NEWS / the week of Oct 10 to 16, 2026
NEWS / the week of Oct 10 to 16, 2026
Current news about China and the Chinese people.
NOTE: The news reports below are not in chronological order. Reports from China often reach the US with a time lag, and the views expressed reflect a variety of news sources.
U.S.–China & Global Trade
China Buys 8–10 US Soybean Cargoes in First Deals Since Trump–Xi Summit — Oct 14, 2026
Chinese state-owned firms bought several large shipments of American soybeans this week, the first such purchases since September's summit in Washington. Shipments begin in December, and China has now bought more than half of its 25-million-ton target for the season. (Reuters)
China, EU Agree to Keep Bilateral Trade Ties Stable, Hold Next Meeting in March 2027 — Oct 10, 2026
After two days of talks in Beijing, China and the European Union agreed on 16 points, including an understanding on hybrid vehicle trade, faster rare-earth export licenses for Europe, and exploring tariff reductions. The next round of talks is set for March 2027.
Chinese Premier Stresses High-Quality Development at 140th Canton Fair — Oct 14, 2026
Premier Li Qiang opened the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, which marks its 70th anniversary this year. More than 30,000 companies are exhibiting and about 340,000 overseas buyers are expected. Li said China is willing to import more high-quality products. (Xinhua)
Economy
China's Foreign Trade Maintains Sound Momentum as New Drivers Power Exports — Oct 14, 2026
China's exports rose 29.6% year on year in September (in yuan terms) and imports rose 24.6%. For the first nine months of 2026, total trade grew 18.8% to nearly 40 trillion yuan, according to customs data. (Xinhua)
China Inflation Rate Slightly Below Estimates — Oct 14, 2026
Consumer prices rose 0.9% in September from a year earlier, the highest since June. Higher fuel and travel costs before the Golden Week holiday pushed prices up, while food prices fell for a sixth straight month, led by cheaper pork.
China's FDI Equity Stock Ranks Second Globally: Commerce Ministry — Oct 16, 2026
Foreign direct investment in China reached about $3.98 trillion by the end of 2025, second in the world. More than 461,000 foreign-invested companies are operating, accounting for roughly a third of China's goods trade and over 30 million jobs a year.
Shanghai Housing Market Breaks Records — Oct 14, 2026
Shanghai recorded 1,615 sales of pre-owned homes in a single day, its busiest day of the second half of the year. Holiday-week sales rose 66% from last year, helped by new local measures including trade-in subsidies and mortgage adjustments.
China & the World
China's Fuzhou to Host World Cities Day 2026 — Oct 15, 2026
UN-Habitat announced that Fuzhou, capital of Fujian Province, will host this year's World Cities Day on October 31. The theme, "Regenerating the City: Adequate Housing for All," will focus on how cities can address housing shortages around the world. (Xinhua)
Society, Culture & Sports
Zheng Qinwen's China Open Win Swamps Her Sponsor's Tea Shops — Oct 13, 2026
Tennis star Zheng Qinwen, 24, became the first Chinese woman to win the China Open, entering as a wildcard after injuries. Her sponsor's buy-one-get-one-free milk tea celebration drew so many orders that its ordering app briefly crashed.
Beijing's Ancient Trees Offer Lasting Lessons From the Past — Oct 16, 2026
Beijing has more than 42,000 trees over 100 years old, including a cypress estimated at 3,500 years. The city has launched 10 walking and cycling routes to see them and plans to protect over 3,000 ancient trees by 2030.
China Deploys Five Teams for Latest Batch of Environmental Inspections — Oct 16, 2026
China's environment ministry sent five national inspection teams to review two government ministries and pollution in caves, sinkholes and valleys across southwest China. The inspections hold local officials accountable under a new environmental code that took effect in August. (Xinhua)