India-China Relations
Chinese Military Expresses Readiness to Work with India for Border Peace
On April 9, Chinese military spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang stated that China is prepared to work with India to maintain peace and tranquillity in border areas. Speaking at a press conference, Zhang emphasized the importance of implementing the consensus reached by the two countries' leaders and strengthening strategic mutual trust. The statement comes as China and India mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Zhang highlighted the shared interests of the two nations as major developing countries and members of the Global South. Click here to read...
China Issues 85,000 Visas to Indians by April 9, Eases Rules to Encourage Travel
The Chinese Embassy and Consulates in India have issued over 85,000 visas to Indian citizens, till 9 April 2025. The move is part of Beijing’s broader effort to boost people-to-people exchanges, with Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong publicly welcoming more Indian visitors. Recent visa process relaxations include scrapping mandatory online appointments, faster processing, reduced visa fees, and biometric exemptions for short-term travel. The steps follow the resumption of direct India-China flights earlier this year after nearly five years. Click here to read...
Geopolitical and Diplomatic Developments
China Vows to Counter U.S. Tariffs, Says It Won’t Flinch in Trade War
China will not back down in the face of a trade and tariff war, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on April 10, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose more tariffs on Chinese imports. Lin stated that necessary countermeasures are essential to safeguard China's sovereignty, security, development interests, and the multilateral trading system. He emphasized that China will defend its rights and resist what it sees as U.S. unilateralism and economic bullying. Click here to read...
U.S. Arms Sales Won’t Hinder China’s Reunification Efforts: Defense Spokesperson
A Chinese military spokesperson stated that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, including the delivery of an F-16V fighter jet and plans to supply 65 more by 2026, will not alter the military balance across the Taiwan Strait or obstruct China's reunification. The spokesperson criticized the U.S. for violating the one-China principle and interfering in China’s internal affairs. The PLA will continue to strengthen training and readiness to counter "Taiwan independence" and foreign interference. Click here to read...
Military and Security Updates
Xi Signs Order to Enforce Revised Military Drug Administration Law
Chinese President and CMC Chairman Xi Jinping has signed an order to release revised guidelines on drug administration in the Chinese armed forces. The document, jointly issued by the State Council and the Central Military Commission, will take effect on June 1. It aims to strengthen military drug reserves, ensure stable medicine supply, improve pharmaceutical use, and enhance supervision and safety. The updated guidelines introduce new measures for risk management and prevention of illegal activities in military drug handling. Click here to read...
Top PLA General He Weidong Removed Amid Xi Jinping’s Ongoing Military Purge
General He Weidong, vice-chair of China’s Central Military Commission and the PLA’s second-ranked officer, has been removed from his post, marking the most high-profile ousting in President Xi Jinping’s military anti-corruption campaign. He, also a member of the Communist Party’s politburo, had been absent from key official events in recent weeks. His dismissal, reportedly linked to alleged corruption, follows the suspension of another CMC member, Miao Hua. This is the first removal of a serving CMC vice-chair since 1967. Click here to read...
Economic and Trade Trends
China Engages EU, ASEAN to Bolster Trade Ties Amid Escalating U.S. Tariff Pressures
As trade tensions with the United States intensify, China is stepping up diplomatic efforts with the European Union and ASEAN to strengthen economic ties. Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic agreed to begin immediate negotiations on electric vehicle pricing and investment cooperation. The talks also included market access and a resumption of the trade remedy dialogue. These developments come after recent high-level meetings and follow the EU’s tariff hikes on Chinese EVs last October. Click here to read...
Chinese Exporters Scramble to Offset Triple-Digit U.S. Tariffs Amid Trade War Escalation
Chinese exporters are raising prices for U.S. consumers and diversifying operations to cope with newly imposed U.S. tariffs, which have reached up to 145%. The tariffs have already caused some American companies to halt imports, particularly in the textile sector, and are expected to slash China’s exports to the U.S. by 80% over two years. Chinese manufacturers are accelerating moves to Southeast Asia and other regions, while Beijing shifts focus to domestic consumption. Analysts warn of significant economic fallout and uncertainty, though some predict a potential U.S.-China deal in the near future. Click here to read...
China Slaps 84% Tariffs on U.S. Goods
On April 9, 2025, China announced 84% tariffs on U.S. goods in direct response to President Trump’s increased levies, raising the total U.S. tariff burden on Chinese goods to 104%. China’s measures include export controls on 12 American firms and the blacklisting of six more U.S. companies. Beijing also filed a complaint with the WTO, calling U.S. actions a violation of global trade norms. Despite global market volatility, both sides show no signs of backing down. Click here to read...
Technology and Innovation
China Launches New Communication Technology Test Satellite
China launched a new communication technology test satellite into space early on April 11 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in Sichuan Province. The satellite, sent aboard a Long March-3B rocket at 12:47 a.m. Beijing Time, successfully entered its planned orbit. It will be used to conduct multi-band and high-speed communication technology validation tests. This marks the 569th mission of the Long March carrier rocket series. Click here to read...
Beijing Targets Full-Scale 5G Integration by 2027
Beijing aims to achieve widespread 5G application and integration across industries by the end of 2027, according to a three-year action plan released by local authorities. The plan targets full 5G penetration among individual users, 75% of network traffic via 5G, and 45% adoption by large industrial enterprises. Infrastructure upgrades will include 70 5G and 5G-A base stations per 10,000 residents, with over 35,000 new or upgraded stations. The initiative will support 5G-driven innovations in areas such as smart robots, cloud devices, extended reality, and autonomous driving, as well as establish 400 "5G smart hospitals." Click here to read...
Internal Politics and Policy Shifts
Taiwan Charges Chinese Ship Captain for Damaging Undersea Cables
For the first time, Taiwan has charged a Chinese ship captain with intentionally damaging undersea cables off its southwestern coast. The captain of the Hong Tai 58, a Togo-registered vessel with a Chinese crew, was accused of dropping anchor near a submarine cable in February, causing damage. The incident follows growing concerns in Taiwan over an increase in undersea cable disruptions amid ongoing cross-strait tensions. Click here to read...
Key Readings & Reports
Report Highlights Global Impact of Rising Chinese Multinationals
A new report titled "The Rise of Chinese Multinationals" outlines how Chinese companies are becoming dominant players in international markets, especially across emerging economies linked to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), BRICS+, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Drawing from interviews with leaders of 30 major Western multinationals and a decade of client insights, the report finds Chinese competition to be "abnormal", marked by low pricing and state backing. It explores how these firms gain market share, the political and economic factors behind their rise, and strategic responses available to Western corporations. Click here to read...
