China Brief

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How today looks from inside China

Every story below is drawn from Chinese-language sources, summarised in original wording, and annotated with the framing an outside reader would otherwise miss. Links go to the originals.

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InternationalGlobal Times (环球时报)

Poll: China's influence in Latin America seen more positively than US for first time

A new poll by Latinobarómetro, covering 17 Latin American countries, shows that 65% of respondents view China's influence positively, compared to 57% for the US. This is the first time China has surpassed the US in the survey's history since 1995. The Global Times frames this as a significant shift in regional perceptions, citing factors such as US absence from the region after the Iraq War and China's affordable goods.

The view from inside

The Global Times presents this poll as evidence of China's growing soft power and the declining appeal of the US in Latin…

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Full analysisOriginal #latin-america#public-opinion#soft-power
EconomyGlobal Times (环球时报)

China launches anti-dumping probe into EU-origin p-Nitrotoluene

China's Ministry of Commerce announced on October 3, 2026, the initiation of an anti-dumping investigation into imports of p-Nitrotoluene (PNT) originating from the European Union. The probe follows a petition filed on September 14 by two domestic producers, Jiangsu Huaihe Chemical and Hubei Dongfang Chemical, on behalf of the Chinese industry. The investigation period for dumping is set from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, with the injury examination period covering January 1, 2022, to June 30, 2026.

The view from inside

The Global Times frames this as a routine, legally mandated trade remedy measure under China's Anti-dumping Regulations,…

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Full analysisOriginal #trade#anti-dumping#eu-china
InternationalGlobal Times (环球时报)

British media: Russian drone strikes on NATO possible within months

The Global Times reports on a Guardian exclusive citing European intelligence officials who warn that Russia could escalate against NATO within months, potentially using drones or missiles. Polish Prime Minister Tusk said intelligence assessments suggest such strikes, supported by French President Macron. Kremlin spokesman Peskov dismissed the claim as inconsistent with reality. Baltic officials were more cautious, noting Russia's stretched resources in Ukraine. The report ends with a Russian official's criticism of NATO Arctic exercises.

The view from inside

China's state-aligned Global Times frames the story by juxtaposing Western warnings with Russian denials and Baltic caution,…

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Full analysisOriginal #russia-ukraine-war#nato#russia
InternationalGlobal Times (环球时报)

LPG Carrier Struck by Unknown Projectile in Strait of Hormuz

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on September 21 that an LPG carrier was hit by fragments from an unidentified projectile while leaving the Strait of Hormuz. The crew was safe, and the vessel continued to its next port of call, with no pollution reported. This was the second such attack reported by UKMTO that day, following an earlier incident involving a tanker.

The view from inside

Global Times, a state-aligned outlet, presents this as a straightforward news item sourced from Xinhua, emphasizing the UKMTO's…

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Full analysisOriginal #maritime-security#middle-east#shipping
InternationalGlobal Times (环球时报)

Houthis warn Saudi Arabia to halt attacks or face economic strikes

The Houthi armed group has issued a stern warning to Saudi Arabia, demanding an end to airstrikes and a blockade, or it will target Saudi energy infrastructure to cripple the economy. A senior Houthi official also warned any country joining Saudi Arabia in what he called aggression against Yemen. The article, citing foreign media, suggests Saudi Arabia may have to face a multi-front conflict largely alone, as US support remains uncertain and it faces drone attacks from Iraq.

The view from inside

The Global Times frames this as a regional crisis where Saudi Arabia is overextended and abandoned by the US.

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Full analysisOriginal #yemen#saudi-arabia#houthis
InternationalGlobal Times (环球时报)

Denmark, Greenland and US to Sign Security Agreement in New York

Denmark's Prime Minister's Office announced on September 21 that Denmark, its autonomous territory Greenland, and the United States will sign a security agreement in New York on September 22. The agreement is described as aiming to 'strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic regions.' The signing ceremony is expected to take place at the UN headquarters, with Danish PM Mette Frederiksen, Greenland's PM Múte Bourup Egede, and US President Donald Trump participating. Specific terms were not disclosed.

The view from inside

Global Times, a state-aligned outlet, presents this as a straightforward diplomatic development, framing the agreement as a…

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Full analysisOriginal #arctic#denmark#greenland
Politics & PolicyGlobal Times (环球时报)

Okinawa's political shift: Will it become a 'battlefield'?

Okinawa's gubernatorial election saw conservative newcomer Hidenori Shuge defeat incumbent Denny Tamaki, who opposed the relocation of the US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and the militarization of Japan's southwestern islands. The Global Times frames this as a victory for Japan's central government and a potential acceleration of Okinawa's integration into Japan's 're-militarization' agenda, warning that the island could be further 'battlefieldized' (战场化). The article notes that Shuge, while cooperating with Tokyo on base relocation and military deployments, may still face pressure from local anti-base sentiment.

The view from inside

The article, published in the state-aligned Global Times, frames the election as a setback for Okinawa's 'self-determination'…

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Full analysisOriginal #okinawa#japan-us-alliance#militarization
InternationalGlobal Times (环球时报)

Chinese Scholar Urges South Korea to Strengthen Strategic Autonomy

A commentary in the Global Times by Wang Junsheng, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, argues that South Korea's Lee Jae-myung government should deepen its strategic autonomy to broaden its diplomatic space. The piece praises Seoul's shift toward pragmatism and improved ties with Beijing, while suggesting that excessive reliance on the US-Japan alliance risks dragging Korea into major-power conflicts.

The view from inside

The commentary frames South Korea's strategic autonomy as both natural and desirable, aligning with Beijing's interest in…

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Full analysisOriginal #south-korea#strategic-autonomy#china-south-korea-relations
InternationalGlobal Times (环球时报)

When Disaster Becomes a Tool for Division, Only Cooperation Can Break the Deadlock

A massive mudslide on August 26, 2026, at Langtang Lirung peak triggered a flood that devastated both sides of the China-Nepal border, killing 16 and leaving 546 missing in China, and 1,403 dead and 6,150 missing in Nepal. The article, written by a Nepali media figure, accuses some media in India and elsewhere of falsely blaming the disaster on Chinese infrastructure projects, and calls for cross-border cooperation on data sharing and early warning systems.

The view from inside

The Global Times frames the disaster through a lens of Chinese benevolence and victimization: China is portrayed as a responsible…

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Full analysisOriginal #disaster-response#china-nepal-relations#himalayan-cooperation
InternationalGlobal Times (环球时报)

Commentary: Japan's nuclear gamble harms itself and others

A Global Times commentary argues that Japan's government under Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae is moving toward breaking the 'Three Non-Nuclear Principles' by revising the 'non-introduction' principle, which prohibits the introduction of nuclear weapons into Japan. The piece contends this would violate international treaties, undermine regional stability, and betray domestic public opinion, citing polls and local assembly resolutions.

The view from inside

The commentary frames Japan's nuclear policy shift as a dangerous 'gamble' (赌局) by right-wing forces to escape the post-WWII…

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Full analysisOriginal #japan-nuclear-policy#non-proliferation#regional-security
InternationalGlobal Times (环球时报)

Chinese analyst: Takaichi's cabinet reshuffle unlikely to save her premiership

A commentary in the Global Times, written by Pang Zhongpeng of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, argues that Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's September 17 cabinet reshuffle is a defensive move driven by falling approval ratings and internal LDP factional pressure. The piece asserts the reshuffle cannot resolve structural problems and warns that including the Japan Innovation Party in the cabinet may accelerate Japan's shift away from its postwar pacifist path.

The view from inside

The commentary frames Japan's domestic politics primarily through the lens of regional security and historical trajectory,…

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Full analysisOriginal #japan-politics#ldp#cabinet-reshuffle
InternationalGlobal Times (环球时报)

Ding Duo: Philippines' internal rift over China policy highlights harm of military-police provocations

A commentary by Ding Duo, director of the Regional and National Studies Institute at the China Institute for South China Sea Studies, published in Global Times, argues that the Philippine government's internal divisions — particularly between its foreign ministry and military-police agencies — reflect a broader shift away from managing disputes toward confrontation. Ding warns that tolerating maritime provocations will backfire on Manila, and urges the Marcos administration to restrain its security forces and return to bilateral dialogue.

The view from inside

The piece frames the Philippine government as divided between a relatively pragmatic foreign ministry, which still engages in…

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Full analysisOriginal #south-china-sea#philippines#china-diplomacy
Politics & PolicyGlobal Times (环球时报)

Foreign Ministry: All parties should jointly promote open, inclusive, beneficial and virtuous AI development

At a regular press briefing on September 22, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded to a foreign media question on AI governance. He reiterated China's consistent position that all parties should work together to promote the open, inclusive, universally beneficial, and virtuous development of artificial intelligence.

The view from inside

The article presents China's stance as settled and principled, using the standard official vocabulary: 开放 (open), 包容 (inclusive),…

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Full analysisOriginal #artificial-intelligence#governance
Politics & PolicyGlobal Times (环球时报)

Xi Jinping's vision for US-China relations: Cooperation brings mutual benefit

The Global Times published a video and text piece summarizing President Xi Jinping’s past statements on US-China relations, ahead of his state visit to the United States scheduled for September 23-25 at the invitation of President Trump. The article repeats Xi’s framing that the bilateral relationship is the world’s most important and can only succeed, not fail, and that the two countries should be partners, not rivals.

The view from inside

The piece presents Xi Jinping’s remarks as settled wisdom, using the standard formula 合则两利、斗则俱伤 (cooperation brings mutual…

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Full analysisOriginal #us-china-relations#diplomacy#foreign-policy
EconomyGlobal Times (环球时报)

Financial Observation: Inbound shopping upgrades as foreign tourists embrace 'new Chinese quality products'

Global Times reports that foreign tourists in China are increasingly buying Chinese-brand sportswear, tech gadgets, and beauty products, moving beyond the old 'cheap and good' stereotype. The article highlights recent policy improvements: paperless tax refund processing (July 2025), extension of the 'buy now, refund later' period from 17 to 28 days, and nationwide implementation of cross-port tax refunds (September 2025). Experts quoted frame this as a vote of confidence in China's supply chain, economic resilience, and opening-up policies.

The view from inside

The article frames foreign shopping as a validation of China's economic model, using terms like 'new quality productive forces'…

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Full analysisOriginal #economy#tourism#consumption
Politics & PolicyGlobal Times (环球时报)

Xi Jinping calls for stronger advanced manufacturing to support Chinese modernization

The Global Times reports that Xi Jinping recently issued an instruction on developing advanced manufacturing, urging the sector to be strengthened and expanded, with a focus on making industrial chains more self-reliant and building a modern industrial system led by advanced manufacturing. The article frames this as part of consolidating the real economy to support Chinese modernization. It cites first-half data showing value-added industrial output growth of 5.4% year-on-year, with high-tech manufacturing up 13.3%.

The view from inside

The piece presents Xi's remarks as a strategic directive, using terms like 自主可控 (self-reliant and controllable) and 现代化产业体系…

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Full analysisOriginal #advanced-manufacturing#industrial-policy#chinese-economy
InternationalGlobal Times (环球时报)

Jiang Tianjiao: The 'Carolina Principles' Conceal US Self-Interest

A Global Times commentary argues that the United States is pushing the 'Carolina Principles' within the G20 as a light-touch regulatory framework for emerging technologies, especially AI. The author, Jiang Tianjiao, claims this is a coordinated strategy to lower domestic costs for US tech giants while expanding the global reach of US AI standards and ecosystems, ultimately aiming for ecosystem dominance and limiting competitors like China.

The view from inside

The commentary frames the US initiative as a self-serving move to maintain technological hegemony, using terms like '轻监管'…

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Full analysisOriginal #ai-governance#us-china-tech-competition#g20
InternationalGlobal Times (环球时报)

Why Europe's 'Most Open Market' Is Turning Protectionist

A Global Times opinion piece argues that the EU is abandoning its tradition of free movement of goods, people, capital, and services, and drifting toward protectionism. It cites recent EU actions including fines on Chinese e-commerce platforms Temu and AliExpress, the end of the €150 de minimis import duty exemption, and proposals to boost domestic manufacturing. The author, a Shanghai-based researcher, warns that such measures could harm European consumers and contradict European values.

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The piece frames EU protectionism as a defensive retreat from globalization, implicitly positioning China as a champion of open…

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Full analysisOriginal #eu-trade-policy#e-commerce-regulation#protectionism
InternationalGlobal Times (环球时报)

US permits Iranian leaders to attend UN General Assembly in New York, US media reports

According to multiple US media reports, the US government has agreed to allow Iranian leaders to attend the upcoming UN General Assembly high-level meeting in New York, despite what the reports describe as a state of war between the US and Iran. The Iranian delegation will be smaller than last year and subject to travel restrictions within the US, a State Department statement said. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is expected to address the General Assembly on September 23.

The view from inside

The report, sourced from Xinhua, appears in the state-affiliated Global Times and frames the US permission as a concession…

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Full analysisOriginal #iran#united-nations#us-iran-relations
InternationalGlobal Times (环球时报)

China opposes push to restore UN sanctions on Iran

China voted against a U.S.-drafted UN Security Council resolution to extend the mandate of the Iran Sanctions Committee's Panel of Experts, which failed to pass. China's UN representative Fu Cong argued that Resolution 2231 endorsing the JCPOA expired in October 2025 and the Council has ended its consideration of the Iran nuclear issue, making any attempt to reinstate sanctions divisive and harmful. The resolution received 11 votes in favor, with Russia and China voting against and two abstentions.

The view from inside

The Global Times frames China's veto as a principled stand for justice and stability, using language such as 'safeguarding…

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Full analysisOriginal #iran-nuclear-deal#un-security-council#sanctions