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.
🛐 Christian News
What the Chinese Diaspora Is Talking About / May 27, 2025
If we truly believe that diaspora is God’s mission strategy for this era, then no generation should be missing, no language should be diminished, and no one’s sense of belonging should be sacrificed.
76% of Asian People Know Nothing About the Bible / May 15, 2025
A large-scale Bible attitude survey reveals that 76% of Asian people know nothing about the Bible, and 56% have never heard of it.
East China Church Requires Real-Name Registration for Sermon Access / May 21, 2025
In May, Church A in East China announced via its WeChat public account that, in accordance with policy requirements, believers must register with their real names on the church’s official website to access audio sermons through WeChat posts. However, such technical barriers may prevent middle-aged and elderly believers from accessing spiritual content and maintaining the regular rhythm of their Christian life.
🛰️ Space & Technology
Tianwen-2 Asteroid Mission Launched / May 29, 2025
China successfully launched its Tianwen-2 mission on May 28, aiming to collect samples from the near-Earth asteroid 2016HO3 and study the main-belt comet 311P. This ambitious mission underscores China's advancing capabilities in planetary science and space exploration.
Nvidia Faces U.S. Scrutiny Over Shanghai Expansion / May 29, 2025
U.S. Senators Jim Banks and Elizabeth Warren criticized Nvidia's plans to establish a facility in Shanghai, citing concerns over national and economic security. Nvidia clarified that the new office is an expansion for existing staff, with no plans to transfer sensitive chip designs.
🚗 Economy & Industry
China's EV Industry Powers Ahead / May 28, 2025
China's electric vehicle (EV) sector continues to surge, with companies like BYD and NIO leading the charge. BYD recently surpassed Tesla in sales, and China's EV exports jumped 20% in 2024. The nation's competitive ecosystem and robust supply chains are fueling rapid innovation across AI, robotics, and autonomous driving.
Coking Coal Prices Decline Amid Oversupply / May 29, 2025
Coking coal prices in China have fallen due to oversupply and decreased demand in the steel industry. Spot prices dropped to $170.72 per ton between May 16 and 23, reflecting negative market sentiment and rising inventories.
🛡️ Geopolitics & Security
China Deploys Nuclear-Capable Bombers to South China Sea / May 29, 2025
Satellite images reveal that China has positioned H-6 nuclear-capable bombers on Woody Island in the South China Sea, marking the first such deployment in five years. This move aligns with U.S. intelligence warnings about China's intentions to escalate its campaign against Taiwan.
Potential Strike on Taiwan's Outlying Islands / May 29, 2025
The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency reports that China may consider limited military operations targeting Taiwan's outlying islands, such as Kinmen and Matsu, to test U.S. deterrence and gradually erode Taipei's control over these territories.
🏛️ Diplomacy & Trade
China Considers New Economic Policy Tools / May 29, 2025
Premier Li Qiang announced that China is exploring new economic policy tools, including unconventional measures, to counter disruptions in the global economic and trade order. This comes amid increasing trade barriers and fragmentation of industrial and supply chains.
Developing Nations Face Chinese Debt Crisis / May 26, 2025
A report by the Lowy Institute highlights that 75 of the world's poorest countries are due to make record debt repayments to China in 2025, totaling $22 billion. These repayments, linked to loans from China's Belt and Road Initiative, could put health and education spending at risk in these nations.
⚠️ Domestic Incidents
Chemical Plant Explosion in Shandong Province / May 27, 2025
A massive explosion at a chemical plant in China's eastern Shandong province on May 27 killed at least five people and injured 19 others. Six individuals remain missing. The incident has raised concerns about industrial safety standards in the country.
🏛️ 1. Historic Fengyang Drum Tower Collapses / May 22, 2025
The roof of the 650-year-old Fengyang Drum Tower in Anhui province collapsed suddenly, causing tourists to flee in panic. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported. The incident has raised serious concerns among conservationists, tourists, and authorities about the efficacy of recent restoration efforts and the broader challenge of maintaining aging cultural heritage sites.
🚗 2. Xiaomi Unveils YU7 Electric SUV / May 22, 2025
Xiaomi announced that it will begin selling its new YU7 electric vehicle (EV) in July 2025. CEO Lei Jun revealed that the YU7, an SUV intended to rival Tesla's Model Y, features a driving range of up to 835 kilometers per charge—surpassing Tesla's redesigned Model Y, which offers up to 719 kilometers. Although Xiaomi has not yet disclosed the YU7's price or opened pre-orders, Lei mentioned it might be 60,000-70,000 yuan more expensive than the Model Y, currently priced from 263,500 yuan ($36,574). Reuters
🌊 3. Philippines Condemns Chinese Coast Guard's Actions / May 22, 2025
On May 21, 2025, the Philippine government condemned the Chinese coast guard for using a powerful water cannon against a Philippine fishing vessel conducting marine research near Sandy Cay in the disputed South China Sea. The incident caused damage to the vessel and endangered its crew. The sandbars, situated between Philippine-held Thitu Island (Pagasa) and China’s Subi Reef base, are the subject of ongoing territorial disputes. China blamed the Philippines, alleging unauthorized entry and risky behavior, while claiming the actions were part of routine law enforcement. The U.S. ambassador to Manila criticized the Chinese actions as reckless and reaffirmed U.S. support for the Philippines under the Mutual Defense Treaty.
💰 4. China Pledges $500 Million to WHO / May 20, 2025
China has pledged to contribute an additional $500 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) over the next five years, according to Vice Premier Liu Guozhong’s announcement at the World Health Assembly in Geneva. This financial commitment comes at a time when the WHO is facing a funding crisis due to the United States' withdrawal. Liu emphasized China’s support for the global health body and advocated for multilateral efforts to address global health challenges, criticizing unilateralism and power politics for undermining international health security. Reuters
🏛️ 5. Private Sector Promotion Law Enacted / May 19, 2025
On May 20, 2025, China enacted the Private Sector Promotion Law, its first comprehensive legislation dedicated to promoting the private economy. The law formalizes principles such as fair competition, market access parity, and equal access to factors of production like capital, land, and data. It aims to bolster private enterprise amid ongoing economic uncertainty and global headwinds.
🧘 6. Tibetans in Mysuru Demand Release of Panchen Lama / May 17, 2025
On May 17, 2025, Tibetans in exile at Bylakuppe, Mysuru—India's largest Tibetan settlement—held a protest demanding the release of the Panchen Lama, Gedun Choekyi Nyima. The date marked the 30th anniversary of his abduction and disappearance, reportedly by Chinese authorities. Protesters voiced deep concern over his health and religious education, highlighting his critical role in the Tibetan religious hierarchy.
🌐 7. China's Commitment to Global Openness / May 19, 2025
On May 3, 2025, officials from China’s top planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), stated that “no matter how the external environment changes, full of uncertainty, China’s determination and actions to open up to the outside world will remain unchanged”. They emphasized plans to encourage greater foreign investment in advanced manufacturing, modern services, high-tech, energy saving, and environmental protection sectors.
⚠️ 8. Landslides in Guizhou Province / May 22, 2025
On May 22, 2025, at least two people were killed while 19 others were reported missing following landslides in Guizhou province. The incident highlights the challenges China faces with natural disasters, especially in mountainous regions during the rainy season.
9. China Criticizes U.S. Embassy's South China Sea Video / May 22, 2025
China strongly criticized the U.S. Embassy in Singapore for sharing a video that questioned Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea. Chinese officials accused the video of "deliberately distorting" the facts surrounding the contentious maritime issue. The South China Sea has long been a source of geopolitical tension, with multiple countries asserting overlapping claims. China's reaction signals heightened diplomatic friction and a continued strain in U.S.-China relations over regional security and sovereignty concerns. The Times of India
Robot dog tested in China’s mountains / May 10, 2025
A robot dog developed by China's Unitree Robotics was tested to carry loads for hikers at high altitudes in Sichuan Province. The short video has no English dialogue or an accompanying article, but it does stir the mind as to the potential uses for such technology: delivering needed medicine or materials to people trapped in hard-to-reach areas, for example (Xinhua News).
China's passenger car sector sees much improved retail sales in April / May 11, 2025
Passenger car sales in China reportedly spiked in April, rising over 14% year-on-year, as government policies evidently had an impact on consumer demand in this sector of the economy. The China Passenger Car Association reported that 1.76 million units were sold last month (Xinhua News).
Sea Dragons: Special Operations and Chinese Military Strategy / May 12, 2025
China’s military has a special naval unit called the Sea Dragons. This report describes how this special unit fits into China’s military strategy, especially in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, what it is capable of as well as its limitations (INSS).
U.S. and China begin talks amid tensions over Trump's tariff war / May 10, 2025
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and a small team met with the Chinese vice premier for economic affairs, He Lifeng, in Geneva Switzerland on Saturday to begin talks to de-escalate the current trade war initiated by President Trump earlier this year. At the time of the writing of this article, speculation still surrounded the meeting, and nothing had been stated about any progress made on Saturday (NPR).
Trump says 'total reset negotiated' with China during tariff talks in Geneva / May 10, 2025
While no specific announcements were made on Saturday from the talks in Geneva, Switzerland, about any resolution to the trade war between China and the US, President Trump did say late Saturday night that a “total reset” had been negotiated. Both the US and China are suffering from the trade war even as it has just begun, however, since China’s exports to the US are much greater than the US’ exports to China, China has more to gain by negotiating a deal (Fox News).
U.S. and China agree to slash tariffs for 90 days in major trade breakthrough / May 12, 2025
The talks between the US and China brought about a 90-day reduction in tariffs on both sides of the trade between the two countries, with China’s tariffs on US goods brought down to 10% and the US tariffs on Chinese goods reduced to 30%. The three-month pause allows trade to resume and for talks to continue, hopefully for more permanent agreements (CNBC).
Trump says China will ‘open up’ to U.S. businesses, suspend trade barriers / May 12, 2025
A 90-day rollback of the high tariffs from both China and the US is not the best part of the deal that was struck in Geneva over the weekend, according to President Trump. Rather, China’s declaration to “open up” was potentially the best result of the negotiations. However, what that referred to was not defined, and formalizing it had yet to occur (CNBC).
Relief on China's factory floors as US tariffs put on hold / May 14, 2025
Empty factory floors quickly filled up with workers and machines began humming quickly as China and the US agreed to the 90-day pause in the tariff war that took effect on Wednesday, but the affair has motivated Chinese businesses to look elsewhere for new global clients, which may be a win for China (BBC).
China seeks a united front with Latin America in countering Trump’s trade war / May 13, 2025
A day after China and the US reached an agreement to slash tariffs on each other’s exports, China was touting greater trade and cultural exchanges with Latin American countries to continue its counter-offensive against what it calls President Trump’s bullying tactics on the world economy. China has increased its investments in Latin American countries as part of its Belt and Road Initiative (AP News).
China Slams US-UK Trade Deal, Calls It 'Poison Pills' Worse Than Tariffs / May 14, 2025
Part of the new trade agreement between the US and the UK includes a requirement that scrutinizes supply chains and ownership structures for goods exported to the US from the UK. China complains that such a requirement likely pushes Chinese companies and products out of UK manufacturing of products sent to the US (NDTV World).
India Blocks X Accounts of Chinese, Turkish State Media / May 14, 2025
India’s government blocked access to Chinese and Turkish state media sites on X after it accused the three outlets of pushing misinformation about India’s “Operation Sindoor” on the platform. Operation Sindoor was India’s recent military response to a terrorist attack that killed 25 Indians and 1 person from Nepal (NDTV).
White Paper on National Security: Propaganda & Promises to Fight “Religious Extremism” / May 15, 2025
China’s State Council Information Office released a long report calling for stronger national security measures that included preserving the power of the CCP and China’s socialist system as well as fighting “religious extremism.” The report calls for the repression of religious extremists and other separatists to be even stronger than before (Bitter Winter).
How Beijing’s “Academic Bars” Are Helping to Democratize Knowledge / May 7, 2025
Happy hour now comes with academic lectures by university professors, business professionals, and even government workers in an increasing number of “academic bars” across China. Both presenters and listeners find the relaxed atmosphere and the diverse audience offer a greater exchange of knowledge and information (The World of Chinese).
China's EV battery waste boom sparks gold rush in recycling sector / May 6, 2025
As EV use and solar panel production become more mainstream, the eventual disintegration of car batteries and solar panels will call for a new recycling industry to prevent pollution, but more importantly, to circle important materials, including rare earth minerals, back into the supply chain, providing another source of those important materials. In China and India, this is already happening (Business Standard).
The Open University of China Holds a System-Wide Youth Collaborative Learning Event / May 7, 2025
To celebrate China’s May 4th Youth Day holiday, the Open University of China (OUC) held a conference touting youths who shared their stories of hard work, achievement, and personal growth, all to encourage other youths to dedicate themselves to make China a leader in education. The conference focused on “Serving the Development of a Learning Society” and received over 500,000 views online (OUC).
Tourist boats capsize in sudden storm in southwest China, leaving 10 dead / May 5, 2025
A sudden storm was likely the cause of four tourist boats capsizing in the Wu River in a popular tourist area in the Guizhou province in southwestern China on Sunday afternoon. Ten people perished and about 70 were sent to hospitals for mostly minor injuries. President Xi urged first responders to do all they could to find the missing. He also called for better safety measures at tourist attractions (AP News).
Xi to visit Russia for Victory Day and talks with Putin / May 4, 2025
President Xi Jinping will visit Moscow for the May 9th celebration of the end of World War II and Russia’s defeat of Nazi Germany. Xi will be in Russia from May 7th through the 10th. While there, he will discuss the two countries’ strategic alliance, sign documents, and observe the important Russian holiday (Reuters).
Xi Jinping’s Moscow visit highlights China’s strategic vulnerabilities / May 5, 2025
As President Xi Jinping stands alongside President Putin this weekend in Moscow as Russia celebrates its victory over Germany at the end of World War II, Xi’s partnership with an autocrat invading another country—Ukraine—will not look good on Xi’s claim to other countries that China is a stabilizing force among nations. Russia’s recent increased relations with North Korea may also spell trouble for China (Brookings).
Vietnam opposes China, Philippines acts on disputed South China Sea reef / May 3, 2025
Vietnam sent diplomatic complaints to both China and the Philippines after China announced it had docked one of its ships in Sandy Cay, a part of the Spratly Islands. The Philippines also sent a ship to investigate but did not find any ship there. Vietnam claims Sandy Cay as its own, but four other countries have claims in the Spratly Islands region, too, so they are stepping on each other’s toes (Reuters).
Japan and China trade accusations of airspace violation near disputed islands / May 4, 2025
At a time when Japan and China were warming up to each other against the cold winds of Trump’s tariff war, the two countries lodged complaints against the other for violating the airspace over the islands known to the Japanese as the Senkaku Islands, and to the Chinese as the Diaoyu Islands in the South China Sea. But the Japanese plane was a civilian aircraft, not a military one (AP News).
Trump says he will not drop tariffs to get China to the negotiating table / May 4, 2025
In a “Meet the Press” interview on Saturday, President Trump said he will not lower tariffs against China in order to bring them to the negotiating table. Trump did say that he also doesn’t want China making billions of dollars off of US trade. He also said he is willing to endure a recession if the ultimate result of the tariff war is a booming US economy (Fox News).
Temu halts China shipments to US as tariff exemption ends / May 2, 2025
An executive order by President Trump that ended the “de minimis” loophole went into effect on Friday, slapping inexpensive goods under $800 in value with tariffs from which the “loophole” had previously protected such goods. Consequently, Temu stopped shipping products from China, telling its US stores to obtain product locally (Axios).
Ports brace for the impact of tariffs as shipments from China drop drastically / May 4, 2025
West Coast ports in the US are bracing for the impact of Trump’s tariff war, especially against China, as they plan to start seeing fewer ships coming into their ports starting this month; the situation will worsen the longer the trade war goes on. That causes a ripple effect in job layoffs, beginning at the ports and extending to truckers, logistics planners, warehouse workers, store workers, and likely, empty shelves (NPR).
In the trade war with the US, China holds a lot more cards than Trump may think / May 4, 2025
China has many more options to defend itself and respond to President Trump’s current tariff war than it had in 2018 during President Trump’s first term. Its sluggish economy may be numb enough to weather any further strikes against it. China can—and has—blocked the export of rare earth minerals needed by US tech and military companies. And China can recruit more trading partners if it can make the US look like the agitator (Yahoo News).
India worried about Chinese 'dumping' as trade tensions with Trump escalate / May 6, 2025
Textile mills in India have begun to slow down their production because Chinese imports of the same type of yarn the Indian mills produce is available at a cheaper cost, cutting under the Indian mills’ profit margin. Many industries in India and Southeast Asia are deeply concerned about China’s dumping of its excess products into their economies at lower prices, which was already happening before President Trump even started his second term (BBC).
Global economy already feeling drag from Trump tariffs / May 5, 2025
Businesses, economic forecasters, and governments all over the world are downsizing their sales targets and growth outlooks as President Trump’s tariffs have shocked economies worldwide. Trump’s unwillingness to be concrete and transparent about what he’ll do with his tariffs adds further anxiety to the global market. One bright spot: India may be a good alternative hub for products that Americans want, at least, for the short term (Reuters).
These Chinese-made products could soon be hard to find in the U.S. / May 6, 2025
As the US imports around 70% of toys, games, sports equipment, and even things like down feathers from China, those items may be hard to find as the back-to-school and holiday shopping seasons get underway later this year. Additionally, items like shoes, cutlery, and glassware may also be hard to find (CBS News).
Protests erupt in China after furious workers demand back pay / May 6, 2025
Beginning already at the end of the COVID pandemic, protests in China have been ongoing over the plight of the Chinese economy. But now, some hi-rise construction workers have threatened to throw themselves off the unfinished buildings they are working on if they don’t get paid; factories have shut down without notice or compensation, so the employees went on strike (New York Post).
US and China to start talks over trade war this week / May 7, 2025
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer will meet this week in Geneva to begin talks to resolve the trade war begun by President Trump in an attempt to make trade with China better for the US. Experts on the issue advise that any resolution will not appear this weekend; in fact, it could take months or even a year (BBC).
Can China and America resolve their trade differences in Geneva? / May 7, 2025
China and the US have been playing “chicken” lately, both refusing to be the first to bend in the ongoing trade war. But, alas, it appears both countries have representatives who will be in Geneva, Switzerland, at the same time this week, so, they will meet to talk. With its economy suffering, China doesn’t hold a strong position at the bargaining table, but the US is also caught between potential stagnation and inflation (ABC News—Australia).
Standing in the True Light—one man’s journey into the Eastern Orthodox Church / May 5, 2025
Chinese scholar and theologian, Mark Shan, found something deeper than his Protestant house-church faith when he stepped into a Russian Orthodox church outside of Boston in 2019. Moved by the architecture, ambiance, icons, and history in that church, he later adopted a mystic tradition known as Hesychasm, a philosophy that makes a “distinction between God’s essence and energy.” Now he introduces Chinese Christians to “Russian Orthodox spirituality” so that others can deepen their spiritual walk (ChinaSource).
World’s first wearable flying vehicle takes off in China / April 29, 2025
The Zhiyuan Research Institute has created the first “flying vehicle” and demonstrated its flying capabilities in Hangzhou, China recently. The vehicle looks like a drone with three propelling engines on a tripod flanking the human passenger. China is investing heavily in what is called the low-altitude economy, which could boom in the next five years (VNExpress).
China lowers minimum amount for tax refunds for tourists to boost spending / April 27, 2025
China’s government announced that it would lower the amount foreign tourists can spend on purchases made at the same store on the same day and get a refund of their sales tax. The minimum purchase was lowered from about $69 to about $27 USD. The upper limit also was doubled to about $2,745. The changes are intended to boost sales and improve the economy (AP News).
Why China-Taiwan Relations Are Getting So Tense / April 26, 2025
Beijing has not been happy with the elections of President Lai in Taiwan and President Trump in the US as both leaders have focused on their countries’ needs and independence from China. Recently, President Lai has become more outspoken in his speeches, but China has responded with its own rhetoric, and military exercises around Taiwan (TIME).
After Trump tariffs shock, can Taiwan still trust the US? / April 27, 2025
"A recent survey by the Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation found more than 57 per cent of respondents no longer believed the US was a reliable partner, while less than a third still viewed Washington as dependable" (SCMP).
China’s Caribbean beachhead / May 1, 2025
The chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Rick Crawford (R-Ark) maintains Beijing is on track to displace U.S. influence in the Caribbean unless Washington boosts trade and investment. “We have taken our eye off the ball in our hemisphere, and that has allowed an entrée for the Chinese to fill that void, and they’ve done it pretty masterfully, right under our nose, and they’re becoming more aggressive” (Politico).
‘Boxed-in China’ turns to Asia: Cheap Chinese imports spark fears of economic disruption / April 27, 2025
Long before Trump’s tariff war, Chinese imports into the US have been decreasing from about 25% of US imports coming from China in 2017 down to 16% in 2024. Consequently, China has shifted the excess products to other countries, especially in Asia, often flooding their markets and dampening those national economies. It also has diverted its exports to ASEAN countries and Mexico, who then ship the products to the US, but Trump plans to block that move, too (Financial Express).
Port Of Los Angeles Warns 'Difficult Decisions' Ahead as Shipments from China Cease / April 29, 2025
China has halted shipments of manufactured goods to the US because of the increased cost of the tariffs President Trump has placed on Chinese imports. Now, the executive director of the Port of Los Angeles says the lack of ships in his port will trigger layoffs at the port, as well as in transportation. And the lack of goods will create empty shelves in retail stores by late May if the trade war isn’t resolved (Investor Business Daily).
‘No way’ US can recoup lost China container imports: Analyst / April 28, 2025
The volume of China shipping containers dominates most US ports on both the East and West coasts of the US, so the absence of those ships due to the tariff war will mean layoffs for port workers, semi-drivers, and warehouse workers, and will likely create empty shelves in retail stores if the US and China don’t resolve the trade issues between the two countries (SONAR).
Scott Bessent says China could lose 10 million jobs 'very quickly' if tariffs don't drop / April 29, 2025
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday that China is at risk of losing 5 to 10 million jobs if it doesn’t enter into negotiations with the US to resolve the tariff issue. Since China sells many times more goods to the US than the US sells to China, the pileup of goods in China’s ports could bring Chinese manufacturing to a serious slowdown if not a halt (Yahoo Finance).
Xi's real test is not Trump's trade war / April 30, 2025
To President Xi of China, President Trump’s trade challenge is not the real threat; rather, China’s own struggling economy is Xi’s main problem, and the tariff war only exacerbates that issue. The Chinese population is still hurting over lost investments in the tanked housing market, hyper-unemployment among young adults, and fears among future retirees that government pensions won’t be around when they retire (BBC).
China creates list of US-made goods exempt from 125% tariffs, sources say / April 29, 2025
While confusion looms over high-level talks to resolve the trade war between the US and China, anonymous reports in China said that government authorities have been polling Chinese manufacturers to identify US exports that could be waved from China’s 125% tariff as a means to keep production in line. At least someone is talking (Reuters).
US has approached China seeking talks on Trump tariffs, says state social media / May 1, 2025
An unofficial Chinese media outlet revealed that low-level talks have been underway as US authorities in various areas of government have approached their Chinese counterparts to open talks on the trade issues between the two countries. China’s easing of duties on some US exports to China was seen as a good sign of progress. However, negotiations may take a while (The Guardian).
China's factory activity falls sharply as Trump tariffs bite / April 29, 2025
China’s manufacturing activity in April contracted at the fastest pace in the last sixteen months, with the purchasing manager’s index falling to 49.0 compared to 50.5 in March. The drop is likely due to President Trump’s tariff escalation that has halted the shipping of goods out of Chinese ports to the US (Reuters).
JD Vance's 'Chinese peasants' comment adds fuel to tensions on Chinese social media / April 25, 2025
US Vice-President JD Vance’s poor choice of words to describe Chinese factory workers as “peasants” lit off a firestorm of angry comments on Chinese social media in the weeks following his early April comment. Ironically, Vance himself grew up in a poverty-stricken family, and China is now leading the world in many technological advances (MSN).
China’s first-quarter industrial profits return to growth amid tariff woes / April 27, 2025
China’s industrial profits returned to growth in the first quarter, spurred by a 2.6% increase in profits in March alone. Government stimulus and its popular “trade-in” campaign helped boost sales, but Trump’s tariff war threatens to pull China’s economy back down in the second quarter until the US and China resolve the trade conflict (CNBC).
DeepSeek: A Tool Tuned for Social Governance / April 25, 2025
DeepSeek is the AI China is developing to bolster its national economy and to help it make other high-level decisions. It is also designed for use by ordinary Chinese with the added benefit of influencing how they perceive China, the world, and themselves. The concept of using AI for social governance has the potential to spread to other countries. "As a result, any adoption of DeepSeek’s model overseas has the potential to spread the PRC’s domestic social governance system abroad" (The Jamestown Foundation).