What's Happening in China

What Trump's new National Security Strategy means for China

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

Dec 6 • 

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November 2025

Trump-Xi call, China-Japan tensions, and Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades

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

Nov 29 • 

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China escalates tensions with Japan

Warnings, cancelations, and diplomatic threats mark a week of rising China–Japan friction

Nov 22 • 

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China's 'wolf warrior' diplomacy complicates ties with Japan

A fierce diplomatic outburst from Beijing heightened tensions after Japan warned of a Taiwan-related crisis

Nov 15 • 

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U.S.-China military thaw, Nexperia exports resume, and Beijing's global repression

Signs of thaw in U.S.-China military communication come as Beijing faces renewed scrutiny over its transnational repression

Nov 8 • 

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'12 out of 10' U.S.-China summit results in fragile truce

At their first face-to-face meeting in six years, Xi and Trump struck a temporary deal easing trade and tariff tensions, but doubts remain about its…

Nov 1 • 

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October 2025

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

Oct 25 • 

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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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