NEWS / the week of Oct 24 to 30, 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 Relations
China urges US to halt proposed expansion of outbound investment curbs — Oct 25, 2026
The US Treasury proposed adding biotechnology, and widening coverage of high-performance computing and hypersonics, in rules limiting American investment in China. Beijing's commerce ministry called it discriminatory and reserved countermeasures; Treasury says the rules protect US security and do not target China alone. (Reuters via The Star)
Feature: American students share China experiences in videos — Oct 28, 2026
Sixty-six American students entered the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago's "A Glimpse of China" short-video contest, and 17 won awards. Entrants described pandas in Chengdu, the Terracotta Warriors, and lasting WeChat friendships with Chinese classmates who help them practice languages. (Xinhua)
China's Leadership & Policy
China elevates a military general to the Politburo and seeks to strengthen party discipline — Oct 29, 2026
China's Communist Party leaders ended a four-day closed-door meeting in Beijing on Thursday by promoting Gen. Zhang Shengmin, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, to the Politburo, which had no military representative. Zhang is now the only commission member besides Xi Jinping after two top generals were removed. The meeting adopted a resolution on strengthening party self-governance, discipline and anti-corruption, calling the party's tasks "increasingly arduous"; Xinhua quoted it as urging the party to keep close ties with the people. Members confirmed earlier expulsions of senior officials. Analyst Neil Thomas estimated attendance at about 74%, the lowest since Mao's era. Xinhua says the 21st Party Congress will be held in the second half of 2027, where Xi is widely expected to secure a fourth term. (NPR; this site may not open in mainland China)
China expands foreign business access at world's largest free trade port — Oct 29, 2026
Four ministries issued 16 measures for the Hainan Free Trade Port, letting overseas-licensed doctors practice for up to three years, easing work permits and opening bonded LNG facilities to foreign firms. Hainan's goods trade rose 49.8% to 285.4 billion yuan in January–September. (Xinhua via gov.cn)
China & the World
North Korea's Kim Jong Un visits China via newly opened bridge — Oct 24, 2026
Kim made a one-day trip to the border city of Dandong across the new 3-km New Yalu River Bridge, hosted by senior leader Wang Huning. He honored Chinese Korean War soldiers and toured an auto plant; a Chinese analyst said the bridge removes a major trade bottleneck. (Al Jazeera)
EU's push to reduce reliance on China could come at a price — Oct 29, 2026
Brussels plans to unveil a tool in early December pushing companies to diversify suppliers, after China's 2025 rare-earth and chip curbs. The Commission says industry must share the burden; business group BusinessEurope warns switching suppliers will raise costs and rare earths have no quick alternative. (Euronews)
China to send panda to Belgium, continuing conservation collaboration — Oct 26, 2026
Ran Ran, a nine-year-old female from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, will join Belgium's Pairi Daiza zoo under a research program running since 2014, as the two countries mark 55 years of diplomatic relations. (China Daily)
Economy & Business
China industrial profits rise amid economic divide — Oct 28, 2026
Profits at large industrial firms jumped 14.4% in September and 15.5% for January–September, led by AI-related electronics, where profits more than doubled. Gains were uneven: furniture makers' profits fell by over half, and exporters face rising trade friction, especially with Europe. (Reuters via The Star)
BYD's Q3 profit growth slows, falling short of forecasts — Oct 29, 2026
The electric-car maker earned 10 billion yuan in the third quarter, up 28% but below all three brokerage estimates compiled by Reuters. Revenue rose 13.6% to 221.5 billion yuan, ending four straight quarterly declines, as strong exports offset weak sales at home. (Reuters via TimesLIVE)
Science & Technology
Chinese scientists solve puzzle of identifying extinct group of hominins — Oct 29, 2026
Using ancient proteins from fossils found at Xujiayao, Hebei, dated 199,000 to 138,000 years ago, a Chinese Academy of Sciences team confirmed they belonged to Denisovans. The Nature study describes their mix of primitive and advanced traits, so the group can now be recognized from bones. (Xinhua via China Daily)
China's internet expo opens November 2 with 6G, AI agents and robots — Oct 27, 2026
The 12th Light of the Internet Expo in Wuzhen, Zhejiang (Nov 2–5) will feature satellite internet, quantum communication, 6G test results and humanoid robots. New this year: an on-site marketplace and hands-on brain-computer and exoskeleton demos for seniors and people with disabilities. (CGTN)
Society, Culture & Sports
China Great Wall Museum in Beijing reopens after renovation, upgrade — Oct 24, 2026
Closed since 2022, the museum at the foot of the Badaling Great Wall reopened with 16,000 square meters of space, more than 700 relics and glass walls that frame the Wall itself. Exhibits trace over 2,000 years of construction. (Xinhua)
China Focus: How C-dramas strike a chord with global audiences — Oct 27, 2026
Chinese TV dramas are winning fans from Vietnam to Tanzania, and "The Early Spring" reached No. 2 on Netflix's weekly global non-English chart. AI now handles most translation at iQIYI International, though industry insiders say Korean dramas still lead streaming worldwide. (Xinhua)