The EU's outgoing top trade official Sabine Weyand advised shelving the planned investment deal with China, citing China's structural 'macroeconomic' issues. She signaled new tools are needed to address Chinese practices.
An explosion at a fireworks factory in Hunan province, China, killed 26 people and injured 61, according to state media reports.
China announced it has scrapped tariffs for almost all African nations. This move boosts China's soft power in African states, but may also deepen economic inequalities.
A Chinese court ruled that companies cannot fire employees on grounds that AI replacements would be cheaper, setting important precedent for worker protection in the AI era and prioritizing human concerns over technological savings.
US President Donald Trump said he is not satisfied with Iran's latest peace proposal. Talks have stalled and prospects for compromise appear limited.
The Trump administration argues that the Iran war has effectively ended due to the ceasefire that began in early April, circumventing the need for congressional approval under the 1973 War Powers Resolution's 60-day window. Critics view this as legal overreach. Oil markets react directly.
After the US imposed sanctions on five Chinese oil refineries accused of trading in Iranian fuel, China ordered companies nationwide to defy the US sanctions. The move signals Beijing's more aggressive pushback against American long-arm jurisdiction in trade.
China's smartphone and electronics supply chain is adapting its expertise to support the burgeoning humanoid robotics industry. As mobile market growth stalls, suppliers are finding new growth in humanoid robotics.
China has blocked Meta's proposed $2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus, citing unspecified national security concerns. Although Chinese state media claims the decision does not signal broader restrictions on foreign investment, the move has rattled AI entrepreneurs and investors who feared Beijing was tightening oversight of critical technologies.
Operating costs for Hong Kong's industrial and commercial sectors have jumped 50% since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran, according to an oil industry executive. Distributors are expected to pass higher fuel surcharges on to customers, raising prices across the economy.
Hong Kong expects about 980,000 mainland Chinese visitors during the Labour Day 'golden week' from May 1-5, a 7% increase year-over-year. But tourists are shunning major attractions in favor of slower tourism, seeking out lesser-known hidden gems.
Cho Pak-shing, founder and CEO of Fuyao Glass, warned he may shut down US operations if trade tensions with China continue. Fuyao is one of the world's largest automotive glass manufacturers and the subject of an Oscar-winning documentary.
Chinese EV startup Xpeng aims to surpass Tesla's self-driving capabilities in China by August. Founder and CEO He Xiaopeng said the company will exceed Tesla's abilities by that date. China's EV market increasingly intensifies competition against Tesla.
President Trump warned that the US naval blockade on Iran could persist for months and urged Tehran to "get smart soon" and capitulate to US nuclear demands. Brent crude climbed to $119 per barrel, amplifying energy security concerns for China and other major consumers.
China is pressuring Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but analysts say Beijing's carefully worded statements reveal the limits of its influence over Tehran. As a major energy importer, China is squeezed between geopolitical realities and economic self-interest.
China's government blocked Meta's planned $2 billion acquisition of Singapore-based AI startup Manus. The decision signals Beijing is tightening tech controls and targeting 'de-China' efforts.
Chinese regulators blocked Meta's planned $2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus after months of scrutiny. Officials cited strategic concerns in rejecting the deal. The move reflects Beijing's efforts to limit Western tech influence in China's booming AI sector.
Coordinated strikes across Ukraine and Russian-controlled areas on the 40th anniversary of Chernobyl killed at least 16 people, underscoring the risks of military operations near nuclear facilities. The attacks renewed international warnings about dangers to nuclear infrastructure during the war.
BYD, China's EV leader, declared it can prosper without accessing the US market, positioning itself to capture demand from emerging markets shifting away from fossil fuels as global fuel prices surge.
The Trump administration has threatened action against Chinese firms that are wrongfully 'distilling' US AI models. Analysts warn this could weed out weaker players in China's AI sector within a year.
Chinese AI startup DeepSeek released a preview of its long-awaited V4 large language model, claiming performance improvements in reasoning and agent-based tasks. The open-source release intensifies competitive pressure on US AI leaders.
Chinese AI firm DeepSeek has priced its latest V4 model at 97% below OpenAI's rates, potentially triggering a price war in the competitive AI market.
China has delivered its largest-ever LNG carrier, bringing the number of domestic shipyards capable of designing and building advanced vessels to five. The technological advance represents a significant challenge to South Korea's dominance in shipbuilding.
U.S. interception of Iranian-linked tankers in Asian waters is spreading pressure on Southeast Asian nations controlling key sea lanes. Analysts warn Washington's maritime enforcement campaign may threaten regional neutrality policies.
Trump stated the US Navy will shoot to kill vessels laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. This threat signals escalating tensions in the US-Iran conflict and heightened maritime security risks. Oil prices and global trade flows are directly impacted.
Mainland Chinese investors have slowed purchases of Hong Kong-listed shares this year after record inflows in 2025, as expanding AI investment opportunities in Chinese markets offer alternative outlets. The shift signals changing capital allocation patterns as Beijing's tech sector diversifies.
Fitch Ratings says Chinese battery cell manufacturers are poised to benefit as the Iran war reshapes global energy storage demand. Energy security concerns are accelerating renewable energy and battery storage investments worldwide.
Taiwan's President William Lai was forced to cancel his planned trip to eSwatini after three African countries denied overflight clearance for his aircraft. Beijing has praised the move, signaling its growing geopolitical leverage on the continent.
Federal Reserve chair nominee Kevin Warsh's Senate confirmation hearing signaled a shift toward 'monetary sovereignty' and what Chinese analysts characterize as 'America First' monetary policy, potentially extending Trump's nationalist economic agenda to central banking.
China's export profile is shifting from cheap mass-produced goods to lifestyle brands. Now Chinese hotpot restaurant chains, bubble tea franchises, and performance sportswear companies are targeting global markets with premium positioning.
China is supporting Namibia's efforts to move beyond raw material exports by helping develop domestic processing capacity for critical minerals and uranium fuel production.
Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL), the world's largest EV battery producer, unveiled upgraded battery technologies featuring faster charging and higher performance. Lighter battery packs and advanced charging modes are expected to accelerate global electrification.
China's next-generation Type 076 'drone-carrier' amphibious assault ship is heading to the South China Sea for critical sea trials. The deployment sharpens geopolitical tension even as the US, Philippines, and Japan conduct nearby operations.
Taiwan's President William Lai has postponed a scheduled trip to visit Taiwan's last African diplomatic partner after three nations abruptly revoked overflight permission for his aircraft. Taipei has blamed the sudden denials on pressure from Beijing to isolate the island diplomatically.
PBOC cut RRR releasing 1 trillion yuan.
BYD delivered 2.8M units in Q1 surpassing Toyota.
Qwen 3 matches GPT-4o with free API.