Submit your Article

China is offering parents 3,600 Yuan ($500) per year for each child under three, in its first nationwide effort to raise birth rates. The policy, announced Monday, will be backdated to early 2024 and aims to ease parenting costs for around 20m families, according to BBC.

Despite ending its one-child policy years ago, China’s population continues to shrink and age. Local governments have tested similar incentives, with some offering up to 100,000 Yuan per child. Raising a child in China now costs an average of $75,700—among the highest globally.

China's Premier Li Qiang announced construction had begun on what will be the world's largest hydropower dam, on the eastern rim of the Tibetan Plateau, at an estimated cost of at least $170 billion, the official Xinhua news agency said, Reuters reported.

Commencement of the hydropower project, China's most ambitious since the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze, was seized by Chinese markets as proof of economic stimulus, sending stock prices and bond yields higher on Monday.

Made up of five cascade hydropower stations with the capacity to produce 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, equal to the amount of electricity consumed by Britain last year, the dam will be located in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo. A section of the river tumbles 2,000 metres (6,561 feet) in a span of 50km (31 miles), offering huge hydropower potential, according to Reuters.

Representatives from 36 countries gathered in Brazil on Wednesday for the BRICS Media and Think Tank Forum, focusing on deeper cooperation and a stronger voice for the Global South.

Xinhua President Fu Hua highlighted BRICS’ growing role in uniting developing nations and pushing for fairer global governance. Speakers from China, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, and Central America called for inclusive development, media collaboration, and resistance to external interference.

The forum concluded with a joint report and two new initiatives to boost South-South communication and content sharing, reinforcing BRICS as a platform for global reform, Xinhua reported.

A new report by Senate Democrats warns that President Donald Trump’s foreign policy has weakened US global influence and allowed China to gain ground, according to Al Jazeera.

The report criticizes Trump’s retreat from international institutions, staff cuts at key agencies, and strained ties with allies—moves it says have opened space for China to expand its reach and reshape the global order.

Backed by a Pew survey, the report notes rising global approval of China, with more countries now viewing it as the world’s top economy, while confidence in Trump has dropped sharply among key US allies, Al Jazeera reported.

S. Jaishankar, the Indian External Affairs Minister, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers meeting. He conveyed greetings from Indian President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi, underlining India's commitment to improving relations while trying to settle lingering border concerns resulting from the 2020 Ladakh standoff, Firstpost reported.

In discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Jaishankar acknowledged the “good progress” made in easing tensions over the past nine months but emphasized the need for continued efforts to avoid disputes. He also called for removing trade barriers to enhance economic ties and urged a firm, shared stance on “zero tolerance” towards terrorism.

This visit marks Jaishankar’s first to China since the military clashes began, signaling a cautious but positive step toward better cooperation, according to Firstpost.

China's exports regained some momentum in June while imports rebounded, as firms rushed out shipments to capitalise on a fragile tariff truce between Beijing and Washington ahead of a looming August deadline, Reuters reported.

Businesses on both sides of the Pacific are waiting to see whether the world's two largest economies can agree on a more durable deal or if global supply chains will again be upended by the reimposition of duties exceeding 100%.

Customs data on Monday showed outbound shipments from China rose 5.8% year-on-year in June, beating a forecast 5.0% increase in a Reuters poll of economists and May's 4.8% growth, according to Reuters.

Imports rebounded 1.1%, following a 3.4% decline in May. Economists had predicted a 1.3% rise.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) has reached a preliminary conclusion that Tuesday’s devastating flood from the Lhende Stream in Rasuwa was caused by a supraglacial lake outburst in China.

According to satellite data, the flood was likely triggered by the bursting of a supraglacial lake (a lake formed on top of a glacier), located about 36 kilometers north from the Nepal-China border at Rasuwagadhi (latitude 28.4043, longitude 85.6469), at an altitude of around 5,150 meters.

Before the incident, the lake covered approximately 0.74 square kilometers. After the flood, its area was found to have decreased to around 0.60 square kilometers. This change in size indicates a significant release of water, supporting the conclusion that a lake outburst caused the flood in the Lhende Stream.

Flood expert Binod Parajuli from the Department stated that further information is expected from China and upcoming satellite images will help clarify the details of the incident. The Department will continue its study of the event.

The International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has earlier also suggested that the flood was caused by the outburst of the glacier lake.

China warned the Trump administration on Tuesday against reigniting trade tension by restoring tariffs on its goods next month, and threatened to retaliate against nations that strike deals with the United States to cut China out of supply chains, Reuters reported.

Washington and Beijing agreed to a trade frameworkin June that restored a fragile truce, but with many details still unclear, traders and investors on both sides of the Pacific are watching to see if it will unravel or lead to a lasting detente.

On Monday, President Donald Trump began notifying trade partners of sharply higher U.S. tariffs from August 1, after he delayed all but 10% of his April duties on most countries to give them time to strike deals with the world's largest economy.

China, initially singled out with tariffs exceeding 100%, has until August 12 to reach an agreement with the White House to keep Trump from reinstating additional import curbs imposed during tit-for-tat tariff exchanges in April and May, according to Reuters.

At 10:30 am, Dundrup Tsering, a businessperson from Nepal, waited at Lektse Port in the city of Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, carrying two large bags. “I’ve been doing business here since the opening of the port in Nov 2023, and my family’s living conditions have improved significantly,” said Dundrup Tsering.

In the past, traders set up stalls at traditional border trade points under simple tents with no fixed locations. Their goods were often damaged by rain or snow, and access to basic facilities like toilets was a constant challenge. The opening of the port and the completion of a modern trade market have significantly improved conditions. “We have moved into a proper market with better conditions. It is more convenient and rent-free,” said Dundrup Tsering. “My family had almost no income before the port opened. Now we no longer worry about food or clothing.”

Beyond boosting employment, the new and reopened ports along the China-Nepal border have accelerated regional cross-border trade. “Our products are specifically designed for Nepal’s needs,” said Jiang Zhengguang, chairperson of a machinery company located approximately an hour’s drive from the port of Gyirong.

In the company’s four bright and tidy workshops, workers were busy producing vehicles for export. “We’ve developed innovative new energy vehicles (NEVs) for Nepal’s rugged mountain roads, steep slopes, and high load requirements,” Jiang added. “Nepali customers said that our vehicles offered top-tier quality and performance. We expect annual exports to exceed 2,000 units.”

With the reopening of the ports of Zham, Gyirong and Burang in 2023, NEVs can now reach Nepal from manufacturing hubs within ten days. From January to May this year, Xizang’s import-export volume with Nepal reached about $249m, up 14 percent year on year, according to Lhasa Customs.

To facilitate trade, Lhasa Customs has established a green channel, supporting 24-hour advance declarations, and providing one-on-one assistance. Exports of NEVs, local wool, and fresh fruits are increasing, while imports of Nepalese medicinal herbs and silage fodder continue to diversify as more categories gain market access.

Since 2021, Xizang’s trade with South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) members has totaled $2.08bn, with Nepal accounting for 87 percent. The land ports between China and Nepal have played a vital role.

China plans to hold a military parade Sept. 3 marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender and featuring the People’s Liberation Army’s newest weaponry, Associated Press reported.

President and head of the military Xi Jinping will deliver a speech on the occasion, which will feature “new-type combat capabilities,” including hypersonic weapons and a range of electronic gear, said Wu Zeke, identified as a senor officer of the PLA, the ruling Communist Party’s military wing. 

The force is the world’s largest standing military with more than 2 million members and an increasingly sophisticated arsenal of missiles, aircraft carriers and fighter aircraft.

Military parades are a favorite of Xi’s, held primarily to mark the anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949, Japan’s surrender and the anniversary of the PLA’s founding. Relentlessly drilled marching units, armored columns and aerial units all feature on such occasions, according to Associated Press.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on China to prevent Iran from closing the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important shipping routes, BBC reported.

His comments came after Iran's state-run Press TV reported that parliament had approved a plan to close the Strait but added that the final decision lies with the Supreme National Security Council. 

Any disruption to the supply of oil would have profound consequences for the economy. China in particular is the world's largest buyer of Iranian oil and has a close relationship with Tehran, according to BBC.

Oil prices surged following the US attack on Iranian nuclear sites, with the price of the benchmark Brent crude reaching its highest level in five months.

South Korea's top trade negotiator said on Sunday he would raise concerns about potential U.S. restrictions on chipmakers in China when he meets U.S. officials in Washington this week for the third round of technical discussions in tariff talks, Reuters reported.

"I will pass on the concerns among those in the industry and take utmost care," South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo told reporters before leaving for Washington, when asked to comment about concerns the U.S. may adopt policies to make it difficult for foreign chipmakers to operate in China.

Yeo also said Seoul may not stick to the July deadline, suggesting talks may continue beyond July 8 amid political and economic uncertainties in the U.S.

South Korea, currently subject to a blanket 10% tariff with a 25% country-specific duty on pause for 90 days, agreed with the U.S. in their opening round of trade talks in late April to craft a trade deal reducing tariffs by July 8, according to Reuters.

The renewed US-China trade truce struck in London left a key area of export restrictions tied to national security untouched, an unresolved conflict that threatens a more comprehensive deal, two people briefed on detailed outcomes of the talks told Reuters.

Beijing has not committed to grant export clearance for some specialized rare-earth magnets that US military suppliers need for fighter jets and missile systems, the people said. The United States maintains export curbs on China’s purchases of advanced artificial intelligence chips out of concern that they also have military applications.

At talks in London last week, China’s negotiators appeared to link progress in lifting export controls on military-use rare earth magnets with the longstanding US curbs on exports of the most advanced AI chips to China. That marked a new twist in trade talks that began with opioid trafficking, tariff rates and China’s trade surplus, but have since shifted to focus on export controls, according to Reuters.

In addition, US officials also signalled they are looking to extend existing tariffs on China for a further 90 days beyond the August 10 deadline agreed in Geneva last month, both sources said, suggesting a more permanent trade deal between the world’s two largest economies is unlikely before then.

A Chinese-backed militia is protecting new rare earth mines in eastern Myanmar, according to four people familiar with the matter, as Beijing moves to secure control of the minerals it is wielding as a bargaining chip in its trade war with Washington, Reuters reported.

China has a near-monopoly over the processing of heavy rare earths into magnets that power critical goods like wind turbines, medical devices and electric vehicles. But Beijing is heavily reliant on Myanmar for the rare earth metals and oxides needed to produce them: the war-torn country was the source of nearly half those imports in the first four months of this year, Chinese customs data show.

Beijing's access to fresh stockpiles of minerals like dysprosium and terbium has been throttled recently after a major mining belt in Myanmar's north was taken over by an armed group battling the Southeast Asian country's junta, which Beijing supports, according to Reuters.

Talks aimed at cooling tensions between the US and China have ended in a "deal", according to US President Donald Trump.

He said China had agreed to supply US companies with magnets and rare earth metals, while the US would walk back its threats to revoke visas of Chinese students.

"Our deal with China is done, subject to final approval from President Xi and me," Trump wrote on his media platform Truth Social.

It followed two days of intense talks in London to resolve conflicts that had emerged since the two sides agreed a truce in May, after a rapid escalation of tariffs had nearly paralysed trade between the world's two largest economies.

Nestled between India and China, Nepal possesses a unique and complex trade history, along with significant market opportunities. However, the country faces multiple constraints—including geographical challenges, weak infrastructure, procedural bottlenecks, and an often unstable political-economic environment. Moreover, the government’s approach to trade negotiations tends to be reactive, shaped by perceived contexts rather than long-term strategy. In this light, it is essential to institutionalise effective standard operating procedures (SOPs) for trade negotiations. Such SOPs would ensure consistency, enhance transparency, and provide strategic direction across bilateral, subregional, and regional trade engagements.

The need for an SOP

Nepal’s trade diplomacy currently relies heavily on ad hoc arrangements and the personal experience of individual bureaucrats. This knowledge-driven, personality-based approach often leads to inconsistencies, a lack of institutional memory, and missed opportunities on bilateral, regional, and multilateral platforms.

A national SOP would promote coherence across government departments and ensure continuity during political transitions. It would also empower negotiation teams with procedural clarity and sectoral insights while presenting Nepal as a prepared and credible counterpart in international forums.

Core SOP features for trade negotiations

Institutional mechanisms

Since the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS) leads trade negotiations, it should initiate the formation of a formal negotiation coordination committee. This body should include representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture, private sector associations, academia, legal experts, and provincial authorities. Together, they would set national priorities, vet negotiation positions, and guide strategies.

SOP cycle

Pre-negotiation phase: Conduct data-driven impact assessments, define national priorities, consult relevant stakeholders, and prepare position papers.

Negotiation phase: Select delegation members, assign roles, and maintain real-time internal coordination.

Post-negotiation phase: Identify legal provisions, outline ratification processes, create implementation roadmaps, and establish monitoring indicators.

Sectoral working group

A specialised group should bring together representatives from transit service providers, agriculture, digital trade, transport logistics, and quality assurance sectors to provide technical expertise. Key issues should include Nepal’s transit rights and infrastructure cooperation. The SOP must prioritise multimodal transport corridors, efficient cross-border logistics, and enhanced trade facilitation through modernised customs systems and logistics hubs.

Trade facilitation

Efforts should focus on easing the movement of people, goods, services, capital, and data—while remaining mindful of risks associated with automation and digitalisation. Nepal must align with the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and leverage regional initiatives such as BBIN, BIMSTEC, SAARC, SASEC, and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

To support this, a negotiation readiness toolkit is needed. This should include templates, records of past negotiations, sectoral briefings, simulation exercises, and case studies. Trade facilitation measures must align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and be benchmarked accordingly.

Establishing bodies such as a National Trade Negotiation Council (NTNC), a National Trade Consulting Forum, or a Trade Intelligence and Analysis Unit is crucial for institutional continuity and informed decision-making.

Infrastructure development—including rail, road, and inland waterway connectivity—must be a priority. Logistical alignment, mutual recognition of standards and certifications, and the promotion of low-carbon, climate-smart trade chains should drive Nepal’s trade agenda.

Legal and risk mitigation

Trade agreements must include robust provisions for dispute resolution, force majeure, and other legal safeguards. It is vital to protect the interests of small producers, uphold environmental standards, and ensure policy space for future reforms.

Inclusion and capacity building

An inclusive trade negotiation process must involve wide consultations with the private sector, civil society, and marginalised communities. The SOP should ensure that all relevant stakeholders are engaged meaningfully.

Capacity building is essential. Members of the negotiation team must receive training in legal interpretation, economic analysis, negotiation tactics, and language skills. Ongoing collaboration with think tanks and trade institutions will enhance capacity and knowledge.

Meeting key performance indicators (KOIs) and conducting annual performance reviews by independent experts will help ensure the negotiation team’s effectiveness and accountability.

Conclusion

Institutionalising SOPs for trade negotiations through a phased, strategic approach is crucial for Nepal. This process should be backed by technical and financial support, and ensure coherence between national development plans and regional trade commitments. Effective monitoring and evaluation must be embedded to achieve desired trade outcomes and social impact.

Nepal should not view its position between two dominant economic powers as a limitation, but a strategic opportunity. By transitioning from a reactive player to a proactive influencer in regional and global trade, Nepal can better serve its national interests. Now is the time to establish a negotiation process that is strategic, inclusive, and driven by national priorities—one that enables Nepal to negotiate with confidence, not just consent.