China

In a strategic move that underscores India’s growing role in the global minerals trade, Chhattisgarh has begun exporting copper to China, marking a significant milestone in the state’s industrial and export growth. The initiative reflects Chhattisgarh’s emerging importance as a hub for mineral production and value-added metal processing. With global demand for copper soaring amid the green energy transition, this development positions the state as a crucial player in the international supply chain.

Zydus Lifesciences Ltd has achieved a significant milestone with regulatory approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for its venlafaxine extended-release (ER) capsules in 75 mg and 150 mg strengths. The medication, used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and panic disorder (PD), marks Zydus’s first approved product in China.

At the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago lauded India and China for their decisive leadership in driving the global clean energy transformation. Emphasizing their influence on technology, affordability, and scale, he highlighted how the two Asian giants have become catalysts for worldwide renewable energy adoption.

China has temporarily lifted its export restrictions on critical minerals — gallium, germanium, and antimony — to the United States, signaling a cautious recalibration in its trade strategy. These minerals are essential for the production of semiconductors, electric vehicles, and defense technologies. The decision marks a significant development in the ongoing geopolitical and economic tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

China’s imports of steel and alloy pipes have witnessed a sharp rise in FY25, driven by accelerating investments in infrastructure, construction, and energy projects. The surge reflects the country’s growing reliance on high-quality industrial inputs to meet expanding domestic needs, particularly in sectors such as oil and gas, manufacturing, and urban development.

In a strategic move to capture growing demand for international travel, Thomas Cook India and its group company SOTC Travel have expanded their range of holiday packages to China, signaling renewed confidence in the country’s tourism potential. The expansion includes curated itineraries covering key destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, and Chengdu, aimed at both leisure and experiential travelers. This move comes as travel interest in East Asia rises sharply following the reopening of borders and the easing of visa procedures.

India is witnessing a sharp rise in fertiliser prices after China suspended exports of key raw materials and finished fertilisers, intensifying supply chain pressures. The move has triggered concerns among farmers, agribusinesses, and policymakers, as higher costs could affect crop input affordability and food production economics. Analysts highlight that India, a major importer of Chinese urea and phosphate derivatives, now faces the challenge of securing alternative sources while mitigating inflationary impact.

China has formally filed a complaint against India at the World Trade Organization (WTO), challenging recent trade measures implemented by New Delhi. The dispute centers on regulatory and tariff policies that China claims are discriminatory against Chinese exports, potentially affecting goods ranging from electronics to raw materials. India, citing national interests and domestic industry protection, maintains that its policies comply with WTO norms.

China’s Communist Party has convened a high-stakes meeting to outline its next five-year plan, marking a pivotal moment for the world’s second-largest economy as it grapples with slowing growth, rising U.S. tariffs, and a sweeping military purge. The upcoming policy roadmap, covering 2026–2030, is expected to prioritize technological self-reliance, national security, and high-quality growth over rapid expansion.

China, the world’s dominant producer of rare earth elements (REEs), has announced measures impacting global supply, fueling concerns over critical material availability for high-tech industries. Rare earths are essential for manufacturing electronics, electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense technologies. Analysts highlight that China’s policies—ranging from export quotas to environmental regulations—affect global supply chains, pricing, and industrial competitiveness. Countries dependent on these materials face potential shortages and strategic vulnerabilities.