China Pulse Digest

China is hedging strategically in the Middle East, as GCC countries accounted for ~6% of its total merchandise exports in 2025—key since exports were ~19.3% of GDP.

Bold move to combat demographic decline: China’s blueprint from 15 depts embeds youth development in urban planning, housing, health, education, and...

Cat-and-mouse in semiconductors: US export controls spark evasion and acceleration.

• Proxy surge: China's 2025 chip tool imports from...

China's first 500-kV cross-border alternating-current power link with Laos launched Monday, marking a key step in bilateral energy cooperation.

China's government has raised $20 billion for nascent quantum computing, fueling state-driven industrial self-reliance under a dual mandate of autonomy and productivity.

Escalating countermeasures: China rolls out two major regulations in one week targeting supply chain security and extraterritorial misuse.

• Premier...

China's first Type 076 amphibious assault ship Sichuan heads to the South China Sea for a routine cross-regional test and training exercise, advancing PLA Navy capabilities amid Indo-Pacific maneuvers.

Beijing escalates pressure on US allies amid Taiwan tensions, blending diplomacy, military signaling, and economics.

• SK diplomatic block: Denies...

China's bold 100 trillion yuan service sector target by 2030 commits Beijing to expansion via sustained spending and support.

• Market reaction:...

US-China clash intensifies over Mideast crisis:

• Trump's accusation: US intercepted ship with alleged "gift from China" to Iran, amid naval...

Peru's tightrope walk in US-China rivalry:

• US 'hamburger diplomacy': Ambassador counters Chinese ties with invites and sovereignty alerts over...

Tit-for-tat escalation accelerates semiconductor decoupling:

• US fines Applied Materials $252.5M for reexporting gear to SMIC via Korea on 56...

China leads with 39% of global green energy investment last year and clean energy at 10% of GDP, yet the 15th Five-Year Plan walks back prior commitments to reduce coal consumption and power emissions—revealing pragmatic tensions in its transition.

• Nvidia warns new US chip export rules to China could kill export plans
• Rules impose 25% revenue cut to US government from China sales
• China...

Key tensions in SCS escalations:

• Balikatan 2026 launches with 17,000+ troops in live-fire drills near South China Sea, featuring Japanese/US missile...

Escalating Sino-US clash: Trump claims US intercepted a Chinese "gift" vessel to Iran, suggesting restocking during ceasefire pause.

• Beijing denies...

Escalating US pushback on China's semiconductor goals:

• House Foreign Affairs Committee marks up 23 bills on April 22, including export controls and...

China's renewable surge signals clean energy dominance:

• On track for at least 2461 GW renewable capacity by 2030, doubling 2022 levels.
• Clean...

China's internet giants could be the 'last man standing' as the economy pivots from property to AI and advanced manufacturing after deleveraging. BofA's Winnie Wu sees China on firmer footing.

Post-Cheng visit, Beijing unveiled 10 measures to promote cross-Strait exchanges across economic sectors, signaling invigorated relations.