams Sparks Debate on Weibo: A post with the hashtag #43-Year-OldsCanNowTakeCivilServiceExams# is going viral on Weibo following the announcement of the 2026 public institution recruitment drive. According to recruitment notices in Shandong Province, the general age limit has been set at under 40, while fresh master’s and doctoral graduates in 2026 can apply up to the age of 43. The adjustment was framed as part of efforts to broaden eligibility and optimize talent selection. Online reactions, however, were mixed. Some users questioned the practical significance of the move, emphasizing that competition remains intense and that “those who can pass are rare.” A few other users sarcastically suggested raising the limit further, with one commenting that it might as well be “extended to 60”. Others speculated that the relaxation mainly “benefits candidates with advanced degrees”, questioning whether “educational requirements could also be relaxed”. One user sarcastically commented that “they might consider taking civil service exams if laid off in the future”. There were also inquiries about whether similar age extensions would apply to teacher recruitment. Meanwhile, another comment pointed out that many positions still require recent graduates.

INDIA WATCH

Finance Sina Discusses India’s Plan to Cut Thermal Coal Imports: An article published in Finance Sina discussed that India hopes to reduce coal imports for power plants by at least 30 percent this year. The article highlighted that India is the world’s second-largest importer of thermal coal. It stated that authorities have already asked power plants to test increasing the blending ratio of domestic coal with imported coal as part of this effort. According to the article, in 2025 Indian power plants imported nearly 50 million tons of coal from countries including Indonesia, South Africa and Russia, and the government now aims to reduce this figure by at least 15 million tons this year. However, the article noted that although India is ramping up renewable energy capacity at a record pace to achieve its net-zero emissions target by 2070, it still relies on coal for three-quarters of its electricity generation. It further emphasized that as Coal India Limited and private miners increase domestic coal production, India hopes to reduce its dependence on overseas supplies. Additionally, it stated that authorities aim to replace at least 20 percent of imported coal with domestic supplies in most power plants, with some plants achieving a replacement rate of up to 30 percent.

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.