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NEWS IN CHINA

• Xi Jinping, Shehbaz Sharif Pledge Stronger China-Pakistan Partnership: Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing, reaffirming the “ironclad” friendship between the two nations. Xi emphasised that a robust China-Pakistan partnership is essential for safeguarding regional peace and promoting development in an era of rapid global transformation. He further called for accelerating the construction of a “China-Pakistan community with a shared future” in the new era, positioning it as a model for broader regional cooperation. Xi also urged the upgrading of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Free Trade Agreement, emphasising that Pakistan must enhance its security measures for Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions operating within the country. Prime Minister Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the one-China principle and expressed strong support for Xi’s Global Governance Initiative, calling it vital for global stability. He reiterated Pakistan's commitment to protecting Chinese nationals and investments, while also emphasizing the importance of strengthening cooperation in trade, infrastructure, and strategic areas.

• Xi, Putin, and Khurelsukh Chart Path for Stronger China-Russia-Mongolia Trilateral Ties: Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh convened the seventh meeting of heads of state of China, Russia, and Mongolia. The leaders reviewed the progress of the trilateral partnership, highlighting steady growth in trade, infrastructure, science, technology, and cultural exchanges under the mid-term cooperation roadmap. Xi Jinping emphasized that the three nations must deepen political trust, align development strategies, and resist external interference in a turbulent international environment. He proposed strengthening “hard connectivity” through cross-border infrastructure and energy projects, “soft connectivity” via expanded local currency settlements, and “heart-to-heart connectivity” through regional and cultural cooperation. Xi also underscored the role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a platform for security and development. Putin reaffirmed Russia’s readiness for equal, future-oriented cooperation, stressing the need for synergy in finance, energy, and the digital economy. Khurelsukh pledged Mongolia’s commitment to advancing the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor and promoting cultural ties, noting the shared commemoration of World War II’s 80th anniversary.

• China-SCO Digital Economy Cooperation Platform Launched in Tianjin: The China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Digital Economy Cooperation Platform was officially inaugurated on September 2. The platform, led by China’s National Data Administration, is designed to implement the SCO’s 2021 statement on strengthening digital economy development and to promote the “Shanghai Spirit” of cooperation. Deputy Director Yu Ying explained that the platform will focus on aligning the SCO countries’ digital strategies, fostering infrastructure interconnection, and building shared standards for data and technology. The cooperation framework is built around three pillars: mechanism-building, hosting forums, and establishing pilot zones. It will also promote projects ranging from digital industry collaboration to talent training and “small but beautiful” livelihood programs tailored for SCO members. 

• Beijing Makes AI Education Mandatory in All Primary and Secondary Schools: Beijing has officially introduced artificial intelligence (AI) education across all primary and secondary schools this semester, making it the first city in China to fully integrate AI into its core curriculum. The initiative aligns with the State Council’s “AI Plus” strategy, which emphasizes embedding AI across industries, with education as a priority sector. Under the new framework, every student from primary to high school will receive at least eight hours of AI instruction per academic year. These lessons may be taught as standalone courses or integrated into information technology and other subjects. The Beijing Municipal Education Commission has partnered with the city’s digital education center to develop 80 AI-focused lessons, now available on Beijing’s smart education platform. According to Lu Xin, head of AI course products at a leading edtech company, more than 150,000 students from over 1,000 schools across 25 provinces and cities are already using the new materials.

• Beijing Launches Themed Subway Trains to Commemorate War Victory: Beijing has introduced “Great Victory” themed subway trains on Line 19 to mark the 80th anniversary of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. According to Beijing Daily, the special trains began running on August 31 and will operate from Tuesday to Sunday every week until September 30. Each train features seven unique themes, with carriages decorated with historic photos, wartime slogans, and timelines of key battles. Passengers can also see displays of modern defense equipment, linking past sacrifices to present national strength. Stories of war heroes, including Canadian surgeon Norman Bethune, General Zuo Quan, and commander Yang Jingyu, are prominently featured to honor their contributions. 

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Tianjin Residents Celebrate Pride in Hosting SCO Summit: The successful hosting of the SCO Tianjin Summit has sparked a wave of pride and excitement across Chinese social media, with the hashtag “#Tianjin people, give yourselves a round of applause#” trending on Weibo. Netizens are hailing the summit as not just a diplomatic milestone but also a moment of collective achievement for Tianjin’s residents. Local authorities and citizens worked hand-in-hand to ensure smooth preparations -  from logistics and security to hospitality and cultural showcases. Many Weibo users shared photos of festively decorated streets and enthusiastic volunteer participation, calling the event “a world-class display of Tianjin’s openness.” The sentiment online has been overwhelmingly celebratory, with comments such as, “Every Tianjin person made this possible,” and “Our city shone on the global stage.” Beyond its diplomatic significance, the summit is widely viewed as a powerful symbol of civic unity and urban pride.

INDIA WATCH 

The Paper Reports India’s Acquisition of AWACS and Fighter Jets: Shanghai-based news outlet, The Paper, has examined India’s recent procurement of early warning aircraft, fighter jets, and advanced engines. The report raised questions about the motivations behind the Indian Air Force’s urgency—whether it reflects a strategic recalibration or a reactive response to recent security developments. According to The Paper, India’s recent approvals, such as the €2 billion Airbus A321-based AWACS program, renewed fighter jet purchases, and expanded engine cooperation with France, brought attention to several operational vulnerabilities. The article suggested that the timing indicates a heightened sense of urgency within the IAF to address perceived capability gaps. While India’s defense modernization is framed domestically as a long-overdue investment in fleet renewal and indigenous platforms like the Tejas and the upcoming AMCA, The Paper noted that the rapid pace of procurement also points to underlying concerns. Citing defense analysts, the outlet highlighted longstanding challenges such as dependence on imported systems and limited interoperability among equipment sourced from a wide array of international partners.

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.