China Fortnightly Newsletter I December 01 – 15 2025

The fortnight of December 1-15 was characterized by consolidation of institutional governance mechanisms, high-level strategic positioning with key global players, and sustained military operational tempo. Domestically, administrative restructuring across commerce and education, combined with regulatory tightening on law enforcement and Party supervisory bodies, reflected Beijing’s focus on execution capacity for the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan. Xi’s Dujiangyan engagement with Macron elevated civilisational narrative and strategic messaging regarding China-France relations as exemplars of Eastern-Western convergence. Operationally, the PLA conducted multi-partner drills with Russia, Pakistan, and the UAE whilst maintaining routine enforcement presence in contested maritime zones. Economic policy emphasised green transition finance, demographic response through old-age sectors, and international positioning through multilateral economic dialogues.