China

Katie Zacharia left her role as White House press secretary less than five days after starting, the BBC confirmed, following a widely criticized first briefing that lasted under 15 minutes and took only three questions. She had faced scrutiny over her legal credentials and admitted Thursday she had not passed the bar exam, though she said she practiced international transaction law in China with appropriate credentials. President Donald Trump said he advised her she could reconsider the job, saying she had been treated "pretty nastily" by the media. Democrats seized on the departure ahead of November midterm elections.

32 reports · 6 sources · Updated Oct 16, 09:05 PM UTC

On October 9, the China Securities Regulatory Commission released a draft revision of the Publicly Offered Securities Investment Fund Operation Management Measures and supporting rules for public comment, the first systematic revision since 2014. The proposals would lower the establishment threshold for equity funds and funds of funds from 2 billion yuan to 50 million yuan, raise the cap on non-FOF fund investments in other funds from 10% to 30%, allow FOFs to invest in ETF feeder funds, and strengthen counter-cyclical and style-stability requirements. Fixed-income fund thresholds remain unchanged.

5 reports · 2 sources · Updated Oct 14, 10:31 PM UTC

China's exports rose 36.3% year-on-year in September in US dollar terms, beating a 25.7% forecast, while imports grew 31.0%, above the 25.0% estimate, according to customs data reported by Reuters and other outlets. The monthly trade surplus reached $133.53 billion, and the January–September surplus reached $938 billion, putting a record annual surplus in sight. AI-related shipments were cited as a key driver. In yuan terms, September exports rose 29.6% and total trade exceeded 5 trillion yuan for the first time.

6 reports · 3 sources · Updated Oct 14, 09:05 AM UTC

The European Union and China reached an interim agreement to cap Chinese hybrid vehicle imports at 350,000 units annually, rising 6% per year over four years, with safeguard measures potentially effective December 1. The deal, negotiated in Beijing between EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, aims to halve Chinese hybrid exports to the EU from a projected 800,000 units in 2026. Germany is pushing for broader restrictions on additional Chinese imports including chemicals and machinery, while EU leaders discuss the trade deficit exceeding €1 billion daily.

13 reports · 5 sources · Updated Oct 14, 07:53 AM UTC

China's passenger vehicle retail sales fell 24% year-on-year in September to 1.702 million units, according to the China Passenger Car Association, with cumulative 2026 retail sales down 21% to 13.42 million units. New energy vehicle retail sales declined 12% year-on-year to 1.141 million units but rose 14% month-on-month, giving NEVs a 67.1% share of retail sales. CAAM separately reported overall auto sales down 8.4% while NEV sales rose 13.6%, and exports climbed 73.2% to 923,000 units.

9 reports · 3 sources · Updated Oct 12, 03:59 PM UTC

The FBI arrested a 34-year-old Southern California real estate agent at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on charges of acting as an unregistered agent for China. She is accused of surveilling the son of Taiwan’s president and communicating with handlers in Beijing. The suspect appeared in federal court. The case underscores U.S.-China tensions over espionage and Taiwan.

13 reports · 3 sources · Updated Oct 7, 09:34 PM UTC

Germany and France have jointly proposed a new EU rapid-response trade tool, modeled on the US Section 301, to counter cheap Chinese imports. China's Ministry of Commerce condemned the plan as protectionist and unilateral, warning it would disrupt trade stability and global supply chains. Beijing vowed a "resolute response" if the EU imposes discriminatory restrictions on Chinese firms, potentially including anti-discrimination investigations and supply chain security reviews.

8 reports · 5 sources · Updated Oct 6, 12:20 PM UTC

Federal prosecutors charged Greg Lui, owner of Earthmade Computer in City of Industry, California, with smuggling over $300 million in export-controlled GPU servers containing Nvidia H100 AI chips to China between 2023 and 2024. Lui and unnamed co-conspirators allegedly shipped servers to Malaysia and Singapore before rerouting them to Chinese end users, using false documents to conceal the final destination. Lui faces charges of conspiracy to violate export controls, smuggling, and money laundering, and could face over 20 years in prison if convicted.

5 reports · 4 sources · Updated Oct 5, 07:15 AM UTC

Taiwan took delivery of its first two F-16V Block 70 fighter jets at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung on October 2, 2026, after months of software-related delays. The jets are part of a 66-aircraft, $8 billion sale approved by the U.S. in 2019. The delivery strengthens Taiwan's air force, which regularly scrambles to monitor Chinese military activity. Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te thanked the U.S., while Defense Minister Wellington Koo stated more jets will arrive soon. The delivery occurred roughly a week after President Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping.

6 reports · 4 sources · Updated Oct 2, 04:34 PM UTC

China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange reported a current account surplus of $378 billion for the first half of 2026, with total receipts and payments reaching $4.6 trillion, up 16% year-on-year. Goods trade rose 18%, driven by AI and green energy sectors, while services exports grew 21%. The capital and financial account recorded a deficit of $157.1 billion in Q2, revised down from an initial $195.1 billion estimate.

5 reports · 2 sources · Updated Oct 1, 03:16 AM UTC

The People's Bank of China (PBOC) announced a 1.2 trillion yuan outright reverse repo operation for October 8, 2026, with a 3-month term. Concurrently, it conducted daily overnight and 7-day reverse repos, including an 833.5 billion yuan overnight operation on September 30, resulting in a net injection of 127 billion yuan that day. These routine liquidity management tools aim to maintain stable banking system conditions.

8 reports · 4 sources · Updated Sep 30, 09:05 AM UTC

The China Coast Guard and the People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command conducted synchronized law enforcement and combat readiness patrols at Scarborough Shoal (Huangyan Island) on September 30, three days after a similar deployment. On September 27, the Coast Guard held a drill focusing on boarding inspections, interception, and forced towing. China states it will increase enforcement in the area to safeguard territorial claims.

5 reports · 4 sources · Updated Sep 30, 02:25 AM UTC

The People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command conducted joint air-naval drills on September 27 and a combat readiness patrol on September 30 near Scarborough Shoal (Huangyan Dao), a feature also claimed by the Philippines. During the drills, China deployed a new-type unmanned aerial vehicle for reconnaissance. The exercises are described as a necessary response to certain countries undermining regional peace and stability, without naming specific nations.

6 reports · 6 sources · Updated Sep 30, 02:11 AM UTC

On September 24, 2026, Beijing became the first Chinese city to issue detailed implementation rules for the national August 28 housing sales system reform. The rules require new projects to achieve structural topping-out before presale permits, cap presale deposits at 1% of the total price, and allow land payments in installments over two years interest-free. A transition period until end of 2027 applies to existing projects. Analysts say the policy balances strict oversight with market stability but will extend developer capital recovery cycles.

20 reports · 15 sources · Updated Sep 30, 01:28 AM UTC

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first US state visit in 11 years to Washington produced a two-month extension of the trade truce to January 10, 2027, and agreements on an AI dialogue channel and $30 billion in tariff reductions. However, no breakthroughs were reached on Taiwan, where Xi urged the US to oppose independence, or on technology competition, rare earths, and geopolitical issues like Iran and North Korea. The summit was heavy on pageantry but light on substance.

34 reports · 13 sources · Updated Sep 29, 07:02 PM UTC

President Donald Trump denied discussing or offering US weapons to Chinese President Xi Jinping, directly contradicting US Ambassador to China David Perdue, who told Fox News that Trump had asked Xi if China wanted to buy American arms. Trump said he had "never heard of" such an offer. The White House later denied any plans to sell weapons to Beijing, with officials noting such sales are illegal under the Taiwan Relations Act. China's Foreign Ministry responded cautiously, stating Beijing strengthens defense based on its own needs.

13 reports · 7 sources · Updated Sep 29, 03:31 AM UTC

On September 29, the combined trading volume of the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges fell sharply, with the first half-hour volume contracting by over 160 billion yuan compared to the prior session, and the full-day volume forecast below 1.3 trillion yuan. This followed several days of high turnover, including 1.7 trillion yuan on September 28 and 1.65 trillion on September 24, according to data from Cailianshe, Jin10, and East Money.

12 reports · 4 sources · Updated Sep 29, 02:01 AM UTC

The People's Bank of China (PBOC) announced two liquidity operations on September 23 to manage funding ahead of the National Day holiday. It will conduct overnight reverse repo operations from September 28 to October 8 with a daily cap raised to 1 trillion yuan, up from 600 billion yuan. Separately, on September 24, the PBOC conducted an 800 billion yuan one-year Medium-term Lending Facility (MLF) operation, resulting in a net injection of 200 billion yuan after accounting for 600 billion yuan in maturing MLF. Analysts cited seasonal cash demand and government bond issuance as drivers.

81 reports · 24 sources · Updated Sep 29, 01:32 AM UTC

Two giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, arrived at Zoo Atlanta on September 27 as part of a 10-year loan from China. The pandas were transported via charter flight and are described as "friendship envoys" by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The loan follows a summit between Xi and former U.S. President Donald Trump. A Chinese veterinarian and keeper will remain at the zoo for three months to help the pandas acclimate.

14 reports · 5 sources · Updated Sep 29, 01:08 AM UTC

The FTSE China A50 Index Futures, a key benchmark for Chinese equities traded on the Singapore Exchange, experienced a decline of over 2% in after-hours trading on September 28, followed by a 2% drop during regular trading. Earlier sessions saw smaller declines of 0.1% to 1%, with no specific catalyst cited. The index tracks the 50 largest A-share companies listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges.

12 reports · 3 sources · Updated Sep 29, 01:00 AM UTC

As of September 28, the combined margin trading balance on China’s Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges fell by 25.99 billion yuan to 2.5735 trillion yuan, the largest single-day decline reported in the period. This follows a week of mixed movements, including a 17.3 billion yuan drop on September 24 and a 34.22 billion yuan rise on September 22. The data reflects a notable reduction in leveraged positions held by investors in the A-share market.

13 reports · 4 sources · Updated Sep 29, 12:48 AM UTC

China’s three major futures exchanges—Shanghai, Zhengzhou, and Guangzhou—announced on September 24, 2024, that from September 28, 2026, they will expand the range of tradable products for Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (QFII/RQFII) by 23 new futures and options contracts. The expansion covers energy, metals, chemicals, agricultural products, and new energy sectors. Industry insiders cited by China Securities Journal said the move signals a shift toward institutional and rules-based market opening.

11 reports · 3 sources · Updated Sep 28, 11:01 PM UTC

China's national carbon market has expanded to cover 3,680 key emitting entities, representing over 65% of national emissions, with quota trading volume reaching a record 2.35 billion tonnes in 2025. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment's 2026 report outlines plans to include petrochemical, chemical, paper, and aviation sectors by 2027. Carbon prices rose to 97.90 yuan/tonne by August 2026, up 31.18% from end-2025. The People's Bank of China is promoting carbon pledge and repurchase systems to increase financial support.

6 reports · 3 sources · Updated Sep 28, 03:54 PM UTC

Chinese Premier Li Qiang chaired a State Council executive meeting on September 28, pledging to introduce new incremental policies to stabilize the economy, including optimizing fiscal spending, utilizing local government debt quotas, and adjusting monetary policy tools. The meeting also called for measures to stabilize the real estate market, boost employment and income growth, and increase relending support for innovation, agriculture, and small enterprises.

11 reports · 4 sources · Updated Sep 28, 01:10 PM UTC

Following a summit between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping, the United States and China have agreed to reciprocal tariff reductions on approximately $30 billion worth of goods from each side, totaling $60 billion. The US will cut tariffs on Chinese imports including toys, home appliances, and baby products, while China will reduce tariffs on US agricultural goods, medical devices, and coal. Over 90% of covered products will receive Most Favored Nation tariff treatment. China's list notably excludes soybeans. Both sides will implement cuts simultaneously after completing domestic legal procedures.

12 reports · 6 sources · Updated Sep 28, 11:57 AM UTC

China's Central Meteorological Observatory issued a blue alert for severe convective weather on September 25-26, warning of thunderstorms, hail, and winds up to force 11 across northern and eastern China. Concurrently, the Ministry of Natural Resources and China Meteorological Administration issued orange and yellow geological disaster warnings for parts of Hubei, Sichuan, Chongqing, Tibet, and Shaanxi, while the Ministry of Water Resources issued orange and yellow mountain flood warnings for southwestern Tibet and other regions. Authorities urged public preparedness and evacuations.

16 reports · 2 sources · Updated Sep 28, 10:05 AM UTC

China has formally expanded its personal pension fund product catalog to include “fixed-income plus” funds, adding 26 bond-equity hybrid products from 22 fund management firms. The move, effective September 29, introduces Y-class shares for partial-equity hybrid funds and secondary bond funds, filling a risk-return gap between existing pension-targeted FOFs and index funds. Regulators set strict criteria including a minimum three-year track record and 5 billion yuan scale.

6 reports · 4 sources · Updated Sep 28, 08:46 AM UTC

On September 28, China's SASAC announced the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for central state-owned enterprises. The plan sets a target to increase the value-added share of strategic emerging industries by 5 percentage points by 2030, emphasizes value creation over revenue scale, and prioritizes AI integration, industrial software, and key components. SASAC also developed a regulatory information system with 80 industrial indicators and 106 development actions.

8 reports · 5 sources · Updated Sep 28, 08:30 AM UTC

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the US and China have agreed to extend their trade truce until January 10, 2027, providing more time for a broader deal. However, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, at a September 24 press conference, declined to confirm or deny the claim, directing reporters to China's competent authorities. The exchange leaves the extension officially unconfirmed by Beijing, highlighting a discrepancy in public messaging between the two sides.

16 reports · 9 sources · Updated Sep 28, 07:50 AM UTC

China's National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA) issued a circular effective September 20, 2026, allowing insurance institutions eligible to invest in Hong Kong Stock Connect stocks to also invest in Hong Kong Stock Connect ETFs. The policy aims to optimize insurance asset allocation and standardize investment behavior. As of late September, 31 stock ETFs were eligible. The move removes QDII quota constraints, providing a new channel for cross-border allocation. Industry sources reported that some insurers may have begun buying these ETFs, with others expected to follow.

18 reports · 12 sources · Updated Sep 28, 07:49 AM UTC