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NEWS / the week of July 20-27, 2025

NEWS / the week of July 20-27, 2025

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.

⛪ Religious Landscape & Policy Update

China Uncertainty Leads to New Christian Crackdown / July 14, 2025

‘Face Recognition Cameras’ in Churches - China has intensified its surveillance and restrictions on Christian gatherings amid economic and social pressures:

  • Congregants are now required to use face recognition cameras inside churches, including pulpit areas, to monitor attendees.

  • House‑church pastors have been arrested under charges like “business fraud” simply for collecting tithes or offerings, which authorities now classify as foreign religious services.

  • In some cases, churches are forced to sing the Communist anthem before worship, and hymns must align with communist principles.

  • Despite repression, sources report continued church planting and spiritual revival even under heavy pressure.

 31 Seekers Baptized in Jinan / July 13, 2025

As a beacon of hope, this local news story highlights Christian growth even amid restrictions:

  • Following a three‑month catechism course and evaluation, 31 individuals were baptized at Shengfu Church in Jinan, Shandong Province.

  • The ceremony marks one of the church’s recent significant outreach efforts to nurture new believers in mid‑2025.

🚗 Economy & Industry

Nvidia AI chips smuggled into China despite U.S. export bans / July 24, 2025

Over $1 billion worth of Nvidia’s restricted AI chips—including B200, H100, H200 models—have entered China through black-market routes, circumventing U.S. export restrictions to support local AI ambitions.

 Chinese investors snap up stocks on hopes for an end to price wars and overcapacity / July 21, 2025

Investors cheered after China's new policy moves curbing oversupply in steel, coal, solar, and battery sectors. Commodity prices surged 10–68% in early July amid strengthened enforcement and regulatory inspections.

 Major dam under construction in Tibet fuels $170 b infrastructure push / July 21, 2025

China has begun building a massive hydroelectric dam in Tibet—part of a $170 b stimulus drive reminiscent of the Three Gorges Dam era. This plan is seen as a key lever to boost demand for cement and steel, despite concerns over environmental and geopolitical impacts.

 “Getting married to resolve debt” is a recurring term on Chinese social media / July 3, 2025

The word refers to a phenomenon that has become more prevalent alongside rising debts among younger people in China due to credit card debts or personal (online) loans. Instead of resolving their debts in other ways, there are people who turn to marriage as a way to solve financial problems. It’s not a promise of love-it’s a calculated transaction.

 Heatwave strains China's power grid / July 23, 2025

China issued warnings about potential power outages as a record-breaking heatwave intensified demand across the country.

 Six Chinese university students drown in Inner Mongolia / July 23, 2025

Six students from Northeastern University tragically drowned during a field trip after a grid plate collapsed at a mining plant. The incident occurred around July 23, and authorities and the university released public apologies amid growing outrage.

 Biggest mosquito-borne virus outbreak to date / July 24, 2025

China's southern industrial hub is facing its largest-ever outbreak of chikungunya, with over 3,195 cases recorded this month, sparking public health concerns.

 🌏 International Relations & Trade

EU‑China summit sees tension over trade, human rights, and Ukraine

At a summit in Beijing marking 50 years of diplomatic ties, European leaders urged China for more balanced trade relations, access to rare‑earth exports, and accountability over support for Russia in the Ukraine war.

 EU–China summit highlights trade tension amid low expectations / July 22, 2025

At a summit marking 50 years of EU‑China diplomatic ties, European leaders pressed China on rare-earth exports, industrial overcapacity, access to EV markets, and support in Ukraine. Expectations for breakthroughs remained limited.

 India resumes tourist visas for Chinese nationals

China welcomed India’s decision to resume tourist visas for Chinese citizens after a five-year pause, seen as a positive signal for diplomatic normalization and increased people-to-people exchange.

 China rolls out reforms to attract foreign reinvestment / July 23, 2025

With foreign direct investment (FDI) down 13% through May, new measures now allow reinvestment of profits, offer tax incentives, and simplify processes for foreign firms to expand or reinvest domestically.

 🚢 Military & Security Incidents

China has developed the largest drone carrier in the world / May 29, 2025

The world’s largest drone "mothership" is getting ready for deployment in June. It’s designed to carry and launch up to 100 drones in a swarm, including kamikaze drones.

 Amnesty marks 10‑year anniversary of China’s '709' Crackdown / July 24, 2025

Amnesty International commemorated ten years since the 2015 crackdown on human rights lawyers in China and issued a joint statement calling for renewed international pressure over rights violations.