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NEWS IN CHINA

• China Strengthens Market Mechanisms for Environmental Resource Allocation: The General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council have introduced a new guideline to enhance the market-based allocation of resources and environmental elements to advance the green transformation of its economy and society. The directive proposes extensive reforms, including the improvement of quota allocation systems, the expansion of tradable environmental elements, the strengthening of trading mechanisms, and the development of supporting infrastructure. By 2027, China aims to establish mature trading systems for carbon emission rights and water use rights, while refining mechanisms for the exchange of pollutant discharge rights. An official from the National Development and Reform Commission noted that although China faces constraints related to resource scarcity and environmental limits, it has made notable progress through market-oriented strategies. The guideline is expected to guide the efficient flow of environmental resources and support the emergence of green, high-quality, productive capacities.
  
  
• China Attends High-Level International Conference on Glaciers' Preservation: A Chinese delegation led by Shen Yueyue, vice chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, visited Tajikistan from Friday to Saturday to attend the High-Level International Conference on Glaciers' Preservation. During the visit, Shen met with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, held discussions with Faizali Idizoda, speaker of the lower house of parliament, and participated in the inauguration of the Health Express China-Tajikistan Blindness Prevention Center. Conveying greetings from President Xi Jinping, Shen emphasized the continued growth of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Tajikistan under the guidance of their respective heads of state. She affirmed China’s commitment to advancing the shared goals of a China-Tajikistan community with a shared future. President Rahmon, in turn, extended greetings to Xi Jinping and reaffirmed Tajikistan’s support for the Belt and Road Initiative and other major global initiatives proposed by China. He also expressed a strong willingness to enhance bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors and to collaborate on addressing global challenges such as climate change.
  
  
• CPC sends a delegation to the International Conference of Asian Political Parties: A delegation of the Communist Party of China, led by Sun Haiyan, vice minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, visited Russia from Wednesday to Friday to attend a meeting of the Standing Committee of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties and joined a forum on Eurasian cooperation hosted by the United Russia party. During the visit, Sun held discussions with Vladimir Yakushev, secretary of United Russia's General Council, focusing on enhancing exchanges between the ruling parties of China and Russia. Both parties emphasised the importance of implementing the strategic consensus reached by the leaders of their respective countries. Sun also conveyed key outcomes from the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs with Neighboring Countries, highlighting China’s approach to regional diplomacy and cooperative engagement.
  
  
• Chinese Vice Premier Calls for Reinforcement of Poverty Alleviation Strategy: Chinese Vice-Premier Liu Guozhong has called for rigorous efforts to consolidate the achievements of China’s poverty alleviation campaign and ensure a smooth shift to a regular assistance mechanism for rural areas. Speaking at a conference in Beijing, Liu emphasised the need to prevent any resurgence or emergence of large-scale poverty. Since declaring the eradication of absolute poverty in 2021, China has implemented a five-year transition period aimed at integrating poverty alleviation outcomes with broader rural revitalization efforts. With the transition period concluding this year, Liu urged enhanced measures, including refined screening and support mechanisms, stable employment for those lifted out of poverty, the strengthening of supportive industries, and improved management of long-term assets from assistance projects. As part of this initiative, eight eastern provincial regions signed assistance agreements with ten provinces in the west, reaffirming a national commitment to equitable development and rural sustainability.
  
  
• Dragon Boat Culture Celebrated Nationwide with a Festival in Beijing: On May 31, 2025, China marked the Dragon Boat Festival, or Duanwu Festival, a traditional holiday honoring the ancient poet Qu Yuan from the Warring States Period. The festival, observed on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, was celebrated with widespread cultural and sporting activities. Notably, this year’s festivities included the opening of the 2025 Beijing Grand Canal Dragon Boat Carnival, marking the first time a national-level dragon boat race was held in Beijing’s sub-center. The event featured 32 teams from across the country. According to He Yi, secretary-general of the Chinese Dragon Boat Association, more than 700 official races take place nationwide during the festival, alongside over 1,000 grassroots competitions organized by local communities.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

IShowSpeed’s Plans to Revisit China Spark Buzz of Excitement Amongst Netizens: IShowSpeed, the American YouTubing sensation renowned for his livestreaming and, recently, a visit to China, revealed his plans to visit the country again. For his previous visit, Chinese netizens lauded him for his active engagement with Chinese Culture and Citizens, crediting him for portraying China from a realistic sense to dismiss the distorted views held by the world of the country. During his encounter with a man from Chongqing in the UEFA finals, he highlighted his desire to visit Shaoxing and other cities. On Social Media, the netizens welcomed his proposal with open arms, as is exemplified by comments like "Aka Kou should definitely visit the famous West Lake in Hangzhou and try some of the local delicacies!” Additionally, the users reminisced about his previous encounter with a Chinese girl from Shaoxing, fanning flames of romance. They recommended places for him to visit, such as Wuhan, Xi’an, and Xinjiang, and suggested different activities to pursue and cuisines to try out while in China. The netizens hailed his previous visit as a bridging experience for the world and China, and lauded what was considered citizen-to-citizen diplomacy.

INDIA WATCH

Global Times reports Indian Acknowledgement of Downed Fighter Jets: The article reports that India, for the first time, officially acknowledged the loss of fighter jets in its recent clash with Pakistan, with Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan confirming it in an interview with Bloomberg during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. CDS Chauhan did not specify the number of jets lost. Pakistan, according to Dawn, claimed to have downed six Indian jets, including three Rafales, an assertion CDS Chauhan dismissed as factually inaccurate. He highlighted that the Indian Air Force had quickly addressed the situation and resumed operations within two days, executing long-range strikes. The article mentions how CDS Chauhan also rejected the American suggestion that a nuclear conflict was narrowly avoided, calling the idea far-fetched.

Prepared By

Iklavya Dev

Iklavya is currently a Second Year student pursuing undergraduate degrees in Multimedia Communication and Political Science from K.C. College, Mumbai and Indira Gandhi National Open University respectively. He is deeply interested in the realms of Public Policy, Governance and International Relations, and aspires to broaden his horizons in the same through interactive working experiences and research. His research work includes various subjects ranging from Indian Foreign Policy and Defence Studies to Social Issues and Constitutional Law.