News on China
China defends Multilateral Trade and Warns Against ‘Law of the Jungle’ at Davos, Veiled Criticism of U.S. UnilateralismChina’s Vice Premier He Lifeng warned at the World Economic Forum on 20 January that the global economy must not return to a “law of the jungle,” a veiled reference to unilateral practices by the United States. He stressed that international trade rules must apply equally to all and reaffirmed China’s commitment to a WTO-centered, rules-based multilateral trading system, including support for institutional reform. His remarks come as global trade faces mounting protectionist pressures, which Beijing says disproportionately harm developing countries and the Global South. Read More: Beijing Rejects US ‘China Threat’ Pretext for Greenland Ambitions, Urges Adherence to UN Charter Amid Tariff ThreatsAt a 19 January press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun rejected President Trump’s baseless claim that Greenland is “covered with Russian and Chinese ships” – a pretext for annexation and tariff threats. With maritime data confirming no Chinese or Russian vessels near the island, Beijing reaffirmed that international law under the UN Charter must be upheld. The Arctic is of global strategic concern, and China stressed that its activities aim for peace, stability, and sustainable development, warning that the U.S. should not exploit other nations for selfish interests, Seven NATO allies have deployed forces to Greenland to counter Washington’s territorial ambitions. Read More: CPC Investigates 115 Provincial Officials in 2025 as AI-Powered Anti-Corruption Drive IntensifiesIn 2025, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection investigated 115 provincial-level officials, part of China’s ongoing anti-graft campaign. Throughout the year, 983,000 individuals were disciplined and 33,000 investigated for bribery. At its January plenary session, the CPC set reinforced anti-corruption targets for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030). Local governments have begun deploying AI and big data systems to monitor procurement and financial records, aiming to detect irregularities in welfare distribution and public bidding. Read More: China R&D Spending Hits 2.8% of GDP, Innovation Index Enters Top TenIn 2025, China’s total research and development spending reached 3.93 trillion yuan (US $561 billion), an 8.2% increase from the previous year. Enterprises contributed 77.7% of the investment. The milestone coincided with record growth in high-tech manufacturing, including 3D printing equipment (+52.5%), civil drones (+37.3%), and industrial robots (+28%). Accumulated domestic invention patents surpassed 5 million, the highest worldwide. R&D intensity reached 2.8% of GDP, exceeding the OECD average for the first time, propelling China into the top ten of the Global Innovation Index. Read More: China Achieves 5% GDP Growth in 2025 Despite US Tariffs, with High-Tech Manufacturing Leading at 9.4%China’s economy grew 5% in 2025, reaching 140.19 trillion yuan (US $20.13 trillion) and surpassing the 140 trillion yuan (US $20 trillion) threshold for the first time. Strategic emerging industries drove growth, including industrial robots (+28%) and new energy vehicles (+25.1%), while high-tech manufacturing expanded 9.4%. Exports diversified to Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America, supporting a record US $1.19 trillion trade surplus amid the US tariff war. The performance marks the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan period, highlighting China’s resilience and strategic focus on technological innovation and global economic engagement. Read More: Five Ministries Launch China’s First National Zero-Carbon Factory Guidelines Targeting Auto, Solar, and Battery Sectors by 2027Issued on 19 January to accelerate industrial decarbonisation, the guiding opinions from five ministries establish a phased roadmap – beginning with benchmark zero-carbon factories in 2026, expanding to automobiles, lithium batteries, photovoltaics, and computing facilities by 2027, and extending to heavy industries including steel, petrochemicals, and building materials by 2030 – targeting the industrial sector that accounts for 31% of national carbon emissions. Read More: Science Minister Unveils Four Core Innovation Priorities for 15th Five-Year Plan, Expanding Tech Hubs into Regional ClustersIn 2024, China’s R&D expenditure surpassed 3.6 trillion yuan (US $514 billion), representing 2.68% of GDP and exceeding the EU average. Science and Technology Minister Yin Hejun outlined four core priorities for the 15th Five-Year Plan: strengthening original innovation, integrating science and industry, coordinating education-science-talent development, and accelerating digital transformation. The plan also designates Beijing, Shanghai, and the Greater Bay Area as innovation centres, evolving from single-city models into coordinated regional clusters by 2035. Read More: China Develops First Domestic High-Energy Ion Implanter, Ending 100% Import Dependence in Critical Semiconductor EquipmentThe China Institute of Atomic Energy announced on 12 January the successful beam extraction of the POWER-750H – a tandem-type machine with a 750kV terminal achieving over 1.5 MeV ion energy – marking the first domestically developed capability in a critical ‘chokepoint’ technology where China was previously 100% dependent on US and Japanese imports, demonstrating the country’s determination to achieve technology self-reliance amid Washington’s escalating export controls. Read More: Xinjiang Official He Jiaolong, Pioneer of Livestream-Powered Rural Development, Dies at 47 After Horse-Riding AccidentA viral 2020 video of a red-cloaked rider galloping through snowy grasslands launched the career of a grassroots official who hosted more than 500 sessions generating over 600 million yuan (US $85.7 million) in agricultural sales and helped more than 10,000 peasant households increase their income; her death on 14 January following a riding accident sparked nationwide mourning for a pioneer of digital empowerment in rural revitalisation. Read More: Nationwide Celebrations Mark Decade Since 24 Solar Terms Gained UNESCO Intangible Heritage StatusAdopted by UNESCO on 30 November 2016 as a global heritage treasure, the ancient timekeeping system – often called ‘China’s fifth great invention’ by international meteorologists – will be honoured throughout 2026 with ceremonies beginning on 4 February in Zhejiang, Henan, and Guizhou provinces, coordinated by the China Agricultural Museum and the 98-member Twenty-Four Solar Terms Protection and Inheritance Alliance that has transformed this millennia-old astronomical knowledge into a global cultural symbol. Read More: |
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News on China
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