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NEWS IN CHINA

• Han Zheng Attends China-Turkey Green Development Business Forum: Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz jointly attended the China-Turkey Green Development Business Forum in Istanbul, where both leaders highlighted the importance of deepening cooperation in green development and sustainable growth. In his speech, Han said China-Turkey relations have maintained steady development under the guidance of the two countries' leaders. He described Türkiye as an important economic and trade partner for China in West Asia and a key partner in Belt and Road cooperation. Han proposed three areas for closer cooperation: aligning green development strategies, expanding collaboration in renewable energy and green technologies, and strengthening coordination on global climate governance and other multilateral issues. Han said China hopes to use the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to expand green cooperation and share opportunities created by the global low-carbon transition. Yilmaz said green transformation is becoming a key driver of global economic change and praised China's achievements in green technology, renewable energy and electric vehicles.
  
  
• China Extends Suspension of Some US Trade Measures: China has decided to extend the suspension of several trade measures against the United States for another two months as both countries continue implementing agreements reached during recent economic and trade consultations. The move covers additional tariffs on US imports, special port fees, export control measures targeting 16 US entities, and restrictions on 11 companies listed under China's unreliable entity list. According to Chinese authorities, the decision is aimed at maintaining stability in bilateral economic and trade relations and creating a more predictable environment for businesses. China will continue suspending a 24 per cent additional tariff on certain US imports, while maintaining a separate 10 per cent tariff. Officials said the extension reflects the consensus reached during recent meetings between Chinese and US leaders. The announcement came as the United States also prolonged the suspension of some restrictions involving China, including measures related to the maritime sector and certain export control rules. Both sides agreed during a recent high-level video call to strengthen cooperation and properly manage differences.
  
  
• PLA Holds First Briefing on Fifth Plenum Spirit: The Chinese military held its first briefing session on studying and implementing the spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee in Beijing. Zhang Shengmin, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, met with members of the briefing team ahead of the event. During the meeting, Zhang said the Fifth Plenary Session was a significant gathering held at a crucial stage in China's modernisation process. He described the study and implementation of the plenum's spirit as an important political task for the military both now and in the coming years. He called on military personnel to thoroughly study the Party's guidance on Party building and the important speech delivered by Xi Jinping at the plenum. Zhang also urged members of the briefing team to explain the plenum's spirit clearly and effectively, drawing on the achievements of military reforms and Party governance in recent years. The briefing was conducted through a video conference system, and members of the team will later travel across the military to deliver further presentations.
  
  
• Trade Union Supports Workplace Childcare Services: The All-China Federation of Trade Unions  has allocated 7.5 million yuan to support 150 workplaces across the country that provide affordable childcare services for employees. The initiative aims to help working parents, particularly those with children under the age of three, balance their jobs and family responsibilities. The All-China Federation of Trade Unions provided the funding and worked with the National Health Commission to identify and recognise institutions offering childcare support. The selected organisations provide either full-day or half-day care services for employees' young children. Institutions receiving support include universities, hospitals, and private companies in different parts of China. The program is part of broader efforts to improve childcare availability and ease the burden on families with young children. According to the report, the two organisations have jointly recognised 450 childcare service providers nationwide since 2022. The trade union federation has allocated a total of 30 million yuan in subsidies to encourage more employers to establish childcare facilities or services for their workers. 
  
  
• NDRC Plans to Expand High School and Higher Education Opportunities: China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has announced plans to increase the number of places available in both regular high schools and higher education institutions to meet growing demand. Speaking on November 10, Huang Weiru, deputy director-general of the Department of Social Development under the NDRC, said that the imbalance between the supply of and demand for high school and university places is expected to become more noticeable during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. To address the issue, authorities will continue supporting the construction and improvement of high school facilities, including teaching buildings, dormitories, cafeterias, and sports grounds. These efforts are aimed at creating better learning environments and increasing the capacity of schools to admit more students.The NDRC also said it will support qualified regions in establishing a number of new research-oriented universities. 

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users Voice Concerns Over AI and Employment: A Weibo post discussing the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on employment sparked debate among Chinese netizens. The post referred to recent online discussion about AI-related layoffs and growing concerns that automation could reshape the job market in the years ahead. Many comments focused on the social and economic implications of rapid AI adoption. Some users argued that the real challenge is not technology itself but whether governments and businesses can adapt quickly enough to support workers affected by technological change. Others expressed anxiety about the speed of innovation, saying that advances in technology are making life feel increasingly stressful rather than easier. Several commenters also highlighted the economic incentives driving automation. Some suggested that companies may prefer AI systems because they can reduce labour-related costs, raising concerns about the future of employment and workers' rights. While many users acknowledged that technological progress is inevitable, they expressed concern about job security and whether social welfare and employment policies can keep pace with AI's rapid development

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Discusses Delhi's Severe Diwali Air Pollution After Diwali: An Article by Guancha said that India’s capital, Delhi, experienced its most severe Diwali-related air pollution in five years, drawing renewed attention to air quality management in the city. According to the article, Delhi recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 376 on Diwali day, the highest level during the festival period in the past five years. The article noted that concerns increased when a large number of air-quality monitoring stations temporarily stopped reporting data during the period of peak pollution. Of Delhi’s 59 monitoring stations, 36 were reported to have gone offline at one point overnight, leaving only 23 stations operating normally. Environmental experts cited by the article said the missing data coincided with a sharp rise in pollution levels, making it more difficult to assess the full extent of the situation. The article also highlighted differences between official pollution readings and figures reported by private monitoring platforms, although it noted that different calculation methods may partly explain the gap. Officials were reported to be reviewing the matter, while experts emphasized the importance of reliable monitoring systems for issuing timely health advisories and responding to air-quality challenges. 

Prepared By

Farhat Naz

Farhat Naz holds a postgraduate degree in International Relations and Political Science from the Central University of Kerala and a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Patna University. Her research interests include international security, great-power politics, geopolitical competition, South and West Asian affairs, conflict and peace studies, and the evolving international order.