NEWS / the week of Feb 7 to Feb 13, 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.
Technology
China's State Media Shows Cyber Force on Fiery Cross Reef / Feb 12, 2026
Chinese President Xi Jinping used a Lunar New Year greeting to troops to highlight a People's Liberation Army cyberspace unit stationed on Fiery Cross Reef.
Trump Pauses China Tech Bans Ahead of Xi Summit / Feb 12, 2026
The Trump administration has shelved a number of key tech security measures aimed at Beijing ahead of an April meeting between the two countries' presidents.
Economics & World Relations
Response to Japan's Election / Feb 10, 2026
China reacted to Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party landslide victory, expressing concerns over her Taiwan remarks and potential Yasukuni Shrine visit.
China's Record $1.2 Trillion Trade Surplus / Feb 10, 2026
Despite US tariffs, China's 2025 foreign trade reached 45.47 trillion yuan ($6.48 trillion).
CIA Makes New Push to Recruit Chinese Military Officers as Informants / Feb 13, 2026
Just weeks after a dramatic purge of China's top general, the CIA is moving to capitalize on any resulting discord with a new public video.
2026 Growth Projections / Feb 10, 2026
IMF upgraded China's growth forecast to 4.5% for 2026; Goldman Sachs expects 4.8% growth.
China Issues New Rules to Curb Auto Price War After Sales Drop 20% / Feb 13, 2026
China moved on Thursday to curb a fierce price war among automakers that has caused massive losses for the industry, after passenger car sales dropped.
Christians in China
Daughter of imprisoned pastor speaks at international summit / Feb 12, 2026
The daughter of Chinese pastor Ezra Jin (imprisoned for his leadership of an underground church) spoke recently at the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, D.C. calling attention to religious prisoners in China and urging global voices to advocate for their release.
China Punishes Jimmy Lai, Will Vatican Take a Stand? / Feb 12, 2026
Jimmy Lai, the 78-year-old British citizen and convert to Catholicism, was sentenced in Hong Kong on Feb. 9, 2026 to 20 years in prison for protesting human rights abuses in China.
Former U.S. religious freedom envoy calls China’s actions “a war on faith” / Feb 9, 2026
On February 4, 2026, former U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback testified to U.S. lawmakers, saying China’s repression of religious groups — including Christians — is akin to declaring war on God, and warned against appeasing the Chinese Communist Party.
Christian communities in China are described as fearful and uncertain / Feb 1, 2026
At the start of 2026 due to ongoing crackdowns on underground and house churches.
Reports of intensified raids, church closures, and arrests / Feb 1, 2026
Persecution of Christian believers continues, with independent sources documenting frequent removals of crosses and detention of unregistered church members.