China

Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his state visit to the United States on Friday. As he departed Washington, senior U.S. government officials saw him off at the airport, where a 21-gun salute was fired in a formal farewell gesture. The visit and its ceremonial send-off are drawing wide attention, with observers weighing what the trip signals for the state of U.S.-China relations.

The United States and China have reached a trade deal to lower tariffs on roughly $30 billion worth of "non-sensitive goods", following a meeting between President Trump and President Xi this week. The agreement is expected to reduce prices on a range of consumer products, including small appliances, toys and holiday items, and is drawing wide attention as a step toward easing trade tensions between the two economies.

Chinese President Xi Jinping missed the dinner for world leaders at the G20 summit in New Delhi because he was unwell, according to people familiar with the matter. The report has fueled fresh speculation about the 70-year-old leader's health, coming just days before he was scheduled to travel to the United States, and has drawn wide attention and debate about his condition and absence from a key diplomatic gathering.

Dutch chip equipment maker ASML said it is not selling its chipmaking machines in Europe, warning that the region risks falling behind the United States, China and India in semiconductors. The comments are drawing wide attention, with debate about Europe's industrial competitiveness and dependence on foreign technology picking up in both Indian and Chinese online discussions.

Chinese authorities are considering allowing ByteDance and Alibaba to purchase Nvidia's newest AI chips, according to a report by The Information picked up by Reuters. The possible approval would ease restrictions on two of China's largest technology companies as they race to build computing power for artificial intelligence. The report is drawing attention because it signals a potential shift in how Beijing balances domestic chip policy against its tech sector's demand for leading-edge semiconductors.

Saudi Arabia has withdrawn from a China-led cross-border currency platform, according to the Financial Times. The move marks a retreat from Beijing's efforts to build alternatives to dollar-based international payments, and it will fuel debate over the pace at which Gulf states are willing to align financially with China. The reported decision has drawn wide attention given the kingdom's central role in global oil trade and dollar settlement.

The United States has accused China of conducting secret nuclear weapons tests, warnings that could deepen tensions between the two powers and fuel a new arms race. The claim, reported by Asia Times, adds to ongoing friction over nuclear arsenals, arms control agreements and transparency between Washington and Beijing.

Donald Trump delivered a combative address at the United Nations, but Bloomberg reports the rhetoric did little to change the posture of China's Xi Jinping, Russia's Vladimir Putin or Iran's leadership. Analysts and commentators are weighing whether the hardline tone amounts to anything beyond bluster, with none of the targeted governments showing signs of shifting course after the speech.

The Wall Street Journal reports on U.S. efforts to challenge China's dominance over critical minerals such as rare earths, which are essential for electronics, electric vehicles and defense systems. The report examines how Washington is working to build alternative supply chains and reduce reliance on Chinese processing and exports.

The New York Times examines why China remains wary of international appeals for AI safety regulation. The report suggests Beijing views such calls through strategic and economic lenses, seeing safety frameworks partly as attempts by rivals to slow its technological progress. The piece is prompting discussion about whether meaningful global cooperation on AI governance is possible given US-China competition.

China used a speech at the United Nations to push back against the United States, defending Iran and Cuba and criticising American policies toward both countries, per Reuters. The remarks come as tensions between Washington and Beijing continue over trade, Taiwan and geopolitics, and as US sanctions on Iran and Cuba remain a flashpoint in international diplomacy.

China is considering allowing ByteDance and Alibaba to buy Nvidia's newest chips, according to a report by The Information. The decision would mark a shift in Beijing's stance on American semiconductors amid ongoing US-China export restrictions, and would be significant for the two companies' artificial intelligence ambitions.

China is expanding its security presence in the Red Sea region, according to a report by the Middle East Forum. The analysis argues that Beijing's growing involvement is opening a new front in regional security, adding another layer to the strategic competition already playing out along this vital shipping corridor.

The U.S. ambassador says President Trump offered to sell American arms to China, according to a New York Times report. The claim is drawing attention because selling weapons to Beijing would mark a striking reversal of U.S. policy toward a strategic rival, and it raises questions about what was actually proposed and whether any deal was serious or negotiable.

President Trump said he brought Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the National Archives to compare the founding of their two countries, remarking that US history spans 250 years while China's stretches back some 6,000 years. The remarks drew attention for their contrast between American and Chinese civilisational timelines, and for the unusual framing of a presidential meeting centered on historical comparison rather than policy.

China may permit Alibaba to purchase Nvidia's newest chips, according to a report by The Information picked up by Bloomberg. The potential decision would mark a shift in Beijing's stance on access to advanced US semiconductors, which have been constrained by export controls and trade tensions. The move would matter for Alibaba's cloud and AI ambitions, and it is drawing attention as a possible sign of easing US-China tech friction.

Following this week's summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, China has frozen Iran's money held there, according to claims circulating widely. Commentators note the significance: China previously bought around 90% of Iran's oil exports before Trump's blockade, so the move is being read as a major diplomatic shift and a sign of changed global alignments.

The UK government is reviewing tariffs imposed on Chinese electric vehicles, according to Politico Europe. The review could signal a shift in Britain's trade stance toward Beijing, with potential consequences for EV prices, domestic carmakers and the broader UK-China trade relationship. Observers are watching whether the move will lower costs for British consumers or ease pressure on the country's struggling automotive industry.

Chinese state media says the United States shares responsibility with China for managing artificial intelligence, arguing the world's two leading AI powers must coordinate on oversight of the fast-moving technology. The statement comes amid ongoing US-China tensions over tech export controls and AI governance, and is being watched as a signal of Beijing's positioning ahead of potential international AI regulation talks.

The United States and China are looking to establish a new military agreement following a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. The talks signal an effort to stabilize defense relations between the two powers, though details of the proposed pact and what each side expects from it have not yet been made clear.

Greenland is taking on a growing role as the US military's forward listening post in the Arctic, as Washington monitors Chinese activity in the region. The island's strategic position between North America and Europe makes it key to early-warning radar and missile defence. Coverage notes rising US-China rivalry is pushing both countries to compete for influence over the Arctic, and over Greenland itself.

Ambassador Mike Waltz said the United States held conversations with China regarding dealings connected to the war involving Iran. The remarks point to diplomatic contacts between Washington and Beijing over the conflict, though details of what was discussed and China's role have not been disclosed. The statement is drawing attention amid ongoing interest in how major powers are engaging over the Iran conflict.

Two giant pandas have left China on a flight to Zoo Atlanta, where they will live on loan from the Chinese government. The transfer continues Beijing's long-standing practice of "panda diplomacy," using the animals to strengthen ties with other countries. The pandas are expected to become a major draw at the zoo, and the loan is being read as a gesture in US-China relations.

Analysts at ASPI's Strategist argue that if China seizes Taiwan, Japan could abandon its long-standing nuclear restraint and develop its own atomic arsenal, a prospect described as revolting to Beijing. The piece says Chinese aggression in the region could ultimately trigger exactly the nuclear-armed Japan the CCP most dreads.

President Trump said the United States will not restrain artificial intelligence development, speaking after a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. His comments came despite calls from some governments and experts for international safeguards on advanced AI. The statement signals the US intends to keep pushing AI innovation at full speed, even as other countries push for coordinated global oversight.

China is reportedly considering allowing Alibaba and ByteDance to purchase new Nvidia chips, according to a report by The Next Web. If confirmed, the move would ease restrictions on two of China's largest technology companies and give them renewed access to advanced US-made semiconductors. The news is drawing attention given ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing over semiconductor exports and artificial intelligence capability.

China told the UN General Assembly that the international community must safeguard the postwar order, calling on member states to defend the framework established after World War Two. The appeal, delivered on the General Assembly floor, underscores Beijing's positioning of itself as a defender of the existing international system at a time of heightened global tension and debate over the rules-based order.

US President Donald Trump described his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping as a 'great meeting' after the two leaders sat down at the White House. Speaking to reporters before boarding Marine One with Xi for a brief tour, Trump offered a positive assessment of the talks. The leaders' discussions are being closely watched for signals on trade and the broader US-China relationship.

The U.S. government has stated it has no plans to sell weapons to China, walking back comments attributed to Perdue that had raised questions about American arms policy toward Beijing. The clarification came quickly, underscoring the sensitivity of U.S.-China relations and the close attention any remarks about military cooperation with China receive in Washington and abroad.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iran's economy will collapse "probably within the next 2 weeks," claiming Tehran will make its final oil deliveries to China and then have "NOTHING." He argued Iran is growing desperate for a nuclear deal as sanctions squeeze its oil exports, framing economic collapse as leverage pushing Tehran toward negotiations with Washington.

A U.S. ambassador says President Trump offered to sell arms to China, according to the New York Times. The claim has drawn attention because of the tensions between Washington and Beijing over trade, technology and security, and because arms sales to China would conflict with long-standing U.S. policy and sanctions. The report is prompting questions about what exactly was proposed and how seriously.