Daily Conversations Daily Conversations

NEWS IN CHINA 

• Xi Jinping Highlights Grand Canal's Enduring Legacy in Zhejiang: On September 20, 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited the East Zhejiang Canal Cultural Park in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, underscoring his dedication to preserving China's rich historical and cultural heritage. This inspection highlights the central government's commitment to revitalizing significant cultural sites and weaving them into contemporary national development. During his visit to the Zhejiang East Canal Museum, Xi Jinping examined both historical and modern canal infrastructure, including the Cao'e River Gate, a project initiated under his leadership.
  
  
• China Issues Comprehensive Guidelines to Enhance Public Well-Being: China has released comprehensive new guidelines aimed at significantly enhancing public well-being through more equitable and accessible public services. Jointly issued by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, the document prioritizes support for vulnerable populations and improving foundational services. A key measure outlined is the provision of social insurance subsidies to eligible university graduates and individuals facing employment difficulties, offering a crucial safety net. In the education sector, ambitious plans are underway to construct or expand over 1,000 high-quality general high schools. This initiative specifically targets improving foundational educational conditions in county-level areas, ensuring broader access to quality education. The guidelines also emphasize the need for stronger interdepartmental coordination to effectively implement these vital welfare policies, reinforcing China's continued commitment to people-centered governance.
  
  
• China's Exports Rise 6.3% in May; Trade with Africa Hits Record High: China's foreign trade exports saw a robust 6.3 percent year-on-year increase in May, reaching 2.28 trillion yuan (approximately $318 billion), as announced by the General Administration of Customs. For the first five months of 2025, the total value of goods trade hit 17.94 trillion yuan ($2.5 trillion), representing a 2.5 percent annual growth. In May alone, the overall trade value climbed 2.7 percent to 3.81 trillion yuan ($530 billion). Trade with key partners demonstrated strong momentum. Exports to the ASEAN bloc surged by 16.9 percent, while those to the European Union rose by 13.7 percent. Notably, China-Africa trade reached an unprecedented 963.2 billion yuan (over $134 billion) in the January-May period, marking a significant 12.4 percent increase. Exports to Africa alone recorded a substantial 20.2 percent rise, with a remarkable 35.3 percent spike in May. Foreign-invested enterprises played a crucial role in this growth, contributing 29 percent of the nation’s total trade. High-tech exports also remained strong, with shipments of electric vehicles increasing by 19 percent and industrial robot exports soaring by 55.4 percent.
  
  
• Premier Li Emphasizes Reform to Accelerate Tech Achievement Transformation: Premier Li Qiang recently chaired the 14th Special Study Session of the State Council, emphasizing the critical need to deepen reforms that accelerate the transformation of scientific and technological achievements into tangible industrial development. The session focused on bridging the gap between innovation and industrial needs, aiming to resolve bottlenecks and boost the commercialization of research. Premier Li underscored the importance of optimizing evaluation systems to better reflect the real value of scientific and technological advancements in economic and social development. He also stressed the need to strengthen the leading role of enterprises in innovation, encouraging qualified firms to spearhead or participate in national sci-tech projects and collaborate closely with universities and research institutions. This collaboration, he noted, is vital for jointly tackling industrial challenges and facilitating the continuous iteration and upgrading of independently developed technologies through large-scale application. The Premier called for streamlining the entire process, from research and development (R&D) to widespread application, and supporting the large-scale adoption of new technologies. He further urged the improvement of incentives, financial support, and public science service platforms to cultivate a more robust and dynamic innovation ecosystem.
  
  
• Ministry of National Defense Condemns U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan: China's Ministry of National Defense on June 9 condemned recent reports detailing expanded U.S. arms shipments to Taiwan, specifically mentioning the delivery of M1A2 tanks and an increased presence of U.S. military personnel. Colonel Jiang Bin, spokesperson for the Ministry, criticized both the United States and Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, stating that their actions are escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait. He asserted that such moves infringe upon China’s core interests, undermine regional stability, and constitute a deliberate provocation despite Beijing's repeated opposition. Reiterating China’s consistent stance, Colonel Jiang emphasized that the Taiwan issue remains the most sensitive matter in China-U.S. relations. He urged Washington to cease all forms of military collusion with Taiwan, warning that any reliance on foreign powers for "Taiwan independence" is "destined to fail." The spokesperson affirmed that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) will continue to enhance its combat readiness, improve its capacity to win wars, and resolutely oppose all separatist activities and foreign interference.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER 

Pop Mart’s Labubu Plush Sparks Banking Buzz: A recent marketing initiative by Ping An Bank offering Pop Mart’s Labubu plush collectibles as a reward for new account holders has ignited widespread discussion across Chinese social media platforms, particularly RedNote. The campaign targeted young customers by promising limited-edition Labubu blind boxes to those who opened savings accounts with deposits exceeding ¥50,000 for at least three months. But the plush-driven promotion raised concerns. One viral post with over 1,100 likes showed a user excitedly rushing to a Sichuan branch to claim the toy: “Money has to be saved somewhere, and I couldn’t pass up a free collectible!” Yet the buzz didn’t last long. Some users reported that regulators stepped in, warning banks against using improper incentives to boost deposits. This follows increasing scrutiny amid growing concern over gimmicky banking tactics in a slowing economy. As noted by Shen Meng of Chanson & Co., such promotional tactics are unlikely to ensure long-term customer retention. 

INDIA’S WATCH 

India-France Defence Ties Deepen as Rafale Fuselage to Be Built in Hyderabad, SCMP reports: For the first time, France’s Dassault Aviation will manufacture Rafale fighter jet fuselages outside its home country, through a deal with India’s Tata Group, the South China Morning Post reported. The production will take place at a new facility in Hyderabad and is being viewed as a major boost for India’s ambitions to localise defence manufacturing amid mounting pressure to modernise its air force. The report highlighted that the facility will begin operations by 2028, with plans to produce up to two fuselages a month. These components will be used both domestically and for international exports. The article further noted that the Indian Air Force currently operates 36 Rafales and recently signed a US$7 billion agreement to acquire 26 more naval variants from France, with delivery expected by 2030. The development comes days after India’s Air Chief Marshal warned of serious delays in defence procurement, especially as tensions with Pakistan re-emerge. Analysts see the move as a critical milestone in India’s drive to reduce dependence on foreign arms and build long-term self-reliance in fighter aircraft manufacturing. 

Prepared By

Aastha Pandey

Aastha is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Political Science at Amity University, Noida. She holds a Bachelor's degree in the same discipline from the University of Delhi, Dyal Singh College. Additionally, she has completed a diploma in International Relations and Affairs, further strengthening her academic foundation. Aastha is the Co-founder of Mudra by Aashi, a socially conscious fashion brand that actively supports animal welfare. Her commitment to social causes is also reflected in her experience interning with Saarthi NGO and volunteering as a COVID-19 relief coordinator. Deeply passionate about Asian geopolitics, She aspires to contribute to ORCA by writing insightful, research-driven newsletters that reflect her academic rigour and dedication to international affairs.