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.
Millions in China cram for civil service exam and the hope of a job for life / Nov. 25, 2025
A record number of people registered for the famously difficult national civil service exam, reflecting a shift toward the security of public sector employment (the "iron rice bowl") over the private sector. The government also raised the age limit for some positions. This trend is discussed alongside China's youth unemployment rate and the phenomenon of "lying flat" (choosing to do nothing rather than take unfulfilling jobs).
Major Hong Kong Fire Tragedy / Nov. 28, 2025
A deadly fire in Hong Kong has become a significant focal point, with many of the victims and responders being Chinese residents and community members. Updates on the high-rise fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong, with details on the rising death toll, ongoing rescue efforts, and community support for displaced residents.
‘Hongkongers’ solidarity’: volunteers pick up pieces for Tai Po fire victims / Nov. 28, 2025
Reports of community groups and volunteers mobilizing on social media to provide aid to the thousands of residents displaced by the tragic blaze.
Lithium prices in China slump after exchange curbs speculative trading /Nov. 21, 2025
Speculative trading curbs by China’s main exchange triggered a sharp drop in lithium prices — a blow to battery- and electric-vehicle supply chains.
Global markets respond: Fed rate-cut bets boost stocks, benefiting China / Nov. 24, 2025
With markets anticipating a U.S. Federal Reserve rate cut, global stocks rallied — a trend with implications for China’s export- and trade-linked economy.
China’s manufacturing sector remains under pressure / Nov. 28, 2025
A recent poll forecasts that China’s factory activity will shrink for the eighth straight month — a sign of persistent economic headwinds for the country.
International Relations & Diplomacy
Chinese Travel Bookings to Russia Surge Amid Visa-Free Talks and Japan Tensions / Nov. 27, 2025
After Russia announced impending visa-free entry for Chinese citizens, bookings to Russia surged. This is partly attributed to a simultaneous diplomatic rift between China and Japan, where Chinese authorities have advised citizens to avoid travel to Japan.
China criticizes Japan for “wrong signal” on Taiwan / Nov. 24, 2025
Wang Yi accused Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of sending a “shocking” wrong signal over Taiwan — deepening what’s become a major diplomatic rift.
China condemns Japan’s plan to deploy missiles near Taiwan / Nov. 24, 2025
Beijing warned that Japan’s plan to deploy missiles on an island near Taiwan amounts to a provocation likely to “create regional tension and provoke military confrontation.”
China again urges citizens not to visit Japan amid escalating row / Nov. 27, 2025
The Chinese Embassy in Japan issued a second travel warning, claiming the security environment has deteriorated and citing reports of Chinese nationals being verbally abused or assaulted.
Legal & Political Issues (Diaspora)
Arrested for Exporting Artificial Intelligence Technology to China / Nov. 26, 2025
The U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against four individuals, including two Chinese nationals residing in the US, for allegedly conspiring to illegally export high-end NVIDIA GPUs with AI applications to China.
Christians from 45 Countries Call for Zion Church Pastor’s Release / Nov. 20, 2025
Chinese authorities officially arrested 18 leaders, who could face 3 years in jail.
China formally addressed the issue at the United Nations, accusing Japan of threatening intervention if there were a conflict over Taiwan — and warning it would defend itself.
US and China hold maritime security talks in Hawaii / Nov. 21, 2025
The two militaries met under the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA) from Nov 18–20 to discuss maritime and air security, especially in light of recent naval encounters.
China suspends seafood imports from Japan amid Taiwan tensions / Nov. 19, 2025
As tensions with Japan rise (following comments about possible military involvement around Taiwan), China suspended all seafood imports from Japan.
U.S. congressional commission warns of escalating security threats from China / Nov. 18, 2025
A bipartisan U.S. commission urged swift legislation to counter growing national security risks from China, especially in tech (AI, quantum), infrastructure, and military supply chains.
Law changes targeting house churches / Nov. 1, 2025
ChinaAid: “China Revises Public Security Law: For the First Time, ‘Illegal’ Religious Activities Is Included …” — The revised law (effective Jan 1, 2026) explicitly targets unregistered house churches, criminalizing certain religious activities.
U.S. House of Representatives (Rep. Chris Smith) / Nov. 18, 2025
“Congress warned that China’s crackdown on religious …” — A statement noting tens of millions belong to house churches and criticizing the arrests.
China’s Relations with Syria / Nov. 22, 2025
Following the downfall of Bashar al-Assad, China is seeking to reset ties with Syria, signaling its continued interest in Middle East diplomacy.
US Navy in South China Sea / Nov. 22, 2025
The USS George Washington entered the South China Sea, highlighting ongoing military maneuvers in contested waters.
Online messaging campaigns from the Ministry of State Security (MSS)
Seek to educate citizens about national security threats and to instill a suspicion of foreigners, especially those from West countries. Numerous examples in WeChat posts from 2025 detail ways in which foreign spies might manipulate people into providing sensitive information and describe how model citizens can report suspicious activity to the authorities.
🚀 Space & Technology
Shenzhou-20 crew delayed by space debris / Nov 14, 2025
Three Chinese astronauts had their return to Earth postponed after debris struck their vessel. They are now scheduled to land on November 14, 2025.
Moon race preparations / Nov 8, 2025
China is counting down to Long March-10 test flights, part of its push to return to the moon.
Chinese 3D-printed turbojet engine offers ‘new power option’ for military drones / Nov 14, 2025
Engineers say they have successfully tested the engine on a missile-shaped target drone, showing that it can operate at high altitudes
New amphibious assault ship trials / Nov 14, 2025
Just a week after commissioning its latest aircraft carrier (Fujian), China began sea trials of the Type 076 amphibious assault ship. This vessel can launch both aircraft and landing craft with troops, showing rapid naval modernization.
Carrier combat readiness / Nov 14, 2025
Reports suggest the Fujian carrier is on track for rapid combat readiness.
China is deeply concerned over Japan's recent military, security moves / Nov 14, 2025
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday. Lin made the remarks at a regular news briefing when asked to comment on Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks at the parliament about Japan's principles of not to possess, produce or introduce nuclear weapons into its territory.
China’s Economy Is Tanking Even Worse Than Everyone Expected / Nov 13, 2025
Fresh numbers from Beijing reveal a sharper economic nosedive than analysts predicted.
U.S.–China trade deal / Nov 10, 2025
Presidents Trump and Xi struck a sweeping agreement. China committed to halting fentanyl precursor exports, easing rare earth export controls, and opening markets to U.S. soybeans.
Tariff suspension / Nov 10, 2025
China extended its suspension of extra tariffs on U.S. goods for one year, prolonging a fragile trade truce.
Import Expo optimism / Nov 10, 2025
At the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, U.S. exhibitors expressed hope that the worst of the trade war is over.
Economic slowdown hits workers / Nov 13, 2025
Wage-seeking protests erupted across China as companies struggled with declining exports and rising bankruptcies. Workers in Guangdong staged mass demonstrations over unpaid wages.
Humanoid robots hit the mall in China's latest tech push / Nov 14, 2025
A new "7S" store dedicated to humanoid robots has opened in a bustling commercial district of Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, drawing large crowds as the country's rapidly growing robotics industry brings cutting-edge technology closer to daily life.
Entire Section of China’s Newly Opened Bridge Collapses / Nov 11, 2025
Viral footage captured the moment that an entire section of a newly constructed bridge in China’s Sichuan province broke, crashing into the river below.
National Games / Nov 13, 2025
Opening ceremonies plus Team Guangdong won the men’s basketball title at China’s 15th National Games, a major domestic sporting event.
The Water We Swim In / October 31, 2025
We bring to China our view of the world and our place in it, our sense of “the way things ought to be,” our values and priorities. Through this lens, we try to make sense of a culture and people very different from ourselves. We look for points of similarity, and when we find them we feel the story is starting to make sense. But more often than not, it is the incongruities that stand out, accentuating the differentness of China.
Reformation In Our Time (/ October 31, 2025
October 31 is celebrated in the Protestant world as Reformation Day, in addition to being marked as Halloween by the world at large. On Reformation Day, Protestant Christians remember the day Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses. We are pleased to publish this piece, written last year, on the Reformation that this house church pastor believes the modern world needs.
What the Chinese Mission Movement Means for the Global Church / November 4, 2025
Through their words and actions, Chinese university graduates will continue to bring the good news of the gospel to the ends of the earth. They (and we) all have a part to play in God’s global mission. Perhaps Xu’s words say it best: “God is the one who’s pushing this agenda. He cares. He will make it happen. You are just a small part of this big picture, and there’s comfort in that. And, it’s enough just to do your part well.” May it be so.
Trump/Xi reach one-year trade truce on tariffs, fentanyl, rare earths, and soybeans / October 30, 2025
Presidents Trump and Xi met at the APEC summit, agreeing to cut U.S. fentanyl-related tariffs on China from 20% to 10%, pause new Chinese rare-earth export curbs for a year, resume U.S. soybean purchases, and lift mutual port fees. Trump called it a "12 out of 10" meeting.
China defends rare-earth curbs, rebuffs U.S. criticism / October 30, 2025
Beijing calls export controls “legitimate” amid the truce; earlier restrictions remain, preserving leverage in critical minerals.
China’s key weapons in its AI battle with the U.S. / November 6, 2025
Massive Huawei chip clusters and cheap energy. China’s subsidies, energy discounts and cheap power allow these systems to be used.
U.S.-China statements diverge on summit details / November 3, 2025
Post-summit readouts differ on TikTok's future in the U.S., anti-monopoly probes, and exact rare-earth commitments; clarification pending on several points.
China becomes slightly more investible after pause / October 31, 2025
The 12-month truce eases investor fears, boosting Chinese stocks; analysts see onshore markets outperforming amid AI and liquidity hopes, though deflation and weak consumption persist.
China detains prominent underground pastor Jin Mingri and 29 church leaders / October 30, 2025
Nationwide raids target Beijing Zion Church founder and others on unspecified charges, drawing U.S. criticism and complicating bilateral ties.
How War in Taiwan Ends / November 6, 2025
If Deterrence Fails, Could America Thwart China?
High stakes on the high seas as US, China test limits of military power / November 6, 2025
As China’s navy surges ahead, US dominance at sea faces its toughest test in decades — from the South China Sea to the shipyards
‘Sex spies’ from China, Russia hit US to seduce and steal secrets with honeypot tactics / November 6, 2025
A former operative warns that China and Russia use honeypot tactics to steal technology and state secrets through psychological warfare, expert says.
Chinese astronauts stranded in space after debris strikes return capsule during mission / November 6, 2025
3-member Shenzhou-20 crew's return postponed indefinitely as engineers assess damage to spacecraft
Northeast China town shrinks by a third amid population decline / November 2, 2025
In Yimianpo, Liaoning, births have plummeted (fewer than 3 per 1,000 residents); one family’s story highlights migration to cities, closed schools, and reluctance among youth to have children due to economic pressures.
Single mothers in China find a new kind of partner / November 6, 2025
As divorce rates rise and the cost of living bites, single mothers in China are searching for a new kind of partner: each other.
Chinese scholars charged with smuggling biological materials into US / November 5, 2025
Three men allegedly made false statements to customs while participating in a university exchange program, using research as a cover for bringing concealed biological materials related to roundworms into the U.S.