Beijing

DeepSeek is developing its own AI chip to reduce reliance on Nvidia and Huawei, aiming to reshape China’s semiconductor industry. This move aligns with Chinese tech companies’ efforts to design in-house AI chips amid US export controls eroding Nvidia’s market share and Huawei’s growing dominance.

Chinese authorities are considering restrictions on overseas access to China's most advanced AI models. Meetings with Alibaba, ByteDance, and Z.ai have been held to discuss curbing foreign access to frontier models.

China’s central bank extended its gold-buying streak to 20 consecutive months in June, adding 480,000 troy ounces (14.93 tonnes) to its reserves. Total gold holdings reached 75.44 million troy ounces (2,346 tonnes), reflecting Beijing’s de-dollarisation efforts and diversification of foreign-exchange reserves.

The fallout from Operation Epic Fury is affecting Trump's private discussions with NATO allies. Democrats have distanced themselves from Senate candidate Graham Platner following rape allegations, and Team USA was defeated by Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16. Additional headlines include a court incident involving an accused assassin, a nuclear test by Beijing, and political shifts with federal lawyers defecting to Democrats.

Beijing hosted a movie screening of the film 'Dear You' for 150 foreign diplomats and their families from 74 embassies to help them 'better understand China'. The film, organized by the Chinese foreign ministry, was shot in the Teochew dialect of the Chaoshan region in Guangdong province and has sparked debate about propaganda in Southeast Asia.

Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong is set to be sentenced in September for a second national security case under a Beijing-imposed law.

China test-fired a missile into the Pacific, prompting US-led international concern. The People's Liberation Army displayed DF-5C nuclear missiles during a military parade in Beijing on September 3, 2025.

Taiwan has revived its 'anti-communist patriotic education' program for military academy graduates after 24 years, citing concerns over Beijing's infiltration attempts and recent espionage cases involving service members. The five-day compulsory course, starting July 1, restores the program's original name.

ByteDance and Alibaba are disabling AI companion features ahead of new China rules effective July 15, which target emotional dependence and harmful content for minors.

Beijing has introduced measures to strengthen its control over lithium pricing by allowing foreign industrial players to trade lithium carbonate on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange, starting July 3. This move aims to enhance China's pricing power over the US in the critical material for electric vehicles and energy storage.

Beijing has introduced measures allowing foreign traders to participate in onshore lithium carbonate trading via the Guangzhou Futures Exchange, aiming to strengthen China's pricing power over the US in the critical material for electric vehicles and energy storage.

A mainland Chinese research vessel conducted an oceanographic survey in the Philippine Sea east of Taiwan from June 16 to 18. Experts noted the dual-use nature of the collected data, which could support military underwater operations. State media framed the mission as an example of Beijing's expanding civilian maritime governance.

Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim plans to discuss falling durian prices with Chinese Premier Li Qiang during a Beijing visit to assist struggling farmers. A nationwide surplus has caused prices to drop, prompting Anwar's intervention during a campaign stop in Johor ahead of a state election.

Australia and Fiji signed a defense pact to counter China in the Pacific. Fiji, which had grown closer to Beijing under its former leadership, will now consult Canberra on security developments.

The leader of a prominent Chinese underground church, Ezra Jin, was released from prison after President Donald Trump raised his case with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Jin's release follows a crackdown on religious groups in China and is seen as a modest boost for US-China relations.

A Chinese pastor was released from prison after Trump raised his case with Xi Jinping. The pastor, Ezra Jin Mingri, is associated with the Zion Church in Beijing.

China and the United States have agreed to a 'constructive' relationship with 'strategic stability,' but deep-seated differences leave the future of their relationship uncertain. A Beijing forum highlighted tensions ahead of a potential visit by President Xi Jinping to the US later this year, with experts noting the challenge of defining deliverables for such high-level diplomatic engagements.

Beijing deployed a new coastguard task force into waters east of Taiwan, the second such deployment in about a month. The move follows China’s top diplomat urging Washington to exercise caution on Taiwan and high-level talks with the Philippines to address South China Sea tensions.

Chinese firms operate, finance, or hold stakes in about one third of African ports, with Beijing controlling the software, automation, and AI tools managing the infrastructure. China also finances and operates connected road, rail, and warehousing networks, integrating African trade with its own systems.

Wang Ming's 12-year-old son must attend school 120km from Beijing due to the family's inability to obtain a hukou, a household registration document required for public services like education. The hukou system restricts access to healthcare and education for non-residents, despite Wang's 20-year residency and employment in the city.

Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser attended a US-China summit in Beijing as part of a group of 17 business leaders invited by US President Donald Trump during his three-day visit to China from May 13 to May 15. Fraser participated in diplomatic activities at the Great Hall of the People.

Taiwan is updating its 14-day call-up program to train reservists in drones and US-made Himars rocket systems to address military manpower shortages caused by demographic decline and pressure from Beijing.

Germany summoned China's ambassador following Reuters' report that Chinese military facilities trained Russian troops last year with Russia's defense minister's approval. Beijing denied the allegations, and German officials warned such support threatens European security.

The United States, as it marks its 250th anniversary, faces a world order shaped by its relationship with China. The article examines how Beijing is challenging longstanding US influence in the western hemisphere, focusing on ties between hard tech, soft power, and regional dynamics.

China requires export licenses for 16 precursor chemicals heading to North America, including 13 added in November and three after a May summit. The measures followed trade deals between Washington and Beijing that linked tariff relief to drug cooperation. Analysts suggest most chemicals still reach Mexican fentanyl operations.

Lam Wing-kee, a Hong Kong bookseller and symbol of resistance to Beijing's crackdown on free speech, died in Taiwan. He was seized by Chinese authorities in 2015.

Chinese investment banks are leading Hong Kong’s IPO market driven by technology firms, with China International Capital Corporation (CICC) ranked top. Beijing aims to establish a domestic counterpart to Goldman Sachs.

The Nato summit in Turkey is expected to focus on European defence spending progress with Beijing observing. Uncertainty remains about whether President Donald Trump will appear as a supportive leader or his critical self, with early signs pointing to the latter.

An independent legal group, the Asian Academy of International Law, has proposed designating Hong Kong as China's 'space finance capital' under the national five-year plan. The group also suggested enacting a space asset registration and finance ordinance to provide legal certainty for financing such assets.

A 66-year-old pilot crashed a small plane into Beijing’s CITIC Tower, the city’s tallest building, after writing about 'ending his life' in his diary. Chinese authorities attributed the crash to 'personal reasons,' citing the pilot’s insomnia, anxiety, and lack of employment. The incident injured 13 people, none critically, and raised security concerns in Beijing’s downtown skyscraper district.

An historic heat wave has driven unprecedented demand for Chinese-made air conditioners in Europe, complicating Brussels' efforts to rebalance trade with Beijing.

China's new Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress has been criticized by rights groups, Taiwan, and the United Nations, who argue it threatens the rights of Uyghurs and Tibetans and enables the persecution of dissidents abroad. The law aims to strengthen Mandarin as the official language to foster a shared national identity.

A top Chinese Communist Party official stated that China does not seek to become a regional hegemon and emphasized its commitment to strengthening energy cooperation with ASEAN. The official highlighted that 'harmonious coexistence' is central to China's identity, making it unlikely to adopt a militaristic approach.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister concluded a visit to China amid tensions between Trump and MBS. The country is expanding its diplomatic ties with Beijing as a counterbalance to Washington and to engage with Tehran.

China's leadership in clean technology is expected to enhance its global financial ambitions, according to a former central bank chief economist. The article highlights the connection between green tech advancements and financial strategy.

The Qinghai-Tibet railway, the world’s highest, began operation in 2006 with the first train departing Beijing to Lhasa, carrying 600 passengers and 100 journalists. The railway also launched services from Golmud and Chengdu, offering residents like Lhasa student Bianba more affordable travel opportunities.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud in Beijing, reaffirming China’s support for Middle East negotiations and urging sustained dialogue despite a fragile ceasefire. Wang emphasized that dialogue is better than confrontation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with leaders from Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Belarus, and North Korea in June 2026. He hosted 20 national leaders in Beijing this year, including Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, highlighting China's growing global influence amid geopolitical tensions.

A plane crashed into a tower in Beijing, causing holes on the side of the structure. Beijing has removed other visible traces of the incident.

China's new minerals law provides Beijing with legal leverage over strategic metals, intensifying its influence on African mines and supply chains. The law raises concerns about China's expanding control in the region.