NEWS / the week of Oct 4-10, 2025
Current news about China and the Chinese people
NOTE: The news reports below are not in chronological order. There is often a time lag in their reaching the US and in gaining our attention. These reports reflect the opinions of a variety of news sources.
🛢️ Key Political and Economic Developments
China’s first-ever pledge to cut emissions / Oct 10, 2025
NEW CLIMATE TARGETS: In a video address to the UN last week, China’s president Xi Jinping personally pledged to cut his nation’s economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions to 7-10% below peak levels by 2035
US-China Trade Tensions Escalate Over Rare Earths: / Oct 10, 2025
China expanded export controls on rare earth elements (adding dysprosium, terbium, and others) effective December 1, plus curbs on synthetic diamonds and graphite for semiconductors—leveraging its 90% global supply dominance. President Trump responded by threatening a "massive increase" in tariffs on Chinese imports (potentially from 30% to higher), calling the move "out of nowhere" and seeing "no reason" to meet Xi Jinping soon. This has sparked market volatility, with the Dow dropping 700 points amid sell-offs. Sticking points also include unfulfilled US demands on fentanyl precursors and new Chinese port fees on US ships starting October 14.
China's New K-Visa Sparks Youth Backlash / Oct 10, 2025
Launched October 1 to attract foreign STEM talent, the visa faces online criticism from jobless youth (unemployment at 18.9% in August), fearing it worsens competition amid economic slowdown. Requirements remain unclear, and applications aren't yet live on embassy sites.
🌿 Weather and Holiday Disruptions
Typhoon Ragasa Hits Southern China / Oct 9, 2025
The storm made landfall in Guangdong on October 5, prompting red alerts, flight cancellations, and evacuations of ~180 million in Hainan, Guangdong, and Guangxi. It disrupted Golden Week (October 1-8), with 2.36 billion trips recorded despite the chaos—Japan topped overseas destinations. Recovery follows Typhoon Ragasa, which displaced nearly 2 million last month.
🛰️ International Relations and Security
Taiwan Warns of China's 'Hybrid' Threats / Oct 9, 2025
Taiwan's defense report highlights China's increased gray-zone tactics (e.g., Coast Guard incursions up in September) and online warfare to erode trust. Leaked docs reveal Russian plans to train a PLA airborne battalion for potential invasion scenarios.
China's Infowar in Philippines / Oct 5, 2025
Beijing funded fake social media accounts to undermine US alliances, praise China, and criticize Western COVID vaccines—mirroring US efforts against Chinese vaccines.
China reports major improvements in welfare for children, elderly / Oct 10, 2025
Over the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), welfare for children and the elderly in China has seen significant improvements, China's Minister of Civil Affairs Lu Zhiyuan said on Friday.
China sees 888 million domestic trips during eight-day holiday / Oct 9, 2025
China recorded 888 million domestic tourist trips during the eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, up 123 million from the seven-day National Day holiday in 2024, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said Thursday.
🎓 Social and Cultural News on Chinese People
Crackdown on Online Pessimism / Oct 9, 2025
Authorities are suspending accounts for "excessive" negativity (e.g., too many sighing emojis) on work, marriage, or economy, aiming to foster "cultural confidence" under Xi Jinping Thought. Recent targets include influencers with millions of followers; this follows fixation on actor Yu Menglong's death.
Incentives for Babies Amid Demographic Crisis / Oct 9, 2025
Local governments offer up to $1,400 per child to boost births (rate at 1.09 per woman), but youth cite high costs and insecurity—reversing past controls. Population stands at ~1.416 billion as of July 2025.
Human Rights Concerns / Oct 9, 2025
Reports highlight ongoing censorship, religious controls (e.g., Vatican-China bishop deal renewed), and harassment of dissidents abroad. Social credit blacklists reportedly leave thousands of youth homeless, barring jobs and services—though official youth unemployment is ~15%. Legacy COVID measures like forced PCR tests via digital IDs persist, fueling "digital slavery" complaints. Rumors swirl of Xi's health issues and political reshuffles ahead of the plenum.
Devout Christians In China Face New Online Crackdown / Oct 1, 2025
China’s government published a “Code of Conduct for Religious Clergy on the Internet” (≈18 articles) that bans religious teaching, livestreams, online courses, or other religious content unless it is via state-approved channels.
China Launches Major Crackdown on House Churches, Over 70 Believers Arrested / Oct 1, 2025
In eastern China, a large police operation used 400 officers & 200 vehicles to detain over 70 believers; more than 80 house-church groups were forced to stop meeting.