NEWS / the week of Dec 6 to Dec 12
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.
🎓 Social and Cultural News on Chinese People
Hong Kong election turnout low / Dec 8,2025
Hong Kong's election on Sunday saw a near-record-low turnout after the city's worst fire in nearly 80 years prompted anger against its China-backed authorities, but voter participation edged higher than in the previous vote four years ago.
Trial of Chinese crime gangs in Italian fashion stalls amid sabotage fears / Dec 11,2025
A landmark trial in Italy of Chinese crime gangs has suffered so many mishaps - from the disappearance of documents to the resignation of interpreters - that a senior prosecutor suspects it's being sabotaged to protect the criminals' grip on Europe's fashion industry.
'There is no longer a safe place to be a Christian in China' / Dec 11,2025
The Chinese government is increasingly cracking down on state-sanctioned churches as well as underground churches, leaving no "safe place" for Christians, according to International Christian Concern.
A look at how world’s 5 Communist countries are cracking down on Christians / Dec 10,2025
Governments in the world’s five remaining Communist countries are intensifying control over Christian churches, according to an analysis by a persecution watchdog, which says churches are facing growing legal, financial and operational restrictions under regimes in China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea and Vietnam.
📉 Key Political and Economic Developments
China’s Trade Surplus Climbs Past $1 Trillion for First Time / Dec 8,2025
President Trump’s tariffs weren’t enough to hold back the global export flood by China, which pushed past last year’s record in just 11 months.
China Is Set To Lose a Population the Size of California in 10 Years / Dec 8,2025
China’s population is projected to fall by more than California’s current population in the next 10 years—and that is only the start. U.N. estimates show the country could be down about 140 million by 2050.
Ford suppliers receive China's new streamlined rare-earth licenses / Dec 11,2025
Chinese rare-earth magnet suppliers to U.S. automaker Ford Motor were included in the first batch of new export licenses issued by Beijing to boost shipments and reduce shortages of the vital components, the carmaker said on Wednesday.
Sales of foreign-branded phones in China up 13.0% in October, data shows / Dec 10,2025
Sales of foreign-branded phones, including Apple Inc's iPhone, increased 13.0% year-on-year in China in October, according to Reuters calculations based on data released on Wednesday by a government-affiliated research firm.
🛰️ International Relations and Security
Cross-border attacks kill Chinese nationals in Tajikistan / Dec 8,2025
Five Chinese citizens were killed and five were injured in attacks launched from Afghanistan into Tajikistan. China’s embassy urged the evacuation of the border area.
China–Japan military tensions escalate / Dec 11,2025
Tokyo accused Chinese fighter jets of locking radar on Japanese aircraft northeast of Taiwan, calling it a “dangerous act.” China countered that Japanese planes disturbed naval drills.
China’s New Underwater Drones Could Threaten West Coast U.S. / Dec 12,2025
China is building the world’s largest underwater drones, the size of traditional submarines. The first stage of analysis established their existence, and that they are highly likely uncrewed. It is now time to consider why China is building them.
Exclusive: China's ZTE may pay over $1 billion to the US over foreign bribery allegations / Dec 12,2025
ZTE has for years faced probes by authorities around the world into alleged bribes to secure telecom contracts.
IMF urges China to take the 'brave choice': curb exports, boost consumption / Dec 10,2025
The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday urged China to make the "brave choice" of speeding up structural reform, as pressure grows on the world's second-largest economy to shift towards a consumption-led model and curb reliance on debt-driven exports.
🛢️ Geopolitics & Energy
Deadly Hong Kong blaze exposes systemic failures / Dec 8,2025
Caixin’s “Weekly Must-Read” highlighted the Wang Fuk Court fire that killed at least 128 people, sparking debate about building safety and regulation.
China’s clever plan to save its dying shopping malls / Dec 9,2025
The U.S. invented shopping malls, but China is writing its next chapter. Like their U.S. counterparts, many Chinese malls have fallen on hard times.
Major automakers say China poses 'clear and present threat' to US auto industry / Dec 11,2025
Major automakers on Thursday urged Washington to prevent Chinese government-backed automakers and battery manufacturers from opening U.S. manufacturing plants, warning the industry's future is at stake.