NEWS / the week of Oct 24-31
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.
📉 Economy & Employment
“Red Tourism” Boom in China / October 31,2025
There is a substantial surge in so-called “red tourism” in China, where citizens visit revolutionary-era sites tied to the Chinese Communist Party’s history. Financial Times
This reflects how cultural, historical and political narratives are being mobilized domestically — blending travel/leisure with patriotic education and state messaging. It also offers insight into younger generations’ engagement with national identity.
US and China seek to strike a deal over rare earths, tariffs, soybeans / October 31,2025
China achieves thorium-uranium nuclear fuel conversion / October 31,2025
China has successfully achieved the first-ever thorium to uranium nuclear fuel conversion in a Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (TMSR), and obtained valid experimental data following thorium fuel loading, confirming the technical feasibility of thorium utilization in a molten-salt reactor nuclear energy system
U.S.–China Trades / October 31,2025
The U.S. is reportedly set to announce that Dutch chip-maker Nexperia’s China-based facilities will resume shipments, easing a possible disruption to global auto production.
Supply Chain Developments / October 30,2025
At the same time, investors are parsing China’s forthcoming five-year economic and social development plan for clues on the future of tech stocks in China. These items show how China is deeply tied into global supply chains (especially semiconductors/auto), and how policy signals from Beijing can sway investor sentiment and global manufacturing.
👥 Christians In or Out?
More on recent arrests in Beijing / October 28,2025
What’s behind Boom of Christianity in China? / Dated, but worth looking at
Theology scholars and a global network of researchers are using big data to map religion’s history in China and explain its rapid growth.
👥 Science & Workforce Challenges
Shenzhou‑21 Mission Launched / October 31,2025
China launched its Shenzhou-21 mission to the Tiangong space station, with a crew including its youngest astronaut yet, and mice sent for reproduction experiments in orbit. This demonstrates China’s accelerating ambitions in space and human–animal scientific experiments in orbit — a sign of the country competing strongly in the high-end science/technology arena.
China achieves thorium-uranium nuclear fuel conversion / October 31,2025
China has successfully achieved the first-ever thorium to uranium nuclear fuel conversion in a Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (TMSR), and obtained valid experimental data following thorium fuel loading, confirming the technical feasibility of thorium utilization in a molten-salt reactor nuclear energy system
Shenzhou-21 astronauts enter space station / October 31,2025
🧭 Other International Issues
U.S.–China Diplomatic / Trade Relations / October 30,2025
There are signs of a modest de-escalation in trade tensions — e.g., talks between the U.S. and China, some tariff relief, and a rapprochement tone at the recent meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. U.S.–China dynamics matter not only for the two countries but for global trade, investment, and geopolitical stability. The details of any deal or truce will influence many sectors.
China pitches itself as alternative to US protectionism / October 28,2025
After signing expanded ASEAN free trade pact.
China and US tell their military to prepare for war / October 26,2025
Combat Planning / October 26,2025
China's Norinco is developing autonomous combat-support machines / October 26,2025
China lodges serious protests to Japan / October 28,2025
Over Japanese leader’s meeting with personnel from Taiwan authorities during APEC meetings.