On 17 February 2026, the Enforcement Directorate imposed a ₹184 crore FEMA penalty on NewsClick and its founder Prabir Purkayastha, ₹120 crore on the company and ₹64 crore personally, over alleged violations linked to foreign investment and remittances. The portal has faced ED and Delhi Police investigations, including a 2023 UAPA case, over irregular foreign funding, with agencies claiming the funds were used to promote narratives against India’s security interests. The matter remains under legal scrutiny.

NewsClick and its founder have been under sustained investigation since 2020 over alleged violations of FEMA, FDI norms, and UAPA provisions. Chargesheets and enforcement actions have alleged irregular foreign funding including China-linked inflows, with claims that portions were routed toward protest-related activities connected to the 2020 Delhi riots. An April 2024 chargesheet alleged links between Purkayastha and banned outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba – claims subject to judicial determination.

About NewsClick

NewsClick is a New Delhi-based digital news portal founded in 2009 by Prabir Purkayastha, an engineer-turned-activist born in 1949 who studied at universities in Calcutta, Allahabad, and JNU. The owning entity is PPK NewsClick Studio Private Limited, with Purkayastha and Subodh Varma listed as directors. It operates as a multilingual platform in English, Hindi, and Marathi and is affiliated with DIGIPUB, a coalition of digital news organisations. Investigative agencies have accused the organisation of receiving foreign funds in violation of Indian law, publishing anti-India content, and targeting government institutions, security agencies, and national policies through narratives aligned with foreign interests.

#1 26 August 2020 – First FIR: EOW Registers Foreign Funding Case

The Economic Offences Wing of Delhi Police registered an FIR against PPK NewsClick Studio Pvt. Ltd. on 26 August 2020, under IPC Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), and 120B (criminal conspiracy), accusing the company of violating FDI norms and causing losses to the government exchequer.

The Enforcement Directorate simultaneously raided NewsClick’s offices and directors’ residences over alleged foreign remittances totalling ₹30.51 crore including ₹9.59 crore shown as FDI from U.S.-based Worldwide Media Holdings LLC in 2018 and ₹20.92 crore recorded as payments for “export of services.” Entities under scrutiny included Justice & Education Fund Inc (₹19.76 crore – the largest tranche), Tricontinental Ltd Inc, G Span LLC (USA), and Centro Popular Demidas of Brazil.

#2 July 2021 – Delhi High Court Grants Purkayastha Interim Arrest Protection

The Delhi High Court granted interim protection from arrest to Prabir Purkayastha in July 2021 in connection with the foreign funding case arising from the August 2020 FIR filed by Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing. The protection was granted while Purkayastha’s legal challenge to the FIR remained pending before the court. NewsClick simultaneously filed a petition seeking quashing of the EOW FIR, contending that the entire case was malafide and that the allegations of FDI and foreign exchange violations were legally unsustainable. The case continued to be litigated even as agency investigations continued to expand in scope and seriousness over the following years.

#3 5 August 2023 – NYT Report Links NewsClick to Neville Roy Singham’s China-Backed Network

An investigative report by The New York Times published on August 5, 2023 revealed that NewsClick had received funding from the network of U.S.-based businessman Neville Roy Singham to promote Chinese government narratives in India. The report stated: “In New Delhi, corporate filings show, Mr. Singham’s network financed a news site, NewsClick, that sprinkled its coverage with Chinese government talking points.” Among the narratives cited was the claim that “China’s history continues to inspire the working classes.” The NYT report triggered immediate political and institutional scrutiny in India, with the findings subsequently cited in parliamentary discussions and used by Delhi Police to justify further investigative action against the organisation and its associates.

#4 3 October 2023 – UAPA Arrests: Purkayastha and Chakravarty Held in 100-Location Raid

Delhi Police’s Special Cell executed coordinated raids at nearly 100 locations across Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and other cities on 3 October 2023, targeting NewsClick’s office and the residences of over 70 journalists, ex-employees, contributors, and consultants. Founder Prabir Purkayastha and HR head Amit Chakravarty were arrested under UAPA Sections 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 38, 39, and 40 along with IPC Sections 153A and 120B. The FIR alleged China-routed funds via shell companies funded the 2020 Delhi riots, farmers’ protests, legal aid to Chinese firms including Vivo, and disinformation campaigns on COVID-19 and elections. Devices including phones and laptops were seized. Among locations raided was the residence of comedian Sanjay Rajoura – a past NewsClick contributor who had faced a police complaint in 2020 for mocking Hindu deities.

#5 30 April 2024 – Chargesheet Alleges Purkayastha’s Links with Lashkar-e-Taiba

Delhi Police’s Special Cell filed a chargesheet on April 30, 2024 alleging that NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha had active associations with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) – a Pakistan-based terrorist organisation banned under Indian law. The chargesheet stated that Purkayastha had provided financial assistance to LeT operatives. It further alleged that Purkayastha led a coordinated disinformation campaign under the pretext of organising protests against the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), using NewsClick’s editorial platform as a vehicle. The charges are presently subject to judicial examination. Purkayastha has contested all allegations against him. These remain among the most serious accusations in the case pending before the courts.

#6 22 May 2024 – Chargesheet Alleges China-Backed Funds Routed to Delhi Riots Accused

Delhi Police’s May 2024 chargesheet alleged direct financial and editorial links between NewsClick and individuals accused in the 2020 Delhi riots. It claimed ₹36 lakh was routed to Sharjeel Imam, who faces sedition charges, for riot incitement, along with payments to SFI activists for CAA protest activities. The chargesheet cited witness statements alleging that NewsClick employee Anand Mangnale transferred funds to Imam and other riot-linked figures. Investigators characterised NewsClick’s editorial coverage of Shaheen Bagh, the riots, and anti-CAA protests as consistently aligning with individuals accused in riot conspiracy cases. Alleged links between Mangnale and George Soros-connected networks via Congress were also cited in the chargesheet.

#7 May 2024 – Supreme Court Invalidates Arrests on Procedural Grounds

The Supreme Court of India in May 2024 invalidated the October 2023 arrests of Prabir Purkayastha and Amit Chakravarty, ruling that Delhi Police had failed to furnish copies of the FIR and written grounds of arrest to the accused’s lawyers within the mandatory 24-hour period – a procedural requirement under the UAPA framework. The court’s ruling was on the narrow ground of procedural non-compliance and did not constitute a finding on the substantive allegations in the chargesheet. Purkayastha was subsequently released. The Supreme Court’s order was widely celebrated by left-liberal media as a vindication of NewsClick, though the criminal and enforcement cases against the organisation and its founder continue before the appropriate courts.

#8 17 February 2026 – ED Imposes ₹184 Crore FEMA Penalty

The Enforcement Directorate on 17 February 2026 imposed a total penalty of ₹184 crore on NewsClick and its founder-editor Prabir Purkayastha for violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Of the total, ₹120 crore has been levied on PPK NewsClick Studio Private Limited, the company that owns and operates the portal, while ₹64 crore has been imposed personally on Purkayastha. The penalty order followed enforcement findings that the portal and its editor contravened foreign exchange rules governing foreign investment and remittances. This is among the most significant FEMA penalty orders passed against a media organisation in India. NewsClick and Purkayastha are expected to contest the penalty order before the appropriate tribunal.

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The post The NewsClick Files: China Funding, UAPA Arrests, And A ₹184 Crore ED Penalty appeared first on The Commune.

Between October 2024 and January 2026, Bangladesh witnessed a rapid deepening of engagement with China across political, economic, cultural, and military domains.

Following the change of power in Dhaka, a series of high-level meetings, defence procurements, infrastructure projects, cultural initiatives, and political interactions signalled a marked expansion of the China–Bangladesh relationship.

In this report, we take a look at 19 significant incidents that collectively illustrate the breadth and pace of this evolving nexus, based on official statements and media reports.

#1 Chinese Ambassador Meets Jamaat-e-Islami Chief – 12 January 2026  

On 12 January 2026, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman at the party’s office in Dhaka’s Bashundhara area. The meeting focused on strengthening party-to-party relations, expanding political exchanges, and enhancing overall China–Bangladesh ties. Accompanied by senior embassy officials, the Ambassador discussed cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership framework. Both sides reportedly agreed to deepen engagement across multiple sectors, presenting the interaction as cordial and constructive, and signalling Beijing’s growing outreach to influential Islamist political actors in Bangladesh.

#2 Chinese Literature Readers Club Launched in Dhaka – 26 December 

On 26 December 2025, the Chinese Literature Readers Club was inaugurated at the Apon Friendship Exchange Center in Baridhara, Dhaka, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of India–Bangladesh diplomatic relations. Officials from the Chinese Embassy and China Media Group jointly launched the initiative to promote Chinese literature in Bangla translation. Writers and publishers highlighted cultural exchange as a tool for long-term influence, with speakers stressing translation, folk narratives, and publishing collaborations as entry points for strengthening people-to-people and cultural ties between China and Bangladesh.

#3 CEAB–BCCCI Dialogue on Trade Disputes – 25 November 2025

A high-level meeting between the Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI) and the Chinese Enterprise Association in Bangladesh (CEAB) took place on November 25, 2025. Discussions focused on removing trade barriers, reviving struggling industrial units through joint ventures, and resolving disputes via a proposed Joint Working Group. Bangladeshi representatives emphasised textiles as a priority sector, while both sides underlined legal and institutional mechanisms to smooth Chinese investment operations, reflecting growing economic interdependence.

#4 Bangladesh Approves Purchase of SY-400 Missile System – 2 November 2025

On 2 November 2025, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Defence approved the procurement of China’s SY-400 surface-to-surface missile system under the Forces Goal 2030 programme. The decision marked a significant upgrade in Bangladesh’s strike capability, with the system featuring long-range precision, rapid mobility, and high-speed strike potential. Defence analysts noted that the acquisition underscored Dhaka’s increasing reliance on Chinese military hardware and deepening defence cooperation with Beijing.

#5 China Pledges Support Against U.S. Tariffs – 29 July 2025

Speaking at a discussion organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association in Dhaka, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen stated that China would assist Bangladesh in addressing the impact of U.S. tariffs. He described the tariffs as coercive and contrary to WTO principles. The Ambassador also proposed trilateral cooperation involving China, Bangladesh, and Pakistan to safeguard regional sovereignty and economic development, positioning Beijing as a strategic counterweight to Western trade pressure.

#6 Chinese Investments Create 550,000 Jobs – 4 June 2025 

On 4 June 2025, the President of the Chinese Enterprise Association in Bangladesh stated that Chinese firms had invested over $11 billion in Bangladesh since 2016, generating approximately 550,000 jobs. Investments spanned power, transport, water, and digital sectors, with Chinese companies accounting for a majority share of private power generation capacity. The statement reinforced China’s role as Bangladesh’s largest foreign investor and a central driver of its infrastructure-led growth.

#7 Muhammad Yunus Calls China Partnership a ‘Strategic Moment’ – 1 June 2025 

At the China–Bangladesh Investment and Trade Conference in Dhaka, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus urged Chinese investors to participate in Bangladesh’s transformation at what he termed a strategic moment. He said he had personally requested President Xi Jinping to encourage Chinese investment. Chinese officials reaffirmed support for enhancing export capacity and integrated trade, highlighting the convergence of Bangladesh’s development agenda with Chinese economic outreach.

#8 New MoU Strengthens Textile Cooperation – 1 June 2025 

On the same day as the above event, an MoU was signed between Chinese and Bangladeshi textile industry bodies to deepen cooperation in apparel and textile manufacturing. The agreement focused on joint exhibitions, trade promotion, and sustainable innovation. Signed during a high-level Chinese delegation’s visit, the MoU reflected China’s growing role in Bangladesh’s export-oriented textile sector and its efforts to integrate Bangladeshi manufacturing into Chinese-linked supply chains.

#9 Bangladesh Begins Mango Exports to China – 28 May 2025 

Bangladesh announced its first-ever mango exports to China, with 50 tons scheduled for shipment in 2025. Officials said discussions with Chinese authorities were finalised to open the market. The initiative was presented as part of a broader push to diversify agricultural exports, with China emerging as a key destination. The move highlighted expanding trade ties beyond infrastructure and industry into agriculture.

#10 Missile and Air Defence Talks With China – 13 May 2025 

Senior Bangladeshi army officials met representatives of China Vanguard Co. Ltd to discuss acquiring advanced air defence systems, including HQ-17AE and FK-3 missiles and radar platforms. The talks aimed to modernise Bangladesh’s air defence network, with additional discussions on portable missile systems for naval use. The engagement pointed to deepening military-technical cooperation with China.

#11 Chinese Envoy Promotes Beijing’s Development Model – 11 May 2025 

At a readers’ forum on “Xi Jinping: The Governance of China,” Ambassador Yao Wen suggested Bangladesh could draw lessons from China’s modernization model. He argued that modernization need not follow Western pathways and highlighted similarities between Chinese governance ideas and Bangladesh’s development vision. Political leaders from multiple parties attended, reflecting China’s outreach across Bangladesh’s political spectrum.

#12 Reaffirmation of 50-Year Water Management Plan – 20 April 2025 

During a meeting at the state guest house Jamuna, Bangladesh and China reaffirmed plans for a long-term water management master plan, including work on the Teesta River. Proposals also included Chinese-backed healthcare projects. The meeting highlighted strategic infrastructure and resource cooperation, positioning China as a long-term development partner.

#13 $2.1 Billion Investment Deal Signed in Beijing – 28 March 2025 

Bangladesh secured $2.1 billion in Chinese investment, loans, and grants during an official visit to Beijing. The funds were allocated primarily for infrastructure, energy, and digital projects, with a mix of low-interest loans and direct investment. The agreement provided a significant boost to bilateral economic ties and supported Bangladesh’s foreign exchange position.

#14 China Calls Itself Bangladesh’s ‘Most Trustworthy Partner’ – 10 March 2025 

At a dinner hosted by a senior Bangladeshi political leader, Ambassador Yao Wen described China as Bangladesh’s most reliable partner. The event followed a multi-party Bangladeshi delegation’s visit to China. Participants shared experiences of Chinese hospitality, underscoring Beijing’s efforts to build goodwill across political, academic, and media circles.

#15 China Pledges 1,000-Bed Friendship Hospital – 20-24 January 2025 

During an official visit to China, Bangladesh’s foreign affairs adviser requested medical cooperation for Bangladeshi patients. China agreed to designate hospitals for Bangladeshi nationals and pledged support for a 1,000-bed Bangladesh–China Friendship Hospital in Dhaka. The commitment marked a significant expansion of bilateral cooperation in healthcare.

#16 China Agrees to Ease BRI Loan Terms – 21 January 2025  

China verbally agreed to ease the terms of Belt and Road Initiative loans to Bangladesh by reducing interest rates and extending repayment periods. The assurance came amid discussions on infrastructure financing, healthcare cooperation, and data sharing. Analysts viewed the move as an effort to sustain Chinese projects while addressing debt sustainability concerns.

#17 China-Funded Padma Bridge Rail Link Inaugurated – 24 December 2024 

Bangladesh inaugurated the China-funded Padma Bridge Rail Link, the country’s largest railway project. Built under the Belt and Road Initiative, the 170-kilometre line significantly reduced travel time between Dhaka and southwestern regions. The project symbolised China’s central role in Bangladesh’s transport infrastructure development.

#18 Chinese Naval Ships Visit Bangladesh – 12 October 2024 

Two Chinese naval vessels arrived at Chattogram port on a goodwill visit, marking the first such visit in four years and the first by a foreign fleet after the interim government assumed power. The visit underscored growing maritime and defence ties between the two countries.

#19 China Backs Bangladesh’s Political Shift – 10 October 2024

China publicly welcomed the student-led protests in Bangladesh that resulted in the collapse of the previous government, signalling its support for the country’s political transition. During a meeting with representatives of the protest movement, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen praised the “courage and wisdom” shown by students who spearheaded the unrest. Some of these representatives have since assumed roles in the interim administration headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Beijing’s remarks were viewed as an endorsement of the transitional process in Bangladesh.

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The post From Missiles To Madrassas: How China Is Expanding Its Footprint In Bangladesh appeared first on The Commune.

On 4 December 2025, Chinese authorities detained educationist Chogtrul Dorje Tenzin, an action that led to the closure of the Minthang Ethnic Vocational School, an institution widely regarded for its role in preserving Tibetan language and cultural traditions. Following the shutdown, students were transferred to state-run boarding schools where instruction is conducted primarily in Mandarin, effectively bringing Tibetan-medium education at the school to an end.

A 2024 report by the Tibetan government-in-exile highlighted a sharp decline in enrolment in Tibetan-medium schools, with student numbers falling from 23,684 in 2012 to 13,035 in 2024. The report attributed the drop to a combination of migration, demographic shifts, and policy changes affecting education.

In this report, we look at 15 incidents between 2014 and 2025 that illustrate the expansion of state control over Tibetan education, including the systematic promotion of Mandarin-language instruction and the phased removal of Tibetan-medium schooling across the region.

#1 China Detained Tibetan Educator and Shut Down Minthang School in Tibet – 4 December 2025 – Golog Prefecture, Tibetan region

Chinese authorities detained educationist Chogtrul Dorje Tenzin, head of Minthang Monastery and the Minthang Ethnic Vocational School. Following his detention, the school, respected since 2010 for preserving Tibetan language, arts, and traditional knowledge, was shut down. Students were compelled to move to Mandarin-based state-run boarding schools, effectively ending Tibetan-medium education at the institution. Chogtrul Dorje Tenzin’s growing influence as both a Buddhist teacher and a cultural educator has long drawn the attention of Chinese authorities, who are increasingly intolerant of independent Tibetan educational initiatives. The closure dismantled a key institution preserving Tibetan language and cultural knowledge, reducing access to Tibetan-medium learning and weakening the transmission of traditional and monastic-linked education.

#2 Mass Forcible Placement of Tibetan Children in Chinese-Run Boarding Schools – 12 July 2025 – Tibet (including Amdo and Kham regions)

A report revealed that nearly one million Tibetan children have been forcibly placed in Chinese administration-run boarding schools, including approximately 100,000 preschoolers aged 4-6 and around 900,000 children and adolescents aged 6-18. These institutions separate children from their families, restrict Tibetan language use, and impose political indoctrination that undermines Tibetan cultural identity. The system suppresses Tibetan-medium learning, disrupts cultural and linguistic transmission across all age groups, and accelerates assimilation by prioritising Mandarin instruction and state-directed ideological teaching.

#3 Chinese Authorities Intensify Restrictions on Tibetan Monastic Education in Amdo – 20 March 2025 – Amdo region (Qinghai)

Chinese authorities imposed strict bans on minors in monasteries, dismantled monastic schools, and placed surveillance personnel to monitor monk activities. Over 1,000 young monks were forcibly removed from the two Kirti Monasteries and transferred to government-run schools, where they underwent months of political indoctrination. Students who resisted faced detentions, and several removed from Muge Monastery attempted suicide due to abuse. These measures severely weaken monastic learning, block religious training for minors, and accelerate cultural assimilation by replacing Tibetan Buddhist education with state-controlled, Mandarin-based instruction.

#4 China Expands Patriotic Education Campaign and Curtails Tibetan-Language Instruction in Schools – Late February-March 2025 – Multiple Tibetan regions, including Ngaba, Kardze, Malho, Sangchu, Barkham, Chabcha, and Lhasa

As schools reopened, Chinese authorities escalated patriotic education by requiring loyalty pledges, banning all religious activity, and enforcing strict surveillance of teachers. A new directive titled “Two Absolute Prohibitions and Five Strictly Forbidden Items” explicitly forbids any religious practice or symbolism in schools. Tibetan-language instruction is being reduced or eliminated, major subjects are shifting entirely to Chinese, and many Tibetan language teachers have been dismissed. These policies hasten the dismantling of Tibetan-language learning, suppress cultural and religious expression, and deepen assimilation through a fully Chinese-dominated education system.

#5 China Imposes New Restrictions on Tibetan Children During Winter Break – Beginning 30 December 2024 – Lhasa, Golog (Qinghai), Dzoge, Ngaba, Kardze, and other Tibetan regions

With the start of winter break, students were prohibited from receiving Tibetan-language tutoring or taking any lessons outside state-approved content. In regions such as Dzoge and Ngaba, children were also forbidden from wearing Tibetan religious symbols or participating in religious activities, and parents were barred from taking them to monasteries. All non-state-approved academic teaching was strictly prohibited. These restrictions further suppress Tibetan-language learning, prevent cultural and religious participation among children, and advance assimilation by mandating Mandarin proficiency and political indoctrination in place of Tibetan cultural education.

#6 China Intensifies Sinicization in Tibet with Military Control at Larung Gar and Plans to Eliminate Tibetan from College Entrance Exams – 20-30 December 2024 – Larung Gar Buddhist Academy, eastern Tibet

China stationed approximately 400 troops at Larung Gar, imposed strict residency limits on monks and nuns, and ordered Chinese students to leave the academy. Simultaneously, authorities advanced plans to remove Tibetan from college entrance exams and expanded Mandarin-only education, further restricting Tibetan cultural and religious expression. Eliminating Tibetan from key exams and enforcing Mandarin instruction undermine Tibetan-language learning and accelerate assimilation, weakening the survival of Tibetan cultural and educational traditions.

#7 China Shuts Down Lhamo Kirti Monastery School and Transfers Students to State-Run Residential Schools – November 2024 – Sichuan province, including Lhamo Kirti Monastery

Chinese authorities forcibly transferred around 200 students from the Lhamo Kirti Monastery school to state-administered residential schools, following the complete shutdown of the monastic institution. Four Tibetan youths who resisted the transfer were detained, subjected to political re-education, and compelled to enroll in a government school. These actions are part of China’s broader effort to promote loyalty to the CCP, expand Mandarin-only education, and tighten control over Tibetan Buddhism through surveillance, restrictions, and assimilation policies.

#8 China Detains Four Tibetan Teens for Resisting Transfer from Monastic School to State-Run Institutions – 2 October 2024 – Lhamo Kirti Monastery, Sichuan province

Chinese authorities detained four Tibetan boys aged 15-18 after they resisted being moved from the Tibetan-language Lhamo Kirti Monastery school to government-run Mandarin-only schools. The monastery school, which taught Buddhist studies and Tibetan language, was shut down in July 2024 on the grounds that students under 18 were “too young” for monastic education. Following their resistance, the boys were held on 2 October 2024 and subjected to several days of political re-education before being released and forced to attend a state-run school.

#9 China Shuts Down Jigme Gyaltsen School After 30 Years in Golog, Qinghai – 12 July 2024 – Golog (Golok), Qinghai province

After operating for 30 years, the Jigme Gyaltsen Nationalities Vocational High School was liquidated by Chinese authorities. Despite its strong academic reputation and state recognition, the school was targeted for offering Tibetan- and Chinese-medium instruction, teaching Tibetan culture, and employing monks. Investigations into alleged underage monastic students and politically motivated charges against the principal preceded the shutdown. The school was officially closed on 12 July 2024, shortly after its final graduation ceremony.

#10 China Expels Tibetan Language Teacher in Ngaba for Promoting Tibetan in Schools – April 2024 – Meruma Central Primary School

Tibetan teacher Dhonyoe was interrogated several times and expelled from his school after encouraging students to use the Tibetan language, which is now banned in the curriculum. His teaching license was suspended, and the school has replaced Tibetan-medium instruction with intensified Mandarin teaching under state “uniformity” policies. The expulsion reflects growing restrictions on Tibetan-language teaching, further reducing students’ access to their native language and accelerating the shift toward Mandarin-only education. Individual teachers who attempt to preserve Tibetan language instruction faced professional consequences including loss of employment and teaching credentials.

#11 China Enforces Ban on Tibetan Children Taking Private Classes or Joining Religious Activities During Winter Break – 9 January 2024 – Lhasa, Labrang, Yushu (Qinghai)

Chinese authorities conducted door-to-door checks and inspected residential and commercial areas to enforce a ban on Tibetan children taking private Tibetan-language classes or participating in religious activities during winter break. A new Education Department notice ordered intensified surveillance, strict penalties, and investigation of any out-of-school lessons not approved by the state. Parents were instructed to prevent children from receiving religious education or visiting places of worship, while only government-authorized supplementary classes were permitted. These measures further restricted children’s access to Tibetan-language learning and sever their connection to religious traditions, accelerating cultural assimilation by limiting all non-state forms of education.

#12 Kardze Prefecture to Eliminate Tibetan Language Classes Across All Schools from 2024 – 12 October 2023 –  Kardze (Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan province

Under China’s broader Sinicization campaign, authorities in Kardze Prefecture ordered all 20 counties to remove Tibetan-language classes from school curricula starting in 2024. A new Education Bureau circular expanded an earlier directive that had already banned Tibetan-language teaching in middle schools. Tibetan teachers with Mandarin proficiency were being reassigned to teach in Chinese, while others faced displacement. The prefecture-wide elimination of Tibetan-language classes dismantles remaining spaces for Tibetan-medium learning, displaces Tibetan teachers, and accelerates assimilation by enforcing Mandarin-only instruction throughout the entire school system.

#13 China Imposes Ideological Restrictions on Tibetan Students Seeking University Admission – 22 April 2022 –  Tibet Autonomous Region

China’s Ministry of Education issued new university admission regulations for Tibet requiring that “ideological and political morality” be the main criterion for acceptance. Beyond academic performance, candidates must prove they have never supported activities linked to the Dalai Lama, “separatism,” or any so-called “illegal” religious movements. Local Communist Party offices were tasked with verifying each student’s political loyalty. These politicized admission rules restrict access to higher education for Tibetan youths, reinforce ideological control, and marginalize students who value Tibetan cultural or religious identity. The policy strengthens systemic barriers to university entry and deepens the CCP’s assimilation agenda.

#14 China Bans Tibetan Students from Religious Activities and Removes Underage Monks to State-Run Schools – 25 July 2018 – Lhasa (Tibet Autonomous Region), Zachuka region and Sershul County (Sichuan Province)

Chinese authorities banned Tibetan schoolchildren from participating in any religious activities during summer vacation, requiring students and parents to sign agreements pledging compliance. Schools repeatedly reinforced the ban through class and parent meetings. Citing education laws separating religion from schooling, officials justified the restriction as legally mandated. These measures sever children’s access to religious learning, forcibly dismantle early monastic education, and undermine cultural continuity by replacing traditional Tibetan instruction with state-run, Mandarin-based schooling aligned with CCP ideology.

#15 China Expands University System in Tibet but Tibetan Students Marginalized in Key Subjects – 9 May 2014 – Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR)

China reported six universities in TAR with 27,000 students and celebrated the University of Tibet’s inclusion in Project 211. However, Tibetan students mainly accessed traditional Tibetan studies, while modern science and technology programs remained dominated by Chinese students despite large state investments. The expansion offered limited benefit to Tibetans, reinforcing unequal access to key academic fields and narrowing opportunities for advancement beyond state-approved cultural subjects. This structural marginalization ensures that even when educational opportunities exist, Tibetan students face barriers to entering fields that would provide economic and professional advancement.

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The post How China Is Systematically Dismantling Tibetan Education System appeared first on The Commune.

In yet another astonishing display of editorial selectivity, or should we say loyalty to paymasters?, leftist rag The Wire’s coverage of the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission’s 2025 report appears more interested in praising Pakistan’s “military success” and highlighting Chinese weaponry than confronting a far more serious concern: China’s use of artificial intelligence to run an orchestrated disinformation campaign against India during Operation Sindoor.

The article, titled “‘Pakistan’s Military Success over India in its Four-day Clash Showcased Chinese Weaponry’: US House Panel,” gushingly reiterates how Pakistan used Chinese hardware—J-10 jets, HQ-9 missile systems, and PL-15 air-to-air missiles—to allegedly down Indian Rafales, turning the battlefield into a showroom for Chinese exports.

The Wire even echoes the report’s mention of Indonesia pausing its Rafale purchase due to this “success.” But what the rag deliberately omits is perhaps the most damning portion of the US report: China’s fake news operation using AI-generated images and social media bots to push lies.

What The Wire Didn’t Tell You

The same US-China Economic and Security Review Commission report that The Wire selectively quotes from also contains a critical section that the publication chose to completely ignore. The report explicitly states: “Following the May 2025 India-Pakistan border crisis, China initiated a disinformation campaign to hinder sales of French Rafale aircraft in favour of its own J-35s, using fake social media accounts to propagate AI images of supposed debris from the planes that China’s weaponry destroyed.”

Let that sink in.

The very “success” of Chinese weapons that The Wire uncritically amplifies was actively peddled through a covert influence operation involving AI-generated imagery, fake social media accounts, and a systematic campaign to manipulate global opinion. This wasn’t just battlefield performance; it was information warfare. And The Wire became an unwitting, or perhaps willing, megaphone for it.

This isn’t an isolated oversight. It fits a disturbing pattern where certain Indian media platforms, under the guise of “critical journalism,” consistently amplify narratives that align with the interests of those hostile to India.

• No mention of how Chinese embassy officials led this disinformation drive.
• No mention of how the campaign sought to sabotage Rafale sales to Indonesia.
• No mention of the well-documented collaboration between Chinese state actors and Pakistani propaganda machinery to undermine India’s strategic position.

Despite its self-proclaimed mission of critical journalism, The Wire chose not to report on Beijing’s disinformation war against India, a campaign so blatant that French intelligence flagged it and global media covered it. Instead, it sanitized China’s role, omitted Pakistan’s complicity, and spotlighted Rafale losses without a shred of skepticism. Where was the scrutiny of Chinese propaganda tactics? Where was the outrage over AI-generated lies masquerading as battlefield truth?

Instead, The Wire offers its readers a one-sided glorification of Pakistani military capability and Chinese technological prowess, a narrative that Beijing and Rawalpindi would be hard-pressed to market so effectively on their own.

And let’s not forget the wider implications. China and Pakistan conducted joint “counterterror” drills just months before the conflict, and Chinese naval forces participated in AMAN war games alongside Pakistan in early 2025. By June, China was offering Pakistan 40 fifth-generation J-35s and KJ-500 early warning aircraft. This wasn’t just opportunism; it was orchestration. Yet, The Wire offers no context – is it because it doesn’t serve its purpose of an anti-India narrative setting?

When a supposedly “progressive” Indian outlet echoes Beijing’s propaganda victories and ignores its lies, it ceases to be a platform for dissent and becomes a megaphone for distortion.

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The post Leftist Rag The Wire Becomes Chinese Megaphone? Report Silent On China’s Disinformation War During Operation Sindoor appeared first on The Commune.

A shocking report by a top US government commission has exposed a covert Chinese disinformation campaign designed to sabotage the French Rafale fighter jet’s global reputation, raising serious questions about whether Congress leader Rahul Gandhi inadvertently became a vocal asset in this foreign propaganda effort.

The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission’s report details that following the May 2025 India-Pakistan border crisis, China initiated a coordinated drive to undermine sales of the French Rafale in favour of its own J-35 fighter jets. The campaign allegedly used fake social media accounts to propagate AI-generated images of supposed Rafale debris, falsely claiming the jets had been destroyed by Chinese-made weaponry.

This revelation places a glaring spotlight on Rahul Gandhi’s persistent demands for the Modi government to disclose the “number of jets lost” during Operation Sindoor, echoing the very narrative pushed by Chinese and Pakistani sources.

The Chinese Playbook And The Echo In India

According to the US report, the Chinese strategy was clear: exploit the India-Pakistan conflict to create a global perception that the Rafale jet was vulnerable, thereby hindering its exports and creating an opening for China’s own arms sales. Indonesia was reportedly convinced to pause a Rafale deal following this campaign.

Simultaneously, in India, a political narrative was being built. Despite the Indian Air Force’s clear statements that all assets were intact and that sharing operational details mid-conflict would jeopardise national security, Rahul Gandhi led a chorus of opposition leaders demanding specifics on aircraft losses.

His repeated questioning, “How many jets were lost?” and his recent tweet demanding PM Modi reveal “the truth about the five jets” after former US President Donald Trump’s unsubstantiated claims, aligned suspiciously with the objectives of the Chinese disinformation campaign.

Amplifying A Hostile Narrative

The timeline of events is telling:

Chinese Campaign Begins: Post-May 2025 conflict, Chinese fake accounts push the “Rafale shot down” narrative.

Pakistani Claims: Pakistan, a close ally of China, claims it shot down three Rafales, a claim dismissed by the Indian Chief of Defence Staff and Dassault Aviation as “absolutely incorrect” and “inaccurate.”

Opposition Demands in India: Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party persistently question the government on the same lines, keeping the debunked narrative alive in the public discourse.

Many Congress MPs made claims about Rafale jets being show down in the Parliament.

Congress MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring has claimed that a Rafale fighter jet crashed near Bhisiana Air Force Station in Punjab, presenting photos as evidence and stating that the tail section with the code “BS-001” was found at the site.

“Rafale jet crashed near Bhisiana Airforce Station. I have brought photos as well. Air Marshal Bharti called it unidentified aircraft and fooled the nation.”

– Amrinder Singh Raja Warring (Congress MP from Ludhiana, Punjab)

Who needs enemies when we have Congress?? pic.twitter.com/NgRJtPbNNN

— Incognito (@Incognito_qfs) July 29, 2025

Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla has publicly demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi parade all 35 Rafale jets to prove that none were shot down during Operation Sindoor.

“PM Modi must parade all 35 Rafale jets to prove to the world that not even one was shot down during Op Sindoor.”

– CONGRESS MP GURJEET SINGH AUJILA

pic.twitter.com/xnsqjPPYCT

— News Algebra (@NewsAlgebraIND) July 28, 2025

Kerala Congress MP K. Francis George claimed that India lost three Rafale jets, one Sukhoi-30 MKI, and one MiG-29, all shot down within Indian territory.

“We lost 3 Rafales, 1 Sukhoi 30 MKI, 1 Mig 29, all shot down in our own territory.”

– Kerala Cong MP K Francis George

This man is lying blatantly in the Parliament. pic.twitter.com/fhjHw0XZEi

— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) July 28, 2025

A Question of National Security

In August 2008, the Sonia Gandhi-led Congress and the Communist Party of China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) “for exchanging high level information and cooperation between them”. The MoU also said that the two parties would “consult each other on bilateral, regional and international developments”. The deal was signed by none other than the then Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi on the Indian side.

The convergence between a hostile foreign power’s propaganda and the political opposition’s line of questioning has raised serious concerns about its impact on national security and India’s defence preparedness. By continuously seeking to validate a false narrative that undermines a key component of India’s air power, the opposition’s actions, whether intentional or not, served to amplify a disinformation campaign aimed at weakening India’s strategic position.

While there is no evidence to suggest a direct link between the Congress party and the Chinese state, the net effect of their demands has been to erode public confidence in a critical defence asset and parrot a talking point that originates from a campaign designed to harm India’s strategic and economic interests.

The central question remains: Did Rahul Gandhi, in his pursuit to corner the government, become an unwitting participant in a larger, malicious game orchestrated by Beijing against the Indian military and the Rafale jet?

(Source: Hindustan Times)

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The post Was Rahul Gandhi And Congress Part Of Chinese Disinformation Campaign Against Rafale Jets During Operation Sindoor? appeared first on The Commune.

Image Source: NDTV & India Today

Over the past four years, China has intensified infrastructure development along its frontier with India, accelerating road, rail, energy, and military-linked projects close to sensitive sectors of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Ladakh. Satellite imagery and official assessments indicate a steady buildup of dual-use facilities capable of supporting both civilian and defence operations. Analysts warn that while these projects are officially labelled as development initiatives, their proximity to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) presents new operational challenges for India’s security apparatus. Below is a detailed account of nine key Chinese projects completed or initiated between 2021 and 2025 that have drawn attention in New Delhi.

#1 China Builds Air-Defence Complex Near Pangong Lake – 24 October 2025 | Location: Pangong Lake, Tibet

Satellite imagery revealed a newly constructed Chinese air-defence complex near Pangong Lake, roughly 110 kilometres from Doklam. The facility comprises radar stations, command centres, missile launch units, and retractable shelters believed to house HQ-9 long-range surface-to-air missiles. The installation, equipped with advanced radar coverage and munitions depots, enhances China’s ability to monitor and target Indian aircraft across Ladakh and Nyoma. Defence analysts warn that the complex gives Beijing a sharper air-defence edge, reducing India’s freedom of manoeuvre in the region.

#2 China Mirrors Pangong Base Opposite Nyoma Airfield – September 2025 | Location: Gar County, Tibet

A replica of the Pangong air-defence facility has been identified at Gar County, just 65 kilometres from the LAC, opposite India’s upgraded Nyoma airfield. The Nyoma airstrip, at 13,710 feet, is being expanded by the Border Roads Organisation at a cost of ₹230 crore to support fighter and heavy transport aircraft. Experts believe the mirrored site enables coordinated radar and missile coverage against Indian air activity. The proximity of both bases could give China an advantage in airspace monitoring and quick strike capability across eastern Ladakh. (Sources: Firstpost, Moneycontrol)

#3 36 Hardened Shelters Built at Lhunze Airbase Near Arunachal – 17 October 2025 | Location: Lhunze Airbase, Tibet

New satellite images from 17 October 2025 confirmed the construction of 36 hardened aircraft shelters at Lhunze Airbase, roughly 100 kilometres from Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. The expansion also includes new aprons and administrative buildings. Military experts warn this infrastructure allows forward deployment of fighter jets and armed drones, cutting Chinese response times along the McMahon Line. Former IAF chief B.S. Dhanoa stated the hardened shelters remove prior vulnerabilities of China’s high-altitude bases, signalling sustained readiness for future contingencies. (Source: NDTV)

#4 Pangong Tso Bridge Operational, Boosts PLA Mobility – 30 July 2024 | Location: Pangong Tso, Tibet

China completed and operationalised a 400-metre bridge across Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh, connecting the lake’s north and south banks. The bridge has cut troop and tank movement time from 12 hours to about 4, greatly improving the PLA’s logistical agility. India criticised the project as illegal, noting that the Pangong area is disputed, with both countries maintaining overlapping claims. The bridge strengthens China’s ability to reinforce troops quickly in the event of a standoff, altering the tactical dynamics established since the 2020 clashes.

#5 PLA Builds Forward Headquarters at Sirjap – 2021–2022 | Location: Sirjap, Pangong Lake, Tibet

Between 2021 and 2022, China constructed a large military base at Sirjap, situated five kilometres from the LAC on the northern shore of Pangong Lake. The site, previously uninhabited, now functions as a forward headquarters for PLA troops in the region, integrating command and logistics facilities. The base consolidates Beijing’s permanent military presence and supports sustained operations around the lake. Defence analysts interpret this as part of China’s post-Galwan strategy to institutionalise troop deployment near friction points. (Source: Firstpost)

#6 New Chinese Settlement of 91 Buildings Near Pangong Lake – March 2024 – January 2025 | Location: South Bank, Pangong Lake

Satellite imagery captured between March 2024 and January 2025 shows China’s construction of a settlement with 91 permanent, weather-proof structures near Spanggur Lake, roughly seven kilometres east of the LAC. Experts describe the site as a dual-use settlement that can accommodate both civilians and troops, with roads, power transformers, and modern amenities. The rapid construction suggests intent for long-term habitation and enhanced surveillance of the Pangong–Spanggur corridor, altering pre-2020 ground realities. (Source: NDTV)

#7 Administrative Hub and Cement Plant Emerge in Pangong Region – 2024–2025 | Location: Northeast Bank, Spanggur Lake

New imagery from 2024–2025 reveals that China has developed administrative and industrial infrastructure within its Pangong settlement. Facilities include a cement plant and a communication tower, signalling continued expansion and consolidation. Defence analysts believe the new buildings serve administrative coordination and possibly logistical support for military units stationed nearby. The establishment of such infrastructure indicates China’s intent to sustain long-term operations and civilian presence in the area, embedding its hold near the contested frontier. (Source: NDTV)

#8 Construction of Xinjiang–Tibet Railway Near Ladakh Border – April 2025 | Location: Xinjiang–Tibet Region

In August 2025, China began constructing the 1,700-kilometre Hotan–Shigatse section of the Xinjiang–Tibet Railway, valued at $13.2 billion. The line parallels the G219 highway and passes close to the Indian border, connecting Aksai Chin to Tibet. Once completed, it will enable rapid military and logistics transport between western and southern Tibet. Indian analysts view the project as a strategic move to enhance China’s supply lines and mobility across high-altitude terrain. The line’s route through permafrost zones also raises ecological and engineering concerns.

#9 China Begins Building World’s Largest Dam on Yarlung Tsangpo – April 2025 | Location: Medog County, Tibet Autonomous Region

China has initiated construction of a mega hydroelectric project on the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River) in Medog County, near the Indian border. Estimated at $170 billion, the dam is expected to generate 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually—equivalent to the UK’s total consumption. India and Bangladesh have raised strong objections, citing risks to downstream water flow, agriculture, and potential weaponisation of water during conflict. Lawmakers in India have termed it a potential “water bomb,” warning of catastrophic flood risks in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. (Source: Economic Times)

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The post 9 New Chinese Infrastructure Projects Near LAC That Raise Red Flags For India appeared first on The Commune.

China has filed a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), alleging that India’s electric vehicle (EV) and battery subsidy programs violate global trade rules by favoring domestic products and disadvantaging Chinese manufacturers seeking access to India’s growing EV market. Beijing requested consultations with New Delhi under the WTO dispute settlement mechanism on 20 October 2025, targeting three Indian policies: the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery storage, the PLI scheme for the automobile and auto component industry, and a separate policy promoting electric passenger car production.

China claims that these measures “condition eligibility for and the disbursement of incentives” on the use of domestically produced goods, effectively discriminating against Chinese-origin products. According to the filing, the restrictions violate India’s commitments under the Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM) Agreement, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994, and the Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMs). The filing also states that the Indian policies “nullify or impair benefits accruing to China.” China is seeking a mutually agreed date for consultations as the first step in resolving the dispute.

India’s incentive programs aim to strengthen domestic EV and battery production while reducing reliance on imports. The PLI-ACC scheme, launched in May 2021, carries an outlay of ₹18,100 crore to develop 50 GWh of domestic battery capacity. The auto-focused PLI scheme, approved in September 2021 with a budget of ₹25,938 crore, targets the local production of advanced automotive technologies and the creation of jobs.

For Chinese EV companies such as BYD, India represents a strategically vital market as profits shrink elsewhere and regulatory barriers, including a 27% tariff in the EU, limit expansion. Trade data shows that while India’s exports to China declined by 14.5% in 2024–25, imports from China rose 11.5%, widening India’s trade deficit with Beijing to $99.2 billion.

The WTO consultations could pave the way for the establishment of a formal dispute panel if India and China fail to reach a settlement through dialogue, potentially escalating tensions over India’s “Made in India” EV push.

(Source: Business Today)

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About a week ago, reports indicated that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), promoted by Pakistan as a transformative economic initiative, has failed to achieve its objectives and left the country with a $9.5 billion debt, widely perceived as part of China’s debt-trap strategy.

This is not a one-off event. In this report, we examine the growing debt pressures faced by eight developing nations due to extensive borrowing from China, primarily under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). We notice a recurring pattern where large-scale infrastructure and energy projects, financed by Chinese loans, have resulted in unsustainable debt burdens. Many of these projects have failed to generate anticipated economic returns, leaving borrower countries in a cycle of financial dependency. The situation has led to stalled projects, the need for further borrowing or International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailouts and has increased China’s economic and political leverage over these vulnerable nations.

#1 Pakistan’s CPEC Debt Burden

As of 22 September 2025, Pakistan is burdened with a $9.5 billion debt to China, largely accrued through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This sum includes $7.5 billion for power plants and nearly $2 billion in unpaid energy bills. Political disputes and corruption allegations slowed project progress, and a 2019 IMF bailout forced Pakistan to decelerate CPEC initiatives. To manage the crisis, Pakistan has been compelled to take new loans to service old ones, creating a vicious cycle of debt and deepening its economic dependence on China, with the promised benefits of CPEC failing to materialize.

#2 Nepal’s Infrastructure Financing Strain

By 9 September 2025, Nepal’s public debt stood at $20 billion, with external debt at $10.5 billion. China accounts for approximately $300 million of this, financing projects like the $216 million Pokhara International Airport and the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project. These Chinese loans are often expensive and come with strict conditions. Crucially, funded projects like Pokhara Airport are not generating sufficient revenue, making repayment difficult. This situation increases Nepal’s financial vulnerability and amplifies Beijing’s political influence within the country, posing a long-term strategic challenge.

#3 Bangladesh’s Deepening Financial Reliance

On 12 July 2025, reports indicated Bangladesh’s growing dependence on Chinese financing, with $6.1 billion in existing loans and a recent $2.1 billion top-up in March 2025. An additional $5 billion soft loan was requested in 2024. These funds support major infrastructure like the Padma Bridge and Payra Port. With Bangladesh’s economy struggling, it relies heavily on external borrowing. China has extended repayment terms to 30 years, securing long-term economic leverage. This dependence on loans for critical infrastructure risks pushing Bangladesh into greater financial vulnerability and deeper Chinese influence.

#4 Kenya’s Costly Railway Investment

As of 24 April 2025, China became Kenya’s largest bilateral creditor, with debt exceeding $8 billion. A significant portion, $5 billion, was used to construct the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Nairobi to Mombasa. This reliance on Chinese infrastructure loans has created a heavy sovereign debt burden. The government has found itself needing to seek additional loans, including a requested $1 billion and debt restructuring, simply to complete stalled projects. This cycle deepens Kenya’s financial dependence on China, limiting its fiscal options and granting Beijing substantial economic influence.

#5 Zambia’s Mining Sector Leverage

By 24 March 2025, Zambia owed China over $4 billion, a key component of a broader $6.3 billion debt restructured in 2023. These loans are tied to Chinese investment in the copper mining sector, which provides 70% of Zambia’s export earnings. This dominance creates profound economic dependence. The debt obligations restrict Zambia’s ability to regulate Chinese corporate practices strictly. Furthermore, the restructuring terms favor Chinese creditors, giving Beijing significant leverage over Zambia’s national policies and corporate governance, effectively trading economic sovereignty for financial relief.

#6 Cambodia’s Strategic Debt

On 17 March 2025, Cambodia’s outstanding debt to China was approximately $4 billion, representing over one-third of its total public debt and nearly a tenth of its GDP. These loans primarily finance infrastructure such as roads, airports, and a new $1.7 billion canal project. This heavy borrowing has created a deep economic dependence on China, making Cambodia’s economy highly vulnerable to shifts in Chinese policy or financing. The debt relationship extends beyond economics, influencing Cambodia’s geopolitical alignment and limiting its autonomy in regional and international affairs.

#7 Angola’s Oil-for-Credit Model

Reported on 3 September 2024, Angola has borrowed over $45 billion from China since 2002, with about $17 billion remaining unpaid. Chinese debt constitutes 40% of Angola’s total, with half its annual budget dedicated to repayments. The “Angola Model” involves repaying loans with oil exports. However, falling oil production and prices have crippled this model, leaving Angola struggling to earn revenue for debt servicing. To avoid default, Angola is using funds from a Chinese escrow account, which depletes reserves needed for other critical national needs, deepening the economic trap.

#8 Laos’s Unsustainable Projects

As of 23 July 2024, Laos’s public debt was $13.8 billion, over 100% of its GDP. China holds about half of its $10.5 billion foreign debt, financing major projects like hydroelectric dams on the Mekong River and the Boten–Vientiane high-speed railway. These projects have not yielded expected returns, suffering from energy overcapacity and underuse. Chinese loans carry high interest rates near 4%, exacerbating the burden. This has led to heavy political and economic dependence on Beijing, severely limiting Laos’s ability to manage or renegotiate its crippling debt obligations.

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With youth unemployment surging to an 11-month high in China, several stressed jobless youth in the country leave home every day and “pretend to work” while sitting in libraries and cafes, while their families think they are doing regular jobs, according to a media report.

Some of the jobless graduates even rent desks in mock offices so that they can spend time while searching for jobs without feeling lonely, as others are also seated in the shared space while being engaged in the same task, according to a report in Channel NewsAsia (CAN). The report is based on extensive interviews with jobless graduates and other youngsters in China’s Shanghai and Hangzhou cities. These spaces with computers, desks, meeting rooms and internet access are springing up in major Chinese cities like Shanghai, Shenzhen and Chengdu.

The report cited one young jobseeker as saying “pretending to work” gives her a sense of routine and privacy from family as she continues her job search. Others said that keeping their families in the dark about their jobless status helped to reduce tension for near and dear ones, as otherwise they would also be very worried. In the meantime, the unemployed youth are desperately searching for jobs as they live on past savings.

However, finding jobs is not easy, as one youth told CAN that she had made around 1,000 applications and got interview calls only for four offers, which too did not land her any job. China’s youth unemployment rate rose to its highest level in 11 months in July. The urban jobless rate for the 16-24 age group, excluding students, rose to 17.8 per cent, as a record number of graduates entered the job market. Much like the idiom of “lying flat”, the act of pretending to work carries a tone of self-mockery and playful resignation, said Zhan Yang, an associate professor of cultural anthropology at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU).

The report also quotes an associate professor of culture and anthropology at Hong Kong Polytechnic University as saying, “It is especially tough in China, where one’s self-worth remains deeply entangled with a culture that values work and productivity. Pretending to work is a way for youth to maintain routines, identities, and social belonging in the absence of meaningful labour.”

-IANS

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Tianjin, China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit on Monday, marking a significant diplomatic engagement with regional powers.

The SCO summit will see participation from key regional leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prime Minister Modi, President Xi, and President Putin will all share the stage at the multilateral event, underlining the significance of regional cooperation at a time of global uncertainty.

Later today, PM Modi is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom India continues to maintain a close strategic and energy partnership despite global tensions. The SCO Summit itself will focus on combating the “three evils” of terrorism, separatism, and extremism, a founding priority of the organization. An agreement signing ceremony is scheduled for this afternoon, followed by a leaders’ joint statement.

This is PM Modi’s first visit to China in seven years and comes as India and China cautiously rebuild ties following a prolonged border standoff. PM Modi is scheduled to return to India later tonight, concluding a high-stakes diplomatic visit.

Ahead of the summit’s official opening, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with President Xi on Sunday, their first in nearly ten months. The two leaders discussed ways to stabilize and enhance India-China relations, following the recent breakthrough on border management protocols.

Both sides have reportedly agreed to new patrolling norms along the 3,500-kilometer Line of Actual Control (LAC), signaling a thaw after four years of heightened tensions. This meeting is particularly notable as it comes just months after their last interaction on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia in 2024.

Officials say the Tianjin meeting aimed to build on that momentum by focusing on economic collaboration, regional security, and managing strategic competition in Asia.

-IANS

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