NEWS / the week of Sept 25 to Oct 2, 2026

 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.

🤝 U.S.–China Summit & Diplomacy

US–China Summit Ends With Little Progress on Trade and AI  — Sept 25, 2026

The summit wrapped "high on choreography but low on progress," with observers describing the dynamic as one of "mutual suspicion," though the two sides agreed to reduce tariffs on a subset of nonsensitive goods and set new deadlines for further talks.

 Xi Seizes Trump Truce to Seek Lasting Gains on Trade, Taiwan — Sept 25, 2026

After a warm welcome in Washington — including Xi boarding the U.S. presidential helicopter — Xi intensified pressure on Trump to limit support for Taiwan while hinting at a broader trade détente. Trump declared they had "never gotten along better."

 U.S.–China Summit & Tariff Reductions

The Guardian: China and US cut reciprocal tariffs on $30bn each of goods  — Sept 29, 2026

Following high-level discussions, the U.S. and China agreed to extend their trade truce and reduce tariffs on $30 billion worth of reciprocal goods. The talks also established formal frameworks to launch dialogues around artificial intelligence safety and economic policy.

 CNBC China Connection: Summit Was More About Domestic Messaging — Sept 28, 2026

The $30 billion tariff rollback released after the summit covered curtains, sports equipment, Christmas lights, U.S. beef and soy meal — a carefully curated list for domestic audiences. Trump faces midterms in November; Xi faces a CCP plenary in late October.

Domestic Politics & Economy

Xi Talks Economy, Taiwan at National Day Reception — Sept 30, 2026

At the eve-of-National-Day reception marking China's 77th anniversary, Xi called for efforts to hit full-year economic targets while reiterating firm opposition to Taiwan independence.

The Guardian: Two giant pandas arrive in Atlanta from China after Xi-Trump summit — Sept 27, 2026

Highlighted as a key soft-power gesture during recent diplomatic talks, giant pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang arrived in Georgia to live at Zoo Atlanta as part of a long-term loan agreement.  

 Why am I obsessed with China’s ancient golden age?  — Oct 2, 2026

I took my daughter on a trip to find out I felt a duty to write about the Tang dynasty and its incredible social and cultural sophistication – but also to connect my Chinese past with my child.

 🌏 Taiwan & Regional Security

Chinese Coast Guard Patrols Off Taiwan's East Coast; Beijing Accuses Taipei Over WWII History — Oct 1, 2026

China's coast guard announced another patrol off Taiwan's east coast this week, calling it "law enforcement in its jurisdictional waters," a claim Taipei rejects. Separately, Beijing accused Taipei of "desecrating martyrs" for questioning China's account of World War II.

 AP News: Taiwan receives first F-16V fighter jets from U.S. package

Taiwan's air force confirmed receipt of its first two F-16V fighter jets delivered under U.S. defense arrangements, even as broader talks continue regarding remaining stalled defense packages.

 Putin's Hopes for 'Productive' APEC Fuel Talk of a Xi–Trump–Putin Summit — Oct 2, 2026

Observers say a meeting between the leaders of China, Russia, and the United States at APEC in Shenzhen in November is possible, though it would require significant groundwork.

💼 Business

Nike's China Business Weighs on Latest Results — Oct 2, 2026

Nike said its China business weighed on its quarterly results, even as North American revenue came in slightly better than expected.

 MI5 China alert will send chill through UK’s cash-strapped universities — Oct 1, 2026

Institutions have for years turned to China for funding opportunities but national security concerns are mounting.

 Video Coverage: For a broader video breakdown on the recent U.S.–China trade extensions and tariff reductions, you can watch CNA's East Asia Tonight report on the US-China trade truce extension, which details how both nations agreed to cut tariffs on $60 billion of total goods while navigating broader regional economic pressures.