NEWS / the week of Oct 18-24
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.
Why Beijing is looking to exert tighter control over Chinese Christians / Oct 24, 2025
China’s relationship with Christianity is complex, and has been marked by periods of tolerance and persecution.
📉 Key Political and Economic Developments
China–U.S. Relations Intensify / Oct 23, 2025
Tensions escalated ahead of a potential meeting between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping. Trump threatened a 100% tariff on Chinese goods, while China responded with new permitting requirements on rare earth exports.
China's Economic Slowdown / Oct 20, 2025
China's GDP growth slowed to 4.8% in Q3 2025, the weakest pace in a year. Exports to the U.S. dropped 27% in September, reflecting the impact of trade tensions and soft domestic demand.
MI5 Foils Alleged Chinese Spy Plot / Oct 17, 2025
The UK’s MI5 revealed it thwarted a Chinese espionage attempt last week. The agency warned of daily threats from Chinese state actors involving cyber espionage and covert interference.
Three things we learned from China's big political meeting this week / Oct 24, 2025
The corruption purge may be larger than we thought, China is seeking technological self sufficiency; and concern over a loss of export markets.
Modest hopes for Xi-Trump summit as China and US count down to South Korea talks / Oct 24, 2025
Beijing and Washington have some room to manoeuvre but the big structural issues remain, observers say.
Beijing sets October 25 to commemorate Taiwan’s restoration / Oct 24, 2025
Beijing has formally designated October 25 as the day to commemorate Taiwan’s restoration, as it again asserts its sovereignty over the self-ruled island.
🎓 Social and Cultural News on Chinese People
Dezeen Awards China 2025 winners revealed at party in Shanghai / Oct 24, 2025
Over 150 shortlisted architects and designers from all over China, joined by Dezeen Awards China judges and VIP guests gathered at Kimpton Qiantan Shanghai hotel for the ceremony to celebrate this year's winners.
Vision for China's 15th Five-Year Plan / Oct 24, 2025
Take a look at this poster of the guiding principles for economic and social development as well as the major objectives for the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
AI contest promotes China-ASEAN cooperation in market regulation / Oct 24, 2025
The finals of the Market Regulation Service Innovative Application Contest (domestic and China-ASEAN joint teams), part of the "AI for All: China-ASEAN" competition, were recently held in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.