Packets of Chinese seeds are slipping into the US and reaching the doorsteps of farmers, and the officials have warned that they can "devastate" agriculture in the country if they are even opened. Most of these mysterious packages were reported from Texas, with 126 on record since January 1. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said that the packets might look "innocent, but the danger is real." Farmers have been told not to open the packets and report them. Similar Chinese see packets poured into the country in 2020, but Miller says this time they are coming in faster than before and spreading quickly. Most of them have reached East Texas, but cases have also been reported from other parts, from Florida to New Mexico.&nbsp;&nbsp;“One invasive species, pest, or pathogen could devastate Texas farms, ranches, natural resources, and food supply. We cannot gamble with Texas agriculture,” Miller said, asking everyone to remain vigilant. Most of these packets are clear, while some carry Chinese labels. They show up at the doorsteps directly. Either way, they should not be opened.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/indian-techie-with-h1-b-visa-deported-and-humiliated-by-ice-here-is-what-infosys-said-1768457903335">Indian techie with H1-B visa deported and humiliated by ICE? Here is what Infosys said</a> &nbsp;Miller urged anyone who receives these to inform the department immediately. "Report every suspicious package. We can’t take any chances that might jeopardise our producers, the environment, or food security," he said. The strange thing is that these packets are slipping through customs at airports. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The practice is to check all organic goods that enter the country to avoid any invasive species from wreaking havoc. Miller raised concerns over this miss by US Customs. "We’ve got a flaw in our security system. These things are coming directly shipped. Customs is not picking this up," Miller told News 4 San Antonio. He added that some of these seeds are "invasive species and noxious weeds" and could “ruin agricultural production.”<h2>Is this a plot to poison American crops?</h2> According to reports, this does not look like a deliberate attempt targeted at crops in the country. They could be part of a "brushing scam" where a company sends its products to real addresses, and puts up fake reviews in their name to help boost sales, according to the New York Post. A similar scam reportedly happened in 2020 when Chinese seeds entered the US.

Chinese seed packets are showing up at the homes of farmers in Texas, and they have been warned not to open them, as they could prove dangerous to the crops. Officials say they could be part of a major scam and are not sure how customs is missing them at the airport.

Packets of Chinese seeds are slipping into the US and reaching the doorsteps of farmers, and the officials have warned that they can "devastate" agriculture in the country if they are even opened. Most of these mysterious packages were reported from Texas, with 126 on record since January 1. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said that the packets might look "innocent, but the danger is real." Farmers have been told not to open the packets and report them. Similar Chinese see packets poured into the country in 2020, but Miller says this time they are coming in faster than before and spreading quickly. Most of them have reached East Texas, but cases have also been reported from other parts, from Florida to New Mexico. “One invasive species, pest, or pathogen could devastate Texas farms, ranches, natural resources, and food supply. We cannot gamble with Texas agriculture,” Miller said, asking everyone to remain vigilant. Most of these packets are clear, while some carry Chinese labels. They show up at the doorsteps directly. Either way, they should not be opened. Also Read: Indian techie with H1-B visa deported and humiliated by ICE? Here is what Infosys said Miller urged anyone who receives these to inform the department immediately. "Report every suspicious package. We can’t take any chances that might jeopardise our producers, the environment, or food security," he said. The strange thing is that these packets are slipping through customs at airports. The practice is to check all organic goods that enter the country to avoid any invasive species from wreaking havoc. Miller raised concerns over this miss by US Customs. "We’ve got a flaw in our security system. These things are coming directly shipped. Customs is not picking this up," Miller told News 4 San Antonio. He added that some of these seeds are "invasive species and noxious weeds" and could “ruin agricultural production.” Is this a plot to poison American crops? According to reports, this does not look like a deliberate attempt targeted at crops in the country. They could be part of a "brushing scam" where a company sends its products to real addresses, and puts up fake reviews in their name to help boost sales, according to the New York Post. A similar scam reportedly happened in 2020 when Chinese seeds entered the US.

Chinese seed packets are showing up at the homes of farmers in Texas, and they have been warned not to open them, as they could prove dangerous to the crops. Officials say they could be part of a major scam and are not sure how customs is missing them at the airport.

A plot to poison American crops? Chinese seeds packets are showing up at US homes

Scientists in China working on the "artificial sun" have managed to break a long-standing "speed limit" in physics known as the Greenwald limit. The breakthrough on the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) came on January 1, and it also changes the rules for building stars on Earth. This limit occurs in a scenario in which there is a fusion reactor shaped like a doughnut where scientists pack in super-hot gas (plasma) to create energy, just like the sun. But there is a rule for how much of it you can add, and this ceiling is what is known as the Greenwald limit. If too much plasma is added to the bottle, the gas would become unstable, and the reaction would crash. However, Chinese scientists have worked a way around it. They can now add 1.3 to 1.6 times more fuel than what was believed could be squeezed in, the team wrote in a new paper published in Science Advances.&nbsp;They achieved this state using precise microwave heating and a "self-cleaning" method, both of which keep the reactor walls cool and clean. This creates an environment in which impurities do not accumulate, and this prevents them from ruining the reaction. The scientists were able to create a "density-free regime" where the plasma stabilises itself and does not tear apart. This breakthrough has several benefits when it comes to energy production. "The findings suggest a practical and scalable pathway for extending density limits in tokamaks and next-generation burning plasma fusion devices,” says Zhu Ping, co-lead of the study, who is a professor at Huazhong University of Science and Technology.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-set-up-a-phone-line-between-earth-and-spacecraft-in-cosmos-1768305689447">Scientists set up a 'phone line' between Earth and spacecraft in cosmos</a><h2>How does breaking the Greenwald Limit help energy production?</h2>One of the benefits is that the energy produced increases, not just by double, but four times. In fusion, doubling the fuel translates to quadrupling the energy. Breaking this limit means reactors can produce way more power. Secondly, packing in more energy into a smaller space means that future fusion power plants don't necessarily need to be humongous, billion-dollar megastructures. They could be smaller, simpler, and cheaper to build. Besides, breaking the Greenwald Limit shows that it was merely a hurdle and not something defined by nature. The achievement opens doors for limitless, clean energy and can make international fusion projects more efficient.

Scientists in China have broken the Greenwald limit, achieving a major breakthrough in fusion reaction. They solved a crucial problem while working on the "artificial sun", or the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST).

Scientists in China working on the "artificial sun" have managed to break a long-standing "speed limit" in physics known as the Greenwald limit. The breakthrough on the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) came on January 1, and it also changes the rules for building stars on Earth. This limit occurs in a scenario in which there is a fusion reactor shaped like a doughnut where scientists pack in super-hot gas (plasma) to create energy, just like the sun. But there is a rule for how much of it you can add, and this ceiling is what is known as the Greenwald limit. If too much plasma is added to the bottle, the gas would become unstable, and the reaction would crash. However, Chinese scientists have worked a way around it. They can now add 1.3 to 1.6 times more fuel than what was believed could be squeezed in, the team wrote in a new paper published in Science Advances. They achieved this state using precise microwave heating and a "self-cleaning" method, both of which keep the reactor walls cool and clean. This creates an environment in which impurities do not accumulate, and this prevents them from ruining the reaction. The scientists were able to create a "density-free regime" where the plasma stabilises itself and does not tear apart. This breakthrough has several benefits when it comes to energy production. "The findings suggest a practical and scalable pathway for extending density limits in tokamaks and next-generation burning plasma fusion devices,” says Zhu Ping, co-lead of the study, who is a professor at Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Also Read: Scientists set up a 'phone line' between Earth and spacecraft in cosmos How does breaking the Greenwald Limit help energy production? One of the benefits is that the energy produced increases, not just by double, but four times. In fusion, doubling the fuel translates to quadrupling the energy. Breaking this limit means reactors can produce way more power. Secondly, packing in more energy into a smaller space means that future fusion power plants don't necessarily need to be humongous, billion-dollar megastructures. They could be smaller, simpler, and cheaper to build. Besides, breaking the Greenwald Limit shows that it was merely a hurdle and not something defined by nature. The achievement opens doors for limitless, clean energy and can make international fusion projects more efficient.

Scientists in China have broken the Greenwald limit, achieving a major breakthrough in fusion reaction. They solved a crucial problem while working on the "artificial sun", or the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST).

China's 'artificial sun' cracked a major code, setting a new record in physics

Taiwan's National Security Bureau (NSB) has revealed that China is allegedly using Chinese IT and marketing companies to run large-scale disinformation campaigns aimed at influencing Taiwanese public opinion and weakening social cohesion, according to a report cited by the Central News Agency (CNA). In its analysis of the People's Republic of China's "cognitive warfare tactics against Taiwan in 2025," the NSB said Taiwan's intelligence system identified over 45,000 fake social media accounts and more than 2.314 million pieces of disinformation circulating online. According to the NSB, these efforts are part of a coordinated operation overseen by China's Central Publicity Department and the Ministry of Public Security (MPS). Chinese IT companies have reportedly built databases and developed automated systems to manage fake or bot-operated accounts, CNA reported. The report further noted that marketing firms such as Haixunshe, Haimai, and Huya have been used to create fake news websites that promote Beijing-friendly narratives. Meanwhile, Beijing-backed Wubianjie Group has allegedly operated content farms through Facebook fan pages that initially post sensational entertainment-style content to attract followers before gradually shifting to political messaging intended to shape public perception. According to the NSB, China's goal is to deepen divisions within Taiwan, weaken resistance to external threats, discourage international support for Taiwan, and increase Taiwanese acceptance of Beijing's agenda, CNA said. To counter such influence operations, the NSB stated it is strengthening cooperation with domestic government bodies, fact-checking organisations, and social media platforms to enhance transparency and remove false information. It also highlighted Taiwan's growing collaboration with the international community, noting that over the past year, it conducted more than 80 security dialogues and intelligence-sharing meetings with global democratic partners to jointly tackle China's cognitive warfare strategies, as cited by the CNA report.&nbsp;&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

China's goal is to deepen divisions within Taiwan, weaken resistance to external threats, discourage international support for Taiwan, and increase Taiwanese acceptance of Beijing's agenda.

Taiwan's National Security Bureau (NSB) has revealed that China is allegedly using Chinese IT and marketing companies to run large-scale disinformation campaigns aimed at influencing Taiwanese public opinion and weakening social cohesion, according to a report cited by the Central News Agency (CNA). In its analysis of the People's Republic of China's "cognitive warfare tactics against Taiwan in 2025," the NSB said Taiwan's intelligence system identified over 45,000 fake social media accounts and more than 2.314 million pieces of disinformation circulating online. According to the NSB, these efforts are part of a coordinated operation overseen by China's Central Publicity Department and the Ministry of Public Security (MPS). Chinese IT companies have reportedly built databases and developed automated systems to manage fake or bot-operated accounts, CNA reported. The report further noted that marketing firms such as Haixunshe, Haimai, and Huya have been used to create fake news websites that promote Beijing-friendly narratives. Meanwhile, Beijing-backed Wubianjie Group has allegedly operated content farms through Facebook fan pages that initially post sensational entertainment-style content to attract followers before gradually shifting to political messaging intended to shape public perception. According to the NSB, China's goal is to deepen divisions within Taiwan, weaken resistance to external threats, discourage international support for Taiwan, and increase Taiwanese acceptance of Beijing's agenda, CNA said. To counter such influence operations, the NSB stated it is strengthening cooperation with domestic government bodies, fact-checking organisations, and social media platforms to enhance transparency and remove false information. It also highlighted Taiwan's growing collaboration with the international community, noting that over the past year, it conducted more than 80 security dialogues and intelligence-sharing meetings with global democratic partners to jointly tackle China's cognitive warfare strategies, as cited by the CNA report. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

China's goal is to deepen divisions within Taiwan, weaken resistance to external threats, discourage international support for Taiwan, and increase Taiwanese acceptance of Beijing's agenda.

China uses fake news sites, bot networks for 'Cognitive Warfare': NSB

China set a new world record by accelerating a maglev train to reach a speed of 700 km/h in just two seconds, becoming the first country to achieve the feat using superconducting electric maglev systems. Scientists at China's National University of Defence Technology conducted a test on a magnetic levitation train and were able to accelerate a vehicle weighing around 1,000 kg to reach such a fast speed.&nbsp;The test was conducted on a 400-metre track, and it successfully demonstrated the acceleration and deceleration of such a fast-moving maglev train safely, making it the quickest superconducting electric maglev train in the world.&nbsp;The footage of the experimental run became viral across social media and Chinese news outlets, in which a chassis-like vehicle can be seen zooming across the track, leaving a misty trail.&nbsp;The experiment also showcased the future of travel using maglev technology in hyperloop, where trains move through vacuum-sealed tubes at incredible speed.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bnp-chairman-tarique-rahman-enters-voter-rolls-pays-tribute-to-osman-hadi-signals-daughter-zaima-s-political-debut-1766836644142">BNP chairman Tarique Rahman enrolls as voter, pays tribute to Osman Hadi, signals daughter Zaima’s political debut</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#China</a> sets a world record with superconducting maglev train hitting 700 km/h in just 2 seconds！<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/technology?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#technology</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/railway?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#railway</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/train?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#train</a> <a href="https://t.co/kMVSAAwD36">pic.twitter.com/kMVSAAwD36</a>&mdash; Shanghai Daily (@shanghaidaily) <a href="https://twitter.com/shanghaidaily/status/2004073003550974408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Maglev trains do not use conventional steel rails. Instead, they levitate above a specially built guideway using powerful magnetic forces. Because the train does not touch the track, friction is almost completely eliminated. This enables much higher speeds while reducing noise, vibration and mechanical wear.&nbsp;Electromagnets fitted to both the train and the guideway either repel or attract each other, lifting the train a few centimetres above the surface and removing all wheel-to-rail contact. Additional magnets ensure stability by keeping the train centred on the guideway and preventing side-to-side movement, even at very high speeds.&nbsp;Propulsion is provided by a linear motor rather than a traditional rotating engine. Electric currents are switched on and off in the guideway magnets, creating a travelling magnetic field that pulls the train forward and pushes it from behind.&nbsp;China operates the Shanghai maglev, which links the city to Pudong International Airport and reaches speeds of around 430 kmph, making it among the fastest commercial trains in service. The country has also tested next-generation high-speed maglev prototypes designed to achieve speeds of up to 600 kmph.

The test was carried out by researchers from China’s National University of Defence Technology, who accelerated a magnetic levitation vehicle weighing around 1,000 kg to the record-breaking speed.

China set a new world record by accelerating a maglev train to reach a speed of 700 km/h in just two seconds, becoming the first country to achieve the feat using superconducting electric maglev systems. Scientists at China's National University of Defence Technology conducted a test on a magnetic levitation train and were able to accelerate a vehicle weighing around 1,000 kg to reach such a fast speed. The test was conducted on a 400-metre track, and it successfully demonstrated the acceleration and deceleration of such a fast-moving maglev train safely, making it the quickest superconducting electric maglev train in the world. The footage of the experimental run became viral across social media and Chinese news outlets, in which a chassis-like vehicle can be seen zooming across the track, leaving a misty trail. The experiment also showcased the future of travel using maglev technology in hyperloop, where trains move through vacuum-sealed tubes at incredible speed. Also Read: BNP chairman Tarique Rahman enrolls as voter, pays tribute to Osman Hadi, signals daughter Zaima’s political debut

The test was carried out by researchers from China’s National University of Defence Technology, who accelerated a magnetic levitation vehicle weighing around 1,000 kg to the record-breaking speed.

Watch | 700 kmph in two seconds: Chinese train smashes world speed record

Homo juluensis, a human ancestor that had an unusually fat head, lived in northern China at the same time as the Denisovans, researchers have found. Uranium-series dating led them to the conclusion that this man roamed the region between about 140,000 and 230,000 years ago, the same as Homo longi, or the “Dragon Man". China during the Middle Pleistocene was populated by a mix of different groups of humans, some of whom are yet to be classified. This is why this period in human evolution is not greatly understood and is also known as the "muddle in the middle". Fossils found in the region show that H. juluensis, meaning “Large-Headed Man”, inhabited the region at this time, according to a study published in the journal Quaternary Science Reviews.&nbsp;Its fossils were first discovered in Hebei Province in the 1970s, but the species was only named in 2024. Researchers thought it was a new human species. Dating attempts on the old Big Head over the years never produced any conclusive results. Magnetostratigraphic dating of minerals in the sediment layer in which the fossils were found hinted that it could be around half a million years old. But later, infrared stimulated luminescence dating showed the species lived only about 69,000 years ago.<h2>How researchers confirmed the two lived together</h2>So researchers of the new study decided to go with uranium-series dating. Five H. juluensis fossils and the bones of other mammals found in the same layer were analysed. They conclusively found that their findings clearly show that the species roamed this site sometime between 138,000 and 228,000 years ago. Meanwhile, the Dragon Man also inhabited northern China around 150,000 years ago, which means their time in the region overlapped. &nbsp;“These results indicate that at least two morphologically distinct hominin taxa (H. juluensis and H. longi) likely coexisted in northern China,” the study authors wrote.&nbsp;Both of them are also believed to belong to the same branch of the human family tree. While it is not exactly clear how closely related they might have been, both H. longi and H. juluensis likely belong to the Denisovan heritage, with the former recently confirmed to have hailed from the species.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The northern China region was inhabited by different human species at a time. New research has confirmed that a species of fat headed humans lived alongside the Dragon Man between 138,000 and 228,000 years ago.

Homo juluensis, a human ancestor that had an unusually fat head, lived in northern China at the same time as the Denisovans, researchers have found. Uranium-series dating led them to the conclusion that this man roamed the region between about 140,000 and 230,000 years ago, the same as Homo longi, or the “Dragon Man". China during the Middle Pleistocene was populated by a mix of different groups of humans, some of whom are yet to be classified. This is why this period in human evolution is not greatly understood and is also known as the "muddle in the middle". Fossils found in the region show that H. juluensis, meaning “Large-Headed Man”, inhabited the region at this time, according to a study published in the journal Quaternary Science Reviews. Its fossils were first discovered in Hebei Province in the 1970s, but the species was only named in 2024. Researchers thought it was a new human species. Dating attempts on the old Big Head over the years never produced any conclusive results. Magnetostratigraphic dating of minerals in the sediment layer in which the fossils were found hinted that it could be around half a million years old. But later, infrared stimulated luminescence dating showed the species lived only about 69,000 years ago. How researchers confirmed the two lived together So researchers of the new study decided to go with uranium-series dating. Five H. juluensis fossils and the bones of other mammals found in the same layer were analysed. They conclusively found that their findings clearly show that the species roamed this site sometime between 138,000 and 228,000 years ago. Meanwhile, the Dragon Man also inhabited northern China around 150,000 years ago, which means their time in the region overlapped. “These results indicate that at least two morphologically distinct hominin taxa (H. juluensis and H. longi) likely coexisted in northern China,” the study authors wrote. Both of them are also believed to belong to the same branch of the human family tree. While it is not exactly clear how closely related they might have been, both H. longi and H. juluensis likely belong to the Denisovan heritage, with the former recently confirmed to have hailed from the species.

The northern China region was inhabited by different human species at a time. New research has confirmed that a species of fat-headed humans lived alongside the Dragon Man between 138,000 and 228,000 years ago.

Fat head humans and Dragon Man roamed the same China region 150,000 years ago

Nearly 80 Tibetans have been arrested by Chinese officials in Kashi village, Kham Zachuka, Sershul County, Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, after a protest against illegal gold mining operations. In addition, seven individuals are still unaccounted for, the news agency ANI cited the report by Phayul.&nbsp;The information about the incident was announced by Tempa Gyaltsen Zamlha, Deputy Director and environmental researcher at the Tibet Policy Institute (TPI), while addressing a press conference on Tuesday in Dharamshala. He confirmed that the detentions took place at around 6:50 pm on November 6 after local Tibetans confronted the miners and informed township officials about gold extraction that was discovered on November 5, at 2:11 pm in Serkhok (Gold Valley).&nbsp;After the confrontation began, Chinese officials launched "systematic, door-to-door arrests" in Kashi village. After the arrest, they were reportedly taken to Sershul County for questioning. Soon after the arrests, officials reportedly held a meeting and warned them for discussing the incident, and insisted that it must "never be leaked to higher levels or to the outside world," and if someone does so, they will be treated as a serious "criminal offence."<h3>Chinese Cops raid homes, confiscate mobile phones</h3>Security personnel reportedly raided homes, confiscated mobile phones and carried out intrusive searches. Armed police and military forces were allegedly stationed across roads and public areas, with individuals detained even for perceived opposition linked to the mining projects, as highlighted in the Phayul report.&nbsp;Zamlha said residents have described conditions in Kashi township as “highly volatile,” with villagers deeply worried about the safety of detained relatives amid continued arrests, restrictions on movement and limited communication. She also cited allegations of harsh treatment during interrogations.&nbsp;The claims suggest detainees were denied sleep and toilet access and given only sparse meals—cold tsampa mixed with water once daily. Some reportedly suffered broken ribs, kidney ailments from severe beatings, or lasting physical and psychological trauma following intense questioning.&nbsp;Medical checks were reportedly carried out at Sershul County Hospital, but full results were not disclosed to detainees. Elderly residents were also allegedly detained, had their phone records closely scrutinised and were warned against sharing information before being released, the report added.

The Deputy Director and environmental researcher confirmed that the detentions took place at around 6:50 pm on November 6 after local Tibetans confronted the miners and informed township officials about gold extraction that was discovered on November 5, at 2:11 pm in Serkhok (Gold Valley).

Nearly 80 Tibetans have been arrested by Chinese officials in Kashi village, Kham Zachuka, Sershul County, Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, after a protest against illegal gold mining operations. In addition, seven individuals are still unaccounted for, the news agency ANI cited the report by Phayul. The information about the incident was announced by Tempa Gyaltsen Zamlha, Deputy Director and environmental researcher at the Tibet Policy Institute (TPI), while addressing a press conference on Tuesday in Dharamshala. He confirmed that the detentions took place at around 6:50 pm on November 6 after local Tibetans confronted the miners and informed township officials about gold extraction that was discovered on November 5, at 2:11 pm in Serkhok (Gold Valley). After the confrontation began, Chinese officials launched "systematic, door-to-door arrests" in Kashi village. After the arrest, they were reportedly taken to Sershul County for questioning. Soon after the arrests, officials reportedly held a meeting and warned them for discussing the incident, and insisted that it must "never be leaked to higher levels or to the outside world," and if someone does so, they will be treated as a serious "criminal offence." Chinese Cops raid homes, confiscate mobile phones Security personnel reportedly raided homes, confiscated mobile phones and carried out intrusive searches. Armed police and military forces were allegedly stationed across roads and public areas, with individuals detained even for perceived opposition linked to the mining projects, as highlighted in the Phayul report. Zamlha said residents have described conditions in Kashi township as “highly volatile,” with villagers deeply worried about the safety of detained relatives amid continued arrests, restrictions on movement and limited communication. She also cited allegations of harsh treatment during interrogations. The claims suggest detainees were denied sleep and toilet access and given only sparse meals—cold tsampa mixed with water once daily. Some reportedly suffered broken ribs, kidney ailments from severe beatings, or lasting physical and psychological trauma following intense questioning. Medical checks were reportedly carried out at Sershul County Hospital, but full results were not disclosed to detainees. Elderly residents were also allegedly detained, had their phone records closely scrutinised and were warned against sharing information before being released, the report added.

The Deputy Director and environmental researcher confirmed that the detentions took place at around 6:50 pm on November 6 after local Tibetans confronted the miners and informed township officials about gold extraction that was discovered on November 5, at 2:11 pm in Serkhok (Gold Valley).

China detains nearly 80 Tibetans over protest against illegal gold mining, launches 'door-to-door' arrests: What is happening

A 28-year-old woman from Suzhou, Jiangsu province, China, experienced severe complications, including vomiting blood, after she paid US$130 for a weight-loss treatment package that assured a 3.5kg loss per shot, according to South China Morning Post (SCMP).&nbsp;As per the report, the woman, identified as Chen, came across an advertisement for the weight loss injections through a friend's social media post. She paid 900 yuan (US$130) for a set of three jabs, which was marketed as a complete treatment.&nbsp;Although she used only half of the suggested dosage, she still experienced severe side effects. Chen lost 5kg in just four days, but soon began vomiting green and yellow fluid, a sign of bile reflux and damage to the stomach lining. Her condition worsened as she started vomiting blood. She was admitted to the hospital, where doctors said her body had suffered significant harm and advised her to avoid trying to conceive for at least a year.<h3>The weight-loss injections were unregulated</h3>"In the first three days, I really did lose almost a kilogram a day. I lost 5kg in total over just four days," Chen said as quoted. "On the fourth day, I started vomiting green and yellow fluids. At the hospital, they told me it was bile, and I had already burned the lining of my stomach. While lying down for an electrocardiogram, I suddenly vomited blood. My digestive tract was damaged and already bleeding," he added.&nbsp;"At that point, my pulse had stopped. I was not aware of anything: blood draws, emergency procedures and atrial fibrillation treatment. I only learned about it after regaining consciousness. My boyfriend told me I had come very close to receiving a critical condition notice."&nbsp;The report added that the weight-loss injections were unregulated and contained illegally sourced semaglutide. The case has since gained widespread attention on social media, sparking debate about the rising demand for such products and people's growing dependence on quick-fix weight-loss solutions.

The woman, identified as Chen, came across an advertisement for the weight loss injections through a friend's social media post. She paid 900 yuan (US$130) for a set of three jabs, which was marketed as a complete treatment.

A 28-year-old woman from Suzhou, Jiangsu province, China, experienced severe complications, including vomiting blood, after she paid US$130 for a weight-loss treatment package that assured a 3.5kg loss per shot, according to South China Morning Post (SCMP). As per the report, the woman, identified as Chen, came across an advertisement for the weight loss injections through a friend's social media post. She paid 900 yuan (US$130) for a set of three jabs, which was marketed as a complete treatment. Although she used only half of the suggested dosage, she still experienced severe side effects. Chen lost 5kg in just four days, but soon began vomiting green and yellow fluid, a sign of bile reflux and damage to the stomach lining. Her condition worsened as she started vomiting blood. She was admitted to the hospital, where doctors said her body had suffered significant harm and advised her to avoid trying to conceive for at least a year. The weight-loss injections were unregulated "In the first three days, I really did lose almost a kilogram a day. I lost 5kg in total over just four days," Chen said as quoted. "On the fourth day, I started vomiting green and yellow fluids. At the hospital, they told me it was bile, and I had already burned the lining of my stomach. While lying down for an electrocardiogram, I suddenly vomited blood. My digestive tract was damaged and already bleeding," he added. "At that point, my pulse had stopped. I was not aware of anything: blood draws, emergency procedures and atrial fibrillation treatment. I only learned about it after regaining consciousness. My boyfriend told me I had come very close to receiving a critical condition notice." The report added that the weight-loss injections were unregulated and contained illegally sourced semaglutide. The case has since gained widespread attention on social media, sparking debate about the rising demand for such products and people's growing dependence on quick-fix weight-loss solutions.

The woman, identified as Chen, came across an advertisement for the weight loss injections through a friend's social media post. She paid 900 yuan (US$130) for a set of three jabs, which was marketed as a complete treatment.

Chinese woman uses ‘3.5kg per shot’ weight-loss injections — What happened next was terrifying

Days after an Indian national repotedly singled out and detained at the Sanghai Airport for 18 hours, the Ministry of External Affairs on Monday (Dec 08) issued a firm Massage to China against mistreatment of its citizens, saying Indians transiting through Chinese airports should not be "selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained or harassed" and urged Beijing to "respect" regulations concerning international air travel.&nbsp;"We fully share your concern following the recent incident at Shanghai airport that you have cited. We expect the Chinese authorities to provide assurances that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained or harassed and that regulations governing international air travel will be respected by the Chinese side," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, answering a query on the incident.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/earthquake-of-7-6-magnitude-hits-japan-tsunami-warning-issued-1765205745134">Earthquake of 7.6 magnitude hits Japan, tsunami warning issued</a>&nbsp;The statement follows growing concerns regarding the selective targeting of Indian nationals in China. Jaiswal was responding to a query related to Arunachal Women Pema Wangjom Thongdok, who was detained and questioned at the Shanghai airport, with Chinese officials claiming her Indian passport was invalid since Arunachal Pradesh is part of China.&nbsp;The MEA also advised Indians travelling to China or transiting through a Chinese airport to remain alert. "MEA would advise Indian nationals to exercise due discretion while travelling to or transiting through China," the MEA spokesperson added.&nbsp;Thangdok, a UK-based Indian national, was travelling from London to Japan in November with a layover in Shanghai, when she was singled out and "humiliated" by Chinese immigration officials and was confined to the transit area without proper food and facilities.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indigo-crisis-refunds-worth-rs-827-crore-initiated-remaining-claims-under-process-says-airline-air-india-indigo-ceo-1765200084959">IndiGo crisis: Refunds worth Rs 827 crore initiated, remaining claims under process, says airline</a>&nbsp;India, at the time, raised a strong objection over the incident involving Thongdok, calling the detention "arbitrary" and lodging a strong demarche with China in both Beijing and New Delhi.&nbsp;China, however, rejected allegations of harassment levelled by Thongdok and stated that "the lawful rights and interests of the person concerned were fully protected and no compulsory measures were taken on her."<h2>India–China travel resumes after five years</h2>India and China resumed direct flights in October 2025, ending a freeze imposed after the 2020 border clashes at Galwan and pandemic restrictions. India also restored tourist visas for Chinese nationals, while China eased visa rules for Indian travellers.&nbsp;The reopening followed sustained diplomatic engagement, military-level talks and confidence-building measures along the border, signalling a broader thaw and a push to normalise travel, trade and people-to-people movement between India and China. &nbsp;

The MEA also advised Indians travelling to China or transiting through a Chinese airport to exercise due discretion. 

Days after an Indian national repotedly singled out and detained at the Sanghai Airport for 18 hours, the Ministry of External Affairs on Monday (Dec 08) issued a firm Massage to China against mistreatment of its citizens, saying Indians transiting through Chinese airports should not be "selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained or harassed" and urged Beijing to "respect" regulations concerning international air travel. "We fully share your concern following the recent incident at Shanghai airport that you have cited. We expect the Chinese authorities to provide assurances that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained or harassed and that regulations governing international air travel will be respected by the Chinese side," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, answering a query on the incident. Also Read: Earthquake of 7.6 magnitude hits Japan, tsunami warning issued The statement follows growing concerns regarding the selective targeting of Indian nationals in China. Jaiswal was responding to a query related to Arunachal Women Pema Wangjom Thongdok, who was detained and questioned at the Shanghai airport, with Chinese officials claiming her Indian passport was invalid since Arunachal Pradesh is part of China. The MEA also advised Indians travelling to China or transiting through a Chinese airport to remain alert. "MEA would advise Indian nationals to exercise due discretion while travelling to or transiting through China," the MEA spokesperson added. Thangdok, a UK-based Indian national, was travelling from London to Japan in November with a layover in Shanghai, when she was singled out and "humiliated" by Chinese immigration officials and was confined to the transit area without proper food and facilities. Also Read: IndiGo crisis: Refunds worth Rs 827 crore initiated, remaining claims under process, says airline India, at the time, raised a strong objection over the incident involving Thongdok, calling the detention "arbitrary" and lodging a strong demarche with China in both Beijing and New Delhi. China, however, rejected allegations of harassment levelled by Thongdok and stated that "the lawful rights and interests of the person concerned were fully protected and no compulsory measures were taken on her." India–China travel resumes after five years India and China resumed direct flights in October 2025, ending a freeze imposed after the 2020 border clashes at Galwan and pandemic restrictions. India also restored tourist visas for Chinese nationals, while China eased visa rules for Indian travellers. The reopening followed sustained diplomatic engagement, military-level talks and confidence-building measures along the border, signalling a broader thaw and a push to normalise travel, trade and people-to-people movement between India and China.

The MEA also advised Indians travelling to China or transiting through a Chinese airport to exercise due discretion.&nbsp;

Don’t 'selectively target' Indians: MEA seeks assurance from China after Shanghai airport row

China has unveiled a new hypersonic missile, the YKJ-1000, that uses materials like foamed concrete in its coating. Produced by aerospace firm Lingkong Tianxing, the missile has a range of 1,300 kilometres and has the potential to alter the defence market because of its extremely low cost. The YKJ-1000, nicknamed the “cement-coated” missile, is reportedly priced at 700,000 yuan (approximately $99,000), a fraction of the price of US missiles. Experts say this could make it extremely popular among smaller countries. “If this missile were introduced on the international defence market, it would be formidably competitive,” Military commentator Wei Dongxu told state broadcaster CCTV, according to South China Morning Post.&nbsp;The dirt-cheap missile has the potential to become a "hot commodity" because of its "long range, high destructive power, and strong penetration capability," he added. “Many nations have yet to develop their own hypersonic missiles, and this one – with its long range, high destructive power, and strong penetration capability – would likely become a hot commodity due to its dirt-cheap price," Dongxu said. To have such a cheap hypersonic missile can lead smaller nations to stand up to the bigger countries. The development of an inexpensive, cement-coated missile shows Beijing's potential to produce devastating weapons at low cost.&nbsp;<h2>How is the YKJ-1000 missile so cheap?</h2>Talking about how such a hypersonic missile was made, Lingkong Tianxing says that the heat-resistant coating uses civilian-grade foamed cement and a few other ingredients. Instead of explosive separation nuts, electric ones have been used, and the structural parts can be die-cast. Corruption purges slowed arms contracts and procurement at China's military firms last year. China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is now working on "robot wolves" to carry out ground invasions. It unveiled a new warfare tactic at an air show in 2024 involving military-purpose robots.

China has created a hypersonic missile, YKJ-1000, that uses a cement coating in its heat-resistant coating. This, coupled with some other changes, means it is available at a dirt-cheap price. The missile has a range of 1,300 kilometres, and smaller nations might be eager to get it.

China has unveiled a new hypersonic missile, the YKJ-1000, that uses materials like foamed concrete in its coating. Produced by aerospace firm Lingkong Tianxing, the missile has a range of 1,300 kilometres and has the potential to alter the defence market because of its extremely low cost. The YKJ-1000, nicknamed the “cement-coated” missile, is reportedly priced at 700,000 yuan (approximately $99,000), a fraction of the price of US missiles. Experts say this could make it extremely popular among smaller countries. “If this missile were introduced on the international defence market, it would be formidably competitive,” Military commentator Wei Dongxu told state broadcaster CCTV, according to South China Morning Post. The dirt-cheap missile has the potential to become a "hot commodity" because of its "long range, high destructive power, and strong penetration capability," he added. “Many nations have yet to develop their own hypersonic missiles, and this one – with its long range, high destructive power, and strong penetration capability – would likely become a hot commodity due to its dirt-cheap price," Dongxu said. To have such a cheap hypersonic missile can lead smaller nations to stand up to the bigger countries. The development of an inexpensive, cement-coated missile shows Beijing's potential to produce devastating weapons at low cost. How is the YKJ-1000 missile so cheap? Talking about how such a hypersonic missile was made, Lingkong Tianxing says that the heat-resistant coating uses civilian-grade foamed cement and a few other ingredients. Instead of explosive separation nuts, electric ones have been used, and the structural parts can be die-cast. Corruption purges slowed arms contracts and procurement at China's military firms last year. China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is now working on "robot wolves" to carry out ground invasions. It unveiled a new warfare tactic at an air show in 2024 involving military-purpose robots.

China has created a hypersonic missile, YKJ-1000, that uses a cement coating in its heat-resistant coating. This, coupled with some other changes, means it is available at a dirt-cheap price. The missile has a range of 1,300 kilometres, and smaller nations might be eager to get it.

YKJ-1000, China's new 'cement' hypersonic missile, costs only $99,000, and can reshape world conflicts

French football legend Zinedine Zidane was seen playing shuttlecock with a group of admirers in Shanghai. The video of him joining local residents is going viral on social media. The &nbsp;53-year-old was seen skilfully engaging in a game of shuttlecock with some Shanghai residents, both men and women. According to a report by Jimu News, Zidane's video from the streets has gone viral on Chinese social media. Named the Best FIFA Men’s Player three times, Zidane has been in China since November, where he is for several commercial events. On November 30, when Zidane and his team crossed a small square on the Bund, they saw some people playing shuttlecock.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Quand Zidane se ramène à une partie de Jianzi à Shanghai : une brésilienne avec un volant en plumes ! 🇨🇳🤩<a href="https://t.co/oRgRpCy8mN">pic.twitter.com/oRgRpCy8mN</a>&mdash; Instant Foot ⚽️ (@lnstantFoot) <a href="https://twitter.com/lnstantFoot/status/1995836097738539077?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Zidane initially took some videos of them playing the unusual sport, and later decided to join in. Shuttlecock is a game where players use a large piece of it and kick it among themselves with their feet. It is known as jian zi in Chinese. The game is just like football, except you don't need to score a goal, but keep it in the air while kicking with your feet. Zidane was unfamiliar with the sport, but quickly picked it up using his flawless football skills. Later in the clip, he can also be seen dabbling with a small ball.&nbsp;<h2>Netizens praise Zidane's shuttlecock skills</h2>Netizens counted exactly how many times Zidane kicked the shuttlecock. According to them, the French made contact around 15 times, and in the process made some exceptional moves that are not easy for newbies. Zidane later shared the video on his social media and called the game "mysterious". Chinese games have caught Zidane's fascination in the past as well. In 2018, he was seen on the street in Hangzhou, eastern Zhejiang province, enamoured by people playing mahjong.&nbsp;People in China love Zidane and call him Sacred Zidane. Before his trip to China, Zidane wrote on his social media, “No matter football or mahjong, I hope to explore this beautiful country.”

French footballer Zinedine Zidane was seen playing shuttlecock in Shanghai recently. When he came across a group of people engaging in the mysterious game, he started recording them and later joined, skillfully kicking the shuttlecock.  

French football legend Zinedine Zidane was seen playing shuttlecock with a group of admirers in Shanghai. The video of him joining local residents is going viral on social media. The 53-year-old was seen skilfully engaging in a game of shuttlecock with some Shanghai residents, both men and women. According to a report by Jimu News, Zidane's video from the streets has gone viral on Chinese social media. Named the Best FIFA Men’s Player three times, Zidane has been in China since November, where he is for several commercial events. On November 30, when Zidane and his team crossed a small square on the Bund, they saw some people playing shuttlecock.

French footballer Zinedine Zidane was seen playing shuttlecock in Shanghai recently. When he came across a group of people engaging in the mysterious game, he started recording them and later joined, skillfully kicking the shuttlecock. &nbsp;

French footballer Zidane kicks shuttlecock as he plays 'mysterious' game in Shanghai with locals - Watch

In China's southern province of Yunan, 11 people died on Thursday (Nov 27) after a train crashed into a group of railway workers. Two people were injured in the tragic accident. Kunming Railway Station said that the incident occurred when the train, which was testing seismic equipment, struck the workers, who had entered the track at a curved section inside the Luoyang Town Railway Station in the city of Kunming.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-high-rise-fire-continues-to-burn-at-least-44-killed-hundreds-still-unaccounted-for-1764211027685">Hong Kong high-rise fire continues to burn; death toll rises to 55, hundreds still unaccounted for</a><h2>What happened?</h2>In a statement, the Kunming Railway Station said that the train was "passing normally through a curve inside Kunming Luoyang Town Station when a collision happened with construction workers who had entered the track area".<h2>Train services resumed</h2>According to a Reuters report, the station in Yunnan province has resumed normal services. The Kunming Railway Station, in its statement, added that the cause of the accident was being investigated.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-national-guardsman-shot-by-rahmanullah-lakanwal-near-white-house-id-d-as-andrew-wolfe-1764222427397">US National Guardsman shot by Rahmanullah Lakanwal near White House ID'd as Andrew Wolfe</a> China's rail network is the largest in the world, stretching over 160,000 km (100,000 miles) and racking up billions of journeys each year. Although it receives praise for its effectiveness, it has also come under fire following a number of high-profile incidents, including a 2011 crash in the eastern province of Zhejiang that left 200 people injured and 40 dead. In 2021, nine people were killed when a train in the northwestern province of Gansu ran into workers on a section of the Lanzhou-Xinjiang railway.

A test train in Yunnan struck railway workers on a curved track, killing 11 and injuring 2. The crash happened inside Luoyang Town station in Kunming. All details here.

In China's southern province of Yunan, 11 people died on Thursday (Nov 27) after a train crashed into a group of railway workers. Two people were injured in the tragic accident. Kunming Railway Station said that the incident occurred when the train, which was testing seismic equipment, struck the workers, who had entered the track at a curved section inside the Luoyang Town Railway Station in the city of Kunming. Also read | Hong Kong high-rise fire continues to burn; death toll rises to 55, hundreds still unaccounted for What happened? In a statement, the Kunming Railway Station said that the train was "passing normally through a curve inside Kunming Luoyang Town Station when a collision happened with construction workers who had entered the track area". Train services resumed According to a Reuters report, the station in Yunnan province has resumed normal services. The Kunming Railway Station, in its statement, added that the cause of the accident was being investigated. Also read | US National Guardsman shot by Rahmanullah Lakanwal near White House ID'd as Andrew Wolfe China's rail network is the largest in the world, stretching over 160,000 km (100,000 miles) and racking up billions of journeys each year. Although it receives praise for its effectiveness, it has also come under fire following a number of high-profile incidents, including a 2011 crash in the eastern province of Zhejiang that left 200 people injured and 40 dead. In 2021, nine people were killed when a train in the northwestern province of Gansu ran into workers on a section of the Lanzhou-Xinjiang railway.

A train in Yunnan struck railway workers on a curved track, killing 11 and injuring 2. The crash happened inside Luoyang Town station in Kunming. All details here.

Eleven killed after train ploughs into railway workers in China’s Yunnan

In a shocking incident, two men in a Chinese village watched their friend drown in a reservoir, and then took his dead body home and put him in his bed to create a scene where he appeared asleep to anyone who saw him. They later said that they got scared, and so instead of informing the authorities, they tried to cover it up. The sister of the man told Chinese media outlet Lizhi News that the harrowing incident happened on September 4 in Sichuan province. A villager and his uncle invited the 38-year-old man for a swim at the reservoir. According to local reports, the unnamed man was the first to enter and drowned soon after. The other two men had not entered the water by this time. They claim they tried saving him, but he had died by the time they pulled him out. Tao, one of the two men, admitted that they panicked and did not call for help or inform the police.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/murderer-sues-for-right-to-enjoy-vegemite-at-maximum-security-australian-prison-1763457462818">Murderer demands Vegemite at maximum security prison calling denial human rights violation</a> &nbsp;<h2>They drove to his house on a bike, holding the deceased in between them</h2>The duo took him back home and put him in bed. CCTV cameras on the road captured them on the bike, with the deceased lodged between them, while the person at the back held his neck. They placed him in the bed to paint a scene where anyone who saw him would think he was asleep. They left without telling anything to the man's family. Reports suggest that none of his kin suspected anything was off and did not come to know that he had passed away for three whole days.&nbsp;His sister said that the two men came across his family members often, but none of them said a word. By the time they noticed that he was dead, the family had no chance left to see what had transpired at the reservoir since the surveillance footage from that day had already been overwritten. Investigators have ruled out any foul play, and the two men were also not found criminally responsible for what they did. However, according to Chinese law, they might have to pay compensation to the man's family. &nbsp;Tao said that they offered 80,000 yuan (US$11,000) for the funeral costs, and admitted that what they did was wrong. “We were wrong to sneak the body back without informing them,” he said, adding that the family would be right to sue them for more compensation.

A man drowned and died in a Chinese village, and his companions took him home and put him in bed so it would seem that he was sleeping. His family thought so for three days before discovering that he was not sleeping, but was dead.

In a shocking incident, two men in a Chinese village watched their friend drown in a reservoir, and then took his dead body home and put him in his bed to create a scene where he appeared asleep to anyone who saw him. They later said that they got scared, and so instead of informing the authorities, they tried to cover it up. The sister of the man told Chinese media outlet Lizhi News that the harrowing incident happened on September 4 in Sichuan province. A villager and his uncle invited the 38-year-old man for a swim at the reservoir. According to local reports, the unnamed man was the first to enter and drowned soon after. The other two men had not entered the water by this time. They claim they tried saving him, but he had died by the time they pulled him out. Tao, one of the two men, admitted that they panicked and did not call for help or inform the police. Also Read: Murderer demands Vegemite at maximum security prison calling denial human rights violation They drove to his house on a bike, holding the deceased in between them The duo took him back home and put him in bed. CCTV cameras on the road captured them on the bike, with the deceased lodged between them, while the person at the back held his neck. They placed him in the bed to paint a scene where anyone who saw him would think he was asleep. They left without telling anything to the man's family. Reports suggest that none of his kin suspected anything was off and did not come to know that he had passed away for three whole days. His sister said that the two men came across his family members often, but none of them said a word. By the time they noticed that he was dead, the family had no chance left to see what had transpired at the reservoir since the surveillance footage from that day had already been overwritten. Investigators have ruled out any foul play, and the two men were also not found criminally responsible for what they did. However, according to Chinese law, they might have to pay compensation to the man's family. Tao said that they offered 80,000 yuan (US$11,000) for the funeral costs, and admitted that what they did was wrong. “We were wrong to sneak the body back without informing them,” he said, adding that the family would be right to sue them for more compensation.

A man drowned and died in a Chinese village, and his companions took him home and put him in bed so it would seem that he was sleeping. His family thought so for three days before discovering that he was not sleeping, but was dead.

Sister saw her brother 'sleeping' in bed. He had died 3 days ago in a drowning accident far from home

The Hongqi Bridge, which was completed only a few months ago, collapsed following a landslide. Dramatic videos of the incident show a part of the bridge crashing down into the river as debris and rubble from the mountain slam into the bridge. The Hongqi Bridge was part of a highway that links Sichuan and the nation’s heartland with Tibet. It is built on a mountain in China’s southwestern province of Sichuan. As the bridge collapsed, a huge amount of dust went flying into a large area around it. The police had noticed cracks on nearby slopes and roads above the bridge, leading to the immediate shutdown of traffic in Maerkang to avoid any untoward incident. No casualties were reported.&nbsp;The 2,500-foot bridge fell victim to worsening weather on Tuesday. It was built to provide an easier connection between Sichuan and the Tibetan Plateau. The timely observation of cracks in the slopes and roads near the bridge proved crucial in avoiding any loss of life. The Hongqi Bridge opened to the public on September 28. It measured 2050 feet from the base of the bridge to the bottom of the gorge. &nbsp;The bridge is located near the Shuangjiangku Hydropower Station and the dam is being built on a gorge on the Dadu River. The dam has been under construction for nearly a decade. Upon completion, it will be the tallest dam in the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">WATCH: Brand new 758 meter long Hongqi bridge in China collapses due to landslides. <a href="https://t.co/rz68AREq3Q">pic.twitter.com/rz68AREq3Q</a>&mdash; Gentry Gevers (@gentrywgevers) <a href="https://twitter.com/gentrywgevers/status/1988275266729439630?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Social media users were quick to slam China's official who built the bridge, saying it appears the "the foundation on the mountain was not deep &amp; strong enough." One said that since the bridge was built on a mountain, they needed to build a stronger foundation. However, others jumped in to China's defence, saying, "What we are seeing is a mountain crashing onto a bridge," and "No bridge could withstand a landslide like this."

A bridge built on a mountain in China that was only recently completed collapsed on Monday due to a landslide. The mountain crashed onto the bridge, causing it to partially give way. Dramatic videos of the incident have emerged on social media.

The Hongqi Bridge, which was completed only a few months ago, collapsed following a landslide. Dramatic videos of the incident show a part of the bridge crashing down into the river as debris and rubble from the mountain slam into the bridge. The Hongqi Bridge was part of a highway that links Sichuan and the nation’s heartland with Tibet. It is built on a mountain in China’s southwestern province of Sichuan. As the bridge collapsed, a huge amount of dust went flying into a large area around it. The police had noticed cracks on nearby slopes and roads above the bridge, leading to the immediate shutdown of traffic in Maerkang to avoid any untoward incident. No casualties were reported. The 2,500-foot bridge fell victim to worsening weather on Tuesday. It was built to provide an easier connection between Sichuan and the Tibetan Plateau. The timely observation of cracks in the slopes and roads near the bridge proved crucial in avoiding any loss of life. The Hongqi Bridge opened to the public on September 28. It measured 2050 feet from the base of the bridge to the bottom of the gorge. The bridge is located near the Shuangjiangku Hydropower Station and the dam is being built on a gorge on the Dadu River. The dam has been under construction for nearly a decade. Upon completion, it will be the tallest dam in the world.

A bridge built on a mountain in China that was only recently completed collapsed on Monday due to a landslide. The mountain crashed onto the bridge, causing it to partially give way. Dramatic videos of the incident have emerged on social media.

Mountain slams onto newly built Chinese bridge triggering a collapse - 'No bridge could...'

A cafe in China received a public scolding for using the "People's" in its name. Notably, the Chinese government uses the word "People" in several ways, and it is also used alongside its authoritative institutions. The country’s official name is the People’s Republic of China, and the Chinese yuan is also called renminbi, with “renmin” meaning people in Mandarin. Its military is also known as the People’s Liberation Army. So when a cafe called itself People’s Cafe, it irked the government. In an opinion piece, the state media lashed out against it for riding on the "gimmick economy." The People’s Daily, the Communist Party mouthpiece that also used the word, wrote that the term "carries a distinct public character and profound political connotations, embodying specific social sentiments and public interests."&nbsp;The coffee chain has now apologised and changed its name after it was roasted for using the term to further its interests and attract customers. Its decor is red with a star on its storefront, and a typeface inspired by the calligraphy of China’s first communist leader, Mao Zedong. “Marketing can be creative, but it must not cross the bottom line,” the daily wrote. Pictures of the cafe were splashed around Chinese social media, showing drinks sprinkled with “China” on top. It also carries the slogan “Tell China’s story with coffee” on the walls, showing how it was using patriotism to sell its coffee.&nbsp;<h2>Netizens ask, isn't using ‘People’ illegal?</h2>Following the backlash, it was now changed its name and offered an apology. Its full name is Yao Chao People’s Cafe, but it uses only "People’s Cafe" at overseas outlets, including in Macau and Hong Kong, which it says will remain the same. However, it will add its legally registered moniker back at the 30 outlets it has across the country, according to state media. Netizens also aren't happy with the trick the cafe pulled. One user asked, “Isn’t that in breach of the law? Shouldn’t it be suspended and reorganised?” &nbsp;

A cafe in China had to apologise for using the word People in its name. It was reprimanded by the state media itself for crossing the line. The cafe's decor and servings were all leaning towards political colours, and that did not go down well with the government.

A cafe in China received a public scolding for using the "People's" in its name. Notably, the Chinese government uses the word "People" in several ways, and it is also used alongside its authoritative institutions. The country’s official name is the People’s Republic of China, and the Chinese yuan is also called renminbi, with “renmin” meaning people in Mandarin. Its military is also known as the People’s Liberation Army. So when a cafe called itself People’s Cafe, it irked the government. In an opinion piece, the state media lashed out against it for riding on the "gimmick economy." The People’s Daily, the Communist Party mouthpiece that also used the word, wrote that the term "carries a distinct public character and profound political connotations, embodying specific social sentiments and public interests." The coffee chain has now apologised and changed its name after it was roasted for using the term to further its interests and attract customers. Its decor is red with a star on its storefront, and a typeface inspired by the calligraphy of China’s first communist leader, Mao Zedong. “Marketing can be creative, but it must not cross the bottom line,” the daily wrote. Pictures of the cafe were splashed around Chinese social media, showing drinks sprinkled with “China” on top. It also carries the slogan “Tell China’s story with coffee” on the walls, showing how it was using patriotism to sell its coffee. Netizens ask, isn't using ‘People’ illegal? Following the backlash, it was now changed its name and offered an apology. Its full name is Yao Chao People’s Cafe, but it uses only "People’s Cafe" at overseas outlets, including in Macau and Hong Kong, which it says will remain the same. However, it will add its legally registered moniker back at the 30 outlets it has across the country, according to state media. Netizens also aren't happy with the trick the cafe pulled. One user asked, “Isn’t that in breach of the law? Shouldn’t it be suspended and reorganised?”

A cafe in China had to apologise for using the word “People” in its name. It was reprimanded by the state media itself for crossing the line. The cafe's decor and servings were all leaning towards political colours and that did not go down well with the government.

'People's Cafe' triggers outrage in China forcing a name change - 'Marketing crossed bottom line'

China's dominance over rare earth elements poses a serious strategic risk to global manufacturing, including India's ambitions in electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced technologies, said Ajai Chowdhry, HCL co-founder and the chairman of the National Quantum Mission.&nbsp;He warned that China has gained control over critical rare earth minerals, which&nbsp;are of strategic importance. He said that these materials under China's control are critical for the production of several products, including EVs and their batteries. He said China bought mines over the past 15 years, and it can weaponise its control over rare earth materials.&nbsp;"What China did in the last 10 or 15 years: they started sourcing from all over the world and bought over the mines. So today, 90% of the world's rare earths are controlled by them, and they can be weaponised. So if they don't supply rare earth, a lot of our products cannot be developed, whether they're in India and America, or Europe," Chowdhry said.<h2>‘Rare earth mining very dirty job’</h2>He said mining for rare earth is a "very dirty job" that creates health issues.&nbsp;“Rare earth mining is a very dirty job. It creates a lot of... a lot of stuff that is not good for health. So mining is a very tough job. So that's part one of that. But of course, in China, it doesn't matter. Nobody gets to know. In any case, they can manage that. We can't. The second thing is that we have never thought about it earlier as a country. So we are pretty late in this,” he added.<h2>What should India do?</h2>He said India must extract&nbsp;critical minerals from the country's growing e-waste. He said&nbsp;30-40 per cent of domestic demand could be met through this "non-mined" route. He said that the government has prepared a&nbsp;comprehensive rare-earth plan for recycling electronic scrap.&nbsp;"Now, a rare earth plan has been put together by the government. NITI Aayog has worked on it. All that is going on. But it will take us five to seven years to get there. But there's a faster way…the faster way is that a lot of that e-waste we were talking about earlier contains rare earths. So what we should do is take all that rare e-waste and convert it into the rare earth materials we need. Tons and tons of that can be created," he said.

China's dominance over rare earth elements poses a serious strategic risk to global manufacturing, including India's ambitions in electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced technologies.

China's dominance over rare earth elements poses a serious strategic risk to global manufacturing, including India's ambitions in electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced technologies, said Ajai Chowdhry, HCL co-founder and the chairman of the National Quantum Mission. He warned that China has gained control over critical rare earth minerals, which are of strategic importance. He said that these materials under China's control are critical for the production of several products, including EVs and their batteries. He said China bought mines over the past 15 years, and it can weaponise its control over rare earth materials. "What China did in the last 10 or 15 years: they started sourcing from all over the world and bought over the mines. So today, 90% of the world's rare earths are controlled by them, and they can be weaponised. So if they don't supply rare earth, a lot of our products cannot be developed, whether they're in India and America, or Europe," Chowdhry said. ‘Rare earth mining very dirty job’ He said mining for rare earth is a "very dirty job" that creates health issues. “Rare earth mining is a very dirty job. It creates a lot of... a lot of stuff that is not good for health. So mining is a very tough job. So that's part one of that. But of course, in China, it doesn't matter. Nobody gets to know. In any case, they can manage that. We can't. The second thing is that we have never thought about it earlier as a country. So we are pretty late in this,” he added. What should India do? He said India must extract critical minerals from the country's growing e-waste. He said 30-40 per cent of domestic demand could be met through this "non-mined" route. He said that the government has prepared a comprehensive rare-earth plan for recycling electronic scrap. "Now, a rare earth plan has been put together by the government. NITI Aayog has worked on it. All that is going on. But it will take us five to seven years to get there. But there's a faster way…the faster way is that a lot of that e-waste we were talking about earlier contains rare earths. So what we should do is take all that rare e-waste and convert it into the rare earth materials we need. Tons and tons of that can be created," he said.

Ajai Chowdhry, HCL co-founder and the chairman of the National Quantum Mission, has warned that China has gained control over critical rare earth minerals, which&nbsp;are of strategic importance.&nbsp;

How can India meet its rare earth demand amid China's dominance? HCL co-founder suggests innovative solution

China on Thursday imposed export controls on key battery technologies, affecting the global&nbsp;supply of components for electric vehicles and clean energy. The country's Ministry of Commerce restricted the export of technologies that are critical&nbsp;for the production of lithium batteries, which power most of the electric vehicles across the globe.<h2>All you need to know about China's lithium policy</h2>China processes 90 per cent of the world's rare earth materials. They are critical for the production of electronics, including solar panels and smartphones. China had already restricted these exports. However, on Thursday, the country formalised the rules.&nbsp;Per the new rules, foreign companies need the Chinese government's approval to even export small amounts of rare earths. These companies will have to explain why they need to import rare earths.&nbsp;The government also announced similar restrictions on the export of lithium batteries and some forms of graphite. They are mostly produced in China and are critical to many products, including EV batteries.&nbsp;China has said that the regulations were framed to safeguard national security. The key target of the regulations is the US, China's business and strategic rival, which launched a trade war earlier this year since Donald Trump became the president.&nbsp;With the new announcement, it is clear that China is likely to bar selling rare earths to arms manufacturers and some critical&nbsp;chip companies.&nbsp;The country has said that even the technology to mine and process rare earths, including magnets, can be exported only after securing express permission from the government.&nbsp;Chinese firms now can't work with foreign companies on rare earths without the government's permission.&nbsp;Activities like mining, smelting, and separation, magnetic material manufacturing, and recycling rare earths are included in these restrictions.&nbsp;China's new regulations came days ahead of Xi Jinping and Donald Trump's expected meeting later this month.&nbsp;China's controls even apply to the manufacturing of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) battery cathodes.&nbsp;India imports the majority of its lithium-ion battery material, including cathode materials and machinery, from China. The rules can now lead to delays, which can hamper New Delhi's EV and green energy goals. Solar panel manufacturing and electronics can also be disrupted because of China's policies on graphite and rare earths.&nbsp;Since rare earths are also used in manufacturing lasers, car headlights, spark plugs, chips, capacitors, and smartphones, China's new rules can hamper other sectors in India as well.&nbsp;India's electric mobility&nbsp;plans entail replacing internal combustion engines with Lithium battery-powered&nbsp;EVs. Indian manufacturers like Tata and Mahindra are already making EVs in India.&nbsp;With the new policy getting implemented, automakers are bracing for a shortage of critical components. This could also lead to production delays and the rise of input costs.&nbsp;Neodymium-iron-boron, a rare-earth magnet, is also crucial for the manufacturing of electric vehicles. They are needed to make motors. They also play a pivotal role in the manufacturing of power steering systems, wiper motors, and braking systems.&nbsp;With the curbs, the availability of these materials will be hampered, affecting both EVs as well as ICE vehicles.

China on Thursday imposed export controls on key battery technologies, affecting the global supply of components for electric vehicles and clean energy. 

China on Thursday imposed export controls on key battery technologies, affecting the global supply of components for electric vehicles and clean energy. The country's Ministry of Commerce restricted the export of technologies that are critical for the production of lithium batteries, which power most of the electric vehicles across the globe. All you need to know about China's lithium policy China processes 90 per cent of the world's rare earth materials. They are critical for the production of electronics, including solar panels and smartphones. China had already restricted these exports. However, on Thursday, the country formalised the rules. Per the new rules, foreign companies need the Chinese government's approval to even export small amounts of rare earths. These companies will have to explain why they need to import rare earths. The government also announced similar restrictions on the export of lithium batteries and some forms of graphite. They are mostly produced in China and are critical to many products, including EV batteries. China has said that the regulations were framed to safeguard national security. The key target of the regulations is the US, China's business and strategic rival, which launched a trade war earlier this year since Donald Trump became the president. With the new announcement, it is clear that China is likely to bar selling rare earths to arms manufacturers and some critical chip companies. The country has said that even the technology to mine and process rare earths, including magnets, can be exported only after securing express permission from the government. Chinese firms now can't work with foreign companies on rare earths without the government's permission. Activities like mining, smelting, and separation, magnetic material manufacturing, and recycling rare earths are included in these restrictions. China's new regulations came days ahead of Xi Jinping and Donald Trump's expected meeting later this month. China's controls even apply to the manufacturing of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) battery cathodes. India imports the majority of its lithium-ion battery material, including cathode materials and machinery, from China. The rules can now lead to delays, which can hamper New Delhi's EV and green energy goals. Solar panel manufacturing and electronics can also be disrupted because of China's policies on graphite and rare earths. Since rare earths are also used in manufacturing lasers, car headlights, spark plugs, chips, capacitors, and smartphones, China's new rules can hamper other sectors in India as well. India's electric mobility plans entail replacing internal combustion engines with Lithium battery-powered EVs. Indian manufacturers like Tata and Mahindra are already making EVs in India. With the new policy getting implemented, automakers are bracing for a shortage of critical components. This could also lead to production delays and the rise of input costs. Neodymium-iron-boron, a rare-earth magnet, is also crucial for the manufacturing of electric vehicles. They are needed to make motors. They also play a pivotal role in the manufacturing of power steering systems, wiper motors, and braking systems. With the curbs, the availability of these materials will be hampered, affecting both EVs as well as ICE vehicles.

All you need to know about China's rare earth and lithium policy: China processes 90 per cent of the world's rare earth materials. They are critical for the production of electronics, including solar panels and smartphones.

What are China's curbs on lithium battery exports? Can it impact India?

A Chinese businessman who was robbed in Brazil is alive today because of his laptop. The robber took off with his suitcase, but not before firing shots at him. Liu wasn't injured and did not feel any kind of pain from the bullets. He assumed the bullets were fake. However, it wasn't until hours later, when he reached the airport, that he noticed a bullet lodged in his laptop. Liu shared on social media that the incident happened while he was on a business trip to São Paulo, Brazil. He fell victim to the gun robbery on the day he was returning home, SCMP reported. After his work was done, he was scheduled to return to China on October 1. He ordered a taxi to his five-star hotel to catch the flight back to China. He decided to leave the hotel and wait outside at a petrol station.&nbsp;While he was on his phone with a client, a black car stopped near him. A masked man got down and started scaring him with a gun. Liu decided to run away with his bag, leaving his suitcase behind. The robber took away the suitcase, while Liu ran off with his bag that contained his passport, wallet, work laptop and files.&nbsp;As he turned to look at the robber, he shot at Liu twice. Liu did not feel anything, and thought the man using fake bullets. The petrol station staff and some drivers ran to help Liu. They checked him for injuries, but he was unharmed. They called the police who asked Liu some questions. Later, he left for the airport. At the security check, he took out his laptop and noticed a bullet was lodged in it. Liu realised that the bullets were real and he was saved by the laptop and an iron phone holder attached to it.&nbsp;Liu lost his iPad, hard drives and gifts for his daughter in the robbery. The police told him that &nbsp;gun robbery is not uncommon in Brazil and it might not be possible to get all his things back. He is now advising people planning to visit Brazil to stay alert, not wear eye-catching clothes and leave everything behind if they come face-to-face with a robber. Meanwhile, netizens are impressed with Liu's laptop. “I need to know the brand of his laptop,” one user wrote. Another said, "He should offer the laptop up for worship." &nbsp;

The businessman from China was due to return home on the day when a robber fired at him as he ran away with his smaller bag. He thought the bullets were fake, but turns out, his laptop was the real hero.

A Chinese businessman who was robbed in Brazil is alive today because of his laptop. The robber took off with his suitcase, but not before firing shots at him. Liu wasn't injured and did not feel any kind of pain from the bullets. He assumed the bullets were fake. However, it wasn't until hours later, when he reached the airport, that he noticed a bullet lodged in his laptop. Liu shared on social media that the incident happened while he was on a business trip to São Paulo, Brazil. He fell victim to the gun robbery on the day he was returning home, SCMP reported. After his work was done, he was scheduled to return to China on October 1. He ordered a taxi to his five-star hotel to catch the flight back to China. He decided to leave the hotel and wait outside at a petrol station. While he was on his phone with a client, a black car stopped near him. A masked man got down and started scaring him with a gun. Liu decided to run away with his bag, leaving his suitcase behind. The robber took away the suitcase, while Liu ran off with his bag that contained his passport, wallet, work laptop and files. As he turned to look at the robber, he shot at Liu twice. Liu did not feel anything, and thought the man using fake bullets. The petrol station staff and some drivers ran to help Liu. They checked him for injuries, but he was unharmed. They called the police who asked Liu some questions. Later, he left for the airport. At the security check, he took out his laptop and noticed a bullet was lodged in it. Liu realised that the bullets were real and he was saved by the laptop and an iron phone holder attached to it. Liu lost his iPad, hard drives and gifts for his daughter in the robbery. The police told him that gun robbery is not uncommon in Brazil and it might not be possible to get all his things back. He is now advising people planning to visit Brazil to stay alert, not wear eye-catching clothes and leave everything behind if they come face-to-face with a robber. Meanwhile, netizens are impressed with Liu's laptop. “I need to know the brand of his laptop,” one user wrote. Another said, "He should offer the laptop up for worship."

The businessman from China was due to return home on the day when a robber fired at him as he ran away with his smaller bag. He thought the bullets were fake, but turns out, his laptop was the real hero.

Laptop takes the bullet, saves Chinese businessman following armed robbery in Brazil

China has inaugurated the world's highest bridge, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, after three years of construction, state media reported on Sunday. The structure rises 625 metres (2051 feet) above a river and gorge in Guizhou province, overtaking the nearby Beipanjiang Bridge, which now ranks as the second highest at 565 metres, according to a report in news agency AFP.&nbsp;State television broadcast live drone footage showing vehicles crossing the towering span, with its blue pylons partly shrouded in clouds. A crowd of spectators, including engineers and local officials, gathered on-site for the opening ceremony, many expressing pride and excitement in live interviews.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Rising 625 meters above the river and set to be the world’s tallest, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Guizhou, SW China, unveiled a spectacular water curtain test, where sunlight and spray merged to paint a rainbow over the canyon. 🌈 A breathtaking view! <a href="https://twitter.com/UpGuizhou?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UpGuizhou</a> <a href="https://t.co/xs8aIuLxxS">pic.twitter.com/xs8aIuLxxS</a>&mdash; Mao Ning 毛宁 (@SpoxCHN_MaoNing) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpoxCHN_MaoNing/status/1971796380772667673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"The opening of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge reduces travel time between the two sides from two hours to two minutes," Zhang Yin, head of the provincial transport department, said on Wednesday.<h3>China's investment in major infrastructure projects</h3>She added that this bridge makes enormous improvements to regional transportation conditions and (injects) new impetus into regional economic and social development. In recent decades, China has invested heavily in major infrastructure projects, marking a period of rapid economic growth and urbanisation in the country.&nbsp;The hilly province of Guizhou, already home to thousands of bridges, now boasts the world's two highest, according to state news agency Xinhua. It reported on Wednesday that nearly half of the world's 100 tallest bridges are located in the region.&nbsp;Xinhua confirmed that the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge took over three years to complete. It features a main span of 1,420 metres, making it the largest-span bridge ever built in a mountainous area. While it holds the record for height above ground, the title of the world’s tallest bridge structure still belongs to France’s Millau Viaduct, which stands 343 metres tall.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/meet-madhavi-latha-professor-behind-the-world-s-tallest-chenab-bridge-1749290469292">Meet Madhavi Latha, the geotechnical genius behind the world’s tallest Chenab Bridge</a>

The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge took over three years to complete. It features a main span of 1,420 metres, making it the largest-span bridge ever built in a mountainous area. 

China has inaugurated the world's highest bridge, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, after three years of construction, state media reported on Sunday. The structure rises 625 metres (2051 feet) above a river and gorge in Guizhou province, overtaking the nearby Beipanjiang Bridge, which now ranks as the second highest at 565 metres, according to a report in news agency AFP. State television broadcast live drone footage showing vehicles crossing the towering span, with its blue pylons partly shrouded in clouds. A crowd of spectators, including engineers and local officials, gathered on-site for the opening ceremony, many expressing pride and excitement in live interviews.

The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge took over three years to complete. It features a main span of 1,420 metres, making it the largest-span bridge ever built in a mountainous area.&nbsp;

World’s tallest bridge opens in China's Guizhou province, cuts travel time from 2 hours to 2 minutes

A Chinese court has penalised the teenagers who were filmed urinating into a pot of broth at a hotpot restaurant and ordered their parents to pay 2.2 million yuan (Rs. 2.7crore) in compensation. The drunk 17-year-olds came under heavy fire when their video of peeing in the broth pot in a private room at the Shanghai branch of China's biggest hotpot chain, Haidilao, went viral online. The restaurant came to know about the incident four days after it happened on 24 February. Haidilao also did not know about the time and location of the disgusting act. After the restaurant became aware of the incident, it offered compensation to over 4,000 diners. However, it does not know whether the contaminated broth was consumed by anyone.&nbsp;Haidilao filed a complaint with the police in Jianyang, Sichuan. The hotpot chain has its headquarters here and has several outlets in other locations. The teenagers were arrested. A civil lawsuit followed in March, in which the restaurant sought a public apology and over 23 million yuan in damages. The Huangpu District People's Court of Shanghai, while announcing the order, ruled that the teenagers deliberately infringed upon property rights and damaged reputation through “acts of insult”.&nbsp;<h2>Teenagers and parents were ordered to issue a public apology</h2>It stated that the act caused "strong discomfort among the public" and polluted tableware and the dining environment. The court said that the parents had "failed to fulfil their duty of guardianship". They have been ordered to pay 2.2 million yuan, which includes 2 million yuan for reputational and business damage, 130,000 yuan for tableware losses and cleaning expenses, and 70,000 yuan in legal costs. Global Times reported that the parents and the teenagers have been told to issue a public apology in the newspapers. The compensation that the restaurant paid to other diners was not ruled as liable to be paid by the teenagers as the court called it a "voluntary business decision".

The teenagers who peed in a broth pot in a restaurant in China have been punished, and their parents have been ordered to pay a hefty compensation to Haidilao. The two 17-year-olds were filmed urinating in the pot, inviting criticism from across the world.

A Chinese court has penalised the teenagers who were filmed urinating into a pot of broth at a hotpot restaurant and ordered their parents to pay 2.2 million yuan (Rs. 2.7crore) in compensation. The drunk 17-year-olds came under heavy fire when their video of peeing in the broth pot in a private room at the Shanghai branch of China's biggest hotpot chain, Haidilao, went viral online. The restaurant came to know about the incident four days after it happened on 24 February. Haidilao also did not know about the time and location of the disgusting act. After the restaurant became aware of the incident, it offered compensation to over 4,000 diners. However, it does not know whether the contaminated broth was consumed by anyone. Haidilao filed a complaint with the police in Jianyang, Sichuan. The hotpot chain has its headquarters here and has several outlets in other locations. The teenagers were arrested. A civil lawsuit followed in March, in which the restaurant sought a public apology and over 23 million yuan in damages. The Huangpu District People's Court of Shanghai, while announcing the order, ruled that the teenagers deliberately infringed upon property rights and damaged reputation through “acts of insult”. Teenagers and parents were ordered to issue a public apology It stated that the act caused "strong discomfort among the public" and polluted tableware and the dining environment. The court said that the parents had "failed to fulfil their duty of guardianship". They have been ordered to pay 2.2 million yuan, which includes 2 million yuan for reputational and business damage, 130,000 yuan for tableware losses and cleaning expenses, and 70,000 yuan in legal costs. Global Times reported that the parents and the teenagers have been told to issue a public apology in the newspapers. The compensation that the restaurant paid to other diners was not ruled as liable to be paid by the teenagers as the court called it a "voluntary business decision".

The teenagers who peed in a broth pot in a restaurant in China have been punished, and their parents have been ordered to pay a hefty compensation to Haidilao. The two 17-year-olds were filmed urinating in the pot, inviting criticism from across the world.

China: Parents of drunk teenagers who peed in broth pot ordered to pay Rs. 2.7crore to restaurant

An earthquake of magnitude 4.2 jolted China's Xinjiang on Monday, as per the statement by the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). Similarly, a quake of magnitude 4.1 also hit China at a shallow depth of 10km on Sunday, making it susceptible to aftershocks.<h3>Why is China more prone to earthquakes?</h3>Shallow quakes are generally more disastrous than deep earthquakes, as the seismic waves surfacing from shallow earthquakes have a shorter distance to travel to the surface. As a result, it is likely to shake the ground strongly, potentially more damaging to structures with greater casualties.&nbsp;China is located between two major seismic zones, the circum-Pacific seismic belt and the circum-Indian seismic belt. Surrounded by the Pacific plate, the Indian plate and the Philippine plate, the region has highly developed seismic fault lines.&nbsp;Much of western China, including Tibet, Sichuan, Qinghai, Xinjiang, and Yunnan, falls within the collision interface of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The Indian Plate continues to drive northward into Eurasia, uplifting the Himalayas and Tibet, and generating intense seismic activity across western China.&nbsp;For example, the Sichuan Basin is continuously jolted by earthquakes as it also lies adjacent to the uplifting eastern Tibet. Tectonic strains from the plateau thrust into the basin, and the region’s deep sedimentary layers amplify seismic waves, worsening ground shaking.&nbsp;China hosts multiple active fault systems that accommodate tectonic strain. Major faults such as the Longmenshan (site of the 2008 Wenchuan quake), Xianshuihe, Haiyuan, Tanlu, and others form seismic belts spread across both western and eastern China, according to a report in the International Journal of Springer Nature Link.<h3>How this 'fault' affects India</h3>Given the shared tectonic boundary, the seismic activity in China also significantly affects India. For instance, the massive 1950 Assam–Tibet earthquake (Mw 8.6–8.7) originated in Tibet and struck Assam, killing approximately 4,800 people in India.&nbsp;Furthermore, the northern and northeastern regions of India, including the Himalayas and the Indo-Gangetic plains, fall into the highest seismic zones (Zones IV and V), making them highly vulnerable to cross-border tremors and their cascading impacts on the region of India that lies in this range.<h3>Earthquakes' impact in China</h3>Citing data from the Science Museums of China, ANI reported that over 800 earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater have hit China ever since the region entered the 20th century. All the provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions except in Guizhou, Zhejiang and Hong Kong were hit by earthquakes.&nbsp;Since 1900, more than 5,50,000 people have lost their lives due to earthquakes in China, accounting for 53% of global earthquake deaths. China has experienced more than 100 disastrous earthquakes across its provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions since 1949. Among these, 14 earthquakes took place in East China.&nbsp;More than 2.7 lakh people have died in earthquakes, making up nearly 54% of all natural disaster-related fatalities in China. The earthquake-prone zones of the country cover around 3 lakh square kilometres, while seismic activity has led to the destruction of over 70 lakh rooms across these vulnerable regions.&nbsp;

China is located between two major seismic zones, the circum-Pacific seismic belt and the circum-Indian seismic belt. Surrounded by the Pacific plate, the Indian plate and the Philippine plate, the region has highly developed seismic fault lines.


An earthquake of magnitude 4.2 jolted China's Xinjiang on Monday, as per the statement by the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). Similarly, a quake of magnitude 4.1 also hit China at a shallow depth of 10km on Sunday, making it susceptible to aftershocks. Why is China more prone to earthquakes? Shallow quakes are generally more disastrous than deep earthquakes, as the seismic waves surfacing from shallow earthquakes have a shorter distance to travel to the surface. As a result, it is likely to shake the ground strongly, potentially more damaging to structures with greater casualties. China is located between two major seismic zones, the circum-Pacific seismic belt and the circum-Indian seismic belt. Surrounded by the Pacific plate, the Indian plate and the Philippine plate, the region has highly developed seismic fault lines. Much of western China, including Tibet, Sichuan, Qinghai, Xinjiang, and Yunnan, falls within the collision interface of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The Indian Plate continues to drive northward into Eurasia, uplifting the Himalayas and Tibet, and generating intense seismic activity across western China. For example, the Sichuan Basin is continuously jolted by earthquakes as it also lies adjacent to the uplifting eastern Tibet. Tectonic strains from the plateau thrust into the basin, and the region’s deep sedimentary layers amplify seismic waves, worsening ground shaking. China hosts multiple active fault systems that accommodate tectonic strain. Major faults such as the Longmenshan (site of the 2008 Wenchuan quake), Xianshuihe, Haiyuan, Tanlu, and others form seismic belts spread across both western and eastern China, according to a report in the International Journal of Springer Nature Link. How this 'fault' affects India Given the shared tectonic boundary, the seismic activity in China also significantly affects India. For instance, the massive 1950 Assam–Tibet earthquake (Mw 8.6–8.7) originated in Tibet and struck Assam, killing approximately 4,800 people in India. Furthermore, the northern and northeastern regions of India, including the Himalayas and the Indo-Gangetic plains, fall into the highest seismic zones (Zones IV and V), making them highly vulnerable to cross-border tremors and their cascading impacts on the region of India that lies in this range. Earthquakes' impact in China Citing data from the Science Museums of China, ANI reported that over 800 earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater have hit China ever since the region entered the 20th century. All the provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions except in Guizhou, Zhejiang and Hong Kong were hit by earthquakes. Since 1900, more than 5,50,000 people have lost their lives due to earthquakes in China, accounting for 53% of global earthquake deaths. China has experienced more than 100 disastrous earthquakes across its provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions since 1949. Among these, 14 earthquakes took place in East China. More than 2.7 lakh people have died in earthquakes, making up nearly 54% of all natural disaster-related fatalities in China. The earthquake-prone zones of the country cover around 3 lakh square kilometres, while seismic activity has led to the destruction of over 70 lakh rooms across these vulnerable regions.

China is located between two major seismic zones, the circum-Pacific seismic belt and the circum-Indian seismic belt. Surrounded by the Pacific plate, the Indian plate and the Philippine plate, the region has highly developed seismic fault lines.

Is China among world’s most earthquake-prone zones? Here's how this 'fault' affects India

The SCO Summit 2025 has officially begun, bringing together leaders from Asia and beyond, including PM Modi, Xi Jinping, and Vladimir Putin. While the main summit focuses on security, economy, and regional cooperation, several key bilateral meetings are planned on the sidelines, signaling potential shifts in diplomatic and trade relations among the bloc’s member countries.


SCO Summit Kicks Off, Bilateral Talks on the Sidelines 

A city in China has made it mandatory to teach an artificial intelligence course at the primary and secondary school level, Global Times reported. This will ensure that basic knowledge about the growing technology taking over the world reaches the youngest at an early age. Hangzhou, where the AI company DeepSeek is located, will require the schools to introduce general AI education in schools starting from the new semester. The students will need to complete 10 class hours in an academic year. The education bureau of the city wants to prepare AI talent, keeping in mind future needs. For this, it has released a pair of documents which detail the curriculum plans and AI competency standards for teachers, along with the guidelines that need to be followed.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/chatgpt-crowned-best-ai-chess-player-after-final-win-check-where-gemini-grok-ranked-1754893716915">ChatGPT crowned best AI chess player after final win — Check where Gemini, Grok ranked</a>&nbsp;There are different ways in which the schools can impart basic knowledge about AI to students. The mix bag includes the option to have an AI course that can be intensively taught in a week. The schools can also opt to add the AI course to subjects like information technology and science. This will offer flexibility to the schools, who will be free to incorporate the course whichever way suits them the best. Meanwhile, basic AI learning activities can be arranged during after-school programmes.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/ai-has-human-rights-these-advocacy-groups-think-so-as-sentient-artificial-intelligence-can-have-feelings-ai-ethics-sentience-chatbot-emotions-1756283571281">AI has human rights? These advocacy groups think so, as sentient Artificial Intelligence can have ‘feelings’, 'suffer and grieve'</a>&nbsp;<h2>How AI curriculum will be spread through the grades in China</h2>The education bureau guidelines on AI state that in the first and second grades, the curriculum would introduce students to AI applications and teach them to recognise them. They will also engage with AI devices and learn to use them to do basic things in their everyday life. In the third and fourth grades, students will learn to use AI for their school work, which would involve using the AI tools to gather text, images and audio resources. To show that they have grasped the concept of AI applications, students will prepare simple projects with the help of teachers. At each level, they will be taught about the responsible and ethical use of AI while keeping in mind the importance of protecting privacy.&nbsp;In middle school, focus will be on data preparation, model training and learning the core principles behind algorithms. In high school, students will be encouraged to develop AI design skills through projects. Hangzhou is home to eight million people and a fast-growing innovation hub. DeepSeek put the city in the limelight earlier this year when it came out as a competitor to ChatGPT.

The Chinese city that is home to DeepSeek has made it mandatory for schools to teach Artificial Intelligence. It has released a set of guidelines for this purpose. The aim is to make students ready to use AI in daily life and eventually develop AI tools.

A city in China has made it mandatory to teach an artificial intelligence course at the primary and secondary school level, Global Times reported. This will ensure that basic knowledge about the growing technology taking over the world reaches the youngest at an early age. Hangzhou, where the AI company DeepSeek is located, will require the schools to introduce general AI education in schools starting from the new semester. The students will need to complete 10 class hours in an academic year. The education bureau of the city wants to prepare AI talent, keeping in mind future needs. For this, it has released a pair of documents which detail the curriculum plans and AI competency standards for teachers, along with the guidelines that need to be followed. Also Read: ChatGPT crowned best AI chess player after final win — Check where Gemini, Grok ranked There are different ways in which the schools can impart basic knowledge about AI to students. The mix bag includes the option to have an AI course that can be intensively taught in a week. The schools can also opt to add the AI course to subjects like information technology and science. This will offer flexibility to the schools, who will be free to incorporate the course whichever way suits them the best. Meanwhile, basic AI learning activities can be arranged during after-school programmes. Also Read: AI has human rights? These advocacy groups think so, as sentient Artificial Intelligence can have ‘feelings’, 'suffer and grieve' How AI curriculum will be spread through the grades in China The education bureau guidelines on AI state that in the first and second grades, the curriculum would introduce students to AI applications and teach them to recognise them. They will also engage with AI devices and learn to use them to do basic things in their everyday life. In the third and fourth grades, students will learn to use AI for their school work, which would involve using the AI tools to gather text, images and audio resources. To show that they have grasped the concept of AI applications, students will prepare simple projects with the help of teachers. At each level, they will be taught about the responsible and ethical use of AI while keeping in mind the importance of protecting privacy. In middle school, focus will be on data preparation, model training and learning the core principles behind algorithms. In high school, students will be encouraged to develop AI design skills through projects. Hangzhou is home to eight million people and a fast-growing innovation hub. DeepSeek put the city in the limelight earlier this year when it came out as a competitor to ChatGPT.

The Chinese city that is home to DeepSeek has made it mandatory for schools to teach Artificial Intelligence. It has released a set of guidelines for this purpose. The aim is to make students ready to use AI in daily life and eventually develop AI tools.

THIS Chinese city, home of DeepSeek, has made Artificial Intelligence mandatory in schools

SCO 2025: China is preparing to host the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin. The SCO Secretary-General highlighted the key priorities and goals of the upcoming summit, which will bring together leaders from across Asia and beyond.


SCO 2025: China’s Tianjin to Play Host, Chief Highlights Priorities 

Seven people lost their lives and 9 others went missing after a rope broke at an under-construction bridge in northwest China on Friday, as per the state media report. According to a report in the People's Daily, 15 workers and a project manager were at the incident site on the bridge when the rope snapped at around 3:00 am on Friday. The bridge extends to the Yellow River in Qinghai province of China.&nbsp;The report noted that this bridge is located on the Sichuan-Qinghai Railway, and it is the largest-span double-track railway continuous steel truss arch bridge in the world. It also added that this is China's first railway steel truss arch, which extends along the Yellow River is also the second longest in the country.<h3>Rescue began at the site</h3>After the incident, a rescue operation began at the site after the Ministry of Emergency Management had dispatched a task force to guide and coordinate rescue efforts in order to search who fell into the water.&nbsp;Additionally, the ministry has also affirmed that it would investigate the cause of the accident as soon as possible to prevent such incidents in the future.&nbsp;This bridge is located along the border between Jianzha county in the Huangnan Tibetan autonomous prefecture and Hualong Hui autonomous county in Haidong, Qinghai province of China.&nbsp;Meanwhile, industrial accidents are common in China due to unclear regulations and lax safety norms. Previously, 13 people went missing after a cave-in at a construction site for a major railway in China's Shenzhen.

The Ministry of Emergency Management began a rescue operation after sending a task force to guide and coordinate in order to search who fell into the water. The ministry has also affirmed that it would investigate the cause of the accident as soon as possible.

Seven people lost their lives and 9 others went missing after a rope broke at an under-construction bridge in northwest China on Friday, as per the state media report. According to a report in the People's Daily, 15 workers and a project manager were at the incident site on the bridge when the rope snapped at around 3:00 am on Friday. The bridge extends to the Yellow River in Qinghai province of China. The report noted that this bridge is located on the Sichuan-Qinghai Railway, and it is the largest-span double-track railway continuous steel truss arch bridge in the world. It also added that this is China's first railway steel truss arch, which extends along the Yellow River is also the second longest in the country. Rescue began at the site After the incident, a rescue operation began at the site after the Ministry of Emergency Management had dispatched a task force to guide and coordinate rescue efforts in order to search who fell into the water. Additionally, the ministry has also affirmed that it would investigate the cause of the accident as soon as possible to prevent such incidents in the future. This bridge is located along the border between Jianzha county in the Huangnan Tibetan autonomous prefecture and Hualong Hui autonomous county in Haidong, Qinghai province of China. Meanwhile, industrial accidents are common in China due to unclear regulations and lax safety norms. Previously, 13 people went missing after a cave-in at a construction site for a major railway in China's Shenzhen.

The Ministry of Emergency Management began a rescue operation after sending a task force to guide and coordinate in order to search who fell into the water. The ministry has also affirmed that it would investigate the cause of the accident as soon as possible.

At least 7 dead, 9 missing after rope breaks at under-construction bridge in China

China’s job crisis for the Gen Z population has become so severe that many are now paying to “work” in fake offices. With the youth unemployment rate at 14.5%, graduates with top degrees are struggling to find jobs in a slowing economy. To cope, some are joining spaces run by “Pretend to Work Company”, which offer a mock office environment where jobless young adults can spend their days as if they were employed.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/why-gen-z-are-finding-it-harder-than-ever-to-land-first-job-graduate-unemployment-hits-37-year-high-in-us-1755606828918">Why Gen Z are finding it harder than ever to land first job? Graduate unemployment hits 37-year high in US</a><h2>How does 'pretending to work' actually work?</h2>These mock workplaces, found in cities such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Chengdu, Nanjing and Kunming, charge between 30 and 50 yuan a day (about $4–$7). The cost may sound small, but when compared with China’s average annual salary of just under $16,000, it adds up to nearly $2,000 a year for a full-time “pretend job.”The offices are fully equipped with desks, computers, free snacks, lunch and drinks. Some attendees use the time to apply for jobs, work on personal projects, or simply spend the day around others facing the same struggle.<h2>Why are young people doing this?</h2>Experts say the phenomenon is less about playacting and more about survival. “The phenomenon of pretending to work is now very common,” said Christian Yao, senior lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Management, told the BBC. “Due to economic transformation and the mismatch between education and the job market, young people need these places to think about their next steps, or to do odd jobs as a transition… Pretend office companies are one of the transitional solutions,” Yao added.<h2>From ‘rat people’ to ‘lying flat’</h2>China’s young professionals have faced years of difficulty entering the workforce, a crisis worsened by the pandemic. At one point in 2023, unemployment among 16- to 24-year-olds was estimated at 46.5%, according to Peking University professor Zhang Dandan. The situation became so dire that the government even stopped publishing youth unemployment data.Since then, some identify as “rat people”, spending their days “bed rotting,” scrolling on their phones, ordering takeaway and napping. Others have embraced the “lying flat” trend, rejecting high-pressure careers to do the bare minimum.<h2>What is the government doing?</h2>The Chinese government has introduced measures to address the crisis. Since 2011, it has threatened to scrap university majors if fewer than 60% of graduates find jobs for two consecutive years. Reports also suggest some universities have pressured graduates to falsify their employment status to keep programmes alive.

Amid 14.5% youth unemployment, some Gen Z in China are paying to spend time in fake offices, mimicking work to cope with joblessness. Even top graduates are struggling in the country’s slowing economy.

China’s job crisis for the Gen Z population has become so severe that many are now paying to “work” in fake offices. With the youth unemployment rate at 14.5%, graduates with top degrees are struggling to find jobs in a slowing economy. To cope, some are joining spaces run by “Pretend to Work Company”, which offer a mock office environment where jobless young adults can spend their days as if they were employed. Also read: Why Gen Z are finding it harder than ever to land first job? Graduate unemployment hits 37-year high in US How does 'pretending to work' actually work? These mock workplaces, found in cities such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Chengdu, Nanjing and Kunming, charge between 30 and 50 yuan a day (about $4–$7). The cost may sound small, but when compared with China’s average annual salary of just under $16,000, it adds up to nearly $2,000 a year for a full-time “pretend job.” The offices are fully equipped with desks, computers, free snacks, lunch and drinks. Some attendees use the time to apply for jobs, work on personal projects, or simply spend the day around others facing the same struggle. Why are young people doing this? Experts say the phenomenon is less about playacting and more about survival. “The phenomenon of pretending to work is now very common,” said Christian Yao, senior lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Management, told the BBC. “Due to economic transformation and the mismatch between education and the job market, young people need these places to think about their next steps, or to do odd jobs as a transition… Pretend office companies are one of the transitional solutions,” Yao added. From ‘rat people’ to ‘lying flat’ China’s young professionals have faced years of difficulty entering the workforce, a crisis worsened by the pandemic. At one point in 2023, unemployment among 16- to 24-year-olds was estimated at 46.5%, according to Peking University professor Zhang Dandan. The situation became so dire that the government even stopped publishing youth unemployment data. Since then, some identify as “rat people”, spending their days “bed rotting,” scrolling on their phones, ordering takeaway and napping. Others have embraced the “lying flat” trend, rejecting high-pressure careers to do the bare minimum. What is the government doing? The Chinese government has introduced measures to address the crisis. Since 2011, it has threatened to scrap university majors if fewer than 60% of graduates find jobs for two consecutive years. Reports also suggest some universities have pressured graduates to falsify their employment status to keep programmes alive.

Amid 14.5% youth unemployment, some Gen Z in China are paying to spend time in fake offices, mimicking work to cope with joblessness. Even top graduates are struggling in the country’s slowing economy.

Why are Gen Z paying $2,000 a year to pretend they have jobs? Inside China’s ‘fake office’ spaces for jobless graduates

China’s economy showed clear signs of strain in July, with key indicators slowing amid weak domestic consumption, persistent property sector woes, and global trade headwinds. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on August 15 showed industrial output rose 5.7 per cent year-on-year, down from 6.8 per cent in June and marking the slowest pace since November 2024. The reading missed analysts’ forecasts for a 5.9 per cent gain. Retail sales, a key measure of household spending, expanded just 3.7 per cent in July from a year earlier, cooling from June’s 4.8 per cent rise and falling short of a Reuters poll forecast of 4.6 per cent.&nbsp;The figure was the weakest since December 2024, underlining consumer caution despite Beijing’s efforts to boost spending through subsidies and trade-in programmes. Fixed-asset investment for January-July grew only 1.6 per cent year-on-year, missing expectations for 2.7 per cent and slowing from 2.8 per cent in the first half of 2025. Property investment slumped 12 per cent in the same period, extending a multi-year downturn in a sector that remains a major driver of household wealth.<h2>Policy support fading, risks mounting</h2>Economists said the July slowdown was partly expected, as factors that buoyed growth in the first half of 2025—such as front-loaded government stimulus and pre-emptive export shipments during the US-China tariff truce—are now fading. The Politburo has made boosting domestic consumption a priority this year, funnelling hundreds of billions of yuan into appliance trade-in programmes and new service industries. Yet some provinces have already suspended certain subsidies due to depleted funds.&nbsp;While total exports surged 7.2 per cent in July, helped by rising shipments to Africa and Europe and a surge in chip sales, weak household spending remains a drag on growth. The urban unemployment rate edged up to 5.2 per cent in July from 5 per cent in June, while the jobless rate for 16-24-year-olds (excluding students) has stayed above 14 per cent for a year, underscoring labour market strains.<h2>Trade truce buys time, but core disputes persist</h2>On the global front, Beijing and Washington this week extended their tariff pause for another 90 days until mid-November, averting a spike in duties. However, analysts caution that deep disagreements over technology access, critical minerals, and industrial policy remain unresolved. Some analysts said that the big political trade-offs are likely being reserved for a potential summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year.A Reuters poll projects China’s GDP growth to slow to 4.5 per cent in the third quarter and 4.0 per cent in the fourth, putting the official 2025 growth target of “around 5 per cent” at risk. Economists warn that without fresh stimulus, the combination of property market weakness, consumer caution, and external shocks could see full-year growth undershoot forecasts, with momentum slipping further into 2026.&nbsp;(With inputs from agencies)

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on August 15 showed industrial output rose 5.7 per cent year-on-year, down from 6.8 per cent in June and marking the slowest pace since November 2024.

China’s economy showed clear signs of strain in July, with key indicators slowing amid weak domestic consumption, persistent property sector woes, and global trade headwinds. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on August 15 showed industrial output rose 5.7 per cent year-on-year, down from 6.8 per cent in June and marking the slowest pace since November 2024. The reading missed analysts’ forecasts for a 5.9 per cent gain. Retail sales, a key measure of household spending, expanded just 3.7 per cent in July from a year earlier, cooling from June’s 4.8 per cent rise and falling short of a Reuters poll forecast of 4.6 per cent. The figure was the weakest since December 2024, underlining consumer caution despite Beijing’s efforts to boost spending through subsidies and trade-in programmes. Fixed-asset investment for January-July grew only 1.6 per cent year-on-year, missing expectations for 2.7 per cent and slowing from 2.8 per cent in the first half of 2025. Property investment slumped 12 per cent in the same period, extending a multi-year downturn in a sector that remains a major driver of household wealth. Policy support fading, risks mounting Economists said the July slowdown was partly expected, as factors that buoyed growth in the first half of 2025—such as front-loaded government stimulus and pre-emptive export shipments during the US-China tariff truce—are now fading. The Politburo has made boosting domestic consumption a priority this year, funnelling hundreds of billions of yuan into appliance trade-in programmes and new service industries. Yet some provinces have already suspended certain subsidies due to depleted funds. While total exports surged 7.2 per cent in July, helped by rising shipments to Africa and Europe and a surge in chip sales, weak household spending remains a drag on growth. The urban unemployment rate edged up to 5.2 per cent in July from 5 per cent in June, while the jobless rate for 16-24-year-olds (excluding students) has stayed above 14 per cent for a year, underscoring labour market strains. Trade truce buys time, but core disputes persist On the global front, Beijing and Washington this week extended their tariff pause for another 90 days until mid-November, averting a spike in duties. However, analysts caution that deep disagreements over technology access, critical minerals, and industrial policy remain unresolved. Some analysts said that the big political trade-offs are likely being reserved for a potential summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year. A Reuters poll projects China’s GDP growth to slow to 4.5 per cent in the third quarter and 4.0 per cent in the fourth, putting the official 2025 growth target of “around 5 per cent” at risk. Economists warn that without fresh stimulus, the combination of property market weakness, consumer caution, and external shocks could see full-year growth undershoot forecasts, with momentum slipping further into 2026. (With inputs from agencies)

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on August 15 showed industrial output rose 5.7 per cent year-on-year, down from 6.8 per cent in June and marking the slowest pace since November 2024.

China’s economic growth loses steam in July as domestic demand weakens

China has unveiled a rare 2-minute-long video showcasing the DF-100 supersonic cruise missile in action. The footage was released on China Central Television (CCTV) as part of the fifth and final episode of the documentary on the People's Liberation Army (PLA) on the occasion of the 98th anniversary of the commemoration of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). This is one of the few occasions since its introduction in 2019, glimpses of the DF-100 supersonic missile were shared. Earlier, it was seen at the 2024 Zhuhai air show.A notable feature of this footage is the missile’s launch from what appears to be an urban setting rather than a remote desert. The footage featured a cable communication exercise, which had a scenario with full-spectrum jamming, before initiating a launch showing complete readiness. “We are on standby for long periods. “said Zhang Guodong to China Central Television (CCTV) national television of China. Analysts interpret this as a strategic signal of DF-100's enhanced mobility and operational flexibility. “Our targets are mobile, and so are our positions,” Zhang said.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">画面打码！东风-100巡航导弹发射画面罕见公开。Censored footage! Rarely seen footage of the launch of the DF-100 cruise missile has been released. <a href="https://t.co/7GSNICuLkH">pic.twitter.com/7GSNICuLkH</a>&mdash; 雁过留声 (@szygls) <a href="https://twitter.com/szygls/status/1952368178925011040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Capabilities and strategic significance of the Supersonic killer- DF-100</h2>The DF stands for Dong Feng, a prefix which is generally used for ballistic missiles, &nbsp;and CJ stands for Chang Jian, a prefix used for cruise missiles. DF-100 is also known as CJ-100; it is a supersonic land-attack cruise missile with a reported range of around 2,000 km and “meter-level” accuracy. It has an extended range when launched via different platforms. With observer and media reports claiming it has a range of 3000-4000 km of range when launched via an H-6N bomber, and it could extend up to 6000 km. It has a potential Mach 4+ speed. This makes it capable of targeting the first and second island chains in the Pacific, such as Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan and Guam. Thus posing a direct challenge to the US bases in the Pacific.&nbsp;The recent development offers a rare glimpse at the strategically significant weapon of China. “Looking at Google Earth imagery of the Yangfang parade training area in Beijing, I’m pretty sure we’ll see the DF-100 again soon in the September parade,” said Blasko, a former defence attache to Beijing and Hong Kong, to the South China Morning Post.

China has recently released a rare visual of its strategically significant, only known land-based cruise missile to sustain full-flight supersonic speeds at Mach 4+ DF-100, which many claim is a strategic posture to the US.

China has unveiled a rare 2-minute-long video showcasing the DF-100 supersonic cruise missile in action. The footage was released on China Central Television (CCTV) as part of the fifth and final episode of the documentary on the People's Liberation Army (PLA) on the occasion of the 98th anniversary of the commemoration of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). This is one of the few occasions since its introduction in 2019, glimpses of the DF-100 supersonic missile were shared. Earlier, it was seen at the 2024 Zhuhai air show. A notable feature of this footage is the missile’s launch from what appears to be an urban setting rather than a remote desert. The footage featured a cable communication exercise, which had a scenario with full-spectrum jamming, before initiating a launch showing complete readiness. “We are on standby for long periods. “ said Zhang Guodong to China Central Television (CCTV) national television of China. Analysts interpret this as a strategic signal of DF-100's enhanced mobility and operational flexibility. “Our targets are mobile, and so are our positions,” Zhang said.

China has recently released a rare visual of its strategically significant DF-100 missile. It is the only known land-based cruise missile to sustain full-flight supersonic speeds at Mach 4+, which many claim is a strategic posture for the US.

China releases 2-minute-long footage of DF-100, a containment boomerang to US

China, the world’s largest importer of soybeans, is undergoing a strategic shift in its agricultural trade practices, largely in response to a domestic glut of soybean oil and intensifying trade tensions with the United States. Once reliant on American soybeans, China is now exploring alternative supply chains to reduce its dependence on US imports, a trend that marks a significant departure from long-established trade flows. In the first half of 2024, China exported a surprising 127,000 tonnes of soybean oil, already surpassing full-year expectations. These exports, primarily bound for markets in South Korea, Malaysia, and India, are a response to domestic overproduction.&nbsp;Rising global demand for biofuels, particularly in the US, has boosted soybean oil prices, allowing China to capitalise on surplus stock while meeting the needs of its own biodiesel market. At the same time, China is increasingly turning to soybean meal imports from Argentina, testing deliveries for the first time after years of trade disruptions. This shift in China’s soybean strategy reflects broader economic concerns. As Chinese consumers cut back on dining out and livestock demand wanes, the country is looking to find ways to streamline its imports and avoid future disruptions linked to ongoing trade conflicts with Washington.<h2>US soybean exports hit hard by Chinese pivot</h2>The US, once the dominant supplier of soybeans to China, now faces a dramatic decline in market share. In 2009, the US accounted for 51 per cent of China's soybean imports. By 2024, this share has fallen to just 21 per cent, as Beijing turns to Brazil and Argentina for more competitive alternatives. The shift comes as China seeks to mitigate risks associated with potential trade wars, especially following the strained relationship between Washington and Beijing during the Trump administration.In 2024, Chinese processors are notably bypassing US soybeans entirely, with no cargoes booked for February and March 2025. Instead, Brazil’s production, set to reach 169.3 million tonnes, and Argentina’s growing share, projected at 4.1 million tonnes, are filling the void. Brazil’s infrastructure investments, such as the $2.5 billion modernisation of the Port of Santos, and Argentina's move to reduce export tariffs have positioned these countries as formidable competitors, threatening the US soybean market’s long-term viability.<h2>The impact on agribusiness and investment strategies</h2>This shift is not only reshaping global soy trade but also creating new opportunities and risks for agribusinesses and investors. US agribusinesses are looking to Southeast Asia and renewable fuels to offset losses from China, but this will likely not fully recover the lost market share. Brazilian agribusinesses, benefiting from lower production costs and a favourable exchange rate, are in a strong position, though they face potential regulatory risks from the European Union’s new deforestation laws, set to take effect in late 2025.Argentina’s agribusiness sector, despite facing internal challenges such as inflation and currency volatility, remains a key player. However, its ability to maintain growth hinges on improving its domestic economic situation and port efficiency. For investors, the key will be diversification, hedging against geopolitical risks, volatility in soybean markets, and supply chain disruptions. Opportunities include investing in Brazilian infrastructure or targeting US firms that are tapping into renewable fuel markets.&nbsp;(With inputs from agencies)

The shift in China’s soybean strategy reflects broader economic concerns. As Chinese consumers cut back on dining out and livestock demand wanes, the country is looking to find ways to streamline its imports and avoid future disruptions linked to ongoing trade conflicts with Washington.

China, the world’s largest importer of soybeans, is undergoing a strategic shift in its agricultural trade practices, largely in response to a domestic glut of soybean oil and intensifying trade tensions with the United States. Once reliant on American soybeans, China is now exploring alternative supply chains to reduce its dependence on US imports, a trend that marks a significant departure from long-established trade flows. In the first half of 2024, China exported a surprising 127,000 tonnes of soybean oil, already surpassing full-year expectations. These exports, primarily bound for markets in South Korea, Malaysia, and India, are a response to domestic overproduction. Rising global demand for biofuels, particularly in the US, has boosted soybean oil prices, allowing China to capitalise on surplus stock while meeting the needs of its own biodiesel market. At the same time, China is increasingly turning to soybean meal imports from Argentina, testing deliveries for the first time after years of trade disruptions. This shift in China’s soybean strategy reflects broader economic concerns. As Chinese consumers cut back on dining out and livestock demand wanes, the country is looking to find ways to streamline its imports and avoid future disruptions linked to ongoing trade conflicts with Washington. US soybean exports hit hard by Chinese pivot The US, once the dominant supplier of soybeans to China, now faces a dramatic decline in market share. In 2009, the US accounted for 51 per cent of China's soybean imports. By 2024, this share has fallen to just 21 per cent, as Beijing turns to Brazil and Argentina for more competitive alternatives. The shift comes as China seeks to mitigate risks associated with potential trade wars, especially following the strained relationship between Washington and Beijing during the Trump administration. In 2024, Chinese processors are notably bypassing US soybeans entirely, with no cargoes booked for February and March 2025. Instead, Brazil’s production, set to reach 169.3 million tonnes, and Argentina’s growing share, projected at 4.1 million tonnes, are filling the void. Brazil’s infrastructure investments, such as the $2.5 billion modernisation of the Port of Santos, and Argentina's move to reduce export tariffs have positioned these countries as formidable competitors, threatening the US soybean market’s long-term viability. The impact on agribusiness and investment strategies This shift is not only reshaping global soy trade but also creating new opportunities and risks for agribusinesses and investors. US agribusinesses are looking to Southeast Asia and renewable fuels to offset losses from China, but this will likely not fully recover the lost market share. Brazilian agribusinesses, benefiting from lower production costs and a favourable exchange rate, are in a strong position, though they face potential regulatory risks from the European Union’s new deforestation laws, set to take effect in late 2025. Argentina’s agribusiness sector, despite facing internal challenges such as inflation and currency volatility, remains a key player. However, its ability to maintain growth hinges on improving its domestic economic situation and port efficiency. For investors, the key will be diversification, hedging against geopolitical risks, volatility in soybean markets, and supply chain disruptions. Opportunities include investing in Brazilian infrastructure or targeting US firms that are tapping into renewable fuel markets. (With inputs from agencies)

The shift in China’s soybean strategy reflects broader economic concerns. As Chinese consumers cut back on dining out and livestock demand wanes, the country is looking to find ways to streamline its imports and avoid future disruptions linked to ongoing trade conflicts with Washington.

China reshapes soybean trade amid economic slump and rising tensions with the US

Ahead of a potential summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, China is reportedly pushing the United States to ease export restrictions on critical artificial intelligence (AI) components, specifically high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips. The Financial Times reported on Sunday that Chinese officials have raised this issue in trade talks with US experts, seeking to relax the restrictions imposed by Washington on HBM exports to China. HBM chips are integral to the rapid processing of data-heavy AI tasks, enabling advanced AI chipsets to function at scale. China’s push for access to these chips comes as Chinese tech giants like Huawei struggle to develop their own AI chips in the face of US export controls. These restrictions, which were escalated in 2024 under President Joe Biden’s administration, have hindered the growth of Chinese companies in both the AI and semiconductor sectors.<h2>Impact of US export controls on China’s AI progress</h2>Since 2022, successive US administrations have imposed increasingly stringent controls on the export of advanced chips to China, citing national security concerns over Beijing’s AI and defence ambitions. In particular, the Biden administration’s 2024 ban on the export of HBM chips to China has dealt a significant blow to Chinese efforts to develop sophisticated AI chips at scale. The controls also affect major Chinese tech companies like Huawei and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), which rely on access to such components to compete globally.Chinese officials have argued that these restrictions are unfair and impede their legitimate access to the global market. In discussions with US negotiators, China has reportedly emphasised the critical nature of HBM chips for the development of its AI capabilities, noting that these chips are indispensable for combining memory and logic components in AI chip production. The recent focus on HBM controls has intensified as Beijing seeks to gain a strategic advantage in the global AI race.<h2>Concerns in Washington over potential relaxation of export controls</h2>The push for relaxed HBM controls comes as President Trump prepares for a possible summit with President Xi. However, many in Washington are concerned that such a move could benefit Chinese companies like Huawei and SMIC by enabling them to produce more AI chips, potentially giving them an edge over US competitors such as Nvidia. Some experts have warned that relaxing these controls could open the floodgates for China to rapidly scale its AI chip production and disrupt the US semiconductor market.AI experts cautioned that lifting the HBM ban would effectively assist Chinese companies in replacing US chipmakers in the AI sector. And relaxing these controls would be a gift to Huawei and SMIC. The growing scrutiny on companies like Nvidia, which has been selling gaming chips to China, also raises concerns over potential loopholes in US export control enforcement. Despite these chips not being marketed for AI, Chinese companies have reportedly found ways to repurpose them for AI applications. US lawmakers, such as John Moolenaar, have called for stronger enforcement to prevent the smuggling of advanced chips into China.&nbsp;(With inputs from agencies)

Chinese officials have argued that these restrictions are unfair and impede their legitimate access to the global market. In discussions with US negotiators, China has reportedly emphasised the critical nature of HBM chips for the development of its AI capabilities.

Ahead of a potential summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, China is reportedly pushing the United States to ease export restrictions on critical artificial intelligence (AI) components, specifically high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips. The Financial Times reported on Sunday that Chinese officials have raised this issue in trade talks with US experts, seeking to relax the restrictions imposed by Washington on HBM exports to China. HBM chips are integral to the rapid processing of data-heavy AI tasks, enabling advanced AI chipsets to function at scale. China’s push for access to these chips comes as Chinese tech giants like Huawei struggle to develop their own AI chips in the face of US export controls. These restrictions, which were escalated in 2024 under President Joe Biden’s administration, have hindered the growth of Chinese companies in both the AI and semiconductor sectors. Impact of US export controls on China’s AI progress Since 2022, successive US administrations have imposed increasingly stringent controls on the export of advanced chips to China, citing national security concerns over Beijing’s AI and defence ambitions. In particular, the Biden administration’s 2024 ban on the export of HBM chips to China has dealt a significant blow to Chinese efforts to develop sophisticated AI chips at scale. The controls also affect major Chinese tech companies like Huawei and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), which rely on access to such components to compete globally. Chinese officials have argued that these restrictions are unfair and impede their legitimate access to the global market. In discussions with US negotiators, China has reportedly emphasised the critical nature of HBM chips for the development of its AI capabilities, noting that these chips are indispensable for combining memory and logic components in AI chip production. The recent focus on HBM controls has intensified as Beijing seeks to gain a strategic advantage in the global AI race. Concerns in Washington over potential relaxation of export controls The push for relaxed HBM controls comes as President Trump prepares for a possible summit with President Xi. However, many in Washington are concerned that such a move could benefit Chinese companies like Huawei and SMIC by enabling them to produce more AI chips, potentially giving them an edge over US competitors such as Nvidia. Some experts have warned that relaxing these controls could open the floodgates for China to rapidly scale its AI chip production and disrupt the US semiconductor market. AI experts cautioned that lifting the HBM ban would effectively assist Chinese companies in replacing US chipmakers in the AI sector. And relaxing these controls would be a gift to Huawei and SMIC. The growing scrutiny on companies like Nvidia, which has been selling gaming chips to China, also raises concerns over potential loopholes in US export control enforcement. Despite these chips not being marketed for AI, Chinese companies have reportedly found ways to repurpose them for AI applications. US lawmakers, such as John Moolenaar, have called for stronger enforcement to prevent the smuggling of advanced chips into China. (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese officials have argued that these restrictions are unfair and impede their legitimate access to the global market. In discussions with US negotiators, China has reportedly emphasised the critical nature of HBM chips for the development of its AI capabilities.

China seeks relaxation of AI chip export controls ahead of US-China trade talks

China’s consumer prices were unchanged in July, reflecting the continued pressures of weak domestic demand and trade uncertainty. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) remained at 0.0 per cent year-on-year, following a slight 0.1 per cent rise in June. This performance exceeded the 0.1 per cent decline expected by economists in a Reuters poll. However, on a month-to-month basis, CPI increased by 0.4 per cent, reversing June’s 0.1 per cent drop, driven by higher service and industrial goods prices. July saw food prices decline by 1.6 per cent, a further widening of the previous month’s decrease. This decline, largely due to a high base of comparison from the previous year, dragged down the CPI by approximately 0.29 percentage points.<h2>Core CPI signals economic recovery in key sectors</h2>Despite the flat overall CPI, core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose by 0.8 per cent year-on-year, reflecting growing momentum in domestic demand, especially in the services sector. Core CPI’s rise is the largest since March 2024 and indicates an ongoing recovery in consumption, though it remains partial. Service prices increased by 0.6 per cent month-on-month, contributing significantly to the CPI rise, especially in areas such as air travel, tourism, and accommodations. With the summer travel season in full swing, prices in sectors like air tickets, tourism, hotel stays, and vehicle rentals jumped by 17.9 per cent, 9.1 per cent, 6.9 per cent, and 4.4 per cent, respectively, all above seasonal averages. These sectors alone contributed around 0.21 percentage points to the overall CPI increase.<h2>PPI continues decline, but eases pressure</h2>Meanwhile, the Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures factory-gate prices, fell 3.6 per cent year-on-year in July, the same as in June. However, month-to-month, the PPI showed a slight improvement, declining by just 0.2 per cent, a modest narrowing of the decline seen in previous months. Experts explained that the narrowing was partially due to seasonal factors and improved domestic market competition, while global trade uncertainties continue to weigh on industrial prices. Price increases were recorded in some manufacturing sectors, including aircraft, wearable smart devices, and microwave communication equipment. These gains indicate that downward pressure on industrial prices is easing, as policies to stabilise growth begin to show early signs of success.&nbsp;(With inputs from agencies)

July saw food prices decline by 1.6 per cent, a further widening of the previous month’s decrease. This decline, largely due to a high base of comparison from the previous year, dragged down the CPI by approximately 0.29 percentage points.

China’s consumer prices were unchanged in July, reflecting the continued pressures of weak domestic demand and trade uncertainty. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) remained at 0.0 per cent year-on-year, following a slight 0.1 per cent rise in June. This performance exceeded the 0.1 per cent decline expected by economists in a Reuters poll. However, on a month-to-month basis, CPI increased by 0.4 per cent, reversing June’s 0.1 per cent drop, driven by higher service and industrial goods prices. July saw food prices decline by 1.6 per cent, a further widening of the previous month’s decrease. This decline, largely due to a high base of comparison from the previous year, dragged down the CPI by approximately 0.29 percentage points. Core CPI signals economic recovery in key sectors Despite the flat overall CPI, core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose by 0.8 per cent year-on-year, reflecting growing momentum in domestic demand, especially in the services sector. Core CPI’s rise is the largest since March 2024 and indicates an ongoing recovery in consumption, though it remains partial. Service prices increased by 0.6 per cent month-on-month, contributing significantly to the CPI rise, especially in areas such as air travel, tourism, and accommodations. With the summer travel season in full swing, prices in sectors like air tickets, tourism, hotel stays, and vehicle rentals jumped by 17.9 per cent, 9.1 per cent, 6.9 per cent, and 4.4 per cent, respectively, all above seasonal averages. These sectors alone contributed around 0.21 percentage points to the overall CPI increase. PPI continues decline, but eases pressure Meanwhile, the Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures factory-gate prices, fell 3.6 per cent year-on-year in July, the same as in June. However, month-to-month, the PPI showed a slight improvement, declining by just 0.2 per cent, a modest narrowing of the decline seen in previous months. Experts explained that the narrowing was partially due to seasonal factors and improved domestic market competition, while global trade uncertainties continue to weigh on industrial prices. Price increases were recorded in some manufacturing sectors, including aircraft, wearable smart devices, and microwave communication equipment. These gains indicate that downward pressure on industrial prices is easing, as policies to stabilise growth begin to show early signs of success. (With inputs from agencies)

July saw food prices decline by 1.6 per cent, a further widening of the previous month’s decrease. This decline, largely due to a high base of comparison from the previous year, dragged down the CPI by approximately 0.29 percentage points.

China’s consumer prices remain flat in July, but core inflation shows signs of recovery

China is on the verge of surpassing the United States as Germany’s largest trading partner, according to preliminary data from the German statistics office for the first half of 2025. Although the US remains the largest trading partner for now, its lead over China has dwindled to a razor-thin margin. In the first half of 2025, total trade between Germany and the US reached approximately €125 billion ($145 billion), while trade with China reached €122.8 billion ($143.06 billion), just €2.2 billion (nearly $2.5 billion) less.Germany’s trade landscape has shifted dramatically over the past year. After the US overtook China in 2024, ending an eight-year streak for China as Germany’s biggest trading partner, German exports to the US have declined, largely due to the impact of renewed US tariffs under former President Donald Trump's administration. Meanwhile, imports from China surged by 10.7 per cent in the first half of 2025, crossing the €80 billion ($93.20 billion) threshold.<h2>US exports to Germany hit by tariffs</h2>Germany’s exports to the US fell by 3.9 per cent to €77.6 billion in the first half of 2025, continuing a trend of decline that began with the reinstatement of tariffs. Economists predict that new tariffs introduced by the US are expected to slow Germany’s exports to the US by 20 per cent to 25 per cent over the next two years. This decline has left Germany with fewer opportunities to strengthen its trade ties with the US, which was once the country’s most important market. With the US imposing a 15 per cent tariff on most products as part of the July EU-US trade agreement, experts warn that the ongoing losses in German exports to the US are likely to intensify as the year progresses.<h2>China seeks to fill the void left by the US</h2>Imports from China, meanwhile, have continued to rise. German companies appear to be increasingly reliant on Chinese goods, as evidenced by the 10.7 per cent increase in Chinese imports. The surge in imports suggests that China is effectively redirecting trade from the US to Europe. Additionally, a significant undervaluation of the yuan against the euro is making Chinese goods more affordable, further fuelling the influx of Chinese products into the German market.However, exports to China have been less favourable. German exports to China fell 14.2 per cent to €41.4 billion ($48.23 billion) in the first half of 2025, as Chinese manufacturers intensified competition. This imbalance has led to a record trade deficit of €40 billion ($46.6 billion) with China, second only to the deficit recorded in 2022. Despite this, analysts predict that the trade deficit could worsen as China continues to capture a larger share of the European market.<h2>The broader global impact</h2>The shifting dynamics between Germany, the US, and China are a reflection of broader global trade realignments. Under Trump, the US introduced tariffs that disrupted international trade and forced countries to adjust. With the World Trade Organization (WTO) forecasting a decline in global merchandise trade in 2025, and North America facing a significant downturn in exports, global markets are feeling the strain. The WTO also warned that further escalation of trade tensions could exacerbate these declines, hurting vulnerable economies around the world.&nbsp;(With inputs from agencies)

After the US overtook China in 2024, ending an eight-year streak for China as Germany’s biggest trading partner, German exports to the US have declined, largely due to the impact of renewed US tariffs under former President Donald Trump's administration.

China is on the verge of surpassing the United States as Germany’s largest trading partner, according to preliminary data from the German statistics office for the first half of 2025. Although the US remains the largest trading partner for now, its lead over China has dwindled to a razor-thin margin. In the first half of 2025, total trade between Germany and the US reached approximately €125 billion ($145 billion), while trade with China reached €122.8 billion ($143.06 billion), just €2.2 billion (nearly $2.5 billion) less. Germany’s trade landscape has shifted dramatically over the past year. After the US overtook China in 2024, ending an eight-year streak for China as Germany’s biggest trading partner, German exports to the US have declined, largely due to the impact of renewed US tariffs under former President Donald Trump's administration. Meanwhile, imports from China surged by 10.7 per cent in the first half of 2025, crossing the €80 billion ($93.20 billion) threshold. US exports to Germany hit by tariffs Germany’s exports to the US fell by 3.9 per cent to €77.6 billion in the first half of 2025, continuing a trend of decline that began with the reinstatement of tariffs. Economists predict that new tariffs introduced by the US are expected to slow Germany’s exports to the US by 20 per cent to 25 per cent over the next two years. This decline has left Germany with fewer opportunities to strengthen its trade ties with the US, which was once the country’s most important market. With the US imposing a 15 per cent tariff on most products as part of the July EU-US trade agreement, experts warn that the ongoing losses in German exports to the US are likely to intensify as the year progresses. China seeks to fill the void left by the US Imports from China, meanwhile, have continued to rise. German companies appear to be increasingly reliant on Chinese goods, as evidenced by the 10.7 per cent increase in Chinese imports. The surge in imports suggests that China is effectively redirecting trade from the US to Europe. Additionally, a significant undervaluation of the yuan against the euro is making Chinese goods more affordable, further fuelling the influx of Chinese products into the German market. However, exports to China have been less favourable. German exports to China fell 14.2 per cent to €41.4 billion ($48.23 billion) in the first half of 2025, as Chinese manufacturers intensified competition. This imbalance has led to a record trade deficit of €40 billion ($46.6 billion) with China, second only to the deficit recorded in 2022. Despite this, analysts predict that the trade deficit could worsen as China continues to capture a larger share of the European market. The broader global impact The shifting dynamics between Germany, the US, and China are a reflection of broader global trade realignments. Under Trump, the US introduced tariffs that disrupted international trade and forced countries to adjust. With the World Trade Organization (WTO) forecasting a decline in global merchandise trade in 2025, and North America facing a significant downturn in exports, global markets are feeling the strain. The WTO also warned that further escalation of trade tensions could exacerbate these declines, hurting vulnerable economies around the world. (With inputs from agencies)

After the US overtook China in 2024, ending an eight-year streak for China as Germany’s biggest trading partner, German exports to the US have declined, largely due to the impact of renewed US tariffs under former President Donald Trump's administration.

China inches closer to overtaking US as Germany’s largest trading partner amid tariff shifts

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