Ethan Zhao
Senior Reporter
The Latest
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China’s Top AI Platforms Go Dark to Stop Cheating During Gaokao
Major Chinese tech firms including Alibaba, Tencent, and ByteDance have temporarily suspended AI features during the country's annual college entrance exams, a nationwide move aimed at curbing cheating in one of the world's most high-stakes academic assessments. More than 13.3 million students are sitting for the multi-day gaokao exams from June 7-10, which determine university placement and often shape career trajectories for years to come. 
Major Chinese tech firms including Alibaba, Tencent, and ByteDance have temporarily suspended AI features during the country's annual college entrance exams, a nationwide move aimed at curbing cheating in one of the world's most high-stakes academic assessments. More than 13.3 million students are sitting for the multi-day gaokao exams from June 7-10, which determine university placement and often shape career trajectories for years to come. -
China Eases Rare Earth Export Curbs for U.S. and EU Auto Giants Amid Global Supply Panic
China has begun easing restrictions on rare earth exports for major U.S. and European automakers, offering limited relief to an industry facing mounting production threats from a critical materials bottleneck. The move comes after emergency trade talks in Paris between Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, and as a delegation of U.S. officials prepares for follow-up negotiations in London. 
China has begun easing restrictions on rare earth exports for major U.S. and European automakers, offering limited relief to an industry facing mounting production threats from a critical materials bottleneck. The move comes after emergency trade talks in Paris between Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, and as a delegation of U.S. officials prepares for follow-up negotiations in London. -
China’s Exports to U.S. Plunge 34.5% in May as Trade Talks Resume in London
China's exports to the United States dropped 34.5% year-over-year in May, the steepest decline since February 2020, as new customs data released Monday underscored deepening disruptions from the trade war with Washington. The sharp fall-amid recently announced tariff relief-preceded a second round of high-stakes trade talks set to begin Monday in London between Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. 
China's exports to the United States dropped 34.5% year-over-year in May, the steepest decline since February 2020, as new customs data released Monday underscored deepening disruptions from the trade war with Washington. The sharp fall-amid recently announced tariff relief-preceded a second round of high-stakes trade talks set to begin Monday in London between Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. -
Trump and Xi Hold Phone Talks
On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump held phone talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to China's state media Xinhua News. 
On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump held phone talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to China's state media Xinhua News. -
China’s Rare Earth Export Curbs Shut European Auto Plants, Threaten Global Supply Chains
Beijing's sweeping export restrictions on rare earth elements and magnets are reverberating through the global economy, disrupting production lines from Munich to Detroit and sparking urgent diplomatic engagement. The curbs, imposed in April, have halted shipments of critical minerals used in electric vehicles, aerospace systems, semiconductors, and military hardware, and have led to suspension of output at multiple European auto parts plants. 
Beijing's sweeping export restrictions on rare earth elements and magnets are reverberating through the global economy, disrupting production lines from Munich to Detroit and sparking urgent diplomatic engagement. The curbs, imposed in April, have halted shipments of critical minerals used in electric vehicles, aerospace systems, semiconductors, and military hardware, and have led to suspension of output at multiple European auto parts plants. -
China Breaks Silence After Ukraine’s Deep Raid Shreds 41 Russian Warplanes
Ukraine's unprecedented drone attack deep inside Russian territory has drawn a measured but pointed response from China, as Beijing reiterated its opposition to escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war. The operation, dubbed "Spiderweb," reportedly damaged or destroyed 41 Russian military aircraft across multiple air bases and caused an estimated $7 billion in losses-one of Kyiv's boldest assaults since the conflict began. 
Ukraine's unprecedented drone attack deep inside Russian territory has drawn a measured but pointed response from China, as Beijing reiterated its opposition to escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war. The operation, dubbed "Spiderweb," reportedly damaged or destroyed 41 Russian military aircraft across multiple air bases and caused an estimated $7 billion in losses-one of Kyiv's boldest assaults since the conflict began. -
Liberal Lee Jae-myung Projected to Win South Korea’s Snap Election With 51.7%, Ending Six-Month Leadership Vacuum
Liberal politician Lee Jae-myung is projected to become South Korea's next president, following months of political turmoil triggered by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's abrupt imposition of martial law and subsequent impeachment. A joint exit poll from major broadcasters KBS, MBC, and SBS showed Lee securing 51.7% of the vote, ahead of conservative rival Kim Moon-soo, who garnered 39.3%. 
Liberal politician Lee Jae-myung is projected to become South Korea's next president, following months of political turmoil triggered by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's abrupt imposition of martial law and subsequent impeachment. A joint exit poll from major broadcasters KBS, MBC, and SBS showed Lee securing 51.7% of the vote, ahead of conservative rival Kim Moon-soo, who garnered 39.3%. -
China Accuses U.S. of Violating Trade Truce Over Chips, Visas, and Sanctions
Tensions between Washington and Beijing have reignited following mutual accusations of violating a fragile trade truce struck last month in Geneva. On Tuesday, China's Foreign Ministry and Commerce Ministry accused the United States of breaching the agreement with a trio of new restrictions, escalating fears that the detente may be unraveling before any durable framework could take hold. 
Tensions between Washington and Beijing have reignited following mutual accusations of violating a fragile trade truce struck last month in Geneva. On Tuesday, China's Foreign Ministry and Commerce Ministry accused the United States of breaching the agreement with a trio of new restrictions, escalating fears that the detente may be unraveling before any durable framework could take hold. -
Two Japanese Businessmen Killed in China, Sparking Renewed Travel Concerns
Two Japanese men were killed in Dalian, a major port city in northern China, in what Chinese authorities described as a business dispute with a former Chinese partner. The suspect, a 42-year-old man identified by his surname Yuan, was arrested on May 24, one day after local police received a report of the killings. 
Two Japanese men were killed in Dalian, a major port city in northern China, in what Chinese authorities described as a business dispute with a former Chinese partner. The suspect, a 42-year-old man identified by his surname Yuan, was arrested on May 24, one day after local police received a report of the killings. -
China Threatens ‘Forceful Measures’ as Trump Accuses Beijing of Violating Trade Pact
Tensions between Washington and Beijing escalated sharply Monday as China accused the United States of breaching the terms of a recent tariff truce and vowed to take "resolute and forceful measures" in retaliation. The Chinese Commerce Ministry said the U.S. had violated the May 2025 trade agreement struck in Geneva by imposing new export controls and targeting Chinese nationals, signaling a renewed rupture in relations between the world's two largest economies. Tensions between Washington and Beijing escalated sharply Monday as China accused the United States of breaching the terms of a recent tariff truce and vowed to take "resolute and forceful measures" in retaliation. The Chinese Commerce Ministry said the U.S. had violated the May 2025 trade agreement struck in Geneva by imposing new export controls and targeting Chinese nationals, signaling a renewed rupture in relations between the world's two largest economies.
