China’s state-linked tabloid: nationalistic lens on world affairs
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has exchanged congratulatory letters with Vladimir Putin ahead of the Russian presidents visit to Beijing this week. The two leaders have emphasised deepening bilateral cooperation as the 30th anniversary of their strategic partnership arrives, and their growing energy and trade ties have reached record levels since 2022.
Xi Jinping has arrived in North Korea for a two-day state visit, his first there in seven years, to bolster China-North Korea relations amid North Korea’s growing ties with Russia. The visit follows a long history of diplomacy and defence agreements, with analysts watching for negotiations on denuclearisation and regional balance against the US and Russia.
Xi Jinping has visited Pyongyang with Kim Jong Un, signaling a deepening China–DPRK relationship. Talks emphasize broader cooperation while avoiding denuclearisation discussions, raising questions about regional balance and North Korea’s nuclear status.
China has test‑launched a long‑range ballistic missile from a nuclear submarine into the South Pacific carrying a dummy warhead. Beijing has said the launch was routine and that relevant countries were notified; Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Pacific states have condemned the test as destabilising and said notice was insufficient.
A Suzhou court has ruled Molly Tea infringed Louis Vuitton’s four-petal monogram, ordering damages of 10.3 million yuan and legal costs. The decision, which centers on a jasmine-flower motif, has sparked online debate in China over intellectual property and cultural heritage. Molly Tea plans to appeal as rivals see broader implications for brand protection and cross-border IP fights.
Monsoon floods have struck Nuristan, Afghanistan, damaging Parun and surrounding areas. Authorities report dozens dead, hundreds missing or injured, as forecasters warn of more heavy rainfall. Rescue teams are struggling amid rugged terrain and limited infrastructure; international aid agencies are mobilising.
The UK has nationalised British Steel to protect jobs, supply chains and national security. Jingye Group seeks compensation for losses, arguing the move breaches investment protections. China says it will monitor developments and defend its interests.
Delivery riders across China are being recognized in literature. Wang Jibing, 56, has won a major prize for Low Flight, a collection inspired by conversations with fellow couriers. The work highlights the pressures of China’s gig economy and marks a shift toward grassroots voices while the author continues to work as a delivery rider.
The Federal Communications Commission has added "advanced robotic devices" — including humanoid robots, four‑legged machines and some connected power inverters — to a list that blocks new foreign-made models from US markets on national‑security and cybersecurity grounds. The rule has taken effect for models not yet authorised; existing authorised devices remain allowed while exemptions can be requested.
The US has imposed a 15% tariff and set minimum import prices on polysilicon and related products, effective in December, to protect domestic chip and solar supply chains. The order includes anti-stockpiling powers and directs incentives for new US polysilicon production. China has criticised the move and warned it will protect its firms.