China Monitor
The monitor features developments related to China during the month and is compiled by our research team of Amb. Biren Nanda, Senior Fellow, and Sanket Joshi, Research Associate, from open-source reports and publications.
On September 8, 2025, India's EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar addressed the BRICS Virtual Summit hosted by Brazil, reaffirming the importance of a stable and predictable environment for global trade and investment, as well as fair and transparent economic practices. He also focused on India’s large trade deficits with BRICS partners, urging the grouping to review trade flows among its member-states. President Xi, on his part, reiterated that amidst rising “hegemonism”, unilateralism, and protectionism, BRICS should lead the Global South and advance cooperation based on the principles of openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation.
Continuing the high-level strategic engagement between China and the US, President Trump and President Xi held a phone conversation on September 19, 2025. The two sides described their talks as productive, focusing on issues such as trade, Fentanyl, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the TikTok deal. President Xi approved the sale of Chinese-owned TikTok's US operations, stating that Beijing respects the wishes of the company in question and welcomed business negotiations according to market principles.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, met on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 24, 2025. Premier Li urged the EU to maintain open markets for trade and investment, comply with WTO rules, and promote fair competition. Ursula von der Leyen conveyed Europe's intent to cut off Russia's revenue streams to end the conflict in Ukraine, and urged Beijing to use its influence on Moscow to put an end to the killing.
Notwithstanding, China and Russia signed a memorandum on the construction of the “Power of Siberia 2” gas pipeline through Mongolia. Analysts stressed that China's blessing for the pipeline underscores Beijing's disregard for Western demands that it hold back from deepening its partnership with Russia.
The PLA showcased its “nuclear triad” for the first time in public at a high-profile military parade held in Beijing on September 3, 2025, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of China's Victory in the “War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War” (World War II). The military parade sent a strong signal to the West as it was attended by the Presidents of Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, among other world leaders.
The fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee will be held in Beijing from October 20-23, 2025, to discuss major issues related to the formulation of the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for national economic and social development.
To read this China Monitor, Vol. VIII, Issue 9, please see the PDF attached.
