Surprise US-China trade de-escalation; Rare earths; National security white paper; China-Latin America Forum in Beijing
I am attending the US Chamber of Commerce China Business Conference on Tuesday so there will be no newsletter on May 13th, but I will publish an episode of Sharp China that we recorded this afternoon on the US-China trade drama.
I am late to writing about this, and all of you must be a bit sick of the news about the surprising outcome of the US-China trade talks in Geneva over the weekend in which both sides agreed to significantly reduce tariffs for ninety days while establishing a formal dialogue mechanism to discuss trade and economic issues. The average rates are still high, perhaps an average of 40+% on PRC goods and 30+% on US goods, but I think people are still trying to figure out the exact amounts.
Both sides looked to have blinked but I think the US side blinked harder. In addition to the significant reduction of tariffs rates on PRC goods imported into the US for ninety days, the establishment of a dialogue mechanism with designated leadership (Bessent and Greer on the US side, He Lifeng on the Chinese side) is something that will make PRC policymakers very happy. They love dialogue mechanisms.
Along with the tariff cuts China also agreed that it would “adopt all necessary administrative measures to suspend or remove the non-tariff countermeasures taken against the United States since April 2, 2025”. That sounds like it means any export controls on rare earths and rare-earth magnets announced since April 2nd. That would be a meaningful concession from the PRC side, and we should know soon if that is what that language means as US firms who need those goods rush to make purchases.
The Chinese side has justification for saying things like “China’s previous resolute countermeasures and fighting stance have been very effective; the retaliatory measures did indeed have a significant impact on the U.S., and only then did the U.S. government reduce the tariffs to the level of the base tariff following the talks”. However, there is no doubt a sense of relief that the effective US trade embargo is pushed out at least ninety days while the two sides engage in dialogue.
The PRC also looks more responsible to other global actors, and they may believe that driving down the US tariff rates and starting a dialogue will help prevent some other countries from agreeing to US demands about restrictions on Chinese-origin goods and transshipments. It may seem even riskier for a third country to anger Beijing when they do not know how the US-China dispute will resolve.
I also will bet that they look at the ninety day pause as just the start, and that Trump will extend it, just as he keeps extending the TikTok talks.
In comments to the press Monday, President Trump suggested he may have a call with Xi Jinping soon. I do not know if that is something under active discussion, or if this is another appeal for a call, but the Chinese side should harness the momentum and arrange a call. Who knows what else Xi might get in a friendly conversation.
On Monday the State Council released a white paper on national security in the New Era - 新时代的中国国家安全. In the “Q&A” with a leading official of the relevant department that usually accompanies these types of releases, that unnamed official said this in response to the question “Recently, the U.S. imposed high tariffs on China, and China responded firmly, intensifying the China–U.S. trade war. How does China view China–U.S. relations and better safeguard its right to development?”:
Pressure and threats are not the correct way to deal with China. Safeguarding the right to development is one of the red lines of China’s national security, and upholding national interests is a basic requirement. As the White Paper points out, China neither covets others’ interests nor envies their development, but will never give up its legitimate rights and will not yield an inch on principle. China has the resolve, confidence, and capability to cope with U.S. tariff shocks, remains committed to the multilateral trading system, and defends international fairness and justice. China will turn pressure into impetus, viewing the U.S. challenge as a strategic opportunity to accelerate the construction of a new security pattern and modernize its national security system and capabilities.
As nice as it may to be have a pause in the trade war, this white paper is a reminder that the structural challenges in the US-China relationship go far beyond trade.
Summary of today’s top items:
1. Official statements on the trade talks
2. Commentaries and reports on the deal
3. Rare earths crackdown - The Ministry of Commerce announced that it is launching a special campaign to crack down on strategic mineral smuggling meant to circumvent export controls. This comes days after a meeting in Shenzhen on the topic.
4. White paper on national security - The State Council released a white paper on national security in the New Era - 新时代的中国国家安全. It is long, nearly 22,000 characters, and there is not yet an English translation. The white paper, according to Xinhua, has six sections:
China injecting certainty and stability into the world of change and disorder; the holistic approach to national security guiding national security efforts in the new era; providing solid support for the steady and continued progress of Chinese modernization; reinforcing security in development and pursuing development in security; implementing the Global Security Initiative and promoting the common security of the world; and advancing the modernization of the national security system and capacity through deepening reforms
In an Q&A about the document a senior official of the “relevant department” said:
China issued the White Paper China’s National Security in the New Era against this backdrop to comprehensively explain the innovative concepts, vivid practices, and constructive achievements of China’s national security work in the new era; to fully demonstrate the Chinese people’s unity and confidence in resisting external containment and safeguarding national interests; to articulate the firm resolve to balance high-quality development with high-level security; to reaffirm the unchanging aspiration to build a world of lasting peace and universal security; and to share experiences and practices in order to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind…
5, China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum - It opens Tuesday in Beijing and Xi will give a speech. Foreign ministers and other representatives from many countries in Latin America will attend. Brazilian President Lula is currently on a state visit to China.
6. China and Russia to coordinate more in “global media space” - There are lots of elements in the Russia-PRC joint statement that should be worrying to the US and its allies. Today I want highlight just one, about Russia-China media cooperation. Just as the Trump Administration is trying to dismantle all US-funded media operations, effectively unilaterally disarming in the global information contest, Russia and China are going to be coordinating even more in the "global media space".
Thanks for reading
1. Official statements on the trade talks
Full text: Joint Statement on China-US Economic and Trade Meeting in Geneva | Xinhua
Recognizing the importance of their bilateral economic and trade relationship to both countries and the global economy;
Recognizing the importance of a sustainable, long-term, and mutually beneficial economic and trade relationship;
Reflecting on their recent discussions and believing that continued discussions have the potential to address the concerns of each side in their economic and trade relationship; and
Moving forward in the spirit of mutual opening, continued communication, cooperation, and mutual respect;
The Parties commit to take the following actions by May 14, 2025:
The United States will (i) modify the application of the additional ad valorem rate of duty on articles of China (including articles of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macau Special Administrative Region) set forth in Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025, by suspending 24 percentage points of that rate for an initial period of 90 days, while retaining the remaining ad valorem rate of 10 percent on those articles pursuant to the terms of said Order; and (ii) removing the modified additional ad valorem rates of duty on those articles imposed by Executive Order 14259 of April 8, 2025 and Executive Order 14266 of April 9, 2025.
China will (i) modify accordingly the application of the additional ad valorem rate of duty on articles of the United States set forth in Announcement of the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council No. 4 of 2025, by suspending 24 percentage points of that rate for an initial period of 90 days, while retaining the remaining additional ad valorem rate of 10 percent on those articles, and removing the modified additional ad valorem rates of duty on those articles imposed by Announcement of the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council No. 5 of 2025 and Announcement of the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council No. 6 of 2025; and (ii) adopt all necessary administrative measures to suspend or remove the non-tariff countermeasures taken against the United States since April 2, 2025.
After taking the aforementioned actions, the Parties will establish a mechanism to continue discussions about economic and trade relations. The representative from the Chinese side for these discussions will be He Lifeng, Vice Premier of the State Council, and the representatives from the U.S. side will be Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury, and Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative. These discussions may be conducted alternately in China and the United States, or a third country upon agreement of the Parties. As required, the two sides may conduct working-level consultations on relevant economic and trade issues.
The language about the non-tariff measures enacted in response to April 2nd
（二）采取必要措施，暂停或取消自2025年4月2日起针对美国的非关税反制措施
Matches the Xinhua release - Joint Statement on U.S.-China Economic and Trade Meeting in Geneva – The White House
In reaching an agreement, the United States and China will each lower tariffs by 115% while retaining an additional 10% tariff. Other U.S. measures will remain in place.
Both sides will take these actions by May 14, 2025.
ART OF THE DEAL: U.S., China Ink Initial Trade Deal – The White House
Secretary Bessent: “The upside surprise for me from this weekend was the level of Chinese engagement on the fentanyl crisis in the United States. They brought the Deputy Minister for Public Safety … and he had a very robust and highly detailed discussion.”..
On past agreements: “In January 2020, President Trump produced a template — we had an excellent trade agreement with China, and the Biden Administration chose not to enforce it. The Chinese delegation basically told us that once President Biden came into office, they just ignored their obligations.”
China-U.S. joint statement an important step toward resolving differences: commerce ministry-Xinhua
The joint statement on the China-U.S. Economic and Trade Meeting in Geneva is an important step toward resolving differences between the two countries through equal dialogue and consultation, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce said Monday.
It laid the foundations and created the conditions for further bridging differences and deepening cooperation, the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said that the high-level meeting achieved substantial progress by significantly reducing bilateral tariff levels. The United States will remove a total of 91-percent additional tariffs on Chinese products and China will accordingly cut 91-percent countermeasure additional tariffs against U.S. imports. The United States will suspend a 24-percent "reciprocal tariff" and China likewise will suspend a 24-percent countermeasure tariff.
Such initiatives met the expectations of manufacturers and consumers in both countries, and is in line with the interests of both nations and the broader global community, said the spokesperson.
The spokesperson expressed the hope that the U.S. side will, on the basis of this meeting, continue to work with China, move in the same direction, and fully rectify its erroneous practice of imposing unilateral tariffs.
China also hopes that the two countries will be able to continuously enhance mutually beneficial cooperation and maintain the healthy, stable, sustainable development of bilateral economic and trade relations to inject greater certainty and stability into the world economy, said the spokesperson
China trade deal: Tariffs remain on Shein, Temu under cheap goods rule
Small packages from China are still subject to tariffs of 120%, a White House official confirmed Monday — a major blow for U.S. consumers seeking cheap goods from e-commerce retailers like Shein and Temu.
2. Commentaries and reports on the deal
China and US agree to slash tariffs - Financial Times
The consultancy Capital Economics calculated that, because of duties that predated Trump’s return to power this year, total US tariffs on China will now come down to about 40 per cent, while Chinese tariffs on the US would be about 25 per cent.
US President Donald Trump on Monday said he is likely to speak with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in the coming days, claiming a “total reset” in relations and asserting that the weekend talks would prove great for “unification and peace”.
“The talks in Geneva were very friendly,” Trump said of the negotiations that took place in Switzerland on Saturday and Sunday. “The relationship is very, very good. I’ll speak to President Xi maybe at the end of the week.”
Trump Says He May Speak to Xi This Week After US-China Tariffs Lowered - Bloomberg
Trump also said that he would speak to his counterpart, Chinese President Xi Jinping, “maybe at the end of the week.”
“The talks in Geneva were very friendly, the relationship is very good,” Trump said Monday. “We’re not looking to hurt China. China was being hurt very badly.”
People’s Daily commentator Zhong Sheng on page two of the May 13th newspaper - “An Important Step in Resolving Differences Through Equal Dialogue and Consultation 通过平等对话协商解决分歧的重要一步”:
From May 10 to 11, senior‐level economic and trade talks between China and the United States were held in Geneva, Switzerland. Through the joint efforts of both sides, these talks were frank, in-depth, and constructive; they reached important consensus and made substantive progress. Both sides unanimously agreed to establish a China–U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism—an important step toward resolving differences through equal dialogue and consultation—laying the groundwork and creating conditions for further bridging gaps and deepening cooperation. International opinion has highly praised this. It once again proves that maintaining the healthy, stable, and sustainable development of China–U.S. economic and trade relations is in the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples, and is also conducive to global economic growth.
5月10日至11日，中美经贸高层会谈在瑞士日内瓦举行。经过双方的共同努力，此次会谈坦诚、深入、具有建设性，达成重要共识，取得实质性进展。双方一致同意建立中美经贸磋商机制，迈出了通过平等对话协商解决分歧的重要一步，为进一步弥合分歧和深化合作打下了基础、创造了条件。国际舆论对此予以高度评价。这再次证明，维护中美经贸关系健康、稳定、可持续发展，符合两国和两国人民的根本利益，也有利于全球经济增长。
The stability of China–U.S. economic and trade relations affects the trajectory of the global economy. The Joint Statement of the China–U.S. Geneva Economic and Trade Talks indicates that both governments recognize the importance of bilateral economic and trade relations for their own nations and for the global economy, and acknowledge the significance of a sustainable, long-term, and mutually beneficial partnership. These senior-level talks achieved substantive progress, significantly lowering bilateral tariff levels: the U.S. side canceled 91% of its additional tariffs, and the Chinese side reciprocally canceled 91% of its counter-tariffs; the U.S. side also suspended implementation of a 24% “reciprocal tariff,” and China likewise suspended its 24% countermeasure. The positive reaction in global markets shows that this measure meets the expectations of producers and consumers in both countries, aligning with their interests and the common interests of the world.
中美经贸关系的稳定与否关系到全球经济走向。中美日内瓦经贸会谈联合声明表示，两国政府均认识到双边经贸关系对两国和全球经济的重要性，认识到可持续的、长期的、互利的双边经贸关系的重要性。本次中美经贸高层会谈取得实质性进展，大幅降低双边关税水平，美方取消了共计91%的加征关税，中方相应取消了91%的反制关税；美方暂停实施24%的“对等关税”，中方也相应暂停实施24%的反制关税。全球市场的积极反响表明，这一举措符合两国生产者和消费者的期待，也符合两国利益和世界共同利益。
As two major countries at different stages of development and with different economic systems, it is normal for China and the U.S. to experience disagreements and friction in economic and trade cooperation. The key is to follow the important consensus of both heads of state, and, in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and mutually beneficial cooperation, find appropriate solutions through equal dialogue and consultation. After decades of development, China–U.S. supply chains, industrial chains, and value chains have become intertwined and deeply embedded. The essence of their economic relationship is mutual benefit and win-win cooperation; confrontation, conflict, and trade wars do not serve either side’s interests. From restrictions on U.S. agricultural exports to global supply chain disruptions, from increased corporate costs to rising consumer prices, the negative spillover effects of the trade war have impacted the stability and confidence of global markets. International voices have repeatedly stated that “no one can benefit from a trade war; tariff policies will create a ‘lose-lose’ situation,” and “protectionism has no way out; win-win cooperation is what people desire.” The achievements of these senior-level talks demonstrate that equal dialogue and consultation is the correct path to resolving bilateral differences, meeting the need for both major powers to continue exploring the right way to coexist.
作为发展阶段、经济制度不同的两个大国，中美双方在经贸合作中出现分歧和摩擦是正常的，关键要以两国元首重要共识为指引，本着相互尊重、和平共处、合作共赢的原则，通过平等对话协商，找到妥善解决问题的办法。历经几十年发展，中美供应链、产业链、价值链相互交融、深度互嵌。中美经贸关系的本质是互利共赢，对抗冲突、打贸易战不符合中美任何一方的利益。从美国农产品出口受限到全球供应链震荡，从企业成本推高到消费者物价上涨，贸易战的负面外溢效应波及全球市场的稳定与信心。国际人士一再发出“没有人能从贸易战当中获益，关税政策会造成‘双输’”“保护主义没有出路，合作共赢是人心所向”的理性声音。本次中美经贸高层会谈取得的成果表明，平等对话协商是解决双方分歧的正确道路，符合中美继续探寻两个大国正确相处之道的需要。
These senior-level talks have laid the foundation, clarified the prerequisites, and set the conditions for subsequent negotiations. This is a good starting point, but to fundamentally resolve the issues, the U.S. side needs to thoroughly correct its erroneous practice of unilateral tariff increases, continuously strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, and, together with China, actively implement the important consensus from the heads-of-state call on January 17 of this year. In the spirit of mutual openness, sustained communication, cooperation, and respect, the relevant work should continue to advance. China will unswervingly pursue high-quality development, expand high-level opening to the outside world, and continuously optimize its business environment. The U.S. side should meet China halfway and, through their win-win cooperation, accomplish more major, practical, and beneficial initiatives for both countries and the world.
此次中美经贸高层会谈为双方后续谈判奠定了基础、明确了前提、设定了条件。这是一个好的起点，但要从根本上解决问题，还需要美方彻底纠正单边加税的错误做法，不断加强互利合作，和中方一道积极落实今年1月17日两国元首通话重要共识，本着相互开放、持续沟通、合作和相互尊重的精神，继续推进相关工作。中国坚定不移推进高质量发展，扩大高水平对外开放，持续优化营商环境。美方应与中方相向而行，以中美的合作共赢办成更多有利于两国和世界的大事、实事和好事。
The significance of the China–U.S. Geneva economic and trade talks lies not only in the concrete outcomes achieved, but also in the reaffirmation by both sides of the path of resolving differences through equal dialogue and consultation. The road ahead may not be smooth, but China is willing to work with the U.S. side, using these talks as a solid foundation, to continue with a pragmatic approach to problem-solving, maintain the momentum of dialogue, deeply explore cooperation potential, extend the cooperation agenda, enlarge the cooperation “pie,” and promote the healthy and stable development of China–U.S. economic and trade relations to benefit the peoples of both countries and the world.
中美日内瓦经贸会谈的意义不仅在于达成的具体成果，更在于中美双方重新确认了平等对话协商解决分歧的路径。未来之路也许并不平坦，但中方愿同美方一道，以此次中美经贸高层会谈为良好基础，继续以解决问题的务实态度，保持对话势头，深挖合作潜力，拉长合作清单，做大合作蛋糕，推动中美经贸关系健康稳定发展，造福两国和世界人民。
Xinhua Commentary: China-U.S. trade talks offer relief, reassurance to global economy-Xinhua
The positive outcomes of the latest talks reaffirm that for major countries, equal and constructive dialogue -- not confrontation -- is the only effective way to address differences. Given the distinct national contexts and priorities, disagreements are to be expected. What matters most is that such differences are managed with mutual respect for each other's core interests and through sustained dialogue.
No country will surrender its legitimate development rights to unreasonable demands. It is through equal dialogue and consultation can both sides clearly state their concerns, clarify misunderstandings, and explore the root causes of friction.
It is in the United States' own interest to maintain a stable, sustainable and mutually beneficial economic relationship with China. Decades of mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, services and two-way investment have brought concrete gains to businesses and people on both sides. Despite recent tensions, this foundation of shared interests remains strong.
China has consistently maintained that economic and trade disputes should be addressed through rational and respectful dialogue rather than through pressure or threats. Unilateral coercion does not resolve problems; it only heightens tensions, increases risks and undermines the long-term interests of both sides.
The convening of the China-U.S. high-level meeting on economic and trade affairs marked a positive step forward in China-U.S. economic and trade relations, helping to lay a foundation for continued dialogue and future negotiations.
While we are glad to see the resumption of dialogue, we are also fully prepared for the long-term, complex and arduous nature of resolving differences between the two countries.
CCTV Yuyuan Tantian on the deal
Excerpt:
In short, the United States has now canceled a total of 91% of the tariffs imposed on China, suspended the 24% “reciprocal tariff,” and retained the remaining 10% tariff. China has likewise canceled and suspended tariffs at the same level.简而言之，当前美方取消了共计91%的对华加征关税，暂停实施24%的“对等关税”，保留剩余10%的关税。中方也相应取消和暂停了相同水平的关税。
This shows that China’s previous resolute countermeasures and fighting stance have been very effective; the retaliatory measures did indeed have a significant impact on the U.S., and only then did the U.S. government reduce the tariffs to the level of the base tariff following the talks.
这说明中方此前的坚决反制和斗争态度起到了非常好的效果，反制措施确实对美方也造成重大影响，美国政府才会在会谈之后将关税降低至基准关税水平
US-China Trade Deal: Xi Defiance Pays Off as Trump Meet Most Demands - Bloomberg
“The lesson is economic power matters,” said Gerard DiPippo, associate director of the RAND China Research Center. “For Beijing, it’s a strategic vindication, and one that makes Xi’s focus on manufacturing and self-reliance harder to argue against, at least from an economic security perspective.”
Inside China's decision to come to the table on Trump tariffs | Reuters
Since U.S. President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on China last month, Beijing has responded in kind. On state and social media, it posted images of Mao Zedong, lambasted "imperialists," and sent a message: capitulation to bullies is dangerous, and it wouldn't back down.
But behind closed doors, Chinese officials have grown increasingly alarmed about tariffs' impact on the economy and the risk of isolation as China's trading partners have started negotiating deals with Washington, according to three officials familiar with Beijing's thinking.
These factors, along with outreach by the U.S. and an easing of Trump's rhetoric, persuaded Beijing to send its economic tsar He Lifeng for meetings with U.S. counterparts in Switzerland this weekend, the officials told Reuters.
Chinese companies purge supply chain of foreign parts amid US trade war - Financial Times
In the weeks since President Donald Trump hit China with steep tariffs, more than two dozen companies listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen have told investors that they were increasing efforts to source domestic inputs to replace foreign products or expected to benefit as their peers localised purchasing.
The financial filings, reviewed by the Financial Times, were issued by companies spanning the semiconductor, chemicals and medical devices sectors. They demonstrate the potential lasting impact of Trump’s trade war by effecting a permanent reordering of supply chains.
Surprise U.S.-China Trade Deal Gives Global Economy Reprieve - WSJ
The U.S. tariff on many Chinese products will be higher than 30%. U.S. duties on steel, aluminum and autos remain in place, as do some earlier tariffs on certain Chinese goods imposed during President Trump’s first term in office and that of former President Joe Biden...
In a briefing with a small group of reporters, Bessent said that although fentanyl wasn’t the main focus of the trade talks, the Chinese delegation included a senior Chinese official who was able to discuss the issue in detail with U.S. officials. Such an official, who later at a press conference Bessent identified as a deputy minister, isn’t usually part of a trade team, Bessent said, and that “shows their responsiveness to our concerns.”
Who blinked first? How the US and China broke their trade deadlock - Financial Times
The first meeting to break the US-China trade deadlock was held almost three weeks ago in the basement of the IMF headquarters, arranged under cover of secrecy.
US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent, who was attending the IMF spring meetings in Washington, met China’s finance minister Lan Fo’an to discuss the near complete breakdown in trade between the world’s two biggest economies, according to people familiar with the matter.
3. Rare earths crackdown
China to Crack Down on Rare-Earth Materials Ahead of U.S. Trade Talks - WSJ
Chinese authorities–including ministries of commerce, public security and state security and customs–convened a meeting in the southern port city of Shenzhen on Friday. According to an official readout, the agencies pledged to step up the enforcement of export controls on strategic mineral resources.
Officials at the meeting said that since China implemented export controls on critical minerals such as gallium, germanium, antimony, tungsten and medium and heavy rare earths, some overseas entities have colluded with domestic actors and constantly updated their smuggling methods in an effort to evade enforcement. They did not specify which countries were involved...
In December, following the Biden administration’s move to restrict China’s access to advanced memory chips vital to artificial intelligence applications, Beijing responded by banning the export of gallium, germanium, antimony and several other ultra-hard materials to the U.S. It also imposed stricter reviews on graphite exports.
In retaliation to President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs announced in April, Beijing imposed new export controls on rare-earth metals required for advanced defense system
商务部就开展打击战略矿产走私出口专项行动应询答记者问|海关总署_网易订阅
China is launching a special campaign to crack down on strategic mineral smuggling meant to circumvent export controls, the Chinese commerce ministry said. According to the ministry, some “overseas entities” have recently colluded with certain “unlawful domestic personnel” to smuggle strategic minerals. A special office tasked to crack down on such activity held a meeting in Shenzhen on May 9 to lay out work to step up inspection and monitoring. The authorities will pay special attention to false reporting, smuggling and transfers in “third countries”.
4. White paper on national security
China releases white paper on national security-Xinhua
China's State Council Information Office on Monday released a white paper on the country's national security in the new era.
The move aims to provide a comprehensive explanation of the innovative concepts, practices, and achievements in China's national security efforts, and enhance the international community's understanding of China's national security.
The white paper, apart from its preface and conclusion, is structured into six sections, and outlines the following: China injecting certainty and stability into the world of change and disorder; the holistic approach to national security guiding national security efforts in the new era; providing solid support for the steady and continued progress of Chinese modernization; reinforcing security in development and pursuing development in security; implementing the Global Security Initiative and promoting the common security of the world; and advancing the modernization of the national security system and capacity through deepening reforms.
China releases first white paper on national security - Global Times
Song Zhongping, a Chinese expert on national security, aerospace and military affairs, told the Global Times that China's first national security white paper has clearly delineated security threats across all domains, revealing that external threats pose unprecedented challenges to our nation.
Externally, the world is entering a period of heightened turbulence. China's neighboring flashpoints, such as India-Pakistan conflicts, resurface intermittently. Also, the US-led Western bloc's provocations in China's periphery, coupled with spillover effects from conflicts like Russia-Ukraine, are creating comprehensive security pressures. Internally, non-traditional security threats including extremist infiltration, color revolution attempts, terrorism risks, as well as ethnic and religious issues, also could challenge national stability, Song said.
Amid global transformations and technological advancements, the white paper has expanded the concept of national security. While traditional concerns like territorial sovereignty and maritime rights remain vital, emerging domains such as biosecurity and space security are gaining strategic prominence.
Significantly, the document establishes that China's security paradigm encompasses not only sovereignty interests but also developmental interests. "With substantial overseas investments and cooperation projects underway, the security of these assets has become a vital manifestation of our developmental interests, and constitute a priority consideration in our national security framework," Song added.
The White Paper - 新时代的中国国家安全_中华人民共和国国务院新闻办公室
Excerpt:
IV. Securing Safety Through Development, Seeking Development Through Security 四、在发展中固安全，在安全中谋发展...
(1) Promoting Dynamic Balance and Mutual Reinforcement Between Development and Security（一）推动发展和安全动态平衡、相得益彰
— High-quality development is the primary task; lack of development is the greatest insecurity. We treat high-quality development as the “hard truth” of the new era and seek security on the basis of continuously expanding our material and technological foundation. Experience shows that stagnation in reform, development, and opening-up not only fails to achieve security but also undermines its very foundations. China insists on properly handling the relationship among reform, development, and stability—aligning the intensity of reform, the pace of development, and the degree of social tolerance—and promotes social stability through reform and development.
——高质量发展是第一要务，不发展是最大的不安全。把高质量发展作为新时代的硬道理，在不断壮大物质技术基础上谋求安全。实践表明，发展和改革开放停滞不前，不仅难以实现安全，还会削弱安全的根基。中国坚持正确处理改革发展稳定的关系，把改革的力度、发展的速度和社会可承受的程度统一起来，通过改革发展促进社会稳定。
— High-level security is the prerequisite for development; without high-level security, there can be no high-quality development. China has always recognized the historic mission of national security within the overall national development pattern, drawing clear lines and guarding against risks to create a favorable environment for economic and social development and to safeguard those achievements.
——高水平安全是发展的前提，没有高水平安全就没有高质量发展。中国始终从国家发展的总体格局中把握国家安全的历史使命，通过明底线、防风险，营造有利于经济社会发展的良好环境，保障经济社会发展的成果。
— Creating a Favorable External Security Environment. Today’s world is turbulent and unstable, with geopolitical challenges growing ever more severe, and hidden reefs and undercurrents proliferating—placing higher demands on national security. China insists on the path of peaceful development, seeking its own growth by firmly safeguarding world peace and development, and better safeguarding world peace and development through its own growth. Since its founding, the People’s Republic of China has never initiated a war or conflict. China solemnly promises to the world that it will never seek hegemony, never expand, and never pursue spheres of influence, being the only major power to enshrine peaceful development in its Constitution and its ruling Party’s Charter as a matter of national will. When faced with unreasonable suppression by certain countries, China never yields on principle, maintains dialogue on disputed issues, and expands cooperation in areas of mutual benefit, striving to keep bilateral relations generally stable. China is committed to building the Belt and Road into a “road of peace,” refusing to repeat the old game of geopolitical rivalry. On peace and security, China holds the world’s best record among major powers—Chinese-style modernization is modernization through peaceful development—and any hype about “China’s rise to hegemony” or “China threat theory” is entirely groundless.
营造良好外部安全环境。当今世界形势动荡不安，地缘政治挑战风高浪急，暗礁和潜流增多，对维护国家安全提出了更高要求。中国坚持走和平发展道路，在坚定维护世界和平与发展中谋求自身发展，又以自身发展更好维护世界和平与发展。新中国成立以来，从来没有主动挑起过任何一场战争和冲突。中国向全世界庄严承诺，永不称霸，永不扩张，永不谋求势力范围，是唯一将和平发展写入宪法和执政党党章，上升为国家意志的大国。面对个别国家的无理打压，中国在原则问题上决不退让，在争议问题上保持对话，在互利共赢领域拓展合作，努力保持双边关系总体稳定。中国致力于将“一带一路”建成和平之路，不会重复地缘博弈的老套路。在和平和安全问题上，中国是世界上纪录最好的大国，中国式现代化是走和平发展道路的现代化，炒作中国“国强必霸”、渲染“中国威胁论”，纯属无稽之谈。
— Resolutely Maintaining Overall Social Stability. China’s social structure is undergoing profound changes: the internet has deeply altered social interactions, and social concepts, psychology, and behaviors are shifting dramatically—posing significant challenges to stability. China is committed to building a modern society that is both vibrant and well-ordered. We place greater emphasis on deepening institutional and systemic reforms, improving a social governance system of co-construction, co-governance, and shared benefits, and fostering positive interaction among government governance, social regulation, and community self-governance. We focus on strengthening grassroots governance to resolve conflicts at the local level and build harmony from the ground up. We prioritize upholding social fairness and justice, safeguarding citizens’ personal, property, and political rights. We emphasize maintaining stability according to law, building a law-based state, government, and society in an integrated manner, and implementing responsibility systems to prevent and resolve social conflicts institutionally; we also ensure the safety and legitimate rights of foreigners in China according to law. China conducts counter-terrorism and crime-fighting work strictly according to law, meeting the public’s strong expectations for a safe and stable society, and truly respecting and safeguarding human rights.
坚决维护社会大局稳定。中国社会结构正在发生深刻变化，互联网深刻改变社会交往方式，社会观念、社会心理、社会行为发生深刻变化，对社会稳定带来很大挑战。中国致力于建设一个现代化的社会，既充满活力，又拥有良好秩序。更加注重深化体制机制改革，完善共建共治共享的社会治理制度，实现政府治理同社会调节、居民自治良性互动。更加注重加强基层社会治理，将矛盾纠纷化解在基层，将和谐稳定创建在基层。更加注重维护社会公平正义，保障公民人身权、财产权、人格权和基本政治权利不受侵犯。更加注重依法维护社会稳定，坚持法治国家、法治政府、法治社会一体建设，落实维护社会稳定责任制，从制度机制上积极预防化解社会矛盾；依法保障在华外国人的安全和合法权益。中国依法开展反恐怖斗争、打击恶性犯罪等工作，满足了人民群众对社会安全稳定的殷切期待，是真正意义上的尊重和保障人权。
— Resolving Various Risks and Challenges in High-Quality Development. Currently, China is at a critical stage of transforming its development model, optimizing economic structure, and shifting growth drivers; structural, institutional, and cyclical issues intersect, and high-quality development faces many uncertainties and risks. China insists on steadily resolving risks during development and accelerating high-quality development while mitigating risks. We secure the initiative in food security, guarantee the safety of energy and key resources, ensure the security of industrial and supply chains, and effectively defuse risks in key areas. We are accelerating the establishment of a new real estate development model and prudently resolving risks in the housing sector. We are deepening fiscal and tax system reform, improving government debt management, implementing the most substantial debt-support policies in recent years, and promoting local government debt restructuring, extensions, swaps, and reforms of local financing platforms. We have issued special national bonds to support large state-owned commercial banks in replenishing core Tier 1 capital. We coordinate risk prevention, strengthened supervision, and promotion of high-quality development in local small and medium financial institutions—applying strict entry standards and supervision, encouraging mergers and reorganizations to reduce scale and improve quality.
化解高质量发展中各种风险挑战。当前，中国正处在转变发展方式、优化经济结构、转换增长动力的关键时期，结构性、体制性、周期性问题相互交织，高质量发展面临许多不确定性和风险挑战。中国坚持在发展中平稳化解风险，在化解风险中加速高质量发展。把握粮食安全主动权，保障能源和重要资源安全，确保产业链供应链安全，有效化解重点领域风险。加快构建房地产发展新模式，积极稳妥化解房地产领域风险。深入推进财税体制改革，完善政府债务管理制度，实施近年来力度最大化债支持政策，推动地方政府债务重组、展期、置换和地方融资平台改革转型。发行特别国债支持国有大型商业银行补充核心一级资本。统筹推进地方中小金融机构防风险、强监管、促高质量发展，严格准入标准和监管，推动兼并重组、实现减量提质。
— Promoting the Secure Development of New Technologies, New Business Formats, and New Models. Technological innovation can give rise to new industries, new models, and new momentum; it is the core element of developing new quality productivity and a strong driver and support for high-quality development—but many technologies are “double-edged swords.” New technologies, new business formats, and new models have become frontier and critical areas for coordinating development and security. China insists on unifying the promotion of innovation with risk prevention, combining institutional regulation with self-discipline, and actively yet prudently advancing the research, application, and governance of new technologies. China emphasizes improving the legal framework for science and technology security, speeding up legislation in fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and autonomous driving. It focuses on optimizing regulatory services for emerging technologies, promoting the establishment of safety supervision systems for new technologies and business formats to maintain a balance between industrial development and social stability. It highlights enhancing the inclusiveness of emerging technologies, managing the relationships among fairness and efficiency, capital and labor, technology and employment, improving interest-coordination mechanisms, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of all parties, and enabling more people to share in the fruits of technological innovation.
推动新技术新业态新模式安全发展。科技创新能够催生新产业、新模式、新动能，是发展新质生产力的核心要素，是高质量发展的强劲推动力、支撑力，但很多技术都是“双刃剑”。新技术新业态新模式已经成为统筹发展和安全的前沿和关键领域。中国坚持促进创新和防范风险相统一，制度规范与自我约束相结合，积极而稳慎地推进新技术开发、应用和治理。中国注重完善科技安全法治体系，围绕人工智能、生物科技、自动驾驶等领域，加快推进相关立法工作。注重优化新兴技术监管服务，推动建立新技术新业态安全监管制度，保持产业发展和社会稳定的平衡。注重提升新兴技术包容性，处理好公平和效率、资本和劳动、技术和就业的关系，完善利益协调机制，维护各方合法权益，让更多人共享科技创新成果。
China has grown through hardships and become stronger by overcoming challenges. Our economy has a solid foundation, many advantages, strong resilience, and great potential; the long-term support conditions and basic trend toward improvement remain unchanged, and prospects are bright. China is fully capable of better coordinating development and security, resolutely preventing and resolving risks in key areas, effectively responding to external shocks, stabilizing expectations, stimulating vitality, and promoting sustained economic recovery and harmonious social stability.
中国在历经磨难中成长，在攻坚克难中壮大。中国经济基础稳、优势多、韧性强、潜能大，长期向好的支撑条件和基本趋势没有变，发展前景光明，有能力更好统筹发展和安全，坚决防范化解重点领域风险，有效应对外部冲击，稳定预期、激发活力，推动经济持续回升向好，保持社会和谐稳定。
有关部门负责人就《新时代的中国国家安全》白皮书答记者问 - 求是网
On May 12, the State Council Information Office issued the White Paper China’s National Security in the New Era. A head of the relevant department answered reporters’ questions on the background of its release, its main contents, and the guiding ideology of China’s national security.
Excerpt:
I. What are the background, purposes, and main contents of China’s decision to issue its first National Security White Paper?
一、中国制定发布首部国家安全白皮书的背景、目的和主要内容是什么？
Answer: At present, transformations in the world, the times, and history are unfolding in unprecedented ways. Humanity faces once again a historic crossroads with key choices between peace or war, prosperity or decline, unity or confrontation. In the face of a complex situation marked by deepening adverse impacts from changes in the external environment and increasing internal risks and challenges, China has coordinated the overarching strategy of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with the world’s most significant shifts not seen in a century. The national security situation has remained generally stable, advancing steadily; together with Asia–Pacific countries, China has helped safeguard regional peace and development, injecting reliable stability into a turbulent world.答：当前，世界之变、时代之变、历史之变正以前所未有的方式展开。人类社会面临和平还是战争、繁荣还是衰退、团结还是对抗的关键抉择，又一次站在历史的十字路口。面对外部环境变化带来的不利影响加深、内部风险挑战增多的复杂形势，中国统筹中华民族伟大复兴战略全局与世界百年未有之大变局，国家安全形势保持总体稳定、稳中有进，与亚太国家共同维护地区和平和发展，为动荡不安的世界注入可靠的稳定性。
China issued the White Paper China’s National Security in the New Era against this backdrop to comprehensively explain the innovative concepts, vivid practices, and constructive achievements of China’s national security work in the new era; to fully demonstrate the Chinese people’s unity and confidence in resisting external containment and safeguarding national interests; to articulate the firm resolve to balance high-quality development with high-level security; to reaffirm the unchanging aspiration to build a world of lasting peace and universal security; and to share experiences and practices in order to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind…中国在此背景下发布《新时代的中国国家安全》白皮书，旨在全面阐释新时代中国国家安全工作的创新理念、生动实践和建设成果，充分展现中国众志成城抵御外部遏制打压、维护国家利益的必胜信心，统筹高质量发展和高水平安全的坚定决心，构建持久和平、普遍安全世界的不变初心，分享经验做法，推动构建人类命运共同体。
III. Recently, the U.S. imposed high tariffs on China, and China responded firmly, intensifying the China–U.S. trade war. How does China view China–U.S. relations and better safeguard its right to development?三、近期，美国对华加征高额关税，中方坚决反制，中美贸易战再度升温。中国如何看待中美关系，更好维护自身发展权利？
Answer: China has always managed China–U.S. relations on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, aiming for stable, healthy, and sustainable development of bilateral ties. China neither provokes trouble nor fears it. If the U.S. wants to talk, China’s door is wide open; if it wants to fight, China will see it through. Pressure and threats are not the correct way to deal with China. Safeguarding the right to development is one of the red lines of China’s national security, and upholding national interests is a basic requirement. As the White Paper points out, China neither covets others’ interests nor envies their development, but will never give up its legitimate rights and will not yield an inch on principle. China has the resolve, confidence, and capability to cope with U.S. tariff shocks, remains committed to the multilateral trading system, and defends international fairness and justice. China will turn pressure into impetus, viewing the U.S. challenge as a strategic opportunity to accelerate the construction of a new security pattern and modernize its national security system and capabilities.答：中国始终按照相互尊重、和平共处、合作共赢的原则处理中美关系，致力于中美关系稳定、健康、可持续发展。中国不惹事也不怕事，谈，我们大门敞开，打，中国也将奉陪到底，施压和威胁绝不是同中国打交道的正确方式。维护发展权利是中国国家安全的红线之一，维护国家利益也是中国国家安全的基本要求。正如白皮书指出的，中国不觊觎他国权益，不嫉妒他国发展，但决不放弃自身正当权益，在原则问题上寸步不让。中国有决心有信心有能力应对美国关税冲击，致力于维护多边贸易体制，维护国际公平正义。中国国家安全将变压力为动力，把应对美国冲击视为加快构建新安全格局、推进国家安全体系和能力现代化的战略机遇。
Meanwhile, China upholds its basic national policy of opening up and opposes any form of unilateralism or protectionism. No matter how international circumstances change, China will unswervingly pursue high-level opening up, focus on its own development, and keep widening its open door. China pays close attention to coordinating openness and security, actively learns from international experience and practices, and promotes their concerted advancement. Looking ahead, China will continue to facilitate lawful and orderly cross-border flow of capital, talent, technology, and data, promoting efficient global allocation of production factors; strengthen the rule of law in foreign-related affairs; improve mechanisms to counter sanctions, interference, and “long-arm jurisdiction”; enrich its toolbox of countermeasures; and resolutely protect national sovereignty, security, and development interests...
同时，中国坚持对外开放基本国策，反对任何形式的单边主义和保护主义，无论国际风云如何变幻，都将坚定不移推动高水平对外开放，坚持集中精力办好自己的事，让对外开放大门越开越大。中国注重统筹开放和安全，积极借鉴国际经验和做法，推动开放和安全协同共进。面向未来，中国将继续推动资本、人才、技术、数据等依法有序跨境流动，促进全球生产要素高效配置；加强涉外法治建设，健全反制裁、反干涉、反“长臂管辖”机制，丰富反制政策工具箱，坚定维护国家主权、安全和发展利益。
V. Balancing development and security is a common challenge facing all countries. How will China better coordinate development and security?
五、处理发展和安全的关系是世界各国面临的共同难题。中国将如何更好统筹发展和安全？
Answer: Coordinating development and security is one of China's major principles of governance. The white paper dedicates a special chapter to explaining the concept and practice of coordinating development and security, responding to domestic and international concerns. It points out that 'high-quality development is the primary task, and lack of development is the greatest insecurity,' clarifying that China's national security serves and promotes high-quality development, and clarifies the relationship between the 'primary task' and 'top priority.' The white paper emphasizes that 'high-level security is the prerequisite for development, and without high-level security, there can be no high-quality development.' From four aspects—creating a favorable external security environment, firmly maintaining overall social stability, resolving various risks and challenges in high-quality development, and promoting the secure development of new technologies, new business forms, and new models—it explains how high-level security supports and guarantees the achievements of high-quality development.答：统筹发展和安全是中国治国理政的重大原则之一。白皮书设专章阐释统筹发展和安全的理念和实践，回应国内国际关切，指出“高质量发展是第一要务，不发展是最大的不安全”，明确中国国家安全是服务和促进高质量发展的安全，厘清了“第一要务”和“头等大事”的关系。白皮书强调“高水平安全是发展的前提，没有高水平安全就没有高质量发展”，从营造良好外部安全环境、坚决维护社会大局稳定、化解高质量发展中各种风险挑战、推动新技术新业态新模式安全发展等4个方面，阐释了高水平安全如何支撑和保障高质量发展成果。
The Table of Contents of the 22,000 character white paper:
Preface
前言
I. China Injects Certainty and Stability into a World of Interwoven Turmoil
一、中国为变乱交织的世界注入确定性和稳定性
(1) The World Stands at a Historic Crossroads Amid New Turbulence and Transformation
（一）世界在新的动荡变革中站在历史的十字路口(2) The Asia–Pacific Faces Severe Challenges Despite Overall Stability
（二）亚太在总体稳定中面临严峻挑战(3) China Maintains Resilience While Resolving Risks
（三）中国在化解风险中保持稳固坚韧
II. The Overall National Security Concept as the Guiding Direction for Security in the New Era
二、总体国家安全观为新时代国家安全指引方向
(1) Grasping the “Overall” as Key
（一）把握总体为要(2) Practicing the Principle of People-Centered Security
（二）践行人民安全宗旨(3) Placing Political Security First
（三）坚持把政治安全摆在首位(4) Upholding the Principle of Safeguarding National Interests
（四）坚守维护国家利益准则(5) Preventing and Resolving National Security Risks
（五）防范化解国家安全风险(6) Advancing International Common Security
（六）推进国际共同安全(7) Strengthening the Party’s Absolute Leadership over National Security Work
（七）加强党对国家安全工作的绝对领导
III. Providing Solid Support for the Steady and Far-Reaching Progress of Chinese-Style Modernization
三、为中国式现代化行稳致远提供坚实支撑
(1) Safeguarding the Party’s Governing Position and the Socialist System
（一）维护党的执政地位和社会主义制度(2) Enhancing the People’s Sense of Gain, Happiness, and Security
（二）提高人民群众获得感、幸福感、安全感(3) Ensuring High-Quality Development
（三）保障高质量发展(4) Protecting National Territorial Integrity and Maritime Rights
（四）维护国家领土完整和海洋权益(5) Ensuring Reliability and Security in Emerging Fields
（五）确保新兴领域安全可靠
IV. Securing Safety Through Development, Seeking Development Through Security
四、在发展中固安全，在安全中谋发展
(1) Promoting Dynamic Balance and Mutual Reinforcement Between Development and Security
（一）推动发展和安全动态平衡、相得益彰(2) Fostering Mutual Promotion and Synergistic Enhancement of Openness and Security
（二）推动开放和安全相互促进、协同提升
V. Practicing the Global Security Initiative and Advancing International Common Security
五、践行全球安全倡议，推进国际共同安全
(1) The Global Security Initiative’s Contribution of China’s Wisdom
（一）全球安全倡议贡献中国智慧(2) Promoting Implementation of the Initiative to Enhance Common Security
（二）推动倡议落实增进共同安全
VI. Promoting the Modernization of the National Security System and Capabilities Through Deepened Reform
六、在深化改革中推进国家安全体系和能力现代化
(1) Perfecting an Integrated and Efficient National Security System
（一）健全联动高效的国家安全体系(2) Forging Practical, Operational National Security Capabilities
（二）锻造实战实用的国家安全能力
5. China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum
Xi to attend opening ceremony of fourth ministerial meeting of China-CELAC Forum | Xinhua
Xi Jinping will attend and deliver a speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum in Beijing on May 13, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Sunday.
As agreed by China and CELAC, the meeting will be held in Beijing on May 13, and will be chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to the spokesperson.
Foreign ministers or representatives from CELAC countries, and heads of relevant regional organizations will attend the meeting, said the spokesperson.
China Courts Lula and Latin America After Trump’s Tariff Shock - The New York Times
This week, China’s leader, Xi Jinping, is hosting President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil and other leading officials from Latin America and the Caribbean in Beijing to underscore that China intends to keep a firm foothold in that region. Many Latin American governments also want to keep Beijing onside — chiefly as an economic partner, but for some also as a counterweight to U.S. power, experts said.
“What the people of Latin America and the Caribbean seek are independence and self-determination, not the so-called ‘new Monroe Doctrine,’” China’s assistant foreign minister, Miao Deyu, told reporters in Beijing on Sunday, according to the People’s Daily, nodding to President James Monroe’s declaration of 1823, warning European powers not to interfere in the Americas.
Brazilian president's visit to China carries great significance: spokesperson-Xinhua
Noting that China and Brazil are both major developing countries, major emerging markets and important members of the BRICS group and the Global South, Spokesperson Lin Jian said the China-Brazil relations have always been at the forefront of China's relations with developing countries.
At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Lula is on a state visit to China from May 10 to 14.
China and Brazil celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations last year, Lin noted.
The Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has heralded his desire to build “indestructible” relations with China, as the leaders of three of Latin America’s biggest economies flew to Beijing against the backdrop of Donald Trump’s trade war and the profound international uncertainty his presidency has generated.
Lula touched down in China’s capital on Sunday for a four-day state visit, accompanied by 11 ministers, top politicians and a delegation of more than 150 business leaders.
Hours later Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, arrived, making a beeline for the Great Wall of China and declaring his desire for the South American country to not “only look one way” towards the US. “We have decided to take a profound step forward between China and Latin America,” Petro said.
China, Cuba hail deep friendship as two FMs meet in Beijing - CGTN
Emphasizing the deep friendship between China and Cuba despite geographical distance, Wang said over the past 65 years since establishing diplomatic relations, China and Cuba have remained trusted partners and strong supporters of one another, serving as a model for socialist countries and the Global South.
He reaffirmed China's commitment to strengthening bilateral friendship, supporting Cuba's sovereignty and opposition to sanctions, and building a China-Cuba community with a shared future.
Chinese FM meets foreign guests from Caribbean countries -Xinhua
Minister Wang Yi on Monday met with foreign ministers and representatives of the Caribbean countries who came to China to attend the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum in Beijing.
The foreign ministers and representatives come from Caribbean countries that have diplomatic relations with China, including Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.
Colombia to sign onto China's Belt and Road initiative, Petro says | Reuters
Colombia will join China's Belt and Road initiative, a massive development project from the Asian nation in which it funds infrastructure projects, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on Monday.
"We're going to sign the Silk Road," Petro said in an interview from the Great Wall of China, using part of the original name given to China's development initiative.
Chinese, Colombian foreign ministers meet in Beijing - CGTN
Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs Laura Sarabia in Beijing on Monday
6. China and Russia to coordinate more in “global media space”
中华人民共和国和俄罗斯联邦在纪念中国人民抗日战争、苏联伟大卫国战争胜利和联合国成立80周年之际关于进一步深化中俄新时代全面战略协作伙伴关系的联合声明__中国政府网
Support Chinese and Russian media institutions in conducting objective and fair reporting on the friendly relations, economic, and social development of both countries, deepening cooperation in policy dialogues, joint production, exchange of audiovisual content, application of new technologies, talent training, and hosting large-scale media forums. Both sides aim to jointly articulate a common stance in the global media space, collaborate within the frameworks of international and regional media organizations, and work together to strengthen the protection of journalists and ensure citizens' rights to access accurate informatio
支持中俄媒体机构围绕两国友好关系、经济社会发展等进行客观公正报道，深化两国媒体领域政策对话、联合制作、交流视听内容、新技术应用、人才培养、举办大型媒体论坛等方面合作，在全球媒体空间阐释共同对外立场，在世界和地区媒体组织框架内相互协作。双方愿共同努力，加强对记者的保护力度，保障公民获得准确信息的权利。
Business, Economy and Trade
Caixin In Depth: China’s Trillion-Yuan Personal Debt Hangover Weighs on Banking System
China’s personal lending market is under mounting pressure. What began as a slow-burning concern in early 2024 has become an acute worry in 2025. Housing mortgages, consumer loans, credit card debt and, most critically, small business loans — collectively known as personal loans — are slipping into delinquency at rates not seen since the 2008 financial crisis.
Banks across the country are scrambling. Once confident in the resilience of retail lending, they are now overwhelmed by missed payments and deteriorating credit profiles. But what makes this crisis especially insidious is that it remains hidden from public view.
Official figures are scarce. According to the People’s Bank of China, household loans stood at 82.84 trillion yuan ($11.4 trillion) at the end of 2024. Of this, 24.14 trillion yuan was tied to business loans, 21.01 trillion to consumer credit (excluding mortgages) and 37.68 trillion to home loans.
China’s top financial regulator placed the overall non-performing loan (NPL) ratio for commercial banks at 1.5% at the end of 2024, translating to roughly 1.24 trillion yuan in problematic personal debt. But analysts warned the true figure may be significantly higher, as many troubled loans are kept afloat through renewed interest payments or quiet restructuring.
China Wage Data Goes Missing as Tariffs Imperil Millions of Jobs - Bloomberg One of China’s largest online recruitment platforms has quietly stopped providing wage data it’s compiled for at least a decade, making it more difficult to gauge the health of the world’s biggest labor market just as it comes under strain from US tariffs. Zhaopin Ltd. has yet to publish its reports on average wages companies offered to new hires in 38 key cities for the past two quarters. It’s previously released them regularly within the first month after each quarter ended.
Yicai - Jinke Surges After Court Okays Biggest Judicial Debt Restructuring in China’s Property Sector The debt restructuring plans for Jinke and its wholly owned subsidiary Chongqing Jinke Real Estate Development have been approved by the Chongqing Fifth Intermediate People’s Court and will now proceed, the developer said yesterday. It is the largest judicial reorganization in China’s real estate sector to date, as the Chongqing-based builder has CNY147 billion (USD20.4 billion) in debt and more than 8,400 creditors.
挖掘机4月销量同比增17.6%，出口增幅创近两年新高_能见度_澎湃新闻-The Paper In April, sales of excavators jumped 17.6% year on year, but the growth rate was slower compared to a month before. Still, the growth comes at a time when special-purpose government bond issuance hit a record high in recent years. Such bonds are mostly used towards infrastructure projects. Excavator exports hit a new high since May 2023, up 16.43% compared to a month earlier.
Politics and Law
Chinese premier chairs State Council executive meeting-Xinhua Li Qiang on Friday presided over a State Council executive meeting to study and implement the guiding principles of a speech made by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, at a symposium on China's economic and social development in the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). The meeting also deliberated on a report on enhancing the quality and performance of pilot free trade zones, studied measures to deepen reforms and innovations in national-level economic and technological development zones, reviewed and adopted draft regulations on government data sharing, discussed a national layout plan for a waterborne traffic safety supervision and rescue system, and made arrangements for improving workplace safety.
China’s security system urged to handle duties with ‘passion’ as pressures mount | South China Morning Post “At present, the international and domestic situations have undergone new changes, and the task of maintaining national security and social stability is arduous and onerous,” wrote Yin Bai, secretary general of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, the Communist Party’s top security organ, in an article on Friday. It was published on the front page of the Study Times, the journal of the Central Party School, where China’s political stars are trained.
China’s hit spy drama The Secret Path gets real-life tips from top security agency | South China Morning Post The tools of the trade in the world of espionage have taken centre stage in The Secret Path [绝密较量], which made its debut during prime time on China’s state-run CCTV on April 28, about two weeks after Beijing held its 10th annual National Security Education Day. Like most spy dramas, the series about government agents tasked with protecting China’s nuclear secrets in the shadowy world of counter-espionage comes with plenty of hi-tech gadgets and a few deadly props: a handbag that transforms into a deadly weapon, drops of poison on a door handle, and a scanner powerful enough to steal content from a nearby computer. Director Liu Jiang said that all of the details of “modern spy warfare” featured in his 28-episode series had been produced “under the guidance” of the Ministry of State Security (MSS), China’s top intelligence agency.
Episode 1 on Youtube, with English subtitles:
China issues new rules for eco-environmental protection inspections - CGTN China aims to fully harness eco-environmental protection inspections as a key tool for identifying and addressing issues, according to the regulations issued by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council. Greater efforts are needed to promote high-quality development through high-level environmental protection, deepen reforms in the ecological civilization system, and advance the modernization of the eco-environment governance system and its capabilities, according to the regulations. // 中共中央 国务院印发《生态环境保护督察工作条例》
Ministry of Public Security to stage 12th Police Expo, featuring AI+ robots - Global Times
Themed "New Technology, New Equipment for New Quality Strength," the 12th China International Exhibition on Police Equipment (CIEPE), or the Police Expo, will be held at the Beijing Shougang International Convention and Exhibition Center in Beijing from May 14-17, officials with the Chinese Ministry of Public Security (MPS) announced on Monday...
For the first time, the CIEPE this year will feature an intelligent unmanned equipment exhibition zone, showcasing unmanned equipment for law enforcement applications across air, land, water surface and underwater environments, official said.
Also debuting is the Police-Harmony zone, which introduces a new ecosystem of police equipment based on China's independently developed and controllable HarmonyOS operating system for law enforcement. This move aims to address challenges in secure connectivity, information sharing, and operational coordination in policing practices, per the MPS
China eases marriage registration with new rules-Xinhua China's revised marriage registration rules, which simplify paperwork and offer greater flexibility for couples, came into effect on Saturday. The updated regulations eliminate the need for household registration books, which have long been necessary for marriage applications. Mainland couples now only need to present their identification cards and sign a declaration affirming that they are unmarried and not closely related by blood within three generations. Additionally, under the new rules, couples can register their marriage at any eligible registry nationwide, regardless of their household registration location.
Foreign and Defense Affairs
China accused of foreign interference in Solomon Islands after minister quits international group - ABC News China's Embassy in Solomon Islands has become embroiled in a foreign interference controversy after allegedly forcing a newly appointed minister in the Pacific island nation to quit an international group pushing back against Beijing's growing global influence. Rural Development Minister Daniel Waneoroa announced on Sunday he had left the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) — which draws in politicians from more than three dozen countries — saying he made the decision "in the interest of fostering stability and aligning with a collective national vision" under Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.
Chinese nationalism surges across social media as viral video mocks downed Indian jets | South China Morning Post A song adapted by a Chinese influencer mocking the reported downing of Indian fighter jets by Pakistan’s Chinese-made J-10C has gone viral on almost every major global social media platform, in a surge of Chinese nationalism and celebration of Chinese weaponry.
The song, a remix of the Indian song “Tunak Tunak Tun”, was released in a video by Chinese influencer “Brother Hao” on Thursday on Chinese social media. “Our newly purchased jets were shot down … none returned home, 9 billion all wasted”, the new lyrics go.
Wang Yi Has a Phone Call with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar_Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Wang Yi said that as a neighbor of both Pakistan and India, China is concerned about the escalation of the conflict between the two countries. The conflict has caused civilian casualties on the Pakistani side, and China expresses its sympathies over this. China supports Pakistan in safeguarding its national sovereignty and dignity. China believes that Pakistan will respond to the current situation with calm and make decisions in line with its fundamental and long-term interests. China hopes for and supports an early ceasefire between Pakistan and India. Once a ceasefire is reached, it must be jointly observed to prevent the recurrence of conflict. This serves the interests of both Pakistan and India, contributes to regional peace and stability, and meets the common expectations of the international community. China is willing to continue playing a positive role in this regard. Wang Yi noted that Pakistan stands at the forefront of the international fight against terrorism and has made important contributions to the counter-terrorism efforts, and China supports Pakistan’s continued firm counter-terrorism actions. China believes that Pakistan will ensure the security and safety of Chinese personnel and institutions in Pakistan amid the current tensions.
Wang Yi Has a Phone Call with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval_Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Wang Yi stated that China condemns the terrorist attack in Pahalgam area and opposes all forms of terrorism. In a changing and turbulent international environment, peace and stability in Asia are hard-won and deserve to be cherished. India and Pakistan are neighbors that cannot be moved away, and both are neighbors of China. China applauds Ajit Doval’s statement that war is not the choice of the Indian side, and sincerely hopes that India and Pakistan will remain calm and restrained, properly handle differences through dialogue and consultation, and avoid escalating the situation. China supports and expects India and Pakistan to achieve a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire through consultation, which is in the fundamental interests of both India and Pakistan and represents the common aspiration of the international community.
Bloomberg: On a separate topic. Last Friday, the EU’s Ambassador to China said that China had been ignoring European Union’s concerns over trade and economic issues for the past 20 years. Does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have any comment?
Lin Jian: This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the EU. Over the past 50 years, the interaction and dialogue between China and the EU have become increasingly close, with continuously deepened convergence of interest, significant enhancement in the scale and level of cooperation, and effective multilateral coordination. The two sides have established over 70 dialogue mechanisms, engaged in in-depth communication on their concerns over bilateral cooperation, and achieved many common understandings, which promoted the sound development of China-EU relations. The annual trade has surged from US$2.4 billion to US$785.8 billion, an over 300-fold increase. The two-way investment stock has grown from nearly zero to US$260 billion. China’s unilateral visa-free policy has benefited 24 EU member states.
Facts have proven that China and Europe have helped each other succeed and achieved common development. The China-EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has not only brought tangible benefits to the nearly 2 billion people in China and Europe but also set a fine example for mutually beneficial cooperation in the era of economic globalization.
Xi calls for advancing building of China-Serbia community with shared future | Xinhua Xi Jinping said on Friday that China and Serbia should carry forward the ironclad friendship, boost mutually beneficial cooperation and advance the high-quality building of a China-Serbia community with a shared future. Xi made the remarks while meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on the sidelines of the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War. Noting his successful state visit to Serbia in May last year, Xi said that over the past year, the building of a China-Serbia community with a shared future in a new era has got off to a good start and the achievements are obvious to all.
Shell Game: Inside The Worldwide TNT Shortage Q: Now, where are you looking for TNT, given the global competition? A: A lot of people are looking for it, and there’s a lot of capacity from banned locations. So China is offering TNT around the world, and we get offered it one or two times a week from various brokers that approach us. We’re not allowed to procure that TNT from China, so we don’t, thank you very much. We’re looking at other sources in other countries. I don’t want it to divulge too much at this point, but we are in negotiations with a couple of other factories in other countries that aren’t on the banned list, where we can potentially bring in TNT, both for the U.S. government and for our commercial customers.
Hong Kong and Macao
HK floats mechanism to allow Beijing to exercise jurisdiction over nat. sec cases - Hong Kong FP
Hong Kong authorities have proposed establishing a mechanism to allow mainland China to exercise jurisdiction over national security cases, building on an article in the Beijing-imposed national security law stating that “complex” cases can be prosecuted across the border.
The Security Bureau published a Legislative Council paper on Monday, in which it presented a list of proposals for the addition of subsidiary legislation to Article 23, Hong Kong’s homegrown security law.
According to the bureau, national security risks still exist amid the “present complicated geopolitical situation.”
Among the suggestions is one relating to Article 55 of the National Security Law, imposed by Beijing in 2020. The article states that Beijing’s national security office in Hong Kong can “exercise jurisdiction” over cases under the legislation. Local media outlets have referred to this as the “extradition to China” article.
Hong Kong's CK Hutchison assures legal compliance in ports deal | Reuters Hong Kong's CK Hutchison, opens new tab said on Monday that its closely monitored ports deal would strictly adhere to all required compliance standards and would never be executed illegally. "This transaction would never be carried out under any illegal or non-compliant circumstances," the company said in a statement.
夏宝龙：资本无国界，商人有祖国，“下跪”求饶必为中国人民所不齿_发展_港澳_澳门 Xia Baolong: Capital Has No Borders, Businessmen Have a Homeland, "Kneeling" to Beg for Mercy Will Be Despised by the Chinese People
Excerpt:
According to the website of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, on May 12, Xia Baolong, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, held a discussion with business people in Macau. The discussion focused on implementing the important speeches made by President Xi Jinping during his visit to Macau, promoting the development of Hong Kong and Macao, and contributing to the construction of a strong nation...
Xia Baolong emphasized that the business community and entrepreneurs in Hong Kong and Macao have a glorious tradition of loving the country and loving Hong Kong and Macao. They have always stood up to take responsibility for the country and share its worries at critical moments, leaving a rich legacy. "The rise and fall of the world is the responsibility of every individual." For every Chinese person, patriotism is a duty, a responsibility, and a mission.
In the historical process of China's development, patriotic businessmen, including many entrepreneurs from Hong Kong and Macao, have closely linked their personal ideals and business development with the country's future and destiny. They have not feared colonialists or Western suppression and have bravely fought, demonstrating through their actions that "the greatest business is for the country and the people." In the tide of history, generations of entrepreneurs from Hong Kong and Macao have deeply integrated their patriotism into their blood, vividly demonstrating the patriotic spirit passed down through generations...
Xia Baolong stressed that "capital has no borders, but businessmen have a homeland." Which business does not rely on the motherland for development? Without the strength of the motherland, where would business development come from? Without the strong backing of the country, there would be no roots for businesses. As the main force driving the economic development of Hong Kong and Macao, the business community and entrepreneurs must be particularly clear in their stance and particularly conscious in their actions, becoming stronger through the baptism of wind and rain.
Regarding hegemonic acts, there are two completely different performances: one is the soft bone, "kneeling" to beg for mercy. Some voluntarily offer "pledges of allegiance," some advocate "businessmen purely pursue profit" regardless of national interests. Such people will be despised by the Chinese people, including compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao. The other is the hard bone, standing up and fighting resolutely, showing the indomitable spirit of the Chinese people. Some would rather wear electronic shackles than submit, some take up legal weapons to fight back. Such people are heroes and are admired by the Chinese people, including compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao.
Taiwan
Taiwan ex-president Tsai Ing-wen to visit UK as China ratchets up threats against Taipei | Taiwan | The Guardian Former leader had been due to visit in October but trip was cancelled when it coincided with David Lammy’s trip to Beijing
No Han Chinese in Taiwan? KMT slams ‘denial of history’ on Executive Yuan web page | South China Morning Post The revised web page of Taiwan’s top administrative body, the Executive Yuan, categorises Han Chinese – the overwhelming majority on both sides of the Taiwan Strait – as “other population”. The Executive Yuan did not publicly announce the change to the ethnic composition section, which was made on March 24, but several Taiwanese media outlets spotted it and reported on it on Saturday.
Taiwan now has a registered population of 2.6 per cent indigenous, 1.2 per cent foreign and 96.2 per cent other population,” the page reads.
Taiwan TV drama to give public a visceral vision of war with China - Financial Times After failing to find backers for a Taiwan war film in a first attempt six years ago, Cheng, a screenwriter and former journalist, decided to produce one herself. She lined up a team of directors who each direct one episode. The first hour-long episode will premiere at the Copenhagen Democracy Forum on May 13...Shot in a visceral, highly realistic style, Zero Day plays through a week-long countdown kicking off with the blockade. Shops and homes are plunged into darkness by Chinese cyber attacks. Familiar, leafy Taipei streets descend into pandemonium as banks and public transport collapse. Fearful families line up in a dark fishing port to catch a boat out. Criminal gangs released by corrupt prison officials help Beijing force the population into submission. And finally, soldiers of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army arrive.
China vows to achieve reunification, counter separatism - China Daily
The Chinese mainland has the ability to thwart "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external interference, and is confident in achieving the reunification of the country, said Qiu Kaiming, vice-director of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office.
Qiu made the remarks during a seminar on cross-Strait relations held in Shanghai over the weekend, attended by more than 160 personages and experts from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
The two-day event, held amid tense cross-Strait relations, focused on the advancement of Chinese modernization and the shared well-being of people from both sides of the Strait.
Tech and Media
'Genshin Impact' Creator Dives Into AI for Growth Beyond Games - Bloomberg HoYoverse, the international brand for Shanghai-based Mihoyo Co., has had an unprecedented hit rate with its anime-inspired fantasy games. It followed Genshin Impact with Honkai: Star Rail and, in 2024, Zenless Zone Zero, a trio of games that’s collectively generated more than $8.4 billion on mobile, per Sensor Tower. But recently, its titles have begun to cannibalize each other. With each new release, HoYoverse’s audience migrated and the prior game’s mobile revenue roughly halved in the two subsequent quarters.
Society, Arts, Sports, Culture and History
CDT - Translations: What the “4+4” Medical Scandal Reveals About Second-Generation Privilege Internet sleuths who dug into Ms. Dong’s background discovered that she was a “returnee” who had earned an economics degree at Barnard College in the U.S., was from a fairly influential family background, and had enjoyed an academic and career trajectory that may have been helped along by nepotism and string-pulling. Perhaps most controversial was Dong’s rapid rise via the “4+4” accelerated-degree pilot program at Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), which allows a small number of “elite” university graduates—even those with undergraduate degrees unrelated to medicine or biology—to attain a medical degree in only four years, a much shorter timeline than is typical for medical students in China. Netizens also raised questions about Ms. Dong’s publication history, including a graduate thesis that was suspiciously short, and author credits on research papers for projects she didn’t seem to have played much of a role in. (For more background on the multifaceted scandal, we recommend What’s On Weibo’s excellent account of the key protagonists and events.) Discussion of the scandal proved so popular that at one point, it accounted for more than half of the top 50 “hot search” topics on Weibo, according to WeChat blogger “History Rhymes.” But just a few days later, as the blogger noted on May 5, they had disappeared from the list
Energy, Environment, Science and Health
Yicai - China's Solar Wafer Prices Log Sharpest Weekly Drop This Year on Softer Demand China’s photovoltaic industry experienced its steepest week-on-week decline in silicon wafer prices so far this year after the May Day holiday, as production cuts failed to support prices amid weakening demand. The average transaction price for N-type G12 monocrystalline silicon wafers fell to CNY1.35 (US 19 cents) per piece, marking a 7.5 percent drop from the previous week—a faster decline than anticipated—according to data released by the relevant branch of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association on May 8.
How Xi sparked China’s electricity revolution - Financial Times The country is not only rapidly advancing towards self-sufficiency in energy from secure domestic sources, but also wields vast power over the markets for the resources and materials that underpin technologies of the future. “Nobody had been seriously worrying about energy security or supply chains for armaments and critical industries and food because everyone thought that went with the cold war,” says Andrew Gilholm, head of China analysis at consultancy Control Risks. “Meanwhile, China has been working on that for years.”
Provinces work to protect crops amid drought - China Daily As a severe drought grips multiple provinces across China, local governments are stepping up emergency response efforts to safeguard agricultural production and minimize losses. Extreme meteorological drought continues to affect Henan and Shaanxi provinces, with exceptional drought — the highest level — plaguing southwestern Shaanxi and southwestern Henan, according to the National Meteorological Center.
Education
This year marks a decade since China launched a major overhaul of its Gaokao system, a reform dating back to September 2014. Education Minister Huai Jinpeng has described it as “the most comprehensive, systematic, and profound reform of the examination and enrollment system since the Gaokao’s reinstatement (in 1977).”
Underscoring its continued rollout, the new Gaokao system will be implemented this year across 29 of China’s 32 provincial-level regions, excluding the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao. This expansion includes eight provinces adopting the reformed system for the first time.
The 2014 Gaokao reform brought a new exam structure, altered evaluation methods, and gave universities more say in admissions. Under this framework, a pupil’s final score is a composite which blends results from three nationally standardized subjects — Chinese, mathematics and a foreign language — with marks from additional subjects chosen by the student from such options as politics, history, geography, physics, chemistry or biology. Universities then use these combined scores, along with a holistic review of the pupil’s overall qualities, to reach a decision on admission.
China issues guidelines to promote AI education in primary and secondary schools - Global Times China's Ministry of Education has recently issued two guidelines to promote artificial intelligence (AI) education in primary and secondary schools by building a tiered, progressive and spiraling general AI education system, prohibiting students from independently using open-ended content generation at primary schools and banning teachers from using generative AI as a substitute for their core teaching responsibilities. The release of the two documents - the guidelines for AI general education in primary and secondary schools (2025) and the guidelines for the use of generative AI in primary and secondary schools (2025) - marks a significant initiative to scientifically and systematically promote AI education across all levels of schooling, further implement the cultivation of innovative talent with AI literacy and offers a Chinese solution to respond to technological transformation in the global education sector, CCTV News reported on Monday.
Pioneering university cultivating top-tier talent in AI - China Daily Aiming to cultivate top-tier global talent in artificial intelligence, Shanghai Jiao Tong University has introduced a new integrated bachelor's and master's program with a talent cultivation path that is unprecedented in Chinese universities. Integrating mathematics, AI and engineering, as well as incorporating humanities and social sciences, the program seeks to nurture AI innovators who embody a blend of technological prowess and humanistic understanding, and who are equipped to play a leading role on the international stage, according to the school.
Rural and Agricultural Issues
China purchases 345 mln tons of autumn grain - China Daily China purchased a total of 345 million metric tons of 2024 autumn grain by the end of April, according to data released by the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration on Monday, marking one of the highest levels in recent years. Autumn grain purchases in China mainly cover mid- and late-season rice, corn and soybeans. The peak purchasing season runs from mid-September of the harvest year through the end of April the following year.
Love the paper tiger pic….