China

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NPC Standing Committee Reviews Food Safety Law Implementation and Proposes Comprehensive Revision
Oct. 28, 2025 | Food & Water

China’s top legislators met in Beijing to review progress on implementing the country’s Food Safety Law.

**On October 26, 2025, the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress held its 54th chairpersons’ meeting, chaired by Zhao Leji, to assess a report on the law’s implementation.**
This review followed an enforcement inspection carried out by the NPC Standing Committee’s law enforcement inspection group from May through September 2025, marking the fourth such inspection since the law’s initial enactment in 2009 and its successive amendments, including a targeted adjustment in 2025.

**First introduced in 2009 and revised multiple times since, the Food Safety Law governs critical areas such as the bulk road transport of liquid foods and the supervision of liquid infant formula.**
It establishes whole-chain oversight from production through distribution, and its 2025 adjustment extended coverage to emerging business formats like online catering.

**To evaluate compliance, inspection teams visited production enterprises, online sales platforms, schools, and wholesale and retail markets.**
They conducted undercover visits and focused on centralized meal service units—particularly school and institutional canteens—and scrutinized new business models, including internet-based catering services.

**Inspectors reported that food safety sampling inspections reached a five-year high in qualified rates as government agencies strengthened oversight mechanisms.**
The National Health Commission issued comprehensive standards management measures, publishing 1,693 national food safety standards across more than 340 food categories and backing them with extensive technical indicators to support whole-chain supervision and risk prevention.

**Under the law, enterprises bear primary responsibility for food safety.**
Nationwide, over 3 million production and operation companies have appointed about 1.15 million designated food safety directors and mobilized 9.49 million personnel to carry out routine risk-control measures on daily, weekly, and monthly cycles, ensuring compliance and a rapid response to potential hazards.

**The report also highlighted school food safety efforts: more than 93 percent of primary and secondary schools have established parent diet supervision committees, with over 160,000 supervisors assigned to regular oversight duties.**
Authorities have invested 10.3 billion yuan to upgrade school canteens, achieving nearly 99 percent coverage of “Internet + open kitchens and transparent stoves” initiatives to increase visibility and accountability in meal preparation.

Based on the inspection findings, the committee put forward eight recommendations: consolidate whole-chain supervision mechanisms; strengthen standards development and monitoring capabilities; enhance oversight of school and online food services; improve the legal framework for imported foods; promote social co-governance; accelerate information system construction; increase enforcement capacity; and promptly launch a comprehensive revision of the Food Safety Law.

**The proposed comprehensive revision aims to address gaps in legal provisions and enforcement mechanisms, modernize the law to reflect evolving industry practices and emerging food safety risks, and accommodate the ongoing expansion of new business formats.**
China and ASEAN Advance Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade and Deepen Regional Integration
Oct. 28, 2025 | Geopolitics & Defense

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are advancing their free trade cooperation through the upcoming China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol.

**China and ASEAN will formalize the Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol by the end of 2025, following a 9.6 percent year-on-year increase in bilateral trade to 5.57 trillion yuan in the first three quarters of 2025.**
For the fifth consecutive year, each has remained the other’s largest trading partner. The upgrade seeks to deepen trade cooperation, strengthen economic resilience, and build on existing frameworks such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

**The protocol aligns with the Plan of Action to Implement the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026–2030) and supports ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future.**
It targets infrastructure development, digital and green transitions, trade facilitation, and people-to-people exchanges to foster deeper regional integration and sustain long-term growth.

**Under the Belt and Road Initiative, projects like the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway and the China-Laos Railway have improved mobility and cut transportation costs.**
Malaysia’s East Coast Rail Link, featuring the 16.39-kilometer Genting Tunnel, promises to transform passenger and freight movement within Peninsular Malaysia. The Zhengzhou-Kuala Lumpur “Air Silk Road” has accelerated cross-border e-commerce and agricultural exports, notably reducing shipment times for Musang King durians through efficient customs clearance and “green channel” policies.

**Economic cooperation has expanded into industrial and supply chain integration.**
SAIC-GM-Wuling’s Indonesian factory paved the way for 17 Chinese automakers to enter the local auto supply chain, involving over 100 domestic suppliers. Chinese electric vehicles now enjoy widespread adoption, and plans for local EV production are under consideration. In July 2025, the region inaugurated an EV battery megaplan project covering the full battery lifecycle from nickel mining to recycling, alongside a 60 MW floating solar power installation that supports Indonesia’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2060 and advances its clean-energy industrialization.

**Visa-exemption agreements and cultural interactions have strengthened people-to-people ties.**
In July 2025, China and Malaysia implemented a mutual visa waiver, joining similar arrangements with Singapore, Thailand, and Brunei, as well as the ASEAN Visa scheme for eligible business travelers. Malaysian tourism authorities, leveraging Chinese digital platforms, aim for 47 million international visitors and 329 billion ringgit in revenue by 2026. The presence of Chinese retail brands such as Mixue, CHAGEE, POP MART, and MINISO across ASEAN capitals and shared celebrations of the Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival among project teams have deepened regional understanding and trust.

**Premier Li Qiang has urged ASEAN members and Singapore to ensure the success of Free Trade Area 3.0 and foster regional development.**
During his October 2025 visit to Singapore, he emphasized multilateralism, close high-level communication, and cooperation in emerging sectors including the digital economy, green development, and artificial intelligence. He cited China’s 15th Five-Year Plan as a driver of new economic and trade opportunities, inviting Singaporean enterprises to explore China’s market. Singaporean Acting President Eddie Teo expressed support for aligning development strategies, deepening economic and people-to-people ties, reforming the WTO, and promoting an open global economy.






### IMPACT ANALYSIS
**From this Development, various impacts could cascade through the system, to a lesser or greater extent, depending on the severity and criticality of the shocks.**





























































Domain Causal Chain Possible Outcome
Competitiveness (Trade-openness & preferential access ↑ → FDI net inflow (% GDP) ↑ → Total-factor productivity level vs frontier ↑ → GDP per-capita & convergence speed ↑) Productivity gains from heightened FDI and trade openness accelerate GDP-per-capita growth and income convergence.
Energy & Natural Resources (Grid-scale battery-storage fleet capacity ↑ → Renewable-generation share (power sector) ↑ → Wholesale power price volatility index ↓ → Household energy-cost burden ↓) Expanded battery storage integration stabilizes power prices and reduces household electricity costs.
Transportation & Logistics (Cold-chain infrastructure coverage ↑ → Refrigerated container failure rate ↓ → Food-loss rate in domestic supply chain ↓ → Agricultural GDP growth ↑) Improved cold-chain networks cut food losses and bolster agricultural GDP growth.
Transportation & Logistics (Customs-and-border clearance digitisation ↑ → Average customs-clearance time ↓ → Export competitiveness ↑ → Real export market-share change ↑) Digital border processes speed export clearance and boost ASEAN’s global market share.
Firms (Trade-openness of firm supply chain ↑ → Capacity-utilisation in manufacturing ↑ → Average labour productivity (value-added per hour) ↑ → Employment growth in the business sector ↑) Deeper supply-chain integration raises manufacturing productivity and drives business-sector employment growth.
Technology & Innovation (High-skill immigration policy openness ↑ → STEM postgraduate enrolment growth ↑ → Patent-to-product conversion rate ↑ → AI adoption GDP uplift ↑) Eased high-skill migration boosts STEM talent, accelerating AI commercialization and GDP gains.
Competitiveness (Market-size and demand potential ↑ → Global export-market share shift ↑ → High-value-added export share ↑ → Export sophistication (EXPY) delta ↑) Growing regional demand elevates export sophistication and shifts market share toward higher-value goods.
Energy & Natural Resources (Benchmark solar LCOE (USD/MWh) ↓ → Renewable-energy capacity-factor swing ↑ → Renewable-generation share (power sector) ↑ → CO₂-intensity of GDP change ↓) Lower solar costs increase renewable generation and reduce carbon intensity of GDP.
Transportation & Logistics (Aviation bilateral & multilateral ASA openness ↑ → Air-cargo capacity utilisation ↑ → Door-to-door export lead time (days) ↓ → Logistics-performance index (LPI) score ↑) Expanded air-service agreements improve cargo utilization, shorten export lead times, and raise LPI scores.
Competitiveness (Regulatory-quality & red-tape index ↑ → Regulatory-approval lead time (days) ↓ → Business fixed-investment growth deviation ↑ → Potential GDP growth revision ↑) Enhanced regulatory quality and faster approvals drive fixed investment and upward revisions in potential GDP growth.




### BOTTOM LINE

- China and ASEAN are set to formalize the Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol by end-2025 after a 9.6 percent year‑on‑year rise in bilateral trade to 5.57 trillion yuan, which will increase preferential market access, lower trade frictions, and raise the region’s attractiveness for foreign direct investment, thereby accelerating productivity convergence and GDP‑per‑capita growth through the causal chain: trade openness → FDI inflows → total‑factor productivity gains → faster income convergence.



- The region‑wide EV battery megaplan and associated 60 MW floating solar deployment will expand battery‑storage capacity and renewable generation, improving grid flexibility, lowering wholesale price volatility, reducing household electricity burdens, and catalyzing a downstream clean‑energy industry; this outcome depends on buildout of stationary storage and recycling capacity and carries environmental and social risks tied to expanded nickel mining and battery waste unless mining standards and recycling rules are strengthened.



- Rapid entry of Chinese automakers and the SAIC‑GM‑Wuling Indonesian foothold will integrate 100+ local suppliers into regional automotive value chains, raising capacity utilization, lifting manufacturing productivity, and creating manufacturing and services jobs, while simultaneously exposing local suppliers to competitive pressures and increasing dependency on Chinese component technologies unless host states enforce supplier development, local content incentives, and technology‑transfer conditions.



- Visa‑exemption liberalization and the ASEAN business visa scheme will materially increase short‑term mobility for tourists, businesspeople, and high‑skill workers, accelerating cross‑border business formation, STEM collaboration, and talent circulation that support higher rates of commercialization of R&D and AI adoption, but policymakers should balance openness with measures to protect intellectual property, oversee visa flows for skilled migration, and invest in domestic STEM capacity.



- The Zhengzhou–Kuala Lumpur “Air Silk Road,” expedited customs green channels, and broader customs digitization will shorten door‑to‑door lead times for perishables and time‑sensitive goods, reduce cold‑chain spoilage, and enhance export competitiveness and market share for ASEAN agricultural and e‑commerce exporters; governments and firms should scale refrigerated logistics, harmonize sanitary and phytosanitary standards, and share digital customs protocols to sustain these gains.



- Provisions in FTA 3.0 that reduce non‑tariff barriers and harmonize regulations will shorten regulatory approval lead times and raise regulatory quality, encouraging higher business fixed investment and supporting upward revisions to potential GDP trajectories, provided reforms are implemented transparently and accompanied by stronger dispute‑settlement and compliance mechanisms.



- The combination of deeper trade ties, infrastructure connectivity under the Belt and Road, and industrial cooperation will increase regional economic resilience through diversified production networks and larger integrated markets, while also heightening strategic economic interdependence with China; governments should therefore develop contingency plans, diversify critical inputs, and coordinate regional standards and procurement to limit single‑source vulnerabilities.



- The most likely measurable near‑term outcomes to track are: bilateral trade growth rates and tariff line liberalizations, FDI inflows by sector and origin, number of new local automotive and battery investments, battery storage MWs commissioned and recycling capacity, customs‑clearance times and digital‑single‑window adoption, cold‑chain capacity and refrigerated container volumes, tourist arrivals under visa waivers, and changes in export market shares and manufacturing employment.



- Recommended practical actions for policymakers and private actors are: (1) negotiate clear technology‑transfer and local‑supplier commitments in investment agreements, (2) mandate environmental, social, and governance standards for mining and battery recycling, (3) invest in workforce retraining and STEM education tied to EV and renewables sectors, (4) harmonize digital customs and sanitary regulations across ASEAN and China, and (5) create strategic stockpiles or alternative sourcing pathways for critical inputs to reduce concentrated supply‑chain risk.

Monitored Intelligence for China - Oct. 28, 2025


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Erudite Risk takes an all risks approach to intelligence reporting. We categorize key intelligence into one of 40 different risk intelligence categories.

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周末这些重要消息或将影响股市(附新股日历+机构策略)

Important Weekend News That May Affect the Stock Market (Including New Stock Calendar + Institutional Strategies)

STCN | Local Language | News | Oct. 28, 2025 | UndeterminedInvestor Sentiment

China and the U.S. held economic and trade consultations in Kuala Lumpur on October 25–26, led by Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Treasury Secretary Beisent and Trade Representative Grier. They discussed key issues including U.S. Section 301 measures, reciprocal tariffs, fentanyl tariffs, agricultural trade, and export controls, reaching basic consensus on resolving concerns, with plans to specify details and pursue domestic approvals.

The State Council’s financial work report emphasized implementing a moderately accommodative monetary policy to support economic recovery and reduce overall social financing costs. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) announced a 900 billion yuan medium-term lending facility operation on October 27 to maintain ample banking system liquidity, marking eight consecutive months of increased MLF rollover.

Scope Ratings downgraded the U.S. sovereign credit rating from “AA” to “AA-” due to deteriorating public finances and governance. U.S. President Trump threatened to impose an additional 10% tariff on Canadian goods in response to Ontario’s tariff-related advertising. U.S. September inflation data showed a 0.3% month-on-month CPI rise, lower than expected.

The PBOC reiterated commitments to stable financial market operations and advancing monetary policy frameworks, macroprudential management, financial reform, opening, and national financial security. The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) outlined five priorities including enhancing market resilience, regulatory enforcement, capital market openness, and governance in line with the 20th Central Committee’s Fourth Plenary Session.

In industry, Peking University researchers made advances in photoresist technology to reduce lithography defects. Guangdong Province issued measures to support the development of the low-altitude economy by guiding social capital and promoting listings. Maotai Group announced leadership changes with Chen Hua replacing Zhang Deqin as chairman. Huawei updated its website showing Yu Chengdong’s new role as Director of the Product Investment Committee.

This week includes three new stock subscriptions scheduled, with 52 companies unlocking restricted shares totaling 47.7 billion yuan in market value. The 2025 Financial Street Forum Annual Meeting will be held in Beijing from October 27–30, featuring key regulatory officials delivering speeches.

Global financial markets will experience a “super central bank week” with interest rate decisions by the Bank of Canada, Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, and Bank of Japan between October 29 and 30, with expectations of a 25 basis point Fed rate cut. U.S. tech giants, including Microsoft, Meta, Alphabet, Apple, and Amazon, will release quarterly earnings at the end of October.

Institutional analysis from Huaxi Securities highlights a continuing “slow bull” trend in A-shares and a synchronized global tech AI rally driven by earnings and AI capital expenditure. Shenwan Hongyuan is bullish on technology growth stocks leading the fourth-quarter market, supported by ongoing AI trends. Everbright Securities recommends medium-term focus on TMT and advanced manufacturing sectors, with lagging sectors like high-dividend and consumer stocks as defensive plays during volatility.

Russia reportedly carries out test of nuclear-powered cruise missile test yields strategic significance: Chinese experts

Global Times | English | News | Oct. 28, 2025 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

Russia has successfully tested its nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, according to President Vladimir Putin. The missile flew approximately 14,000 kilometers (8,700 miles) over about 15 hours, demonstrating its extraordinary range and endurance. Putin described it as a unique weapon not possessed by any other country.

The Burevestnik is a ground-launched, low-flying cruise missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and powered by a nuclear engine, granting it much longer range than traditional turbojet or turbofan-powered missiles. It reportedly has a notional range of up to 20,000 kilometers and flies at very low altitudes (50-100 meters), making it difficult for air defense systems to detect.

Chinese military experts highlight the strategic significance of the missile's unprecedented range and endurance, which enable it to patrol vast distances and act as a new form of nuclear deterrence. This capability could fundamentally alter the balance of global nuclear forces. However, there are concerns about potential nuclear contamination risks from malfunctions or interception, and the missile’s full technical capabilities remain to be confirmed through further tests.

光大证券:多重利好叠加 市场或持续强势表现

Everbright Securities: Multiple Positive Factors Combine, Market May Continue Strong Performance

Sina Finance | Local Language | News | Oct. 28, 2025 | UndeterminedInvestor Sentiment

The A-share market showed strong performance this week, with major indices closing higher. The ChiNext Index and the Sci-Tech Innovation 50 led gains, while the SSE 50 and Shanghai Composite lagged. Large-cap growth stocks outperformed, with sectors like telecommunications and electronics performing well, whereas agriculture, food & beverage, and beauty & personal care underperformed. Current valuations for indices such as the Sci-Tech Innovation 50 and the Wind All A Index remain relatively high, with PE percentiles above 90% since 2010.

Key policy developments included the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee setting goals for the "15th Five-Year" period, a policy roundtable with foreign-funded enterprises by the Ministry of Commerce, and accelerated issuance of policy-oriented financial instruments. Economic data showed resilience, with 5.2% GDP growth in the first three quarters of 2025, rapid industrial production growth, steady market sales, strong service retail, stable fixed-asset investment, and robust manufacturing investment. China-U.S. economic consultations in Malaysia helped reduce short-term uncertainties, while European leaders supported ceasefire negotiations in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Short-term market outlook remains positive, supported by policy guidance from the CPC Central Committee and improved China-U.S. relations alongside the potential for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. Medium-term expectations include improved earnings for listed companies driven by economic recovery, resilient domestic exports, and sustained domestic demand growth. Fourth-quarter A-share earnings are expected to moderately recover, providing new market momentum.

Sector focus for the medium term centers on technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) and advanced manufacturing due to catalysts like the Federal Reserve’s rate cuts and AI industry growth. In case of market volatility, lagging sectors such as high-dividend and consumer sectors including banks, utilities, food & beverage, and beauty & personal care warrant attention.

Key risks highlighted include slower-than-expected policy implementation, deteriorating market sentiment, disappointing economic growth, and significant deterioration in China-U.S. relations.

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