What's Happening in China

U.S. and China raise stakes ahead of Trump-Xi summit

Top officials from both sides meet in Kuala Lumpur amid escalating tensions ahead of APEC

8 hrs ago • 

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China sets fourth plenum dates, Liu Haixing replaces Liu Jianchao, and the new K visa sparks backlash

Welcome back to What’s Happening in China, your weekly China brief.

Oct 4 • 

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September 2025

A new chapter in the TikTok saga, China abandons WTO developing country status, and Xi sets conservative climate goal

Welcome back to What’s Happening in China, your weekly China brief.

Sep 27 • 

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Deal or no deal?

Xi, Trump discuss trade, fentanyl, Ukraine, and a possible Trump visit to China, but Beijing's readout leaves TikTok deal unmentioned

Sep 20 • 

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U.S.-China contacts intensify

U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent to meet Vice Premier He in Madrid to discuss trade, economic and national security issues

Sep 13 • 

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Xi, Putin, Kim, and Beijing's grand military spectacle

Fighter jets, tanks, and goose-stepping troops rolled past Tiananmen as Xi sought to signal strength at home and abroad

Sep 6 • 

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August 2025

U.S.-China tariff delay, chip sales deal, and South China Sea tensions

Washington and Beijing extend tariff deadline, Trump allows Nvidia and AMD to sell chips under a revenue-sharing model, and a Chinese navy ship collides…

Aug 16 • 

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China to roll out free preschool education, chikungunya outbreak, and U.S. trade talks

The State Council released guidelines to gradually expand free preschool education, while authorities in Guangdong battle a chikungunya outbreak with…

Aug 9 • 

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Politburo's July meeting, fighting 'involution', and paying people to have kids

Beijing tightens control over investments as the leadership signals concern over price wars

Aug 2 • 

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July 2025

EU-China summit brings a fragile cooling of tensions

Brussels and Beijing seek stability but offer little substance

Jul 26 • 

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Xi's rare rebuke

Xi criticized local governments for crowding into the same emerging sectors: AI, computing power, and EVs

Jul 19 • 

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EU-China tensions, Rubio meets Wang Yi, and Beijing's deflation fears

Tensions continue to rise as von der Leyen urges faster derisking. Rubio confirms a likely Trump visit to China, while Beijing signals growing concern…

Jul 12 • 

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