Daily Conversations Daily Conversations

NEWS IN CHINA

• China Issues New Guidelines to Curb Illegal Fishing: Six key Chinese ministries and commissions including the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Transport have jointly released new guidelines aimed at curbing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing while tightening port inspections of foreign-flagged fishing vessels. The document calls for the strict enforcement of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), which China officially joined in April 2025. It outlines stronger port entry controls, mandatory vessel reporting, and the denial of entry to ships involved in illegal fishing. Under these guidelines, designated ports will be announced, inspections will be standardized and violators will face severe penalties. The guidelines also urge closer international cooperation and information sharing to combat cross-border violations.
• Commerce Ministry Extends Anti-Dumping Duties on Phenol Imports: China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced on Thursday that it will extend anti-dumping duties on phenol imports from the United States, the European Union, South Korea, Japan and Thailand for another five years, effective August 29, 2025. The decision follows an expiration review launched in September 2024 at the request of China’s domestic phenol industry, which argued that lifting duties could lead to renewed dumping and damage to local producers. Phenol, a key organic chemical (C6H5OH), is widely used in producing synthetic fibers, plastics, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, coatings, and refining. China has maintained these duties since 2019, and a recent MOFCOM’s review concluded that if duties were removed, imports from these countries would likely continue or recur at dumped prices. The extension excludes the UK, where measures expired in 2024 after Brexit-related adjustments. MOFCOM stressed that this decision is consistent with China’s anti-dumping regulations and WTO obligations.
• New Satellite Rules Aims to Boost Communication Industry: China has unveiled comprehensive guidelines for its satellite communication industry, aiming to drive high-quality growth and unlock a market worth trillions of yuan. Released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the guidelines focus on optimizing business access, accelerating license issuance and encouraging innovation in commercial space ventures. The policy emphasizes expanding satellite services, including low-orbit satellite internet and direct-to-phone connections, with user numbers expected to exceed 10 million. By 2030, China plans to enhance its regulatory framework, industrial standards and international cooperation, creating an ecosystem that integrates infrastructure, supply chains and technical innovation. It highlights opportunities across satellite manufacturing, service operations, ground equipment and emerging business models. The guidelines also promote the application of satellite communication in agriculture, transportation, energy, urban governance and cross-integration with technologies like industrial internet and vehicle networking.
• China Criticizes DPP for Refusing to Participate in Victory Day Commemorations: Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, criticized Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on Wednesday, accusing it of distorting history and barring Taiwan compatriots from participating in commemorations of the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. She noted that the DPP’s denial of the Communist Party of China’s pivotal role in defeating Japanese militarists exposes its political agenda of fueling cross-Strait confrontation and pushing secessionist goals. She stressed that any attempts to distort historical facts or challenge the post-war international order are bound to fail. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Kuomintang (KMT) held exhibitions in Taipei marking the anniversaries, drawing emotional responses from citizens who criticized the DPP for downplaying Taiwan’s restoration and praising Japanese colonial rule. Beijing urged compatriots across the Strait to safeguard historical truth, reject separatism and pursue reunification and national rejuvenation.
• Supreme People’s Court Releases Landmark Data-Related Cases to Guide Future Trials: China’s Supreme People’s Court on Thursday unveiled its first batch of landmark cases on data rights protection, marking a significant step in standardizing judicial practices in the fast-growing digital economy. The move aims to provide judges nationwide with clear guidance on disputes involving data ownership, usage rights, unfair competition and personal information protection. In fact, the number of data-related cases concluded in 2024 was double that of 2021, highlighting both the importance and complexity of the issue. Among the six cases published, one addressed mobile application operators’ excessive collection of personal information, which was ruled as an infringement of privacy rights. Other cases involved unfair competition and data misuse, reflecting the growing legal challenges in the digital domain. The SPC emphasized improving the quality of data-related adjudication to ensure that while citizens enjoy digital growth benefits, the efficient and lawful flow of data also fosters new economic drivers.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Chinese Netizens Praise Henan Truck Driver’s Dedication Towards Education: Chen Hao, a 28-year-old truck driver from Henan Province, has converted the four-square-meter cab of his vehicle into a multifunctional space that serves simultaneously as a workplace, library and study. Based in Beilun, Zhejiang, he has worked in long-haul trucking for seven years, transporting goods between docks, warehouses, and highways. Despite the physically demanding and irregular nature of his profession, Chen cultivated a disciplined reading practice by maintaining a rotating collection of more than ten books in his cab. Over the past five years, he has completed more than 400 works spanning history, philosophy, and related disciplines. His story has attracted significant attention on Chinese social media, where hashtags such as “#4 Square Meter Cab Is a Mobile Study” and “#28-Year-Old Truck Driver Reads 400 Books in 5 Years” trended widely. Public discourse surrounding his story has positioned him as a model of perseverance and effective time management. Many commentators have also interpreted his example as emblematic of the resilience and industriousness often associated with individuals from Henan.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Speculates About India’s Growing Russian Oil Imports: A Chinese media platform Guancha speculates that India is set to increase its imports of Russian oil in September. Guancha, citing Reuters, reported that Indian refiners may increase Russian oil purchases by 10–20% in September, equivalent to an additional 150,000 to 300,000 barrels per day. The article highlights the move as a long-term calculation, noting that despite Washington’s new 50% tariffs on Indian goods, New Delhi prioritizes securing affordable energy. It also cites a CLSA report which pointed out that if India stops importing Russian crude oil, it may lead to a reduction of about 1 million barrels per day in global supply and cause global oil prices to surge to nearly $100 per barrel in the short term. Similarly, the article also warns about the long-term impact of persisting tariffs on India which can reduce competitiveness of the Indian manufacturing industry.

Prepared By

Lipun Kumar Sanbad

Lipun Kumar Sanbad, a postgraduate student of Politics and International Relations from Pondicherry University and a History and Political science graduate from University of Delhi. From the past three years working as a freelance researcher in the domain of global peace, conflict and security studies, and defence studies.