Day: July 5, 2025

New rules on certain Communist Party organs suggest China’s ruling party is aiming to standardise its decision-making process and that President Xi Jinping might be delegating more of his power, according to observers. Advertisement One analyst said the move could hint at his plan for succession. The 24-member Politburo, the party’s top echelon, on Monday reviewed new rules that would apply to the various “party coordinative institutes” – organisations aimed at coordinating cross-agency policies in a specific area. Specifically, these refer to party “central commissions” and “party leading groups”, many…

US President Donald Trump issues quite a few executive orders. So many, in fact, that one could be forgiven for not keeping up with them all. Advertisement But amid the rapid-fire policy changes that have come to characterise his administration, one arrived last month that could have drastic implications for the world’s drone market – and China’s role in it. The order, signed June 6, requires government agencies to prioritise using home-grown unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) “to the maximum extent permitted by law”, and pledges to slash regulations to speed…

Last month’s US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities could strengthen North Korea’s view that nuclear weapons are vital for its survival, deepening Pyongyang’s distrust and reinforcing its commitment to nuclear arms, security experts have warned. Advertisement They added that the attacks were likely to undermine denuclearisation efforts on the Korean peninsula, a goal shared by Beijing, and that increasing US pressure on North Korea risked destabilising the region and encouraging nuclear proliferation. Stephen Costello, a non-resident fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, said, “North Korean leaders may confirm…

US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his interest in visiting China, while announcing that bilateral talks are set to start early next week on a possible TikTok deal that could determine the future of the popular video-sharing platform. Advertisement The fate of TikTok, which faces a potential ban in the US over national security concerns, has long been a sticking point in US-China relations. Under a law passed by the US Congress last year, ByteDance Ltd, the Beijing-based parent company of the social media app, is required to divest TikTok…

China and the European Union have largely finalised the “technical” part of negotiations towards resolving their electric vehicle (EV) tariff dispute, with the deal now hinging on “political will” from the European side, according to Chinese state-affiliated media. Advertisement Yuyuan Tantian, a social media account linked to state broadcaster CCTV, reported on Friday night that the “technical negotiations” were essentially complete, with only the “final step” remaining. “The key now depends on whether the EU can demonstrate the necessary political will to push for a resolution of the issue,” it…

Men around the world dealing with sexual impotence have been treated for years with the drug sildenafil, sold under brand names including the well-known Viagra. Advertisement A new Chinese study now suggests that the drug may perhaps also help to save lives. Sildenafil could combat cancer by strengthening a group of key anti-tumour immune cells, according to the study by researchers from China’s Westlake University, Zhejiang University, Peking Union Medical College and Shanghai Institute of Immunology. Dendritic cells, which act as the “intelligence agents” of the immune system, can become…

China has launched a fully seawater-based solar energy system – the first of its kind suitable for industrial use and large-scale power production – as part of broader efforts to expand renewables in coastal regions, boost the maritime economy and drive industrial innovation. Advertisement Located in Qingdao, Shandong province, the floating solar station builds upon another offshore photovoltaic power generation project launched in late May. Together, they form the largest initiative of its kind by Sinopec, one of China’s biggest state-owned companies. According to the State Council’s information website, the…

China’s top diplomat Wang Yi has called for a “new international agreement” on Iran while accusing the United States and Israel of destabilising the Middle East through military actions on Iranian nuclear facilities. Advertisement Speaking at a joint press conference with his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris on Friday, Wang also voiced deep concerns about escalating tensions in the region and warned of the looming spectre of a “nuclear disaster”. His remarks came as Beijing, a key ally of an increasingly isolated Tehran, intensified its criticism of the US…