China Insight Digest

Escalating military shakeup: China's NPC Standing Committee removed nine senior military officials from its deputies list ahead of the Two...

• Routine patrol in disputed waters from Feb 23-26
• Accuses Philippines of disrupting peace via joint drills with US, Japan
• Southern Command vows...

Key insight: Russian soft power indirectly enhances China's image and economic acceptance in Kyrgyzstan via cultural affinity and media exposure.

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Key Politburo directives amid economic pressures:

• Continue proactive fiscal policy and moderately accommodative monetary policy, with better...

Key insights from CSIS report on China's tech drive:

• Advances across high-tech sectors directly strengthen China's international power and...

Key trend in Europe's pragmatic China engagement:

• Hungary courts Chinese EV/battery factories to skirt EU duties, blocking tougher anti-China EU...

Sino-Japanese tensions escalate as Beijing imposes new export restrictions on Japanese firms linked to the defense sector.

Key strains:

• Rare earths...

Ahead of 2026 Two Sessions, China signals a governance pivot through dual moves:

• Cadre appraisal overhaul: Metrics shift from pure GDP growth to...

• Deeply concerned over escalation and casualties, beyond previous levels
• Calls for calm, restraint, dialogue to end fighting and avoid more harm
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Key signals for US-China trade stability:

• Cooperation pledge: Ready to implement and safeguard Feb 4 leaders' consensus.
• US tariff response:...

China opposes force, urging diplomatic resolution to Iran tensions as US masses troops in Middle East—the largest buildup in decades. Spokesperson Mao Ning addressed potential aid to Iran during Beijing presser.

China's zero-tariff policy opens duty-free access for South African goods, fueling job creation, new investments, expanded exports, and industrial partnerships. Classic BRI-style lift for Global South economies.

Auto Sector Regulation

• 🔥 Hidden Door Handles Phased Out: China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology approved the 'Safety Technical...

Hong Kong's HKTDC opens Start-up Express 2026 applications for early-stage tech startups with global ambitions:

• Targets healthtech, AI, fintech,...

Europe barred China from a flagship research program due to China 2025 strategy—a ten-year policy boosting tech and manufacturing in AI, robotics, and biotech. Signals rising tensions in EU-China tech ties.

China's auto industry is prioritizing safety over style in its EV boom:

• Viral crash trapped passengers due to hidden door handles failing; new...

Chinese yuan reaches 35-month high against weakening US dollar. Bloomberg's The China Show explores why the yuan is strengthening starting at 53:06, offering key insights for global investors.

European Leaders Reset Ties with China

• 🔥 Germany's Merz Praises Relations: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Beijing and Hangzhou,...

Chinese 'Dragonbridge' ops undermine democracies via online campaigns.

• Attacks Trump on fentanyl crisis, deflecting blame from China; tiny accounts...

China balances rivalry and partnership in AI/robotics amid US tensions:

• AI cooperation breakthrough: Huawei joins OpenAI, Google in Agentic AI...