This week in China
China faced significant natural disasters this week, including a devastating glacier collapse causing mudslides and casualties on the China-Nepal border and Typhoon Saudel prompting flight and ferry cancellations in eastern coastal regions. Geopolitical tensions remained a key focus, with a Chinese academic advising preparation for sea-power competition with the U.S. and the U.S. seizing alleged Chinese hacking platforms, though Bill Gates urged US-China cooperation on AI governance. Domestically, President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign continued to target officials, and China launched the world's first bamboo-framed floating solar farm.
About China
China is a civilization with a rich history, a vast and diverse geography, and a rapidly evolving economy that plays a significant global role. Its news landscape is shaped by extensive state control, where major media outlets operate under Communist Party oversight, reflecting state priorities and messaging. While independent journalism faces censorship, online platforms offer some alternative perspectives.
Visiting China
Media landscape
All major media in China operates under Communist Party oversight, with coverage reflecting state priorities and messaging. Independent journalism exists online but faces censorship.
Be aware that official media reflects state priorities, and seek out independent analysis for diverse perspectives.
Sources we track 2
China demands rights guarantee as US firm secures 100-year Venezuelan oil deal
China has demanded protection for its interests in Venezuela after a U.S.-backed energy company received century-long concessions covering oilfields previously operated by Chinese and Russian companie…
If a ‘great rebalancing’ is coming, will China really have to pay for it?
Michael Pettis has spent more than a decade warning that global trade imbalances will eventually have to unwind. His latest Foreign Affairs article again asks who will bear the cost of that adjustment…
Chinese YY-20 Refuels Egyptian Rafale in Cross-Platform Drill, Highlighting Export Potential
A Chinese aerial tanker has been photographed refuelling a French-built Egyptian Rafale, a rare demonstration of military interoperability between Chinese and Western-designed aircraft. The Egyptian m…
Trump envoy Daines visits Chinese AI and space firms ahead of planned Xi summit
US Senator Steve Daines has completed a trip through China’s technology centers weeks before a planned visit to Washington by Chinese President Xi Jinping, putting the Montana Republican’s meetings in…
Swedish chip and nanotech expert Henry Homayoun Radamson dies in China, aged 63
Swedish chip expert Henry Homayoun Radamson, whose work linked nanotechnology with medical diagnostics, has died in Shanghai at 63. Radamson moved to China in 2016 and was serving as chief scientist a…
Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker, August 2026
Chinese President Xi Jinping ended August in Bishkek, where he met Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov ahead of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. The visit could mark the start of a series of ove…
Ohio State agrees to US$2.1 million settlement over undisclosed China ties
Ohio State University has agreed to pay US$2.1 million to settle allegations that it failed to disclose employees’ links to Chinese institutions when seeking federal research grants. The settlement co…
A Laptop, a Social Media Post and Taiwan’s False Alarm Over a Beijing ‘Spy’
A photograph of a man holding a laptop on a Taipei Main Station metro platform turned into a false espionage alarm after a social media user noticed simplified Chinese on the screen. The laptop displa…
Trump praises China for staying ‘relatively inactive’ during Strait of Hormuz crisis
Donald Trump praised China for keeping its distance during the prolonged Strait of Hormuz crisis, saying Beijing had been “relatively inactive” compared with what it could have done. Trump made the re…
India Needs to Decide What It Wants From Economic Ties With China
India is moving toward closer diplomatic contact with China just weeks before the Brics summit, but its economic position remains unresolved. External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar met Chin…
Can Chinese sleeper hit Dear You conquer the US box office next?
Dear You, a Teochew-language family drama, has emerged as China’s biggest box-office surprise this year, earning nearly US$300 million in mainland China. The film, whose Chinese title translates as “L…
Chile fines Chinese inmate after cocaine found in maximum-security prison
A Chinese inmate due to enter Chile's maximum-security prison system was found carrying cocaine during a prison search, dealing a setback to the security operation built around his transfer. Officers …
US targets China’s global trade surplus at G20 meeting ahead of Xi-Trump summit
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent put China’s trade surplus at the centre of a G20 finance meeting on Monday, warning that persistent global imbalances undermine prosperity. He did not name China di…
Xi and Putin vow to deepen strategic ties after SCO summit meeting
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin used a meeting at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit to call for a stronger role for the regional bloc. The leaders met on M…
France targets ultra-fast fashion with new levy on Asian e-commerce platforms
France is moving to put a price on ultra-fast fashion, with a levy that could eventually approach €20 per garment sold by major Asian e-commerce platforms. The fee begins Tuesday under legislation pas…
Chip expert Chen Ye joins Zhejiang University after it overtakes Harvard
Chen Ye, a semiconductor quality-control specialist with more than 16 years of industry experience in the United States, has joined Zhejiang University as a Qiushi Distinguished Professor. The appoint…
Chinese team maps South China Sea floor at twice the resolution of Western models
A Chinese team says it has mapped the seabed across waters claimed by China, including the South China Sea, with twice the resolution of Western models and up to five times their accuracy. Scientists …
Trita Parsi on why US air strikes strengthened Iran’s hand and failed to trigger a revolt
Trita Parsi argues that US air strikes strengthened Iran’s hand and failed to provoke a revolt. Parsi is co-founder and executive vice-president of the Washington-based Quincy Institute. He specialize…
Chinese coastguard's weapon use risk estimated at 0.3% in war game
Chinese coastguard researchers are employing computer war games to simulate high-stakes maritime stand-offs, seeking to understand and mitigate the risks of escalation. In one scenario, a coastguard s…
Xi, Putin to discuss Power of Siberia 2 pipeline in Bishkek meeting
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin are set to discuss the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline project during a meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Monday. The Kremlin confirmed the …
Japan to deploy fighter jets to India for joint military exercise
Japan is set to deploy fighter jets to India for the first time next month, a move seen by experts as a significant step in strengthening security cooperation within the Indo-Pacific region. The decis…
Gulf states seek new defense partners as Iran war strains US, China assurances
Gulf states are actively seeking new defense partners as the protracted war in Iran forces a strategic pivot, highlighting a growing realization that neither the United States nor China can fully guar…
Tibet landslide: Officer filmed guiding people to safety before mudslide
Video footage captured the heroic actions of a police officer in Tibet who attempted to guide civilians to safety just moments before a devastating mudslide struck the Gyirong Port border crossing. Th…
China's hi-tech push maps linguistic diversity over 10 years
A new language resources hall at the Hunan Museum in Changsha showcases China's decade-long initiative to digitally archive its vast linguistic diversity. Visitors can interact with technology that id…
AI translations could make China's political language sound more threatening, scholar warns
An academic warns that the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence for translating China's political messaging could inadvertently make Beijing's language sound more threatening to internationa…
China-Nepal border floods: 2 survivors pulled from rubble near Tibet crossing
Rescue operations are ongoing along the China-Nepal border following devastating floods, as search teams push past the critical 72-hour window for finding survivors. The operation faces immense challe…
China Tests Stealth Drone as Advanced 'Drone Carrier' Warship Conducts Sea Trials
China is advancing its drone capabilities with flight tests of the GJ-21 stealth drone, a naval variant of the GJ-11 attack drone. This development coincides with the sea trials of the Type 076 Sichua…
Taiwan's debt tactics offer a stark warning to its allies
The international discourse on "debt traps" predominantly focuses on Beijing's lending practices. However, the experiences of Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines offer a counter-narrative, high…
US Treasury sanctions Hong Kong firm over alleged Iran money laundering
The United States has imposed sanctions on Hong Kong-based Kameng Trading Limited, accusing it of facilitating money laundering for Iran's Pedram Pirouzan Exchange House, also known as Opal Exchange. …
Tibet's Gateway to South Asia Faces Hurdles from Geography and Geopolitics
A state-of-the-art international land port in Shigatse, Tibet, stands as a testament to Beijing's ambitious vision to transform the region into a geoeconomic bridgehead connecting with South Asia. Equ…
US-China AI Rivalry Need Not Block Cooperation
Artificial intelligence (AI) presents risks that transcend national borders, including cyberattacks, misinformation, system malfunctions, and misuse. In a world marked by geopolitical tensions, the qu…
US and China Must Cooperate to Secure Global Maritime Trade Routes
The security and stability of critical international waterways have become an increasingly urgent global concern, as evidenced by renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz following the end of a US-Ira…
China's asteroid defense project leader Gong Zizheng dies at 61
Gong Zizheng, a pivotal figure in China's efforts to defend against asteroid threats and a leading researcher in space debris, has died at the age of 61. His passing, attributed to illness, was report…
China-Nepal floods highlight need for joint early warning systems for rail project
Devastating floods that swept across the China-Nepal border this week could serve as a crucial catalyst for establishing joint early-warning systems. The disaster, which struck Gyirong Port in Tibet, …
Xi-Trump Summit Plans, Nepal Disaster, SCO Summit
Chinese President Xi Jinping is reportedly considering leading a business delegation to Washington for a potential summit with US President Donald Trump next month. This high-level meeting is expected…
Bangladesh confirms Chinese J-10CE jet deal, citing Rafale kill in India-Pakistan clash
Bangladesh has officially confirmed its intention to acquire Chinese J-10CE fighter jets, a move that has been anticipated for some time. The government cited the jet's performance in a previous India…
China pledges to send urgent emergency aid to Nepal after deadly landslide
China's top leadership has pledged to send urgent emergency aid to Nepal as rescue efforts continue in the aftermath of a devastating flash flood and landslide that occurred on the border between the …
DR Congo peace deal could boost US mining interests, but China's dominance looms
A recently agreed-upon peace plan between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwanda-backed M23 movement presents a potential opening for U.S. investors in the mineral-rich eastern regions of the…
Australia risks exclusion from top science by cutting Chinese university ties
Australia's move to cut ties with two Chinese universities signals a potential alignment with US research security policies, raising concerns about the nation's future in global scientific collaborati…
Typhoon Saudel Disrupts Travel as it Makes Double Landfall in China
Typhoon Saudel swept through China's eastern Zhejiang province, causing widespread travel chaos. The storm's double landfall disrupted flights and ferry services across key urban centers, including th…
US Visa Interviews Halted; China Criticizes New Iran Sanctions
US visa interviews are currently suspended worldwide, impacting individuals seeking to enter the United States for various purposes. This global halt is part of broader changes that include new restri…
Climate Change Poses Growing Threat to Taiwan Strait Military Readiness
Record heat and extreme weather across East Asia this summer have triggered warnings that climate change will increasingly challenge military planners, especially those focused on potential flashpoint…
China-Nepal border disaster death toll nears 500 as lake overflow threatens rescue
The death toll from devastating flash floods and mudslides at the Gyirong Port border crossing between China and Nepal has climbed significantly, with hundreds confirmed dead and many more missing. As…
China performs world's first commercial brain-computer interface surgery
China has achieved a significant milestone in neurotechnology, performing the world's first commercial surgery to implant an invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) device. The groundbreaking procedur…
Iran expert discusses China's balancing act amid US and Israel conflict
Trita Parsi, a noted expert on US-Iranian relations and Middle Eastern geopolitics, is examining China's complex diplomatic maneuvers. Parsi, who is also the co-founder and executive vice-president of…
Xi's anti-graft campaign expands beyond economic crime to political loyalty
President Xi Jinping's signature anti-graft campaign, initially perceived as targeting economic crimes, has evolved into a sweeping initiative that scrutinizes officials' political loyalty, adherence …
US immigration interviews halted, visa restrictions tighten
U.S. immigration pathways are becoming increasingly constricted, with immigrant visa interviews suspended worldwide and new restrictions placed on student and work visas. Citizenship is also facing he…
Trump hints at sanctions on Chinese banks over Iran ties before Xi's expected US visit
President Donald Trump has indicated the possibility of imposing sanctions on Chinese banks due to their commercial relationships with Iran. This statement comes just weeks before Chinese leader Xi Ji…
US Should Adopt China's Tech Transfer Strategy, Experts Advise
US industrial policy experts are urging Washington to consider a strategic shift in its approach to Chinese technology, suggesting the United States adopt elements of Beijing's playbook. At an online …
Chinese executives may join Xi’s US trip as trade truce extension nears
Chinese and US officials are in discussions regarding the possibility of business leaders accompanying President Xi Jinping on his upcoming visit to the United States next month. This potential inclus…
Southeast Asia skeptical of US 'flexible realism' offer
Elbridge Colby, the US undersecretary for defense policy, recently embarked on a significant foreign trip to key Southeast Asian capitals, promoting the US concept of "flexible realism." In a speech i…
Brazil's rare earth magnet production unlikely before 2032, researchers say
Brazil's ambition to break China's dominance in rare earth magnets faces a significant timeline challenge, with researchers indicating domestic production of finished magnets is unlikely before 2032. …
China's nuclear power expansion unlikely to be halted by climate extremes
Extreme weather events are disrupting nuclear power generation in Europe, forcing reactor shutdowns due to low river levels and high water temperatures. France, heavily reliant on nuclear power, exper…
US Lawmakers Condemn Podcast's Call for Chinese-American Internment
A group of prominent Asian-American lawmakers in the U.S. Congress has issued a strong condemnation of a right-wing podcast that suggested the internment of Chinese-Americans during a potential confli…
Himalayan glacier collapse devastates China-Nepal trade route, casualties mount
A devastating glacier collapse in the Himalayas triggered a catastrophic flash flood and mudslide, striking the critical Gyirong Port crossing along the China-Nepal border on Wednesday. The disaster h…
Typhoon Saudel prompts flight and ferry cancellations in eastern China
China's eastern Zhejiang province is bracing for the impact of Typhoon Saudel, which has already led to widespread flight cancellations across the region. The approaching storm is forcing authorities …
How Shenzhen can win the ‘AI for science’ race
The next frontier in artificial intelligence is not just about building larger models, but about leveraging AI to dramatically shorten the scientific discovery cycle. This involves integrating hypothe…
China must prepare for US sea-power competition, academic says
China must prepare for an impending contest over sea power and the security of its vital shipping routes, according to Di Dongsheng, an associate dean at Renmin University's school of international st…
Beijing's trees may be creating ozone smog, study finds
Beijing's extensive urban forests, long celebrated for providing shade and improving the city's environment, may be contributing to its notorious air pollution, according to new research. Scientists h…
Japan rapidly procures anti-drone system amid China's military expansion
Japan is significantly accelerating its defense procurement process, selecting a domestically produced interceptor drone in less than three months from the launch of acquisition procedures. This rapid…
China-Nepal Border Disaster: Over 1,000 Missing After Mudslide and Flash Flood
A catastrophic mudslide and flash flood event has devastated areas along the China-Nepal border, specifically impacting the Gyirong Port region. The disaster, which occurred on Wednesday, has led to a…
China Launches World's First Bamboo-Framed Floating Solar Farm
China has unveiled the world's first floating solar farm constructed with bamboo frames, a significant step towards more sustainable offshore energy solutions. The 100-kilowatt (kW) platform, named Ji…
Bill Gates Urges US-China Cooperation on AI Governance
Tech titan Bill Gates has issued a stark warning about the transformative power of artificial intelligence, urging the United States and China to collaborate on establishing global norms for its devel…
China's resource-rich regions hit hardest by Xi's anti-corruption campaign
China's extensive anti-corruption campaign, a signature initiative of President Xi Jinping, has disproportionately targeted regions rich in natural resources, according to a major data project by the …
US seizes Chinese hacking platforms targeting Nasa, Fed and Senate
U.S. authorities have dismantled two Chinese state-sponsored online platforms accused of targeting critical American infrastructure and sensitive networks. The Justice Department and the FBI announced…
In a small Virginia town, distrust of Big Tech hampers Trump’s AI push
A significant economic development project in southern Virginia, a proposed data center campus at Berry Hill, is encountering local resistance. The initiative, touted as the largest in the region's hi…
Could the delay to China’s moon mission ease pressure on Nasa?
China's high-stakes mission to find water ice on the moon's south pole, Chang'e-7, has been postponed until next year. The mission was set to launch this week, but Chinese space authorities announced …
No gym needed: scientists in China develop self-exercising muscle grafts
Researchers in China have engineered a groundbreaking self-exercising muscle graft, offering a potential pathway for individuals to gain the benefits of physical activity without any exertion. The inn…
China makes officials liable for environmental damage for life
China is reinforcing the principle of lifelong accountability for its officials concerning serious environmental damage that occurs under their watch. This move is part of a broader strategy to more c…
Frustration in China as US freezes green card interviews worldwide, citing ‘training’
Applicants in China are expressing frustration and disbelief after American consulates globally began canceling immigrant visa interviews, creating further delays for those seeking to enter the United…
China’s multilateral pitch is finding an audience
While the United States increasingly distances itself from the multilateral order it once championed, Beijing is emerging as a proponent of international cooperation and stability. This shift is notab…
Zelensky asks China to use diplomatic weight to end Ukraine war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on China to leverage its significant diplomatic weight to help bring an end to Russia's ongoing war against his country. Zelensky expressed his hope f…
China Coastal Regions on High Alert as Typhoon Saudel Approaches
Coastal regions of China, specifically Zhejiang and Fujian provinces, are under high alert as Typhoon Saudel intensifies and moves closer to landfall. The approaching storm has already disrupted trave…
Ming dynasty work shows how Chinese understood the world in the 1600s
A monumental Ming dynasty encyclopaedia, the Tushu Bian, published in 1613, reveals how Chinese scholars in the 1600s sought to map and understand the world from their own cultural and intellectual st…
Trump-Backed Darline Graham Wins South Carolina Senate Nomination Despite Taiwan Debate Gaffe
South Carolina Senator Darline Graham has clinched the Republican nomination for a full Senate term, overcoming a notable moment of uncertainty during a recent debate regarding Taiwan and the South Ch…
Could Apec's Rules Help Close the Growing AI Gap Between Rich and Poor?
A growing disparity in Artificial Intelligence capabilities between advanced economies and developing countries has spurred calls to leverage the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) framework. Th…
Xi’s anti-corruption fighters target officials outside Beijing and after retirement
President Xi Jinping's signature anti-corruption campaign continues to expand its reach, zeroing in on officials across China, even those who have left public service. A major data project by the Sout…
Africa knows who its true friends are – and they’re not in Washington
A recent gaffe at the Aids 2026 conference in Rio de Janeiro, where a US State Department presentation misidentified African nations on a map, serves as a potent symbol of the disconnect between Washi…
Virginia residents push back against data center, dispute Trump's China claims
In Sterling, Virginia, the hum of a nearby data center has become a constant presence for residents like Lindsay Shaw. Her home sits across from the industrial neighbor, which has disrupted her life w…
Industrial fire kills 3, including 2 Chinese citizens, in Russia’s far east
A devastating fire at a petrochemical facility in Russia's far eastern Amur region claimed the lives of three individuals, including two Chinese citizens. The blaze erupted Tuesday at the remote Amur …
China seeks public tips on procurement violations as PLA Rocket Force probe continues
China is actively seeking public assistance in its anti-corruption efforts, specifically targeting procurement irregularities within the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF). The military's o…
Brazil fines TikTok record US$30 million for profiting from children’s data
Brazil's National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) has imposed a record fine of US$30 million on ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, for its practices concerning children's data. This penalty, le…
China sends archaeologists to South America to trace ancestral links for the first time
For the first time, Chinese archaeologists are embarking on a field project in South America, aiming to uncover ancestral connections between ancient Chinese and native American civilizations. This in…
US Admits Defeat in China Minerals Race; Brazil Eyes Processing Power
Brazilian Mines and Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira revealed that U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration acknowledged losing the critical minerals race to China during talks in May. Sil…
US-China talks aim for 'normal stability' with manageable disagreements
China advocates for a relationship with the United States characterized by "normal stability with controllable disagreements," a senior Chinese official stated during recent semi-official dialogue. Li…
China's anti-corruption legal framework set to expand internationally
China's top legislature is considering a draft law designed to extend its anti-corruption efforts beyond national borders. The proposed Anti-Cross-Border Corruption Law underwent its first reading at …
Debate star and physicist Guo Yanliang leaves a top European quantum lab for China
Guo Yanliang, a physicist known for his skills as a champion debater, has made a significant career move, departing from a leading European quantum laboratory to establish his own research group in Be…
How China’s anti-corruption fight became Xi Jinping’s most important policy
President Xi Jinping's signature anti-graft campaign has evolved into one of the Communist Party's most critical policies, according to a major data project by the South China Morning Post. In the ear…
Forcing women to drink at business dinners has no place in modern China
A recent report of a female employee allegedly being assaulted at a drinking party in Hangzhou has resurfaced painful memories for many, including the author, who experienced similar pressures in busi…
US targets China’s telecoms grip in Venezuela with new sanctions carve-out
The United States is strategically opening Venezuela's telecommunications market to new investment and technology, while pointedly excluding Chinese firms. The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of For…
Shein's Everlane Acquisition Faces US National Security Review
U.S. authorities are conducting a national security review into Shein Global Holdings' acquisition of American clothing retailer Everlane. The review, led by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the…
Mainland China’s ship activity near Taiwan hits record for third month in a row
Mainland Chinese government ship sightings around Taiwan have hit record highs for three months running, as Beijing expands its law enforcement presence east of the island. This surge follows the anno…
China, Jordan call for Strait of Hormuz to reopen, urge U.S.-Iran ceasefire maintenance
China and Jordan have jointly called for the Strait of Hormuz to resume normal shipping operations, emphasizing the need to maintain the ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The joint stateme…
US, China Diplomats Clash Over Tech Spying and Trade Hub Claims in Latin America
Diplomats representing the United States and China in Latin America have engaged in a public dispute on social media, trading accusations over alleged espionage risks posed by Chinese technology firms…
Taiwan unveils Strong Bow anti-ballistic missile specs in push for US$1.13 billion funding
Taiwan's primary weapons developer has unveiled key details of its indigenous Strong Bow anti-ballistic missile system as it pushes for legislative funding to bolster the island's air defenses against…
Banking veteran Li Yun appointed Shenzhen's acting mayor ahead of Apec summit
Li Yun, a seasoned banking professional with more than two decades of experience in financial institutions, has been appointed the new deputy Communist Party secretary and acting mayor of Shenzhen. Th…
China team brings X-ray vision to life with a compact high-speed ghost video cam
A team of Chinese scientists has achieved a significant breakthrough in imaging technology, developing a novel tabletop X-ray ghost imaging method. This innovation allows for the capture of real-time …
Remembering Zhu Rongji and understanding his legacy
As China reflects on the passing of former Premier Zhu Rongji, discussions surrounding his legacy and impact are coming to the forefront. Zhu, who became premier in March 1998, led the nation during a…
Chinese archaeologists heading to Peru for first joint project to explore ancient sites
Chinese archaeologists are set to embark on their first joint field project in South America, focusing on exploring ancient sites in Peru. This initiative marks a significant step in deepening cultura…
Orange lichen in your backyard could signal rare earth deposits, Chinese scientists find
A common sight on rocks, a vivid orange-yellow lichen, may hold the key to uncovering vast underground fortunes. Chinese researchers have identified this humble lichen as a potential field indicator f…
