News Archives Dec 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.

December 2025 News Archive

Christian Repression

‘Is this real?’: wife of detained pastor describes anguish / Dec 23, 2025

Reports a significant crackdown on unofficial (“house”) churches, including the arrest of Pastor Gao Yingjia and a dozen other leaders tied to Zion Church — one of China’s largest underground Christian networks. Observers say this may mark the most severe suppression since 2018.

 Local repression in Zhejiang / Dec 22, 2025

In Wenzhou, Zhejiang, security forces conducted large-scale raids ahead of Christmas, reportedly celebrating the arrests after a local Christian community resisted government demands like flag-raising.

  ⛽Economics & Technology

Exclusive: Nvidia aims to begin H200 chip shipments to China by mid-February / Dec 22, 2025

Nvidia plans to ship AI chips to China before Lunar New Year. Shipments contingent on Beijing's approval.

 China to impose up to 42.7% provisional tariffs on EU dairy products / Dec 22, 2025

The elevated duties, which take effect Tuesday, were based on preliminary results from an investigation opened by China’s Commerce Ministry in August 2024 as tensions between Beijing and Brussels flared.

 China sanctions U.S. defense firms over arms sales to Taiwan / Dec 26, 2025

China announced sanctions on 20 U.S. defense companies and 10 executives in retaliation for a large U.S. weapons sale to Taiwan, freezing assets and banning business engagements.

 DeepSeek AI "Wake-Up Call" / Dec 26, 2025

The release and rapid global adoption of the DeepSeek R1 AI model continued to ripple through the industry this week. Its high performance at a fraction of the cost of U.S. competitors has triggered intense debate in Washington regarding export controls and the effectiveness of current AI hardware restrictions.

 ⚖️ China Lawsuits & International Relations

Fire Safety Crackdown / Dec 22, 2025

Following recent high-profile disasters, including a deadly fire in Hong Kong, authorities have initiated a nationwide safety inspection of high-rise commercial buildings. Reports indicate stricter enforcement of "political discipline" among local officials responsible for safety oversight.

 China passes revised foreign trade law / Dec 27, 2025

China’s legislature approved major revisions to the Foreign Trade Law, broadening tools for trade war response, digital/green trade, and export controls, effective March 2026.

 UN Marine Treaty Ratification   / Dec 27, 2025

China formally deposited its instrument of ratification for the BBNJ Agreement (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) on December 24. This makes China one of the

⚖️ China Lawsuits & International Relations

China sues Missouri for $50 billion / Dec 19, 2025

 over a previous COVID‑19–related judgment against Beijing. Missouri’s attorney general says the lawsuit is a “stalling tactic.”

 China-linked entities sue U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt for $50B / Dec 19, 2025

Alleging reputational damage from his earlier COVID‑related lawsuit against China.

 China warns of “rising war risk” / Dec 19, 2025

After the U.S. approves a historic $11.1B arms sale to Taiwan, Beijing says the package could turn Taiwan into a “powder keg” and escalate confrontation.

 China Deepens Energy Ties With Russia / Dec 19, 2025

A China-linked LNG tanker docks at a U.S.-sanctioned Russian export plant for the first time, signaling closer energy cooperation.

 China reportedly builds a prototype EUV lithography machine / Dec 17, 2025

Using former ASML engineers—potentially a major step toward chip‑making independence.

 ⛽Economics & Technology

 Dashed dreams and land grabs: The rise of rural protests in China / Dec 19, 2025

Clashes over rural plots are increasing, as people whose big-city plans have evaporated return home to face local governments groaning under huge debt

 TikTok has signed the deal to spin off its US entity with American investor group / Dec 19, 2025

TikTok has signed the deal backed by President Donald Trump to spin off its US assets to create a new entity with a group of mostly American investors, CEO Shou Chew told employees in a memo Thursday.

 China figured out how to sell EVs. Now it has to bury their batteries / Dec 18, 2025

As early electric cars age out, hundreds of thousands of used batteries are flooding the market, fueling a gray recycling economy even as Beijing and big manufacturers scramble to build a more orderly system.

 Persecution

Chinese whistleblower detained by ICE imprisoned in Broome County Jail / Dec 15, 2025

A Chinese whistleblower seeking asylum is being held in the Broome County Jail after being detained by ICE. Guan Heng allegedly documented human rights violations by the Chinese government before immigrating to the U.S. in 2021. Community members and a U.S. Representative are calling for Heng's release and protesting Broome County's cooperation with ICE.

 Who are the Uyghurs and why is China being accused of genocide? / May 22, 2025

China has been accused of committing crimes against humanity and possibly genocide against the Uyghur population and other mostly-Muslim ethnic groups in the north-western region of Xinjiang.

 China’s Repression of Uyghurs in Xinjiang / October 3, 2025

More than a million Muslims have been arbitrarily detained in China’s Xinjiang region. The re-education camps are just one part of the government’s crackdown on Uyghurs.

 A Chinese Christian’s Testimony: Lifting the Veil on China’s “Three-Self Church” / Dec 19, 2025

 Chinese Christians must clearly recognize that the government-controlled church is not a continuation of Christianity, but a systematic usurpation of faith.

 Meeting World Christianity, Reflecting on China's Church: Notes From Egypt / Dec 19, 2025

Many marvel at the rapid growth of the Chinese church, praising the faithfulness and endurance of believers. Even when informed that official data suggests nearly 40 million believers, they noted that while the number is vast, it remains less than 1% of the population, making it a minority group.

🎓  Social and Cultural News on Chinese People

 Hong Kong election turnout low / Dec 8,2025

Hong Kong's election on Sunday saw a near-record-low turnout after the city's worst fire in nearly 80 years prompted anger against its China-backed authorities, but voter participation edged higher than in the previous vote four years ago.

 Trial of Chinese crime gangs in Italian fashion stalls amid sabotage fears / Dec 11,2025

A landmark trial in Italy of Chinese crime gangs has suffered so many mishaps - from the disappearance of documents to the resignation of interpreters - that a senior prosecutor suspects it's being sabotaged to protect the criminals' grip on Europe's fashion industry.

 'There is no longer a safe place to be a Christian in China' / Dec 11,2025

The Chinese government is increasingly cracking down on state-sanctioned churches as well as underground churches, leaving no "safe place" for Christians, according to International Christian Concern.

 A look at how world’s 5 Communist countries are cracking down on Christians / Dec 10,2025

Governments in the world’s five remaining Communist countries are intensifying control over Christian churches, according to an analysis by a persecution watchdog, which says churches are facing growing legal, financial and operational restrictions under regimes in China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea and Vietnam.

 📉 Key Political and Economic Developments

 China’s Trade Surplus Climbs Past $1 Trillion for First Time / Dec 8,2025

President Trump’s tariffs weren’t enough to hold back the global export flood by China, which pushed past last year’s record in just 11 months.

 China Is Set To Lose a Population the Size of California in 10 Years / Dec 8,2025

China’s population is projected to fall by more than California’s current population in the next 10 years—and that is only the start. U.N. estimates show the country could be down about 140 million by 2050.

 Ford suppliers receive China's new streamlined rare-earth licenses / Dec 11,2025

Chinese rare-earth magnet suppliers to U.S. automaker Ford Motor were included in the first batch of new export licenses issued by Beijing to boost shipments and reduce shortages of the vital components, the carmaker said on Wednesday.

 Sales of foreign-branded phones in China up 13.0% in October, data shows / Dec 10,2025

Sales of foreign-branded phones, including Apple Inc's iPhone, increased 13.0% year-on-year in China in October, according to Reuters calculations based on data released on Wednesday by a government-affiliated research firm.

 🛰️ International Relations and Security

 Cross-border attacks kill Chinese nationals in Tajikistan  / Dec 8,2025

Five Chinese citizens were killed and five were injured in attacks launched from Afghanistan into Tajikistan. China’s embassy urged the evacuation of the border area.

 China–Japan military tensions escalate / Dec 11,2025

Tokyo accused Chinese fighter jets of locking radar on Japanese aircraft northeast of Taiwan, calling it a “dangerous act.” China countered that Japanese planes disturbed naval drills.

 China’s New Underwater Drones Could Threaten West Coast U.S. / Dec 12,2025

China is building the world’s largest underwater drones, the size of traditional submarines. The first stage of analysis established their existence, and that they are highly likely uncrewed. It is now time to consider why China is building them.

 Exclusive: China's ZTE may pay over $1 billion to the US over foreign bribery allegations / Dec 12,2025

ZTE has for years faced probes by authorities around the world into alleged bribes to secure telecom contracts.

 IMF urges China to take the 'brave choice': curb exports, boost consumption / Dec 10,2025

The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday urged China to make the "brave choice" of speeding up structural reform, as pressure grows on the world's second-largest economy to shift towards a consumption-led model and curb reliance on debt-driven exports.

 🛢️ Geopolitics & Energy

 Deadly Hong Kong blaze exposes systemic failures / Dec 8,2025

Caixin’s “Weekly Must-Read” highlighted the Wang Fuk Court fire that killed at least 128 people, sparking debate about building safety and regulation.

China’s clever plan to save its dying shopping malls / Dec 9,2025

The U.S. invented shopping malls, but China is writing its next chapter. Like their U.S. counterparts, many Chinese malls have fallen on hard times.

 Major automakers say China poses 'clear and present threat' to US auto industry / Dec 11,2025

Major automakers on Thursday urged Washington to prevent Chinese government-backed automakers and battery manufacturers from opening U.S. manufacturing plants, warning the industry's future is at stake.

International Relations & Diplomacy

French President Emmanuel Macron Visits China / December 5, 2025

President Macron concluded a visit to China, where he met with President Xi Jinping for discussions on global crises and trade. The two leaders pledged cooperation, with reports indicating friendly exchanges and the signing of several deals.

US Senators Propose Bill on AI Chip Sales / December 4, 2025

A bipartisan group of US senators unveiled a bill aimed at preventing the current US administration from relaxing restrictions on Artificial Intelligence (AI) chip sales to China. This highlights ongoing tension over technology exports.

 AI is turbocharging China’s intense surveillance / December 4, 2025

China’s ruling Communist Party is using artificial intelligence to turbocharge the surveillance and control of its 1.4 billion citizens, with the technology reaching further into daily life, predicting public demonstrations and monitoring the moods of prison inmates.

China-Japan Tensions Over Taiwan / December 5, 2025

Disputes continued at the UN and in diplomatic exchanges between China and Japan over remarks made by a Japanese official concerning intervention in a potential Taiwan conflict. Beijing has firmly rejected what it views as provocative comments.

 Hong Kong Developments

Investigation and Arrests After Deadly Fire / December 5, 2025

Following a catastrophic high-rise fire in Hong Kong that resulted in a high number of casualties, authorities ordered an independent investigation. National security police made arrests related to the blaze, and there were reports of a crackdown on calls for accountability and protests. Arrests.

Hong Kong fire death toll rises to 128 / December 4, 2025

Officials say fire alarms not working properly.

 Domestic & Tech News

China has declared all crypto activity, including stablecoins, illegal / December 3, 2025

China’s central bank has shifted its attention from volatile crypto currencies like Bitcoin to stablecoins, warning that the tokens represent a deep threat to monetary sovereignty and financial order.

Railway Accident / December 5, 2025

A train collision involving a test of seismic equipment resulted in the deaths of 11 railway maintenance workers, according to state media reports.

New AI and Military Regulations / December 5, 2025

New rules for the Chinese military were issued to "prioritize strict political discipline" amid an ongoing anti-corruption campaign. Separately, there was discussion about China's focus on using AI and big data to guard against "Western values."

Can China’s new tech crack Einstein’s brain?  / December 1, 2025

Scientists hope to give it a try mapping technique allows analysis of old biological samples often poorly preserved.

China’s building the future new world order of cars / December 3, 2025

Once the kings of the Chinese market, Japan’s automakers are suddenly losing traction as homegrown Chinese brands surge ahead in innovation, electrification, and digital sophistication.