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NEWS IN CHINA

• China Issues Weather Alerts and Activates Emergency Response for Flood and Landslide Risks: China has activated a Level IV national emergency response for geological disasters in Jiangxi, Hunan, and Guizhou as heavy rainfall raises the risk of landslides and flooding in several regions. The decision follows forecasts of heavy rainfall from June 3 to 5, with some areas expected to receive torrential downpours. Meteorological authorities warned that large parts of southern China, the southwest, Northeast China, and North China will experience heavy rainfall and severe convective weather, including thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail. Areas in Heilongjiang, Jilin, Hunan, Guangxi, Yunnan, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang are among those expected to face the heaviest precipitation. The National Meteorological Center has maintained alerts for both heavy rain and severe weather, warning that localized downpours could trigger floods, geological disasters, and disruptions to transportation, agriculture, and daily life. Another round of heavy rainfall is expected to begin in southern China from June 6, increasing concerns over the cumulative impact of successive storms. Authorities have urged local governments to strengthen monitoring, early-warning systems, emergency preparedness, and evacuation measures while deploying rescue personnel and supplies in high-risk areas to reduce potential losses and safeguard public safety.
  
  
• Ding Xuexiang Reviews Education, Exams and Ecological Work in Yunnan: Ding Xuexiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, carried out an inspection tour in Yunnan from June 1 to 2, focusing on basic education, teacher training, exam preparation, and ecological protection. During visits to schools in Wenshan Prefecture, he examined the allocation of educational resources across urban and rural areas. He stressed that basic education is central to building a strong education system and called for efforts to improve teaching quality, reduce burdens, and ensure balanced development from preschool to senior secondary education. He emphasized strengthening teacher training and upholding the role of education in national development and talent cultivation. He also inspected exam preparations and called for strict organization, improved services, and strong measures to ensure fairness and safety throughout the examination process. He also visited Dianchi Lake and a local industrial site to assess ecological protection work, urging stronger pollution control, environmental restoration, and green development to safeguard Yunnan’s ecological security and promote sustainable growth.
  
  
• CPC Continues Oversight Campaign on Performance-Oriented Governance: The CPC Central Committee has decided to continue deploying four central guidance groups to oversee the study and education campaign on establishing and practicing a correct view of performance in 10 localities and institutions, including Jilin, Hubei, Hunan, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, major state-owned enterprises, and leading universities. The decision was highlighted at a symposium and training session held in Beijing, where officials reviewed progress and outlined the next phase of supervision. The meeting stressed the importance of thoroughly implementing the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s instructions and ensuring that the campaign delivers meaningful results. Participants emphasized that the guidance groups will focus on strengthening understanding of the campaign’s objectives, promoting practical implementation, and ensuring that identified problems are addressed effectively rather than through superficial measures. Particular attention will be given to resolving long-standing issues, improving accountability, and ensuring that new officials actively address inherited challenges. The campaign will also prioritize the development of long-term mechanisms and stronger institutional safeguards to reinforce effective governance practices. Local authorities, government departments, enterprises, and universities are expected to integrate learning, problem-solving, and reform efforts.
  
  
• Symposium Calls for Advancing High-Quality Development of Tibetan Studies Think Tanks: A symposium on promoting the high-quality development of Tibetan studies and national-level think tanks was held in Beijing, with Li Ganjie, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attending and addressing the opening session. Li Ganjie noted that over the past 40 years, the China Tibetology Research Center has played an important role in advancing Tibet-related research, improving academic systems, and supporting policy work. He emphasized that in a complex international environment, regions such as Tibet and Tibetan-inhabited areas in several provinces are at a key stage of maintaining stability and achieving high-quality development. In this context, Tibetan studies are seen as increasingly important for supporting governance, guiding development policies, and improving international communication on Tibet-related issues. Li called for strengthening theoretical foundations, improving research quality, better integrating academic resources, and enhancing the dissemination of research findings. He also stressed talent development and innovation to further advance the discipline. The symposium was attended by officials from Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu, Qinghai and other provinces, along with representatives from academic institutions and research bodies working in Tibetan studies.
  
  
• China Set to Cut Refined Fuel Prices: China is set to reduce domestic refined oil prices in the latest adjustment cycle beginning at 24:00 on June 4, reflecting recent trends in international crude oil markets. The pricing mechanism, which is revised every cycle, is based on average global crude oil price changes over a set period, ensuring domestic fuel costs align with international trends. During the current cycle from May 21 to June 4, global oil prices showed fluctuations, with early declines followed by a short rebound in early June. Despite brief gains, the overall trend remained downward, keeping average crude oil prices lower than the previous cycle. Market estimates suggest a reduction of about 535 yuan per ton in gasoline and diesel prices. This is expected to lower the retail price of 92-octane gasoline by roughly 0.42 yuan per liter and diesel by about 0.45 yuan per liter. Analysts noted that although oil prices rose in the final days of the cycle, the broader average still supports a downward adjustment. The final official price cut will be confirmed by authorities at the time of implementation.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER 

Weibo Users React to Drop in 2026 College Entrance Exam Registrations: A post with the hashtag #12.9MillionPeopleRegisteredForThe2026CollegeEntranceExam# is going viral on Weibo after data showed 12.9 million candidates registered this year, down from 13.35 million last year, marking a decrease of around 450,000. The post also suggested that the drop in numbers could have been because students have more alternative opportunities now. Many users focused on the immediate interpretation of the drop in the number of students. One user commented that “before it even started, it had already eliminated 450,000 people,” while others questioned whether the decline meant reduced competition or simply fewer people opting to take the exam. Some users connected the change to wider population trends, asking whether falling birth rates could eventually lead to “everyone going to university” or even the closure of some institutions. Another comment emphasized encouragement for students, stating that “with the National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) just around the corner, students are encouraged to work hard and do their best.” Several users reflected on past experiences of intense academic pressure, noting that “competition was the toughest in our time.” Others were puzzled by the drop, asking “why are so many missing,” and whether it was driven by demographic shifts or changing student preferences. Some users interpreted the situation more positively, suggesting that fewer candidates could mean reduced pressure.

INDIA WATCH 

Guancha Discusses India–Myanmar Engagement Following Min Aung Hlaing Visit: An article in Guancha discussed the five-day visit of Min Aung Hlaing to India from May 30 to June 3, where he was accorded a red carpet welcome and held high-level consultations on minerals, trade, and border security. According to the article, the visit was interpreted as signalling India’s intent to deepen engagement with Myanmar’s military leadership to counterbalance China’s growing influence in the country. It emphasized that given the 1,600-km shared border between India and Myanmar, India raised concerns over insurgent groups operating across the frontier, linking recent violence in Manipur to cross-border sanctuaries. The article highlighted that talks also focused on rare earth minerals, with Myanmar’s output largely flowing to China, while India seeks to reduce dependence by exploring new supply chains and potential cooperation with ethnic armed groups in mining regions. It suggested that the visit provides the Myanmar junta with limited diplomatic legitimacy after its isolation since 2021, while allowing India to expand its Act East policy and ASEAN outreach amid intensifying regional competition. The article added that for Myanmar, the engagement offers an opportunity to break diplomatic isolation, attract investment in critical minerals and diversify external partnerships between China and regional neighbours. However, the article cautioned that Myanmar’s internal instability and ongoing conflict may limit the depth of any sustained strategic realignment process.