NEWS / the week of November 16-22, 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.
China escalates its dispute with Japan over Taiwan at the UN / Nov. 22, 2025
China formally addressed the issue at the United Nations, accusing Japan of threatening intervention if there were a conflict over Taiwan — and warning it would defend itself.
US and China hold maritime security talks in Hawaii / Nov. 21, 2025
The two militaries met under the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA) from Nov 18–20 to discuss maritime and air security, especially in light of recent naval encounters.
China suspends seafood imports from Japan amid Taiwan tensions / Nov. 19, 2025
As tensions with Japan rise (following comments about possible military involvement around Taiwan), China suspended all seafood imports from Japan.
U.S. congressional commission warns of escalating security threats from China / Nov. 18, 2025
A bipartisan U.S. commission urged swift legislation to counter growing national security risks from China, especially in tech (AI, quantum), infrastructure, and military supply chains.
Law changes targeting house churches / Nov. 1, 2025
ChinaAid: “China Revises Public Security Law: For the First Time, ‘Illegal’ Religious Activities Is Included …” — The revised law (effective Jan 1, 2026) explicitly targets unregistered house churches, criminalizing certain religious activities.
U.S. House of Representatives (Rep. Chris Smith) / Nov. 18, 2025
“Congress warned that China’s crackdown on religious …” — A statement noting tens of millions belong to house churches and criticizing the arrests.
China’s Relations with Syria / Nov. 22, 2025
Following the downfall of Bashar al-Assad, China is seeking to reset ties with Syria, signaling its continued interest in Middle East diplomacy.
US Navy in South China Sea / Nov. 22, 2025
The USS George Washington entered the South China Sea, highlighting ongoing military maneuvers in contested waters.
Online messaging campaigns from the Ministry of State Security (MSS)
Seek to educate citizens about national security threats and to instill a suspicion of foreigners, especially those from West countries. Numerous examples in WeChat posts from 2025 detail ways in which foreign spies might manipulate people into providing sensitive information and describe how model citizens can report suspicious activity to the authorities.