Beijing in the headlines: tense China-Taiwan drills and warning signals amid U.S.-China talks. Capital of China; population ~22M.
President Trump has completed a two‑day state visit to Beijing with US business chiefs, holding talks with Xi Jinping on trade, Taiwan, Iran and AI. Leaders have agreed to set up trade and investment councils; Trump has touted unspecified "fantastic" deals including a reported 200‑plane Boeing order while Chinese statements remain cautious.
The Middle East conflict has pushed up fuel, fertiliser and packaging costs, feeding higher food prices globally. Retailers warn inflation is likely to continue if the war persists, while farmers face rising input costs and potential production cuts.
President Donald Trump has met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing for two days of talks over trade, Taiwan, Iran and energy. The leaders have discussed reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Chinas oil purchases from Iran and military assistance; the White House has said Xi pledged not to send Iran military equipment.
President Trump is in Beijing for talks with Xi Jinping amid U.S.-China tensions over Iran, fentanyl precursors, and trade. Beijing has shown warmth but is not promising a major breakthrough while Washington pushes for a China-led trade board.
The US president’s Beijing dinner has featured a menu of Huaiyang-inspired dishes, with lobster, roast duck and beef ribs among offerings. Xi Jinping hosts and Elon Musk is seen dining; the menu contrasts with the UK banquet last year. A live blog is available for updates.
Eileen Wang has pled guilty to one count of acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government, for operating the US News Center to publish pro-PRC material from 2020 to 2022. She has resigned as Arcadia’s mayor. Co-operating with authorities, Yaoning Sun has already received a four-year sentence.
Taiwan’s defense policy is guiding government messaging as U.S.-China meetings focus on the Taiwan question. Washington has reiterated that its policy toward Taiwan has not changed, while Beijing warns against destabilizing moves. Taiwan’s leaders are assessing how the summit could affect security and regional balance.
The Trump administration has been engaging with China on tariffs, Iran, and Taiwan during a high‑profile Beijing visit. Xi Jinping is presenting a stable, constructive path while warning against missteps on Taiwan; Washington is pressing for economic reciprocity and deeper cooperation on Iran, with the Straits of Hormuz and tech supply chains in focus.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has joined President Trumps delegation to China and has been pictured in Beijing; the trip has been focusing on trade, AI export controls and Iran. China has not approved any purchases of Nvidias H200 chips and is continuing to push domestic chip development while U.S. export controls remain in place.
Studios near the Forbidden City in Beijing are transforming visitors into empresses from ancient China as young people explore a revival of traditional culture.
The U.S. and China have opened a 36-hour summit with talks focused on tariffs, Taiwan, and Tehran’s oil sales, but no substantive agreements have emerged. The Iran conflict continues to shape energy markets and global inflation, limiting any immediate market relief.
Trump has been meeting Xi Jinping in Beijing on a visit that seeks to stabilise the China-US relationship, with discussions focusing on trade, Iran and Taiwan. A small business delegation accompanies him, and both sides have signalled a desire to extend the trade truce and discuss future cooperation.
The UAE has emerged as a more direct participant in the Iran conflict, with reports that it carried out strikes against Iran, including an attack on the Lavan Island refinery. The ceasefire holds but regional tensions are rising as Gulf states respond to Iran's actions and to allied pressures from the US and Israel.
Iran has warned that it could enhance uranium enrichment if attacked, while negotiations with the United States remain unsettled. Tehran says talks are ongoing as global powers seek a ceasefire and restored navigation through the Strait of Hormuz amid renewed pressure from Washington and Beijing.
Trump has welcomed a delegation of executives to Beijing, including Tesla’s Elon Musk and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, as part of efforts to “open up” China and mobilize business support. The trip follows reports of competition with Chinese EV firms and ongoing AI export discussions.
The meetings between the U.S. leader and Xi Jinping have been framed as a bid to reset relations as both powers face rising strategic and economic pressures. Xi has emphasized long-term stability, while the U.S. seeks clarity on key issues including trade and regional security.
Trump has arrived in Beijing with a tech-focused delegation for talks with Xi Jinping. Ratner accompanies the trip to scout for Rush Hour 4 filming locations, while executives from major tech firms are present. The discussions centre on trade, Iran, and Taiwan, with some hints about potential film projects pending outcomes.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is traveling to Beijing with Donald Trump amid Chinese sanctions that have been navigated by a name transliteration change. Beijing has reportedly shifted the first syllable of Rubio’s surname to a different Chinese character, enabling his entry while sanctions remain in place. The move follows Rubio’s history of criticizing China and backing human-rights measures.
Lu Jianwang has been acquitted on a conspiracy charge related to the Manhattan overseas police station case and remains free on bail pending sentencing; prosecutors argued he helped China locate a pro-democracy activist and acted as an unregistered foreign agent, while the defense framed the station as a community center.
Iran has **already** begun allowing certain Chinese vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz under new Iranian-managed transit protocols, as Tehran negotiates with Beijing amid a broader U.S.-Iran war. Reports from Tasnim and Fars say crossings began after an understanding on Iranian management protocols, with more than 30 ships noted and China’s involvement highlighted during a high‑level dialogue between Trump and Xi.
China has responded to a wave of U.S. sanctions and probes aimed at its tech sector, while the United States signals continued pressure over Iran-linked activities. The two powers are moving in parallel as Beijing warns of consequences and Washington assembles new measures to curb technology transfers and alleged illicit behavior.
During a state visit to Beijing, Trump and Xi have discussed Taiwan, trade, and the Strait’s openness. Xi has warned that mishandling Taiwan could trigger clashes or conflict, while Trump has kept US policy on Taiwan unchanged. A White House readout highlights themes of economic cooperation and the Iran situation.
The leaders of the US and China have met in Beijing as Trump and Xi discuss Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, and a possible path to ending the war. While Trump says they have agreed on broader objectives—no Iranian nuclear weapon and an open strait—no concrete plan has emerged, and Washington signals skepticism about Beijing’s leverage.
The United States has not established direct presidential talks with Taiwan’s Lai Ching-te since 1979. Donald Trump has said he will speak with Lai, a move that could unsettle U.S.-China relations and Taiwan’s strategic position amid ongoing tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
Taiwan has monitored and responded to Chinese military activity around the island, following a Beijing summit between Xi and Trump. The United States has signalled continued support for Taiwan’s defence under the Taiwan Relations Act, while Taipei cautions against independence. Washington is weighing a new arms package as relations with China remain tense.
Vladimir Putin has visited Beijing on May 19–20 to mark the 25th anniversary of the 2001 Sino‑Russian Treaty. Xi Jinping and Putin have signed about 40 cooperation documents, extended their friendship treaty, and issued a joint declaration advocating a multipolar world while expanding energy and trade links measured largely in yuan and roubles.
The White House has announced that China and the United States have established separate boards for trade and investment. They are pursuing reciprocal tariff reductions on a defined set of products and progress on agricultural issues, with ongoing discussions to resolve non-tariff barriers and market access concerns. Beijing has described the talks as preliminary, while U.S. officials say the broader framework is taking shape.
G7 finance ministers and central bank governors have been meeting in Paris to coordinate responses to economic risks tied to the Middle East conflict, energy and food supply chains, and volatility in bond markets. The final communiqué reaffirms commitment to multilateral cooperation and outlines plans to monitor markets and diversify critical minerals away from China. The Evian summit in June remains a focal point, with talks inviting non-member nations.
Severe rainfall has triggered floods and resettlement across southern and central China. Authorities warn of more downpours as rescue efforts continue and emergency responses are under way in Hunan, Hubei, Guangxi and other provinces.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has met Russian president Vladimir Putin in Beijing this week and the two leaders have signed more than 40 cooperation agreements, extended a 2001 friendship treaty, and emphasised growing energy and trade links while calling for a halt to fighting in the Middle East. The visit has followed US president Donald Trump’s talks with Xi days earlier.
Heavy rains have triggered floods and landslides across central and southern China, with authorities citing high risks to communities. Emergency responses are under way and residents are being relocated as the downpour persists.
Putin has arrived in Beijing as Xi Jinping hosts him in the Great Hall of the People for talks on a wide agenda, including energy, Iran, and Ukraine. The visit marks a long-standing Sino-Russian partnership, with both leaders signalling a deepening, multipolar alignment.
Taiwanese President Lai has stressed that Taiwan's future is decided by its people, insisting that external forces cannot decide or threaten the island's status. He has pledged to increase defence spending and maintain peace across the Taiwan Strait, amid ongoing tensions with China and US deliberations on arms sales to Taiwan.
A gas explosion has struck the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan county, Shanxi, leaving dozens dead and scores injured. Authorities have reported 247 workers underground, detained company executives and ordered nationwide inspections of coal‑mine safety. Rescue teams are continuing search efforts and two workers remain missing.
The Philippines is reinforcing its defense partnerships and upgrading infrastructure as regional tensions in the South China Sea and around Taiwan intensify. Manila says it remains resilient amid Chinese pressure while expanding alliances with the United States and other partners. Vietnam hosts a state visit signaling deeper security cooperation.
Chinese dissident Dong Guangping has been detained by South Korea’s coast guard after arriving in a rubber boat off the western coast. Authorities are investigating immigration-law violations; Dong has a history of fleeing China and seeking asylum in other countries, including Taiwan, Vietnam and Canada. His fate now hinges on refugee-status review and potential deportation decisions.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies has warned during the Shangri-La Dialogue that the world is on the cusp of a new nuclear arms race, with the Asia-Pacific at its core. Regional states are expanding nuclear arsenals while non-nuclear states pursue long-range conventional capabilities, challenging strategic stability.
A 52-year-old Nepali guide, Hillary Dawa Sherpa, has been found crawling toward Everest base camp six days after he went missing above Camp III. Cleaning crews located him near the Khumbu Icefall, he has been flown to hospital in Kathmandu with frostbite, and his family had already begun funeral rites before learning he survived.
Beijing has expelled Vivian Wang of The New York Times after a DealBook appearance by Taiwan’s Lai Ching-te; the United States has responded by revoking a visa for a Chinese state-media journalist, in a tit-for-tat move that underscores deteriorating press access and ongoing tensions between Beijing, Taipei and Washington.
Arcadia’s former mayor, Eileen Wang, has pleaded guilty to acting as an illegal agent of the People’s Republic of China, admitting she boosted Beijing propaganda on a US-based site while failing to notify US authorities. Sun, her former fiancé, has been sentenced for the same charges. Sentencing for Wang is set for Oct. 6 with a potential 10-year term.
China's official PMI has held at the expansion threshold near 50, with new orders and production softening slightly. Analysts cite robust energy security and ongoing export strength, though domestic demand remains sluggish amid a housing slump. Exports to Europe and Southeast Asia help offset U.S. demand weakness. Morgan Stanley sees 2026 growth near the 4.5–5% target.
China has announced humanitarian aid to Congo and continues to navigate regional security concerns amid high-level defence talks in Singapore. Diversified statements from regional partners reflect ongoing friction over Japan-China relations and the role of the United States in Asia-Pacific defense coalitions.
China has rolled out new national security screening rules for Chinese companies seeking overseas investment, supplementing April regulations that allow intervention to relocate supply chains. The move signals a tougher, more fragmented global economic environment as major powers turn to trade barriers and China seeks to harden its technology and supply chains.
China has deployed ships to waters east of Taiwan in response to Japan and the Philippines signaling they will start formal talks on delimiting their maritime boundaries. Taiwan reports Chinese vessels entering restricted waters near the Pratas Islands, prompting coast guard warnings and rapid expulsions as Beijing asserts jurisdiction.
Solomon Islands’ new prime minister has said a 2022 security pact with China is under review, after he was provided with a copy and indicated some officials have been moved. Australia and the Solomon Islands are negotiating a broader strategic treaty to elevate their bilateral security and economic ties.
Taiwan’s president has urged Beijing to acknowledge the June 4th Tiananmen crackdown, promote truth, and pursue dialogue. In parallel, Reuters reports that Western leaders reiterate that censorship cannot erase history, while vigils and commemorations in Hong Kong and abroad continue to face restrictions. The anniversary is marked overseas and by human rights groups, with activists pressing for accountability.
The Five Eyes intelligence agencies have issued a joint bulletin saying China’s military intelligence has been using LinkedIn, Indeed, Upwork and other hiring platforms to pose as recruiters and place fake analyst jobs to recruit people with access to classified or privileged information. Officials have identified targeted groups, described the recruitment steps and warned of payments for reports.
New Zealand lawmakers who visited Taiwan have been banned for a year from China, Hong Kong and Macau. The move prompts diplomatic friction as Wellington defends parliamentary travel to Taiwan as longstanding practice under its One China policy. Officials say the ban is a China-driven reaction to cross-strait diplomacy.
Xi Jinping visits Pyongyang for a two-day summit with Kim Jong Un, aiming to reassert China’s influence over North Korea. The talks follow Xi’s recent meetings with Trump and Putin and come as Pyongyang accelerates ties with Moscow. Analysts say the outcome will hinge on economic cooperation and strategic messaging rather than denuclearization commitments.
Anthropic has called for a coordinated global pause on frontier AI development to allow alignment research and societal structures to keep pace. The proposal emphasizes verification mechanisms and warns of recursive self-improvement risks, while OpenAI cautions that governments, not labs alone, should set rules. The idea has drawn mixed responses from industry figures and policymakers.