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NEWS IN CHINA

• Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang Attended Conference of World Data Organization: Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang attended the inaugural conference of the World Data Organization (WDO) in Beijing on March 30, where he delivered a keynote speech, and read a congratulatory letter from Xi Jinping. The establishment of the organization was described as a significant step toward strengthening global cooperation in the digital era and addressing challenges related to data governance. Ding highlighted China’s progress in advancing its digital economy, including efforts to build a data property rights system, promote data-driven industrial upgrading, and improve governance efficiency. He emphasized that China will continue advancing its “Digital China” strategy, expanding data utilization and fostering innovation in digital and intelligent technologies to support global economic growth. He also outlined three key priorities for the new organization, including promoting cross-border data flows through open cooperation, ensuring inclusive sharing of data benefits to support global development, and strengthening data security through coordinated governance. Ding stressed the importance of protecting privacy, trade secrets and critical data while addressing risks like cybercrimes. The conference drew around 500 participants, including government officials, international organizations, and scientific and technological experts. 
  
  
• President Xi Jinping Calls for Nationwide Afforestation Drive: President Xi Jinping urged mobilizing the whole society to actively participate in afforestation, stressing that a sound ecological environment is shared by all and requires collective efforts. Xi made the remarks while joining a voluntary tree-planting activity in Beijing’s Changping District. Xi, accompanied by other Party and state leaders including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi, planted saplings of multiple tree species. He interacted with children, encouraging them to set ambitious goals, cultivate a love for learning, work and nature, and strive to become pillars of society. Xi noted that China has achieved sustained increases in forest area and stock volume, while reducing desertified and sandy land, making it the country with the fastest greening progress globally. He hailed the Ecological and Environmental Code adopted in March as strengthening the legal foundation for building a “Beautiful China.” Marking the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan and the 45th anniversary of the voluntary tree-planting campaign, Xi emphasized improving quality, developing related industries and ensuring ecological benefits reach the people. He also called for coordinated urban and rural greening and advancing channels to realize the value of ecological products. 
  
  
• China, Seychelles Celebrate 50 Years of Diplomatic Ties: Chinese Vice President Han Zheng called for deepening the strategic partnership and expanding practical cooperation with Seychelles during his visit from March 28 to 30. Han met with President Patrick Herminie and Vice President Sebastien Pillay, attended a reception marking the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations, and conveyed greetings from President Xi Jinping. Han described China-Seychelles relations as a model of sincere friendship, equality and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes. He emphasized implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state and highlighted China’s new “zero-tariff policy” for 53 African countries. At the anniversary reception, Han called the “golden 50 years” of relations worthy of commemoration and pledged to expand political trust, practical cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges. Herminie reaffirmed Seychelles’ adherence to the one-China policy and praised China’s global initiatives, expressing readiness to deepen cooperation across fields. Pillay noted strong momentum in bilateral ties and stated that Seychelles hopes to serve as a transit hub for Chinese goods entering Africa. He also toured the China-aided Seychelles Broadcasting and Television Center project, which was inaugurated in March 2025, marking achievements in bilateral cooperation. 
  
  
• China Issues New Measures to Curb Unfair Competition in Key Industries and Sectors: China’s State Administration for Market Regulation issued a notice to strengthen enforcement of the “Anti-Unfair Competition Law of the People's Republic of China”, outlining key steps to ensure fair market practices. The notice places strong emphasis on tackling “involutionary” competition, particularly in sectors such as the platform economy, photovoltaics, lithium batteries and new energy vehicles. The notice requires regulators to closely monitor platform companies that use tools like search rankings or business evaluations to pressure merchants into selling below cost price without justification. It also stresses that platform operators must define clear competition rules and avoid interfering with the independent operations of businesses. The notice highlights the need to address emerging forms of unfair practices involving data, algorithms and platform rules, while advancing work on new regulations targeting online unfair competition. Additional priorities include preventing large firms from delaying payments to small and medium-sized enterprises, strengthening trade secret protection, and exploring cross-border enforcement mechanisms. 
  
  
• China Hosts 416 Unicorns in 2025, Valued at $1.61 Trillion: A report released at the Global Unicorn Conference 2026, held alongside the Zhongguancun Forum, revealed that China was home to 416 unicorn companies in 2025, accounting for nearly 30% of the global total and solidifying its position as the world’s second-largest hub for unicorns. According to the China Unicorn Development Report (2026), these firms had a combined valuation of $1.61 trillion, with an average valuation of $3.87 billion. Over the past three years, the number of unicorns grew by 12.7%, while total valuation rose by 14.6%, reflecting both rising quantity and quality. The report categorized unicorns across 11 sectors, with Artificial Intelligence (AI), Smart Equipment, New Consumer & Retail, Integrated Circuits, and New Energy & Materials making up 68% of the total. AI leads with 69 companies valued at $638 billion, the only sector averaging close to $10 billion per firm. China also boasts 14 “super unicorns,” including Douyin and Shein, and account for nearly half of the total valuation. Most are concentrated in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Geographically, 358 unicorns are clustered in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze River Delta and Greater Bay Area regions, with Beijing alone hosting 116 firms.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER 

Driver’s License Cancellation SMS Sparks Privacy Debate on Weibo: A post with the hashtag #TrafficPoliceRespondToDriversLicenseCancellationSMS# is going viral on Weibo after a netizen reported receiving official messages warning of potential license cancellation based on medical data analysis. The SMS, reportedly issued by traffic police in Xiamen’s Huli District, cited conditions such as heart disease, epilepsy and neurological disorders as grounds for disqualification from driving, urging recipients to voluntarily cancel their license or face invalidation. The post quickly went viral after one user claimed they received the message after purchasing nitroglycerin pills, raising concerns about how personal medical and purchase data is being tracked and used. Online reactions were mixed as one user commented that authorities should instead “revoke licenses of people who have been drinking,” while another emphasized that the move is “good for public safety.” Some users questioned the scope of enforcement, asking whether frequent alcohol purchases would also be monitored. Others raised privacy concerns, with one noting that “the era of AI-powered big data surveillance has arrived,” while another questioned how authorities legally obtained such data. A number of users pointed out that certain drugs require real-name registration anyway, downplaying privacy risks. Several others highlighted practical concerns, including buying medicines for family members or emergencies, while some supported stricter enforcement, citing past incidents of accidents caused by medical emergencies. 

INDIA WATCH

Global Times Highlights India’s CCTV Certification Rules Targeting Chinese Firms: An article published in Global Times examines India’s decision to bar Chinese video surveillance companies such as Hikvision, Dahua and TP-Link from selling internet-connected CCTV equipment starting April 1 under new certification rules. The article notes that Indian authorities are effectively denying certification to products made by Chinese firms or those using Chinese chipsets, citing national security concerns. However, it states that Chinese experts, including Zhang Xiaorong, argue that the move lacks substantive evidence and constitutes discriminatory trade protection disguised as cybersecurity regulation. The article highlights that the rules, introduced in April 2024 by India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, require extensive compliance measures, including disclosure of source code and hardware testing. According to Counterpoint Research, the article mentions, Indian firms’ market share surged to over 80 percent by early 2026, while Chinese companies were pushed out or forced to localize operations. It further claims that while domestic firms may benefit in the short term, the long-term impact could weaken India’s integration with global supply chains and slow technological advancement. The article concludes that India’s selective easing of restrictions on Chinese investment highlights its pragmatic need for Chinese expertise in key sectors, while keeping other sectors restricted.

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.