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NEWS IN CHINA

• Pinglu Canal Strengthens China-ASEAN Maritime Trade Links: China has completed the first full-route patrol of the 134.2-kilometre Pinglu Canal in Guangxi, marking an important step toward its planned opening in September. The canal connects Nanning and other inland areas of southwest China with the Beibu Gulf, providing a shorter route toward ASEAN countries and other overseas markets. The patrol, conducted by the Guangxi Maritime Safety Administration, involved the vessel Haixun 1003 travelling the entire canal and passing through three ship locks that are still under construction. Authorities assessed navigation conditions, bridge clearances, channel dimensions, ship-lock approaches and potential emergency areas. The findings will help refine navigation rules and safety arrangements before commercial operations begin. With total investment exceeding 70 billion yuan ($10.37 billion), the canal is a key component of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. It links China's western regions with ASEAN and connects the Silk Road Economic Belt with the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Once operational, it will provide inland China with a more direct southern route to Beibu Gulf ports, reducing some journeys by around 560 kilometres. The canal further strengthens China-ASEAN connectivity, as imports and exports transported through the corridor by participating regions reached 517.23 billion yuan in the first half of 2026, up 13 percent year-on-year.
  
  
• China Begins Arctic Sea-Ice Survey With Xuelong 2: China’s research icebreaker Xuelong 2 has begun its first ice station survey of the current expedition in the central Arctic Ocean, around 84 degrees north latitude. The roughly two-week operation aims to collect detailed data on the region’s rapidly changing environment. After completing an initial round of ocean surveys, the vessel moved farther north and established its first ice station on a sea-ice floor about 1.5 meters thick. Researchers will conduct more than 20 types of scientific activities, including ice and snow sampling, under-ice water collection, atmospheric measurements, remote sensing and ocean observations. The work will cover six short-term stations and one long-term station, monitoring changes in the atmosphere, sea ice, upper ocean and ecosystems beneath the ice. The findings are expected to improve understanding of Arctic sea-ice loss and its impact on marine ecosystems. The survey is part of China’s 16th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition, which began in July with four vessels. Xuelong and Xuelong 2 will coordinate their ice-station activities to create a broader observation network examining interactions among the atmosphere, sea ice and ocean.
  
  
• China Issues Ethical Code for Military Recruitment Officials: The National Defense Ministry has introduced a new professional ethics code for personnel involved in military recruitment, aimed at strengthening integrity, accountability and transparency in the enlistment process. The Code of Professional Ethics for Conscription Personnel takes effect from the date of its issuance. The framework is intended to guide recruitment officials in exercising their responsibilities properly and maintaining high ethical standards while handling recruitment-related duties. It comes amid broader efforts to strengthen ideological discipline and political training within the military recruitment system. The code is divided into five areas covering loyalty to the Communist Party of China, awareness of broader national interests, lawful and transparent recruitment, commitment to national defense standards, integrity and self-discipline, as well as cooperation and public service. It establishes 25 specific ethical requirements for recruitment personnel, emphasizing impartial decision-making, compliance with regulations and the rejection of personal interests in the exercise of official duties. The Ministry stated the guidelines are designed to reinforce professional conduct among recruitment staff, strengthen internal discipline and promote a more transparent and trustworthy recruitment environment.
  
  
• China Expands Financial Support for Flood-Hit Areas: China’s banking and insurance sectors are stepping up financial support for regions affected by severe flooding and typhoons, helping households and businesses restore livelihoods and resume operations. The move follows a July 9 directive from the State Financial Regulatory Administration calling for uninterrupted basic financial services and greater credit support for disaster relief and reconstruction. Banks have expanded services in affected areas through mobile branches, extended service hours and dedicated emergency counters, ensuring access to cash, transfers and account services despite damaged infrastructure. Financial institutions have also established faster lending channels for farmers and small businesses facing post-disaster cash shortages. The People’s Bank of China has added 100 billion yuan in relending quotas for agriculture and small businesses, while banks are providing loan renewals, extensions and new financing based on individual needs. Insurance companies are similarly accelerating claims and advance payments for damaged homes, vehicles and farmland. As of July 13, insurers across 20 provinces had received nearly 380,000 disaster-related claims, with estimated losses of 6.38 billion yuan and 2.89 billion yuan already paid. Insurers also deployed personnel and vehicles for rescue operations.
  
  
• China Data Standards Body Warns Against Fake Fee-Collection Schemes: The National Data Standardization Technical Committee has warned enterprises and individuals about fraudulent schemes involving organizations or people falsely claiming to represent the committee. The warning follows multiple reports of attempts to collect improper payments under labels such as “national standard compilation fees,” “standard naming fees,” and “participation fees.” The committee clarified that it does not charge companies, institutions, social organizations, or individuals for participating in the formulation of national data standards. It also stressed that the leading organization responsible for developing a standard is not permitted to impose unauthorized charges on participating entities during the drafting process. The committee stated that national standards in the data sector are developed in accordance with China’s Standardization Law and relevant regulations, with an emphasis on openness, fairness, and impartiality. It urged organizations receiving invitations for “paid participation” or “paid authorship” to verify their authenticity before cooperating or making payments. The committee also called on the public to report suspected misuse of its name and preserve evidence, including contracts, payment records, correspondence, and chat logs, to support investigations and regulatory action.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER 

Weibo Users Support Re-examination of Henan Recruitment Exam: A post discussing cheating allegations in the 2026 Henan “Three Supports and One Assistance” recruitment examination is going viral on Weibo after authorities confirmed organized cheating and announced a re-examination for August 22. The post argued that the large-scale cheating had undermined confidence in the original results and that a re-examination was necessary to restore fairness. It also called for stronger accountability for those involved and more effective oversight of recruitment procedures. Many users commented that they believed that "re-examination is the most appropriate way to restore a level playing field for all test takers." Several commenters stressed that “the fairness of the original examination had been compromised and that honest candidates should not be disadvantaged by others’ misconduct.” Some users welcomed the authorities’ decision to provide transportation allowances and other support to candidates, noting that “it demonstrated consideration for the inconvenience caused by the re-examination.” Others called for stricter supervision throughout the new examination to prevent further irregularities. One user stated that, “retaking the exam ensures fair competition and protects the legitimate rights and interests of test takers” while another user emphasized on the “ zero tolerance policy for cheating in exams” and hoped honest candidates would benefit from the re-examination. Several commenters also described the authorities’ response as “swift and reasonable, while expressing expectations for stronger oversight and greater transparency in future recruitment.

INDIA WATCH 

Guancha Discusses Apple’s India Expansion and Supply Chain Challenges: An article in Guancha discussed Apple’s rapidly expanding iPhone manufacturing operations in India and the government’s efforts to address tax barriers to further increase local production. The article noted that India could account for approximately 26 percent of global iPhone production by 2026, compared with 6 percent four years earlier. It highlighted that Apple shipped around 14 million iPhones in India in 2025, with its market share rising from 7 percent to 9 percent despite largely stagnant overall smartphone shipments. The article further noted that India plans to extend tax exemptions for foreign companies supplying production equipment and components to local manufacturers until 2041, addressing potential tax liabilities that could otherwise discourage Apple from expanding its Indian operations. It stated that Apple currently relies heavily on Foxconn and Tata Electronics for local manufacturing and aims to raise India’s share of global iPhone production to around 50 percent. However, the article emphasized that India’s incomplete supply chain, higher manufacturing costs and logistical disadvantages compared with China and Vietnam remain significant constraints. It also highlighted recent disruptions involving Tata Electronics, including a major data breach exposing sensitive iPhone 18 Pro supply chain information, as well as regulatory concerns over wastewater pollution and previous factory fires. The article also noted that manufacturing costs in India remain higher than in China and Vietnam due to an incomplete local supply chain and logistical disadvantages.