NEWS / the week of Nov 1-6, 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.
Trade, Economy & Political Relationships
Trump/Xi reach one-year trade truce on tariffs, fentanyl, rare earths, and soybeans / October 30, 2025
Presidents Trump and Xi met at the APEC summit, agreeing to cut U.S. fentanyl-related tariffs on China from 20% to 10%, pause new Chinese rare-earth export curbs for a year, resume U.S. soybean purchases, and lift mutual port fees. Trump called it a "12 out of 10" meeting.
China defends rare-earth curbs, rebuffs U.S. criticism / October 30, 2025
Beijing calls export controls “legitimate” amid the truce; earlier restrictions remain, preserving leverage in critical minerals.
China’s key weapons in its AI battle with the U.S. / November 6, 2025
Massive Huawei chip clusters and cheap energy. China’s subsidies, energy discounts and cheap power allow these systems to be used.
U.S.-China statements diverge on summit details / November 3, 2025
Post-summit readouts differ on TikTok's future in the U.S., anti-monopoly probes, and exact rare-earth commitments; clarification pending on several points.
China becomes slightly more investible after pause / October 31, 2025
The 12-month truce eases investor fears, boosting Chinese stocks; analysts see onshore markets outperforming amid AI and liquidity hopes, though deflation and weak consumption persist.
Major stories about China in 2025
China detains prominent underground pastor Jin Mingri and 29 church leaders / October 30, 2025
Nationwide raids target Beijing Zion Church founder and others on unspecified charges, drawing U.S. criticism and complicating bilateral ties.
How War in Taiwan Ends / November 6, 2025
If Deterrence Fails, Could America Thwart China?
Military Concerns
High stakes on the high seas as US, China test limits of military power / November 6, 2025
As China’s navy surges ahead, US dominance at sea faces its toughest test in decades — from the South China Sea to the shipyards
‘Sex spies’ from China, Russia hit US to seduce and steal secrets with honeypot tactics / November 6, 2025
A former operative warns that China and Russia use honeypot tactics to steal technology and state secrets through psychological warfare, expert says.
Chinese astronauts stranded in space after debris strikes return capsule during mission / November 6, 2025
3-member Shenzhou-20 crew's return postponed indefinitely as engineers assess damage to spacecraft
Sociological Impact
Northeast China town shrinks by a third amid population decline / November 2, 2025
In Yimianpo, Liaoning, births have plummeted (fewer than 3 per 1,000 residents); one family’s story highlights migration to cities, closed schools, and reluctance among youth to have children due to economic pressures.
Single mothers in China find a new kind of partner / November 6, 2025
As divorce rates rise and the cost of living bites, single mothers in China are searching for a new kind of partner: each other.
Chinese scholars charged with smuggling biological materials into US / November 5, 2025
Three men allegedly made false statements to customs while participating in a university exchange program, using research as a cover for bringing concealed biological materials related to roundworms into the U.S.