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.
“Red Tourism” Boom in China / October 31,2025
There is a substantial surge in so-called “red tourism” in China, where citizens visit revolutionary-era sites tied to the Chinese Communist Party’s history. Financial Times
This reflects how cultural, historical and political narratives are being mobilized domestically — blending travel/leisure with patriotic education and state messaging. It also offers insight into younger generations’ engagement with national identity.
US and China seek to strike a deal over rare earths, tariffs, soybeans / October 31,2025
China achieves thorium-uranium nuclear fuel conversion / October 31,2025
China has successfully achieved the first-ever thorium to uranium nuclear fuel conversion in a Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (TMSR), and obtained valid experimental data following thorium fuel loading, confirming the technical feasibility of thorium utilization in a molten-salt reactor nuclear energy system
U.S.–China Trades / October 31,2025
The U.S. is reportedly set to announce that Dutch chip-maker Nexperia’s China-based facilities will resume shipments, easing a possible disruption to global auto production.
Supply Chain Developments / October 30,2025
At the same time, investors are parsing China’s forthcoming five-year economic and social development plan for clues on the future of tech stocks in China. These items show how China is deeply tied into global supply chains (especially semiconductors/auto), and how policy signals from Beijing can sway investor sentiment and global manufacturing.
More on recent arrests in Beijing / October 28,2025
What’s behind Boom of Christianity in China? / Dated, but worth looking at
Theology scholars and a global network of researchers are using big data to map religion’s history in China and explain its rapid growth.
Shenzhou‑21 Mission Launched / October 31,2025
China launched its Shenzhou-21 mission to the Tiangong space station, with a crew including its youngest astronaut yet, and mice sent for reproduction experiments in orbit. This demonstrates China’s accelerating ambitions in space and human–animal scientific experiments in orbit — a sign of the country competing strongly in the high-end science/technology arena.
China achieves thorium-uranium nuclear fuel conversion / October 31,2025
China has successfully achieved the first-ever thorium to uranium nuclear fuel conversion in a Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (TMSR), and obtained valid experimental data following thorium fuel loading, confirming the technical feasibility of thorium utilization in a molten-salt reactor nuclear energy system
Shenzhou-21 astronauts enter space station / October 31,2025
🧭 Other International Issues
U.S.–China Diplomatic / Trade Relations / October 30,2025
There are signs of a modest de-escalation in trade tensions — e.g., talks between the U.S. and China, some tariff relief, and a rapprochement tone at the recent meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. U.S.–China dynamics matter not only for the two countries but for global trade, investment, and geopolitical stability. The details of any deal or truce will influence many sectors.
China pitches itself as alternative to US protectionism / October 28,2025
After signing expanded ASEAN free trade pact.
China and US tell their military to prepare for war / October 26,2025
Combat Planning / October 26,2025
China's Norinco is developing autonomous combat-support machines / October 26,2025
China lodges serious protests to Japan / October 28,2025
Over Japanese leader’s meeting with personnel from Taiwan authorities during APEC meetings.
Why Beijing is looking to exert tighter control over Chinese Christians / Oct 24, 2025
China’s relationship with Christianity is complex, and has been marked by periods of tolerance and persecution.
China–U.S. Relations Intensify / Oct 23, 2025
Tensions escalated ahead of a potential meeting between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping. Trump threatened a 100% tariff on Chinese goods, while China responded with new permitting requirements on rare earth exports.
China's Economic Slowdown / Oct 20, 2025
China's GDP growth slowed to 4.8% in Q3 2025, the weakest pace in a year. Exports to the U.S. dropped 27% in September, reflecting the impact of trade tensions and soft domestic demand.
MI5 Foils Alleged Chinese Spy Plot / Oct 17, 2025
The UK’s MI5 revealed it thwarted a Chinese espionage attempt last week. The agency warned of daily threats from Chinese state actors involving cyber espionage and covert interference.
Three things we learned from China's big political meeting this week / Oct 24, 2025
The corruption purge may be larger than we thought, China is seeking technological self sufficiency; and concern over a loss of export markets.
Modest hopes for Xi-Trump summit as China and US count down to South Korea talks / Oct 24, 2025
Beijing and Washington have some room to manoeuvre but the big structural issues remain, observers say.
Beijing sets October 25 to commemorate Taiwan’s restoration / Oct 24, 2025
Beijing has formally designated October 25 as the day to commemorate Taiwan’s restoration, as it again asserts its sovereignty over the self-ruled island.
Dezeen Awards China 2025 winners revealed at party in Shanghai / Oct 24, 2025
Over 150 shortlisted architects and designers from all over China, joined by Dezeen Awards China judges and VIP guests gathered at Kimpton Qiantan Shanghai hotel for the ceremony to celebrate this year's winners.
Vision for China's 15th Five-Year Plan / Oct 24, 2025
Take a look at this poster of the guiding principles for economic and social development as well as the major objectives for the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
AI contest promotes China-ASEAN cooperation in market regulation / Oct 24, 2025
The finals of the Market Regulation Service Innovative Application Contest (domestic and China-ASEAN joint teams), part of the "AI for All: China-ASEAN" competition, were recently held in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
China expels two top military leaders from Communist Party in anti-corruption purge / October 17, 2025
Two top Chinese military leaders have been expelled from the ruling Communist Party and the military on corruption charges, the country's defense ministry said on Friday, the most senior officers to be purged in an anti-graft drive that began in 2023.
Trump wanted a trade deal. Xi opened a new front instead / Oct 11, 2025
Beijing's expanded rare earth export controls escalate economic rivalry with the U.S., fusing trade with national security risks and threatening months of stabilization efforts.
With Tariff Threat and Trade Controls, China and U.S. Renew Game of Chicken / Oct 15, 2025
Xi's push for strength ahead of a key Communist Party meeting explains Beijing's rare earth controls, amid U.S. blacklisting of Chinese firms.
Top Generals Among Nine Expelled in Major Military Corruption Crackdown / Oct 17, 2025
He Weidong, a vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Miao Hua, a fellow CMC member, are among nine senior officers kicked out of the Communist Party and stripped of their rank for serious crimes involving “especially huge” sums.
China makes significant, far-reaching contributions to women's empowerment worldwide / Oct 13, 2025
Through livelihood projects, capacity-building programs and active participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations, China has worked to help foster an enabling international environment for women's development.
Hangzhou's ArtInno Town emerges as cultural, creative powerhouse / Oct 17, 2025
ArtInno Town, adjacent to Phoenix Mountain and Tongjian Lake in Xihu district, Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, has emerged as a vibrant cultural and creative hub exemplifying the dynamism of the country's private economy.
Hainan's aircraft repair hub soars as magnet for global airlines / October 17, 2025
Even in October, the tropical heat lingers over Hainan, China's southernmost province. Near Haikou Meilan International Airport, the vast hangar of an aircraft maintenance base buzzes with activity.
Hundreds of trekkers escape from blizzard-struck Everest / Oct 16, 2025
Hundreds of trekkers stranded by a blizzard near the eastern face of Mount Everest in Tibet have been guided to safety by rescuers, Chinese state media reported, as unusually heavy snow and rainfall pummelled the Himalayas.
China's AI toy market booms as 'smart companions' gain popularity / Oct 16, 2025
AI toys represent a new product category that merges advanced technologies with traditional playthings, said Feng Huiyuan, co-founder of a company in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province.
Energy Insider: China Aims to Double EV Charging Capacity by 2027 / Oct 17, 2025
China announces its first pilot projects for the hydrogen energy industry, report says Earth has crossed first major climate tipping point.
A new China tech visa has caught India's attention - now locals aren't happy / October 15, 2025
China's aim to attract global talent comes as the US is making it harder to bring in foreign workers.
Alibaba confident AI tools will drive sales and empower Singles’ Day shoppers / October 17, 2025
Company expects AI use in search and recommendation engines to have a direct impact on sales during the world’s largest shopping festival.
China arrested 30 Christians. Some fear it's the start of a bigger crackdown / October 15, 2025
Activists say the unprecedented round-up could be the beginning of a wider crackdown on China's underground churches.
China’s first-ever pledge to cut emissions / Oct 10, 2025
NEW CLIMATE TARGETS: In a video address to the UN last week, China’s president Xi Jinping personally pledged to cut his nation’s economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions to 7-10% below peak levels by 2035
US-China Trade Tensions Escalate Over Rare Earths: / Oct 10, 2025
China expanded export controls on rare earth elements (adding dysprosium, terbium, and others) effective December 1, plus curbs on synthetic diamonds and graphite for semiconductors—leveraging its 90% global supply dominance. President Trump responded by threatening a "massive increase" in tariffs on Chinese imports (potentially from 30% to higher), calling the move "out of nowhere" and seeing "no reason" to meet Xi Jinping soon. This has sparked market volatility, with the Dow dropping 700 points amid sell-offs. Sticking points also include unfulfilled US demands on fentanyl precursors and new Chinese port fees on US ships starting October 14.
China's New K-Visa Sparks Youth Backlash / Oct 10, 2025
Launched October 1 to attract foreign STEM talent, the visa faces online criticism from jobless youth (unemployment at 18.9% in August), fearing it worsens competition amid economic slowdown. Requirements remain unclear, and applications aren't yet live on embassy sites.
Typhoon Ragasa Hits Southern China / Oct 9, 2025
The storm made landfall in Guangdong on October 5, prompting red alerts, flight cancellations, and evacuations of ~180 million in Hainan, Guangdong, and Guangxi. It disrupted Golden Week (October 1-8), with 2.36 billion trips recorded despite the chaos—Japan topped overseas destinations. Recovery follows Typhoon Ragasa, which displaced nearly 2 million last month.
Taiwan Warns of China's 'Hybrid' Threats / Oct 9, 2025
Taiwan's defense report highlights China's increased gray-zone tactics (e.g., Coast Guard incursions up in September) and online warfare to erode trust. Leaked docs reveal Russian plans to train a PLA airborne battalion for potential invasion scenarios.
China's Infowar in Philippines / Oct 5, 2025
Beijing funded fake social media accounts to undermine US alliances, praise China, and criticize Western COVID vaccines—mirroring US efforts against Chinese vaccines.
China reports major improvements in welfare for children, elderly / Oct 10, 2025
Over the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), welfare for children and the elderly in China has seen significant improvements, China's Minister of Civil Affairs Lu Zhiyuan said on Friday.
China sees 888 million domestic trips during eight-day holiday / Oct 9, 2025
China recorded 888 million domestic tourist trips during the eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, up 123 million from the seven-day National Day holiday in 2024, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said Thursday.
Crackdown on Online Pessimism / Oct 9, 2025
Authorities are suspending accounts for "excessive" negativity (e.g., too many sighing emojis) on work, marriage, or economy, aiming to foster "cultural confidence" under Xi Jinping Thought. Recent targets include influencers with millions of followers; this follows fixation on actor Yu Menglong's death.
Incentives for Babies Amid Demographic Crisis / Oct 9, 2025
Local governments offer up to $1,400 per child to boost births (rate at 1.09 per woman), but youth cite high costs and insecurity—reversing past controls. Population stands at ~1.416 billion as of July 2025.
Human Rights Concerns / Oct 9, 2025
Reports highlight ongoing censorship, religious controls (e.g., Vatican-China bishop deal renewed), and harassment of dissidents abroad. Social credit blacklists reportedly leave thousands of youth homeless, barring jobs and services—though official youth unemployment is ~15%. Legacy COVID measures like forced PCR tests via digital IDs persist, fueling "digital slavery" complaints. Rumors swirl of Xi's health issues and political reshuffles ahead of the plenum.
Devout Christians In China Face New Online Crackdown / Oct 1, 2025
China’s government published a “Code of Conduct for Religious Clergy on the Internet” (≈18 articles) that bans religious teaching, livestreams, online courses, or other religious content unless it is via state-approved channels.
China Launches Major Crackdown on House Churches, Over 70 Believers Arrested / Oct 1, 2025
In eastern China, a large police operation used 400 officers & 200 vehicles to detain over 70 believers; more than 80 house-church groups were forced to stop meeting.
China’s factory activity suffers longest decline in six years / Sept. 30, 2025
China’s manufacturing sector contracted for the sixth month in a row in September, marking the longest stretch of decline since 2019. The official PMI reading was 49.8 (anything below 50 = contraction). Sluggish domestic demand, trade tensions with the U.S., and weakness in the property market are major drags.
China factory activity shrinks again as firms watch for stimulus, US trade deal / Sept. 30, 2025
Similar theme: September’s official PMI edged up a bit from August but remained in contraction. Companies are anticipating more policy support; trade negotiations with the U.S. are being closely watched. Non-manufacturing sectors also cooled.
China’s ‘new economy’ shines through cloudy growth outlook / Oct 1, 2025
Among the challenges, there are bright spots: sectors such as information technology, AI, semiconductors, and robotics are showing strength. There’s also rising demand in “new economy” consumer trends (e.g. more tech-enabled or culturally resonant goods). But the older anchors of growth — factories, property, construction — are under pressure.
US to tighten restrictions on Chinese telecom equipment / Oct 2, 2025
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is preparing a vote (Oct 28) to impose stricter controls on telecom gear from Chinese companies on its “Covered List” (Huawei, ZTE, etc.). This could include blocking new devices/components and restricting previously authorized ones.
Extreme weather traps hikers on China’s Everest/Tibet side
During China’s holiday season (“Golden Week”), hundreds of hikers were caught in severe snowstorms in the Tibetan side of Mount Everest. Rescue efforts are underway, while heavy snow and disrupted communications complicate operations.
Australia-Papua New Guinea defense treaty alarms China / Oct 3, 2025
Australia and PNG signed a defense treaty, strengthening their military cooperation. China expressed concern, especially about exclusion of third parties and potential targeting of its interests.
China-funded disinformation campaign in the Philippines / Oct 6, 2025
A Reuters investigation found that the Chinese embassy in Manila reportedly contracted a firm to run fake social media accounts to spread pro-Beijing messages, criticize U.S. policies, and spread disinformation. Some prominent local figures were allegedly rewarded via an organization tied to the Chinese Communist Party. Meta removed many of the accounts.
China’s “charm offensive” in South Asia / Oct 4, 2025
China is intensifying its diplomatic, economic, and military ties in countries neighboring India (e.g. Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan). The moves are seen as an attempt to expand influence in the region, counter India’s sway, and secure strategic access to the Indian Ocean.
China helps Iran bypass U.S. sanctions / Oct 2, 2025
China has developed a barter-like system that lets it import Iranian oil despite U.S. sanctions. In return, Chinese entities build infrastructure in Iran. Financial arrangements go through less transparent channels, including state insurer Sinosure, avoiding standard international banking scrutiny.
A Chinese migrant dies when boat capsizes on the Danube between Serbia and Croatia / Oct 5, 2025