Xi Jinping Signs Orders for Newly Revised Military Regulations
In a significant move, Chairman Xi Jinping of the Central Military Commission has signed an order to issue newly revised regulations: the People’s Liberation Army Internal Affairs Regulations, Disciplinary Regulations, and Military Parade Regulations (collectively referred to as the Unified Regulations). These updated laws will come into effect on April 1, 2025.
Guided by Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the revisions align with the strong military vision of the President. They reflect the strategic direction of the military in the new era, focusing on the goal of transforming the People’s Army into a world-class force. These regulations concentrate on preparing the army for battle, responding to the needs of the troops, and innovating military management and discipline systems. As such, they set the fundamental legal framework and behavioral guidelines for all military personnel, ensuring a disciplined, well-organized force.
The new Internal Affairs Regulations include 13 chapters and 311 articles, refining norms for military oaths, duties, relationships, military discipline, and more. They also streamline day-to-day procedures such as duty rosters, leave, accommodation, and soldier management. The Disciplinary Regulations now consist of 8 chapters and 193 articles, distinguishing between wartime, peacetime, and major non-wartime military operations. These revisions enhance the awards and honors system, refine disciplinary measures, and provide clearer guidelines for fault tolerance, complaints, and appeals. The Military Parade Regulations feature 8 chapters and 100 articles, introducing norms for new weapons handling, bugler duties, and ceremonial standards for land, sea, and air parades.
The revisions emphasize readiness, victory, and military professionalism. They also reinforce the rule of law throughout military affairs, promoting systematic progress across the armed forces. The new regulations uphold a balance between strict discipline and respect for soldiers’ contributions, motivating troops to continuously excel in training and combat preparation. With these updates, the army is poised to elevate its legal framework and organizational culture, ultimately advancing China’s military capabilities and helping achieve the century-long goals for the army.
A New Era of Rural Revitalization through Agricultural and Tourism Integration
As China’s rural revitalization strategy enters a new phase, President Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of integrating local agricultural products with rural tourism, adapting tourism to each area’s unique resources, and fostering a blend of agriculture and culture. This integration is not only a powerful boost for poverty alleviation but also revitalizes the countryside with innovative tourism models, upgraded products, and enhanced services.
Take the bustling scene in Anhui’s Jinzhai County’s Dawan Village. Once a poor revolutionary area, Dawan is now thriving. In 2016, President Xi visited the village and stressed the need for precise poverty alleviation measures. Since then, the village has focused on the tea industry and tourism, culminating in a comprehensive transformation. By 2018, Dawan had officially emerged from poverty. Last year, the village attracted over 700,000 visitors, generating more than 90 million yuan in tourism revenue.
In Inner Mongolia’s Ma’anshan Village, the village has embraced the winter tourism boom by launching an ice and snow park and a forest light show. Ma’anshan was once a national poverty-stricken village but has since turned its ecological resources into economic opportunities. The village adopted a “four-season tourism” model, offering spring flowers, summer forests, autumn leaves, and winter ice. In the process, it has significantly boosted the sale of local products, with per capita income now five times higher than it was a decade ago.
Meanwhile, in Hubei Province’s Yingshang Village, nestled deep in the Wuling Mountains, locals are busy preparing for the tourist season by enhancing the village’s landscape. With its remote location, Yingshang preserves a pristine ecological environment, attracting tourists to its natural beauty. Since launching poverty alleviation initiatives, the village has embraced the “tourism + poverty alleviation” model. The nearby Enshi Grand Canyon has driven the development of modern agriculture and tourism, benefiting locals by promoting industries like tea, grapes, and pears. During the recent Spring Festival, the scenic area welcomed nearly 35,000 visitors, generating nearly 8 million yuan in revenue.
This trend of integrating tourism with agriculture is revamping rural areas across the country, offering new hope and opportunities for local communities.
Li Qiang Chairs State Council Executive Meeting
On February 21, 2025, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council chaired an executive meeting to discuss key matters related to service trade and consumption. The meeting also reviewed and approved the “Action Plan for Improving the New Energy Vehicle Battery Recycling System” and received a report on the progress of addressing the proposals of National People’s Congress (NPC) representatives and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) members for the year 2024.
The meeting emphasized that the development of service trade and consumption is a vital strategy for stabilizing foreign trade and expanding domestic demand. The focus will be on innovating and enhancing service trade, fully implementing a negative list for cross-border services, and aligning with international high-standard trade rules. New opening measures will be introduced in sectors such as telecommunications, education, culture, healthcare, and finance. Efforts will also be made to promote service exports, strengthening the international expansion of Chinese service enterprises and their ability to offer services globally. A series of comprehensive reform and opening platforms for service trade will be created to boost both bilateral and regional cooperation in service and digital trade. Additionally, the goal is to drive high-quality growth in service consumption by implementing initiatives that improve the quality of services and enhance public benefit. This includes supporting innovations in service scenarios, industry integration, and the establishment of standards in cultural tourism, hospitality, elderly care, childcare, and digital consumption. Through the dual approach of “opening up externally” and “liberalizing domestically,” policies related to finance, taxation, and market forces will be used to provide a stronger supply of high-quality services, meeting the diverse needs of consumers.
The meeting also highlighted that the new energy vehicle (NEV) battery recycling sector is entering a large-scale decommissioning phase. It is now crucial to enhance the capacity for battery recycling and reuse. This includes strengthening management across the entire chain, eliminating bottlenecks, and establishing a standardized, safe, and efficient recycling system. Digital technologies will be used to monitor the entire lifecycle of the batteries—from production to sales, disassembly, and utilization—ensuring full traceability. Legal means will be employed to regulate recycling and reuse, and relevant administrative regulations will be improved with a focus on strengthening oversight. Standards will be accelerated for green design and carbon footprint calculation in battery products, guiding the recycling process through a robust regulatory framework.
Furthermore, the meeting reiterated that effectively addressing NPC representatives’ and CPPCC members’ proposals is an essential part of the government’s commitment to supervision, legal duty, and the practice of full-process people’s democracy. In 2023, all proposals received by State Council departments were handled in a timely manner, solving numerous critical and complex issues related to reform, development, and public welfare. This year, the government aims to maintain high-quality handling of proposals, improve communication with representatives, and work collaboratively to address key problems, fostering consensus and facilitating high-quality development.
CPPCC Holds Biweekly Consultation on Intellectual Property Protection and New-Quality Productivity
The 28th Biweekly Consultation of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) was held on February 21, 2025, in Beijing, chaired by Wang Huning, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and CPPCC Chairman. During the meeting, Wang highlighted the immense importance that Xi Jinping’s leadership has placed on intellectual property (IP) protection since the 18th CPC National Congress, noting that China has made significant progress in creating a strong IP regime, strengthening legal protections, and participating actively in global IP governance. The CPPCC aims to study Xi’s important speeches and the CPC Central Committee’s decisions on intellectual property protection, ensuring that CPPCC members’ contributions are targeted, effective, and actionable.
Wang emphasized that advancing intellectual property protection is essential for building a modern socialist nation. He urged CPPCC members to focus on strategic and forward-looking issues related to IP, delve into key challenges in enforcement and judicial protection, and propose practical solutions that help implement the reform tasks laid out at the 20th CPC Central Committee’s third plenary session.
Members and scholars shared their views on the need to enhance the legal and institutional framework for IP protection, streamline enforcement across all sectors, and recognize IP as a crucial driver for innovation, economic vitality, and international collaboration.
Representatives from the Supreme People’s Court, the Ministry of Justice, and the National Intellectual Property Administration provided updates on current efforts and engaged in discussions with CPPCC members on improving the protection of intellectual property.
Representatives and Senators at Work
Wang Runmei’s Story on Municipal Infrastructure Improvement
Wang Runmei, a municipal worker from Taiyuan, Shanxi, has spent many years focused on improving the urban infrastructure, particularly in maintaining and enhancing road drainage systems. Her primary concern has always been creating a better, more livable environment for citizens, aiming to boost the happiness of the people right at their doorstep. On February 21, the “Representative and Senator at Work” series introduces Wang as a representative of the National People’s Congress (NPC).
Wang was recently seen working with her colleagues to maintain and clean the sewer systems of the old neighborhoods along South Inner Ring Street in Taiyuan. She has also been at the forefront of the city’s ongoing rainwater and sewage diversion project. At the 2024 National Two Sessions, Wang proposed a suggestion to promote source-based reforms in sewage diversion, which was acknowledged by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. Last July, Shanxi Province released a specialized action plan to address the issue, with plans to complete the project by the end of 2026, solving problems at every stage from source to end. The relevant improvements in Taiyuan’s South Inner Ring Street are already in the works and are expected to be completed by the end of March this year.
At the upcoming National Two Sessions, Wang plans to propose suggestions on upgrading municipal equipment with more intelligent technology, further enhancing the city’s infrastructure and environment. With her dedication and forward-thinking, Wang Runmei exemplifies how practical solutions can improve urban life and enhance the people’s sense of happiness.
China to Increase Support for Private Enterprises in the Energy and Financial Sectors
According to the National Energy Administration, China is set to strengthen its support for capable private enterprises in the energy sector this year. The government will encourage private companies to take on major national technological tasks in the nuclear power sector and actively involve them in building the nuclear industry’s supply chain. Moreover, private enterprises will continue to be encouraged to invest in nuclear power projects and contribute to the development of oil and gas exploration, power infrastructure, and emerging technologies such as new energy storage and smart microgrids.
The People’s Bank of China has affirmed its commitment to implementing a moderately loose monetary policy, supporting technological innovation, and boosting consumer spending. Measures like stock buybacks and increased loans will be utilized to stabilize the capital markets. In addition, the 25 targeted financial support measures for the private economy will be fully enforced, ensuring that all three major financing channels—stocks, bonds, and credit—are accessible. The government will inject more financial resources to foster the healthy development of private enterprises.
China’s Great Wall Station Celebrates 40th Anniversary with Outstanding Scientific Achievements
On the morning of February 20, a solemn flag-raising ceremony was held at the Great Wall Station in Antarctica to commemorate its 40th anniversary.
As China’s first scientific research station in Antarctica, Great Wall Station has accumulated remarkable scientific achievements since its establishment in 1985. In the field of polar microbiology, it was the first to reveal the unique structures and functions of microbial communities in the oceans of both the Arctic and Antarctic. In biodiversity conservation, the station’s research on penguin paleo-ecology has unveiled the historical migration patterns of penguin breeding colonies. Over the years, the station has also developed a long-term monitoring system encompassing atmospheric, soil, water, plant, and animal studies, along with spatial and geographical observations.
Currently, the 41st Antarctic Expedition team is continuing to expand research at the Great Wall Station.
From the frigid coastal edges to the heart of the Antarctic, China’s polar research network has evolved into a robust “five stations, two ships, one base” configuration. Stations like Great Wall, Zhongshan, and Kunlun are not only critical to China’s Antarctic research but have also become important platforms for international cooperation and exchange.
World’s Fastest Bullet Train Undergoing Multiple Tests
The world’s fastest bullet train, the CR450 high-speed train, has completed its prototype design and successfully rolled off the production line. Currently, the research and development team is conducting a series of scientific experiments and performance tests to pave the way for its commercial operation.
At the National Railway Test Center, engineers are conducting weight tests on the CR450 prototype. With a maximum operating speed of 400 kilometers per hour, the train must shed more than 10% of its weight when running on existing tracks to reduce the impact on the rails.
The CR450 project is a key technological breakthrough built upon the CR400 high-speed train, a cornerstone of China’s “14th Five-Year Plan” for technological innovation. The development team has conducted hundreds of extreme condition simulation tests, particularly focusing on the novel permanent magnet traction motor used for the first time in high-speed trains. To reduce air resistance during high-speed operation, researchers overcame challenges such as resonance and heat dissipation by fully enclosing the train’s undercarriage.
Currently, the test teams for traction, braking, and noise have completed static and low-speed dynamic testing. The next phase will involve progressively increasing the speed during dynamic operational tests.
By 2025, China Railway Group will accelerate the CR450 prototype testing through the joint testing of new rail lines such as the Wuhan-Yichang section of the Shanghai-Chongqing-Chengdu high-speed rail. This will involve scientific research on multiple speed levels and operational scenarios.
Harnessing Winter Resources to Drive High-Quality Growth in the Ice and Snow Economy
This winter, Heilongjiang Province has skillfully tapped into its ice and snow resources, innovating consumption scenarios and driving high-quality development of the ice and snow economy.
At the 26th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, a stunning 1 million-square-meter ice and snow-themed amusement park greets visitors. As of February 20, the festival had welcomed 3.31 million visitors over 61 days. On February 1, during the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, over 100,000 visitors entered the park, breaking several historical records. Remarkably, nearly 87% of the visitors came from outside the province, with Guangdong, Jiangsu, and other regions leading in visitor numbers.
As a prominent ice and snow province, Heilongjiang has fully leveraged its unique ice and snow tourism resources to accelerate the development of an international ice and snow tourism resort and establish itself as a global hub for the ice and snow economy.
Domestic News Highlights
Foreign Investment in January Soars by 27.5% Month-on-Month
According to the Ministry of Commerce, in January 2025, China’s actual foreign direct investment (FDI) amounted to 97.59 billion RMB, marking a remarkable 27.5% increase from the previous month. Notably, high-tech manufacturing attracted 12.24 billion RMB, accounting for 12.5% of the total, a 0.8 percentage point increase compared to the previous year. The pharmaceutical manufacturing and technology transformation sectors saw even more impressive growth, with FDI rising by 68.4% and 23.9%, respectively. Investment from the UK, Netherlands, South Korea, Japan, and other countries showed significant expansion.
5.8 Million Urban Old Residential Communities Undergo Renovation in 2024
On February 21, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development announced that in 2024, 58,000 urban old residential communities underwent renovation, exceeding the target of 54,000 set for the year. Notably, cities like Beijing, Guangdong, and Jiangsu, among 11 other regions, surpassed their respective plans.
January Sees Significant Growth in Airline Passenger Capacity
Major airlines such as Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern recently released their performance data for January. Driven by factors like the Spring Festival travel peak, there was a substantial increase in demand for family visits, homecomings, and tourism, resulting in a notable year-on-year growth in both passenger capacity and passenger turnover for these airlines.
Shanghai Rolls Out 21 Policies to Alleviate Business Burdens
On February 21, Shanghai introduced 21 new policy measures to reduce the financial burdens on businesses. These measures focus on lowering tax, labor, and energy costs. Notable initiatives include continued VAT tax refunds and enhanced VAT deductions for advanced manufacturing firms. These policies aim to address the concerns of enterprises and boost confidence in business operations.
March 1st to See Opening of RMB and Foreign Currency Card Services for Hong Kong and Macao Banks
According to the Financial Regulatory Bureau, starting March 1, Hong Kong and Macao banks operating in mainland China will be allowed to issue foreign currency cards and open RMB accounts for clients, excluding Chinese citizens. Additionally, debit card services will be subject to a reporting system, while credit card services will require approval.
Cross-Strait Standards Exchange Platform Collects Over 290,000 Standard Records
The State Administration for Market Regulation announced that the first cross-Strait standards exchange platform launched in Fujian has successfully completed the collection of over 290,000 standard records in one year. The platform now provides a one-click query service, allowing users to compare over 5,000 terms across fields such as elder care services and construction engineering between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. This will significantly enhance collaboration for cross-Strait institutions and businesses.
China’s Trade with Central and Eastern European Countries Surpasses 1 Trillion RMB in 2024
According to customs data, China’s trade with Central and Eastern European countries surpassed 1 trillion RMB for the first time in 2024, reaching 1.01 trillion RMB, a 7.5% increase from the previous year. Economic cooperation between China and Central and Eastern Europe continues to reach new heights.
Spring Livestock Relocation Begins in Xinjiang
Recently, spring livestock relocations have begun in Xinjiang, with over 3.96 million livestock in the Ili River Valley being moved from winter pastures to spring pastures or settled locations. To ensure the smooth and safe relocation process, service stations and feed supply points have been set up along the route.
Exclusive Interview with IOC President Bach on “High-End Interview” Tonight
Tonight, on February 21, the “High-End Interview” segment on CCTV News Channel will feature an exclusive interview with IOC President Thomas Bach. Bach emphasized China’s significant contributions to the Olympic movement, noting that the IOC has greatly benefited from its collaboration with China. The interview will also be available on CCTV News, CCTV Video, and other digital platforms.
G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Focuses on Unity to Tackle Global Challenges
The G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on February 20. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized that addressing the global challenges of today requires inclusive responses, making “Unity, Equality, and Sustainability” the theme of South Africa’s G20 presidency. China highlighted the increasing global instability, frequent regional conflicts, and rising security deficits. The G20 must revisit the consensus reached at the Rio Summit, ensuring that all members work together to safeguard world peace, build universal security, and defend multilateralism in the pursuit of a safer world.
International News Highlights
Russia Claims Strikes on Ukraine’s Energy Facilities; Ukraine Asserts Multiple Russian Attacks Repelled
On February 20, Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported that its armed forces launched coordinated strikes using land-based, air-based, and sea-based precision long-range weapons, as well as attack drones, targeting Ukraine’s military-industrial complex and energy infrastructure. Russian forces also struck Ukrainian military airports, ammunition depots, and rocket launcher weapon storage facilities.
Ukraine’s Energy Minister, Herman Galushchenko, stated the same day that Russia had used missiles and drones to conduct large-scale attacks on Ukraine’s natural gas infrastructure, causing significant damage to energy production facilities. Ukrainian forces reported artillery shelling in the Kharkiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv regions and successfully repelled multiple Russian attacks.
Russia Opposes European Troops in Ukraine; EU States Ukraine’s Involvement Crucial to Resolution
On February 20, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to European nations’ proposal to send “post-conflict peacekeeping forces” to Ukraine, warning that such a move would potentially involve NATO troops on Ukrainian soil, directly threatening Russia’s security. Russia deemed the proposal unacceptable. Meanwhile, an EU Commission spokesperson emphasized that Ukraine’s security is inseparable from the EU’s security and that the Ukrainian issue cannot be resolved without both Ukraine and the EU being actively involved.
Ukrainian President Willing to Sign Investment and Security Agreement with the U.S.; U.S. Urges Ukraine to Sign Mineral Resources Deal
On February 20, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a meeting with U.S. envoy Kenneth Kellogg, expressed willingness to sign a “strong and genuinely mutually beneficial” agreement with the U.S. on investment and security. The Ukrainian side proposed methods for implementing the cooperation. On the same day, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated that Zelensky had promised to sign a $500 billion deal for Ukraine to provide the U.S. with mineral resources during the Munich Security Conference, although he failed to follow through. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan urged Ukraine to sign the agreement.
Mexican President Warns U.S. Against Using Anti-Drug Efforts as Pretext for Aggression
In response to the U.S. State Department’s decision on February 20 to label Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel and other groups as “terrorist organizations,” Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador criticized the unilateral action, stating that Mexico was not consulted. He emphasized that Mexico would not accept U.S. interference in its internal affairs under the guise of anti-drug efforts and warned against any form of aggression.
Israel Expands Operations in West Bank Following Explosion Incident
On the morning of February 21, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had ordered intensified military actions in the Palestinian West Bank in response to an explosion on the evening of February 20 in central Israel. Three empty buses in the Tel Aviv suburb were bombed, though no casualties were reported. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Peru Faces Widespread Flooding; State of Emergency Declared
Heavy rainfall in Peru has caused several rivers to overflow, leading to flooding, landslides, and other disasters across multiple regions. On February 20, 157 areas, including the capital Lima, were placed under a 60-day state of emergency. The severe weather has resulted in damage to homes, submerged crops, and the closure of several roads.
U.S. Flight Returns to Tokyo After Door Malfunction
On February 20, a Boeing aircraft operated by American Airlines, en route from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to Los Angeles, encountered an unusual sound from one of its cabin doors mid-flight. The aircraft declared an emergency and returned to Haneda, landing safely. The flight, carrying 198 passengers and crew, reported no injuries.