Page 12 - China

China moves to boost AI oversight with focus on safety, data protection

China's proposed AI law aims to boost research, improve ethics, strengthen risk checks and enhance safety oversight for AI technologies and infrastructure

The new 'China Shock' threatens developing economies, not the West

If China truly aspires to global leadership, it must vacate the low-skill manufacturing space in favour of developing countries

Apple's new M5 Vision Pro now made in Vietnam amid latest China shift

The latest model, which goes on sale Wednesday with the new M5 processor and more comfortable band, is assembled in Vietnam, according to labels on its packaging

Stocks rise, gold slips as easing trade tensions boost investor confidence

In Asia, the near-certainty of Sanae Takaichi becoming Japan's next prime minister briefly sent Tokyo's Nikkei to a record high and dented the yen

AUKUS pact will fuel arms race, raise nuclear proliferation risks: China

China on Tuesday criticised the renewal of the major nuclear-powered submarine pact, known as AUKUS (Australia, UK, US), saying it opposes bloc confrontation and anything that increases the risk of nuclear proliferation and exacerbates the arms race. Seen as an effort to counter China in the Asia Pacific, the three countries announced a historic security pact in 2021 under which Australia will be helped to build nuclear-powered submarines for the first time, using US technology. The pact will also cover artificial intelligence, cyber and quantum technologies. China has been vocal in its criticism, saying the AUKUS, together with the QUAD alliance between the US, India, Japan and Australia, was aimed at countering its rise. "China has made clear more than once its position on the so-called trilateral security partnership between the US, the UK and Australia designed to advance cooperation on nuclear submarines and other cutting-edge military technologies," Chinese Foreign Ministry .

Asian stocks rise on easing US-China trade tensions, Nikkei hits record

A broad rally sent all three major US stock indexes to a sharply higher close overnight with chip stocks hitting a record high

Taiwan detects 2 sorties by Chinese aircraft, 5 vessels near its territory

The fresh incursion marks yet another episode in China's continuing military pressure campaign against Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory

China's economy slows to 4.8% in Jul-Sep amid trade tensions, weak demand

China's economy expanded at the slowest annual pace in a year in July- September, growing 4.8 per cent, weighed down by trade tensions with the United States and slack domestic demand. The July-September data was the weakest pace of growth since the third quarter of 2024, and compares with a 5.2 per cent pace of growth in the previous quarter, the government said in a report Monday. In January-September, the world's second largest economy grew at a 5.2 per cent annual pace. Despite US President Donald Trump's higher tariffs on imports from China, the country's exports have remained relatively strong as companies shifted their sales to other world markets. Tensions between Beijing and Washington remain elevated, and it's unclear if Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will go ahead with a proposed meeting during a regional summit at the end of this month. Xi and other ruling Communist Party members are convening one of China's most important political meetings for the year on Monday,

China's Communist Party begins key meet; to finalise 5-year plan, tariffs

One of China's most important meetings begins on Monday, as leader Xi Jinping and other ruling Communist Party elites gather to map the goals for the next five years. The closed-door gathering known as the fourth plenum is expected to last four days and will discuss and put the final touches on China's next five-year plan, a blueprint for 2026-2030. The leaders are meeting at a time of heightened trade tensions between Washington and Beijing and just ahead of a possible meeting between Xi and US President Donald Trump during a regional summit later this month. Here is what to know about the meeting: What the fourth plenum is and why it matters ---------------------------------------------------- The fourth plenum refers to the fourth plenary session, one of typically seven during the five-year term of the Chinese Communist Party's central committee. Xi and about 370 members of the central committee are expected to attend. The gathering also may coincide with personnel changes.

Taiwan detects 3 sorties by Chinese aircraft, 5 vessels near its territory

The fresh incursion marks yet another episode in China's continuing military pressure campaign against Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory

China's ruling Communist Party meets to map out plans for next 5 years

One of China's most important meetings begins Monday, as leader Xi Jinping and other ruling Communist Party elites gather in Beijing to map out the goals for the next five years. The closed-door gathering known as the fourth plenum is expected to last four days and will discuss and put the final touches on China's next five-year plan, a blueprint for 2026-2030. The leaders are meeting at a time of heightened trade tensions between Washington and Beijing and just ahead of a possible meeting between Xi and US President Donald Trump during a regional summit later this month. Here is what to know about the meeting: What the fourth plenum is and why it matters ---------------------------------------------------- The fourth plenum refers to the fourth plenary session, out of typically a total of seven sessions during the five-year term of the Chinese Communist Party's central committee. Xi and about 370 members of the central committee are expected to attend. The gathering also may

Taiwan detects 27 Chinese military aircraft, 8 vessels around its territory

As per the MND, of the 27 sorties, 19 crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, central, and southwestern ADIZ

Chinese officials try to ease global concerns over rare earth export curbs

China's unprecedented move on rare earths sparked a global pushback over the past week, as officials from Europe and Japan voiced concerns over supply chain stability

China expels second-highest ranking general, 8 others over corruption

The PLA's top anti-corruption body investigated the officials and found they had broken Party rules and were suspected of serious crimes involving large sums of money

US-China talks planned next week as Trump plays down trade tariffs

President Donald Trump expressed optimism that talks with Chinese officials could yield an agreement to defuse the crisis that saw the US leader threaten to drastically hike tariffs

China welcomes Pakistan-Afghanistan 48-hour ceasefire, urges lasting truce

China on Thursday welcomed the 48-hour ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan after heavy fighting and called on both the countries to reach a comprehensive and lasting truce to resolve their differences. We noted that Pakistan and Afghanistan decided to implement a temporary ceasefire and will seek a solution through constructive dialogue, which serves the common interests of the two sides and helps keep the region peaceful and stable. China welcomes and supports the effort, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a media briefing her. China supports the two countries in staying "cool-headed and exercising restraint", realising a full and lasting ceasefire, properly handling differences through dialogue and consultation, he said. The two countries should return to the track of political settlement, maintaining peace and stability in both countries and the wider region, he said, adding that China will play a constructive role for the improvement of their relations. Chi

BLS International wins 3-year contract to run visa centres in China

This comes a few days after the company had received notice from the MEA on being debarred from participation in future tenders of the MEA and Indian missions abroad for a period of two years

BLS International bags MEA contract to run Indian visa centres in China

BLS International Services Limited on Thursday said it has been awarded a contract by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to establish and operate Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) in China. The contract will be valid for a period of 3 years, effective October 14, 2025. In July, India announced the resumption of issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals, a move that comes as part of efforts to mend bilateral ties that came under severe strain following the military clashes in Galwan Valley. India had suspended issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals in 2020, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the restrictions continued in view of the eastern Ladakh border row. Under the terms of the agreement, BLS International will be responsible for establishing and managing IVACs in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, offering visa services. The IVACs will incorporate enhanced infrastructure, advanced technology, and multi-lingual staff to ensure a seamless experience

Why China's police plan to build a male DNA bank has raised privacy fears

Police in Xilinhot, Inner Mongolia, sparked controversy after announcing plans to collect men's blood samples to update an identification database for ID cards and passports

Indian-origin US strategic expert held over China links to contest charges

Ashley J Tellis, a former National Security Council member under George W. Bush and an unpaid State Department adviser, was arrested and charged with unlawfully retaining national defence information