China

At the opening ceremony of World Artificial Intelligence Conference WAIC in Shanghai, Xi urged countries to seize the "historic opportunity" of open-source AI, pledged to help developing nations build AI capabilities against "new historical injustices"

10 United States-based companies have been added to China's export control list, government procurement barred from 50 US companies two weeks after the Pentagon blacklisted some of China’s best-known companies for alleged ties to the Chinese military

Unilateral zero-tariff treatment is now applied to all African countries except Eswatini, which maintains ties with Taiwan; duty-free policy for 33African countries was introduced in 2024, now covers 53 countries and will be in place until 30 April 2028

Starting in May 2026, China will completely exempt from customs duties goods from over 50 African countries as part of Beijing's strengthening trade ties with Africa, according to Chinese state media

In latest satellite images released in Europe the once-submerged Antelope Reef, 30 Paracels islands in the South China Sea claimed by Beijing (Lingyang Jiao), Taipei and Hanoi (Da Hai Sam) appears much larger, suggesting China has expanded its reclamation

Xi Jinping and one general now remain in charge after China's leader ousted two more top generals; the move follows the distancing of a number of key army figures in the past months and the current order is unprecedented says Asia Society Policy Institute

China’s drug and medical device industry is projected to grow by 50% by 2023, with revenue forecast to exceed US$2,1 trillion; a new engine of economic growth, it would be driven by an aging population and global expansion

Rules regulating competition among e-commerce operators have been tightened starting 7 January 7; a series of measures enhance rigor for sales platforms following the use of practices deemed excessive to attract sellers in a context of intense competition