Daily Conversations Daily Conversations

NEWS IN CHINA

• President Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Belarusian Leader Lukashenko: President Xi Jinping met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Beijing on Monday. Xi highlighted the importance of maintaining close strategic communication and advancing bilateral ties to deliver greater benefits to both countries. He reiterated China's support for Belarus in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, while backing its pursuit of a development path suited to its national conditions. Xi also pledged continued Chinese assistance for Belarus' development within China's capabilities. He noted that bilateral relations have reached their strongest phase since diplomatic ties were established, supported by deep political trust, growing cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, progress in key joint projects, and closer coordination in multilateral affairs. Xi called for greater collaboration in advancing Belt and Road projects and strengthening coordination on global issues to contribute to international stability. Lukashenko praised China as Belarus' key strategic partner, describing bilateral cooperation as vital to his country's economic and social development. He expressed Belarus' willingness to deepen strategic dialogue, broaden practical cooperation, and enhance coordination with China on regional and international affairs to promote peace, stability, and shared development.
  
  
• China Expands Export Controls on Japanese Entities Over Security Concerns: The Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) expanded its export control measures by adding 20 Japanese entities to its dual-use items control list and placing another 20 on a watch list, citing national security considerations and non-proliferation obligations. The latest move includes Japanese defence-related institutions such as the National Institute for Defense Studies and research centres under Japan’s Ministry of Defense, as well as companies and technology firms including Mitsubishi-related and aerospace-linked entities. Authorities said the measures aim to regulate the export of dual-use goods while preventing their use in activities that may undermine China’s security interests. MOFCOM stated that the decision follows earlier restrictions introduced in February, which also targeted Japanese defence and manufacturing firms. Officials said Japan has continued to expand its military capabilities, prompting China to strengthen and refine its export control framework in a more targeted manner. Chinese experts cited in the report said the updated measures extend beyond production enterprises to include research institutions and supporting industrial chains. They also emphasized that the controls are limited to specific entities and do not affect normal trade activities.
  
  
• Premier Li Qiang Chairs State Council Meeting on AI, Trade and Green Development: Premier Li Qiang chaired a State Council executive meeting to review progress in artificial intelligence (AI), assess the country's foreign trade outlook, and discuss measures to strengthen China's position as a global trading power. The meeting also approved an action plan on carbon peaking and a national health plan for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030). The meeting called for accelerating breakthroughs in key AI technologies, expanding ultra-large-scale intelligent computing clusters, and strengthening support through talent and funding. It also emphasized the need to speed up the large-scale commercial application of AI-powered products and services, ensure AI security, and enhance international cooperation on AI governance. The meeting stressed expanding imports of quality goods and services while promoting more balanced import and export growth. It also called for improving the brand influence of goods trade, increasing product value, and strengthening services trade and digital trade. The meeting further highlighted the importance of fostering new drivers of the green economy, promoting green and low-carbon industrial transformation, and encouraging sustainable production and lifestyles. It also called for improving full-life-cycle health services, expanding the health industry, increasing the supply of health products, and strengthening quality and safety supervision.
  
  
• China to Implement Revised Air Passenger Service Standards: China will implement a revised recommended national standard for the Quality of Passenger Services in Public Air Transport from July 1, with the aim of improving the standardization and quality of passenger services across the civil aviation sector. The updated standard establishes general principles for passenger services by defining basic requirements for service personnel, including appearance, service language, attitude, and professional competence. These provisions are intended to provide a unified framework for passenger service management throughout the industry. The standard also sets out service quality requirements covering the entire passenger journey. It defines expectations across four key service areas, including ticketing, airport transportation, ground services, and cabin services, to ensure greater consistency in service delivery. In addition, the revised standard introduces dedicated provisions for specialized services. It specifies service requirements for passengers with special needs, addresses procedures for handling irregular flight situations, and includes a separate chapter on passenger request management, outlining service priorities and quality benchmarks. The new standard is expected to guide the civil aviation industry in improving service processes and raising overall service quality, while enhancing passengers' travel experience, satisfaction, and sense of gain through more standardized and efficient service delivery.
  
  
• China Launches Social Assistance Law Awareness Campaign: China will implement the Social Assistance Law on July 1, 2026, with authorities launching a nationwide awareness campaign to promote the new legislation and improve public understanding of social assistance policies. According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, seven government departments have jointly organized the National Social Assistance Law Publicity Week, which runs from June 29 to July 5 under the theme, "Protecting People's Livelihoods and Helping Thousands of Families." The campaign will focus on explaining the key provisions of the new law through public consultation booths, information displays, and outreach activities. It also aims to increase awareness of available social assistance measures, particularly among people in need, while encouraging broader public understanding of the country's support system. The launch ceremony was held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, where social assistance workers, experts, and representatives from social organizations shared experiences highlighting the role of social assistance in supporting vulnerable groups. The China Charity Federation, under the guidance of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, also introduced the Mutual Assistance and Emergency Relief Action, a pilot initiative that will provide assistance to eligible low-income families with children under the age of three in selected areas.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER 

Weibo Users React to MCN Agency Exposed for Alleged Online Extortion Scheme: A post circulating on Weibo about a police operation in Guangdong dismantling an MCN (Multi-Channel Network) agency accused of using coordinated negative publicity to extort film and TV production teams has sparked widespread discussion online. The report states that police in Heyuan, under coordinated cyber security operations, arrested 12 suspects led by Li Moujun for allegedly running a multi-million follower MCN network that manipulated WeChat and Weibo accounts to publish negative content around TV dramas and celebrities, later demanding paid “drama protection” packages for removal and positive promotion. Many users on Weibo reacted strongly to the allegations, saying that manipulating online public opinion for profit was “shameless” and calling for strict punishment of those involved. One user commented that the operation showed how “online rumor industries must be cleaned up,” while another user said extortion through negative posts was “a direct threat to the entertainment industry’s normal order.” Several other users noted that cross-provincial arrests reflected strong enforcement, with some stating that “the internet is not outside the law,” while others praised authorities for dismantling what they described as an organized black PR ecosystem targeting celebrities and production houses. 

INDIA WATCH 

Finance Sina Discusses Apple Accusing India Regulator of Copying Evidence in CCI Probe: An article in Finance Sina discussed Apple’s escalating dispute with India’s Competition Commission (CCI) after newly revealed regulatory filings accused investigators of copying competitor claims and failing to conduct an independent antitrust assessment. According to the article, Apple’s June 25 filing marks the sharpest phase of its conflict with the CCI, which in 2024 alleged that Apple abused its dominance by forcing developers to use its payment system on iOS. It argued that Apple countered that its Indian market share is below 6%, making it a “negligible market player,” and argued that investigators relied heavily on submissions from rivals such as Match Group, PhonePe, and Paytm without verification. It also highlighted Apple's claim that it was denied opportunities to present oral evidence, contrasting this with Google’s treatment in a previous Android case. The article emphasized  that Apple submitted turnover data for 2022-2024, which could be used to calculate fines, while urging the CCI to consider mitigating factors, including Apple’s compliance record and its export of $51 billion worth of iPhones from India over five years.